bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor immune microenvironment alterations using induction cetuximab in a phase II trial of deintensified therapy for p16‐positive oropharynx cancer
Authors: Smith Joshua D. , Ludwig Megan L. , Bhangale Apurva D. , Brummel Collin , Swiecicki Paul L. , Worden Francis P. , Chinn Steven B. , Stucken Chaz L. , Rosko Andrew J. , Prince Mark E. P. , Malloy Kelly M. , Casper Keith A. , Bradford Carol R. , Chepeha Douglas B. , Shah Jennifer , Schonewolf Caitlin A. , McHugh Jonathon B. , Nyati Mukesh K. , Eisbruch Avraham , Mierzwa Michelle L. , Spector Matthew E. , Brenner J. Chad 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to characterize early changes in CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor transcriptomes after induction cetuximab in a cohort with p16‐positive oropharyngeal cancer on a phase II clinical de‐escalation trial.MethodsTumor biopsies were obtained before and 1 week after a single cetuximab loading dose in eight patients enrolled in a phase II trial of cetuximab and radiotherapy. Changes in CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes and transcriptomes were assessed.ResultsOne week after cetuximab, five patients (62.5%) had an increase in CD8+ cell infiltration with a median (range) fold change of +5.8 (2.5–15.8). Three (37.5%) had unchanged CD8+ cells (median [range] fold change of −0.85 [0.8–1.1]). In two patients with evaluable RNA, cetuximab induced rapid tumor transcriptome changes in cellular type 1 interferon signaling and keratinization pathways.ConclusionsWithin 1 week, cetuximab induced measurable changes in pro‐cytotoxic T‐cell signaling and immune content.
Development of preprocessing methods and revised EfficientNet for diabetic retinopathy detection
Authors: Lin Chun‐Ling , Jiang Zhi‐Xiang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe evolution of deep learning (DL) has made artificial intelligence image recognition a mature technology. Recently, the use of DL to identify diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been recognized as a major challenge. Retinal abnormalities caused by DR can damage the retina and thus cause permanent damage or even blindness. Therefore, the detection of diabetes symptoms at an early stage can help to considerably reduce the risk of blindness. The differences in environments, equipment, and photographers have led to the inconsistent specifications of images and have thus affected the efficiency of the training model for classifying the DR level. If low‐quality fundus images are removed through an image quality assessment (Eye‐Quality Library, EyeQ), the number of images of the trained model would considerably reduce, in turn affecting the reliability of the training model. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a preprocessing method to strengthen the image features. The results obtained in this study revealed that the preprocessing method could increase the amount of data available for the training model. Thus, this study improved the EfficientNet model for the enhancement of the classification performance of the DR level. The results also showed that an increase in the model accuracy from 0.7727 to 0.7920 for the classification of the different stages of DR. In addition, the results revealed that the revised EfficientNet could obtain better average area under the ROC curve among the five classes (0.926) than MobileNet (0.54) and the original EfficientNet (0.922). Finally, this study implemented the proposed system by using an application programming interface (API) to enable the users to upload a fundus image to the API and obtain the DR results.
Micropatterned fibrin scaffolds increase cardiomyocyte alignment and contractility for the fabrication of engineered myocardial tissue
Authors: English Elizabeth J. , Samolyk Bryanna L. , Gaudette Glenn R. , Pins George D. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, which can result in blockage of a coronary artery, triggering a myocardial infarction (MI), scar tissue formation in the myocardium, and ultimately heart failure. Currently, the gold‐standard solution for total heart failure is a heart transplantation. An alternative to total‐organ transplantation is surgically remodeling the ventricle with the implantation of a cardiac patch. Acellular cardiac patches have previously been investigated using synthetic or decellularized native materials to improve cardiac function. However, a limitation of this strategy is that acellular cardiac patches only reshape the ventricle and do not increase cardiac contractile function. Toward the development of a cardiac patch, our laboratory previously developed a cell‐populated composite fibrin scaffold and aligned microthreads to recapitulate the mechanical properties of native myocardium. In this study, we explore micropatterning the surfaces of fibrin gels to mimic anisotropic native tissue architecture and promote cellular alignment of human induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (hiPS‐CM), which is crucial for increasing scaffold contractile properties. hiPS‐CMs seeded on micropatterned surfaces exhibit cellular elongation, distinct sarcomere alignment, and circumferential connexin‐43 staining at 14 days of culture, which are necessary for mature contractile properties. Constructs were also subject to electrical stimulation during culture to promote increased contractile properties. After 7 days of stimulation, contractile strains of micropatterned constructs were significantly higher than unpatterned controls. These results suggest that the use of micropatterned topographic cues on fibrin scaffolds may be a promising strategy for creating engineered cardiac tissue.
Promising insights in parallel grid‐based algorithms for quantum chemical topology
Authors: Chevreau Hilaire , Pilmé Julien 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSome straightforward improvements designed to make grid‐based quantum chemical topology more efficient and faster are presented. The strategy focuses on both the evaluation of the scalar function over three‐dimensional discrete grids and the algorithms aimed to follow and integrate gradient trajectories over the basin volumes together. Beyond the density analysis, we show that the scheme is quite suitable for the electron localization function and its complex topology. With this speed‐up of the parallelized process used to generate 3d‐grids, this new scheme is several orders of magnitude faster than the original grid‐based method implemented in our laboratory (TopMod09). The efficiency of our implementation (TopChem2) was also compared with well‐known grid‐based algorithms designed to assign the grid points to basins. The performances, speed versus accuracy have been discussed on the basis of results obtained from selected illustrative examples.
Transformative impacts of a civic leadership program created by and for refugees and immigrants
Authors: Shi Christine , Dutt Anjali , Jacquez Farrah , Wright Bryan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractImmigrants and refugees are severely underrepresented at all levels of political decision‐making in the United States. These groups face significant barriers to civic and political participation and leadership, despite a frequent commitment to community care and engagement. There is an urgent need to address immigrant integration and underrepresentation through transformative means that go beyond voting to create a more inclusive and socially just society. We investigated outcomes associated with participation in an immigrant integration program designed to increase immigrants' access to civic engagement through a community‐based participatory research and action process that centered the voices, experiences, and wisdom of refugees and immigrants. Thirty immigrants and refugees representing at least eight different communities participated in semi‐structured interviews. Results illustrate how the program assisted in transforming participants' consciousness, skills, and relationships related to meaningful civic engagement and realizing their voice, power, and rights. These results emphasize the impact and potential of community based participatory research to transform individual and collective efficacy, consciousness, and capabilities—a vital first step in transformative justice.
Altered Functional Connectivity Strength in Distinct Brain Networks of Children With Early‐Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Hu Xiao , Wang Song , Zhou Hui , Li Na , Zhong Can , Luo Weiling , Liu Sijia , Fu Fanghui , Meng Yajing , Ding Zhiyong , Cheng Bochao 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundSchizophrenia is regarded as a brain network or connectome disorder that is associated with neurodevelopment. Children with early‐onset schizophrenia (EOS) provide an opportunity to evaluate the neuropathology of schizophrenia at a very early stage without potential confounding factors. But dysfunction in brain networks of schizophrenia is inconsistent.PurposeTo identify abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in EOS patients and relationships with clinical symptoms, we aimed to reveal neuroimaging phenotypes of EOS.Study TypeProspective, cross‐sectional.PopulationTwenty‐six female/22 male patients (age:14.3 ± 3.45 years) with first‐episode EOS, 27 female/22 male age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls (HC) (age:14.1 ± 4.32).Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, resting‐state (rs) gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging and three‐dimensional magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient‐echo imaging.AssessmentIntelligence quotient (IQ) was measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale‐Fourth edition for Children (WISC‐IV). The clinical symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). FC strength (FCS) from rs functional MRI (rsfMRI) was used to investigate functional integrity of global brain regions. In addition, associations between regionally altered FCS and clinical symptoms in EOS patients were examined.Statistical TestsTwo‐sample t‐test controlling for sample size, diagnostic method, brain volume algorithm, and age of the subjects, Bonferroni correction, Pearson's correlation analysis. A P‐value <0.05 with a minimum cluster size of 50 voxels was considered statistically significant.ResultsCompared with HC, EOS patients had significantly lower total IQ scores (IQ:91.5 ± 16.1), increased FCS in the bilateral precuneus, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left thalamus, and left parahippocampus (paraHIP), and decreased FCS in the right cerebellum posterior lobe and right superior temporal gyrus. The PANSS total score of EOS patients (PANSS total score:74.30 ± 7.23) was found to be positively correlated to FCS in the left paraHIP (r = 0.45).Data ConclusionOur study revealed that disrupted FC of brain hubs illustrate multiple abnormalities in brain networks in EOS patients.Evidence Level1Technical Efficacy Stage2
Diagnosis of Sarcopenia Using the L3 Skeletal Muscle Index Estimated From the L1 Skeletal Muscle Index on MR Images in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Xu Zhengyu , Yang Dawei , Luo Jia , Xu Hui , Jia Jidong , Yang Zhenghan 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundCirrhotic patients with sarcopenia have poor prognoses and higher mortality. The third lumbar vertebra (L3) skeletal muscle index (SMI) is widely used to assess sarcopenia. However, L3 is generally outside the scanning volume on standard liver MRI.PurposeTo investigate SMIs change between slices in cirrhotic patients and the relationships between SMI at the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12), the first lumbar vertebra (L1) and the second lumbar vertebra (L2) levels and L3‐SMI and assess the accuracy of the estimated L3‐SMIs in diagnosing sarcopenia.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsA total of 155 cirrhotic patients (109 with sarcopenia, 67 male; 46 without sarcopenia, 18 male).Field Strength/SequenceA 3.0 T, 3D dual‐echo T1‐weighted gradient echo sequence (T1WI).AssessmentTwo observers analyzed T12 to L3 skeletal muscle area (SMA) in each patient based on T1W water images and calculated the SMI (SMA/height2). Reference standard was L3‐SMI.Statistical TestsIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficients (r), and Bland–Altman plots. Models relating L3‐SMI to the SMI at T12, L1, and L2 levels were constructed using 10‐fold cross‐validation. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for the estimated L3‐SMIs for diagnosing sarcopenia. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsIntraobserver and interobserver ICCs were 0.998–0.999. The L3‐SMA/L3‐SMI were correlated with the T12 to L2 SMA/SMI (r = 0.852–0.977). T12‐L2 models had mean‐adjusted R2 values of 0.75–0.95. The estimated L3‐SMI from T12 to L2 levels to diagnose sarcopenia had good accuracy (81.4%–95.3%), sensitivity (88.1%–97.0%), and specificity (71.4%–92.9%). The recommended L1‐SMI threshold of 43.24 cm2/m2 in males and 33.73 cm2/m2 in females.Data ConclusionThe estimated L3‐SMI from T12, L1 and L2 levels had good diagnostic accuracy in assessing sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients. Although L2 was best associated with L3‐SMI, L2 is generally not included in standard liver MRI. L3‐SMI estimate from L1 may therefore be most clinically applicable.Evidence Level1.Technical EfficacyStage 2
Procedural performance between two cryoballoon systems for ablation of atrial fibrillation depends on pulmonary vein anatomy
Authors: Menger Vincent , Frick Michael , Sharif‐Yakan Ahmad , Emrani Mahdi , Zink Matthias Daniel , Napp Andreas , Marx Nikolaus , Gramlich Michael 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundCryoballoon ablation is a first‐line therapy for atrial fibrillation. We compared the efficacy and safety of two ablation systems and addressed the influence of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy on performance and outcome.MethodsWe consecutively enrolled 122 patients who were planned for first‐time cryoballoon ablation. Patients were assigned 1:1 for ablation with the POLARx or the Arctic Front Advance Pro (AFAP) system and followed‐up for 12 months. Procedural parameters were recorded during the ablation. Before the procedure, a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the PVs was generated and diameter, area, and shape of each PV ostium were assessed. We applied an evaluated PV anatomical scoring system on our MRA measurement data ranging from 0 (best anatomical combination) to 5.ResultsProcedures performed with POLARx were associated with shorter time to balloon temperature −30°C (p < .001), lower balloon nadir temperature (p < .001), and longer thawing time till 0°C (p < .001) in all PVs, however, time to isolation was similar. We observed a decreasing performance with each increase in the score for the AFAP, whereas the POLARx performed constant regardless of the score. At 1 year, AF recurred in 14 of 44 patients treated with AFAP (31.8%) and in 10 of 45 patients treated with POLARx (22.2%) (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI 0.28 to 1.37; p = .225). There was no significant correlation between PV anatomy and clinical outcome.ConclusionWe found significant differences in cooling kinetics, especially when anatomical conditions are difficult. However, both systems have a comparable outcome and safety profile.
Pediatric intestine transplant cost: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System database
Authors: Raghu Vikram K. , Rothenberger Scott D. , Rudolph Jeffrey A. , Mazariegos George V. , Horslen Simon P. , Smith Kenneth J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to evaluate costs from transplant to discharge in children who had undergone intestine transplant.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional observational study of pediatric intestine transplant recipients from 2004 through 2020, utilizing the Pediatric Health Information System database. Standardized costs were applied to all charges and converted to 2021 US dollars. We analyzed the association of cost from transplant to discharge with age, sex, race and ethnicity, length of stay, insurance type, transplant year, short bowel syndrome diagnosis, liver‐containing graft, hospitalization status, and immunosuppressive regimen. Predictors with a P value <0.20 in univariable analysis were included in a multivariable model, which was reduced using backwards selection with a P value of 0.05.ResultsWe identified 376 intestinal transplant recipients across nine centers (median age, 2 years; 44% female). Most patients had short bowel syndrome (294; 78%). The liver was included in 218 transplants (58%). Median posttransplant cost was $263,724 (interquartile range [IQR], $179,564–$384,147), and length of stay was 51.5 days (IQR, 34–77). In the final model, increased cost from transplant to hospital discharge was associated with liver‐containing graft (+$31,805; P = 0.028), T‐cell–depleting antibody use (+$77,004; P < 0.001), and mycophenolate mofetil use (+$50,514; P = 0.012) while controlling for insurance type and length of stay. A 60‐day posttransplant hospital stay would cost an estimated $272,533.ConclusionsIntestine transplant has high immediate cost and long length of stay that varies by center, graft type, and immunosuppression regimen. Future work will examine the cost‐effectiveness of various management strategies before and after transplant.
Rapid gemstone mineral identification using portable Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Han , Xu Wenxing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMineral identification is the first step in gemstone characterization, which is the foundation for maintaining transparency in gemstone trading. Current techniques have complex protocols and require expensive instrumentation, severely restricting their use to trained experts or large gemological laboratories and limiting the processing speed. A simple and inexpensive automatic identification instrument can fulfill the needs of the Gemology Society. Hence, we propose a portable setup for the automatic mineral identification of gemstones based on a custom‐built 405 nm Raman spectroscopy probe system. This device enables the noninvasive mineral identification of commonly encountered loose or mounted gemstone materials in the market and generates the results in seconds. It is mechanically designed to allow safe operation under normal office conditions, and the pre‐aligned sample stage significantly simplifies the sample alignment process. Fifty‐seven types of gemstone materials in the trading market were tested with the device to prove the usability of the system. The primary purpose of this device is to automatically identify the types of minerals in the gemstones. It can also be extended to identify lab‐grown gemstones in the selected mineral species.
Surgical efficacy and learning curves of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with intracorporeal anastomosis for right‐sided colon cancer: A retrospective two‐center cohort study
Authors: Cuk Pedja , Simonsen Randi Maria , Sherzai Selab , Buchbjerg Thomas , Andersen Per Vadgaard , Salomon Søren , Pietersen Pia Iben , Möller Sören , Al‐Najami Issam , Ellebæk Mark Bremholm 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThere is a potential benefit on long‐term outcomes following complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right‐sided colon cancer when compared to conventional colectomy. This study aims to analyze the learning curve and short‐term outcomes of laparoscopic CME with intracorporeal anastomosis (ICA) for right‐sided colon cancer in the hands of experienced colorectal surgeons.MethodsA two‐center cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing right‐sided colectomy from September 2021 to May 2022 at two tertiary colorectal centers in Denmark. Learning curves of surgical time were estimated using a cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM).ResultsA total of 61 patients were included. According to the CUSUM analysis, 32 cases were needed to obtain a peak in operative time, resulting in a decrease in time consumption (group 1/learning phase: 217.2 min [SD 53.6] and group 2/plateau phase 191.6 min [SD 45.1], p = 0.05). There was a nonsignificant reduction in the rates of severe surgical complications (Clavien–Dindo > 3) (13% vs. 7%, p = 0.67) between the two groups, while the length of hospital stay remained constant (median 3.0 days, interquartile range, IQR [2.0; 4.0]).ConclusionThe learning curve of laparoscopic CME with ICA for right‐sided colon cancer demonstrated that 32 cases were needed to obtain a plateau phase expressed by operative time.
Axillary lymph node recurrence following wire‐directed sentinel lymph node dissection for breast cancer patients with biopsy‐proven axillary metastases prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy at a safety net medical center
Authors: Sargent Rachel E. , Siegel Emily , Ito Fumito , Kramme Katherine , Kraft Elizabeth , Hendrix Vera , Carr Azadeh A. , Nelson Maria E. , Bian Shelly X. , Jayachandran Priya , Sener Stephen F. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundAlthough sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is feasible, axillary management for patients with pretreatment biopsy‐proven axillary metastases and who are clinically node‐negative after NAC (ycN0) remains unclear. This retrospective study was performed to determine the rate of axillary lymph node recurrence for such patients who had wire‐directed (WD) SLND.MethodsPatients treated with NAC from 2015 to 2020 had axillary nodes evaluated by pretreatment ultrasound. Core biopsies were done on abnormal nodes, and microclips were placed in nodes during biopsy. For patients with biopsy‐proven node metastases who received NAC and were ycN0 by clinical exam, WD SLND was done. Patients with negative nodes on frozen section had WD SLND alone; those with positive nodes had WD SLND plus axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).ResultsOf 179 patients receiving NAC, 62 were biopsy‐proven node‐positive pre‐NAC and ycN0 post‐NAC. Thirty‐five (56%) patients were node‐negative on frozen section and had WD SLND alone. Twenty‐seven (43%) patients had WD SLND + ALND. Forty‐seven patients had postoperative regional node irradiation. With median follow‐up of 40 months, there were recurrences in 4 (11%) of 35 patients having WD SLND and 5 (19%) of 27 having WD SLND + ALND, but there was only one axillary lymph node recurrence, identified by CT scan.ConclusionsAxillary node recurrence was very uncommon after WD SLND for patients who had pretreatment biopsy‐proven node metastases and were ypN0 after NAC. These patients would be unlikely to derive clinical benefit from the addition of completion ALND to SLND.
Conceptualising local perceptions of research‐related tourism in an indigenous village in Fiji
Authors: Shah Chetan , Trupp Alexander , Stephenson Marcus L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDespite increasing academic interest concerning host perceptions of tourists and tourism, local perceptions of research tourists—whether this includes students, consultants, scientists, or volunteers—have attracted little attention. The study conceptualises and examines perceptions of Research‐related Tourism (RrT) in the context of an indigenous Fijian village. Qualitative research was conducted, involving talanoa, observations and semi‐structured interviews. An inductive and thematic approach was employed to analyse data, where research findings reveal the socio‐economic and environmental benefits of RrT for the host community: increased income, enhanced infrastructure, and improved quality of life. Findings also indicate negative impacts: unequal benefit sharing, lack of reciprocity between hosts and research tourists, and lack of transparency in developing and managing RrT. Moreover, the results indicate the formation of a hierarchisation of RrT types, helping to further conceptualise tourism impacts. Finally, recommendations are developed to advance appropriate forms of research tourism that benefit the community.