bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A machine‐learning modified CART algorithm informs Merkel cell carcinoma prognosis
Authors: Cheraghlou Shayan , Sadda Praneeth , Agogo George O. , Girardi Michael 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer with a high mortality rate. MCC staging is currently based on tumour primary size, clinical detectability of lymph node metastases, performance of a lymph node biopsy, and presence of distant metastases.ObjectiveWe aimed to use a modified classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm using available data points in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to elucidate novel prognostic factors for MCC.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of the NCDB and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Cases from the NCDB were randomly assigned to either the training or validation cohorts. A modified CART algorithm was created with data from the training cohort and used to identify prognostic groups that were validated in the NCDB validation and SEER cohorts.ResultsA modified CART algorithm using tumour variables available in the NCDB identified prognostic strata as follows: I: local disease, II: ≤3 positive nodes, III: ≥4 positive nodes, and IV: presence of distant metastases. Three‐year survival for these groups in the NCDB validation cohort were 81.2% (SE: 1.7), 59.6% (SE: 3.0), 38.0% (SE: 6.0), and 20.2% (SE: 7.0), respectively. These strata were exhibited greater within‐group homogeneity than AJCC groups and were more predictive of survival.ConclusionsRisk‐stratified grouping of MCC patients incorporating positive lymph node count were strongly predictive of survival and demonstrated a high degree of within‐group homogeneity and survival prediction. Incorporation of positive lymph node count within overall staging or sub‐staging may help to improve future MCC staging criteria.
18F‐FDG PET/CT use in functional assessment of the testes: A systematic review
Authors: Bochiński Antoni , Sujenthiran Arunan , Al‐Hussini Mohamed , Fruhwirth Gilbert O. , Shabbir Majed , Yap Tet 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionOur study analysed previous studies employing positron emission tomography with co‐registered computer tomography (PET/CT) in andrological patient evaluation and assessed the differences in 2‐[18F]F‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake between three groups: healthy testes, benign and malignant testicular pathology.MethodsMedline and Embase were systematically searched for studies involving FDG‐PET/CT imaging of testes with results expressed as mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean). A one‐way ANOVA was used to compare SUVmean between three groups. All papers assessing andrological parameters were pooled to compare fertility data.ResultsSeventeen studies, including three relating to fertility diagnosis, with a total of 830 patients, were included in the review. One‐way ANOVA showed a statistical difference between mean values of tracer SUVmean in healthy and malignant testes (Dif. = −2.77, 95% CI = −4.32 to 1.21, p < 0.01) as well as benign and malignant (Dif. = −2.95, 95% CI = −4.33 to −1.21, p < 0.01) but no difference between healthy and benign (Dif. = 0.19, 95% CI = −0.96 to 1.33, p = 0.90). There is some evidence to suggest that FDG uptake and testicular volume are positively correlated to total sperm count, sperm concentration and sperm motility and that germ cells are likely to account for the majority of testicular FDG accumulation.ConclusionOur findings indicate that malignant testicular lesions demonstrate a significantly higher FDG uptake than benign testicular lesions or healthy testes. Some evidence also suggests that FDG‐PET could visualise metabolic activity and thus spermatogenesis; however more studies are required to determine whether FDG‐PET could also be used to diagnose infertility. Further studies should focus on correlating both sex hormone‐serum levels and semen analysis results with imaging data.
Association between oral contraceptives and serious infections: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Rosenthal Yael Shalev , Rosenthal Adam , Shalev Ram Hila , Ram Shai , Chodick Gabriel , Koren Gideon 
Published: May 2021

AimsOral contraceptives (OC)s are commonly used worldwide. In a recent study, we showed that the use of OCs is associated with an increased risk for neutropenia. We aimed to investigate the clinical implications of this finding by examining the infection rates of 4 serious infections before, during and after OCs.MethodsA retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical records of a large health organization. We selected 2 retrospective cohorts of women aged 16–40 between years 2005 and 2019. The first cohort examined infection rates during 2 years before OC use and 2 consecutive years of adherent OC use. The second cohort included women who consumed OCs adherently for 2 years and then discontinued their use for 2 consecutive years. Women's infection rates were compared by χ2 test, results were stratified by OC type and age.ResultsOverall, 21 595 and 20 728 women were included in Cohorts 1 and 2 respectively. We found a statistically significant higher relative risk for infection while using OCs; the overall risk ratios (95% confidence intervals) for infection in Cohorts 1 and 2 were 1.35 (1.32–1.38) and 1.27 (1.24–1.31), respectively. The overall infection risk remained statistically significant when stratified by age.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a high statistically and clinically significant risk for all infections followed during OC consumption, which is likely to have major clinical and economic implications. These findings may have implications to millions of women worldwide and should lead to more research on the safety of the pill.
Flexible fibre optic vs digital ureteroscopy and enhanced vs unenhanced imaging for diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC): results from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourology Society (CROES)‐UTUC registry
Authors: Soria Francesco , Laguna M. Pilar , Roupret Morgan , Garcia‐Marchinena Patricio , Gonzalez Mariano Sebastián , Habuchi Tomonori , Erkan Erkan , Ng Anthony , Gontero Paolo , de la Rosette Jean 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesTo compare the oncological outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing kidney‐sparing surgery (KSS) with fibre‐optic (FO) vs digital (D) ureteroscopy (URS). To evaluate the oncological impact of image‐enhancement technologies such as narrow‐band imaging (NBI) and Image1‐S in patients with UTUC.Patients and MethodsThe Clinical Research Office of the Endourology Society (CROES)‐UTUC registry is an international, multicentre, cohort study prospectively collecting data on patients with UTUC. Patients undergoing flexible FO‐ or D‐URS for diagnostic or diagnostic and treatment purposes were included. Differences between groups in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were evaluated.ResultsThe CROES registry included 2380 patients from 101 centres and 37 countries, of whom 401 patients underwent URS (FO‐URS 186 and D‐URS 215). FO‐URS were performed more frequently for diagnostic purposes, while D‐URS was peformed when a combined diagnostic and treatment strategy was planned. Intra‐ and postoperative complications did not differ between the groups. The 5‐year OS and DFS rates were 91.5% and 66.4%, respectively. The mean OS was 42 months for patients receiving FO‐URS and 39 months for those undergoing D‐URS (P = 0.9); the mean DFS was 28 months in the FO‐URS group and 21 months in the D‐URS group (P < 0.001). In patients who received URS with treatment purposes, there were no differences in OS (P = 0.9) and DFS (P = 0.7). NBI and Image1‐S technologies did not improve OS or DFS over D‐URS.ConclusionsD‐URS did not provide any oncological advantage over FO‐URS. Similarly, no differences in terms of OS and DFS were found when image‐enhancement technologies were compared to D‐URS. These findings underline the importance of surgeon skills and experience, and reinforce the need for the centralisation of UTUC care.
Omega‐3 PUFA profoundly affect neural, physiological, and behavioural competences – implications for systemic changes in trophic interactions
Authors: Pilecky Matthias , Závorka Libor , Arts Michael T. , Kainz Martin J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn recent decades, much conceptual thinking in trophic ecology has been guided by theories of nutrient limitation and the flow of elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, within and among ecosystems. More recently, ecologists have also turned their attention to examining the value of specific dietary nutrients, in particular polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), among which the omega‐3 PUFA, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play a central role as essential components of neuronal cell membranes in many organisms. This review focuses on a new neuro‐ecological approach stemming from the biochemical (mechanistic) and physiological (functional) role of DHA in neuronal cell membranes, in particular in conjunction with G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). We link the co‐evolution of these neurological functions to metabolic dependency on dietary omega‐3 PUFA. We outline ways in which deficiencies in dietary DHA supply may affect, cognition, vision, and behaviour, and ultimately, the biological fitness of consumers. We then review emerging evidence that changes in access to dietary omega‐3 PUFA may ultimately have profound impacts on trophic interactions leading to potential changes in community structure and ecosystem functioning that, in turn, may affect the supply of DHA within and across ecosystems, including the supply for human consumption.
Head‐to‐head comparison between 18F‐DOPA PET/CT and 68Ga‐DOTA peptides PET/CT in detecting intestinal neuroendocrine tumours: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Piccardo Arnoldo , Fiz Francesco , Bottoni Gianluca , Ugolini Martina , Noordzij Walter , Trimboli Pierpaolo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeThe imaging of intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) relies on functional positron emission tomography (PET) tracers; these tumours can be studied by means of both 68Ga‐DOTA peptides and 18F‐fluorodihydroxyphenyl‐
l‐alanine (18F‐DOPA) PET/computed tomography (CT). As yet, it is unclear which of these two modalities offers the better sensitivity. We therefore conducted a meta‐analysis to assess the available data.MethodsPubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies comparing the sensitivity of 68Ga‐DOTA peptides and 18F‐DOPA PET/CT; papers up to February 2021 were considered. In each study, we considered sensitivity in terms of patient‐based analysis (PBA), region‐based analysis (RBA) and lesion‐based analysis (LBA), and pooled the results yielded by each tracer. Multidisciplinary follow‐up served as the standard of truth.ResultsOf the 636 records identified, 6 articles published between 2008 and 2021 were finally selected, and 112 intestinal NETs patients were included. The pooled sensitivity of 18F‐DOPA PET/CT was 83%, 89% and 95% on PBA, RBA and LBA, respectively. 68Ga‐DOTA peptides PET/CT showed sensitivity of 88%, 92% and 82% on PBA, RBA and LBA, respectively. No significant differences were found between the two tracers on PBA and RBA. By contrast, a clear trend towards significance in favour of 18F‐DOPA PET/CT was identified on LBA. The presence of a significant difference in favour of 18F‐DOPA PET/CT was confirmed in a subgroup analysis conducted only on the most recent and largest studies. In all three analyses, mild‐to‐high heterogeneity was found; however, no publication bias was observed.ConclusionBoth 18F‐DOPA PET/CT and 68Ga‐DOTA‐peptides PET/CT are reliable diagnostic procedures in patients with intestinal NETs. However, in terms of lesion detection, a non‐negligible difference in favour of 18F‐DOPA PET/CT was observed. Thus, the use of 18F‐DOPA PET/CT could be considered as a first‐line molecular procedure in intestinal NETs.
Concepts of God and Germs: Social Mechanisms and Cognitive Heuristics
Authors: Saide Anondah , Richert Rebekah 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrevious research has shown that the more individuals view observable entities as animate, the more those entities are associated with having psychological and physiological experiences. This study examined the relationship between children's animistic and anthropomorphic reasoning for concepts of unobservable scientific (i.e., germ) and religious (i.e., God) entities. This study further explored how children's conceptions vary according to the social learning opportunities (i.e., discourse, rituals) parents reportedly create. Parent–child dyads with young children from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds participated. Three central findings emerged. First, children readily associated God with psychobiological characteristics but did not do so to the same extent for germs. Second, children applied more psychobiological properties to both entity types when they believed that the entity was animate. Third, engaging in rituals and discourse with parents was indirectly related to children's concepts of God but not related to their concepts of germs. Overall, this study presented support for a connection between children's animistic and anthropomorphic reasoning for unobservable entities, and an indirect effect of cultural input on this reasoning. The implications of these findings will be discussed.
The puzzle of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and their association with plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Authors: Lawson Nancy , Vane‐Wright Richard I. , Boppré Michael 
Published: May 2021

1. The chemical defences of monarch butterflies involve two kinds of secondary plant metabolites: cardiac glycosides (CGs) that are obtained from larval hostplants, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that are gathered by adults usually independent from feeding behaviour. While monarchs and CGs have received great attention, monarchs and PAs appear largely ignored in science as well as by the public.2. We review and discuss PA‐pharmacophagy specifically for Danaus plexippus and its closest relatives and aim to encourage research and future consideration of this peculiar type of insect‐plant relationship, which represents an intrinsic but surprisingly understudied aspect of the lives of adult monarchs.
On academic branding: A review of the factors influencing research agenda choice and prioritization in management
Authors: Wazir Ola , El‐Bassiouny Noha , Schmidpeter René 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper aims to investigate the process of setting a prioritized research agenda that tackles the relevance gap in the management field as a method of academic branding for scholars. This is done by assessing the institutional and individual factors that affect research agenda prioritization for the management scholar. A conceptual approach, that is the outcome of theory analysis and the investigation of previous literature, is adopted. This results in a conceptual framework that tackles the relationship between the factors on one side and decision‐making styles on the other. The study has implications for scholars to keep in perspective a conceptualization of the factors that could influence their research agenda setting process. This study has two contributions. First, the delivery of a conceptual framework that is relevant to management scholars to help prioritize research agenda that contributes to academic branding, and second is the linking of decision‐making styles to these factors.
Validating timing of salmon smolt runs obtained by telemetry studies
Authors: Hulbak Magnus , Hanssen Erlend M. , Lennox Robert J. , Salvanes Anne Gro Vea , Barlaup Bjørn , Gharbi Naouel , Nilsen Tom Ole , Vollset Knut Wiik 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTelemetry tags are increasingly used in management to monitor the migration timing of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar L.). It has been postulated that (1) effects from tagging and handling may alter migration behaviour, and (2) that the selection of fish during sampling is not representative of all migrating smolts, yielding bias in migration timing estimates. In the River Dale (Vestland, Norway), five groups of wild Atlantic salmon smolts (N = 385) were tagged in April–May and recaptured in a wolf trap. Migration timing was then compared to the untagged population. Migration timing differed between tagged (12 mm PIT) and untagged fish for 4/5 groups. Only fish tagged at the first time point did not have significantly different timing of migration from untagged counterparts. The relationship between length and the timing of migration was different for initial length and length at recapture; initial length suggested earlier migration of longer fish, but the extra time spent in the river prior to migrating for smolts that were initially smaller compensated for the size difference. The tagging protocol is crucial to obtaining representative migration timing results. Smolts should be tagged as early as possible and include the entire size distribution.
Pancreas stiffness in liver cirrhosis is an indicator of insulin secretion caused by portal hypertension and pancreatic congestion
Authors: Imamura Yoshiki , Kumagi Teru , Kuroda Taira , Koizumi Mitsuhito , Yoshida Osamu , Kanemitsu Kozue , Tada Fujimasa , Tanaka Yoshinori , Hirooka Masashi , Hiasa Yoichi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimPortal hypertension induces pancreatic congestion and impaired insulin secretion in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, its mechanism is unclear, with no established noninvasive imaging method for the evaluation of its pathogeneses. The present study focused on pancreas stiffness, as assessed by shear wave elastography (SWE), and examined its association with portal hypertension and insulin secretion.MethodsShear wave elastography and contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography were utilized to evaluate pancreas stiffness and congestion, respectively. A glucagon challenge test was used for insulin secretion assessment. Furthermore, rat models of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced LC and portal hypertension were used to identify the direct effects of pancreatic congestion. Immunohistochemistry staining of the pancreas was carried out on human autopsy samples.ResultsPancreas stiffness measured by SWE was higher in patients with LC than in controls and showed significant correlation with pancreatic congestion. The glucagon challenge test indicated a lower value for the change in C‐peptide immunoreactivity in the LC group, which was inversely correlated with pancreas stiffness and congestion. Additionally, portal hypertension and insulin secretion dysfunction were confirmed in CCl4 rat models. Autopsy of human samples revealed congestive and fibrotic changes in the pancreas and the relationship between insulin secretion and their factors in patients with LC.ConclusionsIn patients with LC, pancreas stiffness measured by SWE could be a potential noninvasive test for evaluating pancreatic congestion and fibrosis due to portal hypertension. Moreover, it was associated with impaired insulin secretion, and could aid in guiding the treatment for hepatogenous diabetes.
Marketisation of higher education: A genre analysis of university prospectuses in Pakistan
Authors: Shahnaz Ambreen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe marketisation of higher education is a global phenomenon in the new millennium as the universities are facing intense competition to manage their financial resources and maintain their academic growth and reputation. Pakistan is also influenced by the globalisation of higher education. In this context, this study is a genre analysis of the introductory pages of prospectuses o Pakistani universities. Through Bhatia's model of Applied Genre Analysis, a six‐move generic structure has been identified in the introductory pages of prospectuses to establish it as a complex hybrid promotional genre. The most significant communicative purposes are welcoming, informing, and persuading. The universities appear to borrow discourse from genres like accounts, advertisements, management, and the tourist industry. The analysis reveals that marketisation is deeply rooted in today's higher education in Pakistan.
Effectiveness of remineralization agents on the prevention of dental bleaching induced sensitivity: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: GÜMÜŞTAŞ Burak , DİKMEN Benin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to compare the use of different remineralization agents before in‐office bleaching for decreasing bleaching induced sensitivity.MethodsA total of 64 volunteers were randomly divided into four groups. Before undergoing in‐office bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide gel (three applications of 15 min each, one session), clinicians applied a placebo gel (control group), casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP), neutral sodium fluoride gel (NSF) or nano‐hydroxyapatite solution (n‐HAP) on all buccal surfaces of teeth. The gel was left undisturbed for 4 min. The efficacy of tooth whitening was assessed by determining the colour change using SGU. Patients recorded their tooth sensitivities on the VAS scale. Kruskal‐Wallis test followed by Mann‐Whitney U test was used to compare changes in tooth colour and intensity of tooth sensitivity between groups.ResultsOverall, there was no significant difference in shade change between the groups. Control and CPP‐ACP groups showed significantly higher rates of hypersensitivity than NSF and the n‐HAP group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of a remineralization agent (n‐HAP/NSF) before in‐office bleaching did not affect the bleaching efficacy but did reduce tooth sensitivity. The before bleaching treatment use of an n‐HAP solution can be suitable for reducing bleaching born sensitivity as well as commonly used NSF remineralizing gel before in‐office tooth bleaching can reduce tooth sensitivity, the most common side effect associated with this procedure.