bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review
Authors: Shan Zack Y. , Barnden Leighton R. , Kwiatek Richard A. , Bhuta Sandeep , Hermens Daniel F. , Lagopoulos Jim 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundSince the 1990s, neuroimaging has been utilised to study Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating illness with unknown aetiology. While brain abnormalities in ME/CFS have been identified, relatively little is known regarding which specific abnormalities are consistently observed across research groups and to what extent the observed abnormalities are reproducible.MethodTo identify consistent and inconsistent neuroimaging observations in ME/CFS, this retrospective and systematic review searched for studies in which neuroimaging was used to investigate brain abnormalities in ME/CFS in Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed (NCBI), and Scopus from January 1988 to July 2018. A qualitative synthesis of observations was performed to identify brain abnormalities that were consistently and inconsistently reported.Results63 full-text articles were included in the synthesis of results from 291 identified papers. Additional brain area recruitment for cognitive tasks and abnormalities in the brain stem are frequent observations in 11 and 9 studies using different modalities from different research teams respectively. Also, sluggish blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal responses to tasks, reduced serotonin transporters, and regional hypometabolism are consistent observations by more than two research teams. Single observations include abnormal brain tissue properties, regional metabolic abnormalities, and association of brain measures with ME/CFS symptoms. Reduced resting cerebral blood flow and volumetric brain changes are inconsistent observations across different studies.ConclusionNeuroimaging studies of ME/CFS have frequently observed additional brain area recruitment during cognitive tasks and abnormalities in the brain stem. The frequent observation of additional brain area recruitment and consistent observation of sluggish fMRI signal response suggest abnormal neurovascular coupling in ME/CFS.
A new transpedicular lag screw fixation for treatment of unstable Hangman’s fracture: a minimum 2-year follow-up study
Authors: Liu Yijie , Zhu Yi , Li Xuefeng , Chen Jie , Yang Sen , Yang Huilin , Jiang Weimin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
A new C2 transpedicular lag screw designed by our team has been used in human cadaver spines for biomechanical testing, and the results showed that the biomechanical properties of the new C2 transpedicular lag screw were better than ordinary screws. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of the new C2 transpedicular lag screw fixation for the treatment of unstable Hangman’s fracture.

Methods
From March 2013 to June 2017, 25 patients who had unstable Hangman’s fractures were operated on with a new C2 transpedicular lag screw fixation. The patients included 18 males and 7 females whose ages ranged from 31 to 62 years (average 45.4 ± 9.3 years). The cause of the injury was a traffic accident in 17 patients and a fall from height in 8 patients. Other associated lesions included rupture of the spleen (1 patient) and rib fractures (2 patients). According to the Levine-Edwards classification, 17 patients were type II and 8 patients were type IIA, and according to the Frankel Neurological Performance scale, 8 cases and 17 cases were graded as spinal cord injury D and E, respectively. Twenty-three cases received bilateral screw fixation, and 2 cases had unilateral screw fixation because another pedicle was chipped. The whole procedure was accomplished with monitoring by “C”-arm fluoroscopy.

Results
The mean follow-up time was 36 ± 12 months and ranged from 24 to 60 months. No obvious symptomatic or radiologic postoperative complications were found during the follow-up period. Six cases were restored from D to E while 2 cases remained D according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade. Pre- and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were statistically different (P < 0.001). Osseous union was achieved in all cases, and the range of cervical motion recovered to the normal level up to the last follow-up.

Conclusions
The primary clinical and radiographic efficacies of a new C2 transpedicular lag screw fixation for the treatment of unstable Hangman’s fracture were satisfactory. This approach could be considered a simple, effective, reliable, and economic surgical method for managing unstable Hangman’s fractures.
Addressing overcrowding in an emergency department: an approach for identifying and treating influential factors and a real-life application
Authors: Wachtel Guy , Elalouf Amir 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Overcrowding in hospital emergency departments that arises from long length-of-stay is an unfortunate common occurrence. While some factors affecting length-of-stay are well known, there may be additional factors that have not yet been properly addressed. This research offers a method for emergency department managers to use available data from their departments to identify new factors that significantly influence emergency departments crowding and patient length-of-stay.

Methods
We propose an algorithm that can assist emergency department managers in determining which of these factors to address, given budgetary constraints. We implemented it in a case study which takes into account factors that are known to be influential, e.g., reason for arrival, occupancy in the emergency department, and arrival time, as well as factors that are explored for the first time in this paper, such as patient heart rate, the number of accompanying escorts, and the number of tests assigned to patients (e.g., blood tests and urinalysis).

Results
All the implemented and new factors are shown to have a significant influence on the length-of-stay and crowding. We also obtained additional support for our results by interviewing emergency departments physicians and nurses from various hospitals.

Conclusions
It is expected that, by taking all the above factors into consideration, emergency departments efficiency can be improved. The algorithm constructed here allows the choice of the most cost-effective factors to be improved, subject to a given budget. We have been able to derive practical recommendations that emergency departments managers might use to limit crowding and patient length-of-stay.
Imaging evaluation of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 strut in cervical construction after 1-level corpectomy: a retrospective study of 520 patients
Authors: Zhong Weiyang , Liang Xinjie , Luo Xiaoji , Quan Zhengxue , Jiang Dianming 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The application of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66(n-HA/PA66) struts has become reliable in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) as a source of sufficient segmental stability. This was a retrospective and long-term imaging evaluation of the n-HA/PA66 strut in 1-level ACCF.

Methods
The patients between June 2006 and December 2014, who underwent 1-level ACCF using an n-HA/PA66 strut, were reviewed. The neurological status was assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and axial pain was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the radiographic parameters were determined by X-ray and 3-D CT examinations when necessary for the evaluation of bone fusion using the Brantigan scale and imaging characteristics.

Results
A total of 520 patients underwent one-level ACCF, with a mean follow-up (FU) duration of 72.38 ± 24.56 months. The level of surgery was C4 in 58 cases, C5 in 173 cases, C6 in 208 cases, and C7 in 81 cases. According to the Brantigan scale, on X-ray examination, the bony fusion rate was observed to be 40%, 70%, 93%, and 98% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and the final FU. An interesting radiographic appearance of the bone graft growth pattern was classified into three types. 95% of the patients accounted for types a and b. No significant differences were observed in age, hospitalization duration, surgical haemorrhage volume, or fusion rate among the types except in the percentage and sex of the patients among the types. Type a had better cervical lordosis, and less subsidence than types b and c (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in segment angle between type a and type b. Type c was more often observed with subsidence rate, segmental angle loss and cervical alignment loss than types a and b (P < 0.05). Type a also had a slightly higher fusion rate, than types b and c, but there were no significant differences. The overall mean JOA score at the final follow-up among the groups were significantly improved comparing that preoperatively and no significant differences were found among the groups, no matter pre-operation or final follow-up. The overall mean VAS score at the final follow-up among the groups were significantly improved comparing that preoperatively and no significant differences in preoperative VAS score were found among the groups. However, the VAS score at the final follow-up of type a or type b was better than type c. No patients received revision surgery.

Conclusions
The type a bone graft growth pattern could allow a lower incidence of subsidence and better maintenance of local and global alignment to be achieved and is thus proposed for surgeons.
Exploration of the psychometric properties of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure in Ecuador
Authors: Paz Clara , Mascialino Guido , Evans Chris 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a pan-theoretical and pan-diagnostic measure of mental health designed to cover issues that people wish to change in psychotherapy. The objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Spanish translation of the CORE-OM, in a country, Ecuador for which there is not a single measure suitable for this purpose with empirically demonstrated local acceptability and psychometric properties.

Methods
In total, 886 adults not currently receiving psychotherapy treatment or taking psychotropic medication were included in the analysis. The analyses broadly followed and compared with results from previous studies. These analyses consisted of assessment of acceptability, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, influences of demographic variables, correlations between domain scores, and convergent validity with Spanish versions of the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 and Schwartz Outcome Scale-10.

Results
The questionnaire showed good acceptability (overall omission rate of 0.56%), good reliability (α = .93 [.92, .94], test-retest correlations ranged from .59 to .85), and good convergent validity with the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 (r = .84) and the Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 (r = −.73). Statistically significant gender differences were found in two domains: females scored higher on Well-being (M = 1.23) than males (M = 1.01), though effect size was small (g = 0.31); and males (M = 0.31) scored higher than females on Risk (M = 0.25), with even smaller effect size (g = 0.06). Age was negatively correlated with psychological distress in all domains and coefficients ranged from −.14 for Risk to −.29 for Functioning.

Conclusions
The results support the use of the CORE-OM as a valid and reliable instrument in a non-clinical Ecuadorean population. Exploration of the psychometric properties in a clinical population is recommended to assure its use in clinical settings.
Taya Caves, a Buddhist marvel hidden in underground Japan: stone properties, deterioration, and environmental setting
Authors: Germinario Luigi , Oguchi Chiaki T. , Tamura Yasuhiko , Ahn Sohyun , Ogawa Momoko 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The Buddhist sacred site of Taya Caves is a gem hidden underground in Yokohama, Japan. The caves were excavated and sculpted into bare rock by Shingon Buddhist monks from the Kamakura until the Edo period (thirteenth–nineteenth century), and dedicated to ascetic training, rituals, and pilgrimage. They are a maze of halls and galleries decorated with hundreds of rock-cut reliefs, picturing deities and masters of Buddhism, temples and shrines, real and fantastic animals, vegetal motifs, mandalas, zodiac signs, family crests, etc. The history and rock art of Taya Caves and the urge to preserve their cultural value led to this first-ever scientific investigation, dealing with the stone properties, deterioration, and environmental setting. Textural, mineralogical, geochemical, and petrophysical investigations were combined with a microclimate monitoring and chemical analyses of groundwater and rainwater. The caves are excavated into a clay-rich fossiliferous siltstone, extremely soft and porous and highly susceptible to water-driven weathering. Water represents a constant in Taya Caves, either flowing, dripping, and stagnant; or rising from the subsoil; or related to the extremely high relative humidity. Crusts and efflorescences represent important indicators of mineral dissolution and mobilization. The crusts are made of gypsum, crystallized from the dissolution of calcareous bioclasts and oxidation of pyrite, with minor calcite. The efflorescences are composed of chlorides, phosphates, sulfates, and carbonates, possibly deriving from agrochemicals and the surface vegetation cover. The salt weathering is strictly related to the microenvironmental variables and physico-chemical properties of the phases and waters involved. Rock-water interaction is particularly damaging even considering just the physical mechanisms. The stone is strongly sensitive to water absorption, hygroscopic adsorption, and slaking: the stresses generated by in-pore water and air movement and the swelling clay minerals may lead to rapid disintegration, especially during cyclic processes. This research is expected to raise concerns about the safeguard of Taya Caves and support future monitoring and conservation plans, and to foster a wider promotion and valorization of this heritage site.
Approaches to management of cardiovascular morbidity in adult cancer patients – cross-sectional survey among cardio-oncology experts
Authors: Hedayati E. , Papakonstantinou A. , Månsson-Broberg A. , Bergh J. , Hubbert L. , Altena R. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
In cardio-oncology, a range of clinical dilemmas can be identified where high-quality evidence for management is still lacking. The aim of this project was to study clinical practices and expert approaches to several clinical cardio-oncological dilemmas regarding prediction, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in adult cancer patients.

Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was sent out to internationally renowned experts in the field of cardio-oncology. Participants were selected based on being first or last authors of papers in the field of cardio-oncology, or principal investigators to trials in this field.

Results
Topics discussed include, among others, the use of biomarkers for subclinical cardiovascular toxicity, approaches towards primary prevention and follow-up with medication and life-style recommendations, and management of fluoropyrimidine-vasospasm, QTc-prolongation and asymptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusion
The answers provided in this survey have shed light on expert-based practices in cardio-oncologic dilemmas. Attitudes towards, as well as discrepancies in those dilemmas are presented. Existing discrepancies clearly indicate the need for generation of high-quality data that allows for more evidence-based recommendations in the future.
Contemporary management of brain arteriovenous malformations in mainland China: a web-based nationwide questionnaire survey
Authors: Chen Yu , Meng Xiangyu , Ma Li , Zhao Yang , Gu Ye , Jin Hengwei , Gao Dezhi , Li Youxiang , Sun Shibin , Liu Ali , Zhao Yuanli , Chen Xiaolin , Wang Shuo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
In the benefit of the large population and rapid economic growth, the interventional techniques and equipment for brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) in mainland China have been rapidly improved. Chinese neurosurgical cerebrovascular physicians have accumulated rich experience and made pioneering explorations. This study aims to summarize the experience and treatment progress of bAVMs in mainland China.

Methods
We performed a web-based nationwide questionnaire survey among 67 tertiary neurosurgical institutions that had acknowledged treating bAVMs in the primary survey. Our questionnaire included clinical characteristics, radiological findings, intervention indications/contraindications, intervention timing, and intraoperative management of different treatment modalities.

Results
A total of 63 participants from 49 (73.1%) tertiary neurosurgical institutions responded to our questionnaire. Forty-two (66.7%) were neurosurgeons, 13 (20.6%) were neurointerventionists, and 8 (12.7%) were radiosurgeons. Approximately 3500 to 4000 cases of bAVMs were treated annually in these 49 departments. All participants agreed that the conclusions of ARUBA are debatable. Flow-related aneurysms, deep venous drainage, and arteriovenous fistula were considered as common hemorrhagic risk factors. Unruptured SM IV-V bAVMs, giant bAVMs, pediatric bAVMs, elderly bAVMs, and eloquent bAVMs were not absolute contraindications to intervention. Maximum lesion occlusion and minimal functional impairment were the principles of intervention management. Most of the neurosurgeons and neurointerventionists recommended early intervention (< 30 days) for ruptured bAVMs, and the radiosurgeons suggested intervention in the chronic phase or recovery phase (P < 0.01) and preferably 3 months after bleeding. Multi-modality strategies were thought effective for complex bAVMs, and more exploration of individualized intraoperative management was necessary.

Conclusions
Intervention was acceptable for specific selected unruptured bAVMs in mainland China, especially in patients with hemorrhagic risk factors. The application of multidisciplinary cerebrovascular team and multicenter large-sample international registry study might be the next work for Chinese neurosurgical cerebrovascular physicians.
Rapid one-pot radiosynthesis of [carbonyl-11C]formamides from primary amines and [11C]CO2
Authors: Luzi Federico , Gee Antony D. , Bongarzone Salvatore 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Formamides are common motifs of biologically-active compounds (e.g. formylated peptides) and are frequently employed as intermediates to yield a number of other functional groups. A rapid, simple and reliable route to [carbonyl-11C]formamides would enable access to this important class of compounds as in vivo PET imaging agents.

Results
A novel radiolabelling strategy for the synthesis of carbon-11 radiolabelled formamides ([11C]formamides) is presented. The reaction proceeded with the conversion of a primary amine to the corresponding [11C]isocyanate using cyclotron-produced [11C]CO2, a phosphazene base (2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine, BEMP) and phosphoryl chloride (POCl3). The [11C]isocyanate was subsequently reduced to [11C]formamide using sodium borohydride (NaBH4). [11C]Benzyl formamide was obtained with a radiochemical yield (RCY) of 80% in 15 min from end of cyclotron target bombardment and with an activity yield of 12%. This novel method was applied to the radiolabeling of aromatic and aliphatic formamides and the chemotactic amino acid [11C]formyl methionine (RCY = 48%).

Conclusions
This study demonstrates the feasibility of 11C-formylation of primary amines with the primary synthon [11C]CO2. The reactivity is proportional to the nucleophilicity of the precursor amine. This novel method can be used for the production of biomolecules containing a radiolabelled formyl group.
Topic tracking model for analyzing student-generated posts in SPOC discussion forums
Authors: Peng Xian , Han Chengyang , Ouyang Fan , Liu Zhi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDue to an overwhelming amount of student-generated forum posts in small private online courses (SPOCs), students and instructors find it time-consuming and challenging to effectively navigate and track valuable information, such as the evolution of topics, emotional and behavioral changes in relation to topics. For solving this problem, this study analyzed plenty of discussion posts using an improved dynamic topic model, Time Information-Emotion Behavior Model (TI-EBTM). Time, emotion, and behavior characteristics were incorporated into the topic modeling process, which allowed for an overview of automatic tracking and understanding of temporal topic changes in SPOC discussion forums. The experiment on data from 30 SPOC courses showed that TI-EBTM outperformed other dynamic topic models and was effective in extracting prominent topics over time. Furthermore, we conducted an in-depth temporal topic analysis to investigate the utility of TI-EBTM in a case study. The results of the case study demonstrated that our methodology and analysis shed light on students’ temporal focuses (i.e., the changes of topic intensity and topic content) and reflected the evolution of topics’ emotional and behavioral tendencies. For example, students tended to express more negative emotions toward the topic about the method of data query by initiating the conversation at the end of the semester. The analytical results can provide instructors with valuable insights into the development of course forums and enable them to fine-tune course forums to suit students’ requirements, which will subsequently be helpful in enhancing discussion interaction and students’ learning experience.
The impact of air pollution on the incidence and mortality of COVID-19
Authors: Karan Abhinav , Ali Kabeer , Teelucksingh Surujpal , Sakhamuri Sateesh 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAir pollution is the most significant environmental risk factor for all-cause mortality, and it has caused substantial disability-adjusted life-years and economic loss. Air pollution intensified the mortality during past pandemics, Spanish flu in 1918 and SARS-CoV-1 in 2003. It increases host susceptibility and virulence of respiratory infections and reduces viral clearance. Thus, a question arises whether there will be any impact of air pollution on the current pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Thus far, history and science are directing towards an immense potential impact of air pollution on the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the devastated countries with the current pandemic are those with a poor air quality index. Further epidemiological and ecological studies are necessary to confirm this association. Also, countries must mobilize funding for mitigation of air pollution to benefit environmental health and ameliorate its potential effects on pandemics of the future.