bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of hospital volume and physician volume on early mortality in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients
Authors: Wu Chia-Ying , Yeh Chiu-Mei , Tsai Chun-Kuang , Liu Chia-Jen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a highly curable hematologic malignancy in the era of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combination treatment. However, only a modest change in early mortality rate has been observed despite the wide availability of ATRA. In addition to the clinical characteristics of APL patients, studies on the hospital volume-outcome relationship and the physician volume-outcome relationship remained limited. We aim to evaluate the association between hospital and physician volume and the early mortality rate among APL patients. The patients were collected from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Early mortality is defined as death within 30 days of diagnosis. Patients were categorized into four groups according to individual cumulative hospital and physician volume. The risk of all-cause mortality in APL patients with different cumulative volume groups was compared using a Cox proportional hazard model. The probability of overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. All 741 patients were divided into four quartile volume groups. In the multivariate analysis, only physician volume was significantly associated with early mortality rate. The physician volume of the highest quartile was a protective factor for early mortality compared with the physician volume of the lowest quartile (HR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.65). Hospital characteristics were not associated with early mortality. In the sensitivity analyses, the results remained consistent using two other different definitions of early mortality. Higher physician volume was independently associated with lower early mortality, while hospital volume was not. Enhancing the clinical expertise of low-volume physicians may ensure better outcomes.
Palliative care for patients with hematologic malignancies in Germany: a nationwide survey on everyday practice and influencing factors from the perspective of treating physicians
Authors: Gebel Cordula , Kruschel Isabel , Bodinger Steffi , Simon Steffen T. , Eichenauer Dennis A. , Pralong Anne , Wedding Ulrich 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntegrating palliative care into the treatment of patients with advanced hematological malignancies (HM) remains challenging. To explore treating physicians’ perspectives on current palliative care practice and to evaluate factors influencing integration, we conducted a nationwide online survey. Based on literature and expert review, the survey addressed the importance of palliative care, communication about life-threatening conditions, challenges in establishing goals of care, and factors influencing the integration of palliative care. 207 physicians treating patients with HM in Germany participated. We used standard descriptive statistics to analyze quantitative data and a content structuring approach. Most physicians considered palliative care in HM to be very important (60.6%) and discussed life-threatening conditions with more than half of their patients (52%), especially when goals of care were changed (87.0%) or when patients raised the topic (84.0%). Disease-related factors, different professional perspectives on prognosis, and patient hopes were the main barriers to changing goals of care, but collaboration with colleagues and multidisciplinary teams provided important support. Time constraints were identified as the main barrier to integrating palliative care. The majority worked well with palliative care teams. Referral processes and conditions were perceived as minor barriers. The study highlights the need to address barriers to integrating palliative care into the management of patients with advanced HM. Future research should aim at optimizing palliative care for patients with HM.
Molecular dynamics simulation and performance verification of γ-polyglutamic acid/cold water-soluble starch film formation and permeability
Authors: Yu Zuolong , Chen Yao , Chen Yongfei , Wei Yunxiao , Fu Changchun , Liu Dan , Niranjan Keshavan , Han Chao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSix types of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA)/cold water-soluble starch (St) composite film models were constructed using molecular dynamics simulation, and their properties were investigated and compared with the corresponding experimental values. The compatibility between the composite film components was analyzed using the radial distribution function and mean square displacement (MSD). The hydrogen-bond number and bond energy were used to track the film-formation process. The mechanical property data of the films were extracted, and MSD was used to analyze the permeability of the film to carbon dioxide, oxygen, water vapor, and carbon-16 saturated fatty acids. Finally, the simulated values of mechanical properties and permeability were compared with the experimental values. The results demonstrated that γ-PGA is well compatible with St. The intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of γ-PGA and St did not change considerably during the film-formation process. The simulated values of the mechanical properties exhibited a similar trend as the experimental values; however, in terms of permeability, a difference was observed between the initial values of the simulated design and actual material parameters, as well as the complexity of the experiment.
Minimum contrast for the first-order intensity estimation of spatial and spatio-temporal point processes
Authors: D’Angelo Nicoletta , Adelfio Giada 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we harness a result in point process theory, specifically the expectation of the weighted K-function, where the weighting is done by the true first-order intensity function. This theoretical result can be employed as an estimation method to derive parameter estimates for a particular model assumed for the data. The underlying motivation is to avoid the difficulties associated with dealing with complex likelihoods in point process models and their maximization. The exploited result makes our method theoretically applicable to any model specification. In this paper, we restrict our study to Poisson models, whose likelihood represents the base for many more complex point process models. In this context, our proposed method can estimate the vector of local parameters that correspond to the points within the analyzed point pattern without introducing any additional complexity compared to the global estimation. We illustrate the method through simulation studies for both purely spatial and spatio-temporal point processes and show complex scenarios based on the Poisson model through the analysis of two real datasets concerning environmental problems.
On Non-degenerate Berge–Turán Problems
Authors: Gerbner Dániel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGiven a hypergraph $${{\mathcal {H}}}$$
H
and a graph G, we say that $${{\mathcal {H}}}$$
H
is a Berge-G if there is a bijection between the hyperedges of $${{\mathcal {H}}}$$
H
and the edges of G such that each hyperedge contains its image. We denote by $$\textrm{ex}_k(n,Berge- F)$$

ex
k

(
n
,
B
e
r
g
e
-
F
)

the largest number of hyperedges in a k-uniform Berge-F-free graph. Let $$\textrm{ex}(n,H,F)$$

ex
(
n
,
H
,
F
)

denote the largest number of copies of H in n-vertex F-free graphs. It is known that $$\textrm{ex}(n,K_k,F)\le \textrm{ex}_k(n,Berge- F)\le \textrm{ex}(n,K_k,F)+\textrm{ex}(n,F)$$

ex

(
n
,

K
k

,
F
)

≤

ex
k

(
n
,
B
e
r
g
e
-
F
)

≤
ex

(
n
,

K
k

,
F
)

+
ex

(
n
,
F
)

, thus if $$\chi (F)>r$$

χ
(
F
)
>
r

, then $$\textrm{ex}_k(n,Berge- F)=(1+o(1)) \textrm{ex}(n,K_k,F)$$

ex
k

(
n
,
B
e
r
g
e
-
F
)

=

(
1
+
o

(
1
)

)

ex

(
n
,

K
k

,
F
)

. We conjecture that $$\textrm{ex}_k(n,Berge- F)=\textrm{ex}(n,K_k,F)$$

ex
k

(
n
,
B
e
r
g
e
-
F
)

=
ex

(
n
,

K
k

,
F
)

in this case. We prove this conjecture in several instances, including the cases $$k=3$$

k
=
3

and $$k=4$$

k
=
4

. We prove the general bound $$\textrm{ex}_k(n,Berge- F)= \textrm{ex}(n,K_k,F)+O(1)$$

ex
k

(
n
,
B
e
r
g
e
-
F
)

=
ex

(
n
,

K
k

,
F
)

+
O

(
1
)

.
Impact of Arctic sea ice on the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation
Authors: Xie Zihuang , Ha Yao , Zhu Yimin , Hu Yijia , Zhong Zhong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between sea ice concentration (SIC) in the Arctic Ocean and the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation (BSISO) from 1991 to 2020 and its underlying mechanism. A significantly positive (negative) correlation was found between the frequency of phase 7 (3) of BSISO1 (30–60 d) and the preceding winter SIC, which is located the north of the East Siberian-Beaufort Sea (ESBS). Compared with low-SIC years, the conditions including northeasterly vertical wind shear, an enhanced ascending branch of the anomalous Walker circulation, an eastward water vapour transport channel, and an increased humidity gradient induce active convection over the Philippine Sea in high-SIC years, which benefits (hinders) to phase 7 (3) of BSISO1. The positive SIC anomaly during the transition from winter to spring influences local temperature and pressure through anomalous local sensible heat flux. This anomaly induces wave activity flux from the ESBS, which converges over the Bering Sea, enhancing the Aleutian Low (AL). Subsequently, the AL triggers an anomalous subtropical anticyclone through wave-mean flow interaction in the North Pacific. Due to southerly wind stress and increased sea surface heat flux, positive sea surface temperature anomalies near Japan persist in the summer, heating the lower troposphere and increasing baroclinicity. Significant positive geopotential heights and anticyclone anomalies occur over Japan, accompanied by a negative vorticity anomaly. The enhanced ascending motion over the Philippine Sea, facilitated by Ekman pumping, favours convection and influences the frequency of phases 7 and 3.
Prospective development study of the Versius Surgical System for use in transoral robotic surgery: an IDEAL stage 1/2a first in human and initial case series experience
Authors: Faulkner Jack , Arora Asit , McCulloch Peter , Robertson Stephen , Rovira Aleix , Ourselin Sebastien , Jeannon Jean-Pierre 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Transoral robotic surgery is well established in the treatment paradigm of oropharyngeal pathology. The Versius Surgical System (CMR Surgical) is a robotic platform in clinical use in multiple specialities but is currently untested in the head and neck. This study utilises the IDEAL framework of surgical innovation to prospectively evaluate and report a first in human clinical experience and single centre case series of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with Versius.

Methods
Following IDEAL framework stages 1 and 2a, the study evaluated Versius to perform first in human TORS before transitioning from benign to malignant cases. Iterative adjustments were made to system setup, instrumentation, and technique, recorded in accordance with IDEAL recommendations. Evaluation criteria included successful procedure completion, setup time, operative time, complications, and subjective impressions. Further evaluation of the system to perform four-arm surgery was conducted.

Results
30 TORS procedures were successfully completed (15 benign, 15 malignant) without intraoperative complication or conversion to open surgery. Setup time significantly decreased over the study period. Instrumentation challenges were identified, urging the need for TORS-specific instruments. The study introduced four-arm surgery, showcasing Versius’ unique capabilities, although limitations in distal access were observed.

Conclusions
TORS is feasible with the Versius Surgical System. The development of TORS-specific instruments would benefit performance and wider adoption of the system. 4-arm surgery is possible however further evaluation is required. Multicentre evaluation (IDEAL stage 2b) is recommended.
Long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of apomorphine sublingual film in patients with Parkinson’s disease complicated by OFF episodes: a phase 3, open-label study
Authors: Kassubek Jan , Factor Stewart A. , Balaguer Ernest , Schwarz Johannes , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Isaacson Stuart H. , Wu Stacy , Denecke Muhr Carmen , Kulisevsky Jaime 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Apomorphine sublingual film (SL-APO) is an on-demand treatment for OFF episodes in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Objective
To assess the long-term (≥ 3 years) safety/tolerability and efficacy of SL-APO.

Methods
Study CTH-301 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02542696; registered 2015-09-03) was a phase 3, multicentre, open-label study of SL-APO in PD patients with motor fluctuations, comprised of a dose-titration and long-term safety phase. All participants received SL-APO. The primary endpoint was safety/tolerability (treatment-emergent adverse events [TEAEs]) during the long-term safety phase. Efficacy assessments included the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III (motor examination), assessed at weeks 24, 36 and 48 during the first year of the long-term safety phase.

Results
496 patients were included and 120 (24.2%) completed the long-term safety phase. Mean duration of SL-APO exposure was 294.3 days. TEAEs related to study drug were experienced by 65.3% of patients (most common: nausea [6.0%], stomatitis [1.8%], lip swelling [1.8%], dizziness [1.6%], oral mucosal erythema [1.6%], mouth ulceration [1.6%]). TEAEs leading to study drug withdrawal were experienced by 34.0% of patients (most common: nausea [5.4%], lip swelling [4.5%], mouth ulceration [2.6%], stomatitis [2.3%]). A clinically meaningful reduction in MDS-UPDRS part III score was observed as soon as 15 min following administration of SL-APO, with peak effects observed approximately 30 min post-dose and sustained up to 90 min post-dose; results were consistent over 48 weeks.

Conclusions
SL-APO was generally well tolerated and efficacious over the long term as an on-demand treatment for OFF episodes in patients with PD.
Effects of graft detachment on the central corneal thickness after uncomplicated Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Lohmann Tibor , Baumgarten Sabine , Kürten David , Prinz Julia , Plange Niklas , Walter Peter , Fuest Matthias 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To determine if early central corneal thickness (CCT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes indicate graft detachment after uncomplicated Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods
In this analysis of our prospectively collected ADDA registry data (https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027180), 45 pseudophakic eyes underwent DMEK surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), the presence of stromal ripples on the posterior corneal surface, and BCVA measurements were assessed prior to, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after surgery.

Results
Eyes were categorized into three groups: no graft detachment (group 1) (20/45; 44.4%), < 1/3 graft detachment (group 2) (14/45; 31.1%), ≥ 1/3 graft detachment followed by rebubbling (group 3) (11/45; 24.4%). Eyes in group 3 had a greater CCT prior to (746.8 ± 95.8 µm vs. 665.0 ± 74.4 µm, P = 0.041), and 1 week (666.8 ± 119.5 µm vs. 556.5 ± 56.8 µm, P = 0.001) after DMEK compared to group 1. By 1 month, CCT in all groups aligned. Comparing prior to and 1 week after DMEK, none of the eyes in group 1 had an increase in CCT, while the CCT increased in 25.0% of eyes in group 2 and 22.2% in group 3. In group 1, 90.0% had a CCT of < 600 µm 1 week after DMEK, compared to only 50.0% in group 2 and 36.4% in group 3. In group 1, 90.0% (18/20) had an improved BCVA 1 week after DMEK, while in groups 2 and 3, 86.7% (12/14) and 18.2% (2/11) improved, respectively. One patient in group 3 showed posterior stromal ripples 1 day and 1 week after DMEK.

Conclusion
If 1 week after uncomplicated DMEK CCT is < 600 µm and has decreased from before surgery, BCVA has improved, and there are no posterior stromal ripples, a graft detachment ≥ 1/3 and the need for rebubbling are very unlikely. In all other cases, meticulous slit-lamp and OCT inspection of the peripheral graft for detachments should be advised.
Digital counting of tissue cells for molecular analysis: the QuANTUM pipeline
Authors: L’Imperio Vincenzo , Cazzaniga Giorgio , Mannino Mauro , Seminati Davide , Mascadri Francesco , Ceku Joranda , Casati Gabriele , Bono Francesca , Eloy Catarina , Rocco Elena Guerini , Frascarelli Chiara , Fassan Matteo , Malapelle Umberto , Pagni Fabio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe estimation of tumor cellular fraction (TCF) is a crucial step in predictive molecular pathology, representing an entry adequacy criterion also in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) era. However, heterogeneity of quantification practices and inter-pathologist variability hamper the robustness of its evaluation, stressing the need for more reliable results. Here, 121 routine histological samples from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases with complete NGS profiling were used to evaluate TCF interobserver variability among three different pathologists (pTCF), developing a computational tool (cTCF) and assessing its reliability vs ground truth (GT) tumor cellularity and potential impact on the final molecular results. Inter-pathologist reproducibility was fair to good, with overall Wk ranging between 0.46 and 0.83 (avg. 0.59). The obtained cTCF was comparable to the GT (p = 0.129, 0.502, and 0.130 for surgical, biopsies, and cell block, respectively) and demonstrated good reliability if elaborated by different pathologists (Wk = 0.9). Overall cTCF was lower as compared to pTCF (30 ± 10 vs 52 ± 19, p < 0.001), with more cases < 20% (17, 14%, p = 0.690), but none containing < 100 cells for the algorithm. Similarities were noted between tumor area estimation and pTCF (36 ± 29, p < 0.001), partly explaining variability in the human assessment of tumor cellularity. Finally, the cTCF allowed a reduction of the copy number variations (CNVs) called (27 vs 29, − 6.9%) with an increase of effective CNVs detection (13 vs 7, + 85.7%), some with potential clinical impact previously undetected with pTCF. An automated computational pipeline (Qupath Analysis of Nuclei from Tumor to Uniform Molecular tests, QuANTUM) has been created and is freely available as a QuPath extension. The computational method used in this study has the potential to improve efficacy and reliability of TCF estimation in NSCLC, with demonstrated impact on the final molecular results.
Comparative MRI analysis of the forebrain of three sauropsida models
Authors: Jiménez S , Santos-Álvarez I , Fernández-Valle E , Castejón D , Villa-Valverde P , Rojo-Salvador C , Pérez-Llorens P , Ruiz-Fernández M. J. , Ariza-Pastrana S. , Martín-Orti R. , González-Soriano Juncal , Moreno Nerea 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe study of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows to obtain detailed anatomical images, useful to describe specific encephalic structures and to analyze possible variabilities. It is widely used in clinical practice and is becoming increasingly used in veterinary medicine, even in exotic animals; however, despite its potential, its use in comparative neuroanatomy studies is still incipient. It is a technology that in recent years has significantly improved anatomical resolution, together with the fact that it is non-invasive and allows for systematic comparative analysis. All this makes it particularly interesting and useful in evolutionary neuroscience studies, since it allows for the analysis and comparison of brains of rare or otherwise inaccessible species. In the present study, we have analyzed the prosencephalon of three representative sauropsid species, the turtle Trachemys scripta (order Testudine), the lizard Pogona vitticeps (order Squamata) and the snake Python regius (order Squamata) by MRI. In addition, we used MRI sections to analyze the total brain volume and ventricular system of these species, employing volumetric and chemometric analyses together. The raw MRI data of the sauropsida models analyzed in the present study are available for viewing and downloading and have allowed us to produce an atlas of the forebrain of each of the species analyzed, with the main brain regions. In addition, our volumetric data showed that the three groups presented clear differences in terms of total and ventricular brain volumes, particularly the turtles, which in all cases presented distinctive characteristics compared to the lizards and snakes.
Chemotherapy-initiated cysteine-rich protein 61 decreases acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia chemosensitivity
Authors: Shi Pengchong , Lin Zhen , Song Yanfang , Li Zhaozhong , Zeng Menglu , Luo Li , Cao Yingping , Zhu Xianjin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Chemoresistance is a major challenge for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. Cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) plays an important role in drug resistance modulation of tumor cells, and Cyr61 levels are increased in the bone marrow of patients with ALL and contribute to ALL cell survival. However, the effect of Cyr61 on B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell chemosensitivity and the regulatory mechanisms underlying Cyr61 production in bone marrow remain unknown.

Methods
Nalm-6 and Reh human B-ALL cell lines were used in this study. Cyr61 levels were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of Cyr61 on B-ALL cell chemosensitivity to daunorubicin (DNR) was evaluated using cell viability and flow cytometry analyses. The regulatory mechanisms of Cyr61 production in bone marrow were examined using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis.

Results
Cyr61 knockdown and overexpression increased and decreased the chemosensitivity of B-ALL cells to DNR, respectively. Cyr61 attenuated chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis by upregulating B cell lymphoma-2. Notably, DNR induced DNA damage response and increased Cyr61 secretion in B-ALL cells through the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent nuclear factor kappa B pathway.

Conclusion
DNR induces Cyr61 production in B-ALL cells, and increased Cyr61 levels reduce the chemosensitivity of B-ALL cells. Consequently, targeting Cyr61 or related ATM signaling pathway may present a promising treatment strategy to enhance the chemosensitivity of patients with B-ALL.
Connection probabilities of multiple FK-Ising interfaces
Authors: Feng Yu , Peltola Eveliina , Wu Hao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe find the scaling limits of a general class of boundary-to-boundary connection probabilities and multiple interfaces in the critical planar FK-Ising model, thus verifying predictions from the physics literature. We also discuss conjectural formulas using Coulomb gas integrals for the corresponding quantities in general critical planar random-cluster models with cluster-weight $${q \in [1,4)}$$

q
∈
[
1
,
4
)

. Thus far, proofs for convergence, including ours, rely on discrete complex analysis techniques and are beyond reach for other values of q than the FK-Ising model ($$q=2$$

q
=
2

). Given the convergence of interfaces, the conjectural formulas for other values of q could be verified similarly with relatively minor technical work. The limit interfaces are variants of $$\text {SLE}_\kappa $$

SLE
κ

curves (with $$\kappa = 16/3$$

κ
=
16
/
3

for $$q=2$$

q
=
2

). Their partition functions, that give the connection probabilities, also satisfy properties predicted for correlation functions in conformal field theory (CFT), expected to describe scaling limits of critical random-cluster models. We verify these properties for all $$q \in [1,4)$$

q
∈
[
1
,
4
)

, thus providing further evidence of the expected CFT description of these models.