bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First time intravesically administered trifunctional antibody catumaxomab in patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer indicates high tolerability and local immunological activity
Authors: Ruf Peter , Bauer Hartwig W. , Schoberth Alexandra , Kellermann Claudia , Lindhofer Horst 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTransurethral resection of the tumor (TUR-B) followed by adjuvant intravesical treatment with cytostatic drugs or Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) as standard therapy of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is associated with a high recurrence rate of about 60–70%, considerable side effects and requires close monitoring. Alternative treatment options are warranted. Two patients with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer were treated the first time by an intravesical administration of the trifunctional bispecific EpCAM targeting antibody catumaxomab (total dosage of 470 and 1120 µg, respectively). The binding and killing activity of catumaxomab in urine milieu was evaluated in vitro. In contrast to its previous systemic application catumaxomab was well tolerated without any obvious signs of toxicity. Relevant cytokine plasma levels were not detected and no significant systemic drug release was observed. The induction of a human anti-mouse-antibody (HAMA) reaction was either absent or untypically weak contrary to the high immunogenicity of intraperitoneal applied catumaxomab. Tumor cells that were detectable in urine patient samples disappeared after catumaxomab therapy. Endoscopically confirmed recurrence-free intervals were 32 and 25 months. Our data suggest that intravesical administration of catumaxomab in NMIBC is feasible, safe and efficacious, thus arguing for further clinical development of catumaxomab in this indication.
A modified culture medium and hyphae isolation method can increase quality of the RNA extracted from mycelia of a dimorphic fungal species
Authors: Papp László Attila , Ács-Szabó Lajos , Póliska Szilárd , Miklós Ida 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe capability of RNA isolation with good efficiency and high quality is essential for a downstream application such as RNA sequencing. It requires successful cell culturing and an effective RNA isolation method. Although effective methods are available, production of the homogenous mycelia and extraction of good-quality mycelial RNA from true invasive hyphae, which penetrated into the agar plates, are difficult. To overcome these problems, the aim of this study was to develop technical modifications which allow production of homogenous mycelial biomass without extra stimuli agents and improve quality of the RNA extracted from the fungal hyphae. Our alternative culture medium was suitable for production both yeast-phase cells and hyphae of the Schizosaccharomyces japonicus and other dimorphic species, such as the Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Jaminaea angkorensis. To improve quality of the mycelial RNA, we developed an isolation procedure of the hyphal tip, which eliminated the unnecessary vacuoles-containing parts of the hyphae. To increase RNA quantity, we used glass beads in the RNA extraction protocol to achieve stronger breaking of the mycelial walls. All these modifications can also be useful for researchers working with other dimorphic fungi and can contribute to the higher comparability of the transcriptional data coming from yeast-phase cells and hyphae or even from different species.
The course of subjective and objective chemosensory dysfunction in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a 6-month follow-up
Authors: Bertlich Mattis , Stihl Clemens , Lüsebrink Enzo , Hellmuth Johannes C. , Scherer Clemens , Freytag Saskia , Spiegel Jennifer Lee , Stoycheva Ivelina , Canis Martin , Weiss Bernhard G. , Ihler Friedrich , Haubner Frank 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
It has been established that the infection with SARS-CoV-2 may cause an impairment of chemosensory function. However, there is little data on the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function.

Methods
Twenty three SARS-CoV-2-positive patients diagnosed in spring 2020 with subjective hyposmia (out of 57 positive patients, 40.3%) were compared to SARS-CoV-2-positive patients without hyposmia (n = 19) and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (n = 14). Chemosensory function was assessed by the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT), Taste Strips (TS), Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), and the SNOT-22. The initial cohort with hyposmia were also examined at 8 weeks and 6 months after initial examination.

Results
There were no differences between the SARS-CoV-2-positive cohort without hyposmia and negative controls in terms of BSIT (8.5 ± 2.6 vs. 10.2 ± 1.8), TS (3.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.3) or VAS (2.1 ± 1.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5); yet the SNOT-22 was significantly elevated (27.7 ± 11.2 vs. 16.4 ± 10.8). The SARS-CoV-2-positive group with hyposmia performed significantly poorer in BSIT (4.0 ± 1.7 vs. 8.5 ± 2.6/10.2 ± 1.8), TS (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6/3.9 ± 0.3), and VAS (7.9 ± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.3/1.1 ± 0.5) compared to both control groups. At week 8 and month 6 control, six and five patients, respectively, still suffered from subjectively and objectively impaired chemosensory function. The other patients had recovered in both respects.

Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 patients with subjectively impaired chemosensory function regularly perform poorly in objective measurements. About 70% of patients suffering from olfactory dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2 quickly recover—the rest still suffers from considerable impairment 6 months after infection.
Assessment of the physicochemical qualities of groundwater and soils around oil-producing communities in Afam, area of Porthacourt, Niger Delta Nigeria
Authors: Igwe Ogbonnaya , Ngwoke Moses , Ukah Bernadette U. , Ubido Oyem E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractResults from the assessment of physicochemical qualities of groundwater and soils around Afam in Niger Delta done using, statistical model, geo-accumulation indices (I-geo) and water quality indices showed that pH and Cu did not correlate strongly with any of the parameters analyzed in the study area. At 2-tailed of 0.05 levels of significance, moderate correlation exist between dissolved oxygen and Ca > Na, strong to moderate correlation exist between temperature and total dissolved solids (TDS) > E.C > Na and Ca, whereas at 2-tailed level of 0.02, very strong correlation exist between E.C and TDS (0.988), > Na (0.966), > Ca (0.957). TDS in turn is strongly correlated with Na (0.987), > Ca (0.972). Fe, Zn, Pb and Cr, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC), oil and grease (O&G) (< 0.001 mg/l) did not correlate with any of the physicochemical elements in the samples. At 2-tailed levels of 0.02 and 0.05, no significant correlation exists between alkalinity and salinity in groundwater samples and also with any the elements. Groundwater showed excellent water quality except one (62.307). pH, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cu in the soil were unpolluted since I-geo values are less than 1. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) (2.5194) showed low pollution, O&G (3.8886) showed moderate pollution, while total hydrocarbon content (THC) (6.2069), total organic carbon (TOC) (7.4919) and TPHC (9.4851) showed extreme pollution. The control site appeared to be unpolluted except TOC (6.8721). Percentage of clay particles in the soil is higher than in control.
Two-Vehicle Coordination System for Omnidirectional Transportation Based on Image Processing and Deviation Prediction
Authors: Song Huajun , Wu Yanqi , Wu Yuxing , Zhou Guangbing , Luo Chunbo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOmnidirectional mobile platform is essential due to its excellent mobility and versatility. With the development of the manufacturing industry, how to transport oversized or overweight goods has become a new problem. Compared with manufacturing omnidirectional mobile platforms with different specifications, it is more cost-effective and flexible to coordinate two non-physically connected omnidirectional platforms to transport overweight and oversized cargo. The roughness of the actual deployment environment and the mechanical deflection between the two vehicles have a significant impact on the normal operation of the system. This paper combines mechanical wheels, image processing algorithms and collaboration algorithms to create a novel and practical split-type omnidirectional mobile platform based on image deviation prediction for transporting oversized or overweighted goods. The proposed system collects raw measurements from a distance sensor and an image sensor, transmits them to a central processing unit through a wireless communication module and calculates and predicts the relative deflection between the two vehicles based on our derived mathematical model. This information is then fed to a Kalman filter and PID control algorithm to coordinate the two vehicles. The effectiveness and performance of our system have been thoroughly tested, which has already been applied in a bullet train production line.
First but not second postoperative day growth hormone assessments as early predictive tests for long-term acromegaly persistence
Authors: Cambria V. , Beccuti G. , Prencipe N. , Penner F. , Gasco V. , Gatti F. , Romanisio M. , Caputo M. , Ghigo E. , Zenga F. , Grottoli S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Postoperative assessment of acromegaly activity is typically performed at least 3 months after neurosurgery (NS). Few studies have evaluated the use of early postoperative growth hormone (GH) levels as a test to predict short- and long-term remission of acromegaly. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum random GH on a postoperative day one (D1-rGH) and two (D2-rGH), particularly in predicting long-term disease persistence.

Materials and methods
Forty-one subjects with acromegaly who were undergoing NS were enrolled (mean age ± SD 47.4 ± 13.1 years at diagnosis; women 54%; macroadenomas 71%). The final assessment of disease activity was performed one year after NS. ROC curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of D1-rGH and D2-rGH.

Results
After a 1-year follow-up, the overall remission rate was 55%. ROC analysis identified an optimal D1-rGH cut-off value of 2.1 ng/mL for diagnosing long-term disease persistence (55.6% SE; 90.9% SP). The cut-off point became 2.5 ng/mL after maximizing specificity for disease persistence (yielding a 100% positive predictive value) and 0.3 ng/mL after maximizing sensitivity for disease remission. The optimal D2-rGH cut-off value was 0.6 ng/mL (81.8% SE; 50% SP); the cut-off point became 2.9 ng/mL after maximizing specificity and 0.1 ng/mL after maximizing sensitivity, with no clinical utility.

Conclusions
D1-rGH could be a highly specific test for the early diagnosis of long-term acromegaly persistence, which is predicted by a value > 2.5 ng/mL with a great degree of certainty. The diagnostic performance of D2-rGH was insufficient. Further research is required to validate these preliminary results prior to modifying the postoperative management of acromegaly.
Modeling metallurgical responses of coal Tri-Flo separators by a novel BNN: a “Conscious-Lab” development
Authors: Alidokht Mehdi , Yazdani Samaneh , Hadavandi Esmaeil , Chehreh Chelgani Saeed 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTri-flo cyclone, as a dense-medium separation device, is one of the most typical environmentally friendly industrial techniques in the coal washery plants. Surprisingly, no detailed investigation has been conducted to explore the effectiveness of tri-flo cyclone operating parameters on their representative metallurgical responses (yield and recovery). To fill this gap, this work for the first time in the coal processing sector is going to introduce a type of advanced intelligent method (boosted-neural network “BNN”) which is able to linearly and nonlinearly assess multivariable correlations among all variables, rank them based on their effectiveness and model their produced responses. These assessments and modeling were considered a new concept called “Conscious Laboratory (CL)”. CL can markedly decrease the number of laboratory experiments, reduce cost, save time, remove scaling up risks, expand maintaining processes, and significantly improve our knowledge about the modeled system. In this study, a robust monitoring database from the Tabas coal plant was prepared to cover various conditions for building a CL for coal tri-flo separators. Well-known machine learning methods, random forest, and support vector regression were developed to validate BNN outcomes. The comparisons indicated the accuracy and strength of BNN over the examined traditional modeling methods. In a sentence, generating a novel BNN within the CL concept can apply in various energy and coal processing areas, fill gaps in our knowledge about possible interactions, and open a new window for plants' fully automotive process.
Evolution of Dynamical Complexities in Geospace as Captured by Dst Over Four Solar Cycles 1964–2008.
Authors: Ogunjo S. T. , Rabiu A. B. , Fuwape I. A. , Obafaye A. A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe dynamical complexities of geospace has been examined by investigating the characteristic chaotic properties of hourly Dst values obtained from the World Data Center for Geomagnetism, Kyoto, over four solar cycles (1964–2008) using nonlinear methods: sample entropy, Lyapunov exponents, correlation dimension, recurrence quantification analysis, and multifractal detrended fluctuation. Throughout the solar cycles considered, the space environment was observed to be chaotic based on Lyapunov exponents obtained. The order of increasing complexity in the solar cycles based on recurrence rate (RR) values is Cycle 21 < 22 < 23 < 20. Similar patterns and trend were observed in the correlation dimension values for the different solar cycles. The peak of each solar cycle is associated with high chaoticity. In all the analysis considered, high values of sample entropy, Lyapunov exponent, correlation dimension, correspond to increasing chaoticity. However, lower value of RR signifies more chaotic activity. The solar cycle 20 with the greatest values of mean sunspot number (651.62) and standard deviation of sunspot number (1,656.90) has the greatest chaoticity. The chaoticity in the magnetosphere increases with increasing geomagnetic activity as captured by Dst index. Similar trends were not observed in BZ and solar wind dynamic pressure which showed that the observed chaoticity is due to internal variations. The multifractal spectrum of Dst at all solar cycles considered revealed that the chaotic activities in the magnetosphere are not influenced by the local fluctuations in the region. The degree of multifractality were found to be in the order Cycle 20 > Cycle 23 > Cycle 21 > Cycle 22.
The Signature and Elimination of Sediment Reverberations on Submarine Receiver Functions
Authors: Zhang Ziqi , Olugboji Tolulope 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWhile the receiver function technique has been successfully applied to high‐resolution imaging of sharp discontinuities within and across the lithosphere, it suffers from severe limitations when applied to seafloor seismic recordings. This is because the water and sediment layer could strongly influence the receiver function traces, making detection and interpretation of crust and mantle layering difficult. This effect is often referred to as the singing phenomena in marine environments. We demonstrate, using analytical and synthetic modeling, that this singing effect can be reversed using a selective dereverberation filter tuned to match the elastic property of each layer. We apply the dereverberation filter to high‐quality earthquake records collected from the NoMelt seismic array deployed on normal, mature Pacific seafloor. An appropriate filter designed using the elastic properties of the underlying sediments, obtained from prior studies, greatly improves the detection of Ps conversions from the Moho (∼8.6 km) and from a sharp discontinuity (<∼5 km) across the lithosphere asthenosphere transition (∼72 km). Sensitivity tests show that the dereverberation filter is mostly sensitive to the two‐way travel time of the shear wave in sediment and is robust to seismic noise and small errors in the sediment properties. Our analysis suggests that selectively filtering out the sediment reverberations from ocean seismic data could make inferences on subsurface structure more robust. We expect that this study will enable high‐resolution receiver function imaging of the oceanic plate across the growing ocean bottom seismic arrays being deployed in the global oceans.
The Investigation of the Connections Among Hydrogeological Factors and the Emissions of Two Greenhouse Gases in Lake Sediment
Authors: Lu Xiang , Zhou Xiaotian , Xu Yaofei , Ruan Aidong , Yu Zhongbo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWet ecosystems are important in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, where a high soil water content is one of the most typical features. However, the roles of hydrogeological properties in sediment during the emission process of methane and carbon dioxide remain to be researched, especially in lake ecosystems. In this study, through investigating the layered sediment in Chaohu Lake, we discovered that strong correlations exist between the water content and microbial gas emissions (methane and carbon dioxide). To further examine these correlations, a systematic analysis of the hydrogeological properties in sediment, gas emission features, methane bubble emission theories and microbiomics was conducted. The results revealed that microbial methane emissions can influence sediment structure and the interstitial water content. Differently, the similar distributions in different layers probably lead to the correlations between microbial carbon dioxide emission and the water content. This research also discusses the connections with other hydrogeological parameters (particle features, interstitial space, etc.) during the emission process. In addition, this study addresses the significance of methane emissions for the material exchange between overlying water and sediment. The effect of microbial gas emissions on sediment physical‐chemical properties also provides meaningful information for researching the relationships among environmental factors and microbial ecology.
Repeating Earthquakes at the Edge of the Afterslip of the 2016 Ecuadorian MW7.8 Pedernales Earthquake
Authors: Chalumeau Caroline , Agurto‐Detzel Hans , De Barros Louis , Charvis Philippe , Galve Audrey , Rietbrock Andreas , Alvarado Alexandra , Hernandez Stephen , Beck Susan , Font Yvonne , Hoskins Mariah C. , León‐Ríos Sergio , Meltzer Anne , Lynner Colton , Rolandone Frederique , Nocquet Jean‐Mathieu , Régnier Marc , Ruiz Mario , Soto‐Cordero Lillian , Vaca Sandro , Segovia Mónica 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRepeating earthquakes repeatedly rupture the same seismic asperity and are strongly linked to aseismic slip. Here, we study the repeating aftershocks of the April 16, 2016 MW 7.8 Pedernales earthquake in Ecuador, which generated a large amount of afterslip. Using temporary and permanent stations, we correlate waveforms from a one‐year catalog of aftershocks. We sort events with a minimum correlation coefficient of 0.95 into preliminary families, which are then expanded using template‐matching to include events from April 2015 to June 2017. In total, 376 repeaters are classified into 62 families of 4–15 events. They are relocated, first using manual picks, and then using a double difference method. We find repeating earthquakes during the whole period, occurring primarily within large aftershock clusters on the edges of the areas of largest afterslip release. Their recurrence times, shortened by the mainshock, subsequently increase following an Omori‐type law, providing a timeframe for the afterslip's deceleration. Although they are linked temporally to the afterslip, repeater‐derived estimates of slip differ significantly from GPS‐based models. Combined with the fact that repeaters appear more spatially correlated with the afterslip gradient than with the afterslip maxima, we suggest that stress accumulation at the edge of the afterslip may guide repeater behavior.
An Efficient Strategy for the Synthesis of Naphtho[2,3-b][1,6]naphthyridines Promoted by Acetic Acid
Authors: Zhang Furen , Shen Zhenlu , Li Chunmei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA three-component domino reaction for the synthesis of naphtho[2,3-b][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives has been established. Such strategy exhibited excellent substrate scope including various enaminones and aldehydes that afforded a series of multifunctionalized naphtho[2,3-b][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives with 70–86% yields. The advantages of bond-forming efficiency, accessibility of starting materials, and water as sole byproducts provide invaluable access to biological 1,6-naphthyridines.
How I Do it: A Practical Database Management System to Assist Clinical Research Teams with Data Collection, Organization, and Reporting
Authors: Elsaadany Amr Maged , Alaeddin Fida Hasan , Badran Mohamed Farouk , Alsuhaibani Hamad Saleh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the growing amount of research projects in the field of interventional radiology, storing and organizing the patients' data and information effectively is becoming more difficult. Existing hospital electronic medical record and archiving systems store patient information in the form of reports which put the physicians and researchers in a situation where they have to use time-consuming manual search through reports for suitable patients for different clinical researches. Spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel® (Microsoft, Washington, USA) are often used as a data storage, which has limitations in both organization and the quality of the data. Higher risk of incorrect data entry and introducing duplicates are associated with data input and analysis without a database system. Furthermore, selection, as well as calculation of data, is time-consuming. This article aims to provide interventionists with an efficient data collection tool optimized for interventional oncology clinical research. The implementation of the current database and interface allows a much faster and more detailed retrospective analysis of patient cohorts. The database management system with an interface is a very time-efficient and robust tool that provides a significant edge over the manual retrieval of patient records by filtering data and assisting statistical analysis in a study-relevant fashion.
Percutaneous Removal of Gallstones Under Fluoroscopy Guidance in High-risk Patients with Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Al Nammi Ahmed , Cheema Ahsan , Al Nammi Mohanned , Chaudhry Ikram 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe report our technique of percutaneous removal of gallstones in three elderly patients with acute calculus cholecystitis who were not surgical candidates due to multiple comorbidities. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia using fluoroscopic and choledochoscopic guidance. All patients had uneventful recovery and were discharged home in 3–4 days and fallow up at a low and high surveillance by ultrasound at 3 and 6 months interval.
Chrysomyxa abietis (needle rust of fir).
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: April 2021

Abstract

C. abietis is a microcyclic rust fungus; an obligate parasite completing its life cycle on species of Picea (spruce). Only the current year's needles of Picea are infected and those needles are shed early. Reported from northern Europe and Asia, the fungus is a Regulated Pest for the USA. It is absent from North America, where susceptible species are native, and Australia and New Zealand, where they are introduced. Although usually not a significant problem in its native range, because conditions are not favourable for heavy infections every year (Smith et al., 1988; Hansen, 1997), this rust could be more damaging as an invasive in other temperate areas. Due to the fact that small amounts of infection may be overlooked, accidental introduction could occur through importation of infected seedlings or young trees.