bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell‐free EBV DNA as a biomarker during clinical management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a nonendemic region
Authors: Pramanik Raja , Arora Shalabh , Sharma Preity , Biswas Ahitagni , Nayak Baibaswata , Thakar Alok , Sharma Atul , Ghose Sampa 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor of the nasopharynx. Although NPC is not endemic in India, higher incidences were observed in its North‐Eastern regions particularly Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Early detection of NPC is difficult because the nasopharynx is not readily amenable to clinical examination and symptoms of NPC are nonspecific. The development of suitable biomarkers for early diagnosis of NPC as well as accurate monitoring of treatment response is needed urgently. In this exploratory pilot study, we have investigated the clinical significance of assessing plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA load at diagnosis and during treatment. We found that EBV DNA is detectable at diagnosis in the majority of patients with nonendemic NPC and the absolute copy number of circulating EBV DNA per milliliter increases progressively with the stage of the disease. The viral load declined significantly with induction chemotherapy and definitive chemoradiation but showed a sharp rise at relapse. Patients with EBV DNA levels ≥1500 copies/ml had a higher risk of disease progression or relapse when compared with patients who had EBV DNA <1500 copies/ml at baseline. Estimation of plasma EBV DNA may serve as an excellent noninvasive tool to monitor disease extent, response to therapy, and for better prediction of future relapse or progression‐free survival in a nonendemic NPC patient population.
Prospective of fungal pathogen‐based bioherbicides for the control of water hyacinth: A review
Authors: Sharma Swati , Pandey Lalit M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOver the decades the presence of aquatic weeds has caused immense biodiversity loss to the ecosystem. The use of herbicides has arisen emergence of herbicide‐resistant weeds and loss of inherent flora and fauna due to the recalcitrant nature of the chemicals used. Hence, there is a need to use nontoxic, ecosustainable, low‐cost, and efficient biological molecules that are analogous to chemical herbicides. Various plants, bacteria, fungi as well a few viruses are reported to secrete allelopathic biomolecules that inhibit the growth and development of weeds. However, majorly fungal pathogens and their metabolites are found to be effective biocontrol agents for the water hyacinth. The present review puts forward major findings and interventions in the biological control of the weed, water hyacinth. The biosynthesis, mechanism of action and factors regulating the activity of bioherbicides are discussed. In addition, the issues associated with the in situ application of these bioherbicides are also conferred focusing on the available mode of applications and formulation used. The major factors include the type and concentration of allelopathic biomolecules, age, type, and morphology of targeted weed, formulation type, mode of application and other physiological and environmental factors. Among various modes for the application of bioherbicides, emulsions are found to be most effective for the control of water hyacinth. Most of the toxicity studies indicated no toxicity of this fungal pathogen to other ecological plant species except water hyacinth. Yet, in‐depth investigations are needed of these allelochemicals and toxins before field applications. Overall, lab‐scale studies have shown promising results and highlighted a few potential fungi that need to be further explored for optimizing their bioherbicidal activity.
What Are the Double Lines of the Fetal Cavum Septi Pellucidi on Ultrasound?
Authors: Green Shannon , Pretorius Dolores H. , Crouch Amanda , Anton Tracy , Jacobs Marni , Ho Yoona , Hevner Robert , Lamale‐Smith Leah 
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the significance of the double line appearance of the septi pellucidi laminae (SPL) on fetal ultrasound.MethodA total of 522 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies (15 to 39 weeks' gestational age) with fetal ultrasounds were enrolled. The presence of a single versus double line SP as well as measurement of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) was determined retrospectively. Ultrasound settings from the CSP images were recorded. Thickness of the SPL was measured in 20 ultrasound and 14 MRI cases; histology was reviewed from one neonate. Maternal BMI and gestational age were also recorded.ResultsThe presence of double line SPL is a normal sonographic finding, seen in 47% (188/403) of normal fetuses. Thickness of the SPL in 10 cases with double line averaged 1.4 mm and in 10 cases with single line averaged 0.8 mm; MRI measurements were within 0.1 mm of the corresponding ultrasound measurements. Double line cavum was more often seen with mid‐dynamic contrast range settings (5, 6) rather than high range settings (7–10) (P value <.05). The double line was only visualized on ultrasound when the angle of insonation was at or near perpendicular to the laminae; it was never visualized on coronal ultrasound imaging or MRI imaging.ConclusionA double line septum pellucidum lamina is a normal finding seen in almost 50% of uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. It may be attributed to borders of cell layers within each lamina that form separate specular reflections on both sides; this can be accentuated by ultrasound settings and beam angulation.
Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound‐Based Nomogram
Authors: Guo Huan‐Ling , Lu Xiao‐Zhou , Hu Hang‐Tong , Ruan Si‐Min , Zheng Xin , Xie Xiao‐Yan , Lu Ming‐De , Kuang Ming , Shen Shun‐Li , Chen Li‐Da , Wang Wei 
Published: November 2021

PurposesTo evaluate the postsurgical prognostic implication of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma (CHC). To build a CEUS‐based early recurrence prediction classifier for CHC, in comparison with tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) staging.MethodsThe CEUS features and clinicopathological findings of each case were analyzed, and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System categories were assigned. The recurrence‐free survival associated factors were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model. Incorporating the independent factors, nomograms were built to estimate the possibilities of 3‐month, 6‐month, and 1‐year recurrence and whose prognostic value was determined by time‐dependent receiver operating characteristics, calibration curves, and hazard layering efficiency validation, comparing with TNM staging system.ResultsIn the multivariable analysis, the levels of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9, prothrombin time and total bilirubin, and tumor shape, the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category were independent factors for recurrence‐free survival. The LR‐M category showed longer recurrence‐free survival than did the LR‐4/5 category. The 3‐month, 6‐month, and 1‐year area under the curves of the CEUS‐clinical nomogram, clinical nomogram, and TNM staging system were 0.518, 0.552, and 0.843 versus 0.354, 0.240, and 0.624 (P = .048, .049, and .471) vs. 0.562, 0.545, and 0.843 (P = .630, .564, and .007), respectively. The calibration curves of the CEUS‐clinical model at different prediction time pionts were all close to the ideal line. The CEUS‐clinical model effectively stratified patients into groups of high and low risk of recurrence in both training and validation set, while the TNM staging system only works on the training set.ConclusionsOur CEUS‐clinical nomogram is a reliable early recurrence prediction tool for hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma and helps postoperative risk stratification.
Machine Learning Assisted Doppler Features for Enhancing Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Zhu Yi‐Cheng , Du Hongbo , Jiang Quan , Zhang Tao , Huang Xu‐Juan , Zhang Yuan , Shi Xiu‐Rong , Shan Jun , AlZoubi Alaa 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundThis pilot study aims at exploiting machine learning techniques to extract color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) features and to build an artificial neural network (ANN) model based on these CDUS features for improving the diagnostic performance of thyroid cancer classification.MethodsA total of 674 patients with 712 thyroid nodules (TNs) (512 from internal dataset and 200 from external dataset) were randomly selected in this retrospective study. We used ANN to build a model (TDUS‐Net) for classifying malignant and benign TNs using both the automatically extracted quantitative CDUS features (whole ratio, intranodular ratio, peripheral ratio, and number of vessels) and gray‐scale ultrasound (US) features defined by the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS). Then, we compared the diagnostic performance of the model, the performance of another ANN model based on the gray‐scale US features alone (TUS‐Net), and that of radiologists.ResultsThe TDUS‐Net (0.898, 95% CI: 0.868–0.922) achieved a higher area under the curve (AUC) than that of TUS‐Net (0.881, 95% CI: 0.850–0.908) in the internal tests. Compared with radiologists, TDUS‐Net (AUC: 0.925, 95% CI: 0.880–0.958) performed better than radiologists (AUC: 0.810, 95% CI: 0.749–0.862) in the external tests.ConclusionsApplying a machine learning model by combining both gray‐scale US features and CDUS features can achieve comparable or even higher performance than radiologists in classifying TNs.
Biocrust‐induced extracellular polymeric substances are responsible for dune stabilization in the Negev
Authors: Kidron Giora J. , Drahorad Sylvie L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThere is no consensus over the factors responsible for dune stabilization in arid regions, with some scholars maintaining that dust (i.e., silt and clay) plays a major role in dune stabilization. Aiming to explore the principal driving factor responsible for dune stabilization in the Negev, we compared various biocrusts having different biomass and compressive strength, and performed surface degradation and illuviation experiments with dust in the presence or absence of biocrusts in order to assess the crust role in impeding wind erosion and dust illuviation. We show that dust cannot be regarded as the primary driving factor for crust strength and subsequently for dune stabilization in the Negev, as suggested in some publications. This function is however fulfilled by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS, mostly polysaccharides), which are excreted by the biocrust (mainly cyanobacteria), and serve as a cementing agent for the establishing crust and therefore for the dust. Exhibiting high water absorption and strong adhering properties, EPS is responsible for granting strength to the crust, impeding wind erosion and dust illuviation, thus providing the necessary cementing agent, which facilitates dune stabilization in the Negev. Global warming which may result in frequent droughts and high input of dust may not contribute to dune stabilization as suggested by some scholars, but rather will negatively affect dune stabilization, as it may result in EPS degradation and subsequently in dune mobilization.
An equity‐based narrative review of barriers to timely postoperative radiation therapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Noyes Elizabeth A. , Burks Ciersten A. , Larson Andrew R. , Deschler Daniel G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not commence postoperative radiation treatment (PORT) within the recommended 6 weeks. We explore how delayed PORT affects survival outcomes, what factors are associated with delayed PORT initiation, and what interventions exist to reduce delays in PORT initiation.MethodsWe conducted a PubMed search to identify articles discussing timely PORT for HNSCC. We performed a narrative review to assess survival outcomes of delayed PORT as well as social determinants of health (SDOH) and clinical factors associated with delayed PORT, using the PROGRESS‐Plus health equity framework to guide our analysis. We reviewed interventions designed to reduce delays in PORT.ResultsDelayed PORT is associated with reduced overall survival. Delays in PORT disproportionately burden patients of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, Medicaid or no insurance, low socioeconomic status, limited access to care, more comorbidities, presentation at advanced stages, and those who experience postoperative complications. Delays in PORT initiation tend to occur during transitions in head and neck cancer care. Delays in PORT may be reduced by interventions that identify patients who are most likely to experience delayed PORT, support patients according to their specific needs and barriers to care, and streamline care and referral processes.ConclusionsBoth SDOH and clinical factors are associated with delays in timely PORT. Structural change is needed to reduce health disparities and promote equitable access to care for all. When planning care, providers must consider not only biological factors but also SDOH to maximize care outcomes.
Assessment of tissue‐specific changes in structure and function induced by in vivo skin/skull optical clearing techniques
Authors: Zhang Chao , Feng Wei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground ObjectivesNewly developed in vivo skin and skull optical clearing techniques can greatly improve the optical imaging performance, showing great advantages and clinical prospects. However, there is a poor understanding of in vivo optical clearing‐induced changes in the skin and skull.Materials and MethodsHere, we employed in vivo skin/skull optical clearing techniques to improve the optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging quality. And we also used polarization‐sensitive OCT to monitor the dynamic changes in the polarization characteristics of the skin and skull during in vivo optical clearing processes. Two‐photon imaging was used to evaluate changes in tissue barrier function and structure. Additionally, Raman spectra were employed for assessing the changes of each component in the skin and skull before and after optical clearing treatment.ResultsThe results indicated that the polarization states of the skin and skull were altered with the usages of optical clearing agents. And the barrier permeability and collagen fiber distribution of them became disordered. Furthermore, the Raman spectra of tissue demonstrated that the applications of in vivo tissue optical clearing methods could lead to the reduction of proteins, lipids, and inorganic salts in these two organs. Interestingly, after recovery treatment, the structure and function of the skin and skull could almost recover to the initial states.ConclusionIn vivo tissue optical clearing can lead to changes in the structure and function of tissue, which was reversible to some extent. This study plays an important role in revealing the underlying mechanisms of tissue optical clearing techniques; moreover, it is conducive to the development and optimization of a novel in vivo tissue optical clearing approaches in future.
Nanoporous Block Copolymer Membranes with Enhanced Solvent Resistance Via UV‐Mediated Cross‐Linking Strategies
Authors: Frieß Florian V. , Hu Qiwei , Mayer Jannik , Gemmer Lea , Presser Volker , Balzer Bizan N. , Gallei Markus 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this work, a block copolymer (BCP) consisting of poly((butyl methacrylate‐co‐benzophenone methacrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)‐block‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)) (P(BMA‐co‐BPMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐P(HEMA)) is prepared by a two‐step atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) procedure. BCP membranes are fabricated applying the self‐assembly and nonsolvent induced phase separation (SNIPS) process from a ternary solvent mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4‐dioxane, and dimethylformamide (DMF). The presence of a porous top layer of the integral asymmetric membrane featuring pores of about 30 nm is confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV‐mediated cross‐linking protocols for the nanoporous membrane are adjusted to maintain the open and isoporous top layer. The swelling capability of the noncross‐linked and cross‐linked BCP membranes is investigated in water, water/ethanol mixture (1:1), and pure ethanol using atomic force microscopy, proving a stabilizing effect of the UV cross‐linking on the porous structures. Finally, the influence of the herein described cross‐linking protocols on water‐flux measurements for the obtained membranes is explored. As a result, an increased swelling resistance for all tested solvents is found, leading to an increased water flux compared to the pristine membrane. The herein established UV‐mediated cross‐linking protocol is expected to pave the way to a new generation of porous and stabilized membranes within the fields of separation technologies.
Temperature dependence, accuracy, and repeatability of T1 and T2 relaxation times for the ISMRM/NIST system phantom measured using MR fingerprinting
Authors: Statton Ben K. , Smith Joely , Finnegan Mary E. , Koerzdoerfer Gregor , Quest Rebecca A. , Grech‐Sollars Matthew 
Published: November 2021

PurposeBefore MR fingerprinting (MRF) can be adopted clinically, the derived quantitative values must be proven accurate and repeatable over a range of T1 and T2 values and temperatures. Correct assessment of accuracy and precision as well as comparison between measurements can only be performed when temperature is either controlled or corrected for. The purpose of this study was to investigate the temperature dependence of T1 and T2 MRF values and evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of temperature‐corrected relaxation values derived from a B1‐corrected MRF–fast imaging with steady‐state precession implementation using 2 different dictionary sizes.MethodsThe International Society of MR in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology phantom was scanned using an MRF sequence of 2 different lengths, a variable flip angle T1, and a multi‐echo spin echo T2 at 14 temperatures ranging from 15°C to 28°C and investigated with a linear regression model. Temperature‐corrected accuracy was evaluated by correlating T1 and T2 times from each MRF dictionary with reference values. Repeatability was assessed using the coefficient of variation, with measurements taken over 30 separate sessions.ResultsThere was a statistically significant fit of the model for MRF‐derived T1 and T2 and temperature (p < 0.05) for all the spheres with a T1 > 500 ms. Both MRF methods showed a strong linear correlation with reference values for T1 (R2 = 0.996) and T2 (R2 = 0.982). MRF repeatability for T1 values was ≤1.4% and for T2 values was ≤3.4%.ConclusionMRF demonstrated relaxation times with a temperature dependence similar to that of conventional mapping methods. Temperature‐corrected T1 and T2 values from both dictionaries showed adequate accuracy and excellent repeatability in this phantom study.
Encoding capability prediction of acquisition schedules in CEST MR fingerprinting for pH quantification
Authors: Liu Jie , Liu Hui , Liu Qi , Xu Jian , Liu Xin , Zheng Hairong , Wu Yin 
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo identify a reliable metric for predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting acquisition schedules for pH quantification, which may facilitate CEST MR fingerprinting protocol optimization.MethodsNumerical simulations and Cr phantom MRI experiments were conducted at 3 Tesla under representative CEST MR fingerprinting sampling scenarios, including the pseudorandomization of imaging parameters (e.g., saturation power B1, saturation frequency offset, saturation time, and relaxation time), and variation of the maximum saturation power B1max, B1 number, and sampling pattern. The CEST effect at 2 ppm was measured using asymmetry analysis and matched to a predefined dictionary to determine the pH. The pH quantification error was assessed using RMSE. Three metrics, namely the Cramer‐Rao bound, dot product, and Euclidean distance, were calculated for each sampling scenario, and their relationships with the pH RMSE were investigated to examine their effectiveness for predicting the encoding capability of sampling schedules for pH quantification.ResultsBoth simulation and phantom studies revealed that the Cramer‐Rao bound metric consistently exhibited superior performance for predicting the pH quantification error. Although dot product exhibited good encoding capability prediction in most sampling scenarios, it failed in the scenario with varied B1 numbers. In contrast, Euclidean distance exhibited the worst performance among the 3 metrics in all scenarios.ConclusionSuperior over dot product and Euclidean distance, the Cramer‐Rao bound metric may reliably predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting sampling strategies and may be useful for guiding CEST MRI protocol optimization.
Assessment of vertebral fractures and edema of the thoracolumbar spine based on water‐fat and susceptibility‐weighted images derived from a single ultra‐short echo time scan
Authors: Kronthaler Sophia , Boehm Christof , Feuerriegel Georg , Börnert Peter , Katscher Ulrich , Weiss Kilian , Makowski Marcus R. , Schwaiger Benedikt J. , Gersing Alexandra S. , Karampinos Dimitrios C. 
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo develop a methodology to simultaneously perform single echo Dixon water‐fat imaging and susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) based on a single echo time (TE) ultra‐short echo time (UTE) (sUTE) scan to assess vertebral fractures and degenerative bone changes in the thoracolumbar spine.MethodsA methodology was developed to solve the smoothness‐constrained inverse water‐fat problem to separate water and fat while removing unwanted low‐frequency phase terms. Additionally, the corrected UTE phase was used for SWI. UTE imaging (TE: 0.14 ms, 3T MRI) was performed in the lumbar spine of nine patients with vertebral fractures and bone marrow edema (BME). All images were reviewed by two radiologists. Water‐ and fat‐separated images were analyzed in comparison with short‐tau inversion recovery (STIR) and with respect to BME visibility. The visibility of fracture lines and cortical outlining of the UTE magnitude images were analyzed in comparison with computed tomography.ResultsUnwanted phase components, dominated by the B1 phase, were removed from the UTE phase images. The rating of the diagnostic quality of BME visualization showed a high preference for the sUTE‐Dixon water‐ and fat‐separated images in comparison with STIR. The UTE magnitude images enabled better visualizing fracture lines compared with STIR and slightly better visibility of cortical outlining. With increasing SWI weighting osseous structures and fatty tissues were enhanced.ConclusionThe proposed sUTE‐Dixon‐SWI methodology allows the removal of unwanted low‐frequency phases and enables water‐fat separation and SWI processing from a single complex UTE image. The methodology can be used for the simultaneous assessment of vertebral fractures and BME of the thoracolumbar spine.