bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
2D-shear wave elastography: number of acquisitions can be reduced according to clinical setting
Authors: Dioguardi Burgio Marco , Grégory Jules , Ronot Maxime , Sartoris Riccardo , Chatellier Gilles , Vilgrain Valérie ,   the group SSI-SWE, Herrmann Eva , de Lédinghen Victor , Cassinotto Christophe , Chu Winnie C.-W. , Leung Vivian Y.-F. , Ferraioli Giovanna , Filice Carlo , Castera Laurent , Dumortier Jérôme , Guibal Aymeric , Pol Stanislas , Trebicka Jonel , Jansen Christian , Strassburg Christian , Zheng Rongqin , Zheng Jian , Francque Sven , Vanwolleghem Thomas , Vonghia Luisa , Manesis Emanuel K. , Zoumpoulis Pavlos , Sporea Ioan , Thiele Maja , Krag Aleksander , Friedrich-Rust Mireen 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
The factors affecting intra-operator variability of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) have not been clearly established. We evaluated 2D-SWE variability according to the number of measurements, clinical and laboratory features, and liver stiffness measurements (LSM).

Methods
At least three LSM were performed in 452 patients who underwent LSM by 2D-SWE (supersonic shear imaging) out of an initial database of 1650 patients. The mean value of the three LSM was our best measurement method. Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate intra-operator variability when considering only one, or the first two measurements. Variability was assessed by taking the absolute value of the difference between the first LSM and the mean of the three LSM. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with the highest tertile of variability.

Results
The limit of agreement was narrower with the mean of the first and second measurements than with each measurement taken separately (− 2.83 to 2.99 kPa vs. − 5.86 to 6.21 kPa and − 5.77 to 5.73 kPa for the first and second measurement, respectively). A BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and a first LSM by 2D-SWE ≥ 7.1 kPa increased the odds of higher variability by 3.4 and 3.9, respectively. Adding a second LSM didn’t change the variability in patients with BMI < 25 and a first LSM by 2D-SWE < 7.1 kPa.

Conclusions
Intra-operator variability of LSM by 2D-SWE increases with both a high BMI and high LSM value. In patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and a first LSM < 7.1 kPa we recommend performing only one LSM.
Readability of patient education materials related to radiation safety: What are the implications for patient-centred radiology care?
Authors: Delaney Francis T. , Doinn Tiarnán Ó. , Broderick James M. , Stanley Emma 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Increasing numbers of patients and carers rely on online resources for healthcare information. Radiation safety can be misunderstood by patients and clinicians and lead to patient anxiety. We aimed to assess the readability of online patient educational materials (PEMs) related to radiation safety.

Methods
A total of 84 articles pertaining to radiation safety from 14 well-known online resources were identified. PEMs were then analysed using Readability Studio Professional Edition Version 2019. Readability was assessed using eight different instruments: the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, Raygor Estimate, SMOG, Coleman–Liau, Fry, FORCAST, Gunning Fog, and Flesch Reading Ease Score formula. The mean reading grade level (RGL) of each article was compared to the 6th and 8th grade reading level using 1-sample t-tests.

Results
The cumulative mean RGL for all 84 articles was 13.3 (range = 8.6–17.4), and none were written at or below the 6th or 8th grade level. The cumulative mean RGL exceeded the 6th grade reading level by an average of 7.3 levels (95% CI, 6.8–7.8; p < 0.001) and the 8th grade level by an average of 5.3 grade levels (95% CI, 4.8–5.8; p < 0.001). The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score was 39/100 (‘difficult’).

Conclusion
Currently available online PEMs related to radiation safety are still written at higher than recommended reading levels. Radiation safety is a topic in which the specialist training of radiologists is crucial in providing guidance to patients. Addressing the readability of online PEMs can improve radiology-patient communication and support the shift to a patient-centred model of practice.
Magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of indeterminate breast (BIRADS 3 & 4A) in a general population
Authors: Hernández Liliana , Díaz Gloria M. , Posada Catalina , Llano-Sierra Alejandro 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Objective
Currently, mammography and ultrasonography are the most used imaging techniques for breast cancer screening. However, these examinations report many indeterminate studies with a low probability of being malignant, i.e., BIRADS 3 and 4A. This prospective study aims to evaluate the value of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to clarify the BIRADS categorization of indeterminate mammography or ultrasonography studies.

Methods
MRI studies acquired prospectively from 105 patients previously classified as BIRADS 3 or 4A were analyzed independently by four radiologists with different experience levels. Interobserver agreement was determined by the first-order agreement coefficient (AC1), and divergent results were re-analyzed for consensus. The possible correlation between the MRI and the mammography/ultrasound findings was evaluated, and each study was independently classified in one of the five BIRADS categories (BIRADS 1 to 5). In lesions categorized as BIRADS 4 or 5 at MRI, histopathological diagnosis was established by image-guided biopsy; while short-term follow-up was performed in lesions rated as BIRADS 3.

Results
Breast MRI was useful in diagnosing three invasive ductal carcinomas, upgraded from BIRADS 4A to BIRADS 5. It also allowed excluding malignancy in 86 patients (81.9%), avoiding 22 unnecessary biopsies and 64 short-term follow-ups. The MRI showed good diagnostic performance with the area under roc curve, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 0.995, 100%, 83.5%, 10.5%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions
MRI showed to be useful as a problem-solving tool to clarify indeterminate findings in breast cancer screening and avoiding unnecessary short-follow-ups and percutaneous biopsies.
Single-center versus multi-center biparametric MRI radiomics approach for clinically significant peripheral zone prostate cancer
Authors: Bleker Jeroen , Yakar Derya , van Noort Bram , Rouw Dennis , de Jong Igle Jan , Dierckx Rudi A. J. O. , Kwee Thomas C. , Huisman Henkjan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To investigate a previously developed radiomics-based biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) approach for discrimination of clinically significant peripheral zone prostate cancer (PZ csPCa) using multi-center, multi-vendor (McMv) and single-center, single-vendor (ScSv) datasets.

Methods
This study’s starting point was a previously developed ScSv algorithm for PZ csPCa whose performance was demonstrated in a single-center dataset. A McMv dataset was collected, and 262 PZ PCa lesions (9 centers, 2 vendors) were selected to identically develop a multi-center algorithm. The single-center algorithm was then applied to the multi-center dataset (single–multi-validation), and the McMv algorithm was applied to both the multi-center dataset (multi–multi-validation) and the previously used single-center dataset (multi–single-validation). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the validations were compared using bootstrapping.

Results
Previously the single–single validation achieved an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.71–0.92), a significant performance reduction of 27.2% compared to the single–multi-validation AUC of 0.59 (95% CI 0.51–0.68). The new multi-center model achieved a multi–multi-validation AUC of 0.75 (95% CI 0.64–0.84). Compared to the multi–single-validation AUC of 0.66 (95% CI 0.56–0.75), the performance did not decrease significantly (p value: 0.114). Bootstrapped comparison showed similar single-center performances and a significantly different multi-center performance (p values: 0.03, 0.012).

Conclusions
A single-center trained radiomics-based bpMRI model does not generalize to multi-center data. Multi-center trained radiomics-based bpMRI models do generalize, have equal single-center performance and perform better on multi-center data.
A small molecule modulating monounsaturated fatty acids and Wnt signaling confers maintenance to induced pluripotent stem cells against endodermal differentiation
Authors: Hosseini Vahid , Kalantary-Charvadeh Ashkan , Hajikarami Maryam , Fayyazpour Parisa , Rahbarghazi Reza , Totonchi Mehdi , Darabi Masoud 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) is required for de novo synthesis of fatty acids. Through the fatty acid acylation process, this enzyme orchestrates post-translational modifications to proteins involved in cell development and differentiation. In this study, we used biochemical methods, immunostaining, and covalent labeling to evaluate whether a small molecule modulating unsaturated fatty acids can influence the early endodermal differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Methods
The hiPSCs were cultured in an endoderm-inducing medium containing activin A and defined fetal bovine serum in the presence of an SCD1 inhibitor at different time points. The cell cycles and the yields of the three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm) were assessed using flow cytometry. The expression of endoderm and pluripotency markers and the expressions of Wnt signaling pathway proteins were assessed using western blotting and RT-PCR. Total protein acylation was evaluated using a click chemistry reaction.

Results
When SCD1 was inhibited on the first day, the population of cells with endodermal features decreased at the end of differentiation. Moreover, early SCD1 inhibition preserved the properties of hiPSCs, preventing their shift toward mesodermal or ectodermal lineage. Also, first-day-only treatment of cells with the SCD1 inhibitor decreased β-catenin gene expression and the intensity of fluorescent emission in the click chemistry assay. The cells were effectively rescued from these effects by cotreatment with oleate. Late treatment with the inhibitor in the two subsequent days of endoderm induction did not have any significant effects on endoderm-specific markers or fluorescent intensity. Reproducible results were also obtained with human embryonic stem cells.

Conclusion
The small molecule SCD1 inhibitor attenuates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, conferring the maintenance of hiPSCs by opposing the initiation of endoderm differentiation. The immediate requirement for SCD1 activity in the endoderm commitment of pluripotent stem cells may be of importance in disorders of endoderm-derived organs and dysregulated metabolism.
The schematic representation of the study design and main results. Activin A induces endoderm features through Smad2/3/4 and increases the expression of SCD1. SCD1 can produce MUFAs and subsequently modify the Wnt molecules. MUFA acylated/activated Wnts are secreted to interact with corresponding receptors on the target cells. β-catenin accumulates in the cytoplasm and is translocated into the nucleus after the interaction of Wnt with the receptor. Then, β-catenin increases the expression of the endoderm markers Sox17 and CXCR4.
Glaesserella parasuis serotype 4 HPS4-YC disrupts the integrity of the swine tracheal epithelial barrier and facilitates bacterial translocation
Authors: Wang Qing , Chang Xiaojing , Liu Mingxing , Lu Qi , Zhu Meng , Lin Huixing , Fan Hongjie 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGlaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis) is a commensal bacterium in the upper respiratory tract of pigs that can also cause the swine Glässer disease, which induces an intensive inflammatory response and results in significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. G. parasuis can cause disease through infection of the respiratory tract, resulting in systemic infection, but the mechanism is largely unknown. Recently we showed that Glaesserella parasuis serotype 4 (GPS4) increased swine tracheal epithelial barrier permeability, resulting in easier bacterial translocation. Tight junction proteins (TJ) play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and impermeability of the epithelial barrier. GPS4 decreased the expression of the TJ ZO-1 and occludin in swine tracheal epithelial cells (STEC). Furthermore, the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly upregulated in GPS4-infected STEC, and both the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways were activated and contributed to the expression of TNF-α. We demonstrate that the production of proinflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α, during GPS4 infection was involved in barrier dysfunction. Additionally, animal challenge experiments confirmed that GPS4 infection downregulated TJ in the lungs of piglets and induced a severe inflammatory response. In general, G. parasuis infection downregulated the expression of TJ and induced massive secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in epithelial barrier disruption and favoring bacterial infection. This study allowed us to better understand the mechanism by which G. parasuis crosses the respiratory tract of pigs.
A pre-pandemic COVID-19 assessment of the costs of prevention and control interventions for healthcare associated infections in medical and surgical wards in Québec
Authors: Tchouaket Nguemeleu Eric , Robins Stephanie , Boivin Sandra , Sia Drissa , Kilpatrick Kelley , Dubreuil Bruno , Larouche Catherine , Parisien Natasha , Letourneau Josiane 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) present a major public health problem that significantly affects patients, health care providers and the entire healthcare system. Infection prevention and control programs limit HCAIs and are an indispensable component of patient and healthcare worker safety. The clinical best practices (CBPs) of handwashing, screening, hygiene and sanitation of surfaces and equipment, and basic and additional precautions (e.g., isolation, and donning and removing personal protective equipment) are keystones of infection prevention and control (IPC). There is a lack of rigorous IPC economic evaluations demonstrating the cost–benefit of IPC programs in general, and a lack of assessment of the value of investing in CBPs more specifically.

Objective
This study aims to assess overall costs associated with each of the four CBPs.

Methods
Across two Quebec hospitals, 48 healthcare workers were observed for two hours each shift, for two consecutive weeks. A modified time-driven activity-based costing framework method was used to capture all human resources (time) and materials (e.g. masks, cloths, disinfectants) required for each clinical best practice. Using a hospital perspective with a time horizon of one year, median costs per CBP per hour, as well as the cost per action, were calculated and reported in 2018 Canadian dollars ($). Sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results
A total of 1831 actions were recorded. The median cost of hand hygiene (N = 867) was 20 cents per action. For cleaning and disinfection of surfaces (N = 102), the cost was 21 cents per action, while cleaning of small equipment (N = 85) was 25 cents per action. Additional precautions median cost was $4.1 per action. The donning or removing or personal protective equipment (N = 720) cost was 76 cents per action. Finally, the total median costs for the five categories of clinical best practiced assessed were 27 cents per action.

Conclusions
The costs of clinical best practices were low, from 20 cents to $4.1 per action. This study provides evidence based arguments with which to support the allocation of resources to infection prevention and control practices that directly affect the safety of patients, healthcare workers and the public. Further research of costing clinical best care practices is warranted.
A quest for unrest in multiparameter observations at Whakaari/White Island volcano, New Zealand 2007–2018
Authors: Caudron Corentin , Girona Társilo , Jolly Arthur , Christenson Bruce , Savage Martha Kane , Carniel Roberto , Lecocq Thomas , Kennedy Ben , Lokmer Ivan , Yates Alexander , Hamling Ian , Park Iseul , Kilgour Geoff , Mazot Agnès 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Whakaari/White Island volcano, located ~ 50 km off the east coast of the North Island in New Zealand, has experienced sequences of quiescence, unrest, magmatic and phreatic eruptions over the last decades. For the last 15 years, seismic data have been continuously archived providing potential insight into this frequently active volcano. Here we take advantage of this unusually long time series to retrospectively process the seismic data using ambient noise and tremor-based methodologies. We investigate the time (RSAM) and frequency (Power Spectral Density) evolution of the volcanic tremor, then estimate the changes in the shallow subsurface using the Displacement Seismic Amplitude Ratio (DSAR), relative seismic velocity (dv/v) and decorrelation, and the Luni-Seismic Correlation (LSC). By combining our new set of observations with the long-term evolution of earthquakes, deformation, visual observations and geochemistry, we review the activity of Whakaari/White Island between 2007 and the end of 2018. Our analysis reveals the existence of distinct patterns related to the volcano activity with periods of calm followed by cycles of pressurization and eruptions. We finally put these results in the wider context of forecasting phreatic eruptions using continuous seismic records.
Survival and predictive factors in dialysis patients with COVID-19 in Japan: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kikuchi Kan , Nangaku Masaomi , Ryuzaki Munekazu , Yamakawa Tomoyuki , Yoshihiro Oota , Hanafusa Norio , Sakai Ken , Kanno Yoshihiko , Ando Ryoichi , Shinoda Toshio , Nakamoto Hidetomo , Akizawa Tadao ,   COVID-19 Task Force Committee of the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, and the Japanese Society of Nephrology
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
The Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, and the Japanese Society of Nephrology jointly established COVID-19 Task Force Committee and began surveying the number of newly infected patients.

Methods
This registry of the COVID-19 Task Force Committee was used to collect data of dialysis patients; a total of 1010 dialysis patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis. Overall survival of patients was investigated with stratification by age group, complication status, and treatment. In addition, predictive factors for mortality were also investigated. The overall survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier methods and compared by using log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factor of mortality. For all statistical analyses, p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results
The mortality risk was increased with age (p < 0.001). The mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with peripheral arterial disease (HR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.05–2.10) and significantly lower in patients who were treated with remdesivir (HR: 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.98). Multivariate analysis showed increased risk of mortality with increment in BMI, and increment in CRP, and decreased risk with increment in albumin.

Conclusion
Dialysis patients have a high severity of illness and a high risk of mortality in cases of COVID-19. Treatment with remdesivir might be effective in shortening the duration of hospitalization and reducing the risk of mortality.
Design of switchable transient thermal concentrators with diamond shapes
Authors: Feng H. L. , Zhou L. M. , Ni Y. S. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Thermal concentrators designed by the transformation thermotics have recently received considerable attention on the aspect of improving thermal energy efficiency in the process of energy consumption. However, the existing researches of thermal concentrators with diamond shapes are limited to steady state and non-switchable state, which hinders the analysis of the changeable thermal concentrating effect with time and restricts practical applications under different temperature conditions. In order to overcome these limitations, the intelligent switchable transient thermal concentrators with diamond shapes are designed in this paper, which can realize the switchable concentrating effect as the temperature changes. The numerical simulation method is employed to demonstrate the temperature-dependent properties of switchable concentrators. The results show that the concentrator can achieve perfect performance of thermal concentrating at low (or high) temperature, and the concentrating effect is automatically turned off at high (or low) temperature. The switchable concentrating effect can greatly widen the application fields of thermal concentrators and provide an effective method for heat management, compared with the previous steady-state and non-switchable–state concentrators with diamond shapes.
Unexpected effect of an empty cavity on water transport through a combined carbon nanotube
Authors: Meng X. W. , Li Y. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Controlling water transport via an empty cavity can achieve unexpected properties for various applications. In this paper, water transport through a combined carbon nanotube with an empty cavity is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the occupancy of water molecules and the transfer rate of water molecules through the combined carbon nanotube can be affected by the size of the cavity unexpectedly under a relatively low pressure difference. The occupancy of water molecules in the combined carbon nanotube and the average transfer rate begin to decrease significantly if the size of the cavity reaches a critical radius of 0.733 nm. The energy gap between water molecules and the combined carbon nanotube is adopted to explain the effect of the empty cavity on water properties in the combined carbon nanotube. Our findings may pave a way for understanding the effect of the empty cavity on water dynamics in the carbon nanotube and offering another way to control water properties at the nanoscale.
Genetically Predicted Lifelong Circulating 25(OH)D Levels are Associated With Serum Calcium Levels and Kidney Stone Risk
Authors: Jian Zhongyu , Huang Yu , He Yazhou , Jin Xi , Li Hong , Li Sheyu , Wang Kunjie 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objective
To assess whether lifelong higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels increase serum calcium levels and kidney stone disease (KSD) risk.

Methods
Summary data for KSD were obtained from the UK biobank genome-wide association study (6536 cases and 388 508 controls). We acquired summary data for 25(OH)D from 120 618 Europeans and another large-scale analysis (443 734 Europeans) for primary and secondary analysis. Random-effect inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and 7 additional sensitivity analyses were applied. Next, multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) was performed by introducing data for serum calcium levels.

Results
Genetic predisposition for a 1-SD higher 25(OH)D level was associated with increased serum calcium levels (IVW; beta, 0.014; 95% CI, 0.010-0.018; P = 7.64E-10). Genetically predicted higher circulating 25(OH)D levels were associated with increased the risk of KSD, with per 1-SD odds ratios (ORs) of 1.47 (95% CI, 1.22-1.77; P = 5.49E-05) and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.03-1.80; P = 0.029) using the IVW and MVMR-Egger methods, respectively. In secondary analysis, similar results were found: 25(OH)D was associated with an increased risk of KSD in univariate Mendelian randomization (IVW; OR 1.71; 95% CI, 1.26-2.32; P = 0.001) and MVMR (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.16-1.76; P &lt; 0.001) analyses. Most sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary results, both for the primary and secondary analyses.

Conclusions
Our study supports that higher genetically predicted lifelong circulating 25(OH)D levels are associated with higher calcium levels and KSD risk. The effects of 25(OH)D on KSD were partially attenuated—but still significant—in MVMR.