bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Metastasis in the Axillary Lymph Nodes of Patients With Breast Cancer: A Radiomics Method Based on Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography
Authors: Yang Chunmei , Dong Jing , Liu Ziyi , Guo Qingxi , Nie Yue , Huang Deqing , Qin Na , Shu Jian 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe use of traditional techniques to evaluate breast cancer is restricted by the subjective nature of assessment, variation across radiologists, and limited data. Radiomics may predict axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) of breast cancer more accurately.PurposeThe aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a radiomics model based on ALNs themselves that used contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to detect ALNM of breast cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 402 patients with breast cancer confirmed by pathology from January 2016 to October 2019. Three hundred and ninety-six features were extracted for all patients from axial CECT images of 825 ALNs using Artificial Intelligent Kit software (GE Medical Systems, Version V3.1.0.R). Next, the radiomics model was trained, validated, and tested for predicting ALNM in breast cancer by using a support vector machine algorithm. Finally, the performance of the radiomics model was evaluated in terms of its classification accuracy and the value of the area under the curve (AUC).ResultsThe radiomics model yielded the best classification accuracy of 89.1% and the highest AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91-0.93, p=0.002) for discriminating ALNM in breast cancer in the validation cohorts. In the testing cohorts, the model also demonstrated better performance, with an accuracy of 88.5% and an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93-0.95, p=0.005) for predicting ALNM in breast cancer.ConclusionThe radiomics model based on CECT images can be used to predict ALNM in breast cancer and has significant potential in clinical noninvasive diagnosis and in the prediction of breast cancer metastasis.
Comparison of TPF and TP Induction Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Based on TNM Stage and Pretreatment Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index
Authors: Xiong Ying , Shi Liangliang , Zhu Lisheng , Peng Gang 
Published: September 2021

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the two IC (induction chemotherapy) regimens, TPF (taxanes, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) and TP (taxanes and cisplatin) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients.MethodsUltimately, we enrolled 213 patients at stage III-IVA in this retrospective study. The prognosis of TPF and TP was compared by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression. The toxicities were evaluated according to CTCAE v4.0 and RTOG criteria.ResultsTPF was found to have a higher 5-year DMFS in stage IVA and N2-3 patients. The optimal value of pretreatment SII was 432.48. A further subgroup analysis revealed that patients in stage IVA combined with SII ≥432.48 showed superior OS (P=0.038) and DMFS (P=0.028) from TPF. Also, SII was proved to be a prognostic element for PFS (HR 2.801, P=0.018) and DMFS (HR 3.735, P=0.032) in multivariate analysis, and IC regimen (HR 2.182, P=0.049) for predicting DMFS. The rate of grade 3–4 leukopenia (P=0.038), neutropenia (P=0.021), radiation oral mucositis (P=0.048), diarrhea (P=0.036), and ear damage (P=0.046) were more common in TPF group.ConclusionOur study revealed that TPF regimen showed a higher 5-year DMFS for stage IVA and N2-3 patients, while for stage III and N0-1, TP might be ample. In high-risk LA-NPC patients (stage IVA combined with pretreatment SII ≥432.48), TPF had a higher 5-year OS and DMFS, with more grade 3–4 toxicities, but most of them were endurable.
Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Sihocheonggan-Tang Shapes the Immune Responses of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Chun Jaemoo , Lee So Min , Ahn You Mee , Baek Min-Gyung , Yi Hana , Shin Sarah , Jung Jeeyoun 
Published: September 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by complex immune dysregulation and closely related to the gut microbiome. The present study investigated the microbiome-mediated effect of Sihocheonggan-Tang (SHCGT) on AD-like symptoms induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in BALB/c mice. DNCB was applied regularly to the ear and dorsal skin of BALB/c mice, and SHCGT was administered orally daily for 2 weeks. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and the effect of gut microbiome-derived metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), was evaluated in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)- and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-treated HaCaT cells. SHCGT alleviated DNCB-induced symptoms of AD and the immune response to AD by decreasing the plasma immunoglobulin E level and splenic interleukin-4, interleukin-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels. The gut microbiome composition and the damaged gut epithelial barrier in mice with AD were also significantly altered by SHCGT, and the reduced SCFA levels therein were elevated. We found that SFCAs directly inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1 in TNF-α- and INF-γ-treated HaCaT cells. The finding that SHCGT regulates the gut microbiome and improves DNCB-induced AD in mice suggests that this herbal medicine has therapeutic potential in patients with AD.
Interaction Between Chinese Medicine and Warfarin: Clinical and Research Update
Authors: Zhuang Wei , Liu Shaoli , Zhao Xusheng , Sun Nan , He Tao , Wang Yali , Jia Beibei , Lin Xiaolan , Chu Yanqi , Xi Shengyan 
Published: September 2021

Background: Warfarin is a commonly used oral anticoagulant. It has a narrow therapeutic window and wide variation in individualized dosing, and is used clinically for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases. Due to the widespread use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China and the complex composition and diverse mechanisms of action of TCM, the combination of TCM and warfarin in patients has led to fluctuations in the international normalized ratio of warfarin or bleeding. To ensure rational clinical use, we summarize the TCMs with which warfarin interacts and the possible mechanisms, with a view to providing a clinical reference.Aim of the study: To summarize the mechanisms by which Chinese herbal medicines affect the enhancement or weakening of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, to provide theoretical references for clinicians and pharmacists to use warfarin safely and rationally, and to avoid the adverse effects associated with the combination of Chinese herbal medicines and warfarin.Methods: A computerized literature search of electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (WOS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WANFANG Data was performed. Key words used in the literature search were “warfarin”, “Chinese medicine”, “traditional Chinese medicine”, “Chinese patent medicine” etc. and their combinations in a time limit from January 1, 1990 to May 1, 2021. A total of 64 articles were obtained following the selection process, including clinical reports, pharmacological experiments and in vitro experiments which were reviewed to determine the mechanism of the anticoagulant effect of herbal medicine on warfarin.Results: The mechanisms affecting the anticoagulant effect of warfarin are complex, and herbal medicines may enhance and diminish the anticoagulant effect of warfarin through a variety of mechanisms; thus, clinical use needs to be cautious. Some herbal medicines have shown inconsistent results in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments, pharmacology and clinical studies, and should be the focus of future research.Conclusion: With the widespread use of TCM, the combination of warfarin and TCM is more common. This article will promote clinicians’ knowledge and understanding of the TCMs which interact with warfarin, in order to avoid the occurrence of adverse clinical treatment processes, and improve the efficacy and safety.
Characterization of Diamond and Silicon Carbide Detectors With Fission Fragments
Authors: Gallin-Martel M. L. , Kim Y. H. , Abbassi L. , Bes A. , Boiano C. , Brambilla S. , Collot J. , Colombi G. , Crozes T. , Curtoni S. , Dauvergne D. , Destouches C. , Donatini F. , Gallin-Martel L. , Ghouini O. , Hostachy J. Y. , Iskra Ł. W. , Jastrzab M. , Kessedjian G. , Köster U. , Lacoste A. , Lyoussi A. , Marcatili S. , Motte J. F. , Muraz J. F. , Nowak T. , Ottaviani L. , Pernot J. , Portier A. , Rahajandraibe W. , Ramdhane M. , Rydygier M. , Sage C. , Tchoualack A. , Tribouilloy L. , Yamouni M. 
Published: September 2021

Experimental fission studies for reaction physics or nuclear spectroscopy can profit from fast, efficient, and radiation-resistant fission fragment (FF) detectors. When such experiments are performed in-beam in intense thermal neutron beams, additional constraints arise in terms of target-detector interface, beam-induced background, etc. Therefore, wide gap semi-conductor detectors were tested with the aim of developing innovative instrumentation for such applications. The detector characterization was performed with mass- and energy-separated fission fragment beams at the ILL (Institut Laue Langevin) LOHENGRIN spectrometer. Two single crystal diamonds, three polycrystalline and one diamond-on-iridium as well as a silicon carbide detector were characterized as solid state ionization chamber for FF detection. Timing measurements were performed with a 500-µm thick single crystal diamond detector read out by a broadband amplifier. A timing resolution of ∼10.2 ps RMS was obtained for FF with mass A = 98 at 90 MeV kinetic energy. Using a spectroscopic preamplifier developed at INFN-Milano, the energy resolution measured for the same FF was found to be slightly better for a ∼50-µm thin single crystal diamond detector (∼1.4% RMS) than for the 500-µm thick one (∼1.6% RMS), while a value of 3.4% RMS was obtained with the 400-µm silicon carbide detector. The Pulse Height Defect (PHD), which is significant in silicon detectors, was also investigated with the two single crystal diamond detectors. The comparison with results from α and triton measurements enabled us to conclude that PHD leads to ∼50% loss of the initial generated charge carriers for FF. In view of these results, a possible detector configuration and integration for in-beam experiments has been discussed.
Effects of Age and Sex on Properties of Lumbar Erector Spinae in Healthy People: Preliminary Results From a Pilot Study
Authors: Wu Zugui , Wang Yi , Ye Zixuan , Guan Yingxing , Ye Xiangling , Chen Zehua , Li Congcong , Chen Guoqian , Zhu Yue , Du Jianping , Chen Guocai , Liu Wengang , Xu Xuemeng 
Published: September 2021

Background: The influences of age and sex on properties of lumbar erector spinae have not been previously studied. Changes in the performance of lumbar erector spinae properties associated with age represent a valuable indicator of risk for lower-back-related disease.Objective: To investigate the lumbar erector spinae properties with regard to age and sex to provide a reference dataset.Methods: We measured muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae (at the L3–4 level) in healthy men and women (50 young people, aged 20–30 years; 50 middle-aged people, aged 40–50 years; and 50 elderly people, aged 65–75 years) using a MyotonPRO device.Results: In general, there are significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness among young, middle-aged, and elderly participants, and there were significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness between men and women, and there was no interaction between age and sex. The muscle tone and stiffness of the elderly participants were significantly higher than those of the middle-aged and young participants (P &lt; 0.01), and the muscle tone and stiffness of the middle-aged participants were significantly higher than those of the young participants (P &lt; 0.01). In addition, the muscle tone and stiffness of men participants were significantly higher than that of women participants (P &lt; 0.01).Conclusion: Our results indicate that muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae increase with age. The muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae in men are significantly higher than in women. The present study highlights the importance of considering age and sex differences when assessing muscle characteristics of healthy people or patients.
Relationship Between Social Capital and Depressive Symptoms Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Northwest China: A Mediating Role of Sleep Quality
Authors: Wang Liqun , Li Jiangping , Dang Yuqi , Ma Haiyu , Niu Yang 
Published: September 2021

Objective: There are few studies about the relationship between social capital (SC) and depression among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and the mechanism explaining how SC leads to decreased depression is unclear. The current study aims to explore the relationship between SC and depressive symptoms among the T2DM patients in northwest China, with a particular focus on the mediating role of sleep quality.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,761 T2DM patients from Ningxia Province was conducted. The Center for Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-report sleep quality questionnaire coupled with the SC scales were administered during the face-to-face survey. The Bootstrap methods PROCESS program is employed to test the mediation model.Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among T2DM patients was 24.8%. After controlling for covariates, the SC (r = −0.23, p &lt; 0.001) was negatively correlated with CES-D score; the sleep quality was also negatively correlated with CES-D score (r = −0.31, p &lt; 0.001); and the SC was positively correlated with sleep quality (r = 0.10, p &lt; 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that SC was inversely related to the risk of depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, sleep quality was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Sleep quality has mediated the relationship between SC and depressive symptoms among T2DM patients (explaining 12.6% of the total variance).Conclusions: We elucidated how SC interacted with depressive symptoms through the mediation pathway of sleep quality using a representative sample of the Chinese diabetes patients. The findings indicate that the improvement of SC and sleep quality may help in maintaining mental health among T2DM patients. Hence, clinicians can suggest that patients communicate more with others to improve the SC and, in turn, maintain their health.
Mild Cognitive Impairment or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Older Adults? A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Mendonca Felippe , Sudo Felipe Kenji , Santiago-Bravo Gustavo , Oliveira Natalia , Assuncao Naima , Rodrigues Fernanda , Soares Rejane , Calil Victor , Bernardes Gabriel , Erthal Pilar , Drummond Claudia , Tovar-Moll Fernanda , Mattos Paulo 
Published: September 2021

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition, which may be associated with life-enduring cognitive dysfunction. It has been hypothesized that age-related cognitive decline may overlap with preexisting deficits in older ADHD patients, leading to increased problems to manage everyday-life activities. This phenomenon may mimic neurodegenerative disorders, in particular Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This cross-sectional study aims to assess cognitive and behavioral differences between older subjects with ADHD and MCI.Methods: A total of 107 older participants (41 controls; 40 MCI and 26 ADHD; mean age = 67.60 ± 7.50 years; mean schooling = 15.14 ± 2.77 years; 65.4% females) underwent clinical, cognitive, and behavioral assessments by a multidisciplinary team at the Memory Clinic, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mean scores in neuropsychological tasks and behavioral scales were compared across groups.Results: Participants with ADHD showed poorer performances than controls in episodic memory and executive function with large effect-sizes. Performances were comparable between MCI and ADHD for all domains.Discussion: MCI and ADHD in older individuals are dissociated clinical entities with overlapping cognitive profiles. Clinicians ought to be aware of these converging phenotypes to avoid misdiagnosis.
Determinants of Non-emergency Use of Control Interventions in Older Canadian Psychiatric Inpatients: Analysizing the InterRAI Mental Health Electronic Health Records
Authors: Cheung Gary , Mah Tina M. , Barak Yoram , Hirdes John P. 
Published: September 2021

Background: The use of control interventions (CIs; acute control medications, physical/mechanical restraint) is associated with negative physical and psychological outcomes, particularly in older adults who are physically vulnerable. The aims of this study were to: (i) report the rates of CI use in older psychiatric inpatients (age 65 – 84 and age 85+), and compare them with younger age groups (18 – 44, age 45 – 64); and (ii) identify the factors associated with non-emergency CI use in older psychiatric inpatients.Methods: Routinely collected interRAI Mental Health assessments from 2005 – 2018 in Ontario, Canada, were analyzed to determine the rates of CI use. Logistic regression models were used to examine the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of non-emergency and any CI use.Results: There were 226,119 (female: 48.6%) interRAI assessments, and 85% of those assessed were under 65 years of age. The rates of non-emergency CI use in the four age groups were: 18 – 44 = 9.4%, 45 – 64 = 8.3%, 65 – 84 = 9.9%, 85+ = 13.2%. The most significant determinants of non-emergency CI use in older adults were highest impairments in activities of daily living (ADL Short Form score 8–16: OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 2.42 – 3.06), highest levels of aggression (Aggressive Behavior Scale score 4 – 6: OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.57 – 1.98), and highest levels of positive psychotic symptoms (Positive Symptoms Scale score 9+: OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.43 – 1.90). Delirium, cognitive disorder diagnosis, cognitive impairment, and falls were also associated with increased CI use odds, as were having the reasons for admission be danger to self, danger to others or inability to care for self. Females were less likely to have non-emergency CI use (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73 – 0.95). Patients admitted from long-term care homes had significantly greater odds of non-emergency CI use compared with community admissions (OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.07 – 1.29).Conclusion: The higher rates of non-emergency CI use in older psychiatric inpatients is concerning. Alternative non-pharmacological and person-centered management strategies should be considered to support older psychiatric inpatients with functional impairment, positive symptoms, aggressive behavior, cognitive impairment and delirium. The use of CIs could be incorporated as a quality improvement activity to monitor changes at various service provision levels.
Laboratory Methods for Detection of Infectious Agents and Serological Response in Humans With Tick-Borne Infections: A Systematic Review of Evaluations Based on Clinical Patient Samples
Authors: Henningsson Anna J. , Aase Audun , Bavelaar Herjan , Flottorp Signe , Forsberg Pia , Kirkehei Ingvild , Lövmar Matilda , Nilsson Kenneth , Nyman Dag , Ornstein Katharina , Sjöwall Johanna , Skogman Barbro H. , Tjernberg Ivar , Aaberge Ingeborg 
Published: September 2021

Background: For the most important and well-known infections spread by Ixodes ticks, Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), there are recommendations for diagnosis and management available from several health authorities and professional medical networks. However, other tick-borne microorganisms with potential to cause human disease are less known and clear recommendations on diagnosis and management are scarce. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of published studies and reviews focusing on evaluation of laboratory methods for clinical diagnosis of human tick-borne diseases (TBDs), other than acute LB and TBE. The specific aim was to evaluate the scientific support for laboratory diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis, neoehrlichiosis, babesiosis, hard tick relapsing fever, tularemia and bartonellosis, as well as tick-borne co-infections and persistent LB in spite of recommended standard antibiotic treatment.Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in 11 databases for research published from 2007 through 2017, and categorized potentially relevant references according to the predefined infections and study design. An expert group assessed the relevance and eligibility and reviewed the articles according to the QUADAS (diagnostic studies) or AMSTAR (systematic reviews) protocols, respectively. Clinical evaluations of one or several diagnostic tests and systematic reviews were included. Case reports, non-human studies and articles published in other languages than English were excluded.Results: A total of 48 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for evaluation. The majority of these studies were based on small sample sizes. There were no eligible studies for evaluation of tick-borne co-infections or for persistent LB after antibiotic treatment.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for larger evaluations of laboratory tests using clinical samples from well-defined cases taken at different time-points during the course of the diseases. Since the diseases occur at a relatively low frequency, single-center cross-sectional studies are practically not feasible, but multi-center case control studies could be a way forward.
Effectiveness of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Against Pneumococcal Diseases Among the Elderly Aged 60 Years or Older: A Matched Test Negative Case-Control Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Sun Xiaodong , Guo Xiang , Qiu Jing , Zhao Genming , Xu Xinxin , Wagner Abram L. , Jiang Hongli , Huang Zhuoying , Ren Jia , Ma Xiaoying , Liang Xiufang , Yao Yao , Wu Jialing , Lu Yihan 
Published: September 2021

Background:Streptococcus pneumoniae infection among adults, especially in adults over 60 years old in China results in a large number of hospitalizations and a substantial financial burden. This study assessed the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) against pneumococcal diseases among the elderly aged 60 years or older in Shanghai, China.Methods: We conducted a test-negative case–control study among the elderly aged 60 years or older who sought care at hospitals in 13 districts of Shanghai from September 14, 2013 to August 31, 2019. A case was defined as pneumococcal disease and testing positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Controls had symptoms congruent with pneumococcal disease but were negative for Streptococcus pneumoniae. We conducted 1:2 matching by gender, age, hospital and admission date. Vaccination status was verified from the immunization system database. VE was calculated with conditional logistic regression according to the formula (1–OR) ×100%.Results: Overall, 603 adults aged 60 years or older with pneumococcal disease and positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae were included as cases, and 19.6% (118 persons) had a recorded PPV23 vaccination. The controls included 1,206 adults, whose vaccination rate was 23.8% (287 persons). The VE against pneumococcal diseases among the whole population was 24% (95% CI: 2%, 40%) and among women 44% (95% CI: 6%, 67%). After adjusting for multiple variables, the effectiveness of PPV23 against pneumococcal diseases was still statistically significant with VE for all of 25% (95% CI: 3%, 42%) and VE for women of 49% (95% CI: 11%, 71%).Conclusion: PPV23 was effective against pneumococcal diseases in adults aged 60 years or older in Shanghai, China. Its relatively high effectiveness among women warrants this group to be particularly targeted for vaccination, with further research on why vaccination effectiveness is less among men.