bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xia , Kong Defeng , Gao Ming , Yang Xuejiao , Guo Zhipeng , Wu Zhiyong , Yan Wenji , Wu Jianyu 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the prognostic value of the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) treated with etoposide plus platinum chemotherapy.
Methods
A prospective single arm cohort study was performed in a tertiary teaching hospital in China. The rate of MGMT promoter methylation was detected by quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMS-PCR) assay before etoposide plus platinum chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was tumor response to chemotherapy according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.
Results
Between July 2019 and June 2021, 19 untreated patients with ES-SCLC were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 9 months, no patient was complete response (CR), 14 patients were assessed as partial response (PR), 1 patient was stable disease (SD) and 4 patients were progressive disease (PD). Time to progression (TTP) was median 90 days, range 42 to 270 days. The rates of MGMT promoter methylation were more than 40% in all PD patients (N=4), however, less than 40% in all PR or SD patients (N=15).
Conclusion
A high rate of MGMT promoter methylation may be a predictor of poor response to etoposide plus platinum chemotherapy in patients with ES-SCLC.
Optimizing the process parameter of Abrasive Water Jet Machining against sub-surface delamination and cutting time of nanoclay modified GLARE laminates.
Authors: S Krishnakumar , P HARIHARA SAKTHI SUDHAN , K Logesh , Kannan Sathish 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
GLARE is a type of laminate material made up of layers of aluminum and fiberglass used in automotive, and aircraft structures like fuselage panels, control surfaces and wing skins due to their superior specific strength, fatigue, and damage tolerance. The inclusion of nanoclay filler reported to improve the mechanical properties of the GLARE laminates. However, it is important to investigate the machinability of such laminates to extend its applicability in the industry. The current work optimizes the process parameters of Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) process to cut the nanoclay modified fiber metal laminates. The experiments were designed by following Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. The influence of factors like velocity of waterjet, mass flow rate, standoff distance of nozzle studied against the response such as cutting time and sub-surface delamination of layers were studied. The delamination was measured using the variation in thickness before and after the cutting process. The changes in the cutting surface were analysed using macroscopic analysis. The study also developed the regression model and conducted ANOVA on generated data. Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) was used to identify the optimum values of input process parameters against the multiple response such as cutting time and delamination. The results revealed that the jet velocity significantly affected the cutting time, whereas the stand-off distance and mass flow rate affected the delamination thickness of the laminates. A slight plastic deformation was noted on the metal surfaces along with irregularities and fiber exposure was observed in the GFRP layers of laminates exhibited low cutting performance.
Effects of high-intensity circuit training on body composition and selected cardiovascular parameters in overweight and obese children aged 9-12
Authors: Gątarski Michał , Dudziak Tomasz , Czubek Zbigniew , Dorniak Karolina , Sawczyn Stanisław 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Introduction The problem of excess body weight is becoming an epidemic in the general population, especially among children aged to 12 years old. Efforts are being made to find a way to retreat the unfavorable changes related with obesity. This problem is escalating, and the direction of effective protective actions is not sufficiently recognized. The research presented in this study demonstrate the range of changes in overweight and obese children after an 8 weeks of circuit training program, with simultaneous parental education on modifying their children dietary habits.
Materials and Methods 83 children aged 9-12 participated in the research, including 30 boys and 32 girls in the experimental group, in the control group was 21 participants including 16 boys and 5 girls with excessive body weight assessed according to the OLAF scale. The exercise program was applied to keep from 70% to 90% of their maximum heart rate. The effects of the applied high-intensity circuit training were evaluated in terms of changes in body composition and the cardiovascular system.
Results Significant reductions of body weight (50.76 ± 8.91 kg vs. 50.21 ± 8.88 kg, P<0.01) were observed, assisted with a decrease of visceral fat area (37.43 ± 5.57 cm2 vs. 33.04 ± 5.82 cm2), a decrease BMI (24.16 ± 2.62 kg/m2 vs. 23.38 ± 2.64 kg/m2), a reduction of waist circumference (19.24 ± 5.72 kg vs. 17.82 ± 5.59 kg), resting heart rate (108.18 ± 16.64 mmHg vs. 102.06 ± 21.88 mmHg), heart rate at 3rd minute of rest (103.98 ± 17.04 mmHg vs. 99.94 ± 15.91 mmHg), an increase value of pulse pressure (43.18 ± 13.91 mmHg vs. 47.97 ± 12.16 mmHg), and an increase of skeletal muscle mass (16.65 ± 2.79 kg vs. 17.15 ± 2.94 kg).
Conclusion Our study shows the beneficial effects of a short-term (8-week) exercise program on body composition indicators, including body fat content and skeletal muscle mass, as well as cardiovascular function parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate.
Extensions of Fibonacci Search Technique for One Dimensional Interval Optimization Problem
Authors: Rahman Md Sadikur , Khatun Rukhsar , Bhunia Asoke Kumar 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Fibonacci Search Technique is one of the familiar iterative methods for solving one dimensional unconstrained optimization problem with highly non-linear/non-differentiable objective function. However, sometimes objective function becomes inexact/imprecise in nature due to the uncertainty. To deal with such imprecise problem, present article focuses on an extension of Fibonacci Search technique whose algorithm is developed based on interval order relations. In this work, first of all, two different types of optimizers (maximizer/minimizer) viz.,c-Loptimizer,c-roptimizer, of an interval valued function are introduced based on different order relations. After that a result regarding the relation between said optimizers are established. Then, Fibonacci search type algorithms are developed for all types of optimizers. Finally, the said algorithms are illustrated with a number of numerical examples.
Real-time visualisation of organic crystal growth dynamics during liquid reagent mixing by liquid cell transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Malladi Sai Rama Krishna , Ummethala Govind , Jada Ravi , Dutta-Gupta Shourya , Park Junbeom , Tavabi Amir , Basak Shibabrata , Hooley Robert , Sun Hongyu , Pérez-Garza Héctor Hugo , Eichel Rüdiger-A. , Borkowski Rafal E. Dunin- , Rajadurai Chandrasekar 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) is a powerful technique for revealing crystallisation dynamics with nm spatial resolution. However, the study of liquids while mixing precursor solutions is extremely challenging. Here, we show how the antisolvent-driven crystallisation of an organic crystal, a widely-employed precipitation route in the pharmaceutical industry, can be visualised directly in a commercially-available liquid cell by flushing the antisolvent past a thin layer of solvent while recording scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images in real-time. Our results reveal particles forming chain-like structures during antisolvent-mediated growth, whereas they coalesce to form single large particles in the absence of an antisolvent. Our approach of mixing the liquids in sequence and using STEM mode to record images with precise electron dose control establishes a platform for novel LCTEM studies of a wide range of electron-beam-sensitive materials, including drug molecules, polymers and molecular amphiphiles that are created during reagent mixing.
Firstborns Versus Later-borns: Same Resources, Different Educational Outcomes. An Extension of Resources Dilution Theory
Authors: Lwiza Samwel Saimon , Jaah Mkupete , Sharma Vipin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Resources Dilution theory predicts a trade-off between the quantity and quality of children in the household. According to the theory, eldest kids would achieve higher educational outcomes than later-born siblings because of more resources allocated to them. This paper attempted to examine whether the theory holds even when household resources are equally distributed to both siblings. By using the dataset of the Young Lives School Survey in Ethiopia conducted respectively in 2012/13 and 2016/17, we found that, while firstborns were shown to be 3% more efficient, second and third-borns were significantly 1% more efficient than later-born siblings. We suggest that even if household resources are evenly distributed, elder kids would attain higher educational outcomes than later-born children. This study underlines the importance of birth order on opportunities and inequalities among siblings, which may guide policymakers on designing appropriate maternity leave, school funding, and human capital improvement policies.
Automated Detection of Nine Infantile Fundus Diseases and Conditions in Retinal Images Using a Deep Learning System
Authors: Liu Yaling , Xie Hai , Zhao Xinyu , Zhang Sifan , Tang Jiannan , Yu Zhen , Wu Zhenquan , Tian Ruyin , Chen Yi , Chen Miaohong , Ntentakis Dimitrios P. , Du Yueshanyi , Chen Tingyi , Hu Yarou , Lei Baiying , Zhang Guoming 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose We developed an Infant Retinal Intelligent Diagnosis System (IRIDS), an automated system to aid early diagnosis and monitoring of infantile fundus diseases and conditions due to a shortage of ophthalmologists. Our aim is to provide personalized monitoring and early intervention to prevent complications associated with infantile fundus diseases, aligning with predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM).Methods We developed IRIDS by combining convolutional neural networks and transformer structures, using a dataset of 7697 retinal images from four hospitals. It identifies nine fundus diseases and includes depth attention modules, Res-18, and MaxViT. Performance was compared to that of ophthalmologists using 450 retinal images. The IRIDS employed a five-fold cross-validation approach to generate the classification results.Results Several baseline models achieved the following metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score (F1), kappa, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with values of 90.25%, 87.69%, 83.38%, 85.48%, 83.51, and 98.04%, respectively. In comparison, IRIDS outperformed the ophthalmologists with an average accuracy, precision, recall, F1, kappa, and AUC of 96.45%, 95.86%, 94.37%, 95.03%, 94.43, and 99.51%, respectively, in multi-label classification on the test dataset, utilizing the Res-18 and MaxViT models. Compared with ophthalmologists, the IRIDS achieved a higher AUC for the detection of retinal abnormalities.Conclusions IRIDS identifies nine infantile fundus diseases and conditions accurately. It can aid non-ophthalmologist personnel in underserved areas in infantile fundus disease screening. Thus, preventing severe complications. The IRIDS serves as an example of artificial intelligence integration into ophthalmology to achieve better outcomes in PPPM services.
Evaluating the impact of mining for critical electric vehicle and stationary storage battery minerals on land use and biodiversity
Authors: Sharma Shyam , Edge Jacqueline , Mumford John 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries are a key technology for eliminating global fossil fuel consumption; however, critical battery minerals are obtained through mining projects that often cause land use change and habitat destruction, threatening local biodiversity. Here, we present a novel analysis, projecting the land use and biodiversity impacts of key lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite mines by 2030, as demand for battery minerals grows. 95 % of total land use increase from 2023 to 2030 (460 km2) at the mines studied is expected to be from lithium mining, due to the spatial requirements of brine-based lithium extraction. Lithium mining is also expected to have the largest biodiversity impact in 2030 (4296 km2, weighted by species richness and rarity). While this analysis offers just one method for quantifying the biodiversity impact of battery mineral mining, our results suggest that mines with low yields and located in areas of high species richness or rarity may pose significant risk to local ecosystems.
Disease-Specific health literacy in Iranian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Raddadi Yasaman , Adib-Hajbaghery Mohsen 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background and Objective:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and chronic illness with substantial somatic, emotional, and social magnitudes that negatively affect the patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the disease-specific health literacy (DSHL) of patients with COPD and some of the influencing factors.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive correlational study was carried out from May to December 2019. A total of 270 patients with COPD were enrolled in this study from those who were referred to Shahid-Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (COPD-Q) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis were employed for data analysis.
Results:
The average age of the patients was 59.48±13.31 years and they had COPD for an average of 3.47±3.85 years. The mean DSHL score was 4.32±1.89.
Conclusion:
DSHL of patients with COPD was at a low level. Healthcare workers are suggested to design and implement effective interventions to expand the DSHL of patients with COPD.
Statins, ACE/ARBs drug use and risk of pneumonia in hospitalized older patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Franchi Carlotta , Rossio Raffaella , Mandelli Sara , Ardoino Ilaria , Nobili Alessandro , Peyvandi Flora , Mannucci Piermannuccio 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I), angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs) and/or statin use with the risk of pneumonia, and with in-hospital and short-term outpatient mortality in hospitalized older patients with pneumonia.
Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized in internal medicine and/or geriatric wards throughout Italy and enrolled in the REPOSI (REgistro POliterapuie SIMI - Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) register from 2010 to 2019 were screened to assess diagnosis of pneumonia and classified on whether or not they were prescribed with at least one drug among ACE-I, ARBs and/or statins. Further study outcomes were mortality during hospital stay and at 3 months after hospital discharge.
Results: Among 5717 cases included (of whom 18.0% with pneumonia), 2,915 (51.0%) were prescribed at least one drug among ACE-I, ARBs and statins. An inverse association was found between treatment with ACE-I or ARBs and pneumonia (OR= 0.79, 95%CI: 0.65-0.95). A higher effect was found among patients treated with ACE-I or ARBs in combination with statins (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.52-0.85).
Conclusion: This study confirmed in the real-world setting that these largely used medications may reduce the risk of pneumonia in older people, who chronically take them for cardiovascular conditions.
Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy (PPRCA): a systematic review
Authors: Phiri Peter , Sajid Sana , Delanerolle Gayathri , Shi Jian , De Salvo Gabriella 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) is an uncommon and under-researched eye condition. Although onset and development of the condition is often asymptomatic, PPRCA has very distinguishing features. These are predominantly retinochoroidal atrophy and pigment clumping along the retinal veins. There is no known cause to the condition and no conclusive treatment has been developed. This systematic review aims to provide a holistic account of symptomatology and treatments.
Methods
This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346753). All epidemiology and observational studies published in English between the 1st of January 1980-1st of August 2022 will be included. The search criteria were developed based upon the research question using PubMed, ESBCOhost, ProQuest, Medline, TRIP database, ScienceDirect Embase, SciELO, The Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO databases. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Systematic Review Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias.
Results
The systematic review included 62 papers and a total of 150 participants (54% Female, aged 4 to 82). Only 29% of patients had their ethnicity recorded of which 16 patients were White. Most of the data extracted and analysed was qualitative. Three key themes were uncovered: Symptoms (2 subthemes), Clinical Pathways (4 sub-themes), and Symptom Measurement Tools (5 sub-themes).
Conclusions
PPRCA lacks standardised criteria for diagnosis and treatment, with clinical records and case study publications reporting presentations in an arbitrary manner. To improve patient care and develop a comprehensive understanding of the condition, a methodical and clear clinical pathway framework needs to be developed.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Etiology of Menorrhagia in 2,770 adolescent females
Authors: Hall Erin M , Ravelo Ana E , Aronoff Stephen C , Vecchio Michael T Del 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background:
Adolescent menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding, or abnormal uterine bleeding commonly occur in adolescent woman. The differential diagnosis can be challenging. The pneumonic: PALM-COEIN(polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia, coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not yet classified), is commonly used but it does not stratify as to the likelihood of a disorder. We have sought to develop a probability-based differential diagnosis for Adolescent menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding, or abnormal uterine bleeding
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases. Case series describing adolescents from 10 to 21 years of age with menorrhagia, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) were acceptable if: more than 10 patients were included; editorials, case reports, and secondary sources such as review articles, or book chapters were excluded. No language filter was used, but an English abstract was required. The etiology of menorrhagia, abnormal uterine bleeding, or heavy menstrual bleeding, and the country of origin was extracted from articles that met inclusion criteria. Cumulative rate estimates were determined by Bayesian probability modeling.
Results:
17 full text articles were reviewed in detail; 2,770 patients were included. The most frequent causes of menorrhagia were Ovarian Uterine Disorders (23.7%; 95% CredI 22-25.5%), Coagulation Disorders (19.4%; 95% CredI 17.8 - 21.1%), and Platelet Disorders (6.23%; 95% CredI 5.27-7.27%) with 45.9% (95% CredI 43.8 - 47.%9) of the cases of indeterminate origin.
Conclusions:
The leading causes of menorrhagia in healthy adolescent females were varied. The sub-analysis identified distinct etiologies, suggesting that multiple factors must be considered in the evaluation of menorrhagia. While PALM-COEIN (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia, coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not yet classified) provides us with a comprehensive picture of the possible causes of menorrhagia in females, this systematic review assigns probabilities to the etiologies of menorrhagia in adolescent females, providing physicians with a more focused and efficient pathway to diagnosis.
Suitability of cowpea sprouts to optimize rearing of biocontrol agents Phanerotoma syleptae and Liragathis javana
Authors: Agountcheme Pascal Setondji , Dannon Elie Ayitondji , Datinon Bejamin Dossa , Manbou Aubin , Sinzogan Antonio Alain , Sriniva Ramasamy , Pittendrigh Barry Robert , Tamò Manuele 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata is a key insect pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata Walp. The present study was designed to optimize the efficiency of mass rearing two of its biological control agents, the larval parasitoid Liragathis javana and ovo-larval parasitoid Phanerotoma syleptae, by comparing their performance on M. vitrata hosts reared on sprouting grains of 10 different varieties of cowpea as feeding substrate. Thus, 25 M. vitrata larvae of 24 hours old, 25 M. vitrata eggs of 24 hours parasitized by P. syleptae and 25 larvae of 48 hours parasitized by L. javana were reared on sprouts of 10 cowpea varieties in laboratory at a relative humidity of 70–80% and a temperature ranging from 25 to 26°C till pupae stage. Fecundity of M. vitrata and the two parasitoids were assessed per variety. Experiments were replicated 3 times. Results revealed significant difference between varieties for the development of unparasitzed larvae of M. vitrata and L. javana or P. syleptae-parasitized larvae. The cumulative daily fecundity shows different patterns: higher in IT 84D-449 for M. vitrata and L. javana but higher in Kpodji for P. sylepatae. Mortality of parasitized (by L. javana and P. syleptae) larvae and unparasitized (M. vitrata larvae) was lower in Kpodji variety. No significant differences were observed between male and female proportions (sex-ratio), regardless of insect species and cowpea variety except the varieties Tawa and Vitoco in L. javana. Data were discussed with regard to the optimization of mass rearing of the three insect species for the biological control against M. vitrata using L. javana and P. syleptae.
Establishment of a risk prediction model for bowel preparation failure prior to colonoscopy
Authors: Zhang Na , Xu Miaomiao , Chen Xing 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background This study aimed to determine the factors that contribute to the failure of bowel preparation in patients undergoing colonoscopy and to develop a risk prediction model.
Methods A total of 1115 patients were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the modeling group (669 patients) and the validation group (446 patients). In the modeling group, patients were further divided into two groups based on their success and failure in bowel preparation using the Boston bowel preparation scale.
Results After controlling for relevant confounders, multifactorial logistic regression results showed that age ≥60 years (OR= 2.246), male (OR= 2.449), body mass index ≥ 24 (OR= 2.311), smoking (OR= 2.467), chronic constipation (OR= 5.199), diabetes mellitus (OR= 5.396) and history of colorectal surgery (OR= 5.170) were influencing factors of bowel preparation failure. The area under the ROC curve was 0.732 in the modeling group and 0.713 in the validation group.
Conclusions According to the calibration plot, the predictive effect of the model and the actual results were in good agreement. Age ≥60 years, male, body mass index ≥ 24, smoking, chronic constipation, diabetes mellitus, and history of colorectal surgery are independent risk factors for bowel preparation failure. The established prediction model has a good predictive efficacy and can be used as a clinical screening tool.