bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of diffusion-weighted MRI in assessment of response to chemotherapy in osteosarcoma
Authors: Raafat Tarek Ahmed , Kaddah Randa Osama , Bokhary Lobna Mohamed , Sayed Hend Ali , Awad Ahmed Sayed 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The most effective treatment for osteosarcoma is neoadjuvant chemotherapy along with surgical resection of the tumor. The prognosis significantly correlates with the degree of tumor necrosis following preoperative chemotherapy. The tumor necrosis will result in loss of the cell membrane integrity and expansion of the extracellular diffusion space which can be detected as an increase in the mean ADC value. The aim of our work is to evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value measurement for monitoring the therapeutic response after chemotherapy in osteosarcoma.

Results
This study included 25 cases of osteosarcoma: 15 males and 10 females. The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 46 years with mean age 22 years. All were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including DWI and the mean and minimum ADC values were calculated before and after chemotherapy. Follow-up DWI post-therapy revealed a rise in mean ADC value in 17 patients who considered having good response. The ADC value had been raised from 1.05 ± 0.4 × 10−3 mm2/s to 1.82 ± 0.45 × 10−3 mm2/s (P < 0.027) that is statistically moderately significant. In 8 patients, the post-therapy ADC value was similar to that of pre- or with a little change and they were considered having poor response. It showed changes from 1.29 ± 0.35 × 10−3 mm2/s to 1.32 ± 0.36 × 10−3 mm2/s (P > 0.05) that means no significant difference.

Conclusion
DWI and ADC value measurement play an important role in monitoring the therapeutic response after chemotherapy in osteosarcoma patients by comparing the mean ADC values before and after treatment.
Analysis of structures, functions, and transgenicity of phytopeptides defensin and thionin: a review
Authors: Azmi Sarfuddin , Hussain Mohd Kamil 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial peptides are very primitive innate defense molecules of almost all organisms, from microbes to mammalians and vascular seed-bearing plants. Antimicrobial peptides of plants categorized into cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) and others and most of the antimicrobial peptides belong to CRPs group. These peptides reported showing the great extent of protecting property against bacteria, fungi, viruses, insect, nematode, and another kind of microbes. To develop a resistant plant against pathogenic fungi, there have been several studies executed to understand the efficiency of transgenicity of these antimicrobial peptides.

Main text
Apart from the intrinsic property of the higher organism for identifying and activating microbial attack defense device, it also involves innate defense mechanism and molecules. In the current review article, apart from the structural and functional characterization of peptides defensin and thionin, we have attempted to provide a succinct overview of the transgenic development of these defense peptides, that are expressed in a constitutive and or over-expressive manner when biotic and abiotic stress inflicted. Transgenic of different peptides show different competence in plants. Most of the transgenic studies made for defensin and thionin revealed the effective transgenic capacity of these peptides.

Conclusion
There have been several studies reported successful development of transgenic plants based on peptides defensin and thionin and observed diverse level of resistance-conferring potency in different plants against phytopathogenic fungi. But due to long regulatory process, there has not been marketed any antimicrobial peptides based transgenic plants yet. However, success report state that possibly in near future transgenic plants of AMPs would be released with devoid of harmful effect, with good efficiency, reproducibility, stability, and least production cost.
Antiurolithiatic efficacy of combination preparations of Dolichos biflorus and Crataeva nurvala: folk medicines used in Indian traditional medicine
Authors: Kaushik Swati , Choudhary Manjusha , Rajpal Shami 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
In spite of advances in the modern allopathic medicines, there is no satisfactory treatment of kidney stones, so formation and growth of calculi continues to trouble mankind. In India, many herbal formulations are in use for the treatment of urolithiasis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antiurolithiatic efficacy of combined extract of plants Dolichos biflorus (D.b) (hydroalcoholic seed extract) and Crataeva nurvala (C.n) (aqueous bark extract) in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v, p.o.) was administered for 35 days. Different drug treatments were given from the 21st to 35th day of the study. On the last day, rats were sacrificed, and different samples were taken for further analysis.

Results
Both the combination drug treatments were found to be effective in treating urolithiasis. More significant protection was observed on treatment with the fraction ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1). Histopathology analysis showed degenerated glomeruli and inflammatory cells in urolithiasis control. The same were regenerated on treatment with combined extract of the two plants.

Conclusion
Administration of the combined plant extracts in a ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1) possesses better efficacy against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats which may be evaluated further for mechanistic pathway elucidation in vivo.
NTRK Fusions Identified in Pediatric Tumors: The Frequency, Fusion Partners, and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Zhao Xiaonan , Kotch Chelsea , Fox Elizabeth , Surrey Lea F. , Wertheim Gerald B. , Baloch Zubair W. , Lin Fumin , Pillai Vinodh , Luo Minjie , Kreiger Portia A. , Pogoriler Jennifer E. , Linn Rebecca L. , Russo Pierre A. , Santi Mariarita , Resnick Adam C. , Storm Phillip B. , Hunger Stephen P. , Bauer Andrew J. , Li Marilyn M. 
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusions have been described as oncogenic drivers in a variety of tumors. However, little is known about the overall frequency of NTRK fusion in unselected pediatric tumors. Here, we assessed the frequency, fusion partners, and clinical course in pediatric patients with NTRK fusion–positive tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 1,347 consecutive pediatric tumors from 1,217 patients who underwent tumor genomic profiling using custom-designed DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing panels. NTRK fusions identified were orthogonally confirmed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION NTRK fusions were identified in 29 tumors from 27 patients with a positive yield of 2.22% for all patients and 3.08% for solid tumors. Although NTRK2 fusions were found exclusively in CNS tumors and NTRK1 fusions were highly enriched in papillary thyroid carcinomas, NTRK3 fusions were identified in all tumor categories. The most canonical fusion was ETV6-NTRK3 observed in 10 patients with diverse types of tumors. Several novel NTRK fusions were observed in rare tumor types, including KCTD16-NTRK1 in ganglioglioma and IRF2BP2-NTRK3 in papillary thyroid carcinomas. The detection of an NTRK fusion confirmed the morphologic diagnosis including five cases where the final tumor diagnosis was largely based on the discovery of an NTRK fusion. In one patient, the diagnosis was changed because of the identification of an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion. One patient with infantile fibrosarcoma was treated with larotrectinib and achieved complete pathologic remission. CONCLUSION NTRK fusions are more frequently seen in pediatric tumors than in adult tumors and involve a broader panel of fusion partners and a wider range of tumors than previously recognized. These results highlight the importance of screening for NTRK fusions as part of the tumor genomic profiling for patients with pediatric cancer.
Outcomes of secondary autologus dermo-fat orbital implants in anophthalmic sockets
Authors: Hayat Nausheen , Jan Saad , Atiq Natasha , Cheema Alyscia 
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of secondary autologous dermis-fat graft as an orbital implant in anophthalmic sockets.
Methods: In this prospective study, which was conducted at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, between January 2015 and January 2020, we evaluated 12 patients between the ages of four and 60 years. Most of the adults were victims of trauma, whereas children were known cases of retinoblastoma or trauma and all underwent enucleation. All of them were primarily treated elsewhere and not offered primary orbital implants. We performed autologous dermis-fat graft as an orbital implant in these patients harvesting graft from gluteal region and followed them up to look for complications.
Results: Out of 12 patients two went into failure, while rest of the patients showed successful outcome. All patients underwent successful surgery. Initially, a silicon conformer was placed, which was later on replaced with artificial prosthetic eye.
Conclusion: Regardless of the small sample size, this procedure proved to be a safe and effective method for augmenting orbital volume in anophthalmic sockets in children and adults.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3209
How to cite this:Hayat N, Jan S, Atiq N, Cheema A. Outcomes of secondary autologus dermo-fat orbital implants in anophthalmic sockets. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):426-431. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3209
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.
Predicting in-hospital mortality from Coronavirus Disease 2019: A simple validated app for clinical use
Authors: Magro Bianca , Zuccaro Valentina , Novelli Luca , Zileri Lorenzo , Celsa Ciro , Raimondi Federico , Gori Mauro , Cammà Giulia , Battaglia Salvatore , Genova Vincenzo Giuseppe , Paris Laura , Tacelli Matteo , Mancarella Francesco Antonio , Enea Marco , Attanasio Massimo , Senni Michele , Di Marco Fabiano , Lorini Luca Ferdinando , Fagiuoli Stefano , Bruno Raffaele , Cammà Calogero , Gasbarrini Antonio 
Published: January 2021

Backgrounds
Validated tools for predicting individual in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 are lacking. We aimed to develop and to validate a simple clinical prediction rule for early identification of in-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19.

Methods and findings
We enrolled 2191 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from three Italian dedicated units (derivation cohort: 1810 consecutive patients from Bergamo and Pavia units; validation cohort: 381 consecutive patients from Rome unit). The outcome was in-hospital mortality. Fine and Gray competing risks multivariate model (with discharge as a competing event) was used to develop a prediction rule for in-hospital mortality. Discrimination and calibration were assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and by Brier score in both the derivation and validation cohorts. Seven variables were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality: age (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.08, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.07–1.09), male sex (HR 1.62, 95%CI 1.30–2.00), duration of symptoms before hospital admission <10 days (HR 1.72, 95%CI 1.39–2.12), diabetes (HR 1.21, 95%CI 1.02–1.45), coronary heart disease (HR 1.40 95% CI 1.09–1.80), chronic liver disease (HR 1.78, 95%CI 1.16–2.72), and lactate dehydrogenase levels at admission (HR 1.0003, 95%CI 1.0002–1.0005). The AUC was 0.822 (95%CI 0.722–0.922) in the derivation cohort and 0.820 (95%CI 0.724–0.920) in the validation cohort with good calibration. The prediction rule is freely available as a web-app (COVID-CALC: https://sites.google.com/community.unipa.it/covid-19riskpredictions/c19-rp).

Conclusions
A validated simple clinical prediction rule can promptly and accurately assess the risk for in-hospital mortality, improving triage and the management of patients with COVID-19.
Commutative algebraic monoid structures on affine surfaces
Authors: Dzhunusov Sergey , Zaitseva Yulia 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We classify commutative algebraic monoid structures on normal affine surfaces over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero.
The answer is given in two languages: comultiplications and Cox coordinates.
The result follows from a more general classification of commutative monoid structures of rank 0,

n
-
1

n-1

or 𝑛 on a normal affine variety of dimension 𝑛.
MW irradiation and ionic liquids as green tools in hydrolyses and alcoholyses
Authors: Harsági Nikoletta , Szőllősi Betti , Kiss Nóra Zsuzsa , Keglevich György 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The optimized HCl-catalyzed hydrolysis of alkyl diphenylphosphinates is described. The reaction times and pseudo-first-order rate constants suggested the iPr > Me > Et ∼ Pr ∼ Bu order of reactivity in respect of the alkyl group of the phosphinates. The MW-assisted p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA)-catalyzed variation means a better alternative possibility due to the shorter reaction times, and the alkaline hydrolysis is another option. The transesterification of alkyl diphenylphosphinates took place only in the presence of suitable ionic liquids, such as butyl-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphorate ([bmim][PF6]) and butyl-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]). The application of ethyl-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate ([emim][HSO4]) and butyl-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]) was not too efficient, as the formation of the ester was accompanied by the fission of the O–C bond resulting in the formation of Ph2P(O)OH. This surprising transformation may be utilized in the phosphinate → phosphinic acid conversion.
Dynamics of change in broomrape populations (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) in Romania and Russia (Black Sea area)
Authors: Škorić Dragan , Joiţa-Păcureanu Maria , Gorbachenko Fyodor , Gorbachenko Oleg , Maširević Stevan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The emergence of new broomrape populations (races) has been observed in the past 20 years in several countries (Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Serbia, and China) where sunflower is frequently grown in the same sites without applying traditional crop rotations. Differential lines for sunflower broomrape races A to F have been secured. The new broomrape races have been identified by researchers as races G and H. The question of whether the same broomrape mutations can occur in one year and affect the same countries remains unsolved. Several results of new broоmrape population emergences in some of the affected will be presented in the paper. A total of 390 genotypes were studied at four Romanian localities (Cuza Voda, Crucea-Stupina, Braila-Valea Canepii, and Tulcea-Agighiol) in 2014. At all four localities, a certain degree of sunflower broomrape infestation was observed in control hybrids and lines (Performer, LC-1093, LG-5661, and PR64LE20), which indicated the emergence of new populations higher than race H. The 390 studied genotypes had different reactions in all four localities. In 2015, 10 hybrids and controls were studied at five Romanian localities (Ciresu-Braila, Iazu-Ialomita, Stupina-Constanta, Topolog-Tulcea, and Viziru-Braila) and, according to the results, only hybrid Hy-7 was resistant in all localities. The results obtained from the three studied localities showed the emergence of new sunflower broomrape populations not controlled by gene for race H. Self-fertilization of hybrid Hy-7 produced the F2 generation in 2016. In 2017, broomrape resistance was studied at the infested (contaminated) plot at the All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops by the name of Pustovoit V.S. – VNIIMK in Rostov on Don. The plot was found to be infested by new broomrape populations originating from Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, and Spain. The obtained results showed an infestation degree in 17.1% plants of hybrid Hy-7, 35% in the F2 generation of Hy-7, control hybrids PR64LE25, LG-5580 and Donskoy-22 showed 19.4, 23, and 100% broomrape infestation, respectively. In conclusion, the plot contained broomrape populations which cannot be controlled by race H gene. According to the obtained results, a permanent change in variability of broomrape populations can be confirmed practically year after year. At present, new broomrape populations found at several localities are locally dispersed. Geneticists and breeders have to make joint efforts in further detailed studies of broomrape variability.
A neural network approach to detect winding faults in electrical machine
Authors: Imoru OdunAyo , Nelwamondo Fulufhelo V. , Jimoh Adisa , Ayodele Temitope Raphael 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper, Neural Network (NN) approach is developed and utilised to detect winding faults in an electrical machine using the samples data of electrical machine in both the healthy and different fault conditions (i.e. shorted-turn fault, phase-to-ground fault and coil-to-coil fault). This is done by interfacing a data acquisition device connected to the machine with a computer in the laboratory. Thereafter, a two-layer feed-forward network with Levenberg–Marquardt back-propagation algorithm is created with the collected input dataset. The NN model developed was tested with both the healthy and the four different fault conditions of the electrical machine. The results from the NN approach was also compared with other results obtained by determining the fault index (FI) of an electrical machine using signal processing approach. The results show that the NN approach can identify each of the electrical machine condition with high accuracy. The percentage accuracy for healthy (normal), shorted-turn, phase-to-ground and coil-to-coil fault conditions are 99, 99.6, 100 and 100% respectively.
Attenuation of potassium dichromate and sodium arsenite toxicities by methanol extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria in mice
Authors: Akinwumi Kazeem A. , Gbadegesin Michael A. , Aboyewa Jumoke A. , Odunola Oyeronke A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Exposure to arsenic and hexavalent chromium is a major public health concern especially in the developing part of the world and there is paucity of information on reliable treatment modalilities. It is in this regard that this study evaluates the efficacy of methanol leaf extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria (MRV) when used as pretreatment agent against potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) exposure.

Methods
Swiss albino mice between 7 and 10 weeks old were divided into eight cohorts of five animals each. Treatment groups consisted of a distilled water control, MRV alone (275 mg/kg po daily), K2Cr2O7 (12.0 mg/kg, single ip injection) +/− MRV pretreatment, NaAsO2 (2.5 mg/kg, single ip injection) +/− MRV pretreatment, Na2AsO2 + K2Cr2O7 +/− MRV pretreatment. MRV was given for seven consecutive days, while K2Cr2O7 and NaAsO2 were injected on day seven of the experiment. The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) was determined in bone marrow cells, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were assessed in the plasma. Hepatic glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels were also determined.

Results
The NaAsO2 and K2Cr2O7 significantly (p<0.05) increased mPCE formation, AST, ALT, and CAT when compared with the control. Simultaneous exposure to NaAsO2 and K2Cr2O7 further increased the levels of the markers. Furthermore, GSH and GST were significantly reduced by NaAsO2 or K2Cr2O7 or their combination. Pretreatment with MRV reversed the markers towards that of control.

Conclusions
Methanol extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria may therefore ameliorate NaAsO2 and K2Cr2O7-induced toxicities via reduction of oxidative stress and fortification of anti-oxidant system.
Beyond Manipulation: Administrative Sorting in Regression Discontinuity Designs
Authors: Crespo Cristian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This paper elaborates on administrative sorting, a threat to internal validity that has been overlooked in the regression discontinuity (RD) literature. Variation in treatment assignment near the threshold may still not be as good as random even when individuals are unable to precisely manipulate the running variable. This can be the case when administrative procedures, beyond individuals’ control and knowledge, affect their position near the threshold non-randomly. If administrative sorting is not recognized it can be mistaken as manipulation, preventing fixing the running variable and leading to discarding viable RD research designs.
Effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate of Camellia sinensis leaves on blood pressure, lipid profile, atherogenic index of plasma and some inflammatory and antioxidant markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a clinical trial
Authors: Bazyar Hadi , Hosseini Seyed Ahmad , Saradar Sirous , Mombaini Delsa , Allivand Mohammad , Labibzadeh Maryam , Alipour Meysam 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) the inflammatory and metabolic responses to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are unknown.

Objectives
Evaluate the impacts of EGCG on metabolic factors and some biomarkers of stress oxidative in patients with T2DM.

Methods
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 patients with T2DM consumed either 2 tablets (300 mg) EGCG (n=25) or wheat flour as placebo (n=25) for 2 months. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), lipid profile, mean arterial pressure (MAP), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were evaluated before and after the intervention.

Results
The finding of present study exhibited a significant increase in the serum levels of TAC after the EGCG supplementation (p=0.001). Also, in compare with control group, the mean changes of TAC were significantly higher in supplement group (p=0.01). In intervention group, a significant decrease was observed in the mean levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), AIP, and MAP (p<0.05). Taking EGCG resulted in the mean changes of total cholesterol, MAP and DBP were significantly lower in compare with control group (p<0.05).

Conclusions
This study recommended that EGCG supplementation may be improved blood pressure, lipid profile, AIP, and oxidative status in patients with T2DM.
MAPSOFT: A Multi-Agent based Particle Swarm Optimization Framework for Travelling Salesman Problem
Authors: Blamah Nachamada Vachaku , Oluyinka Aderemi Adewumi , Wajiga Gregory , Baha Yusuf Benson 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes a Multi-Agent based Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Framework for the Traveling salesman problem (MAPSOFT). The framework is a deployment of the recently proposed intelligent multi-agent based PSO model by the authors. MAPSOFT is made up of groups of agents that interact with one another in a coordinated search effort within their environment and the solution space. A discrete version of the original multi-agent model is presented and applied to the Travelling Salesman Problem. Based on the simulation results obtained, it was observed that agents retrospectively decide on their next moves based on consistent better fitness values obtained from present and prospective neighborhoods, and by reflecting back to previous behaviors and sticking to historically better results. These overall attributes help enhance the conventional PSO by providing more intelligence and autonomy within the swarm and thus contributed to the emergence of good results for the studied problem.