bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognosis of non‐small cell lung cancer with postoperative regional lymph node recurrence
Authors: Ohtaki Yoichi , Nagashima Toshiteru , Okano Naoko , Kubo Nobuteru , Ohtaka Takeru , Sunaga Noriaki , Sakurai Reiko , Miura Yosuke , Nakazawa Seshiru , Kawatani Natsuko , Yazawa Tomohiro , Yoshikawa Ryohei , Narusawa Eiji , Shirabe Ken 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundRegional lymph node recurrence after radical surgery for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an oligo‐recurrent disease; however, no treatment strategy has been established. In the present study we aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of postoperative regional lymph node recurrence and identify prognostic predictors in the era of molecular‐targeted therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with regional lymph node recurrence after surgery who underwent treatment for NSCLC between 2002 and 2022.ResultsA total of 53 patients were included in this study. The median time between surgery and detection of recurrence was 1.21 years. Radiotherapy (RT) alone and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were performed in 38 and six patients, respectively. Driver gene alterations were detected in eight patients (EGFR: 6, ROS1:1, and BRAF: 1) and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression was examined in 22 patients after 2016. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after lymph node recurrences were 1.32 and 4.34 years, respectively. Multiple lymph node recurrence was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, whereas driver gene alteration was the only prognostic factor for OS. There was no significant difference in the OS between patients stratified according to the initial treatment modality for lymph node recurrence.ConclusionOur results suggest that the number of tumor recurrences may correlate with PFS, while detection of driver gene alterations could guide decision‐making for the appropriate molecular‐targeted therapy to achieve longer OS.
Deep learning‐ and image processing‐based methods for automatic estimation of leaf herbivore damage
Authors: Wang Zihui , Jiang Yuan , Diallo Abdoulaye Baniré , Kembel Steven W. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Quantifying the intensity of leaf herbivory pressure is crucial for understanding the interaction between plants and herbivores in both applied and basic science. Visual estimates and digital analysis have been commonly used to estimate leaf herbivore damage but are time‐consuming which limits the amount of data that can be collected and prevent answering big picture questions that require large‐scale sampling of herbivory pressure. Recent developments in deep learning have provided a potential tool for automatic collection of ecological data from various sources. However, most applications have focused on identification and counting, and there is a lack of deep learning tools for quantitative estimation of leaf herbivore damage.

Here, we trained generative adversarial networks (GANs) to predict the intact status of damaged leaves and applied image processing technique to estimate the area and percentage of leaf damage. We first described procedures for collecting leaf images, training GAN models, predicting intact leaves and calculating leaf area, with a Python package provided to enable hands‐on application of these procedures. Then, we collected a large leaf data set to train a universal deep learning model and developed an online app HerbiEstim to allow direct use of pretrained models to estimate herbivory damage of leaves. We tested these methods using both simulated and real leaf damage data.

The procedures provided in our study greatly improved the efficiency of leaf herbivore damage estimation. Our test demonstrated that the reconstruction of damaged leaf image resembled the ground‐truth image with a similarity of 98.8%. The estimation of leaf herbivore damage exhibited a high accuracy with an averaged root mean square error of 1.6% and had a general applicability to different plant taxa and leaf shapes.

Overall, our work demonstrated the feasibility of applying deep learning techniques to quantify leaf herbivory intensity. The use of GANs allows automatic estimation of leaf damage, representing a major advantage of the method. The Python package and the online app with pre‐trained models will facilitate the use of our method for the analysis of large data sets of plant–herbivore interactions.
Enhanced TRPC3 transcription through AT1R/PKA/CREB signaling contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells in D‐galactose‐induced accelerated aging mice
Authors: Wang Bin , Yu Wenpei , Zhang Weiguang , Zhang Min , Niu Yue , Jin Xinye , Zhang Jie , Sun Ding , Li Hao , Zhang Zehao , Luo Qing , Cheng Xiaowei , Niu Jingxue , Cai Guangyan , Chen Xiangmei , Chen Yizhi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAging‐associated renal dysfunction promotes the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells is a hallmark of senescence and leads to accelerated progression of renal disorders. Dysregulated calcium profiles in mitochondria contribute to aging‐associated disorders, but the detailed mechanism of this process is not clear. In this study, modulation of the sirtuin 1/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (Sirt1/AT1R) pathway partially attenuated renal glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis in D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced accelerated aging mice. Moreover, modulation of the Sirt1/AT1R pathway improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by D‐gal treatment. Transient receptor potential channel, subtype C, member 3 (TRPC3) upregulation mediated dysregulated cellular and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis during aging. Furthermore, knockdown or knockout (KO) of Trpc3 in mice ameliorated D‐gal‐induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, membrane potential deterioration, and energy metabolism disorder. Mechanistically, activation of the AT1R/PKA pathway promoted CREB phosphorylation and nucleation of CRE2 binding to the Trpc3 promoter (−1659 to −1648 bp) to enhance transcription. Trpc3 KO significantly improved the renal disorder and cell senescence in D‐gal‐induced mice. Taken together, these results indicate that TRPC3 upregulation mediates age‐related renal disorder and is associated with mitochondrial calcium overload and dysfunction. TRPC3 is a promising therapeutic target for aging‐associated renal disorders.
Spider guilds in a maize polyculture respond differently to plant diversification, landscape composition and stage of the agricultural cycle
Authors: Quijano‐Cuervo Luis G. , del‐Val Ek , Macías‐Ordóñez Rogelio , Dáttilo Wesley , Negrete‐Yankelevich Simoneta 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Agroecosystem simplification for greater food production has led to the loss of ecosystem services such as pest control by predators. Plant diversification has shown excellent potential to improve the diversity of crop predators such as spiders.
However, in agroecosystems with frequent disturbances such as annual crops, it is unknown whether the effect of plant diversification on spiders depends on the surrounding landscape and the stages of the agricultural cycle (i.e., periods with differences in vegetation, weather and agricultural practices).
Here, we evaluated the effect and interaction of local management (plant diversification), landscape (forest areas) and agricultural cycle on the richness and abundance from the main spider guilds of a maize polyculture in Mexico.
We found that greater crop diversification (i.e., addition of legumes and leafy plants) caused a greater abundance of ground‐hunting spiders. We also show that a larger area of forest around the crop favours a greater richness and abundance of ground‐ and vegetation‐hunting spiders.
We found that each stage of the agricultural cycle had a different spider richness and abundance, ground hunters were more common at the beginning of the agricultural cycle, while vegetation hunters and web‐builders were more common during the peak developmental stages of the crops.
Our findings support the idea that to foster functionally diverse spider communities that potentially enhance natural pest control, we must jointly manage plant elements within the crop, in the surrounding landscape, considering the high dynamics of spider communities throughout the agricultural cycle.
National survey of physicians in Swedish child health centres finds insecurity and unawareness regarding management of undescended testicles
Authors: Lindkvist Emma Hofko , Hallabro Nilla , Anderberg Magnus , Hambraeus Mette , Börjesson Anna , Salö Martin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimTo investigate underlying factors for previously reported shortcomings in child health centres' (CHC) referral process of boys with undescended testicles.MethodsA total of 386 physicians working at Swedish CHCs were surveyed regarding their knowledge about undescended testicles and their clinical management. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non‐adherence to guidelines and self‐reported lack of clinical skills.ResultsThe overall knowledge of the health benefits of undescended testicle surgery was high (89%), while two‐thirds were unaware of surgery being recommended <1 year of age. One‐fifth of respondents had never received guidance on examination techniques. Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.31–0.86), education in paediatrics (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18–0.76) and more experience (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.09) significantly decreased the risk of unfamiliarity with examinations. More experience decreased the risk of stating the incorrect indications for undescended testicle surgery (aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.95) and finding examinations difficult (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.72). Medical education outside Nordic countries was a risk factor for unawareness of guidelines (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21–3.51).ConclusionThe knowledge and confidence level of the study population varied widely. The results indicate a need for further theoretical and practical education among Swedish CHC physicians.
Children had increased risks of impaired motor and visual‐motor skills after prenatal exposure to opioid maintenance therapy
Authors: Aslaksen Anne Kathinka , Hoem Mari Leirdal , Vikesdal Gro Horgen , Voie Marit Torbergsen , Haugen Olav H. , Skranes Jon 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimPreschool children prenatally exposed to opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) have an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. We aimed to investigate long‐term motor and visual‐motor integration outcome in children aged 5–13 Years, born to mothers in OMT.MethodsFrom January 2018 to June 2021, 63 children prenatally exposed to OMT and 63 comparison children matched for age and gender, were examined at two Norwegian hospitals. Motor skills were assessed by the Movement‐ABC test and visual‐motor integration by the Beery VMI test. A motor function neurological assessment test was used to examine neuromotor soft signs.ResultsIn the OMT‐exposed group, 16% had motor impairment, 35% had motor problems and 19% had visual‐motor integration problems. Forty‐three percent of the exposed children had neuromotor soft signs. Strabismus had some influence on motor and visual‐motor outcomes but could not explain the group differences.ConclusionChildren prenatally exposed to opioid maintenance therapy have an increased risk of long‐term motor impairment and visual‐motor problems. In addition, they exhibit significantly more neuromotor soft signs, which may affect general well‐being, leisure activities and school performance.
Terlipressin therapy is associated with increased risk of colonisation with multidrug‐resistant bacteria in patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Mücke Marcus M. , Hernández‐Tejero María , Gu Wenyi , Kuhn Michael , Janz Malte , Keller Marisa I. , Fullam Anthony , Altepeter Laura , Mücke Victoria T. , Finkelmeier Fabian , Schwarzkopf Katharina M. , Cremonese Carla , Hunyady Peter‐Merton , Heilani Myriam W. , Uschner Frank Erhard , Schierwagen Robert , Brol Maximilian J. , Fischer Julia , Klein Sabine , Peiffer Kai‐Henrik , Hogardt Michael , Shoaie Saeed , Coenraad Minneke J. , Bojunga Jörg , Arroyo Vicente , Zeuzem Stefan , Kempf Volkhard A. J. , Welsch Christoph , Laleman Wim , Bork Peer , Fernandez Javier , Trebicka Jonel ,   MICROB‐PREDICT and PREDICT Study Group of the EASL‐CLIF Consortium
Published: February 2024

SummaryBackgroundPatients with cirrhosis are susceptible to develop bacterial infections that trigger acute decompensation (AD) and acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF). Infections with multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDRO) are associated with deleterious outcome. MDRO colonisation frequently proceeds MDRO infections and antibiotic therapy has been associated with MDRO colonisation.AimThe aim of the study was to assess the influence of non‐antibiotic medication contributing to MDRO colonisation.MethodsThree hundred twenty‐four patients with AD and ACLF admitted to the ICU of Frankfurt University Hospital with MDRO screening were included. Regression models were performed to identify drugs associated with MDRO colonisation. Another cohort (n = 129) from Barcelona was included to validate. A third multi‐centre cohort (n = 203) with metagenomic sequencing data of stool was included to detect antibiotic resistance genes.ResultsA total of 97 patients (30%) were identified to have MDRO colonisation and 35 of them (11%) developed MDRO infection. Patients with MDRO colonisation had significantly higher risk of MDRO infection than those without (p = 0.0098). Apart from antibiotic therapy (odds ratio (OR) 2.91, 95%‐confidence interval (CI) 1.82–4.93, p < 0.0001), terlipressin therapy in the previous 14 days was the only independent covariate associated with MDRO colonisation in both cohorts, the overall (OR 9.47, 95%‐CI 2.96–30.23, p < 0.0001) and after propensity score matching (OR 5.30, 95%‐CI 1.22–23.03, p = 0.011). In the second cohort, prior terlipressin therapy was a risk factor for MDRO colonisation (OR 2.49, 95% CI 0.911–6.823, p = 0.075) and associated with risk of MDRO infection during follow‐up (p = 0.017). The validation cohort demonstrated that antibiotic inactivation genes were significantly associated with terlipressin administration (p = 0.001).ConclusionsOur study reports an increased risk of MDRO colonisation in patients with AD or ACLF, who recently received terlipressin therapy, while other commonly prescribed non‐antibiotic co‐medications had negligible influence. Future prospective trials are needed to confirm these results.
Hypoxia‐related carbonic anhydrase 9 induces serpinB9 expression in cancer cells and apoptosis in T cells via acidosis
Authors: Harada Mamoru , Kotani Hitoshi , Iida Yuichi , Tanino Ryosuke , Minami Takafumi , Komohara Yoshihiro , Yoshikawa Kazuhiro , Uemura Hirotsugu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors. However, the impact of hypoxia on immune cells within tumor environments remains underexplored. Carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) is a hypoxia‐responsive tumor‐associated enzyme. We previously noted that regardless of human CA9 (hCA9) expression, hCA9‐expressing mouse renal cell carcinoma RENCA (RENCA/hCA9) presented as a “cold” tumor in syngeneic aged mice. This study delves into the mechanisms behind this observation. Gene microarray analyses showed that RENCA/hCA9 cells exhibited elevated mouse serpinB9, an inhibitor of granzyme B, relative to RENCA cells. Corroborating this, RENCA/hCA9 cells displayed heightened resistance to antigen‐specific cytotoxic T cells compared with RENCA cells. Notably, siRNA‐mediated serpinB9 knockdown reclaimed this sensitivity. In vivo tests showed that serpinB9 inhibitor administration slowed RENCA tumor growth, but this effect was reduced in RENCA/hCA9 tumors, even with adjunctive immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Further, inducing hypoxia or introducing the mouse CA9 gene upregulated serpinB9 expression, and siRNA‐mediated knockdown of the mouse CA9 gene inhibited the hypoxia‐induced induction of serpinB9 in the original RENCA cells. Supernatants from RENCA/hCA9 cultures had lower pH than those from RENCA, suggesting acidosis. This acidity enhanced serpinB9 expression and T cell apoptosis. Moreover, coculturing with RENCA/hCA9 cells more actively prompted T cell apoptosis than with RENCA cells. Collectively, these findings suggest hypoxia‐associated CA9 not only boosts serpinB9 in cancer cells but also synergistically intensifies T cell apoptosis via acidosis, characterizing RENCA/hCA9 tumors as “cold.”
A prospective cohort study exploring the impact of tonsillectomy on feeding difficulties in children
Authors: Walsh M. E. , Retzler R. , Huang J. , Daglish A. , Tweedie D. , Pepper C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesPaediatric feeding difficulties are common, affecting up to 25% of otherwise healthy children, symptoms include food refusal, gagging, choking, and excessive mealtime duration. These symptoms are commonly described in pre‐operative discussions about tonsillectomy. This prospective study explores the impact of tonsillectomy on paediatric feeding difficulties.DesignThis prospective cohort study invited caregivers of children undergoing tonsillectomy to complete a PediEAT questionnaire about their children's feeding behaviours, pre and post‐operatively. The study was completed in two phases with 9 questions administered in phase 1 and three additional questions added for phase 2. A free text comments box was also provided. Responses were graded from 0 to 5, where 0 is ‘never a problem’ and 5 is ‘always a problem’ with eating behaviours.SettingThe study was conducted at our institution, a tertiary paediatric ENT unit.ParticipantsChildren aged between 6 months ‐ 7 years undergoing tonsillectomy for any indication were invited to participate.Main outcome measuresChanges to the Pedi‐EAT scores pre and post operatively were the main outcome measure.Results102 participants were recruited between January 2020 and January 2022. The mean age of participants was 4.1 years, 87% had a concurrent adenoidectomy. The mean time to completion of post‐operative questionnaire was 23 weeks after surgery. 9 of the 12 questions showed a statistically significant improvement in post‐operative scores using a paired student t‐test (p < 0.05). The most significant improvements related to ‘gets tired from eating and is not able to finish’ (1.49 pre‐op, 0.91 post op, p < 0.01) and ‘eats food that needs to be chewed’ (1.4 pre‐op, 0.72 post‐op, p < 0.01). 13% of participants only underwent tonsillectomy and this group also showed a statistically significant improvement in fatigue during eating (p < 0.05).ConclusionSymptoms of fatigue during eating and avoidance of food requiring mastication are most likely to improve following tonsillectomy in children.
Rebooting nuclear medicine specialist education under the COVID‐19 pandemic: From plenary lectures to active e‐learning
Authors: Tulipan Andreas , Gulati Ankush , Haslerud Torjan , Gray Robert , Biermann Martin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDespite major reforms of specialist training in the Nordic countries towards concrete learning outcomes and promoting active learning, most specialist courses continue to be based on lectures. We redesigned our mandatory 5‐day course in clinical nuclear medicine (NM) that was last held in 2016 towards active learning. Thirty 1‐h lectures were replaced with 10 thematic blocks of 3 h each. Each block was taught by a single teacher in a blend of short introductory lectures alternating with small groups of residents reading NM cases from our newly established national case library in diagnostic format. Due to COVID‐19, the entire course in 2021 needed to be run on a videoconferencing system rather than in a computer laboratory as had been originally planned. At the end of the course, we conducted the same anonymized survey as in 2016. All 19 course participants responded. 74% fully agreed that the e‐course format had been ‘good’. One hundred per cent fully agreed that the practical exercises were ‘useful’ versus 50% in 2016 (p < 0.001). In their free text answers on the merits or downsides of e‐learning, 12/12 respondents only mentioned advantages. Our newly established library of anonymized teaching cases within our national health network is an effective tool for organising courses based on active learning. Despite the change towards distance learning enforced by the pandemic, course participants reported the same high levels of satisfaction with active learning in small groups as in the earlier traditional lecture‐based course format.
Bonds for the long run? The rate of return on corporate bonds in Belgium, 1838–1939
Authors: Van Mencxel Kevin , Annaert Jan , Deloof Marc 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe investigate corporate bond returns for the period 1838–1939 by compiling a unique new database of 201 000 monthly observations of bonds traded on the Brussels Stock Exchange. The value‐weighted annualized total rate of return, net of coupon defaults and taxes, is 4.35 per cent in nominal terms and 2.81 per cent in real terms. Estimates of average returns show that corporate bonds outperformed equities during the entire nineteenth century. We find that the risk‐adjusted performance of corporate bonds based on Sharpe ratios exceeds that of equities and sovereign bonds during the corporate bond market's first centennial.
Estimation of the transmission delays in the basal ganglia of the macaque monkey and subsequent predictions about oscillatory activity under dopamine depletion
Authors: Liénard Jean F. , Aubin Lise , Cos Ignasi , Girard Benoît 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe timescales of the dynamics of a system depend on the combination of the timescales of its components and of its transmission delays between components. Here, we combine experimental stimulation data from 10 studies in macaque monkeys that reveal the timing of excitatory and inhibitory events in the basal ganglia circuit, to estimate its set of transmission delays. In doing so, we reveal possible inconsistencies in the existing data, calling for replications, and we propose two possible sets of transmission delays. We then integrate these delays in a model of the primate basal ganglia that does not rely on direct and indirect pathways' segregation and show that extrastriatal dopaminergic depletion in the external part of the globus pallidus and in the subthalamic nucleus is sufficient to generate β‐band oscillations (in the high part, 20–35 Hz, of the band). More specifically, we show that D2 and D5 dopamine receptors in these nuclei play opposing roles in the emergence of these oscillations, thereby explaining how completely deactivating D5 receptors in the subthalamic nucleus can, paradoxically, cancel oscillations.
Digital Module 35: Through‐Year Assessment
Authors: Dadey Nathan , Gong Brian , Kim Yun‐Kyung , Sato Edynn 
Published: February 2024

Module AbstractThrough‐year assessments are assessments that are administered in multiple parts and at different times over the course of a school year that also produce summative scores that can be used with state accountability systems (Lorié et al., 2021; Dadey & Gong, 2023). These assessments are alternatively known as instructionally embedded, through‐course, or periodic assessments. There are a number of possible through‐year assessment models, and they have recently been the subject of much policy interest as they have the potential to inform subsequent instruction, be more closely aligned with and responsive to curricula and instruction, provide more proximal measures of learning, and be a more sensitive measure of student progress or growth than typical year‐end summative assessments (Clark & Karvonen, 2021; Gong, 2021; NWEA, 2021; Wise, 2011). More research is needed, however, to substantiate these potential uses.