bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor response prediction in 90Y radioembolization with PET-based radiomics features and absorbed dose metrics
Authors: Wei Lise , Cui Can , Xu Jiarui , Kaza Ravi , El Naqa Issam , Dewaraja Yuni K. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate whether lesion radiomics features and absorbed dose metrics extracted from post-therapy 90Y PET can be integrated to better predict outcomes in microsphere radioembolization of liver malignancies

Methods
Given the noisy nature of 90Y PET, first, a liver phantom study with repeated acquisitions and varying reconstruction parameters was used to identify a subset of robust radiomics features for the patient analysis. In 36 radioembolization procedures, 90Y PET/CT was performed within a couple of hours to extract 46 radiomics features and estimate absorbed dose in 105 primary and metastatic liver lesions. Robust radiomics modeling was based on bootstrapped multivariate logistic regression with shrinkage regularization (LASSO) and Cox regression with LASSO. Nested cross-validation and bootstrap resampling were used for optimal parameter/feature selection and for guarding against overfitting risks. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze feature associations. Area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) was used for lesion response (at first follow-up) analysis while Kaplan-Meier plots and c-index were used to assess progression model performance. Models with absorbed dose only, radiomics only, and combined models were developed to predict lesion outcome.

Results
The phantom study identified 15/46 reproducible and robust radiomics features that were subsequently used in the patient models. A lesion response model with zone percentage (ZP) and mean absorbed dose achieved an AUC of 0.729 (95% CI 0.702–0.758), and a progression model with zone size nonuniformity (ZSN) and absorbed dose achieved a c-index of 0.803 (95% CI 0.790–0.815) on nested cross-validation (CV). Although the combined models outperformed the radiomics only and absorbed dose only models, statistical significance was not achieved with the current limited data set to establish expected superiority.

Conclusion
We have developed new lesion-level response and progression models using textural radiomics features, derived from 90Y PET combined with mean absorbed dose for predicting outcome in radioembolization. These encouraging, but limited results, will need further validation in independent and larger datasets prior to any clinical adoption.
Nodular fasciitis growing at the port site of robotic surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Yamamoto Atsushi , Furuya Shinji , Takiguchi Koichi , Sudo Makoto , Shoda Katsutoshi , Akaike Hidenori , Hosomura Naohiro , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Amemiya Hidetake , Kawaida Hiromichi , Kono Hiroshi , Ichikawa Daisuke 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a type of rare and rapidly growing tumor that affects the muscular fascial layers. Due to its locally aggressive nature and rapid growth, NF can be mistaken as a malignant process on either clinical or histological grounds.

Case presentation
A 61-year-old man was affected by rectal cancer. We performed a robotic, high-anterior resection with lymph node dissection. According to the 8th edition of Union for International Cancer Control, the diagnosis was stage I pT2N0M0. During a routine follow-up 1.5 years after the robotic surgery, a computed tomography examination revealed a tumor in the upper right abdominal wall, at the site of the surgical port, that measured 45 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a hypo-intensive mass within the right straight muscle of the abdomen. Port site recurrence following the robotic surgery for rectal cancer was suspected, and an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed; it revealed a low-grade myofibroblastic tumor or benign neoplasm, but was inconclusive. We performed an excision of the lesion, and histopathology confirmed NF, seen as a solid, nodular, spindle-cell lesion. The patient was postoperatively followed for more than 1 year without any sign of recurrence of either cancer or NF.

Conclusions
NF is histologically benign, but local recurrence frequently occurs. We encountered a patient with NF at the port site after robotic surgery for rectal cancer.
Intraoperative responses of motor evoked potentials to the novel intravenous anesthetic remimazolam during spine surgery: a report of two cases
Authors: Kondo Takashi , Toyota Yukari , Narasaki Soshi , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Miyoshi Hirotsugu , Saeki Noboru , Tsutsumi Yasuo M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundRemimazolam is a novel short-acting benzodiazepine characterized by metabolism independent from organ function. We report intraoperative MEP responses of two patients who underwent spine surgery under general anesthesia using remimazolam.Case presentationIn case 1, MEP monitoring was successfully performed with the use of a fixed dose of remimazolam at 0.5 mg/kg/h and remifentanil at 0.2 μg/kg/min. In case 2, an increasing dose of remimazolam from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg/h during the operation did not affect MEP signals. In both cases, remimazolam was titrated to maintain the values of entropy electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring at 40–60.ConclusionsGeneral anesthesia using remimazolam and remifentanil can be a valuable alternative for spine surgery with MEP monitoring by EEG to assess the optimal dose.
Child dietary diversity and food (in)security as a potential correlate of child anthropometric indices in the context of urban food system in the cases of north-central Ethiopia
Authors: Dinku Amare Molla , Mekonnen Tefera Chane , Adilu Getachew Shumye 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective
To investigate the relation of child dietary diversity and household food insecurity along with other socio-demographic with child anthropometric indices in north-central Ethiopia, an area with a high level of food insecurity and inadequate diet quality.

Design
A community-based cross-sectional study was used.

Settings
The study was conducted in Dessie and Combolcha towns of north-central Ethiopia from April to May 2018.

Participants
Randomly selected 512 mother-child pairs with child’s age range of 6–59 months.

Results
The mean (± SD) scores of weight-for-height/length, height/length-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age Z-scores were 1.35 (± 2.03), − 1.89 (± 1.79), 0.05 (± 1.54), and 1.39 (± 2.06), respectively. From all anthropometric indicators, stunting and overweight/obesity remained the severe public issues hitting 43% and 42% of the children, respectively. In the model, mothers’ age and education and child’s age, sex, and dietary diversity were significantly related with child height-for-age Z-score while place of residence, sex of household head, child’s age, and dietary diversity score were the predictors of child BMI-for-age Z-score in the urban contexts of the study area. Nevertheless, food insecurity was not related to any of the child anthropometric indices.

Conclusion
The double burden of malnutrition epidemics (stunting and obesity) coexisted as severe public health concerns in urban settings. Anthropometric statuses of children were affected by multidimensional factors and seek strong integration and immediate intervention of multiple sectors.
The ‘R’ principles in laboratory animal experiments
Authors: Lee Kook Hyun , Lee Dong Won , Kang Byeong Chul 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSince the Three Rs of replacement, reduction and refinement was proposed by Russel and Birch in 1959, researchers have a moral duty to minimize harm to animals. Even though animal experiments are performed by the Three Rs concept, animal researches which do not comply with international rules and standards are not accepted as well. As animal welfare has been important global issues, the methods to assess animal welfare compromise and distress have been proposed. Humanity is accepted as the goal of the Three Rs, however, another fourth R, ‘Refusal’ of fruitless protocol or ‘Responsibility’ for the experimental animal and social, scientific status of the animal experiments has been proposed. After establishing goals of animal research in a respective society, reliable knowledge can be obtained while improving laboratory animal welfare.
Contributory role of SARS-CoV-2 genomic variations and life expectancy in COVID-19 transmission and low fatality rate in Africa
Authors: Omotoso Olabode E. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has claimed lots of lives, posing a dire threat to global health. It was predicted that the coronavirus outbreak in the African population would be very lethal and result to economic devastation owing to the prevalence of immune-compromised population, poverty, low lifespan, fragile health care systems, poor economy, and lifestyle factors. Accumulation of mutations gives virus selective advantage for host invasion and adaptation, higher transmissibility of more virulent strains, and drug resistance. The present study determined the severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomic variability and the contributory factors to the low COVID-19 fatality in Africa. To assess the SARS-CoV-2 mutational landscape, 924 viral sequences from the Africa region with their sociobiological characteristics mined from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database were analyzed.

Results
Mutational analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences revealed highly recurrent mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein D614G (97.2%), concurrent R203K, and G204R (65.2%) in the nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, and P4715L (97.2%) in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase flagging these regions as SARS-CoV-2 mutational hotspots in the African population. COVID-19 is more severe in older people (> 65 years); Africa has a low percentage of people within this age group (4.36%). The average age of the infected patients observed in this study is 46 years with only 47 infected patients (5.1%) above 65 years in Africa in comparison to 13.12% in countries in other continents with the highest prevalence of COVID-19.

Conclusions
Africa’s young generation, the late incidence of the disease, and adherence to public health guidelines are important indicators that may have contributed to the observed low COVID-19 deaths in Africa. However, with the easing of lockdown and regulatory policies, daily increasing incidence in most countries, and low testing and sequencing rate, the epidemiology and the true impact of the pandemic in Africa remain to be unraveled.
Impact of transformational leadership on work performance, burnout and social loafing: a mediation model
Authors: Khan Hira , Rehmat Maryam , Butt Tahira Hassan , Farooqi Saira , Asim Javaria 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe aim of this research was to study the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ work outcomes which include their work performances and working burnout, and their working behavior such as social loafing at workplace. Also, it studies the impact of intrinsic motivation as a mediator between transformational leadership and other stated variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 308 employees working in the telecommunication sector. To test the hypotheses, Model 4 of Process Hayes was used to test direct and mediating effects among transformational leadership and employees’ work outcomes and working behavior. The results showed that transformational leadership has a significant positive relationship with mediator intrinsic motivation. The results also concluded that work performance has positive significant relationship with transformational leadership. However, there is indirect and insignificant relationship of transformational leadership with working burnout and social loafing. Therefore, it can be stated that organizational leaders must have transformational attributes by getting informed of their employees well because transformational leader can inspire employees to achieve anticipated or significant outcomes. It gives employees self-confidence over specific jobs, as well as the power to make decisions once they have been trained.
The Character Sketch, the Aesthetics of Representativeness, and Rip Van Winkle’s Electoral Double Vision
Authors: Mansouri Leila 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis essay examines how a literary genre called the character sketch shaped the ways Americans came to understand electoral representation as representative. Now little known but central to eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century literary culture in the US and Britain, character sketches and a related aesthetic discourse about how to distinguish “well-drawn characters” from caricature helped to naturalize the notion that meaningful, legitimate representation should be grounded in clearly delineated categories and distinctions that were true to the “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.” However, this aesthetic and political framework intersected uneasily with the early nineteenth century’s racially and economically diverse electoral public sphere. This public sphere was rife with fear that electoral “combinations” would so badly misrepresent the electorate that the United States would be functionally returned to tyranny. And these abstract fears often became entangled with the embodied discomfort genteel white men like Washington Irving experienced when “beer-barrel” politics brought them into contact with fellow voters whom they considered themselves naturally socially or racially distinct from. As a result, this paper shows, writing for and about early US elections—including Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” (1819), whose electoral plot is often overlooked—was imbued with a disconcerting sense of double vision. Only by recovering that double vision’s embodied and racialized electoral context can critics fully grapple with the aesthetic and political legacy of American literature’s uneasy foundations.
The Rise of the Conspicuously Young Novelist
Authors: Maguire Michael 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis essay illuminates the history of what David Foster Wallace dubbed the “conspicuously young” novelist (CYN), drawing on a series of brief case studies (F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Radiguet, Carson McCullers, Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, and James Baldwin) that demonstrate how certain CYNs were marketed and represented in advertising and journalistic discourse. In the process, it traces the construction of a number of ostensibly meritocratic—but in practice highly inequitable—institutions that functioned to identify, sponsor, and promote young writers. Finally, this essay examines the pervasive critical rhetoric of “promise,” which offers the key to understanding the dynamic of hype and disappointment immanent to each “younger generation” of CY writers.
Η αναγκαιότητα του «χρήσιμου ψεύδους» στην πλατωνική Πολιτεία
Authors: Κακλαμάνου Ελένη 
Published: December 2020

Ο Πλάτων στην Πολιτεία προβαίνει στη διάκριση ανάμεσα σε «ψεύδη στην ψυχή» και «ψεύδη στα λόγια» και στην ενσωμάτωση των δεύτερων στην ιδανική πολιτεία του μέσα από τις περιπτώσεις της χρήσιμης απάτης. Διευκρινίζει ότι μόνο οι άρχοντες νομιμοποιούνται να κάνουν χρήση του ψεύδους, όταν αυτό αποβλέπει στο όφελος της πόλης, όπως συμβαίνει στην περίπτωση του γενναίου ψεύδους. Η παραχώρηση του δικαιώματος στους άρχοντες να εφευρίσκουν ψεύδη προς όφελος των αρχομένων έχει φαρμακολογικό χαρακτήρα.Ο Popper (1966) κατηγορεί τον Πλάτωνα για πολιτική ανηθικότητα εξαιτίας της χρήσης άνομων μέσων, όπως το ψεύδος, με σκοπό τη διατήρηση της εξουσίας, η οποία είναι συγκεντρωμένη στα χέρια μιας μικρής τάξη ανθρώπων. Σε μια πρόσφατη μελέτη, ο Schofield (2006) ισχυρίζεται οι περιπτώσεις ψεύδους δεν αντιφάσκουν με την προσπάθεια του Πλάτωνα να δημιουργήσει μια δίκαιη πόλη, αλλά αποτελούν μέρος της επιχειρηματολογίας του, ένα είδος πολιτικής ρητορικής, στην απόπειρα να συσταθεί η δίκαιη πόλη.Στόχος της παρούσας έρευνας είναι να εξετάσει διεξοδικά τα «χρήσιμα ψεύδη» στην Πολιτεία, τη διαφορετική φύση τους, αλλά και τις δυσκολίες που δημιουργεί στον Πλάτωνα η συμπερίληψή τους στην ιδανική πολιτεία του. Μέρος της έρευνας είναι η ανάλυση της έννοιας του ψεύδους, της απάτης και άλλων σχετικών εννοιών. Η προσφυγή στην ολοένα αυξανόμενη βιβλιογραφία αναφορικά με την έννοια του ψεύδους και της απάτης συμβάλλει στην αποσαφήνιση των ιδιαιτεροτήτων κάθε είδους ψεύδους. Η έρευνα, λοιπόν, επιχειρεί να καταδείξει ότι το ψεύδος στον Πλάτωνα δεν είναι μόνο ηθικό, αλλά και γνωσιολογικό θέμα. Επιπλέον, εξετάζει παράλληλα τα κείμενα της εποχής (ρητορική, ιστορία, τραγωδία) όσον αφορά στο ερώτημα γιατί προτείνονται τα συγκεκριμένα ψεύδη έναντι κάποιων άλλων. Ένας από τους άξονες της επιχειρηματολογίας είναι ότι ο Πλάτων «δανείζεται» παραδείγματα ψεύδους από την αθηναϊκή ιστορία και τη δημοκρατική καθημερινότητά του και τα επανανοηματοδοτεί, παρουσιάζοντάς τα εντέλει ως περιπτώσεις ψεύδους του κοινού νου.
Staphylococcus aureus secreted lipases do not inhibit innate immune killing mechanisms
Authors: Sargison Fiona , Alves Joana , Pickering Amy , Fitzgerald J Ross 
Published: December 2020

Background: Staphylococcus aureus causes an array of diseases in both humans and livestock. Pathogenesis is mediated by a plethora of proteins secreted by S. aureus, many of which remain incompletely characterised. For example, S. aureus abundantly secretes two isoforms of the enzyme lipase into the extracellular milieu, where they scavenge upon polymeric triglycerides. It has previously been suggested that lipases may interfere with the function of innate immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, but the impact of lipases on phagocytic killing mechanisms remains unknown. Methods: We employed the epidemic S. aureus clone USA300 strain LAC and its lipase deficient isogenic mutant, along with recombinant lipase proteins, in in vitro experimental infection assays. To determine if lipases can inhibit innate immune killing mechanisms, the bactericidal activity of whole blood, human neutrophils, and macrophages was analysed. In addition, gentamycin protection assays were carried out to examine the influence of lipases on S. aureus innate immune cell escape. Results: There were no differences in the survival of S. aureus USA300 LAC wild type and its lipase-deficient isogenic mutant after incubation with human whole blood or neutrophils. Furthermore, there was no detectable lipase-dependent effect on phagocytosis, intracellular survival, or escape from both human primary and immortalised cell line macrophages, even upon supplementation with exogenous recombinant lipases. Conclusions: S. aureus lipases do not inhibit bacterial killing mechanisms of human macrophages, neutrophils, or whole blood. These findings broaden our understanding of the interaction of S. aureus with the innate immune system.
Haplotype heterogeneity and low linkage disequilibrium reduce reliable prediction of genotypes for the ‑α3.7I form of α-thalassaemia using genome-wide microarray data
Authors: Ndila Carolyne M. , Nyirongo Vysaul , Macharia Alexander W. , Jeffreys Anna E. , Rowlands Kate , Hubbart Christina , Busby George B. J. , Band Gavin , Harding Rosalind M. , Rockett Kirk A. , Williams Thomas N. ,   MalariaGEN Consortium
Published: December 2020

Background: The -α3.7I-thalassaemia deletion is very common throughout Africa because it protects against malaria. When undertaking studies to investigate human genetic adaptations to malaria or other diseases, it is important to account for any confounding effects of α-thalassaemia to rule out spurious associations. Methods: In this study we have used direct α-thalassaemia genotyping to understand why GWAS data from a large malaria association study in Kilifi Kenya did not identify the α-thalassaemia signal. We then explored the potential use of a number of new approaches to using GWAS data for imputing α-thalassaemia as an alternative to direct genotyping by PCR. Results: We found very low linkage-disequilibrium of the directly typed data with the GWAS SNP markers around α-thalassaemia and across the haemoglobin-alpha (HBA) gene region, which along with a complex haplotype structure, could explain the lack of an association signal from the GWAS SNP data. Some indirect typing methods gave results that were in broad agreement with those derived from direct genotyping and could identify an association signal, but none were sufficiently accurate to allow correct interpretation compared with direct typing, leading to confusing or erroneous results. Conclusions: We conclude that going forwards, direct typing methods such as PCR will still be required to account for α-thalassaemia in GWAS studies.
As Perspectivas Teóricas Queer e o Uso Cotidiano da Língua Portuguesa
Authors: Lanz Helza Ricarte , Napoles Juliane Noack 
Published: December 2020

O objetivo desse artigo é refletir sobre as contribuições da perspectiva teórica queere o uso cotidiano da língua portuguesa. O artigo está divido em três partes: primeiramente, apresentaremos a perspectiva teórica queere alguns de seus conceitos básicos que nos servirão de base para inferirmos o valor da língua dentro dessa abordagem. Na segunda parte, apontaremos três exemplos do uso cotidiano da língua portuguesa e, dentro da perspectiva queer, discutiremos possíveis significados dessa prática social. Na terceira parte, focaremos algumas possíveis consequências da perspectiva teórica queer. Concluímos o artigo apontando para as contribuições queer, osnovos impulsos revisionistas e questionamos o risco de uma aporia teórica.