bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of first order MRI-Texture analysis parameters in the prediction of histologic grade and muscle invasion in urinary bladder cancer: a preliminary study
Authors: Razik Abdul , Das Chandan J , Sharma Raju , Malla Sundeep , Sharma Sanjay , Seth Amlesh , Srivastava Deep Narayan 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To explore the utility of first-order MRI-texture analysis (TA) parameters in predicting histologic grade and muscle invasion in urinary bladder cancer (UBC).

Methods:
After ethical clearance, 40 patients with UBC, who were imaged on a 3.0-Tesla scanner, were retrospectively included. Using the TexRADTM platform, two readers placed freehand ROI on the sections demonstrating the largest dimension of the tumor, evaluating only one tumor per patient. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Mann–Whitney U test and ROC curve analysis were used to identify statistical significance and select parameters with high class separation capacity (AUC &gt;0.8), respectively. Pearson’s test was used to identify redundancy in the results.

Results:
All texture parameters showed excellent ICC. The best parameters in differentiating high and low-grade tumors were mean/ mean of positive pixels (MPP) at SSF 0 (AUC: 0.897) and kurtosis at SSF 5 (AUC: 0.828) on the ADC images. In differentiating muscle invasive from non-muscle invasive tumors, mean/ MPP at SSF 0 on the ADC images showed AUC &gt;0.8; however, this finding resulted from the confounding effect of high-grade histology on the ADC values of muscle invasive tumors.

Conclusion:
MRI-TA generated few parameters which were reproducible and useful in predicting histologic grade. No independent parameters predicted muscle invasion.

Advances in knowledge:
There is lacuna in the literature concerning the role of MRI-TA in the prediction of histologic grade and muscle invasion in UBC. Our study generated a few first-order parameters which were useful in predicting high-grade histology.
Current progress and quality of radiomic studies for predicting EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer using PET/CT images: a systematic review
Authors: Abdurixiti Meilinuer , Nijiati Mayila , Shen Rongfang , Ya Qiu , Abuduxiku Naibijiang , Nijiati Mayidili 
Published: April 2021

Objectives:
To assess the methodological quality of radiomic studies based on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images predicting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:
We systematically searched for eligible studies in the PubMed and Web of Science datasets using the terms “radiomics”, “PET/CT”, “NSCLC”, and “EGFR”. The included studies were screened by two reviewers independently. The quality of the radiomic workflow of studies was assessed using the Radiomics Quality Score (RQS). Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine inter rater agreement for the RQS. An overview of the methodologies used in steps of the radiomics workflow and current results are presented.

Results:
Six studies were included with sample sizes of 973 ranging from 115 to 248 patients. Methodologies in the radiomic workflow varied greatly. The first-order statistics were the most reproducible features. The RQS scores varied from 13.9 to 47.2%. All studies were scored below 50% due to defects on multiple segmentations, phantom study on all scanners, imaging at multiple time points, cut-off analyses, calibration statistics, prospective study, potential clinical utility, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The ICC results for majority of RQS items were excellent. The ICC for summed RQS was 0.986 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.898–0.998].

Conclusions:
The PET/CT-based radiomics signature could serve as a diagnostic indicator of EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients. However, the current conclusions should be interpreted with care due to the suboptimal quality of the studies. Consensus for standardization of PET/CT-based radiomic workflow for EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients is warranted to further improve research.

Advances in knowledge:
Radiomics can offer clinicians better insight into the prediction of EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients, whereas the quality of relative studies should be improved before application to the clinical setting.
Quantification of penile fat infiltration using the mDIXON Quant sequence: a pilot study on the correlation with penis hardness and erectile dysfunction
Authors: Yang Fei , Li Qing-Ling , Wen Hui-Quan , Xie Wen-Jun , Shen Li-Shan , Luo Xiao-Wen , Zhang Yu-Feng , Guo Ruo-Mi 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine fat/water signal ratios using the mDIXON Quant sequence, quantitatively assess fat infiltration in the penis, and explore its possible relationship with penile hardness and erectile dysfunction.

Methods:
Routine pelvic MRI with the mDIXON Quant sequence was performed in 62 subjects, including 22 people in the normal group, 20 people in the normal erectile hardness group, and 20 people in the erectile dysfunction (ED) group. The fat/water signal ratio in the penis was measured using the mDIXON Quant sequence. Shear wave elastography was used to evaluate the hardness of the corpus cavernosa of the penis.

Results:
The fat/water signal ratio of the corpus spongiosum was significantly lower than that of the corpus cavernosa in the normal group (p = 0.03) and ED group (p &lt; 0.01). There was no significant difference in the fat/water signal ratios between the normal group and the normal erectile hardness group. Fat infiltration was significantly lower, and erectile hardness was significantly higher in the normal erectile hardness group than in the ED group, and the fat infiltration in the left and right corpus cavernosa was inversely proportional to the erectile hardness of the penis.

Conclusion:
This study suggests that mDIXON Quant can be used as a non-invasive, quantitative, and objective method for evaluating penile fat infiltration. This method could help diagnose penile fat infiltration in patients with erectile dysfunction and varying body mass indexes. Our results could also allow for a more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of erectile hardness function by quantitatively measuring penile fat infiltration.

Advances in knowledge:
(1) The proton density fat fraction technology is a new tool for the objective, quantitative and non-invasive evaluation of penile fat infiltration. (2) The quantitative measurement of fat infiltration in the corpora cavernosa might help diagnose and monitor penile erection hardness and its function more accurately.
Comparison of prostate imaging reporting and data system v2.1 and 2 in transition and peripheral zones: evaluation of interreader agreement and diagnostic performance in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer
Authors: Urase Yasuyo , Ueno Yoshiko , Tamada Tsutomu , Sofue Keitaro , Takahashi Satoru , Hinata Nobuyuki , Harada Kenichi , Fujisawa Masato , Murakami Takamichi 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To evaluate the interreader agreement and diagnostic performance of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v. 2.1, in comparison with v. 2.

Methods:
Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study. 77 consecutive patients who underwent a prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T before radical prostatectomy were included. Four radiologists (two experienced uroradiologists and two inexperienced radiologists) independently scored eight regions [six peripheral zones (PZ) and two transition zones (TZ)] using v. 2.1 and v. 2. Interreader agreement was assessed using κ statistics. To evaluate diagnostic performance for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC), area under the curve (AUC) was estimated.

Results
228 regions were pathologically diagnosed as positive for csPC. With a cut-off ≥3, the agreement among all readers was better with v. 2.1 than v. 2 in TZ, PZ, or both zones combined (κ-value: TZ, 0.509 vs 0.414; PZ, 0.686 vs 0.568; both zones combined, 0.644 vs 0.531). With a cut-off ≥4, the agreement among all readers was also better with v. 2.1 than v. 2 in the PZ or both zones combined (κ-value: PZ, 0.761 vs 0.701; both zones combined, 0.756 vs 0.709). For all readers, AUC with v. 2.1 was higher than with v. 2 (TZ, 0.826–0.907 vs 0.788–0.856; PZ, 0.857–0.919 vs 0.853–0.902).

Conclusion:
Our study suggests that the PI-RADS v. 2.1 could improve the interreader agreement and might contribute to improved diagnostic performance compared with v. 2.

Advances in knowledge:
PI-RADS v. 2.1 has a potential to improve interreader variability and diagnostic performance among radiologists with different levels of expertise.
Scatter-to-primary ratio in dentomaxillofacial cone-beam CT: effect of field of view and beam energy
Authors: Pauwels Ruben , Pittayapat Pisha , Sinpitaksakul Phonkit , Panmekiate Soontra 
Published: April 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of field of view (FOV) and beam energy on the scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) in dental cone-beam CT (CBCT). Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom representing an adult male (ATOM Max 711-HN, Norfolk, VA, USA) was scanned using the 3D Accuitomo 170 CBCT (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan) using 11 FOVs. During each scan, half of the X-ray beam was blocked. Each scan was performed at three exposure settings with varying beam energy and equal radiation dose: 90 kV 5 mA, 77 kV 7.5 mA and 69 kV 10 mA. The SPR was estimated by measuring the grey values in the blocked and non-blocked regions of the RAW data. The effect of FOV on SPR was evaluated using Dunn’s multiple comparison test, and the effect of the exposure settings was compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Larger FOVs showed increased scatter. FOVs with a shorter isocenter-detector distance showed a particularly high SPR. Most intercomparisons between FOVs were statistically significant. The largest difference was found between 17 × 12 cm and 6 × 6 cm (lower jaw), with the former showing a 4.9-fold higher SPR. The effect of beam energy was relatively small and varied between FOV sizes and positions. Conclusion: While the choice of FOV size and position is determined by the diagnostic region of interest, the image quality deterioration for large FOVs due to scatter provides another incentive to limit the FOV size as much as possible.
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence and female sexual functions: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Abrar Saida , Mohsin Raheela , Saleem Huda 
Published: April 2021

Objectives: To assess the effect of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) on various domains of female sexual functions in patients before and after reconstructive surgery for these pelvic floor disorders.
Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study of 126 women aged 25-65 years, presenting with POP / SUI, from January 1st 2019 to December 31st 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital. POP surgery was performed only in patients with symptomatic POP ≥ stage 2 according to POP-Q (quantification). Sexual functions were assessed using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, among sexually active women at baseline and 18 months after surgery.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 51.6, with a mean parity of four. Out of 126 patients, 31 patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy, pelvic floor repair and mid-urethral sling (MUS), 55 had vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor repair, 12 women had only pelvic floor repair and 10 patients had uterine suspension surgery for prolapse, while 18 patients underwent MUS operation alone for SUI. There was a statistically significant difference in female sexual functions after surgery for POP and/or SUI (p<0.01). This improvement was observed in both total and individual scores of each domain of FSFI with an overall improvement in sexual function from a mean of 18.5 pre-surgery to 20.8 post-surgery.
Conclusions: This study reveals that women sexual functions are affected by POP and SUI and improve remarkably after reconstructive surgeries for these pelvic floor disorders.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3892
How to cite this:Abrar S, Mohsin R, Saleem H. Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence and female sexual functions: A quasi-experimental study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1099-1103. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3892
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Morphometric evaluations based on Voxel Based Morphometry on adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.
Authors: Bryńska Anita , Wolak Tomasz , Naumczyk Patrycja , Srebnicki Tomasz , Wolańczyk Tomasz 
Published: April 2021

Cel pracyCel: ocena zmian w zakresie objętości istoty szarej w grupie adolescentów z ASD, spełniających kryteria dla zespołu Aspergera.MetodaMateriał i metoda: Badania morfometryczne oparte o pomiar voksela (Voxel Based Morphometry) wykonano u 37 nastolatków płci męskiej, w wieku od 12 do 19 lat (śr. 14,3 ± 2,0), z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu, którzy spełniali kryteria DSM-IV-TR dla zespołu Aspergera oraz 15 prawidłowo rozwijających się nastolatków dobranych pod względem wieku. Analizy statystyczne przeprowadzono na poziomie p<0,05 z korekcją FWE (family-wise error) oraz p<0,007 bez korekcji FWE.WynikiWyniki: w grupie ASD wykazano zmniejszenie objętości istoty szarej w zakręcie przedśrodkowym i zaśrodkowym, górnym i środkowym zakręcie czołowym, górnym i dolnym płaciku ciemieniowym, przedklinku, przedniej i tylnej korze obręczy, zakręcie wrzecionowatym, zakręcie parahipokampalnym, zakręcie językowatym, środkowym obszarze potylicznym, klinku i zakręcie kątowym, okolicach bruzd ostrogowych oraz móżdżku; większość zmian była zlokalizowana obustronnie.WnioskiWnioski: zmniejszenie objętości istoty szarej w grupie osób z ASD w obszarach kory mózgowej, które funkcjonalnie można powiązać z charakterem deficytów obserwowanych w zaburzeniach ze spektrum autyzmu, podkreśla rolę nieprawidłowej budowy licznych struktur OUN w powstawaniu objawów obserwowanych w sferze poznawczej i behawioralnej.
Mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator pumped by a high-pulse-energy, Q-switched Ho3+:YAG laser
Authors: Griesbeck Michael , Büker Hendrik , Eitner Madeleine , Goth Katharina , Braesicke Peter , Eichhorn Marc , Kieleck Christelle 
Published: April 2021

A high-pulse-energy mid-infrared light source is presented, based on a zinc–germanium–phosphide optical parametric oscillator (ZGP OPO) pumped by an actively

Q

-switched high-pulse-energy

H
o

3
+

:

Y
A
G

laser. The

H
o

3
+

:

Y
A
G

pump laser source is capable of generating a pulse energy of 15 mJ from a single

H
o

3
+

:

Y
A
G

rod at room temperature at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 700 Hz. A maximum power of 20.1 W at a central wavelength of 2090 nm can be obtained in continuous operation, with a slope efficiency of 45.1%. A good beam quality with an

M

2

better than 1.3 was achieved in

Q

-switched operation. The presented laser architecture was used as a suitable pump source for a ZGP-based OPO. Operated at a PRF of 2 kHz and pumped with a pulse energy of 8 mJ, a low conversion threshold of 1.5 W and a maximum total output power of 6.3 W could be obtained in a linear ZGP-based OPO. At maximum power, the peak power of the generated mid-infrared radiation exceeded 120 kW, while the beam quality was affected by the strong gain lens building inside the nonlinear material as a consequence of the high-energy pump pulses.
Compact chirped-pulse amplification systems based on highly Tm3+-doped germanate fiber
Authors: Ren Zhengqi , ben Slimen Fedia , Lousteau Joris , White Nicholas , Jung Yongmin , Price Jonathan H. V. , Richardson David J. , Poletti Francesco 
Published: April 2021

We report the fabrication of a dual cladding large mode area thulium-doped germanate fiber (TDGF). The fiber has a core diameter of 20 µm, a high

T
m

3
+

ion concentration of

3

c
m

3

×

10

20

/

c
m

3

, and a hexagonal inner cladding to enhance pump absorption when cladding-pumped. Using a short fiber length, we demonstrate a compact 300 fs chirped-pulse amplification system operating at 1925 nm, investigating both core- and cladding-pumped implementations. By cladding pumping a 65 cm long fiber we produced an average power of 14.1 W (limited by thermally induced damage) and a peak power of 2.17 MW at a pulse repetition rate of 15.7 MHz. Core pumping a 19 cm length of TDGF produced 2.3 W of average-power and 16 MW peak-power pulses at 0.39 MHz. The performance is already comparable to the state-of-the-art success achieved with flexible silica fibers. Considering the rapid improvements in glass quality and the scope for further increasing the doping concentration, this fiber type holds great potential for pulsed fiber lasers in the 1.5–3 µm wavelength region.
A Microsimulation Model to Determine the Cost-Effectiveness of Treat-to-Target Strategies for Crohn's Disease
Authors: Dulai Parambir S. , Jairath Vipul , Narula Neeraj , Wong Emily , Kochhar Gursimran S. , Colombel Jean-Frederic , Sandborn William J. 
Published: April 2021

INTRODUCTION:
Cost-effectiveness of biomarker- vs endoscopy-based treat-to-target monitoring in Crohn's disease (CD) is unknown.

METHODS:
A microsimulation model for CD was built to simulate biomarker (fecal calprotectin) vs endoscopy-based monitoring in a treat-to-target fashion. Published literature in combination with patient-level data from phase 3 clinical trials and population estimates for therapeutic drug monitoring were used to generate transition probabilities, costs, and utilities. Tracker variables were used to modify downstream probabilities and outcomes based on previous exposures, response patterns, and disease-related complications or surgery history. The primary outcome was cost-effectiveness over a 5-year horizon at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses in addition to multiple 1-, 2-, and 3-way microsimulation sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS:
In the base-case model, the endoscopy-based monitoring strategy dominated the biomarker-based monitoring strategy over a 5-year horizon. Over shorter periods of observation, the biomarker-based monitoring strategy became progressively more cost-effective, with cost-effectiveness achieved for this strategy over a 1-year horizon. Therapeutic drug monitoring did not influence short-term cost-effectiveness of biomarker-based monitoring. Once in endoscopic remission, continued biomarker-based vs endoscopy-based monitoring was more cost-effective. A hybrid biomarker-endoscopy–based monitoring strategy dominated the endoscopy-based monitoring strategy over a 5-year horizon. The strongest determinants for cost-effectiveness were cost of colonoscopy and diagnostic performance of fecal calprotectin.

DISCUSSION:
The most cost-effective approach for treat-to-target monitoring in CD is up-front biomarker-based monitoring followed by endoscopy-based monitoring if not in endoscopic remission by 1 year and then returning to biomarker-based monitoring once in endoscopic remission.
Using Public Well Data Banks to Improve Field Investigations for Excavations
Authors: Chapuis Robert P. , Marefat Vahid , Zhang Lu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
ASTM D420-18, Standard Guide for Site Characterization for Engineering Design and Construction Purposes, states the need “to identify and locate, both horizontally and vertically, significant soil and rock types and groundwater conditions.” Knowing the hydraulic properties of soils and rock is vital for excavations. The project engineers and contractors should have information about expected pumping rate (Q), hydraulic conductivity (K), drawdown, and risks of instabilities. This information is often limited. Experience shows that many engineers and contractors do not consult public data banks for wells, which contain useful but frequently unused information, such as Q values at existing wells near the project. For soils, there are reliable methods to predict the K value. For rocks, the K value is difficult to predict and field results are often highly variable and poorly related to field conditions in excavations. However, a mean K value may be estimated from the specific capacity (SC) value at each tested pumping well (PW). This article presents new practical findings for local correlations between transmissivity and SC, after making a synthesis of over 100 publications. It explains how to derive useful statistics for the Q values distribution and the relative performance of drilling methods, which is rock-specific. This information is a key addition to a field investigation for all professionals involved in a project, especially contractors who have to install dewatering systems for temporary and permanent excavations.
The United Kingdom’s first NHS EndoBarrier service for long-standing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and obesity: outcomes one year after EndoBarrier removal
Authors: Ryder Robert E J , Yadagiri Mahi , Burbridge Wyn , Irwin Susan P , Gandhi Hardeep , Bashir Tahira , Allden Rachael A , Wyres Melanie , Cull Melissa , Bleasdale John P , Fogden Edward N , Anderson Mark R , Sen Gupta Piya 
Published: April 2021

Aims: EndoBarrier is a 60 cm duodenal–jejunal bypass liner endoscopically implanted for up to one year. It mimics the bypass part of Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery and reduces weight and HbA1c while it is in situ. We aimed to assess the extent to which these improvements are sustained in people with diabetes in the year following removal.Methods: Between October 2014 and November 2017 we implanted 62 EndoBarriers in an NHS service with all removed by November 2018. Outcomes were monitored in a registry.Results: By November 2019, 46/62 (72%) (mean±SD age 51.5±7.7 years, 52% male, 54.3% white ethnicity, median (IQR) diabetes duration 14.5 (8–20) years, 67.4% insulin-treated and mean±SD body mass index (BMI) 41.6±7.1 kg/m2) had attended and 16/62 (28%) did not attend their one-year post-EndoBarrier follow-up appointment. In those who attended, during EndoBarrier implantation mean±SD HbA1c fell by 21.1±19.6 mmol/mol from 77.1±20.0 to 56.0±11.2 mmol/mol (p<0.001) (by 1.9±1.8% from 9.2±1.8% to 7.3±1.0% (p<0.001)), weight fell by 17.2±8.8 kg from 121.9±29.4 kg to 104.7±30.1 kg (p<0.001), BMI fell from 41.6±7.5 to 35.5±7.5 kg/m2 (p<0.001), systolic blood pressure from 139.0±14.0 to 126.0±14.6 mmHg (p<0.001) and serum alanine aminotransferase from 30.0±16.9 to 18.8±11.0 U/L (p<0.001). Median (IQR) total daily insulin dose reduced from 104 (54–162) to 30 (0–62) units (n=31, p<0.001); 10/31 (32%) insulin-treated people with diabetes were able to discontinue insulin. One year post-EndoBarrier, 18/46 (39%) demonstrated fully sustained improvement, 18/46 (39%) partially sustained improvement and 10/46 (22%) reverted to baseline. Of those deteriorating, 9/10 (90%) had depression and/or bereavement; they also had less fall in weight and HbA1c during EndoBarrier treatment. In the 16/62 (28%) who did not attend follow-up, reasons for non-attendance were too far to travel (25%), need to take time off work (6.3%), severe depression (6.3%) and death (6.3%). In 56.3% of cases no reason was given.Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that EndoBarrier is highly effective in people with long-standing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and obesity, with maintenance of significant improvement one year after removal in 78% of cases for whom data were available. As an endoscopic procedure it is relatively simple and non-invasive and it deserves further investigation.