bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Task-specific training versus usual care to improve upper limb function after stroke: the “Task-AT Home” randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: van Vliet Paulette , Carey Leeanne Mary , Turton Ailie , Kwakkel Gert , Palazzi Kerrin , Oldmeadow Christopher , Searles Andrew , Lavis Heidi , Middleton Sandy , Galloway Margaret , Dimech-Betancourt Bleydy , O'Keefe Sophie , Tavener Meredith 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundSixty percent of people have non-functional arms 6 months after stroke. More effective treatments are needed. Cochrane Reviews show low-quality evidence that task-specific training improves upper limb function. Our feasibility trial showed 56 h of task-specific training over 6 weeks resulted in an increase of a median 6 points on the Action Research Arm test (ARAT), demonstrating the need for more definitive evidence from a larger randomised controlled trial. Task-AT Home is a two-arm, assessor-blinded, multicentre randomised, controlled study, conducted in the home setting.AimThe objective is to determine whether task-specific training is a more effective treatment than usual care, for improving upper limb function, amount of upper limb use, and health related quality of life at 6 weeks and 6 months after intervention commencement. Our primary hypothesis is that upper limb function will achieve a ≥ 5 point improvement on the ARAT in the task-specific training group compared to the usual care group, after 6 weeks of intervention.MethodsParticipants living at home, with remaining upper limb deficit, are recruited at 3 months after stroke from sites in NSW and Victoria, Australia. Following baseline assessment, participants are randomised to 6 weeks of either task-specific or usual care intervention, stratified for upper limb function based on the ARAT score. The task-specific group receive 14 h of therapist-led task-specific training plus 42 h of guided self-practice. The primary outcome measure is the ARAT at 6 weeks. Secondary measures include the Motor Activity Log (MAL) at 6 weeks and the ARAT, MAL and EQ5D-5 L at 6 months. Assessments occur at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 6 months after intervention commencement. Analysis will be intention to treat using a generalised linear mixed model to report estimated mean differences in scores between the two groups at each timepoint with 95% confidence interval and value of p.DiscussionIf the task-specific home-based training programme is more effective than usual care in improving arm function, implementation of the programme into clinical practice would potentially lead to improvements in upper limb function and quality of life for people with stroke.Clinical Trial RegistrationANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12617001631392p.aspx
Visuo-spatial imagery in dreams of congenitally and early blind: a systematic review
Authors: Ilic Katarina , Bertani Rita , Lapteva Neda , Drakatos Panagis , Delogu Alessio , Raheel Kausar , Soteriou Matthew , Mutti Carlotta , Steier Joerg , Carmichael David W. , Goadsby Peter J. , Ockelford Adam , Rosenzweig Ivana 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe presence of visual imagery in dreams of congenitally blind people has long been a matter of substantial controversy. We set to systematically review body of published work on the presence and nature of oneiric visuo-spatial impressions in congenitally and early blind subjects across different areas of research, from experimental psychology, functional neuroimaging, sensory substitution, and sleep research.MethodsRelevant studies were identified using the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO.ResultsStudies using diverse imaging techniques and sensory substitution devices broadly suggest that the “blind” occipital cortex may be able to integrate non-visual sensory inputs, and thus possibly also generate visuo-spatial impressions. Visual impressions have also been reported by blind subjects who had near-death or out-of-body experiences.ConclusionDeciphering the mechanistic nature of these visual impression could open new possibility in utilization of neuroplasticity and its potential role for treatment of neurodisability.
An online tool for survival prediction of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma with random forest
Authors: Zhang Xin 
Published: June 2023

PurposeExtrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is rare, and its knowledge is mainly extrapolated from small cell lung carcinoma. Reliable survival prediction tools are lacking.MethodsA total of 3,921 cases of EPSCC were collected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, which form the training and internal validation cohorts of the survival prediction model. The endpoint was an overall survival of 0.5–5 years. Internal validation performances of machine learning algorithms were compared, and the best model was selected. External validation (n = 68) was performed to evaluate the generalization ability of the selected model.ResultsAmong machine learning algorithms, the random forest model performs best on internal validation, whose area under the curve (AUC) is 0.736–0.800. The net benefit is higher than the TNM classification in decision curve analysis. The AUC of this model on the external validation cohort is 0.739–0.811. This model was then deployed online as a free, publicly available prediction tool of EPSCC (http://42.192.80.13:4399/).ConclusionThis study provides an excellent online survival prediction tool for EPSCC with machine learning and large-scale data. Age, TNM stages, and surgery (including potential performance status information) are the most critical factors for the prediction model.
Re-irradiation for head and neck cancer: outcome and toxicity analysis using a prospective single institution database
Authors: Scolari Chiara , Buchali André , Franzen Achim , Förster Robert , Windisch Paul , Bodis Stephan , Zwahlen Daniel R. , Schröder Christina 
Published: June 2023

PurposeRe-irradiation (re-RT) in head and neck cancer is challenging. This study prospectively explored the feasibility of re-RT in patients with loco-regionally recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer (LRR/SP HNC).MethodsFrom 2004 to 2021, 61 LRR/SP HNC patients were treated with re-RT, defined as having a second course of RT with curative intent resulting in a cumulative dose of ≥100 Gy in an overlapping volume. Postoperative or definitive dynamic intensity-modulated and/or volumetric modulated re-RT was administered using twice daily hyperfractionation to 60 Gy combined with cisplatin or carboplatin/5-fluorouracil. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC) and distant metastasis control (DMC) were analyzed and prognostic factors evaluated. Toxicity was prospectively recorded and graded.ResultsThe median follow-up was 9.8 months. In 41 patients (67.1%), complete administration of the intended treatment was not feasible. In 9 patients (15%) re-RT was interrupted prematurely and in other 9, the complete re-RT dose was lower than 60 Gy, and 37 patients (61%) could not receive or complete chemotherapy. Two-year OS, PFS and LRC rates were 19%, 18% and 30%, respectively. 20 patients (33%) received the complete intended treatment, and 1- and 2-year OS rates were 70% and 47%, respectively. Charlson comorbidity index was an important predictor for treatment completion. Multivariate analysis revealed recurrent N stage 0–1, age, chemotherapy administration and re-RT dose of 60 Gy as prognostic factors for clinical outcomes. No grade 5 re-RT-related toxicity was observed. The most common new grade ≥3 acute toxicities were dysphagia (52%) and mucositis (46%). Late toxicity included grade ≥3 dysphagia in 5% and osteoradionecrosis in 10% of evaluable patients, respectively. 6 patients (10%) were alive after 9 years without progression and no late toxicity grade ≥3, except for 2 patients presenting with osteoradionecrosis.ConclusionHyperfractionated re-RT with 60 Gy combined with platinum-based chemotherapy was a curative treatment option with acceptable toxicity in LRR/SP patients. Patients with higher comorbidity had a higher probability of failing to receive and complete the intended therapy. Consequently, they derived unsatisfactory benefits from re-RT, highlighting the importance of patient selection.
Pretreatment lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio as a prognostic factor and influence on dose-effect in fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for oligometastatic brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Chen Tian , Tang Mengqiu , Zhou Yang , Wang Zhepei , Li Shiwei , Wang Hongcai , Lu Yangfang , Wang Jinguo , Shen Weiyu 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundStudies on the prognostic factors for patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) usually focus on the size of metastatic tumor and radiation dose. Some inflammatory indicators have predictive value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastasis receiving stereotactic radiotherapy. However, the prognostic value of inflammatory indicators in NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with FSRT, and their effect on radiotherapy dose is unknown.MethodsA total of 95 advanced NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis who had undergone FSRT treatment at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital between January 2015 and April 2022 were enrolled into the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), tumor diameter and biologically effective dose (BED10) were analyzed using Chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were used to identify predictors of survival.ResultsTumor diameter (&lt; 2 cm), BED10 (≥ 48Gy) and LMR (≥ 4) were found to be independently associated with good intracranial local control survival (i-LCS) through multivariate analysis. The median i-LCS was longer in patients with 2 independent risk factors (tumor diameter ≥ 2 and LMR &lt; 4) administered with BED10 &gt; 53.6Gy compared with patients administered with BED10 ≤ 53.6Gy (20.7 months vs 12.0 months, P = 0.042). LMR ≥ 4 (P = 0.019) and positivity for driver gene mutations (P = 0.011) were independently associated with better overall survival (OS).ConclusionsLMR is an independent prognostic factor of i-LCS and OS in NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with FSRT. Patients with tumor diameter ≥ 2 and LMR &lt; 4 should be treated with BED10 greater than 53.6Gy.
Role of interleukin 1β and interleukin 10 variants on ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazilian individuals
Authors: Araujo Warlen Miiller Rocha , Ayo Christiane Maria , Previato Mariana , de Faria Geraldo Magela , Frederico Fábio Batista , Siqueira Rubens Camargo , de Almeida Gildásio Castello , Pereira-Chioccola Vera Lúcia , de Mattos Luiz Carlos , Brandão Cinara Cássia 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionOcular toxoplasmosis (OT) is an intraocular inflammation caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection that affects the retina and choroid, giving rise to posterior uveitis. Genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes may exert influence in the expression of these molecules and play a significant role in inflammatory responses and susceptibility to OT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of polymorphisms rs16944 (–511 C &gt; T) of the interleukin (IL) 1β gene and rs1800896 (–1082 G &gt; A) of the IL10 gene on OT in Brazilian individuals with a serologic diagnosis of T. gondii and after conducting fundoscopic exams.MethodsParticipants with a positive serology were classified into two distinct groups according to the presence (G1; n = 110) or absence (G2; n = 104) of OT. The control group (G3) consisted of individuals without the infection (n = 108).ResultsIt was observed that the C/C genotype of the IL1β gene polymorphism was a protective factor for OT (p = 0.02, OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.78 for G1 vs. G2; p = 0.03; OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.09–0.82 for G1 vs. G3), according to the recessive inheritance model.ConclusionsThe -511C.T polymorphisms of the IL1β gene seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OT in Brazilian individuals.
Evaluation of safety and effectiveness of remdesivir in treating COVID-19 patients after emergency use authorization study
Authors: Burhan Erlina , Syahruddin Elisna , Isbaniah Fathiyah , Desianti Ginanjar Arum , Fachrucha Fanny , Sari Cut Yulia Indah , Ismail Efriadi , Astuti Puji , Maruli Muhammad Farhan , Mubarak Farhan , Rengganis Anggit Tresna , Bilqis Hazia Hanifa , Taslim Imammurahman , Sastria Evan , Wiyarta Elvan 
Published: June 2023

Background: This study aimed to determine the real-world safety and effectiveness of remdesivir in hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-critical disease in Indonesia.Methods: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at four COVID-19 referral hospitals in Jakarta. A total of 587 patients were included, of whom 243 received remdesivir within 72 h of admission. The safety endpoints were the proportions of patients with any adverse event (AE), any grade 3 AE, and AE of each system organ class. The effectiveness endpoints were ICU admission &gt;24 h from baseline, live discharge and mortality at day 14, live discharge and mortality at day 28, and virologic conversion. Patients who received remdesivir within 72 h of admission were considered the treatment group, and those who did not were the control group. Multivariate adjustments were performed using a modified Poisson regression.Results: The study found no significant differences in safety endpoints between the two groups. However, the effectiveness endpoints showed that remdesivir was associated with a decreased risk of ICU admission &gt;24 h from baseline (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.96), an increased probability of live discharge at day 14 (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08–1.74), and an increased probability of live discharge at day 28 (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.57). The rate of virologic conversion was not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: The study concludes that remdesivir is safe and effective in the treatment of moderate-to-critical COVID-19 in a real-world setting in Indonesia.
Voltage-gated sodium channels: from roles and mechanisms in the metastatic cell behavior to clinical potential as therapeutic targets
Authors: Sanchez-Sandoval Ana Laura , Hernández-Plata Everardo , Gomora Juan Carlos 
Published: June 2023

During the second half of the last century, the prevalent knowledge recognized the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) as the proteins responsible for the generation and propagation of action potentials in excitable cells. However, over the last 25 years, new non-canonical roles of VGSCs in cancer hallmarks have been uncovered. Their dysregulated expression and activity have been associated with aggressive features and cancer progression towards metastatic stages, suggesting the potential use of VGSCs as cancer markers and prognostic factors. Recent work has elicited essential information about the signalling pathways modulated by these channels: coupling membrane activity to transcriptional regulation pathways, intracellular and extracellular pH regulation, invadopodia maturation, and proteolytic activity. In a promising scenario, the inhibition of VGSCs with FDA-approved drugs as well as with new synthetic compounds, reduces cancer cell invasion in vitro and cancer progression in vivo. The purpose of this review is to present an update regarding recent advances and ongoing efforts to have a better understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms on the involvement of both pore-forming α and auxiliary β subunits of VGSCs in the metastatic processes, with the aim at proposing VGSCs as new oncological markers and targets for anticancer treatments.
Development and economic assessment of machine learning models to predict glycosylated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tong Yi-Tong , Gao Guang-Jie , Chang Huan , Wu Xing-Wei , Li Meng-Ting 
Published: June 2023

Background: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is recommended for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes. However, the monitoring frequency in real-world applications has not yet reached the recommended frequency in the guidelines. Developing machine learning models to screen patients with poor glycemic control in patients with T2D could optimize management and decrease medical service costs.Methods: This study was carried out on patients with T2D who were examined for HbA1c at the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2018 to December 2019. Characteristics were extracted from interviews and electronic medical records. The data (excluded FBG or included FBG) were randomly divided into a training dataset and a test dataset with a radio of 8:2 after data pre-processing. Four imputing methods, four screening methods, and six machine learning algorithms were used to optimize data and develop models. Models were compared on the basis of predictive performance metrics, especially on the model benefit (MB, a confusion matrix combined with economic burden associated with therapeutic inertia). The contributions of features were interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP). Finally, we validated the sample size on the best model.Results: The study included 980 patients with T2D, of whom 513 (52.3%) were defined as positive (need to perform the HbA1c test). The results indicated that the model trained in the data (included FBG) presented better forecast performance than the models that excluded the FBG value. The best model used modified random forest as the imputation method, ElasticNet as the feature screening method, and the LightGBM algorithms and had the best performance. The MB, AUC, and AUPRC of the best model, among a total of 192 trained models, were 43475.750 (¥), 0.972, 0.944, and 0.974, respectively. The FBG values, previous HbA1c values, having a rational and reasonable diet, health status scores, type of manufacturers of metformin, interval of measurement, EQ-5D scores, occupational status, and age were the most significant contributors to the prediction model.Conclusion: We found that MB could be an indicator to evaluate the model prediction performance. The proposed model performed well in identifying patients with T2D who need to undergo the HbA1c test and could help improve individualized T2D management.
Adaptive plasmonic metasurfaces for radiative cooling and passive thermoregulation
Authors: Didari-Bader Azadeh , Estakhri Nooshin M. , Mohammadi Estakhri Nasim 
Published: June 2023

In this work, we investigate a class of planar photonic structures operating as passive thermoregulators. The radiative cooling process is adjusted through the incorporation of a phase change material (Vanadium Dioxide, VO2) in conjunction with a layer of transparent conductive oxide (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide, AZO). VO2 is known to undergo a phase transition from the “dielectric” phase to the “plasmonic” or “metallic” phase at a critical temperature close to 68°C. In addition, AZO shows plasmonic properties at the long-wave infrared spectrum, which, combined with VO2, provides a rich platform to achieve low reflections across the atmospheric transparency window, as demanded in radiative cooling applications, while also maintaining a compact size. Using numerical analysis, we study two classes of patterned and non-patterned compact multilayer metal-dielectric-metal metasurfaces, aiming to maximize the overall absorption in the first atmospheric transparency window (8–13 µm) while maintaining a high reflection across the solar spectrum (0.3–2.5 µm). Surfaces are initially designed based on a round of coarse optimization and further improved through analyzing the impact of geometric parameters such as size and periodicity of the metasurface elements. Our findings are relevant to applications in thermal regulation systems and passive radiative cooling of high-temperature devices, such as electronic elements.
Training drills in high performance badminton—effects of interval duration on internal and external loads
Authors: Edel Antonia , Weis Jan-Luka , Ferrauti Alexander , Wiewelhove Thimo 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of interval duration on training loads and technical skill performance in high performance badminton drills.Methods: On three experimental days, 19 internationally ranked players (13 male: 22.7 ± 3.8 years, 180 ± 6 cm, 71.5 ± 6.1 kg; 6 females: 20.4 ± 2.5 years, 168 ± 4 cm, 59.8 ± 6.0 kg) completed one of three protocols (T10, T30, and T50) of a typical badminton specific drill, the so-called “Multifeeding” (the coach feeds shuttlecock without break in a random order) in a counterbalanced order. The protocols varied in interval duration (10, 30, and 50 s) but were matched for the rally-to-rest-ratio (1:1) and active playing time (600 s). Cardiorespiratory responses (portable spirometry, chest belt), energy metabolism (levels of blood lactate, La), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), player’s kinematics (Local Positioning System), and technical skill performance (video analysis) were measured.Results: Average oxygen consumption (T10 45 ± 6; T30 46 ± 7; T50 44 ± 6 mL min−1·kg−1), Energy expenditure (886 ± 209; 919 ± 176; 870 ± 206 kcal h−1), heart rate (164 ± 13; 165 ± 11; 165 ± 10 bpm) and RPE (16 ± 2; 17 ± 2; 17 ± 2) did not differ between the protocols. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and La significantly increased depending on interval duration (RER: 0.90 ± 0.05; 0.93 ± 0.03; 0.96 ± 0.04 and La: 3.6 ± 2.0; 5.6 ± 3.0; 7.3 ± 2.3 mmol l−1). Stroke frequency (SF; 0.58 ± 0.05; 0.57 ± 0.05; 0.55 ± 0.06 strokes·s−1) was similar while distance covered, and average running velocity were significantly lower for T50 compared to T10 (76 ± 17; 70 ± 13; 65 ± 11 m min−1). Moreover, jump frequency in T30 was higher than in T10 (6.7 ± 3.1; 8.8 ± 3.8; 8.5 ± 4.2 jumps·min−1), whereas differences in internal and external loads were not associated with changes in stroke precision (errors: 16 ± 6; 19 ± 4; 18 ± 4%; accuracy: 22 ± 6; 24 ± 8; 23 ± 8%).Conclusion: Anaerobic metabolic stimulus increases while running distance and velocity decrease, in case of longer interval durations. Even though there was no impact on stroke precision, extending the intervals beyond 30 s might impair external training load and skill performance. Consequently, interval duration should be defined carefully depending on the training goals.