bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic Quantification for Phantom-based Image Quality Assessment in Bone Spect: Computerized Self-classification of Detectability Using a Novel Index
Authors: ICHIKAWA Hajime , Kawakami Kazunori , Onoguchi Masahisa , Shibutani Takayuki , Nagatake Kazuki , Hosoya Tetsuo , Ito Toshimune , Kato Toyohiro 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: We have previously developed a custom-design thoracic bone scintigraphy-specific phantom (hereafter referred to as “SIM2 bone phantom”) to assess image quality in bone single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This study aimed to develop an automatically assessment system for imaging technology in bone SPECT and to demonstrate the validity of this system.Methods:We were able to generate more realistic phantom configurations of the thorax, spine, mediastinum, and lung. Four fillable spheres as bone metastases with diameters of 13, 17, 22, and 28 mm were inserted in the vertebral body. The newly developed software with statistical parametric mapping version 2 was automatically calculated for quantitative indexes (e.g., contrast-to-noise ratio, % coefficient of variance, % detectability equivalence volume, sharpness index). The repeatability and reproducibility of the contrast-to-noise ratio was assessed and compared between the automatic and manual methods. A detectability score (DS) was used to define the four observation types to score the hot spherical lesions whichwere classified with the quantitative indexes using decision tree analysis. The gold standardfor DSs was independently classified by three expert board-certified nuclear medicine technologists using a 4-point classification (1, poor; 2, average; 3, adequate; 4, excellent); thereafter, a consensus was reached. To assess the validity of the DS, the DS classified with Hone Graph was compared to the visual evaluation by 11 technologists (using the same score).Results: The repeatability and reproducibility of the software were shown to be excellent. Decision tree analysis produced seven terminal groups, and four quantitative indexes were used to classifying the DS. The automatically classified DSs exhibited an almost perfect agreement with the gold standard. The agreement between the Hone Graph and the experienced (n = 4), moderately experienced (n = 3), and inexperienced (n = 4) observerswas almost perfect, substantial, and moderate, respectively.Conclusions: The developed software could automatically classify the detectability of hot lesions in the SIM2 bone phantom using the self-calculated quantitative indexes. These findings suggest that this novel software could provide a means to automatically perform analysis after data input that is both excellent in convenience and repeatability.
Risk factors for venous thromboembolism in patients with diabetes undergoing joint arthroplasty
Authors: Deng Wei , Huo Lili , Yuan Qiang , Huang Deyong , Li Quan , Chen Jia , Lan Ling , Zuo Qingyao , Li Wei , Tian Wei 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant complication after joint arthroplasty. Diabetes is related to a few changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis that may lead to thrombophilia. We aim to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for VTEs in patients with diabetes undergoing total hip (THA) or total knee anthroplasty (TKA) in a single centre in China. Methods: Patients with diabetes who underwent THA or TKA from January 2016 to December 2018 (n=400) at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were recruited in this study. Lower limb venous Doppler ultrasound was performed before and after surgery to confirm deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Computer tomography pulmonary angiography was done to confirm pulmonary embolism (PE) for those with new postoperative DVT and typical symptoms of PE. A multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to examine factors associated with the development of postoperative VTE. Results: The overall incidence of postoperative VTE in patients with diabetes after THA or TKA was 46.8% (187 of 400). Female patients and patients undergoing TKA had higher incidence of postoperative VTE. Patients who developed postoperative VTE were older, and had higher levels of preoperative D-Dimer level and Caprini score. Increased VTE risks were associated with high level of preoperative D-Dimer (OR=2.11, 95%CI=1.35-3.30) and TKA (OR=2.29, 95%CI=1.29-4.01). Postoperative initiation of concomitant mechanical prophylaxis and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was protective for postoperative DVT (OR=0.56, 95%CI=0.37-0.86). Conclusions: VTE is common in patients with diabetes undergoing joint arthroplasty. Patients undergoing TKA or with a high level of preoperative D-Dimer are at a considerable risk of developing postoperative VTE. There may be a protective role of postoperative initiation of concomitant mechanical prophylaxis and LMWH for VTE.
Microbial Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Patients with Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections of the Extremities in North-Eastern China
Authors: Ma Jie , Song Yanqing , Wang Xiangfeng , Yan Huiyu , Zhang Yue , wang nan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background For complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), inappropriate initial anti-infective treatment often leads to treatment failure. The microbial distribution in patients with extremities’ cSSTIs has been rarely reported. Moreover, whether gram-negative bacteria (GNB) should be covered in addition to gram-positive bacteria (GPB) has been always a difficult issue in the treatment of cSSTIs. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the microbial distribution and antibiotic susceptibility in 149 hospitalized patients with extremities’ SSTIs, and discussed the risk factors of extremities’ cSSTIs caused by GNB. Results 188 strains of pathogens were isolated, including 113 strains of GPB (64.9%), 61 strains of GNB (32.4%), and 5 strains of fungi (2.7%). Diabetes mellitus (OR=3.606, P =0.034), SSTI severity [moderate infection (OR=19.499, P <0.0001), severe infection (OR=20.114, P <0.0001)], and necrotizing infection (OR=6.064, P <0.0001) were risk factors of extremities’ cSSTIs caused by GNB. For patients with risk factors, ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems could be empirical anti-infective agents. Conclusions The results of our study showed that the most common bacteria identified in cSSTIs of the extremities were GPB. For patients with risk factors of extremities’ cSSTIs caused by GNB, the coverage of GNB should be taken into account.
Prediction of cross-tension strength of self-piercing riveted joints using finite element simulation and XGBoost algorithm
Authors: Lin Jianping , Qi Chengwei , Wan Hailang , Min Junying , Chen Jiajie , Zhang Kai , Zhang Li 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Self-piercing riveting (SPR) has been widely used in automobile industry, and the strength prediction of SPR joints always attracts the attention of researchers. In this work, a prediction method of the cross-tension strength of SPR joints was proposed on the basis of finite element (FE) simulation and extreme gradient boosting decision tree (XGBoost) algorithm. An FE model of SPR process was established to simulate the plastic deformations of rivet and substrate materials and verified in terms of cross-sectional dimensions of SPR joints. The residual mechanical field from SPR process simulation was imported into a 2D FE model for the cross-tension testing simulation of SPR joints, and cross-tension strengths from FE simulation show a good consistence with the experiment result. Based on the verified FE model, the mechanical properties and thickness of substrate materials were varied and then used for FE simulation to obtain cross-tension strengths of a number of SPR joints, which were used to train the regression model based on the XGBoost algorithm in order to achieve prediction for cross-tension strength of SPR joints. Results show that the cross-tension strengths of SPR steel/aluminum joints could be successfully predicted by the XGBoost regression model with a respective error less than 7.6% compared to experimental values.
Can 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography / computerized tomography provide an accurate lymph node staging for patients with medium / high risk prostate cancer? A Diagnostic Meta-Analysis
Authors: Peng Lei , Li Jinze , Meng Chuanyang , Li Jinming , You Chengyu , Tang Dandan , Wei Tangqiang , Xiong Wei , Li Yunxiang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: This article aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of68Gallium-PSMA positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) for lymph node (LN) staging in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) by a meta-analysis of diagnostic tests.Methods: We systematically retrieved articles from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science with a limited period from January 1, 2016, to December 1, 2019, and Stata 15 was used for calculation and statistical analyses.Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) be used to evaluate the diagnostic value. A total of 10 studies were included in our meta-analysis, which included 701 individuals. The results of each consolidated summary are as follows: sensitivity of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.55-0.95), specificity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.87-0.98), PLR and NLR was 17.19 (95% CI: 6.27, 47.17) and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.05-0.56), respectively. DOR of 4.6 (95% CI: 2.91-6.30), AUC of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98).Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT has a high overall diagnostic value for LN staging in patients with moderate and high-risk PCa. But our conclusions still require a larger sample size, multi-center prospective randomized controlled trial to verify.
Protective roles of flu infections and BCG vaccination in lowering Covid-19 mortality
Authors: Pathak Sanmoy , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Nandi Dipankar 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The recent Covid-19 pandemic has caused a great loss of lives as well as affected economies in several countries. The loss of Covid-19 deaths is far greater in some countries compared to others. This observation led us to perform epidemiological analysis using disease and vaccination data in the public domain with respect to measles, hepatitis B virus, polio, tuberculosis and flu from twenty five countries across the globe. There is no correlation between Covid-19 incidences or deaths, as well as vaccination coverage, with respect to diseases such as measles, hepatitis B virus and polio. However, countries with lower cases of tuberculosis and higher cases of flu have a significant correlation with respect to Covid-19 deaths. In fact, countries with high BCG vaccination coverage show a significant negative correlation with Covid-19 deaths. Surprisingly, countries such as the USA, Italy, France and Spain which have flu vaccination, but not BCG vaccination, show maximum number of Covid-19 deaths. It appears that high numbers of flu infections are protective and can decrease the number of Covid-19 deaths. Importantly, countries with high flu cases and BCG vaccination, such as India, Egypt, South Africa etc, show relatively lower Covid-19 deaths, reinforcing the protective roles of BCG vaccination. Notably, these general trends are statistically significant for Covid-19 deaths but not Covid-19 incidences. The implications of our results are discussed with respect to the roles of microbial infections in the respiratory tract, vaccinations and other factors in lowering Covid-19 deaths.
Fatal Central Nervous System Co-Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Tuberculosis in a Healthy Child
Authors: Freij Bishara J. , Gebara Bassam M. , Tariq Rabail , Wang Ay-Ming , Gibson John , El-Wiher Nidal , Krasan Graham , Patek Paul M. , Levasseur Kelly A. , Amin Mitual , Fullmer Joseph M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background. Central and peripheral nervous system symptoms and complications are being increasingly recognized among individuals with pandemic SARS-CoV-2 infections, but actual detection of the virus or its RNA in the central nervous system has rarely been sought or demonstrated. Severe or fatal illnesses are attributed to SARS-CoV-2, generally without attempting to evaluate for alternative causes or co-pathogens.Case presentation. A five-year-old girl with fever and headache was diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2-associated meningoencephalitis based on the detection of its RNA on a nasopharyngeal swab, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Serial serologic tests for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA showed seroconversion, consistent with an acute infection. Mental status and brain imaging findings gradually worsened despite antiviral therapy and intravenous dexamethasone. Decompressive suboccipital craniectomy for brain herniation with cerebellar biopsy on day 30 of illness, shortly before death, revealed SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cerebellar tissue using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019-nCoV Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-PCR Diagnostic Panel. On histopathology, necrotizing granulomas with numerous acid-fast bacilli were visualized, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA was detected by PCR. Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid that day was negative for mycobacterial DNA. She had no known exposures to tuberculosis and no chest radiographic findings to suggest it. All 6 family members had normal chest radiographs and negative interferon-γ release assay results. The source of her tuberculous infection was not identified, and further investigations by the local health department were not possible because of the State of Michigan-mandated lockdown for control of SARS-CoV-2 spread.Conclusion. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cerebellar tissue and the demonstration of seroconversion in IgG and IgA assays was consistent with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection of the central nervous infection. However, the cause of death was brain herniation from her rapidly progressive central nervous system tuberculosis. SARS-CoV-2 may mask or worsen occult tuberculous infection with severe or fatal consequences.
COVID-19 Therapeutics Outcome: Systematic Review and Data Analysis
Authors: Tobaiqy Mansour , Helmi Nawal , Majrashi Mohammed , Al-Dahery Shrooq , Mujallad Alaa 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Several medications already placed in the world therapeutic guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were given to affected patients and produced positive and negative outcomes.Aims of the study: This review evaluated therapeutic outcomes (recovery and mortality) used for COVID-19 patient management in clinical settings since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 the causative agent of (COVID-19).Method: The PRISMA-P and PRISMA statements were used to facilitate the development and reporting of this systematic review. Included articles were full-text articles, written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals from March 26, 2020. Recent eligible systematic review articles were also included for interpretation and analysis. Data were reported as percentage changes compared to the total number of patients in each study. For each drug, the proportion of positive outcomes were compared to the proportion of negative outcomes using a z-test (p < 0.05) to determine statistical significance.Results: The total number of eligible studies included in this review was 69, and 48 different therapeutics were reported. The data analysis showed positive outcomes for COVID-19 patient treatments using hydroxychloroquine (66.6%), azithromycin (55.5%), lopinavir/ritonavir (54.9%), systemic corticosteroids (52%), umifenovir (51.2%), interferon (50%), remdesivir (45.9%), Ribavirin (43.5%), moxifloxacin (35.3%) and oseltamivir (33.6%). Negative outcomes were related mainly to systemic corticosteroids (21.3%), followed by remdesivir (16.9%), moxifloxacin (13.4%) and oseltamivir (12.5%). However, when comparing the proportions of positive outcomes to negative outcomes for reported drugs, the only statistically significant outcomes were observed among the hydroxychloroquine (p < 0.05) treatment group.Conclusion: This study systematically reviewed 69 research articles linking therapies to clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients. This review has provided insight into recovery and mortality outcomes associated with available COVID-19 therapeutic options. Data analysis showed positive outcomes for COVID-19 patient treatments primarily with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and lopinavir/ritonavir.
STUDI PERILAKU PENGGUNAAN RUANG GANG DI KAMPUNG SERANGAN, KELURAHAN NOTOPRAJAN, KECAMATAN NGAMPILAN, KOTA YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Casnugi  
Published: June 2020

Title: Behavioral Study of Spatial Utilization of Alley in Kampung Serangan, Notoprajan Sub- District, Ngampilan District, Yogyakarta City
The further study of alley as space in the midst of urban settlement communities is needed. The alley as space be utilized by various community activities as well as for socializing. With the limited available space in the middle of the urban settlement community of Serangan village, Notoprajan sub-district, Ngampilan sub-district, Yogyakarta, there is an apparent phenomenon of multiple community behavior in using the alley such as social interaction, drying clothes, parking a motorcycle and even cooking. Besides being used as circulation path, it makes users of the alley must also share with children who play in the alley and in between buildings. Seeing the uniqueness of the alley as a place for such community activity, the behaviors that need to be known further. The purpose of this study was to describe the behavior of urban village residents in utilizing alley as a space for social interaction. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, namely by conducting observations, interviews, documentation with photographs, measurements, observations and environmental sketches. Thus, it can be further understood that there is a sense of togetherness, tolerance in the utilization or occupying of the aisles. Community deliberations in the RT (Rukun Tetangga) area, are a mean for discussing and deciding around issues in their neigbourhood area. It is held periodically based on shared values and usually run well. Social relations and kinship among the neighbors are very important and it is significantly make the community able to live in relatively limited space and environmental resources. The strong sense of tolerance among communities in the village of Serangan can be used for development purposes. Engagement among community members can be enhanced into participatory development programs for taking care of urban settlement environments, especially in terms of slums. Kampong improvement program can be focused on taking care of physical development. The existence of community participation is one of the key success factor of development programs or improvement of urban kampong.
An Expert System to Diagnose Spinal Disorders
Authors: Dashti Seyed M.S. , Dashti Seyedeh F. 
Published: June 2020

Objective:
Until now, traditional invasive approaches have been the only means being leveraged to diagnose spinal disorders. Traditional manual diagnostics require a high workload, and diagnostic errors are likely to occur due to the prolonged work of physicians. In this research, we develop an expert system based on a hybrid inference algorithm and comprehensive integrated knowledge for assisting the experts in the fast and high-quality diagnosis of spinal disorders.

Methods:
First, for each spinal anomaly, the accurate and integrated knowledge was acquired from related experts and resources. Second, based on probability distributions and dependencies between symptoms of each anomaly, a unique numerical value known as certainty effect value was assigned to each symptom. Third, a new hybrid inference algorithm was designed to obtain excellent performance, which was an incorporation of the Backward Chaining Inference and Theory of Uncertainty.

Results:
The proposed expert system was evaluated in two different phases, real-world samples, and medical records evaluation. Evaluations show that in terms of real-world samples analysis, the system achieved excellent accuracy. Application of the system on the sample with anomalies revealed the degree of severity of disorders and the risk of development of abnormalities in unhealthy and healthy patients. In the case of medical records analysis, our expert system proved to have promising performance, which was very close to those of experts.

Conclusion:
Evaluations suggest that the proposed expert system provides promising performance, helping specialists to validate the accuracy and integrity of their diagnosis. It can also serve as an intelligent educational software for medical students to gain familiarity with spinal disorder diagnosis process, and related symptoms.
An in-vitro and in Silico Anticancer Study of FDA Approved Antidiabetic Drugs Glimepiride and Empagliflozin
Authors: Uzma Faridi  , Fahad Al-Mutairi  , Humaira Parveen  , Sahar Khateeb  
Published: June 2020

Drug repurposing is the way to find the role of the drug for new disease. Mostly the drug already passes human trails and approved by FDA. Many studies confirmed the role of many drugs in the treatment of more than one disease. Present research was conducted to evaluate the anticancer potential of FDA approved antidiabetic drugs Glimepiride and Empagliflozin. Glimepiride binds to ATP-sensitive potassium channel receptors and reduces the potassium conductance and Empagliflozin is a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor. As many anti-diabetic drugs like meantime proved to be good anticancer drug so these two drugs were selected for the present study as their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies are already reported and both showed no side-effect in human. The purpose of this study was to repurpose the Glimepiride and Empagliflozin as anticancer agents. In-vitro anticancer study was performed on two human cancer cell-lines MCF-7 and A549. To confirm the anticancer potential, the effect of these drugs on selected apoptotic proteins was studied in-silico. Both Glimepiride and Empagliflozin have significant anticancer activity on both the cell-lines but Empagliflozin seems to have better activity in-vitro. In-silico results indicated that both the drugs have significantly high activity towards apoptotic proteins. Although both the drug showed promising results in in-vitro and in-silico studies but the further studies like in-vivo studies are also required to prove these drugs as anticancer as well.