bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing Cutoff Values for Visual Amyloid Positivity in 18F-Flutemetamol PET
Authors: Park Yong-Jin , Moon So Young , Yoon Joon-Kee , Lee Su-Jin , An Young-Sil 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to establish the optimal cutoff values for visual amyloid positivity using standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) in 18F-Flutemetamol (FMM) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Given the variability in amyloid assessment, our goal was to determine cutoff values that enhance diagnostic accuracy and assist clinicians in reliably identifying amyloid positivity.
Results: The identified cutoff values for visual amyloid positivity were > 1.6 for the cerebellar gray matter, > 1.38 for the whole cerebellum, and > 0.63 for the pons, yielding high sensitivity (95.5%, 94.5%, and 95.8%, respectively) and specificity (91.2%, 94.3%, and 95.2%, respectively).
Conclusions: The SUVR cutoff values demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance, supporting their clinical use in assessing visual amyloid positivity in 18F-FMM PET imaging.
3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine PET Imaging of Lymphoid Tissues in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Anti-Programmed Death-1 Therapy
Authors: Sato Masayuki , Umeda Yukihiro , Tsujikawa Tetsuya , Mori Tetsuya , Shimada Akikazu , Sonoda Tomoaki , Yamaguchi Makiko , Honjo Chisato , Waseda Yuko , Kiyono Yasushi , Ishizuka Tamotsu , Okazawa Hidehiko 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background Anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy has become the standard immunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the organs in which PD-1 inhibitors exert their effect on a patients’ tumor immunity. We examined the changes in lymphoid tissue proliferation before and after PD-1 inhibitor treatment using 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) positron emission tomography (PET). In this study, 25 patients with advanced NSCLC underwent 18F-FLT PET before and 2 and 6 weeks after PD-1 inhibitor treatment initiation. We determined the average standardized uptake value (SUVmean) in the spleen and the maximum SUV (SUVmax), SUVmean, proliferative vertebral volume (PVV), and total vertebral proliferation (TVP) in the thoracic vertebral bodies (Th4, Th8, and Th12) using 18F-FLT PET and blood test data. The relationship between the rate of change in these parameters before and after treatment and tumor response was evaluated.
Results There were no significant differences in baseline 18F-FLT accumulation in the spleen or vertebral body or blood test data between the progressive disease (PD) and non-PD groups. In the vertebral body, there was no significant difference between the PD and non-PD groups in the percent change in 18F-FLT accumulation between baseline and 2 weeks after treatment initiation; however, the percent change between baseline and 6 weeks was significantly higher in the PD group than in the non-PD group (ΔTVP0-6: Th8, 40.7% vs. -19.0%, P = 0.029; Th12, 14.3% vs. -18.8%, P = 0.008). In the spleen, the percent change in 18F-FLT accumulation from baseline to 2 or 6 weeks did not differ between the two groups.
Conclusions In patients with advanced NSCLC who achieved a tumor response, proliferation was decreased in the bone marrow, but not in the spleen, at 6 weeks after treatment initiation. 18F-FLT PET can help monitor changes in tumor immunity in each lymphoid tissue and may serve as a biomarker for response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
The EBBS questionnaire (Eating Behavior after Bariatric Surgery) is a useful tool for identifying individuals at risk of long-term weight regain after bariatric surgery
Authors: Nicolau Joana , Sanchís Pilar , Sfondrini Guido , Ayala Luisa , Pujol Antelm , Tamayo María Isabel , Masmiquel Lluís 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective treatment for severe obesity, yet weight regain (WR) affects a significant proportion of patients in the long term. The lack of useful and standardized tools makes the follow-up of these patients more difficult. The Eating Behavior After Bariatric Surgery (EBBS) questionnaire was designed to assess adherence to post-surgical lifestyle recommendations, which may predict successful weight maintenance. This study aimed to adapt the EBBS for Spanish-speaking patients and evaluate its utility in assessing adherence to long-term lifestyle changes and its association with weight outcomes.
Material and methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy (mean follow-up: 90.4 ± 46 months) were included. The EBBS was administered to evaluate food, drink, behavior, and lifestyle domains.
Results: Significant weight regain was observed in 70% of participants, and emotional eating (65%) and depression (53%) were common. The EBBS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.662). Higher total EBBS scores were significantly associated with greater excess weight loss (EWL), particularly for patients maintaining over 50% EWL (p = 0.04). Logistic regression revealed that EBBS scores >13.5 predicted EWL >50% (OR = 17.8, p = 0.010), underscoring the value of this tool in identifying patients at risk for WR.
Conclusions:The Spanish version of the EBBS is a reliable tool for assessing post-BS eating behaviors and predicting long-term weight outcomes. Tailored interventions based on EBBS results may improve adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations, reducing the risk of WR.
Machine Learning Prediction Models for Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Wu# Qi , Zhang# Jupeng , Lei Peng , Zhu Xiqi , Huang Changhui 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Early identification of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment is essential for timely intervention and improvement of patient prognosis. The advancement of medical imaging and computing capabilities provides new methods for early detection of cognitive disorders. Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a promising technique for cognitive impairment in CSVD. This study aims to conduct a thorough meta-analysis and comparison of published ML prediction models for cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD.
Methods
In September 2024, relevant studies were retrieved from four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) was used to assess the risk of bias of the ML models. The random effects model was used for meta-analysis of C-index, while a bivariate mixed-effects model was used to calculate the pooled sensitivity and specificity with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In addition, to limit the influence of heterogeneity, we also performed sensitivity analyses, a meta-regression, and subgroup analysis.
Results
Twenty-one prediction models from thirteen studies, involving 3444 patients met criteria for inclusion. The reported C-index ranged from 0.708 to 0.952. The pooled C-index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.85 (95% CI 0.82–0.87), 0.82 (95% CI 0.77–0.87), and 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.87). As one of the most commonly used ML methods, logistic regression achieved a total merged C-index of 0.81, while non logistic regression models performed better with a total merged C-index of 0.86.
Conclusions
ML models holds significant promise in forecasting the risk of cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD. However, future high-quality research that externally validates the algorithm through prospective studies with larger, more diverse cohorts is needed before it can be introduced into clinical practice.
Seismostratigraphy of Buried Pleistocene Deltas on the Mangyshlak Threshold, Caspian Sea
Authors: Putans V. A. , Levchenko O. V. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The change in sedimentation conditions from shelf to deep-water, including deltas and underwater cones of outflow, can be traced on the regional profiles of the Mangyshlak Threshold. It is possible to confidently identify several continuous seismic horizons. Upper part of sedimentary cover consists of two types of sediments with essentially different acoustical image, i.e. seismic sequences. The first type of sediments appears to be accumulated under enough quiet hydrodynamic conditions of high seas far from coastline, i.e. they are marine sediments. On the contrary, the second acoustical pattern evidences active lithodynamics inhering in shallow-water and subaerial environment, which are affected essentially by fluvial processes. The characteristic lenslike architecture of the sediments allows us to interpret them as deltaic and avandeltaic sequences, which were accumulated during lowstand stage of the Caspian Sea. According to geographical location of the buried valleys and deltaic sequences, one can assume that the discussed accumulative units relate rather to the paleo-Ural River.
Prenatal diagnosis of cloacal malformation in fetus with hydrometrocolpos: imaging and invasive intrauterine procedures
Authors: Long# Meylign , Fu# Kaiyu , Ruan Jie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Hydrometrocolpos(HMC) is a rare prenatal ultrasound abnormality, presenting in two distinct types: the urinary type and the secretory type. The urinary variation is intricately linked to cloacal malformations, thereby posing a heightened risk of perinatal adverse events. Additionally, children affected by this type often face long-term challenges that impact their quality of life. We present a case involving hydrometrocolpos accompanied by oligohydramnios. Prenatally, the condition was strongly indicative of cloacal malformation based on imaging manifestations and intrauterine procedures, a suspicion that was later confirmed through postnatal autopsy. Due to the extremely low incidence of HMC, current literature reports are case reports and there are no studies that comprehensively analyze the prognosis of the disease, this research fills this gap by statistically analysing the present case as well as 29 prenatal HMC cases reported in the previous literature. Gestational week at initial detection and combined fetal ascites are meaningful predictors of cloacal malformations in HMC fetuses. Intrauterine procedures can be used to preserve organ function in complete lower urinary tract and oligohydramnios secondary to HMC. In addition, biochemical analysis of HMC fluid can differentiate between urinary HMC and secretory HMC.
Phase 1 study of lintuzumab-Ac225 combined with CLAG-M salvage therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Abedin Sameem , Murthy Guru Subramanian Guru , Hamadani Mehdi , Carlson Karen , Runaas Lyndsey , Gauger Katelyn , Desai Avinash , Chen Mary , Li Kate , Rotibi Mojisola , Syed Umar , Harrington Alexandra , Atallah Ehab , Michaelis Laura 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Lintuzumab-Ac255 is an humanized anti-CD33 antibody linked to Actinium-225 that delivers high-energy alpha-particles to tumor cells, leading to double-strand DNA breaks and cell death. This phase 1 study assessed the safety and efficacy of lintuzumab-Ac225 after CLAG-M salvage therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). Primary objectives were to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and safety profile. Using a 3+3 dose-escalation design, 21 patients were enrolled sequentially into 4 cohorts to receive a lintuzumab-Ac225 infusion (0.25-1.0 µCi/kg) 7 (+2) days after CLAG-M (days 1-6); 5 additional patients received the RP2D. Of 23 efficacy-evaluable patients, 86.7% had high-risk disease. The MTD was 1.0 µCi/kg; the RP2D was 0.75 µCi/kg. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (65.4%), decreased white blood cells (50%), and decreased neutrophil count (42.3%). The composite complete remission rates (CR/CR with incomplete count recovery) were 56.6% overall, 50% in patients with mutated TP53, and 38.5% in prior venetoclax-treated patients. Measurable residual disease (MRD)-negativity occurred in 75% of 12 evaluable patients. Lintuzumab-Ac225 plus CLAG-M was well tolerated with expected, manageable toxicities, while yielding deep responses characterized by high rates of MRD-negativity including in high-risk R/R AML populations.
Gestational weight gain and its determinant factors among women who had Antenatal Care visit in public health facilities of Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023
Authors: Alemu Mulu , Alemayehu Tefera , Messelu Mengistu Abebe , Alemu Tsehay , Mekonnen Habtamu , Aderaw Alehegn , Agedew Eskeziyaw , Endalifer Melese Linger 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Women who do not gain enough weight during pregnancy have a risk of bearing a baby with a low birth weight. However, research on gestational weight gain and its determinants is scarce in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess adequate gestational weight gain and its determinant factors among pregnant women who had ANC follow-up visits at public health facilities in Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 532 study participants. Data was entered into Epidata Version 3.1 and exported into SPSS Version 25 for statistical analysis. A hosmer lemeshow model fitness was checked. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to observe the statistical association between the outcome variable and independent variables. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the strength of the association.
Results: This study found that 30.9% (95% CI: 27.0, 34.7) of women gained adequate gestational weight. Number of ANC visits (AOR = 5.9, 95% CI: 3.02, 14.7), Meal frequency (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.56, 6.67), and consumption of animal source foods at least once per week (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.47, 4.90) were statistically associated with adequate weight gain.
Conclusion and recommendation: Nearly one-third of pregnant women gain adequate gestational weight. Women who had frequent ANC visits, meal frequency, and consumption of animal source foods at least once per week were significantly associated with adequate gestational weight gain. Women centered nutritional counseling and support is essential to improve weight gain during pregnancy.
Tissue oxygenation flow differences in radiation therapy treated breast cancer subjects using near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Leiva Kevin , Spencer Sydni , Lamptey Manuel , Robledo Edwin A. , Beiner Corina , Rodrigues Maria Amelia , Fagundes Marcio , Panoff Joseph , Chuong Michael D. , Wu Wensong , Godavarty Anuradha 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
At least 95% of breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) may experience radiation dermatitis (RD) and or skin hyperpigmentation (SH). Assessment of severity or grading of RD is clinically visual and hence subjective. The objective of this analysis was to determine sub-clinical oxygenation flow pattern changes in response to RT in breast cancer patients using near-infrared spectroscopic imaging and correlate these changes to RD and SH grading.
Methods
A 4–8 week longitudinal pilot imaging study was carried out on 10 RT-treated breast cancer patients. Non-contact spatio-temporal near-infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging was performed on the irradiated ipsilateral and the contralateral chest wall regions in response to a vaso-constricting breath-hold paradigm to observe differences in the vascular response before RT, at the end of RT, and 1–2 months after RT.
Results
Oxygen saturation increased during post-breath of the 20-sec breath hold paradigm in all subjects, demonstrating a vascular response. Oxygenation flow correlation between the irradiation and non-irradiated chest wall region differed with RT treatment. Significant changes (p < 0.1) in oxygenation flow correlations before and after RT was observed compared to baseline, with onset of SH. Similarly, significant changes (p < 0.1) in oxygenation flow correlations after RT and during follow-up was observed compared to after RT, in the presence of RD.
Conclusions
A novel oxygenation flow pattern approach has been developed to understand the physiological changes responsible for RD and SH that occur as a result of breast RT.
NDVI and vegetation volume as predictors of urban bird diversity
Authors: Fairbairn Andrew J. , Katholnigg Sophia , Leichtle Tobias , Merkens Lisa , Schroll Louis , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Meyer Sebastian T. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Urban expansion and densification pose a challenge to urban biodiversity. Rapid estimation of biodiversity could help urban planners balance development and conservation goals. While the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has proven useful for predicting urban bird diversity, new products derived from remote sensing, such as vegetation volume, could provide more detailed descriptions of available habitat, potentially improving biodiversity predictions. We evaluated the effectiveness of NDVI and vegetation volume as predictors of urban bird diversity and local community composition for different buffers around 86 sampling points in Munich, Germany. Using linear models, we showed that a 100 m buffer best described bird diversity (highest r2) for both NDVI and vegetation volume compared to the other buffers. Contrary to expectations, NDVI was superior to vegetation volume in predicting bird diversity (mean r2 NDVI = 0.45, mean r2 vegetation volume 0.37). We found a shift in community composition from species associated with human-modified landscapes to those associated with forests along an urban greenness gradient. In contrast to diversity, we found that vegetation volume was slightly better at predicting community composition. Using NDVI to predict bird diversity across Munich, we demonstrated its potential for predicting city-wide bird diversity. We discuss how such predictive maps can be used for urban planning and conservation. As urbanisation continues to impact global biodiversity, refining ecological models for urban planning will be crucial to developing more biodiverse urban environments.
„[A]ls könnte es sich in Ewigkeit nicht satt lachen“.
Authors: Keller Deborah 
Published: December 2024

[English title and abstract below]
Meinrad Lienert (1865–1933) ist heute vor allem noch bekannt für seine Mundartlyrik und seine patriotischen Schweizer Sagen und Heldengeschichten. Der Jugend erzählt (1914), die immer wieder neu aufgelegt wurden. Diese haben den Blick verstellt auf seine inzwischen vergriffenen Kindergeschichten (Das war eine goldene Zeit! [1906]; Das Bergspieglein [1910]), die der intentionalen Kinderliteratur zuzurechnen sind. Voller Schalk und Humor bestechen sie insbesondere durch die kunstvoll-doppelbödige Mimesis kindlicher Dialoge. Gerade dort, wo sie letzte Dinge verhandeln – so etwa im Spiel mit den Totenköpfen im Beinhaus in der Erzählung Zum blauen See –, ist ihnen eine Poetik des Komischen eingeschrieben. Diese Feier des Lachens lässt auch Kritik an der engen katholischen Lebenswelt der damaligen Innerschweiz anklingen.
Die Untersuchung – mit narratologischem Zugang und unter Beizug unterschiedlicher Komik-Theorien sowie mit einem Blick auf Editions- und Rezeptionsgeschichte – zeigt auch, dass die ambigue Adressierung, die zu Brüchen in der Tradierung geführt hat, zur literarischen Eigenheit dieser Kindergeschichten gehört und wesentlich in den Verfahren der Komik wie auch der Verwendung des Motivs des Lachens begründet ist.

„[A]ls könnte es sich in Ewigkeit nicht satt lachen“.Comedy and laughter in Meinrad Lienert’s Children’s Stories
Meinrad Lienert (1865–1933) is still best known today for his dialect poetry and his patriotic Schweizer Sagen und Heldengeschichten (1914), which have been frequently reprinted. These have obscured the view of his stories (Das war eine goldene Zeit! [1906]; Das Bergspieglein [1910]), now out of print, which can be categorised as having been written specifically for children. Full of mischief and humour, the stories are particularly captivating with their artful and ambiguous mimesis of children’s dialogues. Especially at the points at which they deal with the final things – for example when the children play with skulls in the charnel house in the story „Zum blauen See” – a genuine poetics of humour is evident. This celebration of laughter also echoes criticism of the narrow Catholic world of life in central Switzerland at the time. The article employs a narratological approach and draws on various humour theories in addition to looking at the history of editions and reception of these stories. It shows that the ambiguous form of address, which has led to disruptions in their tradition, is an inseparable part of their literary uniqueness and is essentially rooted in the comic procedures as well as in the use of the motif of laughter.
Violente Komik in Cartoons am Beispiel von Tom and Jerry
Authors: Höch Kristina 
Published: December 2024

[English title and abstract below]
Darf über mediale Gewalt gelacht werden? Cartoons sind seit Jahrzehnten Bestandteil vieler Kindheiten und basieren in ihrer Komik nicht selten auf gewalttätigen Inhalten. Ein Zeichentrick-Duo, das seit 1940 über Leinwand und Fernseher flimmert und auch heute ohne Violenz nicht existieren kann, wird von Kater Tom und Maus Jerry gebildet. Anfänglich nur im Kino zu sehen, sind sie inzwischen durch Fernsehen und Streaming rund um die Uhr verfügbar. Durch meist nonverbale Handlungen werden die Akte der Gewalt in den Tom and Jerry-Cartoons universal als komisch verstanden. Wie kommunizieren diese Cartoons mit den Zuschauer:innen, um ein Lachen zu fördern, das fiktive Gewalt zwar komisch findet, diese aber nicht als bedrohlich empfindet und in der ‚realen Welt‘ nicht bejaht? Um dies zu klären, nimmt der Beitrag Bezug auf inszenatorische und narrative Strategien. Anthropomorphisierung, Inkongruenzen, Ästhetisierung und das Spielen mit Repräsentationsordnungen schaffen eine Cartoon-Welt, in der die Gewaltdarstellungen zwar drastisch sind, aber ohne Konsequenz für die Protagonist:innen bleiben. Die Darstellung von Gewalt wird nicht glorifiziert, das Nicht-Harmlose wird mit Harmlosem kombiniert, damit darüber gelacht werden kann. Durch das Anregen kognitiver Aktivitäten und durch die Aktivierung von Wissen und Sehgewohnheiten entfaltet sich auf visueller und auditiver Ebene aus ästhetischer Distanz ein komischer Rahmen, in den die gewalttätigen Handlungen implementiert werden.

Violent Comedy in Cartoons: The Example of Tom and JerryAnthropomorphisation, Incongruity and Representation
Is it permissible to laugh at media violence? Cartoons have been a part of many childhoods for decades and often base their humour on violent content. Tom and Jerry are a cat and mouse cartoon duo that have been flickering across screens and televisions since 1940 and cannot exist without violence. Initially only seen in cinemas, they are now available around the clock thanks to television and streaming. Through mostly non-verbal actions, the acts of violence in Tom and Jerry cartoons are universally taken to be comical. How do these cartoons communicate with viewers to encourage laughter that finds fictional violence funny but does not perceive it as threatening or condone it in the ‘real world’? To clarify this, the article refers to staging and narrative strategies. Anthropomorphisation, incongruities, aestheticisation and playing with orders of representation create a cartoon world in which depictions of violence are drastic but without consequence for the protagonists. Violence is not glorified; the harmful is combined with the harmless so that it can be laughed at. By stimulating cognitive activities and activating knowledge and viewing habits, a comic framework of aesthetic distance is created, on visual as well as audio levels, into which the violent acts are embedded.