bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineered CRISPR/Cas9 System for Transcriptional Gene Silencing in Arthrobacter Species Indicates Bacterioruberin is Indispensable for Growth at Low Temperatures
Authors: Flegler Alexander , Lipski André 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPink-pigmented Arthrobacter species produce the rare C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin, which is suspected to be part of the cold adaptation mechanism. In silico analysis of the repertoire of genes encoded by the Arthrobacter agilis and Arthrobacter bussei genome revealed the biosynthetic pathway of bacterioruberin. Although genetic analysis is an essential tool for studying the physiology of Arthrobacter species, genetic manipulation of Arthrobacter is always time and labor intensive due to the lack of genetic engineering tools. Here we report the construction and application of a CRISPR/deadCas9 system (pCasiART) for gene silencing in Arthrobacter species. The engineered system pCasiART is suitable for the Golden Gate assembly of spacers, enabling rapid and accurate construction of adapted systems. In addition, pCasiART has been developed to provide an efficient transcription inhibition system for genome-wide gene silencing. The gene silencing of the phytoene synthase (CrtB), the first enzyme in bacterioruberin biosynthesis, suppressed bacterioruberin biosynthesis in Arthrobacter agilis and Arthrobacter bussei, resulting in a lack of pink pigmentation, reduction of biomass production, and growth rates at low temperatures.
Urethrectomy at the time of radical cystectomy for non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a collaborative multicenter study
Authors: Laukhtina Ekaterina , Boehm Axelle , Peyronnet Benoit , Bravi Carlo Andrea , Batista Da Costa Jose , Soria Francesco , D’Andrea David , Rajwa Pawel , Quhal Fahad , Yanagisawa Takafumi , König Frederik , Mostafaei Hadi , Enikeev Dmitry , Ingels Alexandre , Verhoest Gregory , D’Hondt Frederiek , Mottrie Alexandre , Joniau Steven , Van Poppel Hendrik , de la Taille Alexandre , Bensalah Karim , Bruyère Franck , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Pradere Benjamin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Introduction
The optimal management of the urethra in patients planned for radical cystectomy (RC) remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the impact of urethrectomy on perioperative and oncological outcomes in patients treated with RC for non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).

Materials and methods
We assessed the retrospective data from patients treated with RC for UCB of five European University Hospitals. Associations of urethrectomy with progression-free (PFS), cancer-free (CSS), and overall (OS) survivals were assessed in univariable and multivariable Cox regression models. We performed a subgroup analysis in patients at high risk for urethral recurrence (UR) (urethral invasion and/or bladder neck invasion and/or multifocality and/or prostatic urethra involvement).

Results
A total of 887 non-metastatic UCB patients were included. Among them, 146 patients underwent urethrectomy at the time of RC. Urethrectomy was performed more often in patients with urethral invasion, T3/4 tumor stage, CIS, positive frozen section analysis of the urethra, and those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underwent robotic RC, and/or received an ileal conduit urinary diversion (all p < 0.001). Estimated blood loss and the postoperative complication rate were comparable between patients who received an urethrectomy and those who did not. Urethrectomy during RC was not associated with PFS (HR 0.83, p = 0.17), CSS (HR 0.93, p = 0.67), or OS (HR 1.08, p = 0.58). In the subgroup of 276 patients at high risk for UR, urethrectomy at the time of RC decreased the risk of progression (HR 0.58, p = 0.04).

Conclusion
In our study, urethrectomy at the time of RC seems to benefit only patients at high risk for UR. Adequate risk assessment of UCB patients’ history may allow for better clinical decision-making and patient counseling.
Significance of tumor deposits combined with lymph node metastasis in stage III colorectal cancer patients: a retrospective multi-center cohort study from China
Authors: Pu Hongjiang , Pang Xiaolin , Fu Jiangping , Zheng Rui , Chen Yaxue , Zhang Dafu , Fang Xiangdong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to explore the value of tumor deposits in stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) and verify whether patients with more tumor deposit numbers have higher risk of recurrence.

Methods
The retrospective cohort analysis was performed at two cancer centers of China. Stage III CRC patients who underwent radical resection at the center between April 2008 and February 2019 were identified. The Univariate/Multivariate Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and PSM were recurrence-free survival (RFS) used.

Results
Total 1080 stage III CRC patients (634 [58.7%] men; median [IQR] age, 60 [50–68] years) who underwent radical surgical resection were identified for inclusion in this study. Patients with tumor deposits had a 12.8% lower 3-year RFS (n = 236 [69.9%]) than the patients without tumor deposits (n = 844 [82.7%]) (P ≤ 0.0001). The 3-year RFS of patients with stage N2 (n = 335 [61.2%]) was 18.6% lower (P ≤ 0.0001) than the original cohort of patients with stage N1 (n = 745 [79.8%]), but it was similar to the RFS of patients with 4 or more tumor deposits plus lymph node metastases (n = 58 [61.4%]) (P = 0.91). The RFS for patients with 4 or more tumor deposits plus number of lymph node metastases (n = 58 [61.4%]) was 15.8% lower than the cohort of patients with 1–3 tumor deposits + number of lymph node metastases (n = 687 [77.2%]) (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that patients with 4 or more tumor deposits + the number of lymph node metastases (hazard ratio [HR], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.24–2.87) were independently associated with a shorter RFS.

Conclusion
The number of tumor deposits is an indicator of poor postoperative prognosis. It is necessary to incorporate the number of tumor deposits combined with the number of lymph node metastases to stratify postoperative stratification of stage III CRC, which may provide a new theoretical basis for adjuvant therapy for patients with N1 stage CRC after surgery.
The inflammatory potential of the diet in childhood is associated with cardiometabolic risk in adolescence/young adulthood in the ALSPAC birth cohort
Authors: Buckland Genevieve , Northstone Kate , Emmett Pauline M. , Taylor Caroline M. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the association between a Dietary Inflammatory Score adapted for children (cDIS) and Cardiometabolic Risk (CMR) score in adolescence/early adulthood in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Methods
The cDIS was calculated at 7, 10 and 13 years using diet diary data. Anthropometric and biochemical data at 17 (N = 1937) and 24 (N = 1957) years were used to calculate CMR scores at each age [mean sex-specific z-scores from triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fat-mass index (FMI)]. Multivariable linear regression models examined associations between cDIS at 7, 10 and 13 years and a continuous CMR z-score and individual CMR markers at 17 and 24 years.

Results
In fully adjusted models, a higher cDIS (more pro-inflammatory diet) at 7 years was associated with an increase in CMR z-score at 17 years (β 0.19; 95% CI 0.03–0.35 for third versus first cDIS tertile) and at 24 years (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.11,0.44 for third versus first cDIS tertile). There was a weak association between a higher cDIS at 10 years and an increase in CMR z-score at 17 years (β 0.16; 95% CI − 0.003, 0.32 for third versus first cDIS tertile). No other clear associations were evident. FMI, MAP and HOMA-IR were the main CMR factors contributing to these associations.

Conclusion
A more pro-inflammatory diet during childhood was associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile in late adolescence/early adulthood. A childhood diet abundant in nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce development of CMR factors.
Does cavity margin shaving reduce residual tumor and re‐excision rates? A systematic review
Authors: Fernandez‐Pacheco M. , Ortmann O. , Ignatov A. , Inwald E. C. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Cavity shaving (CS) is a surgical technique used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It may reduce margin positivity in histologic assessment and consequently reduces re‐ excision rates in breast conserving surgery (BCS). The evidence for this assumption is described in the present review.

Methods
A systematic review of relevant literature in English from January 1999 to April 2019 was conducted. The analysis included studies on CS and its effects on re‐excision rates and margin positivity. We searched PubMed databases for relevant publications. In total, 22 studies were included in the present review.

Results
The benefit from CS on re‐excision rates and histologic margin positivity was variable. Out of 22 studies, 17 reported a reduction in both re‐excision rates and histologic margin positivity in margin shaved patients. Four studies could not find a significant reduction of second surgeries and residual tumor rates. One study suggested that CS after BCS was superior to single BCS only in subgroup analysis in IDC tumors.

Conclusion
CS is a surgical technique that was shown to reduce re‐excision and margin positivity rates in most of the studies. Furthermore, it can be a useful tool to assess specimen margins and detect multifocality.
Vestibular paroxysmia: clinical characteristics and long-term course
Authors: Steinmetz Karoline , Becker-Bense Sandra , Strobl Ralf , Grill Eva , Seelos Klaus , Huppert Doreen 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn 2016, the Bárány Society defined new diagnostic criteria for the neurovascular compression syndrome of the eighth nerve, called “vestibular paroxysmia” (VP), differentiating between definite (dVP) and probable (pVP) forms. The aim of this study was (1) to describe clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in a well-diagnosed large patient cohort according to those criteria, and (2) to evaluate the long-term course over years in dVP. We identified 146 patients (73 dVP, 73 pVP) from our tertiary dizziness center registry. Data of structured history-taking, clinical neurological, neuro-ophthalmological/-otological examinations as well as MRI imaging were extracted for analyses. Overall, attack frequency ranged between 5 and 30 attacks per day; spinning vertigo was the most frequent type. In two-thirds of patients, attacks occurred spontaneously; in one-quarter, they were triggered by head movements. The majority (approximately 70%) reported no accompanying symptoms; in those with symptoms, mild unilateral cochlear symptoms prevailed. One-third of patients initially showed hyperventilation-induced nystagmus without specific direction, and a deviation of the subjective visual vertical between 3° and 6°. Complete loss of peripheral vestibular function was never evident. dVP and pVP significantly differed concerning the vertigo type, e.g., spinning vertigo was more frequent in dVP. Fortunately, three-quarters of dVP patients remained attack-free during follow-up (mean 4.8 years, standardized questionnaire), more than half of them even without any medication. Patients with ongoing attacks showed significantly higher attack frequency at baseline, but reported persistent frequency reduction. Overall, the long-term prognosis of VP appears favorable, not necessarily requiring ongoing treatment.
Associations of self-reported occupational exposures and settings to ALS: a case–control study
Authors: Goutman Stephen A. , Boss Jonathan , Godwin Christopher , Mukherjee Bhramar , Feldman Eva L. , Batterman Stuart A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Environmental exposures contribute to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal and progressive neurological disease. Identification of these exposures is important for targeted screening and risk factor modification.

Objective
To identify occupational exposures that are associated with a higher risk of ALS using both survey and standard occupational classification (SOC) coding procedures, and to highlight how exposure surveys can complement SOC coding.

Methods
ALS participants and neurologically healthy controls recruited in Michigan completed a detailed exposure assessment on their four most recent and longest held occupations. Exposure scores were generated from the exposure survey, and occupations were assigned to SOC codes by experienced exposure scientists.

Results
This study included 381 ALS and 272 control participants. ALS participants reported higher duration-adjusted occupational exposure to particulate matter (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.19–1.78, p < 0.001), volatile organic compounds (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.45, p = 0.029), metals (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.21–1.82, p < 0.001), and combustion and diesel exhaust pollutants (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.01–1.43, p = 0.041) prior to ALS diagnosis, when adjusted for sex, age, and military service compared to controls. In multivariable models, only occupational exposure to metals remained significant risk (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.11–2.20, p = 0.011), although in an adaptive elastic net model, particulate matter (OR = 1.203), pesticides (OR = 1.015), and metals (1.334) were all selected as risk factors. Work in SOC code “Production Occupations” was associated with a higher ALS risk. SOC codes “Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations”, “Construction and Extraction Occupations”, “Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations”, and “Production Occupations” were all associated with a higher exposure to metals as determined using survey data.

Discussion
Occupational exposure to particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, metals, pesticides, and combustion and diesel exhaust and employment in “Production Occupations” was associated with an increased ALS risk in this cohort.
A supervised discriminant data representation: application to pattern classification
Authors: Dornaika F. , Khoder A. , Moujahid A. , Khoder W. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe performance of machine learning and pattern recognition algorithms generally depends on data representation. That is why, much of the current effort in performing machine learning algorithms goes into the design of preprocessing frameworks and data transformations able to support effective machine learning. The method proposed in this work consists of a hybrid linear feature extraction scheme to be used in supervised multi-class classification problems. Inspired by two recent linear discriminant methods: robust sparse linear discriminant analysis (RSLDA) and inter-class sparsity-based discriminative least square regression (ICS_DLSR), we propose a unifying criterion that is able to retain the advantages of these two powerful methods. The resulting transformation relies on sparsity-promoting techniques both to select the features that most accurately represent the data and to preserve the row-sparsity consistency property of samples from the same class. The linear transformation and the orthogonal matrix are estimated using an iterative alternating minimization scheme based on steepest descent gradient method and different initialization schemes. The proposed framework is generic in the sense that it allows the combination and tuning of other linear discriminant embedding methods. According to the experiments conducted on several datasets including faces, objects, and digits, the proposed method was able to outperform competing methods in most cases.
Design and modeling of a multiband electrically coupled loop antenna for biomedical applications
Authors: Mahfouz Abdullah Muhammad , Ibraheem Ali Ahmed Younis , Haraz Osama M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA triple-band Electrically Coupled Loop Antenna (ECLA) is designed to operate in the three standard bands for biomedical implantation purposes: Medical Implant Communications Services (MICS) (402–405 MHz), Wireless Medical Telecommunication Services (WMTS) (1395–1405 MHz) and Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) (2400–2480 MHz). An equivalent circuit is derived for the multiband ECLA based on simple equations relate the dimensions with the circuit parameters to get a good understanding of antenna operation as well as saving time in simulations. The proposed antenna size is 15 × 13.8 × 13 mm3 and simulated in a muscle phantom with size 100 × 100 × 100 mm3. The calculated peak realized gain values are − 18, − 30 and − 33.3 dBi and the peak 10 g averaged Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values are 11.59, 43.07 and 49.75 W/Kg for the three bands, respectively. A detuning study is carried out to ensure that the proposed antenna is robust against electrical properties variation thus it can be implanted in different tissues of different people in various health circumstances. Two antenna prototypes have been fabricated and tested in a solution that mimics human tissue.
Orbital reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the role of patient-specific implants
Authors: Kotecha Sanjeev , Ferro Ashley , Harrison Patrick , Fan Kathleen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to execute an evidence-based review answering the following question (PICO): “Do patient-specific implants (PSI), manufactured or designed using computer-assisted technology, improve outcomes (orbital volume change, enophthalmos, diplopia, and operative duration) compared to conventional methods in orbital reconstruction following traumatic orbital injury in the adult patient population?” We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria included any comparative paper whereby computer-assisted technology was used in the prefabrication or design process of implants for use in post-traumatic orbital reconstruction. Paediatric patient populations were excluded. Eight databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed through the NOS and RoB2 tools. Random-effects models were used to identify differences in outcomes between groups where possible. Analysis was performed using R 4.0.0. Eleven of 4784 identified studies were included, comprising 628 adult patients, with 302 and 326 patients in the patient-specific and conventional groups, respectively. Weighted mean difference between unaffected and post-operative orbital volume was 0.32 ml (SD 0.75) and 0.95 ml (SD 1.03) for patient-specific and conventional groups, respectively. Significant improvement was identified in post-operative orbital volume reconstitution with the use of PSI, compared to conventional implants, in 3 of the 5 reporting studies. Equally, post-operative enophthalmos trended towards lower severity in the patient-specific group, with 11.2% of patients affected in the patient-specific group and 19.2% in the conventional group, and operative duration was significantly reduced with the use of PSI in 3 of the 6 reporting studies. Despite a tendency to favour PSI, no statistically significant differences in key outcomes were identified on meta-analysis. Although there is some encouraging data to support improved outcomes with the use of patient-specific orbital implants in post-traumatic reconstruction, there is, at present, no statistically significant evidence to objectively support their use over conventional implants based on the currently available comparative studies. Based on the results of this study, the choice of implant used should, thus, be left to the discretion of the surgeon.
Antimicrobial activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and comparators against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales collected in Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania: ATLAS Surveillance Program, 2019
Authors: Adámková V , Mareković I , Szabó J , Pojnar L , Billová S , Horvat Herceg S , Kuraieva A , Możejko-Pastewka B 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAntimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates collected from sites in central Europe in 2019 was tested by CLSI broth microdilution method and EUCAST breakpoints. Most active were amikacin, ceftazidime-avibactam and colistin; respectively, susceptibility rates among P. aeruginosa (n = 701) were 89.2%, 92.2% and 99.9%; difficult-to-treat (DTR) isolates, 62.5%, 37.5% and 100%; multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, 68.3%, 72.9% and 99.5%; meropenem-resistant (MEM-R), metallo-β-lactamase-negative (MBL-negative) isolates, 72.8%, 78.6% and 100%. Among Enterobacterales (n = 1639), susceptibility to ceftazidime-avibactam, colistin and tigecycline was ≥ 97.9%; MDR Enterobacterales, 96.8%, 94.4% and 100%, respectively; DTR isolates, ≥ 76.2% to ceftazidime-avibactam and colistin; MEM-R, MBL-negative isolates, ≥ 90.0% to ceftazidime-avibactam and colistin.
Nachhaltigkeit in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft
Authors: Riphahn Regina T. , Schmidt Klaus M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe scientific advisory board of the federal ministry of economic affairs and climate protection conducted a symposium on sustainability at its 500th meeting. The UN’s sustainable development goals play an increasingly important role in economic policy and regulation. This article gives a survey of the trade-offs and implementation problems that were discussed at the symposium, in particular the operationalisation of sustainability in welfare economics, the implementation of sustainability goals in economic law, the relationship between competition policy and sustainability, the impact of sustainability concerns on monetary policy, and finally, supply chain regulation and sustainability objectives.
Nachhaltigkeitsziele und das Lieferkettengesetz
Authors: Bierbrauer Felix 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis article discusses whether supply chain due diligence laws are a suitable instrument for goals of sustainability. It uses the German due diligence law as an example and makes recommendations for the design of European rules. The emerging evidence on the effect of trade policies in global value chains suggests that, in response to such laws, firms may reorganise their supply chains away from countries that commit human rights violations. The German law, by contrast, wants firms to “Stay and Behave”, i. e. to work to improve human rights. The article discusses measures that give a “Stay and Behave” outcome its best chance.
Äußere Sicherheit und Flüchtlingsschutz als gesamteuropäische öffentliche Güter
Authors: Hausner Karl Heinz , Schehl Johanna 
Published: May 2022

ZusammenfassungDer Ukrainekrieg verändert die Lage in Europa grundlegend. Die Militärausgaben steigen nun seit langem wieder an und die Abhängigkeit von fossilen Energieträgern wird offensichtlich. Die erwartete Zahl der Geflüchteten wird die der Jugoslawien- und Syrienkriege vermutlich bei weitem übersteigen. Damit steht die EU vor großen Herausforderungen. Sie muss gleichzeitig die geopolitische Bedrohung durch Russland, die daraus folgende Migrationswelle sowie den Umbau hin zu einer klimaneutralen Industrie bewältigen.
Glasfaserausbau in Deutschland: Die Ampel auf Grün stellen
Authors: Ilgmann Cordelius 
Published: May 2022

ZusammenfassungDer Koalitionsvertrag beinhaltet hinsichtlich der digitalen Infrastrukturen viele Forderungen, die seit längerem von Praktiker:innen in den Ländern und Kommunen erhoben werden. So bekennen sich die Regierungsparteien erstmals zu einem Glasfaserinfrastrukturziel. Damit setzt der Bund um, was Länder wie Schleswig-Holstein und Thüringen schon länger erkannt haben: Die Grundlage einer zukunftsfähigen digitalen Infrastruktur ist ein flächendeckendes Glasfasernetz bis in die Gebäude bzw. Wohnungen (FTTB/FTTH). Bei der Breitbandförderung möchte die Regierung dabei verstärkt auf das Betreibermodell als ordnungspolitisch sinnvolle Alternative zur bisher vorherrschenden Subventionspraxis setzen. Doch Verbände und Unternehmen versuchen dies durch geschickten Lobbyismus zu verhindern.