bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential clinical biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis with an omic approach
Authors: Puentes-Osorio Yolima , Amariles Pedro , Calleja Miguel Ángel , Merino Vicente , Díaz-Coronado Juan Camilo , Taborda Daniel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective
To aid in the selection of the most suitable therapeutic option in patients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according to the phase of disease, through the review of articles that identify omics biological markers.

Methods
A systematic review in PubMed/Medline databases was performed. We searched articles from August 2014 to September 2019, in English and Spanish, filtered by title and full text; and using the terms "Biomarkers" AND “Rheumatoid arthritis".

Results
This article supplies an exhaustive review from research of objective measurement, omics biomarkers and how disease activity appraise decrease unpredictability in treatment determinations, and finally, economic, and clinical outcomes of treatment options by biomarkers’ potential influence. A total of 122 articles were included. Only 92 met the established criteria for review purposes and 17 relevant references about the topic were included as well. Therefore, it was possible to identify 196 potential clinical biomarkers: 22 non-omics, 20 epigenomics, 33 genomics, 21 transcriptomics, 78 proteomics, 4 glycomics, 1 lipidomics and 17 metabolomics.

Conclusion
A biomarker is a measurable indicator of some, biochemical, physiological, or morphological condition; evaluable at a molecular, biochemical, or cellular level. Biomarkers work as indicators of physiological or pathological processes, or as a result of a therapeutic management. In the last five years, new biomarkers have been identified, especially the omics, which are those that proceed from the investigation of genes (genomics), metabolites (metabolomics), and proteins (proteomics). These biomarkers contribute to the physician choosing the best therapeutic option in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Accelerated failure-time model with weighted least-squares estimation: application on survival of HIV positives
Authors: Mustefa Yesuf Abdela , Chen Ding-Geng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSurvival analysis is the most appropriate method of analysis for time-to-event data. The classical accelerated failure-time model is a more powerful and interpretable model than the Cox proportional hazards model, provided that model imposed distribution and homoscedasticity assumptions satisfied. However, most of the real data are heteroscedastic which violates the fundamental assumption and consequently, the statistical inference could be erroneous in accelerated failure-time modeling. The weighted least-squares estimation for the accelerated failure-time model is an efficient semi-parametric approach for time-to-event data without the homoscedasticity assumption, which is developed recently and not often utilized for real data analysis. Thus, this study was conducted to ascertain the better performance of the weighted least-squares estimation method over the classical methods.MethodsWe analyzed a REAL dataset on Antiretroviral Therapy patients we recently collected. We compared the results from classical methods of estimation for the accelerated failure-time model with the results revealed from the weighted least-squares estimation.ResultsWe found that the data are heteroscedastic and indicated that the weighted least-square method should be used to analyze this data. The weighted least-squares estimation revealed more accurate, and efficient estimates of covariates effect since its confidence intervals were shorter and it identified more significant covariates. Accordingly, the survival of HIV positives was found to be significantly linked with age, weight, functional status, CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation agent 4 glycoproteins), and clinical stages.ConclusionsThe weighted least-squares estimation performed the best in providing more significant effects and precise estimates than the classical accelerated failure-time methods of estimation if data are heteroscedastic. Thus, we recommend future researchers should utilize weighted least-squares estimation rather than the classical methods when the homoscedasticity assumption is violated.
UNESCO World Heritage properties in changing and dynamic environments: change detection methods using optical and radar satellite data
Authors: Agapiou Athos 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The article presents recent capabilities of active and passive earth observation sensors along with related processing image chains, for monitoring UNESCO World Heritage properties. Exceptional heritage sites and landscapes are found in dynamic environments, whereas both anthropogenic and natural changes are observed. The use of radar and optical satellite imageries can be used as a systematic observation tool for stakeholders, to map drastic or slowly driven landscape changes towards the better protection and management of these sites and their surrounding areas. The study presents the results from the analysis of the European Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite images over two broader areas in the Eastern Mediterranean basin that hold important UNESCO World Heritage properties. Initially, a recent strong earthquake of a 6.7 magnitude scale in the Aegean Sea is studied using radar Sentinel-1 images. These radar images were processed through the Hybrid Pluggable Processing Pipeline (HyP3) cloud platform for analyzing both significant changes of the VV (vertical transmit, vertical receive) and VH (vertical transmit, horizontal receive) backscattering signal as well as through an Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis. Then, long-term changes in Cyprus during the last two decades are monitored by a Sentinel-2 image compared to the European Corine Land Use Land Cover data of 2000. These changes are mapped after a supervised classification process using the random forest (RF) classifier. The overall results demonstrate that the recent developments of the space sector in all its segments (resolution of the sensors, the capacity to storage in the cloud, processing advancements and open-access datasets and tools) can be beneficial for monitoring UNESCO World Heritage properties.
Potential adverse events in Japanese women who received tozinameran (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech)
Authors: Shimazawa Rumiko , Ikeda Masayuki 
Published: May 2021

AbstractReports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) following the administration of coronavirus vaccines have raised concerns regarding their safety. Although no regulatory authority has recognized ICH as an adverse event associated with tozinameran (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech), fatal and non-fatal cases have been reported. In Japan, 10 fatal cases (five men and women) have been reported to date. Four of the five women died of ICH and the other died of aspiration pneumonia, whereas all five men died of causes other than stroke. This imbalance is incompatible with the mortality data on cardiovascular diseases in the National Statistics, which show no apparent disparity between sexes or between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Cumulatively, our analysis reveals a disproportionately high incidence of death by ICH in Japanese women who received tozinameran, suggesting a potential association of ICH with the vaccine. Although we understand that the benefits of tozinameran still outweigh the risks, we believe that a causal link with the vaccine is not proven but possible and warrants further analysis.
Pharmacoeconomics in Africa: needs, prospect and challenges
Authors: Ben-Ajepe Temitope , Nwogu Ifechukwu Benedict , Olaoye Damilola Quazeem , Mustapha Abdulhafeez Ayodele , Uwizeyimana Theogene , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAfrica as a continent has experienced a continuous increase in the cost of healthcare as its demands increase. With many of these African countries living below the poverty threshold, Africans continue to die from preventable and curable diseases. Population increases have led to an increase in demands for healthcare, which unfortunately have been met with inequitable distribution of drugs. Hence, the outcomes from healthcare interventions are frequently not maximized. These problems notably call for some economic principles and policies to guide medication selection, procurement, or donation for population prioritization or health insurance. Pharmacoeconomics drives efficient use of scarce or limited resources to maximize healthcare benefits and reduce costs. It also brings to play tools that rate therapy choice based on the quality of life added to the patient after a choice of intervention was made over an alternative. In this paper, we commented on the needs, prospect, and challenges of pharmacoeconomics in Africa.
Low-frequency earthquakes along the Ryukyu Islands triggered by teleseismic earthquakes
Authors: Kinjo Ayumi , Nakamura Mamoru 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTremors and low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs), which occur in the plate interface, can provide useful information about the state of aseismic stress transfer in mega-earthquake fault zones. We estimated the distribution of triggered LFEs in the subducted plate interface. Specifically, we detected LFEs in the Ryukyu Trench triggered by the surface waves of large teleseismic earthquakes by using the waveform records of broadband and short-period seismometers installed in the Ryukyu Arc. We selected a total of 45 teleseismic earthquakes with magnitudes of more than 7.5, which occurred between 2004 and 2017, for the analysis. We could detect the triggered LFEs for five teleseismic earthquakes. Then, we determined the hypocenters of LFEs by using the relative arrival times of LFEs for each station. The LFEs were distributed in the south of Okinawa Island and the Yaeyama area. Moreover, they were distributed around the source fault of the slow slip events. These were almost the same as and concentrated near to the locations of the most active LFE clusters accompanying very low-frequency earthquakes, suggesting higher sensitivity of inducing LFEs near these clusters. This indicates that the LFEs accompanying VLFEs are activated by stress acceleration in the Yaeyama and Okinawa areas.
Lens thickness and associated ocular biometric factors among cataract patients in Shanghai
Authors: Meng Jiaqi , Wei Ling , He Wenwen , Qi Jiao , Lu Yi , Zhu Xiangjia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the distribution of lens thickness (LT) and its associations with other ocular biometric factors among cataract patients in Shanghai.

Methods
Twenty-four thousand thirteen eyes from 24,013 cataract patients were retrospectively included. Ocular biometric factors including LT, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), white-to-white (WTW) distance, anterior corneal curvature, and axial length (AL) were obtained using the IOLMaster700. The associations between LT and general or ocular factors were assessed.

Results
The mean age was 62.5 ± 13.6 years and 56.1% were female. The mean LT was 4.51 ± 0.46 mm. The LT was greater in older patients (P < 0.001). LT was positively correlated with CCT, while negatively correlated with ACD, WTW, and anterior corneal curvature (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that increased LT was associated with older age, male gender, thicker CCT, shallower ACD, larger WTW, and flatter anterior corneal curvature (P < 0.001). LT changed with a variable behavior according to AL. In short eyes LT increased as AL increased, then decreased with longer AL in normal eyes and moderate myopic eyes, but increased again as AL increased in highly myopic eyes. Thickest LT was found in the 20.01–22 mm AL group. The correlation between LT and other biometric factors remained significant when stratified by ALs.

Conclusions
In a large Chinese cataractous population, we found that the thicker lens may be associated with older age, male gender, thicker CCT, shallower ACD, larger WTW, and flatter anterior corneal curvature. As AL increased, the change of LT was nonlinear, with the thickest lens seen in the 20–22 mm AL group.
Development of calcium fluoride thin film on Ti-6Al-4V material by a dip coating process with an intermediate shellac layer for biocompatible orthopedic applications
Authors: Ritwik A. , Saju K. K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCalcium fluoride (CaF2) is widely used for different bio applications ranging from biomedical imaging to cell labeling. The biocompatible properties of CaF2 combined with superior mechanical properties of titanium alloy makes it a perfect choice for orthopedic and dental implants. A dip-coating process was employed to develop a thin film of CaF2 coating on Ti6Al4V material with an intermediate thin layer of shellac (natural resin). The developed coating was subjected to X-ray powder diffraction method (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the surface characteristics. The dip-coated implant material was also subjected to mechanical property evaluation, dissolution behavior study, and corrosion behavior study. In vitro study of the developed implant material was also carried out to assess the biocompatibility. The obtained results suggest use of CaF2 coating developed by this method for producing biocompatible orthopedic implants.
Hydrocephalus associated with occipital encephalocele: surgical management and clinical outcome
Authors: Nagy Mohamed Ragab , Saleh Ahmed Elsayed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Encephaloceles are cystic congenital malformations in which central nervous system (CNS) structures, in communication with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways, herniate through a defect in the cranium. Hydrocephalus occurs in 60–90% of patients with occipital encephaloceles.

Objective
Assessment of the surgical management of hydrocephalus associated with occipital encephalocele and its effect on the clinical outcome.

Methods
Between October 2015 and October 2019, a retrospective study was conducted on seventeen children with occipital encephaloceles who were operated upon. The presence of progressive hydrocephalus was determined by an abnormal increase in head circumference and an increase in the ventricular size on imaging studies. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was applied in patients who had hydrocephalus. The clinical outcome was graded according to the developmental milestones of the children on outpatient follow-up visits.

Results
The mean age at surgery was 1.6 (range, 0–15) months. There were ten girls (58.8%) and seven boys (41.2%). Ten encephaloceles (58.8%) contained neural tissue. Ten patients (58.8%) had associated cranial anomalies. Eleven children (64.7%) had associated hydrocephalus: four of them (36.4%) diagnosed preoperatively, while seven children (63.6%) developed hydrocephalus postoperatively. Ten of them (90.9%) were managed by VP shunt. All children with hydrocephalus had some degree of developmental delay, including six (54.5%) with mild/moderate delay and five (45.5%) with severe delay. Half of the patients (50%) of the children with occipital encephalocele without hydrocephalus had normal neurological outcome during the follow-up period (p value= 0.034).

Conclusions
Occipital encephalocele is often complicated by hydrocephalus. The presence of hydrocephalus resulted in a worse clinical outcome in children with occipital encephalocele, so it can help to guide prenatal and neonatal counseling.
Novel Photoluminescent Gold Complexes Prepared at Octanethiol–Water Interfaces: Control of Optical Properties by Addition of Silver Ions
Authors: Tameike Mio , Niidome Takuro , Niidome Yasuro , Kurawaki Junichi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Octanethiol (C8-SH) was shaken with an aqueous solution containing Au(III) and/or Ag(I) ions. The C8-SH molecules reacted with the Au(III) ions to form red-luminescent Au thiolates. The addition of silver ions generated blue-luminescent species, and red-luminescent species also formed in the reaction solution. The blue-luminescent species contained gold–silver (AuAg) bimetallic thiolate complexes. Increasing the silver fraction resulted in higher yields of the blue-luminescent species, but the spectral properties of the two kinds of complexes were almost independent of the silver fraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the complexes contained metal gold (Au(0)) and silver ions (Ag(I)). The addition of thiol-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (mPEG-SH) assisted the dialysis of the blue-luminescent complexes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations revealed the presence of metallic complexes (5 nm) and complex aggregates (50–200 nm). Luminescent sites, which were bimetallic sites containing gold and silver atoms, were formed in the complexes.
Synthesis and Properties of Fused Extended Tetrathiafulvalene Donors with Dithienylmethylene Spacer and Application to Organic Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Yamauchi Tomokazu , Kubo Takashi , Fujioka Atsushi , Yoshimura Aya , Shirahata Takashi , Miyamoto Hisakazu , Yao Masaru , Misaki Yohji 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Several derivatives of 1,3-dithiole[3]dendralene derivatives with two thiophene spacers (2) were synthesized. The results of an X-ray structure analysis of an analog without fused TTF units and a DFT calculation of the unsubstituted-2 (2Aa) suggested that 2Aa had a structure significantly distorted between the central 1,3-dithiole (DT) ring and one of the thiophene rings. Cyclic voltammograms of tetrakis(n-hexylsulfanyl) derivatives (2Be and 2Ce) consisted of one pair of two-electron redox waves and five pairs of one-electron redox waves in correspondence with the presence of seven redox-active DT rings. The tetrakis(methylsulfanyl) or bis(ethylenedithio) derivative (2Bc or 2Bd) worked as a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, and the 2Bc/Li and 2Bd/Li cells exhibited the first discharge capacities of 133–138 mAh g−1.
Design of Linearly Substituted Fullerene Bis-Adducts with High Dielectric Constants Based on Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Matsumoto Fukashi , Sumino Shuhei , Iwai Toshiyuki , Ito Takatoshi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The low dielectric constants of organic semiconductors, relative to those of inorganic materials, are an intrinsic limitation. Improving the dielectric constant is important for the development of organic electronics. In this study, we established a method for increasing the dielectric constant of fullerene derivatives based on theoretical calculations and cheminformatics. We designed linearly substituted C70 fullerene bis-adducts with two different substituents and investigated the properties of the thin film devices. The bis-adducts had relatively high dielectric constants and moderate electron mobilities. Our study reveals that high-throughput computational screening is an effective strategy for the design of fullerene bis-adducts with high dielectric constants.
Development of antibiotic resistance in periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Klasan Antonio , Schermuksnies Arne , Gerber Florian , Bowman Matt , Fuchs-Winkelmann Susanne , Heyse Thomas Jan 
Published: May 2021

Aims The management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging. The correct antibiotic management remains elusive due to differences in epidemiology and resistance between countries, and reports in the literature. Before the efficacy of surgical treatment is investigated, it is crucial to analyze the bacterial strains causing PJI, especially for patients in whom no organisms are grown. Methods A review of all revision TKAs which were undertaken between 2006 and 2018 in a tertiary referral centre was performed, including all those meeting the consensus criteria for PJI, in which organisms were identified. Using a cluster analysis, three chronological time periods were created. We then evaluated the antibiotic resistance of the identified bacteria between these three clusters and the effectiveness of our antibiotic regime. Results We identified 129 PJIs with 161 culture identified bacteria in 97 patients. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were identified in 46.6% cultures, followed by Staphylococcus aureus in 19.8%. The overall resistance to antibiotics did not increase significantly during the study period (p = 0.454). However, CNS resistance to teicoplanin (p < 0.001), fosfomycin (p = 0.016), and tetracycline (p = 0.014) increased significantly. Vancomycin had an 84.4% overall sensitivity and 100% CNS sensitivity and was the most effective agent. Conclusion Although we were unable to show an overall increase in antibiotic resistance in organisms that cause PJI after TKA during the study period, this was not true for CNS. It is concerning that resistance of CNS to new antibiotics, but not vancomycin, has increased in a little more than a decade. Our findings suggest that referral centres should continuously monitor their bacteriological analyses, as these have significant implications for prophylactic treatment in both primary arthroplasty and revision arthroplasty for PJI. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6 Supple A):171–176.
Are surgeons still performing primary total knee arthroplasty in the morbidly obese?
Authors: DeMik David E. , Carender Christopher N. , Glass Natalie A. , Brown Timothy S. , Callaghan John J. , Bedard Nicholas A. 
Published: May 2021

Aims The purpose of this study was to assess total knee arthroplasty (TKA) volume and rates of early complications in morbidly obese patients over the last decade, where the introduction of quality models influencing perioperative care pathways occurred. Methods Patients undergoing TKA between 2011 to 2018 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were stratified by BMI < 40 kg/m2 and ≥ 40 kg/m2 and evaluated by the number of cases per year. The 30-day rates of any complication, wound complications, readmissions, and reoperation were assessed. Trends in these endpoints over the study period were compared between groups using odds ratios (ORs) and multivariate analyses. Results In total, 314,695 patients underwent TKA and 46,362 (15%) had BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. The prevalence of morbid obesity among TKA patients did not change greatly, ranging between 14% and 16%. Reoperation rate decreased from 1.16% to 0.96% (odds ratio (OR) 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 0.99)) for patients with BMI < 40 kg/m2, as did rates of readmission (4.46% to 2.87%; OR 0.61 (0.55 to 0.69)). Patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 also had fewer readmissions over the study period (4.87% to 3.34%; OR 0.64 (0.49 to 0.83)); however, the rate of reoperation did not change (1.37% to 1.41%; OR 0.99 (0.62 to 1.56)). Significant improvements were not observed for infective complications over time for either group; patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 had increased risk of both deep infection and wound complications compared to non-morbidly obese patients. Rate of any complication decreased for all patients. Conclusion The proportion of TKAs in morbidly obese patients has not significantly changed over the past decade. Although readmission rates improved for all patients, reductions in reoperation in non-morbidly obese patients were not experienced by the morbidly obese, resulting in a widening of the complication gap between these cohorts. Care improvements have not lowered the differential risk of infective complications in the morbidly obese. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6 Supple A):38–44.