bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound Elastography for Distinction Between Parathyroid Adenomas and Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Batur Abdussamet , Atmaca Murat , Yavuz Alpaslan , Ozgokce Mesut , Bora Aydın , Bulut Mehmet Deniz , Arslan Harun , Toktas Osman , Alpaslan Muhammed 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to detect the level of stiffness of parathyroid adenomas and to distinguish them from benign and malignant thyroid nodules using ultrasound elastography with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with parathyroid adenomas and 71 patients with thyroid nodules were evaluated by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in this study. Acoustic radiation force impulse elastograms were obtained after evaluation of the thyroid nodules, which were predicted to undergo fine‐needle aspiration biopsy, and patients with a diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism, which was identified by sonography at the same time.ResultsAn analysis of mean shear wave velocity (SWV) values for parathyroid adenomas and thyroid nodules showed that parathyroid adenomas had significantly higher stiffness levels compared to benign thyroid nodules (mean SWV ± SD, 3.09 ± 0.75 versus 2.20 ± 0.39 m/s; P < .001) and lower stiffness levels compared to malignant thyroid nodules (mean SWV, 3.09 ± 0.75 versus 3.59 ± 0.43 m/s; P < .001).ConclusionsAcoustic radiation force impulse imaging has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating parathyroid adenomas from benign and malignant thyroid nodules. As an adjunctive tool, it can help distinguish parathyroid adenomas from thyroid nodules, including posteriorly located nodules.
Prognostic Predictors of Fertility in Young Adult Patients With Varicocele
Authors: Verim Samet , Uguz Sami , Celikkanat Serhat , Guragac Ali , Turker Turker , Topuz Bahadir , Demirci Ramazan , Alp Bilal Firat , Irkilata Hasan Cem , Sağlam Mutlu 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine prognostic factors affecting semen parameters in patients with varicocele during the postadolescent period.MethodsThis study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Between May 2013 and May 2015, we prospectively obtained demographic and sonographic data from postadolescent patients with varicocele. Potential risk factors affecting semen parameters, including age at diagnosis, height, weight, body mass index, varicocele laterality, varicocele grade, left testicular volume, right testicular volume, total testicular volume, testicular atrophy index, testicular volume differential, right and left maximum vein diameters, peak retrograde flow velocity, reflux flow volume, and reflux grade in both supine and standing positions, were recorded.ResultsThe left peak retrograde flow velocity, reflux flow volume, and reflux grade in the supine and standing positions, left testicular volume, right testicular volume, total testicular volume, and follicle‐stimulating hormone level were found to be associated with abnormal semen parameters (P < .05). By multivariate analysis, the follicle‐stimulating hormone level was associated with the sperm concentration and morphologic characteristics, and the left peak retrograde flow velocity in the standing position was associated with deterioration of sperm motility and morphologic characteristics. Additionally, the left reflux grade in the standing position was associated with the sperm concentration, and the left testis volume was associated with motility.ConclusionsThe left peak retrograde flow velocity and reflux grade in the standing position were significantly associated with all semen analysis parameters. This finding supports the use of testicular duplex Doppler sonography as a noninvasive tool for evaluation of testicular function in patients with varicocele and helps clinicians determine patients' fertility status.
Liver Fibrosis Evaluation Using Real‐time Shear Wave Elastography in Hepatitis C–Monoinfected and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C–Coinfected Patients
Authors: Verlinden Wim , Bourgeois Stefan , Gigase Pierre , Thienpont Clara , Vonghia Luisa , Vanwolleghem Thomas , Michielsen Peter , Francque Sven 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesA few studies have evaluated real‐time shear wave elastography (SWE) for assessing liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but they excluded human immunodeficiency virus/HCV–coinfected patients. We investigated the diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measured by SWE as a noninvasive predictor of liver fibrosis in HCV using liver biopsy as a reference standard, including monoinfected and coinfected patients.MethodsWe measured liver stiffness in patients with HCV undergoing liver biopsy (METAVIR fibrosis staging).ResultsEighty patients (53 monoinfected and 27 coinfected) were included. There was a significant correlation between liver stiffness and fibrosis stage (ρ = 0.685; P < .001). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.841, 0.879, and 0.975 when comparing fibrosis stages F0–F1 versus F2–F4, F0–F2 versus F3–F4, and F0–F3 versus F4, respectively. Suggested cutoff values were 8.5 kPa for F2, 10.4 kPa for F3, and 11.3 kPa for F4, with sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 84%, 81% and 95%, and 100% and 90%. There was no significant difference between the liver stiffness of monoinfected and coinfected patients (P = .453). When combining SWE with the fibrosis‐4 score, accuracy increased from 82% to 88% and from 88% to 96%, with incongruent results of 26% and 29%, for F0–F1 versus F2–F4 and F0–F2 versus F3–F4.ConclusionsShear wave elastography of the liver is an effective noninvasive predictor of liver fibrosis in patients with HCV. There was no significant difference between monoinfected and coinfected patients; hence, the same cutoff values can be used for both groups. Combination of SWE with the fibrosis‐4 score leads to higher accuracy, although at the expense of inconclusive results in some patients.
Melanoma Incidence and Mortality Trends Among Patients Aged 59 Years or Younger in Sweden
Authors: Helgadottir Hildur , Mikiver Rasmus , Schultz Karina , Nielsen Kari , Portelli Francesca , Lapins Jan , Puig Susana , Isaksson Karolin 
Published: September 2024

ImportanceOver the past decades, many global regions have experienced a steady increase in the incidence of cutaneous melanoma. However, more recently, a downward trend has been observed in the younger age groups in Australia and the US. Yet, in Europe, none of the countries have reported any significant decline in melanoma incidence for any age group.ObjectiveTo assess melanoma incidence and mortality trends in Sweden, with a focus on individuals younger than the average age of melanoma onset.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study used data on the national population from the Swedish Melanoma Registry and the Swedish Cancer Registry, which cover more than 99% of all primary invasive cutaneous melanomas diagnosed in the country. All patients diagnosed from 1990 to 2022 were included.Main Outcomes and MeasuresIncidence and mortality rates per 100 000 inhabitants were calculated for each year and shown as average annual rates for every 5-year period from 1990 to 2022. Joinpoint regression models were used to evaluate statistical significance of temporal trends and points of change.ResultsThere were 34 800 primary invasive cutaneous melanomas (19 582 [56.3%] in females and 15 218 [43.7%] in males) reported in 33 324 individuals younger than 60 years (median [IQR] age, 48 [36-58] years) from 1990 to 2022. A consistent rise in melanoma incidence was observed among those 50 to 59 years old. The age groups from 20 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, and 40 to 49 years showed an incidence peak in 2013 to 2015 followed by stable or significantly declining rates until 2022. In patients younger than 20 years, melanoma incidence remained low with no significant trends. There was also a significant decline in melanoma mortality among 30- to 59-year-old individuals, but not in those 60 years and older.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this cohort study showed a significant recent downward trend in both melanoma incidence and melanoma mortality in the age group 30 to 49 years in Sweden. The reasons for these declines are unclear but may include UV protection, public health campaigns, changing population demographics, and the introduction of effective melanoma treatment. None of these possibilities were evaluated; further study is needed.
Auto‐transduction in lentiviral vector bioprocessing: A quantitative assessment and a novel inhibition strategy
Authors: Williams‐Fegredo Thomas , Davies Lee , Knevelman Carol , Miskin James , Mitrophanous Kyriacos , Rafiq Qasim A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLentiviral vectors are highly efficient gene delivery vehicles used extensively in the rapidly growing field of cell and gene therapy. Demand for efficient, large‐scale, lentiviral vector bioprocessing is growing as more therapies reach late‐stage clinical trials and are commercialized. However, despite substantial progress, several process inefficiencies remain. The unintended auto‐transduction of viral vector‐producing cells by newly synthesized lentiviral vector particles during manufacturing processes constitutes one such inefficiency which remains largely unaddressed. In this study, we determined that over 60% of functional lentiviral vector particles produced during an upstream production process were lost to auto‐transduction, highlighting a major process inefficiency likely widespread within the industry. Auto‐transduction of cells by particles pseudotyped with the widely used vesicular stomatitis virus G protein was inhibited via the adoption of a reduced extracellular pH during vector production, impairing the ability of the vector to interact with its target receptor. Employing a posttransfection pH shift to pH 6.7–6.8 resulted in a sevenfold reduction in vector genome integration events, arising from lentiviral vector‐mediated transduction, within viral vector‐producing cell populations and ultimately resulted in improved lentiviral vector production kinetics. The proposed strategy is scalable and cost‐effective, providing an industrially relevant approach to improve lentiviral vector production efficiencies.
Hybrid optimization‐based topology construction and DRNN‐based prediction method for data reduction in IoT
Authors: Pawar Bhakti B. , Jadhav Devyani S. 
Published: September 2024

SummaryThe Internet of Things (IoT) acts as a prevalent networking setup that plays a vital role in everyday activities due to the increased services provided through uniform data collection. In this research paper, a hybrid optimization approach for the construction of heterogeneous multi‐hop IoT wireless sensor network (WSN) network topology and data aggregation and reduction is performed using a deep learning model. Initially, the IoT network is stimulated and the network topology is constructed using Namib Beetle Spotted Hyena Optimization (NBSHO) by considering different network parameters and encoding solutions. Moreover, the data aggregation and reduction in the IoT network are performed using a Deep Recurrent Neural Network (DRNN)‐based prediction model. In addition, the performance improvement of the designed NBSHO + DRNN approach is validated. Here, the designed NBSHO + DRNN method achieved a packet delivery ratio (PDR) of 0.469, energy of 0.367 J, prediction error of 0.237, and delay of 0.595 s.
High species richness of sheep‐grazed sand pastures is driven by disturbance‐tolerant and weedy short‐lived species
Authors: Kovacsics‐Vári Gergely , Sonkoly Judit , Tóth Katalin , McIntosh‐Buday Andrea , Díaz Cando Patricia Elizabeth , Törő‐Szijgyártó Viktória , Balogh Nóra , Guallichico Suntaxi Luis Roberto , Espinoza Ami Francis David , Matus Gábor , Tóthmérész Béla , Török Péter 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe selected 15 sheep‐grazed sand pastures along a gradient of increasing grazing intensity to study the fine‐scale patterns of main biomass fractions (green biomass, litter) and that of plant species and functional groups (life forms and social behaviour types). We classified them into five grazing intensity levels based on stocking density, proximity to drinking and resting places and the number of faeces. We aimed to answer the following questions: (i) How does increasing intensity of sheep grazing affect the amount of green biomass, the species richness and their relationship in sand pastures? (ii) How does increasing intensity of sheep grazing affect the biomass of perennial and short‐lived graminoids and forbs? (iii) How does the disturbance value—expressed in the biomass ratio of disturbance‐tolerant and ruderal species—change along the gradient of grazing intensity? A unimodal relationship between green biomass and species richness was detected; however, the ordination (canonical correspondence analysis, CCA) showed no clustering of pastures subjected to the same levels of grazing intensity. Along the grazing intensity gradient we found an increasing trend in species richness and significant differences in green biomass (decreasing trend), litter (decreasing trend), graminoids (decreasing trend) and short‐lived forbs (increasing trend). We found an increasing amount of disturbance‐tolerant and ruderal species with increasing grazing intensity. We suggest that we might need to use multiple scales for sampling and a fine‐scale assessment of grazing intensity. Our findings might be instructive for pastures in densely populated regions, which are prone to the encroachment of disturbance‐tolerant and ruderal species.
Uncovering possible silent acquired long QT syndrome using exercise stress testing in long‐term pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors
Authors: Harvey Audrey , Caru Maxime , Gonzalez Corcia Cecilia , Bertrand Émilie , Gagné Vincent , Dandekar Smita , Krajinovic Maja , Gravel Hugo , Laverdière Caroline , Raboisson Marie‐Josée , Andelfinger Gregor , Jacquemet Vincent , Sinnett Daniel , Curnier Daniel 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAn example of chemotherapy‐induced cardiotoxicity in cancer survivors is acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS), which may cause serious yet preventable life‐threatening consequences. Our objective was to identify and characterize childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors with possible aLQTS using maximal exercise testing. In this cross‐sectional study with exploratory analysis, a total of 250 childhood ALL survivors were evaluated for abnormal QT interval prolongation using the McMaster cycle exercise test. A total of 198 survivors (102 males; 96 females), having reached their peak (mean 32.1 ± 8.4 mL/kg/min; range 15.5–57.8 mL/kg/min), were included in our analyses. Two survivors were excluded for possible congenital LQTS. QT intervals were corrected for heart rate using the Bazett, Fridericia, and Rautaharju formulas at rest (supine, sitting, and standing positions), at the end of each stage of the CPET, and at 1, 3, and 5 minutes into the recovery period. The corrected QT (QTc) of borderline (n = 37) and long QT survivors (n = 20) was significantly longer than normal survivors (n = 141) at rest, exercise, and recovery. Out of 57 survivors presenting an abnormal QTc prolongation, 40 survivors (70%) showed no QT interval anomalies at rest but developed various anomalies during exercise. No significant differences were found between the groups for any of the measured clinical characteristics or cardiac parameters. The standardization of exercise testing in the regular follow‐up of oncology patients is necessary for appropriate cardiac prevention and surveillance to enhance the health and quality of life of the ever‐increasing number of cancer survivors.
Identification and evaluation of a serum microRNA panel to diagnose colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Ng Lui , Sin Ryan Wai‐Yan , Cheung David Him , Wong Carlos King‐Ho , Lam Cindy Lo‐Kuen , Leung Wai‐Keung , Law Wai‐Lun , Foo Dominic Chi‐Chung 
Published: September 2024

AbstractScreening plays a crucial role in the early detection of colorectal cancer, greatly reducing mortality rates. The objective of this study was to identify a non‐invasive diagnostic method utilizing serum microRNA expression for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients. The study consisted of three stages. In the first stage, 129 patients with colorectal cancer and 129 normal subjects were recruited as the training set for the development of a blood miRNA panel. The second stage involved recruiting 200 patients from each group as the validation cohort. Finally, a blinded study was conducted in the third stage, with 260 patients recruited to determine the predictive value of our miRNA panel. Serum samples were prospectively collected from colorectal cancer patients and normal subjects between 2017 and 2021 at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. Quantitative PCR was utilized to detect the serum levels of candidate microRNAs, and a multiple linear regression model was employed to formulate a serum microRNA panel for diagnosing colorectal cancer patients. The performance of the panel was evaluated using ROC analysis. Our study showed that the values of three pairs of serum microRNAs, namely miR‐106b‐5p/miR‐1246, miR‐106b‐5p/miR‐16 and miR‐106b‐5p/miR‐21‐5p, exhibited statistically significant differences between colorectal cancer patients and normal subjects. A serum microRNA panel formulated from these three pairs of microRNAs demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosing colorectal cancer patients from normal subjects, with an AUC of approximately 0.9. The serum miRNA test proved to be a feasible and promising non‐invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients in comparison to normal subjects.
The value of cesarean scar diverticulum in diagnosis of adverse events during dilatation and curettage in patient with cesarean scar pregnancy
Authors: Yang Fengleng , Zhang Qian , Shuai Yongzhong , Wang Zhigang , Jing Huaibo , Wang Xiaodan , Deng Chen , Lin Fanyu , Lai Hua 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the size of cesarean scar diverticulum (CSD) measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adverse events during dilatation and curettage (D&C) procedure in patients with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).MethodsThe MRI of 197 CSP patients from October 2019 to August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The volume, area, and depth of CSD, residual myometrium thickness (RMT), and gestational sac diameter were recorded and tested for correlation with intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), and operation time and for any association with the intraoperative adverse events (intraoperative massive hemorrhage [39 cases] and D&C procedure failure [15 cases]). The Spearman test was used to characterize the correlation between the five MRI variables and both the EBL and operation time. The correlation between the five MRI variables and intraoperative adverse events was evaluated with student's t test and Mann–Whitney U test. Diagnostic power of the MRI variables was evaluated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsThe volume, area, and depth of CSD and gestational sac diameter were positively correlated with both EBL and operation time, with the CSD volume having the highest correlation with them (r = 0.543 and 0.461, respectively). Conversely, the RMT displayed a negative correlation with the EBL and operation time. All five MRI variables were significantly associated with both intraoperative massive hemorrhage and D&C failure (all P < 0.001). The CSD volume demonstrated the highest AUC for diagnosing intraoperative massive hemorrhage and D&C failure at 0.893 (95% CI: 0.82–0.92) and 0.901 (95% CI: 0.85–0.94), respectively. The optimal cutoff values for CSD volume in predicting massive hemorrhage and D&C failure were determined to be 5.41 and 8.92 cm3, respectively, with corresponding sensitivities/specificities of 92.31/74.68 and 93.33/82.42, respectively.ConclusionQuantifying the size of CSD based on preoperative MRI could aid in evaluating risk during D&C in CSP patients, with CSD volume possessing higher diagnostic efficacy than the other four MRI indicators.
Current status and influencing factors of protective motivation for body mass management during pregnancy
Authors: Zhao Jingyi , Zhou Xihong , Xu Nuo , Liu Sai , Tang Jiajun 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveExcessive weight gain, obesity, or insufficient weight gain during pregnancy can adversely affect both the mother and her offspring. This study aims to investigate the relationship between pregnant women's self‐perception and beliefs and their body weight management during pregnancy.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey involving 350 pregnant women in Changsha City was conducted from July to September 2023. Instruments included a sociodemographic data sheet, protective motivation questionnaire for pregnancy body quality management, and scales measuring body image, anxiety, self‐efficacy, and social support. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were employed to identify factors influencing protective motivation for body quality management during pregnancy.ResultsThe average score of the protective motivation questionnaire was 124 (SD = 13.07), suggesting a need for enhanced weight management. Key factors influencing protective motivation included household income, cooperation with healthcare workers, sources of pregnancy information, midnight snacking habits, prepregnancy exercise, body image, and self‐efficacy (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe study highlights significant factors influencing pregnant women's motivation for body quality management. These include economic status, healthcare collaboration, information accessibility, lifestyle habits, and psychological factors. The findings underscore the need for healthcare professionals to integrate these factors into pregnancy care programs to improve body quality management.
Risk factors and clinical features of pre‐eclampsia in Iranian and Afghan mothers: A comparative study
Authors: Kashanian Maryam , Khalili Pantea , Jaliliyan Ali , Baradaran Hamid Reza 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess variations in the presentation and clinical implications of pre‐eclampsia between Iranian and Afghan mothers at a maternity center in Tehran.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study of Iranian and Afghan mothers diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia. Data were collected from March 2021 to February 2023 at a maternity center in Tehran, Iran. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings were extracted from medical records. Statistical analyses were employed to compare differences between Iranian and Afghan mothers, including Mann–Whitney U, Pearson χ2 tests, and logistic regression models.ResultsWe included 822 pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia, predominantly Iranian (75.5%) and Afghan (24.5%). Regarding the multivariate logistic regression model, Iranian mothers were older, with a higher proportion over 35 years. Although Afghan mothers showed higher gravidity counts and greater gestational ages at delivery, they had lower rates of hypothyroidism. Iranian women were more often categorized as obese than Afghan women, and the difference was statistically significant. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly greater in Afghan women.ConclusionPre‐eclampsia poses significant maternal health risks, especially among Afghan refugees in Iran. Variances in age, gravidity, and hypothyroidism prevalence highlight the need for tailored healthcare strategies. Addressing cultural barriers and implementing targeted interventions can improve maternal and fetal outcomes in these populations.