bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
64Cu-PSMA-BCH: A New Radiotracer for Delayed PET Imaging of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Liu Teli , Liu Chen , Zhang Zhongyi , Zhang Ning , Guo Xiaoyi , Xia Lei , Jiang Jinquan , Xie Qing , Yan Kun , Rowe Steven P. , Zhu Hua , Yang Zhi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeDevelop a 64Cu labeled radiopharmaceutical targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and investigate its application for prostate cancer imaging. Methods64Cu-PSMA-BCH was prepared and investigated for stability, PSMA specificity and micro-PET imaging. With the approval of Ethics Committee of Beijing Cancer Hospital (No. 2017KT97), PET/CT imaging in 4 patients with suspected prostate cancer was performed and the radiation dosimetry was estimated. Then, PSMA PET-ultrasound image-guided biopsies were performed on 3 patients and the fine needle aspirates were further performed for autoradiography and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results64Cu-PSMA-BCH was prepared with high radiochemical yield and stability. In vivo study showed higher uptake in PSMA (+) 22Rv1 cells than PSMA (-) PC-3 cells (5.59±0.36 and 1.97±0.22 IA%/106 cells at 1 h). It accumulated in 22Rv1 tumor with increasing radioactivity uptake and T/N ratios from 1 h to 24 h post-injection. In patients with suspected prostate cancer, SUVmax and T/N ratios increased within 24 h post-injection. Compared with image at 1 h post-injection, more tumor lesions were detected at 4 h and 24 h post-injection. The human organ radiation dosimetry showed gallbladder wall was most critical, liver and kidneys were followed, and the whole-body effective dose was 0.0292 mSv/MBq. Two fine needle aspirates obtained by PET-ultrasound guided targeted biopsy showed high radioactive signal by autoradiography, with 100% PSMA expression in cytoplasm and 30% expression in nucleus. Conclusion64Cu-PSMA-BCH was PSMA specific and showed high stability in vivo with lower uptake in liver than 64Cu-PSMA-617. Biodistribution in mice and PCa patients showed similar profile compared with other PSMA ligands and it was safe with moderate effective dosimetry. The increased tumor uptake and T/N ratios by delayed imaging may facilitate the detection of small lesions and guiding targeted biopsies.
WITHDRAWN: The Effect of Iodine-131 Beta-particles in Combination With A-966492 and Topotecan&nbsp;on Radio-sensitization of Glioblastoma
Authors: Koosha Fereshteh , Eynali Samira , Eyvazzadeh Nazila 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Glioblastoma tumors are resistant to radiotherapy, and the need for drugs to induce radio-sensitization in tumor cells has always been a challenge. Besides, radiotherapy using targeted radionuclide is effective even for resistant tumors. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and topoisomerase I enzymes have critical roles in the repairmen of DNA damage in cells. Thus, the inhibition of the activity of these enzymes can prevent the process of DNA repair and lead to the accumulation of damaged DNA in cells, resulting in the induction of cell death in tumors. In the current study, we investigated the effect of beta-particles of iodine-131 in combination with Topotecan (TPT), as the inhibitor of topoisomerase I, and A-966492, as the inhibitor of the PARP enzyme to increase radio-sensitivity of glioblastoma cells.The U87MG cell line (a human glioblastoma cell line) were cultured in Poly-Hema-coated flasks to reach 300μm-diameter spheroids. Then, the cells were treated with non-toxic concentrations of A-966492 and TPT. The viability of the cells treated with iodine131 in combination with A-966492 and TPT was determined by the clonogenic assay. The expression level of the gamma-H2AX protein, as a biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks, was measured by the immunofluorescence staining method to examine the impact of A-966492 (1μM), TPT, and radiation on the induction cell death.The combination of A-966492 and TPT with radiation resulted in the enhanced cell death, and sensitizer enhancement ratios at 50% survival (SER50) were 1.25 and 1.45, respectively. Radio- and chemo-sensitization were promoted when iodine-131 was combined with A-966492 and TPT, with the SER50 of 1.68. Also, the expression of γ-H2AX was significantly increased in cells treated with A-966492 and TPT combined with radiation.The results demonstrated that iodine-131, in combination with A-966492 and TPT, had marked effects on radio-sensitizing and can be used as a targeted radionuclide for targeting radiotherapy in combination with PARP and topoisomerase I inhibitors to improve radiotherapy in clinics.
Enhancement of Photocatalytic Degradation of MB by Recyclable Li/Mn3O4 Thin films.
Authors: Amara M. A. , Larbi T. , Mahdhi N. , saadallah Faycel , Amlouk M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Thin films of physical--mixture of Hausmannite Mn3O4 and lithium (Li) are synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique. Structural, morphological, optical, electrical, wettability and photocatalytic properties have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and electrical measurements show that Li nanoparticles are formed both on top surface of the film and inside grain boundaries. Bandgap and Urbach energies and optical relaxation time have been determined from transmittance T and reflectance R spectra. Impedance spectroscopy shows that charge separation increases with Li content, which improves photocatalytic efficiency of the film. The best photocatalytic efficiency is obtained for Li/Mn ratio of 15%. Indeed, the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet (UV) and visible light exposure, is improved by a factor of 5.7 and 2.4 respectively, when compared to undoped Mn3O4. In addition, this film exhibits a high photostability (10 cycles consecutively) under solar light. On the other hand, hydrophobicity reveals the hydrophilic character of the films.
Study on the Key Technology of Electrochemical Machining Flow Field in Aero-Rotor Blades
Authors: Huang Liang , Cao Yan , Tian Chunlei , Zhao Ruochen , Du Jiang , Wang Yuanfei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
With the rapid development of aerospace industry in recent years, the use of aero-rotor engine blades with new special alloy materials and high distortion and thin-walled structure has been paid more and more attention. Aiming at the problems of poor tool accessibility, serious tool loss and easy deformation of blade profile in NC milling technology, electrochemical machining can realize the processing of complex special structure products with advanced materials by means of non-contact electrochemical etching process. However, in the process of electrochemical etching, the flow channel structure of electrochemical machining affects the stability of the distribution of electrochemical etching characteristics in various parts of the machining surface and ultimately acts on the forming quality by controlling the liquid phase mass transfer process in the machining gap. Therefore, reasonable design and optimization of the flow channel is of great significance in the process of electrochemical machining. In this paper, based on the existing traditional vertical single-axis feed machining mode and combined with the traditional side flow processing blade flow characteristics, innovatively proposed two kinds of electrolyte flow schemes under the vertical machining mode; Then, based on the above two flow channel structures and the energy loss characteristics of viscous fluid during liquid phase mass transfer, a mathematical model of liquid phase mass transfer flow field is established, which combines the viscosity loss characteristics of electrolyte, and by introducing a optimized flow channel structure that combined with the characteristics of positive flow and side flow and adjusting the parameters of electrolyte inlet / outlet, the optimal design channel structure and uniform flow field of aero-rotor blades are realized. Finally, the accuracy and rationality of the proposed scheme are verified by electrochemical machining verification test, which lays a research foundation and guarantee for the feasibility and accuracy of vertical electrochemical machining machine tool in aero-rotor blades.
Thrombus Aspiration Reduces Contrast Volume in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients with High Thrombus Burden
Authors: Chen Bao-Feng , Tang Liang-Qiu , Liang Min-Lie , Deng Yun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUD Due to the emergency nature of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the estimation of the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is always limited and the hydration prior to primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is difficult. Minimizing contrast volume (CV) might be the most desirable option for preventing the incidence of CIN in these patients. The improvement of myocardial perfusion due to thrombus aspiration (TA) may be accompanied by a reduction in CV.OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the effect of TA prior to angioplasty on CV in patients with STEMI.METHODS Consecutive 380 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI with high thrombus burden (HTB) were randomly assigned to receive either TA before primary PCI (TA group, n = 190) or primary PCI alone (control group, n = 190). Serum creatinine was detected at the time of admission, and 48 and 72 hours after primary PCI.RESULTS Baseline characteristic were well matched. Although the CV in TA group was significantly lower than that in control group (71.5 ± 15.7 mL vs. 82.3 ± 17.5 mL, p = 0.000), the incidence of CIN was comparable (9.5% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.249). During hospitalization, no significant differences between groups was observed in major bleeding, urgent dialysis, stroke, reoperation after 72 hours, death after 72 hours and total incidence of adverse clinical events.CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that TA reduces CV but not CIN or adverse clinical events during hospitalization in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI with HTB.
Triggering Factors Associated With a New Episode of Recurrent Acute Anterior Uveitis
Authors: Neti Nutnicha , Pimsri Anchisa , Boonsopon Sutasinee , Tesavibul Nattaporn , Choopong Pitipol 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To identify triggering factors for the next inflammatory episode of recurrent acute anterior uveitis (RAAU), a 1:1 case-control study was conducted. Patients with recent acute anterior uveitis and matched controls were interviewed using Srithanya Stress Test (ST-5) and questionnaires about potential triggering factors. Asymptomatic controls were matched for age (±5 years), sex, and HLA-B27. There were 39 pairs of cases and controls. Within 1-month before the interview, patients who recently experienced a uveitis attack demonstrated higher mean ST-5 scores (3.7±2.9 vs 0.7±1.1) and shorter sleep time (6.3±1.4 vs 7.4±0.7) compared with their controls. In the multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, ST-5 score ≥3 (OR 9.17; 95%CI 1.15-72.84, p=0.036) and sleep time <7 hours per day (OR 11.57; 95% CI 1.42-94.55, p=0.022) were more likely to trigger a uveitis attack in RAAU accounted for age, sex, and HLA-B27 positivity of the patients. Other suspected triggering factors were not found to have any significant association. In short, emotional stress and inadequate sleep are the major triggering factors that lead to the future episode of acute anterior uveitis in RAAU. Both physical and emotional stress management may be helpful to minimize recurrences and further complications.
The impact of atrial fibrillation on one-year mortality in patients with severe lower extremity arterial disease
Authors: Su Min-I , Liu Cheng-Wei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Backgroundand Aims: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is associated with the incidence of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD), but its effect on severe LEAD prognosis remains unclear. We investigated the association between Afib and clinical outcomes.Methods and ResultsWe retrospectively enrolled consecutive severe LEAD patients receiving percutaneous transluminal angioplasty between 2013/1/1 and 2018/12/31. Patients were divided by a history of any type of Afib and followed for at least one year. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiac-related mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and major adverse limb events (MALEs). The study included 222 patients aged 74 ± 11 years (54% male), and 12.6% had acute limb ischemia. The Afib group had significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality (42.9% vs. 20.1%, P = 0.014) and MACEs (32.1% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.028) than the non-Afib group. After adjustment for confounders, Afib was independently associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 2.153, 95% CI: 1.084–4.276, P = 0.029) and MACEs (adjusted HR: 2.338, 95% CI: 1.054–2.188, P = 0.037).ConclusionsAfib was significantly associated with increased risks of one-year all-cause mortality and MACEs in severe LEAD patients. Future studies should investigate whether oral anticoagulants benefit these patients.
Identification of analytical singularity in non-plasmonic nano-sensing system
Authors: Zhou Yanyan , Zhang Haixi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nanosensors based on small particles are essential in the advancement of countless areas involving biomedical and fundamental physics. While the Clausius-Mossoti relation reveals the natural advantage of plasmonic nanoparticles as a singularity-generating device with the possibility of achieving ultra-high sensitivity, practical issues such as metallic losses and sensor configuration often preclude them from being considered as the ideal nanosensor. Non-plasmonic, or dielectric nanoparticles, though have distinct advantage in small material loss and design flexibility, cannot have a pole in the Clausius-Mossoti relation. Here, we demonstrate how such limitation on dipolar resonance of a dielectric nanoparticle can be fundamentally overturned if the nanoparticle is placed in an assisting dielectric cavity. Using the pseudo-orthonormal eigenmode method (POEM), we pinpoint the singularity of such non-plasmonic system in the complex frequency plane. The framework of the study provides not only analysis of the underlying physics, but also generates a set of guidelines to facilitate the device optimization in the real world. For numerical simulation, we use finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to demonstrate giant sensitivity of the structure when it operates around the pole.
Investigating the power of eyes open resting state EEG for assisting in dementia diagnosisComputing
Authors: Jennings Jack , Peraza Luis R , Baker Mark , Alter Kai , Taylor John-Paul , Bauer Roman 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction: The differentiation of Lewy body dementia from other common dementia types clinically is difficult, with a considerable number of cases only being found post-mortem. Consequently, there is a clear need for inexpensive and accurate diagnostic approaches for clinical use. Electroencephalography (EEG) is one potential candidate due to its relatively low cost and non-invasive nature. Previous studies examining the use of EEG as a dementia diagnostic have focussed on the eyes closed (EC) resting state; however, eyes open (EO) EEG may also be a useful adjunct to quantitative analysis due to clinical availability.Methods: We extracted spectral properties from EEG signals recorded under research study protocols (1024 Hz sampling rate, 10:5 EEG layout). The data stems from a total of 40 dementia patients with an average age of 74.42, 75.81 and 73.88 years for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) respectively and 15 healthy controls (HC) with an average age of 76.93 years. We utilised k-nearest neighbour, support vector machine and logistic regression machine learning to differentiate between groups utilising spectral data from the delta, theta, high theta, alpha and beta EEG bands. Results: We found that the combination of EC and EO resting state EEG data significantly increased inter-group classification accuracy compared to methods not using EO data. Secondly, we observed a distinct increase in the dominant frequency variance for HC between the EO and EC state, which was not observed within any dementia subgroup. For inter-group classification we achieved a specificity of 0.87 and sensitivity of 0.92 for HC vs Dementia classification and 0.75 specificity and 0.91 sensitivity for AD vs DLB classification, with a k nearest neighbour machine learning model which outperformed other machine learning methods. Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that the combination of both EC and EO quantitative EEG features improves overall classification accuracy when classifying dementia types in older age adults. In addition, we demonstrate that healthy controls display a definite change in dominant frequency variance between the EC and EO state. In future, a validation cohort should be utilised to further solidify these findings.
Towards AI-powered Language Assessment Tools
Authors: Parsa Mah , Alam Muhammad Raisul , Mihailidis Alex 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to propose an approach for developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Language Assessment (LA) tool. Such tools can be used to assess language impairments associated with dementia in older adults. The Machine Learning (ML) classifiers are the main parts of our proposed approach, therefore to develop an accurate tool with high sensitivity and specificity, we consider different binary classifiers and evaluate their performances. We also assess the reliability and validity of our approach by comparing the impact of different types of language tasks, features, and recording media on the performance of ML classifiers. Approach: Our approach includes the following steps: 1) Collecting language datasets or getting access to available language datasets; 2) Extracting linguistic and acoustic features from subjects' speeches which have been collected from subjects with dementia (N=9) and subjects without dementia (N=13); 3) Selecting most informative features and using them to train ML classifiers; and 4) Evaluating the performance of classifiers on distinguishing subjects with dementia from subjects without dementia and select the most accurate classier to be the basis of the AI tool. Results: Our results indicate that 1) we can nd more predictive linguistic markers to distinguish language impairment associated with dementia from participants' speech produced during the Picture Description (PD) language task than the Story Recall (SR) task; and 2) phone-based recording interfaces provide more high-quality language datasets than the web-based recording systems Conclusion: Our results verify that the tree-based classifiers, which have been trained using the linguistic and acoustic features extracted from interviews' transcript and audio, can be used to develop an AI-powered language assessment tool for detecting language impairment associated with dementia.
Effect of Anticipated Lifestyle and Income on Medical Students' Decision to Pursue a Primary Care Career in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhussain Ahmed , Horner Ronnie D. , Khoja Abdullah T. , Probst Janice C. , Moran Robert R. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: This study examines factors that influence Saudi Arabian medical school students in their selection of primary care as their career specialty. We focused on the two main factors identified to influence medical students generally in consideration of career specialty: lifestyle and income. We surveyed all fourth- and fifth-year students at 10 medical schools in the Riyad region using a questionnaire regarding factors influencing their intended specialty choice; 1005 (64%) completed the questionnaire. Results: The clear majority (77% of students) considered lifestyle characteristics to be a significant influence in their career decision to enter a specialty versus primary care (P<0.05). There was also significant relationship (p < 0.005) between students’ specialty choices and importance attached to anticipated income. Conclusion: Lifestyle and income consideration are important influences on specialty selection among 4th and 5th year Saudi Arabian medical students. These results are in consistent with findings of previous studies conducted in many nations around the world.
Impact of Travel Ban Implementation on COVID-19 Spread in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea During the Early Phase of the Pandemic: a Comparative Study.
Authors: Gwee Sylvia Xiao Wei , Yong Pearleen Chua Ee , Wang Min Xian , Pang Junxiong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Since January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has elicited imposition of some form of travel restrictions by almost all countries in the world. Most of which persist to this day even as some restrictions have been gradually eased. It remains unclear if the trade-off from the unprecedented disruption to air travel was well worth in the course of pandemic containment.Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted on Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea’s COVID-19 response. Data on COVID-19 cases, travel-related and community interventions, socio-economic profile were consolidated. Trends on imported and local cases were analyzed using computations of moving averages, rate of change, particularly in response to distinct waves of travel-related interventions due to the outbreak in China, South Korea, Iran & Italy, and Europe.Findings: South Korea’s travel restrictions consistently lagged in terms of timeliness and magnitude. The first wave of travel restrictions against China was implemented 34 days after the outbreak in Wuhan, compared to 22-26 days taken by Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Restrictions against all countries came after 91 days, compared to 78-80 days for the other three countries. Taiwan and Hong Kong were the most efficient in adopting travel restrictions. Singapore’s belated measures and higher importation risk as compared to the other three Asian countries manifested in its deteriorating local transmission. The rate of change of imported cases fell by 1.08-1.43 across all four countries following the first wave of intervention against China, and by 0.22-0.52 in all countries except South Korea in the fifth wave against all international travellers. Conclusion: Travel restriction was effective in preventing COVID-19 case importation in early outbreak phase. However, evidence of its effect on local transmission was lacking. The impact of travel restrictions in containing epidemics cannot be disentangled from local non-pharmaceutical interventions concurrently implemented. Overall, measures should be complementary, with more emphasis on the latter to contain the outbreak effectively.