bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Merkel cell carcinoma: A systematic review of the demographic and clinical characteristics of 847 cases in Japan
Authors: Shinogi Taro , Nagase Kotaro , Inoue Takuya , Sato Keiko , Onita Ayako , Takamori Ayako , Narisawa Yutaka 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus and immunosuppression. Although MCC incidence is rising worldwide, MCC has not been sufficiently investigated in Japan. This study aimed to determine MCC demographics in Japan, including incidence, age, sex, location, spontaneous regression, and pure/combined MCC. Using PubMed and Igaku Chuo Zasshi, 847 MCC cases between 1985 and 2015 were extracted, and the main epidemiological characteristics were described. The mean age of all patients was 77.5 years. Regarding the characterized lesions, 63.0% were located on the head and neck, 5.2% on the trunk, 12.6% on the upper limb, 15.1% on the lower limb, 3.5% on the buttocks, and 0.6% on the genitals. Histopathological information regarding the presence of other malignancies could be retrieved in 611 cases, and a coexisting malignancy, mainly squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease, was present in 14.2%. Subcutaneous MCC was observed in 31 patients with a male : female ratio of 1.07 (16 men/15 women). Nodal lesions with unknown primary tumor location were described in 19 patients with a male : female ratio of 0.9 (nine men/10 women) and a mean age of 77.7 years. Of 640 evaluable cases, spontaneous regression developed in 9.1%. Among those 58 patients, the male : female ratio was 1:2.1 in 56 evaluable cases (18 men/38 women). Merkel cell polyomavirus was assessed in 180 patients, and the virus was detected in 31.1% and not detected in 68.9% of the patients. MCC is a rare disease in Japan, with incidence rates and male : female ratios differing from those in the USA and European countries. Besides, this study reveals the high frequency of subcutaneous MCC and MCC with divergent differentiation patterns and spontaneous regression in Japan compared to other countries.
The clinical characteristics and predictors of severe digital ischemia in patients with anti‐aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase antibodies
Authors: Suma Harumichi , Yoshida Yusuke , Sugimoto Tomohiro , Matsuo Yoshimi , Law Sze–Ming , Nakashima Ran , Kobayashi Hiroki , Hosokawa Yohei , Ishitoku Michinori , Kohno Hiroki , Watanabe Hirofumi , Tokunaga Tadahiro , Mokuda Sho , Nojima Takaki , Hirata Shintaro , Sugiyama Eiji 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSevere digital ischemia (SDI), which presents with digital ulcers, necrosis, or gangrene, has been reported to be a rare manifestation of anti‐aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase (ARS) antibody‐positive polymyositis/dermatomyositis or anti‐synthetase syndrome. A retrospective study was conducted between 2009 and 2020 at our department to investigate the clinical features of anti‐ARS antibody‐positive patients with SDI and identify their predictors. A total of 46 patients who were positive for anti‐ARS antibody were included, four of whom (8.7%) presented with SDI. The characteristics of the patients with SDI were as follows: the median age was 74 years, with 75% being female; anti‐Jo–1 antibody, Raynaud's phenomenon, interstitial lung disease, and myositis were observed in two (50%), four (100%), four (100%), and three patients (75%), respectively. Next, we reviewed the literature of anti‐ARS antibody‐positive patients with SDI and investigated the predictors of SDI by analyzing a total of 51 patients, including the previously reported five patients with SDI. Multivariable analyses revealed that Raynaud's phenomenon and myositis independently predicted the development of SDI in patients with anti‐ARS antibody. In conclusion, digital ulcers, necrosis, or gangrene seem to be more common presentations in our study, and Raynaud's phenomenon and myositis can predict the complications of SDI in anti‐ARS antibody‐positive patients.
Reading competence and its impact on writing: an approach towards mental representation in literacy tasks
Authors: Gutierrez de Blume Antonio P. , Soto Christian , Ramírez Carmona Camila , Rodriguez Fernanda , Pino Castillo Patricio 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundReading and writing are both fundamental activities for successful learning. However, little is known about the effect of reading comprehension performance on writing, as well as the pedagogical guidelines that can be drawn from this influence.MethodThus, the purpose of the present investigation was to examine the influence of performance in reading comprehension, distinguishing between poor and proficient readers (N = 105), who were enrolled in four eighth‐grade classes between the ages of 12 and 14, on the writing of narrative and expository texts.ResultsResults revealed that proficient readers outperformed poor readers on objective measures of text production and informative/expository texts. Additionally, regression models demonstrated that proficient readers relied more on deeper aspects of reading and writing such as inferential skills, whereas poor readers tended to focus on superficial aspects of texts, or what Kintsch referred to as text‐base, and appeared to perform better in reading and writing tasks related to narratives compared to information‐based, expository texts.ConclusionThese results support the theoretical perspectives of Kintsch's construction–integration model and Otero's regulation model regarding the relation between reading, writing and mental representations.
The impact of time, environmental conditions, and sex on the degradation of bloody fingerprints on a glass surface
Authors: Czech Anna , Szabelak Aleksandra , Sowiński Artur , Wlazło Łukasz , Pawlicka‐Beck Arleta 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDactyloscopy is the branch of forensics that deals with identifying individuals by analyzing the configurations of the friction ridges on the fingertips. The persistence and degradation of fingerprints depends on such factors as the individual's sex and BMI (body mass index) and the duration and conditions of their preservation. There is a great deal of information on how the passage of time affects the image of fingerprints composed of sebum and sweat, but little knowledge concerning the preservation of bloody fingerprints. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of sex, the state of the blood forming the print (dry vs. fresh), environmental factors (room vs. outdoor conditions), and time on the width of friction ridge impressions in fingerprints. Fingerprints made with fresh blood were found to persist longest, while prints left by women and exposed to outdoor conditions degraded most rapidly. The ambient temperature also had a significant effect on the width of friction ridge impressions and their degradation.
Examining the county‐level political considerations associated with declining reliance on the death penalty from 1990 to 2010*
Authors: Amidon Ethan , Eassey John M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTheorists have placed considerable emphasis on the role that political factors play in shaping jurisdictional use of the death penalty. However, scholars have yet to empirically examine whether these political explanations account for reliance on this punishment across counties in the United States. Furthermore, empirical research that has examined the political factors associated with the dramatic decline in the use of the death penalty in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has been limited. In order to address these gaps in the literature, this study examines whether the variables derived from three political perspectives are associated with use of death sentences across 2,572 counties in the United States from 1990 to 2010. The results from this study indicate support for the key propositions within the partisan politics, religious fundamentalist sentiment, and economic threat hypotheses. However, in contrast to the results from prior studies, no support was shown for the direct relationship between the size of African American populations and local reliance on the death penalty.
Limited utility of novel serological biomarkers in patients newly suspected of having giant cell arteritis
Authors: Sammel Anthony M. , Xue Meilang , Karsten Elisabeth , Little Christopher B. , Smith Susan , Nguyen Katherine , Laurent Rodger 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimDiagnosing and monitoring vascular activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) is difficult due to the paucity of specific serological biomarkers. We assessed the utility of 8 novel biomarkers in an inception cohort of newly suspected GCA patients.MethodConsecutive patients were enrolled between May 2016 and December 2017. Serum was collected within 72 hours of commencing corticosteroids and at 6 months. It was analyzed for levels of intra‐cellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pentraxin 3, von Willebrand factor and procalcitonin (5‐plex R&D Systems multiplex assay) and interleukin (IL)6, IL12 and interferon‐γ (high‐sensitivity 3‐plex ProcartaPlex multiplex assay). A GCA specific positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) scan was performed at enrolment with uptake in each vascular territory graded and summed to derive a total vascular score (TVS).ResultsFor the 63 patients enrolled, 12 (19%) had a final diagnosis of biopsy‐positive GCA and a further 9 had a clinical diagnosis of biopsy‐negative GCA. None of the 8 biomarkers was significantly higher in GCA patients compared with those with alternative diagnoses, or demonstrated a positive correlation with the PET/CT TVS. This was in contrast to the C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which were higher in the biopsy‐positive GCA cohort (P < .04) and showed weak positive correlations with the TVS (correlation coefficient 0.34, P < .01). Procalcitonin did not distinguish between GCA and infection. Concentrations of CRP, ESR, VEGF and pentraxin 3 decreased between diagnosis and 6 months in GCA patients.ConclusionThis study did not identify new serological biomarkers to assist in diagnosing or assessing the vasculitis burden in GCA.
Achievements and challenges during the development of an advance care planning program
Authors: Goodwin Jane , Shand Brett , Wiseman Rachel , Brough Natalie , McGeoch Graham , Hamilton Greg , Grundy Kate 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA nationwide program to promote preparation of advance care plans (AC Plans) was introduced in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2013. The program was developed by local facilitators who provided support and organised education seminars and an accredited training program for health‐care professionals. Information and templates for an AC Plan were available to these professionals and the community on local health‐care websites and secure online systems designed to allow plans to be viewed across all health‐care sectors. The number of AC Plans prepared has increased steadily, although people in minority ethnic populations or in the most deprived socioeconomic quintile are less likely to have a plan. While nurses have become the predominant group guiding people through the process of preparing an AC Plan, the involvement of staff in residential care homes has remained low. Local audit showed that 82% of people with an AC Plan died in a community setting, frequently their preferred place of death.
Patterns of organizational ownership and employee well‐being in Britain
Authors: Marsden David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper seeks to contribute to the current debate about corporate governance and work relations in two ways: it extends the analysis to include employees’ subjective well‐being and it considers a wider range of ownership models using Hansmann's typology as a guide. It argues that a key input into subjective well‐being is provided by the scope to undertake work that is intrinsically as well as extrinsically rewarding. Rosen's theory of compensating wage differences is used as a lens to examine the problems of contracting over the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits of jobs as the former are largely intangible, whereas the latter are more easily codified and enforced. This asymmetry gives rise to moral hazard problems, which make the former more dependent on trust. Ownership models help to resolve this because they provide clear signals about an employer's value priorities, and its likely adherence to them after hiring. The study uses data from the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey. The results suggest that ownership models do indeed facilitate different trade‐offs between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards that may be beneficial to many workers, warranting more attention to alternative forms of ownership to promote greater employee well‐being.
Agrifood markets and support in the United States after 1 year of COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Orden David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article briefly outlines the agrifood market and policy situation in the United States after 1 year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Agrifood markets suffered initial disruptions from both supply‐side and demand‐side shocks but significant adjustments by farmers, processors, distributors, and government kept these relatively shorty‐lived. Substantial support has been provided to farmers as part of $5 trillion of economy‐wide stimulus enacted. This included payments in 2020 under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) of nearly $24 billion to producers of a wide array of products. These payments came on top of trade‐related support provided to agriculture in 2018 and 2019. The stimulus also included expansion of nutrition assistance programs for low‐income households which were among the hardest hit by the pandemic. I conjecture that the pandemic will influence planning and social policy across the US economy for years to come but will not shift the basic structure of US agricultural production and distribution. Counter‐cyclical farm policy is reentrenched within the political arena and expectations for support levels may have been raised.
The variable spectrum of anterior mitral valve leaflet restriction in rheumatic heart disease screening
Authors: Hunter Luke David , Doubell Anton F. , Pecoraro Alfonso J. K. , Monaghan Mark , Lloyd Guy , Lombard Carl J. , Herbst Philip G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe World Heart Federation (WHF) screening criteria do not incorporate a strict, reproducible definition of anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) restriction. Using a novel definition, we have identified two distinct AMVL restriction configurations. The first, called “distal tip” AMVL restriction is associated with additional morphological features of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), while the second, “gradual bowing” AMVL restriction is not. This “arch‐like” leaflet configuration involves the base to tip of the medial MV in isolation. We hypothesize that this configuration is a normal variant.MethodologyThe prevalence and associated leaflet configurations of AMVL restriction were assessed in schoolchildren with an established “very low” (VLP), “high” (HP), and “very high” prevalence (VHP) of RHD.Results936 studies were evaluated (HP 577 cases; VLP 359 cases). Sixty‐five cases of “gradual bowing” AMVL restriction were identified in the HP cohort (11.3%, 95% CI 8.9–14.1) and 35 cases (9.7%, 95% CI 7–13.2) in the VLP cohort (P = .47). In the second analyses, an enriched cohort of 43 studies with proven definite RHD were evaluated. “Distal tip” AMVL restriction was identified in all 43 VHP cases (100%) and affected the central portion of the AMVL in all cases.Conclusion“Gradual bowing” AMVL restriction appears to be a normal, benign variant of the MV, not associated with RHD risk nor with any other morphological features of RHD. Conversely, “Distal tip” AMVL restriction was present in all cases in the VHP cohort with no cases exhibiting a straight, nonrestricted central portion of the AMVL. This novel finding requires further investigation as a potential RHD rule‐out test of the MV.
Effects of metformin on experimentally induced acne on rabbit ear
Authors: Kamboj Parul , Bishnoi Anuradha , Handa Sanjeev , Dutta Pinaki , Nahar Saikia Uma , Pal Arnab , De Dipankar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEvidence for the effectiveness of metformin in the treatment of acne is limited. To assess its efficacy, comedones were experimentally induced in young New Zealand rabbit ear using Isopropyl Myristate (IM) followed by metformin treatment (30 mg/kg bodyweight) for 60 days with continued IM application. In another group, to check whether metformin pre‐treatment affects subsequent comedone development by IM, metformin was given for 14 days and then withdrawn (14 days) followed by comedone development with IM and metformin treatment. At different time points, dermatoscopic images of rabbit ear were taken for clinical assessment. Blood and biopsy samples were taken for hormonal assessment, histological examination and gene expression. Histologically confirmed acne model was developed in rabbit ear. Follicular size increased significantly (p = 0.0004 in both groups) upon IM application. Metformin significantly decreased comedones size as observed in dermatoscopic (p = 0.0003 in group I, p = 0.0190 in group II) and histological examination (p = 0.0313 in group I and II). However, size of comedones developed after metformin pretreatment was significantly (p < 0.0001) smaller. The lipid content of sebaceous glands decreased with metformin without any significant changes in the assessed hormones and genetic expression. Overall, metformin was found to be clinically effective in experimentally induced acne and can be used in humans.
Estimation of biodiversity metrics by environmental DNA metabarcoding compared with visual and capture surveys of river fish communities
Authors: Doi Hideyuki , Inui Ryutei , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Akamatsu Yoshihisa , Goto Masuji , Kono Takanori 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Information on α‐ (local), β‐ (between habitats), and γ‐ (regional) diversity is fundamental to understanding biodiversity as well as the function and stability of community dynamics. Methods like environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding are currently considered useful to investigate biodiversity.

We compared the performance of eDNA metabarcoding with visual and capture surveys for estimating α‐ and γ‐diversity of river fish communities, and nestedness and turnover in particular.

In five rivers across west Japan, by comparison to visual/capture surveys, eDNA metabarcoding detected more species in the study sites (i.e. α‐diversity). Consequently, the overall number of species in the region (i.e. γ‐diversity) was higher. In particular, the species found by visual/capture surveys were encompassed by those detected by eDNA metabarcoding.

Estimates of community diversity within rivers differed between survey methods. Although we found that the methods show similar levels of community nestedness and turnover within the rivers, visual/capture surveys showed more distinct community differences from upstream to downstream. Our results suggest that eDNA metabarcoding may be a suitable method for community assemblage analysis, especially for understanding regional community patterns, for fish monitoring in rivers.
Modeling Fate and Transport of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Inside Sewer Systems
Authors: Roghani Mohammadyousef , Li Ying , Rezaei Nader , Robinson Ariel , Shirazi Elham , Pennell Kelly G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHazardous waste site investigations have shown that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be transported via sewer pipes and migrate into indoor spaces. Despite field data confirming the presence of this exposure pathway, there is lack of context‐based numerical models that provide guidance to characterize and predict VOCs concentration in sewer gas at vapor intrusion sites. Particularly, this poses a challenge when assessing and mitigating risks associated with these exposure pathways. Therefore, a numerical model has been developed to simulate the concentration of VOCs in sewer gas in different stages throughout the sewer lines. The developed model considers various input parameters, including temperature, sewer liquid depth, groundwater depth, and sewer construction characteristics to incorporate local and operational conditions. The model's output is verified using field data from a sewer system constructed near a Superfund site. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the model's response to variation of the external input parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to model VOCs concentration in sewer gas, particularly to address vapor intrusion. The developed model can be used as a numerical tool to support the development of sewer assessment guidelines, risk assessment studies, and mitigation strategies.
Academic inbreeding and choice of strategic research approaches
Authors: Horta Hugo , Meoli Michele , Santos João M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAcademic inbreeding is a phenomenon that has been studied mostly from the standpoint of its association with research productivity. The focus has been on knowledge creation outputs and outcomes, while little to no attention has been given to the association of academic inbreeding with knowledge creation strategies and processes in academia. This article focusses on the latter, confirming that academic inbreeding is detrimental to the research aspirations, innovativeness, risk‐taking, and multidisciplinarity engagement of academics' research agendas, as predicted by literature. These findings, based on a sample of more than 7000 academics from all fields of knowledge, working in more than 140 countries, do not find a greater influence of the PhD mentor on the strategic research agendas of homegrown academics as the literature would expect. The findings also underline critical differences between homegrown academics and silver‐corded academics, stressing that the latter category of academics should not be considered as part of the academic inbreeding process (which concept rests on immobility), but rather understood as a category of limited institutional mobility that deserves further study.
DNA mismatch repair‐deficient non‐neoplastic endometrial glands are common in Lynch syndrome patients and are present at a higher density than in the colon
Authors: Hegazy Shaymaa , Brand Randall E , Dudley Beth , Karloski Eve , Bhargava Rohit , Elishaev Esther , Pai Reetesh K 
Published: April 2021

AimsThe hallmark of Lynch syndrome (LS) is DNA mismatch repair protein (MMR) deficiency. Recently, MMR deficiency in non‐neoplastic colonic crypts has been identified as a novel indicator of LS. We aimed to determine whether MMR‐deficient non‐neoplastic endometrial glands can distinguish patients with and without LS, and to compare the level of MMR deficiency in the normal endometrium and colon in LS patients.Methods and resultsWe evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of MMR proteins in the normal endometrial mucosa from 64 patients, including 34 patients with confirmed LS (17 with endometrial cancer and 17 without cancer), 30 patients with endometrial cancer without LS (10 with tumours with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation and 20 with MMR‐proficient tumours), and in the normal colonic mucosa from 30 LS patients. MMR‐deficient non‐neoplastic endometrial glands were identified in 47% of LS patients and in no patients without LS (P < 0.001). MMR‐deficient non‐neoplastic glands were more often identified in LS patients with endometrial cancer (65%) than in those without endometrial cancer (29%) (P = 0.04). In contrast to what was seen in the normal colon, MMR‐deficient glands in the normal endometrium were seen as large, contiguous groups, ranging in number from two to 101 (87% versus 45%, P = 0.02). MMR‐deficient glands were identified at a higher density in the endometrium than in the colon in LS patients (median number of MMR‐deficient glands, 22 versus two, P = 0.02).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that MMR‐deficient non‐neoplastic endometrial glands constitute an indicator of LS, and that MMR‐deficient glands in the endometrium are present in a pattern of contiguous large groups.