bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Ability of Children and Adolescents With Cancer
Authors: Lopes Olivia , Frônio Jaqueline , Bergmann Anke , Lemos Rayla , Defilipo Érica , Chagas Paula 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: It is still poorly understood how the mobility of children and adolescents is affected by cancer. In addition, there is a lack of studies to guide the physiotherapeutic procedures essential for the maintenance, development, preservation and improvement of functional capacity of cancer patients. Therefore, the objective this study to evaluate the functional ability of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out, with children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, from 2 to 18 years of age, of both genders, from the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. All participants signed the informed consent form. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) questionnaire was applied to the caregivers for assessing the functional ability of the participants, in the domains of daily activities, mobility, social/cognitive and responsibility. Results: 33 children or adolescents, 14 male and 19 female, with a mean age of 9.23 years, accepted to participate in the study. After adjustment, it was observed that in the mobility domain, participants older than 8 years presented worse functional ability (OR = 22.000, 95%CI = 3.415 - 141.733, p=0.0001). Conclusions: Children older than 8 years of age and adolescents with different types of cancer showed higher chance to present worse mobility than expected by age, compared to children under 8 years old. Understanding the impact of childhood cancer is important for the physiotherapist to determine treatment strategies for this population that lives with dysfunctions left by cancer treatment.
Inhibitory and Facilitatory Effects of Phonological and Orthographic Similarity on Bilingual Word Recognition
Authors: Frances Candice , Navarra-Barindelli Eugenia , Martin Clara 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Language perception studies on bilinguals often show that words that share form and meaning across languages (cognates) are easier to process than words that share only meaning. This facilitatory phenomenon is known as the cognate effect. Most previous studies have shown this effect visually, whereas the auditory modality as well as the interplay between type of similarity and modality remain largely unexplored. In this study, highly proficient late Spanish-English bilinguals carried out a lexical decision task in their second language, both visually and auditorily. Words had high or low phonological and orthographic similarity, fully crossed. We also included orthographically identical words (perfect cognates). Our results suggest that similarity in the same modality (i.e., orthographic similarity in the visual modality and phonological similarity in the auditory modality) leads to improved signal detection, whereas similarity across modalities hinders it. We provide support for the idea that perfect cognates are a special category within cognates. Results suggest a need for a conceptual and practical separation between types of similarity in cognate studies. The theoretical implication is that the representations of items are active in both modalities of the non-target language during language processing, which needs to be incorporated to our current processing models.
Profiles of Volatile Biomarkers Detect Tuberculosis from Skin
Authors: Haick Hossam , Vishinkin Rotem , Busool Rami , Mansour Elias , Fish Falk , Esmail Aliasgar , Kumar Parveen , Garaa Alaa , Cancilla John , Torrecilla Jose , Skenders Girts , Leja Marcis , Dheda Keertan , Singh Sarman 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that threatens >10 million people annually. Despite advances in TB diagnostics, millions of patients continue to receive insufficient diagnosis, as TB symptoms are not specific. Many existing bio-diagnostic tests are slow, have low sensitivity and/or specificity, and can be too expensive or complex for resource-limited settings. Early diagnosis of TB contributes to morbidity mitigation and prevents the disease spread. Here, we report on a new physiological pathway for TB diagnostics via TB-specific profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are detected and quantified from air trapped above the skin (“skin headspace”). Beyond the exploration aspect that relies on clinical samples from 636 individuals in two clinical sites, we demonstrate the utility of these VOC profiles in a point-of-care diagnosis, by means of specifically-designed intelligent nanoarray, both in lab setting and online, in-situ wearable devices. The results show excellent discrimination between active pulmonary TB patients and controls with 89.4% accuracy. This fulfills the triage TB test requirements according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Experiences and outcomes of group volunteer befriending with patients with severe mental illness: an exploratory mixed-methods study in Colombia
Authors: Botero-Rodríguez Felipe , Hernandez María , Uribe-Restrepo José , Cabariqe Camilo , Fung Catherine , Priebe Stefan , Gómez-Restrepo Carlos 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Improving care for patients with severe mental illness in Latin America requires effective strategies that are low-cost. One such strategy is a volunteering scheme, referred to as befriending, which seeks to support the social integration of patients. Despite positive reports in other world regions, this intervention has not been studied in Latin America. Whilst befriending programmes commonly form patient-volunteer dyads, group arrangements may be an alternative with some benefits. Here, we aim to explore the feasibility, experiences and outcomes of a group volunteer befriending intervention for patients with severe mental illness in Colombia. Methods: In this exploratory non-controlled study, 10 groups of five individuals were formed, each consisting of three individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and two volunteers from the community in Bogotá, Colombia. Each group was encouraged to participate together in social activities within their community over a 6-month period. Patients’ quality of life, objective social outcomes, symptom levels and internalised stigma were assessed before and after the intervention. Patients’ and volunteers’ experiences were explored in semi-structured interviews which were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: Outcomes were available for 23 patients. Whilst their objective social situation had significantly improved at the end of the intervention, other outcomes did not show statistically significant differences. The interviews with participants revealed positive experiences which fell into five categories: 1) stigma reduction; 2) personal growth; 3) formation of relationships; 4) continuity and sustainability of befriending; 5) acceptability of befriending. Conclusions: A volunteer befriending programme in small groups of two volunteers and three patients is feasible and associated with positive experiences of participants. Such programmes may also improve the objective social situation of patients. This low-cost intervention may be useful for patients with severe mental illnesses in Latin America. Trial registration: ISRCTN72241383 (Date of Registration: 04/03/2019, retrospectively registered).
Prognostic Factors in Patients with Advanced HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer Treated With Trastuzumab-Based Chemotherapy: A Cohort Study
Authors: Marshall Shoko , Wakatsuki Takeru , Takahari Daisuke , Matsushima Tomohiro , Ishizuka Naoki , Nakayama Izuma , Osumi Hiroki , Ogura Mariko , Ichimura Takashi , Shinozaki Eiji , Chin Keisho , Yamaguchi Kensei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Prognostic factors for the survival of patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy remain controversial. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical factors that predict prognosis in this patient population.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of HER2-positive gastric cancer patients treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy in our institution. Clinical features and laboratory test results considered prognostic factors were re-examined. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, univariate analysis was performed with the log-rank test, and multivariate analysis using Cox’s proportional hazard regression model.Results: A total of 133 patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer were enrolled. The median OS in this cohort was 18.7 months. Four prognostic factors: visceral metastasis (lung or liver), and levels of haemoglobin (Hb) (< 11.6 g/dL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (> 222 mg/dL), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (> 0.14 mg/dl) were identified as independent prognostic factors. After classifying the patients in three groups according to their number of prognostic factors, namely low (0,1), moderate (2,3), and high (4) risk, OS curves were separated into three categories with median OS of 32.0, 18.7, and 10.1 months, respectively (p=0.00025). Compared to the low-risk group, hazard ratios for the moderate- and high-risk groups were 1.75 (95% CI: 1.05–2.93) and 3.49 (95% CI: 1.81–6.71), respectively.Conclusion: Visceral metastasis and abnormal Hb, LDH, and CRP test results were associated with unfavourable OS. These findings are helpful for the management of advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy.
Anaemic women are more at risk of injectable contraceptive discontinuation due to side-effects in Ethiopia
Authors: Stevens Rose , Malbos Blandine , Gurmu Eshetu , Riou Jérémie , Alvergne Alexandra 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Introduction This paper investigates the importance of women’s physiological condition for predicting the risk of discontinuation due to side-effects of the injectable contraceptive in Ethiopia, where side-effects account for around 20% of all discontinuations. Methods Contraceptive calendar data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Women aged 15-49 who had initiated the injectable contraceptive in the two years prior to interview were included in the analysis (N=1,513). After checking for reverse causality, the associations between physiological risk factors and discontinuation of the injectable contraceptive due to either side-effects (DSE) or other reasons (DOR) were estimated using multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses. Results In 2016, 10% of women had initiated the injectable in the last two years, and 1 in 4 had discontinued use by the time of the interview. Of these, 1 in 5 discontinued due to side-effects. Women with anaemia were at twice the risk of DSE compared with non-anaemic women, while anaemia status was not associated with DOR. Sociocultural factors including religion, wealth and relationship status were significant predictors for DOR, but not for DSE. Conclusion Accounting for diversity in physiological condition is key for understanding contraceptive discontinuation due to side-effects.
GRP75-Upregulated HMGA1 Expression Promotes Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression by Activating the JNK/c-JUN Signaling Pathway
Authors: Qiao Guo-Bing , Wang Ren-Tao , Wang Shu-Nan , Tao Shaolin , Tan Qun-You , Jin Hua 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Recurrence is a major challenge in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) treatment. However, the recurrence mechanism is still unclear, and no biomarkers can predict recurrence in early-stage LUAD. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of high-mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) and glucose-regulated protein 75-kDa (GRP75) in stage I LUAD and evaluated their potential as biomarkers for predicting the recurrence and prognosis of stage I LUAD.Results: High expression of HMGA1 and GRP75 was associated with recurrence and a poor prognosis in stage I LUAD patients. In particular, HMGA1 had potential as an independent prognostic factor. Overexpression of GRP75 or HMGA1 promoted LUAD cell growth and metastasis, while silencing GRP75 or HMGA1 inhibited LUAD cell growth and metastasis. In vitro and clinical data showed that the expression level of GRP75 positively regulated HMGA1 in LUAD and that GRP75 played an HMGA1-dependent role. In addition, GRP75 prolonged the half-life of HMGA1 by inhibiting HMGA1 ubiquitination via direct binding to HMGA1. Finally, we demonstrated that the GRP75/HMGA1 axis played a role by activating JNK/c-JUN signaling in LUAD.Conclusions: The activation of GRP75/HMGA1/JNK/c-JUN signaling is an important mechanism that promotes the progression of stage I LUAD, and a high level of HMGA1 is a novel biomarker for predicting recurrence and prognosis in patients with stage I LUAD.
Automatic Calibration Method for Mounting Position of Protein Crystal Mounting Robot Based on Visual Positioning
Authors: Qin Jiangping , Li Zhaolong , Sun Bo , Yu Feng , Liu Yi , Zhang Kunhao , Wang Qisheng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
With the popularization of automounting robots in protein crystal diffraction experiment beamline stations, the coordinate calibration of the robot sample mounting position has become an inevitable task in the daily maintenance of the beamline station. In this method, the image features of the laser sensor spot and goniometer are extracted by color extraction and edge detection, respectively, and the noise is eliminated by median filtering. Then, after locating the pixel coordinates of the center of the circle through the Hough circle detection and the minimum closed circle fitting algorithm, the coordinates in the base coordinate system are obtained using the camera internal and external parameter matrices and the hand-eye relationship matrix. Finally, according to the deviation of the laser spot and the visual positioning coordinate of the goniometer, the position of the robot is compensated to improve the positioning accuracy, and the automatic calibration of the sample point is realized.
Lane-Exchanging Driving Strategy for Autonomous Vehicle via Trajectory Prediction and Model Predictive Control
Authors: CHEN YIMIN , Yu Huilong , Zhang Jinwei , Cao Donpu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The cooperation between an autonomous vehicle and a nearby vehicle is critical to ensure driving safety in the lane-exchanging scenario. The nearby vehicle trajectory needs to be predicted, from which the autonomous vehicle is controlled to prevent possible collisions. This paper proposes a lane-exchanging driving strategy for the autonomous vehicle to cooperate with the nearby vehicle by integrating vehicle

trajectory prediction and motion control. A trajectory prediction method is developed to anticipate the nearby vehicle trajectory. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM), together with the vehicle kinematic model, are synthesized to predict the nearby vehicle trajectory. A potential-field-based model predictive control (MPC) approach is utilized by the autonomous vehicle to conduct the lane-exchanging maneuver. The potential field of the nearby vehicle is considered in the controller design for collision avoidance. On-road driving data verification shows the nearby vehicle trajectory can be predicted by the proposed method. CarSim simulations validate that the autonomous vehicle can perform the lane-exchanging maneuver

and avoid the nearby vehicle using the proposed driving strategy. The autonomous vehicle can thus safely perform the lane-exchanging maneuver and avoid the nearby vehicle.
Imaging Anatomy and Surface Localization&nbsp;of External Control Device - Target ed&nbsp;Arteries&nbsp;for Noncompressible Torso Hemorrhage
Authors: zhang huayu , guo yong , liu heng , tang hao , li yang , zhang lianyang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is the main cause of prehospital death due to war injury. External hemorrhage control devices (EHCDs) are effective in reducing the death risk of NCTH, but the pressurized area is too large to prevent serious organ damage. This study aims to establish the surface localization strategy of EHCDs based on anatomical features of NCTH-related arteries through human CT images to facilitate the optimal design and application of EHCDs and eventually reduce relevant injuries. Methods: Images of 200 patients aged 18-65 years who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scans were collected. Anatomical parameters such as the length and diameter of the aortic bifurcation (AB), common iliac artery (CIA), external iliac artery (EIA) and common femoral artery (CFA) were measured, and positional relationships among EHCD-targeted arteries, umbilicus, anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and pubic tubercle (PT) were determined. The accuracy of surface localization was verified by 3D-printed mannequins of 20 real patients. Results: The angle and diameter of the AB were 47.1±10.5° and 17.8±2.7 mm, respectively. The AB was 7.5±8.6 mm to the left of umbilicus. The left CIA and right EIA were longer than the contralateral CIA and right EIA (p=0.038 and p=0.000, respectively). The average length of CFA was 39.0±16.6 mm. The CIA was wider than the EIA and the CFA (p=0.000). The distance between the artery and surface decreased from the CIA to the CFA (p=0.000). The vertical distance between the CIA terminus and the ipsilateral AB-ASIS line was 19.6±8.2 mm, and the left and right perpendicular intersections were located at the upper 1/3 and 1/4 of the AB-ASIS line, respectively. The length ratio of EIA-ASIS to ASIS-PT was 0.6:1. The length of the surface location/actual subpoint-ASIS was significantly correlated (p≤0.002), and the vertical distance between the two points of the same artery was ≤ 5.5 mm. Conclusion: The arterial localization strategy established via anatomical investigation was consistent with the actual situation. The data are necessary for improving EHCD design, precise hemostasis and EHCD-related collateral injuries.
Diagnostic Performance of D-dimer in Predicting Pulmonary Embolism in Tuberculosis Pleural Effusion Patients.
Authors: Li Xiao-Ming , Qin Ya-Jing , Ye Wen-Jing , Chen Xi , Sun De-Zhi , Guo Xue-Jun , Gu Wen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis pleural effusion patients always have elevated D-dimer levels. How D-dimer performance in predicting pulmonary embolism in TPE population is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of D-dimer for pulmonary embolism in TPE population and explore the potential mechanism of PE in TPE patients.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were admitted to Xinhua hospital and Weifang Respiratory Disease Hospital with a final diagnosis of TPE between March 2014 and January 2020. Data including demographics, history, symptoms, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as well as the cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-2 receptor of the first blood test, imaging results including computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and compression ultrasound (CUS) with Doppler were collected and analyzed. Results: 248 patients (male=170, female=78) at the age of 43±20.6 years were final included in this study. Elevated D-dimer (≥0.5mg/L) was detected in 186/248 (75%) patients. 150 patients received CTPA examination. PE was diagnosed in 29/150 (19.3%) patients. Among the TPE population, PE patients had significantly higher DD level than that of non-PE patients (2.26±0.96 mg/L VS 1.06±0.73 mg/L) (P＜0.05). An optimized cut off value for D-dimer in predicting PE in TPE was 1.18 mg/L, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 77.8 % ( area under curve was 0.893; 95% CI: 0.839-0.947; P＜0.01). PE patients had lower median WBC and IL-8 values (5.14Ⅹ109/L VS 6.1Ⅹ109/L, P＜0.05 ; 30.2 pg/ml VS 89.7 pg/ml, P＜0.05) but higher median IL-2 receptor value (1964.8 pg/ml VS 961.2 pg/ml, P＜0.01) than that of non-PE patients.Conclusions: D-dimer is still an objective biomarker to predict PE in TPE patients. In order to avoid unnecessary radiological test, the cut off value of D-dimer in TPE patients should be set at 1.18 mg/L. In addition, the imbalance of prothrombotic and antithrombotic cytokines may partly attribute to the formation of pulmonary embolus in TPE patients.
Persistent Infection of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells With Bartonella Henselae Exerts a Proangiogenic Effect
Authors: Scutera Sara , Mitola Stefania , Sparti Rosaria , Piersigilli Giorgia , Grillo Elisabetta , Bugatti Mattia , Salvi Valentina , Alotto Daniela , Schioppa Tiziana , Musso Tiziana , Sozzani Silvano 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background B henselae is in humans the aetiologic agent of cat-scratch disease and of the vasculoproliferative disorders bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis. Although endothelial cells are crucial in the pathogenesis other cell types function as reservoir and contribute to pathological angiogenesis. Among them, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can sense pathogens and mount an appropriate cytokine/chemokine response through different Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). MSCs exert direct antimicrobial effector function but may also shelter bacteria such as M. tuberculosis. Methods Adipose-derived MSCs were infected with B. henselae and analyzed for bacterial persistence by gentamicin protection assay, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Involvement of PRRs in bacterial infection was evaluated through gene and protein expression analysis. The effect of infection on MSC proliferation, apoptosis and release of soluble factors was assessed. The role of infected-MSC conditioned medium in promoting Bartonella infection of endothelial cells and angiogenesis was demonstrated using respectively gentamicin protection assay and different pro-angiogenic assays including spheroid, wound healing and morphogenesis. Results B. henselae can readily infect MSCs and survive in perinuclear bound vacuoles for up to 8 days. Bartonella infection stimulates MSC proliferation and upregulation of EGFR and of the two pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) TLR2 and NOD1. Specific inhibition of EGFR reduces bacterial internalization and treatment with anti-TLR2 neutralizing antibody or EGFR/NOD1 inhibitors significantly downmodulates CXCL8 production. Secretome analysis shows that, in addition to CXCL8, infected MSCs secrete higher levels of the proangiogenic factors VEGF, FGF-7, MMP-9, PIGF, serpin E1, TSP-1, uPA, IL-6, CCL5 and PDGF-D. Importantly, supernatants from B. henselae-infected MSCs increase the susceptibility of ECs to B. henselae infection while enhancing EC proangiogenic potential. Conclusions Altogether, these findings indicate that MSCs constitute a novel niche for B. henselae, which favors the persistence of vascular proliferative disorders.