bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incorporating coronary calcification by computed tomography into CHA2DS2-VASc score: impact on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wang Tom Kai Ming , Chan Nicholas , Cremer Paul C , Kanj Mohamed , Baranowski Bryan , Saliba Walid , Wazni Oussama M , Jaber Wael A 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
CHA2DS2-VASc score is widely utilized for risk stratification and guiding anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) routinely performed for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can also identify coronary artery calcifications (CAC). We evaluated the frequency and outcomes of incorporating CAC into the CHA2DS2-VASc score in AF patients undergoing PVI.

Methods and results
Consecutive patients in a prospective PVI registry during 2014–18 having CCT within 1 year of PVI were studied. Reclassification of CHA2DS2-VASc score and associations between CAC as a binary variable detected on CCT with clinical characteristics, stroke as primary endpoint, death, myocardial infarction, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analysed.
Amongst 3604 AF patients, 2238 (62.1%) had CAC detected on CCT and was associated with most traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Coronary artery calcification was independently associated with all pre-specified endpoints adjusting for clinical parameters in multivariable analysis. Adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc score, CAC was associated with stroke (hazards ratio 3.64, 95% confidence interval 1.25–10.6, P = 0.018), death (2.26, 1.29–3.98, P = 0.006), and MACE (2.08, 1.36–3.16, P = 0.001) during 2.8 ± 1.6-year follow-up. Incorporating CAC as a vascular disease parameter of CHA2DS2-VASc score, anticoagulation decision-making would be revised in 723 (20.1%) patients, including an additional 488 (13.5%) patients where anticoagulation would be now indicated.

Conclusion
Coronary artery calcification is prevalent in AF patients undergoing PVI and independently associated stroke, death and MACE even when adjusted for traditional CHA2DS2-VASc score. Adding CAC as vascular component to the CHA2DS2-VASc score requires further research as it potentially modified the anticoagulation management in 20% of our AF cohort.
‘Enemy Aliens’ and ‘Indian Hostages’: Civilians in Dutch–German Wartime Diplomacy and International Law during the Second World War
Authors: Wünschmann Kim 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
May 1940 marked a turning point in belligerent states’ policies targeting foreign civilians in the Second World War. This study investigates the radicalization of restrictive measures enacted against so-called enemy aliens in the Dutch–German confrontation by linking developments in Europe with those in the colonial sphere. Mass civilian internment in the Dutch East Indies and German reprisals in the form of hostage-taking in the occupied Netherlands affected thousands of men, women and children. Their treatment is analysed in the broader context of the workings of wartime diplomacy and its guiding principle of reciprocity. The article shows that both Germany and the Netherlands made extensive use of the good offices of their respective protecting powers, Switzerland and Sweden. The international laws of war—although underdeveloped when it came to the protection of non-combatants—not only served as a yardstick to assess the treatment of civilians in enemy hands, but also formed a constant point of reference in a propaganda war in which each belligerent sought to justify its own restrictive policies while denouncing its opponent’s. On the one hand, the legal category of nationality was employed by both state authorities and affected individuals in their attempts to define or deny enemy status. On the other hand, nationality proved a fragile concept surrounded by ambiguities and bound up with complex emotions of belonging and alienness—most strikingly at work in the colonial setting, where racial identities determined an individual’s status in a social order vitally dependent on the construction of ‘ethnic’ boundaries.
The Contributions of Hypertension Diagnosis and Blood Pressure Control to Subjective Life Expectancy in a Representative Sample of Older U.S. Adults
Authors: Zacher Meghan , Wang Jiwen , Short Susan E 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension, a major risk factor for death and disease, is pervasive among older adults. While reducing BP to targeted levels can prevent adverse outcomes, rates of successful BP control remain suboptimal, and it is unclear whether older adults recognize its proven benefits. The current study sheds light on older adults’ beliefs about the consequences of hypertension and benefits of BP control by examining how their self-reports of hypertension diagnosis and BP control, as well as measured BP, contribute to subjective life expectancy (SLE), their perceived probability of surviving to a target age.

Methods
In a representative sample of U.S. adults aged 50–89 from the 2006–2014 Health and Retirement Study (n = 18,979 respondents), we analyze SLE using generalized linear regression.

Results
Diagnosed hypertension is associated with lower SLE, regardless of measured BP. Among diagnosed hypertensives, those who self-report controlled BP expect to live longer than those who do not. Finally, about 1 in 10 older adults have high measured BP but have never been diagnosed with hypertension, and most diagnosed hypertensives with uncontrolled measured BP self-report their BP as controlled.

Discussion
Older adults appear to recognize the harmful effects of hypertension and the benefits of BP control, but often lack knowledge of their own hypertension and BP control statuses. Health communications should continue to stress the value of BP control, although improvements may require increased hypertension awareness and BP monitoring.
Poxed and Ravished: Venereal Disease in Early Modern Rape Trials
Authors: Weisser Olivia 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Inspections of the body’s most intimate surfaces were crucial to rape cases in early modern England. Female medical experts evaluated bruises, lacerations, and stretched skin for evidence of a violation. Yet numerous courtroom investigations seemed to centre around the marks of venereal disease rather than sexual abuse. These cases reframed the focus of inquiry from rape to disease at nearly every step, from witnesses’ accounts of the discovery of rape to courtroom inspections of bodies and clothing. This article examines fifty-nine such cases and argues that placing the poxed body, as opposed to the ravished body, center stage made rape easier to communicate, convict, and condemn. More than a simple proxy for penetrative sex, venereal disease provided a detailed and morally loaded language for talking about otherwise unspeakable acts. And perhaps most importantly, the disease offered tangible, if contested, evidence of rape that could be touched, viewed, and evaluated by male – rather than female – medical experts. Venereal disease effectively refocused rape cases away from the kinds of words and bodily inspections that were viewed with suspicion and onto those that were deemed reliable.
Energy Drink Administration Ameliorates Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Defects and Reduces Acute DSS Colitis
Authors: Manzini Roberto , Schwarzfischer Marlene , Bircher Anna , Niechcial Anna , Vavricka Stephan R , Atrott Kirstin , Lang Silvia , Scharl Michael , Spalinger Marianne R 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe rise in the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases in the past decades coincides with changes in nutritional habits, such as adaptation of a Western diet. However, it is largely unknown how certain nutritional habits, such as energy drink consumption, affect intestinal inflammation. Here, we assessed the effect of energy drink supplementation on the development of intestinal inflammation in vitro and in vivo.MethodsHT-29 and T84 intestinal epithelial cells and THP-1 monocytic cells were treated with IFNγ in presence or absence of different concentrations of an energy drink. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by addition of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to drinking water with or without supplementation of the energy drink.ResultsEnergy drink supplementation caused a dose-dependent decrease in IFNγ-induced epithelial barrier permeability, which was accompanied by upregulation of the pore-forming protein claudin-2. Administration of the energy drink reduced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α from HT-29, T84, and THP-1 cells. In vivo, energy drink administration reduced clinical symptoms of DSS-induced colitis and epithelial barrier permeability. Endoscopic and histologic colitis scores and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced by energy drink co-administration.ConclusionEnergy drink consumption seems to exert an unexpected anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo in our experimental setting. However, our experimental approach focuses on intestinal inflammation and neglects additional effects of energy drink consumption on the body (eg, on metabolism or sleep). Therefore, the translation of our findings into the human situation must be taken with caution.
Timely Monitoring of Inflammation by Fecal Lactoferrin Rapidly Predicts Therapeutic Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Sorrentino Dario , Gray James M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Fecal lactoferrin (FL) levels may mirror drug-induced changes in inflammation in ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease in a timely way and could be used to assess loss of response (LOR) to biologics.

Methods
This study is a retrospective outcome review in 61 patients on adalimumab, infliximab, or vedolizumab managed in our center and followed for 6 to 24 months. Patients were 1) in clinical remission or 2) were experiencing possible LOR.

Results
For group 1, in 71% of 31 patients, FL slowly increased during the therapeutic interval (R2 = 0.769; P &lt; 0.001), thus reflecting increasing inflammation as drug concentrations decreased. In the remaining patients, FL was undetectable throughout the therapeutic interval because of a stronger suppression of inflammation. For group 2, in 30 patients negative for infections, FL levels measured 1 to 3 days after infusion/injection compared to preadministration values either increased (nonresponders)—in these patients the medication was switched to another class; partially decreased (partial responders)—the therapeutic interval was shortened; or were normal throughout (responders)—causes for symptoms unrelated to disease activity were found for all. After FL-based management, 3-month standardized clinical scores were normalized in both partial responders (0.58 ± 0.21 vs 0.13 ± 0.09; P &lt; 0.001) and nonresponders (0.81 ± 0.17 vs 0.12 ± 0.08; P &lt; 0.001), and FL levels dropped by up to 99%.

Conclusions
Levels of FL reflect drug-induced changes in mucosal inflammation in a timely way, thus enabling rapid assessment of therapeutic response in patients with ulcerative colitis and with Crohn disease. In patients with suspected LOR, FL levels before and after infusion/injection accurately separated responders, partial responders, and nonresponders. The strategy proposed here is simple, accurate, and easily applicable to clinical practice.
Ocular Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Shah Janaki , Shah Aaditya , Hassman Lynn , Gutierrez Alexandra 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by intestinal inflammation; however, it is also known to have extraintestinal manifestations. Ocular manifestations of IBD include keratopathy, episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis and are among the most common extraintestinal manifestations. These diseases can lead to significant ocular morbidity if unrecognized and left untreated. A review of the literature was performed on PubMed and is summarized and critically appraised in this article with the aim being to describe the varying ocular manifestations of IBD and outlining their treatments. Ultimately, a framework is provided to investigate ocular symptoms in patients with IBD. An ocular review of systems is also provided as a tool to equip gastroenterologists and internal medicine physicians to be able to recognize and triage ocular complaints appropriately.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Chronic Pouchitis: A Randomized, Parallel, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial
Authors: Karjalainen Essi K , Renkonen-Sinisalo Laura , Satokari Reetta , Mustonen Harri , Ristimäki Ari , Arkkila Perttu , Lepistö Anna H 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
In ulcerative colitis, a pouchitis is the most common long-term adverse effect after proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Approximately 5% of patients develop chronic antibiotic-dependent or antibiotic-refractory pouchitis without any effective treatment. The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of chronic pouchitis.

Methods
This was a single-center, double-blinded, parallel group trial comparing donor fecal microbiota transplantation with placebo (autologous transplant) in chronic pouchitis. Twenty-six patients were recruited at the Helsinki University Hospital between December 2017 and August 2018 and were randomly allocated a 1:1 ratio to either donor fecal microbiota transplantation or placebo. The protocol included 2 transplantations into the pouch on weeks 0 and 4, and patients were followed up for 52 weeks.

Results
Nine patients in the intervention group and 8 patients in the placebo group relapsed during the 52-week follow-up, and the relapse-free survival did not differ between the groups (P = 0.183, log-rank; hazard ratio, 1.90 [95% confidence interval, 0.73-4.98; P = 0.190]). In the subgroup analysis of patients using continuous antibiotics before the study, the relapse-free survival was shorter in the intervention group (P = 0.004, log-rank; hazard ratio, 13.08 [95% confidence interval, 1.47-116.60; P = 0.021]). No major adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions
The fecal microbiota transplantation treatment regime used in our study was not effective in the treatment of chronic pouchitis. The safety profile of fecal microbiota transplantation was good.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
NCT03378921.
Research Relevant Background Lesions and Conditions: Ferrets, Dogs, Swine, Sheep, and Goats
Authors: Helke Kristi L , Meyerholz David K , Beck Amanda P , Burrough Eric R , Derscheid Rachel J , Löhr Christiane , McInnes Elizabeth F , Scudamore Cheryl L , Brayton Cory F 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAnimal models provide a valuable tool and resource for biomedical researchers as they investigate biological processes, disease pathogenesis, novel therapies, and toxicologic studies. Interpretation of animal model data requires knowledge not only of the processes/diseases being studied but also awareness of spontaneous conditions and background lesions in the model that can influence or even confound the study results. Species, breed/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplastic processes are model features that can impact the results as well as study interpretation. Here, we review these features in several common laboratory animal species, including ferret, dog (beagle), pig, sheep, and goats.
A model of double descent for high-dimensional binary linear classification
Authors: Deng Zeyu , Kammoun Abla , Thrampoulidis Christos 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We consider a model for logistic regression where only a subset of features of size $p$ is used for training a linear classifier over $n$ training samples. The classifier is obtained by running gradient descent on logistic loss. For this model, we investigate the dependence of the classification error on the ratio $\kappa =p/n$. First, building on known deterministic results on the implicit bias of gradient descent, we uncover a phase-transition phenomenon for the case of Gaussian features: the classification error of the gradient descent solution is the same as that of the maximum-likelihood solution when $\kappa &lt;\kappa _\star $, and that of the support vector machine when $\kappa&gt;\kappa _\star $, where $\kappa _\star $ is a phase-transition threshold. Next, using the convex Gaussian min–max theorem, we sharply characterize the performance of both the maximum-likelihood and the support vector machine solutions. Combining these results, we obtain curves that explicitly characterize the classification error for varying values of $\kappa $. The numerical results validate the theoretical predictions and unveil double-descent phenomena that complement similar recent findings in linear regression settings as well as empirical observations in more complex learning scenarios.
Predator–Prey Interactions Examined Using Lionfish Spine Puncture Performance
Authors: Galloway K A , Porter M E 
Published: January 2021

Synopsis
Puncture mechanics can be studied in the context of predator–prey interactions and provide bioinspiration for puncture tools and puncture-resistant materials. Lionfish have a passive puncture system where venomous spines (dorsal, anal, and pelvic), the tool, may embed into a predator’s skin, the target material, during an encounter. To examine predator–prey interactions, we quantified the puncture performance of red lionfish, Pterois volitans, spines in buccal skin from two potential predators and porcine skin, a biological model for human skin. We punctured dorsal, anal, and pelvic lionfish spines into three regions of buccal skin from the black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) and the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), and we examined spine macro-damage (visible without a microscope) post puncture. Lionfish spines were more effective, based on lower forces measured and less damage incurred, at puncturing buccal skin of groupers compared to sharks. Anal and dorsal spines incurred the most macro-damage during successful fish skin puncture trials, while pelvic spines did not incur any macro-damage. Lionfish spines were not damaged during porcine skin testing. Anal spines required the highest forces, while pelvic spines required intermediate forces to puncture fish skin. Dorsal spines required the lowest forces to puncture fish skins, but often incurred macro-damage of bent tips. All spine regions required similar forces to puncture porcine skin. These data suggest that lionfish spines may be more effective at puncturing humans such as divers than potential fish predators. These results emphasize that puncture performance is ultimately determined by both the puncture tool and target material choice. Lionfish puncture performance varies among spine region, when taking into account both the puncture force and damage sustained by the spine.
A feasibility study of inverse contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering method combined with size exclusion chromatography using antibody interactions as model systems
Authors: Sato Nobuhiro , Yogo Rina , Yanaka Saeko , Martel Anne , Porcar Lionel , Morishima Ken , Inoue Rintaro , Tominaga Taiki , Arimori Takao , Takagi Junichi , Sugiyama Masaaki , Kato Koichi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small- angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are powerful techniques for the structural characterization of biomolecular complexes. In particular, SANS enables a selective observation of specific components in complexes by selective deuteration with contrast-matching techniques. In most cases, however, biomolecular interaction systems with heterogeneous oligomers often contain unfavorable aggregates and unbound species, hampering data interpretation. To overcome these problems, SAXS has been recently combined with size exclusion chromatography (SEC), which enables the isolation of the target complex in a multi-component system. By contrast, SEC–SANS is only at a preliminary stage. Hence, we herein perform a feasibility study of this method based on our newly developed inverse contrast-matching (iCM) SANS technique using antibody interactions as model systems. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) or its Fc fragment was mixed with 75% deuterated Fc-binding proteins, i.e. a mutated form of IgG-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes and a soluble form of Fcγ receptor IIIb, and subjected to SEC–SANS as well as SEC–SAXS as reference. We successfully observe SANS from the non-deuterated IgG or Fc formed in complex with these binding partners, which were unobservable in terms of SANS in D2O, hence demonstrating the potential utility of the SEC–iCM–SANS approach.
Smooth-Transition Regression Models for Non-Stationary Extremes
Authors: Hambuckers Julien , Kneib Thomas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe introduce a smooth-transition generalized Pareto (GP) regression model to study the time-varying dependence structure between extreme losses and a set of economic factors. In this model, the distribution of the loss size is approximated by a GP distribution, and its parameters are related to explanatory variables through regression functions, which themselves depend on a time-varying predictor of structural changes. We use this approach to study the dynamics in the monthly severity distribution of operational losses at a major European bank. Using the VIX as a transition variable, our analysis reveals that when the uncertainty is high, a high number of losses in a recent past are indicative of less extreme losses in the future, consistent with a self-inhibition hypothesis. On the contrary, in times of low uncertainty, only the growth rate of the economy seems to be a relevant predictor of the likelihood of extreme losses.
Traversing: Familial Challenges for Escaped North Koreans
Authors: Lim Hyun-Joo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This research contributes to the development of migration theories by examining the challenges and opportunities faced by UK-resident migrants from North Korea in maintaining transnational family ties. Particularly, it reflects critically on the role played by ‘place’ as a regulatory apparatus in shaping the migrants’ experiences of family relationships in a transnational social space. The findings are drawn from thematic analysis of data from life history interviews with 14 North Korean defectors. In the light of the prevalence of back-and-forth stepwise migration for the defectors and their families across multiple nation states, I propose the concept of ‘traversing’ to describe the strenuous transnational familial experiences and complex mobility trajectories of North Korean escapees, which goes beyond a linear journey from the sending to the host place. While existing migration research has capitalized on the host place in selectively enabling and stratifying migrants’ access to transnational family rights, I argue that, instead of assuming forced migrants have free access to their home countries, it is important to consider the interplay between multiple places in understanding the challenges for vulnerable migrants to access essential family rights and maintain transnational family relationships.