bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid Cross-Section Area Ratio in the Prediction of Dural Ossification and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Thoracic Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum
Authors: Zhai Jiliang , Guo Shigong , Zhao Yu , Li Chunxu , Niu Tong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: It is imperative to preoperatively distinguish dural ossification (DO) and thus anticipate the risks and outcome of the surgery for patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF). However, studies have disagreed as to the efficacy of the radiographic signs or factors to predict DO and surgical outcome. In additon, the association between the cerebrospinal fluid cross-section area ratio (CCAR) and DO or clinical outcome had not been reported. The purpose of this study was to analyse CCAR and its role in prediction of DO and neurological function recovery rate in patients with OLF.Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients with OLF, who underwent posterior thoracic decompression and fusion between September 2012 and March 2019 at a single institution, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, radiographic signs of DO, CCAR, pre- and postoperative modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score were recorded. Results: There were 27 patients in the DO group and 25 patients in the non-DO group, with a mean age at surgery of 57.4 years and 53.9 years, respectively. No significant differences were found in sex, age, segment of maximum compression and preoperative mJOA score between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the value of CCAR had a relatively high value for diagnosis of DO and prediction of neurological function recovery rate ( P=.000). According to the value of CCAR, three zones were defined as DO zone (≤14.3%), non-DO zone (≥44.5%), and gray zone (14.3% to 44.5%). When the value of CCAR≤14.3%, the recovery rate was poor or fair, while it had good or excellent recovery when CCAR≥45.2%.Conclusion: The value of CCAR had a high diagnostic value for prediction of DO and neurological function recovery rate in patients with OLF.
Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): Comparison Between Osteosynthesis and Revision
Authors: Scalici Gianluca , Boncinelli Debora , Zanna Luigi , Buzzi Roberto , Antonucci Laura , Maida Fabrizio Di , De Biase Pietro 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Periprosthetic fractures are challenging complication of hip arthroplasty and a rare injury, but their incidence is increasing. The surgical treatment is demanding to achieve early mobilization and avoid the complications of prolonged recumbency. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment in periprosthetic femoral fractures of hip arthroplasty, making a comparison between implant revision and reduction and internal fixation of the fracture.Methods Authors retrospectively reviewed a series of 117 patients with total hip arthroplasty treated for periprosthetic femur fractures in the period between January 2013 and March 2018 at a single tertiary referral center. We collected the data of 70 patients who satisfied inclusion criteria. The fractures were classified according to the Unified Classification System (UCS) and randomized in two groups: reduction and internal fixation (G1) or revision arthroplasty (G2). Clinical outcomes were assessed with Oxford Hip Score post and pre-surgery, Barthel Score in relation to CIRS score (Cumulative illness rating scale), the type of fracture and post-operative complications with a minimum follow up of one year.Results Nominal univariable statistical analysis revealed significantly results concerning the difference between the post and pre-operative Oxford Hip Score (D Oxford) with type of treatment (p=0,008) and with the CIRS score (p=0,048). Moreover, we observed a strong significant relationship between type of treatment and type of fracture (P=0,0001). Multivariable analyses revealed that CIRS score was independently associated with Oxford Score improvement after surgery (P=0,024).Conclusions Authors reported how the surgical revision has a better functional outcome in B2 type of fracture than B1 or C, but the chosen treatment should be related to surgeon’s experience and patient’s comorbidities and a multidisciplinary team.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Genetic Testing for Hearing Loss: a Systematic Review and Synthesis
Authors: Rouse Stephanie L , Florentine Michelle M , Taketa Emily , Chan Dylan K 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Racial/ethnic disparities in the diagnostic efficacy of genetic testing for hearing loss has been described. These disparities may relate to differences in variant classification between different racial/ethnic groups, which may in turn derive from disparate representation of these groups in the published literature. We sought to quantify racial/ethnic disparities in the published literature on the human genetics of hearing loss. We conducted a search of PubMed for articles describing single-gene, multiple-gene, or whole-exome sequencing for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Data on the populations studied, including race/ethnicity and/or region of origin, subjects tested, and method of testing, were extracted. 1,355 unique populations representing 311,092 subjects from 1,165 studies were included. Overall, White and Asian populations and subjects were equivalently represented, but Latinx, Black, and Native American/Hawaiian groups were significantly underrepresented; over 96% of all subjects in the published literature were White or Asian. Within racial/ethnic groups, the majority of subjects derived from a small subset of countries. The observed racial/ethnic disparity was greater for multiple-gene and whole-exome sequencing than for single-gene sequencing. These findings illustrate the large disparity in published literature on the genetics of hearing loss, and demonstrate the need for increased representation of Latinx, Black, and Native American populations.
3D printed multi-functional scaffolds based on poly(ε-caprolactone) and hydroxyapatite composite
Authors: Liu Fan , Kang Honglei , Liu Zhiwei , Jin Siyang , Yan Guoping , Sun Yunlong , Li Feng , Zhan Haifei , Gu Yuantong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background: Biodegradable polymeric scaffolds are critical to repair a large bone defect, which can provide a porous and network microenvironment for cell attachment and bone tissue regeneration. A multifunctional biodegradable PCL/HA composite was prepared with the blending of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA). Subsequently, the PCL/HA scaffolds implants were produced by the screw extrusion/melting deposition forming method using PCL/HA composite as a raw material in this work. Results: Through a serial of in vitro assessments, it is found that the PCL/HA composite possesses good biodegradability, good biocompatibility, and steady drug release performance, which can improve the cell proliferation of osteoblast cells MC3T3-E1. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments were carried out for the rats with skull defect and rabbits with bone defects. It is observed that the PCL/HA scaffolds implants allow the adhesion and penetration of bone cells, which enables the growth of bone cells and bone tissue regeneration. With a composite design to load an anticancer drug and achieve sustained drug release, the scaffolds could enhance bone repair and be expected to inhibit the tumor cells and improve patient outcomes. Conclusions: This work signifies that PCL/HA composite can be used as the potential biodegradable scaffolds for bone repairing after bone malignant tumor resection.
Identification the ferroptosis-related gene signature in Gastric cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA)
Authors: Wang Feng , Chen Cheng , Chen Wei-Peng , Li Zu-Ling , Cheng Hui 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Ferroptosis is a mode of regulated cell death that depends on iron, plays pivotal roles in regulating various biological process in human cancers. However, the role of ferroptosis in Gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.
Methods

A total of 2721 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered base on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (n = 375) dataset. Gene modules were identified based on co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Functional analysis was performed to explore the biological function. Lasso-penalized and univariate Cox regression (UCR) analysis, survival genes were screened out to construct a prognostic model, which validated by the GSE43292 dataset. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for prognostic index was performed. Finally, the correlations of ferroptosis and immune cells were assessed through the TIMER database.
Results

Compared to normal specimens, 1063 highly upregulated and 1658 downregulated genes respectively and their normal counterparts in GC specimens were screened. WGCNA analysis was used and identified 7 modules, of which, blue module with the most significant enrichment result was selected. By taking intersections of blue module and differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DEFRGs), we got 23 common genes. Functional analysis was performed to explore the biological function of the interested genes, and with the consequences Lasso-penalized and univariate Cox regression (UCR) analysis, survival genes were screened out to construct a prognostic model based on 3 genes (SLC1A5, ANGPTL4, and CGAS), which could play a role in predicting the survival of GC patients. UCR and multivariate Cox regression (MCR) analysis revealed that the prognostic index could be used as independent prognostic indicators and validated using another GSE84437 dataset. Notably, patients in high-risk groups had higher levels of higher mutation frequencies such as TTN and TP53.Mechanistically. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) unveiled several significant and pathways involved in GC. TIMER analysis demonstrated that risk score strongly correlated with Macrophage and CD4 + T cells infiltration. In addition, high- and low-risk group illustrated different distributions in different immune status.
Conclusions

In this study, a novel FRGs signature was built. It could accurately predict GC prognosis and pave the new way for diagnosis and therapy strategy. May reflect the status of tumor immune microenvironment.
Community Knowledge, Perceptions, And Practices Regarding Malaria and Its Control In Jabi Tehnan District, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Asale Abebe , Abro Zewdu , Enchalew Bayu , Tesager Alayu , Belay Aklilu , Kassie Menale , Mutero Clifford 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Key program components of malaria control in Ethiopia include community empowerment and mobilization, vector control using long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), prompt diagnosis and treatment, and disease surveillance. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is often undermined by various challenges, including insecticide and drug resistance, the plasticity of malaria vectors feeding and biting behavior, and certain household factors that lead to misuse and poor utilization of LLINs. The primary objective of this study was to document households’ perceptions towards malaria and assess the prevalence of the disease and the constraints related to the ongoing interventions in Ethiopia (LLINs, IRS, community mobilization house screening). Method: The study was conducted in Jabi Tehnan district, Northwestern Ethiopi,a from November 2019 to March 2020. A total of 3,010 households distributed over 38 kebeles (villages) were randomly selected for socio-economic and demographic survey. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in 11 different health clusters taking into account agro-ecological differences. A total of 1,256 children under 10 years of age were screened for malaria parasites using microscopy in order to determine malaria prevalence. Furthermore, five-year malaria trend analysis was undertaken based on data obtained from the district health office to understand the disease dynamics.Result: Malaria knowledge in the area was high as all FGD participants correctly identified mosquito bites during the night as sources of malaria transmission. Delayed health seeking behavior remains a key behavioral challenge in malaria control as it took patients on average 4 days before reporting the case at the nearby health facility. On average households lost 2.53 working days per person-per malaria episode and theey spent US$ 18 per person perepisode. Out of the 1,256 randomly selected under 10 children tested for malaria parasites, 11 (0.89%) were found to be positive. Malaria disproportionately affected the adult segment of the population more, 50% of the total cases reported from households whose age was 15 and beyond. The second most affected group was the age group between 5 and 14 years followed by children under 10, with 31% and 14% burden,respectively.Conclusion: Despite the achievement of universal coverage in terms of LLINs access, utilization of vector control interventions in the area remained low.Using bed nets for unintended purposes remained a major challenge. Therefore, continued community education and communication work should be prioritised in the study area to bring about the desired behavioral changes.
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae as an untapped source of fungal chitosan for antimicrobial action
Authors: Afroz Md Masirul , Kashem Md Nayeem Hasan , Piash KM Prottoy Shariar , Islam Nafisa 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Despite being widely available, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has not been widely explored for direct extraction of chitosan biopolymer for antimicrobial applications. In our study, S. cerevisiae from Baker’s yeast and Aspergillus niger from moldy onion extracts are studied as alternative sources of chitosan; and S cerevisiae chitosan tested for antimicrobial efficacy. The properties of S. cerevisiae chitosan are compared with moldy onion chitosan and shrimp chitosan extracted from shrimp shells. Chitosan extracted from S. cerevisiae is tested for antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus Aureus. The maximum yields of fungal chitosan are 20.85 ± 0.35 mg/g dry S. cerevisiae biomass at 4th day using a culture broth containing sodium acetate, and 16.15 ± 0.95 mg/g dry A. niger biomass at 12th day. The degree of deacetylation (DD%) of the extracted fungal chitosan samples from S. cerevisiae and A. niger are found to be 63.4%, and 61.2% respectively, using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. At a concentration of 2 g/L, S. cerevisiae chitosan shows the maximum inhibition zone diameter of 15.48 ± 0.07 mm. Baker’s yeast S cerevisiae biomass and A. niger from moldy onions has not been previously explored as a source of extractible fungal chitosan. This study gives insight that S. cerevisiae and A. niger from agricultural or industrial wastes could be a potential biomass source for production of the chitosan biopolymer. The S. cerevisiae chitosan displayed effective antimicrobial properties against S aureus , indicating the viablitiy of S cerevisae as a resource for extraction of high-quality chitosan.
Developing global vulnerabilities and conservation priorities for cave-dwelling bats
Authors: Tanalgo Krizler , Oliveira Hernani , Hughes Alice 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Research and conservation interventions are disproportionately focused on taxa perceived as charismatic, while other systems with high levels of endemism, and often under-protected such as caves and subterranean ecosystems remain neglected. Bats are keystone to cave ecosystems making them ideal surrogates to understand diversity patterns and assay conservation priorities. Using a novel framework, we assessed and mapped the global bat cave vulnerabilities and priorities at the biome and site level. Almost half (N = 678, 48%) of bat species across the world regularly use caves, with 32% endemic to a single country, and 15% currently threatened with extinction. Tropical realms and small-ranged species faced the highest levels of risk. Our analyses consistently showed that most caves with lower threat levels show higher cave biotic potential (i.e., evolutionary distinctiveness and endemism), though this may be due to the loss of species from more disturbed caves. We estimate that 3% to 28% are high-priority caves for conservation in broad-scale (biome level) and fine-scale (site-dependent) analyses respectively. Amongst regions, the highest concentration of conservation priority areas are in the Palearctic and tropical regions (except Afrotropical), which requires more intensive data sampling. Our results further highlight the importance of prioritising bat caves at local scales but show that broader scale analysis is possible if robust cave data is present and effective parameters are included (i.e., appropriate landscape features and threats). Developing priorities for these systems requires more systematic approaches as a standard measure to develop the priorities needed to maintain cave diversity.
Validation of Fatty Liver Index as a Marker for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Han A lum , Kim Youngjon 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new nomenclature for non-alcoholic fatty liver. Fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction is increasing with obesity and has become a serious socioeconomic problem. Non-invasive testing to confirm MAFLD, such as the fatty liver index (FLI), can be used as an alternative method for diagnosing steatosis when imaging modalities are not available. To date, few studies have examined the effectiveness and validity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD. Therefore, this study analyzed the effectiveness and validity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD.Methods: The medical records of men and women aged 19 years or older who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination at the University Hospital Health Promotion Center from March 2012 to October 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. A comparative analysis between non-continuous variables was performed using the chi-squared test. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to verify the effectiveness of FLI as a predictive index for MAFLD. Results: Analysis of the association between MAFLD and abdominal CT revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of FLI for diagnosing MAFLD were 0.712 and 0.713, respectively. The AUROC of FLI for the prediction of MAFLD was 0.776. Conclusion: Our study verified the accuracy of FLI for predicting MAFLD using CT. Additionally, FLI can be used as a simple and cost-effective tool for screening MAFLD in clinical settings.
Multifaceted Empathy Differences in Children and Adults with Autism
Authors: Quinde-Zlibut Jennifer M. , Williams Zachary J. , Gerdes Madison , Mash Lisa E. , Heflin Brynna H. , Cascio Carissa 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Although empathy impairments have been reported in autistic individuals, there is no clear consensus on how emotional valence influences this multidimensional process. In this study, we use the Multifaceted Empathy Test for juveniles (MET-J) to interrogate emotional and cognitive empathy in 184 participants (ages 8–59 years, 83 autistic) under the robust Bayesian inference framework. Group comparisons demonstrate previously unreported interaction effects between: (1) valence and autism diagnosis in predictions of emotional resonance, and (2) valence and age group in predictions of arousal to images portraying positive and negative facial expressions. These results extend previous studies using the MET by examining differential effects of emotional valence in a large sample of autistic children and adults with average or above-average intelligence. We report impaired cognitive empathy in autism, and subtle differences in emotional empathy characterized by less distinction between emotional resonance to positive vs. negative facial expressions in autism compared to neurotypicals. Reduced emotional differentiation between positive and negative affect in others could be a mechanism for diminished social reciprocity that poses a universal challenge for people with autism. These component- and valence- specific findings are of clinical relevance for the development and implementation of target-specific social interventions in autism.
Fetal MRI Mediastinal Shift Angle, Respiratory and Cardiovascular Pharmacological Support in Newborns With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Amodeo Ilaria , Borzani Irene , Corsani Giulia , Pesenti Nicola , Raffaeli Genny , Macchini Francesco , Condò Valentina , Persico Nicola , Ghirardello Stefano , Colnaghi Mariarosa , Mosca Fabio , Cavallaro Giacomo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction. In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the mediastinal shift caused by the herniated organs negatively affects lung development. Assessment of the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mediastinal shift angle (MSA) was shown to have an inverse correlation with the total fetal lung volume (TFLV), being associated with neonatal survival. However, a possible association with postnatal morbidity has never been investigated. We hypothesize that the degree of the mediastinal shift could be associated with higher respiratory and cardiocirculatory impairment, requiring intensive treatments and extended hospitalization in survivors.Method. We retrospectively consider a cohort of isolated, left-sided CDH, for whom we calculated the MSA and the observed/expected (O/E) TFLV at fetal MRI. We performed a data collection regarding inotropic or vasoactive support, treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay. General linear models were performed. Results. The MSA and O/E TFLV were inversely correlated (Pearson’s coefficient -0.65, p < 0.001) and deceased patients showed higher MSA values then survivors (p = 0.011). Among survivors, an increase in MSA was associated with longer pharmacological treatments (dobutamine: p = 0.016; dopamine: p = 0.049; hydrocortisone: p = 0.003; nitric oxide: p = 0.002; sildenafil: p = 0.039; milrinone: p = 0.039; oxygen: p = 0.066), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), with an increasing trend in the length of hospitalization (p = 0.089). Conclusions. The MSA indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia and is associated with the higher neonatal intensity of cares. Further studies are needed to consolidate the results. Clinical Trial Registration: The study is an exploratory post-hoc analysis of the registered NeoAPACHE protocol at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04396028