bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted therapy response in early versus late recurrence of renal cell carcinoma after surgical treatment: A propensity score‐matched study using the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group database
Authors: Lee Chan Ho , Chung Jinsoo , Kwak Cheol , Jeong Chang Wook , Seo Seong Il , Kang Minyong , Hong Sung‐Hoo , Song Cheryn , Park Jae Young , Hwang Eu Chang , Lee Hakmin , Ku Ja Yoon , Seo Won Ik , Choi Seock Hwan , Ha Hong Koo ,   the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinicopathological features and outcomes of targeted therapy in patients with recurrence of renal cell carcinoma in <5 years or ≥5 years after the surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma.MethodsPatients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with targeted therapy in a multicenter database were retrospectively characterized according to time from surgery to recurrence. Early recurrence was defined as recurrence within 5 years after surgery, and late recurrence was defined as occurring ≥5 years after surgery. The propensity scores for recurrence status were calculated, and patients with late recurrence were matched to patients with early recurrence at a 1:3 ratio. The oncological outcomes of targeted therapy in both groups were compared.ResultsAmong 716 patients, 512 (71.5%) experienced early recurrence and 204 (28.5%) experienced late recurrence. The patients with late recurrence presented with younger age at surgery, lower tumor stages and Fuhrman grade, and fewer sarcomatoid features and lymphovascular invasion (all P < 0.005). All differences in clinicopathological characteristics before targeted therapy disappeared after matching. Patients with late recurrence had significantly longer median overall survival (56 months vs 36 months; P < 0.0001) and median first‐line progression‐free survival (12 months vs 8 months; P = 0.031). The early recurrence status was a significantly worse predictor for overall survival and first‐line progression‐free survival (hazard ratio 1.30, P = 0.007; and hazard ratio 1.76, P < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsLate recurrence might have prognostic value in terms of oncological outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with targeted therapy.
Clinical utility of head computed tomography scan during systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Naito Sei , Narisawa Takafumi , Kato Tomoyuki , Ichiyanagi Osamu , Kurokawa Masayuki , Yagi Mayu , Kanno Hidenori , Kurota Yuta , Yamagishi Atsushi , Sakurai Toshihiko , Nishida Hayato , Yamanobe Takuya , Tsuchiya Norihiko 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesThe utility of brain metastasis screening in asymptomatic metastatic renal cell carcinoma is controversial. Our study evaluated the utility of routine head computed tomography during systemic therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 152 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who did not initially have brain metastasis at Yamagata University Hospital from January 2008 to July 2019. Patients who routinely received head computed tomography scan together with routine contrast‐enhanced chest/abdominal/pelvic computed tomography scan every 2–4 months during systemic therapy (“Routine head computed tomography” group, n = 95) and patients without routine head computed tomography (“No routine head computed tomography” group, n = 57) were compared.ResultsBrain metastasis occurred in 16 patients in the “Routine head computed tomography” group and six patients in the “No routine head computed tomography” group. There was no statistical difference in overall survival after metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosis between groups (53.4 vs 37.3 months, respectively, P = 0.357) and neurological symptom‐free survival after metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosis (53.4 vs 36.6 months, P = 0.336). Although there was no statistical difference on incidence of unrecovered neurological symptom (25.0% vs 50.0%, P = 0.334), fewer patients in the “Routine head computed tomography” group required craniotomy (0% vs 66.7%, P = 0.002). In the “No routine head computed tomography” group, the neurological symptom resolved for all patients without craniotomy.ConclusionsRoutine head computed tomography during systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma is not significantly associated with improved brain metastasis prognosis. However, routine head computed tomography enables brain metastasis diagnosis in the asymptomatic phase, which can avoid craniotomy.
Quenching‐circumvented ergodicity in relaxor Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐BaTiO3‐K0.5Na0.5NbO3
Authors: Wei Qiumei , Riaz Adeel , Zhukov Sergey , Hofmann Kathrin , Zhu Mankang , Hou Yudong , Rödel Jürgen , Kodumudi Venkataraman Lalitha 
Published: February 2021

AbstractQuenching alkaline bismuth titanates from sintering temperatures results in increased lattice distortion and consequently higher depolarization temperature. This work investigates the influence of quenching on the ergodicity of relaxor Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐BaTiO3‐K0.5Na0.5NbO3. A distinct departure from ergodicity is evidenced from the increase in remanent polarization and the absence of frequency dispersion in the permittivity response of poled samples. Further, the samples exhibit enhanced negative strain upon application of electric field, indicating proclivity towards correlated polar nanoregions, corroborated by the enhanced tetragonal distortion. As a result, ergodic relaxor Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐6BaTiO3‐3K0.5Na0.5NbO3 exhibits a depolarization temperature of 85°C with a 60% increase in remanent polarization and approximately a threefold increase in remanent strain upon quenching. Quenching‐induced changes in the local environment of Na+ and Bi3+ cations hinder the development of ergodicity promoted by the A‐site disorder. These results provide new insight into tailoring ergodicity of relaxor ferroelectrics.
Long‐term outcomes of index cryoballoon ablation or point‐by‐point radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and systolic heart failure
Authors: Prabhu S. , Ahluwalia N. , Tyebally S. M. , Dennis A. S. C. , Malomo S. O. , Abiodun A. T. , Tyrlis A. , Dhillon G. , Segan L. , Graham A. , Honarbakhsh S. , Sawhney V. , Sporton S. , Lowe M. , Finlay M. , Earley M. J. , Lambiase P. , Schilling R. J. , Hunter R. J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCatheter ablation is an established effective approach for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure, however, the role of cryoablation in this setting is unclear. Procedural success and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF) improvement in patients with LVEF ≤ 45% undergoing index catheter ablation with cryoablation were evaluated. Freedom from AF recurrence was seen in 43% rising to 59% following repeat procedure. There were significant improvements in LVEF and functional status at long‐term follow‐up. Results were comparable to a contemporaneous cohort of heart failure patients undergoing index ablation with radiofrequency ablation. Cryoablation is an effective first‐line AF ablation approach in the setting of heart failure.
Gene expression profiles of oral soft tissue‐derived fibroblast from healing wounds: correlation with clinical outcome, autophagy activation and fibrotic markers expression
Authors: Rojas Mariana Andrea , Ceccarelli Simona , Gerini Giulia , Vescarelli Enrica , Marini Lorenzo , Marchese Cinzia , Pilloni Andrea 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimOur aim was to evaluate gene expression profiling of fibroblasts from human alveolar mucosa (M), buccal attached gingiva (G) and palatal (P) tissues during early wound healing, correlating it with clinical response.Materials and MethodsM, G and P biopsies were harvested from six patients at baseline and 24 hr after surgery. Clinical response was evaluated through Early wound Healing Score (EHS). Fibrotic markers expression and autophagy were assessed on fibroblasts isolated from those tissues by Western blot and qRT‐PCR. Fibroblasts from two patients were subjected to RT2 profiler array, followed by network analysis of the differentially expressed genes. The expression of key genes was validated with qRT‐PCR on all patients.ResultsAt 24 hr after surgery, EHS was higher in P and G than in M. In line with our clinical results, no autophagy and myofibroblast differentiation were observed in G and P. We observed significant variations in mRNA expression of key genes: RAC1, SERPINE1 and TIMP1, involved in scar formation; CDH1, ITGA4 and ITGB5, contributing to myofibroblast differentiation; and IL6 and CXCL1, involved in inflammation.ConclusionsWe identified some genes involved in periodontal soft tissue clinical outcome, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of oral repair (ClinicalTrial.gov‐NCT04202822).
Diagnostic features of SARS‐COVID‐2‐positive patients: A rapid review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Anderson Gloria , Casasanta Daniela , Cocchieri Antonello , D'Agostino Fabio , Zega Maurizio , Damiani Gianfranco , Rega Maria Luisa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsTo identify the main diagnostic features of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients at the time of hospitalisation and their prevalence.BackgroundSince the COVID‐19 outbreak in China in December of 2019, several studies attempted to identify the epidemiological, viral and clinical characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2. Given the rapid widespread transmission of the COVID‐19 disease worldwide, a more comprehensive and up‐to‐date understanding of its features is needed to better inform nurses, clinicians and public health policy makers.MethodsA rapid review and meta‐analysis were carried out to identify the main diagnostic features of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients at the time of hospitalisation. All case series, cross‐sectional, case–control and cohort studies published from 01/01/2020 till 30/06/2020 in English and Chinese that stated all or at least two of the outcomes of interest (clinical features, laboratory and radiological findings) were included. We performed a random‐effects model meta‐analysis to calculate pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. Conduction of the review adheres to the PRISMA checklist.Results21 studies involving 8837 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. Fever, cough and fatigue were the most common clinical features, while the most relevant laboratory abnormalities at the time of hospitalisation were lymphopenia, elevated C‐reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase. CT images showed a bilateral lung involvement, with ground glass infiltrates and patchy shadows on most patients.ConclusionThis review provides an up‐to‐date synthesis of main diagnostic features of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients at the time of hospitalisation.Relevance to Clinical PracticeOur findings could provide guidance for nurses and clinicians to early identification of positive patients at the time of the hospitalisation through a complete definition of main clinical features, laboratory and CT findings.
Heterogeneous genetic basis of age at maturity in salmonid fishes
Authors: Waters Charles D. , Clemento Anthony , Aykanat Tutku , Garza John Carlos , Naish Kerry A. , Narum Shawn , Primmer Craig R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic basis of repeated evolution of the same phenotype across taxa is a fundamental aim in evolutionary biology and has applications in conservation and management. However, the extent to which interspecific life‐history trait polymorphisms share evolutionary pathways remains underexplored. Here, we address this gap by studying the genetic basis of a key life‐history trait, age at maturity, in four species of Pacific salmonids (genus Oncorhynchus) that exhibit intra‐ and interspecific variation in this trait—Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Steelhead Trout. We tested for associations in all four species between age at maturity and two genome regions, six6 and vgll3, that are strongly associated with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). We also conducted a genome‐wide association analysis in Steelhead to assess whether additional regions were associated with this trait. We found the genetic basis of age at maturity to be heterogeneous across salmonid species. Significant associations between six6 and age at maturity were observed in two of the four species, Sockeye and Steelhead, with the association in Steelhead being particularly strong in both sexes (p = 4.46 × 10−9 after adjusting for genomic inflation). However, no significant associations were detected between age at maturity and the vgll3 genome region in any of the species, despite its strong association with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon. We discuss possible explanations for the heterogeneous nature of the genetic architecture of this key life‐history trait, as well as the implications of our findings for conservation and management.
Pathogenesis of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases: From the legacy of Ancel Keys to current concepts
Authors: Dulloo Abdul G. , Montani Jean‐Pierre 
Published: February 2021

SummarySeveral areas of research into the prevention and treatment of obesity today can be traced to one or more of the scientific works pioneered by Ancel Keys between the 1930s to 1970s in fields that cut across the physiology of extremes and public health nutrition. These range from his classical studies into how body and mind respond to chronic exposure to hypoxia in“The Physiology of Life at High Altitudes”or to simulated famine under controlled laboratory conditions in“The Biology of Human Starvation”, the impact of diet and lifestyle on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in“The Seven Countries Study,”to the“Indices of Relative Weight and Obesity”in which he identified what has since been the most widely utilized diagnostic tool to monitor obesity across populations worldwide and which he coined as the body mass index. The contribution of Ancel Keys to medical sciences through his observations, analytical approaches, and research output of his classic studies, and how these have (and continue) to impact on a plethora of current concepts in obesity research today, are embodied in the eight review articles that constitute this supplement reporting the proceedings of the 10th Fribourg Obesity Research Conference. The aim of this introductory paper is to put into perspective the legacy of Ancel Keys to current concepts that are encapsulated in these review articles that cover research areas that include (i) the diagnosis of obesity for health risks; (ii) the role of dietary fat types in the pathogenesis of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases; (iii) the rationale, efficacy and safety of low carbohydrate ketogenic diets, or the therapeutic potential of hypoxic conditioning, in weight management programs; (iv) the psychological and physiological basis of the “famine reaction” that counters therapeutic dieting and facilitates weight regain; and (v) the potential impact of weight cycling and yoyo dieting on risks for later obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
Psychometric comparisons of measures of eHealth literacy using a sample of Korean older adults
Authors: Kim Hyunjung , Yang Eunjin , Ryu Hyunju , Kim Hee Jung , Jang Sun Joo , Chang Sun Ju 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of two measures of eHealth literacy, namely, the Korean versions of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (K‐DHLI) and eHealth Literacy Scale (K‐eHEALS), among older adults in South Korea.BackgroundGiven the usefulness of eHealth information, measures of eHealth literacy have been developed. It is necessary to examine the validity of such tools among older adults who are likely to experience difficulties in using eHealth resources.MethodsA validation study was conducted using the secondary data of 180 older adults in South Korea. Two weeks after they had responded to the K‐DHLI and K‐eHEALS, 89 of them completed the assessments a second time so that the assessments’ test–retest reliability could be examined. Using the collected data, their reliability (i.e. internal consistency, test–retest reliability) and validity (i.e. construct validity and criterion validity) were examined.ResultsBoth tools demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α ≥ 0.90, item‐total correlation coefficients = .39–.76) as well as good test–retest reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients .77 and .84, respectively. The 21 items of the K‐DHLI loaded onto five factors, which accounted for 71% of the variance. The 10 items of the K‐eHEALS loaded onto a single factor, which explained 58% of the total variance. The scores of both tools were strongly correlated (r = .63) and positively related to attitudes towards internet health information and subjective health status (r = .23–.50).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the K‐DHLI and K‐eHEALS are reliable and valid tools that can be used to assess the utilisation of eHealth resources by older adults.Implications for PracticeThe findings can help healthcare providers choose a suitable measure of eHealth literacy when working with older adults.
The corporatization of healthcare organizations internationally: A scoping review of processes, impacts, and mediators
Authors: Turner Simon , Wright John S. F. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCorporatization, the conversion of state‐owned enterprises into semi‐autonomous, legally independent entities, has gained in popularity internationally since the 1980s. This review suggests that usage of the term has become entangled with other definitions of corporatization, and other organizational reforms associated with new public management, and appears consequently to have lost its distinctiveness in many contemporary studies of corporatization. Through a scoping review of literature on corporatization of healthcare organizations internationally, we develop a typology of four perspectives on corporatization (as managerialism of medical work, as institutional level reform to encourage market‐like behavior, as corporate governance implications of legal independence, and as private sector colonization) and analyze the specific processes, impacts, and mediators associated with each approach. This typology can aid conceptual clarity in future research on corporatization and orient practitioners to particular management and policy questions within the complex field of reform signified by this term.
Early humoral defence: Contributing to confining COVID‐19 to conducting airways?
Authors: Persson Carl 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEarly airway responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection are of interest since they could decide whether coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) will proceed to life‐threatening pulmonary disease stages. Here I discuss endothelial‐epithelial co‐operative in vivo responses producing first‐line, humoral innate defence opportunities in human airways. The pseudostratified epithelium of human nasal and tracheobronchial airways are prime sites of exposure and infection by SARS‐CoV‐2. Just beneath the epithelium runs a profuse systemic microcirculation. Its post‐capillary venules respond conspicuously to mucosal challenges with autacoids, allergens and microbes, and to mere loss of epithelium. By active venular endothelial gap formation, followed by transient yielding of epithelial junctions, non‐sieved plasma macromolecules move from the microcirculation to the mucosal surface. Hence, plasma‐derived protein cascade systems and antimicrobial peptides would have opportunity to operate jointly on an unperturbed mucosal lining. Similarly, a plasma‐derived, dynamic gel protects sites of epithelial sloughing‐regeneration. Precision for this indiscriminate humoral molecular response lies in restricted location and well‐regulated duration of plasma exudation. Importantly, the endothelial responsiveness of the airway microcirculation differs distinctly from the relatively non‐responsive, low‐pressure pulmonary microcirculation that non‐specifically, almost irreversibly, leaks plasma in life‐threatening COVID‐19. Observations in humans of infections with rhinovirus, coronavirus 229E, and influenza A and B support a general but individually variable early occurrence of plasma exudation in human infected nasal and tracheobronchial airways. Investigations are warranted to elucidate roles of host‐ and drug‐induced airway plasma exudation in restriction of viral infection and, specifically, whether it contributes to variable disease responses following exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2.
Perturbation of nuclear–cytosolic shuttling of Rx1 compromises extreme resistance and translational arrest of potato virus X transcripts
Authors: Richard Manon M. S. , Knip Marijn , Schachtschabel Joëlle , Beijaert Machiel S. , Takken Frank L. W. 
Published: February 2021

SummaryMany plant intracellular immune receptors mount a hypersensitive response (HR) upon pathogen perception. The concomitant localized cell death is proposed to trap pathogens, such as viruses, inside infected cells, thereby preventing their spread. Notably, extreme resistance (ER) conferred by the potato immune receptor Rx1 to potato virus X (PVX) does not involve the death of infected cells. It is unknown what defines ER and how it differs from HR‐based resistance. Interestingly, Rx1 can trigger an HR, but only upon artificial (over)expression of PVX or its avirulence coat protein (CP). Rx1 has a nucleocytoplasmic distribution and both pools are required for HR upon transient expression of a PVX‐GFP amplicon. It is unknown whether mislocalized Rx1 variants can induce ER upon natural PVX infection. Here, we generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana producing nuclear‐ or cytosol‐restricted Rx1 variants. We found that these variants can still mount an HR. However, nuclear‐ or cytosol‐restricted Rx1 variants can no longer trigger ER or restricts viral infection. Interestingly, unlike the mislocalized Rx1 variants, wild‐type Rx1 was found to compromise CP protein accumulation. We show that the lack of CP accumulation does not result from its degradation but is likely to be linked with translational arrest of its mRNA. Together, our findings suggest that translational arrest of viral genes is a major component of ER and, unlike the HR, is required for resistance to PVX.
Specialisation within global value chains: Transport infrastructure matter upstream
Authors: Lanz Rainer , Piermartini Roberta 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper studies the factors of comparative advantage within global value chains relying on a framework where comparative advantage is measured through the interaction of country and industry characteristics. We find that good institutions give a comparative advantage in the later stages of the production process, whereas good transport infrastructure gives an advantage in the early stages of production. We explain these results by pointing at whether trade costs are additive or multiplicative.