bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐viral therapy can be delayed or avoided in a significant proportion of HBeAg‐negative Caucasian patients in the Grey Zone
Authors: Bonacci M. , Lens S. , Mariño Z. , Londoño M.‐C. , Rodríguez‐Tajes S. , Mas A. , García‐López M. , Pérez‐del‐Pulgar S. , Sánchez‐Tapias J. M. , Forns X. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundGrey Zone (GZ) is an ill‐defined situation including patients falling between inactive carrier (IC) state and HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg‐negative CHB).AimsTo assess the long‐term outcomes of GZ patients compared to IC in the absence of treatment.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 287 IC and GZ HBeAg‐negative patients. Patients were classified into 4 groups at baseline: HBV‐DNA <2000 IU/mL and ALT <40 U/L (IC), HBV‐DNA <2000 IU/mL and ALT 40‐80 U/L (GZ‐1), HBV‐DNA 2000‐20 000 IU/mL and ALT <40 U/L (GZ‐2) or ALT 40‐80 U/L (GZ‐3). Data were also analysed using AASLD ALT criteria.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 8.2 (5‐19) years, HBsAg loss occurred in about 15% ICs or GZ patients. Transition into IC state occurred in 40% of GZ patients. DNA fluctuations >2000 IU/mL correlated inversely with transition into IC and HBsAg loss. HBsAg levels were significantly lower in ICs than in GZ patients (338 IU/mL [20‐3269] vs 5763 IU/mL [2172‐17 754]; P < 0.05). Among the latter group, there was an increasing gradient of HBsAg levels from GZ‐1 to GZ‐3 patients (P < 0.05). HBeAg‐negative CHB occurred in only 18 (6.3%) GZ patients. No patient developed cirrhosis nor advanced fibrosis. ALT/HBV‐DNA fluctuations and HBeAg‐negative CHB development were more frequent in genotype B/C patients, whereas HBsAg loss occurred only in genotype A/D patients.ConclusionsMost Caucasian GZ patients present excellent long‐term outcomes in the absence of treatment, with a high rate of HBsAg loss and low rate of progression to HBeAg‐negative CHB. HBV‐genotyping and HBsAg levels could help to predict outcomes and better classify GZ patients.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: combination treatment of regimens based on pegylated interferon for chronic hepatitis B focusing on hepatitis B surface antigen clearance
Authors: Qiu K. , Liu B. , Li S.‐Y. , Li H. , Chen Z.‐W. , Luo A.‐R. , Peng M.‐L. , Ren H. , Hu P. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is considered to be associated with favourable clinical outcomes.AimsThis meta‐analysis was performed to establish the proportion of HBsAg loss rates among CHB patients who received combination treatment based on pegylated interferon (PegIFN). Four combination strategies have been studied with the aim of improving HBsAg loss: “de novo,” “NA‐experienced,” “switch‐to” and “add‐on.” This meta‐analysis was performed to determine which, if any, of these combination strategies was more effective.MethodsMedline, Web of Science and Embase databases were searched from inception to December 2017. The proportion of patients who achieved HBsAg loss after combination therapy was pooled using a random‐effects model.ResultsTwenty‐four studies fulfilled the meta‐analysis criteria. The overall pooled proportion suggested that the rate of HBsAg loss could be increased to 9% (95% CI: 7%‐12%) based on the combination treatment in CHB patients. Compared with “de novo” strategy (8%, 95% CI: 6%‐10%), the “nucleos(t)ide analogues‐experienced” (11%, 95% CI: 8%‐15%) was found to be more likely (P = 0.036) to achieve a response. Compared with the “add‐on” strategy (8%, 95% CI: 5%‐13%), the “switch‐to” (14%, 95% CI: 9%‐20%) was found to be more likely (P = 0.012) to achieve HBsAg loss.ConclusionThe “nucleos(t)ide analogues‐experienced” strategy was more effective than the “De novo” strategy in achieving HBsAg loss for CHB patients. Combination treatment using regimens based on Peg‐IFN may be useful to help nucleos(t)ide analogues‐treated patients, who have experienced at least 48 weeks of nucleot(s)ide analogue, achieve HBsAg seroclearance.
Power and Sample Size Calculation Incorporating Misspecifications of the Variance Function in Comparative Clinical Trials with Over-Dispersed Count Data
Authors: Igeta Masataka , Takahashi Kunihiko , Matsui Shigeyuki 
Published: March 2018

Summary
Over-dispersed count data are frequently observed in clinical trials where the primary endpoint is occurrence of clinical events. Sample sizes of comparative clinical trials with these data are typically calculated under negative binomial models or quasi–Poisson models with specified variance functions, or under the assumption that the specified “working” variance functions are correctly specified. In this article, we propose a sample size formula anticipating misspecifications of the working variance function. We derived a method based on the asymptotic distribution of a Wald test statistic with a sandwich-type robust variance estimator under quasi–Poisson models. Under misspecifications of the working variance function, the asymptotic variance of the estimator of the treatment effect is expressed as a form involving both true and working variance functions. Our sample size formula includes several existing formulas as special cases when the working variance function is correctly specified as the true variance function. We also consider a sensitivity analysis for possible misspecifications of the “true” variance function when estimating sample sizes using our formula. A simulation study demonstrated the adequacy of our formulas in finite sample size settings. An application to a clinical trial to evaluate the treatment effect on prevention of COPD exacerbation is provided.
Perception of Face Race by Infants: Five Developmental Changes
Authors: Quinn Paul C. , Lee Kang , Pascalis Olivier 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOver the last 15 years, researchers have examined how infants respond to the social categories of faces. In the case of race, infants encounter more faces of their own race than faces of other races. This asymmetry in experience has been associated with five developmental changes in face processing during the first year of life. In this article, we describe these changes in recognition, spontaneous preference, visual scanning, category formation, and association with valence, and discuss their interrelationships. Certain individual changes correspond with one or another of the classic models of perceptual development (i.e., maintenance, attunement). But considered together, the changes suggest that a framework linking perceptual with social‐emotional processing may provide a broader way of thinking about the overall pattern of how infants develop differential responses to faces of their own race that they experience frequently versus faces of other races that they experience infrequently.
Labels or Concepts? The Development of Semantic Networks in Bilingual Two‐Year‐Olds
Authors: Jardak Amel , Byers‐Heinlein Krista 
Published: March 2018

The adult lexicon links concepts and labels with related meanings (e.g., dog–cat). How do children's encounters with concepts versus labels contribute to semantic development? Three studies investigated semantic priming in 40 monolinguals and 32 bilinguals, who have similar experience with concepts but different experience with labels (i.e., monolinguals hear “dog,” bilinguals hear “dog” and “chien”). Similarities in performance across monolinguals and bilinguals at age 24 months, as well as across bilinguals’ two languages at age 30 months, support the position that encounters with concepts contribute more to early semantic development than encounters with labels. Findings also suggest that the effects of semantic priming are challenging to observe at 24 months but are strong in bilinguals by age 30 months.
Parents' experiences of child protection practice in Denmark
Authors: Petersen Stina Krogh 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNot much research focuses on how parents perceive and experience child protection practice although the voices of service users are important in the development of social work within Child Welfare Services. This article contributes to a growing body of research that takes the user perspective as its point of departure when conducting research in social work. Drawing on a qualitative study, this article explores how 17 parents have experienced assessment processes in Denmark. Several studies indicate that parents who by themselves initiate child protection assessment have a greater chance of achieving positive experiences of assessment processes. As the large majority of the parents in this study by themselves initiated the assessment, it seems paradoxical that most of the parents report solely negative experiences. The article discusses different entries into child protection assessments (referral or the parents' own initiative) and suggests that time (in the sense of progression in the assessment) is an important dimension to take into account particularly when it comes to parents who wish to engage in child protection assessments.
Data‐Driven Crowd Motion Control With Multi‐Touch Gestures
Authors: Shen Yijun , Henry Joseph , Wang He , Ho Edmond S. L. , Komura Taku , Shum Hubert P. H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractControlling a crowd using multi‐touch devices appeals to the computer games and animation industries, as such devices provide a high‐dimensional control signal that can effectively define the crowd formation and movement. However, existing works relying on pre‐defined control schemes require the users to learn a scheme that may not be intuitive. We propose a data‐driven gesture‐based crowd control system, in which the control scheme is learned from example gestures provided by different users. In particular, we build a database with pairwise samples of gestures and crowd motions. To effectively generalize the gesture style of different users, such as the use of different numbers of fingers, we propose a set of gesture features for representing a set of hand gesture trajectories. Similarly, to represent crowd motion trajectories of different numbers of characters over time, we propose a set of crowd motion features that are extracted from a Gaussian mixture model. Given a run‐time gesture, our system extracts the K nearest gestures from the database and interpolates the corresponding crowd motions in order to generate the run‐time control. Our system is accurate and efficient, making it suitable for real‐time applications such as real‐time strategy games and interactive animation controls.
Comparison of different grafting materials for treatment of bone defect distal to the molar in canine
Authors: Ge Jing , Yang Chi , Wang Yong , Zheng Jiawei , Hua Hongfei , Zhu Jun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe extraction of impacted mandibular 3rd molar is highly related to bone defect distal to the adjacent 2nd molar.PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different grafting materials for the treatment of bone defect distal to the mandibular molar in canine model.Materials and MethodsIn 12 beagle dogs, bilateral mandibular 2nd and 3rd molars were extracted and entire mesial bone of the 2nd molar extracted socket was surgically removed. Twenty‐four bone defects (4 mm width and 8 mm depth) were randomly assigned to 4 groups, and grafted using 1 of the following protocols: (1) group C: no graft; (2) group Ta: autogenous bone (AB); (3) group Tb: deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) with a collagen membrane (CM); and (4) group Tab: an equal mixture of AB/DBBM + CM. Quantitative imageology analyses using micro‐CT and fluorescence microscopy, as well as qualitative analyses using histological and histomorphometric evaluations, were characterized at postoperative 12 weeks. Significant differences of all variables were tested by multivariate analysis (P < .05).ResultsThe defect depth was significantly lower in groups Ta, Tb, and Tab (1.70, 1.97, and 1.61 mm, respectively; mean) than in the group C (3.66 mm, P < .01, all). Compared to the sites received DBBM/CM, sites grafted with AB or AB/DBBM exhibited significant greater and faster new bone formation (P < .01). The percentage of DBBM remnants area (%) was significantly higher in group Tb than in group Tab (10.43% and 1.13%, P < .01; mean).ConclusionsOur data suggested grafting AB alone, DBBM/CM, or AB/DBBM/CM resulted in similar periodontal parameters in canine. Furthermore, the AB could accelerate new bone regeneration and mineralization, and promote the biodegradation of DBBM.
One‐year clinical outcomes of locking taper Equator attachments retaining mandibular overdentures to narrow diameter implants
Authors: Marcello‐Machado Raissa Micaella , Faot Fernanda , Schuster Alessandra Julie , Bielemann Amália Machado , Chagas Júnior Otacílio Luiz , Del Bel Cury Altair Antoninha 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundNarrow diameter implants (NDI) are recommended to retain mandibular overdentures (MOs) in cases of limited bone thickness. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical behavior of NDI as MO retainers connected to a new screwless locking taper abutments, their predictability and maintenance problems.ObjectivesTo evaluate the peri‐implant tissue behavior around NDI and the performance of locking taper stud abutments as MO retainers.MethodologyThirty patients (average age of 67.5 years) received 2 NDI implants (2.9 × 10 mm) loaded after 12 weeks using Equator stud attachments. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were monitored during osseointegration at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and postloading at 24, 48, and 60 weeks. The marginal bone level (MBL) and bone level changes (BLC) were determined at baseline and 60 weeks.ResultsThe cumulative success rate was 83.3%. The PI oscillated in the first 24 weeks and decreased from 48 weeks onward, while the CI score showed significantly higher values at week 8 (22%). The GI also peaked at week 8 (18.6%) and decreased from week 12 onward. The PD decreased gradually over time, but no significant differences were found between weeks 8 and 12. The ISQ decreased significantly between 0 and 12 weeks. After MO loading, the ISQ values increased linearly and significantly between 12 and 24, 24 and 48, and 48 and 60 weeks and reached values similar to the primary stability after 60 weeks [56.1(42.0‐65.3)]. No significant MBL was observed at 60 weeks, with an average BLC of −0.06 ± 0.64 mm.ConclusionNDI connected to locking taper Equator attachments showed a stable clinical behavior as an MO retainer for edentulous patients with clinical mandibular atrophy.
Diagnostic performance of cone beam computed tomography in assessing peri‐implant bone loss: A systematic review
Authors: Pelekos Georgios , Acharya Aneesha , Tonetti Maurizio S. , Bornstein Michael M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the assessment of peri‐implant bone loss and analyze its influencing factors.Materials and MethodsClinical and preclinical studies reporting diagnostic outcomes of CBCT imaging of peri‐implant bone loss compared to direct reference measurements were sought by searching five electronic databases, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus, and OpenGrey. QUADAS‐2 criteria were adapted for quality analysis of the included studies. A qualitative synthesis was performed. Two meta‐analysis models (random‐effects and mixed‐effects) summarized the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve observations reported in the selected studies. The mixed‐effects meta‐analysis model evaluated three possible influencing factors, “defect type,” “defect size,” and “study effect.”ResultsThe initial search yielded 3,716 titles, from which 18 studies (13 in vitro and 5 animal) were included. Diagnostic accuracy of CBCT was fair to excellent in detecting in vitro circumferential‐intrabony and fenestration defects, but moderate to low for peri‐implant dehiscences, and tended to be higher for larger defect sizes. Both, over‐ and underestimation of linear measurements were reported for the animal models. The meta‐analyses included 37 AUC observations from eight studies. The random‐effects model showed significant heterogeneity. The mixed‐effects model exhibited also significant but lower heterogeneity, and “defect type” and “study effect” significantly influenced the variability of AUC observations.ConclusionIn vitro, CBCT performs well in detecting peri‐implant circumferential‐intrabony or fenestration defects but less in depicting dehiscences. Influencing factors due to other site‐related and technical parameters on the diagnostic outcome need to be addressed further in the future studies.
Long noncoding RNA LINC00152 is a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with high‐grade glioma
Authors: Wang Wen , Wu Fan , Zhao Zheng , Wang Kuan‐Yu , Huang Ruo‐Yu , Wang Hao‐Yuan , Lan Qing , Wang Jiang‐Fei , Zhao Ji‐Zong 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAimsTo investigate the role of LINC00152 in high‐grade glioma (HGG).MethodsWe collected data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) microarray, CGGA RNA sequencing, and GSE16011 datasets to evaluate the expression and prognostic relationship of LINC00152 in patients with HGGs. A knockdown assay was performed to determine the function of LINC00152 in glioma development and progression in vitro and in vivo.ResultsThe expression of LINC00152 was increased with glioma grade, especially in the mesenchymal TCGA subtype. LINC00152 was independently associated with poor prognosis, and the overall survival (OS) of the high expression group was shorter than the low expression group (median OS 14.77 vs 9.65 months; P = 0.0216) in the CGGA microarray dataset. The results were validated in the other 2 datasets. Based on the expression of LINC00152, 4288 (2519 positively; 1769 negatively) probes were extracted to perform a biological process analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. Positively regulated genes were enriched in immune response, apoptotic process, cell adhesion, and regulation of cell proliferation. The clinical and molecular features of HGG patients indicated that patients in the LINC00152 high expression group tended to display the mesenchymal type, older (≥46 years), isocitrate dehydrogenase1 wild‐type, O(6)‐methylguanine DNA methyltransferase unmethylated, nonchemotherapy, and low karnofsky performance status. Functionally, knockdown of LINC00152 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased the sensitivity of chemotherapy in vitro.ConclusionOur results indicate that knockdown of LINC00152 could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. LINC00152 could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with HGG.
No apparent benefit of preemptive sorafenib therapy in liver transplant recipients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma on explant
Authors: Satapathy Sanjaya K. , Das Kanak , Kocak Mehmet , Helmick Ryan A. , Eason James D. , Nair Satheesh P. , Vanatta Jason M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundSorafenib has shown survival benefits in patients with advanced HCC; however, limited data are available on its role in OLT recipients with advanced HCC in the explant.AimEvaluate the role of preemptive sorafenib therapy on HCC recurrence and survival after OLT with advanced HCC on explant pathology.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the outcome after OLT of all HCC recipients with advanced HCC in the explant pathology from 04/2006 to 12/2012 based on preemptive treatment with sorafenib.ResultsDuring the observation period, 217 HCC recipients underwent OLT; 50 explants revealed advanced HCC. After exclusion of 5 patients who were lost to follow‐up, 45 LT recipients were finally included for analysis. Recipients were grouped as sorafenib Gr (N = 25) and nonsorafenib Gr (N = 20). Both recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (P = .67) and overall survival were similar between groups (P = .53) on Kaplan‐Meier analysis. Additionally, sorafenib use was neither associated with HCC recurrence‐free survival (HR 0.74, 95% CI [0.32‐1.70]; P = .48) nor overall survival (HR 0.92, 95% CI [0.39‐2.15], P = .84) on multivariate Cox proportional hazard model with sorafenib use as time‐varying covariates.ConclusionPreemptive treatment with sorafenib in OLT recipients with high‐risk features in explant does not improve HCC recurrence‐free or overall survival.
Cytomorphology and sonographic features of ectopic thymic tissue diagnosed in paediatric FNA biopsies
Authors: Escobar F. A. , Pantanowitz L. , Picarsic J. L. , Craig F. E. , Simons J. P. , Viswanathan P. A. , Yilmaz S. , Monaco S. E. 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionEctopic thymic tissue can arise as an asymptomatic neck mass, which may be detected on imaging studies. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of ectopic thymic tissue in paediatric FNAs and to the correlate clinical, radiological and cytomorphological findings.MethodsFNAs in children with neck and mediastinal lesions performed between January 2012 and July 2016 were reviewed for cases of ectopic thymus. These were then evaluated and correlated with the cytology findings.ResultsOf 739 FNAs, 13 (1.8%) cases from 11 patients showed ectopic thymic tissue. The targeted lesions were in the thyroid (n = 7), submandibular region (n = 1), superior mediastinum (n = 1) and paratracheal region (n = 1). The most common indication was for microcalcifications concerning for papillary thyroid carcinoma on ultrasound (n = 6). Imaging findings included fusiform lesions with linear and punctuate bright echoes. The cytology evaluation showed small lymphocytes with discohesive epithelioid cells in most cases, and proteinaceous fluid in the cystic case. There were rare macrophages and Hassall's corpuscles. Flow cytometry and/or immunostains were performed in all cases, supporting thymic origin.ConclusionEctopic thymic tissue is rarely present as a neck mass or thyroid nodule on FNA biopsy. The ultrasound imaging findings reveal a well‐defined fusiform lesion with punctate bright echoes that could be misinterpreted as papillary thyroid carcinoma. The aspirates show a small lymphoid population, immunophenotypically compatible with thymic T‐cells, in addition to scattered epithelial cells. Therefore, knowledge of the typical ultrasonographic and cytopathological features can help make a definitive diagnosis and avoid more invasive procedures in paediatric patients.
Telomere length determined by the fluorescence in situ hybridisation distinguishes malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens
Authors: Matsuda Y. , Suzuki A. , Esaka S. , Hamashima Y. , Imaizumi M. , Kinoshita M. , Shirahata H. , Kiso Y. , Kojima H. , Matsukawa M. , Fujii Y. , Ishikawa N. , Aida J. , Takubo K. , Ishiwata T. , Nishimura M. , Arai T. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundTelomeres are tandem repeats of TTAGGG at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes that play a key role in preventing chromosomal instability. The aim of the present study is to determine telomere length using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on cytological specimens.MethodsAspiration samples (n = 41) were smeared on glass slides and used for FISH.ResultsTelomere signal intensity was significantly lower in positive cases (cases with malignancy, n = 25) as compared to negative cases (cases without malignancy, n = 16), and the same was observed for centromere intensity. The difference in DAPI intensity was not statistically significant. The ratio of telomere to centromere intensity did not show a significant difference between positive and negative cases. There was no statistical difference in the signal intensities of aspiration samples from ascites or pleural effusion (n = 23) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided FNA samples from the pancreas (n = 18).ConclusionsThe present study revealed that telomere length can be used as an indicator to distinguish malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens. This novel approach may help improve diagnosis for cancer patients.