bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life of refugees: a systematic review of studies using the WHOQOL-Bref instrument in general and clinical refugee populations in the community setting
Authors: Gagliardi Juliette , Brettschneider Christian , König Hans-Helmut 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To systematically review studies on HRQOL, measured by the WHOQOL-Bref instrument, of refugees in general and clinical populations who are settled in the community of the hosting country, and outline the differences in scores among the two population groups and across the four domains of WHOQOL-Bref (physical, psychological, social relationships and environment domain) as well as factors impacting those outcomes.

Methods
Several databases were systematically searched by using a broad search strategy. Additionally, a hand search for grey literature was performed. Studies had to comply with the following inclusion criteria: (a) population of refugees; (b) living in the community of the country of destination; (c) assessing HRQOL through the WHOQOL-Bref instrument.

Results
15 studies were identified and divided into two subgroups: (a) general population of refugees (b) clinical population of refugees, who were specifically selected for their mental status or because they had experienced relevant past traumas. Although we can outline common patterns among the two groups, in terms of domains scoring the highest and the lowest, heterogeneous values of HRQOL are observed across the studies included.

Conclusions
Individuals who were included in the clinical refugee group have a lower quality of life in respect to the general population of refugees. However, among the two groups different patterns can be outlined considering each domain of HRQOL: higher scores for the Physical and lower for the Environment domain when considering the general population of refugees and higher scores for the Environment and lower for the Psychological domain when referring to the clinical one. These lower scores are probably due to having a higher rate of mental distress and being more exposed to somatization, stigmatization and barriers to access the healthcare system of the hosting country.
Cell surface Nucleolin represents a novel cellular target for neuroblastoma therapy
Authors: Brignole Chiara , Bensa Veronica , Fonseca Nuno A. , Del Zotto Genny , Bruno Silvia , Cruz Ana F. , Malaguti Fabiana , Carlini Barbara , Morandi Fabio , Calarco Enzo , Perri Patrizia , Moura Vera , Emionite Laura , Cilli Michele , De Leonardis Francesco , Tondo Annalisa , Amoroso Loredana , Conte Massimo , Garaventa Alberto , Sementa Angela R. , Corrias Maria V. , Ponzoni Mirco , Moreira Joao N. , Pastorino Fabio 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Neuroblastoma (NB) represents the most frequent and aggressive form of extracranial solid tumor of infants. Nucleolin (NCL) is a protein overexpressed and partially localized on the cell surface of tumor cells of adult cancers. Little is known about NCL and pediatric tumors and nothing is reported about cell surface NCL and NB.

Methods
NB cell lines, Schwannian stroma-poor NB tumors and bone marrow (BM)-infiltrating NB cells were evaluated for the expression of cell surface NCL by Flow Cytometry, Imaging Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry analyses. The cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded nanocarriers decorated with the NCL-recognizing F3 peptide (T-DXR) was evaluated in terms of inhibition of NB cell proliferation and induction of cell death in vitro, whereas metastatic and orthotopic animal models of NB were used to examine their in vivo anti-tumor potential.

Results
NB cell lines, NB tumor cells (including patient-derived and Patient-Derived Xenografts-PDX) and 70% of BM-infiltrating NB cells show cell surface NCL expression. NCL staining was evident on both tumor and endothelial tumor cells in NB xenografts. F3 peptide-targeted nanoparticles, co-localizing with cell surface NCL, strongly associates with NB cells showing selective tumor cell internalization. T-DXR result significantly more effective, in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation and reduction of cell viability in vitro, and in terms of delay of tumor growth in all NB animal model tested, when compared to both control mice and those treated with the untargeted formulation.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that NCL could represent an innovative therapeutic cellular target for NB.
Expression profiles and prognostic values of BolA family members in ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhu Mingyang , Xiao Shiqi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
The BOLA gene family, comprising three members, is mainly involved in regulating intracellular iron homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that BolA family member 2 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and hepatic cellular carcinoma progression. However, there was less known about its role in ovarian cancer.

Methods
In the present study, we investigated the expression profiles, prognostic roles, and genetic alterations of three BolA family members in patients with ovarian cancer through several public databases, containing Oncomine and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan–Meier plotter and cBioPortal. Then, we constructed the protein-protein interaction networks of BOLA proteins and their interactors by using the String database and Cytoscape software. In addition, we performed the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment by the Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery database. Finally, we explored the mechanisms underlying BolA family members’ involvement in OC by using gene set enrichment analysis.

Results
The mRNA and protein expression levels of BOLA2 and BOLA3 were heavily higher in ovarian cancer tissues than in normal ovarian tissues. Dysregulated mRNA expressions of three BolA family members were significantly associated with prognosis in overall or subgroup analysis. Moreover, genetic alterations also occurred in three BolA family members in ovarian cancer. GO analysis indicated that BolA family members might regulate the function of metal ion binding and protein disulfide oxidoreductase activity. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that BolA family members were mainly associated with oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, protein export, and glutathione metabolism in ovarian cancer.

Conclusion
In brief, our finding may contribute to increasing currently limited prognostic biomarkers and treatment options for ovarian cancer.
A fatal toxic shock-like syndrome post COVID-19 infection in a child
Authors: Ajmi Houda , Besghaier Wissem , Kallala Wafa , Trabelsi Abdelhalim , Abroug Saoussan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Children affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showed various manifestations. Some of them were severe cases presenting with multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) causing multiple organ dysfunction.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with recent COVID-19 infection who presented with persistent fever, abdominal pain and other symptoms that meet the definition of MIS-C. She had lymphopenia and a high level of inflammatory markers. She was admitted to pediatric intensive care unit since she rapidly developed refractory catecholamine-resistant shock with multiple organ failure. Echocardiography showed a small pericardial effusion with a normal ejection fraction (Ejection Fraction = 60%) and no valvular or coronary lesions. The child showed no signs of improvement even after receiving intravenous immunoglobulin, fresh frozen plasma, high doses of Vasopressors and corticosteroid. His outcome was fatal.

Conclusion
Pediatric patients affected by the new COVID-19 related syndrome may show severe life-threatening conditions similar to Kawasaki disease shock syndrome. Hypotension in these patients results from heart failure and the decreased cardiac output. We report a new severe clinical feature of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in whom hypotension was the result of refractory vasoplegia.
Panarthropod tiptop/teashirt and spalt orthologs and their potential role as “trunk”-selector genes
Authors: Medina-Jiménez Brenda I. , Budd Graham E. , Janssen Ralf 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn the vinegar flyDrosophila melanogaster, the homeodomain containing transcription factor Teashirt (Tsh) appears to specify trunk identity in concert with the function of the Hox genes. While inDrosophilathere is a second gene closely related totsh, calledtiptop(tio), in other arthropods species only one copy exists (calledtio/tsh). The expression oftshandtio/tsh, respectively, is surprisingly similar among arthropods suggesting that its function as trunk selector gene may be conserved. Other research, for example on the beetleTribolium castaneum, questions even conservation of Tsh function among insects. The zinc-finger transcription factor Spalt (Sal) is involved in the regulation ofDrosophila tsh, but this regulatory interaction does not appear to be conserved inTriboliumeither. Whether the function and interaction oftshandsalas potential trunk-specifiers, however, is conserved is still unclear because comparative studies onsalexpression (except forTribolium) are lacking, and functional data are (if at all existing) restricted to Insecta.ResultsHere, we provide additional data on arthropodtshexpression, show the first data on onychophorantio/tshexpression, and provide a comprehensive investigation onsalexpression patterns in arthropods and an onychophoran.ConclusionsOur data support the idea thattio/tshgenes are involved in the development of “trunk” segments by regulating limb development. Our data suggest further that the function of Sal is indeed unlikely to be conserved in trunk vs head development like inDrosophila, but early expression ofsalis in line with a potential homeotic function, at least in Arthropoda.
Development of a balanced scorecard as a strategic performance measurement system for clinical radiology as a cost center
Authors: Teichgräber Ulf , Sibbel Rainer , Heinrich Andreas , Güttler Felix 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To develop a goal-oriented indicator system based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) concept, which takes into account the perspectives of the referring physician and patient and emphasizes the focus on the internal processes of the radiology department.

Methods
Development of a BSC occurred in six steps: (Step 1) strengths/weaknesses and opportunities/risks (SWOT-) analysis of the radiology department, (Step 2) setting-specific objectives (model, core values, key objective) followed by the development of 4 perspectives, (Step 3) and definition of strategic issues oriented to the value-added chain of the processes of the radiology department. (Step 4) Creation of a “Strategy Map” with regard to the perspective and their cause–effect relationships. (Step 5) Development of an automated key performance indicator (KPI) cockpit for the monitoring, reporting, and management scorecard.

Results
A total of 10 success factors were identified using SWOT analysis. The core values include high quality in clinical, teaching, and research areas. The radiological value-added chain is composed of three processing steps. 1. registration, 2. examination, and 3. reading/X-ray demonstration. Three action programs were derived: 1. increase competency (e.g., specialist standard), 2. improve referring physician/patient satisfaction, 3. increase productivity. Daily process monitoring was added to the management cockpit as a monitoring scorecard. The scorecard comprises 18 KPIs and is automatically updated every month. The annual management scorecard comprises 10 KPIs.

Conclusions
The BSC makes it possible to implement a strategy for radiology that is strongly oriented toward the requirements of the referring physicians and the demands of patients.
Report on ammonoid soft tissue remains revealed by computed tomography
Authors: Hoffmann R. , Morón-Alfonso D. , Klug C. , Tanabe K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFindings of ammonoid soft tissues are extremely rare compared to the rich fossil record of ammonoid conchs ranging from the Late Devonian to the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. Here, we apply the computed-tomography approach to detect ammonoid soft tissue remains in well-preserved fossils from the Early Cretaceous (early Albian) of NE-Germany ofProleymeriella. The ammonites were found in glauconitic–phosphatic sandstone boulders. Analyses of the high-resolution Ct-data revealed the presence of cameral sheets, the siphuncular tube wall, and the siphuncle itself. The siphuncle is a long, segmented soft tissue that begins at the rear end of the body chamber and comprises blood vessels. Chemical analyses using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that all preserved soft tissues were phosphatized and are now composed of fluorapatite. The same holds true for preserved shell remains that locally show the nacreous microstructure. We provide a short description of these soft tissue remains and briefly discuss the taphonomic pathway.
Target arterial PO2 according to the underlying pathology: a mini-review of the available data in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Demiselle Julien , Calzia Enrico , Hartmann Clair , Messerer David Alexander Christian , Asfar Pierre , Radermacher Peter , Datzmann Thomas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere is an ongoing discussion whether hyperoxia, i.e. ventilation with high inspiratory O2 concentrations (FIO2), and the consecutive hyperoxaemia, i.e. supraphysiological arterial O2 tensions (PaO2), have a place during the acute management of circulatory shock. This concept is based on experimental evidence that hyperoxaemia may contribute to the compensation of the imbalance between O2 supply and requirements. However, despite still being common practice, its use is limited due to possible oxygen toxicity resulting from the increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) limits, especially under conditions of ischaemia/reperfusion. Several studies have reported that there is a U-shaped relation between PaO2 and mortality/morbidity in ICU patients. Interestingly, these mostly retrospective studies found that the lowest mortality coincided with PaO2 ~ 150 mmHg during the first 24 h of ICU stay, i.e. supraphysiological PaO2 levels. Most of the recent large-scale retrospective analyses studied general ICU populations, but there are major differences according to the underlying pathology studied as well as whether medical or surgical patients are concerned. Therefore, as far as possible from the data reported, we focus on the need of mechanical ventilation as well as the distinction between the absence or presence of circulatory shock. There seems to be no ideal target PaO2 except for avoiding prolonged exposure (> 24 h) to either hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 55–60 mmHg) or supraphysiological (PaO2 > 100 mmHg). Moreover, the need for mechanical ventilation, absence or presence of circulatory shock and/or the aetiology of tissue dysoxia, i.e. whether it is mainly due to impaired macro- and/or microcirculatory O2 transport and/or disturbed cellular O2 utilization, may determine whether any degree of hyperoxaemia causes deleterious side effects.
Individualization of PEEP and tidal volume in ARDS patients with electrical impedance tomography: a pilot feasibility study
Authors: Becher Tobias , Buchholz Valerie , Hassel Daniel , Meinel Timo , Schädler Dirk , Frerichs Inéz , Weiler Norbert 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
In mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), electrical impedance tomography (EIT) provides information on alveolar cycling and overdistension as well as assessment of recruitability at the bedside. We developed a protocol for individualization of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and tidal volume (VT) utilizing EIT-derived information on recruitability, overdistension and alveolar cycling. The aim of this study was to assess whether the EIT-based protocol allows individualization of ventilator settings without causing lung overdistension, and to evaluate its effects on respiratory system compliance, oxygenation and alveolar cycling.

Methods
20 patients with ARDS were included. Initially, patients were ventilated according to the recommendations of the ARDS Network with a VT of 6 ml per kg predicted body weight and PEEP adjusted according to the lower PEEP/FiO2 table. Subsequently, ventilator settings were adjusted according to the EIT-based protocol once every 30 min for a duration of 4 h. To assess global overdistension, we determined whether lung stress and strain remained below 27 mbar and 2.0, respectively.

Results
Prospective optimization of mechanical ventilation with EIT led to higher PEEP levels (16.5 [14–18] mbar vs. 10 [8–10] mbar before optimization; p = 0.0001) and similar VT (5.7 ± 0.92 ml/kg vs. 5.8 ± 0.47 ml/kg before optimization; p = 0.96). Global lung stress remained below 27 mbar in all patients and global strain below 2.0 in 19 out of 20 patients. Compliance remained similar, while oxygenation was significantly improved and alveolar cycling was reduced after EIT-based optimization.

Conclusions
Adjustment of PEEP and VT using the EIT-based protocol led to individualization of ventilator settings with improved oxygenation and reduced alveolar cycling without promoting global overdistension.
Trial registrationThis study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02703012) on March 9, 2016 before including the first patient.
Unsupervised outlier detection in multidimensional data
Authors: ur Rehman Atiq , Belhaouari Samir Brahim 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDetection and removal of outliers in a dataset is a fundamental preprocessing task without which the analysis of the data can be misleading. Furthermore, the existence of anomalies in the data can heavily degrade the performance of machine learning algorithms. In order to detect the anomalies in a dataset in an unsupervised manner, some novel statistical techniques are proposed in this paper. The proposed techniques are based on statistical methods considering data compactness and other properties. The newly proposed ideas are found efficient in terms of performance, ease of implementation, and computational complexity. Furthermore, two proposed techniques presented in this paper use transformation of data to a unidimensional distance space to detect the outliers, so irrespective of the data’s high dimensions, the techniques remain computationally inexpensive and feasible. Comprehensive performance analysis of the proposed anomaly detection schemes is presented in the paper, and the newly proposed schemes are found better than the state-of-the-art methods when tested on several benchmark datasets.
A field guide for aging passerine nestlings using growth data and predictive modeling
Authors: Sanchez Audrey A. , Bartlow Andrew W. , Chan Allison M. , Fair Jeanne M. , Skinner Aaron A. , Hutchins Kelly , Musgrave Maria A. , Phillips Emily M. , Thompson Brent E. , Hathcock Charles D. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Accurate nestling age is valuable for studies on nesting strategies, productivity, and impacts on reproductive success. Most aging guides consist of descriptions and photographs that are time consuming to read and subjective to interpret. The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a secondary cavity-nesting passerine that nests in coniferous and open deciduous forests. Nest box programs for cavity-nesting species have provided suitable nesting locations and opportunities for data collection on nestling growth and development.

Methods
We developed models for predicting the age of Western Bluebird nestlings from morphometric measurements using model training and validation. These were developed for mass, tarsus, and two different culmen measurements.

Results
Our models were accurate to within less than a day, and each model worked best for a specific age range. The mass and tarsus models can be used to estimate the ages of Western Bluebird nestlings 0–10 days old and were accurate to within 0.5 days for mass and 0.7 days for tarsus. The culmen models can be used to estimate ages of nestlings 0–15 days old and were also accurate to within less than a day. The daily mean, minimum, and maximum values of each morphometric measurement are provided and can be used in the field for accurate nestling age estimations in real time.

Conclusions
The model training and validation procedures used here demonstrate that this method can create aging models that are highly accurate. The methods can be applied to any passerine species provided sufficient nestling morphometric data are available.
Natural forests in New Zealand – a large terrestrial carbon pool in a national state of equilibrium
Authors: Paul Thomas , Kimberley Mark O. , Beets Peter N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundNatural forests cover approximately 29% of New Zealand’s landmass and represent a large terrestrial carbon pool. In 2002 New Zealand implemented its first representative plot-based natural forest inventory to assess carbon stocks and stock changes in these mostly undisturbed old-growth forests. Although previous studies have provided estimates of biomass or carbon stocks, these were either not fully representative or lacked data from important pools such as dead wood (coarse woody debris). The current analysis provides the most complete estimates of carbon stocks and stock changes in natural forests in New Zealand.ResultsWe present estimates of per hectare carbon stocks and stock changes in live and dead organic matter pools excluding soil carbon based on the first two measurement cycles of the New Zealand Natural Forest Inventory carried out from 2002 to 2014. These show that New Zealand’s natural forests are in balance and are neither a carbon source nor a carbon sink. The average total carbon stock was 227.0 ± 14.4 tC·ha− 1(95% C.I.) and did not change significantly in the 7.7 years between measurements with the net annual change estimated to be 0.03 ± 0.18 tC·ha− 1·yr− 1. There was a wide variation in carbon stocks between forest groups. Regenerating forest had an averaged carbon stock of only 53.6 ± 9.4 tC·ha− 1but had a significant sequestration rate of 0.63 ± 0.25 tC·ha− 1·yr− 1, while tall forest had an average carbon stock of 252.4 ± 15.5 tC·ha− 1, but its sequestration rate did not differ significantly from zero (− 0.06 ± 0.20 tC·ha− 1·yr− 1). The forest alliance with the largest average carbon stock in above and below ground live and dead organic matter pools was silver beech-red beech-kamahi forest carrying 360.5 ± 34.6 tC·ha− 1. Dead wood and litter comprised 27% of the total carbon stock.ConclusionsNew Zealand’s Natural Forest Inventory provides estimates of carbon stocks including estimates for difficult to measure pools such as dead wood and roots. It also provides estimates of uncertainties including effects of model prediction error and sampling variation between plots. Importantly it shows that on a national level New Zealand’s natural forests are in balance. Nevertheless, this is a nationally important carbon pool that requires continuous monitoring to identify potential negative or positive changes.