bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-Trypanosomal Potential of The Red Sea Soft Coral Nephthea Mollis Supported by Metabolomic Profiling and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Allam Khaled M. , Mostafa Yaser A. , Abdelmohsen Usama R. , Khedr Amgad I.M. , Allam Ahmed E. , Fouad Mostafa A. , Elkhayat Ehab S. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The total ethanol extract and its derived ethyl acetate fraction of the soft coral Nephthea mollis displayed remarkable in-vitro anti-trypanosomal potential against Trypanosoma brucei with IC50 value of 6.4 and 3.7 (µg/ml, 72 h respectively. Consequently, the total ethanol extract was subjected to LC-HR-ESI-MS metabolomic profiling to discover the constituents that possibly underlie their bioactivities. Therefore, thirty-three secondary metabolites were characterized, among them, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes were found to prevail. In silico modeling was carried out on the dereplicated compounds to provide an insight into their anti-trypanosomal mechanism of action with docking study on ornithine decarboxylase (ORD) which illustrated that five of the dereplicated compounds (‎2-deoxy-12-ethoxy-7-O-methyl lemnacarnol, Nephthenol, ‎4α-O-acetyl-selin-11-en, Eudesma-4,7(11)-diene-8β-ol, and Chabrolidione A) have the highest affinity to the ornithine decarboxylase enzyme. These results highlight the valuable chemical profile of Nephthea mollis as a lead source for anti-trypanosomal natural products.
Generalizability and Quality Control of Deep Learning-Based 2D Echocardiography Segmentation Models in a Large Clinical Dataset
Authors: Zhang XIAOYAN , Cerna Alvaro E. Ulloa , Stough Joshua V. , Chen Yida , Carry Brendan J. , Alsaid Amro , Raghunath Sushravya , vanMaanen David P. , Fornwalt Brandon K. , Haggerty Christopher M. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Use of machine learning for automated annotation of heart structures from echocardiographic videos is an active research area, but understanding of comparative, generalizable performance among models is lacking. This study aimed to 1) assess the generalizability of five state-of-the-art machine learning-based echocardiography segmentation models within a large clinical dataset, and 2) test the hypothesis that a quality control (QC) method based on segmentation uncertainty can further improve segmentation results. Five models were applied to 47,431 echocardiography studies that were independent from any training samples. Chamber volume and mass from model segmentations were compared to clinically-reported values. The median absolute errors (MAE) in left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction exhibited by all five models were comparable to reported inter-observer errors (IOE). MAE for left atrial volume and LV mass were similarly favorable to respective IOE for models trained for those tasks. A single model consistently exhibited the lowest MAE in all five clinically-reported measures. We leveraged the 10-fold cross-validation training scheme of this best-performing model to quantify segmentation uncertainty for potential application as QC. We observed that filtering segmentations with high uncertainty improved segmentation results, leading to decreased volume/mass estimation errors. The addition of contour-convexity filters further improved QC efficiency. In conclusion, five previously published echocardiography segmentation models generalized to a large, independent clinical dataset—segmenting one or multiple cardiac structures with overall accuracy comparable to manual analyses—with variable performance. Convexity-reinforced uncertainty QC efficiently improved segmentation performance and may further facilitate the translation of such models.
A Randomised, Crossover, Clinical Study to Assess Nicotine Pharmacokinetics and Subjective Effects of the BIDI Stick ENDS Compared with Combustible Cigarettes and a Comparator ENDS in Adult Smokers
Authors: Fearon Ian M. , Gilligan Karin , Seltzer Ryan G.N. , McKinney Willie 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Nicotine pharmacokinetic assessments of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are crucial to understand their ability to provide an alternative to cigarette smoking. Subjective effects data also strongly contribute to this understanding. The BIDI® Stick is a disposable ENDS product which contains 6% nicotine benzoate salt and various flavours. Methods: In this study we assessed nicotine pharmacokinetic and subjective effects of BIDI® Stick ENDS in adult smokers, compared to cigarettes and a comparator ENDS product. During each of eight (8) study visits, volunteer smoker subjects randomly used one of either their usual brand (UB) of cigarette, a BIDI® Stick ENDS, or a comparator ENDS (JUUL 5% with Virginia Tobacco flavour), during both defined (10 puffs, 30 seconds apart) and ad libitum puffing sessions. Blood samples were collected at various time points and subjective effects questionnaires were administered. Results: Plasma nicotine Cmax 0-120 was not significantly different between BIDI® Stick ENDS with any flavour (range 15.3 (9.90) ng/ml for BIDI® Stick Winter to 17.6 (9.00) ng/ml for BIDI® Stick Classic) and UB cigarettes [16.2 (9.17) ng/ml]. AUC0-120 and Tmax 0-120 values were also not significantly different between BIDI® Stick ENDS and UB cigarettes, while subjective effects measures were also similar between BIDI® Stick ENDS and UB cigarettes. Conclusions: BIDI® Stick ENDS delivered nicotine to users comparably to their UB combustible cigarette and also elicited similar subjective effects such as satisfaction and relief. Thus, the BIDI® Stick ENDS may be a satisfying alternative to cigarettes among current smokers and may support their transitioning away from cigarette smoking. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier number NCT05072925).
Statistical models for pediatric endocrinology
Authors: Madsen Andre 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Modelling references for biomarkers as reference curves enables calculation of patient z-scores that are adjusted for both gender and covariance with age during childhood.Aim: To establish biomarker reference curves using the ‘LMS’ method previously employed for conventional growth charts.Design, Setting and Participants: Cross-sectional study of healthy Norwegian girls (n=647) and boys (n=465) in ages 6 to 16 years were recruited in the Bergen Growth Study (2016). Blood samples were analyzed using state-of-the-art instruments.Results: Reference curves for several biomarkers were established in the ‘LMS’ framework and provided here for clinical implementation. Conclusion: The ‘LMS’ reference framework is already used to create conventional growth charts and may also be applied in clinical biochemistry.
Monotherapy for Low-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia with score 5-6
Authors: Kemin Li , Mengpei Zhang , Rutie Yin , Zhengyu Li 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective

To investigate efficacy and safety of monotherapy in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients with a high FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6.
Methods

The low-risk GTN patients with a high FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6 from January 2012 to December 2019 were enrolled. The study is a retrospective report. Real-world data were used to analyze the efficacy and safety of single-agent chemotherapy and combination chemotherapy in patients with a high FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6.
Results

A total of 224 patients were enrolled, including 75 cases (33.5%) with a FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6. Complete remission was in all patients. Among the 29 cases with a FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6 taking single-agent chemotherapy, 22 cases (75.9%) developed drug resistance, the number of chemotherapy courses was 7.8±2.1, and the number of chemotherapy courses required for β-hCG to return to normal was 5.4±1.8. Among the 46 cases taking combination chemotherapy, 7 patients (15.2%) developed drug resistance, the number of chemotherapy courses was 7.4±2.0, and the number of chemotherapy courses required for β-hCG to return to normal was 4.8±1.6. There was a statistically significant difference in the drug resistance rate between these two subgroups (P < 0.05), but there was not statistically significant difference in the total number of chemotherapy courses or number of chemotherapy courses required for β-hCG to return to normal (<2mIU/ml) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion

Monotherapy showed remarkable advantages in low-risk GTN patients with a FIGO/WHO prognostic score of 5–6.
Spatial-Temporal Characteristics And Influencing Factors of Climatic Growth Period of Chimonophilous Crop In Hexi Oasis During 1960-2019
Authors: lu Juan , Liu Puxing , Zhang Wangxiong , Gao Lei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Based on the daily average temperature data of 6 meteorological stations in the Hexi Oasis, Gansu Province, where the chimonophilous crop distribution area is located from 1960 to 2019. The spatio-temporal characteristics and influencing factors of the starting and ending days of the growth period, the number of days, and the effective accumulated temperature (Abbreviated as EAT) of the growing period of the chimonophilous crop in the Hexi Oasis was analyzed by Using climate tendency rate, ArcGIS inverse distance weighted interpolation, Mann-Kendall test, Morlet wavelet analysis, principal component analysis and correlation analysis methods, etc. The results show that there are significant differences in the spatio-temporal changes in the climate growth period of the chimonophilous crop in the Hexi Oasis. It shows a trend of decreasing from southeast to northwest, except for Yongchang (the highest elevation and lowest temperature in Yongchang). The M-K test showed that the growth period termination date was the most sensitive response to climate warming. Wavelet analysis shows the climatic growth period changes of cool-loving crops in the study area coincide with the cycles of atmospheric circulation 2-4a, El Niño 2-7a and sunspot activity quasi-11a.The changes are affected not only by 74 atmospheric circulation factors, but also by geographic parameters such as latitude and altitude, and monthly average temperature. This study provides scientific decision-making and basis support for the development of food and crop security and the improvement of the ability to withstand disasters in the Hexi Oasis. At the same time, it is of important theoretical significance and practical value for coping with climate change and proposing countermeasures for disaster prevention and mitigation.
Performance evaluation of brain tumor detection using watershed Segmentation and thresholding
Authors: Mishra Shruti , Roy Noyonika , Bapat Meghana , Gudipalli Abhishek 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Brain tumors and cancers are life-threatening diseases to human beings and have been on the rise. If undetected, they are deadly. With the advent of advanced medical technology, it has become imperative to accurately spot and identify these tumors at the earliest.
The manuscript aims at providing an accurate method to detect and segment brain tumors from MRI scans. This is achieved by implementing watershed segmentation and threshold algorithm paired with pre and post image processing techniques. Apart from detecting the tumor region, the proposed process also enhances image quality by noise removal techniques and image quality improvement. These results give promising values when verified using several evaluation parameters such as Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), Feature Similarity Index Measure (FSIM) and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and stand out among the other similar pre-existing algorithms that they are compared with in a comparative analysis.
Costo económico de la mortalidad por cáncer de pulmón asociado al material particulado en el área de Lima Metropolitana
Authors: Diaz Sabrina Estefanía , Silva Cindy , Mogollón Raymundo Jesús , Orihuela Carlos Enrique 
Published: November 2021

El cáncer de pulmón es una enfermedad respiratoria que presenta el mayor número de diagnósticos durante los últimos años, siendo la causa más común de muerte por cáncer a nivel mundial. Además del tabaquismo, las altas concentraciones de material particulado han aumentado significativamente los registros de esta enfermedad principalmente en países en desarrollo con grandes poblaciones. En Lima Metropolitana (LM), el cáncer de pulmón corresponde a la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer y, si bien se han aplicado medidas regulatorias que intentan mitigar la contaminación del aire, poco se ha estudiado sobre el costo económico asociado a esta enfermedad. Por ello, este estudio contribuye a la literatura mediante la estimación del costo económico del cáncer de pulmón como consecuencia de las concentraciones de material particulado en LM, durante el periodo 2010-2019. Para ello, se utilizaron los factores de la función concentración-respuesta a fin de estimar el número de casos de mortalidad por cáncer de pulmón asociados a la concentración de material particulado. Los resultados indican que el costo fluctuó entre 0,037% y 0,122 % del Producto Bruto Interno de LM. A pesar de que este porcentaje es relativamente bajo, se ha incrementado aproximadamente un 8,6% a lo largo del período y, por tanto, es importante atender este problema con la aplicación de políticas públicas adecuadas, tanto en el ámbito de salud como el ambiental.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety Study of Darbepoetin Alfa versus
Epoetin Alfa in Management of Anemia Associated with ESRD in
Egyptian Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ibrahim Amera O. , El-Ashmawy Nahla E. , Khedr Eman G. , Kotb Nahla S. , Salem Fathi 
Published: November 2021

Background:
Anemia is one of the most common complications of Chronic Kidney Disease
(CKD). The vast majority of Egyptian CKD patients are interchangeably treated with Darbepoetin
Alfa (DPA) and Epoetin Alfa (EPA) to achieve and maintain target hemoglobin levels. Our
study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of DPA versus EPA for managing anemia amongst
Egyptian patients with CKD undergoing dialysis.

Methods:
A multicenter, open label, randomized, prospective, parallel study was conducted. Patients
with CKD undergoing dialysis with Hb level < 10 g/dl were enrolled. The primary efficacy
endpoint was the change in hemoglobin concentration at the evaluation period (weeks 20-24). Prespecified
adverse events of interest following administration, including blood transfusions requirement,
blood pressure and hemoglobin excursions, the relationship between C - Reactive Protein
(CRP) and hemoglobin, were assessed.

Results:
Only 98 of 104 enrolled patients completed the study, fifty patients received EPA, and 48
patients received DPA. Our results showed that a significantly higher percentage of patients who
achieved target Hb level ≥ 11 g/dL in DPA treated group vs. EPA as well as the meantime to
achieve Hb level ≥ 10 g/dL was shorter in DPA treated group. Safety profiles of both treatments
were similar. A negative correlation was observed between serum CRP and hemoglobin level in hemodialysis
patients.

Conclusion:
Our study showed that DPA was more effective and well tolerated in achieving and
maintaining Hb levels with lower dosing frequency compared to EPA. Furthermore, CRP is recommended
to be routinely measured where patients with higher CRP require high ESA doses.
Chronological Age Assessment Based on the Root Pulp Visibility in Lower Third Molars in a Group of Thai Population: Panoramic Radiographic Study
Authors: Tantanapornkul Weeraya , Kaomongkolgit Ruchadaporn , Tohnak Sirilawan , Deepho Chutamas , Chansamat Ronnayut 
Published: November 2021

Background:
Radiographic visibility of the root pulp in lower third molars is one of the reliable methodologies for chronological age estimation.

Objective:
To evaluate the radiographic visibility of the lower third molar root pulp using digital panoramic radiographs of the Thai population, and determine the appropriation of this technique in age assessment, especially at the age of 18 years.

Methods:

A total of 746 digital panoramic radiographs of the Thai population aged from 16 to 26 years were recruited for the present study. The visibility of root pulp of lower third molars with completed root formation was recorded in the four stages. Descriptive statistics were performed for each stage in both males and females.

Results:
The first appearance of stage 0 is 16.71 years in males and 17.00 years in females. The minimum age of stage 1 was found at 17.08 years in males and 17.18 years in females. The beginning of stage 2 was 18.33 years in males and 18.17 years in females. For stage 3, the earliest presence was started at 18.58 years in males and 18.83 years in females.

Conclusion:
The occurrence of stages 2 or 3 in both males and females indicated that the subject is over 18 years of age. Further study on the Thai population should be conducted to confirm the results of the present study.
Determinants of Overweight and Underweight among Children under 5 in Kazakhstan
Authors: Kurmanov Bakhytzhan , Pena-Boquete Yolanda , Samambayeva Aizhan , Makhmejanov Galym 
Published: November 2021

Background:
During the last 10 years, the prevalence of underweight has decreased considerably in Kazakhstan and, nowadays, it is set under 3% for children under 5 years old. However, the prevalence of overweight, which was not important at all in the 90s, is reaching 10% for children under 5 nowadays. This means that there is a co-existence between being underweight and overweight in the same country and, in some cases, within the same region. In order to design policies addressing both problems and avoiding policies, which may solve underweight but worsening overweight, and vice versa, the aim of this paper is to analyse the socioeconomic determinants of the two problems.

Methods:
We estimate the probability of occurrence using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) collected by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the years 2006, 2010-2011 and 2015. This survey includes a questionnaire for children younger than 5 years old containing information on maternal and child health. We consider that a child is overweight if she/he falls over two standard deviations of the World Health Organization standards (WHO) for her/his age. Similarly, we consider that a child is underweight if she/he falls below the two standard deviations of the WHO standards.

Results:
Children of mothers with higher education have a higher probability of being overweight (6,8%) and less probability of being underweight (-5,5%). This effect disappears for children older than 2 years old. Children of Russian origin and other ethnic groups show a lower probability of being overweight in comparison with their Kazakh peers. Being born in the highest wealth quintile reduces the risk of a child under 2 years old being underweight (-2,9%). On the other side, children in rich families at age 2-4 years old have a higher probability of being overweight (3,7%).

Conclusion:
Health policy aimed to improve family and institution´s knowledge on child nutrition could be effective measures to reduce infant overweight.
Prevalence of Selected Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease among University Staff in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Onagbiye Sunday O. , Smithdorf Gareth , Ghaleelullah Achmat , Andrews Barry , Young Marie , Bassett Susan H. , Leach Lloyd L. , Travill Andre 
Published: November 2021

Introduction:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiometabolic disease among university staff at the University in the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. The secondary objective was to examine the association between the indicators of obesity and CMD risk factors.

Methods:
A total of 73 (men = 20 (27.4%); women = 53 (72.6%)) healthy university staff members, which include academics, administrators, and support staff, with a mean age of 39.2 years partook in the study. Anthropometric and physiological variables were assessed and analysed.

Results:
The categorisation of body mass index showed that 35% and 45.3% of men and women were obese, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) showed that 25% of men and 60.4% of women were at a high risk of developing a CMD, while 25% and 71.7% of men and women were at high risk for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), respectively. The prevalence of hypertension revealed that 35% and 20.8%, 5% and 17%, and 15% and 9.4% of men and women had elevated hypertension (stage I) and hypertension (stage II) status, respectively. Furthermore, 25% and 35.8%, and 5% and 11.3% of men and women were pre-diabetic and diabetic, respectively, while for total cholesterol levels, 40% and 34%, and 15% and 15.1% of men and women were at borderline high and high risk, respectively.

Conclusion:
There was a high prevalence of selected cardiometabolic disease risk factors among university staff that requires urgent intervention. Lifestyle modification, weight management, and wellness programmes focusing on health education, regular physical activity participation, and a healthy diet should be prioritized.
OPEN FRACTURE WOUND MICROFLORA RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS (II REPORT)
Authors: Gostev V. V. , Naumenko Z. S. , Martel I. I. 
Published: November 2021

The study demonstrates the analysis of resistance to antibiotics of clinically common strains of microorganisms that were isolated from open fracture wounds in the patients admitted to our clinic within the period of 2006-2008. It was found that gram-positive bacteria feature a significantly restrained growth of resistance to universally used antibiotics. The increase in numbers of MRSA and MRSE stains was revealed. Enterococci feature a linear growth of resistant stains to most studied antibiotics. Gram-negative bacteria showed an increase in resistance to cephalosporins of generation III-IV. Most strains of non-fermenting bacteria (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter) were sensitive to amikacin and imipenem.