bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of advanced Parkinson’s disease in Germany: results of the non-interventional OBSERVE-PD study
Authors: Pedrosa David J. , Gandor Florin , Jost Wolfgang H. , Arlt Carolin , Onuk Koray , Timmermann Lars 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder. In the advanced stages it can result in severe disability despite optimal treatment. Data suggests heterogeneous classification of PD stages among physicians in different countries. The purpose of the OBSERVE-PD study was to evaluate the proportion of patients with advanced PD (APD) according to physicians’ judgments in an international cohort.

Methods
A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in 18 countries. Data were collected during a single patient visit. Demographic data, disease status, current medical treatment, and quality of life were evaluated for the German cohort and compared to the international cohort. Potential prognostic factors of physicians’ classification of APD in the German and international cohorts were identified using logistic regression.

Results
In total, 177 German and 2438 international patients were enrolled. 68.9% of the German and 50.0% of the international patients were classified by physicians as APD. Despite similar demographics and comparable disease severity, motor fluctuations (odds ratio [OR], 49.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.5–291.9) and current device-aided treatment (OR 8.7; CI 5.5–13.8) showed the strongest association to physicians’ classification of APD in the German and the international cohorts, respectively. The number of different oral anti-Parkinson-medications showed opposed associations with APD-classification between the international (OR 1.19; CI 1.03–1.37) and German (OR 0.46; CI 0.18–1.18) cohort. Although 58.2% of the German patients diagnosed with APD were considered eligible for device-aided treatment, only 40.8% actually received it.

Conclusions
This study highlights the challenges in the recognition and the effective management of APD in Germany and emphasizes the necessity of complying with standard diagnostic criteria for identification of patients with APD. Therapeutic approaches differed internationally, with a tendency in Germany towards a more complex oral medication regimen for patients with APD. In view of similar quality of life and disease status in both cohorts, our findings may prompt further exploration of parameters for disease classifications, and consideration of optimal treatment strategies.
An optimized finite-difference method to minimize numerical dispersion of acoustic wave propagation using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Vanga Mounika , Barman Debajeet , Ojha Maheswar 
Published: March 2022

The finite-difference method (FDM) is one of the most popular methods for numerical simulation of wave propagation. The major challenge that we face in solving a partial differential equation for the wave propagation is numerical dispersion. We use an automated and optimized FDM using a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimally compute second-order spatial derivatives. In our method, the explicit finite-difference coefficients are calculated using the GA to minimize the dispersion (phase velocity) for all wavenumbers without using any specific window function. The amplitudes of the pseudospectral window (finite difference [FD] coefficients) are optimized by making the phase velocity close to the analytical solution at each wavenumber and stability close to that of the conventional FDM. Although FD coefficients in this method depend on velocity, grid spacing, and time step, less dispersive solutions can be achieved by computing suitable FD coefficients for varying cases. It takes only a few seconds of additional computation time depending on the order of approximation (e.g., approximately 20 s for the 12th order of approximation in a machine with 120 GB RAM and 2.0 GHz processor). Comparison of the numerical results from our algorithm with those from an existing pseudospectral method, the conventional FDM, and an existing time-space optimized FDM indicates that the proposed method is less dispersive for any order of approximation.
Insular activation and functional connectivity in firefighters with post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Lee Deokjong , Lee Jung Eun , Lee Junghan , Kim Changsoo , Jung Young-Chul 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundFirefighters are frequently exposed to stressful situations and are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hyperresponsiveness to threatening and emotional stimuli and diminishment of executive control have been suggested as manifestations of PTSD.AimsTo examine brain activation in firefighters with PTSD by conducting an executive control-related behavioural task with trauma-related interferences.MethodTwelve firefighters with PTSD and 14 healthy firefighters underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a Stroop match-to-sample task using trauma-related photographic stimuli. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis was conducted using regions identified in fMRI contrast analysis.ResultsCompared with the controls, the participants with PTSD had longer reaction times when the trauma-related interferences were presented. They showed significantly stronger brain activation to interfering trauma-related stimuli in the left insula, and had weaker insular functional connectivity in the supplementary motor area and the anterior cingulate cortex than the controls. They also showed a significant correlation between left insula–supplementary motor area connectivity strength and the hyperarousal subscale of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that trauma-related stimuli elicit excessive brain activation in the left insula among firefighters with PTSD. Firefighters with PTSD also appear to have weak left insular functional connectivity with executive control-related brain regions. This aberrant insular activation and functional connectivity could be related to the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms in firefighters.
Cultural modification of neuropsychiatric assessment: complexities to consider
Authors: Tanveer Sandila , Croucher Matthew J. , Porter Richard 
Published: March 2022

SummaryCognitive screening tests are culture bound and have been shown to perform differently depending on the culture, even with adequate translation. Khan et al examine in detail ways in which the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been modified for different languages and cultures and produce a systematic guide for future modifications. However, questions arise regarding the availability of the MoCA. Other important issues in the transcultural use and modification of neuropsychiatric tests include providing a culturally safe context for testing, understanding the cultural context in which screening takes place and assessing other neuropsychiatric conditions, which may manifest differently in different cultural contexts and which affect cognition.
Can we understand the mechanisms of tumor formation by analyzing dynamics of cancer initiation?
Authors: Teimouri Hamid , Kolomeisky Anatoly B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Cancer is a collection of related genetic diseases exhibiting uncontrolled cell growth that interferes with normal functioning of human organisms. It results from accumulation of unfavorable mutations in tissues. While the biochemical picture of how cancer appears is known, the molecular mechanisms of tumor formation remain not fully understood despite tremendous efforts of researchers in multiple fields. New approaches for investigating cancer are constantly sought. In this paper, we discuss a powerful method of clarifying better a more microscopic picture of cancer by analyzing the dynamics of tumor formation. Using physics- and chemistry-inspired discrete-state stochastic description of cancer initiation, it is shown how the mechanisms of tumor formation can be uncovered. This approach is suggested as a powerful new physical-chemical tool for a better understanding of complex processes associated with cancer.
Empagliflozin and Decreased Risk of Nephrolithiasis: A Potential New Role for SGLT2 Inhibition?
Authors: Balasubramanian Priyadarshini , Wanner Christoph , Ferreira João Pedro , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Elsaesser Amelie , Zinman Bernard , Inzucchi Silvio E 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Context
Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for nephrolithiasis. A recent observational study found that in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a 49% lower risk of nephrolithiasis compared with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Objective
We examined the association between nephrolithiasis and the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin, using existing data from randomized clinical trials.

Methods
We pooled data from 15 081 T2D patients randomized to empagliflozin (n = 10 177) or placebo (n = 4904) from 20 phase I-IV trials, including the large cardiovascular outcome trial, EMPA-REG OUTCOME. Incident urinary tract stone events were captured using a predefined collection of MedRA terms. A sensitivity analysis using a narrower definition was also performed. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CIs were calculated using the relative risk estimate, stratified by study.

Results
The median exposures to study drug were 543 days (placebo) and 549 days (empagliflozin); 183 patients experienced an incident urolithiasis during follow-up (placebo, 79; empagliflozin, 104), yielding annual incidence rates of 1.01 vs 0.63 events/100 patient-years in the 2 respective groups. The IRR was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.48-0.86), in favor of empagliflozin. In the sensitivity analysis, the results were similar (IRR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.45-0.85]).

Conclusion
Compared with placebo, empagliflozin therapy was associated with an approximate 40% reduced risk of urinary tract stone events in T2D patients. The underlying mechanisms are unknown but may involve altered lithogenic profile of the urine. Dedicated randomized prospective clinical trials are warranted to confirm these initial observations in patients with and without T2D.
Deletion of Gdf15 Reduces ER Stress-induced Beta-cell Apoptosis and Diabetes
Authors: Xu Guanlan , Chen Junqin , Jo SeongHo , Grayson Truman B , Ramanadham Sasanka , Koizumi Akio , Germain-Lee Emily L , Lee Se-Jin , Shalev Anath 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis in diabetes, but the factors involved are still not fully elucidated. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress response gene and has been reported to be increased and play an important role in various diseases. However, the role of GDF15 in beta cells in the context of ER stress and diabetes is still unclear. In this study, we have discovered that GDF15 promotes ER stress-induced beta-cell apoptosis and that downregulation of GDF15 has beneficial effects on beta-cell survival in diabetes. Specifically, we found that GDF15 is induced by ER stress in beta cells and human islets, and that the transcription factor C/EBPβ is involved in this process. Interestingly, ER stress-induced apoptosis was significantly reduced in INS-1 cells with Gdf15 knockdown and in isolated Gdf15 knockout mouse islets. In vivo, we found that Gdf15 deletion attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetes by preserving beta cells and insulin levels. Moreover, deletion of Gdf15 significantly delayed diabetes development in spontaneous ER stress-prone Akita mice. Thus, our findings suggest that GDF15 contributes to ER stress-induced beta-cell apoptosis and that inhibition of GDF15 may represent a novel strategy to promote beta-cell survival and treat diabetes.
Mothers in the Military: Effect of Maternity Leave Policy on Take-Up
Authors: Bacolod Marigee , Heissel Jennifer A. , Laurita Laura , Molloy Matthew , Sullivan Ryan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study exploits changes in paid maternity leave offered by one of the United States’ largest employers, the Department of Defense, to estimate the effect of such policies on mothers' leave-taking. Since 2015, the U.S. Marine Corps has shifted its maternity leave policy from 6 to 18 to 12 weeks. Leave expansions increased leave duration, whereas contractions decreased leave taken by active-duty service members. However, the policy changes crowded out other forms of leave: with an increase in maternity leave available, mothers increased use of maternity leave and stopped supplementing with additional annual leave. Although all mothers used the full 6 weeks of leave in the early period, it is the less advantaged mothers—those in the enlisted ranks, first-time mothers, and single mothers—who disproportionately used more of the additional leave than officers, experienced mothers, and married mothers. Pregnant officers, experienced mothers, and single women used less leave than nonpregnant women in the months leading up to birth, but expecting additional post-birth leave did not change average pre-birth leave-taking. Our results highlight the importance of optimally sizing family leave policies and provide evidence that the true cost of such programs may be lower than the raw count of weeks provided by additional maternity leave allowances.
Starting CT-guided robotic interventional oncology at a UK centre
Authors: Johnston Edward W , Basso Jodie , Winfield Jessica , McCall James , Khan Nasir , Messiou Christina , Koh Dow-Mu , Fotiadis Nicos 
Published: March 2022

Objective
A commercially available CT-guided robot offers enhanced abilities in planning, targeting, and confirming accurate needle placement. In this short communication, we describe our first UK experience of robotic interventional oncology procedures.

Methods
We describe the device, discuss installation, operation, and report upon needle insertion success, accuracy (path deviation; PD and tip deviation; TD), number of adjustments, complications, and procedural success.

Results
Nine patients (seven males), median age 66 years (range 43–79) were consented for biopsy or ablation between March and April 2021. Needle placement in biopsy was more accurate than ablation (median 1 vs 11 mm PD and 1 vs 20 mm TD) and required fewer adjustments (median 0 vs 5). No complications arose, and all procedures were successful (diagnostic material obtained or complete ablation at follow-up).

Conclusion
Short procedure times and very high levels of accuracy were readily achieved with biopsy procedures, although tumour ablation was less accurate which likely reflects higher procedural complexity.

Advances in knowledge
Achieving highly accurate robotic biopsy with is feasible within a very short time span. Further work is required to maximise the potential of robotic guidance in tumour ablation procedures, which is likely due to higher complexity giving a longer learning curve.
Effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rajashekar Bindya , Singh Vijay Pratap , Singh Chauhan Namrata 
Published: March 2022

Background: Exercise leads to changes in hormonal concentration and metabolites which impacts growth and development; during physical activity, energy metabolism is influenced by hormones associated with pubertal development, and characterization of its response to exercise is essential. Therefore, we aimed to identify the effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase based on the search strategy, and the articles were screened based on inclusion criteria, for which two independent reviewers conducted data extraction. The eligible studies were methodologically assessed using a modified Downs and Black’s checklist. The extracted data were summarized according to study population, intervention, type and duration, outcome measures, and results. Results: The total number of screened articles was 1,710, out of which six papers were included for review. Studies included children and adolescents with hypothyroidism, intellectual disabilities, and obesity who received exercise or physical activity as an intervention. The outcomes included thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH. Studies were generally of low quality. The findings of the studies throw some light on the benefits of exercise or physical activity. Conclusions: Structured physical activity and exercise followed for a more extended period showed some thyroid function changes in this population. The intensity of change was directly proportional to exercise intensity. However, this review does not provide sufficient evidence stating that exercise results in changes of thyroid function returning to normal, which requires further higher-quality studies to strengthen the review’s findings.
In Institutions We Trust? Trust in Government and the Allocation of Entrepreneurial Intentions
Authors: Eesley Charles , Lee Yong Suk 
Published: March 2022

Whether entrepreneurship generates economic growth depends on the institutional environment due to its impact on the mix of productive and unproductive entrepreneurship in the economy. The incentive structure embedded in each society affects whether talented people become entrepreneurs and potentially, the extent to which they engage in more productive forms of entrepreneurship. We examine how trust in institutions affects the entrepreneurial intentions of potentially productive entrepreneurs. We utilize the unique event surrounding the impeachment of South Korea’s previous president. The event improved people’s trust in the government because it was ultimately the people’s protests and demands that led to the impeachment of the president for influence peddling and extracting personal rents from businesses. By surveying the same individuals before and after the impeachment ruling, we identify people’s changes in trust in government and various institutions. We find that increased trust in institutions increases one’s intent to start a business within five years. Moreover, we show that the relationship between trust in institutions and entrepreneurial intention is significantly stronger for engineering majors from top universities.Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1583 .
Discovery of underground shelters occupied by the Chacoan Marsh Rat after massive wildfires in Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Semedo Thiago Borges , Simões Libardi Gustavo , Strüssmann Christine , Berlinck Christian Niel , Tomas Walfrido Moraes , Terra Garbino Guilherme Siniciato 
Published: March 2022

Las sequías e incendios forestales que afectaron el Pantanal, la mayor llanura inundada de Sudamérica, en 2020 impactaron fuertemente la biota, cuya resiliencia a estos tipos de eventos extremos todavía es desconocida. Durante muestreos posteriores a los incendios en sitios impactados, encontramos tres cuevas habitadas por la rata colorada chaqueña, Holochilus chacarius. Además, encontramos a un bagre calíctido (Hoplosternum sp.) y a un cangrejo tricodactílido (Dilocarcinus pagei) cohabitando una de las cuevas con H. chacarius. Reportamos, por primera vez, el uso de una cueva inundada por la rata colorada. Discutimos la importancia de dichas estructuras para la supervivencia posterior al incendio y si pueden servir como refugio para H. chacarius y otras especies a eventos extremos de incendios y sequía, a la luz de estudios previos con otros taxones.
Pyroelectric detector-based method for low uncertainty spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations in the infrared using tunable lasers
Authors: Alberding Brian G. , Woodward John T. , Shaw Ping-Shine , Hanssen Leonard M. , Cooksey Catherine C. , Rice Joseph P. 
Published: March 2022

The standard uncertainty of detector-based radiance and irradiance
responsivity calibrations in the short-wave infrared (SWIR)
traditionally has been limited to around 1% or higher by the poor
spatial uniformity of detectors used to transfer the scale from
radiant power. Pyroelectric detectors offer a solution that avoids the
spatial uniformity uncertainty but also introduces additional
complications due to alternating current (AC) measurement techniques.
Herein, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method for low
uncertainty irradiance responsivity calibrations in the SWIR is
presented. An absolute spectral irradiance responsivity scale was
placed on two pyroelectric detectors (PED) at wavelengths

λ

from 500 to 3400 nm. The total
combined uncertainty (

k
=

1

) was

≈

0.28

%

(

>

1000

nm

), 0.44% (900 nm), and 0.36% (

≈

950

nm

and

<

900

nm

) for PED #1 and 0.34% (

>

1000

nm

), 0.48% (900 nm), and 0.42% (

≈

950

nm

and

<

900

nm

) for PED #2. This was done by
utilizing a demodulation technique to digitally analyze the
time-dependent AC waveforms, which obviates the use of lock-in
amplifiers and avoids associated additional uncertainty
components.
Long-term outcomes of patients with cirrhosis presenting with bleeding gastric varices
Authors: Nakazawa Manabu , Imai Yukinori , Sugawara Kayoko , Uchida Yoshihito , Saitoh Yoichi , Fujii Yohei , Uchiya Hiroshi , Ando Satsuki , Nakayama Nobuaki , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi 
Published: March 2022

AimTo establish a therapeutic strategy for cirrhosis patients with gastric variceal bleeding.MethodsThe outcomes of 137 patients with bleeding gastric varices were evaluated.ResultsThe bleeding source was gastroesophageal varices (GOV) in 86 patients, and gastric fundal varices (FV) in 51 patients. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes were A, B, and C in 26, 79, and 32 patients, respectively; 34 patients (24.8%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), of which 11 also had complicating portal venous tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Patients with GOV were treated by endoscopic variceal ligation or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with ethanolamine oleate, while those with FV were treated by EIS with cyanoacrylate; 29 patients with FV also underwent additional balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO). Hemostasis was successfully achieved in 136 patients (99.3%), and the cumulative 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year rebleeding rates were 18.1%, 30.8%, and 30.8%, respectively, in the patients with GOV, and 2.2%, 12.5% and 12.5%, respectively, in the patients with FV. The overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 79.7%, 71.5% and 64.4%, respectively, in the patients with GOV, and 91.0%, 76.9% and 59.5%, respectively, in the patients with FV. Multivariable analysis identified PVTT and alcoholic cirrhosis as a significant risk factor associated with rebleeding, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and PVTT as significant factors associated with survival.ConclusionsEndoscopic therapies with or without BRTO appeared to be useful therapeutic strategies to prevent rebleeding in patients with gastric variceal bleeding, and favorable outcomes were obtained, except in patients with underlying HCC associated with PVTT and/or severe liver damage.