bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of esophagectomy, endoscopic therapy, and radiotherapy for cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer in elderly patients: A SEER database analysis
Authors: Qin Jianjun , Peng Yinjie , Chen Weipeng , Ma Haibo , Zheng Yan , Li Yin , Wang Jun 
Published: June 2019

BackgroundThe number of patients diagnosed with early stage disease (T1a or T1b) has been increasing. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of esophagectomy (ES), endoscopic therapy (ET), and radiotherapy (RT) on long‐term survival in elderly patients with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer.MethodsWe searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify the records of elderly patients (≥ 75 years) with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer between 2004 and 2014. Patient demographics and esophageal cancer parameters were compared among ES, ET, and RT groups. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to compare long‐term survival.ResultsData from 954 esophageal cancer patients (ES: n = 196; ET: n = 224; RT: n = 534) were identified. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that five‐year survival in the ET and ES groups was significantly higher than in the RT group. After propensity score matching, we found no difference in five‐year survival between ES and ET.ConclusionUsing SEER data, we identified a significant survival advantage with the use of ES and ET compared to RT in patients with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer aged > 75 years, while the long‐term survival of patients after ET and ES was not significantly different.
On the “Realities” of Investor‐Manager Interactivity: Baudrillard, Hyperreality, and Management Q&A Sessions
Authors: Bamber Matthew , Abraham Santhosh 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTThis paper draws on extensive fieldwork to explore the nature, scope, and implications of management preparations for the question and answer session (Q&A) that occurs during a firm's results presentation. Prior literature has associated the value of this encounter with investor‐manager interactivity. As such, it is assumed that there are high levels of managerial authorship, ownership, and spontaneity as executives face questions from analysts. Following on, it is generally assumed that this translates into an increased risk of unintended disclosure, through verbal and nonverbal messaging. However, our data indicate that management engages in vast preparatory work to mitigate the risks associated with real (“original,” natural, spontaneous, un‐staged) interactivity. Instead, the Q&A is carefully planned, organized, scripted, and rehearsed. As such, the event is transformed into a hyperreal encounter in the Baudrillardian sense. Despite this, the value of the Q&A is not necessarily impaired. Instead, these managerial backstage preparations arguably make the encounter realer than real. We suggest that the Q&A that we observe (the “copy”) is more useful than the original might have been. Our work provides evidence and discussion of two interconnected paradoxes: perfection and self‐reference. This study not only raises important questions, challenges, and opportunities for researchers interested in the study of investor‐manager interactions but also speaks to those with an interest in workplace meetings and Q&A more broadly.
Improving Auditors' Consideration of Evidence Contradicting Management's Estimate Assumptions
Authors: Austin Ashley A. , Hammersley Jacqueline S. , Ricci Michael A. 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTAuditors have difficulty evaluating the assumptions underlying management's estimates. One source of these problems is that auditors appear to dismiss evidence contradicting management's assumptions because their initial preference to support management's accounting biases their preliminary conclusions and, thus, their interpretation of evidence. We experimentally examine whether auditors with a balanced focus (i.e., a focus on documenting evidence that supports and contradicts their preliminary conclusion) are less likely to dismiss evidence that contradicts management's assumptions than auditors with a supporting focus (i.e., a focus on documenting evidence that supports their preliminary conclusion). We expect and find that, compared with auditors with a supporting focus, auditors with a balanced focus create documentation that is less dismissive of evidence contradicting management's estimate. Importantly, a balanced focus changes auditors' cognition and affects how auditors interpret contradicting evidence rather than merely increasing their documentation of this evidence. The effects of reduced dismissiveness persist to improve auditors' evaluations of a biased estimate and subsequent actions, improving audit quality in an important and difficult area.
Analysis of ROH patterns in the Noriker horse breed reveals signatures of selection for coat color and body size
Authors: Grilz‐Seger G. , Druml T. , Neuditschko M. , Mesarič M. , Cotman M. , Brem G. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryOverlapping runs of homozygosity (ROH islands) shared by the majority of a population are hypothesized to be the result of selection around a target locus. In this study we investigated the impact of selection for coat color within the Noriker horse on autozygosity and ROH patterns. We analyzed overlapping homozygous regions (ROH islands) for gene content in fragments shared by more than 50% of horses. Long‐term assortative mating of chestnut horses and the small effective population size of leopard spotted and tobiano horses resulted in higher mean genome‐wide ROH coverage (SROH) within the range of 237.4–284.2 Mb, whereas for bay, black and roan horses, where rotation mating is commonly applied, lower autozygosity (SROH from 176.4–180.0 Mb) was determined. We identified seven common ROH islands considering all Noriker horses from our dataset. Specific islands were documented for chestnut, leopard spotted, roan and bay horses. The ROH islands contained, among others, genes associated with body size (ZFAT, LASP1 and LCORL/NCAPG), coat color (MC1R in chestnut and the factor PATN1 in leopard spotted horses) and morphogenesis (HOXB cluster in all color strains except leopard spotted horses). This study demonstrates that within a closed population sharing the same founders and ancestors, selection on a single phenotypic trait, in this case coat color, can result in genetic fragmentation affecting levels of autozygosity and distribution of ROH islands and enclosed gene content.
Recurrence of rectal anastomotic leakage following stoma closure: assessment of risk factors
Authors: Kitaguchi D. , Nishizawa Y. , Sasaki T. , Tsukada Y. , Ikeda K. , Ito M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimIn patients with a previous history of rectal anastomotic leakage (AL), the surgical indications and timing for closure of a diverting stoma have to be carefully judged. Even if AL has apparently healed before stoma closure, re‐leakage may occur after closure. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for recurrent AL following stoma closure. We also examined the treatment strategies aiming to minimize the risk of recurrent AL.MethodsFrom January 2009 to December 2016, 1008 patients underwent sphincter‐saving surgery [low anterior resection, all‐sphincter‐preserving rectal resection with hand‐sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) and intersphincteric resection (ISR)] for primary rectal cancer with curative intent at our hospital. A total of 69 patients with AL with a Clavien–Dindo Grade III or more who subsequently underwent closure of a diverting stoma were retrospectively reviewed for this study.ResultsThe incidence of recurrent leakage after stoma closure in this series was 13% overall with an incidence of 25% in the CAA/ISR group and 5% in the low anterior resection group. Significant risk factors included hand‐sewn anastomosis (P = 0.0257) compared to stapled anastomosis, ischaemia at the anastomotic site as the cause of initial AL (P < 0.001) and a shorter interval between confirmation of healing and stoma closure (P = 0.00952).ConclusionIschaemia at the anastomotic site was the main risk factor for recurrent leakage, particularly after CAA/ISR. Additional treatment options before stoma closure should be considered to avoid re‐leakage in such cases.
The risk of cytomegalovirus infection after treatment of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Descourouez Jillian L. , Lyu Beini , Astor Brad C. , Garg Neetika , Smith Jeannina A. , Mandelbrot Didier A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe risk of cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) after rejection treatment is poorly understood. To investigate this, we conducted a case/control (1:2) analysis of adult renal transplant recipients between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015, via incidence density sampling and survival analysis. Our objective was to evaluate the association of prior acute rejection with subsequent CMV, including epidemiology and outcomes. There were 2481 eligible renal transplants within the study period and 251 distinct CMV infections. Despite the use of antiviral prophylaxis rejection was a significant risk factor for CMV on unadjusted (HR 1.73 [1.34, 2.24] P < 0.05) and adjusted analysis (HR 1.46 [1.06, 2.04] P < 0.05). When matching cases to controls patients with CMV had significantly more rejection prior to CMV diagnosis (26.7% vs 14.2%, P < 0.01). CMV was associated with a twofold increased risk of prior rejection on unadjusted (OR 1.94, 95%CI: 1.28‐2.96, P < 0.01) and adjusted analysis (OR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.31‐3.58, P < 0.01). Patients with rejection preceding CMV had significantly increased graft loss (HR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.65‐5.09, P < 0.01) and mortality (HR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.12‐4.24, P = 0.03) as compared to those CMV cases without rejection. In conclusion, rejection is a risk factor for CMV infection that appears to persist for 1 year. Preceding rejection events increased risk of graft loss and mortality in CMV patients. Given this, prolonged surveillance monitoring for CMV after rejection may be warranted. Studies are needed investigating optimal monitoring strategies.
Group multigranular linguistic QFD for prioritizing service designs with combined weighting method
Authors: Tian Zhang‐peng , Nie Ru‐xin , Wang Jian‐qiang , Li Lin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractQualification for the importance degree of service designs (SDs) is an essential stage in promoting accommodation performances to satisfy customers and gain market shares. Although various methods have been applied to derive the priorities of SDs, they do not effectively deal with the vagueness of information and the heterogeneity of decision makers (DMs). This study presents an improved quality function deployment (QFD) for prioritizing SDs. Multigranular unbalanced linguistic term sets are used to capture evaluators' ratings to cope with vague information. The multigranular linguistic information is unified by using a novel uniform method. This kind of information then is represented as linguistic distribution assessments using the concept of random preferences based on possibility interpretations of weight information. A consensus‐based mathematical programming model is established to determine the weights of DMs. Moreover, a combined structure that combines maximizing deviation and best worst methods is used to derive basic weights of SDs. Finally, an illustrative example of island accommodation management in Weizhou Island is provided to demonstrate the applicability and advantages of the proposed QFD framework.
Understanding the lower GMP formation in large GTPase hGBP‐2 and role of its individual domains in regulation of GTP hydrolysis
Authors: Rajan Sudeepa , Pandita Esha , Mittal Monika , Sau Apurba Kumar 
Published: June 2019

The interferon γ‐inducible large GTPases, human guanylate‐binding protein (hGBP)‐1 and hGBP‐2, mediate antipathogenic and antiproliferative effects in human cells. Both proteins hydrolyse GTP to GDP and GMP through successive cleavages of phosphate bonds, a property that functionally distinguishes them from other GTPases. However, it is unclear why hGBP‐2 yields lower GMP than hGBP‐1 despite sharing a high sequence identity (~ 78%). We previously reported that the hGBP‐1 tetramer is crucial for enhanced GMP formation. We show here that the hGBP‐2 tetramer has no role in GMP formation. Using truncated hGBP‐2 variants, we found that its GTP‐binding domain alone hydrolyses GTP only to GDP. However, this domain along with the intermediate region enabled dimerization and hydrolysed GTP further to GMP. We observed that unlike in hGBP‐1, the helical domain of hGBP‐2 has an insignificant role in the regulation of GTP hydrolysis, suggesting that the differences in GMP formation between hGBP‐2 and hGBP‐1 arise from differences in their GTP‐binding domains. A large sequence variation seen in the guanine cap may be responsible for the lower GMP formation in hGBP‐2. Moreover, we identified the sites in the hGBP‐2 domains that are critical for both dimerization and tetramerization. We also found the existence of hGBP‐2 tetramer in mammalian cells, which might have a role in the suppression of the carcinomas. Our study suggests that sequence variation near the active site in these two close homologues leads to differential second phosphate cleavage and highlights the role of individual hGBP‐2 domains in the regulation of GTP hydrolysis.
Easy conversion process of titanium surface covered with passive film into functional surface
Authors: Ishikawa Toshihiro , Tsujikura Keiko , Deguchi Masashi , Aoki Akinobu 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSurface functionalization of titanium metal is of great interest, especially as the conversion of the surface passive film into objective functional film can be widely used in bio‐ and environmental applications. However, since the surface passive film is very stable, the functionalization (such as conversion into photocatalytic anatase‐TiO2) has been performed using relatively complicated processes, for example, hydrothermal reaction and anodic oxidation. This is because direct oxidation of titanium metal only leads to thermodynamic formation of octahedral‐rutile‐TiO2 in the entire temperature region, while chemical synthesis using precursors can easily produce tetrahedral‐anatase‐TiO2 at 600°C or less. Here, we report a simple process for the direct formation of photocatalytic anatase‐TiO2 on titanium by simple oxidation. In the first step in our process, titanium is treated with a reducing agent to create a surface titaniumhydride layer. After that, the treated titanium covered with titaniumhydride is immerged in aqueous silica; subsequent calcination at 900°C (specific temperature) in air effectively generates the surface anatase‐TiO2 layer. This is because the covered tetrahedral‐silica stabilizes the anatase structure that is formed. The covered silica is easily removed by quenching in water to reveal the photocatalytic surface layer composed of anatase‐TiO2.
Efficacy of thyme oil‐alginate‐based coating in reducing foodborne pathogens on fresh‐cut apples
Authors: Sarengaowa  , Hu Wenzhong , Feng Ke , Xiu Zhilong , Jiang Aili , Lao Ying 
Published: June 2019

SummaryIn this study, the inhibition of an alginate‐based edible coating (EC) containing thyme oil (0.05%, 0.35% and 0.65%) was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto fresh‐cut apples. To investigate the antibacterial mechanism of thyme oil, the constituent compounds of that were analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and the cellular damage of pathogens was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that alginate‐based EC containing thyme oil effectively inhibited the growth of pathogens on fresh‐cut apples. GC‐MS analysis revealed thymol (47.23%) as the major compounds in thyme oil. SEM showed that the cell membrane of foodborne pathogens was damaged by thyme oil, causing their inactivation. Treatment with alginate‐based EC containing 0.05% thyme oil preserved the sensory characteristics of fresh‐cut apples. Therefore, using alginate‐based EC with thyme oil may represent a potential approach to preserve and enhance the safety of fresh‐cut apples.
Evolution of oxidative and structural characteristics of proteins, especially lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1) in beer during forced‐ageing
Authors: Cai Linfei , Brennan Charles S. , Yang Huirong , Li Wanying , Zhao Haifeng 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThe evolution of oxidative and structural characteristics of proteins, especially lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1), in beer during forced‐ageing was examined. The oxidative characteristics of beer and proteins were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical cation scavenging activity. Results showed that the levels of proteins, thiols, LTP1 and antioxidant activity decreased gradually. This was accompanied by the degradation of macromolecular proteins in beer during forced‐ageing. Results from circular dichroism (CD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface hydrophobicity (S0) and ζ‐potential further indicated that the secondary and tertiary structure of LTP1 changed drastically during forced‐ageing, with the reduction of the S0, α‐helix and β‐sheet contents and the increase in negative ζ‐potential and random coil. Thus, the proteins, especially LTP1, might play important roles in maintaining oxidative stability of beer.
Fabrication and microstructure development of Yb:YAG transparent ceramics from co‐precipitated powders without additives
Authors: Chen Xingtao , Lu Tiecheng , Wei Nian , Hua Tengfei , Zeng Qiang , Wu Yiquan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSintering additives are generally considered to be important for improving densification in fabrication of transparent ceramics. However, the sintering aids as impurities doped in the laser materials would decrease the laser output power and produce additional heat during laser operation. In this work, Yb:YAG ceramics were vacuum‐sintered without additives at different temperatures for various soaking time through using ball‐milled powders synthesized by co‐precipitation route. The densification behavior and grain growth kinetics of Yb:YAG ceramics were systematically investigated through densification curves and microstructural characterizations. It was determined that the densification in the 1500°C‐1600°C temperature range was controlled by a grain‐boundary diffusion. It is revealed that the volume diffusion is the main mechanism controlling the grain growth between 1600°C and 1750°C. Although SiO2 additives can promote densification during low‐temperature sintering, the optical transmittance of Yb:YAG ceramic with no additives, sintered at 1800°C for 15 hours, reaches a maximum of 83.4% at 1064 nm, very close to the measured transmittance value of Yb:YAG single crystal. The optical attenuation loss was measured at 1064 nm in Yb:YAG transparent ceramic, to be 0.0035 cm−1, a value close to that observed for single crystals.
Protective effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 on cardiac remodeling by inhibiting oxidative stress through mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase pathway in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wang Dongjuan , Jiang Longfu , Feng Beili , He Nana , Zhang Yue , Ye Honghua 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAims/IntroductionAlthough increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is a major mechanism leading to cardiac remodeling in diabetes mellitus, research into the effects of anti‐oxidation on diabetic cardiac remodeling remains scarce and controversial. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) shows potential anti‐oxidative effects besides lowering blood glucose. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of GLP‐1 on cardiac remodeling and the molecular mechanism involved in diabetes mellitus.Materials and MethodsStreptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats received exenatide treatment for 3 months. Cardiac function, cardiac weight index and myocardial interstitial fibrosis were measured. Cardiomyocytes were cultured in high‐glucose medium with GLP‐1 treatment. The ROS production, apoptosis and the levels of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase protein expression in cardiomyocytes were analyzed.ResultsExperimental diabetes mellitus showed impaired cardiac diastolic function, increased brain natriuretic peptide expression and increased interstitial collagen deposition in the myocardium, which were ameliorated by exenatide treatment. Exenatide reduced myocardial ROS production and apoptosis in diabetes mellitus. Also, high glucose‐induced ROS generation and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes were inhibited by GLP‐1, as well as the levels of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase phosphorylation. Furthermore, GLP‐1 treatment upregulated adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase activity in high‐glucose‐induced cardiomyocyte.ConclusionsGlucagon‐like peptide‐1 protects the cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress and apoptosis in diabetes mellitus, which might contribute to the improvement of cardiac remodeling. The cardiac protection of GLP‐1 might be dependent on inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase, through an adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase‐mediated pathway.
Comparison of pregnancy outcomes between women with early‐onset and late‐onset gestational diabetes in a retrospective multi‐institutional study in Japan
Authors: Usami Tomoka , Yokoyama Maki , Ueno Megumi , Iwama Noriyuki , Sagawa Norimasa , Kawano Reo , Waguri Masako , Sameshima Hiroshi , Hiramatsu Yuji , Sugiyama Takashi ,   for the Japan Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group
Published: June 2019

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo compare pregnancy outcomes between women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosed early and late in pregnancy in Japan.Materials and MethodsWe examined women diagnosed with GDM in this multi‐institutional retrospective study. Women were divided into two groups by gestational age at diagnosis: <24 weeks of gestation (early group, 14.4 ± 4.2 weeks) and ≥24 weeks of gestation (late group, 29.6 ± 3.4 weeks). Dietary counseling with self‐monitoring of blood glucose with or without insulin therapy was initiated for both groups. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups.ResultsData from 600 early and 881 late group participants from 40 institutions were included. Although pre‐pregnancy body mass index was higher in the early group than in the late group, gestational weight gain was lower in the early group. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cesarean section were more prevalent in the early than in the late group (9.3% vs 4.8%, P < 0.001; 34.2% vs 32.0%, P < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants was higher in the late than in the early group (24.6% vs 19.7%, respectively, P = 0.025). There was no significant difference in other neonatal adverse outcomes between the groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that early group, nulliparity and pre‐pregnancy body mass index were associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.ConclusionsThese results suggest that maternal complications, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cesarean delivery, were higher in the early group than in the late group. Earlier intervention for GDM might be associated with a reduction in large‐for‐gestational‐age infants.