bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TACE sequential MWA guided by Cone-beam Computed Tomography in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma under the hepatic dome
Authors: Li Zhaonan , Xu Kaihao , Zhou Xueliang , Jiao Dechao , Han Xinwei 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose An assessment is being conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of using Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and microwave ablation (MWA) sequentially to treat small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) located in the hepatic dome.Materials and methods Fifty-three patients with small HCCs in the hepatic dome who underwent TACE combined with simultaneous CBCT-guided MWA were studied. Inclusion criteria were a single HCCs ≤ 5.0 cm or a maximum of three. The safety and interventional-related complications were monitored, and local tumor progression (LTP), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors for LTP/OS were evaluated.Results The procedures were successfully accomplished in all patients. Adverse events and complications were mostly CTCAE Grade 1 or 2 (mild symptoms, no or local/noninvasive intervention indicated). Liver and kidney function and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels remained within a reasonable range after 4 weeks of treatment (both p < 0.001). The mean LTP was 44.406 months (95% CI: 39.429, 49.383) and the mean OS rate was 55.157 months (95% CI: 52.559, 57.754). The combination treatment achieved 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates of 92.5%, 69.6%, and 34.5%, respectively; and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of 100.0%, 88.4%, and 70.2%, respectively. Results from both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the tumor diameter (< 3 cm) and the distance to the hepatic dome (≥ 5 mm, < 10mm) had a significant impact on the patient's LTP and OS, and were related to better survival.Conclusion CBCT-guided TACE combined with simultaneous MWA was a safe and successful treatment of HCCs in the hepatic dome.
The expression of two immunosuppressive SIGLEC family molecules in papillary thyroid cancer and their effect on prognosis
Authors: Jin Tiefeng , Ge Luqi , Wang Wei , Li Xiang , Ge Minghua , Chen Long 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background. The thyroid cancer (THCA) subtype that occurs more frequently is papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Despite a favorable postoperative outcome, traditional antitumor therapy does not offer ideal results for patients with metastasis, relapse, and radioiodine resistance. Recent studies demonstrated the remarkable effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on solid tumors, of which the immunoglobulin superfamily member SIGLEC10 and SIGLEC15 act as novel immunotherapy targets for tumors. Nevertheless, their role in PTC prognosis is still indefinite.
Methods. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to examine the expression of SIGLEC10 and SIGLEC15 in 244 PTC tissue specimens. Then the expression correlation between the two was analyzed in normal tissues (NT), tumor cells (TC), and tumor stroma (TS), respectively. Then the retrospective data on patients with PTC were collected to examine whether the two immunosuppressive SIGLEC family members could affect their prognosis.
Results. We confirmed that TC expressed higher levels of SIGLEC10 than NT. However, SIGLEC10 was down-regulated in TS and predicted poor outcomes. Meanwhile, down-regulation of SIGLEC15 expression was both observed in TC and TS, indicating a favorable prognosis. PTC patients with both SIGLEC10-SIGLEC15+ expression in TC and TS had a significantly higher recurrence risk. The expression of SIGLEC10 in TS and SIGLEC15 in TC or TS was an independent predictor of PFS, and a positive correlation was shown between SIGLEC10 and SIGLEC15 expression in TS.
Conclusions. Therefore, our results indicate that SIGLEC10 and SIGLEC15 may be applied as significant prognostic markers for PTC and attractive targets for THCA immunotherapy.
Ultrasonographic Imaging of the Fetal Hippocampus
Authors: Toprak Erzat , Sayal Hasan Berkan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objectives: To investigate whether fetal hippocampus can be visualized in the prenatal examination with two dimentional ultrasound.
Methods: This study was designed in cross-section. Healthy singleton pregnant women who applied to the Perinatology outpatient clinic for second-level ultrasound scanning between December 2022 and February 2023 were included in the study. Patients were screened consecutively. Women who have single, healthy pregnancies between 18-24 weeks of gestation were included. Demographic information of the participants was obtained and an ultrasound scan was performed. The fetal fornix - hippocampus' length and height were measured in the sagittal section. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation, median (min, max), or number (percent).
Results: A total of 92 patients were included in the study. Fetal fornix and hippocampus measurements were taken in % 97,8 (90/92) patients. The mean of the fetal fornix – hippocampus length and fetal hippocampus height of 90 patients were measured as 35.6 ± 3.0 and 4.7 ± 3.9, respectively.
Conclusion: Fetal fornix and hippocampus can be visualized in easily with two dimentional ultrasound during anomaly scanning in the second trimester.
Drivers’ Behavior at Unsignalized Intersections. An Empirical Analysis and Derivation of Requirements for the European Regulation 1426/2022 concerning the type-approval of automated driving systems
Authors: Albano Giovanni , Mattas Konstantinos , Donà Riccardo , Vass Sandor , Suarez-Bertoa Ricardo , Galassi Maria Cristina , Ciuffo Biagio 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Automated driving systems (ADSs) navigating intersections, on top of avoiding accidents, should respect the safety distances accepted by human drivers, especially in case they lack the right of way in an unsignalized intersection. Failing to properly handle this type of situations can result on the one side in a high perceived risk by the approaching human drivers, who could then harshly react and generate risks to themselves and other road users, and, on the other side, in reducing the throughput of the intersection with possible aggressive and risky maneuvers by the human drivers following the ADS. In order to support defining an acceptable separation between an ADS and other road users in the case of crossing and merging with privileged traffic at unsignalized intersections, the present work analyzes the actual minimum separation accepted by human drivers in these conditions. Real-world manoeuvres have been extracted from two large datasets concerning urban and sub-urban unsignalized intersections. Results show that the average level of accepted risk registered in the two datasets is comparable. Important differences are found only for the most aggressive or conservative drivers. The results of the present study have been used to define the requirements for intersection merging and crossing introduced by the European Regulation 1426/2022, on the type-approval of SAE J3016 Level 4 ADS.
Effect of Strouhal Number and Stokes Number on the Flow Behaviour of an Axisymmetric Synthetic Jet: A Numerical Study
Authors: Panda Samarendra , Gohil Trushar B , Arumuru Venugopal 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The study focusses on the response of a round synthetic jet (SJ) towards the Strouhal number and Stokes number An SJ is formed by issuing a stream of fluid into a low momentum region with the help of an oscillating boundary. The nature of the jet can be controlled by controlling the actuation frequency and amplitude of oscillation, and these two operating parameters are associated with the Strouhal number (St) and Stokes number (S) of the jet respectively. These non-dimensional numbers play a significant role in the effective utilization of SJs in controlling the flow, and heat transfer. The purpose of this article is to numerically investigate the flow behaviour of an SJ issued into a quiescent medium based on these two non-dimensional parameters. For analysis, a two-dimensional axisymmetric SJ is modelled using a finite volume solver integrated with openFOAM. The oscillating boundary resembles the motion of a diaphragm, and deforming mesh is enforced in the flow domain. Range of parameters within which the jet is operated: St – 0.13 to 0.16, and S – 23 to 36. The study highlights the strength, and spreading of the SJ based on St and S. Effect of St and S on the mean jet parameters such as centreline velocity decay, jet half-width, jet momentum flux, and entrainment rate are studied in detail, which can enhance the idea of operating an SJ effectively for better heat transfer and flow control. Time evolution of saddle point, and mean jet centreline decay profiles suggest the spacing between the orifice and a heated plate to be maintained for effective heat transfer. The jet should be operated at a low Strouhal number and high Stokes number for better impingement on a heated plate to be cooled. Low Strouhal number should be maintained to get high-velocity output, which is desirable for better flow control. These results are useful for the effective utilization of SJs for heat transfer, flow control, and other similar applications.
When does spatial clustering in caterpillars influence the relationship between population density and contact rates?
Authors: Carson Brendan David , Orians Colin Mark , Crone Elizabeth E. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWhile interactions in nature are inherently local, ecological models often assume homogeneity across space, allowing for generalization across systems and greater mathematical tractability. Density-dependent disease models are a prominent example that assumes homogeneous interactions, leading to the prediction that disease transmission will scale linearly with population density. In this study, we examined how larval butterfly contact rates relate to population density in the Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton). Our study was partly inspired by a viral disease that is transmitted horizontally among Baltimore checkerspot larvae. First, we used multi-year larvae location data across six Baltimore checkerspot populations in the eastern U.S. to test whether larval nests are spatially clustered. We then integrated these spatial data with larval movement data. We used a Correlated Random Walk (CRW) model to investigate whether heterogeneity in spatially local interactions alter the assumed linear relationship between population density and contact. We found that all populations exhibited significant spatial clustering in their habitat use. Larval movement rates were influenced by encounters with host plants, and under many movement scenarios, the scale of predicted larval movement was not sufficient to allow for the “homogeneous mixing” assumed in density dependent disease models. Therefore, relationships between population density and larval contact rates were typically non-linear. We also found that observed use of available habitat patches led to significantly greater contact rates than would occur if habitat use were spatially random. These findings strongly suggest that incorporating spatial variation in larval interactions is critical to modeling disease outcomes in this system.
Enhancing anti-AML activity of venetoclax by isoflavone ME-344 through suppression of OXPHOS and purine biosynthesis
Authors: Baran Natalia , Hurrish Katie , Su Yongwei , Patel Shraddha , Ramage Cassandra , Carter Jenna , Edwards Holly , Buck Steven , Wiley Sandra , Hüttemann Maik , Polin Lisa , Kushner Juiwanna , Dzinic Sijana , White Kathryn , Bao Xun , Li Jing , Yang Jay , Boerner Julie , Hou Zhanjun , Al-Atrash Gheath , Konoplev Sergej , Busquets Jonathan , Tiziani Stefano , Matherly Larry , Taub Jeffrey , Konopleva Marina , Ge Yubin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Venetoclax (VEN), in combination with low dose cytarabine (AraC) or a hypomethylating agent, is FDA approved to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients who are over the age of 75 or cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy. Despite high response rates to these combination therapies, most patients succumb to the disease due to relapse and/or drug resistance, providing an unmet clinical need for novel therapies to improve AML patient survival. ME-344 is a potent isoflavone with demonstrated inhibitory activity toward oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and clinical activity in solid tumors. Given that OXPHOS inhibition enhances VEN antileukemic activity against AML, we hypothesized that ME-344 could enhance the anti-AML activity of VEN. Here we report that ME-344 synergized with VEN to target AML cell lines and primary patient samples while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. Cooperative suppression of OXPHOS was detected in a subset of AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Metabolomics analysis revealed a significant reduction of purine biosynthesis metabolites by ME-344. Further, lometrexol, an inhibitor of purine biosynthesis, synergistically enhanced VEN-induced apoptosis in AML cell lines. Interestingly, AML cells with acquired resistance to AraC showed significantly increased purine biosynthesis metabolites and sensitivities to ME-344. Furthermore, synergy between ME-344 and VEN was preserved in these AraC-resistant AML cells. These results translated into significantly prolonged survival upon combination of ME-344 and VEN in NSGS mice bearing parental or AraC-resistant MV4-11 leukemia. This study demonstrates that ME-344 enhances VEN antileukemic activity against preclinical models of AML by suppressing OXPHOS and/or purine biosynthesis.
A novel combined silica-coating and etching protocol for titanium for improved adhesion
Authors: Zakir Muhammad , Chu Chun H. , Tsoi James K. H. , Matinlinna Jukka P. , Daood Umer 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Durable adhesion between resin composite cement and Ti prostheses is critical for a long clinical life. A rough surface is a prerequisite for mechanical interlocking and silica-coating followed by silanation for chemical adhesion. Commercially pure grade-2 Ti specimens were modified by silica-coating and silanized with an experimental silane blend or two commercially available silane primers. Specimens were assigned randomly: Group-A (control; polished only Ti), Group-B (polished Ti + silica-coating + primers), Group-C (polished Ti + etching with HNO3 + with or without primers), Group-D (polished Ti + silica-coating + etching with HNO3 + with or without primers), Group-E (polished Ti + etching with HCl+H3PO4 + with or without primers), Group F (polished Ti + silica-coating + etching with HCl+H3PO4 + with or without primers). Next Ti specimens were analyzed for their atomic concentration by electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). BisCem™ resin cement was used to build up enclosed mold stubs onto the Ti specimens. Micro-shear bond strength (EM-µSBS) was measured after storage in distilled water for 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. A combined treatment employing silica-coating + HCl+H3PO4 had a more substantial effect on Ti surface roughness when compared to other surface pretreatments. Whereas, the highest EM-µSBS values were observed in Group-D from week 1 to week 8. A novel combined dual surface modification creates higher surface roughness on Ti, and this might significantly improve the durability of resin-Ti adhesion.
Effectiveness of different bathing methods on physiological indexes and behavioral status of preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Xing , Xu Jiayi , Zhou Ruhua , Liu Beibei , Gu Zejuan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Bath is an external stimulus for preterm infants. Currently, three methods are used for preterm infants to bath. It is important to choose the best way for them. The objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of different bath methods on physiological indexes and behavioral status of preterm infants.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting
Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [PRISMA] guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42022377657). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, Sino Med, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) and Wan-Fang database were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials on the effects of different bath methods for preterm infants. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to February 2023. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, quality evaluated and the data was extracted. Reman Version 5.4 was used for meta-analysis and Stata 16.0 software for publication bias Egger’s test.
Results: A total of 11 RCTs with 828 preterm infants were included. The results of
meta-analysis showed that the body temperature and oxygen saturation of preterm infants in the sponge bathgroup were lower than those in conventional tub bath group, while the heart rates were higher than those in conventional tub bath group. Preterm infants’ body temperature and blood oxygen saturation of in swaddle bath group were higher than those in conventional tub bath group, respiratory rates were more stable compared with infants in conventional tub bath group. The crying duration, stress and pain scores of preterm infants in swaddle bath group were lower than those in conventional tub bath group. Egger's test showed no publication bias in body temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and crying duration.
Conclusion: Swaddle bath is better than conventional tub bath and sponge bath in maintaining physiological indexes and behavioral stability of preterm infants. It is the preferred bath method for preterm infants, and it is recommended that preterm infants with stable vital signs be implemented as soon as possible.
Trial registration: Prospero CRD42022377657.
Comparison of add-on medications for persistent storage symptoms after α-blockers in BPH patients – a network meta-analysis
Authors: Su Yi-Ting , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Chan Vinson Wai-Shun , Wu Wen-Jeng , Lee Hsiang-Ying 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) received α-blockers as first-line therapy to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), but some individuals still experienced residual storage symptoms. Antimuscarinics, β3-agonists, and desmopressin are effective add-on medications. Nevertheless, currently there is no evidence for the appropriate choice of first add-on medication. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the clinical benefits of antimuscarinics, β3-agonists, and desmopressin added to α-blockers for persistent storage symptoms in BPH patients.Methods A comprehensive literature search of randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the efficacy of different add-on medications for BPH patients with persistent storage symptoms despite α-blockers treatment was conducted. The clinical outcomes included the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS storage sub-score, nocturia, micturition, and urgency. Network meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effect size. Surface under cumulative ranking curves (SUCRAs) were used to rank the included treatments for each outcome.Results A total of 15 RCTs were identified. Add-on imidafenacin or mirabegron showed significant improvement across all outcomes assessed. Other add-on medications of desmopressin, tolterodine, solifenacin, fesoterodine, and propiverine showed positive benefits for most but not all outcomes. Based on the SUCRA rankings, add-on desmopressin was related to the best ranked treatment for IPSS and nocturia, and add-on imidafenacin was the best for IPSS storage sub-score and micturition.Conclusions BPH patients presented with persistent storage symptoms despite α-blockers administration are recommended to received additional treatment. Desmopressin and imidafenacin may considered to be high-priority add-on treatment due to the superior efficacy than other medications.
Formation mechanism of pore defects and surface ripples under different process parameters via laser powder bed fusion by numerical simulation and experimental verification
Authors: Duan Xianyin , Long Tao , Zhu kunpeng , Li Wei , Fuh Ying Hsi Jerry 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

The formation mechanism of the pore defects and the surface ripples takes an crucial position in the quality control of laser powder bed fusion process. This paper developed the melt pool evolution in LPBF process, and revealed the effects of flow state and temperature field distribution of the melt pool with various process parameters, from which the formation mechanism of pore defects and surface ripples had been clarified by computational fluid dynamics methodology. The discrete element method was applied to reproduce the powder bed with a set of processing parameters. Then free surface of the melt pool was calculated employing the volume of fluid method. It was found that surface ripples of the melt pool and irregular pore defects in the lap joints appeared due to the lack of fusion at a laser energy density of 32 J/mm3 under the pre-set conditions. As the laser scanning speed dropped to 600 mm/s, keyholes generated inside the melt pool due to the recoil pressure. Similar phenomenon of pore defects and surface ripples were observed in the experiments. The measured and simulated average widths of the molten track showed good agreement with the relative errors of less than 6%, which verified the accuracy of simulated formation. Our work shed new light on quality control of LPBF fabricated parts for future.
Pm57 from Aegilops searsii encodes a novel tandem kinase protein conferring powdery mildew resistance in bread wheat
Authors: Liu Wenxuan , Zhao Yue , Dong Zhenjie , Miao Jingnan , Liu Qianwen , Ma Chao , Tian Xiubin , He Jinqiu , Bi Huihui , Yao Wen , Li Tao , Gill Harsimardeep , Zhang Zhibin , Cao Aizhong , Liu Bao , Li Huanhuan , Sehgal Sunish 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Powdery mildew is a devastating disease that affects wheat yield and quality. Despite wheat wild relatives being a valuable source of resistance genes, their incorporation into wheat improvement is constrained by their adverse effects on agronomic traits, difficulty in isolating genes and poor understanding of the resistance mechanisms. Here, we report cloning of Pm57, the first gene isolated from Aegilops searsii. It encodes an unusual wheat tandem kinase (WTK) protein with putative kinase-pseudokinase domains followed by a von Willebrand factor A (vWA) domain, designated WTK7-vWA. The resistance function of Pm57 was validated by independent mutants, gene silencing, and transgenic assays. Stable Pm57 transgenic wheat lines showed high levels and all-stage resistance against diverse isolates of Bgt fungus with no adverse effects on agronomic traits. Our findings highlight the emerging role of kinase fusion proteins in plant disease resistance and provide a powerful gene for wheat breeding.