bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and surgical outcome of ABBA versus EndoCATS endoscopic thyroid surgery: a single center experience
Authors: Wirth Ulrich , von Ahnen Thomas , Hampel Josef , Schardey Josefine , Busch Peter , Schardey Hans Martin , Schopf Stefan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Thyroid surgery is often performed, especially in young female patients. As patient satisfaction become more and more important, different extra-cervical “remote” approaches have evolved to avoid visible scars in the neck for better cosmetic outcome. The most common remote approaches are the transaxillary and retroauricular. Aim of this work is to compare Endoscopic Cephalic Access Thyroid Surgery (EndoCATS) and axillo-bilateral-breast approach (ABBA) to standard open procedures regarding perioperative outcome and in addition to control cohorts regarding quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction.

Methods
In a single center, 59 EndoCATS und 52 ABBA procedures were included out of a 2 years period and compared to 225 open procedures using propensity-score matching. For the endoscopic procedures, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction and QoL (SF-12 questionnaire) were examined in prospective follow-up. For QoL a German standard cohort and non-surgically patients with thyroid disease were used as controls.

Result
The overall perioperative outcome was similar for all endoscopic compared to open thyroid surgeries. Surgical time was longer for endoscopic procedures. There were no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism and no significant differences regarding temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsies between open and ABBA or EndoCATS procedures (χ2; p = 0.893 and 0.840). For ABBA and EndoCATS, 89.6% and 94.2% of patients were satisfied with the surgical procedure. Regarding QoL, there was an overall significant difference in distribution for physical, but not for mental health between groups (p < 0.001 and 0.658). Both endoscopic groups performed slightly worse regarding physical health, but without significant difference between the individual groups in post hoc multiple comparison.

Conclusion
Endoscopic thyroid surgery is safe with comparable perioperative outcome in experienced high-volume centers. Patient satisfaction and cosmetic results are excellent; QoL is impaired in surgical patients, as they perform slightly worse compared to German standard cohort and non-surgical patients.
Comparative case studies on ring gear fault diagnosis of planetary gearboxes using vibrations and acoustic emissions
Authors: Leaman Félix , Baltes Ralph , Clausen Elisabeth 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe analysis of vibrations and acoustic emissions (AE) are two recognized non-destructive techniques used for machine fault diagnosis. In recent years, the two techniques have been comparatively evaluated by different researchers with experimental tests. Several evaluations have shown that the AE analysis has a higher potential than the vibration analysis for fault diagnosis of mechanical components for certain cases. However, the distance between the AE sensor and the fault is an important factor that can considerably decrease the potential to detect damage and that has not been sufficiently investigated. Moreover, the comparisons have not yet addressed conditions of slow speed that for example are usual for wind turbine gearboxes. Therefore, in this paper we present two comparative case studies that address both topics. Both case studies consider planetary gearboxes with faults in their ring gears. The first case study corresponds to a small planetary gearbox in which the AE and vibration sensors were installed together at two different positions. The second case study corresponds to a full-size wind turbine gearbox in which three pairs of AE and vibration sensors were installed on the outside of the ring gear from a low-speed planetary stage. The results of the evaluations demonstrate the important influence of the distance between sensors and fault. Despite this, the good results from the AE analysis indicate that this technique should be considered as an important complement to the traditional vibration analysis. The main contribution of this paper is comparing AE and vibration analysis by using not only experimental data from a small planetary gearbox but also from a full-size wind turbine gearbox. The comparison addresses the topics of proximity of the sensor to the fault and low-speed conditions.
Rubber band ligation versus haemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of grade II–III haemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Dekker L. , Han-Geurts I. J. M. , Rørvik H. D. , van Dieren S. , Bemelman W. A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to review clinical outcome of haemorrhoidectomy and rubber band ligation in grade II–III haemorrhoids.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and the WHO International Trial Registry Platform were searched, from inception until May 2018, to identify randomised clinical trials comparing rubber band ligation with haemorrhoidectomy for grade II–III haemorrhoids. The primary outcome was control of symptoms. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, postoperative complications, anal continence, patient satisfaction, quality of life and healthcare costs were assessed. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.

Results
Three hundred and twenty-four studies were identified. Eight trials met the inclusion criteria. All trials were of moderate methodological quality. Outcome measures were diverse and not clearly defined. Control of symptoms was better following haemorrhoidectomy. Patients had less pain after rubber band ligation. There were more complications (bleeding, urinary retention, anal incontinence/stenosis) in the haemorrhoidectomy group. Patient satisfaction was equal in both groups. There were no data on quality of life and healthcare costs except that in one study patients resumed work more early after rubber band ligation.

Conclusions
Haemorrhoidectomy seems to provide better symptom control but at the cost of more pain and complications. However, due to the poor quality of the studies analysed/it is not possible to determine which of the two procedures provides the best treatment for grade II–III haemorrhoids. Further studies focusing on clearly defined outcome measurements taking patients perspective and economic impact into consideration are required.
Efficacy of Body Armor in Protection Against Blast Injuries Using a Swine Model in a Confined Space with a Blast Tube
Authors: Sekine Yasumasa , Saitoh Daizoh , Yoshimura Yuya , Fujita Masanori , Araki Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Yasushi , Kusumi Hitomi , Yamagishi Satomi , Suto Yuki , Tamaki Hiroshi , Ono Yosuke , Mizukaki Toshiharu , Nemoto Manabu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to clarify whether or not body armor would protect the body of a swine model using a blast tube built at National Defense Medical College, which is the first such blast tube in Japan. Seventeen pigs were divided into two groups: the body armor group and the non-body armor group. Under intravenous anesthesia, the pigs were tightly fixed in the left lateral position on a table and exposed from the back neck to the upper lumbar back to the blast wave and wind with or without body armor, with the driving pressure of the blast tube set to 3.0 MPa. When the surviving and dead pigs were compared, blood gas analyses revealed significant differences in PaO2, PaCO2, and pH in the super-early phase. All pigs injured by the blast wave and wind had lung hemorrhage. All 6 animals in the body armor group and 6 of the 11 animals in the control group survived for 3 hours after injury. Respiratory arrest immediately after exposure to the blast wave was considered to influence the mortality in our pig model. Body armor may have a beneficial effect in protecting against respiratory arrest immediately after an explosion.
Facile synthesis of Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles using Glechoma hederacea L. extract, and their activity against leukemia
Authors: Dobrucka Renata , Romaniuk-Drapała Aleksandra , Kaczmarek Mariusz 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMetal combinations have been attracting the attention of scientists for some time. They usually exhibit new characteristics that are different from the ones possessed by their components. In this work, Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles were synthesized biologically using Glechoma hederacea L. extract. The synthesized Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The microscopic methods confirmed the presence of spherical nanoparticles of 50–70 nm. The influence of biologically synthesized Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles on the vitality of human cells was evaluated in vitro with the use of established human Acute T Cell Leukemia cell line, Jurkat (ATCC® TIB-152™), as well as mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood (PBMC) of voluntary donors. Cell survival and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration index (IC50) were analyzed by the MTT test. The studies showed that the total loss of cell viability occurred at the Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticle concentration range of 10 µmol–50 µmol. The use of Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles at the concentration of 100 µmol eliminated almost all living cells from the culture in 24h. The above observation confirms the result obtained during the MTT test.
The first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands: MuSCAT
Authors: Koppel C. J. , Driesen B. W. , de Winter R. J. , van den Bosch A. E. , van Kimmenade R. , Wagenaar L. J. , Jukema J. W. , Hazekamp M. G. , van der Kley F. , Jongbloed M. R. M. , Kiès P. , Egorova A. D. , Verheijen D. B. H. , Damman P. , Schoof P. H. , Wilschut J. , Stoel M. , Speekenbrink R. G. H. , Voskuil M. , Vliegen H. W. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Current guidelines on coronary anomalies are primarily based on expert consensus and a limited number of trials. A gold standard for diagnosis and a consensus on the treatment strategy in this patient group are lacking, especially for patients with an anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course.

Aim
To provide evidence-substantiated recommendations for diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.

Methods
A clinical care pathway for patients with ACAOS was established by six Dutch centres. Prospectively included patients undergo work-up according to protocol using computed tomography (CT) angiography, ischaemia detection, echocardiography and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements to assess anatomical and physiological characteristics of the ACAOS. Surgical and functional follow-up results are evaluated by CT angiography, ischaemia detection and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Patient inclusion for the first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands started in 2020 and will continue for at least 3 years with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. For patients with a right or left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and coronary arteriovenous fistulas a registry is maintained.

Results
Primary outcomes are: (cardiac) death, myocardial ischaemia attributable to the ACAOS, re-intervention after surgery and intervention after initially conservative treatment. The influence of work-up examinations on treatment choice is also evaluated.

Conclusions
Structural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group.
Electroreduction of Bi(III) ions in the aspect of expanding the “cap-pair” effect: the role of the nanosized active complexes
Authors: Nosal-Wiercińska Agnieszka , Martyna Marlena , Skrzypek Sławomira , Szabelska Anna , Wiśniewska Małgorzata 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe paper discusses the electroreduction of Bi(III) ions in the aspect of expanding the “cap-pair” effect.The “cap-pair” rule is associated with the acceleration of the electrode’s processes by organic substances. The interpretation of the “cap-pair” effect mechanism was expanded to include the effect of supporting electrolyte concentration on the acceleration process and the type of electrochemical active as well as used protonated organic substances. It has also been shown that the phenomena occurring at the electrode/solution interface can influence a change in the dynamics of the electrode’s process according to the “cap-pair” rule.
Presence of microorganisms in children with pharyngotonsillitis and healthy controls: a prospective study in primary healthcare
Authors: Pallon Jon , Sundqvist Martin , Rööst Mattias , Danielsson Patrik , Neumark Thomas , Skovbjerg Susann , Svedin Jonas , Hedin Katarina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeMost studies on paediatric pharyngotonsillitis focus on group A streptococci. This study, however, analyses a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses related to paediatric pharyngotonsillitis and evaluates their associated clinical symptoms and courses.MethodsThis observational prospective study in primary healthcare includes 77 children aged < 15 with a sore throat and 34 asymptomatic children, all of whom were sampled from the tonsils with an E-swab®for analysis with culture and PCR for 14 bacteria and 15 viruses. Patients were evaluated clinically, and their symptoms recorded in diaries for 10 days. Participants were followed up for 3 months by reviewing medical records.ResultsA pathogen was detected in 86% of patients and in 71% of controls (P = 0.06). Bacteria were found in 69% of patients and 59% of controls (P = 0.3), and viruses in 36% and 26%, respectively (P = 0.3). Group A streptococci was the most common finding, with a prevalence of 49% and 32%, respectively (P = 0.1). Clinical signs were not useful for distinguishing pathogens. None of the controls and 16% of the patients reconsulted for a sore throat within 3 months.ConclusionBacteria were more common than viruses in both study groups. The high rate of pathogens in asymptomatic children interferes with diagnoses based on aetiology.
Research on heavy metal level and co-occurrence network in typical ecological fragile area
Authors: Zhao Yiwei , Gao Liangmin , Zha Fugeng , Chen Xiaoqing , Zhou Xiaofang , Wang Xinfu , Chen Yang , Pan Xiangwei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDue to the special sensitivity of typical ecologically fragile areas, a series of human life, mining, and other activities have a greater impact on the environment. In this study, three coal mines in Ordos City on the Loess Plateau were selected as the study area, and the pollution levels of heavy metals in the area were studied by measuring As, Hg, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the soil of 131 sampling points. Combined with the concept of “co-occurrence network” in biology, the level of heavy metals in soil was studied using geostatistics and remote sensing databases. The results showed that the concentrations of Hg, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb in more than half of the sampling points were higher than the local environmental background value, but did not exceed the risk control value specified by China, indicating that human factors have a greater influence, while Cd and As elements are mainly affected Soil parent material and human factors influence. Heavy metal elements have nothing to do with clay and silt but have an obvious correlation with gravel. Cd, Pb, As and Ni, Cd, Cr are all positively correlated, and different heavy metals are in space The distribution also reflects the autocorrelation, mainly concentrated in the northeast of the TS mining area and the middle of the PS mining area.
Multiparametric prostate MRI and structured reporting: benefits and challenges in the PI-RADS era
Authors: Mir-Bashiri Sanas , Yaqubi Kaneschka , Woźnicki Piotr , Westhoff Niklas , von Hardenberg Jost , Huber Thomas , Froelich Matthias F. , Sommer Wieland H. , Reiser Maximilian F. , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Nörenberg Dominik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer diagnosis in men and the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide with increasing numbers globally. Therefore, differentiated diagnostic imaging and risk-adapted therapeutic approaches are warranted. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate supports the diagnosis of PCa and is currently the leading imaging modality for PCa detection, characterization, local staging and image-based therapy planning. Due to the combination of different MRI sequences including functional MRI methods such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), mpMRI enables a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of PCa. The rising demand for individualized treatment strategies requires methods to ensure reproducibility, completeness, and quality of prostate MRI report data. The PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) 2.1 classification represents the classification system that is internationally recommended for MRI-based evaluation of clinically significant prostate cancer. PI-RADS facilitates clinical decision-making by providing clear reporting parameters based on clinical evidence and expert consensus. Combined with software-based solutions, structured radiology reports form the backbone to integrate results from radiomics analyses or AI-applications into radiological reports and vice versa. This review provides an overview of imaging methods for PCa detection and local staging while placing special emphasis on mpMRI of the prostate. Furthermore, the article highlights the benefits of software-based structured PCa reporting solutions implementing PI-RADS 2.1 for the integration of structured data into decision support systems, thereby paving the way for workflow automation in radiology.
Analysis of organochlorine pesticides residues in fish from Edko Lake (North of Egypt) using eco-friendly method and their health implications for humans
Authors: Abbassy Moustafa A. , Khalifa Moustafa A. , Nassar Atef M. K. , El-Deen Eman E. Nour , Salim Yehia M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLevels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in tilapia fish and their health risk associated with the consumption of fish from Edko lake, Egypt were determined. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) was used for extraction and clean-up of 18 OCPs residues from fish followed by GC-ECD and GC-ITD analytical tools were employed for identification of OPs. Out of the 18 OCPs, only heptachlorepoxide, p,p-DDE, dieldrin, p,p-DDD, and endrin ketone were detected in muscles of fish with concentrations of 0.1144, 0.2119, 0.4352, 0.1196, and 0.1323 µg/Kg bw, respectively. Results of the risk assessment calculations showed that dieldrin had a health risk index of more than one. This means that there was a health risk to adults associated with the consumption of fish. On the other hand, heptachlorepoxide, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDD, and endrin ketone did not show any direct health risk. Contamination of fish, collected from Edko lake in Egypt, with residues of OCPs might pose health implications if fish were consumed fresh.
A critique of financial neoliberalism: a perspective combining multidisciplinary methods and commodity markets
Authors: Vellucci Pierluigi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe era of financialization bas been marked by a huge increase in the size of the financial sector. The economic justifications for this expansion arise from the prevailing neo-liberal ideology; they are based on arguments like leading role of markets, economic efficiency, reallocation and spreading of risk. Given these reasons, financialization can be viewed as a form of neoliberalism and then we can use the term financial neoliberalism (Palley in Financialization: the economics of finance capital domination. Springer, 2016) to denote it. This commentary paper hopes to complement this view by highlighting the usefulness of recent “multidisciplinary” methods (i.e., methods which do not fall within the usual economic discipline). We focus first on the definition of financialization process, second on its implications on the commodity markets, and third and finally on the importance of the role of multidisciplinary methods, applied to these markets, capable of highlighting the contradictions of the neoliberalism framework, in such a way, we hope, to promote further research.
Combining Outcome-Based and Preference-Based Matching: A Constrained Priority Mechanism
Authors: Acharya Avidit , Bansak Kirk , Hainmueller Jens 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe introduce a constrained priority mechanism that combines outcome-based matching from machine learning with preference-based allocation schemes common in market design. Using real-world data, we illustrate how our mechanism could be applied to the assignment of refugee families to host country locations, and kindergarteners to schools. Our mechanism allows a planner to first specify a threshold
$\bar g$
for the minimum acceptable average outcome score that should be achieved by the assignment. In the refugee matching context, this score corresponds to the probability of employment, whereas in the student assignment context, it corresponds to standardized test scores. The mechanism is a priority mechanism that considers both outcomes and preferences by assigning agents (refugee families and students) based on their preferences, but subject to meeting the planner’s specified threshold. The mechanism is both strategy-proof and constrained efficient in that it always generates a matching that is not Pareto dominated by any other matching that respects the planner’s threshold.
Evaluation of seed amino acid content and its correlation network analysis in wild soybean (Glycine soja) germplasm in Japan
Authors: Chotekajorn Awatsaya , Hashiguchi Takuyu , Hashiguchi Masatsugu , Tanaka Hidenori , Akashi Ryo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWild soybean (Glycine soja) is a valuable genetic resource for soybean improvement. Seed composition profiles provide beneficial information for the effective conservation and utilization of wild soybeans. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the variation in free amino acid abundance in the seeds of wild soybean germplasm collected in Japan. The free amino acid content in the seeds from 316 accessions of wild soybean ranged from 0.965 to 5.987 mg/g seed dry weight (DW), representing a 6.2-fold difference. Three amino acids had the highest coefficient of variation (CV): asparagine (1.15), histidine (0.95) and glutamine (0.94). Arginine (0.775 mg/g DW) was the predominant amino acid in wild soybean seeds, whereas the least abundant seed amino acid was glutamine (0.008 mg/g DW). A correlation network revealed significant positive relationships among most amino acids. Wild soybean seeds from different regions of origin had significantly different levels of several amino acids. In addition, a significant correlation between latitude and longitude of the collection sites and the total free amino acid content of seeds was observed. Our study reports diverse phenotypic data on the free amino acid content in seeds of wild soybean resources collected from throughout Japan. This information will be useful in conservation programmes for Japanese wild soybean and for the selection of accessions with favourable characteristics in future legume crop improvement efforts.