bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol drinking and risks of total and site‐specific cancers in China: A 10‐year prospective study of 0.5 million adults
Authors: Im Pek Kei , Millwood Iona Y. , Kartsonaki Christiana , Chen Yiping , Guo Yu , Du Huaidong , Bian Zheng , Lan Jian , Feng Shixian , Yu Canqing , Lv Jun , Walters Robin G. , Li Liming , Yang Ling , Chen Zhengming ,   The China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) Collaborative Group
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlcohol drinking is associated with increased risks of several site‐specific cancers, but its role in many other cancers remains inconclusive. Evidence is more limited from China, where cancer rates, drinking patterns and alcohol tolerability differ importantly from Western populations. The prospective China Kadoorie Biobank recruited >512 000 adults aged 30 to 79 years from 10 diverse areas during 2004 to 2008, recording alcohol consumption patterns by a standardised questionnaire. Self‐reported alcohol consumption was estimated as grams of pure alcohol per week based on beverage type, amount consumed per occasion and drinking frequency. After 10 years of follow‐up, 26 961 individuals developed cancer. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating alcohol consumption to incidence of site‐specific cancers. Overall, 33% (n = 69 734) of men drank alcohol regularly (ie, ≥weekly) at baseline. Among male current regular drinkers, alcohol intake showed positive dose‐response associations with risks of cancers in the oesophagus (655 events; HR = 1.98 [95%CI 1.79‐2.18], per 280 g/wk), mouth and throat (236; 1.74 [1.48‐2.05]), liver (573; 1.52 [1.31‐1.76]), colon‐rectum (575; 1.19 [1.00‐1.43]), gallbladder (107; 1.60 [1.16‐2.22]) and lung (1017; 1.25 [1.10‐1.42]), similarly among never‐ and ever‐regular smokers. After adjustment for total alcohol intake, there were greater risks of oesophageal cancer in daily drinkers than nondaily drinkers and of liver cancer when drinking without meals. The risks of oesophageal cancer and lung cancer were greater in men reporting flushing after drinking than not. In this male population, alcohol drinking accounted for 7% of cancer cases. Among women, only 2% drank regularly, with no clear associations between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Among Chinese men, alcohol drinking is associated with increased risks of cancer at multiple sites, with certain drinking patterns (eg, daily, drinking without meals) and low alcohol tolerance further exacerbating the risks.
Mental health of individuals who are deaf during COVID‐19: Depression, anxiety, aggression, and fear
Authors: Al Majali Salwa A. , Alghazo Emad M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study aims to assess depression and anxiety levels among individuals, who are deaf during the lockdown throughout the first wave of the pandemic United Arab Emirates. The sample of the study consisted of 36 (n = 36) individuals aged 20.3 ± 1.2 years, who were deaf from birth. The respondents were divided into two groups; (1) those who were living with their parents (n = 20), (2) those who were independently living on their own (n = 16). Results of the study indicated that from May to October, there was decrease in the number of normal mental health cases among those living with parents (p ≤ 0.05). The results of the study show that in the time of the pandemic, deaf people constitute a vulnerable portion of the population. The correlation between living alone and stress levels was 0.78. The correlation between living with parents and stress levels was −0.85.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Using a Multispectral Autoregressive Moving Average Model to Assess Hepatic Iron Overload
Authors: Tipirneni‐Sajja Aaryani , Loeffler Ralf B. , Hankins Jane S. , Morin Cara , Hillenbrand Claudia M. 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundR2*‐MRI is clinically used to noninvasively assess hepatic iron content (HIC) to guide potential iron chelation therapy. However, coexisting pathologies, such as fibrosis and steatosis, affect R2* measurements and may thus confound HIC estimations.PurposeTo evaluate whether a multispectral auto regressive moving average (ARMA) model can be used in conjunction with quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to measure magnetic susceptibility as a confounder‐free predictor of HIC.Study TypePhantom study and in vivo cohort.SubjectsNine iron phantoms covering clinically relevant R2* range (20–1200/second) and 48 patients (22 male, 26 female, median age 18 years).Field Strength/SequenceThree‐dimensional (3D) and two‐dimensional (2D) multi‐echo gradient echo (GRE) at 1.5 T.AssessmentARMA‐QSM modeling was performed on the complex 3D GRE signal to estimate R2*, fat fraction (FF), and susceptibility measurements. R2*‐based dry clinical HIC values were calculated from the 2D GRE acquisition using a published R2*‐HIC calibration curve as reference standard.Statistical TestsLinear regression analysis was performed to compare ARMA R2* and susceptibility‐based estimates to iron concentrations and dry clinical HIC values in phantoms and patients, respectively.ResultsIn phantoms, the ARMA R2* and susceptibility values strongly correlated with iron concentrations (R2 ≥ 0.9). In patients, the ARMA R2* values highly correlated (R2 = 0.97) with clinical HIC values with slope = 0.026, and the susceptibility values showed good correlation (R2 = 0.82) with clinical dry HIC values with slope = 3.3 and produced a dry‐to‐wet HIC ratio of 4.8.Data ConclusionThis study shows the feasibility that ARMA‐QSM can simultaneously estimate susceptibility‐based wet HIC, R2*‐based dry HIC and FFs from a single multi‐echo GRE acquisition. Our results demonstrate that both, R2* and susceptibility‐based wet HIC values estimated with ARMA‐QSM showed good association with clinical dry HIC values with slopes similar to published R2*‐biopsy HIC calibration and dry‐to‐wet tissue weight ratio, respectively. Hence, our study shows that ARMA‐QSM can provide potentially confounder‐free assessment of hepatic iron overload.Level of Evidence3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Feral Horse Space Use and Genetic Characteristics from Fecal DNA
Authors: King Sarah R. B. , Schoenecker Kathryn A. , Fike Jennifer A. , Oyler‐McCance Sara J. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTFeral horses (Equus ferus caballus) in the western United States are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service in designated areas on public lands with a goal of maintaining populations in balance with multiple uses of the landscape. Small, isolated populations can be at risk of extirpation from stochastic events and deleterious genetic effects resulting from inbreeding and reduced heterozygosity. The genetic diversity of feral horse herds is periodically monitored using blood or hair samples collected during management gathers (i.e., occasions when the herd is rounded up). We conducted a study to examine genetic characteristics of the feral horse population at the BLM Little Book Cliffs Herd Management Area (HMA) in Colorado, USA, using non‐invasively collected fecal samples. Additionally, we explored whether genotypes could be used to document space use and potential sub‐population development. We used a random sampling scheme, walking transects in sampling areas covering most of the HMA to find and collect fecal samples of all ages, except those that were deteriorating. We collected >1,800 fecal samples from across the study area in May, August, and October 2014. We then identified unique individuals using a suite of microsatellite loci. Our estimates of genetic diversity from fecal samples were higher than those reported from blood and hair samples taken during recent horse gathers, likely because our sample size and spatial distribution was larger. Genotypes revealed that some individuals were found only in certain parts of the study area and at a higher proportion than random; thus, they could be considered residents in those sampling areas. Using discriminant function analyses, we detected 5 genetic groups in the sample population, but these did not correspond to individuals in specific parts of the study area. Our results support the use of fecal DNA to augment direct observations of horse presence and could be used to detect habitat use and areas of high density. Non‐invasive techniques such as fecal DNA sampling can help managers decide whether new individuals need to be translocated to a closed population to maintain genetic diversity without the human safety and animal welfare concerns associated with gathers and invasive techniques. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Statins, vascular calcification, and vitamin K‐dependent proteins: Is there a relation?
Authors: Zhelyazkova‐Savova Maria D. , Yotov Yoto T. , Nikolova Miglena N. , Nazifova‐Tasinova Neshe F. , Vankova Deyana G. , Atanasov Atanas A. , Galunska Bistra Tz. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present cross‐sectional clinical study aimed to examine the connection between statin exposure, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and vitamin K‐dependent proteins (VKDPs) in patients with cardiovascular (CV) conditions. Two groups of patients were studied: patients with established CV disease (CVD) and healthy patients at moderate risk for CVD (a control group). The groups were also split into statin users and non‐users. The following VKDPs were measured in plasma: uncarboxylated Matrix Gla‐protein (ucMGP), undercarboxylated (ucOC), and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC), Gla‐rich protein (GRP). CAC score (CACS) was determined by multislice computed tomography. Among all the participants in the study, CACS was more pronounced in statin users compared to non‐users; the same was found also among the CVD patients and among the controls. While the levels of ucMGP and GRP did not differ between statin users and non‐users, ucOC and ucOC/cOC were significantly elevated in statin users, indicating vitamin K deficiency. There was a positive correlation between the levels of ucOC and CACS in the entire population and in the group of statin users, but not in statin non‐users. No association was found between ucMGP or GRP and CACS. Statins had also an impact on the international normalized ratio and interacted with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Our results are in agreement with the existing evidence about positive association between statins and vascular calcification. They enlighten to a certain extent the possible mechanisms through which statins may enhance calcium accumulation in arterial wall, namely, by inhibition of vitamin K dependent proteins and functions involved in vascular protection.
A decision model approach for determining social innovation potential of technological projects
Authors: Ozdemir Fatih , Ar Ilker Murat , Baki Birdogan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSince project management is inevitably a social effort involving all relevant actors, social aspects have to be emphasized when considering collaborative project management. Social innovation focuses on reacting to social demands and developing innovative solutions to overcome various social issues. Therefore, determining the social innovation potential in the project management process is very important. The main purpose of this study is to propose a Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) and Fuzzy VIKOR (FVIKOR)‐based decision model to determine the social innovation potential of technological projects. The results of FANP revealed that the most important criteria for determining social innovation potential of projects are financial resources, technological developments and social capital. Furthermore, FVIKOR was used for ranking social innovation potential of the selected technological projects. There are several managerial implications of this study. First, we suggest that practitioners should integrate the proposed model into their project evaluation processes. Second, they can also use this model to define the social innovation factors during project selection. Lastly, the proposed model can be employed to prioritize the social innovation factors that enable managers to allocate the appropriate resources to project management process.
Euglycemia Indicates Favorable Motor Outcome in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Markaki Ioanna , Ntetsika Theodora , Sorjonen Kimmo , Svenningsson Per ,   for the BioPark Study Group
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe interplay between glycemic control and Parkinson's disease (PD) has long been recognized but not fully understood.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with motor and cognitive symptom progression in a prospective PD cohort.MethodsOf 244 PD patients, 17 had low HbA1c (≤30 mmol/mol), 184 were euglycemic (HbA1c 31–41 mmol/mol), 18 had high HbA1c (HbA1 ≥42 mmol/mol), and 25 had diabetes mellitus (DM). Survival analysis was applied on time until Hoehn and Yahr stage ≥3 (motor outcome) and until mild cognitive impairment.ResultsLow HbA1c (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3–6; P = 0.01) as well as high HbA1c (HR 3.6; 95% CI 1.5–8.9; P = 0.005) but not DM were independent predictors of unfavorable motor outcome.ConclusionsBoth high and low HbA1c levels may be associated with motor symptom progression in PD; however, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and increase understanding regarding causality. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Local SAR compression algorithm with improved compression, speed, and flexibility
Authors: Orzada Stephan , Fiedler Thomas M. , Quick Harald H. , Ladd Mark E. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeLocal specific absorption rate (SAR) compression algorithms are essential for enabling online SAR monitoring in parallel transmission. A better compression resulting in a lower number of virtual observation points improves speed of SAR calculation for online supervision and pulse design.MethodAn iterative expansion of an existing algorithm presented by Lee et al is proposed in this work. The original algorithm is used within a loop, making use of the virtual observation points from the previous iteration as the starting subvolume, while decreasing the overestimation with each iteration. This algorithm is evaluated on the SAR matrices of three different simulated arrays.ResultThe number of virtual observation points is approximately halved with the new algorithm, while at the same time the compression time is reduced with speed‐up factors of up to 2.5.ConclusionThe new algorithm improves the original algorithm in terms of compression rate and speed.
Baseline Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Associated with Survival in Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Brown Jacqueline T. , Liu Yuan , Shabto Julie M. , Martini Dylan J. , Ravindranathan Deepak , Hitron Emilie Elise , Russler Greta Anne , Caulfield Sarah , Yantorni Lauren Beth , Joshi Shreyas S. , Kissick Haydn , Ogan Kenneth , Harris Wayne B. , Carthon Bradley C. , Kucuk Omer , Master Viraj A. , Bilen Mehmet Asim 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), a clinical tool that incorporates albumin and C-reactive protein, has proven useful in the prognostication of multiple cancers. Several immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma (mUC), but a prognostic biomarker is needed. We investigated the impact of mGPS on survival outcomes in patients with mUC receiving ICIs.

Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients with mUC treated with ICIs (programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors) at Winship Cancer Institute from 2015 to 2018. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were measured from the start date of ICI until death or clinical or radiographic progression, respectively. mGPS was defined as a summary score with one point given for C-reactive protein &gt;10 mg/L and/or albumin &lt;3.5 g/dL. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) analyses were carried out using Cox proportional hazard model. These outcomes were also assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results
A total of 53 patients were included with a median follow-up 27.1 months. The median age was 70 years, with 84.9% male and 20.8% Black. Baseline mGPS was 0 in 43.4%, 1 in 28.3% and 2 in 28.3%. Increased mGPS at the time of ICI initiation was associated with poorer OS and PFS in UVA, MVA, and Kaplan-Meier analyses.

Conclusion
The mGPS may be a useful prognostic tool in patients with mUC when treatment with ICI is under consideration. These results warrant a larger study for validation.

Implications for Practice
The ideal prognostic tool for use in a busy clinical practice is easy-to-use, cost-effective, and capable of accurately predicting clinical outcomes. There is currently no universally accepted risk score in metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma (mUC), particularly in the immunotherapy era. The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) incorporates albumin and C-reactive protein and may reflect underlying chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study found that baseline mGPS is associated with survival outcomes in patients with mUC treated with ICIs and may help clinicians to prognosticate for their patients beginning immunotherapy.
Evaluation of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/carbon black composites, manufactured by selective laser sintering
Authors: Brito Guaricela Joffre Luis , Ahrens Carlos Henrique , de Oliveira Barra Guilherme Mariz , Merlini Claudia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the viability of processing composites based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) and carbon black (PVDF/CB) applying the selective laser sintering (SLS) process, with equipment constructed in the laboratory. In the first step, the powder particles of PVDF and CB were characterized by scanning electron microscope, particle size distribution, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. In order to evaluate the effect of CB on the morphology, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties, specimens of PVDF/CB composites with different weight fractions (wt%) were manufactured. The addition of conductive CB to the PVDF matrix improves the mechanical properties up to a certain point, with fractions greater than 1.00 wt% of CB resulting in a decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite. For the composite with 0.5 wt% of CB the electrical conductivity was around 10−4 S/cm, representing an increase of approximately 10 orders of magnitude when compared to the neat PVDF (3.41 x 10−15 S/cm). In addition, increases of 59% for the elastic modulus and 150% for the maximum stress were observed when compared to the corresponding values for neat PVDF. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the potential for the use of PVDF/CB composites as a raw material to produce functional components by the SLS process.
Application of the metabolomics approach to the discovery of active compounds from Brazilian trees against resistant human melanoma cells
Authors: Kato Natália Naomi , Stavis Vanessa Katherinne , Boaretto Amanda Galdi , Castro David Tsuyoshi Hiramatsu , Alves Flávio Macedo , de Picoli Souza Kely , dos Santos Edson Lucas , Silva Denise Brentan , Carollo Carlos Alexandre 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe chemical diversity of plants plays an essential role in the development of new drugs. However, new bioactive compound identification and isolation are challenging due to the complexity and time‐consuming nature of the traditional process. Recently, alternative strategies have become popular, such as the statistical approach to correlate compounds with biological activities, overcoming bottlenecks in bioactive natural product research.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine bioactive compounds against resistant human melanoma cells from leaves of Aspidosperma subincanum, Copaifera langsdorffii, Coussarea hydrangeifolia, Guarea guidonea and Tapirira guianensis, using a metabolomics approach.Material and MethodsThe extracts and fractions were obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and tested against resistant melanoma cells SK‐MEL‐28 and SK‐MEL‐103. Chemical analysis was performed by high‐performance diode array detector tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS). Chemical and biological data were analysed through univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsThe species present high chemical diversity, including indole alkaloids, glycosylated flavonoids, galloylquinic acid derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, and terpenes. The ASE fractionation separated the compounds according to the physicochemical properties; only C. langsdorffii and T. guianensis extracts were active. Both results from the chemical profile and the biological assay were treated using a metabolomics approach to identify the contribution of different classes of secondary metabolites in the viability of human melanoma cells. The analyses showed the metabolites from C. langsdorffii and T. guianensis, such as polyphenols and terpenes, were the main compounds correlated with the biological response.ConclusionThese findings afford alternative pathways that are trustworthy and less time‐consuming to identify new bioactive compounds against multidrug‐resistant human melanoma cells.
In situ encapsulation of praziquantel through methyl methacrylate/diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and MMA/DMAEMA miniemulsion copolymerizations in presence of distinct ionic surfactants
Authors: Alves Jéssica Bentes , Franckini Paiva Thamiris , Salim Vera Martins , Conceição Ferraz Helen , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSchistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects primarily the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Although praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug used most frequently for treatment of schistosomiasis, PZQ presents unpleasant bitter taste and low solubility in water, which prejudice the implementation of pediatric treatments. For this reason, the main purpose of the present work was the production of stable nanoparticles loaded with PZQ through in situ miniemulsion copolymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). Due to the cationic nature of the comonomers, the use of different ionic surfactants was also investigated. Nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions, characteristic average diameters ranging from 50 nm to 110 nm, and loaded with 20 wt% of PZQ were manufactured successfully PZQ encapsulation efficiencies were higher than 97 wt% and PZQ was homogeneously dispersed in the final polymer matrix. Finally, the use of a cationic surfactant with DEAEMA cationic comonomer led to more stable latexes because of the high absolute value of the zeta potential.