bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of melanoma Breslow thickness using deep transfer learning algorithms
Authors: Hernández-Rodríguez Juan-Carlos , Durán-López Lourdes , Domínguez-Morales Juan P , Ortiz-Álvarez Juan , Conejo-Mir Julián , Pereyra-Rodriguez Jose-Juan 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
The distinction between in situ melanoma (MIS) and invasive melanoma is challenging even for expert dermatologists. The use of pretrained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as ancillary decision systems needs further research.

Aim
To develop, validate and compare three deep transfer learning (DTL) algorithms to predict MIS vs. invasive melanoma and melanoma with a Breslow thickness (BT) of &lt; 0.8 mm vs. ≥ 0.8 mm.

Methods
A dataset of 1315 dermoscopic images of histopathologically confirmed melanomas was created from Virgen del Rocio University Hospital and open repositories of the International Skin Imaging Collaboration archive and Polesie S et al. (Dermatol Pract Concept 2021; 11:e2021079). The images were labelled as MIS or invasive melanoma and &lt; 0.8 mm or ≥ 0.8 mm of BT. We conducted three trainings, and overall means for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and balanced diagnostic accuracy outcomes were evaluated on the test set with ResNetV2, EfficientNetB6 and InceptionV3. The results of 10 dermatologists were compared with the algorithms. Grad-CAM gradient maps were generated, highlighting relevant areas considered by the CNNs within the images.

Results
EfficientNetB6 achieved the highest diagnostic accuracy for the comparison between MIS vs. invasive melanoma (61%) and BT &lt; 0.8 mm vs. ≥ 0.8 mm (75%). For the BT comparison, ResNetV2 with an area under the ROC curve of 0.76 and InceptionV3 with an area under the ROC curve of 0.75, outperformed the results obtained by the dermatologist group with an area under the ROC curve of 0.70.

Conclusion
EfficientNetB6 recorded the best prediction results, outperforming the dermatologists for the comparison of 0.8 mm of BT. DTL could be an ancillary aid to support dermatologists’ decisions in the near future.
Mechanisms regulating the properties of inhibition-based gamma oscillations in primate prefrontal and parietal cortices
Authors: Gonzalez-Burgos Guillermo , Miyamae Takeaki , Reddy Nita , Dawkins Sidney , Chen Chloe , Hill Avyi , Enwright John , Ermentrout Bard , Lewis David A 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In primates, the dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) and posterior parietal (PPC) cortices are key nodes in the working memory network. The working memory-related gamma oscillations induced in these areas, predominantly in layer 3, exhibit higher frequency in DLPFC. Although these regional differences in oscillation frequency are likely essential for information transfer between DLPFC and PPC, the mechanisms underlying these differences remain poorly understood. We investigated, in rhesus monkey, the DLPFC and PPC layer 3 pyramidal neuron (L3PN) properties that might regulate oscillation frequency and assessed the effects of these properties simulating oscillations in computational models. We found that GABAAR-mediated synaptic inhibition synchronizes L3PNs in both areas, but analysis of GABAAR mRNA levels and inhibitory synaptic currents suggested similar mechanisms of inhibition-mediated synchrony in DLPFC and PPC. Basal dendrite spine density and AMPAR/NMDAR mRNA levels were higher in DLPFC L3PNs, whereas excitatory synaptic currents were similar between areas. Therefore, synaptically evoked excitation might be stronger in DLPFC L3PNs due to a greater quantity of synapses in basal dendrites, a main target of recurrent excitation. Simulations in computational networks showed that oscillation frequency and power increased with increasing recurrent excitation, suggesting a mechanism by which the DLPFC–PPC differences in oscillation properties are generated.
Interhemispheric differences of pyramidal cells in the primary motor cortices of schizophrenia patients investigated postmortem
Authors: Szocsics Péter , Papp Péter , Havas László , Lőke János , Maglóczky Zsófia 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Motor disturbances are observed in schizophrenia patients, but the neuroanatomical background is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the pyramidal cells of the primary motor cortex (BA 4) in both hemispheres of postmortem control and schizophrenia subjects—8 subjects in each group—with 2.5–5.5 h postmortem interval. The density and size of the Sternberger monoclonal incorporated antibody 32 (SMI32)-immunostained pyramidal cells in layer 3 and 5 showed no change; however, the proportion of larger pyramidal cells is decreased in layer 5. Giant pyramidal neurons (Betz cells) were investigated distinctively with SMI32- and parvalbumin (PV) immunostainings. In the right hemisphere of schizophrenia subjects, the density of Betz cells was decreased and their PV-immunopositive perisomatic input showed impairment. Part of the Betz cells contained PV in both groups, but the proportion of PV-positive cells has declined with age. The rat model of antipsychotic treatment with haloperidol and olanzapine showed no differences in size and density of SMI32-immunopositive pyramidal cells. Our results suggest that motor impairment of schizophrenia patients may have a morphological basis involving the Betz cells in the right hemisphere. These alterations can have neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative explanations, but antipsychotic treatment does not explain them.
The Impact of Confounders on Symptom–Endoscopic Discordances in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Rajan Anjana , Pan Yushan , Mahtani Prerna , Niec Rachel , Longman Randy , Gerber Juliette , Lukin Dana , Scherl Ellen , Battat Robert 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiscordances between clinical and endoscopic Crohn’s disease (CD) activity indices negatively impact the utility of clinic visits and efficacy assessments in clinical trials. Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) mimic CD symptoms. This study quantified the impact of BAD and SIBO on the relationship between clinical and endoscopic disease activity indices.MethodsCD patients with 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7C4) serum measurements and/or SIBO breath tests and matched clinical and endoscopic scores were included. Clinical remission (stool frequency [SF] ≤ 1 and abdominal pain score ≤ 1) rates were compared between those with and without (1) endoscopic remission, (2) BAD (7C4 &gt; 55 ng/mL), and (3) SIBO.ResultsOf 295 CD patients, 219 had SIBO testing and 87 had 7C4 testing. Patients with elevated 7C4 had lower proportions with clinical remission (14% vs 40%, P = .007) and SF ≤ 1 (14% vs 42%, P = .004) compared to those with normal 7C4. In patients with normal 7C4, higher rates of clinical remission (65% vs 27%, P = .01) and SF ≤ 1 (71% vs 27%, P = .003) existed in patients with endoscopic remission compared to those without endoscopic remission. Conversely, among the entire 295 patient cohorts, nearly identical clinical remission rates existed between those with and without endoscopic remission (25% vs 24%, P = .8), and the Crohn’s Disease Patient-Reported Outcome-2 score was not accurate for predicting endoscopic remission (Area Under the Curve (AUC): 0.48; 95% CI, 0.42–0.55). SIBO status did not impact clinical remission rates (P = 1.0).ConclusionsBAD, but not SIBO, contributed to symptom scores. A relationship between endoscopic inflammation and clinical remission rates only existed in patients without 7C4 elevations.
Genetic analyses identify brain structures related to cognitive impairment associated with elevated blood pressure
Authors: Siedlinski Mateusz , Carnevale Lorenzo , Xu Xiaoguang , Carnevale Daniela , Evangelou Evangelos , Caulfield Mark J , Maffia Pasquale , Wardlaw Joanna , Samani Nilesh J , Tomaszewski Maciej , Lembo Giuseppe , Holmes Michael V , Guzik Tomasz J 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background and aims
Observational studies have linked elevated blood pressure (BP) to impaired cognitive function. However, the functional and structural changes in the brain that mediate the relationship between BP elevation and cognitive impairment remain unknown. Using observational and genetic data from large consortia, this study aimed to identify brain structures potentially associated with BP values and cognitive function.

Methods and results
Data on BP were integrated with 3935 brain magnetic resonance imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) and cognitive function defined by fluid intelligence score. Observational analyses were performed in the UK Biobank and a prospective validation cohort. Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses used genetic data derived from the UK Biobank, International Consortium for Blood Pressure, and COGENT consortium. Mendelian randomisation analysis identified a potentially adverse causal effect of higher systolic BP on cognitive function [−0.044 standard deviation (SD); 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.066, −0.021] with the MR estimate strengthening (−0.087 SD; 95% CI −0.132, −0.042), when further adjusted for diastolic BP. Mendelian randomisation analysis found 242, 168, and 68 IDPs showing significant (false discovery rate P &lt; 0.05) association with systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure, respectively. Most of these IDPs were inversely associated with cognitive function in observational analysis in the UK Biobank and showed concordant effects in the validation cohort. Mendelian randomisation analysis identified relationships between cognitive function and the nine of the systolic BP-associated IDPs, including the anterior thalamic radiation, anterior corona radiata, or external capsule.

Conclusion
Complementary MR and observational analyses identify brain structures associated with BP, which may be responsible for the adverse effects of hypertension on cognitive performance.
Time of onset of atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation progression data from the RACE V study
Authors: van de Lande Martijn E , Rama Rajiv S , Koldenhof Tim , Arita Vicente Artola , Nguyen Bao-Oanh , van Deutekom Colinda , Weberndorfer Vanessa , Crijns Harry J G M , Hemels Martin E W , Tieleman Robert G , de Melis Mirko , Schotten Ulrich , Linz Dominik , Van Gelder Isabelle C , Rienstra Michiel ,   for the RACE V Investigators
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Aims
Atrial fibrillation (AF) progression is associated with adverse outcome, but the role of the circadian or diurnal pattern of AF onset remains unclear. We aim to assess the association between the time of onset of AF episodes with the clinical phenotype and AF progression in patients with self-terminating AF.

Methods and results
The Reappraisal of AF: Interaction Between Hypercoagulability, Electrical Remodelling, and Vascular Destabilization in the Progression of AF study included patients with self-terminating AF who underwent extensive phenotyping at baseline and continuous rhythm monitoring with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). In this subanalysis, ILR data were used to assess the development of AF progression and the diurnal pattern of AF onset: predominant (&gt;80%) nocturnal AF, predominant daytime AF, or mixed AF without a predominant diurnal AF pattern. The median follow-up was 2.2 (1.6–2.8) years. The median age was 66 (59–71) years, and 117 (42%) were women. Predominant nocturnal (n = 40) and daytime (n = 43) AF onset patients had less comorbidities compared to that of mixed (n = 195) AF patients (median 2 vs. 2 vs. 3, respectively, P = 0.012). Diabetes was more common in the mixed group (12% vs. 5% vs. 0%, respectively, P = 0.031), whilst obesity was more frequent in the nocturnal group (38% vs. 12% vs. 27%, respectively, P = 0.028). Progression rates in the nocturnal vs. daytime vs. mixed groups were 5% vs. 5% vs. 24%, respectively (P = 0.013 nocturnal vs. mixed and P = 0.008 daytime vs. mixed group, respectively).

Conclusion
In self-terminating AF, patients with either predominant nocturnal or daytime onset of AF episodes had less associated comorbidities and less AF progression compared to that of patients with mixed onset of AF.

Clinical trial registration
NCT02726698
Care Narratives by Annie Ernaux and Michael Rosen in the Light of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tribout-Joseph Sarah 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted both the importance of care and a global crisis in care. Since its beginnings in the US in the 1980s as a feminist theory within virtue ethics, care ethics has emerged from the margins of the domestic sphere in the West to become a species theory and a force for radical societal change. Influenced by Joan Tronto’s work, Alexandre Gefen has integrated the approach into literary studies in France as an interventionist reading strategy, offering therapeutic benefits to the reader as well. In a new intersectional approach, I argue that reading literature through a care ethics model can improve lives. I compare literary testimonies on either side of the patient/carer divide, Annie Ernaux’s pre-Covid-19 care home narrative and Michael Rosen’s Covid-19 patient testimony, which, read together, expand the field of medical humanities to promote a relational reconception of society over individualist neoliberalism.
A deep learning-based automatic tool for measuring the lengths of linear scars: forensic applications
Authors: Zhou Jian , Zhou Zhilu , Chen Xinjian , Shi Fei , Xia Wentao 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIt is important to measure scars in forensic and clinical medicine. In practice, scars are mostly manually measured, and the results are diverse and influenced by various subjective factors. With the development of digital image technology and artificial intelligence, noncontact and automatic photogrammetry has been gradually used in some practical applications. In this article, we propose an automatic method for measuring the length of linear scars based on multiview stereo and deep learning, which combines the 3D reconstruction algorithm of structure from motion and the image segmentation algorithm based on a convolutional neural network. With a few pictures taken by a smart phone, automatic segmentation and measurement of scars can be realized. The reliability of the measurement was first demonstrated through simulation experiments on five artificial scars, giving errors of length &lt;5%. Then, experiment results on 30 clinical scar samples showed that our measurements were in high agreement with manual measurements, with an average error of 3.69%. Our study demonstrates that the application of photogrammetry in scar measurement is effective and that the deep learning technique can realize the automation of scar measurement with high accuracy.
3-D body-wave tomography from the seismic ambient noise recorded by a dense array in the Dehdasht area, Iran
Authors: Riahi Ali , Shomali Zaher-Hossein , Obermann Anne , Kamayestani Ahmad 
Published: March 2023

SUMMARYThe strong attenuation of the thick sedimentary layers in the Dehdasht region, Iran, renders active seismic exploration surveys difficult. The imaging of the existent limestone reservoirs is limited to the shallow subsurface due to the strong attenuation of seismic waves. Here, we discuss a different approach to imaging the subsurface using body waves extracted from the cross-correlation of the seismic ambient wavefield. We discuss the technical challenges to extracting clear P-wave arrivals from the seismic ambient wavefield of a dense 3-component seismic array deployed in the Dehdasht basin. We invert the data for the 3-D P-wave velocity structure and compare the velocity model with results from the 2-D active seismic surveys in the area. The results show the potential of using body waves extracted from the seismic ambient wavefield for imaging purposes in highly attenuating areas.
Characterizing the implementation of performance management interventions in a primary health care system: a case study of the Salud Mesoamerica Initiative in El Salvador
Authors: Aranda L Esther , Arif Zainab , Innocenti Cinzia , Wahid Syed Shabab , Frehywot Seble , Munar Wolfgang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Performance management (PM) reforms have been introduced in health systems worldwide to improve accountability, transparency and learning. However, gaps in evidence exist regarding the ways in which PM contributes to organizational-level outcomes. Between 2015 and 2017, the government of El Salvador and the Salud Mesoamerica Initiative (SMI) introduced team-based PM interventions in the country’s primary health care (PHC) system including target setting, performance measurement, provision of feedback and in-kind incentives. The programme’s evaluation showed widespread improvements in performance for community outreach and service timeliness, quality and utilization. The current study characterizes how the implementation of team-based PM interventions by SMI implementers contributed to PHC system performance improvements. We used a descriptive, single-case study design informed by a programme theory (PT). Data sources included qualitative in-depth interviews and SMI programme documents. We interviewed the members of four PHC teams (n = 13), Ministry of Health (MOH) decision makers (n = 8) and SMI officials (n = 6). Coded data were summarized, and thematic analysis was employed to identify broader categories and patterns. The outcomes chain in the PT was refined based on empirical findings that revealed the convergence of two processes: (1) increased social interactions and relationships among implementers that enhanced communication and created opportunities for social learning and (2) cyclical performance monitoring that generated novel flows of information. These processes contributed to emergent outcomes including the uptake of performance information, altruistic behaviours in service delivery and organizational learning. Through time, the cyclical nature of PM appears to have led to the spread of these behaviours beyond the teams studied here, thus contributing to system-wide effects. Findings illustrate the social nature of implementation processes and describe plausible pathways through which lower-order implementation programme effects can contribute to higher-order changes in system performance.
Genome-Wide Association Studies of Diarrhea Frequency and Duration in the First Year of Life in Bangladeshi Infants
Authors: Munday Rebecca M , Haque Rashidul , Wojcik Genevieve L , Korpe Poonum , Nayak Uma , Kirkpatrick Beth D , Petri William A , Duggal Priya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years old worldwide. Known diarrhea risk factors include sanitation, water sources, and pathogens but do not fully explain the heterogeneity in frequency and duration of diarrhea in young children. We evaluated the role of host genetics in diarrhea.

Methods
Using 3 well-characterized birth cohorts from an impoverished area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, we compared infants with no diarrhea in the first year of life to those with an abundance, measured by either frequency or duration. We performed a genome-wide association analysis for each cohort under an additive model and then meta-analyzed across the studies.

Results
For diarrhea frequency, we identified 2 genome-wide significant loci associated with not having any diarrhea, on chromosome 21 within the noncoding RNA AP000959 (C allele odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, P = 4.01 × 10−8), and on chromosome 8 within SAMD12 (T allele OR = 0.35, P = 4.74 × 10−7). For duration of diarrhea, we identified 2 loci associated with no diarrhea, including the same locus on chromosome 21 (C allele OR = 0.31, P = 1.59 × 10−8) and another locus on chromosome 17 near WSCD1 (C allele OR = 0.35, P = 1.09 × 10−7).

Conclusions
These loci are in or near genes involved in enteric nervous system development and intestinal inflammation and may be potential targets for diarrhea therapeutics.
The Relationship Between SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Titers and Avidity in Plasma Collected From Convalescent Nonvaccinated and Vaccinated Blood Donors
Authors: Nurmi Visa , Knight Chanice , Estcourt Lise , Hepojoki Jussi , Lamikanra Abigail A , Tsang Hoi P , Roberts David J , Polack Fernando P , Simmonds Peter , Hedman Klaus , Alvarez-Paggi Damian , Harvala Heli 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Convalescent plasma (CP) treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown significant therapeutic effect when administered early (eg, Argentinian trial showing reduced hospitalization) but has in general been ineffective (eg, REMAP-CAP trial without improvement during hospitalization). To investigate whether the differences in CP used could explain the different outcomes, we compared neutralizing antibodies, anti-spike IgG, and avidity of CP used in the REMAP-CAP and Argentinian trials and in convalescent vaccinees. We found no difference between the trial plasmas, emphasizing initial patient serostatus as treatment efficacy predictor. By contrast, vaccinee CP showed significantly higher titers and avidity, being preferable for future CP treatment.
Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02735707 and NCT04479163.
Association of Asthma Risk Alleles With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections and Wheezing Illnesses in Young Children
Authors: Forsström Ville , Toivonen Laura , Homil Kiara , Waris Matti , Pedersen Casper-Emil T , Bønnelykke Klaus , Jartti Tuomas , Peltola Ville 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Genome-wide association studies have identified several risk alleles for early childhood asthma, particularly in the 17q21 locus and in the cadherin-related family member 3 (CDHR3) gene. Contribution of these alleles to the risk of acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) in early childhood is unclear.

Methods
We analyzed data from the STEPS birth-cohort study of unselected children and the VINKU and VINKU2 studies on children with severe wheezing illness. Genome-wide genotyping was performed on 1011 children. We analyzed the association between 11 preselected asthma risk alleles and the risk of ARIs and wheezing illnesses of various viral etiologies.

Results
The asthma risk alleles in CDHR3, GSDMA, and GSDMB were associated with an increased rate of ARIs (for CDHR3, incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.12; P = .02), and risk allele in CDHR3 gene with rhinovirus infections (IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01–1.20, P = .03). Asthma risk alleles in GSDMA, GSDMB, IKZF3, ZPBP2, and ORMDL3 genes were associated with wheezing illnesses in early childhood, especially rhinovirus-positive wheezing illnesses.

Conclusions
Asthma risk alleles were associated with an increased rate of ARIs and an increased risk of viral wheezing illnesses. Nonwheezing and wheezing ARIs and asthma may have shared genetic risk factors.
Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00494624 and NCT00731575.