bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deferiprone vs deferoxamine for transfusional iron overload in SCD and other anemias: a randomized, open-label noninferiority study
Authors: Kwiatkowski Janet L. , Hamdy Mona , El-Beshlawy Amal , Ebeid Fatma S. E. , Badr Mohammed , Alshehri Abdulrahman , Kanter Julie , Inusa Baba , Adly Amira A. M. , Williams Suzan , Kilinc Yurdanur , Lee David , Tricta Fernando , Elalfy Mohsen S. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Many people with sickle cell disease (SCD) or other anemias require chronic blood transfusions, which often causes iron overload that requires chelation therapy. The iron chelator deferiprone is frequently used in individuals with thalassemia syndromes, but data in patients with SCD are limited. This open-label study assessed the efficacy and safety of deferiprone in patients with SCD or other anemias receiving chronic transfusion therapy. A total of 228 patients (mean age: 16.9 [range, 3-59] years; 46.9% female) were randomized to receive either oral deferiprone (n = 152) or subcutaneous deferoxamine (n = 76). The primary endpoint was change from baseline at 12 months in liver iron concentration (LIC), assessed by R2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The least squares mean (standard error) change in LIC was −4.04 (0.48) mg/g dry weight for deferiprone vs −4.45 (0.57) mg/g dry weight for deferoxamine, with noninferiority of deferiprone to deferoxamine demonstrated by analysis of covariance (least squares mean difference 0.40 [0.56]; 96.01% confidence interval, −0.76 to 1.57). Noninferiority of deferiprone was also shown for both cardiac T2* MRI and serum ferritin. Rates of overall adverse events (AEs), treatment-related AEs, serious AEs, and AEs leading to withdrawal did not differ significantly between the groups. AEs related to deferiprone treatment included abdominal pain (17.1% of patients), vomiting (14.5%), pyrexia (9.2%), increased alanine transferase (9.2%) and aspartate transferase levels (9.2%), neutropenia (2.6%), and agranulocytosis (0.7%). The efficacy and safety profiles of deferiprone were acceptable and consistent with those seen in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. This trial study was registered at www://clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02041299.
Automatic consistency assurance for literature-based gene ontology annotation
Authors: Chen Jiyu , Geard Nicholas , Zobel Justin , Verspoor Karin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Literature-based gene ontology (GO) annotation is a process where expert curators use uniform expressions to describe gene functions reported in research papers, creating computable representations of information about biological systems. Manual assurance of consistency between GO annotations and the associated evidence texts identified by expert curators is reliable but time-consuming, and is infeasible in the context of rapidly growing biological literature. A key challenge is maintaining consistency of existing GO annotations as new studies are published and the GO vocabulary is updated.

Results
In this work, we introduce a formalisation of biological database annotation inconsistencies, identifying four distinct types of inconsistency. We propose a novel and efficient method using state-of-the-art text mining models to automatically distinguish between consistent GO annotation and the different types of inconsistent GO annotation. We evaluate this method using a synthetic dataset generated by directed manipulation of instances in an existing corpus, BC4GO. We provide detailed error analysis for demonstrating that the method achieves high precision on more confident predictions.

Conclusions
Two models built using our method for distinct annotation consistency identification tasks achieved high precision and were robust to updates in the GO vocabulary. Our approach demonstrates clear value for human-in-the-loop curation scenarios.
Predicting environmentally responsive transgenerational differential DNA methylated regions (epimutations) in the genome using a hybrid deep-machine learning approach
Authors: Mavaie Pegah , Holder Lawrence , Beck Daniel , Skinner Michael K. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Deep learning is an active bioinformatics artificial intelligence field that is useful in solving many biological problems, including predicting altered epigenetics such as DNA methylation regions. Deep learning (DL) can learn an informative representation that addresses the need for defining relevant features. However, deep learning models are computationally expensive, and they require large training datasets to achieve good classification performance.

Results
One approach to addressing these challenges is to use a less complex deep learning network for feature selection and Machine Learning (ML) for classification. In the current study, we introduce a hybrid DL-ML approach that uses a deep neural network for extracting molecular features and a non-DL classifier to predict environmentally responsive transgenerational differential DNA methylated regions (DMRs), termed epimutations, based on the extracted DL-based features. Various environmental toxicant induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance sperm epimutations were used to train the model on the rat genome DNA sequence and use the model to predict transgenerational DMRs (epimutations) across the entire genome.

Conclusion
The approach was also used to predict potential DMRs in the human genome. Experimental results show that the hybrid DL-ML approach outperforms deep learning and traditional machine learning methods.
Association between baseline serum uric acid and development of LDL-C level in patients with first acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Chen Yang , Ding Congcong , Hu Longlong , Ruan Yuehua , Zou Kai , Dai Cong , Liao Yanhui , Liao Hanhui , Xia Yi , Zhao Yuanbin , Yang Renqiang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Data on the relationship of baseline serum uric acid (SUA) with development of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level in patients with first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited. The present study is to evaluate whether elevated SUA predicts the development of LDL-C in the first AMI.

Methods
This is a retrospective 6-month cohort study of 475 hospitalized Chinese patients who underwent first AMI between January 2015 and December 2019 and were reevaluated half a year later at the Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China. The associations of baseline SUA with the percentage decrease of LDL-C (%) and LDL-C control were analyzed by using logistic regression analyses, multivariate linear regression analyses and the restricted cubic spline.

Results
Over the 6-month follow-up, baseline SUA was independently and positively associated with the percentage decrease of LDL-C (%) and LDL-C control in a dose response fashion. After multivariable adjustment, per SD increment of baseline SUA (120.58 μmol/L) was associated with 3.96% higher percentage decrease of LDL-C(%). The adjusted OR (95% CI) for LDL-C control was 5.62 (2.05, 15.36) when comparing the highest tertile (SUA ≥ 437.0 μmol/L) to the lowest tertile (< 341.7 μmol/L) of baseline SUA.

Conclusions
Among Chinese patients with first AMI, higher baseline SUA was associated with higher LDL-C deduction percentage (%), and higher rate of LDL-C control in the short-term follow-up, respectively. SUA acquired when AMI occurred was prone to be profitable in predicting the risk stratification of uncontrolled LDL-C and dyslipidemia management.
Mental health outcomes of a pilot 2-arm randomized controlled trial of a HIV-prevention program for South African adolescent girls and young women and their female caregivers
Authors: Donenberg Geri , Merrill Katherine G. , Atujuna Millicent , Emerson Erin , Bray Bethany , Bekker Linda Gail 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) report significant mental distress and sexual and reproductive health concerns. Mental health problems and trauma symptoms are consistently associated with sexual and reproductive health behavior. Despite their intersection, few interventions address them simultaneously or engage female caregivers (FC) as collaborators. This study presents findings from a pilot test of an empirically supported culturally adapted family-based HIV-prevention program, Informed Motivated Aware and Responsible Adolescents and Adults- South Africa (IMARA-SA), on AGYW anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Methods
Sixty 15–19-year-old AGYW (mean age = 17.1 years) and their FC from outside Cape Town were randomized to IMARA-SA or a health promotion control program. AGYW reported their anxiety using the GAD-7, depression using the PHQ-9, and trauma using the PC-PTSD-5 at baseline and follow-up (6–10 months post). Both interventions were delivered by Xhosa-speaking Black South African women in groups over 2 days for approximately 10 h. We examined intervention effects using zero-inflated negative binomial regression for anxiety, multinomial logistic regression for depression, and logistic regression for trauma.

Results
At baseline, groups did not differ in demographic characteristics but AGYW randomized to IMARA-SA had higher depression scores than controls (p = 0.04) and a greater proportion screened positive for PTSD (p = .07). Controlling for baseline mental health scores, AGYW who received IMARA-SA compared to controls had significantly fewer anxiety symptoms at follow-up (adjusted incidence rate ratio for count model = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.29–0.99, p = 0.05), were less likely to report at least one depressive symptom relative to no symptoms (relative risk ratio = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.95, p = 0.04), and were less likely to report symptoms of PTSD relative to no symptoms, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions
Mental health is implicated in risky sexual behavior, and reducing emotional distress can mitigate exposure to poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. This pilot study yielded promising findings for the mental health impact of IMARA-SA, justifying replication in a larger randomized trial.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Number NCT04758390, accepted 17/02/2021.
Bevacizumab-induced esophageal pleural fistula during maintenance therapy without radiation in lung cancer
Authors: Wang Ting , Thakur Asmitananda , Chen Baoqing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Esophageal pleural fistula (EPF) is a rare but fatal complication associated with bevacizumab use; however, cases reports of EPF caused by bevacizumab have not been previously published.

Case presentation
A 66-year-old male patient diagnosed with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma on April 24, 2020 received 6 cycles of platinum-containing dual chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab followed by three cycles of bevacizumab monotherapy. Five days before admission, he experienced chest tightness, dyspnea, and right chest pain. Bed-side X-ray examination revealed a massive right hydrothorax, and food was found in the extracted pleural effusion. EPF was further confirmed by upper gastrointestinal radiography after oral administration of iohexol. The patient underwent jejunostomy as the distal esophagus could not be identified on gastroscopy, and eventually died of septic shock on January 16, 2021.

Conclusions
It is necessary to pay attention to EPF during bevacizumab use in patients with or without risk factors.
Digital analysis of external fixation area of proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients
Authors: Xing Baorui , Zhang Yadi , Hou Xiuxiu , Li Yunmei , Li Guoliang , Han Guangpu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Introduction
The purpose is based on anatomical basis, combined with three-dimensional measurement, to guide the clinical repositioning of proximal humeral fractures, select the appropriate pin entry point and angle, and simulate surgery.

Methods
11 fresh cadaveric specimens were collected, the distance of the marked points around the shoulder joint was measured anatomically, and the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery, and the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery were marked on the 3D model based on the anatomical data to find the relative safety zone for pin placement.

Results
Contralateral data can be used to guide the repositioning and fixation of that side of the proximal humerus fracture, and uniform data cannot be used between male and female patients. For lateral pining, the distance of the inferior border of the acromion from the axillary nerve (5.90 ± 0.43) cm, range (5.3-6.9) cm, was selected for pining along the medial axis of the humeral head, close to the medial cervical cortex, and the pining angle was measured in the coronal plane (42.84 ± 2.45)°, range (37.02° ~ 46.31°), and in the sagittal plane (28.24 ± 2.25)°, range (19.22° ~ 28.51°). The pin was advanced laterally in front of the same level of the lateral approach point to form a cross-fixed support with the lateral pin, and the pin angle was measured in the coronal plane (36.14 ± 1.75)°, range (30.32° ~ 39.61°), and in the sagittal plane (28.64 ± 1.37)°, range (22.82° ~ 32.11°). Two pins were taken at the greater humeral tuberosity for fixation, with the proximal pin at an angle (159.26 ± 1.98) to the coronal surface of the humeral stem, range (155.79° ~ 165.08°), and the sagittal angle (161.76 ± 2.15)°, with the pin end between the superior surface of the humeral talus and the inferior surface of the humeral talus. The distal needle of the greater humeral tuberosity was parallel to the proximal approach trajectory, and the needle end was on the inferior surface of the humeral talus.

Conclusion
Based on the anatomical data, we can accurately identify the corresponding bony structures of the proximal humerus and mark the location of the pin on the 3D model for pin placement, which is simple and practical to meet the relevant individual parameters.
A comparison of the da Vinci Xi vs. da Vinci Si surgical systems for radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lei Kun-Yang , Xie Wen-Jie , Fu Sheng-Qiang , Ma Ming , Sun Ting 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
To compare the perioperative and short-term efficacy and cost of the da Vinci Xi and da Vinci Si surgical systems for radical prostatectomy.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 175 patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy with the da Vinci Si or Xi surgical systems in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. Of the 175 patients, 82 underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the da Vinci Xi surgery system, and 93 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the da Vinci Si surgical system. The perioperative outcomes, short-term efficacy and costs were compared between the two groups.

Results
The anesthesia time, operation time, docking time, indwelling catheter time and postoperative bed rest time in the Xi group were shorter than those in the Si group (respectively, 268.8 min vs. 219.3 min, P = 0.001; 228.2 min vs. 259.6 min, P < 0.001; 7.4 min vs. 12.7 min, P < 0.001; 8.6 d vs. 9.7 d, P = 0.036; 2.2 d vs. 2.6 d, P = 0.002). However, the total cost of hospitalization and the cost of intraoperative consumables in the Xi group were higher than those in the Si group (84,740.7 vs. 76,739.1 ¥, P = 0.003; 13,199.4 vs. 10,823.0 ¥, P = 0.019).

Conclusions
Although the cost of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is higher, compared with the Si system, the Xi system has better perioperative outcomes and can provide similar short-term efficacy and oncology outcomes.
Evaluation of a caries prevention programme for preschool children in Switzerland: is the target group being reached?
Authors: Mühlemann Anina , von Felten Stefanie 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
With the goal of reducing the prevalence of early childhood caries, the city of Zurich, Switzerland, started a specific prevention programme in 2010. All 2-year-olds are invited to a free dental check-up at a local public dental health service before the first legally mandated yearly dental check-up for school children between 4 and 5 years of age (at kindergarten). However, for the success of this prevention programme, it is of particular importance that children at high risk of caries are reached. The objective of our study was to assess the effectiveness of the prevention programme in (1) reaching the children who needed it the most and (2) improving subsequent oral health.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study included all children born between July 1, 2013 and July 15, 2014 who had lived in Zurich between the ages of 23 and 36 months. Socio-economic data were extracted from official school records, and dental health data from public dental clinic records. Binomial and quasi-binomial generalised linear models were used to identify the socio-economic factors associated with toddler check-up attendance and to assess the associations between attendance and caries experience (dmft $$\ge$$
≥
1) as well as degree of treatment (proportion m+f out of dmft) at the kindergarten check-up, adjusting for socio-economic factors.

Results
From a total of 4376 children, 2360 (54%) attended the toddler check-up (mean age 2.4 years) and 3452 (79%) had a dental examination at kindergarten (mean age 5.3 years). Non-Swiss origin of the primary caretaker, presence of older siblings, low amount of savings and allocation to certain public dental clinics were associated with a lower odds of attendance. Factors associated with a higher odds of caries experience were similar to those associated with a lower odds of attendance at the toddler check-up, but additionally included low income. Attendance at the toddler check-up was non-significantly associated with a lower odds of caries experience at kindergarten (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI from 0.70 to 1.01), but was significantly associated with a higher degree of treatment at this stage (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI from 1.79 to 3.24).

Conclusions
Our study suggests that children with a high caries risk are less likely to attend the toddler check-up. Greater effort should be put into reaching these children.
Effects of desensitizing dentifrices on dentin tubule occlusion and resistance to erosive challenges
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyi , Wang Lin , Pan Jie , Malmstrom Hans , Ren Yan-Fang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Many studies have demonstrated efficacy of casein phosphopeptide (CPP) containing products for dentin tubule occlusion for treatment of dentin sensitivity, but their effectiveness under dynamic erosive challenges remains to be elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a desensitizing dentifrice containing CPP in occluding dentin tubules and resisting erosive challenges in comparison to that containing polyvinyl methyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymers.

Methods

A total of 33 dentin discs were prepared from coronal sections of human third molars and divided into 3 groups: a toothpaste containing CPP; a toothpaste containing PVM/MA and submicron silica; and a regular toothpaste (Controls). A soft-bristle toothbrush was used to brush the dentin discs with the dentifrices for 45 strokes in 30 s at a force of approximately 200 g. The brushing cycle was repeated after immersion of the dentin discs in artificial saliva overnight. The dentin discs were then challenged in orange juice for 10 min in an incubator rocking at 120 rpm. Three fields were randomly selected on each dentin disk surface to assess dentin tubule occlusions after each brushing cycle and after orange juice challenge with a 3D laser scanning microscope. Specimen cross sections were examined with a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS).

Results
After the first and second cycles of brushing, dentin tubules were occluded on average by 56.3% and 85.7% in CPP group, 66.2% and 88.1% in PVM/MA group, and 0.0 and 13.0% in the controls, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in dentin tubule occlusions between the CPP and PVM/MA groups after two cycles of brushing (p>0.05). After dynamic erosive challenges with orange juice, 20.3% of the dentin tubules in the CPP group, 79.1% in the PVM/MA group and none in the control remained occluded (P<0.05). SEM/EDS imaging showed that dentin tubules were blocked with plugs containing dentifrice substances in CPP and PVM/MA groups after treatments, but none in the controls.

Conclusions
Desensitizing dentifrices containing CPP or PVM/MA could effectively occlude dentin tubules after two cycles of brushing. PVM/MA in combination with submicron silicon dioxide exhibited stronger resistance to dynamic erosive challenges by acidic beverages. Inorganic fillers that can enter dentin tubules and resist erosive challenges may be key for desensitizing dentifrices.
Trend analysis of palliative care consultation service for terminally ill non-cancer patients in Taiwan: a 9-year observational study
Authors: Lin Lian-Shin , Huang Ling-Hui , Chang Yu-Chen , Wang Chun-Li , Lee Lung-Chun , Hu Chung-Chieh , Hsu Pi-Shan , Chu Wei-Min 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds
Early integration of palliative care for terminally ill non-cancer patients improves quality of life. However, there are scanty data on Palliative Care Consultation Service (PCCS) among non-cancer patients.

Methods
In this 9-year observational study Data were collected from the Hospice-Palliative Clinical Database (HPCD) of Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH). Terminally ill non-cancer patients with 9 categories of diagnoses who received PCCS during 2011 to 2019 were enrolled. Trend analysis was performed to evaluate differences in categories of diagnosis throughout study period, duration of PCCS, patient outcomes, DNR declaration, awareness of disease by patients and families before and after PCCS.

Results
In total, 536 non-cancer patients received PCCS from 2011 to 2019 with an average age of 70.7 years. The average duration of PCCS was 18.4 days. The distributions of age, gender, patient outcomes, family’s awareness of disease before PCCS, and patient’s awareness of disease after PCCS were significantly different among the diagnoses. Organic brain disease and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) were the most prevalent diagnoses in patients receiving PCCS in 2019. For DNR declaration, the percentage of patients signing DNR before PCCS remained high throughout the study period (92.8% in 2019). Patient outcomes varied according to the disease diagnoses.

Conclusion
This 9-year observational study showed that the trend of PCCS among non-cancer patients had changed over the duration of the study. An increasing number of terminally ill non-cancer patients received PCCS during late life, thereby increasing the awareness of disease for both patients and families, which would tend to better prepare terminally ill patients for end-of-life as they may consider DNR consent. Early integration of PCCS into ordinary care for terminally non-cancer patients is essential for better quality of life.