bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Evaluation of Psychotic Features and Their Clinical Correlates in Early Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Pachi Ioanna , Papadopoulos Vassilis , Koros Christos , Simitsi Athina Maria , Bougea Anastasia , Bozi Maria , Papagiannakis Nikos , Soldatos Rigas Filippos , Kolovou Dimitra , Pantes George , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Paraskevas Georgios , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Papageorgiou Sokratis G. , Kollias Konstantinos , Stefanis Nikos , Stefanis Leonidas 
Published: October 2023

Background: Some reports suggest that psychotic features may occur in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but sensitive tools have not been utilized. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the presence of psychotic symptoms using detailed scales and to assess the association with clinical characteristics. Methods: Healthy controls and patients within three years of PD onset were recruited. Participants were examined for psychotic symptoms using two different instruments: the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and a 10 question PD specific psychosis severity scale (10PDQ). In the PD group, medication use, motor and non-motor symptoms were documented. Results: Based on CAARMS and 10PDQ scales, psychotic features were present in 39% (27/70) of patients and 4% (3/74) of controls. The prevalence of passage hallucinations and illusions was significantly higher in PD compared to the control group. The presence of PD-associated psychotic features was not significantly affected by medication, motor severity or global cognitive status. Higher prevalence of overall non-motor manifestations, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and depressive symptoms was significantly associated with the manifestation of psychotic features in PD [(adjusted OR:1.3; 95% CI:1.1-1.6; p = 0.003), (adjusted OR:1.3; 95% CI:1.0-1.6; p = 0.023), and (adjusted OR:1.2; 95% CI:1.0-1.4; p = 0.026)]. Conclusions: Psychotic phenomena mainly of minor nature are highly common in early PD. Cumulative non-motor symptoms, RBD and depressive features are associated with the presence of psychotic symptoms in this non-demented, early-stage PD population. More studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms that contribute to the onset of psychotic features in early PD.
Fusion extracted features from deep learning for identification of multiple positioning errors in dental panoramic imaging
Authors: Su Hsin-Yueh , Hsieh Shang-Ting , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Wang Yu-Li , Wang Chi-Yuan , Hsu Shih-Yen , Liu Kuo-Ying , Huang Yung-Hui , Wei Ya-Wen , Lu Nan-Han , Chen Tai-Been 
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND: Dental panoramic imaging plays a pivotal role in dentistry for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, correctly positioning patients can be challenging for technicians due to the complexity of the imaging equipment and variations in patient anatomy, leading to positioning errors. These errors can compromise image quality and potentially result in misdiagnoses. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to develop and validate a deep learning model capable of accurately and efficiently identifying multiple positioning errors in dental panoramic imaging. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study used 552 panoramic images selected from a hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). We defined six types of errors (E1-E6) namely, (1) slumped position, (2) chin tipped low, (3) open lip, (4) head turned to one side, (5) head tilted to one side, and (6) tongue against the palate. First, six Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models were employed to extract image features, which were then fused using transfer learning. Next, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) was applied to create a classifier for multiple positioning errors, using the fused image features. Finally, the classifier performance was evaluated using 3 indices of precision, recall rate, and accuracy. RESULTS: Experimental results show that the fusion of image features with six binary SVM classifiers yielded high accuracy, recall rates, and precision. Specifically, the classifier achieved an accuracy of 0.832 for identifying multiple positioning errors. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that six SVM classifiers effectively identify multiple positioning errors in dental panoramic imaging. The fusion of extracted image features and the employment of SVM classifiers improve diagnostic precision, suggesting potential enhancements in dental imaging efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. Future research should consider larger datasets and explore real-time clinical application.
A novel fusion method for X-ray phase contrast imaging based on fast adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition
Authors: Tian Zonghan , Tao Siwei , Bai Ling , Xu Yueshu , Liu Xu , Kuang Cuifang 
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUNDS: X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) can separate the attenuation, refraction, and scattering signals of the object. The application of image fusion enables the concentration of distinctive information into a single image. Some methods have been applied in XPCI field, but wavelet-based decomposition approaches often result in loss of original data. OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of a novel image fusion method for XPCI system and computed tomography (CT) system. METHODS: The means of fast adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (FABEMD) is considered for image decomposition to avoid unnecessary information loss. A parameter δ is proposed to guide the fusion of bidimensional intrinsic mode functions which contain high-frequency information, using a pulse coupled neural network with morphological gradients (MGPCNN). The residual images are fused by the energy attribute fusion strategy. Image preprocessing and enhancement are performed on the result to ensure its quality. The effectiveness of other image fusion methods has been compared, such as discrete wavelet transforms and anisotropic diffusion fusion. RESULTS: The δ-guided FABEMD-MGPCNN method achieved either the first or second position in objective evaluation metrics with biological samples, as compared to other image fusion methods. Moreover, comparisons are made with other fusion methods used for XPCI. Finally, the proposed method applied in CT show expected results to retain the feature information. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed δ-guided FABEMD-MGPCNN method shows potential feasibility and superiority over traditional and recent image fusion methods for X-ray differential phase contrast imaging and computed tomography systems.
Application of radiomics based on chest CT-enhanced dual-phase imaging in the immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Ze-Peng , Li Xiao-Lei , Gao Kai , Zhang Tian-Le , Wang Heng-Di , Zhao Yong-Xia 
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of applying computed tomography (CT) radiomics based on different CT-enhanced phases to determine the immunotherapeutic efficacy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: 106 patients with NSCLC who underwent immunotherapy are randomly divided into training (74) and validation (32) groups. CT-enhanced arterial and venous phase images of patients before treatment are collected. Region-of-interest (ROI) is segmented on the CT-enhanced images, and the radiomic features are extracted. One-way analysis of variance and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) are used to screen the optimal radiomics features and analyze the association between radiomics features and immunotherapy efficacy. The area under receiver-operated characteristic curves (AUC) along with the sensitivity and specificity are computed to evaluate diagnostic effectiveness. RESULTS: LASSO regression analysis screens and selects 6 and 8 optimal features in the arterial and venous phases images, respectively. Applying to the training group, AUCs based on CT-enhanced arterial and venous phase images are 0.867 (95% CI:0.82–0.94) and 0.880 (95% CI:0.86–0.91) with the sensitivities of 73.91% and 76.19%, and specificities of 66.67% and 72.19%, respectively, while in validation group, AUCs of the arterial and venous phase images are 0.732 (95% CI:0.71–0.78) and 0.832 (95% CI:0.78–0.91) with sensitivities of 75.00% and 76.00%, and specificities of 73.07% and 75.00%, respectively. There are no significant differences between AUC values computed from arterial phases and venous phases images in both training and validation groups ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The optimally selected radiomics features computed from CT-enhanced different-phase images can provide new imaging marks to evaluate efficacy of the targeted therapy in NSCLC with a high diagnostic value.
Quantum Cosmology: Cosmology directly linked to the Planck Scale in General Relativity Theory and Newton Gravity
Authors: Haug Prof. Espen Gaarder 
Published: October 2023

We will in this paper demonstrate that there is a link between cosmology and the Planck scale. It has in recent years been shown that the Planck length can be found totally independent on \(G\), \(\hbar\) and \(c\) and that a series of cosmological predictions can be predicted only from two constants, namely the Planck length and the speed of gravity. The speed of gravity can be easily found without knowledge of the speed of light. This gives a new perspective on cosmology and shows there is a link between the Planck scale and cosmology. This is fully consistent with a recent quantization of general relativity theory that links general relativity to the Compton frequency and the Planck scale. We look at both the Friedmann cosmology and the recently introduced cosmology based on the extremal solution of the Reissner-Nordstrom, Kerr and Kerr-Newman metric.
Foundations of quantum mechanics revealed by the conservation laws
Authors: Oldani Richard 
Published: October 2023

It is often claimed that Einstein is wrong about quantum mechanics. However, when comparisons are made with respect to theoretical foundations rather than experimental results Einstein’s theories are found to be superior. Although statistical formulations of quantum mechanics correctly describe energy and momentum exchange with remarkable accuracy there are individual cases, paradoxically, that violate the conservation laws. A recent study finds that in order to account for observed violations frames of reference involved in preparation of the initial state must be explicitly taken into account [1]. We show here that the same conclusion was arrived at in a much simpler way by Einstein over 100 years ago. Deficiencies in the foundations of non-relativistic theory are corrected by introducing Hamilton’s principle and deriving relativistic equations of motion. This allows quantum mechanical formalism in abstract space to be replaced by the superposition of particle field geometries in real space. Applying the calculus of variations to the Schrödinger wave equation reveals that the wave function is incomplete because it requires twice the allowable action minimum.
Effect of sowing dates and cultivars on incidence of the exotic army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Longkumer Bendangsenla , Neog Pankaj , Waluniba  , Devi H. S. 
Published: October 2023

The Effect of sowing dates and cultivars on the incidence of fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) was carried out with five cultivars namely, Zarsi (local), Sipho (local), Ronimi (local), Khoi (local) and HQPM-1 (composite) and three different sowing dates (6th March, 21st March and 5th April). Among the different dates of sowing, 6th March recorded maximum pest incidence, while 5th April recorded the least on maize. The interaction between sowing dates and cultivars showed significant effect on the incidence of army worm at different days after sowing. The maize sown on 21st March, recorded the highest grain yield (4.12 t ha-1). It can be suggested that manipulating the sowing date and growing of tolerant variety of maize such as HQPM1 can be an effective measure to manage exotic army worm infestation. Mid sowing of maize (21st March) and growing of local cultivars such as Sipho observed significantly better yield attributes which will ensure higher economic returns to the farmers.
Prevalence of antibiotic misuse in cases of pneumonia and diarrhea in Saudi Arabia
Authors: ALmughais Ebtehaj Saud , Alreshidi Fatmah Fahad , Ahmed Hussain 
Published: October 2023

Background: Antibiotic misuse is a major public health issue with long-term repercussions.
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of pneumonia and diarrhea, with an emphasis on antibiotic misuse.
Methodology: This study included 410 participants (217 fathers and 193 mothers), of whom 239 purchased antibiotics for their children without a prescription, whereas 171 had a prescription or were unsure if one was required.
Results: Antibiotics were used incorrectly by 58.1% of respondents. About 51.2% of participants said they were taking two antibiotics at the same time. Around 30% of people admitted to using antibiotics inefficiently. The most prevalent reason for use was “viral and bacterial,” followed by “viral,” and then “bacterial,” with 35%, 21%, and 20%, respectively. In addition, 22.4% of patients have used antibiotics for an unknown reason.
Conclusion: Saudi parents of children with pneumonia and diarrhea abuse antibiotics. Saudi legislation banning medications without a prescription has helped reduce antibiotic abuse, but more community-based education and awareness are needed.
Simple method for quantification of anionic biosurfactants in aqueous solutions
Authors: Sass Gabriele , Groleau Marie-Christine , Déziel Eric , Stevens David A. 
Published: October 2023

Biosurfactants are microbial products that have applications as cleaning agents, emulsifiers, and dispersants. Detection and quantification of biosurfactants can be done by various methods, including colorimetric tests, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to several types of detectors, and tests that take advantage of biosurfactants reducing surface tension of aqueous liquids, allowing for spreading and droplet formation of oils. We present a new and simple method for quantifying biosurfactants by their ability, on paper, to reduce surface tension of aqueous solutions, causing droplet dispersion on an oiled surface in correlation with biosurfactant content. We validated this method with rhamnolipids, surfactin, sophorolipids, and ananatoside B; all are anionic microbial surfactants. Linear ranges for quantification in aqueous solutions for all tested biosurfactants were between 10 and 500 µM. Our method showed time-dependent biosurfactant accumulation in cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PA14 and PAO1, and Burkholderia thailandensis E264. Mutants in genes responsible for surfactant production showed negligible activity on oiled paper. In summary, our simple assay provides the opportunity to quantify biosurfactant contents of aqueous solutions, for a diversity of surfactants, by means readily available in any laboratory.
First results of the biostratigraphy and geochronology of the classic Nihewan Fauna, China
Authors: Farjand Arya , Zhang Zhaoqun , Gibbard Philip L. , Bi Shundong 
Published: October 2023

The Nihewan Basin is infilled by a relatively complete Pliocene to Pleistocene sequence, rich mammalian fossils and containing many Palaeolithic artefacts, implying that it is a unique location for Quaternary multidisciplinary study. Fossil excavations in these deposits have been carried out for nearly a century. The systematic study of the fossils by Teilhard de Chardin and Piveteau in 1930 laid the foundations for the classic Nihewan Faunal assemblage, which has been widely followed as a standard for the Early Pleistocene biochronology in eastern Asia. With the availability of magnetostratigraphic analyses on several sections in the Nihewan basin, a comprehensive geochronological study is timely pending. Here we report the results of a comprehensive survey of the Xiashagou section, where the classic Nihewan Fauna was discovered. By synthesising the lithostratigraphical, biostratigraphical, and magnetostratigraphical information, together with measurements taken by the authors, the total thickness of the Nihewan Formation in the Xiashagou section being 116 m. Furthermore, the geochronological study demonstrates that the classic Nihewan Fauna was originally recovered from at least 6 fossil horizons, spanning from ∼2.4 Ma to ∼1.8 Ma, i.e., the early Early Pleistocene. The new evidence from the Xiashagou section also suggests several cycles of fluctuations in the biodiversity and population of the classic Nihewan Fauna during the early Pleistocene. The preliminary correlation of these cycles matches the short periods of glaciation in the early Pleistocene.
Clinicopathological characteristics, evolution, treatment pattern and outcomes of hormone-receptor-positive/HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
Authors: You Shuhui , Gong Chengcheng , Li Yi , Xie Yizhao , Li Yumeng , Zhao Yannan , Wang Biyun 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveDespite the promising efficacy of the novel antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan in treating Hormone Receptor (HoR)-positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-low metastatic breast cancer (MBC), its categorization as a distinct entity remains disputed, as does the divergence in its endocrine and chemotherapy outcomes. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics, primary/metastatic lesion HER2 expression, and treatment outcomes of HoR-positive/HER2-low patients.MethodsWe included HoR-positive/HER2-negative MBC patients who underwent 1st and 2nd line endocrine treatment from July 2010 to October 2022 at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, comparing the clinical pathological characteristics, HER2 expression in primary/metastatic lesions, treatment, and therapeutic effects of the HER2-low and HER2-zero groups.ResultsAmong the 458 HoR-positive/HER2-negative MBC patients, 54.37% (249/458) were HER2-low. The HER2-low group and the HER2-zero group had similar clinical pathological characteristics and similar progression-free survival (PFS) of 1st and 2nd line endocrine treatment (median PFS: 8.05 months vs 10.12 months, p=0.114, HR 1.257, 95% CI 0.771 to 1.028). The PFS of the HER2-low and HER2-zero groups was also similar, treated with different endocrine drugs (including aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen/toremifene, fulvestrant, palbociclib, and everolimus). However, the HER2-low group had significantly shorter PFS during 1st and 2nd line chemotherapy compared to the HER2-zero group (median PFS: 8.64 vs 9.03 months, p=0.027, HR 0.841, 95% CI 0.721-0.980). Additionally, 41.18% (63/153) of patients exhibited a change in HER2 expression between primary and metastatic lesions. Notably, patients whose HER2 status changed from zero to low expression had significantly prolonged PFS during chemotherapy compared to those who maintained low HER2 expression (median PFS: 14.29 vs 11.27 months, p=0.048, HR 0.597, 95% CI 0.358-0.996).ConclusionIn HoR-positive MBC, patients with low and zero HER2 expression have similar clinical characteristics and respond similarly to endocrine treatment, but the chemotherapy effect is worse in the HER2-low patients. Moreover, the transformation of HER2 status from primary to metastatic lesions may have potential influence on chemotherapy outcomes. Therefore, the expression and heterogeneity of HER2 should be considered in clinical decisions.
Identifying patient-related predictors of permanent growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Mericq Veronica , Iñiguez German , Pinto Graziella , Gonzalez-Briceño Laura G. , Samara-Boustani Dinane , Thalassinos Caroline , Flechtner Isabelle , Stoupa Athanasia , Beltrand Jacques , Besançon Alix , Brabant Séverine , Ghazal Khaldoun , Leban Monique , Touraine Philippe , Cavada Gabriel , Polak Michel , Kariyawasam Dulanjalee 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveIsolated childhood growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can persist into adulthood, and re-testing at the transition period is needed to determine whether continued growth hormone therapy is indicated. Here, our objective was to identify predictors of permanent GHD.DesignRetrospective single-centre study of patients with childhood-onset GHD who were re-tested after adult height attainment.MethodsAuxological, clinical, laboratory, and MRI data throughout follow-up were collected.ResultsWe included 101 patients. At GH treatment initiation, age was 8.1 ± 0.4 years, height -2.25 ± 0.8, and BMI -0.27 ± 0.1 SDS. The 29 (28.7%) patients with persistent GHD had lower height SDS (-2.57 ± 0.1 vs. -2.11 ± 0.1, p&lt;0.001) and mean GH peaks (8.4 ± 1.0 vs.13.2 ± 0.5 mIU/L, p&lt;0.001) at GHD diagnosis; at adult height, they had lower IGF1 (232 ± 19.9 vs. 331 ± 9.1 ng/mL, p&lt;0.001) and higher BMI SDS (-0.15 ± 0.27 vs. -0.73 ± 0.13, p&lt;0.005). By multivariate analysis, the best predictive model included height and BMI SDS, both GH peaks, and MRI findings at diagnosis. Patients with height at diagnosis &lt;-3 SDS had a 7.7 (95% IC 1.4-43.1, p=0.02) fold higher risk of persistent GHD after adjustment on BMI SDS. An abnormal pituitary region by MRI was the strongest single predictor (7.2 times, 95% CI 2.7-19.8) and after multivariate analysis adjustment for GH peaks and height SDS at diagnosis, the risk increased to 10.6 (1.8 - 61.3) times.ConclusionsHeight &lt;-3 SDS at GHD diagnosis and pituitary MRI abnormalities should lead to a high index of suspicion for persistent GHD.
Identification of subclusters and prognostic genes based on glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Dan , Aierken Ayinuer , Li Hui , Chen Ruihua , Ren Lei , Wang Kai 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluate their potential roles in HCC progression and immunotherapy response.MethodsData analyzed in this study were collected from GSE14520, GSE76427, GSE174570, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), PXD006512, and GSE149614 datasets, metabolic pathways were collected from MSigDB database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between HCC and controls. Differentially expressed glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-related genes (candidate genes) were obtained and consensus clustering was performed based on the expression of candidate genes. Bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate candidate genes and screen prognostic genes. Finally, the key results were tested in HCC patients.ResultsThirteen differentially expressed glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-related genes were validated in additional datasets. Consensus clustering analysis identified two distinct patient clusters (C1 and C2) with different prognoses and immune microenvironments. Immune score and tumor purity were significantly higher in C1 than in C2, and CD4+ memory activated T cell, Tfh, Tregs, and macrophage M0 were higher infiltrated in HCC and C1 group. The study also identified five intersecting DEGs from candidate genes in TCGA, GSE14520, and GSE141198 as prognostic genes, which had a protective role in HCC patient prognosis. Compared with the control group, the prognostic genes all showed decreased expression in HCC patients in RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses. Flow cytometry verified the abnormal infiltration level of immune cells in HCC patients.ConclusionResults showed that glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-related genes were associated with patient prognosis, immune microenvironment, and response to immunotherapy in HCC. It suggests that the model based on five prognostic genes may valuable for predicting the prognosis and immunotherapy response of HCC patients.