bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fixed Point Theorems for Upper Semicontinuous Set-valued Mappings in p-Vector Spaces
Authors: Yuan George Xianzhi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The goal of this paper is to establish a general fixed point theorem for upper semicontinuous set-values mappingsin p-vector spaces for (p є (0, 1]), which include topological vector spaces as a special class. These new results providean answer to Schauder conjecture in the affirmative under the setting of p-vector spaces for upper semicontinuousset-valued mappings, which would be fundamental for nonlinear functional analysis in mathematics
AMS Classification: 47H04, 47H10, 46A16, 46A55, 49J27, 49J35, 52A07, 54C60, 54H25, 55M20
Preprint
The relationship between knowledge, attitude, and performance with the competence of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 regarding crisis management: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: khandan Maryam , Ghorbani Zinab , Golestani Mohsen , Moradi Faranak 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
The outbreak of COVID-19 as a global crisis has required nurses, first-line providers of safe and quality care to patients with this disease, to have a high level of competence, which demands an acceptable level of knowledge, attitude, and performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to model the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and performance with the competence of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 regarding crisis management.
Methods
This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 291 hospital nurses using the structural equation modeling approach in three provinces of Iran, including Kerman, Hormozgan, and Fars, from June to December 2021. Data were collected via self-administered or electronic records and a questionnaire that provided information on demographics, knowledge, attitude, performance, and competence regarding crisis management. Data analysis was performed in SPSS and AMOS software and included descriptive and inferential statistics. Moreover, to test the proposed model of the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and performance with nurses’ competence, the structural equation modeling method was based on the covariance.
Results
The results showed that nurses’ mean knowledge, attitude, performance, and competence scores were average and higher. There was a statistically significant difference between nurses’ age and knowledge, attitude and performance; education level and performance; gender and knowledge and attitude; position and knowledge, attitude and performance; work experience and knowledge, attitude and competence (P < .05). Moreover, obstacles to upgrading their competence include a lack of expert personnel in the nursing field in crisis and organizational support, nurses’ limited role in crisis management and insufficient authorized educational resources. A positive and significant relationship between knowledge, attitude, and performance with nurses’ competencies is found (P < .05). Furthermore, the coefficient of determination of nurses’ competence in the modified structural model indicates that exogenous variables, namely knowledge, attitude, and performance, could predict 36% of the changes in nurses’ competence. Finally, the path coefficient of the effect of knowledge, attitude, and performance on nurses’ competence is higher than 1.96.
Conclusions
Nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 require managers’ comprehensive support and need to participate in exercises and maneuvers. Identifying and prioritizing educational needs and learning preferences according to nurses’ cultural differences and backgrounds are also emphasized.
Effect of alpha lipoic acid on Iron metabolism parameters: A systematic review and meta- analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Authors: Sharifi-Zahabi Elham , Abdollahzad Hadi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) exhibits antioxidant and iron chelator properties and may have regulating effects on factors related to Iron metabolism. However, findings from clinical trials are equivocal. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of ALA supplementation on iron metabolism parameters including serum iron, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin and ferritin.

Methodology

We searched online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to 29 May 2022, to obtain relevant publications.

Results

A total of 1901 records were identified in the systematic search; from these, 10 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled analysis of the studies showed no effects of ALA on ferritin (WMD= -11.01 ng/ml; 95% CI: -40.07, 18.05 ng/ml; I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.670), serum Iron (WMD=-0.47 µ/dL; 95% CI: -24.48, 23.54 µ/dl; I2 = 94.7%, P < 0.001), hemoglobin (WMD = 0.49 g/dl; 95% CI: -0.54, 1.52 g/dl; I2 = 95.7%, P < 0.001), and TIBC (WMD = 3.95 µ/dL; 95% CI: -21.3, 29.2 µ/dl; I2 = 53.1%, P = 0.094). In subgroups analysis ALA significantly increased hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders (WMD = 1.23 g/dl; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45 g/dl; I2 = 96.6%, P < 0.001) and in durations > 8 weeks (WMD = 1.03 g/dl; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.25 g/dl; I2 = 96.5%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

ALA supplementation yielded no significant effect on Iron related parameters. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant increasing effect of ALA on hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders and durations > 8 weeks. More consistent clinical trials, with larger sample size, and consideration more strength inclusion criteria, are required.
Laparoscopic adenomyomectomy in the single uterus of the Uterine didelphys
Authors: Hong Jisu , Lee Jeong Soo , Kim Sujin , Kwack Jae Young , Kwon Yong-Soon 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Because the surgical approach was in challenging, we adjusted adnomyomectomy in the single uterus of a patient with uterus didelphys and adenomyosis and this is the first reported case that was successfully treated.
Case presentation
A 31-year-old primipara woman with dysmenorrhea and hypermenorrhea and a known history of uterus didelphys and left kidney agenesis was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonography revealed adenomyosis in the right uterus. She had a plan to have another child and wanted to preserve fertility. Laparoscopic adenomyomectomy was performed in the right uterus with conservation of the original structure of uterine didelphys. Transient occlusion of uterine artery (TOUA) was employed in the right uterine artery, which inhibited the circulation to the right uterus. The incised adenomyosis lesion weighed 20 g, operative time was 55 min, and estimated blood loss was 50 mL. After 5-day hospitalization, the patient was discharged without any notable complications. After 7 months of the surgery, symptoms, and adenomyoma on ultrasonography were improved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic adenomyomectomy surgery performed on a patient with uterine didelphys.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic adenomyomectomy can be considered as a feasible treatment option for patients with uterus didelphys who want to preserve fertility.
Natural variations of wheat EARLY FLOWERING 3 highlight their contributions to local adaptation through fine-tuning of heading time
Authors: Mizuno Nobuyuki , Matsunaka Hitoshi , Yanaka Mikiko , Ishikawa Goro , Kobayashi Fuminori , Nakamura Kazuhiro 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Heading/flowering at the appropriate time in each cultivation region can greatly contribute to stabilizing and maximizing yield. Genotype combinations of Vrn-1 and Ppd-1, the major genes determining heading time, can explain the variation in heading time. However, the genes that can explain the remaining variations in heading time are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify the genes conferring early heading using doubled haploid lines derived from Japanese wheat varieties. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis revealed a significant QTL on the long arm of chromosome 1B in multiple growing seasons. Genome sequencing using Illumina short reads and Pacbio HiFi reads revealed a large deletion of a ~500 kb region containing TaELF-B3, an orthologue of Arabidopsis clock gene EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3). Plants with the deleted allele of TaELF-B3 (ΔTaELF-B3allele) headed earlier only under short-day vernalization conditions. Higher expression levels of clock- and clock-output genes, such as Ppd-1 and TaGI, were observed in plants with the ΔTaELF-B3 allele. These results suggest that the deletion of TaELF-B3 causes early heading. Of the TaELF-3 homoeoalleles conferring early heading, the ΔTaELF-B3 allele showed the greatest effect on the early heading phenotype in Japan. The higher allele frequency of the ΔTaELF-B3 allele in western Japan suggests that the ΔTaELF-B3 allele was preferred during recent breeding to adapt to the environment. TaELF-3 homoeolog will help to expand the cultivated area by fine-tuning the optimal timing of heading in each environment.
Extensive multimodal treatments with Total Neoadjuvant Therapy followed by Total Mesorectal Excision for locally advanced rectal cancer allows fit older patients to achieve good oncologic and functional outcomes. Real world data and proof of concept
Authors: Montroni Isacco , Candido Francesca Di , Giovanni Taffurelli , Stefano Tamberi , Elisa Grassi , Jody Corbelli , Floranna Mauro , Enrico Raggi , Anna Garutti , Giampaolo Ugolini 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Introduction Rectal cancer (RC) commonly affects older patients, a heterogeneous population whose general status may vary from fit to frail. Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) has been introduced to improve local and systemic control of RC. The aim was to present real-world data of older patients receiving TNT followed by minimally invasive surgery after a multidimensional frailty assessment and verify whether this approach would be feasible and safe.
Methods This was a single-center retrospective study which enrolled all patients ≥ 70 years of age with RC who underwent TNT followed by surgery between November 2017 and April 2022. Data regarding cancer characteristics, the duration of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, toxicity and the need for dose reduction were recorded. All patients underwent minimally invasive surgery 12 to 16 weeks after the end of therapy. Intra- and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Pre- and postoperative functional evaluation was carried out in all patients.
Results Fifteen patients were enrolled. Mean age was 74 (70-81) years. The median BMI was 26.2 (22-32) kg/m2. The mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 5.2 cm. At diagnosis, 14 patients had positive nodes (93.3%), 11 (73.3%) showed involvement of the circumferential margin (CRM+) and 10 (66.6%) had extramural vascular invasion (EMVI+). Ten patients (66.6%) received mFOLFOX-6 and 5 CAPOX (33.3%) followed by chemoradiation (CRT). After CRT, positive nodes were reported in 4 cases (26.6%), CRM+ in 4 (26.6%), and EMVI+ in 1 (6.6%). A laparoscopic transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) was performed in all cases. Median operative time was 280 minutes (110-420). Median length of stay was 4 days (3-29). One Clavien-Dindo grade 4 complication, no readmissions, and no variations in pre- and postoperative functional status within 30 days from surgery were reported. No patient died within 90 days. No positive distal or CRMs were detected at final pathology. Three pathologic complete responses were reported (20%).
Conclusions Total neoadjuvant therapy followed by TME is feasible and safe, even for older patients, with good short-term clinical and oncologic outcomes. Patient evaluation is crucial for maximizing cancer care as fit older patients can tolerate extended treatment to overcome the threat of advanced rectal cancer.
Atomically visualizing cyclic self-refreshing of gas-oxide interfaces
Authors: Sun Xianhu , Wu Dongxiang , Zhu Wenhui , Zhu Yaguang , Saidi Wissam , Boscoboinik Jorge , Yang Judith , Sharma Renu , Zhou Guangwen 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Surface-induced breaking of translation symmetry of a crystalline oxide results in various types of coordinately unsaturated cations/anions and surface restructuring 1-11, yet identifying the stability, functionality and activity of the coordinated unsaturated sites of gas-oxide interfaces remains challenging owing to their dynamic behaviors in reacting gas and temperature environments and issues with current characterization tools. Through direct in-situ transmission electron microscopy observations and atomistic modeling, here we report cyclic self-refresh between oxygen-rich and oxygen-deficient surface reconstructions of CuO in H2 that are chemically active and inactive for H2O formation, respectively. After a period of chemical inactivity, the oxygen-deficient surface re-oxidizes back to the oxygen-rich termination due to the outward diffusion of lattice oxygen from the subsurface. This cyclic surface refresh is intrinsically induced by the disparity in chemical activity of undercoordinated surface atoms in modulating H2-induced loss of lattice oxygen at the surface and subsequent oxygen replenishment from the subsurface, which results in spatiotemporally separated redox reaction steps at the oxide surface. The atomistic mechanism has significant implications in manipulating the surface reactivity of oxides by tuning this separation of the redox steps at oxide surfaces.
Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a virtual reality intervention targeting distress and anxiety in primary brain tumor patients at the time of clinical evaluation: Study protocol for a phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: King Amanda L. , Acquaye Alvina A. , Mendoza Tito , Reyes Jennifer , Stockdill Macy , Gilbert Mark R. , Armstrong Terri S. , Vera Elizabeth 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients experience higher levels of distress and anxiety than other solid tumor patients, particularly at the time of clinical evaluation when uncertainty about disease status is high (“scanxiety”). There is promising evidence supporting use of virtual reality (VR) to target psychological symptoms in other solid tumor patients, though PBT patients have not been studied extensively in this context. The primary aim of this phase 2 clinical trial is to establish the feasibility of a remote VR-based relaxation intervention for a PBT population, with secondary aims designed to determine preliminary efficacy of improving distress and anxiety symptoms.
Methods: PBT patients (N=120) with upcoming MRI scans and clinical appointments who meet eligibility will be recruited to participate in a single arm trial conducted remotely through the NIH. Following completion of baseline assessments, participants will complete a 5-minute VR intervention via telehealth using a head-mounted immersive device while under supervision of the research team. Following the intervention, over the course of 1 month patients can use VR at their discretion with follow-up assessments done immediately post-VR intervention, as well as 1 week and 4 weeks later. Additionally, a qualitative phone interview will be conducted to assess patient satisfaction with the intervention.
Discussion: Use of immersive VR is an innovative interventional approach to target distress and scanxiety symptoms in PBT patients who are at high risk for experiencing these symptoms leading into their clinical appointments. Findings from this study may inform design of a future multicenter randomized VR trial for PBT patients and may aid in development of similar interventions for other oncology populations.
Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04301089), registered 9 March 2020
Efficient production of recombinant proteins in suspension CHO cells culture using the Tol2 transposon system coupled with cycloheximide resistance selection
Authors: Yamaguchi Keina , Ogawa Risa , Tsukahara Masayoshi , Kawakami Koichi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
DNA recombination techniques in mammalian cells has been applied to the production of therapeutic proteins for several decades. To be used for commercial production, established cell lines should stably express target proteins with high productivity and acceptable quality for human use. In the conventional transfection method, the screening process is laborious and time-consuming since superior cell lines had to be selected from an enormous number of transfected cell pools and clonal cell lines with a wide variety of transgene insertion locations. In this study, we demonstrated that the combination of a Tol2 transposon system and cell selection by cycloheximide resistance is an efficient method to express therapeutic proteins, such as human antibody in suspension culture of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The resulting stable cell lines showed constant productivity and cell growth over a long enough cultivation periods for recombinant protein production. We anticipate that this approach will prove widely applicable to protein production in research and development of pharmaceutical products.
The effect of Microvascular Invasion on Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus after Hepatectomy: A multicenter study
Authors: Xu Qingyi , Zeng Jinhua , Zeng Jianxing , Huang Yao , Guo Pengfei , Lan Liqin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
There is no reported resolving whether microvascular invasion (MVI) affects the prognosis of hepatectomy for HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of MVI on HCC with PVTT after Hepatectomy.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study consisting of 362 HCC patients with PVTT was included in this study. The log-rank test was utilized to differentiate OS and RFS rates between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was utilized to detect independent factors.
Results
PVTT without MVI accounted for 12.2% (n = 44). PVTT without MVI groups was significantly superior to PVTT with MVI groups in OS and RFS. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates (65.5%, 36.8%, 21.7% vs. 53.5%, 18.7%, 10.1%, p = 0.014) and RFS rates (47.0%, 29.7%, 19.2% vs. 28.7%, 12.2%, 6.9%, p = 0.005) were significant differences between two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that MVI was the independent risk factor for OS and RFS.
Conclusions
MVI was an independent prognostic factor closely linked to tumor recurrence and poorer clinical outcomes for HCC patients with PVTT after liver resection. MVI should be included in current PVTT systems to improve the accuracy of PVTT typing.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the knee anteromedial quadrant
Authors: Jorge Pedro Baches , Jorge Rafael Baches , Escudeiro Diego , Helito Camilo , Silva Lucas Nakazone Matos da , Sato Fernanda Tami , Brito Deivis Silva , Possebom Igor 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Objective

This study aims to evaluate the possibility of characterizing an extra-articular thickening in the knee anteromedial quadrant in routine MRI scans.

Materials and Methods.

Firstly, in a pilot study, for a better understanding of this extra-articular thickening trajectory in MRI, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tubes were attached to the ligament structure topography in two dissected pieces. Afterward, 100 knee MRI studies were randomly selected from our database, and 97 met the inclusion criteria. Two musculoskeletal radiologists interpreted the exams separately. Both had previously studied the ligament in the cadaveric knee MRI with the PTFE tube.

Results

The intraobserver and interobserver agreement for the ligament identification was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. The first radiologist identified the structure in 41 of the 97 scans (42.2%), and the second radiologist in 38 scans (39.2%). The interobserver agreement was substantial, with a Kappa of 0.68 and an agreement of 84.5%. The results suggest that this extra-articular thickening, recently called Anterior Oblique Ligament (AOL) in the literature, is a structure that can be frequently visualized on MRI scans with a high level of interobserver agreement in a relatively large number of exams.

Conclusion

Therefore, this study indicates that MRI is a promising method for evaluating this anteromedial thickening, and it may be used for future studies of the Anterior Oblique Ligament.
A note on “An algorithmic approach to solve unbalanced triangular fuzzy transportation problems”
Authors: Mishra Akansha , Kumar Amit , Appadoo S. S. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Muthuperumal et al. (Soft Comput (2020) 24: 18689–18698) proposed two different approaches to find an initial fuzzy basic feasible solution of unbalanced triangular fuzzy transportation problems (unbalanced transportation problems in which each parameter is represented by a triangular fuzzy number). Since, Muthuperumal et al. have claimed that less computational efforts are required to apply their proposed approaches as compared to other existing approaches. Therefore, in future, other researchers may use Muthuperumal et al.’s approaches to find an initial fuzzy basic feasible solution of real-life unbalanced triangular fuzzy transportation problems. However, it is observed that in actual case, the initial fuzzy basic solution, obtained by Muthuperumal et al.’s approaches, is not a fuzzy feasible solution. Hence, it is not appropriate to use Muthuperumal et al.’s approaches. The aim of this note is to point out the inconsistencies that exist in Muthuperumal et al.’s approaches.
Does Cyclin-dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitor Toxicity Predict Treatment Response in Metastatic Hormone Positive Breast Cancer?
Authors: gülbağcı burcu , demirci ayşe , hacıbekiroğlu ilhan , çelebi abdüssamet , fırat sedat tarık , gökmen ıvo , ugurlu irem , ilçe huri tilla , çiftçi esra , çakır emre , köstek osman , bozkurt oktay , hacıoğlu muhammet bekir 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
In estrogen and/or progesterone receptor expression (hormone receptor [HR]-positive) without human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression (HR+/HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC), a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit has been obtained with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitor and endocrine therapy (ET) combinations in the first-line treatment. We mainly aimed to investigate whether the toxicities of CDK 4/6 inhibitors predict treatment response. This study was designed retrospectively. A total of 191 patients diagnosed with MBC were treated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors plus ETs between 2019 and 2021, in four centers included. One hundred six patients received ribociclib, and 85 patients received palbociclib. The most common adverse event in both groups was neutropenia. We found that toxicities didn’t predict response rates (RRs). Additionally, the RRs in patients with albumin levels above 4.1g/dl was better than that in patients with albumin levels 4.1g/dl and below in multivariate analysis when all patients were considered (OR,4.76;95%CI,1.30–17.46;p = 0.018). When the multivariate analysis was performed separately for those who received ribociclib and those who received palbociclib, it was seen that this difference was due to ribociclib (OR,49.89;95%CI,2.49–999.16;p = 0.011). Toxicities of CDK4/6-inhibitors didn’t predict RRs. However, pretreatment albumin level may predict ribociclib response.