bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of adenosine 2A receptors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma is associated with poorer response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents and anti-PD-1/Anti-CTLA4 antibodies and shorter survival
Authors: Kamai Takao , Kijima Toshiki , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Nukui Akinori , Abe Hideyuki , Arai Kyoko , Yoshida Ken-Ichiro 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Adenosine and its adenosine 2A receptors (A2AR) mediate the immunosuppressive mechanism by which tumors escape immunosurveillance and impede anti-tumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment. However, we do not know whether the adenosine pathway (CD39/CD73/A2AR) plays a role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, we studied the role of immunosuppression in RCC by assessing the adenosine pathway in patients with RCC treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents or immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs) or both.

Methods
In 60 patients with metastatic RCC, we examined the expression of CD39, CD73, A2AR, and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemically in surgically resected tumor tissues and studied the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients. Patients were treated by cytoreductive nephrectomy with systemic therapy with anti-VEGF agent or a combination of the ICIs anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) antibody and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody.

Results
Increased expression of A2AR in the primary tumors was associated with metastatic profiles. Patients treated with anti–PD-1 antibody in monotherapy, a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4 antibodies, or anti-VEGF agents showed better response and longer overall survival if the primary tumor had higher PD-L1 expression and lower A2AR expression. In Cox multivariate regression analysis, higher expression of A2AR was associated with shorter overall survival.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the expression of A2AR and PD-L1 in the primary tumors in RCC might predict the outcomes of treatment with anti-VEGF agents and ICIs and that the A2AR pathway might be a molecular target for immunotherapy.
Prognostic Factors in Curative Resected Locoregional Small Intestine Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Evers Maximilian , Rinke Anja , Rütz Johannes , Ramaswamy Annette , Maurer Elisabeth , Bartsch Detlef K. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundSmall intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (SI‐NEN) are rare, and only about 40% of patients are diagnosed without distant metastases. Aim of the study was to identify prognostic factors in patients with potentially curative resected locoregional SI‐NEN.MethodsPatients with curative resected locoregional SI‐NEN (ENETS stages I‐III) were retrieved from a prospective data base. Demographic, surgical and pathological data of patients with and without disease recurrence were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsIn a 20‐year period, 65 of 203 (32%) patients with SI‐NEN were operated for stages I–III disease. Thirty‐eight (58.5%) patients were men, and the median age at surgery was 59 (range 37–87) years. After median follow‐up of 65 months, 14 patients experienced disease relapse median 28.5 (range 6–122) months after initial surgery, of which 2 died due to their disease. Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥ 60 years (HR = 6.41, 95% CI 1.38–29.67, p = 0.017), tumor size ≥ 2 cm (HR = 26.54, 95% CI 4.46–157.62, p < 0.001), lymph node ratio > 0.5 (HR 7.18, 95% CI 1.74–29.74, p = 0.007) and multifocal tumor growth (HR = 6.98, 95% CI 1.66–29.39, p = 0.008) as independent negative prognostic factors and right hemicolectomy compared to segmental small bowel resection (HR = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01–0.24, p < 0.001) as independent protector against recurrence.ConclusionPatients with locoregional SI‐NEN with an age ≥ 60 years, tumor size ≥ 2 cm, lymph node ratio > 0.5 and multiple small bowel tumor foci have an increased risk for recurrence and might benefit from adjuvant treatment. In contrast, right hemicolectomy of ileal SI‐NEN seems to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Low value of whole-body dual-modality [18f]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary staging of stage I–II nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a nest case-control study
Authors: Xiao Bei-Bei , Chen Qiu-Yan , Sun Xue-Song , Li Ji-Bin , Luo Dong-hua , Sun Rui , Lin Da-Feng , Zhang Xu , Fan Wei , Lv Xiao-Fei , Han Lu-Jun , Wen Yue-Feng , Yuan Li , Guo Shan-Shan , Liu Li-Ting , Liu Sai-Lan , Tang Qing-Nan , Liang Yu-Jing , Li Xiao-Yun , Lin Chao , Guo Ling , Mai Hai-Qiang , Tang Lin-Quan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objectives
The value of using PET/CT for staging of stage I–II NPC remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the survival benefit of PET/CT for staging of early-stage NPC before radical therapy.

Methods
A total of 1003 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC of stages I–II were consecutively enrolled. Among them, 218 patients underwent both PET/CT and conventional workup ([CWU], head-and-neck MRI, chest radiograph, liver ultrasound, bone scintigraphy) before treatment. The remaining 785 patients only underwent CWU. The standard of truth (SOT) for lymph node metastasis was defined by the change of size according to follow-up MRI. The diagnostic efficacies were compared in 218 patients who underwent both PET/CT and CWU. After covariate adjustment using propensity scoring, a cohort of 872 patients (218 with and 654 without pre-treatment PET/CT) was included. The primary outcome was overall survival based on intention to treat.

Results
Retropharyngeal lymph nodes were metastatic based on follow-up MRI in 79 cases. PET/CT was significantly less sensitive than MRI in detecting retropharyngeal lymph node lesions (72.2% [62.3–82.1] vs. 91.1% [84.8–97.4], p = 0.004). Neck lymph nodes were metastatic in 89 cases and PET/CT was more sensitive than MRI (96.6% [92.8–100.0] vs. 76.4% [67.6–85.2], p < 0.001). In the survival analyses, there was no association between pre-treatment PET/CT use and improved overall survival, progression-free survival, local relapse-free survival, regional relapse-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival.

Conclusions
This study showed PET/CT is of little value for staging of stage I–II NPC patients at initial imaging.

Key Points
• PET/CT was more sensitive than MRI in detecting neck lymph node lesions whereas it was significantly less sensitive than MRI in detecting retropharyngeal lymph node lesions.
• No association existed between pre-treatment PET/CT use and improved survival in stage I–II NPC patients.
Intraseasonal SST–precipitation relationship in a coupled reanalysis experiment using the MRI coupled atmosphere–ocean data assimilation system
Authors: Kobayashi Chiaki , Fujii Yosuke , Ishikawa Ichiro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo evaluate the atmosphere–ocean coupled data assimilation system developed at the Meteorological Research Institute, the lead-lag relation between the intraseasonal variations (with a time scale of 20–100 days) in precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) is examined in the tropics. It is shown that the relationship over the tropical western Pacific in the coupled reanalysis experiment (CDA) follows the observed relationship more closely than that in the uncoupled reanalysis experiment (UCPL). However, the lead-lag correlations with the observed SST are almost identical between precipitations in CDA and UCPL, indicating that the atmospheric component is strongly constrained by atmospheric observations and hardly affected by the SSTs as boundary conditions. Better representation of the SST–precipitation relationship in CDA is, thus, mostly due to the SST variation modified by the model physics. Comparison with additional reanalysis experiments using coupled and uncoupled systems that assimilate only in-situ observations without satellite observations suggests that the coupled model's physics complements the relatively weak observation constraints and reduces the degradation of the SST–precipitation relationship. Additional analysis for CDA suggests that the warming-to-cooling (cooling-to-warming) transition of the surface net flux, which is in phase with precipitation, is delayed from the positive (negative) peak of SST due to downward heat propagation in the ocean. Comparison of the oceanic near-surface temperature field with observation data indicates that the downward propagation of heat signals is too fast in CDA, resulting in smaller lags of transitions of the net heat flux and precipitation behind SST peaks.
A detailed analysis of pediatric surgical malpractice claims in Germany: what is the probability of a pediatric surgeon to be accused or convicted?
Authors: Mahler Sara , Gianicolo Emilio , Muensterer Oliver J. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aim of the study
Pediatric surgeons treat a vulnerable population in which unfavorable outcome can lead to substantial long-term costs, placing them at risk for malpractice claims. This study aims to characterize the frequency and circumstances in which malpractice claims were successfully brought against pediatric surgeons in Germany over the last 5 years.

Materials and methods
Anonymous data on medical treatment errors and payments were acquired from the Federal Chamber of Physicians from 2014 through 2018 and analyzed for most frequent diagnoses and circumstances that resulted in accusation or conviction. Those claims that were successfully rebutted were compared to as controls. Lifetime risk for being involved in litigation and its outcome was calculated.

Results
There were 129 medical malpractice claims over the 5-year observation period. Medical error was confirmed in 56 cases (43%); the rest were successfully appealed. The risk of the prototypical German pediatric surgeon to be accused was 5.24% and to be convicted 2.27% per year in practice. The most common reasons for conviction (alone or in combination) were surgical-technical errors (23%), treatment delay (21%), insufficient workup (17%), incorrect diagnosis (17%), and incomplete consent (16%).The most frequent circumstances leading to a conviction were trauma (27%), inguinal hernia (7%), circumcision (7%), testicular torsion (7%), acute abdomen (7%), and appendicitis (5%).

Conclusion
Over a 40-year career, pediatric surgeons in Germany face an average calculated risk of 2.1 to be accused and 0.9 to be convicted of malpractice claims. Certain circumstances pose higher risks for litigation than others. Knowledge of these patterns may help practitioners avoid medicolegal confrontation.
Clonal sector analysis and cell ablation confirm a function for DORNROESCHEN-LIKE in founder cells and the vasculature in Arabidopsis
Authors: Glowa Dorothea , Comelli Petra , Chandler John W. , Werr Wolfgang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMain conclusionInducible lineage analysis and cell ablation via conditional toxin expression in cells expressing the DORNRÖSCHEN-LIKE transcription factor represent an effective and complementary adjunct to conventional methods of functional gene analysis.AbstractClassical methods of functional gene analysis via mutational and expression studies possess inherent limitations, and therefore, the function of a large proportion of transcription factors remains unknown. We have employed two complementary, indirect methods to obtain functional information for the AP2/ERF transcription factor DORNRÖSCHEN-LIKE (DRNL), which is dynamically expressed in flowers and marks lateral organ founder cells. An inducible, two-component Cre–Lox system was used to express beta-glucuronidase GUS in cells expressingDRNL, to perform a sector analysis that reveals lineages of cells that transiently expressedDRNLthroughout plant development. In a complementary approach, an inducible system was used to ablate cells expressingDRNLusing diphtheria toxin A chain, to visualise the phenotypic consequences. These complementary analyses demonstrate thatDRNLfunctionally marks founder cells of leaves and floral organs. Clonal sectors also included the vasculature of the leaves and petals, implicating a previously unidentified role for DRNL in provasculature development, which was confirmed in cotyledons by closer analysis ofdrnlmutants. Our findings demonstrate that inducible gene-specific lineage analysis and cell ablation via conditional toxin expression represent an effective and informative adjunct to conventional methods of functional gene analysis.
Computational study on lateral and medial wear characterization in knee implants by a multibody dynamic system
Authors: Fekete G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWear is one of the main mechanical factors that limits the survival of total knee replacements (TKRs) and it is known to be highly dependent on the local kinematics of the knee joint. In this study, an analytical wear model was coupled to a multibody dynamic model to obtain wear distribution at the lateral and medial contact plateaus of different TKRs. The major aim was to analyze if wear distribution on the contact plateaus can be an indicator of elevated tibiofemoral misalignment which can lead to rapid TKR failure. For the multibody dynamic simulations, commercial and prototype TKR geometries were used, coupled with an augmented Archard’s law. Squat movement was chosen due to its importance both in sports and in everyday life. As a conclusion, a new parameter, denoted as wear imbalance, is introduced, which can indicate whether a TKR, due to its geometrical features, is prone to be subjected to elevated wear and failure.
No experimental evidence for vector-free, long-range, upstream dispersal of adult Asian clams [Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774)]
Authors: Pernecker Bálint , Czirok Attila , Mauchart Péter , Boda Pál , Móra Arnold , Csabai Zoltán 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) is one of the rapidly spreading, very successful aquatic invasive species, which has become established widely in many parts of the world. Its spread is assumed to be by both passive and active dispersal. However, the importance of active pedal movement in dispersal is hardly known. Since there was no direct evidence of this phenomenon, field observations were combined with laboratory experiments to find out if the clams move upstream actively, and how this is affected by the quality of the substrate, the density of the clams, and the water velocity. Field observations were conducted at a small watercourse with no waterborne transport. Experiments were done in an indoor artificial stream system, where the distances moved by adult clams were measured via digital image analysis. Substrate grain size, starting density of clams, and water velocity significantly affected clam movement. Fine grain sediment and slow flow velocity both facilitated spread, while there was no clear pattern of density-dependent dispersal. Also, we found no clear preference for either upstream or downstream movement. The maximum distance moved in the lab experiments predicts no more than 0.15 km/y active pedal movement in an upstream direction, while our field observations detected a much faster (0.5–11 km/y) upstream movement, which might be explained by passive dispersal, such as via human transport and ecto- or endozoochory. Overall, it seems that active movement of the species cannot read to long-distance migration.
Selective Laser Melting Process of Al–Based Pyramidal Horns for the W-Band: Fabrication and Testing
Authors: Lamagna L. , Paiella A. , Masi S. , Bottini L. , Boschetto A. , Veniali F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the context of exploring the possibility of using Al-powder Selective Laser Melting to fabricate horn antennas for astronomical applications at millimeter wavelengths, we describe the design, the fabrication, the mechanical characterization, and the electromagnetic performance of additive manufactured horn antennas for the W-band. Our aim, in particular, is to evaluate the performance impact of two basic kinds of surface post-processing (manual grinding and sand-blasting) to deal with the well-known issue of high surface roughness in 3D printed devices. We performed comparative tests of co-polar and cross-polar angular response across the whole W-band, assuming a commercially available rectangular horn antenna as a reference. Based on gain and directivity measurements of the manufactured samples, we find decibel-level detectable deviations from the behavior of the reference horn antenna, and marginal evidence of performance degradation at the top edge of the W-band. We conclude that both kinds of post-processing allow achieving good performance for the W-band, but the higher reliability and uniformity of the sand-blasting post-process encourage exploring similar techniques for further development of aluminum devices at these frequencies.
Dimensions of Autistic Traits Rated by Parents of Children and Adolescents with Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Del Giudice Teresa , Dose Christina , Görtz-Dorten Anja , Steiner Jennifer , Bruning Nicole , Bell Hannah , Roland Pamela , Walter Daniel , Junghänel Michaela , Döpfner Manfred 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo examine the factor structure of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the psychometric properties of the German Symptom Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SCL-ASD). Data were collected from 312 clinical referrals with suspected ASD (2–18 years). Confirmatory factor analyses and analyses of reliability, convergent and divergent validity were performed. A bifactor model with one general ASD factor and two specific factors (interaction-communication; restricted, repetitive behaviors) provided an adequate data fit. Internal consistencies of the SCL-ASD subscales and the total scale were > .70. Correlations with measures of ASD traits were higher than correlations with measures of externalizing and internalizing symptoms. The results support a factor structure consistent with DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria. The SCL-ASD has sound psychometric properties.
Noise induced quiescence of epileptic spike generation in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Cooray Charith N. , Carvalho Ana , Cooray Gerald K. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractClinical scalp electroencephalographic recordings from patients with epilepsy are distinguished by the presence of epileptic discharges i.e. spikes or sharp waves. These often occur randomly on a background of fluctuating potentials. The spike rate varies between different brain states (sleep and awake) and patients. Epileptogenic tissue and regions near these often show increased spike rates in comparison to other cortical regions. Several studies have shown a relation between spike rate and background activity although the underlying reason for this is still poorly understood. Both these processes, spike occurrence and background activity show evidence of being at least partly stochastic processes. In this study we show that epileptic discharges seen on scalp electroencephalographic recordings and background activity are driven at least partly by a common biological noise. Furthermore, our results indicate noise induced quiescence of spike generation which, in analogy with computational models of spiking, indicate spikes to be generated by transitions between semi-stable states of the brain, similar to the generation of epileptic seizure activity. The deepened physiological understanding of spike generation in epilepsy that this study provides could be useful in the electrophysiological assessment of different therapies for epilepsy including the effect of different drugs or electrical stimulation.
Substrate mapping of the left atrium in persistent atrial fibrillation: spatial correlation of localized complex conduction patterns in global charge-density maps to low-voltage areas in 3D contact bipolar voltage maps
Authors: Chierchia Gian-Battista , Sieira Juan , Vanderper Annelies , Osorio Thiago Guimarães , Bala Gezim , Stroker Erwin , Brugada Pedro , Al Houssari Maysam , Cecchini Federico , Mojica Joerelle , Overeinder Ingrid , Bisignani Antonio , Mitraglia Vincenzo , Boveda Serge , Paparella Gaetano , de Asmundis Carlo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the spatial relationship between low-voltage areas (LVAs) in bipolar voltage mapping (BVM) and localized complex conduction (LCC)-cores in a global, non-contact, charge-density-based imaging, and mapping system (AcM).

Methods
Patients with history of index PVI for PsAF and scheduled for a repeat ablation procedure for recurrence of the same arrhythmia were enrolled between August 2018 and February 2020. All patients underwent both substrate mappings of the left atrium (LA) with the CARTO 3D map-ping system and with AcM.

Results
Ten patients where included in our analysis. All presented with persistency of PVI in all veins at the moment of repeat procedure. There was no linear relationship in BVM maps between SR and CSd (correlation coefficient 0.31 ± 0.15), SR and CSp (0.36 ± 0.12) and CSd and CSp (0.43 ± 0.10). The % overlap of localized irregular activation (LIA), localized rotational activation (LRA) and Focal (F) regions with LVA was lower at 0.2 mV compared to 0.5 mV (4.97 ± 7.39%, 3.27 ± 5.25%, 1.09 ± 1.92% and 12.59 ± 11.81%, 7.8 ± 9.20%, 4.62 ± 5.27%). Sensitivity and specificity are not significantly different when comparing composite maps with different LVA cut-offs. AURC was 0.46, 0.48, and 0.39 for LIA, LRA, and Focal, respectively.

Conclusion
Due to wave front direction dependency, LVAs mapped with BVM in sinus rhythm and during coronary sinus pacing only partially overlap in patients with PsAF. LCC-cores mapped during PsAF partially co-localize with LVAs.
Multi-robot multi-operator collaborative assembly systems: a performance evaluation model
Authors: Boschetti Giovanni , Bottin Matteo , Faccio Maurizio , Minto Riccardo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the last decade, collaborative assembly systems (CAS) are becoming increasingly common due to their ability to merge the flexibility of a manual assembly system with the performance of traditional robotics. Technical constraints, e.g., dedicated tools or resources, or performance requirements, e.g., throughput, could encourage the use of a CAS built around a multi-robot and multi-operator layout, i.e., with a number of resources greater than 2. Starting from the development of a prototype multi-robot multi-operator collaborative workcell, a simulation environment was developed to evaluate the makespan and the degree of collaboration in multi-robot multi-operator CAS. From the simulation environment, a mathematical model was conceptualized. The presented model allows estimating, with a certain degree of accuracy, the performances of the system. The results have investigated how several process characteristics, i.e. the number and type of resources, the resources layout, the task allocation method, and the number of feeding devices, influence the degree of collaboration between the resources. Lastly, the authors propose a compact analytic formulation, based on an exponential function, and define the methods and the influence factors to determine its parameters.
Thermal Ionization for Short-Range Potentials
Authors: Hasler David , Siebert Oliver 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe study a concrete model of a confined particle in form of a Schrödinger operator with a compactly supported smooth potential coupled to a bosonic field at positive temperature. We show, that the model exhibits thermal ionization for any positive temperature, provided the coupling is sufficiently small. Mathematically, one has to rule out that zero is an eigenvalue of the self-adjoint generator of time evolution—the Liouvillian. This will be done by using positive commutator methods with dilations in the space of scattering functions. Our proof relies on a spatial cutoff in the coupling but does otherwise not require any unnatural restrictions.