bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endonasal access to lower cranial nerves: From foramina to upper parapharyngeal space
Authors: Li Lifeng , London Nyall R. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Carrau Ricardo L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLesions arising from the upper parapharyngeal space (UPPS) often involved the jugular foramen region (JFR), occasionally extending into the posterior cranial fossa. This study aims to investigate the surgical anatomy of the JFR and UPPS from the perspective of an expanded endoscopic approach (EEA), tracing the lower cranial nerves from their extracranial foramina to the UPPS. Six cadaveric specimens (12 sides) underwent a transpterygoid EEA to expose the JFR and UPPS. Distances from the medial pterygoid plate (MPP) to the internal carotid artery (ICA), hypoglossal canal (HC), and jugular tubercle (JT) were measured on anonymized Computed tomography angiography images previously obtained from 30 patients with pulsatile tinnitus. Full access to the JFR, and its medial, superior, and anterior aspects, could be adequately achieved via an EEA. Upon exiting the jugular foramen, the glossopharyngeal nerve courses posterior to the ICA, traveling inferiorly into the UPPS between ICA and IJV. The vagus nerve is in close proximity to the hypoglossal nerve traveling posterior to the ICA. The accessory nerve courses lateral to the vagus nerve, running posterior to the IJV. The minimal distances from the MPP to ICA, HC, and JT were 2.52 ± 0.34, 2.86 ± 0.36, and 3.18 ± 0.33 cm, respectively. This anatomical study strongly suggests the feasibility of using an EEA to access to the medial, superior, and anterior aspects of the jugular foramen and the adjacent UPPS.
A multistage solar still with photovoltaic panels and DC water heater using a pyramid glass cover enhanced by external cooling shower and PCM
Authors: Al‐Hamadani Ali A. F. , Yaseen Altaf Hameed 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA novel multistage solar desalination system with a photovoltaic heater was manufactured. The base of the down basin of the solar still had a layer of paraffin wax with a mass of 13 kg as a phase change material. The system has been studied to evaluate the enhancement of freshwater. Saltwater was heated by solar radiation and by a direct current water heater. The surfaces of condensation vapor, such as the pyramid glass cover and lower surface of two stacked trays, were designed. This is to improve the productivity of freshwater by decreasing the resistance of condensation. The high temperature of the glass cover is modified by using a cooling water shower, especially at the highest intensity. The study includes parameters, such as cooling water shower flow rate, down basin water level, and the effect of the heater. It is observed that the novel solar desalination is proportional to solar radiation, paraffin wax, the heat input from a heater, cooling water shower flow rate, and down basin water level. The Multiple Stage Effect Photovoltaic Heater (MSEPVH) can produce 15 L/day of distilled water. The excellent flow rate of cooling water, the total freshwater, and the efficiency of MSEPVH for the optimal day were mathematically and experimentally determined.
Colorectal cancer survival in sub‐Saharan Africa by age, stage at diagnosis and Human Development Index: A population‐based registry study
Authors: Gullickson Cricket , Goodman Michael , Joko‐Fru Yvonne W. , Gnangnon Freddy Houéhanou Rodrigue , N'Da Guy , Woldegeorgis Mathewos Assefa , Buziba Nathan Gyabi , Karugu Caroline , Manraj Shyam S. , Lorenzoni Cesaltina Ferreira , Hansen Rolf , Finesse Anne , Somdyala Nontuthuzelo I. M. , Bukirwa Phiona , Chingonzoh Tatenda , Chokunonga Eric , Liu Biying , Kantelhardt Eva , Parkin Donald M. , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere are limited population‐based survival data for colorectal cancer (CRC) in sub‐Saharan Africa. Here, 1707 persons diagnosed with CRC from 2005 to 2015 were randomly selected from 13 population‐based cancer registries operating in 11 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa. Vital status was ascertained from medical charts or through next of kin. 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall and relative survival rates for all registries and for each registry were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier estimator. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the associations of 5‐year relative survival with age at diagnosis, stage and country‐level Human Development Index (HDI). Observed survival for 1448 patients with CRC across all registries combined was 72.0% (95% CI 69.5‐74.4%) at 1 year, 50.4% (95% CI 47.6‐53.2%) at 3 years and 43.5% (95% CI 40.6‐46.3%) at 5 years. We estimate that relative survival at 5 years in these registry populations is 48.2%. Factors associated with poorer survival included living in a country with lower HDI, late stage at diagnosis and younger or older age at diagnosis (<50 or ≥70 years). For example, the risk of death was 1.6 (95% CI 1.2‐2.1) times higher for patients residing in medium‐HDI and 2.7 (95% CI 2.2‐3.4) times higher for patients residing in low‐HDI compared to those residing in high‐HDI countries. Survival for CRC remains low in sub‐Saharan African countries, though estimates vary considerably by HDI. Strengthening health systems to ensure access to prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is critical in improving outcomes of CRC in the region.
Complete response to pembrolizumab in recurrent nested variant of urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Fukuta Kyotaro , Izaki Hirofumi , Shiozaki Keito , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Inai Tohru , Kataoka Hideyuki , Kudo Eiji , Kanda Kazuya 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionThe nested variant of urothelial carcinoma is rare and shows poor prognosis. We report a case of complete response to pembrolizumab in recurrent nested variant.Case presentationA 50‐year‐old man visited another hospital with hematuria and weight loss. Clinical stage T4aN0M0 bladder cancer and acute renal failure were diagnosed. He was referred to our hospital and underwent radical cystectomy. Histological examination showed pathological stage T4aN2 nested variant of urothelial carcinoma. He received 3 cycles of gemcitabine and carboplatin adjuvant chemotherapy. However, para‐aortic lymph node metastasis appeared 7 months after cystectomy. He received pembrolizumab as systemic chemotherapy. After 10 cycles, the lesion remained undetectable and we evaluated the response as complete. He has received 18 cycles in total and no recurrences or metastases have been observed.ConclusionPembrolizumab may offer effective treatment for nested variant of urothelial carcinoma.
Classification of brain tumor from magnetic resonance images using probabilistic features and possibilistic Hanman–Shannon transform classifier
Authors: Asthana Pallavi , Hanmandlu Madasu , Vashisth Sharda 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA brain tumor is considered one of the deadliest forms among all types of cancer due to its aggressive nature leading to patients’ low survival rate. Detection and classification of brain tumors have a significant impact on treatment planning and patient survival. The significance and importance of this work lie in the formulation of several probabilistic features that represent higher‐level probabilistic uncertainty. To create these features, the gain function of probabilistic Hanman transform is replaced with the gain functions of Shannon, Renyi, and Tsallis entropy functions thus paving a way to the corresponding hybrid transforms, Hanman‐Shannon, Hanman‐Renyi, and Hanman‐Tsallis transforms. The new features are extracted from brain MR images to detect and classify tumor by developing the possibilistic Hanman‐Shannon transform classifier. This uses the t‐normed errors between the training and testing features. The proposed system when evaluated on the two Brain MRI datasets yields the highest accuracy of around 99%.
Intravascular molecular‐structural imaging with a miniaturized integrated near‐infrared fluorescence and ultrasound catheter
Authors: Kellnberger Stephan , Wissmeyer Georg , Albaghdadi Mazen , Piao Zhonglie , Li Wenzhu , Mauskapf Adam , Rauschendorfer Philipp , Tearney Guillermo J. , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Jaffer Farouc A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality and warrants new imaging approaches to better guide clinical care. We report on a miniaturized, hybrid intravascular catheter and imaging system for comprehensive coronary artery imaging in vivo. Our catheter exhibits a total diameter of 1.0 mm (3.0 French), equivalent to standalone clinical intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters but enables simultaneous near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and IVUS molecular‐structural imaging. We demonstrate NIRF‐IVUS imaging in vitro in coronary stents using NIR fluorophores, and compare NIRF signal strengths for prism and ball lens sensor designs in both low and high scattering media. Next, in vivo intravascular imaging in pig coronary arteries demonstrates simultaneous, co‐registered molecular‐structural imaging of experimental CAD inflammation on IVUS and distance‐corrected NIRF images. The obtained results suggest substantial potential for the NIRF‐IVUS catheter to advance standalone IVUS, and enable comprehensive phenotyping of vascular disease to better assess and treat patients with CAD.
Intervening for HIV prevention and mental health: a review of global literature
Authors: Collins Pamela Y , Velloza Jennifer , Concepcion Tessa , Oseso Linda , Chwastiak Lydia , Kemp Christopher G , Simoni Jane , Wagenaar Bradley H 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionNumerous effective HIV prevention options exist, including behaviour change interventions, condom promotion and biomedical interventions, like voluntary medical male circumcision and pre‐exposure prophylaxis. However, populations at risk of HIV also face overlapping vulnerabilities to common mental disorders and severe mental illness. Mental health status can affect engagement in HIV risk behaviours and HIV prevention programmes. We conducted a narrative review of the literature on HIV prevention among key populations and other groups vulnerable to HIV infection to understand the relationship between mental health conditions and HIV prevention outcomes and summarize existing evidence on integrated approaches to HIV prevention and mental healthcare.MethodsWe searched five databases for studies published from January 2015 to August 2020, focused on HIV prevention and mental health conditions among key populations and individuals with serious mental illness. Studies were included if they evaluated an HIV prevention intervention or assessed correlates of HIV risk reduction and included assessment of mental health conditions or a mental health intervention.Results and discussionWe identified 50 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, of which 26 were randomized controlled trials or other experimental designs of an HIV prevention intervention with or without a mental health component. Behaviour change interventions were the most common HIV prevention approach. A majority of studies recruited men who have sex with men and adolescents. Two studies provided distinct approaches to integrated HIV prevention and mental health service delivery. Overall, a majority of included studies showed that symptoms of mental disorder or distress are associated with HIV prevention outcomes (e.g. increased risky sexual behaviour, poor engagement in HIV prevention behaviours). In addition, several studies conducted among groups at high risk of poor mental health found that integrating a mental health component into a behaviour change intervention or linking mental health services to combination prevention activities significantly reduced risk behaviour and mental distress and improved access to mental healthcare.ConclusionsEvidence suggests that mental health conditions are associated with poorer HIV prevention outcomes, and tailored integrated approaches are urgently needed to address overlapping vulnerabilities among key populations and other individuals at risk.
The longitudinal association between depression, anxiety symptoms and HIV outcomes, and the modifying effect of alcohol dependence among ART clients with hazardous alcohol use in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Minh X , McNaughton Reyes H. Luz , Pence Brian W , Muessig Kate , Hutton Heidi E , Latkin Carl A , Dowdy David , Chander Geetanjali , Lancaster Kathryn E , Frangakis Constantine , Sripaipan Teerada , Ha Tran Viet , Go Vivian F 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionMental health disorders may negatively impact HIV outcomes, such as viral suppression (VS) and antiretroviral (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH) with hazardous alcohol use. This study evaluates the longitudinal association between depression, anxiety symptoms, VS and complete ART adherence among ART clients with hazardous alcohol use in Vietnam; and examines alcohol dependence as a modifier in this association.MethodsThis was a secondary data analysis of a trial for hazardous drinking ART clients in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. From March 2016 to May 2018, 440 ART clients with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Concise (AUDIT‐C) score ≥4 for men and ≥3 for women were enrolled. Individuals were randomized to either a combined intervention, a brief intervention or a standard of care. Data on sociodemographics, depression, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use, VS and ART adherence were collected at baseline, three, six, and twelve months. Generalized estimating equation models controlling for intervention exposure were used to estimate time‐lagged associations. Risk ratios were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 40.2. The majority was male (96.8%), had at least some secondary school education (85.0%) and had a history of injection drug use (80.9%). No overall effect of depression and anxiety symptoms on VS was observed. When stratified by time, increased anxiety symptoms at six months were associated with VS at 12 months (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.09; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17). An increase in depression or anxiety symptoms was associated with a decreased probability of complete ART adherence (depression symptoms: aRR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91 to 0.99; anxiety symptoms: aRR = 0.93; 85% CI: 0.88 to 0.99). The negative effects of anxiety symptoms on ART adherence were stronger among participants with alcohol dependence, compared to those without.ConclusionsDepression and anxiety symptoms had no overall effect on VS, although they were associated with a lower probability of complete ART adherence. Interventions focusing on mental healthcare for PWH with hazardous alcohol use are needed, and integration of mental healthcare and alcohol reduction should be implemented in HIV primary care settings.
Clinical valuables related to resolution of complete or advanced atrioventricular block after steroid therapy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Nabeta Takeru , Hara Masahiko , Naruke Takashi , Maemura Kenji , Oki Takumi , Yazaki Mayu , Fujita Teppei , Ikeda Yuki , Ishii Shunsuke , Koitabashi Toshimi , Ako Junya 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrediction of atrioventricular block (AVB) resolution after steroid therapy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is difficult.MethodsWe identified 24 patients with CS and complete or advanced AVB receiving steroid therapy. AVB resolution was assessed by reviewing surface electrocardiogram and the percentage of ventricular pacing required on subsequent device interrogation reports.ResultsAVB resolution was noted in eight (33%) patients 1 year after receiving steroid therapy. Univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01‐1.14, P = .016), interval from recognized AVB to start of steroid therapy (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95‐0.99, P < .001), and lysozyme (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.12‐2.19, P = .013) were significantly associated with resolution of AVB. Combination of area under the curve (AUC) of each variable that was significantly related to resolution of AVB (AUC, 0.969; 95% CI 0.921‐1.000, P < .001) was tended to be higher compared with each variable alone.ConclusionsA shorter interval from recognition of AVB to start of steroid therapy, higher LVEF, and higher lysozyme levels were significantly associated with resolution of AVB after steroid therapy in patients with CS. The combination of each variable could be able to distinguish patients with resolution of AVB from those without.
Relationships between NDVI, river discharge and climate in the Okavango River Basin region
Authors: Moses Oliver , Blamey Ross C. , Reason Chris J. C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Okavango River Basin (ORB) is a highly sensitive and biodiverse region in southern Africa whose climate, vegetation and river discharge characteristics are not well understood. This study investigated relationships between rainfall, temperature, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and river discharge over the region as well as their trends and interannual variability. It is found that spatial patterns of NDVI are closely related to those of rainfall, but less so with temperature at monthly and seasonal time scales. The relationships between NDVI and rainfall/temperature differ north of 18.9°S where rainfall is higher than to its south. Typically, there are lags of 1–2‐months between NDVI and either rainfall or temperature. Also, there are large areas across the region that show significant warming trends in all seasons as well as wetting (mainly in the north). This increasing trend in surface temperature may act to worsen the impacts of extreme events such as severe drought and fire in the region. There is also pronounced interannual variability with significant correlations found with El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the subtropical South Indian Ocean Dipole and the Botswana High for rainfall and temperature, and for NDVI with ENSO. For the Southern Annular Mode, significant correlations were found with rainfall and temperature only in December and April. On longer time scales, focus was also placed on the wet 2006–2013 period relative to much drier 1999–2005 epoch for October–December. The wetter conditions during 2006–2013 appear related to La Niña Modoki conditions and warmer sea surface temperature near Angola as well as regional circulation differences.
Graphene oxide–metal oxide nanocomposites for on‐target enrichment and analysis of phosphorylated biomolecules
Authors: Jabeen Fahmida , Sajid Muhammad Salman , Fatima Batool , Saeed Adeela , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Najam‐ul‐Haq Muhammad 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe surface of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry target is modified for improved signal strength and detection of analytes. The developed method includes on‐target enrichment and detection of phosphopeptides/phospholipids using graphene oxide–lanthanide metal oxides (samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, and erbium) nanocomposites. Enriched phosphopeptides are detected using material enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and phospholipids by laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry. Nanocomposites are prepared using graphene oxide with respective metal salts at high pH. They are characterized for nano‐morphology, chemistry, porosity, composition, crystallinity, and thermal stability. Phosphopeptides enrichment protocol is developed and optimized for tryptic β‐casein digest and that of phospholipids by phosphatidylcholine standard. Statistical analyses of phosphopeptides and phospholipids from milk show overlapping results for gadolinium, dysprosium, and erbium oxide nanocomposites. GO‐Gd2O3 has better enrichment efficiency and application as LDI material. Selectivity for GO‐Dy2O3 is 1:2500, for GO‐Sm2O3 is 1:3500, and 1:4000 for GO‐Gd2O3. GO‐Er2O3 has a sensitivity of 25 fmol, whereas the highest sensitivity is down to 0.5 fmol for GO‐Gd2O3. On‐target enrichment is batch to batch reproducible with a standard deviation of <1, reduced time of enrichment to 10 min, and ease of operation compared to solid‐phase batch extraction. The developed method enriches serum phosphopeptides characteristic of cancer‐related phosphoproteins.
Synergistic impacts of nutrient enrichment and climate change on long‐term water quality and ecological dynamics in contrasting shallow‐lake zones
Authors: Lin Qi , Zhang Ke , McGowan Suzanne , Capo Eric , Shen Ji 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic and climatic stressors on freshwater ecosystems are of global concern. However, the interactions and effects of multiple stressors (e.g., nutrient enrichment, climate warming, altered wind and precipitation) acting over different spatial and temporal scales are often complex and remain controversial. Here, we reconstructed one‐century dynamics of eutrophication and primary producer communities in algal‐dominated and macrophyte‐dominated zones of a large shallow lake (Taihu, China), by integrating sedimentary photosynthetic pigments and geochemical records with water monitoring and historical archives. We aimed to explore the long‐term underlying mechanisms of the responses of water quality and lake biota to multiple environmental perturbations. We found that water quality degradation and algal community modification showed similar trends but distinct timings and trajectories in contrasting ecological zones. Onset and intensity of eutrophication in north Meiliang Bay (since the 1950s) exceeded far beyond that of macrophyte‐dominated Eastern Taihu (~1990s). Anthropogenic nutrients overtook past climatic control on production and composition of phototrophic assemblages. More importantly, lake phytoplankton responded markedly to climate warming, decreasing wind speed, and extreme weathers after cultural eutrophication. Synergistic interactions of nutrients and climate on lake ecosystems became increasingly significant in promoting harmful algal blooms (HABs) dominated by Microcystis, close to the hyper‐eutrophic north lake zones. The asynchronous limnological and ecological responses also indicated the modulating roles of lake ecological regime and catchment hydrogeomorphic characteristic. Collectively, our findings suggest that mitigation of eutrophication and HABs calls for a triple management strategy integrating anthropogenic nutrients, climate change, and lake‐catchment setting.