bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
USFP: An unbalanced severe typhoon formation prediction framework based on transfer learning
Authors: Pan Xiaotian , Wang Xiang , Zhao Chengwu , Wu Jianping , Wang Huizan , Wang Senzhang , Chen Sihao 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionSevere typhoons, as extreme weather events, can cause a large number of casualties and property damage in coastal areas. There are mainly three kinds of methods for the prediction of severe typhoon formation, which are the numerical-based methods, the statistical-based methods, and the machine learning-based methods. However, existing methods do not consider the unbalance between the number of ordinary typhoon samples and severe typhoon samples, which makes the accuracies of existing methods in the prediction of severe typhoons much lower than that of ordinary typhoons.MethodsIn this paper, we propose an unbalanced severe typhoon formation prediction (USFP) framework based on transfer learning. We first propose a severe typhoon pre-learning model which is used to learn prior knowledge from a constructed balanced dataset. Then, we propose an unbalanced severe typhoon re-learning model which utilizes the prior knowledge learning from the pre-learning model. Our USFP framework fuses three different variables, which are atmospheric variables, sea surface variables, and ocean hydrographic variables.ResultsExtensive experiments based on datasets of three different regions show that our USFP framework outperforms the numerical model IFS of ECMWF and existing machine learning methods.
Resource environment load prediction method for metal material machining based on process condition similarity matching
Authors: Xing Zhipeng , Dai Haicong , Xiong Jiaji , Zhang Jiong , Li Yufeng 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Resource environment load data are important for analyzing and improving the environmental performance, which are affected by the process condition of metal material machining processes. However, the environmental performance assessment in previous research focused on the results under the specific process conditions. The resource environment load data need to be re-collected when the process conditions are changed for a credible assessment, which is time- consuming and tedious.Methods: This paper proposed a process condition- oriented prediction method of resource environment load data with limited samples. The significance of process condition elements on the resource environment load data was analyzed, and then the resource environment load was predicted according to the similarity between the process condition to be predicted and the existing process conditions.Results and Dicussion: The results show that the average prediction accuracy of this method exceeds 90%, and further the accuracy for predicting the environmental performances using the predicted data is more than 93% which would help process designers to choose the better process condition for machining the metal materials.
Low prevalence of hepatitis delta infection in Cuban HBsAg carriers: Prospect for elimination
Authors: de los Ángeles Rodríguez Lay Licel , Tan Zexi , Villalba Maria Caridad Montalvo , Suárez Marcia Samada , Corredor Marité Bello , Hernández Dayesi López , Sánchez Barbara Marrero , Alonso Lidunka Valdés , Sausy Aurélie , Hübschen Judith M. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionInfection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is one of the most severe hepatitis B virus (HBV) complications, with a more rapid progression to cirrhosis and an increased risk of hepatic decompensation and death. Data on HDV infection in Cuba are limited. The aims of our study were to determine the HDV prevalence in HBsAg carriers and to characterize the HDV strains circulating. The data were used to assess the possibility of HDV elimination in the Cuban HBV epidemiological setting.MethodsFive hundred and two serum samples from the same number of HBsAg carriers collected in the period 2006–2019 from all over the country were tested for anti-HDV total antibodies. If positive, the samples were analyzed for HDV-RNA using Real-Time RT-PCR targeting the ribozyme and HD antigen domains followed by genotyping based on phylogenetic analysis.ResultsTwo samples were anti-HDV positive [0.39% (95% CI 0.11–1.44)]. One of them was also HDV-RNA positive. Clinically, the patient with active HDV infection had compensated liver cirrhosis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus belonged to genotype 1 and thus clustered with contemporary strains from North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.DiscussionThis is the first HDV study, including molecular detection and virus characterization, done after the introduction of the universal childhood anti-hepatitis B vaccination. The very low prevalence of HDV infection in HBsAg carriers combined with the high HBV vaccination coverage of all newborn children, of previously identified risk groups, and of the general population currently under 40 years of age suggests that HDV elimination is feasible in Cuba if the success in HBV control is maintained.
Insights from comparison of the clinical presentation and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in an Italian internal medicine ward during first and third wave
Authors: Ticinesi Andrea , Parise Alberto , Nouvenne Antonio , Cerundolo Nicoletta , Prati Beatrice , Guerra Angela , Tuttolomondo Domenico , Gaibazzi Nicola , Meschi Tiziana 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe reasons of variability of clinical presentation of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) across different pandemic waves are not fully understood, and may include individual risk profile, SARS-CoV-2 lineage and seasonal variations of viral spread. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted with confirmed coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in the same season during the first (March 2020) and the third pandemic wave (March 2021, dominance of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage) in an internal medicine ward of a large teaching hospital in Italy.Materials and methodsData of 769 unvaccinated patients (399 from the first and 370 from the third wave) were collected from clinical records, including symptom type and duration, extension of lung abnormalities on chest computed tomography (CT) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission arterial blood gas analysis.ResultsThird wave patients were in average younger (median 65, interquartile range [IQR] 55–75, vs. 72, IQR 61–81 years old, p &lt; 0.001), with less comorbidities and better pulmonary (CT visual score median 25, IQR 15–40, vs. 30, IQR 15–50, age- and sex-adjusted p = 0.017) and respiratory involvement (PaO2/FiO2 median 288, IQR 237–338, vs. 233, IQR 121–326 mmHg, age- and sex-adjusted p &lt; 0.001) than first wave patients. Hospital mortality was lower (19% vs. 36%, p &lt; 0.001), but not for subjects over 75 years old (46 vs. 49%). Age, number of chronic illnesses, PCT levels, CT visual score [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.022, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.009–1.036, p &lt; 0.001] and PaO2/FiO2 (OR 0.991, 95% CI 0.988–0.994, p &lt; 0.001), but not the pandemic wave, were associated with mortality on stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.ConclusionDespite the higher virulence of B.1.1.7 lineage, we detected milder clinical presentation and improved mortality in patients hospitalized during the third COVID-19 wave, with involvement of younger subjects. The reasons of this discrepancy are unclear, but could involve the population effect of vaccination campaigns, that were being conducted primarily in older frail subjects during the third wave.
Gut microbiota variation between climatic zones and due to migration strategy in passerine birds
Authors: Schmiedová Lucie , Kreisinger Jakub , Kubovčiak Jan , Těšický Martin , Martin Jean-Francois , Tomášek Oldřich , Kauzálová Tereza , Sedláček Ondřej , Albrecht Tomáš 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionDecreasing biotic diversity with increasing latitude is an almost universal macroecological pattern documented for a broad range of taxa, however, there have been few studies focused on changes in gut microbiota (GM) across climatic zones.MethodsUsing 16S rRNA amplicon profiling, we analyzed GM variation between temperate (Czechia) and tropical (Cameroon) populations of 99 passerine bird species and assessed GM similarity of temperate species migrating to tropical regions with that of residents/short-distance migrants and tropical residents. Our study also considered the possible influence of diet on GM.ResultsWe observed no consistent GM diversity differences between tropical and temperate species. In the tropics, GM composition varied substantially between dry and rainy seasons and only a few taxa exhibited consistent differential abundance between tropical and temperate zones, irrespective of migration behavior and seasonal GM changes. During the breeding season, trans-Saharan migrant GM diverged little from species not overwintering in the tropics and did not show higher similarity to tropical passerines than temperate residents/short-distance migrants. Interestingly, GM of two temperate-breeding trans-Saharan migrants sampled in the tropical zone matched that of tropical residents and converged with other temperate species during the breeding season. Diet had a slight effect on GM composition of tropical species, but no effect on GM of temperate hosts.DiscussionConsequently, our results demonstrate extensive passerine GM plasticity, the dominant role of environmental factors in its composition and limited effect of diet.
Neural correlates of subjective cognitive decline in adults at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ben-Ami Liat , Ravona-Springer Ramit , Tsarfaty Galia , Raizman Reut , Shumacher Aleeza , Sharvit-Ginon Inbal , Greenbaum Lior , Bendlin Barbara B. , Okun Eitan , Heymann Anthony , Schnaider Beeri Michal , Livny Abigail 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionRecently, interest has emerged in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) as a potential precursor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Whether individuals with SCD harbor brain alterations in midlife, when AD-related pathology begins, is yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, the role of apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4) allele, a robust AD risk factor, in the relationship between SCD and brain alterations is unknown. We examined whether APOE genotype modulates the association of SCD with brain measures in individuals at high AD risk.MethodsMiddle-aged adults with parental history of AD dementia underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Memory Functioning Questionnaire. Regression analysis tested the extent to which SCD was associated with activation during an functional MRI (fMRI) working-memory task, and white-matter microstructure. APOE ε4 genotype was tested as a moderator.ResultsAmong APOE ε4 carriers, but not among non-carriers, SCD was associated with higher activation in the anterior cingulate (p = 0.003), inferior, middle, and superior frontal cortices (p = 0.041, p = 0.048, p = 0.037, respectively); and with lower fractional anisotropy in the uncinate fasciculus (p = 0.002), adjusting for age, sex, and education.ConclusionIn middle aged, cognitively normal individuals at high AD risk, higher SCD was associated with greater brain alterations possibly reflecting incipient AD pathology. When accompanied by a family history of AD and an APOE ε4 allele, SCD may have important clinical value, allowing a window for early intervention and for participants’ stratification in AD prevention clinical trials.
Octogenarians with chronic kidney disease in the nephrology clinic: Progressors vs. non-progressors
Authors: Frías Aida , Vargas Francisco , Sandino Justo , Berzal Raquel , Rivero Marta , Cordero Lucía , Cavero Teresa , Segura Julián , García Florencio , Hernández Eduardo , Gutiérrez Eduardo , Auñón Pilar , Zamanillo Irene , Pascual Julio , Morales Enrique 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe current definition of chronic kidney disease applied to patients over the age of 80 has increased the number of referrals to Nephrology. However not all of these patients may benefit from its assessment. This study aims to analyze the evolution of ≥80 years old patients referred to Nephrology.MethodsSingle-center study including patients ≥80 years old with eGFR &lt;60 mL/min/1,73m2 who were referred to Nephrology consultation for the first time. Clinical and analytical parameters were collected retrospectively 12 months before the visit, and prospectively at baseline, and 12 and 24 months after the initial visit. We divided patients into two groups based on annual eGFR loss: progressors (&gt;5 mL/min/1.73m2) and non-progressors (≤5 mL/min/1,73m2).ResultsA total of 318 patients were included, mean age was 84,9 ± 4 (80-97) years. Baseline serum creatinine was 1,65 ± 0,62 mg/dL, eGRF 35 (28-42) mL/min/1,73, and albumin/creatinine ratio 36 (7-229) mg/g. 55,7% of the patients met the definition of progressor at baseline (initial-progressors), 26,3% were progressors after a 12-month follow-up and 13,4% after 24 months. 21,2% and 11,4% of initial-progressors met this definition at 12 and 24 month follow up. The main risk factor for progression was albuminuria. No relationship was found between the nephrologist intervention and the evolution of renal function among initial non-progressors.ConclusionElderly patients who have stable renal function at the time of referral will continue to have stable renal function over the subsequent 24 months and thus may not need to be referred to a nephrologist.
Effects of intensive vs. standard blood pressure control on cognitive function: Post-hoc analysis of the STEP randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fan Jiali , Bai Jingjing , Liu Wei , Cai Jun 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe STEP (Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the older Hypertensive Patients) trial showed that intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control resulted in a lower incidence of cardiovascular events than standard treatment. This study analyzed the effects of intensive SBP lowering on cognitive function.MethodsSTEP was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of hypertensive patients aged 60–80 years. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to SBP goals of 110–130 mmHg (intensive treatment) or 130–150 mmHg (standard treatment). Each individual was asked to complete a cognitive function test (Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE) at baseline and during follow-up. The primary outcome for this study was the annual change in MMSE score. Subjects with a score less than education-specific cutoff point were categorized as cognitive decline.ResultsThe analysis enrolled 6,501 participants (3,270 participants in the intensive-treatment and 3,231 participants in the standard-treatment groups). Median follow-up was 3.34 years. There was a minor change in MMSE score, with an annual change of −0.001 [95% confidence interval [CI] −0.020, 0.018] and 0.030 (95% CI 0.011, 0.049) in the intensive- and standard-treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.052). Cognitive decline occurred in 46/3,270 patients (1.4%) in the intensive-treatment group and 42/3,231 (1.3%) in the standard-treatment group (hazard ratio 0.005, 95% CI 0.654, 1.543, p = 0.983).ConclusionsCompared with standard treatment, intensive SBP treatment did not result in a significant change in cognitive function test score. The impact of intensive blood pressure lowering was not evident using this global cognitive function test.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03015311.
Elucidation of the mechanism underlying impaired sensorimotor gating in patients with primary blepharospasm using prepulse inhibition
Authors: Hao Xinqing , Huang Xiaofeng , Yin Xiaoxue , Wang Hai-Yang , Lu Ren , Liang Zhanhua , Song Chunli 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveWe aimed to analyze prepulse inhibition (PPI) impairment of the blink reflex in patients with primary blepharospasm (BSP).MethodsWe recruited 30 BSP patients and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). Weak electrical stimulation was applied to the right index finger at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 120, 200, and 300 ms before the supraorbital nerve stimulation to investigate PPI size [PPI size = (1 – R2 area at prepulse trials/R2 area at baseline trials) × 100%].ResultsThe prepulse stimulus significantly inhibited the R2 component at the three ISIs in both groups, but less inhibition was shown in the BSP group (p &lt; 0.05). In HCs, the prepulse stimulus induced prolonged R2 and R2c latencies at the three ISIs and increased the R1 amplitude at ISIs of 120 ms; these changes were absent in BSP patients. In the BSP group, patients with sensory tricks showed better PPI than patients without sensory tricks. Disease duration and motor symptom severity showed no significant correlation with PPI size.ConclusionIn BSP patients, PPI was impaired while R1 facilitation was absent. PPI size did not correlate with the motor symptom severity and disease duration. Patients with sensory tricks showed better PPI than those without sensory tricks.
Evaluation of corrective effect of 6 degree of freedom couch on setup errors in intensity modulated radiotherapy for postoperative rectal cancer patients
Authors: Xu Hui , Zhang Zunhao , Tian Bo , Li Xiongfei , Bian Yunfei , Liang Xianwei , Bo Changwen 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo explore the corrective effect of 6 degree of freedom couch on rotation errors in intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for postoperative rectal cancer patients, further to probe into the clinical application value of 6 degree of freedom couch in radiotherapy.MethodsFrom January 1, 2020 to December 1, 2020, 30 patients with rectal cancer receiving postoperative intensity modulated radiotherapy in The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included in this retrospective study. The setup error values in all direction of patients before and after 6 degree of freedom correction were collected during each radiotherapy session.ResultsIn this study, a total of 382 data before and after the correction of 6 degree of freedom couch were collected. It was found that the setup errors in the Y direction gradually increased, was maximal in the third week, and then became smaller, and the setup errors in the other directions increased with the extension of radiotherapy time and reached the maximum at the 5th week. In the translation direction, the setup errors value in Z direction occurred more frequently than that in X and Y directions between the range of 0.21-0.80 cm. In the rotation direction, the setup errors value in rotation X direction occurred more frequently than that in rotation Y and Z directions between the range of 0.21°-2.99°. In addition, after the correction of the 6 degree of freedom couch in real time, the setup errors in patients were significantly reduced in all directions (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, it was recommended to clinically use 6 degree of freedom couch combined with IMRT for real-time correction of placement errors in patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy. At the same time, it was necessary to observe the tumor size and body weight changes of patients on the 5th week. If necessary, radiotherapy positioning and planning should be performed in time.
Analysis of prognostic factors and construction of prognostic models for triple-positive breast cancer
Authors: Geng Anqi , Xiao Jingjing , Dong Bingyao , Yuan Shifang 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveBy identifying the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic influences of patients with triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC) at Xijing Hospital in China compared with those in the United States, this study aims to construct a nomogram model to forecast the overall survival rate (OS) of TPBC patients.MethodThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to screen 5769 patients as the training cohort, and 191 patients from Xijing Hospital were used as the validation cohort. Cox risk-proportional model was applied to select variables and the nomogram model was constructed based on the training cohort. The performance of the model was evaluated by calculating the C-index and generating calibration plots in the training and validation cohorts.ResultsCox multifactorial analysis showed that age, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, M-stage, T-stage, N-stage, and the mode of surgery were all independent risk factors for the prognosis of TPBC patients (all P&lt;0.05). With this premise, the nomogram model was constructed and evaluated. The C-index value of the nomogram model was 0.830 in the training group and 0.914 in the validation group. Moreover, both the calibration and ROC curves for the proposed model exhibited reliable performance, and the clinical decision curve analysis showed that the proposed model can bring clinical benefits.ConclusionsThe constructed nomogram can accurately predict individual survival probabilities and may serve as a clinical decision support tool for clinicians to optimize treatment in individuals.
Endoscopic transcranial transdiaphragmatic approach in a single-stage surgery for giant pituitary adenomas
Authors: Wu Xuechao , Bao Zhongyuan , Tian Wei , Wang Jing , Miao Zengli , Wang Qing , Lu Xiaojie 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe treatment for giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs, maximal diameter &gt;4 cm) remains challenging, with remarkable mortality and morbidity, and there is no consensus on the optimal surgical approach. Gross total resection (GTR) for GPAs is difficult to achieve through a single transsphenoidal or transcranial approach. Any residual tumor is at risk for postoperative apoplexy. In this study, we propose a new surgical technique for resecting the GPAs in a sing-stage transcranial surgery.MethodsA retrospective review of 4 patients with complicated GPAs, who had been treated via an endoscopic transcranial transdiaphragmatic approach in a single-stage surgery after routine transcranial resection, was performed. The following data was analyzed: clinical characteristics, preoperative imaging studies, resection rate, perioperative morbidity and mortality, as well as postoperative outcomes.ResultsAll patients had nonfunctioning GPAs and preoperative visual disturbances. In three patients, GTR was achieved, and in one patient, near-total resection (90%-100% of the tumor) was achieved. Three patients attained improved postoperative visual function, while one patient’s vision remained unchanged. One patient suffered a deficiency in adrenocorticotropic hormone along with thyroid-stimulating hormone, and one patient developed diabetes insipidus. Notably, none of the patients suffered cerebrospinal fluid leakage. However, one patient developed an epidural hematoma and underwent decompressive craniectomy.ConclusionsThe endoscopic transcranial transdiaphragmatic approach in a single-stage surgery can be efficiently and safely performed for maximal excision of GPAs with extensive suprasellar extension. Furthermore, relative to the conventional combined or staged approaches, this innovative surgical strategy provides neurosurgeons with a clear operative field with reduced invasiveness.