bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of postoperative complications and long‐term oncological outcomes in minimally invasive versus open pancreatoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Kim Sung Hyun , Lee Boram , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Lee Jun Suh , Han Ho‐Seong , Lee Woo Jung , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Kang Chang Moo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundPancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the only curative therapy for distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCC). There has been no study to compare outcomes between minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) for dCC. The aim of the study is to compare the two operation types for dCC in terms of postoperative and oncologic outcomes.MethodsData from 426 patients who underwent MIPD (n = 91) or OPD (n = 335) for dCC from January 2012 to December 2019 at two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. After 1:2 propensity score matching, postoperative and oncologic outcomes were compared.ResultsMinimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy group showed more favorable results than OPD group in terms of blood loss (MIPD vs OPD, 250 [150‐400] vs 400 [200‐600], mL, P < .001), and length of hospital stay (19.8 ± 11.3 vs 26.6 ± 14.3 days, P < .001). OPD group showed more favorable results than MIPD group in terms of operation time (MIPD vs OPD, 457 ± 70 vs 398 ± 85 min, P < .001) and harvested lymph nodes (14.9 ± 7.8 vs 20.7 ± 11.5, P < .001). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the R0 resection rate and complications. In long‐term survival analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionMinimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy showed comparable postoperative complications and long‐term oncologic survival with OPD in the treatment of dCC.
Advances in the reduction of quinolines to 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines
Authors: El‐Shahat Mahmoud 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe pursuit of modern sustainable chemistry has stimulated the development of innovative catalytic processes that enable chemical transformations to be performed under mild and clean conditions with high efficiency. Herein, we report that the hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds is one of the most efficient methods for the construction of heterocyclic skeletons, and only a few promising progress has been achieved. Transition metal‐catalyzed, a countless number of transition metals include have been used toward the development of homo/heterogeneous hydrogenation of quinolines via the most convenient route (Direct Hydrogenation) to obtain the corresponding tetrahydroquinoline derivatives.
A search for antiinflammatory therapies: Synthesis, in silico investigation of the mode of action, and in vitro analyses of new quinazolin‐2,4‐dione derivatives targeting phosphodiesterase‐4 enzyme
Authors: Abdelmonsef Aboubakr H. , Abdelhakeem Mohamed A. , Mosallam Ahmed M. , Temairk Hussain , El‐Naggar Mohamed , Okasha Hend , Rashdan Huda R. M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractInflammation is the response of the body's immune system to harmful stimuli. The expression of phosphodiesterase 4 enzyme (PDE4) was demonstrated in many inflammatory cells. Thus, it was considered an attractive therapeutic target for combating inflammatory disorders. In the present study, a novel class of quinazolin‐2,4‐dione analogues 1‐17a,b was synthesized. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by means of spectral and elemental analysis. Additionally, molecular docking studies for the new synthetic compounds were performed using PyRx—virtual screening tool to demonstrate the possible binding pattern mode of interactions within the active site region of the PDE4 enzyme. The antiinflammatory activity of the synthesized compounds was also in vitro examined using inhibition of protein denaturation, anti‐proteinase effect, and membrane stabilization assay. The in silico docking studies revealed that the newly synthesized compounds were well accommodated by the active site region of the target protein through a network of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and pi‐stacking, which contributed to the enhancement of affinity and stability between the compounds and the target protein. They exhibited better docking scores when compared with reference drugs diclofenac and coumarin. In addition, in vitro testing revealed that the compounds had moderate to good antiinflammatory effects. The biological study agreed with in silico approach, which revealed that the compounds had promising antiinflammatory activity. Hence, our detailed results can facilitate the rational drug design targeting PDE4 enzyme.
A survey to explore the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on radiation therapists in Norway and Canada: A tale of two countries
Authors: Morassaei Sara , Di Prospero Lisa , Ringdalen Elisabeth , Olsen Sunniva S. , Korsell Agnethe , Erler Darby , Ying Carmen , Ho Choi Sang , Bolderston Amanda , Middleton Jacqueline , Johansen Safora 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionSeveral studies have demonstrated the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health care providers. However, there is little known about how the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted radiation therapists (RTs) in Norway or Canada. The aim of this investigation was to study the psychological impact of working during the COVID‐19 pandemic among RTs in Canada and Norway.MethodsOnline surveys were administered to a convenience sample of RTs and RT department managers. Approximately 2000 and 300 RTs were invited to participate from Canada and Norway, respectively. The RT survey collected information on demographics, work‐related stressors, psychological impact, quality of life, and workplace support programmes. The RT manager survey collected information on departmental changes, patient volumes, staff shortages and redeployment, personal protective equipment, and infection control measures. Descriptive analysis, group comparisons and logistic regression were used to examine the impact of COVID‐19 on RTs in the two countries, while open‐ended questions were examined through thematic analysis.ResultsWork‐related stress and anxiety were prevalent among Canadian (n = 155) and Norwegian RTs (n = 124), with Canadian RTs reporting higher levels. Fear of transmission, changes in PPE usage, and changes in staffing were reported as the most frequent work‐related stressors. Themes related to working during the pandemic included: generalised anxiety; physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms of stress; and loneliness, as well as negative impact on health and quality of relationships. Survey findings from RT department managers in Canada (n = 12) and Norway (n = 13) suggest that the pandemic had an organisational impact on RT departments due to implemented infection control measures and changes in staffing.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to similar stressors amongst Canadian and Norwegian RTs but relatively higher levels of psychological impact among Canadian RTs. Findings demonstrate the importance of mental health support programmes in the workplace to mitigate the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on RTs.
Humoral response to SARS‐CoV‐2 and seasonal coronaviruses in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Adams Ortwin , Andrée Marcel , Rabl Denise , Ostermann Philipp N. , Schaal Heiner , Lehnert Erik , Ackerstaff Stefanie , Müller Lisa , Fischer Johannes C. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe used enzyme‐linked immunoassay methods to measure the prevalence and the levels of antibody responses to the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and four seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoV‐OC43, HCoV‐HKU1, HCoV 229E, and HCoV‐NL63) in a cohort of 115 convalescent plasma donors infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 (1–61 days after symptom onset) compared to antibody levels in 114 individuals with no evidence of a recent infection with SARS‐CoV‐2. In the humoral response to the four seasonal coronaviruses, only HCoV‐HKU1‐ and HCoV‐229E‐assays showed slightly elevated antibody levels in the COVID group compared to the control group. While in the COVID‐group the levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies correlated significantly with disease severity, no association was found in the levels of antibodies against the seasonal coronaviruses. The most striking result in both groups was that the levels of antibodies against all tested coronaviruses, including the new SARS‐CoV‐2 showed a highly significant correlation with each other. There seems to be an individual predisposition to a weaker or stronger humoral immune response against all known seasonal human coronaviruses including the new SARS‐CoV‐2, which could lead to a definition of low and high responders against human coronaviruses with potential impact on the assessment of postinfection antibody levels and protection.
System security enhancement using hybridHUA‐GPCapproach under transmission line(s) and/or generator(s) outage conditions
Authors: Alluri Amarendra , Lanka Ravi Srinivas , Rao Rayapudi Sreenivasa 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this manuscript, a hybrid HUA‐GPC strategy with unified power flow controller (UPFC) is proposed to enhance that security of power system under the condition of transmission and/or generator failure. The proposed hybrid strategy is joint implementation of Human urbanization algorithm (HUA) and Giza Pyramids Construction (GPC) and commonly named as HUA‐GPC approach. GPC approach is utilized to develop that search behavior of HUA. The main aim of the proposal is the operation and control of electrical system is to satisfy the demand continuously in the absence of failures. A new severity function is created with transmission line loads and bus voltage magnitude deviations. The proposed function and generation fuel cost are evaluated in contingency conditions of transmission line (s) and/or generator (s). System safety in contingency conditions is evaluated with optimal power flow issue. To improve system safety in contingency conditions in the presence of UPFC, it is essential to recognize an optimal position to install this device. To recognize an optimal UPFC position, in this proposal, a HUA‐GPC technique depending on line overload sensitivity index (LOSI) is evolved. The LOSI is assessed for every transmission lines in contingencies. An energy injection model based on UPFC voltage source, incorporation process and optimal location recognition approach depending on line overload sensitivity indices is proposed. The constraints are the constraints of equality and inequality. The proposed approach is then performed on the MATLAB/Simulink work platform and the efficiency is compared with existing strategies. The quality of the solution for the proposed system is analyzed in terms of best aptitude, worst aptitude, mean aptitude, SD, coefficient of variation and the error of best is 1110936.01, 1097382.12, 1107656.56, 1051.98, 0.075, and 0.82.
Light microscopic and heterogeneity analysis of astrocytes in the common marmoset brain
Authors: Muñoz Yorka , Cuevas‐Pacheco Francisco , Quesseveur Gaël , Murai Keith K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAstrocytes are abundant cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and are involved in processes including synapse formation/function, ion homeostasis, neurotransmitter uptake, and neurovascular coupling. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes show diverse molecular, structural, and physiological properties within the CNS. This heterogeneity is reflected in differences in astrocyte structure, gene expression, functional properties, and responsiveness to injury/pathological conditions. Deeper investigation of astrocytic heterogeneity is needed to understand how astrocytes are configured to enable diverse roles in the CNS. While much has been learned about astrocytic heterogeneity in rodents, much less is known about astrocytic heterogeneity in the primate brain where astrocytes have greater size and complexity. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a promising non‐human primate model because of similarities between marmosets and humans with respect to genetics, brain anatomy, and cognition/behavior. Here, we investigated the molecular and structural heterogeneity of marmoset astrocytes using an array of astrocytic markers, multi‐label confocal microscopy, and quantitative analysis. We used male and female marmosets and found that marmoset astrocytes show differences in expression of astrocytic markers in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These differences were accompanied by intra‐regional variation in expression of markers for glutamate/GABA transporters, and potassium and water channels. Differences in astrocyte structure were also found, along with complex interactions with blood vessels, microglia, and neurons. This study contributes to our knowledge of the cellular and molecular features of marmoset astrocytes and is useful for understanding the complex properties of astrocytes in the primate CNS.
Extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region of the United States: A climatology with implications for insect mortality
Authors: Kiefer Michael T. , Andresen Jeffrey A. , McCullough Deborah G. , Baule William J. , Notaro Michael 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWinter‐season extreme minimum temperatures may play a major role in limiting population growth and spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), an invasive sap‐feeding insect that has caused extensive mortality of hemlock trees (Tsuga spp.) in many eastern United States (US) forests. This atypical insect feeds throughout the winter but populations can sustain high mortality when winter‐season extreme minimum temperatures drop below −20 to −30°C. Detection of HWA in Michigan during 2015 motivated interest in HWA winter survival in the US Great Lakes region. Here, we used the parameter‐elevation regressions on independent slopes model (PRISM) gridded daily minimum temperature dataset to construct a 1981–2018 climatology of extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region, the first such effort for this region. Metrics examined include absolute and mean annual extreme minimum temperatures (defined as the lowest daily minimum temperature during the study period and the study‐period mean lowest daily minimum temperature during each calendar year, respectively), and the frequency of daily minimum temperatures below −20 and −30°C. Minimum temperature patterns we identified support the following two hypotheses: first, proximity to water, surface elevation and latitude are the principal controls for extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region; second, the modifying influence of the relatively warm Lake Michigan serves to protect locations within about 10–25 km of the lakeshore from severe and potentially lethal temperatures for HWA. Analysis of projected minimum temperatures at the end of the 21st century (2080–2099) reveals a range of HWA distribution expansion scenarios. Although the original motivation for this study arose from interest in potential HWA mortality, a climatological study of extreme minimum temperatures has potentially broad relevance to, for example, human health and safety and forest ecology.
Reliability and accuracy in radiographic measurements of musculoskeletal tumors
Authors: Kellish Alec S. , Miskiel Sandra , Gaughan John , Barshay Veniamin , Kim Tae W. , Gutowski Christina J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTumor size and growth are important parameters when evaluating bone and soft tissue neoplasms. There are no reports comparing the intra‐ and interobserver reliability among physicians in their evaluation of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumor imaging. This study investigates the accuracy and precision of measurements made by orthopedic and radiology physicians in different stages of training. Blinded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from six patients, three soft tissue, and three bone tumors were selected: each case included an “old” and “new” scan that was performed at least 3 months apart. Fourteen participants were selected, representing varying levels of education and experience, including two of each of the following: medical students, orthopedic and radiology residents, oncology and nononcologic orthopedic attendings, and MSK and non‐MSK radiology attendings. Participants compared the old and new studies, recording tumor size in the transverse, cranial–caudal, and anterior–posterior dimensions, and determined if the tumor was stable or unstable. The MRI's official report served as the “gold standard.” Average intraobserver variability (|Trial 1 − Trial 2|/[(Trial 1 + Trial 2)/2])) in size measurements was 11.08% (0.00%–68.62%). The lowest variability was recorded by the MSK radiologist 1 (6.16%), and the greatest variability by Orthopedic Surgery Resident 1 (16.70%). Participants correctly determined stability 82% of the time (71%–100%). Only MSK radiologists correctly determined stability in over 90% of cases. There is considerable variability and inaccuracy in MRI‐based measurements of MSK tumors. These findings motivate opportunities for improving MSK imaging education of radiology and orthopedic residents. Physicians ordering MRI scans should evaluate them themselves, instead of relying on the radiology report alone, to inform clinical decision‐making.
The exploration of Iranian solo female travellers' experiences
Authors: Hosseini Seyedasaad , Macias Rafael Cortes , Garcia Fernando Almeida 
Published: October 2021

AbstractFor various reasons, some women experience solo travel in different parts of the world. However, as with many leisure activities, access to travel and tourism does not have the same distribution between different social groups, including other classes and genders (men and women). While there is a growing body of research on solo female travellers, few studies have included women from Middle Eastern or Muslim‐majority countries. Drawing upon a series of in‐depth interviews, this paper examines the travel experiences of Iranian solo female travellers, which have been mainly overlooked in prior studies on the topic. The study's findings indicate that solo travel motivations can be categorized into personal factors: freedom and flexibility, self‐empowerment, independence, and exploration. Also, the absence of family responsibilities, routines, and gender constraints, as well as the promotion of their social and personal selves, contributed to their well‐being. The results also indicate that, despite the restrictions imposed by Iran's religious‐patriarchal society, tourism has made women more visible in the public sphere. Overall, this study fills a significant gap in tourism research by highlighting the experience, limitations, and motivation of solo female travellers, which heralds social change.
Robust region encoding and layer attribute protection for the segmentation of retina with multifarious abnormalities
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Li Mingchao , Yuan Songtao , Liu Qinghuai , Chen Qiang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeTo robustly segment retinal layers that are affected by complex variety of retinal diseases for optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) en face projection generation.MethodsIn this paper, we propose a robust retinal layer segmentation model to reduce the impact of multifarious abnormalities on model performance. OCTA vascular distribution that is regarded as the supplements of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) structural information is introduced to improve the robustness of layer region encoding. To further reduce the sensitivity of region encoding to retinal abnormalities, we propose a multitask layer‐wise refinement (MLR) module that can refine the initial layer region segmentation results layer‐by‐layer. Finally, we design a region‐to‐surface transformation (RtST) module without additional training parameters to convert the encoding layer regions to their corresponding layer surfaces. This transformation from layer regions to layer surfaces can remove the inaccurate segmentation regions, and the layer surfaces are easier to be used to protect the retinal layer natures than layer regions.ResultsExperimental data includes 273 eyes, where 95 eyes are normal and 178 eyes contain complex retinal diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and so forth. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC: %) of superficial, deep and outer retina achieves 98.92, 97.48, and 98.87 on normal eyes and 98.35, 95.33, and 98.17 on abnormal eyes. Compared with other commonly used layer segmentation models, our model achieves the state‐of‐the‐art layer segmentation performance.ConclusionsThe final results prove that our proposed model obtains outstanding performance and has enough ability to resist retinal abnormalities. Besides, OCTA modality is helpful for retinal layer segmentation.
Variance‐aware attention U‐Net for multi‐organ segmentation
Authors: Lin Haoneng , Li Zongshang , Yang Zefan , Wang Yi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeWith the continuous development of deep learning based medical image segmentation technology, it is expected to attain more robust and accurate performance for more challenging tasks, such as multi‐organs, small/irregular areas, and ambiguous boundary issues.MethodsWe propose a variance‐aware attention U‐Net to solve the problem of multi‐organ segmentation. Specifically, a simple yet effective variance‐based uncertainty mechanism is devised to evaluate the discrimination of each voxel via its prediction probability. The proposed variance uncertainty is further embedded into an attention architecture, which not only aggregates multi‐level deep features in a global‐level but also enforces the network to pay extra attention to voxels with uncertain predictions during training.ResultsExtensive experiments on challenging abdominal multi‐organ CT dataset show that our proposed method consistently outperforms cutting‐edge attention networks with respect to the evaluation metrics of Dice index (DSC), 95% Hausdorff distance (95HD) and average symmetric surface distance (ASSD).ConclusionsThe proposed network provides an accurate and robust solution for multi‐organ segmentation and has the potential to be used for improving other segmentation applications.