bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimising CT-guided biopsies of sclerotic bone lesions in cancer patients
Authors: Donners Ricardo , Fotiadis Nicos , Figueiredo Ines , Blackledge Matthew , Westaby Daniel , Guo Christina , Fenor de la Maza Maria de los Dolores , Koh Dow-Mu , Tunariu Nina 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Objectives
Investigate the laboratory, imaging and procedural factors that are associated with a tumour-positive and/or NGS-feasible CT-guided sclerotic bone lesion biopsy result in cancer patients.

Methods
In total, 113 CT-guided bone biopsies performed in cancer patients by an interventional radiologist in one institution were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-five sclerotic bone biopsies were eventually included and routine blood parameters and tumour marker levels were recorded. Non-contrast (NC) biopsy CTs (65), contrast-enhanced CTs (24), and PET/CTs (22) performed within four weeks of biopsy were reviewed; lesion location, diameter, lesion-to-cortex distance, and NC-CT appearance (dense-sclerosis versus mild-sclerosis) were noted. Mean NC-CT, CE-CT HU, and PET SUVmax were derived from biopsy tract and lesion segmentations. Needle diameter, tract length, and number of samples were noted. Comparisons between tumour-positive/negative and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-feasible/non-feasible biopsies determined significant (p < 0.05) laboratory, imaging, and procedural parameter differences.

Results
Seventy-four percent of biopsies were tumour-positive. NGS was feasible in 22/30 prostate cancer patients (73%). Neither laboratory blood parameters, PET/CT availability, size, nor lesion-to-cortex distance affected diagnostic yield or NGS feasibility (p > 0.298). Eighty-seven percent of mildly sclerotic bone (mean 244 HU) biopsies were positive compared with 56% in dense sclerosis (622 HU, p = 0.005) and NC-CT lesion HU was significantly lower in positive biopsies (p = 0.003). A 610 HU threshold yielded 89% PPV for tumour-positive biopsies and a 370 HU threshold 94% PPV for NGS-feasible biopsies. FDG-PET and procedural parameters were non-significant factors (each p > 0.055).

Conclusion
In cancer patients with sclerotic bone disease, targeting areas of predominantly mild sclerosis in lower CT-attenuation lesions can improve tumour tissue yield and NGS feasibility.

Key Points
• Areas of predominantly mild sclerosis should be preferred to areas of predominantly dense sclerosis for CT-guided bone biopsies in cancer patients.
• Among sclerotic bone lesions in prostate cancer patients, lesions with a mean HU below 370 should be preferred as biopsy targets to improve NGS feasibility.
• Laboratory parameters and procedure related factors may have little implications for CT-guided sclerotic bone biopsy success.
Diagnostik und Behandlung der okulären Toxoplasmose
Authors: Taghavi-Eraghi A. , Garweg J. G. , Pleyer U. 
Published: July 2022

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die okuläre Toxoplasmose (OT) ist die häufigste infektiöse Ursache einer posterioren Uveitis. Diese Erhebung soll das derzeitige diagnostische und therapeutische Vorgehen bei OT in Deutschland evaluieren.

Material und Methoden
Ein detaillierter Fragebogen mit spezifischen Patientenbeispielen wurde im Juli 2021 an die Mitglieder der Sektion Uveitis der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (DOG) und der Retinologischen Gesellschaft (RG) versandt.

Ergebnisse
Der Fragebogen wurde von 53 (29 RG und 24 DOG) Ophthalmologen beantwortet. Sechzehn (30 %) Befragte arbeiten in einer Praxis, 18 (34 %) in einer Klinik und 19 (36 %) in einer Universitätsklinik. Neun (17 %) Augenärzte (AÄ) betreuen weniger als 50, 28 (53 %) 50 bis 200 und 16 (30 %) mehr als 200 Uveitispatienten pro Jahr. Der klinische Befund gilt weiterhin als Goldstandard (87 %) für die Diagnose der OT und wird bei Erstmanifestation in 60 % durch spezifische serologische Antikörperuntersuchungen unterstützt. Eine Diagnose allein anhand des klinischen Befundes stellen 10 von 53 (19 %) AÄ, 25 (47 %) Befragte stützen sich auf einen Ig(Immunglobulin)M-Test, 6 (11 %) erwarteten einen IgG-Titer-Anstieg und einer (2 %) den Nachweis spezifischer IgA-Antikörper. Die Mehrheit (n = 28 [53 %]) der AÄ würde die Diagnose im Zweifelsfall durch eine Vorderkammerpunktion sichern; dabei präferieren 20 (38 %) die Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR), 3 (6 %) die Bestimmung des Goldmann-Witmer-Koeffizienten und 5 (9 %) eine Kombination beider Verfahren. Zur Therapie wurde am häufigsten Clindamycin eingesetzt (n = 21 [40 %]), gefolgt von Pyrimethamin/Sulfadiazin (n = 17 [32 %]) und Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazol (TMP/SMX) (n = 10 [19 %]); Letzteres wird auch (n = 40 [75 %]) zur Sekundärprophylaxe eingesetzt.

Schlussfolgerungen
Die Ergebnisse lassen neben dem klinischen Befund als „Goldstandard“ zur Diagnosestellung kein einheitliches Vorgehen zu Diagnose und Therapie der OT erkennen. Die hohe Nachfrage nach Serum-IgM-Antikörpern weist auf eine weitverbreitete Unsicherheit über die Bedeutung serologischer Befunde hin. Dies ist angesichts der weiterhin hohen Seroprävalenz in Deutschland kritisch zu werten.
The impact of rehabilitation sport on breast cancer-related lymphoedema and quality of life
Authors: Boeer Bettina , Seller Anna , Schoenfisch Birgitt , krainick-Strobel Ute , Dietrich Andreas , Brucker Sara Y. , Wallwiener Diethelm , Niess Andreas , Hahn Markus 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Surgery and radiotherapy as part of breast cancer treatment can lead to lymphoedema of the upper extremities (breast cancer-related lymphoedema = BCRL) and reduce the quality of life (health-related quality of life = HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of paddling in a dragon boat (PP) on HRQoL and BCRL in breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods
Between April and October 2017, a prospective case–control study evaluated the effects of PP compared to a control group. In the paddle group (n = 28), weekly arm circumference measurements were taken at four defined anatomic areas of the arm before and after training; in the control group (n = 70), the measurements were taken once a month. At the beginning and end of the study, questionnaires from both groups (SF 36, EORTC QLQ C30) were evaluated to understand the differences in HRQoL.

Results
The paddle group started with a higher HRQoL compared to the control group. Most interesting, whether the affected or unaffected arm, whether before or after training—the arm circumference decreased over time in the paddling group. A pre-existing lymphoedema was not negatively influenced by paddling. In the paddle group, the physical health was constant over the season, while the physical health of the control group decreased significantly over time.

Conclusion
PP in a dragon boat does not lead to the development or worsening of pre-existing lymphoedema due to breast cancer therapy, and seems to have a positive effect on the quality of life.
Post-hepatectomy venous thromboembolism: a systematic review with meta-analysis exploring the role of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis
Authors: Karunakaran Monish , Kaur Ramneek , Ismail Simi , Cherukuru Sushma , Jonnada Pavan Kumar , Senadhipan Baiju , Barreto Savio George 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Patients undergoing hepatectomy are at moderate-to-high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study critically examines the efficacy of combining pharmacological (PTP) and mechanical thromboprophylaxis (MTP) versus only MTP in reducing VTE events against the risk of hemorrhagic complications.

Methods
A systematic review of major reference databases was undertaken, and a meta-analysis was performed using common-effects model. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to assess the precision and conclusiveness of the results.

Results
8 studies (n = 4238 patients) meeting inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Use of PTP + MTP was found to be associated with significantly lower VTE rates compared to only MTP (2.5% vs 5.3%; pooled RR 0.50, p = 0.03, I2 = 46%) with minimal type I error. PTP + MTP was not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications (3.04% vs 1.9%; pooled RR 1.54, p = 0.11, I2 = 0%) and had no significant impact on post-operative length of stay (12.1 vs 10.8 days; pooled MD − 0.66, p = 0.98, I2 = 0%) and mortality (2.9% vs 3.7%; pooled RR 0.73, p = 0.33, I2 = 0%).

Conclusion
Despite differences in the baseline patient characteristics, extent of hepatectomy, PTP regimens, and heterogeneity in the pooled analysis, the current study supports the use of PTP in post-hepatectomy patients (grade of recommendation: strong) as the combination of PTP + MTP is associated with a significantly lower incidence of VTE (level of evidence, moderate), without an increased risk of post-hepatectomy hemorrhage (level of evidence, low).
Market Clearing and Krusell-Smith Algorithm in an Economy with Multiple Assets
Authors: Bakota Ivo 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel method to compute the Krusell and Smith (1997, 1998) algorithm, used for solving heterogeneous-agents models with aggregate risk and incomplete markets when households can save in more than one asset. When used to solve a model with more than one asset, the standard algorithm has to impose equilibria for each additional asset (find the market-clearing price) in each period simulated. This procedure entails root-finding in each period, which is computationally expensive. I show that it is possible to avoid root-finding at this level by not imposing equilibria each period, but instead temporarily suspending market clearing. The proposed method then updates the law of motion for asset prices by using the information on the excess demand for assets via a Newton-like method. Since the method avoids the root-finding for each time period simulated, it leads to a significant reduction in computation time. In the example model with two assets, the proposed version of the algorithm leads to an 80% decrease in computational time, even when measured conservatively. This method is potentially useful in computing general equilibrium asset-pricing models with risky and safe assets, featuring both aggregate and uninsurable idiosyncratic risk, since methods that use linearisation in the neighborhood of the aggregate steady state are considered to be less accurate than global solution methods for such models.
DeTi: A Decentralized Ticketing Management Platform
Authors: Rafati Niya Sina , Bachmann Simon , Brasser Claudio , Bucher Michael , Spielmann Nicolas , Stiller Burkhard 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEvent tickets being sold in their electronic instances are subject to counterfeiting, profiteering, and black markets. Therefore, suitable service management mechanisms are required to overcome such deficits. This work designs, develops, and evaluates the approach of a Decentralized Ticketing platform—called DeTi—for managing the distribution of electronic event tickets and “regulating” the aftermarket. DeTi offers a dedicated service management functionality by operating through Smart Contracts of Ethereum, such that users can verify tickets’ validity for a given event. Especially, a new mechanism for users to detect fraudulent events is introduced, too. The evaluation performed indicates that DeTi invalidates or validates tickets efficiently via its decentralized and BC-based service management approach. By securing technically a set of underlying processes, DeTi obviates forging, replication, and scalping of tickets, allowing for a well-managed resale ecosystem of tickets based on and limited to the organizers’ initial pricing.
The Spiritual Supporter Scale as a New Tool for Assessing Spiritual Care Competencies in Professionals: Design, Validation, and Psychometric Evaluation
Authors: Fopka-Kowalczyk Małgorzata , Best Megan , Krajnik Małgorzata 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to design, validate and standardize the Spiritual Supporter (SpSup) Scale, a tool designed to assess competency to provide spiritual care including knowledge, sensitivity to spiritual needs and spiritual support skills. This instrument can be used by all those engaged in or training for caregiving roles. The study was conducted in Poland in the Polish language. The SpSup Scale demonstrates high overall reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.88), a satisfactory diagnostic accuracy (0.79), and a satisfactory discriminatory power of the items. Given the psychometric properties of SpSup Scale demonstrated here, the scale is recommended for the assessment of the competency to provide spiritual care in both clinical and research settings in Poland.
Cracks identification using mask region-based denoised deformable convolutional network
Authors: Kee Kia Wei , Lim King Hann , Lim Chin Hong , Lim Wen Loong , Yap Huei Ee 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCracks are one of the critical structural defects in building assessment to determine the integrity of civil structure. Structural surveying process using computer vision is required to automatically identify cracks. The application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is limited by its fixed geometric kernels to extract the irregular shape of cracks. In this paper, a mask Region-based Denoised Deformable Convolutional Network (R-DDCN) is proposed to detect cracks for accurate instance segmentation and image classification. Denoised deformable convolution is introduced to improve the modeling capability of convolution layer. It adopts the existing deformable convolution, with non-local means as a denoising mechanism to optimize the augmentation of spatial sampling locations with filtered offsets. Experimental results show that the proposed mask R-DDCN has lower validation loss and improved mean accuracy precision of mAP75 from 66.7% to 76.7% as compared to the mask R-CNN. Mask R-DDCN can perform better modeling capability in cracks identification.
The Privileged Life of a Theoretical Observer
Authors: Gough Douglas 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis is a summary of my scientific career, biased by my personal view of events and unashamedly concentrating on those aspects of some of the scientific developments to which I have contributed. A selective unbiased alternative has been written by Christensen-Dalsgaard and Thompson (A selective overview. In: Thompson, M.J., Christensen-Dalsgaard, J. (Eds.) Stellar Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, pp. 1 – 19, 2003), followed by some further remarks by Christensen-Dalsgaard (Unsolved Problems in Stellar Physics: A Conference in Honour of Douglas Gough, American Institute of Physics Conference Series, 948, xii, 2007).
Early career experiences of international medical program graduates: An international, longitudinal, mixed-methods study
Authors: Brouwer Emmaline E. , Van Rossum Tiuri R. , Frambach Janneke M. , Driessen Erik W. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction Increasingly medical students pursue medical education abroad. Graduates from International Medical Programs (IMPs) practice globally, yet how to prepare students for an unknown international environment is complex. Following IMP graduates throughout their early careers, this study offers insights into gaps in current undergraduate education. Methods In this international, longitudinal, mixed-methods study, 188 graduates from seven IMPs completed baseline surveys on career choice and job preparedness. Forty-two participants completed follow-up until three years after graduation. Nine graduates participated in semi-structured interviews on individual experiences and the evolution of their perspectives. The multiphase, sequential design allowed data collected at baseline to inform further data collection instruments. Results Two typical student profiles emerged. The first depicts a student who, despite the challenges of studying abroad, pursues a medical degree ‘anyhow’, with a common aim of practicing in their home country. The other deliberately selects an IMP while envisaging an international career. Two years after graduation, the majority (> 70%) of our participants were practicing in a country other than their country of training. They reported challenges around licensing, the job application process and health system familiarization. Participants’ experiences point towards potential curriculum adaptations to facilitate cross-border transitions, including career guidance, networking and entrance exam preparation.
Application of biochar-based photocatalysts for adsorption-(photo)degradation/reduction of environmental contaminants: mechanism, challenges and perspective
Authors: Lu Yin , Cai Yawen , Zhang Sai , Zhuang Li , Hu Baowei , Wang Suhua , Chen Jianrong , Wang Xiangke 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe fast increase of population results in the quick development of industry and agriculture. Large amounts of contaminants such as metal ions and organic contaminants are released into the natural environment, posing a risk to human health and causing environment ecosystem problems. The efficient elimination of contaminants from aqueous solutions, photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants or the in-situ solidification/immobilization of heavy metal ions in solid phases are the most suitable strategies to decontaminate the pollution. Biochar and biochar-based composites have attracted multidisciplinary interests especially in environmental pollution management because of their porous structures, large amounts of functional groups, high adsorption capacities and photocatalysis performance. In this review, the application of biochar and biochar-based composites as adsorbents and/or catalysts for the adsorption of different contaminants, adsorption-photodegradation of organic pollutants, and adsorption-(photo)reduction of metal ions are summarized, and the mechanism was discussed from advanced spectroscopy analysis and DFT calculation in detail. The doping of metal or metal oxides is the main strategy to narrow the band gap, to increase the generation and separation of photogenerated e−-h+pairs, to produce more superoxide radicals (·O2−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH), to enhance the visible light absorption and to increase photocatalysis performance, which dominate the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and (photo)reduction of high valent metals to low valent metals. The biochar-based composites are environmentally friendly materials, which are promising candidates in environmental pollution cleanup. The challenge and perspective for biochar-based catalysts are provided in the end.Graphical Abstract
Adaptive Bird-Like Genome Miniaturization During the Evolution of Scallop Swimming Lifestyle
Authors: Li Yuli , Liu Yaran , Yu Hongwei , Liu Fuyun , Han Wentao , Zeng Qifan , Zhang Yuehuan , Zhang Lingling , Hu Jingjie , Bao Zhenmin , Wang Shi 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Genome miniaturization drives key evolutionary innovations of adaptive traits in vertebrates, such as the flight evolution of birds. However, whether similar evolutionary processes exist in invertebrates remains poorly understood. Derived from the second-largest animal phylum, scallops are a special group of bivalve molluscs and acquire the evolutionary novelty of the swimming lifestyle, providing excellent models for investigating the coordinated genome and lifestyle evolution. Here, we show for the first time that genome sizes of scallops exhibit a generally negative correlation with locomotion activity. To elucidate the co-evolution of genome size and swimming lifestyle, we focus on the Asian moon scallop (Amusium pleuronectes) that possesses the smallest known scallop genome while being among scallops with the highest swimming activity. Whole-genome sequencing of A. pleuronectes reveals highly conserved chromosomal macrosynteny and microsynteny, suggestive of a highly contracted but not degenerated genome. Genome reduction of A. pleuronectes is facilitated by significant inactivation of transposable elements, leading to reduced gene length, elevated expression of genes involved in energy-producing pathways, and decreased copy numbers and expression levels of biomineralization-related genes. Similar evolutionary changes of relevant pathways are also observed for bird genome reduction with flight evolution. The striking mimicry of genome miniaturization underlying the evolution of bird flight and scallop swimming unveils the potentially common, pivotal role of genome size fluctuation in the evolution of novel lifestyles in the animal kingdom.
Are Endogenous Androgens Linked to Female Sexuality? A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Maseroli E , Ravelli SA , Rastrelli G , Cipriani S , Vignozzi L 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The benefits of treatment with testosterone (T) in women with loss of desire suggest that low androgens may distinguish women with sexual dysfunction (SD) from others; however, evidence on this point is lacking.

Objective
To answer the question: is there an association between endogenous levels of androgens and sexual function in women?

Methods
An extensive search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase and PsycInfo. Four separate meta-analyses were conducted for total T, free T, Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). Cohort, cross-sectional and prospective studies were included.The main outcome was the association between endogenous androgens and sexual desire. Global sexual function was considered as a secondary outcome. The effect measure was expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD).

Results
The meta-analysis on total T included 34 studies involving 3268 women, mean age 36.5 years. In 11 studies, a significant association was found between sexual desire, measured by validated psychometric instruments, and total T [SMD=0.59 (0.29; 0.88), p&lt;0.0001], with a moderate effect. The association with global sexual function (n=12 studies) was also significant [SMD=0.44 (0.21; 0.67), p&lt;0.0001]. Overall, total T was associated with a better sexual function [SMD=0.55 (0.28; 0.82), p&lt;0.0001], with similar results obtained when Poor quality studies were removed. No association was found between total T and sexual function in PCOS or healthy women. Age showed a negative relationship with the overall outcome. No differences were found when stratifying the studies according to menopausal status, relationship status, method for T measurement (immunoassays, radioimmunoassays or mass spectrometry) or phase of the menstrual cycle. The meta-analysis of T derivatives (free T and FAI) also showed a significant, moderate association with sexual desire. In contrast, DHEAS seems not to exert any significant influence on desire, whilst showing a positive association with global sexual function.

Conclusions
There appears to be a moderate association between total T levels and sexual desire/global sexual function, which is confirmed, although weak, in studies employing LC-MS. Similar results on desire were obtained for free T and FAI. DHEAS only showed a positive association with global sexual function. More research is needed.

Disclosure
No