bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microwave vs radiofrequency ablation for small renal masses: perioperative and oncological outcomes
Authors: Jannello Letizia Maria Ippolita , Orsi Franco , Luzzago Stefano , Mauri Giovanni , Mistretta Francesco A. , Piccinelli Mattia Luca , Vaccaro Chiara , Tozzi Marco , Maiettini Daniele , Varano Gianluca , Caramella Stefano , Della Vigna Paolo , Ferro Matteo , Bonomo Guido , Tian Zhe , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , De Cobelli Ottavio , Musi Gennaro 
Published: September 2024

ObjectiveTo conduct a comprehensive comparison of microwave ablation (MWA) vs radiofrequency ablation (RFA) outcomes in the treatment of small renal masses (SRMs), specifically: TRIFECTA ([i] complete ablation, [ii] absence of Clavien–Dindo Grade ≥III complications, and [iii] absence of ≥30% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate) achievement, operative time (OT), and local recurrence rate (LRR).Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 531 patients with SRMs (clinical T1a–b) treated with MWA or RFA at a single centre (2008–2022). First, multivariable logistic regression models were used for testing TRIFECTA achievement. Second, multivariable Poisson regression models were used to evaluate variables associated with longer OT. Finally, Kaplan–Meier plots depicted LRR over time. All analyses were repeated after 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM).ResultsOf 531 patients with SRMs, 373/531 (70.2%) underwent MWA and 158/531 (29.8%) RFA. MWA demonstrated superior TRIFECTA achievement (314/373 [84.2%]) compared to RFA (114/158 [72.2%], P = 0.001). These differences were driven by higher rates of complete ablation in MWA‐ vs RFA‐treated patients (348/373 [93.3%] vs 137/158 [86.7%], P < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression models, MWA was associated with higher TRIFECTA achievement, compared to RFA, before (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, P = 0.008) and after PSM (OR 1.99, P = 0.023). Finally, the median OT was shorter for MWA vs RFA (105 vs 115 min; P = 0.002). At Poisson regression analyses, MWA predicted shorter OT before (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.86, P < 0.001) and after PSM (IRR 0.85, P < 0.001). Local recurrence occurred in 17/373 (4.6%) MWA‐treated patients and 21/158 (13.3%) RFA‐treated patients (P = 0.29) after a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 24 (8–46) months. There were no differences in the LRR in Kaplan–Meier plots before (P = 0.29) and after PSM (P = 0.42).ConclusionMicrowave ablation provides higher TRIFECTA achievement, and shorter OT than RFA. No significant differences were found regarding the LRR.
Genetics of anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract with congenital heart disease: A review
Authors: Barakat Amin J. , Butler Merlin G. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCongenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and congenital heart disease (CHD) are the most common congenital defects and constitute a major cause of morbidity in children. Anomalies of both systems may be isolated or associated with congenital anomalies of other organ systems. Various reports support the co‐occurrence of CAKUT and CHD, although the prevalence can vary. Cardiovascular anomalies occur in 11.2% to 34% of patients with CAKUT, and CAKUT occur in 5.3% to 35.8% of those with CHD. The co‐occurrence of genetic factors in both CAKUT and CHD would raise common etiologies including genetics, genetic‐environmental interactions, or shared molecular mechanisms and pathways such as NODAL, NOTCH, BMP, WNT, and VEGF. Studies in animal models and humans have indicated a genetic etiology for CHD and CAKUT with hundreds of genes recognized and thousands of entries, found in a catalog of human genetic disorders. There are over 80 CAKUT genes and over 100 CHD genes available for clinical testing. For example, the HNFIB gene accounts for 5% to 31% of reported cases of CAKUT. In view of the association between CAKUT and CHD, a thorough cardiac examination should be performed in patients with CAKUT, and a similar evaluation for CAKUT in the presence of CHD. This will allow early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention to improve the long‐ term outcome of patients affected, and test for at‐risk family members. We present here evidence for an association of anomalies involving the two organ systems, and discuss possible etiologies of targeted genes, their functions, biological processes and interactions on embryogenesis.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding in the Cape Fold aquatic ecoregion: Opportunities and challenges for eDNA uptake in an endemism hotspot
Authors: Van Nynatten Alexander , Castañeda Rowshyra A. , Chakona Albert , Lovejoy Nathan R. , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Mandrak Nicholas E. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has the potential to significantly improve surveys of biodiversity in freshwater systems. However, this methodology is still infrequently used in global hotspots of endemic species, in part because of two major barriers to the success of eDNA metabarcoding: (1) insufficient regional taxonomic representation in public reference sequence databases; and (2) inconsistent species incidence and abundance estimates when compared to conventional surveys.

We sampled eDNA and conducted visual surveys in the headwaters of two rivers in the Cape Fold aquatic ecoregion, South Africa. A reference sequence database was generated for the regional diversity of fishes to improve taxonomic classification of endemic species. We also compared the consistency of incidence data and relative abundance estimates of fishes from eDNA metabarcoding sequencing results and visual surveys (snorkel and underwater cameras) at each site sampled.

Only 1% of eDNA metabarcoding reads could be classified to fish species without the supplementation of reference sequence databases for local endemic species. Once regional reference sequences were added, a total of nine species were detected and >99% reads classified. A strong positive relationship (Φ = 0.75) was observed between the patterns of detections using eDNA and visual approaches. However, eDNA metabarcoding detected more species than visual methods. In addition, the relative read frequency and abundance observed in visual surveys was significantly correlated (R2 = 0.85–0.88, p < 0.001) in the majority of the small pools surveyed.

Incomplete public reference sequence databases hinder the use of eDNA metabarcoding in regions of high endemicity. Local reference sequence libraries can overcome these challenges. When appropriately implemented, eDNA metabarcoding shows promise, producing results consistent or better than the more frequently used and labour‐intensive visual surveys.

Efficient survey methods like eDNA metabarcoding are urgently needed to improve aquatic monitoring efforts globally. Understanding how eDNA metabarcoding sequencing results relate to conventional survey methods is a key step in its implementation in ecoregions with high endemicity.
Impact of Cohesion Funds on Convergence Club's Economic Growth
Authors: Oleš Tomáš , Hudcovský Martin 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThis paper empirically estimates the impact of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) on economic growth across European regions. The narrative of this paper is based on the convergence club hypothesis. In this context, we implement the data‐driven Phillips and Sul test to classify European regions into endogenously identified convergence clubs that tend to converge to different steady‐state equilibria. We find three substantially different convergence clubs in terms of both per capita output and spatial location: capital cities and metropolitan areas (along the so‐called “Blue Banana”), core countries, and the periphery. We observe a persistent core‐periphery pattern in terms of output per capita among European regions with different rates of convergence. The convergence club comprising capital cities and metropolitan areas converges almost four times faster than the rest of the EU. Subsequently, we estimate club‐specific growth regressions to investigate the impact of ESIF expenditures on short‐run economic growth. Our main identification strategy relies on two instrumental variables, namely the spatial lag of EFSI expenditures‐to‐GDP and the air distance to Brussels, to address a strong endogeneity problem in strongly biased relationship between ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP and short‐run economic growth. Our results indicate a positive impact of ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP on short‐run economic growth in the second (core) and third (periphery) convergence clubs, with the impact being twice as large in the latter compared to the former. These results remain robust when adjusting the growth regressions to use ESIF expenditures‐to‐population instead of ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP, although the pronounced difference in effect magnitude among convergence clubs diminishes.
The role of infection in signalling root resorption: A narrative review
Authors: Lin S. , Moreinos D. , Mavridou A. M. , Novak R. , Rotstein I. , Abbott P. V. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundRoot resorption consists of complex, multistep processes that involve cell signalling caused by inflammation and stromal cells, which promotes the secretion of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/ macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (RANKL/M‐CSF) resulting in a resorptive process.ObjectiveThe aim of this narrative review was to analyse the literature related to root resorption resulting from microbial infection and to comparing it with non‐microbial infection.MethodsAn electronic literature search was performed using the PubMed database and applying keywords of articles published in English. Eligible papers were reviewed to reveal the descriptions of bone and root resorption processes. The abstracts were searched manually to identify articles about infection‐stimulating bone and root resorption.ResultsThree main types of root resorption were identified, two associated with primary bacterial infection and one secondary to bacterial infection. These include external inflammatory resorption, internal inflammatory resorption and external cervical (invasive) resorption.DiscussionThe magnitude of cytokine involvement that promotes resorption and M‐CSF/RANKL production depends on multiple factors, including pathogen virulence, site of infection and host genetic factors that activate the inflammation at the infection site. Two mechanisms activate the resorption mechanisms—the canonical and non‐canonical pathways that can activate clastic cells independently of the RANKL/RANK canonical pathways.ConclusionsTwo pathways of root resorption co‐exist in the body. When resorption is caused by infection, chronic inflammation due to bacterial infection prolongs the secretions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines that intensify root and bone resorption. The second pathway is bacterial independent of the non‐infection root resorption that is part of the wound healing process, which is limited in time due to its innate ability.
Development and validation of a model to predict the outcomes of radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Fukuokaya Wataru , Miki Jun , Taoka Rikiya , Saito Ryoichi , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Hatakeyama Shingo , Kawahara Takashi , Matsuda Ayumu , Kawai Taketo , Kato Minoru , Sazuka Tomokazu , Sano Takeshi , Urabe Fumihiko , Kashima Soki , Naito Hirohito , Murakami Yoji , Nishiyama Naotaka , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kitamura Hiroshi , Kimura Takahiro 
Published: September 2024

ObjectivesThis study aims to develop a prognostic model that estimates the post‐operative risk of cancer‐specific mortality in patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy (RC).MethodsWe analyzed the data from patients with bladder cancer who had undergone radical cystectomy without receiving adjuvant chemotherapy across 36 institutions in the Japan Urological Oncology Group. The data were randomly split into training (N = 1348) and validation sets (N = 674) in a 2:1 ratio. Twenty‐five variables were analyzed, and a multivariable Cox regression model predicting cancer‐specific mortality was developed and validated. Prognostic scores were categorized into good and poor prognostic groups based on the upper tertile. The performance of the model was compared against the CheckMate 274 risk classification as a reference, which is used for determining the indication of adjuvant nivolumab therapy.ResultsThe final model incorporated eight variables. In the validation set, it outperformed the CheckMate 274 risk classification with superior time‐dependent area under the curves (5‐year: 0.81 vs. 0.67) and was well‐calibrated. Furthermore, our model reclassified 27.8% of patients categorized as high‐risk by the CheckMate 274 risk classification into the good prognosis group.ConclusionsWe developed and validated a prognostic model for patients with bladder cancer who underwent RC. This model will be beneficial in identifying patients with poor prognosis and those who are potential candidates for clinical trials of adjuvant therapy.
Is use of flowable resin composite an option for occluso‐proximal restorations in primary teeth? A fracture strength analysis
Authors: Cavalheiro Cleber Paradzinski , da Silva Carolina Lopes , Leitune Vicente Castelo Branco , de Araujo Fernando Borba , Imparato José Carlos Pettorossi , Lenzi Tathiane Larissa 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundUse of flowable resin composites for ocluso‐proximal restorations in primary molars could improve cervical adaptation, and reduce the failure risk.AimTo investigate the fracture strength of occluso‐proximal restorations in primary teeth using different flowable resin composites (as an intermediate layer or entire cavity) and a conventional resin composite (incremental technique).DesignTwo standardized occluso‐proximal cavities were prepared on mesial and distal surfaces of 50 sound primary molars. The teeth were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 10): 2 mm Filtek Bulk Fill Flow + Z350 XT; 4 mm Filtek Bulk Fill Flow; 2 mm Z350 XT Flow + Z350 XT; 4 mm Z350 XT Flow; and Z350 XT inserted by incremental technique. All restored teeth were subjected to cariogenic challenge and then submitted to fracture strength test. The failure pattern of each specimen was categorized as reparable or irreparable/need for replacement based on the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria. Fracture strength means were submitted to one‐way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. Failure pattern was analyzed descriptively.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference on fracture strength among groups (p = .48). A similar distribution of reparable (35%–40%) and irreparable (60%–65%) failures was observed among groups.ConclusionBased on a laboratorial setting, the use of different flowable resin composites (as an intermediate layer or entire cavity) may be an option to restore occluso‐proximal cavities in primary molars.
Educational, labour market and relationship outcomes in people with acne
Authors: Barbieri John S. , Farkas Dóra K. , Skipper Niels , Bhate Ketaki , Langan Sinéad M. , Kibsgaard Line , Sørensen Henrik T. , Schmidt Sigrun A. J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough acne is associated with scarring, mental health comorbidities and bullying, little is known about its impact on socio‐economic outcomes.ObjectivesTo examine the association between acne and educational, labour market and relationship outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide registry‐based cohort study in Denmark. We included birth cohorts from 1982 to 1988 and compared those with and without acne identified using hospital diagnosis codes and redeemed prescriptions. Our main educational outcome was educational attainment. The main labour market outcomes were earned income at age 30 and long‐term unemployment at any time before age 30. The main relationship outcomes were single partnership and childlessness by age 30. Outcomes were assessed using Poisson regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for continuous outcomes, adjusted for sex, calendar year, mother's socio‐economic position and hormonal contraception use.ResultsThose with acne had a lower risk of not completing upper secondary education (relative risk (RR): 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76–0.83) and higher education (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.88–0.91), with absolute differences up to 4 percentage points. Persons with acne had slightly higher income (mean percentile difference: 2.6%, 95% CI: 2.2–2.9) and lower risk of long‐term unemployment than those without acne (9.8% vs. 11.4%; RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.87–0.93). The prevalence of being single until age 30 was similar (19.7% vs. 20.1%; adjusted RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94–0.98) but childlessness was slightly more prevalent (60.5% vs. 57.5%; adjusted RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02–1.04). However, all associations were attenuated or lost in secondary analysis restricted to exposure‐discordant siblings to address confounding from family‐related factors.ConclusionsAcne during adolescence does not seem to affect long‐term educational, labour market or relationship outcomes. However, there is a need for additional studies to validate the findings in untreated patients and different health and social systems.
The GFAP proteoform puzzle: How to advance GFAP as a fluid biomarker in neurological diseases
Authors: Gogishvili Dea , Honey Madison I. J. , Verberk Inge M. W. , Vermunt Lisa , Hol Elly M. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Abeln Sanne 
Published: September 2024

AbstractGlial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a well‐established biomarker of reactive astrogliosis in the central nervous system because of its elevated levels following brain injury and various neurological disorders. The advent of ultra‐sensitive methods for measuring low‐abundant proteins has significantly enhanced our understanding of GFAP levels in the serum or plasma of patients with diverse neurological diseases. Clinical studies have demonstrated that GFAP holds promise both as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, including but not limited to individuals with Alzheimer's disease. GFAP exhibits diverse forms and structures, herein referred to as its proteoform complexity, encompassing conformational dynamics, isoforms and post‐translational modifications (PTMs). In this review, we explore how the proteoform complexity of GFAP influences its detection, which may affect the differential diagnostic performance of GFAP in different biological fluids and can provide valuable insights into underlying biological processes. Additionally, proteoforms are often disease‐specific, and our review provides suggestions and highlights areas to focus on for the development of new assays for measuring GFAP, including isoforms, PTMs, discharge mechanisms, breakdown products, higher‐order species and interacting partners. By addressing the knowledge gaps highlighted in this review, we aim to support the clinical translation and interpretation of GFAP in both CSF and blood and the development of reliable, reproducible and specific prognostic and diagnostic tests. To enhance disease pathology comprehension and optimise GFAP as a biomarker, a thorough understanding of detected proteoforms in biofluids is essential.
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Deciphering the role of sphingosine 1‐phosphate in central nervous system myelination and repair
Authors: Binish Fatima , Xiao Junhua 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid of the sphingolipid family and plays a pivotal role in the mammalian nervous system. Indeed, S1P is a therapeutic target for treating demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Being part of an interconnected sphingolipid metabolic network, the amount of S1P available for signalling is equilibrated between its synthetic (sphingosine kinases 1 and 2) and degradative (sphingosine 1‐phosphate lyase) enzymes. Once produced, S1P exerts its biological roles via signalling to a family of five G protein‐coupled S1P receptors 1–5 (S1PR1–5). Despite significant progress, the precise roles that S1P metabolism and downstream signalling play in regulating myelin formation and repair remain largely opaque and somewhat controversial. Genetic or pharmacological studies adopting various model systems identify that stimulating S1P‐S1PR signalling protects myelin‐forming oligodendrocytes after central nervous system (CNS) injury and attenuates demyelination in vivo. However, evidence to support its role in remyelination of the mammalian CNS is limited, although blocking S1P synthesis sheds light on the role of endogenous S1P in promoting CNS remyelination. This review focuses on summarising the current understanding of S1P in CNS myelin formation and repair, discussing the complexity of S1P–S1PR interaction and the underlying mechanism by which S1P biosynthesis and signalling regulates oligodendrocyte myelination in the healthy and injured mammalian CNS, raising new questions for future investigation.
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Prospective evaluation of uterine artery Doppler for prognosis in endometrial cancer: A tertiary single‐center experience
Authors: Xaligli Gültap , Sancar Ceren , Serin Gürdeniz , Akman Levent , Özdemir Necmettin , Zekioğlu Osman , Terek Coşan , Özsaran Aydın , Yildirim Nuri 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimsOur research aims to shed light on the connection between histopathological differences that affect the prognosis of endometrial cancer and Doppler indices measured in the uterine arteries.MethodsSeventy‐four women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometrial cancer participated in this prospective study. The flow characteristics of the bilateral uterine arteries were evaluated and recorded using color Doppler sonography. After hysterectomy, a correlation analysis was performed between these factors and histological findings.ResultsPatients who complained of menometrorrhagia had significantly higher uterine artery peak systolic flow (p = 0.020) than those who had postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma was the most common type (71.4%). Doppler pulsatility index and resistance index in the uterine arteries didn't show statistically significant differences between histologic subtypes, tumor grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node involvement, malignant peritoneal cytology, genetic mutation, or extrauterine involvement. Those without cervical involvement had higher uterine artery Doppler peak systolic flow/end diastolic flow (p = 0.024).ConclusionsEndometrial cancer made uterine artery, myometrium and endometrium less resistant to blood flow. However, these blood flow indices have not been standardized enough to be utilized as diagnostic tests just yet. Standardization based on more advanced studies would make it possible to use ultrasonography for non‐invasive diagnosis and would accelerate and facilitate clinical management.