bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Iodine-123 and Iodine-131 SPECT Activity Quantification: A Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Morphis Michaella , Staden Johan A. van , du Raan Hanlie , Ljungberg Michael 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The quantitative accuracy of Nuclear Medicine images, acquired for both planar and SPECT studies, is influenced by the isotope-collimator combination as well as image corrections incorporated in the iterative reconstruction process. These factors can be investigated and optimised using Monte Carlo simulations. This study aimed to evaluate SPECT quantification accuracy for 123I with both the low energy high resolution (LEHR) and medium energy (ME) collimators, and 131I with the high energy (HE) collimator. Methods: Simulated SPECT projection images were reconstructed using the OS-EM iterative algorithm, which was optimised for the number of updates, with appropriate corrections for scatter, attenuation, and collimator detector response (CDR), including septal scatter and penetration compensation. An appropriate conversion factor (CF) was determined from four different source geometries (activity-filled: water-filled cylindrical phantom, sphere in water-filled (cold) cylindrical phantom, sphere in air and point-like source), investigated with different VOI diameters. Recovery curves were constructed from recovery coefficients to correct for partial volume effects (PVEs). The quantitative method was evaluated for spheres in voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms. Results: The optimal number of OS-EM updates was 60 for all isotope-collimator combinations. The CFpoint with a VOI diameter equal to the physical size plus a 3.0 cm margin was selected, for all isotope-collimator geometries. The spheres’ quantification errors in the voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms were less than 3.2% and 5.4%, respectively, for all isotope-collimator combinations. Conclusion: The study showed that quantification errors of less than 6.0% could be attained, for all isotope-collimator combinations, if corrections for; scatter, attenuation, CDR (including septal scatter and penetration) and PVEs, are performed. 123I LEHR and 123I ME quantification accuracies compared well when appropriate corrections for septal scatter and penetration were applied. This can be useful in departments that perform 123I studies and may not have access to ME collimators.
Kinetics of the Cationic bio-reduction involved in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Leea Coccinea Leaves
Authors: Novelles María del Carmen Travieso , Pérez Lianet Díaz , Ortega Annie Rubio , Pita Beatriz Alvarez , Hernández Verónica Navarro , Travieso Adrian González , Pérez Oriela Pino 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The resistance of microorganisms to conventional antimicrobials is one of the most serious health problems that affect not only the human, but also animals and plants, making the search for antimicrobial active ingredients a priority of global research. Green synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is a simple, cost-effective, rapid, reproducible, and environment friendly alternative for which numerous plant species have been reported for this purpose. Previous studies have shown the potential of Leea coccinea leaves in to the biosynthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles. The current research aimed to study the kinetics of the reaction of synthesis of AgNPs by cationic bio-reduction from this botanical bioresource. A technology for the synthesis of AgNPs was established and the influence of operational parameters such as the bio-reduction conditions and the kinetics of the reaction were studied. AgNPs were characterized at different times by UV-VIS spectroscopic method, scanning electron microscopy, determination of particle size, and Z potential through Dynamic Light Scattering technique (DLS). Addition of tensoactive substances was evaluated for the stabilization of the suspension of nanoparticles. The results showed that spherical AgNPs smaller than 100 nm were obtained, which were visually identified by the formation of a dark brown complex with maximum absorption at 470 nm. Kinetic studies demonstrated the influence of the initial plant material on speed and performance, making evident a complex phenomenology with the possible occurrence of parallel reactions, which points to the possible reaction of different reducing compounds contained in this natural source. Addition of surface agents, such as SDS (0,5 %) or maltose (0,5 %), improved the stabilization in the aqueous medium, suggesting the continuation of studies to develop pharmaceuticals formulations based on AgNPs.
Clinical Benefit With PARP Inhibitor for Pathogenic Germline FANCA-mutated Relapsed Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: a Case Report
Authors: Qian Bing , Lu Jin , Leng Wenshu , Yan Zhengqing , Chen Shiqing , Yi Huan , Jiang Zhi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: PARP inhibitors have been approved as targeted therapy for BRCA-deficient metastatic ovarian cancer (OC). Fanconi anemia complementation group A (FANCA) is one of Fanconi anaemia-related genes and a susceptibility gene to breast and OC. However, whether germline FANCA-mutated relapsed epithelial OC could achieve clinical benefit from the treatment of PARP inhibitor is still unclear. Case presentation: A 49-year-old female patient was diagnosed with epithelial OC and underwent resection and first-line of platinum-based chemotherapy in 2016. After first recurrence, she underwent radical resection and received second-line of platinum-based chemotherapy in 2018. After the second relapse in July 2019, the patient underwent radical resection and the corresponding tumor tissue DNA suffered next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis revealed a germline FANCA mutation. Subsequently, the third-line treatment of liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus lobaplatin was administrated for five cycles with patient consent and then oral niraparib (200 mg daily) was administered for maintenance treatment. During the follow-up, no evidence of tumor recurrence was observed. Currently, the PFS already exceeded 21 months and the treatment is still going on. Conclusions: This case highlighted that OC patients harboring with pathogenic gene alterations in homologous recombination pathway might achieved clinical benefit from PARP inhibitors, which should be confirmed in further studies.
Development and Assessment of a Predictive Model for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Chinese Adults: a Cross-sectional Population-based Study
Authors: Yang Tianmeng , Shi Zhenxiao , Wang Mingming , Zheng Rongjiong , Hu Meiling 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a kind of sleep respiratory disease with high prevalence and low diagnosis rate. With the progression of the disease, it will cause multiple organ damage, reduce the quality of life of patients and increase the economic burden. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model of Chinese population suffering from OSA.Methods:We studied 120 patients who have visited our hospital from August 2018 to December 2020. Physical examination, demographic data, laboratory and ultrasound results and previous medical histories were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method was used to select the risk factors of OSA and develop a predictive model. The accuracy of the predictive model was evaluated by C-index, calibration plot and receiver operating characteristic curve. The clinical application value of the predictive model was analyzed by decision curve analysis.Results:The predictive model contains 8 risk factors, including gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum uric acid and triglyceride. C-index of this predictive model is 0.898, and the area under curve of ROC curve is 0.894. Decision curve analysis showed that the predictive model was clinically useful.Conclusion:This predictive model could be conveniently used to predict the risk of OSA in the Chinese population.
Automatic Bone Surface Restoration for Markerless Computer-assisted Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Hu Xue , Baena Ferdinando Rodriguez y 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
An automatic markerless knee tracking and registration algorithm has been proposed in the literature to avoid the marker insertion required by conventional computer-assisted knee surgery, resulting in a shorter and less invasive surgical workflow. However, such an algorithm considers intact femur geometry only. The bone surface modification is inevitable due to intra-operative intervention. The mismatched correspondences will degrade the reliability of registered target pose. To solve this problem, this work proposed a supervised deep neural network to automatically restore the surface of processed bone. The network was trained on a synthetic dataset that consists of real depth captures of a model leg and simulated realistic femur cutting. According to the evaluation on both synthetic data and real-time captures, the registration quality can be effectively improved by surface reconstruction. The improvement in tracking accuracy is only evident over test data, indicating the need for future enhancement of the dataset and network.
Low Crude Protein Diet Affects the Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolome Differently in Barrows and Gilts
Authors: Tao Xin , Deng Bo , Yuan Qizhi , Men Xiaoming , Wu Jie , Xu Ziwei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Low protein diets are commonly used in the growing-finishing pig stage of swine production; however, the effects of low dietary protein on the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, and their association with pig sex, remain unclear. The present study aimed to assess the impact of a low crude protein (CP) diet on the gut microbiome and metabolome, and to reveal any relationship with sex. Results Barrows and gilts (both n= 24; initial body = 68.33 ± 0.881 kg) were allocated into two treatments according to sex. The four groups comprised two pairs of gilts and barrows fed with a high protein diet (HPD, CP 17% at stage Ⅰ; CP 13% at stage Ⅱ) and a low protein diet (LPD, CP 15% at stage Ⅰ; CP 11% at stage Ⅱ), respectively, for 51 d. Eight pigs in each group were slaughtered and their colon contents were collected. Intestinal microbiota and their metabolites were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing and tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The LPD increased intestinal microbiota species and richness indices significantly in both sexes compared with the HPD. The Sample Shannon index was significantly different between barrows and gilts. At the phylum level, the LPD increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria significantly. The influence of dietary protein levels on Proteobacteria and Synergistetes were associated significantly with sex. At the genus level, Clostridiales, Neisseria, and Prevotellaceae were affected significantly by dietary protein levels. In the latter two genera, the effects were significantly different between barrows and gilts. Metabolomic profiling indicated that dietary protein levels mainly affected intestinal metabolites in gilts rather than barrows. A total of 434 differently expressed metabolites were identified in gilts fed the two protein diets. Correlation analysis identified that six differentially abundant microbiota communities were closely associated with twelve metabolites that were enriched for amino acids, inflammation, immune, and disease-related metabolic pathways. Conclusions These results suggested that decreasing dietary protein contents benefitted the intestinal microbiota in growing-finishing pigs, which selectively affected the microbiota and metabolite profiles in gilts.
Parental Experiences Before and After Dialogical Family Guidance in Families With a Child With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Cavonius-Rintahaka Diana , Roos Mervi , Gillberg Christopher , Billstedt Eva , Aho Anna Liisa 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have highlighted the need to offer targeted effective interventions to strengthen the wellbeing of all family members in families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Interventions for this target group requires development and research. The purpose of this study was to test a new family intervention (Dialogical Family Guidance / DFG).Method: Fifty families of children with NDD took part in this study. Families were randomized into two groups. Families in Intervention group I were delivered DFG immediately, and families in Intervention group II were delivered DFG after three months. Family functionality, health and support (FAFHES) and DFG intervention parent questionnaires were used to collect data at baseline, and after three and six months. Thirty-four families completed the whole protocol.Results: Intervention group I experienced better family health and family support after DFG compared to baseline, and the experience of increased support remained at the three month follow-up. Intervention group II also experienced better family support after three months compared to baseline, although they were still waiting for DFG to initiate. Intervention group II continued to increase the experience of support throughout DFG. The positive changes were statistically significant concerning the experience of social support.Managing as a parent in daily life and the relationship between parents were associated with family functionality and family health. Most parents` reported that DFG had helped them manage better with their child with NDD, and that they would recommend DFG to other families.Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the DFG intervention may strengthen parent experiences of family support. Managing as a parent in daily life and the relationship between parents was associated with family functionality and family health. DFG parent questionnaire inform that practical guidance, psychoeducation, dialogue with the staff and positive feedback for own parenthood are strengthening factors. Delivering DFG as a family intervention implemented by healthcare staff can be recommended as an additional type of support for families with a child with NDD.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04892992 (retrospective registered)
Multi-source Qualitative Analysis of Emergency Medicine Residency Programmes in Chile: A Case Study
Authors: Basauri Sofia , Scanlan Gillian M , Muir Fiona 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Emergency Medicine (EM) is a developing specialty worldwide. In Chile, it has been developing for 25 years, however, there is a need for further progress. Aim: We aimed to explore the current postgraduate curriculum in Chile and identify ways to standardise and improve it.Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used to explore perspectives on EM curriculum development via interviewing residents, graduates and programme directors and documentary analysis of academic and governmental guidelines. Both data sets were evaluated through Thematic Analysis.Results: Four documents were analysed, and eight interviews conducted. Three main themes emerged from both data sets: curriculum structure, influence of context and expectations of an Emergency Physician. Additionally, interviews offered a fourth theme: perspectives of EM. They convey how current programmes focus on workplace learning and protected time for learning strategies, however, they differ in clinical exposure and quality of training. As a priority, collaboration was identified, emphasising a need for programmes to work together towards ensuring quality Conclusion: Overall, this study identifies similarities and differences among programmes, and common areas for improvement. There is agreement on the need for a standardized curriculum, considering local context and societal needs. This study assesses curriculum development, understanding cultural, social and educational influences.
A Robust Sleep Apnea-hypopnea Syndrome Automated Detection Method Based on Fuzzy Entropy Using Single Lead-EEG Signals
Authors: Wang Yao , Yang Tianshun , Ji Siyu , Wang Xiaohong , Wang Huiquan , Wang Jinhai , Zhao Xiaoyun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is a relatively common disease, characterized by a repetitive reduction or cessation of respiratory airflow, which seriously affects sleep quality and in the long term, can lead to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. Polysomnography is currently the standard method for diagnosing apnea/hypopnea. However, accurate diagnosis can be difficult due to the complex process of multi-signals acquisition in polysomnography. Instead, this paper presents a novel automated fuzzy entropy-based method for detecting apnea/hypopnea using single-lead electroencephalogram signals. The method consists of four steps: (1) The electroencephalogram signals corresponding to respiratory events are partitioned into five sub-bands according to frequency; (2) Features of fuzzy entropy in each sub-band are extracted; (3) The extracted features are evaluated using statistical methods; (4) The features are classified using a classifier, such as the support vector machine, k-nearest neighbor, and random forest algorithms. In this study, data were obtained from a total of 55 subjects with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome from both a public and clinical database. The experimental results indicated that all of the selected metrics, including accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were close to or above 90% for both publicly available and clinical data. Moreover, this approach is sensitive to all types of sleep apnea/hypopnea, an important aspect that is rarely explicitly discussed in the literature.
Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL6 as a Biological Control Agent for Peanut Early Leaf Spot Caused by Passalora arachidicola
Authors: Zang Chao , An Futao , Xie Jinhui , Lin Ying , Yu Shuyi , Pei Xue , Liu Xiaozhou , Huang Yuqian , Liang Chunhao 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Peanut early leaf spot caused by Passalora arachidicola (Cercospora arachidicola), is a worldwide common fungal disease in peanut leaves, which occurs in all production areas in China. To obtain biocontrol resources to control peanut early leaf spot, 60 healthy peanut leaves were collected from major peanut production areas in Liaoning Province. A total of 563 strains were screened from these leaves. Eighteen strains showed differing levels of resistance against P. arachidicola. Among these strains, strain TL6 inhibited the pathogen most strongly, and the diameter of inhibition zone was 64.3 mm. This strain was able to inhibit 10 other types of pathogens. It was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on its morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical reactions and a comparative analysis of its 16S rDNA sequence. The fermentation liquor of strain TL6 was effective at controlling peanut early leaf spot, and the field control effect was above 69.17% after spraying the fermentation liquid of TL6. The field control effect was more than 40.96% after spraying the fermentation liquid diluted 200 times. The field control effect of the TL6 fermentation liquid diluted 200 times and including the addition of 500 gL-1 carbendazim diluted 1000 times inhibited P. arachidicola by 81.33%. The combination of TL6 and carbendazim had a significant synergistic effect. This strain of B. amyloliquefaciens shows promise for commercial development and application.
The Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Induces Tongue, Pharynx and Salivary Gland Cancer Cells Death in Vitro and Delays Tumor Growth of Salivary Gland Cancer Cells Transplanted in Mice
Authors: Benvenuto Monica , Ciuffa Sara , Focaccetti Chiara , Sbardella Diego , Fazi Sara , Tundo Grazia Raffaella , Barillari Giovanni , Segni Maria , Manzari Vittorio , Modesti Andrea , Masuelli Laura , Coletta Massimo , Bei Roberto 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) has frequently an aggressive course for the development of resistance to standard chemotherapy. Thus, the use of innovative therapeutic drugs is being assessed. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with strong in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects. In vitro antitumoral activity of Bortezomib was investigated employing human pharynx (FaDu), tongue (SCC-15, CAL-27), salivary gland (A-253) cancer cell lines and a murine cell line (SALTO-5) originated from a salivary gland adenocarcinoma arising in BALB-neuT male mice transgenic for the oncogene neu. Bortezomib in vivo effects in BALB-neuT mice transplanted with murine SALTO-5 cells were also examined. Bortezomib inhibited cells proliferation, triggered apoptosis, modulated the expression and activation of pro-survival signal transduction pathways proteins activated by ErbB receptors and inhibited proteasome activity in vitro. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of Bortezomib delayed tumor growth of SALTO-5 cells transplanted in BALB-neuT mice and protracted mice survival. Our findings further support the use of Bortezomib for the treatment of HNC and reveal its ineffectiveness in counteracting the activation of deregulated specific signaling pathways in HNC cell lines when resistance to proteasome inhibition is developed.
Impact of Lung Function Decline on Time to Hospitalisation Events in Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD): a Joint Model Analysis
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Galdo Francesco Del , Miede Corinna , Khanna Dinesh , Wuyts Wim A. , Hummers Laura K. , Alves Margarida , Schoof Nils , Stock Christian , Allanore Yannick 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common organ manifestation in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is the leading cause of death in patients with SSc. A decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) is an indicator of ILD progression and is associated with mortality in patients with SSc-associated ILD (SSc-ILD). However, the relationship between FVC decline and hospitalisation events in patients with SSc-ILD is largely unknown. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to investigate the relationship between FVC decline and clinically important hospitalisation endpoints.Methods: We used data from SENSCIS®, a Phase III trial investigating the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with SSc-ILD. Joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data were used to assess the association between rate of decline in FVC% predicted and hospitalisation-related endpoints (including time to first all-cause hospitalisation or death; time to first SSc-related hospitalisation or death; and time to first admission to an emergency room [ER] or admission to hospital followed by admission to intensive care unit [ICU] or death) during the treatment period, over 52 weeks in patients with SSc-ILD.Results: There was a statistically significant association between FVC decline and the risk of all-cause (n=78) and SSc-related (n=42) hospitalisations or death (both P<0.0001). A decrease of 3% in FVC corresponded to a 1.43-fold increase in risk of all-cause hospitalisation or death (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24, 1.65) and a 1.48-fold increase in risk of SSc-related hospitalisation or death (95% CI 1.23, 1.77). No statistically significant association was observed between FVC decline and admission to ER or to hospital followed by admission to ICU or death (n=75; P=0.15). The estimated slope difference for nintedanib versus placebo in the longitudinal sub-model was consistent with the primary analysis in SENSCIS®.Conclusions: The association of lung function decline with an increased risk of hospitalisation suggests that slowing FVC decline in patients with SSc-ILD may prevent hospitalisations. Our findings also provide evidence that FVC decline may serve as a surrogate endpoint for clinically relevant hospitalisation-associated endpoints.Trial registration: Clinialtrials.gov, NCT02597933. Registered 8 October 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02597933.