bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative differentiation of non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma and inverted papilloma based on CT urography
Authors: Jin Pengfei , Yang Liqin , Liu Yitao , Huang Jiehui , Wang Xu 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the value of CT urography (CTU) indicators in the quantitative differential diagnosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) and inverted papilloma of the bladder (IPB).

Material and methods
The clinical and preoperative CTU imaging data of continuous 103 patients with histologically confirmed BUC or IPB were retrospectively analyzed. The imaging data included 6 qualitative indicators and 7 quantitative measures. The recorded clinical information and imaging features were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to find independent risk factors for BUC, and a combined multi-indicator prediction model was constructed, and the prediction model was visualized using nomogram. ROC curve analysis was used to calculate and compare the predictive efficacy of independent risk factors and nomogram.

Results
Junction smoothness, maximum longitudinal diameter, tumor-wall interface and arterial reinforcement rate were independent risk factors for distinguishing BUC from IPB. The AUC of the combined model was 0.934 (sensitivity = 0.808, specificity = 0.920, accuracy = 0.835), and its diagnostic efficiency was higher than that of junction smoothness (AUC=0.667, sensitivity = 0.654, specificity = 0.680, accuracy = 0.660), maximum longitudinal diameter (AUC=0.757, sensitivity = 0.833, specificity = 0.604, accuracy = 0.786), tumor-wall interface (AUC=0.888, sensitivity = 0.755, specificity = 0.808, accuracy = 0.816) and Arterial reinforcement rate (AUC=0.786, sensitivity = 0.936, specificity = 0.640, accuracy = 0.864).

Conclusion
Above qualitative and quantitative indicators based on CTU and the combination of them may be helpful to the differential diagnosis of BUC and IPB, thus better assisting in clinical decision-making.

Key points
1. Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) and inverted papilloma of the bladder (IPB) exhibit similar clinical symptoms and imaging presentations.
2. The diagnostic value of CT urography (CTU) in distinguishing between BUC and IPB has not been documented.
3. BUC and IPB differ in lesion size, growth pattern and blood supply.
4. The diagnostic efficiency is optimized by integrating multiple independent risk factors into the prediction model.
A solution for highly efficient electroporation of primary cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Alawar Nadia , Schirra Claudia , Hohmann Meltem , Becherer Ute 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are central players in the adaptive immune response. Their functional characterization and clinical research depend on efficient and reliable transfection. Although various methods have been utilized, electroporation remains the preferred technique for transient gene over-expression. However, the efficiency of electroporation is reduced for human and mouse primary CTLs. Lonza offers kits that effectively improve plasmid DNA transfection quality. Unfortunately, the removal of key components of the cell recovery medium considerably reduced the efficiency of their kit for CTLs. Our aim was to develop a new recovery medium to be used with Lonza’s Nucleofector system that would significantly enhance transfection rates.

Results
We assessed the impact of different media in which the primary CTLs were placed to recover after electroporation on cell survival, transfection rate and their ability to form an immunological synapse and to perform exocytosis. We transfected the cells with pmax-GFP and large constructs encoding for either CD81-super ecliptic pHluorin or granzyme B-pHuji. The comparison of five different media for mouse and two for human CTLs demonstrated that our new recovery medium composed of Opti-MEM-GlutaMAX supplemented with HEPES, DMSO and sodium pyruvate gave the best result in cell survival (> 50%) and transfection rate (> 30 and 20% for mouse and human cells, respectively). More importantly, the functionality of CTLs was at least twice as high as with the original Lonza recovery medium. In addition, our RM significantly improved transfection efficacy of natural killer cells that are notoriously hard to electroporate.

Conclusion
Our results show that successful transfection depends not only on the electroporation medium and pulse sequence but also on the medium applied for cell recovery. In addition, we have reduced our reliance on proprietary products by designing an effective recovery medium for both mouse and human primary CTLs and other lymphocytes that can be easily implemented by any laboratory. We expect that this recovery medium will have a significant impact on both fundamental and applied research in immunology.
Combining public datasets for automated tooth assessment in panoramic radiographs
Authors: van Nistelrooij Niels , Ghoul Khalid El , Xi Tong , Saha Anindo , Kempers Steven , Cenci Max , Loomans Bas , Flügge Tabea , van Ginneken Bram , Vinayahalingam Shankeeth 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
Panoramic radiographs (PRs) provide a comprehensive view of the oral and maxillofacial region and are used routinely to assess dental and osseous pathologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of PRs compared to bitewings and periapical radiographs. This study aimed to evaluate the advantages and challenges of using publicly available datasets in dental AI research, focusing on solving the novel task of predicting tooth segmentations, FDI numbers, and tooth diagnoses, simultaneously.

Materials and methods
Datasets from the OdontoAI platform (tooth instance segmentations) and the DENTEX challenge (tooth bounding boxes with associated diagnoses) were combined to develop a two-stage AI model. The first stage implemented tooth instance segmentation with FDI numbering and extracted regions of interest around each tooth segmentation, whereafter the second stage implemented multi-label classification to detect dental caries, impacted teeth, and periapical lesions in PRs. The performance of the automated tooth segmentation algorithm was evaluated using a free-response receiver-operating-characteristics (FROC) curve and mean average precision (mAP) metrics. The diagnostic accuracy of detection and classification of dental pathology was evaluated with ROC curves and F1 and AUC metrics.

Results
The two-stage AI model achieved high accuracy in tooth segmentations with a FROC score of 0.988 and a mAP of 0.848. High accuracy was also achieved in the diagnostic classification of impacted teeth (F1 = 0.901, AUC = 0.996), whereas moderate accuracy was achieved in the diagnostic classification of deep caries (F1 = 0.683, AUC = 0.960), early caries (F1 = 0.662, AUC = 0.881), and periapical lesions (F1 = 0.603, AUC = 0.974). The model’s performance correlated positively with the quality of annotations in the used public datasets. Selected samples from the DENTEX dataset revealed cases of missing (false-negative) and incorrect (false-positive) diagnoses, which negatively influenced the performance of the AI model.

Conclusions
The use and pooling of public datasets in dental AI research can significantly accelerate the development of new AI models and enable fast exploration of novel tasks. However, standardized quality assurance is essential before using the datasets to ensure reliable outcomes and limit potential biases.
Influence of screw channel angulation on reverse torque value and fracture resistance in monolithic zirconia restorations after thermomechanical cycling: an in-vitro study
Authors: Khaledi Amir Alireza , Shalileh Shouka , Hejazi Maryam , Giti Rashin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
While the concept of angled screw channels has gained popularity, there remains a scarcity of research concerning the torque loss and fracture strength of monolithic zirconia restorations with various screw channel angulations when exposed to thermomechanical cycling. This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the reverse torque value and fracture resistance of one-piece screw-retained hybrid monolithic zirconia restorations with angulated screw channels after thermomechanical cycling.

Methods
One-piece monolithic zirconia restorations, with angulated screw channels set at 0°, 15°, and 25° (n = 6 per angulation) were fabricated and bonded to titanium inserts using a dual-cure adhesive resin cement. These assemblies were then screwed to implant fixtures embedded in acrylic resin using an omnigrip screwdriver, and reverse torque values were recorded before and after thermomechanical cycles. Additionally, fracture modes were assessed subsequent to the application of compressive load. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the groups (α = 0.05).

Results
The study groups were significantly different regarding the fracture resistance (P = 0.0015), but only insignificantly different in the mean percentage torque loss (P = 0.4400). Specifically, the fracture resistance of the 15° group was insignificantly higher compared to the 0° group (P = 0.9037), but significantly higher compared to the 25° group (P = 0.0051). Furthermore, the fracture resistance of the 0° group was significantly higher than that of the 25° group (P = 0.0114).

Conclusions
One-piece hybrid monolithic zirconia restorations with angulated screw channels can be considered an acceptable choice for angulated implants in esthetic areas, providing satisfactory fracture strength and torque loss.
Exploring risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse at eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo: a case-control study
Authors: Ilunga-Mbaya Eloge , Mukwege Denis , De Tayrac Renaud , Mbunga Branly , Maroyi Raha , Ntakwinja Mukanire , Sengeyi Mushengezi Amani Dieudonné 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common debilitating condition worldwide. Despite surgical treatment, its recurrence can reach up to 30%. It has multiple risk factors, some of which are particular for a low-resource settings. The identification these factors would help to devise risk models allowing the development of prevention policies. The objective of this study was to explore risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse in a population in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Methods
This was an unmatched case-control study conducted between January 2021 and January 2022. The sample size was estimated to be a total of 434 women (217 with prolapse as cases and 217 without prolapse as controls). Data comparisons were made using the Chi-Square and Student T tests. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine associated factors. A p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
Variables identified as definitive predictors of pelvic organ prolapse included low BMI (aOR 2.991; CI 1.419–6.307; p = 0.004), home birth (aOR 6.102; CI 3.526–10.561; p < 0.001), family history of POP (aOR 2.085; CI 1.107–3.924; p = 0.023), history of birth without an episiotomy (aOR 3.504; CI 2.031–6.048; p = 0), height ≤ 150 cm (aOR 5.328; CI 2.942–9.648; p < 0.001) and history of giving birth to a macrosomic baby (aOR 1.929; IC 1.121–3.321; p = 0.018).

Conclusions
This study identified that Body Mass Index and birth-related factors are definitive predictors of pelvic organ prolapse in a low-resource setting. These factors are potentially modifiable and should be targeted in any future pelvic organ prolapse prevention policy. Additionally, there seems to be a genetic predisposition for prolapse, which warrants further assessment in specifically designed large scale studies.
Tumoricidal properties of thymoquinone on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells via the modulation of autophagy
Authors: Moulana Mohammad Saleh , Haiaty Sanya , Bazmani Ahad , Shabkhizan Roya , Moslehian Marziyeh Sadat , Sadeghsoltani Fatemeh , Mostafazadeh Mostafa , Asadi Mohammad Reza , Talebi Mehdi , Jafari Zahra , Morovati Mohammad Reza , Farzaei Mohammad Hosein , Rahbarghazi Reza 
Published: March 2024

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is deadly anaplastic changes in the gastrointestinal tract with high-rate mortality. In recent years, the application of phytocompounds has been extended along with different therapeutic protocols. Here, we monitored the effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) on autophagy via mitochondrial function after modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were treated with TQ (60 µM) and 15 µM Wnt3a inhibitor (LGK974) for 48 h. The survival rate was evaluated using an MTT assay. The expression of Wnt-related factors (c-Myc, and Axin), angiogenesis (VE-Cadherin), and mitophagy-related factors (PINK1, OPTN) was assessed using real-time PCR assay. Protein levels of autophagy factors (Beclin-1, LC3, and P62) were monitored using western blotting. Using flow cytometry analysis, the intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine 123 was evaluated. The migration properties were analyzed using a scratch wound healing assay.Data indicated that TQ can reduce the viability of HT-29 cells compared to the control cells (p < 0.05). The expression of VE-Cadherin was inhibited while the expression of PINK1 was induced in treated cells (p < 0.05). Both LGK974 and TQ-treated cells exhibited activation of autophagy flux (Beclin-1↑, LC3II/I↑, and p62↓) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). TQ can increase intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine 123, indicating the inhibition of efflux mechanisms in cancer cells. Along with these changes, the migration of cells was also reduced (p < 0.05).TQ is a potential phytocompound to alter the dynamic growth of human colorectal HT-29 cells via the modulation of autophagy, and mitophagy-related mechanisms.
Consensus on relevant point-of-care ultrasound skills in General Practice: a two-round French Delphi study
Authors: Camard Louis , Liard Roxane , Duverne Sophie , Ibanez Gladys , Skendi Mariela 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Context
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has become an important tool in the clinical practice of many specialties, but its use and impact in General Practice in France remains to be explored.

Objective
The objective of this study is to obtain a consensus among experienced French general practitioners on a list of relevant POCUS skills in General Practice in 4 anatomical regions.

Method
We used a two-round Delphi method to obtain a consensus. An initial list of skills was drawn by conducting a literature review. To rate each skill, we used a nine-point Likert scale. An interactive meeting between experts took place between Delphi rounds. POCUS experts in General Practice were defined as general practitioners with theoretical training in ultrasound who regularly perform ultrasound, who have performed ultrasound for more than five years and/or are involved in providing ultrasound training.

Results
11 French general practitioners screened 83 skills in 4 anatomical regions: abdominal, urogenital, vascular, gynecology and obstetrics. An agreement was obtained for 36 POCUS skills as to their appropriateness in General Practice. There were 17 skills with a strong appropriate agreement (100% of “7–9” ratings) and 19 skills with a relative agreement (100% of “5–9” ratings).

Conclusion
These skills could serve as a basis for guidelines on the use and curriculum of POCUS in General Practice in France as well as in other countries with similar healthcare systems.
The effect of “typical case discussion and scenario simulation” on the critical thinking of midwifery students: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Yuji , Peng Yijuan , Huang Yan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Assessment ability lies at the core of midwives’ capacity to judge and treat clinical problems effectively. Influenced by the traditional teaching method of “teacher-led and content-based”, that teachers involve imparting a large amount of knowledge to students and students lack active thinking and active practice, the clinical assessment ability of midwifery students in China is mostly at a medium or low level. Improving clinical assessment ability of midwifery students, especially critical thinking, is highly important in practical midwifery education. Therefore, we implemented a new teaching program, “typical case discussion and scenario simulation”, in the Midwifery Health Assessment course. Guided by typical cases, students were organized to actively participate in typical case discussions and to promote active thinking and were encouraged to practice actively through scenario simulation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of this strategy on the critical thinking ability of midwifery students.

Method
A total of 104 midwifery students in grades 16–19 at the West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, were included as participants through convenience sampling. All the students completed the Midwifery Health Assessment course in the third year of university. Students in grades 16 and 17 were assigned to the control group, which received routine teaching in the Midwifery Health Assessment, while students in grades 18 and 19 were assigned to the experimental group, for which the “typical case discussion and scenario simulation” teaching mode was employed. The Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CTDI-CV) and Midwifery Health Assessment Course Satisfaction Questionnaire were administered after the intervention.

Results
After the intervention, the critical thinking ability of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group (284.81 ± 27.98 and 300.94 ± 31.67, p = 0.008). Furthermore, the experimental group exhibited higher scores on the four dimensions of Open-Mindedness (40.56 ± 5.60 and 43.59 ± 4.90, p = 0.005), Analyticity (42.83 ± 5.17 and 45.42 ± 5.72, p = 0.020), Systematicity (38.79 ± 4.70 and 41.88 ± 6.11, p = 0.006), and Critical Thinking Self-Confidence (41.35 ± 5.92 and 43.83 ± 5.89, p = 0.039) than did the control group. The course satisfaction exhibited by the experimental group was greater than that exhibited by the control group (84.81 ± 8.49 and 90.19 ± 8.41, p = 0.002).

Conclusion
The “typical case discussion and scenario simulation” class mode can improve the critical thinking ability of midwifery students and enhance their curriculum satisfaction. This approach carries a certain degree of promotional significance in medical education.
A phase II study of belumosudil for chronic graft-versus-host disease in patients who failed at least one line of systemic therapy in China
Authors: Wang Ying , Wu Depei , Zhang Xiang , Li Yuhua , He Yanjie , Liu Qifa , Xuan Li , Li Zhenyu , Qi Kunming , Sun Yuqian , Wang Shunqing , Mo Wenjian , Gao Lei , Hua Ye , Wang Yu , Zhang Ying 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is an immune-related disorder that is the most common complication post-allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Corticosteroids with or without calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) remain the mainstay of cGVHD treatment for first-line therapy. However, for many patients, cGVHD symptoms cannot be effectively managed and thus require second-line therapy. Currently, there is no approved treatment for second-line cGVHD treatment in China. In this study, belumosudil, a highly selective and potent rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase-2 inhibitor demonstrated to be effective for cGVHD in the United States and other Western countries, is investigated in patients with cGVHD in China for its overall benefit–risk balance.

Methods
This multicenter, open-label phase II study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of oral belumosudil 200 mg once daily in cGVHD patients who had been treated with at least one line of systemic therapy in China. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR); each individual patient’s response was assessed by the investigator using the 2014 National Institutes of Health consensus criteria. Secondary endpoints were duration of response (DOR), time to response (TTR), changes in Lee Symptom Scale (LSS) score, organ response rate, corticosteroid dose change, CNI dose change, failure-free survival, time-to-next-treatment, overall survival, and safety.

Results
Thirty patients were enrolled in the study with a median follow-up time of 12.9 months. ORR was 73.3% (95% confidence interval: 54.1–87.7%) and all responders achieved partial response. Median DOR among responders was not reached and median TTR was 4.3 weeks (range: 3.9–48.1). Fifteen patients (50.0%) achieved clinically meaningful response in terms of reduction in LSS score by ≥ 7 points from baseline. Corticosteroid and CNI dose reductions were reported in 56.7% (17/30) and 35.0% (7/20) of patients, respectively. Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild to moderate in severity, with 11 patients (36.7%) experiencing grade ≥ 3 TEAEs. The most common grade ≥ 3 TEAE was pneumonia (n = 5, 16.7%).

Conclusions
Belumosudil treatment demonstrated a favorable benefit–risk balance in treating cGVHD patients who previously have had standard corticosteroid therapy in China where approved second-line setting is absent.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04930562.
Rapid assessment of the blood-feeding histories of wild-caught malaria mosquitoes using mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Mwanga Emmanuel P. , Mchola Idrisa S. , Makala Faraja E. , Mshani Issa H. , Siria Doreen J. , Mwinyi Sophia H. , Abbasi Said , Seleman Godian , Mgaya Jacqueline N. , Jiménez Mario González , Wynne Klaas , Sikulu-Lord Maggy T. , Selvaraj Prashanth , Okumu Fredros O. , Baldini Francesco , Babayan Simon A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The degree to which Anopheles mosquitoes prefer biting humans over other vertebrate hosts, i.e. the human blood index (HBI), is a crucial parameter for assessing malaria transmission risk. However, existing techniques for identifying mosquito blood meals are demanding in terms of time and effort, involve costly reagents, and are prone to inaccuracies due to factors such as cross-reactivity with other antigens or partially digested blood meals in the mosquito gut. This study demonstrates the first field application of mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning (MIRS-ML), to rapidly assess the blood-feeding histories of malaria vectors, with direct comparison to PCR assays.

Methods and results
Female Anopheles funestus mosquitoes (N = 1854) were collected from rural Tanzania and desiccated then scanned with an attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometer. Blood meals were confirmed by PCR, establishing the ‘ground truth’ for machine learning algorithms. Logistic regression and multi-layer perceptron classifiers were employed to identify blood meal sources, achieving accuracies of 88%–90%, respectively, as well as HBI estimates aligning well with the PCR-based standard HBI.

Conclusions
This research provides evidence of MIRS-ML effectiveness in classifying blood meals in wild Anopheles funestus, as a potential complementary surveillance tool in settings where conventional molecular techniques are impractical. The cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and scalability of MIRS-ML, along with its generalizability, outweigh minor gaps in HBI estimation. Since this approach has already been demonstrated for measuring other entomological and parasitological indicators of malaria, the validation in this study broadens its range of use cases, positioning it as an integrated system for estimating pathogen transmission risk and evaluating the impact of interventions.