bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age at the onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa: a discrete-time survival analysis of the prognostic factors
Authors: Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Desai Rachana , Sewpaul Ronel , Kandala Ngianga-Bakwin , Sekgala Derrick , Reddy Priscilla 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
While knowledge of onset of smoking tobacco, and associated risk factors can aid the formulation of evidence-based policy and interventions, such information is scarce in South Africa. We assessed age at onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa and identified its risk factors.

Methods
We analysed data of 15,316 respondents aged 15–98 years from the 2012 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Descriptive statistics and survival analysis techniques were used alongside weighted percentages.

Results
Overall lifetime prevalence of smoking was 20.5%. Among the 3360 ever-smoked respondents, the overall median age at smoking onset was 18 years (Inter-quartile range (IQR) =5) with 2% starting before age 10 while 60% had smoked before age 20. Likelihood of tobacco smoking was higher among adolescents (<=20 years) and those aged 20–29 years than those aged > = 60 years, thrice higher among males, 29% higher among urban dwellers and thrice higher in Western Cape and Free State than in North West Province. The onset of tobacco smoking was earlier among males, wealthier and “coloured” people from Northern and Eastern Capes.

Conclusion
The onset of tobacco smoking peaked at 15–22 years and varied by province, sex, location, race and other characteristics. The age restrictions on smoking in South Africa has changed over time, coupled with the recent open and electronic advertisement of tobacco, and social media could have influenced the earlier onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa. Stricter regulations on tobacco-related advertisement and sales should be implemented.
Vascular density of optic nerve head in diabetic retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Ghassemi Fariba , Berijani Sahar , Roohipoor Ramak , Mohebbi Masoumeh , Babeli Ameneh , Gholizadeh Alireza , Sabour Siamak 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To measure optic nerve head (ONH) blood perfusion using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at various stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods
One hundred seventy six eyes of 94 patients included in this retrospective single-centre cross-sectional study. The subjects were studied in normal, no diabetic retinopathy (NDR), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative retinopathy (PDR) groups. The eyes were subjected to AngioDisc ONH imaging using OCTA for papillary (Disc) and peripapillary (RPC) vascular density (VD) evaluation.

Results
The mean age of the participants was 56.08 ± 8.87 years and 34 (36.2 percent) were male. With increased DR severity, a statistically significant decrease in peripapillary VD was found. The study showed that only VD of the whole RPC (W-RPC) could be a valid biomarker in the staging assessment. VD of RPC, in all subsections, was considerably different from normal cases in the PDR group. Visual acuity was correlated with whole image ONH VD. The duration of DM, FBS, hyperlipidemia and DME had no effect on the ONH perfusion.

Conclusions
The study showed that only the W-RPC VD could be a reasonable marker in the staging assessment. VDs assessed by OCTA can be useful for assessing and tracking early ONH changes in DR patients.
Botanical description, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacology of Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham.: an updated review
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Sharma Shivangi , Kumar Sunil 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCrataeva nurvalaBuch. Ham., an important medicinal plant of the Capparidaceae family, is widely distributed in India and tropical and subtropical parts of the world. It has been reported for its folkloric use in various disorders such as blood purifier,breathing problems, fever, metabolic disorders, wound healing, memory loss, and weak immune system.ResultsThe present review has focused on the botanical description and ethnomedicinal and traditional uses ofC.nurvalaalong with its reported pharmacological activities. Chief chemical constituents and pharmacological aspects ofC.nurvalahave been deeply explored to unravel the unexplored folklore/ethnomedicinal uses of this plant so that the researchers working on this plant may be able to find new insights to continue further investigation on this plant. The pharmacological aspects like anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-diarrheal, anti-fertility, anti-pyretic, and anti-cancer potentials evaluated by various in vitro/in vivo methods on this plant have been reported.ConclusionVarious traditional uses have been reported that need to be scientifically investigated in depth and several pharmacological activities have been reported for theC.nurvala, but more detailed and mechanism-based studies linked to a particular lead compound need to be targeted in the future. Moreover, this plant has not been completely assessed on the basis of its safety and efficacy on humans. It is expected that this review will compile and improve the existing knowledge on the potential utilization ofC.nurvalain complementary and alternative medicine.
Single shot echo planar imaging (ssEPI) vs single shot turbo spin echo (ssTSE) DWI of the orbit in patients with ocular melanoma
Authors: Gumeler Ekim , Parlak Safak , Yazici Gozde , Karabulut Erdem , Kiratli Hayyam , Oguz Kader K 
Published: December 2020

Objectives:
Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) has become important for orbital imaging. However, the echoplanar imaging (EPI) DWI has inherent obstacles due to susceptibility to magnetic field inhomogeneities. We conducted a comparative study assessing the image quality of orbits in a patient cohort with uveal melanoma (UM). We hypothesized that single shot turbo spin echo (ssTSE) DWI would have better image quality in terms of less distortion and artifacts and yield better tissue evaluation compared to ssEPI-DWI.

Methods:
ssEPI-DWI and ssTSE-DWI of orbits were obtained from 50 patients with uveal melanoma who were prospectively enrolled in the study. Distortion ratio (DR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), diffusion signal properties, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were collected and compared between ssEPI-DWI and ssTSE-DWI. Two reviewers evaluated and compared the geometric distortion, susceptibility and ghosting artifacts, resolution, demarcation of ocular mass, and overall quality.

Results:
A higher DR was found in ssEPI-DWI compared to ssTSE-DWI (p &lt; 0.001). SNR and CNR were lower for the temporal lobe cortex (p ≤ 0.004), but higher for melanoma in ssEPI-DWI than ssTSE-DWI (p ≤ 0.037). Geometric distortion and artifacts were more common in ssEPI-DWI (p &lt; 0.001). Resolution (p ≤ 0.013) and overall quality (p &lt; 0.001) were better in ssTSE-DWI. Ocular masses were demarcated better on ssEPI-DWI (p ≤ 0.002). Significant negative correlations between T1 and T2 signal intensities (r = −0.369, p ≤ 0.008) and positive correlations between T2 and both DWI signal intensities (r = 0.686 and p &lt; 0.001 for ssEPI-DWI, r = 0.747 and p &lt; 0.001 for ssTSE-DWI) were revealed.

Conclusion:
With less geometric distortion and susceptibility artifacts, better resolution, and overall quality, ssTSE-DWI can serve as an alternative to ssEPI-DWI for orbital DWI.

Advances in knowledge:
ssTSE-DWI can be a better alternative of diffusion imaging of orbits with less susceptibility artifact and geometric distortion compared to ssEPI-DWI.
Prediction of lymph node metastases using pre-treatment PET radiomics of the primary tumour in esophageal adenocarcinoma: an external validation study
Authors: Zhang Chong , Shi Zhenwei , Kalendralis Petros , Whybra Phil , Parkinson Craig , Berbee Maaike , Spezi Emiliano , Roberts Ashley , Christian Adam , Lewis Wyn , Crosby Tom , Dekker Andre , Wee Leonard , Foley Kieran G 
Published: December 2020

Objectives:
To improve clinical lymph node staging (cN-stage) in oesophageal adenocarcinoma by developing and externally validating three prediction models; one with clinical variables only, one with positron emission tomography (PET) radiomics only, and a combined clinical and radiomics model.

Methods:
Consecutive patients with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid tumours treated with neoadjuvant therapy between 2010 and 2016 in two international centres (n = 130 and n = 60, respectively) were included. Four clinical variables (age, gender, clinical T-stage and tumour regression grade) and PET radiomics from the primary tumour were used for model development. Diagnostic accuracy, area under curve (AUC), discrimination and calibration were calculated for each model. The prognostic significance was also assessed.

Results:
The incidence of lymph node metastases was 58% in both cohorts. The areas under the curve of the clinical, radiomics and combined models were 0.79, 0.69 and 0.82 in the developmental cohort, and 0.65, 0.63 and 0.69 in the external validation cohort, with good calibration demonstrated. The area under the curve of current cN-stage in development and validation cohorts was 0.60 and 0.66, respectively. For overall survival, the combined clinical and radiomics model achieved the best discrimination performance in the external validation cohort (X2 = 6.08, df = 1, p = 0.01).

Conclusion:
Accurate diagnosis of lymph node metastases is crucial for prognosis and guiding treatment decisions. Despite finding improved predictive performance in the development cohort, the models using PET radiomics derived from the primary tumour were not fully replicated in an external validation cohort.

Advances in knowledge:
This international study attempted to externally validate a new prediction model for lymph node metastases using PET radiomics. A model combining clinical variables and PET radiomics improved discrimination of lymph node metastases, but these results were not externally replicated.
Διερευνώντας την προοπτική της αειφορίας στο σύγχρονο πανεπιστήμιο
Authors: Κάτσενου Χριστίνα , Φλογαΐτη Ευγενία 
Published: December 2020

Η παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία επιδίωξε να διερευνήσει τις δυνατότητες ανάπτυξης ενός πανεπιστημιακού τμήματος ως εκπαιδευτικού οργανισμού που κινείται στην κατεύθυνση της Εκπαίδευσης για την Αειφόρο Ανάπτυξη (ΕΑΑ). Η έρευνα εφαρμόστηκε στο Τμήμα ... του Πανεπιστημίου ... Η διεξαγωγή της έρευνας συντονίστηκε από πέντε φοιτητικές ομάδες που μελετούσαν συγκεκριμένες προβληματικές καταστάσεις εντός του πανεπιστημιακού κτιρίου και προωθούσαν λύσεις στην κατεύθυνση της EAA. Η Έρευνα Δράσης ήταν η ερευνητική μέθοδος που επιλέχθηκε για την οργάνωση της ερευνητικής διαδικασίας. Η ανάλυση των ερευνητικών δεδομένων έδειξε ότι οι παγιωμένες αντιλήψεις, η γραφειοκρατική κουλτούρα και οι πολύπλοκες οργανωτικές και διοικητικές δομές λειτουργούσαν ανασταλτικά στην προσπάθεια αναμόρφωσης του πανεπιστημίου.
Alleviative effects of Fara-darmani Consciousness Field on Triticum aestivum L. under salinity stress
Authors: Torabi Sara , Taheri Mohammad Ali , Semsarha Farid 
Published: December 2020

Background: The Fara-darmani Consciousness Field was founded by Mohammad Ali Taheri. It is a novel field and is described similarly to the field of gravity, or the electromagnetic field. This field is neither matter nor energy, and therefore does not possess a quantity. Even though there is no direct scientific evidence for the Consciousness Field, it is possible to investigate its effects on objects through controlled experiments. The aim of the present work was to study the alleviative effects of the Fara-darmani Consciousness Field on common wheatTriticum aestivum L. var Star under salt stress.Methods: Plants were grown under 0 mM NaCl (control) and 150 mM NaCl with or without the influence of Fara-darmani Consciousness Field for 3 weeks. Chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POX) were measured in all groups of plants.Results: In the salt-treated plants under the influence of the Fara-darmani Consciousness Field, the contents of total chlorophyll, as well as a and b chlorophyll forms, were elevated compared with the salt-treated plants without Fara-darmani CF (34.8%, 17.8%, and 169% respectively). Additionally, Fara-darmani increased H2O2(57%) and the activity of SOD and PPO by 220% and 168%, respectively, under salinity compared with the salt-treated plants without Fara-darmani CF. MDA content and activity of peroxidase were decreased by 12.5% and 34%, respectively.Conclusion: These results suggest the Fara-darmani Consciousness Field as a qualitative intervention strategy to withstand salt stress in plants, by increasing the contents of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing MDA content under salinity.
Biocuration - mapping resources and needs
Authors: Holinski Alexandra , Burke Melissa L. , Morgan Sarah L. , McQuilton Peter , Palagi Patricia M. 
Published: December 2020

Background: Biocuration involves a variety of teams and individuals across the globe. However, they may not self-identify as biocurators, as they may be unaware of biocuration as a career path or because biocuration is only part of their role. The lack of a clear, up-to-date profile of biocuration creates challenges for organisations like ELIXIR, the ISB and GOBLET to systematically support biocurators and for biocurators themselves to develop their own careers. Therefore, the ELIXIR Training Platform launched an Implementation Study in order to i) identify communities of biocurators, ii) map the type of curation work being done, iii) assess biocuration training, and iv) draw a picture of biocuration career development. Methods: To achieve the goals of the study, we carried out a global survey on the nature of biocuration work, the tools and resources that are used, training that has been received and additional training needs. To examine these topics in more detail we ran workshop-based discussions at ISB Biocuration Conference 2019 and the ELIXIR All Hands Meeting 2019. We also had guided conversations with selected people from the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute. Results: The study illustrates that biocurators have diverse job titles, are highly skilled, perform a variety of activities and use a wide range of tools and resources. The study emphasises the need for training in programming and coding skills, but also highlights the difficulties curators face in terms of career development and community building. Conclusion: Biocurators themselves, as well as organisations like ELIXIR, GOBLET and ISB must work together towards structural change to overcome these difficulties. In this article we discuss recommendations to ensure that biocuration as a role is visible and valued, thereby helping biocurators to proceed with their career.
Near-UV optical cavities in Ga2O3 nanowires
Authors: Alonso-Orts Manuel , Chilla Gerwin , Hötzel Rudolfo , Nogales Emilio , San Juan José M. , Nó María L. , Eickhoff Martin , Méndez Bianchi 
Published: December 2020

In this Letter, we report optical confinement in the near-ultraviolet
(near-UV) range in

G
a

2

O

3

nanowires (NWs) by distributed Bragg
reflector (DBR) nanopatterned cavities. High-contrast DBRs, which act
as the end mirrors of the cavities of the desired length, are designed
and fabricated by focused ion beam etching. The resonant modes of the
cavities are analyzed by micro-photoluminescence measurements,
analytical models, and simulations, which show very good agreement
between each other. Experimental reflectivities up to 50% are obtained
over the 350–410 nm region for the resonances in this wavelength
range. Therefore,

G
a

2

O

3

NW optical cavities are shown as good
candidates for single-material-based near-UV light emitters.
Trade-offs between cost and accuracy in active case finding for tuberculosis: A dynamic modelling analysis
Authors: Cilloni Lucia , Kranzer Katharina , Stagg Helen R. , Arinaminpathy Nimalan 
Published: December 2020

Background
Active case finding (ACF) may be valuable in tuberculosis (TB) control, but questions remain about its optimum implementation in different settings. For example, smear microscopy misses up to half of TB cases, yet is cheap and detects the most infectious TB cases. What, then, is the incremental value of using more sensitive and specific, yet more costly, tests such as Xpert MTB/RIF in ACF in a high-burden setting?

Methods and findings
We constructed a dynamic transmission model of TB, calibrated to be consistent with an urban slum population in India. We applied this model to compare the potential cost and impact of 2 hypothetical approaches following initial symptom screening: (i) ‘moderate accuracy’ testing employing a microscopy-like test (i.e., lower cost but also lower accuracy) for bacteriological confirmation and (ii) ‘high accuracy’ testing employing an Xpert-like test (higher cost but also higher accuracy, while also detecting rifampicin resistance). Results suggest that ACF using a moderate-accuracy test could in fact cost more overall than using a high-accuracy test. Under an illustrative budget of US$20 million in a slum population of 2 million, high-accuracy testing would avert 1.14 (95% credible interval 0.75–1.99, with p = 0.28) cases relative to each case averted by moderate-accuracy testing. Test specificity is a key driver: High-accuracy testing would be significantly more impactful at the 5% significance level, as long as the high-accuracy test has specificity at least 3 percentage points greater than the moderate-accuracy test. Additional factors promoting the impact of high-accuracy testing are that (i) its ability to detect rifampicin resistance can lead to long-term cost savings in second-line treatment and (ii) its higher sensitivity contributes to the overall cases averted by ACF. Amongst the limitations of this study, our cost model has a narrow focus on the commodity costs of testing and treatment; our estimates should not be taken as indicative of the overall cost of ACF. There remains uncertainty about the true specificity of tests such as smear and Xpert-like tests in ACF, relating to the accuracy of the reference standard under such conditions.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that cheaper diagnostics do not necessarily translate to less costly ACF, as any savings from the test cost can be strongly outweighed by factors including false-positive TB treatment, reduced sensitivity, and foregone savings in second-line treatment. In resource-limited settings, it is therefore important to take all of these factors into account when designing cost-effective strategies for ACF.
Spatiotemporal analysis of mycolactone distribution in vivo reveals partial diffusion in the central nervous system
Authors: Colucci-Guyon Emma , Rifflet Aline , Saint-Auret Sarah , da Costa Anaëlle , Boucontet Laurent , Laval Thomas , Prehaud Christophe , Blanchard Nicolas , Levraud Jean-Pierre , Boneca Ivo G. , Demangel Caroline , Guenin-Macé Laure 
Published: December 2020

Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer (BU) disease, is unique amongst human pathogens in its capacity to produce a lipid toxin called mycolactone. While previous studies have demonstrated that bacterially-released mycolactone diffuses beyond infection foci, the spatiotemporal distribution of mycolactone remained largely unknown. Here, we used the zebrafish model to provide the first global kinetic analysis of mycolactone’s diffusion in vivo, and multicellular co-culture systems to address the critical question of the toxin’s access to the brain.
Zebrafish larvae were injected with a fluorescent-derivative of mycolactone to visualize the in vivo diffusion of the toxin from the peripheral circulation. A rapid, body-wide distribution of mycolactone was observed, with selective accumulation in tissues near the injection site and brain, together with an important excretion through the gastro-intestinal tract. Our conclusion that mycolactone reached the central nervous system was reinforced by an in cellulo model of human blood brain barrier and a mouse model of M. ulcerans-infection.
Here we show that mycolactone has a broad but heterogenous profile of distribution in vivo. Our investigations in vitro and in vivo support the view that a fraction of bacterially-produced mycolactone gains access to the central nervous system. The relative persistence of mycolactone in the bloodstream suggests that assays of circulating mycolactone are relevant for BU disease monitoring and treatment optimization.
NIRS-based monitoring of kidney graft perfusion
Authors: Maly Stepan , Janousek Libor , Bortel Radoslav , Sebek Jan , Hospodka Jiri , Skapa Jiri , Fronek Jiri 
Published: December 2020

Introduction
Acute early vascular complications are rare, but serious complications after kidney transplantation. They often result in graft loss. For this reason, shortening the diagnostic process is crucial. Currently, it is standard procedure to monitor renal graft perfusion using Doppler ultrasound (DU). With respect to acute vascular complications, the main disadvantage of this type of examination is its periodicity. It would be of great benefit if graft blood perfusion could be monitored continuously during the early postoperative period. It appears evident that a well-designed near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring system could prove very useful during the early post-transplantation period. Its role in the immediate diagnosis of vascular complications could result in a significant increase in graft salvage, thus improving the patient’s overall quality of life and lowering morbidity and mortality for renal graft recipients. The aim of this study was to design, construct and test such a monitoring system.

Materials and methods
We designed a rough NIRS-based system prototype and prepared a two-stage laboratory experiment based on a laboratory pig model. In the first stage, a total of 10 animals were used to verify and optimize the technical aspects and functionality of the prototype sensor by testing it on the animal kidneys in-vivo. As a result of these tests, a more specific prototype was designed. During the second stage, we prepared a unique laboratory model of a pig kidney autotransplantation and tested the system for long-term functionality on a group of 20 animals. Overall sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and a final prototype was prepared and completed with its own analytic software and chassis.

Results
We designed and constructed a NIRS-based system for kidney graft perfusion monitoring. The measurement system provided reliable performance and 100% sensitivity when detecting acute diminished blood perfusion of the transplanted kidneys in laboratory conditions.

Conclusion
The system appears to be a useful tool for diagnosing diminished blood perfusion of kidney transplants during the early postoperative period. However, further testing is still required. We believe that applying our method in current human transplantation medicine is feasible, and we are confident that our prototype is ready for human testing.
Dokimasies: Opseis tou oikogeneiakou plegmatos sto neoelliniko Mythistorima 1922–1974 (‘Ordeals: Aspects of family entanglements in the modern Greek novel 1922–1974’), Mairi Mike (2019)
Authors: Akritidou Maria 
Published: December 2020

Review of: Dokimasies: Opseis tou oikogeneiakou plegmatos sto neoelliniko Mythistorima 1922–1974 (‘Ordeals: Aspects of family entanglements in the modern Greek novel 1922–1974’), Mairi Mike (2019)
Athens: Gutenberg, 486 pp.,
ISBN 978-960-01-2034-9, h/bk, €26.00