bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Muscle weakness as an additional criterion for grading sarcopenia‐related prognosis in patients with cancer
Authors: Cereda Emanuele , Tancredi Richard , Klersy Catherine , Lobascio Federica , Crotti Silvia , Masi Sara , Cappello Silvia , Stobäus Nicole , Tank Maja , Cutti Sara , Arcaini Luca , Bonzano Elisabetta , Colombo Sara , Pedrazzoli Paolo , Norman Kristina , Caccialanza Riccardo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundLow muscle strength has been pointed out as a key characteristic of sarcopenia, but the prognostic significance of muscle function next to reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in patients with cancer has been scantily investigated.MethodsData on muscle strength by handgrip (HG) dynamometry and total‐body SMM estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) of Italian and German patients with cancer observed prospectively until death or censoring were analysed (N = 1076). Patients were stratified in four risk categories based on low HG (<10th percentiles of age and gender‐specific normative values) and low total‐body SMM according to SMM index cutoffs (<10.75 and <6.75 kg/m2 in men and women, respectively).ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 58 months [25th–75th percentile, 37–60], 566 patients had died. Patients presenting low HG in combination or not with low SMM were characterised by shorter median survival (12.7 vs. 27.2 months, respectively; p < 0.001) compared to those with low SMM/normal HG and normal SMM/normal HG (>60 months for both). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index and percentage of weight loss, disease's stage, performance status and type of cancer, compared to reference category (normal HG and SMM; N = 210) the hazard ratios were: low SMM/normal HG (N = 342), 0.83 [95% confidence interval, CI, 0.67–1.02] (p = 0.073); normal SMM/low HG (N = 158), 1.19 [95% CI, 1.07–1.32] (p = 0.002); low SMM/low HG (N = 366), 1.39 [95% CI, 1.27–1.53] (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMuscle weakness was found to be a more powerful predictor of survival than BIA‐estimated SMM and should be considered as an additional key feature of sarcopenia in patients with cancer.
Combating the fear of COVID‐19 through shared accommodations: Does perceived human presence create a sense of social connectedness?
Authors: Dogerlioglu‐Demir Kivilcim , Akpinar Ezgi , Ceylan Melis 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAmong other shared systems, sharing accommodations offer several social benefits. Although previous work has mainly focused on social means to fulfill connectedness needs, in this research, we demonstrate that such needs can be satisfied through symbolic means. As such, we explore how human presence (a sense of personalness and warmth of a human being) can be conveyed in shared accommodations through personalized decorative elements, without any actual human presence. Across four studies (two surveys and two experiments), this research reveals that imbuing shared accommodations with human presence dissipates the negative effect of the fear of contracting COVID‐19 on staying likelihood. The findings offer important theoretical contributions to both sharing economy and social connectedness literature.
Primitive pelvic bone hydatidosis: What an amazing extension
Authors: Boussaid Soumaya , Daldoul Cyrine , Hassayoun Maroua , Rekik Sonia , Jammali Samia , Sahli Hela , Elleuch Mohamed 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHydatidosis is an anthropozoonosis mainly encountered in pastoral areas. It mostly affects the liver, lung, and rarely the bone and the soft tissues. Skeletal involvement is usually secondary to visceral hydatidosis. We report a case of a 49‐year‐old man presenting with one‐year history of a progressive left hip pain. On local examination, there was tenderness in the left gluteal region with reduction in the hip range of motion. Pelvic X‐ray revealed an expansive bone destruction involving the left hemi pelvis without periosteal reaction. A magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cystic lesions extending from pelvic bones to the gluteal region. The possibility of hydatid disease was raised, and hydatid serology test was positive. No visceral involvement was found by additional examinations investigations revealed visceral hydatidosis. Thus, the diagnosis of a primary bone hydatid disease was established. No surgical excision was possible, and the patient was put on Albendazole. Echinococcosis should be ruled out while dealing with progressive expansive bony lesions. Surgical management remains a challenge especially if the involvement is very extensive.
Traumatic epidural hematoma in a patient with severe schizencephaly
Authors: Hoang Van Trung , Hoang The Huan , Chansomphou Vichit , Doan Dung Tien 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSchizencephaly is a rare congenital brain structural abnormality that is not clearly understood and has no specific treatment yet. Therefore, cases related to it should be added to the literature. This report aims to introduce a rare case of severe schizencephaly co‐occurring with post‐traumatic intracranial epidural hematoma.
Case of delayed diagnosis of necrolytic migratory erythema
Authors: Abdelli Wissal , Alaoui Fatima , Souissi Asmahen , Sassi Wiem , Chelly Ines , Haouet Slim , Mokni Mourad 
Published: December 2021

AbstractNecrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is a rare cutaneous paraneoplastic manifestation of glucagonoma. We report a case of a woman with a 6‐year history of delayed diagnosis of glucagonoma. This case highlights the atypical clinical features of NME which makes the diagnosis difficult.
Deconvoluting the Directed Evolution Pathway of Engineered Acyltransferase LovD
Authors: García‐Marquina Guillermo , Núñez‐Franco Reyes , Peccati Francesca , Tang Yi , Jiménez‐Osés Gonzalo , López‐Gallego Fernando 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPharmaceutical industry is progressively replacing the chemical synthesis of cholesterol‐lowering agents by enzymatic processes. The directed evolution of acyltransferase LovD was a breakthrough in the synthesis of simvastatin, although little is known about how the in vitro evolution path raised up an engineered variant (LovD9) with excellent biocatalytic properties (high catalytic efficiency and stability under reaction conditions). In this study, we unveil how different mutation clusters scattered across LovD9 primary sequence specifically contribute to enhance both enzyme kinetics and stability. To this aim, simvastatin synthetic and hydrolytic activities, kinetic parameters and thermostability of several engineered variants were assessed. Through a rational combination of those clusters of mutations, we generated the variant LovD−BuCh2 whose catalytic efficiency is around 90 % of that obtained with LovD9 but with 15 less mutations. Supported by molecular dynamics simulations, this work demonstrates the cumulative effect of mutations at both the active site and the substrate entrance channel to enhance binding of the acyl donor and speed up the acyl transfer step from the acyl‐enzyme complex to monacolin J acid, while simultaneously minimizing detrimental side‐reaction pathways, substrate inhibition and increasing thermostability.
Reproductive effort and terminal investment in a multispecies assemblage of Amazon electric fish
Authors: Waddell Joseph C. , Crampton William G. R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe terminal investment hypothesis (TIH) predicts that individuals with favorable prospects for future reproduction (i.e., high residual reproductive value, RRV) should moderate current reproductive investment in favor of growth, survival, and future reproduction, whereas those with low RRV should “terminally invest” by diverting somatic resources towards current reproduction at the expense of future reproduction. However, support for the TIH in wild animal populations is fragmentary, and the ecological contexts of terminal investment remain poorly known. We report a remarkable case of simultaneous terminal investment involving five sympatric species of the electric knifefish genus Brachyhypopomus, from Amazonian floodplain and terra firme stream habitats. We found that terminal investment is synchronized by seasonal breeding, in response to circannual environmental variation in mortality risk. Four species exhibit a uniseasonal iteroparous (annual) life history with complete post‐reproductive mortality after a single breeding season. One species (Brachyhypopomus beebei) exhibits a 2‐year multiseasonal iteroparous life history with breeding in two seasons and post‐reproductive mortality after the second. In mature females and (most) males of the annual species, as well as in both mature female and male second‐year (but not first‐year) B. beebei, we documented an increase in two metrics of reproductive effort (size‐adjusted gonad mass and electric signal amplitude) and a concomitant reduction in somatic condition (size‐adjusted somatic mass), all in response to proximity to the end of the common breeding season, when RRV approximates zero. In mature first‐year B. beebei, we documented neither an increase in reproductive effort nor a decline in somatic condition, implying an alternative strategy of reproductive restraint. Our findings support Kirkwood's disposable soma theory, which posits that death by reproductive exhaustion can be delayed if terminal investment is replaced by reproductive restraint, allowing individuals to survive and breed in a subsequent season. Deferral of the terminal investment response in annual species, and the origin of a gonadal regression‐regeneration sequence, may open pathways for rapid evolutionary transitions to multiseasonal iteroparity. Excepting the age (year‐group) dependency of terminal investment in B. beebei, we were unable to identify intrinsic cues or extrinsic environmental cues for the terminal investment response in Brachyhypopomus.
Resource allocation for a multi‐device URLLC network
Authors: Qureshi Abdul Rehman , Nasir Ali A. , Masood Mudassir , Abdallah Saeed 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe fifth generation of wireless cellular networks, the 5G New Radio (5G NR), is expected to support ultra‐reliable low latency communications (URLLC) as one of its primary communication services. The URLLC service of the network targets very high levels of reliability, which according to the 3GPP standards, corresponds to a block error rate ofto. Simultaneously, the networks need to guarantee very low latency, less than 1 millisecond according to the 3GPP standards. In this article, we propose an algorithm to solve the resource allocation problem, in terms of power and blocklength optimization, for a general multi‐device downlink URLLC in a factory automation scenario. Our objective is to minimize the decoding‐error probability at a target device, while ensuring that the rest of the devices perform under a threshold error probability. To achieve this, we propose a multi‐layered encapsulation method which simplifies the resource allocation problem of multi‐device networks. We also propose a general relay‐assisted strategy in the last step of the multi‐layered encapsulation model, which results in a remarkable improvement in the decoding‐error probability of the target device. Moreover, we also propose a multiple‐antenna beamforming design based resource allocation, which further improves the decoding‐error‐probability at the expense of higher computational complexity.
Deformation of the Shillong Group rocks, Shillong Basin, Meghalaya, north‐east India: Implication on the Proterozoic supercontinent build‐up
Authors: Deb Gautam Kumar , Ray Arijit 
Published: December 2021

The effects of deformation and concomitant high‐grade metamorphism during the Cenozoic period in the active Himalayan orogen hinder the reconstruction of the original geological framework and thus the evolution history. The Shillong Group in the Shillong Plateau, northeastern India, rests unconformably above the Himalayan crystalline basement gneiss, and is divided in two formations, the Lower Metapelite Formation (LMF) and the Upper Quartzite Formation (UQF). There are three horizons of conglomerate: (a) Basal, between the basement and the Shillong Group, (b) an inter‐formational conglomerate, between the LMF and UQF, and (c) an intra‐formational conglomerate (within the UQF). The clasts of the latter two conglomerates are suitable strain markers. Principal compressional structures in the Shillong Group were developed in two successive deformation episodes during the Meso‐ to Neo‐Proterozoic period. The earlier episode was of progressive general shear deformation, while the later one possibly occurred in a transpressive mode similar to that of a fold‐thrust belt. Remarkably, both episodes underwent NW–SE regional compression. The inter‐formational conglomerate represents a flattening type strain of relatively lesser magnitude (Rf–ϕ X:Y:Z = 1.35:1:0.76), in contrast to the constriction type strain of relatively higher magnitude (Rf–ϕ X:Y:Z = 2.42:1:0.44) of the intra‐formational conglomerate. Field relations of the Shillong Group with the deformed and undeformed granite plutons suggest that the earlier deformation episode possibly took place during Rodinia assembly, due to India–Antarctica collision at 1,100 Ma, while the later one happened in a time frame close to 500 Ma, during the amalgamation of Eastern Gondwana.
Late Mesozoic magmatism and tectonic significance of the Kelihe Area in the northern Great Xing'an Range
Authors: Zhang Nuo , Li Gang , Liu Zheng‐Hong , Chen Yu‐Song , Wang Shi‐Jie , Li Chang‐Hai 
Published: December 2021

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogenic belt in the world and its formation involved a complicated process of arc–continent collision. Large‐scale Mesozoic volcanic activity in the Great Xing'an Range (GXAR) in northeastern China, which constitutes part of the eastern CAOB, has received much recent research attention. However, the petrogenesis and formation mechanism of the late Mesozoic igneous rocks remain enigmatic. This paper investigates the geochronology, petrogenesis, and formation mechanism of late Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the Kelihe area of the GXAR based on zircon U–Pb dating, petrology, and geochemistry. Late Mesozoic magmatism in the Kelihe area occurred during the Late Jurassic (165–155 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (130–120 Ma). These igneous rocks generated by this magmatism are characterized by high SiO2 (69.97–75.49 wt%) and low MgO (0.11–0.68 wt%), Cr (10–30 ppm), Co (0.2–2.6 ppm), and Ni (0.5–1.6 ppm) contents. Trace elements show enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Zr, and K, and depletion in Ba, P, Nb, and Ti. These features indicate that the rocks were derived from partial melting of the crust. Furthermore, the rhyolites have high Na2O (5.02–5.44 wt%) and K2O (3.94–4.88 wt%) contents, similar to those of melts formed by the partial melting of basaltic crust. Combining the present results with the findings of previous studies, it is inferred that the Mesozoic igneous rocks formed in a post‐collisional extensional setting related to lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling after the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean.
Hydrological responses to rainfall events including the extratropical cyclone Gloria in two contrasting Mediterranean headwaters in Spain; the perennial font del Regàs and the intermittent Fuirosos
Authors: Ledesma José L. J. , Lupon Anna , Bernal Susana 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCatchment hydrological responses to precipitation inputs, particularly during exceptionally large storms, are complex and variable, and our understanding of the associated runoff generation processes during those events is limited. Hydrological monitoring of climatically and hydrologically distinct catchments can help to improve this understanding by shedding light on the interplay between antecedent soil moisture conditions, hydrological connectivity, and rainfall event characteristics. This knowledge is urgently needed considering that both the frequency and magnitude of extreme precipitation events are increasing worldwide as a consequence of climate change. In autumn 2018, we installed water level sensors to monitor stream water and near‐stream groundwater levels at two Mediterranean forest headwater catchments with contrasting hydrological regimes: Font del Regàs (sub‐humid climate, perennial flow regime) and Fuirosos (semi‐arid climate, intermittent flow regime). Both catchments are located in northeastern Spain, where the extratropical cyclone Gloria hit in January 2020 and left in ca. 65 h outstanding accumulated rainfalls of 424 mm in Font del Regàs and 230 mm in Fuirosos. During rainfall events of low mean intensity, hydrological responses to precipitation inputs at the semi‐arid Fuirosos were more delayed and more variable than at the sub‐humid Font del Regàs. We explain these divergences by differences in antecedent soil moisture conditions and associated differences in catchment hydrological connectivity between the two catchments, which in this case are likely driven by differences in local climate rather than by differences in local topography. In contrast, during events of moderate and high mean rainfall intensities, including the storm Gloria, precipitation inputs and hydrological responses correlated similarly in the two catchments. We explain this convergence by rapid development of hydrological connectivity independently of antecedent soil moisture conditions. The data set presented here is unique and contributes to our mechanistic understanding on how streams respond to rainfall events and exceptionally large storms in catchments with contrasting flow regimes.
The impact of semi‐natural broadleaf woodland and pasture on soil properties and flood discharge
Authors: Monger Felicity , V Spracklen Dominick , J Kirkby Mike , Schofield Lee 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWoodlands can reduce the risk of rainfall‐generated flooding through increased interception, soil infiltration and available storage. Despite growing evidence, there is still low confidence in using woodlands as a flood mitigation method due to limited empirical data, particularly for broadleaf woodlands. We measured soil properties and streamflow for nine small (<0.2 km2) upland catchments and compared mature semi‐natural broadleaf woodland where no stock grazing occurs to pasture with varied grazing intensity. We compared streamflow across 28 storm events including a 1 in 10‐year event, two 1 in 4‐year events and five 1 in 1.5‐year events, identified over a 13‐month period. We found that semi‐natural broadleaf woodlands reduce specific peak discharge by 23%–60% and peak runoff coefficients by 30%–60% compared with pasture. Response to storm events took 14–50% longer in woodland compared to pasture. These differences in flood response are partly explained by more permeable woodland soils, 11–20 times greater than pasture soil. The more muted response of wooded catchments to storm events is consistent across the storms investigated, including Storm Ciara, a 1 in 10‐year event. Our analysis strengthens the argument that semi‐natural woodlands can reduce rainfall‐generated flooding contributing to the evidence base for natural flood management.
Comprehensive clinicopathologic study of alpha fetoprotein‐expression in a large cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ridder Dirk Andreas , Weinmann Arndt , Schindeldecker Mario , Urbansky Lana Louisa , Berndt Kristina , Gerber Tiemo Sven , Lang Hauke , Lotz Johannes , Lackner Karl J. , Roth Wilfried , Straub Beate Katharina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAlpha fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used diagnostic and prognostic serum biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its wide clinical use, a systematic clinicopathologic study comparing AFP expression in HCC in situ with serum AFP concentrations has not yet been conducted. To analyze AFP expression in a large cohort of patients by immunohistochemistry, we employed a comprehensive tissue microarray with 871 different HCCs of overall 561 patients. AFP immunoreactivity was detected in only about 20% of HCC core biopsies, whereas 48.9% of the patients displayed increased serum values (>12 ng/mL). Immunostaining of whole tumor slides revealed that lack of detectable immunoreactivity in core biopsies in a subgroup of patients with elevated AFP serum concentrations is due to heterogeneous intratumoral AFP expression. Serum AFP concentrations and AFP expression in situ were moderately correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient .53, P = 1.2e − 13). High AFP expression detected in serum (>227.3 ng/mL) or in situ predicted unfavorable prognosis and was associated with vascular invasion, higher tumor grade and macrotrabecular‐massive tumor subtype. Multivariate and ROC curve analysis demonstrated that high AFP concentrations in serum is an independent prognostic parameter and represents the more robust prognostic predictor in comparison to AFP immunostaining of core biopsies. The previously published vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) pattern turned out as an additional, statistically independent prognostic parameter. AFP‐positivity was associated with increased tumor cell apoptosis, but not with increased vascular densities. Additionally, AFP‐positive tumors displayed increased proliferation rates, urea cycle dysregulation and signs of genomic instability, which may constitute the basis for their increased aggressiveness.
Do total hip arthroplasty polyethylene liners without free radicals oxidize in vivo or ex vivo?
Authors: Rowell Shannon L. , Reyes Christopher R. , Hopper Robert H. , Engh Charles A. , Muratoglu Orhun K. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCrosslinking substantially reduces the wear of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) but some reports have indicated that first generation liners manufactured without antioxidants may be vulnerable to in vivo oxidation. This study evaluated maximum oxidation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy per ASTM F2102‐06ε1 and linear head penetration using a coordinate measuring machine among 66 revision‐retrieved THA components with in vivo durations ranging from 0.02 to 24.6 years. These included 30 liners crosslinked with 5 Mrad of gamma radiation and then melted, 13 non‐crosslinked, never‐irradiated liners sterilized with gas plasma and 23 non‐crosslinked, never‐irradiated liners sterilized with ethylene oxide. All liners were vacuum‐sealed and stored at −20°C prior to analysis with the exception of three retrievals of each material type that were stored in air for 9.9 to 21.5 years. All 57 vacuum‐sealed and frozen retrievals demonstrated good oxidative stability with maximum oxidation indices (OIs) less than 1.0 and 75% (43/57) of these liners had maximum OIs less than 0.1. Linear penetration measurements were lower in the crosslinked liners compared to non‐crosslinked retrievals. Although instances of oxidation and embrittlement were found after ex vivo storage in air among liners that did not have free radicals at the time of implantation, in vivo oxidation does not appear to be a clinical concern through the first decade of service for crosslinked liners and at up to 25 years after surgery for non‐crosslinked liners.
Masking in murder: An exploratory study into the act of covering the victim’s face in UK homicide
Authors: Rainbow Lee , Benson Caitlin , Almond Louise , Tandy Alicia , McManus Michelle 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPrevious literature suggests that covering of a homicide victim's face by an offender indicates a pre‐existing relationship. Operational definitions discriminate between three forms of victim covering (i) Masking (ii) Cloaking and (iii) Concealment. 126 UK homicide cases were examined to explore whether any evidence‐based investigative inferences could be supported in cases of victim covering viewed through an instrumental/expressive framework. No statistically significant differences were found between face covering behaviour and the relationship between victim and offender, previous convictions, and offender age, although there was a high frequency of elderly female victims of masking. The findings are discussed in relation to offender‐profiling.