bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sialic Acid as a Suitable Marker of Clinical Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Chen Yaoming , He Yuting , Zhan Xiaoxia , Chen Dubo , Feng Pinning , Yan Yan , Wang Yichong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objective
Elevated serum levels of sialic acid (SA) have been verified in patients with various inflammatory conditions. The association between the Crohn’s disease (CD) activity and serum SA has been insufficiently studied.

Materials and Methods
Serum SA concentrations were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric assay method, and the correlation of SA with the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) and other inflammation activity markers was evaluated using the Spearman correlation. The predictive value of SA in estimating CD disease activity was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic.

Results
The SA levels were positively correlated with HBI and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The correlation of SA with the HBI was superior to that of CRP with the HBI. The area under the curve for SA was higher than that for CRP, with an optimal cutoff value of 53.14 mg/dL for active CD.

Conclusion
Serum SA correlates with the HBI score better and has better predictive value in monitoring CD disease activity than CRP or other inflammatory markers.
A Novel USP25::PDGFRA Gene Fusion in a 78 Year Old Patient with a Myeloid Neoplasm
Authors: Dalland Joanna C , Blackburn Patrick R , Reichard Kaaren K , Johnson Sarah H , Smadbeck James B , Vasmatzis George , Hoppman Nicole L , Xu Xinjie , Greipp Patricia T , Baughn Linda B , Peterson Jess F 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The World Health Organization category of myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and PDGFRA rearrangements is composed of a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that can present as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia, myeloid sarcoma, or lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. The overall outcome of these neoplasms is favorable with imatinib therapy. Herein, we describe an adult female patient with a myeloid neoplasm accompanied by eosinophilia and a novel USP25::PDGFRA gene fusion.
The luminosity-dependent contribution from the broad-line region to the wavelength-dependent lags in Mrk 110
Authors: Vincentelli F M , McHardy I , Hernández Santisteban J V , Cackett E M , Gelbord J , Horne Keith , Miller J A , Lobban A 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
We have measured the wavelength-dependent lags between the X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical bands in the high-accretion rate ($L/L_{\rm Edd}\approx 40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) active galactic nucleus (AGN) Mrk 110 during two intensive monitoring campaigns in February and September 2019. After including the 2017 data published by Vincentelli et al., we divided the observations into three intervals with different X-ray luminosities. The first interval has the lowest X-ray luminosity and did not exhibit the U-band excess positive lag, or the X-ray excess negative lag that is seen in most AGNs. However, these excess lags are seen in the two subsequent intervals of higher X-ray luminosity. Although the data are limited, the excess lags appear to scale with X-ray luminosity. Our modelling shows that lags expected from reprocessing of X-rays by the accretion disc vary hardly at all with increasing luminosity. Therefore, as the U-band excess almost certainly arises from Balmer-continuum emission from the broad-line region (BLR), we attribute these lag changes to changes in the contribution from the BLR. The change is easily explained by the usual increase in the inner radius of the BLR with increasing ionizing luminosity.
COVID-19 outbreak in vaccinated patients from a haemodialysis unit: antibody titres as a marker of protection from infection
Authors: Boudhabhay Idris , Serris Alexandra , Servais Aude , Planas Delphine , Hummel Aurélie , Guery Bruno , Parize Perrine , Aguilar Claire , Dao Myriam , Rouzaud Claire , Ferriere Elsa , Knebelmann Bertrand , Sakhi Hamza , Leruez Marianne , Joly Dominique , Schwartz Olivier , Lanternier Fanny , Bruel Timothée 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Background
Patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) have an increased risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a reduced response to vaccines. Data are needed to identify immune correlates of protection in this population.

Methods
Following a COVID-19 outbreak among vaccinated patients in a HD unit, clinical data and serological response to BNT162b2 vaccine were retrospectively recorded.

Results
Among 53 patients present in the dialysis room, 14 were infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) alpha variant (COVID_Pos) and 39 were not. Compared with uninfected patients, COVID_Pos patients more frequently had additional causes of immunosuppression (50% versus 21%; P = .046) and were more often scheduled on the Monday–Wednesday–Friday (MWF) shift (86% versus 39%; P = .002). Moreover, COVID_Pos had lower anti-spike (S) immunoglobulin G (IgG) titres than uninfected patients {median 24 BAU/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 3–1163] versus 435 [99–2555]; P = .001} and lower neutralization titres [median 108 (IQR 17–224) versus 2483 (481–43 908); P = .007]. Anti-S and neutralization antibody titres are correlated (r = 0.92, P &lt; .001). In multivariable analysis, an MWF schedule {odds ratio [OR] 10.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–93.5], P = .014} and anti-S IgG titres 1 month before the outbreak [&lt;205 BAU/mL: OR 0.046 (95% CI 0.002–0.29), P = .006] were independently associated with COVID-19 infection. None of the patients with anti-S IgG &gt;284 BAU/mL got infected. Ten of 14 COVID_Pos patients were treated with casirivimab and imdevimab. No patient developed severe disease.

Conclusions
Anti-S IgG titre measured prior to exposure correlates to protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in HD patients. BNT162b2 vaccination alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies prevented severe COVID-19.
Heterologous immunization with BNT162b2 followed by mRNA-1273 in dialysis patients: seroconversion and presence of neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Kohmer Niko , Rabenau Holger F , Ciesek Sandra , Krämer Bernhard K , Göttmann Uwe , Keller Christine , Rose Daniela , Blume Carsten , Thomas Michael , Lammert Alexander , Lammert Anne 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The vital renal replacement therapy makes it impossible for dialysis patients to distance themselves socially. This results in a high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and developing coronavuris disease 2019, with excess mortality due to disease burden and immunosuppression. We determined the efficacy of a 100-µg booster of mRNA-1273 (Moderna, Cambridge, MA, USA) 6 months after two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Pfizer, Mainz, Germany/New York, USA) in 194 SARS-CoV-2-naïve dialysis patients.

Methods
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies were measured with the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) 4 and 10–12 weeks after two doses of BNT162b2 as well as 4 weeks after the mRNA-1273 booster. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was measured by the SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test (GenScript Biotech, Piscataway, NJ, USA). Two different cut-offs for positivity were used, one according to the manufacturer's specifications and one correlating with positivity in a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Receiver operating characteristics analyses were performed to match the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody cut-offs with the cut-offs in the surrogate neutralization assay accordingly.

Results
Any level of immunoreactivity determined by the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody assay was found in 87.3% (n = 144/165) and 90.6% (n = 164/181) of patients 4 and 10–12 weeks, respectively, after two doses of BNT162b2. This was reduced to 68.5% or 60.6% 4 weeks and 51.7% or 35.4% 10–12 weeks, respectively, when using the ROC cut-offs for neutralizing antibodies in the surrogate neutralization test (manufacturer's cut-off ≥103 U/mL and cut-off correlating with PRNT ≥196 U/mL). Four weeks after the mRNA-1273 booster, the concentration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies increased to 23 119.9 U/mL and to 97.3% for both cut-offs of neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusion
Two doses of BNT162b2 followed by one dose of mRNA-1273 within 6 months in patients receiving maintenance dialysis resulted in significant titres of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies. While two doses of mRNA vaccine achieved adequate humoral immunity in a minority, the third vaccination boosts the development of virus-neutralizing quantities of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (against wild-type SARS-CoV-2) in almost all patients.
Development and validation of a deep-learning model for detecting brain metastases on 3D post-contrast MRI: a multi-center multi-reader evaluation study
Authors: Yin Shaohan , Luo Xiao , Yang Yadi , Shao Ying , Ma Lidi , Lin Cuiping , Yang Qiuxia , Wang Deling , Luo Yingwei , Mai Zhijun , Fan Weixiong , Zheng Dechun , Li Jianpeng , Cheng Fengyan , Zhang Yuhui , Zhong Xinwei , Shen Fangmin , Shao Guohua , Wu Jiahao , Sun Ying , Luo Huiyan , Li Chaofeng , Gao Yaozong , Shen Dinggang , Zhang Rong , Xie Chuanmiao 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Accurate detection is essential for brain metastasis (BM) management, but manual identification is laborious. This study developed, validated, and evaluated a BM detection (BMD) system.

Methods
Five hundred seventy-three consecutive patients (10 448 lesions) with newly diagnosed BMs and 377 patients without BMs were retrospectively enrolled to develop a multi-scale cascaded convolutional network using 3D-enhanced T1-weighted MR images. BMD was validated using a prospective validation set comprising an internal set (46 patients with 349 lesions; 44 patients without BMs) and three external sets (102 patients with 717 lesions; 108 patients without BMs). The lesion-based detection sensitivity and the number of false positives (FPs) per patient were analyzed. The detection sensitivity and reading time of three trainees and three experienced radiologists from three hospitals were evaluated using the validation set.

Results
The detection sensitivity and FPs were 95.8% and 0.39 in the test set, 96.0% and 0.27 in the internal validation set, and ranged from 88.9% to 95.5% and 0.29 to 0.66 in the external sets. The BMD system achieved higher detection sensitivity (93.2% [95% CI, 91.6–94.7%]) than all radiologists without BMD (ranging from 68.5% [95% CI, 65.7–71.3%] to 80.4% [95% CI, 78.0–82.8%], all P &lt; .001). Radiologist detection sensitivity improved with BMD, reaching 92.7% to 95.0%. The mean reading time was reduced by 47% for trainees and 32% for experienced radiologists assisted by BMD relative to that without BMD.

Conclusions
BMD enables accurate BM detection. Reading with BMD improves radiologists’ detection sensitivity and reduces their reading times.
Are “Delayed Quitters” More Likely to Relapse Than Smokers Who Quit on Their Target Quit Date? A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records
Authors: Borchardt Benjamin , Schoberberger Rudolf , Hajek Peter 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Most smokers who are initially successful in their quit attempts return to smoking within the first few months. Identifying sub-populations at higher risk of relapse could help in relapse prevention efforts. We examined relapse rates in short-term abstainers who stopped smoking completely on their target quit date (TQD) and in those who needed more time to quit completely; and whether any difference in relapse between the two groups can be explained by baseline variables.

Aims and Methods
We identified 1172 smokers who achieved biochemically validated abstinence four weeks after their TQD at a stop-smoking clinic in London, and compared those who were abstinent from the TQD (immediate quitters) and those who only stopped smoking later (delayed quitters) in baseline characteristics. In a subsample of 308 clients followed up at one year, we compared relapse rates in immediate and delayed quitters while controlling for potential confounders.

Results
Delayed quitters smoked their first cigarette of the day earlier, had more past quit attempts, had lower confidence in quitting successfully, were more likely female and more likely to use varenicline. One-year relapse rates were 53% for immediate quitters and 77% for delayed quitters (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: [1.70–4.72]). In a multivariable regression adjusted for potential confounders delayed quitting remained significantly associated with relapse at one year (OR=2.41; 95% CI: [1.38–4.21]).

Conclusions
Ex-smokers who do not achieve abstinence on their TQD are at a higher risk of relapse than those who do. The effect was not explained by baseline variables.

Implications
Encouraging smokers to adhere to their TQD could improve treatment results. Relapse prevention efforts such as extended support and extended medication are likely to be particularly useful for delayed quitters.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Activity in Patients with NSCLC Harboring Uncommon EGFR Mutations: A Retrospective International Cohort Study (UpSwinG)
Authors: Popat Sanjay , Hsia Te-Chun , Hung Jen-Yu , Jung Hyun Ae , Shih Jin-Yuan , Park Cheol Kyu , Lee Seung Hyeun , Okamoto Tatsuro , Ahn Hee Kyung , Lee Yong Chul , Sato Yuki , Lee Sung Sook , Mascaux Celine , Daoud Hasan , Märten Angela , Miura Satoru 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) are standard of care for patients with EGFR mutation-positive non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with common mutations (Del19 or L858R); however, 7%-23% of NSCLC tumors harbor uncommon EGFR mutations. These mutations are highly heterogeneous, and developments in detection techniques are helping to identify mutations with little or no clinical data.

Patients and Methods
In this retrospective, global, multi-center study (NCT04179890), existing health records were identified for consecutive EGFR TKI-naïve patients with uncommon EGFR mutations (T790M, ex20ins, major uncommon [G719X, L861Q, or S768I], or “other” mutations; compound mutations) treated with erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, or osimertinib in first or second line. Endpoints included time-to-treatment failure (TTF), objective response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS).

Results
Overall, 246 patients (median age: 69.5 years; Asian: 84%) were included from 9 countries. Most patients (92%) received an EGFR TKI as first-line therapy; 54%, 43% and 3% received afatinib, first-generation TKIs, and osimertinib, respectively. Median TTF and OS with EGFR TKIs were 9.9 and 24.4 months; ORR was 43%. In patients treated with first-line chemotherapy (n = 20), median TTF and ORR were 6.6 months and 41%. Outcomes were most favorable in patients with major uncommon or compound mutations. Overall, TTF was 11.3 months with afatinib and 8.8 months with first-generation EGFR TKIs across mutation categories. In most mutation categories, median OS was &gt;2 years.

Conclusion
In a real-world setting, EGFR TKIs were the preferred treatment option in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations; strongest outcomes were seen in patients with major uncommon and compound mutations.
Global observing for phytoplankton? A perspective
Authors: Thompson Peter A , Carstensen Jacob 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Environmental changes primarily caused by humans are putting our biosphere under growing pressure. The most optimistic predictions indicate that this will continue for decades, potentially much longer. Managing global ecology through these challenges requires knowledge of what species are present and how their populations are changing. Yet for vast areas of the ocean, the abundance of most species is simply unknown and not monitored. The failure to monitor means conclusions about their global ecological status cannot be robust (Bindoff, N.L., Cheung, W.W.L., Kairo, J.G., Arístegui, J., Guinder, V.A., Hallberg, R. et al. (2019) Changing ocean, marine ecosystems, and dependent communities. In Pörtner, H.-O., Roberts, D.C., Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Tignor, M., Poloczanska, E., Mintenbeck, K., Alegría, A. et al. (eds), IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-5/). Yet, this ignorance delays and limits any response. These changes are, however, disrupting the commercial and indigenous harvest of essential food resources as well as many other ecosystem services important to human well-being. While the global community has made significant progress on designing a monitoring program, there remain significant gaps, hurdles and other challenges to be overcome. Here, we consider some of these challenges and provide specific recommendations regarding potential next steps toward a minimum global monitoring program for plankton.
Fine-scale vertical distribution and diel migrations ofPyrosoma atlanticumin the northern California Current
Authors: Lyle Joanna T , Cowen Robert K , Sponaugle Su , Sutherland Kelly R 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBlooms of the colonial pelagic tunicate Pyrosoma atlanticum in 2014–2018 followed a marine heatwave in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Pyrosome blooms could alter pelagic food webs of the northern California Current (NCC) by accelerating the biological pump via active transport, fecal pellet production and mortality events. Although aggregations of P. atlanticum have the potential to shape marine trophic dynamics via carbon export, little is known about pyrosome vertical distribution patterns. In this study, we estimated the distribution of P. atlanticum in the NCC along transects off of Oregon (45°N and 124°W) and northern California (41°N and 124°W), USA during February and July 2018. Depth-stratified plankton tows provided volume-normalized pyrosome abundance and biovolume estimates that complemented fine-scale counts by a vertically deployed camera system. Pyrosomes were numerous offshore during February, especially off Oregon. Colonies were distributed non-uniformly in the water column with peak numbers associated with vertical gradients in environmental parameters, notably density and chl-a. Vertical distributions shifted over the 24-h period, indicative of diel vertical migration. Understanding the vertical distribution of these gelatinous grazers in the NCC gives insight to their behavior and ecological role in biologically productive temperate ecosystems as conditions become more favorable for recurring blooms.
The magic square and half-hypermultiplets in F-theory
Authors: Kuramochi Rinto , Mizoguchi Shun’ya , Tani Taro 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In six-dimensional F-theory/heterotic string theory, half-hypermultiplets arise only when they correspond to particular quaternionic Kähler symmetric spaces, which are mostly associated with the Freudenthal–Tits magic square. Motivated by the intriguing singularity structure previously found in such F-theory models with a gauge group SU(6), SO(12), or E7, we investigate, as the final magical example, an F-theory on an elliptic fibration over a Hirzebruch surface of the non-split I6 type, in which the unbroken gauge symmetry is supposed to be Sp(3). We find significant qualitative differences between the previous F-theory models associated with the magic square and the present case. We argue that the relevant half-hypermultiplets arise at the E6 points, where half-hypermultiplets 20 of SU(6) would have appeared in the split model. We also consider the problem on the non-local matter generation near the D6 point. After stating what the problem is, we explain why this is so by using the recent result that a split/non-split transition can be regarded as a conifold transition.
The Effects of Joining Multinational Supply Chains: New Evidence from Firm-to-Firm Linkages
Authors: Alfaro-Ureña Alonso , Manelici Isabela , Vasquez Jose P 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
We study the effects of becoming a supplier to multinational corporations (MNCs) using tax data tracking firm-to-firm transactions in Costa Rica. Event study estimates reveal that domestic firms experience strong and persistent gains in performance after supplying to a first MNC buyer. Four years after, domestic firms employ 26% more workers and have a 4% to 9% higher total factor productivity (TFP). These effects are unlikely to be explained by demand effects or changes in tax compliance. Moreover, suppliers experience a large drop in their sales to all other buyers except the first MNC buyer in the year of the event, followed by a gradual recovery. The dynamics of adjustment in sales to others suggests that firms face short-run capacity constraints that relax over time. Four years later, the sales to others grow by 20%. Most of this growth comes from the acquisition of new buyers, which tend to be “better buyers” (e.g., larger and with more stable supplier relationships). Finally, we collected survey data from domestic firms and MNCs to provide further insights into the wide-ranging benefits of supplying to MNCs. According to our surveys, these benefits range from better managerial practices to a better reputation.
The Design of Teacher Assignment: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Combe Julien , Tercieux Olivier , Terrier Camille 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
To assign teachers to schools, a modified version of the well-known deferred acceptance mechanism has been proposed in the literature and is used in practice. We show that this mechanism fails to be fair and efficient for both teachers and schools. We identify a class of strategy-proof mechanisms that cannot be improved upon in terms of both efficiency and fairness. Using a rich dataset on teachers’ applications in France, we estimate teachers preferences and perform a counterfactual analysis. The results show that these mechanisms perform much better than the modified version of deferred acceptance. For instance, the number of teachers moving from their positions more than triples under our mechanism.
Altered resting-state networks in adolescent non-suicidal self-injury—a graph theory analysis
Authors: Mürner-Lavanchy Ines , Koenig Julian , Reichl Corinna , Brunner Romuald , Kaess Michael 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a highly prevalent transdiagnostic symptom and risk marker for mental health problems among adolescents. Research on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying NSSI is needed to clarify the neural correlates associated with the behavior. We examined resting-state functional connectivity in n = 33 female adolescents aged 12–17 years engaging in NSSI, and in n = 29 age-matched healthy controls using graph theory. Mixed linear models were evaluated with the Bayes Factor to determine group differences on global and regional network measures and associations between network measures and clinical characteristics in patients. Adolescents engaging in NSSI demonstrated longer average characteristic path lengths and a smaller number of weighted hubs globally. Regional measures indicated lower efficiency and worse integration in (orbito)frontal regions and higher weighted coreness in the pericalcarine gyrus. In patients, higher orbitofrontal weighted local efficiency was associated with NSSI during the past month while lower pericalcarine nodal efficiency was associated with suicidal thoughts in the past year. Higher right but lower left pericalcarine weighted hubness was associated with more suicide attempts during the past year. Using a graph-based technique to identify functional connectivity networks, this study adds to the growing understanding of the neurobiology of NSSI.