bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Surgery Adjuncts for Overall Survival of Patients with Supratentorial WHO Grade 4 Gliomas.
Authors: Czernicki Tomasz , Maj Edyta , Kunert Przemysław 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
In recent years, numerous advanced techniques supporting surgery (TSS) have been utilized to maximize glioma resection. However, the impact of the multimodal use of TSS, such as awake surgery, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, neuronavigation, fluorescence-guided surgery, fMRI, and DTT, on improving OS remains uncertain..
Methods
We assessed, in retrospective analysis of 81 patients with supratentorial WHO grade 4 gliomas, the effect of age, gender, tumor location, number of TSS used, EOR, postoperative KPS, IDH-1 status, and use of postoperative adjuvant therapy (PAT) i.e. radiotherapy and chemotherapy on overall survival. Kaplan-Meyer plots with F-Cox test and Cox proportional hazards model were used for univariate and multivariate analysis of survival.
Results
We used none, one, two, three or four TSS in 30, 20, 15, 9 and 7 patients, respectively. The number of TSS used (none vs. 1–2 vs. 3–4) had a correlation with OS in eloquent areas (P = 0.031, univariate; P = 0.006, multivariate) with median survival of 194, 364, and 674 days, respectively, whereas no correlation was observed in non-eloquent areas. In univariate analysis but not in multivariate analysis, significant factors for OS in gliomas in eloquent areas were younger age (P = 0.025), EOR (gross total vs. subtotal vs. partial resection) (P = 0.015), PAT use (P = 0.00065), and in gliomas in non-eloquent areas were EOR (P = 0.01), postoperative KPS (≥ 70 vs.<70) (P = 0.023), PAT use (P = 0.015).
Conclusion
The use of multiple techniques supporting surgery simultaneously improves the overall survival of patients with supratentorial WHO grade 4 gliomas in eloquent areas, in contrast to non-eloquent areas.
Physical activity and sedentary behavior of the adult population in the light of some sociodemographic variables and nutritional status based on a study in Hungary
Authors: Vári Beáta , Berki Tamás , Katona Zoltán , Alattyányi István , Katona Zsolt , Petrovszki Zita , Győri Ferenc 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the level of physical activity, sitting time, and body mass index and their associates with sociodemographic variables in the Southern Great Plain of Hungary.
Methods: 3665 participants (1349 men; 2316 women) were participated in our study. Their average age was 45.08 (SD=15.68). Physical activity and sitting time were measuring the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). The participants were also asked about their sociodemographic (e.g., residence, income, etc.) and Body Mass Index.
Results: Our result showed that men had higher total, vigorous, and moderate physical activity levels. Younger adults (18-29) had higher total, vigorous and moderate activity than older adults (65+). Residents of large cities and graduates showed higher levels of physical activity. Higher activity was not linked to higher income, while moderate activity was slightly associated with lower income. Normal BMI was associated with the engaging in high levels of physical activity. Sitting time was higher among young adults, village residents, university graduates, those with moderate incomes, normal BMI, and lower physical activity levels.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the impact of sociodemographics on physical activity, BMI, and sitting time. The findings were consistent with other Hungarian samples, suggesting that the Southern Great Plain aligns with the national average.
Of cells and tissues: Identifying the elements of a diabetic cardiac in vitro study model
Authors: Hernandez Ivana , Gobinath C. , Padilla Andie E. , Loyola Carla D. , Joddar Binata 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the impact of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and glucose shock on cardiomyocyte viability, gene expression, cardiac biomarkers, and cardiac contractility. Firstly, AGEs were generated in-house, and their concentration was confirmed using absorbance measurements. AC16 cardiomyocytes were then exposed to varying doses of AGEs, resulting in dose-dependent decreases in cell viability. The maximum tolerated dose of AGEs was determined, revealing significant downregulation of the cardiac gene gap junction alpha 1 (GJA1). Furthermore, the study assessed the effects of AGEs, glucose shock, and their combination on biomarkers, cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC), and connexin-43 (Cx-43) in AC16 cells. It was found that AGEs supplementation induced an increase in MHC expression while reducing Cx-43 expression, potentially contributing to cardiac dysfunction. Glucose shock also affected cardiomyocyte contractility, highlighting the complex interplay between AGEs, glucose levels, and cardiac function. Additionally, human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were subjected to varying doses of AGEs, revealing dose-dependent cytotoxicity and alterations in contractility. Immunostaining confirmed upregulation of MYH7, a cardiac gene associated with muscle contraction, in response to AGEs. However, the expression of Cx-43 was minimal in these cells. This comprehensive investigation sheds light on the intricate relationship between AGEs, glucose shock, and cardiomyocyte function, providing insights into potential mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Preoperative Myosteatosis and Perioperative Serum Chloride Levels: Independent Predictors of 180-Day Complications After Radical Cystectomy
Authors: SORNTHAI WASSAPOL , HANSOMWONG THITIPAT , TEYATEETI ACHIRAYA , WORANISARAKUL VARAT , JONGJITAREE KANTIMA , JITPRAPHAI SIROS , TAWEEMONKONGSAP TAWATCHAI , MAHAMONGKOL KATUNYOU , WANVIMOLKUL NATTAPORN 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of myosteatosis, sarcopenia, and perioperative serum biomarkers as independent predictors of major complications within 180 days following radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed of 127 MIBC patients who underwent RC between 2013 and 2023 at a single institution. Preoperative body composition was assessed using CT scans at the L3 vertebral level to measure psoas muscle density (PMD), skeletal muscle density (SMD), axial muscle density (AMD), and muscle indices. Novel inflammatory and nutritional markers, including serum chloride levels within 24 hours post-surgery, were also evaluated. Major complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of postoperative complications.
Results: Among the study cohort, 30.7% of patients experienced major complications within 90 days, and 36.2% within 180 days. Myosteatosis (p = 0.002) and postoperative serum chloride levels (p < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of 180-day major complications. Patients with low PMD had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.959 for developing major complications, while increased serum chloride levels were associated with a reduced risk of complications (OR = 0.985). Multivariate analysis reveals associations between myosteatosis, aging, and anemia.
Conclusion: Myosteatosis and perioperative serum chloride levels are significant predictors of major complications after RC for MIBC. Incorporating body composition analysis and early serum chloride monitoring into perioperative care may improve risk stratification and patient outcomes following RC.
The Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index as a Useful Prognostic Indicator for Patients Who Underwent Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Hatayama Tomoya , Goto Kesuke , Kohada Yuki , Nishida Kensuke , Ueno Takeshi , Furutani Tomoki , Hashimoto Kunihiro , Takemoto Kenshiro , Naito Miki , Miyamoto Shunsuke , Kobatake Kohei , Sekino Yohei , Kitano Hiroyuki , Goriki Akihiro , Hieda Keisuke , Hinata Nobuyuki 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
We aimed to evaluate the ability of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) to predict the prognosis of patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We also aimed to compare the ALI with other inflammatory or nutritional indices as prognostic indicators.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent RNU for UTUC at Hiroshima University Hospital and related hospitals between January 2010 and April 2024. We calculated the ALI before RNU and divided the patients into the low ALI and high ALI groups. We compared the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the low and high ALI groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, we assessed the ALI as a predictor of OS and RFS using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.
Results
We included 488 patients in this study. Based on an optimal cutoff value, 236 and 252 patients were divided into the low and high ALI groups, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the OS (p < 0.001) and RFS (p < 0.001) of the low ALI group were significantly shorter than those of the high ALI group. According to a multivariate analysis that included clinicopathological prognostic indicators, a low ALI was an independent predictor of poor OS (p = 0.016) and RFS (p = 0.029). Furthermore, according to the multivariate analysis including other inflammatory or nutritional indices, the ALI was the only independent predictor of poor OS (p < 0.001) and RFS (p = 0.003).
Conclusions
The ALI was a significantly useful prognostic predictors of patients with UTUC who underwent RNU.
A Half Century Dataset on ETCCDI Annual Precipitation Indices for the Northern Savanna Agro-ecological Zone (Ghana) and the entire Country
Authors: Ampofo Steve , Annor Thompson , Aryee Jeffrey N. A. , Amekudzi Leonard K. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This data paper presents a summary of the computation of nine (9) precipitation indices for the country Ghana, and the Northern Savannah Agro-ecological Zone which is located beyond latitude 8° and is unique for its unimodal rainfall regime. The computations are performed with the Climate Data Tools (CDT®) and based on the ETCCDI© definition for the following variables; DD, WD, CDD, CWD, PRCPT, SDII, R10mm, R20mm, and R25mm. We have provided an Excel CSV binary file with a summary of each of the indices mentioned above for each year of the 56-year period (1960 to 2015) for both study areas. This data article includes four figures which shows the study areas and plots which enhances visual appraisal. The dataset would be relevant for climate change studies, particularly for comparative studies and validation purposes. It would specifically be useful for long-term identification of extreme climate events and projection of changes in rainfall patterns.
Weird, witty and worthwhile: Exploring the benefits of mnemonic- based medical education
Authors: Sarela Shazia , Shah Malvi , Kelley Emma , Rege Nidhi , Bava Harish , Aubeeluck Rama , Boby Elena , Prabhu Anusha 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Mnemonics, both self- created and well- established, are commonly used by medical students to boost their recall of knowledge in exams. Previous studies have evaluated mnemonics’ utility in medical education, but few have demonstrated positive effects on students’ knowledge and confidence. Mnemonics are also more commonly shared directly between peers, as opposed to being formally taught in medical schools. However, previous studies have not specifically evaluated mnemonics in near- peer based teaching. This study explores the impact of mnemonic-based, near- peer-led teaching on medical students' knowledge and confidence. It aims to determine whether mnemonics enhance students' ability to answer exam-style questions and boost self-perceived confidence and future mnemonic use.
Methods: Over eight months, 23 peer-led teaching sessions on commonly- tested clinical medical topics were held for third-year medical students, with at least two mnemonics incorporated into all sessions. Pre- and post- session SBA questions and five- point Likert scales were used to assess change in students’ knowledge and confidence, respectively. Post- session, Likert scales were also used to assess students’ self- rated utility of the mnemonics taught and their likely future use of each mnemonic. Statistical analyses were performed using Python and SciPy packages.
Results: Students demonstrated a significant improvement in SBA scores, particularly for mnemonic-linked questions (p < 0.05). Confidence levels also significantly increased post-teaching (p < 0.01). Students reported a higher likelihood of future mnemonic use, and a strong correlation was found between improved confidence and increased mnemonic use (p < 0.001). Out of five mnemonic types used, rhymes were the most useful mnemonics across all sessions, though absolute numbers of each mnemonic used were too small to draw any statistically significant conclusions.
Discussion: Peer-led teaching with mnemonic integration significantly improved both knowledge and student confidence. Mnemonics proved to be a valuable tool in aiding recall, and students expressed a higher likelihood of using them in the future. This study highlights the potential of both mnemonic-based and peer-led learning strategies in medical education. Future work could assess the utility of different types of mnemonics and follow up learners to assess knowledge retention over time.
Prediction of PD-L1 and EBV expression in gastric cancer from H&amp;E-stained Whole Slide Imaging using deep learning
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Hejun , Lan Junlin , Wu Zhida , Zhang Xinlin , Wang Jianchao , Zhou Yuanbo , Chen Yuanbin , Zhao Longxuan , Tan Tao , Chen Gang , Tong Tong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

PD-L1 inhibitors are more effective for patients with CPS ≥ 5 or EBV positivity in gastric cancer. However, determining PD-L1 and EBV expression requires costly and complex immunohistochemistry staining and in situ hybridization techniques. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop an AI system to assess PD-L1 and EBV expressions using H&E-stained slides. We developed an AI system based on H&E-stained slides, including 432 cases collected from Fujian Cancer Hospital, and 258 cases from the TCGA-STAD dataset. The backbone network was trained using self-supervised learning to enhance feature extraction and was combined with an attention network for slide-level prediction. Additionally, clinical information was integrated to improve accuracy. The proposed model demonstrated high performance, with AUCs of 0.860 for PD-L1, 0.962 for EBV, and 0.899 for the TCGA-STAD dataset. Furthermore, validation on biopsy slides yielded AUCs of 0.757 for PD-L1 and 0.918 for EBV. Our study confirmed that the proposed model can accurately predict PD-L1 and EBV expressions in gastric cancer using H&E-stained slides. The model trained on surgical specimens shows good generalization to biopsy samples. Additionally, incorporating self-supervised learning could enhance the model's feature extraction capabilities, thereby improving its robustness.
Supraglottoplasty and thriving in laryngomalacia. Is there a nexus?
Authors: Sousa Patrícia Silva , Coutinho Gil , Andrade António , Vaz Ricardo , Moura Carla Pinto , Spratley Jorge 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Feeding difficulties and failure to thrive are common findings in patients with severe laryngomalacia with an indication for supraglottoplasty. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia and its impact on weight progression.
Methods
An observational cohort study of pediatric patients with laryngomalacia who underwent supraglottoplasty from 2018 to 2023 was conducted. Postoperative outcomes, including weight gain were evaluated. Children with comorbidities which caused a negative impact on height and weight development were excluded from the study.
Results
Thirty-eight children with severe laryngomalacia underwent supraglottoplasty; After exclusion criteria, 32 patients were analyzed; 59.4% were male. The mean age at presentation was 5.8 months and at surgery was 10.5 months. All cases of respiratory distress resolved with surgery. In the weight evaluation, 56.3% had a preoperative weight percentile below 15 and 10 patients were below 5. A statistically significant increase was observed between the preoperative weight percentile and the postoperative weight percentile at 1, 3 and 6 months. Regarding children with weight percentile below 15, 72.2% successfully crossed two weight percentile lines and 90% of children with failure to thrive managed to rise above the percentile 5.
Conclusion
Supraglottoplasty leads to symptomatic improvement and a significant increase in weight percentile in patients with severe laryngomalacia. Growth curves adjusted for gender and age should be an objective measure of supraglottoplasty outcomes.
DRCD: A Regional-Contention-Driven Arbitration Policy for CPU-GPU Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Fang Juan , Cheng Haoyu , Wang Yuening , Zhai Ran 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In CPU-GPU heterogeneous systems, there exists intense resource contention between CPUs and GPUs. Traditional resource arbitration policies fail to account for the heterogeneity of cores, leading to inefficient network resource utilization for the CPU, which negatively impacts its performance. In heterogeneous networks, the degree of resource contention varies across different regions. This paper first uses reinforcement learning to analyze the message feature weights relied upon for resource arbitration in different network regions. To achieve more efficient resource allocation, a regional-contention-driven arbitration policy is proposed. Simulation results show that, compared to traditional arbitration policy, the overall network latency is reduced by 7.99%, and CPU performance is improved by 11.42%. Furthermore, a dynamic regional-contention-driven arbitration policy is proposed, which further reduces the overall network latency by 10.47% and increases CPU performance by 16.79% compared to traditional arbitration policy.
Context Matters: Assessing Cognitive Bias Susceptibility in Health Care Professionals Using Generic and Context-Specific Scales
Authors: Takase Miyuki 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This study investigated whether healthcare professionals exhibit differing levels of susceptibility to cognitive biases when responding to generic versus context-specific cognitive bias scales. Fifty-five nurses from three healthcare institutions in Japan completed an online survey assessing three biases: conjunction fallacy, base-rate neglect, and belief bias. Generic scales presented abstract scenarios, while context-specific scales utilised clinical situations relevant to patient fall risk. Results revealed that nurses demonstrated significantly higher susceptibility to cognitive biases on context-specific scales for conjunction fallacy and belief bias, although no significant difference was observed for base-rate neglect. These findings suggest that professional expertise may activate cognitive shortcuts, such as pattern recognition, leading to biased judgments in domain-specific contexts. The study underscores the importance of employing context-specific measures to accurately assess the impact of cognitive biases on professional decision-making. This approach is critical for advancing research on expert judgement and mitigating errors in healthcare practice.
Localization of the Cluster satellites in the geospace environment
Authors: Grison Benjamin , Darrouzet Fabien , Maggiolo Romain , Hajoš Mychajlo , Dvořák Michal , Švanda Martin , Jeřábková Anna , Taylor Matthew , Herment Delphine , Masson Arnaud , Souček Jan , Santolı́k Ondřej , De Keyser Johan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The geometry of the terrestrial magnetized environment, or geospace, varies widely in space and time due to the Earth’s magnetic field interactions with the interplanetary medium. A spacecraft’s location in geospace is only approximately determined by its coordinates since the environment is inhomogeneous, with distinct physical processes occurring in different regions.
Knowing the location in the geospace offers a strong support for data analysis. This paper introduces a new dataset, Geospace Region and Magnetospheric Boundary identification (GRMB), which provides labelled positions for each Cluster spacecraft over the whole mission, with respect to the local environment. This continuous labelling is based on manual selection, supported by browsing 44 different Cluster data products. The GRMB dataset includes 15 labels spanning from the plasmasphere to solar wind regions. Its consistency is validated over 7 years against reference lists and by the physical properties of the GRMB regions. Over those years, Cluster spent a similar proportion of the time (≈ 15%) in the regions labelled lobe, plasmasheet, plasmasheet transition region, magnetosheath and solar wind.
Factors Influencing the Uptake of Isoniazid Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy among Eligible HIV Patients in Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Matakanye Hulisani , Mboweni Sheillah H. 
Published: December 2024

Background
This review employs a non-empirical research design, specifically a systematic review, to investigate evidence-based factors influencing the adoption of isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) among eligible HIV patients. The objective is to contextualize these factors within an African setting, facilitating their accessibility for policymakers.

Material and Methods
This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search across various databases, including Google Scholar, Africa-wide information, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), Education Sources, Health Sources – Consumer Edition, Health Sources: Nursing/Academic Edition, Humanities and Social Sciences Index Retrospective Humanities Sources, MasterFILE Premier, MEDLINE, and SociINDEX was conducted. The inclusion criteria were met by a total of n=11 full-text articles from accredited peer-reviewed journals. Utilizing a quality assessment research instrument tool, the gathered data were synthesized and analyzed. The review spanned African sources from January 2019 to April 2023, revealing diverse factors affecting IPT uptake, encompassing influences from health workers, patients, and health system-related aspects.

Results
The study revealed the interplay of various factors categories into four themes that influence IPT intake mostly at the facility level and include: Patient-related factors, healthcare care providers, and health facility factors and strategies to improve IPT uptake.

Discussion
The study's findings underscore the significance of implementing Quality Improvement (QI) interventions comprising three essential components delivered as a cohesive package. Moreover, the study advocates for the incorporation of m-Health technology to send reminders to patients, thereby enhancing completion rates for IPT.

Conclusion
The papers revealed patient, health care workers, and health system challenges that requires the adoption of strategies such as quality improvement interventions, coupled with data monitoring, improving supply chain management, supportive supervision, enhanced health care infrastructure, healthcare workers capacity building, Partnership, Community and patient engagement and the integration of m-health technology as effective strategies to improve IPT uptake.