bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A dual-modality quantification of scattered radiation from head to female breasts during radiological investigations in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Adejoh Thomas , Ezugwu Emeka E. , Erondu Felix O. , Okeji Mark C. , Anumihe Peter-Damian O. , Asogwa Chijioke O. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo quantify the amount of scattered radiation reaching the breasts during x-ray and CT investigations of the head in order to find appropriate justification for an intended change in practice involving torso shielding.ResultsScattered radiation from the head reached the breasts in both procedures. The range and mean dose were (CR 1.02–3.61/1.94 ± 0.63 mGy) and (CT 2.20–8.50/3.74 ± 2.28 mGy). Both breasts had enormous dose difference in CR (72.3%) and CT (51.4%) which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Correlation of dose with anthropometric parameters gave weak results.ConclusionDespite dose mitigation strategies such as software and hardware modifications in radiological modalities, use of anti-scatter grid, appropriate collimation and dose optimization by radiographers, scattered radiation still traveled from the head to the breasts. These were, however, significantly reduced when shielding was applied. For a dose-safe practice, radiographers are urged, in addition to current strategies at mitigating scatters, to adopt torso shielding during examinations involving contiguous anatomies to the breast.
Cholecysto-pyloric fistula with submucosal impaction of gall stone causing gastric outlet obstruction masquerading as a gastric mass, Bouveret Syndrome: case report
Authors: Meena Lokesh , Sharma Bhavya , Singh Ravi Shanker , Chauhan Udit , Matthew Anvin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Cholecysto-enteric fistula is a rare complication of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. Another even rarer complication is proximal impaction of gallstone(s) in gastric pylorus leading to gastric outlet obstruction, known as the Bouveret Syndrome. Only a few cases have been reported in the available literature. It can be confused with a malignant thickening at the pylorus, knowledge of this syndrome helps in arriving at the right diagnosis.

Case report
A 52-year-old female patient, who was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of recurrent vomiting and abdominal pain. She was investigated with various imaging modalities including upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography as well as Contrast Enhanced Computerized Tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen. On the outside scan, it was given as a malignant thickening at the pylorus. However, current radiologists felt that imaging findings were not of a typical malignant mass, and suspicion of Bouveret syndrome was given. Intraoperative findings confirmed the diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome. The patient has not experienced any postoperative complications till now.

Conclusion
Bouveret syndrome is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Being familiar with the imaging appearance of this condition, and differentiating it with malignant thickening can help radiologists avoid unnecessary invasive procedures in such patients. Being a benign etiology, it also helps in a better prognosis.
Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of hypoxia signaling attenuates oncogenic RAS-induced cancer phenotypes
Authors: Zhu Jun-yi , Huang Xiaohu , Fu Yulong , Wang Yin , Zheng Pan , Liu Yang , Han Zhe 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Oncogenic Ras mutations are highly prevalent in hematopoietic malignancies. However, it is difficult to directly target oncogenic RAS proteins for therapeutic intervention. We have developed a Drosophila acute myeloid leukemia model induced by human KRASG12V, which exhibits a dramatic increase in myeloid-like leukemia cells. We performed both genetic and drug screens using this model. The genetic screen identified 24 candidate genes able to attenuate the oncogenic RAS-induced phenotype, including two key hypoxia pathway genes HIF1A and ARNT (HIF1B). The drug screen revealed that echinomycin, an inhibitor of HIF1A, can effectively attenuate the leukemia phenotype caused by KRASG12V. Furthermore, we showed that echinomycin treatment can effectively suppress oncogenic RAS-driven leukemia cell proliferation, using both human leukemia cell lines and a mouse xenograft model. These data suggest that inhibiting the hypoxia pathway could be an effective treatment approach and that echinomycin is a promising targeted drug to attenuate oncogenic RAS-induced cancer phenotypes.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
A higher mitochondrial content is associated with greater oxidative damage, oxidative defenses, protein synthesis and ATP turnover in resting skeletal muscle
Authors: Neurohr Julie M. , Paulson Erik T. , Kinsey Stephen T. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTAn unavoidable consequence of aerobic metabolism is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondria have historically been considered the primary source of ROS; however, recent literature has highlighted the uncertainty in primary ROS production sites and it is unclear how variation in mitochondrial density influences ROS-induced damage and protein turnover. Fish skeletal muscle is composed of distinct, highly aerobic red muscle and anaerobic white muscle, offering an excellent model system in which to evaluate the relationship of tissue aerobic capacity and ROS-induced damage under baseline conditions. The present study used a suite of indices to better understand potential consequences of aerobic tissue capacity in red and white muscle of the pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. Red muscle had a 7-fold greater mitochondrial volume density than white muscle, and more oxidative damage despite also having higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. The dominant protein degradation system appears to be tissue dependent. Lysosomal degradation markers and autophagosome volume density were greater in white muscle, while ubiquitin expression and 20S proteasome activity were significantly greater in red muscle. However, ubiquitin ligase expression was significantly higher in white muscle. Red muscle had a more than 2-fold greater rate of translation and total ATP turnover than white muscle, results that may be due in part to the higher mitochondrial density and the associated increase in oxidative damage. Together, these results support the concept that an elevated aerobic capacity is associated with greater oxidative damage and higher costs of protein turnover.
Methods for living evidence synthesis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Auladell-Rispau Ariadna , Bendersky Josefina , Santafe Angie , Buchanan Cecilia , Rigau Comas David , Verdugo Francisca , Ávila Camila , Alonso Pablo , Urrutia Gerard , Rada Gabriel , Rojas-Reyes María Ximena 
Published: September 2021

Background: Living evidence (LE) refers to the methodological process that permits new research findings to be continually incorporated to evidence synthesis as they become available. This approach is of great value in the resolution of relevant and rapidly changing clinical questions. To date, the methods to carry out this type of synthesis are not completely defined, and great variability is observed in the approaches used by different groups of authors. Objective: To identify and summarise the current methods used for living evidence synthesis. Methods: We will conduct a systematic literature review of systematic reviews, overviews, and network metanalyses that have used “living evidence synthesis” as part of their methods. The search will be conducted in Medline (via PubMed) and the Epistemonikos database. Two reviewers will independently screen each article for eligibility, extract data, and assess the methodological quality standards of the study accordingly. This protocol is being registered in Prospero.
Antioxidant Efficiency of Irganox® 1010 on Processing and Properties of Plasticized Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Films
Authors: Quispe Mayte M. , López Olivia V. , Villar Marcelo A. 
Published: September 2021

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is one of the few biopolymers that can be processed at industrial scale. Nevertheless, PHB applications in film form are limited, mainly due to the high biopolymer crystallinity and its narrow thermal processing window. In this work, it was studied the effect of glycerol tributyrate (GTB) incorporation as plasticizer, in addition to Irganox® 1010 (I) as phenolic antioxidant on the processability and final properties of PHB-based films. PHB was melt processed in the presence of GTB (5-30 %w/w, PHB basis) and Irganox® (0.3 %w/w, PHB basis) and films were obtained by thermo-compression. PHB films without the plasticizer and the antioxidant were used as control sample. Thermal properties of films demonstrated that PHB thermal processing window was increased due to a synergistic effect of both additives. Improvement can be attributed to changes in the crystalline structure corroborated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of PHB films increased in the presence of GTB and Irganox due to the crystalline changes induced by both additives.
Absolute spectral backscatter measurements of large-core multimode PMMA polymer optical fibers
Authors: Dengler Simon A. , Engelbrecht Rainer , Schmauss Bernhard 
Published: September 2021

To our knowledge, we are the first to measure the absolute value of the backscattering coefficient of a standard 1 mm core-diameter, multimode (MM) step-index (SI) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer optical fiber (POF) for the spectral range of 450 nm to 700 nm. Our optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) setup consists of a femtosecond supercontinuum laser with an acousto-optical filter as a tunable light source with short pulses and a time-correlated single-photon counting system as a receiver with a high dynamic range. The backscattering coefficient is calculated from the ratio between the energy within the fiber end reflex and the distributed backscattering level. We also measured the spectral attenuation with our OTDR setup and compared it with a standardized measurement method. At the attenuation minima within the measured spectral range the backscattering level of a 1 ns pulse is about −46 dB at 520 nm, −48 dB at 570 nm, and −51 dB at 650 nm. We were also able to show by the observed wavelength dependence that Rayleigh scattering causes a majority of the scattering.
Generation of wavelength-tunable few-cycle pulses in the mid-infrared at repetition rates up to 10  kHz
Authors: Sanari Yasuyuki , Sekiguchi Fumiya , Nakagawa Kotaro , Ishii Nobuhisa , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko , Hirori Hideki 
Published: September 2021

We demonstrate a compact and tunable mid-infrared light source that
provides carrier-envelope-phase (CEP)-locked pulses at repetition
rates from 500 Hz to 10 kHz. The seed pulses were generated by
intra-pulse difference frequency mixing of the output of an Yb:KGW
regenerative amplifier that had been spectrally broadened by continuum
generation using multiple plates. Then, a two-stage optical parametric
amplifier was used to obtain output energies of about 100 µJ/pulse for
center wavelengths between 2.8 and 3.5 µm. Owing to the intense pulse
energies, it was possible to compress the multi-cycle pulses down to
two-cycle pulses using YAG and Si plates.
Combined multi-band infrared camouflage and thermal management via a simple multilayer structure design
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Yue , Tang Xianglin , Li Bin , Hu Yizhi , Zhu Yonggang , Yang Huizhu 
Published: September 2021

Infrared camouflage is crucial for high-temperature objects to avoid detection, and spontaneous infrared radiation is also an important way for high-temperature objects to dissipate heat. Therefore, selective infrared emission has become significant for the coating design of surfaces such as aircraft, which require low emission in the atmospheric window band (3–5 µm and 8–14 µm) and high emission outside it (5–8 µm). This Letter employs a simple multilayer film structure to achieve selective regulation of the material emission spectrum. Combining the transfer matrix method and genetic algorithm, a multilayer film structure containing 12 layers of three high-temperature-resistant materials (

S
i
O

2

,

T
i
O

2

and Ge) has been designed. It shows fairly low emissivity in two main bands of infrared detection (

ε

3
∼
5

µ

m

=

0.14

,

ε

8
∼
14

µ

m

=

0.21

) and high emissivity outside them (

ε

5
∼
8

µ

m

=

0.86

), and this infrared selectivity can be well maintained with the incident angle rising from 0 to 60 deg. The Poynting vector distribution in the material at different incident wavelengths is analyzed to further explore the interference mechanism to achieve spectral selective emission. The significance of this work lies in the construction of a relatively simple coating design while ensuring efficient infrared camouflage and thermal management performance.
Kompetenzorientiertes E-Assessment für die grafische, konzeptuelle Modellierung
Authors: Striewe Michael , Forell Martin , Houy Constantin , Pfeiffer Peter , Schiefer Gunther , Schüler Selina , Soyka Chantal , Stottrop Tobias , Ullrich Meike , Fettke Peter , Loos Peter , Oberweis Andreas , Schaper Niclas 
Published: September 2021

ZusammenfassungIn vielen Bereichen der Wirtschaftsinformatik spielt die Erstellung konzeptueller Modelle unter Verwendung grafischer Modellierungssprachen eine wichtige Rolle. Entsprechend wichtig ist eine fundierte Grundausbildung, die sich an den benötigten Modellierungskompetenzen orientiert und daher neben theoretischen auch praktische Aspekte der konzeptuellen Modellierung in den Blick nimmt. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt erste Ergebnisse aus dem KEA-Mod-Projekt vor, das sich mit der Erstellung eines „digitalen Fachkonzepts“ im Bereich der grafischen, konzeptuellen Modellierung befasst. Kernstück dieses Fachkonzepts ist die Unterstützung der Grundausbildung in der grafischen, konzeptuellen Modellierung durch eine kompetenzorientierte E‑Assessment-Plattform mit automatisierten und individuellen Bewertungs- und Feedbackmöglichkeiten.
Drought and child vaccination coverage in 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: A retrospective analysis of national survey data from 2011 to 2019
Authors: Nagata Jason M. , Epstein Adrienne , Ganson Kyle T. , Benmarhnia Tarik , Weiser Sheri D. 
Published: September 2021

Background
Extreme weather events, including droughts, are expected to increase in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and are associated with a number of poor health outcomes; however, to the best of our knowledge, the link between drought and childhood vaccination remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between drought and vaccination coverage.

Methods and findings
We investigated the association between drought and vaccination coverage using a retrospective analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys data in 22 sub-Saharan African countries among 137,379 children (50.4% male) born from 2011 to 2019. Drought was defined as an established binary variable of annual rainfall less than or equal to the 15th percentile relative to the 29 previous years, using data from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) data. We evaluated the association between drought at the date of birth and receipt of bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus (DPT), and polio vaccinations, and the association between drought at 12 months of age and receipt of measles vaccination. We specified logistic regression models with survey fixed effects and standard errors clustered at the enumeration area level, adjusting for child-, mother-, and household-level covariates and estimated marginal risk differences (RDs). The prevalence of drought at date of birth in the sample was 11.8%. Vaccination rates for each vaccination ranged from 70.6% (for 3 doses of the polio vaccine) to 86.0% (for BCG vaccination); however, only 57.6% of children 12 months and older received all recommended doses of BCG, DPT, polio, and measles vaccinations. In adjusted models, drought at date of birth was negatively associated with BCG vaccination (marginal RD = −1.5; 95% CI −2.2, −0.9), DPT vaccination (marginal RD = −1.4; 95% CI −2.2, −0.5), and polio vaccination (marginal RD = −1.3; 95% CI −2.3, −0.3). Drought at 12 months was negatively associated with measles vaccination (marginal RD = −1.9; 95% CI −2.8, −0.9). We found a dose–response relationship between drought and DPT and polio vaccinations, with the strongest associations closest to the timing of drought. Limitations include some heterogeneity in findings across countries.

Conclusions
In this study, we observed that drought was associated with lower odds of completion of childhood BCG, DPT, and polio vaccinations. These findings indicate that drought may hinder vaccination coverage, one of the most important interventions to prevent infections among children. This work adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that health programs should consider impacts of severe weather in their programming.
Neurocognitive outcomes in Malawian children exposed to malaria during pregnancy: An observational birth cohort study
Authors: Weckman Andrea M. , Conroy Andrea L. , Madanitsa Mwayiwawo , Gnaneswaran Bruno , McDonald Chloe R. , Kalilani-Phiri Linda , Chandna Jaya , Ali Doreen , Mwapasa Victor , Khairallah Carole , Thwai Kyaw Lay , Meshnick Steven R. , Taylor Steve M. , ter Kuile Feiko O. , Kain Kevin C. , Gladstone Melissa 
Published: September 2021

Background
Annually 125 million pregnancies are at risk of malaria infection. However, the impact of exposure to malaria in pregnancy on neurodevelopment in children is not well understood. We hypothesized that malaria in pregnancy and associated maternal immune activation result in neurodevelopmental delay in exposed offspring.

Methods and findings
Between April 2014 and April 2015, we followed 421 Malawian mother–baby dyads (median [IQR] maternal age: 21 [19, 28] years) who were previously enrolled (median [IQR] gestational age at enrollment: 19.7 [17.9, 22.1] weeks) in a randomized controlled malaria prevention trial with 5 or 6 scheduled assessments of antenatal malaria infection by PCR. Children were evaluated at 12, 18, and/or 24 months of age with cognitive tests previously validated in Malawi: the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) and the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MCAB-CDI). We assessed the impact of antenatal malaria (n [%] positive: 240 [57.3]), placental malaria (n [%] positive: 112 [29.6]), and maternal immune activation on neurocognitive development in children. Linear mixed-effects analysis showed that children exposed to antenatal malaria between 33 and 37 weeks gestation had delayed language development across the 2-year follow-up, as measured by MCAB-CDI (adjusted beta estimate [95% CI], −7.53 [−13.04, −2.02], p = 0.008). Maternal immune activation, characterized by increased maternal sTNFRII concentration, between 33 and 37 weeks was associated with lower MCAB-CDI language score (adjusted beta estimate [95% CI], −8.57 [−13.09, −4.06], p < 0.001). Main limitations of this study include a relatively short length of follow-up and a potential for residual confounding that is characteristic of observational studies.

Conclusions
This mother–baby cohort presents evidence of a relationship between malaria in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental delay in offspring. Malaria in pregnancy may be a modifiable risk factor for neurodevelopmental injury independent of birth weight or prematurity. Successful interventions to prevent malaria during pregnancy may reduce the risk of neurocognitive delay in children.
Gram-negative neonatal sepsis in low- and lower-middle-income countries and WHO empirical antibiotic recommendations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wen Sophie C. H. , Ezure Yukiko , Rolley Lauren , Spurling Geoff , Lau Colleen L. , Riaz Saba , Paterson David L. , Irwin Adam D. 
Published: September 2021

Background
Neonatal sepsis is a significant global health issue associated with marked regional disparities in mortality. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern in Gram-negative organisms, which increasingly predominate in neonatal sepsis, and existing WHO empirical antibiotic recommendations may no longer be appropriate. Previous systematic reviews have been limited to specific low- and middle-income countries. We therefore completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data from all low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) since 2010, with a focus on regional differences in Gram-negative infections and AMR.

Methods and findings
All studies published from 1 January 2010 to 21 April 2021 about microbiologically confirmed bloodstream infections or meningitis in neonates and AMR in LLMICs were assessed for eligibility. Small case series, studies with a small number of Gram-negative isolates (<10), and studies with a majority of isolates prior to 2010 were excluded. Main outcomes were pooled proportions of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and AMR. We included 88 studies (4 cohort studies, 3 randomised controlled studies, and 81 cross-sectional studies) comprising 10,458 Gram-negative isolates from 19 LLMICs. No studies were identified outside of Africa and Asia. The estimated pooled proportion of neonatal sepsis caused by Gram-negative organisms was 60% (95% CI 55% to 65%). Klebsiella spp. was the most common, with a pooled proportion of 38% of Gram-negative sepsis (95% CI 33% to 43%). Regional differences were observed, with higher proportions of Acinetobacter spp. in Asia and Klebsiella spp. in Africa. Resistance to aminoglycosides and third-generation cephalosporins ranged from 42% to 69% and from 59% to 84%, respectively. Study limitations include significant heterogeneity among included studies, exclusion of upper-middle-income countries, and potential sampling bias, with the majority of studies from tertiary hospital settings, which may overestimate the burden caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions
Gram-negative bacteria are an important cause of neonatal sepsis in LLMICs and are associated with significant rates of resistance to WHO-recommended first- and second-line empirical antibiotics. AMR surveillance should underpin region-specific empirical treatment recommendations. Meanwhile, a significant global commitment to accessible and effective antimicrobials for neonates is required.