bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Cataract Through Feature Extraction by the Novel Angular Binary Pattern (NABP) and Classification by Kernel Based Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Sirajudeen A , balasubramaniam Anuradha , Karthikeyan S 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Cataract is a condition of the opacity in the lenticular regions, which usually results in bad visual interpretation of the viewed object or any entity. Hence the timely detection of cataract is considered to be significant and can even contribute in the prevention from loss of fight that might occur if the cataract is left untreated. In this paper, detection of cataract disease is carried out based on the image processing technique. Color features, texture features and shape features are extracted separately. This study proposed a Novel Angular Binary Pattern (NABP) for the extraction of texture features. And after the extraction of features, the images are subjected to classification through the implementation of the proposed novel Kernel Based Convolutional Neural Networks. Results are obtained separately for all the three types of features. A comparison is carried out for the proposed work with existing works and based on the results obtained it can be seen that the proposed work comes up with the enhanced results than the traditional methods.
Controlling the Friction of Gels by Regulating Interfacial Oxygen During Polymerization
Authors: Simič Rok , Spencer Nicholas D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Hydrogel surfaces are of great interest in applications ranging from cell scaffolds and transdermal drug-delivery patches to catheter coatings and contact lenses. In this work we propose a method to control the surface structure of hydrogels, thereby tailoring their frictional properties. The method is based on oxygen inhibition of the free-radical polymerization reaction during synthesis and enables (i) control of friction over more than an order in magnitude and (ii) spatial control of friction as either a continuous gradient or a distinct pattern. The presented method has successfully been applied to acrylamide-, diacrylate- and methacrylate-based gels, illustrating the universality of the presented method, and its potential use in the above-mentioned applications.
Peer influence and sexual debut : A mathematical approach
Authors: Mhlanga Adequate 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objectives: Early sexual debut is one of the major causes of STIs and unwanted pregnancy. A deterministic mathematical model to attempt to understand the role of prostitution and peer influence on early sexual debut is developed and analyzed. Results: The thresholds known as the reproduction number and equilibria for the model are determined and stabilities analyzed. Analysis of the reproduction number suggests that prostitution and economic hardships enhance early sexual debut. Sensitivity analysis of the reproduction number is carried out and it suggests that a reduction in prostitution has the greatest impact in reducing the reproduction number. Using the multi-domain pseudo-spectral relaxation method (MD-SRM), numerical simulations are carried out. Numerical simulations suggest that prostitution and peer influence enhances early sexual debut.
Polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-3: a target engagement marker for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 in peripheral blood
Authors: Huebener-Schmid Jeannette , Kuhlbrodt Kirsten , Peladan Julien , Faber Jennifer , Santana Magda M , Hengel Holger , Jacobi Heike , Reetz Kathrin , Garcia-Moreno Hector , Raposo Mafalda , Gaalen Judith van , Infante Jon , Steiner Katharina M , Vries Jeroen de , Verbeek Marcel M , Giunti Paola , Almeida Luis Pereira de , Lima Manuela , Warrenburg Bart van de , Schöls Ludger , Klockgether Thomas , Synofzik Matthis , Rieß Olaf H 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is a rare neurodegenerative disease, caused by a CAG repeat expansion leading to polyglutamine elongation in the ataxin-3 protein. While no curative therapy is yet available, preclinical gene silencing approaches to reduce polyglutamine-toxicity demonstrate promising results. In view of upcoming clinical trials, quantitative and easily accessible molecular markers are of critical importance as pharmacodynamic and particularly as target engagement markers. We developed a novel ultrasensitive immunoassay to measure specifically polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Statistical analyses revealed a correlation with clinical parameters and a stability of polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-3 during conversion from the pre-ataxic to the ataxic phase.
Gravitational Fields and Gravitational Waves
Authors: Yuan Tony 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
For any object with finite velocity, the relative velocity between them will affect the effect between them. This effect can be called the chasing effect (general Doppler effect). LIGO discovered gravitational waves and measured the speed of gravitational waves equal to the speed of light c. Gravitational waves are generated due to the disturbance of the gravitational field, and the gravitational waves will affect the gravitational force on the object. We know that light waves have the Doppler effect, and gravitational waves also have this characteristic. The article studies the following questions around gravitational waves: What is the spatial distribution of gravitational waves? Can the speed of the gravitational wave represent the speed of the gravitational field (the speed of the action of the gravitational field on the object)? What is the speed of the gravitational field? Will gravitational waves caused by the revolution of the sun affect planetary precession?
The Impact of Payer Status on Hospital Admissions: Evidence from an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Zhao Yanying , Paschalidis Ioannis Ch. , Hu Jianqiang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Inequity exists in accessing to care for patients with different payer statuses. However, there are few studies on the difference of hospital admissions. This study aims to examine how the payer status affects patients hospitalization from the perspective of a safety-net hospital. Methods: We extracted all patients with visiting record in this medical center between 5/1/2009-4/30/2014, and then linked the outpatient and inpatient records three year before target admission time to patients. We conduct a retrospective observational study using a conditional logistic regression methodology. To control the illness of patients with different diseases in training the model, we construct a three-dimension variable with data stratification technology. The model is validated on a dataset distinct from the one used for training. Results: Payer status is strongly associated with a patient’s admission. Patients covered by private insurance or uninsured are less likely to be admitted than those totally or partially insured by government. For uninsured patients, inequity in access to hospitalization is observed. Among all non-clinical influential factors considered in our study, payer status is a significant important factor. Conclusion: Attention is needed on improving the access to care for vulnerable (low-income) patients, for example, by actively advertising free care programs, reaching out to community organizations with better access to these individuals, or offering assurances that access to care is not linked to immigration procedures. Also, in order to reduce preventable admissions, basic preventive care services should be enhanced.
Survival After Lobectomy Versus Sublobar Resection for Stage IA Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: A Population-Based Study
Authors: yu xiangyang , Huang Zirui , Zhang Mengqi , Lin Yongbin , Zhang Rusi , Wen Yingsheng , Zhang Xuewen , Yang Longjun , Zhao Dechang , Zhang Lanjun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Due to the low incidence of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), the survival analysis for comparing lobectomy and sublobar resection (SLR) for stage IA LCNEC remains scarce. Methods: Patients diagnosed with pathological stage IA LCNEC between 1998 and 2016 were extracted from the Survenillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The oncological outcomes were cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis were used to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Furthermore, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between SLR and lobectomy to adjust the confounding factors. Results: A total of 308 patients with stage IA LCNEC met the inclusion criteria: 229 patients (74.4%) received lobectomy and 79 patients (25.6%) received SLR. Patients who underwent SLR were older (P<0.001), had smaller tumor size (P=0.010) and fewer lymph nodes dissection (P<0.001). The 5-year CSS and OS rates were 56.5% and 42.9% for SLR, and 67.8% and 55.7% for lobectomy, respectively (P=0.037 and 0.019, respectively). However, multivariate analysis did not identify any differences between SLR group and lobectomy group in CSS (P=0.135) and OS (P=0.285); and the PSM also supported these results. In addition, age at diagnosis and laterality of tumor were identified as significant predictors for CSS and OS, whereas the number of lymph nodes dissection was a significant predictor for CSS. Conclusions: Although SLR is not inferior to lobectomy in terms of oncological outcomes for patients with stage IA LCNEC, more lymph nodes can be dissected or sampled during lobectomy. Lobectomy should be considered as a standard procedure for patients with early-stage LCNEC who are able to withstand lobectomy.
What is The Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Patients with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2?
Authors: Ozturk Alper , Celik Yusuf 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: To investigate the effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) in patient with a Body Mass Index (BMI)≥50 kg/m² groups on weight loss and comorbidities as the first and alone option. Methods: The prospectively maintained data obtained from patients with a BMI ≥ 50 who underwent SG between February, 2016 - February, 2020 were evaluated. Results: 138 patient with a BMI≥50 kg/m² underwent surgery. Average BMI: 56.36±7.661, age 37.41±12.33. Forty eight patients underwent cholecystectomy and/or hiatal hernia repair (HHR), as well. The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) values of patients in months 3, 6, 12 and 24 were 36.70%, 54.34%, 67.58%, 72.45%, 74.14% and the percentage of total weight loss (TWL%) values were 20.17%, 29.59%, 36.93%, 39.62%, 40.65%, respectively. The mean BMI values in month 0 and in the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th months were 56.36, 45.10, 39.76, 35.48, 33.96 and 33.42 respectively. The values measured in the month 0 and in the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th months were significantly different for EWL%, TWL% and BMI variables (p<0.001), but EWL% (p = 0.527), TWL% (p = 0.396) and BMI (p=0.657) were not found significantly different between the 18th and 24th months. When EWL% was accepted as ≥50, the success rate was found to be 93.55%(n=93) and 92%(n=50) in months 12 and 24, respectively. Conclusion: SG appears to be an effective and safe treatment method as the first option for weight loss and for treatment of concomitant disorders in patient with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m² groups. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm these results.
Inflammatory Modulation of Bronchial Epithelial Cells’ Response to Lipopolysaccharide with Pretreatment by Montelukast
Authors: Jendrisek Gorana , Nikolic Aleksandra , Dragicevic Sandra 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is the most prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used as add-on therapy at later stages of asthma to prevent disease progression. Besides its direct anti-inflammatory effect due to blocking leukotriene action, montelukast has been proposed to have secondary anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of montelukast on the expression of major genes involved in airway inflammation (TNF, IL6) and remodeling (MMP9, TGFB1) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro.
Methods

Effect of montelukast on LPS-induced acute inflammation was analyzed in the immortalized cell line derived from human bronchial epithelium, BEAS-2B. The expression of selected genes was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction 0h and 24h after LPS stimulation in cells pretreated with montelukast.
Results

Montelukast was found to significantly attenuate increased TNF and IL6 gene expression, has a mild effect on MMP9, and has no effect on TGFB1 expression upon stimulation with LPS.
Conclusion

The results of our study indicate that that patients already using montelukast therapy would have adequate response to acute microorganism-induced inflammation. Additional anti-inflammatory effects of montelukast could be better exploited in clinical practice and modes of montelukast use should be reconsidered to improve the therapeutic approaches in asthma.
Identification of Key Pathways and Establishment of a Seven-Gene Prognostic Signature in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Meng Silu , Ning Ruoqi , Zhang Jianwei , Wang Shennan , Fan Xinran , Xiao Bing , Li Shuang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) remains high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify critical pathways underlying cervical carcinogenesis and establish a prognostic signature.Methods: Six datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal tissues. We used the unions of the DEGs to perform functional analysis. The 108 overlapped DEGs were analyzed to determine a prognostic signature by Cox regression and Lasso analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) were used to determine the relationships between the signature and biological functions.Results: The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, and the viral carcinogenesis pathway may be the critical pathways for CC development. We identified 7 genes to construct a risk score formula. Survival analysis showed that the high-risk group indicated a worse prognosis than the low-risk group (p < 0.0001). The AUC of the prognostic signature was 0.7449, 0.7641, and 0.8146 at 1, 3, and 5 years. We also identified that the signature is an independent prognostic factor. GSEA showed five pathways were relevant to the signature, such as the adherens junction pathway. The abundances of various types of immune cells, such as B cell, CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell, were also affected by the signature.Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study explored the key pathways for CC development and the seven-gene signature can effectively make the prognosis evaluation of CC patients.
Identification of Prognostic Markers For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based On the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Gene BIRC5
Authors: li yan , li yiping , xu rongzhong , lin liubing , zhang bo , wang jian , zhao fanchen , liu xiaolin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it remains unclear whether BIRC5-related genes can be used as prognostic markers of HCC. Methods: Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve was used to assess the Overall Survival (OS) of high- and low-expression group divided by the median of BIRC5 expression. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were screened using the limma package, and performed the functional enrichment analysis by the clusterProfiler package. WGCNA was used to analyze the relationship of the module and the clinical traits. The risk signature was constructed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and the enrichment analysis of genes in the risk signature was performed by the Intelligent pathway analysis (IPA). The immunophenoscore (IPS) and the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) were used to estimate the clinical significance of the risk groups.Results: BIRC5 was high-expressed in HCC samples and associated with a poor prognosis (p-value < 0.0001). WGCNA screened 180 module genes which were overlapped with the 241 DEGs, ultimately getting 33 candidate genes. After the Cox regression analyses, CENPA, CDCA8, EZH2, KIF20A, KPNA2, CCNB1, KIF18B and MCM4 were preserved and used to construct risk signature, followed by calculating the risk score. The patients in high-risk groups stratified by median of the risk score were associated with a poor prognosis. The risk score had high accuracy [the area under the curve (AUC) >0.72] and was closely associated with clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients. IPA suggested that the 8 genes were enriched in Cancer and Immunological disease related pathways. IPS and TIDE score indicated that the genes in low-risk group could cause an immune response, and patients in the low-risk group may be more sensitive to the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy.Conclusion: The risk score constructed by the 8 genes could not only predict the clinical outcome but also distinguish the cohort of ICB therapy in HCC, which exerted a vital value in treatment and prognosis of HCC.
Nurse Versus Clinician Symptomatic Adverse Events Assessment Based on Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE): Results of a Questionnaire-Based Study
Authors: Liu Lei , Wang Jian-xin , Zhang Li-na , zhang Yan-shou , Liu Feng-xia , Kang Lin , Wang Xin-le , Liu Zhanlun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Monitoring adverse Events (AEs) is a standard practice for clinician to assess the overall effect of anti-cancer treatment on patients. However, studies have found clinicians have difficulty in capturing nuance aspects of patient-centered AEs. We aimed to explore the differences between nurses and clinicians in term of subjective AEs assessment and discuss the nurses’ role in subjective AEs assessment.Methods: From April and July, 2020, a questionnaires based study was conducted in Day Chemotherapy ward of Breast Center in Hebei Cancer Hospital. Six common subjective AEs were assessed by nurses and clinicians utilizing Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Patients needed to self-report their own subject AEs by filling up a Simplified Chinese version of PRO-CTCAE containing the same AEs. Results from the three different pairs (Nurse/Patient, Nurse/ Clinician, and Clinician/Patient) were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test and kappa coefficient were utilized to analysis the differences and consistency among different pairs.Results: of 417 patients were asked to participate in the study, 384 pairs surveys were collected. Nurses detected more AEs than clinicians, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.00). Nurse/patient pair scored the highest agreement in terms of reporting rate and toxicity grade for most of AEs except the toxicity grade for the frequency of vomiting and pain which were as consistent as nurse/clinician.Conclusions: The results of this study support nurses can be successfully enrolled in the assessment of subjective AEs because of the greater ability to elicit more patient-centered information than clinicians.
Low Expression of RILPL2 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Correlates with Immune Infiltration in Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jinihui , Mengtimg Xu , Wu Zhipemg , Liamg Jianqiamg , Zhu Hongjun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Increasing numbers of biomarkers have been identified for various cancers. However, biomarkers associated with endometrial carcinoma (EC) remain largely to be explored. In the current research, we downloaded the RNA-seq data and corresponding clinicopathological features from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We conducted expression analysis, which resulted in identification of RILPL2 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in EC. The dysregulation of RILPL2 in EC was also validated in multiple datasets. The correlations between clinical features and RILPL2 expression were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Then, Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to estimate prgnostic values of RILPL2 in the TCGA cohort, which unveiled that increased level of RILPL2 was remarkably associated with better prognosis and could be severd as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with EC. Moreover, correlation analysis of RILPL2 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) indicated that RILPL2 might play a critical role in regulating immune cell infiltration in EC and is related to immune response. Besides, high methylation level was a significant cause for RILPL2 low expression in EC. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and enrichment analysis were conducted to explore the RILPL2-involved underlyingl oncogenic mechanisms, and the results indicated that RILPL2 mainly regulated cell cycle. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence that downregulation of RILPL2 in EC is an indicator of adverse prognosis and RILPL2 may act as a promising target for the theraputics of EC.
Frequency and Clinicopathological Features of Distant Metastasis of Bladder Cancer: A SEER-Based Study
Authors: Miao Jia , Wei Haibin , Cui Jianxin , Chen Xinpeng , Zhang Qi , Liu Feng , Mao Zujie , Zheng Wei , Zhang Yunxiao , Zhang Dahong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: bladder cancer (BCa) is a common malignancy in the urinary system. But the hematogenous metastatic pattern of it was poorly explored. The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of the prognosis of the different distant metastatic pattern from stage IV BCa patients and support for making a suitable clinical decision.Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database (SEER) provided data for this study include BCa from 2010 to 2015. Kaplan–Meier method was used to evaluate the survival prognosis of patients of metastatic BCa. Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to analyzed risk factors. All statistical tests were two-sided.Results: At the time of diagnosis, a total of 6808 eligible patients at stage IV were extracted from SEER database. Patients who suffered metastasis to either one of the four sites occupied 25.31% (1723/6808) of BCa. Bone was the most common distant metastatic site of BCa (1225 cases), and brain metastases had the worst prognosis whose mean survival was 6.282 months. The results of univariate survival analysis presented that diagnostic age, race, gender, primary site surgery, tumor size, T stage, N stage, primary tumor site, histology, marital status and metastatic number were independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) (P<0.05). On multivariable Cox regression, squamous cell carcinoma was an independent risk factor affecting the overall survival (P < 0.05). The nomogram model was constructed to show the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients.Conclusion: In analysis of single metastatic sites, patients with brain metastasis had the worst overall survival and lung metastasis had the best outcomes than other three distant metastases. Knowledge of these differences in metastatic patterns is helpful for clinicians to make better pre-treatment evaluation and clinical decisions.