bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Dose and Effectiveness of a Single-Session Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of Uterine Fibroids With Different Sizes
Authors: Yang Mei-Jie , Yu Ren-Qiang , Chen Jin-Yun , Wang Zhi-Biao 
Published: December 2021

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the dose and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids with different sizes and explore the effect of uterine fibroid size on dose, which provided dose evaluation for clinicians in accordance with the size of uterine fibroids.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,000 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who received a single-session USgHIFU treatment were enrolled in this study. The size of fibroids was divided into seven groups: 3–4 cm, 4–5 cm, 5–6 cm, 6–7 cm, 7–8 cm, 8–9 cm, and 9–11 cm. The dose was expressed on the basis of the energy efficiency factor (EEF) as the energy required for ablation per unit volume of tissue, and the non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) was used to assess the effect of HIFU ablation.ResultsThe median NPVR of 88.3% (IQR: 80.3%–94.8%) was obtained, and no significant difference was observed among the seven groups. The classification of T2-weighted image signal intensity fibroids in the 4–5 cm group was compared with that in the 6–7 cm and 8–9 cm groups, and the difference was significant (p &lt; 0.05). However, the proportion of T2WI hyperintense signal fibroids had no significant difference among the seven groups (p &gt; 0.05). The median EEF was 3.88 J/mm3, and a significant difference was observed among the seven groups of EEF (p &lt; 0.05). The EEF of groups with a fibroid size less than 6 cm was more than double the EEF of groups with a fibroid size above 6 cm. In addition, the EEF of groups with a fibroid size of 4–5 cm and 3–4 cm was 3–4 times higher than those with a fibroid size above 7 cm (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsA single-session HIFU ablation for uterine fibroids of 3–11 cm can obtain an NPVR of more than 80%. The EEF decreased with the increase of the size of uterine fibroids. A fibroid size of 6.5 cm was considered as a clinical meaningful point affecting EEF.
Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gu Yi-Min , Shang Qi-Xin , Zhuo Yue , Zhou Jian-Feng , Liu Bo-Wei , Wang Wen-Ping , Che Guo-Wei , Chen Long-Qi 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe published evidence from several randomized controlled clinical trials of immunotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has shown promising results. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant articles published before December 30, 2020. The data for efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment were subjected to meta-analysis.ResultsSeven clinical trials comprising 1733 patients were included. The results showed that immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment as second- or later-line treatment was associated with an increased risk of the objective response rate (relative risk: 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.82–4.04; P=0.002) and median overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.75, 95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.85; P&lt;0.001) compared with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment was associated with significant improvement in median overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.48–0.77, P&lt;0.001) compared with chemotherapy in the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive population. However, immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment was also effective in all patients independent of PD-L1 expression. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy were anemia, asthenia, rash, fatigue, decreased appetite, diarrhea, pneumonia, decreased neutrophil count, and vomiting. Patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy was associated with a decreased risk of treatment-related adverse events (relative risk: 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.62–1.08; P&lt;0.001) and grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (relative risk: 0.50, 95% confidence interval: 0.42–0.60; P&lt;0.001) compared with those undergoing chemotherapy.ConclusionsImmune checkpoint inhibitors as second- or later-line therapy may improve overall response rate and overall survival but not all oncological outcomes for patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors might experience fewer treatment-related adverse events of any grade, but specifically grade ≥3, compared with those treated with chemotherapy.
Dietary Compliance and Quality of Life in Celiac Disease: A Long-Term Follow-Up of Primary School Screening-Detected Patients
Authors: Iorfida Donatella , Valitutti Francesco , Vestri Annarita , Di Rocco Arianna , Cucchiara Salvatore , Lubrano Riccardo , Montuori Monica 
Published: December 2021

Background: Whether the diagnostic approach for celiac disease (CD) can really affect quality of life (QoL) and dietary compliance remains controversial.Aims: This study aimed to evaluate QoL and compliance to gluten-free diet (GFD) in adolescents/young adults diagnosed with CD through a screening strategy during childhood compared to age-matched CD patients diagnosed by case-finding and to assess whether follow-up at a referral center for CD influences compliance and QoL.Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven CD patients who were diagnosed by screening programs (SC-group) and 38 age-matched CD patients diagnosed due to symptoms (CF-group) were enrolled. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire on QoL, dietary compliance, and follow-up care for CD.Results: Twenty-nine patients of the SC-group (median age 18.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] 16.0–19.0) and 31 patients of the CF-group (median age 17.0 years, IQR 15.5–18.0) completed the questionnaire. No significant difference relating adherence to the GFD and QoL was shown between the two groups. The majority (93.5%) of CF-group regularly had annual follow-up at a referral center compared to 37.9% of the SC-group (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: The diagnostic strategy does not seem to impact QoL and dietary compliance. However, implementation of follow-up might still be necessary for patients identified through screening.
Efficacy and Safety of Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Monotherapies for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Mixed Treatment Comparison
Authors: Zhang Yun , Gao Sheng , Li Xun , Huang Xi , Zhang Yi , Chang Tiancong , Cai Zhaolun , Zhang Meixia 
Published: December 2021

Background: We aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy to identify its utilization and prioritization in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).Methods: Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials comparing the recommended anti-VEGF agents (ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, brolucizumab, and conbercept) under various therapeutic regimens. Outcomes of interest included the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), serious adverse events, the proportion of patients who gained ≥15 letters or lost &lt;15 letters in BCVA, the mean change in central retinal thickness, and the number of injections within 12 months.Results: Twenty-seven trials including 10,484 participants and eighteen treatments were identified in the network meta-analysis. The aflibercept 2 mg bimonthly, ranibizumab 0.5 mg T&amp;E, and brolucizumab 6 mg q12w/q8w regimens had better visual efficacy. Brolucizumab had absolute superiority in anatomical outcomes and a relative advantage of safety, as well as good performance of aflibercept 2 mg T&amp;E. The proactive regimens had slightly better efficacy but a slightly increased number of injections versus the reactive regimen. Bevacizumab had a statistically non-significant trend toward a lower degree of efficacy and safety.Conclusion: The visual efficacy of four individual anti-VEGF drugs is comparable. Several statistically significant differences were observed considering special anti-VEGF regimens, suggesting that brolucizumab 6 mg q12w/q8w, aflibercept 2 mg bimonthly or T&amp;E, and ranibizumab 0.5 mg T&amp;E are the ideal anti-VEGF regimens for nAMD patients. In the current landscape, based on the premise of equivalent efficacy and safety, the optimal choice of anti-VEGF monotherapies seems mandatory to obtain maximal benefit.
Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) for Families of Young Children With Intellectual Disability: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Coulman Elinor , Gore Nick , Moody Gwenllian , Wright Melissa , Segrott Jeremy , Gillespie David , Petrou Stavros , Lugg-Widger Fiona , Kim Sungwook , Bradshaw Jill , McNamara Rachel , Jahoda Andrew , Lindsay Geoff , Shurlock Jacqui , Totsika Vaso , Stanford Catherine , Flynn Samantha , Carter Annabel , Barlow Christian , Hastings Richard P. 
Published: December 2021

Background: Parents of children with intellectual disabilities are likely to experience poorer mental well-being and face challenges accessing support. Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) is a group-based programme, co-produced with parents and professionals, based on existing research evidence and a developmental systems approach to support parental mental well-being. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of community service provider organisations delivering E-PAtS to parents/family caregivers of young children with intellectual disability, to inform a potential definitive randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of E-PAtS.Methods: This study was a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial, with embedded process evaluation. Up to two parents/family caregivers of a child (18 months to &lt;6 years old) with intellectual disability were recruited at research sites and allocated to intervention (E-PAtS and usual practise) or control (usual practise) on a 1:1 basis at cluster (family) level. Data were collected at baseline and 3 and 12 months' post-randomisation. The following feasibility outcomes were assessed: participant recruitment rates and effectiveness of recruitment pathways; retention rates; intervention adherence and fidelity; service provider recruitment rates and willingness to participate in a future trial; barriers and facilitating factors for recruitment, engagement, and intervention delivery; and feasibility of collecting outcome measures.Results: Seventy-four families were randomised to intervention or control (n = 37). Retention rates were 72% at 12 months post-randomisation, and completion of the proposed primary outcome measure (WEMWBS) was 51%. Recruitment of service provider organisations and facilitators was feasible and intervention implementation acceptable. Adherence to the intervention was 76% and the intervention was well-received by participants; exploratory analyses suggest that adherence and attendance may be associated with improved well-being. Health economic outcome measures were collected successfully and evidence indicates that linkage with routine data would be feasible in a future trial.Conclusions: The E-PAtS Feasibility RCT has demonstrated that the research design and methods of intervention implementation are generally feasible. Consideration of the limitations of this feasibility trial and any barriers to conducting a future definitive trial, do however, need to be considered by researchers.Clinical Trial Registration:https://www.isrctn.com, identifier: ISRCTN70419473.
Dancing With Parkinson's Disease: The SI-ROBOTICS Study Protocol
Authors: Bevilacqua Roberta , Benadduci Marco , Bonfigli Anna Rita , Riccardi Giovanni Renato , Melone Giovanni , La Forgia Angela , Macchiarulo Nicola , Rossetti Luca , Marzorati Mauro , Rizzo Giovanna , Di Bitonto Pierpaolo , Potenza Ada , Fiorini Laura , Cortellessa Loizzo Federica Gabriella , La Viola Carlo , Cavallo Filippo , Leone Alessandro , Rescio Gabriele , Caroppo Andrea , Manni Andrea , Cesta Amedeo , Cortellessa Gabriella , Fracasso Francesca , Orlandini Andrea , Umbrico Alessandro , Rossi Lorena , Maranesi Elvira 
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most frequent causes of disability among older people, characterized by motor disorders, rigidity, and balance problems. Recently, dance has started to be considered an effective exercise for people with PD. In particular, Irish dancing, along with tango and different forms of modern dance, may be a valid strategy to motivate people with PD to perform physical activity. The present protocol aims to implement and evaluate a rehabilitation program based on a new system called “SI-ROBOTICS,” composed of multiple technological components, such as a social robotic platform embedded with an artificial vision setting, a dance-based game, environmental and wearable sensors, and an advanced AI reasoner module.Methods and Analysis: For this study, 20 patients with PD will be recruited. Sixteen therapy sessions of 50 min will be conducted (two training sessions per week, for 8 weeks), involving two patients at a time. Evaluation will be primarily focused on the acceptability of the SI-ROBOTICS system. Moreover, the analysis of the impact on the patients' functional status, gait, balance, fear of falling, cardio-respiratory performance, motor symptoms related to PD, and quality of life, will be considered as secondary outcomes. The trial will start in November 2021 and is expected to end by April 2022.Discussions: The study aims to propose and evaluate a new approach in PD rehabilitation, focused on the use of Irish dancing, together with a new technological system focused on helping the patient perform the dance steps and on collecting kinematic and performance parameters used both by the physiotherapist (for the evaluation and planning of the subsequent sessions) and by the system (to outline the levels of difficulty of the exercise).Ethics and Dissemination: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov on the number NCT05005208. The study findings will be used for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations in scientific meetings.
DMSO Concentrations up to 1% are Safe to be Used in the Zebrafish Embryo Developmental Toxicity Assay
Authors: Hoyberghs Jente , Bars Chloé , Ayuso Miriam , Van Ginneken Chris , Foubert Kenn , Van Cruchten Steven 
Published: December 2021

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a popular solvent for developmental toxicity testing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals in zebrafish embryos. In general, it is recommended to keep the final DMSO concentration as low as possible for zebrafish embryos, preferably not exceeding 100 μL/L (0.01%). However, higher concentrations of DMSO are often required to dissolve compounds in an aqueous medium. The aim of this study was to determine the highest concentration of DMSO that can be safely used in our standardized Zebrafish Embryo Developmental Toxicity Assay (ZEDTA). In the first part of this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations (0–2%) of DMSO. No increase in lethality or malformations was observed when using DMSO concentrations up to 1%. In a follow-up experiment, we assessed whether compounds that cause no developmental toxicity in the ZEDTA remain negative when dissolved in 1% DMSO, as false positive results due to physiological disturbances by DMSO should be avoided. To this end, zebrafish embryos were exposed to ascorbic acid and hydrochlorothiazide dissolved in 1% DMSO. Negative control groups were also included. No significant increase in malformations or lethality was observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, DMSO concentrations up to 1% can be safely used to dissolve compounds in the ZEDTA.
“Para que non finque de cosa d’ellos memoria alguna”: información, práctica administrativa y contractualismo en el cobro de albaquías durante el reinado de Enrique III de Castilla (1398-1404)
Authors: Ortego Rico Pablo 
Published: December 2021

El trabajo aborda la gran operación de regularización hacendística y fiscal, mediante auditoría contable, ordenada en la Corona de Castilla por Enrique III a fines del siglo XIV, desconocida hasta el momento. Este procedimiento, desarrollado entre 1398 y 1404, implicó subrogar mediante arrendamiento en siete agentes privados la auditoría de las deudas con el rey, o albaquías, que acumularon entre 1371 y 1394 particulares e instituciones que habían gestionado dinero del monarca (tesoreros, recaudadores, arrendadores, concejos, nobles, oficiales reales). Su interés reside en que permite comprobar toda una diversidad de procesos convergentes en una medida considerada como parte de los instrumentos de centralización política de la monarquía castellana empleados por Enrique III: mecanismos de control de la información; procedimientos administrativos; creación de un ámbito jurisdicional propio para los procesos de auditoría contable; fórmulas contractuales y garantías jurídicas concedidas a las partes, entre ellas el recurso a la destrucción documental como elemento contractual que contribuye a explicar la ausencia de documentación contable sobre la hacienda regia para este período.
BARROS, Carlos (2020). La base material de la nación. El concepto de nación en Marx y Engels. Barcelona: El Viejo Topo. 220 páginas.
Authors: Pérez Álvarez Gonzalo 
Published: December 2021

El reconocido medievalista y fundador de Historia a Debate Carlos Barros, hace años plantea la necesidad de recuperar, en nuestras producciones históricas e historiográficas, la noción de futuro. Sostiene que las corrientes hegemónicas de la academia han eliminado el término futuro del lenguaje historiográfico.
En este libro Barros da pelea contra esa perspectiva, como hace tiempo lo viene haciendo desde su diversa producción histórica e historiográfica. Para ello revisa el concepto de nación, una temática de enorme centralidad teórica e indudable relevancia política en el pasado reciente y en nuestra actualidad. Lo hace historizando el desarrollo de esa noción y realizando un recorrido centrado en la concepción de Marx y Engels.
Aluminum surface nitriding by an atmospheric-pressure non-thermal plasma technique
Authors: Ma Zhongyang , Sun Hongmei , Zheng Huan , Zhao Yanjun , Sui Siyuan , Zhang Chi , Ni Guohua 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The application of aluminum is often limited by poor hardness, and plasma nitriding can make it have excellent mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to nitride the aluminum surface by non-thermal transferred arc plasma technology. During the plasma nitriding process, the maximum effective value of output current is about 390 mA and the overall temperature of the samples is much lower than the solidus temperature. It is found that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the aluminum surface are improved by adding hydrogen into the nitrogen plasma. Compared with the surface treated by pure N2 plasma, the particle size of the aluminum surface treated by N2/H2 plasma is smaller. The surface hardness of aluminum is nearly doubled after being treated in 6.0 vol% H2 + 94.0 vol% N2 atmosphere.
Genetic diversity and comparative study of genomic DNA extraction protocols in Tamarix L. species
Authors: Cheng Xiao , Hong Xiaoling , Khayatnezhad Majid , Ullah Fazal 
Published: December 2021

The genus Tamarix consists of about 54 species that mainly grow in saline areas of deserts and semi-deserts. This genus is chemically characterized by the presence of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins and essential oils which interfere with the extraction of pure genomic DNA. Thus it is necessary to optimize extraction protocols to minimize the influence of these compounds to the lowest level. The present study compares the efficiency of five different approaches to extract total genomic DNA in Tamarix species, showing significant differences in the extracted DNA contents and quality,by using Kit (DNP TM Kit), CTAB DNA extraction method by Murray and Thompson, Sahu et al., Nalini et al. and Bi et al., for the extraction of DNA from Tamarix species. Our results showed significant differences in DNA contents between these five methods. The quantity and quality of extracted genomic DNA were checked by the spectrophotometer, Nano-Drop and and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. Finally, a PCR-based method was also applied to verify the amplification efficiency for two molecular markers (ITS and ISSR).. In the present study, the genetic diversity of 96 Tamarix individuals species and 8 populations were studied using 10 ISSR markerswhile for nrDNA ITS 8 species samples were used. The method of Nalini et al., provided best results (207 ng/μL) in terms of quantity and quality ofDNA. Our results proposed that this method could be effective for plants with the same polysaccharides, proteins and polyphenols components. The advantage of this method is simple and fast as it does not involve time consuming steps such as incubation at higher temperatures, and also do not requires expensive chemicals such as proteinase K, liquid nitrogen. ,. The success of this method in obtaining high-quality genomic DNA has been demonstrated in the Tamarix species group and the reliability of this method has been discussed.
Reliability of an ergatic element in a ship power plant
Authors: Соболенко А.Н. , Гомзяков М.В. 
Published: December 2021

Авторы настоящей работы поставили целью исследование качества эргатического звена, входящего в состав такой сложной эргатехнической системы, какой является судовая энергетическая установка современного морского судна. Для достижения требуемого результата проведен обзор поломок и отказов главных силовых установок на транспортных и рыбодобывающих судах, осуществляющих деятельность в морях Дальневосточного федерального округа. Информационные базы надзорных органов содержат экспертные заключения о морских авариях с указанием их причин и предпосылок. Анализ ошибок, допущенных судовой технической службой при эксплуатации и обслуживании дизелей и послуживших причиной поломки, позволяет выработать меры по повышению надежности «человеческого фактора». На основе фактических данных установлена взаимосвязь дисфункции эргатического элемента и аварийных последствий. Достоверность выводов обусловлена значительным объемом исходных данных, составленных группами независимых экспертов.
The authors of this work set the purpose of researching the ergatic element’s quality, as a part of ergotechnical system, such as a modern ship power plant. To achieve the desired result, a review of breakdowns and failures of the main power plants on transport and fishing vessels operating in the seas of the Far Eastern Federal District was made. The information databases of the supervisory authorities contain expert opinions on marine accidents with an analysis of their causes and background. Analysis of errors made by the ship's technical service during the operation and maintenance of diesel engines and which caused the breakdown, allows us to take measures to improve the reliability of the "human factor". The relationship between the dysfunction of the ergatic element and emergency consequences has been established is based on actual data. The reliability of the conclusions is due to a significant amount of initial data compiled by groups of independent experts.