bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Thrombotic Tendency by Whole-Body Enhanced CT Scan for Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Series Study
Authors: Ogawa Fumihiro , Oi Yasufumi , Nakajima Kento , Matsumura Reo , Nakagawa Tomoki , Miyagawa Takao , Abe Takeru , Takeuchi Ichiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonitis associated with severe respiratory failure has a high mortality rate. Based on recent reports, the most severely ill patients present with coagulopathy, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-like massive intravascular clot formation is frequently observed. Coagulopathy has emerged as a significant contributor to thrombotic complications. Although recommendations have been made for anticoagulant use for COVID-19, no guidelines have been specified.Case presentation: We describe four cases of critical COVID-19 with thrombosis detected by enhanced CT scan. The CT findings of all cases demonstrated typical findings of COVID-19 and pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombus without critical exacerbation. Two patients died of respiratory failure due to COVID-19.Discussion: Previous reports have suggested coagulopathy with thrombotic signs as the main pathological feature of COVID-19, but no previous reports have focused on coagulopathy evaluated by whole-body enhanced CT scan. Changes in hemostatic biomarkers, represented by an increase in D-dimer and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, indicated that the essence of coagulopathy was massive fibrin formation. Although there were no clinical symptoms related to their prognosis, critical COVID-19-induced systemic thrombus formation was observed. Conclusions: Therapeutic dose anticoagulants should be considered for critical COVID-19 because of induced coagulopathy, and aggressive follow-up by whole body enhanced CT scan for systemic venous thromboembolism (VTE) is necessary.
Histological Analysis of Induced Membranes in Patients Whose Bone Defects Were Treated With the Masquelet Technique to Identify Factors Affecting the Vascularity of Induced Membranes
Authors: Niikura Takahiro , Jimbo Naoe , Komatsu Masato , Oe Keisuke , Fukui Tomoaki , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Hayashi Shinya , Matsushita Takehiko , Sakai Yoshitada , Itoh Tomoo , Kuroda Ryosuke 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRich vascularity of the induced membrane (IM) is important for Masquelet reconstruction surgery. The factors affecting IM vascularity are not completely understood. This study aimed to investigate these factors using histological samples of human IMs.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 36 patients whose bone defects were treated using the Masquelet technique. Two clinical pathologists analyzed histological sections of IM pieces (1-cm2). The number of blood vessels per 1 mm2 was counted and compared among men and women, femur or tibia, with and without free flap surgery, antibiotic impregnation to the cement, osteogenesis inside the membrane, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. The number of blood vessels within the same patient was compared among different time points. Correlation analysis was performed among blood vessel numbers and patient age, duration of cement spacer placement, and histological grading scales (inflammation, foreign body reaction, and fibrosis).ResultsIM formation with rich vascularity and some inflammation, foreign body reaction, and fibrosis was histologically confirmed in all patients. We found 37.4 ± 19.1 blood vessels per 1 mm2. Blood vessel numbers were significantly lower in patients with than in those without free flap surgery. Blood vessel numbers were higher in patients with osteogenesis inside the IM. No significant correlations were found in any of the analyses.ConclusionSex, patient age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, femur or tibia, duration of cement spacer placement, and antibiotic impregnation to the cement did not affect IM vascularization. IM vascularization was reduced in patients with than in those without free flap surgery.
Association of Accelerated Long-term Forgetting and Senescence-related Blood-borne Factors in Asymptomatic Individuals From Families With Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yang Jianwei , Kong Chaojun , Jia Longfei , Li Tingting , Quan Meina , Li Yan , Lyu Diyang , Li Fangyu , Jin Hongmei , Li Ying , Wang Qigeng , Jia Jianping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Accelerated long-term forgetting has been identified in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is attributed to a selective impairment of memory consolidation in which hippocampus plays a key role. As blood may contain multiple senescence-related factors that involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, we tested whether there is an association between blood-borne factors and accelerated long-term forgetting in asymptomatic individuals from families with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD). Methods: We analyzed data of 39 asymptomatic participants (n=18 ADAD mutation carriers, n=21 non-carriers) from the Chinese Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Network (CFAN) study. Long-term forgetting rates were calculated based on recall or recognition of two materials (word list and complex figure) at three delays comprising immediate, 30 min and 7 days. Peripheral blood concentrations of candidate pro-aging factors (C-C motif ligand 11 [CCL11] and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 [MCP1]) and rejuvenation factors (growth differentiation factor 11 [GDF11], thrombospondin-4 [THBS4], and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine like 1 [SPARCL1]) were evaluated in all participants. Results: Despite normal performance on standard 30-min delayed testing, mutation carriers exhibited accelerated forgetting of verbal and visual material over 7 days in comparison with matched non-carriers. In the whole sample, lower plasma THBS4 was associated with accelerated long-term forgetting in list recall (β= -0.46, p=0.002), figure recall (β= -0.44, p=0.004) and list recognition (β= -0.37, p=0.010). Additionally, higher plasma GDF11 and CCL11 were both associated with accelerated long-term forgetting (GDF11 versus figure recall: β=0.39, p=0.007; CCL11 versus list recognition: β=0.44, p=0.002).Conclusions: Accelerated long-term forgetting is a cognitive feature of presymptomatic AD. Senescence-related blood-borne factors, especially THBS4, GDF11, and CCL11, may be promising biomarkers for the prediction of accelerated long-term forgetting.
Applications of Various Range Shifters for Proton Pencil Beam Scanning Radiotherapy
Authors: Lin Haibo , Shi Chengyu , Huang Sheng , Shen Jiajian , Kang Minglei , Chen Qing , Zhai Huifang , McDonough James , Tochner Zelig , Deville Curtiland , II Charles B. Simone , Both Stefan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: A range pull-back device, such as a machine-related range shifter (MRS) or a universal patient-related range shifter (UPRS), is needed in pencil beam scanning technique to treat shallow tumors. Methods: three UPRS made by QFix (Avondale, PA, USA) allow treating targets across the body: U-shaped bolus (UB), anterior lateral bolus (ALB) and couch top bolus (CTB). HN patients who used the UPRS were tested. The in-air spot sizes were measured and compared in this study at snout positions: 15 cm, 25 cm, and 35 cm. A solid water phantom with the ALB placed at 0, 10 and 20 cm air gaps to the phantom surface was also measured using a single-field optimized pencil beam scanning field. The two dimensional dose maps at the middle of the spread-out Bragg peak were measured using ion chamber array MatriXX PT (IBA-Dosimetry, Schwarzenbruck, Germany) located at iso-center and compared with the treatment planning system. Results: A UPRS can be consistently placed close to the patient and maintains a relatively small spot size resulting in improved dose distributions. However, when a UPRS is non-removable (e.g. thick couch top), the quality of volumetric imaging is degraded due to their high Z material construction, hindering the value of Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). Limitations of using UPRS with small air gaps include reduced couch weight limit, potential collision with patient or immobilization devices and challenges using non-coplanar fields with certain UPRS. Our experience showed the combination of a U-shaped bolus exclusively for a head-and-neck target and an MRS as complimentary for head-and-neck targets as well as for all other treatment sites may be ideal to preserve the dosimetric advantages of pencil beam scanning proton treatments across the body. Conclusion: We have described how to implement UPRS and MRS for various clinical indications using the PBS technique, and comprehensively reviewed the advantage and disadvantages of URPS and MRS. We recommend the removable UB to be employed for the brain and HN treatments only while an automated MRS is used for all proton beams that require RS but not convenient or feasible to UB.
Primary Hepatic Choriocarcinoma in a Male Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhao Ke , Rao Ke , Chen Xin , Chen Si , Xu Haifeng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundChoriocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor and rarely occurs outside the gonads. Primary hepatic choriocarcinoma is more infrequent, with hidden clinical manifestations, rapid progress, and extremely poor prognosis. Only more than 10 cases were publicly reported in the world. Therefore, there is still a lack of deep understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Case presentationWe report a case of primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in a man diagnosed by pathology. A 65-year-old male patient presented with fever and anorexia, nothing but mild jaundice of the skin and sclera was found on physical examination. Abdominal enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a huge mass in the right hepatic lobe. Fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scan showed increased uptake in the liver and sigmoid colon and no uptake in the testes. The patient underwent the right hepatectomy, and postoperative pathology showed that the tumor was primary hepatic choriocarcinoma. Then he received one course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Then he developed severe myelosuppression and was transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. He eventually died of severe liver failure about 100 days after surgery. Primary hepatic choriocarcinoma is extremely rare, and its diagnosis is challenging.ConclusionsPrimary hepatic choriocarcinoma is a rare and highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. We believe that this differential diagnosis should be considered in liver tumor patients. The effective treatment for this disease is still to be explored.
Terrestrial stilling will continue during the 21st century
Authors: Chen Deliang , Deng Kaiqiang , Azorin-Molina Cesar , Yang Song , Zhang Gangfeng , Minola Lorenzo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The near-surface wind speed over land has declined in recent decades, a trend known as terrestrial stilling (TS)1-2. However, recent studies have indicated a reversal of the TS in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) during the last decade3-6, triggering renovated interest in the wind speed changes. Here we show that the TS in the NH mid-latitudes will continue in all seasons throughout the 21st century, especially in summer. The recent reversal of TS is most likely a multi-decadal fluctuation related to the Pacific and Atlantic climate variations, rather than a secular trend. A new paradigm of the future TS is further proposed, which is related to an intensified subsidence inversion over the mid-latitudes, caused by enhanced tropical and subtropical convections. This study reveals the important role of global warming in reducing the near-surface wind speed on long time scales. The continuing TS means a long-term strategy for wind energy production needs to be developed, particularly for the NH mid-latitude countries.
Costs of inpatient hospitalisations in the last year of life in older New Zealanders: a cohort study
Authors: Scott Oliver , Gott Merryn , Edlin Richard , Moyes Simon , Muru-Lanning Marama , Kerse Ngaire 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRapidly ageing populations means that many people now die in advanced age. This paper investigated public hospital and long-term care home costs in the 12 months before death in Māori and non-Māori of advanced age in New Zealand.MethodsData from an existing longitudinal study (LiLACS NZ) was used, in which 937 older New Zealanders were enrolled in 2010. At the time of this study, 213 Māori and 241 non-Māori in the cohort had died. National Health Index numbers were linked to the hospitalisation National Minimum Dataset to ascertain public hospitalisation and care home costs in the last year of life. ResultsThe average total publicly funded hospital and long-term care home costs in the 12 months prior to death were $16,211 and $17,351 for Māori and non-Māori respectively. Non-Māori tended to have long lengths of stay in their last year of life, and non-Māori men had the highest proportion with high costs and long lengths of stay in care homes. Costs in the last year of life were 8.1 times higher in comparison to costs for individuals who did not die in the same time period. ConclusionDespite New Zealand’s commitment to providing an equitable level of healthcare, this study illustrated that ethnic and gender disparities are still apparent at the end of life. This raises questions as to whether money at the end of life is being spent appropriately, and how it could potentially be more equitably targeted to meet the diverse needs of older people and their families.
One-Year Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients Regarding Preoperative BMI, Gender, and Age
Authors: Tabasi Mohsen , Farsimadan Marziye , Iranpour Hamidreza , Elyasinia Fezzeh , Yazdannasab Mohammad Reza , Siadat Seyed Davar , Soroush Ahmadreza 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), one of the most common bariatric surgery (BS) procedure, may differ depending on the patient’s age, gender, preoperative BMI. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LSG technique on weight loss, obesity-associated co-morbidities and complications in patients undergoing LSG over three months and one year, regarding their age, gender, and BMI. The LSG associated complications in participants regarding their preoperative BMI (<39.9 and >39.9), age (30-40 and 40-50), and gender were assessed after 2 3 and 12 months. Besides, the remission and improvement rates of comorbid conditions in patients were examined after 12 months of LSG. Our results showed that LSG led to a significant weight loss in the resolution of obesity-associated co-morbidities and different complications after one year. No significant difference was found in the improvement and the resolution of obesity-associated co-morbidities according to gender. Also, the class 3 patients had significantly higher rates of hearing loss after 12 months and had higher levels of depression and brittle nails three months after the surgery. The younger patients also showed a significantly higher percentage of dry skin, intolerance to bread, and menstrual disorder compared to the older group.
M2 macrophage-secreted Slit3 intensifies sympathetic nerve function in adipose tissue and enhances thermogenesis: A long-term cold adaption way
Authors: Wang Yina , Tang Yan , He Zhihui , Ma Hong , Li Jiashen , Liu Yang , Yang Qiqi , Pan Dongning , Qian Shu-Wen , Tang Qi-Qun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Beiging of white adipose tissue (WAT) is capable of adaptive thermogenesis and dissipating energy. The beiging processes have been associated with the increase of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, however the function of M2 macrophage on beiging and the underlying mechanism are not fully understood. Here we identified a macrophage cytokine Slit3 by analyzing the transcriptome of M2 macrophages collected with FACS in inguinal WAT (iWAT) of mice after cold exposure. Once released from macrophages, Slit3 bound to the ROBO1 receptor on sympathetic neuron and activated tyrosine hydrolase (TH) through PKA and CaMKⅡ signaling, and thus stimulated norepinephrine (NE) synthesis and release. NE acts on adipocytes and stimulate thermogenesis. Adoptive transfer of Slit3-overexpressing M2 macrophages to iWAT depot acquired local adipocytes with beiging phenotype and enhanced thermogenesis. In addition, mice bearing the myeloid inactivation of Slit3 were cold intolerant and gained more weight due to the lowered metabolic rate. Collectively, we demonstrate Slit3 is a macrophage cytokine and promotes beiging and thermogenesis through intensifying the sympathetic nerve function. As the expanded M2 macrophages are integral cell population in adipose tissue, the macrophage-Slit3-sympathetic neuron-adipocyte axis assures the long-term cold adaption.
Direct Evidence of Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Formation on a La0.2Sr0.8CoO3 Perovskite Water Splitting Catalyst
Authors: Boucly Anthony , Artiglia Luca , Fabbri Emiliana , Palagin Dennis , Aergerter Dino , Pergolesi Daniele , Novotny Zbynek , Comini Nicolo , Diulus J. Trey , Huthwelker Thomas , Ammann Markus , Schmidt Thomas 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on perovskite materials is of great interest to tailor the synthesis of better catalyst materials. Despite the huge amount of literature reports, the complexity of catalytic systems and scarce in situ and operando surface sensitive spectroscopic tools render the detection of active sites and the understanding of the reaction mechanisms challenging. Here, we carried out and compared in situ and ex situ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experimental procedures on a La0.2Sr0.8CoO3 perovskite OER catalyst. Experimental results show that segregated surface strontium, which is present in the as prepared sample, is leached into the electrolyte after immersion, leading to surface cobalt active sites enrichment. Such cobalt-enriched oxide surface evolves into a new phase, whose spectral feature is detected in situ, during/after OER. With the help of theoretical simulations, such species is assigned to cobalt oxyhydroxide, providing a direct evidence of its crucial role in the reaction.
‘Relearning How to Think’: A Brief Online Intervention to Modify Biased Interpretations in Emotional Disorders. Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Nieto Inés , Vazquez Carmelo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Cognitive biases seem to play an important role in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Novel procedures, known as Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM), aim to reduce these dysfunctional information processing modes. This study develops a brief online intervention program to modify biased interpretations in depression and anxiety, overcoming some methodological issues that have been addressed in previous literature. Methods: Volunteer participants will be recruited via social media, posters and universities. They will be randomly assigned to an experimental group or a waiting list control group. Both groups will attend two assessment sessions at the lab. The assessments will consist of questionnaires measuring cognitive and emotional variables as well as three experimental tasks to measure cognitive biases (i.e., attention, memory and interpretation). After the first assessment session, only participants in the experimental group will receive a link to follow the four-sessions program at home. All participants will receive, via email, follow-up questionnaires two weeks and three months after the second assessment session.Discussion: This study will test an online program potentially beneficial to modify cognitive variables in disorders such as depression and anxiety. Several limitations of previous CBM procedures are addressed and the impact of the program both on cognitive performance and clinical symptoms will be explored.Trial registration: This trial was prospectively registered on June 17, 2019 with the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03987477
Spindle cell variant of medullary thyroid carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study of four cases
Authors: Wang Yan Xia , Yang Shoujing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor derived from C cells. It accounts for about 10% of all thyroid malignancies. More than 14 histological variants have been described. Among them, spindle cell variant is extremely rare.Case presentationHere we describe 4 cases of spindle cell variant of MTC collected from 2012 to 2019. Ultrasound showed solid and hypoechoic nodules. Three patients underwent total thyroidectomy and regional lymph node dissection, and 1 patient underwent thyroid mass resection. Histologically, the tumors showed spindle shaped cells in bundles or interlaced arrangement, separated by hyalinised fibrous stroma that contained amyloid deposits. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were positive for calcitonin, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD56, and TTF-1, but negative for other lineage-specific markers.ConclusionsWe report 4 rare cases of spindle cell variant of MTC. Due to its rarity and special morphology, the diagnosis of spindle cell variant MTC relies on its morphology and immunohistochemical markers to avoid misdiagnosis.
Current issues facing disaster nursing education in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Brinjee Duaa , Thobaity Abdulellah Al , Ahmari Waleed Al , Almalki Mohammed 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: : An important aspect of disaster preparedness for nurses is that they be ready to respond with a high level of competence. This scoping review aimed to identify current issues related to the education and training of disaster nurses in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The search involved several different databases in the Saudi Digital Library (SDL), including CINAHL, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley, and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC). The search keywords were “disaster,” “nursing,” “education,” “training,” “knowledge,” and “preparedness.” In addition, specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to narrow down the search to only relevant articles. Results: Several gaps in the education of disaster nurses were found in the review, which can be summarized in five different domains: insufficient simulations and drills, inadequate education programs, a lack of formal education, difficulty following guidelines, and difficulty accessing up-to-date educational resources.Conclusion: It is imperative that the highlighted issues related to disaster nursing education in Saudi Arabia be addressed to further develop the educational system in this regard. Future research should aim to determine how to address these issues to enhance the performance of nurses during disaster situations.