bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surrogate indicators of quality are associated with survival following surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Roife David , Santamaria‐Barria Juan A. , Kao Lillian S. , Ko Tien C. , Wray Curtis J. 
Published: September 2018

IntroductionQuality/core measures have been collected for over 10 years. Studies have demonstrated hospital performance is related to postoperative outcomes. We hypothesize that hospital quality measures are associated with long‐term survival following surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe National Cancer Data Base was queried for all HCC cases. Individual hospitals were deidentified. Quality markers were defined as hospital‐specific median length of stay (LOS), 30‐day mortality rate and readmit rate. A Cox regression stratified by stage estimated survival. To minimize confounding, a landmark analysis was estimated for patients that survived greater than 30 days.ResultsA total of 16 202 HCC patients underwent surgical resection and 996 (6.1%) died within 30 days following surgery. Calculated by unique hospital, median 30‐day death rate was 4.6% (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.2% to 7.6%). Thirty‐day readmit rate was 2.6% (IQR: 0% to 5.9%) and median LOS was 8.0 days (IQR: 6.5 to 9.2). In the multivariate Cox regression, 30‐day death rate (hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32 to 2.71) and longer LOS (HR, 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.02) were associated with worse survival. Higher 30‐day readmission rate was associated with improved survival (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.97).ConclusionsHospital‐level surrogate markers of surgical quality appear to be significantly associated with HCC survival following resection. Patients treated in higher 30‐day mortality centers, experienced worse outcomes. Individual hospitals should critically review disease‐specific outcomes following resection to identify areas for improvement.
CD90 expression in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis
Authors: Yamaoka Ryoya , Ishii Takamichi , Kawai Takayuki , Yasuchika Kentaro , Miyauchi Yuya , Kojima Hidenobu , Katayama Hokahiro , Ogiso Satoshi , Fukumitsu Ken , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: September 2018

Background and ObjectivesIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer. However, its prognosis remains poor. Expression of cluster of differentiation 90 (CD90) has been identified as an indicator of poor prognosis in many cancers. Here, we examined the importance of CD90 expression in ICC.MethodsWe performed immunohistological assays for CD90 in human ICC surgical specimens and assessed its relationship with clinicopathological findings and prognosis. Moreover, we analyzed the characteristics of CD90+/− cells, mainly with respect to metastatic potential, using human ICC cell lines.ResultsCD90 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and was revealed to be an independent prognostic factor. The CD90+ cells present in ICC specimens did not appear to be cancer‐associated fibroblasts, as they did not express α‐smooth muscle actin. In vitro, CD90
+ cells exhibited greater migratory ability and higher expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)–related genes, including CXCR4 and MMP7, than CD90− cells. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway activation was also heightened in CD90+ cells. In such cells, EMT appeared to be induced by CXCR4 and MMP7 expression through activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling.ConclusionCD90+ cells demonstrate high metastatic potential owing to Wnt/β‐catenin signaling activation and are associated with poor prognosis in ICC.
Testicular tumours discovered during infertility workup are predominantly benign and could initially be managed by sparing surgery
Authors: Lagabrielle Samuel , Durand Xavier , Droupy Stéphane , Izard Vincent , Marcelli François , Huyghe Eric , Ferriere Jean‐Marie , Ferretti Ludovic 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTo evaluate the pathological features and recurrence of incidental testis tumours treated by partial orchiectomy in a population of infertile men.MethodsWe retrospectively pooled, from four andrology referral centres, 32 patients diagnosed with testis mass during regular infertility workup. Patients included had an impaired sperm analysis and testis sparing surgery was performed to prevent secondary azoospermia or androgen therapy.ResultsMean age was 36 (IQR, 32 to 37). The mean largest tumoral diameter was 8.5 mm (IQR, 5 to 10). A total of 25% (8 of 32) of patients had a malignant tumour (seminoma, 7 of 32, 22%; teratoma, 1 of 32, 3%) and 75% (24 of 32) had a benign lesion (Leydig cell tumour, 23 of 32, 72%; scar tissue, 1 of 32, 3%). Malignant tumours were then managed by total orchiectomy (six of eight) or by radiotherapy (two of eight). With a mean follow up of 26 months (IQR, 8 to 32), one patient (3%) had an homolateral recurrence, which was a Leydig cell tumour. Not a single patient developed metastasis.ConclusionSeventy‐five per cent of the tumours discovered during infertility management were of a benign pathology. A conservative approach could be proposed initially to avoid unnecessary orchiectomies. Orchiectomy and radiotherapy could be discussed as salvage therapies for malignant lesions.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thin melanomas: Frequency and predictors of metastasis based on analysis of two large international cohorts
Authors: Isaksson Karolin , Nielsen Kari , Mikiver Rasmus , Nieweg Omgo E. , Scolyer Richard A. , Thompson John F. , Ingvar Christian 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundSentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in patients with thin melanomas (≤1 mm) is uncommon but adverse prognostic factors may indicate an increased risk. We sought to determine how often SLN biopsy (SLNB) was performed in patients with thin melanomas, establish the frequency of SLN metastasis and evaluate the predictive value of ulceration, tumor mitotic rate, and thickness for SLN involvement.MethodsMelanoma patients with a Breslow thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 to less than or equal to 1 mm, diagnosed 2009‐2016, were identified in the Swedish Melanoma Register (SMR) and the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) Database.ResultsIn total 8165 patients were included from the SMR and 1603 from MIA. SLNB was performed in 9.5% and 16.2% of patients, respectively. Corresponding figures for T1b (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] 7th Edition) were 19.5% and 24.6%. The SLN positivity rate were 4.4% (Sweden) and 5.8% (MIA). SLN metastasis was more frequent in tumors with ulceration, mitoses, and Breslow thickness greater than or equal to 0.9 mm but none were statistically significant. Younger age was identified as a significant risk factor for SLN positivity at MIA.ConclusionsA minority of patients with thin melanomas had SLNB performed and the SLN positivity rate was low. This study did not confirm tumor ulceration, mitoses, or thickness as statistically significant predictors for SLN metastasis.
NARCA: A novel prognostic scoring system using neutrophil‐albumin ratio and Ca19‐9 to predict overall survival in palliative pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tingle Samuel J. , Severs George R. , Goodfellow Michael , Moir John A. , White Steven A. 
Published: September 2018

Background and ObjectivesSeveral serum based‐markers and ratios have been investigated for their prognostic value in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This cohort study aimed to combine these into a novel prognostic scoring system.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed on 145 patients with unresectable histologically‐confirmed PDAC. Based on the existing literature the following markers were investigated: neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil‐albumin ratio (NAR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), fibrinogen, and Ca19‐9. These values were dichotomized about their medians for Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analysis.ResultsUnivariate Cox regression revealed statistically significant prognostic value for: NLR, NAR, PLR, fibrinogen, and Ca19‐9. When combining these using Cox regression analysis adjusting for other prognostic indicators, only NAR (hazard ratios [HR] = 3.174, P = 0.022) and Ca19‐9 (HR = 2.697, P = 0.031) were independent predictors of survival. Combining NAR and Ca19‐9 we split the cohort into three “NARCA” groups: NARCA0 = NAR ≤ 0.13 and Ca19‐9 ≤ 770, NARCA1 = either NAR > 0.13 or Ca19‐9 >770, NARCA2 = NAR > 0.13 and Ca19‐9 > 770. Median survival was 20.5, 9.7 and 4.1 months in NARCA0, 1, and 2 respectively (
P < 0.0005, log‐rank test). A separate validation cohort confirmed the prognostic significance of the score (
P = 0.048).ConclusionsCombining NAR and Ca19‐9 into a prognostic score allows stratification of unresectable PDAC patients into groups with significantly different overall survival.
Malignant granular cell tumor: Clinical features and long‐term survival
Authors: Moten Ambria S. , Zhao Huaqing , Wu Hong , Farma Jeffrey M. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundMalignant granular cell tumor GCT (mGCT) has not been well described. We sought to investigate associations between tumor characteristics, treatments and survival.MethodsPatients diagnosed with mGCT years 1995‐2014 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Descriptive statistics regarding tumor and treatment characteristics were calculated. Chi‐square tests determined associations between tumor location and features. Survival analyses included Kaplan‐Meier functions and Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR).ResultsOf 113 patients included, median age was 54 years and 77.0% were female. Frequent tumor sites included soft tissues (36.3%), ovary/testis (16.8%), and skin (11.5%). Median tumor size was 4.0 cm. Metastases to regional lymph nodes (12.5%) and distant sites (11.4%) occurred. Treatments included surgery (85.0%), radiotherapy (12.4%) and chemotherapy (8.9%). Overall five and 10‐year cause‐specific survival was 74.3% and 65.2%, respectively. Survival was worse for patients with tumors >5 cm compared to those with tumors ≤5 cm (HR = 34.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.57‐450.17), and patients with metastasis (HR = 15.25; 95% CI: 1.19‐195.72) compared with those without metastasis. Patients who underwent surgery had superior survival than those who did not (HR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.05‐0.34).ConclusionsParticular tumor features and treatments are associated with superior survival. This information may be used to more accurately estimate prognosis.
Assessing tools for management of noncolorectal nonneuroendocrine liver metastases: External validation of a prognostic model
Authors: Tsang Melanie E. , Mahar Alyson L. , Martel Guillaume , Cleary Sean P. , Nanji Sulaiman , Ouellet Jean‐François , Hernandez‐Alejandro Roberto , Wei Alice C. , Hallet Julie ,   Members of the Canadian Noncolorectal Nonneuroendocrine Liver Metastases Study Group
Published: September 2018

IntroductionSelection criteria and benefits for resection of noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine liver metastases (NCNNELM) remain debated. A prognostic score was developed by the Association Française de Chirurgie (AFC) for patient selection, but not validated. We performed a geographic external validation of this score.MethodsPatients with resected NCNNELM from six institutions (2000–2014) were assigned risk groups based on the AFC score. Discrimination was evaluated by visually inspecting separation of overall survival (OS) curves among risk categories. The slope of the continuous score on OS and hazard ratios for risk categories were examined.ResultsOf 165 patients, 53 (32.1%) were low‐risk, 85 (51.5%) intermediate‐risk, and 27 (16.4%) high‐risk. The OS curves did not separate among risk groups: 5‐year OS were 60.1% (low), 57.1% (intermediate), and 55.6% (high). The parameter estimate (0.02) indicated lower discrimination than in the AFC cohort. Hazard ratios of 1.05 (0.63 to 1.70) for low vs intermediate, 0.87 (0.46 to 1.64) for low vs high, and 0.83 (0.46 to 1.49) for intermediate vs. high, demonstrated lack of discrimination in OS among risk groups.ConclusionWhile long‐term survival is achievable, discrimination of the AFC score is not maintained in a geographic external cohort of resected NCNNELM. It is not generalizable to this external population.
How do genetically disabled adults view selective reproduction? Impairment, identity, and genetic screening
Authors: Boardman Felicity K , Hale Rachel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundGenomic medicine is rapidly evolving, particularly in the domain of reproduction. Population carrier screening for a range of disorders is becoming possible using whole genome/exome sequencing. However, very little is known about the views of genetically disabled adults toward selective reproduction.MethodsForty‐three in‐depth qualitative interviews were carried out with adults living with different types of genetic condition, recruited through support groups and clinics. Interviews covered participants’ experiences of their condition and their views toward genetic intervention in reproduction. Thematic analysis of the data using NVivo 11 was undertaken, and participants were assigned categories as either supporting, not‐supporting, or having ambivalent views toward selective reproduction.ResultsThe majority of participants (65%) expressed either disapproval of, or held ambivalent views toward, selective reproduction. Key reasons for non‐support included regarding genetic impairment as part of personal identity and the prioritization of social and environmental barrier removal. Key reasons for support of selective reproduction included negative and externalizing attitudes toward genetic impairment and a belief in the importance of informed reproductive decision‐making.ConclusionThe degree to which participants identified with their impairment, more so than how they valued it, was significant in determining attitudes toward selective reproduction. Those who supported genetic screening viewed their impairment as separate to themselves, while participants who considered their impairment as integral to their identity were most likely to report ambivalent or negative attitudes. Policymakers and stakeholders considering the role of genetic carrier screening panels might usefully engage with adults affected by heritable disease as well as disability identity politics when considering the acceptability and social impact of genetic screening programs.
Screening of known disease genes in congenital scoliosis
Authors: Takeda Kazuki , Kou Ikuyo , Mizumoto Shuji , Yamada Shuhei , Kawakami Noriaki , Nakajima Masahiro , Otomo Nao , Ogura Yoji , Miyake Noriko , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kotani Toshiaki , Sudo Hideki , Yonezawa Ikuho , Uno Koki , Taneichi Hiroshi , Watanabe Kei , Shigematsu Hideki , Sugawara Ryo , Taniguchi Yuki , Minami Shohei , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio ,   Japan Early Onset Scoliosis Research Group, Watanabe Kota , Ikegawa Shiro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundCongenital scoliosis (CS) is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine due to the vertebral malformations and has an incidence of 0.5–1/1,000 births. We previously examined TBX6 in Japanese CS patients and revealed that approximately 10% of CS was caused by TBX6 mutations. However, the genetic cause of remaining CS is unknown.MethodsWe recruited 78 CS patients without TBX6 mutations and major comorbidities, and investigated the genes previously reported to be associated with CS and congenital vertebral malformations by whole‐exome sequencing.ResultsWe identified the compound heterozygous missense variants in LFNG in one patient. No likely disease‐causing variants were identified in other patients, however. LFNG encodes a GlcNAc‐transferase. The LFNG variants showed loss of their enzyme function.ConclusionsA LFNG mutation is reported in a case of spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD), a skeletal dysplasia with severe malformations of vertebra and rib. The CS patient with LFNG mutations had multiple vertebral malformations including hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, and block vertebrae, and rib malformations. LFNG mutations may cause a spectrum of phenotypes including CS and SCD. The current list of known disease genes could explain only a small fraction of genetic cause of CS.
Predicting the Onset of Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Stein Andrew M. , Peletier Lambertus A. 
Published: September 2018

When analyzing the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs, one is often faced with concentration C vs. time curves, which display a sharp transition at a critical concentration Ccrit. For C > Ccrit, the curve displays linear clearance and for C < Ccrit clearance increases in a nonlinear manner as C decreases. Often, it is important to choose a high enough dose such that PK remains linear in order to help ensure that continuous target engagement is achieved throughout the duration of therapy. In this article, we derive a simple expression for Ccrit for models involving linear and nonlinear (saturable) clearance, such as Michaelis‐Menten and target‐mediated drug disposition (TMDD) models.Study Highlights
Design and field testing of a rover with an actively articulated suspension system in a Mars analog terrain
Authors: Cordes Florian , Kirchner Frank , Babu Ajish 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study presents the electromechanical design, the control approach, and the results of a field test campaign with the hybrid wheeled‐leg rover SherpaTT. The rover ranges in the 150 kg class and features an actively articulated suspension system comprising four legs with actively driven and steered wheels at each leg’s end. Five active degrees of freedom are present in each of the legs, resulting in 20 active degrees of freedom for the complete locomotion system. The control approach is based on force measurements at each wheel mounting point and roll–pitch measurements of the rover’s main body, allowing active adaption to sloping terrain, active shifting of the center of gravity within the rover’s support polygon, active roll–pitch influencing, and body‐ground clearance control. Exteroceptive sensors such as camera or laser range finder are not required for ground adaption. A purely reactive approach is used, rendering a planning algorithm for stability control or force distribution unnecessary and thus simplifying the control efforts. The control approach was tested within a 4‐week field deployment in the desert of Utah. The results presented in this paper substantiate the feasibility of the chosen approach: The main power requirement for locomotion is from the drive system, active adaption only plays a minor role in power consumption. Active force distribution between the wheels is successful in different footprints and terrain types and is not influenced by controlling the body’s roll–pitch angle in parallel to the force control. Slope‐climbing capabilities of the system were successfully tested in slopes of up to 28° inclination, covered with loose soil and duricrust. The main contribution of this study is the experimental validation of the actively articulated suspension of SherpaTT in conjunction with a reactive control approach. Consequently, hardware and software design as well as experimentation are part of this study.
Registration of three‐dimensional scanning LiDAR sensors: An evaluation of model‐based and model‐free methods
Authors: D’Adamo Timothy Andrew , Phillips Tyson Govan , McAree Peter Ross 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRegistration, also know as extrinsic calibration, is the process of determining the position and orientation of a sensor relative to a known frame of reference. For ranging sensors such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) used in field robotic applications, the quality of the registration determines the utility of the range measurements. This paper makes two contributions. The first is the introduction of a new method, termed maximum sum of evidence (MSoE) for registering three‐dimensional LiDAR sensors to moving platforms. This method is shown to produce more accurate registration solutions than two leading methods for these sensors, the adaptive structure registration filter (ASRF) and Rényi quadratic entropy (RQE). The second contribution of the paper is to study the accuracy of the MSoE registration against these two other approaches. One of these, like the MSoE, requires a truth model of the environment. The other, a model‐free method, seeks the registration that minimizes the RQE of a compound point cloud. The main finding of this investigation is that while the model‐based methods prove more accurate than the model‐free approach, the results of all three methods are fit for their intended field robotic applications. This leads us to conclude that registration based on RQE is preferable in many, if not all, field robotic applications for reasons of convenience, since a truth model of the environment is not required.
CCGD-ESCC: A Comprehensive Database for Genetic Variants Associated with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Chinese Population
Authors: Peng Linna , Cheng Sijin , Lin Yuan , Cui Qionghua , Luo Yingying , Chu Jiahui , Shao Mingming , Fan Wenyi , Chen Yamei , Lin Ai , Xi Yiyi , Sun Yanxia , Zhang Lei , Zhang Chao , Tan Wen , Gao Ge , Wu Chen , Lin Dongxin 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world and occurs at particularly higher frequency in China. While several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of germline variants and whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing studies of somatic mutations in ESCC have been published, there is no comprehensive database publically available for this cancer. Here, we developed the Chinese Cancer Genomic Database-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CCGD-ESCC) database, which contains the associations of 69,593 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with ESCC risk in 2022 cases and 2039 controls, survival time of 1006 ESCC patients (survival GWAS) and gene expression (expression quantitative trait loci, eQTL) in 94 ESCC patients. Moreover, this database also provides the associations between 8833 somatic mutations and survival time in 675 ESCC patients. Our user-friendly database is a resource useful for biologists and oncologists not only in identifying the associations of genetic variants or somatic mutations with the development and progression of ESCC but also in studying the underlying mechanisms for tumorigenesis of the cancer. CCGD-ESCC is freely accessible at http://db.cbi.pku.edu.cn/ccgd/ESCCdb.