bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disease-preventive behaviors and subjective well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tokson Matthew , Rahrig Hadley , Green Jeffrey D. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Safety precautions and activity restrictions were common in the early, pre-vaccine phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that higher levels of participation in potentially risky social and other activities would be associated with greater life satisfaction and perceived meaning in life. At the same time, prosocial COVID-preventive activities such as mask wearing should enhance life satisfaction.

Method
We assessed the impact of COVID-preventive behaviors on psychological well-being in October 2020. A nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (n = 831) completed a demographic questionnaire, a COVID-related behaviors questionnaire, a Cantril’s Ladder item, and the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale. Two hierarchical linear models were used to examine the potential impact of COVID-preventive behaviors on life satisfaction and meaning in life while accounting for the influence of demographic factors.

Results
The study revealed significant positive relationships between COVID-preventive behaviors and subjective well-being. Wearing a mask was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, while maintaining social distancing of six feet and avoiding large groups were significantly associated with higher perceived meaning in life. Social activities including dining at restaurants and visiting friends and family were also significantly associated with higher life satisfaction and meaning in life, respectively.

Conclusion
The study’s findings support the conclusion that disease prevention measures such as social distancing and mask wearing do not reduce, and may enhance, subjective well-being during a pandemic. Utilizing the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic to examine relationships between behavior and subjective well-being, the study also indicates that shallow or medium-depth social activities are likely to be more central to life satisfaction, whereas narrower, deeper social interactions with friends and family are more important to perceived meaning in life.
Subtyping of Group 3/4 medulloblastoma as a potential prognostic biomarker among patients treated with reduced dose of craniospinal irradiation: a Japanese Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Group study
Authors: Fukuoka Kohei , Kurihara Jun , Shofuda Tomoko , Kagawa Naoki , Yamasaki Kai , Ando Ryo , Ishida Joji , Kanamori Masayuki , Kawamura Atsufumi , Park Young-Soo , Kiyotani Chikako , Akai Takuya , Keino Dai , Miyairi Yosuke , Sasaki Atsushi , Hirato Junko , Inoue Takeshi , Nakazawa Atsuko , Koh Katsuyoshi , Nishikawa Ryo , Date Isao , Nagane Motoo , Ichimura Koichi , Kanemura Yonehiro 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
One of the most significant challenges in patients with medulloblastoma is reducing the dose of craniospinal irradiation (CSI) to minimize neurological sequelae in survivors. Molecular characterization of patients receiving lower than standard dose of CSI therapy is important to facilitate further reduction of treatment burden.

Methods
We conducted DNA methylation analysis using an Illumina Methylation EPIC array to investigate molecular prognostic markers in 38 patients with medulloblastoma who were registered in the Japan Pediatric Molecular Neuro-Oncology Group and treated with reduced-dose CSI.

Results
Among the patients, 23 were classified as having a standard-risk and 15 as high-risk according to the classic classification based on tumor resection rate and presence of metastasis, respectively. The median follow-up period was 71.5 months (12.0–231.0). The median CSI dose was 18 Gy (15.0–24.0) in both groups, and 5 patients in the high-risk group received a CSI dose of 18.0 Gy. Molecular subgrouping revealed that the standard-risk cohort included 5 WNT, 2 SHH, and 16 Group 3/4 cases; all 15 patients in the high-risk cohort had Group 3/4 medulloblastoma. Among the patients with Group 3/4 medulloblastoma, 9 of the 31 Group 3/4 cases were subclassified as subclass II, III, and V, which were known to an association with poor prognosis according to the novel subtyping among the subgroups. Patients with poor prognostic subtype showed worse prognosis than that of others (5-year progression survival rate 90.4% vs. 22.2%; p < 0.0001). The result was replicated in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio12.77, 95% confidence interval for hazard ratio 2.38–99.21, p value 0.0026 for progression-free survival, hazard ratio 5.02, 95% confidence interval for hazard ratio 1.03–29.11, p value 0.044 for overall survival).

Conclusion
Although these findings require validation in a larger cohort, the present findings suggest that novel subtyping of Group 3/4 medulloblastoma may be a promising prognostic biomarker even among patients treated with lower-dose CSI than standard treatment.
History of dental biomaterials: biocompatibility, durability and still open challenges
Authors: Marin Elia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Objective
This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of dental biomaterials, as well as to understand the reasons behind their biocompatibility and to identify the key factors that have influenced their development and use over the past 5000 years.

Data sources
The sources for this review were primarily obtained through Scopus and other online databases, such as Google Scholar, which were searched for relevant publications spanning clinical, archeological, and materials science literature. In cases where no other sources were available, information was gathered through consultation with museums and owners of private collections.

Study selection
Our search was conducted using specific materials and ages as keywords and, for the last two centuries, retrieving scientific articles written at that time of the first development and commercialization. When possible, secondary sources such as literature reviews were prioritized, while not peer-reviewed documents were utilized only when no other sources were available. References with varying perspective and findings were included, also when presented contradictory or controversial information.

Conclusions
In this review, clinical, archeological and chemical data could be merged into a comprehensive analysis of the historical evolution of the concept of biocompatibility in dental materials. The results of this review emphasize the significant advances that have been made in the field of dental biomaterials in terms of biocompatibility, from the use of gold and other metals in ancient civilizations to the development of modern materials such as resin composites and ceramics.

Clinical significance
By analyzing the development and use of dental biomaterials over the centuries from clinical, archeological and chemical perspectives, the review sheds light on the key factors that have shaped our understanding of biocompatibility in dental materials and the importance of this concept in the success of dental restorations.
Molecular evolution and expression assessment of DFRs in apple
Authors: Li Wen-Fang , Gao Ju , Ma Zong-Huan , Hou Ying-Jun , Li Xin , Mao Juan , Chen Bai-Hong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Anthocyanins are the secondary metabolites of flavonoids in plants. As a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanin, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) act as an important regulatory point, but DFR family genes has not been systematically characterized in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.).

Methods
The members of DFR genes in apple were identified and their gene structure, chromosome distribution, evolutionary relationships, collinearity, cis-component and protein interaction relationships were predicted using bioinformatics methods. The expression patterns of MdDFRs in various organs, such as leaves, fruit flushes, fruits, ripe fruit peels, flowers and stems were analyzed using GeneChip expression array analysis. qRT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression levels of MdDFRs in different apple varieties with varying levels of fruit skin at maturity.

Results
The apple database revealed 96 DFR genes, which are distributed on 17 chromosomes and can be divided into 3 subfamilies. These 96 DFR genes were mostly composed of α-helix and random coil according to secondary structure prediction, and were mainly expressed in chloroplasts and cytoplasm. MYB binding site involved in flavonoid biosynthetic genes regulation element (MBSI) was identified in the promoter of MdDFR15/76/81/89/90/91/93/94. Lignin/flavonoid synthesis-related elements of MYB recognition site and MYB-binding site were identified in the promoters of MdDFR05/09/13/19/22/24/26/30/31/33/34/46/50/52/54/64/65/69/75/76/79/86. The internal collinearity analysis of the apple MdDFR genome revealed a total of 34 pairs of duplicated gene pairs. Interspecific collinearity analysis showed that there were 66 and 57 homologous gene pairs in apple/tomato and apple/grape, respectively. GeneChip expression array analysis showed that MdDFR72 and MdDFR96 were higher expressed in ripe fruit fleshes and peel, MdDFR01/06/67/49/54/91 were higher expressed in flowers, MdDFR64 was higher expressed in ripe fruit peels and flowers than those of other tissues. Besides, 75 MdDFR proteins interacted directly or indirectly with anthocyanidin synthesis related proteins MdANS, MdF3H, MdMYB1, MdMYBPA1 to form a protein interaction network. Interestingly, MdDFR69 and MdDFR87 had direct interactions with these four proteins, MdDFR64 had direct interactions with MdANS and MdF3H. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of MdDFR01/05/31/53/64/69/73/84/87/94/96 were up-regulated with the accumulation of anthocyanins.

Conclusions
This study lays a foundation for further research on the function of DFR genes in apple.

Graphical Abstract
Guided block matching and 4-D transform domain filter projection denoising method for dynamic PET image reconstruction
Authors: Xin Lin , Zhuo Weihai , Liu Haikuan , Xie Tianwu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Dynamic PET is an essential tool in oncology due to its ability to visualize and quantify radiotracer uptake, which has the potential to improve imaging quality. However, image noise caused by a low photon count in dynamic PET is more significant than in static PET. This study aims to develop a novel denoising method, namely the Guided Block Matching and 4-D Transform Domain Filter (GBM4D) projection, to enhance dynamic PET image reconstruction.

Methods
The sinogram was first transformed using the Anscombe method, then denoised using a combination of hard thresholding and Wiener filtering. Each denoising step involved guided block matching and grouping, collaborative filtering, and weighted averaging. The guided block matching was performed on accumulated PET sinograms to prevent mismatching due to low photon counts. The performance of the proposed denoising method (GBM4D) was compared to other methods such as wavelet, total variation, non-local means, and BM3D using computer simulations on the Shepp–Logan and digital brain phantoms. The denoising methods were also applied to real patient data for evaluation.

Results
In all phantom studies, GBM4D outperformed other denoising methods in all time frames based on the structural similarity and peak signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, GBM4D yielded the lowest root mean square error in the time-activity curve of all tissues and produced the highest image quality when applied to real patient data.

Conclusion
GBM4D demonstrates excellent denoising and edge-preserving capabilities, as validated through qualitative and quantitative assessments of both temporal and spatial denoising performance.
Diurnal variation of optical coherence tomography–based macular fluid in exudative age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Fortes Blake H. , Fairbanks Aaron M. , Nirmalan Aravindh A. , Hodge David O. , Ferenchak Kevin , Barkmeier Andrew J. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Significant diurnal fluctuation of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based macular fluid occurs in patients with several macular conditions including diabetic macular edema (DME) and cystoid macular edema due to retinal venous occlusion (RVO). OCT imaging and analysis of macular fluid status plays a central role in clinical management of exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD), however diurnal variation of eAMD OCT findings has not yet been formally studied. Herein, we investigate whether clinically meaningful fluctuation of OCT-based macular fluid occurs in patients with eAMD.

Methods
Prospective observational study. Patients with eAMD and intra- and/or sub-retinal fluid on early AM OCT were enrolled to receive two consecutive OCT scans at least four hours later. Retinal layers were manually segmented on all OCT rasters and AM-to-PM and PM-to-PM image pairs were analyzed for total retinal and neurosensory retinal volume changes within the central 1 and 3 mm ETDRS subfields. Finally, two masked retinal specialists analyzed all OCT image pairs for qualitative differences that may impact clinical management.

Results
21 patients with eAMD and fluid on OCT were recruited between January 2020 and November 2021. There was no mean difference between AM and PM central 3 mm total retinal volume (p = 0.56), central 3 mm neurosensory retinal volume (p = 0.25), central 1 mm total retinal mean thickness (p = 0.96), or central 1 mm neurosensory retinal mean thickness (p = 0.63), nor were any differences identified in PM-to-PM control comparisons. Qualitative analysis by two masked experts identified no clinically significant differences between any AM-to-PM OCT image pairs.

Conclusions
No significant diurnal variation in OCT-based macular fluid or thickness was identified in patients with eAMD, either quantitatively or qualitatively.
Cardiovascular adverse events of antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies among cancer patients: real-world evidence from a tertiary healthcare system
Authors: Al-Jazairi Abdulrazaq S. , Bahammam Nahlah , Aljuaid Dhai , Almutairi Lama , Alshahrani Shroog , Albuhairan Norah , Cahusac Peter M. B. , Korayem Ghazwa B. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), such as trastuzumab, bevacizumab, and pertuzumab have been the mainstay of therapy in cancer patients. Despite proven efficacy of the monoclonal antibodies, cardiovascular-induced adverse events such as heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, and hemorrhage remain a major complication. The European society of cardiology address that concern with antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies issuing a guideline to manage and monitor chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. There is limited evidence of the real-world prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) events induced by monoclonal antibodies among patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Objective
To evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular adverse events among patients with cancer treated with monoclonal antibodies in Saudi Arabia.

Methods
This is a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from an electronic medical record of patients with cancer treated with one of the selected monoclonal antibodies, who met the inclusion criteria between January 2005 until June 2015 and have been followed up for at least one year. Patients were stratified into groups according to monoclonal antibodies treatment: trastuzumab, bevacizumab, pertuzumab, and combined mAbs.

Results
A total of 1067 patient were included in the study, within the pre-determined study period. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease among patients with cancer treated with monoclonal antibodies was 16.3%. The prevalence of heart failure was relatively higher in the trastuzumab group (46/626 patients, 7.3%). Among 418 patients treated with bevacizumab, hypertension was the most frequent adverse event, reported in 38 patients (9.1%), followed by thromboembolism reported in 27 patients (6.5%). Treatment discontinuation owing to cardiovascular adverse events was reported in 42/1,067 patients (3.9%).

Conclusion and relevance
Prevalence of antineoplastic monoclonal antibody induced cardiovascular adverse events among patients with cancer is substantially high in Saudi Arabia. There is an urgent need to streamline the practice for identifying high risk patients and flexible referral system for cardio-oncology care.
The additive diagnostic role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance and chemical shift imaging (CSI) in differentiation between malignant and benign cervical lymph nodes
Authors: Eissa Lamya , Manosur Maged , Darweesh Reda 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Imaging with conventional MRI plays a pivotal role in differentiation between benign and malignant nodes, which is crucial for choice of therapeutic plan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging DWI MRI and chemical shift imaging (CSI) (in and out of phase) in differentiation between malignant and benign cervical lymph nodes.

Patients and methods
We prospectively reviewed MR images of 31 patients presented to ENT department by cervical adenopathy. Imaging parameters documented included: morphology, ADC values and in-phase to out-of-phase (Ip/Op) ratios and signal drop in out-of-phase images.

Results
ADC values of the benign and malignant nodes were 1.06 ± 0.25 and 0.85 ± 0.24, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p = 0.041). An ADC value of 0.9 × 10−3 mm2/s was concluded to be the best cutoff value for differentiating benign from malignant LNs. The mean values of in/out-of-phase ratios of benign and malignant lymph nodes were 0.75 ± 0.16 and 0.96 ± 0.06, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p = 0.001). The mean in/out-of-phase ratio of the benign nodes was significantly lower than that of the malignant nodes.

Conclusions
CSI can differentiate between malignant and benign lymph nodes with a cutoff value of in/out-phase ratio of 0.9. Also, adding the diffusion-ADC map can prefer the same value with a cutoff value of 0.9 × 10−3 cm2/s. Adding CSI sequence to conventional MRI in examining the nodal status in patients with head and neck primary can enhance diagnostic accuracy of the examination.
The role of fiscal policy on poverty reduction in South Africa
Authors: Mokoena Mlungisi , Mazenda Adrino 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents the results of ridge regression analysis of the relationship between government spending in emancipation programmes and multidimensional poverty, focusing on South Africa. Through the Principal Component analysis, we retained three variables of this relationship, affected by a range of factors, to determine the size and direction of the relationship. Besides health, we find no clear evidence that government spending on housing and social security significantly reduces multidimensional poverty. Co-production in housing, healthcare delivery, and social security should be encouraged.
Quantitative Blood Flow Reduction in Selective Embolization of Intranidal Fistula of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Case Series
Authors: Souter John , Stone McGuire Laura , Choi Jason , Brunozzi Denise , Hossa Jessica , Charbel Fady T. , Alaraj Ali 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are often associated with high-flow intranidal fistulas (INFs). Although INF embolization has been suggested to provide higher reduction of total AVM flow compared with regular pedicle embolization, this effect has not previously been quantified. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of AVM INF embolization on total AVM flow.

METHODS:
This study is an Institutional Review Board–approved, retrospective case series of patients from 2010 to 2022 with AVMs, both with and without INFs, who underwent quantitative magnetic resonance angiography and endovascular embolization.

RESULTS:
Twenty patients accounted for 35 separate embolization sessions: 13 patients with INFs underwent a total 21 embolizations and 12 patients without INFs had 14 embolizations. No significant differences were found between groups on age, sex, laterality, drainage pattern, and Spetzler-Martin grade. However, AVMs with INFs were larger than the control group (12.7 vs 8.37 cm3, P = .049). Baseline pre-embolization AVM flow significantly differed between AVM with INF vs control groups (522 vs 320 cc/min, P = .005). Similarly, postembolization AVM flow also differed between AVM with INF and control groups (392 vs 224 cc/min, P = .008), with a larger decrease in flow per vessel per embolization session within the AVM INF group compared with controls (101.5 vs 33.2 cc/min, P < .001). Repeated measure analysis of variance showed significant differences pre-embolization and postembolization AVM flow between those with INFs vs controls (P < .001).

CONCLUSION:
This study represents the first to examine the effect of INF embolization on total AVM flow. AVMs with INFs showed higher baseline flow, and targeted embolization toward INFs significantly lowered AVM flow in comparison with controls without INFs. The results of this study emphasize the importance of recognizing the presence of INFs within AVMs and their embolization to reduce AVM flow as part of a multistep management paradigm.
Optimization of Radiofrequency Needle Placement in Percutaneous Cordotomy Using Electromyography in the Deeply Sedated Patient
Authors: Gabay Segev , Sapir Yechiam , Korn Akiva , Hochberg Uri , Tellem Rotem , Zegerman Alex , Brogan Shane E , Rahimpour Shervin , Shoty Ben , Strauss Ido 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Cordotomy, the selective disconnection of the nociceptive fibers in the spinothalamic tract, is used to provide pain palliation to oncological patients suffering from intractable cancer-related pain. Cordotomies are commonly performed using a cervical (C1-2) percutaneous approach under imaging guidance and require patients' cooperation to functionally localize the spinothalamic tract. This can be challenging in patients suffering from extreme pain. It has recently been demonstrated that intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring by electromyography may aid in safe lesion positioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in deeply sedated patients undergoing percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC).

METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who underwent percutaneous cordotomy while deeply sedated between January 2019 and November 2022 in 2 academic centers. The operative report, neuromonitoring logs, and clinical medical records were evaluated.

RESULTS:
Eleven patients underwent PCC under deep sedation. In all patients, the final motor assessment prior to ablation was done using the electrophysiological criterion alone. The median threshold for evoking CMAP activity at the lesion site was 0.9 V ranging between 0.5 and 1.5 V (average 1 V ± 0.34 V SD). An immediate, substantial decrease in pain was observed in 9 patients. The median pain scores (Numeric Rating Scale) decreased from 10 preoperatively (range 8-10) to a median 0 (range 0-10) immediately after surgery. None of our patients developed motor deficits.

CONCLUSION:
CMAP-guided PCC may be feasible in deeply sedated patients without added risk to postoperative motor function. This technique should be considered in a group of patients who are not able to undergo awake PCC.