bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a 7‐month‐old dog
Authors: Garcia‐Torres Maria , Muñoz Bárbara Serrano , Segalés Joaquim , Mallol Clàudia , Sanz Alba , López María C. , Roura Xavier 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA 7‐month‐old intact female bearded collie dog was admitted after a 2‐week history of progressive cough, inappetence, and lethargy, with no response to previous treatment with doxycycline and steroids. Mild attenuation of lung sounds in the right middle hemithorax was the only abnormality detected on physical examination. Abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiographs were performed and revealed multifocally distributed nodules and masses, well‐circumscribed and of variable size in the kidneys and pulmonary parenchyma. Ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspirates of the renal and pulmonary masses were taken. A cytologic evaluation of these lesions pointed towards a malignant mesenchymal neoplasia. Euthanasia was elected due to the poor prognosis and rapid progression. The post‐mortem histopathology, a positive result to IBA1 immunoperoxidase staining, and a lack of detection of infectious agents, and negative E‐cadherin immunostaining enabled the final diagnosis of a disseminated histiocytic sarcoma. We report an atypical form, both in breed and age, of canine disseminated histiocytic sarcoma. While all breeds can be affected, there is a clear predisposition in some, and no cases have been previously described in bearded collies. Moreover, to the authors' knowledge, this is the youngest dog with this histiocytic disorder described to date. Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of multinodular tumors in dogs, regardless of the anatomic location and age of the dogs, even in puppies.
The effects of TGF‐β1 and IFN‐α2b on decorin, decorin isoforms and type I collagen in hypertrophic scar dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Eremenko Elizabeth E. , Kwan Peter O. , Ding Jie , Ghosh Sunita , Tredget Edward E. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHypertrophic scars (HTS) develop from an excessive synthesis of structural proteins like collagen and a decreased expression of proteoglycans such as decorin. Previous research has demonstrated that decorin expression is significantly down‐regulated in HTS, deep dermal tissue, and thermally injured tissue, reducing its ability to regulate pro‐fibrotic transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and normal fibrillogenesis. However, treatment of HTS fibroblasts with interferon‐alpha 2b (IFN‐α2b) has been shown to reduce excessive collagen synthesis and improve HTS by reducing serum TGF‐β1 levels. The expression of decorin isoforms in HTS is currently unknown and the effects of TGF‐β1 and IFN‐α2b on decorin, decorin isoform expression and type 1 collagen are of great interest to our group. Dermal fibroblasts were treated with TGF‐β1 and/or IFN‐α2b, for 48 h. The expression and secretion of decorin, decorin isoforms and type 1 collagen were quantified with reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The mRNA expression of decorin and each isoform was significantly reduced in HTS fibroblasts relative to normal skin. TGF‐β1 decreased the mRNA expression of decorin and decorin isoforms, whereas IFN‐α2b showed the opposite effect. IFN‐α2b significantly inhibited TGF‐β1's effect on the mRNA expression of type I collagen alpha 1 in papillary dermal fibroblasts and overall showed relative effects of inhibiting TGF‐β1. These data support that a further investigation into the structural and functional roles of decorin isoforms in HTS pathogenesis is warranted and that IFN‐α2b is an important agent in reducing fibrotic outcomes.
Thoracentesis to alleviate pleural effusion in acute heart failure: study protocol for the multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled TAP-IT trial
Authors: Glargaard Signe , Thomsen Jakob Hartvig , Løgstrup Brian Bridal , Schou Morten , Iversen Kasper Karmark , Tuxen Christian , Nielsen Olav W , Bang Christian Axel , Lindholm Matias Greve , Seven Ekim , Barasa Anders , Stride Nis , Vraa Søren , Tofterup Marlene , Rasmussen Rasmus Vedby , Høfsten Dan Eik , Rossing Kasper , Køber Lars , Gustafsson Finn , Thune Jens Jakob 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionPleural effusion is present in half of the patients hospitalised with acute heart failure. The condition is treated with diuretics and/or therapeutic thoracentesis for larger effusions. No evidence from randomised trials or guidelines supports thoracentesis to alleviate pleural effusion due to acute heart failure. The Thoracentesis to Alleviate cardiac Pleural effusion Interventional Trial (TAP-IT) will investigate if a strategy of referring patients with acute heart failure and pleural effusion to up-front thoracentesis by pleural pigtail catheter insertion in addition to pharmacological therapy compared with pharmacological therapy alone can increase the number of days the participants are alive and not hospitalised during the 90 days following randomisation.Methods and analysisTAP-IT is a pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial aiming to include 126 adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% and a non-negligible pleural effusion due to heart failure. Participants will be randomised 1:1, stratified according to site and anticoagulant treatment, and assigned to referral to up-front ultrasound-guided pleural pigtail catheter thoracentesis in addition to standard pharmacological therapy or to standard pharmacological therapy only. Thoracentesis is performed according to local guidelines and can be performed in participants in the pharmacological treatment arm if their condition deteriorates or if no significant improvement is observed within 5 days. The primary endpoint is how many days participants are alive and not hospitalised within 90 days from randomisation and will be analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Key secondary outcomes include 90-day mortality, complications, readmissions, and quality of life.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Capital Region of Denmark Scientific Ethical Committee (H-20060817) and Knowledge Center for Data Reviews (P-2021–149). All participants will sign an informed consent form. Enrolment began in August 2021. Regardless of the nature, results will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.Trial registration numberNCT05017753.
Patient preferences for the treatment of chronic cough: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Swaminathan Aparna C , Yang Jui-Chen , Ding Helen , Grover Kiran , Coles Theresa , Schelfhout Jonathan , Johnson F Reed 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundChronic cough is common, negatively affects quality of life and has limited treatment options. Inhibition of purinergic signalling is a promising therapeutic approach but is associated with taste-related adverse effects. Little is known about treatment preferences from the perspective of patients with chronic cough, such as trade-offs between efficacy and side effect.MethodsPatients with chronic cough completed an online discrete choice experiment survey in which they answered a series of questions requiring a choice between two constructed treatment options characterised by varying attribute levels. Selection of cough and taste-related attributes was informed by qualitative interviews and clinical trial data. Logit-based models were used to analyse resulting choice data.ResultsThe discrete choice experiment survey was completed by 472 participants with chronic cough. Among study attributes, frequency of intense cough attacks was the most important to participants, followed by taste change, frequency of night-time coughing and frequency of daytime coughing. To accept the least preferred taste disturbance of a bitter, metallic, chalky or oily taste change, participants required either: (1) elimination of night-time cough along with a slight reduction in daytime cough; (2) elimination of daytime cough along with a pronounced reduction in night-time or (3) reduction in intense cough attacks from 7 to 2 times per week. Two distinct preference patterns were identified, each placing different importance on efficacy versus side effect trade-offs.ConclusionsParticipants with chronic cough were willing to accept some taste disturbances in exchange for improved efficacy of chronic cough treatments. Knowledge of patient preferences can facilitate shared decision-making.
The burden of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia among the older population in ageing and aged countries: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Cheng Ying , Fang Yu , Zheng Jinxin , Guan Shiyang , Wang Meiti , Hong Wu 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundDepression, anxiety and schizophrenia among older persons have become global public health challenges. However, the burden of these disorders in ageing and aged countries has not been analysed.AimsTo investigate the burden of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia among older adults in ageing and aged countries.MethodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we calculated the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR) and age-standardised disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) for depression, anxiety and schizophrenia of older people in ageing countries (China, India, Indonesia) and aged countries (Japan, Italy, Portugal) between 1990 and 2019. Trends in incidence and DALYs were analysed by gender and age.ResultsIn 2019, the highest incidence of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia in the older population in aged countries was in Japan (927 271.3 (752 552.3–1 125 796.5), 51 498.2 (37 625.7–70 487.3) and 126.0 (61.0–223.2), respectively), while the highest incidence in ageing countries was in China (5 797 556.9 (4 599 403.4–7 133 006.5), 330 256.1 (246 448.9–445 987.4) and 1067.7 (556.2–1775.9), respectively). DALYs for these disorders were similar, with the highest in Japan and China. From 1990 to 2019, the ASIR for depressive disorders decreased in aged countries but increased in ageing countries; the ASIR for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia declined in both ageing and aged countries. The ASDR for depressive disorders was consistent with the ASIR but not for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. The ASIR for depressive disorders was higher in older women, while the opposite was observed in anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. Notably, the conditions of burden of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia in the 65–70-year-old age group were the most burdensome.ConclusionsThe incidence and DALYs of these three mental disorders increased while exhibiting differences between ageing and aged countries. Raising awareness about formulating health policies for preventing and treating mental disorders in the older population is necessary to reduce the future burden posed by the ageing challenge.
Evaluation of potential biomarkers for lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab among patients with advanced endometrial cancer: results from Study 111/KEYNOTE-146
Authors: Makker Vicky , Taylor Matthew H , Aghajanian Carol , Cohn Allen L , Brose Marcia S , Simone Christopher Di , Cao Zhu Alexander , Suttner Leah , Loboda Andrey , Cristescu Razvan , Jelinic Petar , Orlowski Robert , Dutta Lea , Matsui Junji , Dutcus Corina E , Minoshima Yukinori , Messing Mark J 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundLenvatinib plus pembrolizumab demonstrated clinically meaningful benefit in patients with previously treated advanced endometrial carcinoma in Study 111/KEYNOTE-146 (NCT02501096). In these exploratory analyses from this study, we evaluated the associations between clinical outcomes and gene expression signature scores and descriptively summarized response in biomarker subpopulations defined by tumor mutational burden (TMB) and DNA variants for individual genes of interest.MethodsPatients with histologically confirmed metastatic endometrial carcinoma received oral lenvatinib 20 mg once daily plus intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for 35 cycles. Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was obtained from all patients. T-cell–inflamed gene expression profile (TcellinfGEP) and 11 other gene signatures were evaluated by RNA sequencing. TMB, hotspot mutations inPIK3CA(oncogene), and deleterious mutations inPTENandTP53(tumor suppressor genes) were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing (WES).Results93 and 79 patients were included in the RNA-sequencing-evaluable and WES-evaluable populations, respectively. No statistically significant associations were observed between any of the RNA-sequencing signature scores and objective response rate or progression-free survival. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for response ranged from 0.39 to 0.54; all 95% CIs included 0.50. Responses were seen regardless of TMB (≥175 or <175 mutations/exome) and mutation status. There were no correlations between TcellinfGEP and TMB, TcellinfGEP and microvessel density (MVD), or MVD and TMB.ConclusionsThis analysis demonstrated efficacy for lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab regardless of biomarker status. Results from this study do not support clinical utility of the evaluated biomarkers. Further investigation of biomarkers for this regimen is warranted.Trial registration numberNCT02501096.
Ipilimumab and nivolumab combined with anthracycline-based chemotherapy in metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a randomized phase 2b trial
Authors: Andresen Nikolai Kragøe , Røssevold Andreas Hagen , Quaghebeur Claire , Gilje Bjørnar , Boge Beate , Gombos Andrea , Falk Ragnhild Sørum , Mathiesen Randi R. , Julsrud Lars , Garred Øystein , Russnes Hege G. , Lereim Ragnhild Reehorst , Chauhan Sudhir Kumar , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Dunn Claire , Naume Bjørn , Kyte Jon Amund 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors have shown minimal clinical activity in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (HR+mBC). Doxorubicin and low-dose cyclophosphamide are reported to induce immune responses and counter regulatory T cells (Tregs). Here, we report the efficacy and safety of combined programmed cell death protein-1/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 blockade concomitant with or after immunomodulatory chemotherapy for HR+mBC.MethodsPatients with HR+mBC starting first-/second- line chemotherapy (chemo) were randomized 2:3 to chemotherapy (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 20 mg/m2every second week plus cyclophosphamide 50 mg by mouth/day in every other 2-week cycle) with or without concomitant ipilimumab (ipi; 1 mg/kg every sixth week) and nivolumab (nivo; 240 mg every second week). Patients in the chemo-only arm were offered cross-over to ipi/nivo without chemotherapy. Co-primary endpoints were safety in all patients starting therapy and progression-free survival (PFS) in the per-protocol (PP) population, defined as all patients evaluated for response and receiving at least two treatment cycles. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, clinical benefit rate, Treg changes during therapy and assessment of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), mutational burden and immune gene signatures as biomarkers.ResultsEighty-two patients were randomized and received immune-chemo (N=49) or chemo-only (N=33), 16 patients continued to the ipi/nivo-only cross-over arm. Median follow-up was 41.4 months. Serious adverse events occurred in 63% in the immune-chemo arm, 39% in the chemo-only arm and 31% in the cross-over-arm. In the PP population (N=78) median PFS in the immune-chemo arm was 5.1 months, compared with 3.6 months in the chemo-only arm, with HR 0.94 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.51). Clinical benefit rates were 55% (26/47) and 48% (15/31) in the immune-chemo and chemo-only arms, respectively. In the cross-over-arm (ipi/nivo-only), objective responses were observed in 19% of patients (3/16) and clinical benefit in 25% (4/16). Treg levels in blood decreased after study chemotherapy. High-grade immune-related adverse events were associated with prolonged PFS. PD-L1 status and mutational burden were not associated with ipi/nivo benefit, whereas a numerical PFS advantage was observed for patients with a high Treg gene signature in tumor.ConclusionThe addition of ipi/nivo to chemotherapy increased toxicity without improving efficacy. Ipi/nivo administered sequentially to chemotherapy was tolerable and induced clinical responses.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT03409198.
Rituximab as an effective add-on maintenance therapy for disease activities in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lin Ting-Wei , Lin Yu-Tsan , Hu Ya-Chiao , Yu Hsin-Hui , Chiang Bor-Luen 
Published: January 2024

ObjectivesSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can result in high morbidity if not treated. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of rituximab treatment in a paediatric SLE cohort in Taiwan.MethodsThe medical records of paediatric patients diagnosed with SLE at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 1992 and August 2022 who received rituximab as maintenance therapy between January 2015 and August 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. To enhance our analysis, we included a contemporary comparison group, matching in case number and demographic characteristics. This study aimed to describe the indications, efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of paediatric SLE and to analyse the factors associated with disease outcomes.ResultsThe study included 40 rituximab-treated patients with a median age of 14.3 years at the time of disease diagnosis. In the rituximab-treated cohort, the median score on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 decreased from 8 before rituximab administration to 4 after 2 years. The levels of C3 and C4 increased and anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) levels decreased significantly within 6 months. The equivalent oral prednisolone dose halved after 6 months. Finally, 8 (20%) patients achieved disease control and 35 (87.5%) patients had no flare-ups during the follow-up period (median, 2 years). Those patients who achieved disease control had a significantly shorter interval between diagnosis and rituximab administration. In terms of adverse effects, only one patient developed hypogammaglobulinaemia that required intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement. Compared with the comparison group (n=53), the rituximab-treated cohort exhibited superior disease outcomes and a reduced incidence of flare-ups.ConclusionsThis study provides real-world data and illuminates rituximab’s role in maintaining disease stability among patients with paediatric-onset SLE who are serologically active without major clinical deterioration. Most importantly, no mortality or development of end-stage renal disease was observed in the rituximab-treated cohort.
Quantum gravity induced entanglement of masses with extra dimensions
Authors: Feng Shuai , Gu Bao-Min , Shu Fu-Wen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIt is believed that gravity can be considered as a quantum coherent mediator. In this study, we propose a plan to test the existence of extra dimensions using the quantum gravity induced entanglement of masses (QGEM) experiment. This experiment involves two freely falling test masses passing through a Stern–Gerlach-like device. We investigate the entanglement witness between these masses within the framework of the Randall–Sundrum II model (RS-II). Our findings indicate that the system reaches entanglement more rapidly in the presence of extra dimensions, particularly when the radius of the extra dimension is large.
Numerical study of the influence of amplitudes on heat transfer in a tube bundle
Authors: Foual Mohammed , Chaib Khaled , Chemloul Nordeddine Sad , Becheffar Youcef 
Published: January 2024

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of different surface roughness levels on a staggered arrangement of tubes in a cross-flow configuration, with water as the fluid being used. The focus lies in comparing the data obtained from the rough surface configuration with that of a smooth cylinder reference point. To assist this comparison, a comprehensive two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is created, which accurately represents the distinctive characteristics of each surface shape. This study also included modifying the Remax within a range of 10 000–16 000 and analyzing the outcomes of using four different tube types, each with different supernatant thicknesses labeled as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] accordingly. Surprisingly, the tube with a 0.4 wave surface had significantly higher average Nusselt numbers (Nu) compared to the other tubes, indicating superior performance. The ideal tube design was found based on three main metrics: The performance evaluation criterion (PEC), the global performance criterion (GPC) and the average Nu. The performance metrics encompassed the PEC, GPC and the Colburn factor [Formula: see text]. The average Nu of the wavy_0.4 tube was higher than that of the SM by 31.66–32.54%, higher than that of the wavy_0.2 tube by 19.76–20.74%, and higher than that of the wavy_0.1 tube by 9.38–16.58%. According to the statistics, a heat exchanger that cools and has a wave with an amplitude of 0 is the most efficient choice for offshore energy systems. The smooth bundle tube (SBT) demonstrated the most significant increase in GPC, with values of 9.3–12.7% and 20.3–28.3% higher than those of wavy tubes with amplitudes of 0.1 and 0.2, respectively. In addition, correlations for the Nu are given, with results verified using empirical data from Balabani et al.
Subsonic Aeroelastic Stability Analysis and Vibration Control of a Plate by Using Nonlinear Energy Sink
Authors: Qiao Yu , Yao Guo 
Published: January 2024

Vibration suppression and stability control are classic issues in the field of vibration and control. The nonlinear energy sink (NES) is an effective approach for vibration reduction proposed in recent years. It has the advantages of wide frequency vibration isolation properties and without inputting excessive energy. This paper focuses on the stability and passive vibration control of a plate in subsonic airflow by applying the NES. Two kinds of NESs with linear stiffness and with cubic stiffness are proposed and their vibration control performances are compared. The kinetic equations of the plate with NES are established by using the extended Hamilton principle and analyzed by the incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method. The advantages of the hybrid stiffness NES are demonstrated by comparing with the cubic nonlinear stiffness NES. From the results, the vibration suppression effect of the hybrid stiffness NES is more significant than the purely cubic one. However, the effective vibration reduction range of the cubic stiffness NES is wider than the hybrid one. The optimal design parameters of the NES and the effect of the installation position are also discussed.
Benchmarking a neutral-atom quantum computer
Authors: Wagner N. , Poole C. , Graham T. M. , Saffman M. 
Published: January 2024

In this study, we simulated the algorithmic performance of a small neutral atom quantum computer and compared its performance when operating with all-to-all versus nearest-neighbor connectivity. This comparison was made using a suite of algorithmic benchmarks developed by the Quantum Economic Development Consortium. Circuits were simulated with a noise model consistent with experimental data from [Nature 604, 457 (2022)]. We find that all-to-all connectivity improves simulated circuit fidelity by [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text], compared to nearest-neighbor connectivity.