bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phantom-Less Nonlinear Magnetic Resonance Imaging Calibration With Multiple Input Blood Flow Model
Authors: Saka Tomoki , Gotoh Toshiyuki , Kagei Seiichiro , Iwasawa Tae , Takimoto Rogerio Y. , Tsuzuki Marcos S. G. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract:

Purpose:
Previous work used phantoms to calibrate the nonlinear relationship between the gadolinium contrast concentration and the intensity of the magnetic resonance imaging signal. This work proposes a new nonlinear calibration procedure without phantoms and considers the variation of contrast agent mass minimum combined with the multiple input blood flow system. This also proposes a new single-input method with meaningful variables that is not influenced by reperfusion or noise generated by aliasing. The reperfusion in the lung is usually neglected and is not considered by the indicator dilution method. However, in cases of lung cancer, reperfusion cannot be neglected. A new multiple input method is formulated, and the contribution of the pulmonary artery and bronchial artery to lung perfusion can be considered and evaluated separately.

Methods:
The calibration procedure applies the minimum variation of contrast agent mass in 3 different regions: (1) pulmonary artery, (2) left atrium, and (3) aorta. It was compared with four dimensional computerized tomography with iodine, which has a very high proportional relationship between contrast agent concentration and signal intensity.

Results:
Nonlinear calibration was performed without phantoms, and it is in the range of phantom calibration. It successfully separated the contributions of the pulmonary and bronchial arteries. The proposed multiple input method was verified in 6 subjects with lung cancer, and perfusion from the bronchial artery, rich in oxygen, was identified as very high in the cancer region.

Conclusions:
Nonlinear calibration of the contrast agent without phantoms is possible. Separate contributions of the pulmonary artery and aorta can be determined.
Direct Trauma Center Access by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services is Associated With Improved Survival After Severe Injury
Authors: Deeb Andrew-Paul , Teng Cindy Y. , Peitzman Andrew B. , Billiar Timothy R. , Sperry Jason L. , Lu Liling , Beiriger Jamison , Brown Joshua B. 
Published: February 2023

Objective:
Evaluate the association of survival with helicopter transport directly to a trauma center compared with ground transport to a non-trauma center (NTC) and subsequent transfer.

Summary Background Data:
Helicopter transport improves survival after injury. One potential mechanism is direct transport to a trauma center when the patient would otherwise be transported to an NTC for subsequent transfer.

Methods:
Scene patients 16 years and above with positive physiological or anatomic triage criteria within PTOS 2000-2017 were included. Patients transported directly to level I/II trauma centers by helicopter were compared with patients initially transported to an NTC by ground with a subsequent helicopter transfer to a level I/II trauma center. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the association between direct helicopter transport and survival. Individual triage criteria were evaluated to identify patients most likely to benefit from direct helicopter transport.

Results:
In all, 36,830 patients were included. Direct helicopter transport was associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in odds of survival compared with NTC ground transport and subsequent transfer by helicopter (aOR 2.78; 95% CI 2.24–3.44, P<0.01). Triage criteria identifying patients with a survival benefit from direct helicopter transport included GCS≤13 (1.71; 1.22–2.41, P<0.01), hypotension (2.56; 1.39–4.71, P<0.01), abnormal respiratory rate (2.30; 1.36–3.89, P<0.01), paralysis (8.01; 2.03–31.69, P<0.01), hemothorax/pneumothorax (2.34; 1.36–4.05, P<0.01), and multisystem trauma (2.29; 1.08–4.84, P=0.03).

Conclusions:
Direct trauma center access is a mechanism driving the survival benefit of helicopter transport. First responders should consider helicopter transport for patients meeting these criteria who would otherwise be transported to an NTC.
Balloon Angioplasty as the First-Choice Treatment for Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Involving the Microcatheter “First-Pass Effect”
Authors: Zhang Liang , He Xiongjun , Li Kaifeng , Ling Li , Peng Min , Huang Li’an , Liu Yajie 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundIt is unknown whether balloon angioplasty can be a first-choice treatment for intracranial atherosclerosis-related emergent large vessel occlusion (ICAS-ELVO) with small clot burden. The microcatheter “first-pass effect” is a valid predictor of ICAS-ELVO with small clot.ObjectiveTo determine balloon angioplasty’s efficacy as first-choice treatment for ICAS-ELVO involving the microcatheter “first-pass effect” during endovascular treatment (EVT).MethodsThis continuous retrospective analysis assessed ICAS-ELVO patients presenting with the microcatheter “first-pass effect” during EVT. Patients were divided into two first-choice treatment-based groups: preferred balloon angioplasty (PBA) and preferred mechanical thrombectomy (PMT). Efficacy and safety outcomes were compared between groups.ResultsSeventy-six patients with ICAS-ELVO involving the microcatheter “first-pass effect” during EVT were enrolled. Compared with patients in PMT group, patients in PBA group were associated with (i) a higher rate of first-pass recanalization (54.0% vs. 28.9%, p=.010) and complete reperfusion (expanded thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia≥2c; 76.0% vs. 53.8%, p=.049), (ii) a shorter puncture-to-recanalization time (49.5 min vs. 56.0 min, p<.001), (iii) less operation costs (48,499.5¥ vs. 99,086.0¥, p<.001),and (iv) more excellent functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale:0-1; 44.0% vs. 19.2%, p=.032) at 90 days. No significant differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (12.0% vs. 15.4%, p>.999) and mortality (10.0% vs. 7.7%, p>.999) were noted. Logistic regression analysis revealed that first-choice treatment was an independent predictor of 90-day excellent functional outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =0.10, 95% CI: 0.02–0.66, p=.017).ConclusionBalloon angioplasty, as the first-choice treatment, potentially improves 90-day functional outcomes for ICAS-ELVO patients with microcatheter “first-pass effect” during EVT.What is already known on this topicCompared with large vessel occlusion caused by embolization, mechanical thrombectomy has lower recanalization rate, longer procedure time, and poorer prognosis for patients with intracranial atherosclerosis-related emergent large vessel occlusion(ICAS-ELVO).What this study addsThis study revealed that balloon angioplasty, as the first-choice treatment, potentially improves 90-day outcomes, shortens procedure time, and reduces operation costs for patients with ICAS-ELVO involving the microcatheter “first-pass effect” during endovascular treatment.How this study might affect research, practice or policyWe believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because its findings suggest that rapid and accurate methods of diagnosing the etiology and clot burden of ELVO as well as the development of an individualized EVT strategy based on etiology and clot burden need to be established.
Bayesian network approach to develop generalisable predictive model for COVID-19 vaccine uptake
Authors: Awasthi Raghav , Nagori Aditya , Nasri Bouchra 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe effectiveness of a vaccine depends on vaccine uptake, which is influenced by various factors, including vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy is a complex socio-behavioral issue, influenced by misinformation, distrust in healthcare providers and government organizations, fear of side effects, and cultural or religious beliefs. To address this problem, AI models have been developed, but their global generalizability remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify global determinants of vaccine uptake and develop a generalizable machine learning model to predict individual-level vaccine uptake. The study used publicly available survey data from 23 countries and employed Bayesian networks and generalized mixed effects models to identify key determinants of vaccine uptake. The results showed that trust in the central government and vaccination restrictions for national and international travel were key determinants of vaccine uptake. A generalized mixed effects model achieved an AUC of 89% (SD=1%), precision of 90% (SD = 4%), and recall of 82% (SD=2%) on unseen testing data from new countries, demonstrating the model’s generalizability. The findings of this study can inform targeted interventions to improve vaccine uptake globally.
Blood pressure self-monitoring practice and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Geleta Esmael , Mengesha Zemen , Tegegne Belachew , Ademe Sewunet , Liknaw Tiliksew , Edmealem Afework 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a silent killer that causes serious health issues in all parts of the world.It is risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Self-monitoring practice has been identified as an important component of hypertension management. Hence, this study aimed to assess blood pressure self-monitoring practice and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up in South Wollo Zone public hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsHospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to June 30, 2022, among 336 adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at selected South Wollo Zone public hospitals.Data were collected by using self-administered pre-tested structured questionnaires; the collecteddata were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to describe the study participants. Tables and texts were used for data presentation. Binary logistic regression was conductedto test the association between the independent and dependent variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% CI was estimated to identify the factors associated with BP self-monitoring and thelevel of significance wasdeclared at P-value <0.05.ResultsThe proportion (95% CI) of Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Practice among hypertensive patients in South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals was 8.93% [95%CI; 6.3, 12.5]. In the multivariable analysis, urban residence [AOR=3.97, 95%CI (1.11, 14.20)], comorbidity [AOR=4.80, 95%CI (1.23, 18.69)], regular healthcare professional visit [AOR=4.64, 95%CI (1.02, 21.14)], advice on the type of devices used for BP self-monitoring [AOR=5.26, 95%CI (1.49, 18.58)], and knowledge on hypertension self-care [AOR=13.13, 95%CI (4.21, 40.99)] were positively associated with BP self-monitoring practice.ConclusionIn the study, the proportion of Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Practice was low.Living in urban areas, comorbidity, regular healthcare professional visits, advice on the type of devices used for Blood Pressure self-monitoring, and knowledge of hypertension self-care were positively associated with Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Practice.
Multimodal Fast–Slow Neural Network for learning engagement evaluation
Authors: Zhang Lizhao , Hung Jui-Long , Du Xu , Li Hao , Hu Zhuang 
Published: February 2023

PurposeStudent engagement is a key factor that connects with student achievement and retention. This paper aims to identify individuals' engagement automatically in the classroom with multimodal data for supporting educational research.Design/methodology/approachThe video and electroencephalogram data of 36 undergraduates were collected to represent observable and internal information. Since different modal data have different granularity, this study proposed the Fast–Slow Neural Network (FSNN) to detect engagement through both observable and internal information, with an asynchrony structure to preserve the sequence information of data with different granularity.FindingsExperimental results show that the proposed algorithm can recognize engagement better than the traditional data fusion methods. The results are also analyzed to figure out the reasons for the better performance of the proposed FSNN.Originality/valueThis study combined multimodal data from observable and internal aspects to improve the accuracy of engagement detection in the classroom. The proposed FSNN used the asynchronous process to deal with the problem of remaining sequential information when facing multimodal data with different granularity.
Ratees' reactions to equal versus equitable performance outcomes: evidence from Pakistan and Japan
Authors: Naz Saiqa , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid , Ikramullah Malik , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Khalid Saddam 
Published: February 2023

PurposeRatees' reactions to performance appraisal (PA) system suggest how effective the system is. However, there is less clarity about those different reactions that good versus poor performing ratees show vis-à-vis their performance appraisals. This paper seeks to examine the possible PA responses (PA fairness and PA satisfaction) of the ratees for the cases where they receive equitable versus equal performance-based rewards and punishments.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were designed. Study 1 was a scenario-based experiment in Pakistan (N = 100 students) and Study 2 was based on surveys in Japan (N = 123 employed students) and Pakistan (N = 111 full-time working professionals). Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures (Study 1) and structural equation modeling (Study 2).FindingsOverall, good performers considered PA fairer and more satisfying under equity than under equality. However, poor performers considered PA fairer under equity than under equality.Originality/valueThe study has value for PA theorists and managers, as it offers: (a) an understanding on the differential effect of equity versus equality, on employees' perceptions of fairness and satisfaction in a PA setting; (b) clarity about the likely disparity between good and poor performers' reactions toward perceived fairness and satisfaction; and, (c) ratee reactions from both organizational and social perspectives contributing to the philosophical debate questioning whether both distributive fairness and retributive fairness should operate under similar or different normative principles.
Loss of DNA repair mechanisms in cardiac myocytes induce dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Henpita Chathurika , Vyas Rajesh , Healy Chastity L. , Kieu Tra L. , Gurkar Aditi U. , Yousefzadeh Matthew J. , Cui Yuxiang , Lu Aiping , Angelini Luise A. , O'Kelly Ryan D. , McGowan Sara J. , Chandrasekhar Sanjay , Vanderpool Rebecca R. , Hennessy‐Wack Danielle , Ross Mark A. , Bachman Timothy N. , McTiernan Charles , Pillai Smitha P. S. , Ladiges Warren , Lavasani Mitra , Huard Johnny , Beer‐Stolz Donna , St. Croix Claudette M. , Watkins Simon C. , Robbins Paul D. , Mora Ana L. , Kelley Eric E. , Wang Yinsheng , O'Connell Timothy D. , Niedernhofer Laura J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCardiomyopathy is a progressive disease of the myocardium leading to impaired contractility. Genotoxic cancer therapies are known to be potent drivers of cardiomyopathy, whereas causes of spontaneous disease remain unclear. To test the hypothesis that endogenous genotoxic stress contributes to cardiomyopathy, we deleted the DNA repair gene Ercc1 specifically in striated muscle using a floxed allele of Ercc1 and mice expressing Cre under control of the muscle‐specific creatinine kinase (Ckmm) promoter or depleted systemically (Ercc1−/D mice). Ckmm‐Cre+/−;Ercc1−/fl mice expired suddenly of heart disease by 7 months of age. As young adults, the hearts of Ckmm‐Cre+/−;Ercc1−/fl mice were structurally and functionally normal, but by 6‐months‐of‐age, there was significant ventricular dilation, wall thinning, interstitial fibrosis, and systolic dysfunction indicative of dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac tissue from the tissue‐specific or systemic model showed increased apoptosis and cardiac myocytes from Ckmm‐Cre+/‐;Ercc1−/fl mice were hypersensitive to genotoxins, resulting in apoptosis. p53 levels and target gene expression, including several antioxidants, were increased in cardiac tissue from Ckmm‐Cre+/−;Ercc1−/fl and Ercc1−/D mice. Despite this, cardiac tissue from older mutant mice showed evidence of increased oxidative stress. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of p53 attenuated apoptosis and improved disease markers. Similarly, overexpression of mitochondrial‐targeted catalase improved disease markers. Together, these data support the conclusion that DNA damage produced endogenously can drive cardiac disease and does so mechanistically via chronic activation of p53 and increased oxidative stress, driving cardiac myocyte apoptosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and sudden death.
Randomised clinical trial: Psychological intervention improves work productivity and daily activity by reducing abdominal pain and fatigue in Crohn's disease
Authors: Regev Shirley , Schwartz Doron , Sarid Orly , Goren Ganit , Slonim‐Nevo Vered , Friger Michael , Sergienko Ruslan , Greenberg Dan , Monsonego Alon , Nemirovsky Anna , Odes Shmuel 
Published: February 2023

SummaryBackgroundChronic abdominal pain and fatigue are characteristics of Crohn's disease (CD) and contribute to functional impairments.AimsTo examine whether CD‐tailored cognitive‐behavioural and mindfulness intervention (COBMINDEX) is effective in reducing abdominal pain and fatigue in patients with CD and whether changes in abdominal pain and fatigue mediate any beneficial effects of COBMINDEX on impairments in work productivity and daily activities.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a parallel‐group multicentre randomised controlled trial. Patients with mild‐to‐moderate CD (n = 142) were randomised into either intervention group receiving COBMINDEX, or control group receiving treatment‐as‐usual for 3 months followed by COBMINDEX. Complete data were collected from 120 patients (34.0 ± 10.7 years, 62.5% female, intervention = 60, control = 60). Analysis of covariance assessed group differences in 3‐month follow‐up scores, controlling for baseline scores. Multiple parallel mediation analysis assessed the proposed mechanisms for the entire sample.ResultsThe intervention group demonstrated significantly lower levels of abdominal pain (F = 17.46, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.13), fatigue (F = 7.26, p = 0.008, η2p = 0.06) and impairments at work (F = 4.82, p = 0.032, η2p = 0.07) and daily activities (F = 6.26, p = 0.014, η2p = 0.05), compared with treatment‐as‐usual. Moreover, changes in abdominal pain and fatigue significantly mediated the beneficial effects of COBMINDEX on patients' work productivity (b = −9.90, SE = 2.86, 95% CI: −16.11 to −4.94) and daily activities (b = −9.65, SE = 1.91, 95% CI: −13.77 to 6.35), independent of changes in disease activity.ConclusionsCOBMINDEX is effective at reducing abdominal pain and fatigue in patients with CD, which in turn leads to improvement in functioning. Clinicians should incorporate screening for severe abdominal pain and fatigue and consider offering cognitive‐behavioural and mindfulness training.ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT05085925. Ministry of Health in Israel (https://my.health.gov.il/CliniTrials/Pages/MOH_2020‐02‐24_008721.aspx).
Biological features and outcome of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma associated with hepatitis C virus in elderly patients: Results of the prospective ‘Elderly Project’ by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi
Authors: Arcari Annalisa , Tabanelli Valentina , Merli Francesco , Marcheselli Luigi , Merli Michele , Balzarotti Monica , Zilioli Vittorio Ruggero , Fabbri Alberto , Cavallo Federica , Casaluci Gloria Margiotta , Tucci Alessandra , Puccini Benedetta , Pennese Elsa , Di Rocco Alice , Zanni Manuela , Flenghi Leonardo , Gini Guido , Sartori Roberto , Chiappella Annalisa , Usai Sara Veronica , Tani Monica , Marino Dario , Arcaini Luca , Vallisa Daniele , Spina Michele 
Published: February 2023

SummaryUp to 10%–15% of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in particular in elderly patients. The Fondazione Italiana Linfomi has recently published a multicentre prospective observational study, the ‘Elderly Project’, on the outcome of DLBCL in patients aged ≥65 years, evaluated using a simplified comprehensive geriatric assessment. The aim of this study was to compare biological and clinical features of HCV positive (HCV+) with HCV negative (HCV−) cases. A total of 89 HCV+ patients were identified out of 1095 evaluated for HCV serology (8.1%). The HCV+ patients were older, less fit, and had frequent extranodal involvement. The cell‐of‐origin determination by Nanostring showed that HCV+ cases less frequently had an activated B‐cell profile compared to HCV− patients (18% vs. 43%). In all, 86% of HCV+ patients received rituximab‐cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine (Oncovin) and prednisone (R‐CHOP)‐like immunochemotherapy. Grade 3–4 liver toxicity occurred in 3% of cases. Among centrally reviewed cases confirmed as DLBCL, the 3‐year overall survival of HCV+ patients was very similar to HCV− (63% vs. 61%, p = 0.926). In all, 20 HCV+ patients were treated with direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs), with good tolerance and sustained virological response in all cases. The 3‐year progression‐free survival for this subgroup was excellent (77%), suggesting DAAs' possible role in reducing the risk of relapse by eliminating the viral trigger.
Postprandial triglycerides and fibroblast growth factor 19 as potential screening tools for paediatric non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Sciarrillo Christina M. , Short Kevin R. , Keirns Bryant H. , Elliott Destinee C. , Clarke Stephen L. , Palle Sirish , Emerson Sam R. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryBackgroundBetter screening tools for paediatric NAFLD are needed. We tested the hypothesis that the postprandial triglyceride (TG) and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) response to an abbreviated fat tolerance test (AFTT) could differentiate adolescents with NAFLD from peers with obesity and normal weight.MethodsFifteen controls with normal weight (NW), 13 controls with obesity (OB) and 9 patients with NAFLD completed an AFTT. Following an overnight fast, participants consumed a high‐fat meal. TG and FGF19 were measured at baseline and 4 h post‐meal. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were measured via Fibroscan.ResultsFasting TG and FGF19 did not differ among groups; 4 h TG in the NAFLD and OB groups were greater (197 ± 69 mg/dL; 157 ± 72 mg/dL, respectively) than NW (105 ± 45 mg/dL; p < 0.05) and did not differ from one another. Within the entire cohort, 4 h TG were stratified by high and low steatosis. Adolescents with high steatosis had 98% greater 4 h TG than adolescents with low steatosis. 4 h FGF19, but not fasting FGF19, was higher in children with low steatosis compared with high steatosis (p < 0.05). Using area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC), the only biochemical outcome with diagnostic accuracy for NAFLD was 4 h TG (0.77 [95% CI: 0.60–0.94; p = 0.02]).ConclusionsThe postprandial TG response is increased in adolescents with obesity with hepatic steatosis, with or without NAFLD. Our preliminary analysis demonstrates 4 h TG differentiate patients with NAFLD from those without, supporting a role for the AFTT as a screening tool for paediatric NAFLD.