bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis C virus following the development of direct‐acting antiviral agents
Authors: Ohama Hideko , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Kariyama Kazuya , Itobayashi Ei , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Toyoda Hidenori , Hatanaka Takeshi , Kakizaki Satoru , Naganuma Atsushi , Tada Fujimasa , Tanaka Hironori , Nakamura Shinichiro , Nouso Kazuhiro , Tanaka Kazunari , Kumada Takashi ,   the Real‐life Practice Experts for HCC (RELPEC) Study Group and HCC 48 Group (hepatocellular carcinoma experts from 48 clinics in Japan)
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and AimDirect‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have been accessible in Japan since 2014. The aim of this study is to compare how the prognosis of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV‐HCC) changed before and after DAA development.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 1949 Japanese HCV‐HCC patients from January 2000 to January 2023 categorized them into pre‐DAA (before 2013, n = 1169) and post‐DAA (after 2014, n = 780) groups. Changes in clinical features and prognosis were assessed.ResultsDespite no significant differences in BCLC stage between groups, the post‐DAA group exhibited higher rates of sustained virological response (SVR) (45.6% vs. 9.8%), older age (73 vs 69 years), lower levels of AST (40 vs 56 IU/L), ALT (31 vs 46 IU/L), and AFP (11.7 vs 23.6 ng/mL), higher platelet count (13.5 vs 10.8 × 104/μL), better prothrombin time (88.0% vs 81.9%), and better ALBI score (−2.54 vs −2.36) (all P < 0.001). The post‐DAA group also showed higher rates of curative treatments (74.1% vs 65.2%) and significantly improved recurrence‐free survival (median 2.8 vs 2.1 years). Adjusted for inverse probability weighting, overall survival was superior in the post‐DAA group (median 7.4 vs 5.6 years, P < 0.001). Subanalysis within the post‐DAA group revealed significantly shorter overall survival for patients without SVR (median 4.8 years vs NA vs NA) compared to pre‐SVR or post‐SVR patients (both P < 0.001). No significant difference in OS was observed between the pre‐SVR and post‐SVR groups (P = 1.0).ConclusionThe development of DAA therapy has dramatically improved the prognosis of HCV‐HCC patients.
Linked color imaging improves colorectal lesion detection especially for low performance endoscopists: An international trial in Asia
Authors: Hasegawa Issei , Suzuki Sho , Yamamura Takeshi , Aniwan Satmai , Chiu Han‐Mo , Laohavichitra Kannikar , Chirapongsathorn Sakkarin , Kuo Chen‐Ya , Yoshida Naohisa , Ang Tiing Leong , Takezawa Takahito , Rerknimitr Rungsun , Ishikawa Hideki , Gotoda Takuji ,   ATLAS trial Group
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and AimLinked color imaging (LCI) is an image‐enhanced endoscopy technique that accentuates the color difference between red and white, potentially improving the adenoma detection rate (ADR). However, it remains unclear whether LCI performance in detecting colorectal lesions differs based on endoscopists' experience levels. We aimed to evaluate the differences in LCI efficacy based on the experience levels of endoscopists by conducting an exploratory analysis.MethodsIn this post hoc analysis of an international randomized controlled trial comparing the detection of adenoma and other lesions using colonoscopy with LCI and high‐definition white light imaging (WLI), we included patients from 11 institutions across four countries/regions: Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Singapore. We retrospectively reviewed differences in the lesion detection of LCI according to endoscopists' colonoscopy history or ADR.ResultsWe included 1692 and 1138 patients who underwent colonoscopies performed by 54 experts (experience of ≥ 5000 colonoscopies) and by 43 non‐experts (experience of < 5000 colonoscopies), respectively. Both expert and non‐expert groups showed a significant improvement in ADR with LCI compared to WLI (expert, 61.7% vs 46.4%; P < 0.001; non‐expert, 56.6% vs 46.4%; P < 0.001). LCI had no effect on sessile serrated lesion detection rate in non‐experts (3.1% vs 2.5%; P = 0.518). LCI significantly improved detection rates in endoscopists with relatively low detection performance, defined as an ADR < 50%.ConclusionsThis exploratory study analyzed data from a previous trial and revealed that LCI is useful for both experts and non‐experts and is even more beneficial for endoscopists with relatively low detection performance using WLI.
Goal Setting and Saving in the FinTech Era
Authors: GARGANO ANTONIO , ROSSI ALBERTO G. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTWe study the effectiveness of saving goals in increasing individuals' savings using data from a Fintech app. Using a difference‐in‐differences identification strategy that randomly assigns users into a group of beta testers who can set goals and a group of users who cannot, we find that setting goals increases individuals' savings rate. The increased savings within the app do not reduce savings outside the app. Moreover, goal setting helps those individuals previously identified as having the lowest propensity to save. Matching App user survey responses to their behavior highlights the relative merits of monitoring and concreteness channels in explaining our findings.
Is Jim Halpert looking at me?: The Jim Halpert Gaze, The Office, and the Fascist Look
Authors: Casale Cooper 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIt's entirely possible to watch all nine seasons of The Office without asking the obvious: Is Jim Halpert Looking at Me? The six‐hundred‐fifty times Jim looks at us and the six‐hundred‐fifty sins to which his famous glare responds result in a training that confers viewers with the ability to mime the mime; to recover Jim's stupid, vampiric face by matching it's subtle permutations, to dismiss the naïve exertions of others as stupid and embarrassing; to find success, comfort, and safety in the image of the pitiless scientist, the capitalist boss, and the fascist father.
Capturing innovation opportunities: Learning from growth leaders
Authors: Day George S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFirms that capture the benefits of innovation opportunities ahead of their rivals achieve superior rates of organic growth. These growth leaders don't wait for opportunities to appear before reacting. Instead, they systematically search for opportunities to select for development. Qualitative case analyses of four growth leaders found that each used two types of heuristics or rules of thumb while capturing innovation opportunities. Theirtop‐down strategy heuristicswere revealed with a wide‐spectrum framework that reimagined and stretched each dimension of their strategy. Growth leaders also usedbottom‐up process heuristicsto routinize and share their approaches to capturing innovation opportunities throughout their organization. These heuristics are a useful lens for studying innovation practices and suggest fruitful avenues for further research.
Industrial product development with lead users as a source of Schumpeterian opportunity
Authors: de Jong Jeroen P. J. , Mulhuijzen Max , Merfeld Katrin , Rigtering Coen , van Balen Timo , Boënne Mathias 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn industrial product development with customers, it is well‐known that lead userness is associated with novel and commercially attractive products. We take a next step by analyzing if lead userness is related to product development that potentially affects industry‐level practices. Our main hypothesis is that lead userness results in the pursuit of Schumpeterian product opportunities: disequilibrating, radical, rare, and based on new knowledge and creative activities. In contrast, at low lead userness, more Kirznerian product opportunities are expected—which maintain industry standards. The hypothesis is supported by data from 139 high‐tech small firms. Next, we anticipate that factors related to the selection of lead users, and the effective processing of their inputs, moderate the connection between lead userness and Schumpeterian opportunity. As for selection, we find a stronger connection when firms collaborate with “new” customers. Conversely, when involved customers have been business partners already for a long time, the pursuit of Schumpeterian opportunities is mitigated. Also, tentative evidence is found that the connection between lead userness and Schumpeterian opportunity amplifies when involved customers are less dominant market players. Finally, when it comes to processing lead users' input, we report tentative evidence that firms' R&D intensity should be higher (indicating ability to process lead users' inputs and make continued development efforts). Our findings help to explain why lead users have been associated with industry dynamics, and provide guidance to identify “relevant” lead users when firms seek product opportunities that potentially disequilibrate their industry.
Predictors of postoperative storage symptoms in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: A retrospective analysis of prostate surgery for benign prostatic enlargement
Authors: Ito Hiroki , Takanashi Masato , Fukazawa Takeshi , Takizawa Hiroki , Hioki Mari , Shinoki Risa , Kawahara Takashi , Makiyama Kazuhide , Kobayashi Kazuki 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of prostate surgery on storage symptoms in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). This study aimed to identify patient characteristics associated with improved, unchanged, and deteriorated post‐surgical storage symptoms and to identify the risk factors for non‐improvement or deterioration.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 586 prostate surgeries performed between 2016 and 2022 at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital was conducted on patients with LUTS and at least one storage symptom preoperatively. Patients with active urinary tract infection, prostate/bladder cancer, urethral strictures, or dementia were excluded. The study enrolled 230 patients and assessed storage symptoms using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).ResultsOverall, storage symptoms improved, remained unchanged, and deteriorated in 87.0%, 5.7%, and 7.4% of patients, respectively. The patients in the deteriorated group were significantly older, whereas those in the no‐change group had smaller prostate volumes. Patient‐reported outcome scores (IPSS, IPSS‐QoL, and BII) were significantly higher in the improved group. The predictors of non‐improvement included low IPSS storage score, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. Predictors of deterioration included advanced age and low IPSS storage score.ConclusionsPatients with severe LUTS showed greater postoperative improvement in storage symptoms. A low IPSS storage score predicted non‐improvement and deterioration. Advanced age, low IPSS storage score, and a history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus were identified as key predictors. Awareness of these factors may guide preoperative counseling and improve decision‐making in prostate surgery, ensuring more personalized and effective treatment strategies.
Icodextrin‐induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in a patient with peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Liu Chun‐Hao , Chen Chien‐Chou , Sung Chih‐Chien 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIcodextrin has been widely prescribed for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with inadequate ultrafiltration, but icodextrin induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) has been not well recognized in clinical practice. We described a young‐aged female with IgA nephropathy and end stage kidney disease under continuous automated peritoneal dialysis. She developed skin erythema with exfoliation over the groin 7th day after initiation of icodextrin based PD dialysate. Initially, her scaling skin lesion with pinhead‐sized pustules affected the bilateral inguinal folds, and then it extended to general trunk accompanied by pruritus. She was admitted because of deterioration of skin lesion on 14th day of icodextrin exposure. She was afebrile and physical examination was notable for widespread erythematous papules with pruritus extending over her groins and trunk. Pertinent laboratory examination showed leukocytosis of 18 970 cells/μL with neutrophile count of 17 642 cells/μL (92.3%), and c‐reactive‐protein: 3.39 mg/dL. Skin biopsy revealed multifocal sub corneal abscess with papillary dermal edema, and upper‐dermal neutrophilia with perivascular accentuation, consistent with the diagnosis of AGEP. After discontinuation of PD, she underwent temporary high‐flux haemodialysis with treatment of steroid and antihistamine. Her dermatologic lesion resolved without any skin sequalae completely within 4 days, and she underwent icodextrin‐free peritoneal dialysis at 17th day. This case highlighted the fact that icodextrin‐induced AGEP should be early recognized to avoid inappropriate management.
Complement‐mediated thrombotic microangiopathy on a background of Alport syndrome: A case report
Authors: Coorey Craig Peter , de Malmanche Theo , Chou Angela , Feddersen Martin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHere we present a case of complement‐mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in a patient who has a background of Stage 5 chronic kidney disease secondary to Alport syndrome. We explain our approach to the diagnosis of TMA, especially the reliance on non‐renal manifestations of TMA and the role of kidney biopsy given there was a background of advanced kidney impairment at baseline.
Loose patch clamp membrane current measurements in cornus ammonis 1 neurons in murine hippocampal slices
Authors: Bertagna Federico , Ahmad Shiraz , Lewis Rebecca , Silva S. Ravi P. , McFadden Johnjoe , Huang Christopher L.‐H. , Matthews Hugh R. , Jeevaratnam Kamalan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHippocampal pyramidal neuronal activity has been previously studied using conventional patch clamp in isolated cells and brain slices. We here introduce the loose patch clamping study of voltage‐activated currents from in situ pyramidal neurons in murine cornus ammonis 1 hippocampal coronal slices. Depolarizing pulses of 15‐ms duration elicited early transient inward, followed by transient and prolonged outward currents in the readily identifiable junctional region between the stratum pyramidalis (SP) and oriens (SO) containing pyramidal cell somas and initial segments. These resembled pyramidal cell currents previously recorded using conventional patch clamp. Shortening the depolarizing pulses to >1–2 ms continued to evoke transient currents; hyperpolarizing pulses to varying voltages evoked decays whose time constants could be shortened to <1 ms, clarifying the speed of clamping in this experimental system. The inward and outward currents had distinct pharmacological characteristics and voltage‐dependent inactivation and recovery from inactivation. Comparative recordings from the SP, known to contain pyramidal cell somas, demonstrated similar current properties. Recordings from the SO and stratum radiatum demonstrated smaller inward and outward current magnitudes and reduced transient outward currents, consistent with previous conventional patch clamp results from their different interneuron types. The loose patch clamp method is thus useful for in situ studies of neurons in hippocampal brain slices.
Soybean steroids improve crop abiotic stress tolerance and increase yield
Authors: Yu Tai‐Fei , Hou Ze‐Hao , Wang Hai‐Long , Chang Shi‐Yang , Song Xin‐Yuan , Zheng Wei‐Jun , Zheng Lei , Wei Ji‐Tong , Lu Zhi‐Wei , Chen Jun , Zhou Yong‐Bin , Chen Ming , Sun Su‐Li , Jiang Qi‐Yan , Jin Long‐Guo , Ma You‐Zhi , Xu Zhao‐Shi 
Published: April 2024

SummarySterols have long been associated with diverse fields, such as cancer treatment, drug development, and plant growth; however, their underlying mechanisms and functions remain enigmatic. Here, we unveil a critical role played by a GmNF‐YC9‐mediated CCAAT‐box transcription complex in modulating the steroid metabolism pathway within soybeans. Specifically, this complex directly activates squalene monooxygenase (GmSQE1), which is a rate‐limiting enzyme in steroid synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that overexpression of either GmNF‐YC9 or GmSQE1 significantly enhances soybean stress tolerance, while the inhibition of SQE weakens this tolerance. Field experiments conducted over two seasons further reveal increased yields per plant in both GmNF‐YC9 and GmSQE1 overexpressing plants under drought stress conditions. This enhanced stress tolerance is attributed to the reduction of abiotic stress‐induced cell oxidative damage. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses shed light on the upregulation of multiple sterol compounds, including fucosterol and soyasaponin II, in GmNF‐YC9 and GmSQE1 overexpressing soybean plants under stress conditions. Intriguingly, the application of soybean steroids, including fucosterol and soyasaponin II, significantly improves drought tolerance in soybean, wheat, foxtail millet, and maize. These findings underscore the pivotal role of soybean steroids in countering oxidative stress in plants and offer a new research strategy for enhancing crop stress tolerance and quality from gene regulation to chemical intervention.
How to explain the beneficial effects of platelet‐rich plasma
Authors: Gruber Reinhard 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPlatelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is the platelet and leukocyte‐containing plasmatic fraction of anticoagulated autologous blood. While evidence supporting the clinical use of PRP in dentistry is low, PRP is widely used in sports medicine, orthopedics, and dermatology. Its beneficial activity is commonly attributed to the growth factors released from platelets accumulating in PRP; however, evidence is indirect and not comprehensive. There is thus a demand to revisit PRP with respect to basic and translational science. This review is to (i) recapitulate protocols and tools to prepare PRP; (ii) to discuss the cellular and molecular composition of PRP with a focus on platelets, leukocytes, and the fibrin‐rich extracellular matrix of coagulated plasma; and finally (iii) to discuss potential beneficial effects of PRP on a cellular and molecular level with an outlook on its current use in dentistry and other medical fields.
Unethical leadership, moral compensation, and ethical followership: Evidence from a survey experiment with Chilean public servants
Authors: Schuster Christian , Fuenzalida Javier , Mikkelsen Kim Sass , Meyer‐Sahling Jan‐Hinrik 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNumerous studies associate ethical leadership with ethical behavior in the public sector. By contrast, the effects of unethical leadership in the public sector have largely not been explored. Yet, unethical leadership need not beget unethical followership. Instead, we theorize that some bureaucrats may perceive unethical leadership as a moral threat and respond to it with moral compensation and greater ethical behavior. We provide evidence for our theorized effect through a vignette experiment with 19,852 bureaucrats in Chile. Bureaucrats exposed in the vignette to unethical role modeling by their superior or peers react with greater ethical awareness and ethical intent. This effect is concentrated among bureaucrats recruited through merit‐based, public service criteria rather than connections, and thus bureaucrats who more likely feel morally threatened by unethical leadership. This suggests that unethical leadership in the public sector may differ in its consequences from the mere absence of ethical leadership.
Artificial intelligence for risk analysis—A risk characterization perspective on advances, opportunities, and limitations
Authors: Stødle Kaia , Flage Roger , Guikema Seth , Aven Terje 
Published: April 2024

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has seen numerous applications for risk analysis and provides ample opportunities for developing new and improved methods and models for this purpose. In the present article, we conceptualize the use of AI for risk analysis by framing it as an input–algorithm–output process and linking such a setup to three tasks in establishing a risk description: consequence characterization, uncertainty characterization, and knowledge management. We then give an overview of currently used concepts and methods for AI‐based risk analysis and outline potential future uses by extrapolating beyond currently produced types of output. We end with a discussion of the limits of automation, both near‐term limitations and a more fundamental question related to allowing AI to automatically prescribe risk management decisions. We conclude that there are opportunities for using AI for risk analysis to a greater extent than is commonly the case today; however, critical concerns about proper uncertainty representation and the need for risk‐informed rather than risk‐based decision‐making also lead us to conclude that risk analysis and decision‐making processes cannot be fully automated.
The surplus value of knowledge
Authors: Spohn Wolfgang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Meno problem, asking for the surplus value of knowledge beyond the value of true justified belief, was recently much treated within reliabilist and virtue epistemologies. The answers from formal epistemology, by contrast, are quite poor. This paper attempts to improve the score of formal epistemology by precisely explicating Timothy Williamson's suggestion that ‘present knowledge is less vulnerable than mere present true belief to rational undermining by future evidence’. It does so by combining Nozick's sensitivity analysis of knowledge with Spohn's fact‐asserting epistemic interpretation of conditionals. Accordingly, the surplus value of knowledge lies in a specific kind of stability of knowledge, which differs, though, from that claimed by other so‐called stability analyses of knowledge.
Sugar beet PMT5a and STP13 carriers suitable for proton‐driven plasma membrane sucrose and glucose import in taproots
Authors: Reyer Antonella , Bazihizina Nadia , Jaślan Justyna , Scherzer Sönke , Schäfer Nadine , Jaślan Dawid , Becker Dirk , Müller Thomas D. , Pommerrenig Benjamin , Neuhaus H. Ekkehard , Marten Irene , Hedrich Rainer 
Published: April 2024

SUMMARYSugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is the major sugar‐producing crop in Europe and Northern America, as the taproot stores sucrose at a concentration of around 20%. Genome sequence analysis together with biochemical and electrophysiological approaches led to the identification and characterization of the TST sucrose transporter driving vacuolar sugar accumulation in the taproot. However, the sugar transporters mediating sucrose uptake across the plasma membrane of taproot parenchyma cells remained unknown. As with glucose, sucrose stimulation of taproot parenchyma cells caused inward proton fluxes and plasma membrane depolarization, indicating a sugar/proton symport mechanism. To decipher the nature of the corresponding proton‐driven sugar transporters, we performed taproot transcriptomic profiling and identified the cold‐induced PMT5a and STP13 transporters. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, BvPMT5a was characterized as a voltage‐ and H+‐driven low‐affinity glucose transporter, which does not transport sucrose. In contrast, BvSTP13 operated as a high‐affinity H+/sugar symporter, transporting glucose better than sucrose, and being more cold‐tolerant than BvPMT5a. Modeling of the BvSTP13 structure with bound mono‐ and disaccharides suggests plasticity of the binding cleft to accommodate the different saccharides. The identification of BvPMT5a and BvSTP13 as taproot sugar transporters could improve breeding of sugar beet to provide a sustainable energy crop.