bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilizing In-Situ Bone Flap for Skull Base Reconstruction in Endoscopic Surgery of Invasive Pituitary Adenoma: A Novel Approach
Authors: Liu Jinlai , Chen Kaile , Yu Kuo , Liu Zhiyuan , Dai Kexiang , Xu Ke , Chao Honglu , Lu Ailin , Wang Duqian , Zhao Peng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of in-situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning technique in skull base reconstruction for invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) via endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).
Method: In a retrospective study spanning the years 2018 to 2023, we investigated the efficacy of in-situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning technique in patients with invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEA). Among the 115 patients included in the study, 65 were assigned to the group, while the remaining 55 were categorized into the non-ISBF group. Comprehensive data on patients’ basic characteristics, surgical situation, and clinical outcomes were meticulously collected and analyzed.
Results: In our study, we observed postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in 1 out of 65 patients in the ISBF group, while 8 out of 50 patients in the non-ISBF group experienced this complication, indicating a significant difference (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The ISBF repositioning technique emerges as an effective and feasible method for skull base reconstruction in patients who have underwent EEA surgery for IPA. Notably, this technique significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage.
Woven Coronary Artery with acquired etiology: the natural history documented by serial angiography and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Li Jiannan , Wang Xiaoli , Liu Chen , Zhou Peng , Zhao Hanjun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Woven coronary artery (WCA) is a rare anomaly and its etiology remains speculative. Both congenital and acquired factors are considered to be concerned with the pathogenesis. In a 35-year-old man, the tissue characteristics of WCA were evaluated by optical coherence tomography. Serial coronary angiography indicated that acquired factor is the cause, and thrombus recanalization is the most likely pathological mechanism.
Clinico-pathological predictors of radiologic complete response to first-line anti-HER2 therapy in metastatic breast cancer: insights from real-world data of a nationwide cohort
Authors: Cucciniello Linda , Blondeaux Eva , Bighin Claudia , Gasparro Simona , Russo Stefania , Dri Arianna , Pugliese Palma , Fontana Andrea , Cortesi Enrico , Ferzi Antonella , Riccardi Ferdinando , Sini Valentina , Boni Luca , Fabi Alessandra , Montemurro Filippo , De Laurentiis Michelino , Arpino Grazia , Mastro Lucia Del , Gerratana Lorenzo , Puglisi Fabio 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Up to 6-8% of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) experience a radiologic complete response (rCR) to a first line of therapy, but these results mostly derive from dated and/or limited cohorts. Currently, there is limited data regarding which variables could predictive of a rCR to anti-HER2 therapies.
Methods: Patients were selected from the database of the GIM14 study (NCT02284581) and classified according to the best radiologic response obtained to the first line anti-HER2 therapy and upon time-to-treatment-discontinuation (TTD). rCR was defined as complete response (CR) with a TTD > 3 months. The association across variables was tested through logistic regression and their prognostic impact in terms of overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.
Results: Of the 3,423 patients included in the GIM14 study, 814 had HER2 positive MBC and data about best radiological response were available for 545 patients. Eighty patients (14.7%) experienced a rCR to first line anti-HER2 therapy with a TTD > 3 months. At multivariable analysis, HER2 Immunohistochemistry score 3+ (OR 2.03, p-value=0.01), presence of non visceral metastases (OR 1.51, p-value=0.01) and 1 metastatic site (OR 2.49, p-value= 0.01) were significantly associated with higher odds of obtaining a CR.
Furthermore, amongst the 80 patients achieving a rCR, 56 (73%) experienced a durable and sustained CR with a TTD > 18 months. At multivariable analysis, only type of anti-HER2 therapy (OR 0.13 p-value<0.01 for trastuzumab-based therapy and OR 0.08, p-value=0.04 for other anti-HER2 therapy) was associated with a higher probability of achieving a CR with a TTD > 18 months.
A median OS of 10.22 years was observed for patients that had achieved a CR to a first line anti-HER2 therapy and a TTD > 3 months. For patients with a CR and TTD > 18 months, a median OS of 12.73 years was observed.
Conclusions: This study characterized a real-world cohort of HER2 positive MBC patients experiencing radiologic complete response to a first line treatment. Higher odds of achieving a complete response to a first-line anti-HER2 therapy with a TTD > 3 months were observed for HER2 Immunohistochemistry score 3+, presence of visceral metastases and presence of a single metastatic site. Additionally, a sustained complete response with a TTD > 18 months, was described in a subset of patients that had been exposed to a trastuzumab-based therapy.
Female flowers with short ovaries in 'Lemon' cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants and their progeny carrying the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G &gt; T mutation): a novel trimonoecious phenotype
Authors: Yamasaki Seiji , Matsumoto Taimei , Tomota Yuina , Watanabe Nanami , Tanaka Tatsuya 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Analysis of the sex expression in 10 ‘Lemon’ (mmff) cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.), known to be andromonoecious, revealed that 3 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries, resembling bisexual flowers, after producing male and bisexual flowers. To investigate the heredity pattern governing these aberrant female flowers with short ovaries, F1 hybrid plants (MmFf) were generated through a cross between ‘Dokanari-sennari’ (MMFF) and ‘Lemon’ (mmff), and individuals 4 (mmff) and 45 (mmFF) were meticulously selected from a pool of 45 F2 segregants. Analysis of the sex expression in both 10 F5 plants (mmff) derived from the F2 individual 4 (mmff) and 10 F4 plants (mmFF) derived from the F2 individual 45 (mmFF) revealed that 8–9 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries after producing male and bisexual flowers. Notably, no female flowers with short ovaries were produced in the plants carrying the M gene, such as ‘Dokanari-sennari’ (MMFF), 8 F1 hybrid plants (MmFf), and the 29 F2 segregants (M-F-, M-ff). Thus, female flowers with short ovaries may be produced in some ‘Lemon’ (mmff) cucumber plants and their progeny, particularly those carrying the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G > T mutation), after the production of male and bisexual flowers. However, no clear genetic rules governing the occurrence of these female flowers with short ovaries were observed. This is the first report on trimonoecious cucumber plants displaying male flowers, bisexual flowers with short ovaries, and female flowers with short ovaries, all on the same plant, under the influence of the mm gene (CS-ACS2 gene with c.97G > T mutation).
Alloferon regulates the growth and movement of Trichomonas vaginalis by altering hydrogenosomes
Authors: Jo Hyejung , Shin Seulgi , Agura Tomoyo , Ahn Hyovin , Jeong Seoyoun , Kim Yejin , Kang Jae Seung 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background Trichomoniasis infected with Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis), can cause mild symptoms like itching and burning but can also lead to more serious adverse outcomes. While typically treated with metronidazole, this medication can face resistance from T. vaginalis and some individuals may experience side effects. Hence, the research on effective therapeutic methods is essential to improve traditional therapy for trichomoniasis.Method To investigate the potential of alloferon as a therapeutic agent for parasitic infection, we measured the activity of hydrogenosomes in T. vaginalis using flow cytometric analysis and observed the morphology of hydrogenosomes through a transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the cell cycle of T. vaginalis was assessed using cell cycle analysis. To the synergetic effect of alloferon and metronidazole, the movement of T. vaginalis was observed through a microscopy and video recording.Result T. vaginalis treated with alloferon reduced the activity of its energy-producing organelles, hydrogenosomes and changed structure of hydrogenosome. In addition, alloferon induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase of T. vaginalis, thereby leading to decreased proliferation. While metronidazole alone at its minimum lethal concentration was ineffective, combining it with alloferon, significantly suppressed motility and proliferation in T. vaginalis.Conclusion Alloferon induces decreased growth and movement of T. vaginalis by altering the morphology and size of hydrogenosomes. Our findings suggest that alloferon could be a synergistic agent in combination therapy with metronidazole for trichomoniasis.
A study on the sustainable development of competitive sports training efficiency in China
Authors: Gao Guocheng , Xu Mingyue , Zhao Rongxin , Liu Jingxuan , Xia Rui , Zhu Wenchun , Zhao Lunan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

With the orientation of promoting a new type of competitive sports economic form that is more unified in terms of fairness and efficiency and improving the efficiency of optimal resource allocation in the context of digital economy, we evaluate the input-output efficiency of competitive sports in China and promote the sustainable development of competitive sports. Data envelopment analysis was used to empirically analyze the five input indicators of human, financial, and material inputs to Chinese competitive sports and the medal point indicators of the outputs of international sports events and China’s highest level competitions held during the five-year period. Results verify: 1) China’s provincial competitive sports training efficiency showed a development trend of eastern > central > western regions, with a national comprehensive efficiency of 0.645, and 10 provinces (municipalities and districts) reaching DEA effectiveness. 2) The standard deviation of the national efficiency is only 0.277, and there are large differences in the input-output efficiency of competitive sports in various provinces, with obvious regional imbalances. 3) The national mean of pure technical efficiency (PTE) of competitive sports inputs is much smaller than the mean of scale efficiency (SE), and 48.3% of provinces show the trend of increasing returns to scale. The study concludes that there is an “non-equilibrium” in the input-output benefits of competitive sports in China. At this stage, China should pay attention to the efficiency of resource allocation in competitive sports, conduct heterogeneous analysis for the phenomenon of benefit imbalance, and reduce the inter-regional differences in the benefits of competitive sports training.
Optimizing Word Embeddings for Patient Portal Message Datasets with a Small Number of Samples
Authors: Song Qingyuan , Ni Congning , Warner Jeremy L. , Chen Qingxia , Song Lijun , Rosenbloom S. Trent , Malin Bradley A. , Yin Zhijun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background Patient portal messages often relate to specific clinical phenomena (e.g., patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer) and, as a result, have received increasing attention in biomedical research. These messages require natural language processing and, while word embedding models, such as word2vec, have the potential to extract meaningful signals from text, they are not readily applicable to patient portal messages. This is because embedding models typically require millions of training samples to sufficiently represent semantics, while the volume of patient portal messages associated with a particular clinical phenomenon is often relatively small.
Objective We introduce a novel adaptation of the word2vec model, PK-word2vec, for small-scale messages.
Methods PK-word2vec incorporates the most similar terms for medical words (including problems, treatments, and tests) and non-medical words from two pre-trained embedding models as prior knowledge to improve the training process. We applied PK-word2vec on patient portal messages in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center electric health record system sent by patients diagnosed with breast cancer from December 2004 to November 2017. We evaluated the model through a set of 1000 tasks, each of which compared the relevance of a given word to a group of the five most similar words generated by PK-word2vec and a group of the five most similar words generated by the standard word2vec model. We recruited 200 Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) workers and 7 medical students to perform the tasks.
Results The dataset was composed of 1,389 patient records and included 137,554 messages with 10,683 unique words. Prior knowledge was available for 7,981 non-medical and 1,116 medical words. In over 90% of the tasks, both reviewers indicated PK-word2vec generated more similar words than standard word2vec (p=0.01).The difference in the evaluation by AMT workers versus medical students was negligible for all comparisons of tasks’ choices between the two groups of reviewers (p =0.774 under a paired t-test).
Conclusions. PK-word2vec can effectively learn word representations from a small message corpus, marking a significant advancement in processing patient portal messages.
Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Agonism on Acquisition and Expression of Pair Bonding in Male Prairie Voles
Authors: Ryabinin Andrey , Johnson Michael , Zweig Jonathan , Zhang Yangmiao , Nunez Louis , Ryabinina Olga , Hibert Marcel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4-hour cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4-hour cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2 hour-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.
Comparative Efficacy of PETD and PEID in the Management of L5/S1 Calcified Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Focus on Residual Calcification and Mid-Term Outcomes
Authors: Jiang Yu-qing , Jiang Wei , Xu Meng-lei , Shen Yi-fei , Xu Nan-wei , Han Long 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study is a retrospective cohort analysis of data collected from one clinical site between 2020 and 2022. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two percutaneous endoscopic discectomy procedures in treating calcified lumbar discs at the L5/S1 level: percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression (PETD) and percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID). Out of 117 patients who were initially enrolled, 114 completed the research. Of them, 56 had single-level chronic lumbar disc herniation and underwent PETD, whereas 58 received PEID. This breakdown was due to attrition. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) were utilized for demographic assessments, calcification morphology, residual calcified area(CRA), complications, and function analysis analysis in the present study in addition to other instruments. At the1,3, and 12-month follow-up assessments, the PETD and PEID groups did not differ in terms of clinical outcomes. A larger CRA in the PETD group did not affect the treatment efficacy linear regression to a statistically significant degree. This suggests that the two approaches to treating chronic lumbosacral disc herniation are complementary rather than competing.
An international field study for the reliability and validity of the EORTC Communication Questionnaire EORTC QLQ-COMU26
Authors: Arraras Juan Ignacio , Giesinger Johannes , Shamieh Omar , Bahar Iqbal , Koller Michael , Bredart Anne , Costantini Anna , Greimel Eva , Sztankay Monika , Wintner Lisa M. , de Sousa Marina Carreiro , Ishiki Hiroto , Kontogianni Meropi , Wolan Maja , Kikawa Yuichiro , Lanceley Anne , Gioulbasanis Ioannis , Harle Amelie , Zarandona Uxue , Kulis Dagmara , Kuljanic Karin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The EORTC Quality of Life Group has developed a questionnaire to evaluate cancer patients’ perception of their communication with healthcare professionals (HCPs): the EORTC QLQ-COMU26. In this study we test the validity and reliability of this novel measure in an international and culturally diverse sample of cancer patients.
Methods
Cancer patients completed the following EORTC questionnaires at two time points (before and during treatment): the QLQ-COMU26 (including a debriefing questionnaire), the QLQ-C30, and specific IN-PATSAT32 scales. These data were used to assess: the cross-cultural applicability, acceptability, scale structure, reliability, convergent/divergent validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness to change of the QLQ-COMU26.
Results
Data were collected from 498 patients with various cancer diagnoses in 10 European countries, Japan, Jordan and India (overall 5 cultural regions). At most, only 3% patients identified an item as confusing and 0.6% as upsetting, indicating that the questionnaire was well understood and accepted. Confirmatory factor analysis and multi-trait scaling confirmed the hypothesised QLQ-COMU26 scale structure comprising six multi-item scales and four single items (RMSEA = 0.025). Reliability was good for all scales (internal consistency > 0.70; test–retest reliability > 0.85). Convergent validity was supported by correlations of ≥ 0.50 with related scales of the IN-PATSAT32 and correlations < 0.30 with unrelated QLQ-C30 scales. Known-groups validity was shown according to sex, age, education, levels of anxiety and depression, satisfaction with communication, disease stage and treatment intention, professional evaluated, and having a companion during the visit. The QLQ-COMU26 captured changes over time in groups that were defined based on changes in the item of satisfaction with communication.
Conclusion
The EORTC QLQ-COMU26 is a reliable and valid measure of patients’ perceptions of their communication with HCPs. The EORTC QLQ-COMU26 can be used in daily clinical practice and research and in various cancer patient groups from different cultures. This questionnaire can help to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals.
Assessment of Endocrine Function in HIV-Infected Adolescent Girls at a Tertiary Centre in Zimbabwe. A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Guzha Bothwell Takaingofa , Mateveke Bismark , Mubata Hamish , Chapupu Tapiwa , Chipato Tsungai , Chirenje Zvavahera Mike , Dondo Vongai , Chirehwa Maxwell , Tshikosi Rendani 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Proper planning of reproductive health needs for HIV-infected adolescents requires a clear understanding of the effects of HIV infection on adolescents’ pubertal development.
Objective: To assess the effects of HIV infection on endocrine function in perinatally infected HIV adolescents.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of adolescent girls with perinatally acquired HIV aged 10-19 years, with reasonable immunological control who were attending an HIV clinic at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe. Consecutive sampling was used to select study participants, and adolescents who did not consent and those who were pregnant or acutely ill were excluded from the study. The data were collected using a standardised data collection tool. Pubertal milestones were assessed using age of menarche, thelarche, pubarche and Tanner stage for breast and pubic hair development. Growth was assessed using World Health Organisation growth charts. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis was assessed by measuring the following serum hormones: follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and estradiol. Ovarian reserve was assessed in adolescents above 18 years of age by serum anti-mullein hormone (AMH) levels. Data were analysed in STATA version 13.0, and the results are presented as mean (SD) or median(quartiles) and proportions, as appropriate.
Results: One hundred and one (101) HIV-infected adolescents were recruited for the study. Menarche, therlarche and pubarche were delayed in 15.9%, 28.6% and 46.8% of the adolescents, respectively. A total of 59.4% had moderate to severe stunting, and 53.5% were either overweight or obese. Serum AMH was reduced in 13.8% of the adolescents.
Conclusion: HIV infection in adolescents is associated with stunted growth and delayed sexual maturation. There is a need for a larger study to examine ovarian aging in HIV-infected adolescents.
Trial registration: This protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ) (reference number MRCZ/A/1730).
Multi-optimization for thermal deformation of gravitational wave telescope based on CFRP characteristics
Authors: Li Bohong , Yan Yong , Luo Jian , Fang Sijun , Zhang Rui , Hai Hongwen , Cao Yehao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Gravitational wave telescope place extremely high demands on structural thermal deformation, making material selection a critical issue. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is an ideal choice for the support structure of telescope due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and designable properties. However, current research on the optimization of the CTE of CFRP is scarce, and conventional methods struggle to find layups that meet the requirements. In this paper, an unconventional layup optimization method is proposed to solve this problem. Initially defining the characteristics of the telescope structure and using different layup material for the main and side support rods to minimize thermal deformation. Subsequently, the NSGA-II algorithm is used to optimize the layups which are divided into conventional and unconventional layups. Specimens are then produced from these results and tested to assess the impact of processing errors on practical applications. The results demonstrate that the optimized CFRP meet the CTE requirements and, when applied to the structure, significantly reduces the thermal deformation in the eccentric direction compared to conventional designs. Additionally, a numerical analysis evaluates the effect of ply orientation errors on the performance of unconventional layups, discussing the method's limitations within these contexts.