bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of Depleted Uranium-exposed Gulf War Veterans: More Evidence for Bone Effects
Authors: McDiarmid Melissa A. , Gaitens Joanna M. , Hines Stella , Cloeren Marianne , Breyer Richard , Condon Marian , Oliver Marc , Roth Tracy , Gucer Patricia , Kaup Bruce , Brown Lawrence , Brown Clayton H. , Dux Moira , Glick Danielle , Lewin-Smith Michael R. , Strathmann Frederick , Xu Hanna , Velez-Quinones Maria A. , Streeten Elizabeth 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Gulf War I veterans who were victims of depleted uranium (DU) “friendly-fire” incidents have undergone longitudinal health surveillance since 1994. During the spring of 2019, 36 members of the cohort were evaluated with a monitoring protocol including exposure assessment for total and isotopic uranium concentrations in urine and a comprehensive review of health outcomes, including measures of bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) determination. Elevated urine U concentrations were observed in cohort members with retained depleted uranium (DU) shrapnel fragments. In addition, a measure of bone resorption, N-telopeptide, showed a statistically significant increase in those in the high DU subgroup, a finding consistent with a statistically significant decrease in bone mass also observed in this high DU subgroup compared to the low DU subgroup. After more than 25 y since first exposure to DU, an aging cohort of military veterans continues to show few U-related health effects in known target organs of U toxicity. The new finding of impaired BMD in the high DU subgroup has now been detected in two consecutive surveillance visits. While this is a biologically plausible uranium effect, it is not reflected in other measures of bone metabolism in the full cohort, which have largely been within normal limits. However, ongoing accrual of the U burden from fragment absorption over time and the effect of aging further impairing BMD suggest the need for future surveillance assessments of this cohort.
Maximum Possible Doses for a Cohort of Individuals with Intakes Possibly Containing a Component of a Ceramic-type Material
Authors: Klumpp John , Poudel Deepesh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Recently, a glovebox breach led to the potential exposure of 15 Los Alamos National Laboratory employees to 238Pu. Given what is known about the material involved in the incident, the possibility of an intake with a ceramic-type component must be considered. Incidents in which intakes of ceramic solubility-type material is suspected represent a challenge for internal dose assessment via urine bioassay because even relatively large doses cannot be detected in urine until many months after the intake. Ideally, in these situations fecal samples should be collected to assess the intake, but in this case fecal sampling was delayed. This paper presents a method to calculate the maximum possible doses for all individuals involved in an incident using only early time-decreasing urine bioassay measurements.
Occupational Radon Assessment in Underground Storage Facilities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Asuni Ganiyu , Al-Qahtani Saleh M , Khasawinah Salim 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
An occupational radon assessment was conducted at five underground storage facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to evaluate the radon concentration and determine if remedial action is required to ameliorate conditions and ensure compliance with international guidance on acceptable radon levels in working environments. The assessment was carried out in four operational areas in the underground storage facilities routinely occupied or visited by workers. Initial radon concentrations were obtained using 293 passive CR-39 Nuclear Track Detector (NTD) radon dosimeters installed in the four operational areas for all the underground storage facilities. The detectors were left in place for 12 mo. As some of the radon measurements exceeded the International Atomic Energy Agency reference level of 1,000 Bq m−3 for radon in workplaces, a follow-up assessment was conducted using a real-time monitoring device in locations where high radon levels were observed. The measured radon concentrations in the four operational areas in three of the five underground storage facilities were below the reference level, and in the remaining two storage facilities, low ventilation rates in one operational area were identified as the principal cause of elevated radon concentrations. Notwithstanding, the potential radiation dose from radon exposure was determined to be well below the International Commission on Radiation Protection reference annual dose level of 10 mSv in all five underground storage facilities. Radon exposure to workers in all the underground storage facilities was found to be within the reference dose level for workplaces and does not pose an acute health risk.
Evaluation of Triage Methods for Criticality Accidents
Authors: Veinot K. G. , Gose B. T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Studies indicate that early identification of persons involved in and receiving high doses of radiation in accidents is key to providing life-saving medical treatment. Although the risk of criticality accidents is low, the potential impact to workers is significant. For facilities that employ large numbers of workers, a key element in the response to a radiological emergency is identifying personnel that received significant and potentially harmful doses. Also important is having the ability to screen large numbers of workers to identify persons who did not receive significant exposure so as to reduce the impact on emergency response efforts. At the Y-12 National Security Complex, the focus on criticality accident response is the rapid triage of personnel in order to identify persons exposed to large radiation doses and to prioritize those persons receiving the highest exposures. Once identified, personnel are transported to local medical facilities, including the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), for medical evaluation and treatment. The Y-12 external dosimetry program uses a number of techniques to identify and prioritize workers, and these methods were evaluated at a criticality dosimetry intercomparison exercise. The methods used were shown to perform as intended, and other sites may consider incorporating these methods into their accident dosimetry response procedures.
Study on the Performance of an Alpha Energy Spectrum Radon Measuring Instrument Based on CdZnTe Detector
Authors: Li Songsong , Shan Jian , Tan Songbo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To realize a fast and reliable approach for continuous radon measurements, a CdZnTe (CZT) detector based on the electrostatic collection method was developed. The experimental results show that when the external temperature varies from 5 °C to 30 °C, the maximum drifts of the characteristic peak positions of 218Po and 214Po are only 8 and 6. Furthermore, the measurement error associated with the constant radon concentration is less than 5.5%. As the temperature increases or decreases, the measurement error becomes larger, with the maximum error being 43.1%. The response of the proposed instrument for constant radon concentration is better than that of the RAD7 radon measurement instrument. At 25 °C, the value measured using the NRL-II radon meter with the PIPS detector is in good agreement with the actual value. The new radon measurement instrument exhibits a good compliance from the third measurement cycle (measurement deviation 0.53–3.95%), while RAD7 has good compliance from the fourth measurement cycle (measurement deviation of 1.17–4.88%). The theoretical and practical values of the iterative correction factor (influence of the previous measurement on the current measurement) of the radon measurement instrument are in good agreement. The iterative correction factor can be used for performing continuous radon measurements independently, with the aim of achieving a rapid response to environmental radon concentrations.
The Anthropogenic Impact on Indoor Radon Concentrations for Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: le Roux Rikus , Bezuidenhout Jacques , Smit Hennie , Newman Richard 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Secunda is a town built amid the coalfields of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Surrounding the town are 11 coal-fired plants (CFPs) contributing around 59% of the country’s energy needs. It is also home to Sasol Synfuels, which produces synthetic gas through coal gasification and natural gas reforming. Coal, like most materials found in nature, contains trace elements of the naturally occurring primordial radionuclides 40K, 238U, 232Th, and their decay products. The milling and combustion of coal in a CFP increases the mass concentration of these trace elements, and the residuals end up on ash heaps as fly ash, bottom ash, and boiler slag. A small percentage of fly ash also ends up in the atmosphere. This paper sets out to determine the anthropogenic impact of the industrial activity on indoor radon in the town of Secunda in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. Measurements were done in 37 homes during July when higher indoor radon levels are expected due to homes typically being closed due to the low temperatures. The average indoor radon concentration was found to be 76.4 Bq m−3. This indicates that the fallout from the industrial activity surrounding Secunda does not enhance the emanation of radon. This may be due to the type of activity or the climate and prevailing winds mitigating its indoor build-up. Measurements during the warmer months and in neighboring towns with different industrial activities are required to confirm the trends established by this research.
Baseline Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout as a Predictor of Subsequent Visual Field Progression in Open-angle Glaucoma
Authors: Jo Youn Hye , Shin Joong Won , Song Min Kyung , Won Hun Jae , Kook Michael S. 
Published: April 2021

Precis:
Choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) is an independent predictor for overall and central visual field (VF) progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of CMvD identified by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) at baseline on subsequent VF progression in eyes with OAG.

Methods:
This retrospective observational study included 80 OAG eyes with CMvD [CMvD(+)] and without CMvD [(CMvD(−)] at baseline [40 of each matched for both age (10 y and below) and baseline VF severity (≤1 dB)]. The patients were followed regularly at 6-month intervals. VF progression was defined according to the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria. Associations of overall VF progression with baseline clinical factors, including the presence of CMvD and other variables, were analyzed by logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation in the entire OAG cohort. Linear mixed models were used to determine the differences in visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) between the CMvD(+) and CMvD(−) groups globally and regionally at each follow-up point.

Results:
During a mean follow-up of 35.91±2.51 months, a significant difference was evident in the VF progression rate between the CMvD(−) and CMvD(+) groups (22.5% vs. 70%, P<0.001). CMvD at baseline and a higher visit-to-visit intraocular pressure fluctuation were significant predictors of VF progression. The VFMS differed significantly between the 2 groups at the central and superior central VF regions after 2 years of follow-up.

Conclusion:
The presence of CMvD at baseline is an independent predictor of subsequent VF progression. CMvD(+) eyes show a faster rate of VFMS loss at the central and superior central VF regions.
Is serum endocan a sensitive biomarker for early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation?
Authors: Omar Seham A. , Attia Nahla M. , Sheir Mohamed I. , Amer Ayman s. , EL Shabrawy Mohamed M. , Hasan Basma B. 
Published: April 2021

Background and aim of the work
Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is one of the common liver cancers and considered to be the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in the world and the second leading cause of death among cancer patients. More recent studies on HCC showed that the elevated serum endocan level was a predictive factor of recurrence after radiofrequency ablation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum endocan level as a prognostic biomarker for recurrence of HCC after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.

Patients and methods
Analytic-prospective study was carried out in Suez Canal University Hospitals. The study was carried out on 80 patients classified into three groups: group 1 (control group) consisted of 20 apparently healthy persons; group 2 consisted of 20 patients with liver cirrhosis; and group 3 consisted of 40 treatment-naive HCC patients who were prepared for radiofrequency ablation. All HCC patients (who were confirmed to have complete ablation after RF) were followed up by using triphasic abdominal CT, serum AFP and serum endocan assessment at 3 and 6 months after radiofrequency ablation.

Results
Our study revealed a high level of serum endocan in the HCC group with a statistically significant difference (<0.001) between the three groups. HCC patients had a higher level of serum endocan (6.2 ± 2.25) followed by an liver cirrhosis group (2.0 ± 1.29) and then the control group (1.0 ± 0.3). The serum endocan level had a positive correlation with recurrence of HCC (P < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between serum endocan and serum alanine transferase (P = 0.02), and a positive correlation between serum endocan and the number of tumors (P = 0.01).

Conclusion
Serum endocan is considered as a prognostic biomarker for tumor recurrence in HCC patients after radiofrequency ablation.
Using a machine learning approach to explore predictors of healthcare visits as missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis
Authors: Weissman Sharon , Yang Xueying , Zhang Jiajia , Chen Shujie , Olatosi Bankole , Li Xiaoming 
Published: April 2021

Objectives:
A significant number of individuals with a new HIV diagnosis are still late presenters despite numerous healthcare encounters prior to HIV diagnosis. We employed a machine learning approach to identify the predictors for the missed opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis.

Methods:
The cohort comprised of individuals who were diagnosed with HIV in South Carolina from January 2008 to December 2016. Late presenters (LPs) (initial CD4 ≤200 cells/mm3 within one month of HIV diagnosis) with any healthcare visit during three years prior to HIV diagnosis were defined as patients with a missed opportunity. Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, two prediction models were developed to capture the impact of facility type (model 1) and physician specialty (model 2) of healthcare visits on missed opportunities.

Results:
Among 4,725 eligible participants, 72.2% had at least one healthcare visit prior to their HIV diagnosis, with most of the healthcare visits (78.5%) happening in the emergency departments (ED). A total of 1,148 individuals were LPs, resulting in an overall prevalence of 24.3% for the missed opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis. Common predictors in both models included ED visit, older age, male gender, and alcohol use.

Conclusions:
The findings underscored the need to reinforce the universal HIV testing strategy ED remains an important venue for HIV screening, especially for medically underserved or elder population. An improved and timely HIV screening strategy in clinical settings can be a key for early HIV diagnosis and play an increasingly important role in ending HIV epidemic.
Photon-Counting Computed Tomography for Coronary Stent Imaging
Authors: Petritsch Bernhard , Petri Nils , Weng Andreas M. , Petersilka Martin , Allmendinger Thomas , Bley Thorsten A. , Gassenmaier Tobias 
Published: April 2021

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess in-stent lumen visibility and quantitative image characteristics of different coronary stents using a novel photon-counting detector (PCD) computed tomography (CT) system in comparison to a state-of-the-art energy-integrating detector (EID) CT scanner.

Materials and Methods
In this in vitro phantom study, 28 different coronary stents ranging from 2.25 to 4.5 mm lumen diameter were expanded into plastic tubes filled with contrast agent. Stent-containing plastic tubes were positioned in a custom-made emulsion-filled phantom, which was inserted into an anthropomorphic phantom simulating a medium-sized patient. Computed tomography scans were acquired parallel to the scanners’ z axis using a novel cadmium telluride–based PCD CT system (SOMATOM CountPlus; Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim Germany), operating in 2 different modes (standard-resolution mode [SR] and ultra-high-resolution [UHR] mode), and a latest generation dual-source EID CT system (SOMATOM Force; Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim). CTDIvol-matched images were reconstructed with comparable convolution kernels and using the same reconstruction parameters. In-stent lumen visibility (in %), increase in in-stent attenuation (expressed as Δ in-stent CT attenuation), and image noise (in Hounsfield unit) were manually measured. Parts of the image analysis (in-stent lumen visibility) were additionally performed in an automated way. Differences were tested using Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results
The best in-stent lumen visibility was achieved with the PCD-UHR mode and the lowest noise levels with the PCD-SR mode. The median in-stent lumen visibility was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with PCD (SR, 66.7%; interquartile range [IQR], 63.3–72.3; UHR, 68.9%; IQR, 64.4–74.4) compared with EID (65.4%; IQR, 62.2–70.4). The Δ in-stent CT attenuation was significantly lower for PCD in both SR (78 HU; IQR, 46–108; P = 0.024) and UHR (85 HU; IQR, 59–113; P = 0.006) compared with EID (108 HU; IQR, 85–126). Image noise was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for PCD-SR (21 HU; IQR, 21–21) compared with EID images (25 HU; IQR, 24–25.0).

Conclusions
The PCD provides superior in-stent lumen visibility and quantitative image characteristics when compared with conventional EID.
FDG PET/CT Showing a Primary Lymphoma of the Sternoclavicular Joint
Authors: Wang Rang , Tang Pan , Tian Rong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We presented a case of primary lymphoma of the sternoclavicular joint. A 67-year-old woman with a history of swelling at the sternoclavicular joint region was considered as osteoarthritis initially. Chest CT found a soft tissue mass around the sternoclavicular joint. Biopsy demonstrated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The subsequent FDG PET/CT revealed FDG-avid articular destruction with surrounding soft tissue mass without any other abnormal findings, suggesting a primary extranodal lymphoma of sternoclavicular joint.
Diffuse White Adipose Tissue 18F-FDG Uptake—An Unusual Finding on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Bansal Himanshu , Ravina Mudalsha , Nanda Siddhartha , Lukose Tinu Thadiyananickal , Krishna Sarin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBrown adipose tissue of cervical, supraclavicular, and paravertebral regions can show increased FDG uptake. But human white adipose tissue (WAT) shows negligible FDG uptake on18F-FDG PET/CT scan. We present a case of carcinoma cervix treated with concurrent chemoradiation.18F-FDG PET/CT shows altered biodistribution of FDG with intense FDG uptake throughout the WAT. Later on, patient confirmed taking herbal medication for herpes zoster infection, which could contain corticosteroids, resulting in enhanced WAT uptake of18F-FDG.
Carcinosarcoma Gallbladder With Osteosarcomatous Differentiation
Authors: Suthar Ritesh R. , Agrawal Archi , Bal Munita , Purandare Nilendu , Shah Sneha , Puranik Ameya , Rangarajan Venkatesh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We herein present a case of carcinosarcoma gallbladder with osteosarcomatous differentiation in a middle-aged woman. This is seen on 18F-FDG PET/CT study as an intensely FDG-avid mass in the gallbladder with foci of calcification due to the presence of osteoid. This is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis.
Charting Elimination in the Pandemic: A SARS-CoV-2 Serosurvey of Blood Donors in New Zealand
Authors: Carlton Lauren H. , Chen Tiffany , Whitcombe Alana L. , McGregor Reuben , Scheurich Greg , Sheen Campbell R. , Dickson James M. , Bullen Chris , Chiang Annie , Exeter Daniel J. , Paynter Janine , Baker Michael G. , Charlewood Richard , Moreland Nicole J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA large-scale SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey of New Zealand blood donors (n=9806) was conducted at the end of 2020. Seroprevalence, after adjusting for test sensitivity and specificity, was very low (0.1%). This finding is consistent with limited community transmission and provides robust evidence to support New Zealand’ s successful elimination strategy for COVID-19.
The National Institute on Aging Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Family Based Study: A Critical Component of the International Effort to Understand Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Reyes-Dumeyer Dolly , Faber Kelley , Vardarajan Badri , Goate Alison , Renton Alan , Chao Michael , Boeve Brad , Cruchaga Carlos , Pericak-Vance Margaret , Haines Jonathan L. , Rosenberg Roger , Tsuang Debby , Sweet Robert A. , Bennett David A. , Wilson Robert S. , Foroud Tatiana , Mayeux Richard 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONThe National Institute on Aging Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Family Based Study (NIA-LOAD FBS) was established to study the genetic etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).METHODSRecruitment focused on families with two living affected siblings and a third first degree relative similar in age with or without dementia. Uniform assessments were completed, DNA was obtained as was neuropathology, when possible.APOEgenotypes, genome-wide SNP arrays and sequencing was completed in the majority of families.RESULTSA wide range in the age-at-onset in many large families was related toAPOEgenotype, but not in all. Variants typically associated with early-onset AD and frontotemporal dementia were also found.DISCUSSIONThe NIA-LOAD FBS is the largest collection of familial AD worldwide, and data or samples have been included in 126 publications addressing the genetic etiology of AD. Genetic heterogeneity and variability in the age-at-onset provides opportunities to investigate the complexity of familial AD.
Fraction of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths attributable to chronic diseases
Authors: Reyes-Sánchez Francisco , Basto-Abreu Ana , Torres-Alvarez Rossana , Canto-Osorio Francisco , González-Morales Romina , Dyer Dwight , López Ridaura Ruy , Zaragoza Jiménez Christian Arturo , Rivera Juan A. , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimTo estimate the fraction of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 attributable to chronic diseases due to poor nutrition and smoking in Mexico.MethodsWe used data from the Mexican surveillance system of COVID-19. We considered six chronic diseases (obesity, COPD, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease) to define a multimorbidity variable: no diseases, 1 disease, 2 diseases, or 3 or more diseases. We calibrated the database using bias quantification methods to consider the undiagnosed cases of chronic diseases. To estimate the risks of hospitalization and death due to chronic diseases, we fitted Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, adjusting for possible confounders. Using these risks, we calculated attributable fractions using the population attributable fraction (PAF).ResultsChronic diseases accounted for to 25.4% (24.8%, 26.1%), 28.3% (27.8%, 28.7%) and 15.3% (14.9%,15.7%) of the hospitalizations among adults below 40 years, 40 to 59, and 60 years and older respectively (95% CI). For COVID-19-related deaths, 50.1% (48.6%, 51.5%), 40.5% (39.7%, 41.3%), and 18.7% (18.0%, 19.5%) were attributable to chronic diseases in adults under 40 years, 40 to 59, and 60 years and older, respectively.ConclusionChronic diseases linked to malnutrition and tobacco use contributed to a higher burden of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19 in Mexico, particularly among younger adults. Medical and structural interventions to curb chronic disease incidence and facilitate disease control are urgently needed.