bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The feasibility of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization following radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hamada Mostafa , Ueshima Eisuke , Ishihara Takeaki , Koide Yutaka , Okada Takuya , Horinouchi Hiroki , Ishida Jun , Mayahara Hiroshi , Sasaki Koji , Gentsu Tomoyuki , Sofue Keitaro , Yamaguchi Masato , Sasaki Ryohei , Sugimoto Koji , Murakami Takamichi 
Published: August 2021

Background Technological developments have led to an increased usage of external-body radiotherapy (RT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) may be required later in patients treated with RT because of the high recurrence rate and multinodular presentation of HCC. However, despite the risk of liver function impairment, the cumulative liver damage correlated with TACE following a hepatic RT has not been adequately assessed. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of TACE following RT for HCC. Materials and methods Sixty-seven patients with HCC who underwent TACE after RT were retrospectively evaluated between 2012 and 2018. We assessed increases in Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) by ≥2 points at 1 month, the incidence of major complications, survival duration, and short-term mortality within 6 months after TACE. Furthermore, we evaluated the predictive factors for liver function impairment and short-term mortality. Results Eight patients experienced a CTP increase ≥2 points at 1 month. There were no cases of liver abscesses or bilomas. Nine patients died within 6 months following TACE. The mean liver dose (MLD) was a significant predictor of liver function impairment at 1 month ( p = 0.042). Low liver functional reserve, distant metastasis ( p = 0.037), MLD ( p = 0.046), TACE type ( p = 0.025), and TACE within 3 months following RT ( p = 0.007) were significant predictors of short-term mortality. Conclusions Despite the feasibility of TACE following RT, clinicians should pay attention to impaired pretreatment liver function, following high dose RT, and the short duration between RT and TACE.
Annona muricata Linn and Khaya grandifoliola C.DC. Reduce Oxidative Stress In Vitro and Ameliorate Plasmodium berghei-Induced Parasitemia and Cytokines in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Onohuean Hope , Alagbonsi Abdullateef I. , Usman Ibe M. , Iceland Kasozi Keneth , Alexiou Athanasios , Badr Reem H. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Ezeonwumelu Joseph O. C. 
Published: August 2021

Background. Annona muricata and Khaya grandifoliola are ethnomedicinally used for the treatment of malaria and have been experimentally shown to have an anti-plasmodial effect, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of the ethanol extracts of their leaves on parasitemia, radical scavenging and cytokines in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected BALB/c mice. Methods. BALB/c mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with chloroquine, A. muricata or K. grandifoliola extract for 4 days. The percentage of parasitemia and the level of cytokine expression were determined after treatment. Trace element, phytochemical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging properties assays were done to study the antioxidant effects of AN and KG in vitro. Results. P. berghei consistently increased parasitemia in BALB/c mice. The tested doses (100-, 200-, and 400 mg/kg) of A. muricata and K. grandifoliola attenuated the P. berghei-induced elevation of parasitemia and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-6) in vivo during the experimental period, though not as much as chloroquine. Moreover, both extracts scavenged the DPPH and NO radicals, though A. muricata had more anti-oxidant effect than K. grandifoliola in-vitro. Conclusion. The ethanol extracts of A. muricata and K. grandifoliola reduce parasitemia in P. berghei-treated mice BALB/c by scavenging free radicals and reducing cytokines, though the extracts were not as effective as chloroquine.
Utility of High-Resolution Sonography for Evaluation of Knee Joint Pathologies as a Screening Tool
Authors: Singh Atul Pratap , Chandak Shruti , Agarwal Arjit , Malhotra Ankur , Jain Ashwani , Khan Adil Ali 
Published: August 2021

Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been established as the gold standard imaging technique for assessing knee joint pathologies. However, high-resolution sonography (HRS) is affordable, easily available, cost-effective, and can be used for knee joint assessment. This study was conducted to assess the diagnostic yield of HRS in the evaluation of knee joint pathologies compared with MRI. Materials and Methods: In the study, 103 patients, with symptomatic knee pain, were included. HRS was performed followed by MRI. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. Kappa values were calculated to assess the performance of HRS compared with MRI. Results: The most frequent pathologies observed on HRS were knee joint effusion (84%) followed by medial meniscal (43%) and lateral meniscal (26%) tear. Conclusion: HRS demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy in diagnosis of knee joint pathologies as compared with MRI. Therefore, HRS could be utilized as a screening tool for detection of knee joint pathologies.
Integrative, multi-omics, analysis of blood samples improves model predictions: applications to cancer
Authors: Ponzi Erica , Thoresen Magne , Haugdahl Nøst Therese , Møllersen Kajsa 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCancer genomic studies often include data collected from several omics platforms. Each omics data source contributes to the understanding of the underlying biological process via source specific (“individual”) patterns of variability. At the same time, statistical associations and potential interactions among the different data sources can reveal signals from common biological processes that might not be identified by single source analyses. These common patterns of variability are referred to as “shared” or “joint”. In this work, we show how the use of joint and individual components can lead to better predictive models, and to a deeper understanding of the biological process at hand. We identify joint and individual contributions of DNA methylation, miRNA and mRNA expression collected from blood samples in a lung cancer case–control study nested within the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) cohort study, and we use such components to build prediction models for case–control and metastatic status. To assess the quality of predictions, we compare models based on simultaneous, integrative analysis of multi-source omics data to a standard non-integrative analysis of each single omics dataset, and to penalized regression models. Additionally, we apply the proposed approach to a breast cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas.ResultsOur results show how an integrative analysis that preserves both components of variation is more appropriate than standard multi-omics analyses that are not based on such a distinction. Both joint and individual components are shown to contribute to a better quality of model predictions, and facilitate the interpretation of the underlying biological processes in lung cancer development.ConclusionsIn the presence of multiple omics data sources, we recommend the use of data integration techniques that preserve the joint and individual components across the omics sources. We show how the inclusion of such components increases the quality of model predictions of clinical outcomes.
Gastrointestinal bleeding with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome: a case report
Authors: Han Lin , Chen Shifeng , Jiang Shengping 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastrointestinal tract involvement in patients with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is extremely rare and often overlooked.
Case presentation
A 9-year-old girl who presented with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding was admitted to our hospital. Laboratory examinations revealed microcytic hypochromic anemia and a positive fecal occult blood test. Computed tomography (CT) of the lower limbs combined with physical examination confirmed KTS. The pelvic CT showed concentric thickening of the sigmoid colon and rectum, with progressive enhancement after the administration of a contrast agent. Colonoscopy demonstrated vascular malformations of the sigmoid colon and rectum. The patient was finally diagnosed with KTS with gastrointestinal tract involvement. The patient improved after receiving conservative treatment.

Conclusions
A suspicion of gastrointestinal tract involvement as an etiology for gastrointestinal bleeding should not be overlooked in patients with KTS. Endoscopy and imaging modalities can synergistically help diagnose this condition.
Towards improving edge quality using combinatorial optimization and a novel skeletonize algorithm
Authors: Arnold Marvin , Speidel Stefanie , Hattab Georges 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundObject detection and image segmentation of regions of interest provide the foundation for numerous pipelines across disciplines. Robust and accurate computer vision methods are needed to properly solve image-based tasks. Multiple algorithms have been developed to solely detect edges in images. Constrained to the problem of creating a thin, one-pixel wide, edge from a predicted object boundary, we require an algorithm that removes pixels while preserving the topology. Thanks to skeletonize algorithms, an object boundary is transformed into an edge; contrasting uncertainty with exact positions.MethodsTo extract edges from boundaries generated from different algorithms, we present a computational pipeline that relies on: a novel skeletonize algorithm, a non-exhaustive discrete parameter search to find the optimal parameter combination of a specific post-processing pipeline, and an extensive evaluation using three data sets from the medical and natural image domains (kidney boundaries, NYU-Depth V2, BSDS 500). While the skeletonize algorithm was compared to classical topological skeletons, the validity of our post-processing algorithm was evaluated by integrating the original post-processing methods from six different works.ResultsUsing the state of the art metrics, precision and recall based Signed Distance Error (SDE) and the Intersection over Union bounding box (IOU-box), our results indicate that the SDE metric for these edges is improved up to 2.3 times.ConclusionsOur work provides guidance for parameter tuning and algorithm selection in the post-processing of predicted object boundaries.
Rehabilitation interventions to support return to work for women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Algeo Naomi , Bennett Kathleen , Connolly Deirdre 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Research recommends the development and evaluation of interventions to support women with breast cancer in returning to, or managing, work. Despite this, there has historically been a paucity of rehabilitation interventions to support women with breast cancer to maintain or return to their work role. The aim of this systematic review was to examine key characteristics of rehabilitation interventions, and their effectiveness on work outcomes for women with breast cancer, compared to usual care.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted of controlled studies of rehabilitation interventions with work outcomes for women with breast cancer. Six databases were systematically searched: EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE (OVID), CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Results are presented either as pooled odds ratio (OR) or pooled effect size (hedges g) between groups, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Narrative synthesis was conducted on intervention outcomes not suitable for meta-analysis.

Results
Five thousand, five hundred and thirty-five studies were identified. Nine out of 28 abstracts met inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes precluded meta-analysis for most outcomes. Of the interventions included in meta-analysis, no significant differences compared to usual care were found for sick leave (2 studies (12 months); OR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.66 to 1.87), number of sick days taken (2 studies (six months); difference in effect: − 0.08, (95% CI: − 0.48 to 0.38) or working hours (2 studies (12 months); 0.19, (95% CI: − 0.20 to 0.64). Only one study, with a multidisciplinary intervention, showed a significant difference for work outcomes when compared to usual care. Work-specific content featured in three interventions only, none of which provided conclusive evidence for improvement in work outcomes. Enhanced physical and psychological sequalae, and quality of life was observed in some studies.

Conclusion
There remains a lack of effective and methodologically rigorous rehabilitation intervention studies for breast cancer survivors. The development and evaluation of effective rehabilitation interventions to support return to work is warranted.
A randomised controlled trial of the Nextdoor Kind Challenge: a study protocol
Authors: Lim Michelle H. , Qualter Pamela , Hennessey Alexandra , Smith Ben J. , Argent Taylah , Holt-Lunstad Julianne 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Community interventions are often promoted as a way of reducing loneliness and social isolation in our neighbourhoods. However, those community interventions are rarely examined within rigorous study designs. One strategy that holds the potential to reduce loneliness and can promote health and wellbeing is doing acts of kindness. The current study involves evaluating the impact of kindness acts on loneliness in community-dwelling individuals using an online social networking platform.

Methods
This study is made up of three randomised controlled trials conducted in three countries. Each randomised controlled trial has two arms (intervention vs waitlist control) and is designed to compare the effectiveness of the KIND challenge, which involves doing at least one act of kindness per week within a four-week period. This study will recruit users of an online community, be randomised online, and will be conducted using online assessments. We will first explore the effects of the intervention on the primary outcome of loneliness, followed by secondary outcomes, social isolation, neighbour relationship quality and contact, mental health symptoms, stress, quality of life, and positive affect. Further, we will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the KIND Challenge.

Discussion
This study, designed to evaluate the impact of kindness on the community, will be the first large scale randomised control trial conducted across three countries, Australia, UK, and USA. It will examine the potential of community-led interventions to reduce loneliness, improve social isolation, and promote neighbourhood cohesion, health, and wellbeing, which is especially crucial during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Trial registration
Clinical Trials Registry. NCT04398472. Registered 21st May 2020.
A three-armed randomised controlled trial investigating the comparative impact of guidance on the efficacy of a web-based stress management intervention and health impairing and promoting mechanisms of prevention
Authors: Nixon Patricia , Boß Leif , Heber Elena , Ebert David Daniel , Lehr Dirk 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Web-based stress management interventions (SMI) fit increasingly digital lifestyles, reduce barriers of uptake and are easily scalable. SMIs might lower levels of stress in employees and thereby contribute to the prevention of depressive symptomatology. Different guidance formats can impact the efficacy of SMIs, with higher intensity assumed to result in larger effects. However, head-to-head comparisons of guidance formats are rare. This is the first trial to examine the impact of adherence-focused guidance compared to self-help on the efficacy of an occupational SMI compared to a wait list control condition. Additionally, it will be investigated if the SMI enfolds its impact on preventing depressive symptomatology by different pathways through reducing health impairing and increasing promoting factors.

Methods
A three-armed randomised controlled trial (RCT) on an occupational SMI was conducted. 404 employees with elevated levels of perceived stress (PSS-10 ≥ 22) were randomly assigned to: adherence-focused guidance (AFG), self-help (SH) or a wait list control group (WLC). The primary outcome was perceived stress (PSS-10). Secondary outcomes included health- and work-related measures. A parallel mediation analysis with stress and resilience as mediators for the effect on depression (CES-D) was carried out. Data collection took place at baseline (T1), after 7 weeks (T2) and 6 months (T3).

Results
The SMI was effective for all groups on the primary and secondary outcomes. For stress, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant group effects at T2 (F2,400 = 36.08, P < .001) and T3 (F2,400 = 37.04, P < .001) with large effect sizes for AFG (T2: d = 0.83; T3: d = 0.85) and SH (T2: d = 0.88; T3: d = 0.91) compared to WLC. No significant group differences were found for the efficacy between AFG and SH on the outcomes. Adherence in terms of completed modules was significantly higher for AFG compared to SH. The SMI’s impact on depression was mediated by perceived stress: a1b1 = − 0.77, 95% CI [− 1.26, − 0.34] and resilience: a2b2 = − 0.62, 95% CI [− 1.05, − 0.26].

Conclusions
The SMI was effective for reducing stress and improving other health- and work-related outcomes, irrespective of the guidance format. Results did not demonstrate superiority of adherence-focused guidance for the efficacy but for adherence in terms of completed modules. Among other reasons, better communication strategies about offered guidance and awareness-raising measures are discussed. Results from mediation analysis suggest that preventive SMIs should be designed to reach two goals: reducing the risk factor of stress and simultaneously increasing health promoting factors such as resilience.

Trial registration
German Clinical Trial Registration (DRKS) DRKS00005687, 6/6/2014.
Infant processed food consumption and their interaction to breastfeeding and growth in children up to six months old
Authors: Neves Renata Oliveira , Guimarães Luciano Santos Pinto , Bosa Vera Lúcia , Nunes Leandro Meirelles , da Silva Clécio Homrich , Goldani Marcelo Zubaran , Bernardi Juliana Rombaldi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Evidences suggest that early processed food (PF) consumption may cause harm to infant health. During the first 6 months of life, it is not known whether the timing and quantity of this food group can impact breastfeeding and growth. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between time of introduction and quantity of infant PF consumption with duration of breastfeeding and infant growth at 6 months of age.

Methods
Data were longitudinally collected in six interviews, from birth to 6 months, in a sample of Brazilian newborns with adverse intrauterine environments. PF consumption was calculated by gravity score of processed foods (GSPF) in relation to feeding supply quality and time. For the analysis, the scores were divided into tertiles, making scores severities: Null, Mild, Moderate, and Severe. The interaction between GSPF and breastfeeding (exclusive and non-exclusive) and growth parameters (analyzed in Z-scores, by weight for height, weight for age, and body mass index for age) was tested.

Results
A total of 236 infants were included in the study. Greater GSPF were associated with better rates of breastfeeding practices and higher growth indicators scores in the sixth month of infants. These findings were confirmed after adjustment for family income, maternal age, pre-gestational body mass index, and growth z scores at birth.

Conclusion
The harms of eating PF in relation to breastfeeding and infant growth are more evident the greater and earlier they are consumed. Future studies should explore interventions to reduce and delay the consumption of these foods to prevent adverse health outcomes in later life.
Computer-aided diagnosis with a convolutional neural network algorithm for automated detection of urinary tract stones on plain X-ray
Authors: Kobayashi Masaki , Ishioka Junichiro , Matsuoka Yoh , Fukuda Yuichi , Kohno Yusuke , Kawano Keizo , Morimoto Shinji , Muta Rie , Fujiwara Motohiro , Kawamura Naoko , Okuno Tetsuo , Yoshida Soichiro , Yokoyama Minato , Suda Rumi , Saiki Ryota , Suzuki Kenji , Kumazawa Itsuo , Fujii Yasuhisa 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Recent increased use of medical images induces further burden of their interpretation for physicians. A plain X-ray is a low-cost examination that has low-dose radiation exposure and high availability, although diagnosing urolithiasis using this method is not always easy. Since the advent of a convolutional neural network via deep learning in the 2000s, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) has had a great impact on automatic image analysis in the urological field. The objective of our study was to develop a CAD system with deep learning architecture to detect urinary tract stones on a plain X-ray and to evaluate the model’s accuracy.

Methods
We collected plain X-ray images of 1017 patients with a radio-opaque upper urinary tract stone. X-ray images (n = 827 and 190) were used as the training and test data, respectively. We used a 17-layer Residual Network as a convolutional neural network architecture for patch-wise training. The training data were repeatedly used until the best model accuracy was achieved within 300 runs. The F score, which is a harmonic mean of the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) and represents the balance of the accuracy, was measured to evaluate the model’s accuracy.

Results
Using deep learning, we developed a CAD model that needed 110 ms to provide an answer for each X-ray image. The best F score was 0.752, and the sensitivity and PPV were 0.872 and 0.662, respectively. When limited to a proximal ureter stone, the sensitivity and PPV were 0.925 and 0.876, respectively, and they were the lowest at mid-ureter.

Conclusion
CAD of a plain X-ray may be a promising method to detect radio-opaque urinary tract stones with satisfactory sensitivity although the PPV could still be improved. The CAD model detects urinary tract stones quickly and automatically and has the potential to become a helpful screening modality especially for primary care physicians for diagnosing urolithiasis. Further study using a higher volume of data would improve the diagnostic performance of CAD models to detect urinary tract stones on a plain X-ray.