bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving efficiency of inference in clinical trials with external control data
Authors: Li Xinyu , Miao Wang , Lu Fang , Zhou Xiao‐Hua 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSuppose we are interested in the effect of a treatment in a clinical trial. The efficiency of inference may be limited due to small sample size. However, external control data are often available from historical studies. Motivated by an application to Helicobacter pylori infection, we show how to borrow strength from such data to improve efficiency of inference in the clinical trial. Under an exchangeability assumption about the potential outcome mean, we show that the semiparametric efficiency bound for estimating the average treatment effect can be reduced by incorporating both the clinical trial data and external controls. We then derive a doubly robust and locally efficient estimator. The improvement in efficiency is prominent especially when the external control data set has a large sample size and small variability. Our method allows for a relaxed overlap assumption, and we illustrate with the case where the clinical trial only contains a treated group. We also develop doubly robust and locally efficient approaches that extrapolate the causal effect in the clinical trial to the external population and the overall population. Our results also offer a meaningful implication for trial design and data collection. We evaluate the finite‐sample performance of the proposed estimators via simulation. In the Helicobacter pylori infection application, our approach shows that the combination treatment has potential efficacy advantages over the triple therapy.
A smoothed corrected score approach for proportional hazards model with misclassified discretized covariates induced by error‐contaminated continuous time‐dependent exposure
Authors: Song Xiao , Chao Edward C. , Wang Ching‐Yun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe consider the proportional hazards model in which the covariates include the discretized categories of a continuous time‐dependent exposure variable measured with error. Naively ignoring the measurement error in the analysis may cause biased estimation and erroneous inference. Although various approaches have been proposed to deal with measurement error when the hazard depends linearly on the time‐dependent variable, it has not yet been investigated how to correct when the hazard depends on the discretized categories of the time‐dependent variable. To fill this gap in the literature, we propose a smoothed corrected score approach based on approximation of the discretized categories after smoothing the indicator function. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator are established. The observation times of the time‐dependent variable are allowed to be informative. For comparison, we also extend to this setting two approximate approaches, the regression calibration and the risk‐set regression calibration. The methods are assessed by simulation studies and by application to data from an HIV clinical trial.
Seamless Parametrization of Spheres with Controlled Singularities
Authors: Levi Zohar 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe present a method for constructing seamless parametrization for genus‐0 surfaces, which can handle any feasible cone configuration, thus allowing users to arbitrarily design and tailor a mapping as desired. The method directly constructs a self‐overlapping metapolygon of the domain boundary of the mapped cut mesh, which relieves the need of using an auxiliary surface. This simplifies the pipeline and allows for a necessary optimization of the boundary polygon before mapping the interior. Moreover, it enables handling larger meshes with more cones than previous methods can handle. Our construction is purely combinatorial, and it guarantees that the mapping is locally injective – a prerequisite to today's advanced optimization methods. This is achieved via careful construction of a simple domain boundary polygon, where existence of such a polygon is proven for all cases. We offer a numerically robust algorithm to automate the construction, which involves a solution of two linear problems. We offer a full pipeline, suggesting elegant solutions to sub‐problems, and demonstrate robustness through extensive experiments.
Incidence of paediatric multiple sclerosis and other acquired demyelinating syndromes: 10‐year follow‐up surveillance study
Authors: Abdel‐Mannan Omar , Absoud Michael , Benetou Christina , Hickson Helga , Hemingway Cheryl , Lim Ming , Wright Sukhvir , Hacohen Yael , Wassmer Evangeline ,   the UK Childhood Neuroinflammatory Disorders Network
Published: October 2021

AimTo describe a 10‐year follow‐up of children (<16y) with acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) from a UK‐wide prospective surveillance study.MethodDiagnoses were retrieved from the patients' records via the patients' paediatric or adult neurologist using a questionnaire. Demyelinating phenotypes at follow‐up were classified by an expert review panel.ResultsTwenty‐four out of 125 (19.2%) children (64 males, 61 females; median age 10y, range 1y 4mo–15y 11mo), identified in the original study, were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (incidence of 2.04/million children/year); 23 of 24 fulfilled 2017 McDonald criteria at onset. Aquaporin‐4‐antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders were diagnosed in three (2.4%, 0.26/million children/year), and relapsing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease in five (4%, 0.43/million children/year). Three out of 125 seronegative patients relapsed and 85 of 125 (68%) remained monophasic over 10 years. Five of 125 patients (4%) originally diagnosed with ADS were reclassified during follow‐up: three children diagnosed initially with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis were subsequently diagnosed with acute necrotising encephalopathy (RAN‐binding protein 2 mutation), primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (Munc 13‐4gene inversion), and anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor encephalitis. One child initially diagnosed with optic neuritis was later diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, and one presenting with transverse myelitis was subsequently diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome.InterpretationThe majority of ADS presentations in children are monophasic, even at 10‐year follow‐up. Given the implications for treatment strategies, multiple sclerosis and central nervous system autoantibody mimics warrant extensive investigation.
Effects of continuous exposure to total dissolved gas supersaturation on swimming ability and recovery in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Cao Chenyang , Fan Zequn , Wang Yuanming , Liu Xiaoqing , Shi Haoran , Yang Yao 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTotal dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation caused by flood discharge water is becoming a serious environmental problem that threatens the survival of fish. The swimming ability of fish may be influenced by TDG supersaturation. To investigate the effects of continuous exposure to TDG supersaturation on fish swimming ability, we measured the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and burst swimming speed (Uburst) of grass carp continuously exposed to TDG supersaturation. The Ucrit values of grass carp were 6.34–3.68 body length per second (BL/s) at 100%, 105%, 110%, 115%, 120%, 125%, 130% and 135% TDG, while the Uburst values were 10.2–8.96 BL/s at these TDG levels. The swimming ability (Ucrit and Uburst) of grass carp decreased with increasing TDG levels and was significantly decreased at higher TDG levels (>120%). A swimming ability recovery test was used to investigate the effects of recovery on the swimming ability of grass carp continuously exposed to TDG supersaturation. When grass carp experienced exposures of 115%, 120%, 125%, 130% and 135% TDG, the recovery ratios of Ucrit were 76%–82% and 77%–86% after recovering for 1 and 2 h, respectively, in freshwater (100% TDG). The recovery ratios of Uburst of grass carp were 84%–98% and 95%–97% under the same recovery conditions and TDG levels. The results showed that the recovery ratios of both Ucrit and Uburst increased with the extension of the recovery time. The swimming ability of grass carp provided with a 2‐h recovery time recovered almost completely.
Cerebellar pathology and disability worsening in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis: A retrospective analysis from the CombiRx trial
Authors: Petracca Maria , Cutter Gary , Cocozza Sirio , Freeman Leorah , Kangarlu John , Margoni Monica , Moro Matteo , Krieger Stephen , El Mendili Mohamed Mounir , Droby Amgad , Wolinsky Jerry S. , Lublin Fred , Inglese Matilde 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeCerebellar damage is a valuable predictor of disability, particularly in progressive multiple sclerosis. It is not clear if it could be an equally useful predictor of motor disability worsening in the relapsing‐remitting phenotype.AimWe aimed to determine whether cerebellar damage is an equally useful predictor of motor disability worsening in the relapsing‐remitting phenotype.MethodsCerebellar lesion loads and volumes were estimated using baseline magnetic resonance imaging from the CombiRx trial (n = 838). The relationship between cerebellar damage and time to disability worsening (confirmed disability progression [CDP], timed 25‐foot walk test [T25FWT] score worsening, nine‐hole peg test [9HPT] score worsening) was tested in stagewise and stepwise Cox proportional hazards models, accounting for demographics and supratentorial damage.ResultsShorter time to 9HPT score worsening was associated with higher baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.408, p = 0.0042) and higher volume of supratentorial and cerebellar T2 lesions (HR 1.005 p = 0.0196 and HR 2.211, p = 0.0002, respectively). Shorter time to T25FWT score worsening was associated with higher baseline EDSS (HR 1.232, p = 0.0006). Shorter time to CDP was associated with older age (HR 1.026, p = 0.0010), lower baseline EDSS score (HR 0.428, p < 0.0001) and higher volume of supratentorial T2 lesions (HR 1.024, p < 0.0001).ConclusionAmong the explored outcomes, single time‐point evaluation of cerebellar damage only allows the prediction of manual dexterity worsening. In clinical studies the selection of imaging biomarkers should be informed by the outcome of interest.
Enforced monoandry over generations induces a reduction of female investment into reproduction in a promiscuous bird
Authors: Sorci Gabriele , Lesobre Loïc , Vuarin Pauline , Levêque Gwènaëlle , Saint Jalme Michel , Lacroix Frédéric , Hingrat Yves 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWhile uncovering the costs and benefits of polyandry has attracted considerable attention, assessing the net effect of sexual selection on population fitness requires the experimental manipulation of female mating over generations, which is usually only achievable in laboratory populations of arthropods. However, knowing if sexual selection improves or impairs the expression of life‐history traits is key for the management of captive populations of endangered species, which are mostly long‐lived birds and mammals. It might therefore be questionable to extrapolate the results gathered on laboratory populations of insects to infer the net effect of sexual selection on populations of endangered species. Here, we used a longitudinal dataset that has been collected on a long‐lived bird, the houbara bustard, kept in a conservation breeding program, to investigate the effect of enforced monoandry on female investment into reproduction. In captivity, female houbara bustards are artificially inseminated with sperm collected from a single male (enforced monoandry), or sequentially inseminated with semen of different males (polyandry), allowing postcopulatory sexual selection to operate. We identified female lines that were produced either by monoandrous or polyandrous inseminations over three generations, and we compared reproductive investment of females from the two mating system groups. We found that females in the polyandrous lines had higher investment into reproduction as they laid more eggs per season and produced heavier hatchlings. Higher reproductive investment into reproduction in the polyandrous lines did not result from inherited differences from females initially included in the two mating system groups. These results show that removal of sexual selection can alter reproductive investment after only few generations, potentially hindering population fitness and the success of conservation breeding programs.
Investigation of miR‐126‐3p loaded on adipose stem cell‐derived exosomes for wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhang Zhaofeng , Wang Yinmin , Shen Hua 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the function of miR‐126‐3p loaded on adipose stem cell (ADSC)‐derived exosomes (ADSC‐Exos) in wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects.MethodsADSCs transfected with miR‐126‐3p mimic, miR‐126‐3p inhibitor or pcDNA3.1‐PIK3R2, or PKH26‐marked ADSC‐Exos were cultured with fibroblasts or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The proliferation and migration rates of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs were measured. Rats with full‐thickness skin defects were injected with ADSC‐Exos or exosomes extracted from ADSCs transfected with miR‐126‐3p inhibitor and the wound healing rates were measured. The wound bed, collagen deposition and angiogenesis in injured rats were assessed.ResultsADSC‐Exos could be ingested by fibroblasts and HUVECs. Co‐incubation with ADSCs or ADSC‐Exos promoted the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs, which was further enhanced by miR‐126‐3p overexpression. Inhibition of ADSC‐Exos or miR‐126‐3p or PIK3R2 overexpression suppressed the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and angiogenesis of HUVECs. ADSC‐derived exosomal miR‐126‐3p increased wound healing rate, collagen deposition and newly formed vessels in the injured rats.ConclusionADSC‐derived exosomal miR‐126‐3p promotes wound healing of full‐thickness skin defects by targeting PIK3R2.
Shop at your own risk? Consumer activities in fashion e‐commerce
Authors: Sutinen Ulla‐Maija , Saarijärvi Hannu , Yrjölä Mika 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAn important aspect of fashion e‐commerce is the emergence of new types of consumer behaviours that occur online. These behaviours are diverse and include searching for, comparing, ordering and returning fashion items. They are driven by various motivations, characterised by different types of perceived risks and objectives, and carried out through different consumer activities. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify and analyse consumer activities with an objective of managing the risk associated with fashion e‐commerce. This qualitative study identifies and discusses 12 risk management activities that consumers employ in fashion e‐commerce. These activities involve consumers searching for information and codes, making comparisons, adjusting their orders and delaying purchases. The activities vary in terms of their direction (product vs. process) and the type of risk being managed (economic vs. functional). The study extends the current understanding towards viewing fashion consumption behaviour as a combination of various consumer activities. The study further incorporates these activities into a tentative framework that helps illuminate the kinds of risk management activities consumers may employ. The activities identified in this study, along with the proposed categorisation, provide a framework for managers to consider in segmentation, web store design and the development of marketing communications. On a more general level, the study shifts the focus from how consumers perceive risk to how empowered consumers actively manage the risk in various ways.
Role of radiotherapy in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib
Authors: Chang Won Ick , Kim Byoung Hyuck , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Jung Yong Jin , Chie Eui Kyu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackground and AimThis study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of locoregional radiation therapy (RT) before, after, and concurrent with sorafenib therapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsPatients treated with sorafenib for BCLC stage C HCC between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. In this study, only RT to locoregional sites, including the primary HCC, tumor thrombosis, or lymph node metastasis, was analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to adjust important baseline characteristics between groups.ResultsAmong 398 patients treated with sorafenib, 68 (17.1%) patients were treated with locoregional RT. Median progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS) were 2.2 and 9.5 months, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, locoregional RT (P < 0.001) was associated with a favorable OS. After 1:1 propensity score matching, patients who did not receive locoregional RT showed a worse OS than those who received RT (median 9.6 vs 15.7 months, P = 0.017). Whereas locoregional RT before/concurrent with sorafenib did not result in prolonged OS, locoregional RT after sorafenib showed significantly prolonged OS compared with sorafenib without locoregional RT (P = 0.003). Moreover, patients treated with ≥ 12 weeks of sorafenib significantly benefited from locoregional RT (15.3 vs 23.6 months, P = 0.046).ConclusionLocoregional RT was associated with significantly longer survival in BCLC stage C HCC patients who were treated with sorafenib. Therefore, incorporating locoregional RT could improve the dismal prognosis for these patients.
Vasectomy of golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) using local anesthesia after sedation with dexmedetomidine‐ketamine‐meperidine
Authors: Ferraro Mario Antonio , Molina Camila Vieira , Gris Vanessa Nadine , Kierulff Maria Cecília Martins , Cortopassi Silvia Renata Gaido 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe study evaluated the combination of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and meperidine for vasectomy in golden‐headed lion tamarins. Lidocaine infiltration was required for intraoperative analgesia and atipamezole was used at the end of the procedure. The protocol promoted satisfactory sedation and analgesia with a short recovery time in tamarins.
HINT1‐related neuropathy in Greek patients with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Kontogeorgiou Zoi , Voudommatis Charalampos , Kartanou Chrisoula , Pandis Dionysis , Breza Marianthi , Zambelis Thomas , Stefanis Leonidas , Panas Marios , Koutsis Georgios , Karadima Georgia 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAutosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia (ARAN‐NM) is a rare hereditary neuropathy within the Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) spectrum, linked to mutations in the histidine triad nucleotide‐binding protein 1 (HINT1) gene. HINT1‐related neuropathy is particularly common in selected populations from Central and Eastern Europe but rare in Western European cohorts. It has not been investigated to date in the Greek population. We presently investigated the frequency of HINT1‐neuropathy in a selected cohort of 42 Greek index patients with autosomal recessive or sporadic axonal hereditary neuropathy according to standard molecular genetics procedures. We identified 4 patients with biallelic mutations in HINT1, comprising 9.5% of all cases and 44.4% of cases also displaying neuromyotonia. The c.110G> C (p.Arg37Pro) HINT1 mutation was present in all cases (2 homozygous) and the c.250T> C (p.Cys84Arg) in 2 cases (compound heterozygous). HINT1‐related neuropathy patients were characterized by early onset and neuromyotonia. Two patients had noteworthy clinical features, one case developing myoclonic epilepsy and the other displaying “adducted thumbs.” We conclude that HINT1‐related neuropathy is common in selected Greek patients with hereditary neuropathy within the CMT spectrum, in accordance with some, but not all, European populations.
Systemic Financial Stress and Macroeconomic Amplifications in the United Kingdom*
Authors: Chatterjee Somnath , Chiu Ching‐Wai (Jeremy) , Duprey Thibaut , Hacıoğlu‐Hoke Sinem 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe develop a daily composite index of financial stress for the United Kingdom over 50 years, the UKFSI. The index includes market stress indicators based on their incremental information to capture financial crises. During the COVID‐19 crisis, financial stress peaks but remains less severe than during the Global Financial Crisis. The UKFSI is used in a threshold vector autoregression to differentiate the economic dynamics between tranquil and stressful periods. We highlight the importance of nonlinearities that amplify shocks. But we find no evidence of financial shocks contributing to the COVID‐19 crisis, possibly reflecting effective policy interventions.
Correlation of CT Values and Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Chinese Patients with Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhu Chun‐xia , He Jin‐quan , Hu Yong‐cheng , Sun Jie 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) values and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly Chinese patients with proximal humeral fractures.MethodsThis was a single‐center retrospective study involving 166 elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures between January and June 2015 in our hospital. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 89 patients were finally enrolled in this study. The spiral CT scanning was performed on these patients, and the CT images were obtained by using MIMICS software. The CT values in axial, coronal, and sagittal images of healthy proximal humeri were measured using a circular region of interest (ROI) by Image J. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Spearman rank correlation methods were used for analysis of the association between the proximal humerus average CT value (CTMean) and the lumbar spine as well as femoral neck BMD in patients with proximal humeral fractures, or osteoporotic patients.ResultsAmong the included 89 patients, there were 26 males and 63 females, 69% and 84% of whom were diagnosed with osteoporosis, respectively. The lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD and the CTMean of the proximal humerus were higher in males than females with proximal humeral fractures (P < 0.05). This gender difference was also found in the osteoporotic patient population (P < 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation method showed that the lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD was closely related to the proximal humeral CTMean in males (r = 0.877, P = 0.000; r = 0.832, P = 0.000; respectively) and females (r = 0.806, P = 0.000; r = 0.616, P = 0.000; respectively) with proximal humeral fractures, as well as osteoporotic male (r = 0.745, P = 0.000; r = 0.575, P = 0.000; respectively) and female (r = 0.613, P = 0.000; r = 0.629, P = 0.000; respectively) patients.ConclusionsThe CT value of the proximal humerus is a rapid and accurate method by which bone quality can be assessed in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures. Moreover, the CT value of the proximal humerus is an alternative measurement of BMD that can guide surgeons in selecting the appropriate internal fixation material.
Strategies to overcome complicated situations in leadless pacemaker implantation
Authors: Chen Xueying , Huang Weijian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAlthough leadless pacemaker implantation is not complicated, challenges exist in complex situations, which can be prevented and resolved with appropriate treatments including dealing with the abnormal venous access or choosing a superior vena cava approach, implanting at the septum rather than the apex, a snare assistant technique to deployment, assurance of solid fixation, and snaring dislodged device.