bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Living with a Diagnosis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Mothers’ and Fathers’ Experience of the Antenatal Journey and the Birth
Authors: Bartels Helena C , Horsch Antje , Cooney Naomi , Brennan Donal J , Lalor Joan G 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Most research into Placenta Accreta Syndrome (PAS) has focussed on the associated maternal morbidity and mortality. However, mother’s and fathers’ lived experiences of the aftermath of a diagnosis of PAS up to the birth and beyond has received little attention. Consequently, this study focussed on couples’ experiences of PAS covering the period from the diagnosis, up to and including the birth.
Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 participants; 6 couples were interviewed together (n = 12), 6 couples were interviewed separately (n = 12), and 5 women were interviewed without their partner. Data from the antenatal and intrapartum periods are presented. Couples were eligible for inclusion if they had a diagnosis of PAS within the previous 5 years. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was used to gather and analyse data. Virtual interviews were conducted over a 3-month period from February to April 2021.
Results
Themes emerged relating to two distinct timepoints, the antenatal period and birth. The antenatal period had two superordinate themes: the first antenatal superordinate theme was “Living with PAS”, which had two sub-themes: “Lack of knowledge/information” and “Experiences of care and planning for the birth”. The second antenatal superordinate theme was “Coping with uncertainty”, which had two sub-themes of “Getting on with it”, and “Emotional toll”. Relating to birth, two superordinate themes emerged. The first superordinate theme was “A traumatic experience”, with three sub-themes of “Saying goodbye”, “Experiencing trauma” and the “Witnessing of trauma” (by fathers). The second superordinate theme which emerged was “Feeling safe in the hands of experts”, with two subthemes of “Safety in expert team” and “Relief at surviving”.
Conclusions
This study highlights the significant psychological impact a diagnosis of PAS has on mothers and fathers, how they try to come to terms with the diagnosis and the experience of a traumatic birth, and how management within a specialist team can alleviate some of these fears.
Comparison of Freshly-Cultured versus Cryopreserved Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Animal Models of Inflammation: A Pre-Clinical Systematic Review
Authors: Dave Chintan , Mei Shirley H.J. , McRae Andrea , Hum Christine , Sullivan Katrina , Champagne Josee , Ramsay Tim , McIntyre Lauralyn 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that demonstrate therapeutic potential for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory-mediated conditions. Although controversial, some studies suggest that MSCs may lose their functionality with cryopreservation which could render them non-efficacious.Objective: In comparative pre-clinical models of inflammation, to determine if there are differences in in-vivo measures of pre-clinical efficacy (primary outcomes) and in-vitro potency (secondary outcomes) between freshly-cultured and cryopreserved MSCs. Methods: A systematic search on OvidMEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Web of Science (until June 5, 2020) was conducted. The primary outcome included measures of in-vivo pre-clinical efficacy; secondary outcomes included measures of in-vitro MSC potency. Risk of bias was assessed by the SYRCLE “Risk of Bias” assessment tool for pre-clinical studies. Results: 15 studies were included. A total of 194 in-vivo pre-clinical efficacy experiments represented 72 distinct outcome measures. 2.6% (5/194) of these outcomes were significantly different at the 0.05 level or less; 2 favoured freshly-cultured and 3 favoured cryopreserved MSCs. A total of 63 in-vitro experiments represented 26 different potency measures; 11.1% (7/63) of the experiments were significantly different at the 0.05 level or less, with 5 experiments favouring freshly-cultured MSC and 2 favouring cryopreserved MSCs.Conclusions: The majority of preclinical in-vivo outcomes and in-vitro potency outcomes did not detect significant differences (p<0.05) in pre-clinical efficacy between freshly-cultured and cryopreserved MSCs. Our systematic summary of the current evidence base may provide MSC research scientists as well as regulatory bodies additional rationale and justification for considering a cryopreserved MSC product in their clinical trials.Registration: Protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020145833).
The Correlations of Different MRI Classifications with Preoperational Function in Refractory Lateral Epicondylitis
Authors: Li Xu , Zhao Yang , Zhang Zhijun , Zheng Tong , Li Shangzhe , Yang Guang , Lu Yi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the correlations of three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classifications and preoperative function in refractory lateral epicondylitis (LE) patients.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed our refractory lateral epicondylitis patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment from June 2014 to December 2020. The signal changes of the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis(ERCB) were evaluated based on three different MRI classifications systems. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between each MRI classification and preoperative functional and visual analog scale (VAS). The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in all patients was also evaluated by both MRI and arthroscopically. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison on preoperative VAS and all functional scores between the refractory LE patients combined with LCL lesions and those without.
Results
There were 51 patients with refractory LE included in present study. Spearman's rank correlation analysis did not find any significant correlation on all three MRI classifications and preoperative VAS or any functional scores (all P value > 0.05). There were no significant differences on VAS and functional scores between the patients with abnormal LCL signal on MRI and those without (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
There were no significant correlations between three different MRI classifications of the origin of the ERCB and the VAS and functional scores preoperatively. There were no significant differences on preoperative VAS or function scores between LE patients with concomitant LCL signal changes and those without.
Information Fusion for Colorectal Polyps Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Huang Jun , Zhou Zhuo , Duan Yinghua , Huang Weilan , Pei Fengyun , Liu Bo 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Training a deep neural network often requires a huge amount of annotated data, which is scarce in the medical image analysis domain. In this work, we present a simple yet effective strategy that relies on the information fusion to enhance existing neural networks. The proposed approach utilizes information from different spatial scales and combines them in a learnable way. Experimental results on two benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed fusion module improves the segmentation performance of state-of-the-art neural networks.
Real-world effectiveness of steroids in severe COVID-19: longer courses associated with lower risk of death or ICU admission
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Snell Luke B , Ferrari Davide , Goodman Anna L , Price Nicholas M , Wolfe Charles D , Curcin Vasa , Edgeworth Jonathan D , Wang Yanzhong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We aim to investigate the associations of steroid and length of steroid use with outcomes in severe COVID-19.
Methods
Severe cases of COVID-19, defined by hypoxia at presentation, and admitted to a multi-site healthcare institution in London were analysed between 02-Sep-2020 and 27-May-2021. The associations between duration of steroid treatment (prescription-days) and outcomes were explored using Cox proportional-hazards models adjusting for confounders. Length of steroid treatment was analysed as both a continuous variable and categorised into < 3, 3–10, and > 10 days. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) level-3 admission.
Results
734 severe COVID-19 cases were included, with 137/734 (18.7%) treated with steroids for < 3 days, 497/734 (67.7%) for 3–10 days, and 100/734 (13.6%) for > 10 days. Cox modelling with continuous days showed increasing length of steroids decreased the hazard of in-hospital mortality by a factor of 0.98 [95% CI: 0.96-1.0] per additional day and in-hospital mortality or ICU admission by a factor of 0.91 [95% CI: 0.87–0.95] per additional day. Further, when taking 3–10 days steroid treatment group as the reference group, > 10 days steroid showed trends towards decreased hazards for death (HR 0.59 [95%CI: 0.30–1.14]) and was significantly protective for death/ICU outcome (HR 0.28 [95%CI: 0.11–0.68]).
Conclusion
The protective effect of steroid for severe COVID-19 reported in randomised clinical trials was replicated in this large real-world cohort. We found an association between longer steroid courses and lower risk of death or ICU admission that warrants further investigation.
In vivo antiviral efficacy and immune dampening effect of zapnometinib emphasize a dual therapeutic potential against COVID-19
Authors: Füll Yvonne , Waidele Lara , Hamza Hazem , Poetz Oliver , Steinhilber Andreas , Anselm Viktoria , Delany Mark , Brand Judith van den , Amerongen Geert van , de Waal Leon , Ludwig Stephan , Planz Oliver 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Coronaviruses, in particular the current pandemic strains of SARS-CoV-2, represent an ever-evolving threat to human life. Currently available antiviral drugs are not suitable for severely infected patients in later hyperinflammatory stages of the disease. New therapeutics that inhibit virus propagation and target inflammation would be ideal. We demonstrate that the host targeted MEK inhibitor zapnometinib displays such a dual effect. The drug efficiently reduced virus titers of different SARS-CoV-2 variants and other highly pathogenic human coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV in vitro. In a Syrian hamster infection model, zapnometinib reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load and alleviated lung pathology. Drug safety biomarkers, body weight change and clinical observations, indicated that zapnometinib was well tolerated and showed no toxicity. Moreover, the immune dampening effect could be confirmed in an acute lung injury mouse model and in vitro experiments in primary human blood cells that demonstrated the reduction of disease related cytokines and chemokines. Thus, in contrast to direct-acting antivirals, zapnometinib displays a dual therapeutic effect highlighting its potential in the treatment of severe COVID-19 and other acute viral infections leading to hyperinflammation.
A Machine Learning Approach Applied to Gynecological Ultrasound to Predict Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Arezzo Francesca , Cormio Gennaro , Forgia Daniele La , Santarsiero Carla Mariaflavia , Mongelli Michele , Lombardi Claudio , Cazzato Gerardo , Cicinelli Ettore , Loizzi Vera 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In a growing number of social and clinical scenarios, machine learning (ML) is emerging as a promising tool for implementing complex multi parametric decision-making algorithms. Regarding ovarian cancer (OC), despite the standardization of features that can support the discrimination of ovarian masses into benign and malignant, there is a lack of accurate predictive modeling based on ultrasound (US) examination for progression-free survival (PFS). This retro-spective observational study analysed patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who were followed in a tertiary centre from 2018 to 2019. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, information about the surgery and post-surgery histopathology were collected. Additionally, we recorded data about US examinations according to the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) classification. Our study aimed to realise a tool to predict 12-month PFS in patients with OC based on a ML algorithm applied to gynecological ultrasound assessment. Proper feature selection was used to determine an attribute core set. Three different machine learning algorithms, namely Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RFF), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN), were then trained and validated with five-fold cross-validation to predict 12-month PFS. Our analysis included n. 64 patients. The attribute core set used to train machine learning algorithms included age, menopause, CA125 value, histotype, FIGO stage and US characteristics such as major lesion diameter, side, echogenicity, color score, major solid component diameter, presence of carcinosis. RFF showed the best performance (accuracy 93.7%, precision 90%, recall 90%, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.92). We developed an accurate ML model to predict 12-month PFS.
Mental Health of Korean Adolescents in the Era of COVID-19: Web-based Survey Focused on Suicide-related Factors
Authors: Jeong Yeong Mi , Park Hye Seon , Kim Sang Mi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted many aspects of life. In particular, measures for combatting the spread of the virus, such as quarantining and restrictions on social gatherings, may have led to psychological anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Such mental health impacts may increase the risk of suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine mental health among adolescents amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and identify and analyze predictors of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts.Methods: Data for 57,925 adolescents who participated in the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were used for this research. Based on their responses to suicide-related questions, the sample was divided into a healthy group, suicide-ideation group, suicide-planning group, and suicide-attempt group, respectively. The groups’ descriptive statistics were then analyzed. An analysis of covariance, post-hoc tests, and multiple logistic regression were performed on the four groups.Results: Overall, 6.9% of the participants reported suicidal ideation, 2.2% reported planning suicide, and 1.9% reported attempting suicide in the previous 12 months. Stress, sadness and despair, loneliness, and generalized anxiety disorder were all highest in the suicide-attempt group and lowest in the healthy group. Sex, academic achievement, economic status, impact of COVID-19 on economic status, sleep, alcohol use, drug use, smartphone overdependence, and suicide-associated factors significantly predicted adolescents’ mental health status. Conclusions: Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, there is a strong need for various individualized programs that identify and intervene to support adolescents with a suicidal risk by accurately assessing their mental health risk factors, such as stress, sadness and despair, loneliness, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Quantitative Sodium (23Na) MRI in Pediatric Gliomas: Initial Experience
Authors: Bhatia Aashim , Lee Vincent Kyu , Qian Yongxian , Paladino Michael , Ceschin Rafael , Hect Jasmine , Mountz James M. , Sun Dandan , Kohanbash Gary , Pollack Ian F. , Jakacki Regina I. , Boada Fernando , Panigrahy Ashok 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Introduction: The treatment of pediatric gliomas is typically assessed with proton (1H) MRI, which can have limitations. 23Na MRI has been shown in adult brain tumors to measure intra-tumoral total sodium concentration as a correlate of tumor proliferation. 23Na MRI sodium studies in pediatric patients are lacking. The purpose of the study included: (1) To compare total sodium concentration (TSC) between pediatric glioma and non-neoplastic brain tissue using 23Na MRI; (2) Compare tissue conspicuity of bound sodium concentration (BSC) using 23Na MRI dual echo relative to TSC imaging. Methods: TSC was measured in: (1) non-neoplastic brain tissues and (2) three types of manually segmented gliomas [diffuse intrinsic brainstem glioma (DIPG), recurrent supratentorial low-grade glioma (LGG), and high-grade glioma (HGG)] on sodium MRI images co-registered with proton MRI. In a subset of patients, serial changes in both TSC and BSC (dual echo 23Na MRI) were assessed for tissue conspicuity using voxel-based parametric maps. Results: Twenty-six pediatric patients with gliomas (median age of 12.0 years, range 4.9 – 23.3 years) were scanned with 23Na MRI. Uninvolved tissues demonstrated a range of TSC values similar to published adult values. DIPG treated with RT demonstrated higher TSC values than the uninvolved infratentorial tissues (P<0.001). Recurrent supratentorial LGG and HGG exhibited higher TSC values than the uninvolved white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) (P<0.002 for LGG, and P<0.02 for HGG). The dual echo 23Na MRI suppresses the sodium signal within both CSF and necrotic foci, resulting in improved conspicuity of both non-neoplastic and neoplastic, compared to serial TSC imaging. Conclusion: Quantitative 23Na MRI of pediatric gliomas demonstrates a range of values that are higher than non-neoplastic tissues. Dual echo 23Na MRI of BCS improves tissue conspicuity relative to TSC imaging. Future studies are needed to determine the value of 23Na MRI in delineating therapeutic responses in pediatric gliomas.
Pembrolizumab in combination with tocilizumab in high-risk hospitalized COVID-19 patients (COPERNICO): A randomized proof-of-concept phase II study
Authors: Sánchez-Conde Matilde , Vizcarra Pilar , Pérez-García José Manuel , Gion María , Martialay María Pilar , Taboada Javier , Alonso-Fernández Alberto , Sampayo-Cordero Miguel , Malfettone Andrea , Tena Isabel , Torre Sergio De La , Llombart Antonio , Cortes Javier 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

IntroductionSevere coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with immune dysregulation and hyperinflammation (lymphocyte exhaustion and elevated IL-6). Pembrolizumab (P; immune-activating anti-PD-1 antibody) plus tocilizumab (TCZ; anti-IL6 receptor antibody) might interrupt the hyperinflammation and restore the cellular immunocompetence. We assessed the efficacy and safety of P + TCZ + standard of care [SOC] in high-risk, hospitalized, COVID-19 pneumonia patients without mechanical ventilation.MethodsRandomized, controlled, open-label, phase 2 trial in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2-infection to assess the hospitalization period to discharge.ResultsTwelve patients were randomized (P + TCZ + SOC, n = 7; SOC, n = 5). Nine (75%) were males, with a median age of 68 (41–79) years. Median time to discharge with P + TCZ + SOC and SOC was 10 and 47.5 days (p = 0.03), with 0 (n = 1 patient had P–related grade 5 myositis) and 2 COVID-19-related deaths, respectively.ConclusionsThe addition of P and TCZ to SOC reduced the hospitalization period, with higher and faster discharges without sequelae than SOC alone.
Click Treg Cell Engineering for Carrying DNPS Increasing the Effect of Tumor-Targeting
Authors: Liu Zheng , Zhao Hangcheng , Zhao Qian’ge , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The targeting properties of nanomaterials generally lead to poor efficacy. To address this issue, using the characteristic of Treg enriching in tumor, we achieved high enrichment of DOX in tumor tissue by using Treg as a nanodrug delivery carrier. The results showed that, compared with nanomedicine, Treg-DNPS can transport eight times DOX to tumor tissues than DNPS and reduce the accumulation of DOX in other organs, thereby enhancing tumor-killing by DNPs as well as improving biosafety. By using this plantform, more drugs can achieve targeted delivery and tumor-killing effect.
A fully human anti-c-Kit monoclonal antibody 2G4 inhibits proliferation and degranulation of human mast cells
Authors: Park Sang Gyu , Kim Kwang-Hyeok , Kim Jin-Ock 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Given that mast cells are pivotal contributors to allergic diseases, various allergy treatments have been developed to inhibit them. Omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, is a representative therapy that can alleviate allergy symptoms by inhibiting mast cell degranulation. However, omalizumab cannot reduce the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells, which is a fundamental cause of allergic diseases. c-Kit is essential for the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of mast cells. Excessive c-Kit activation triggers various mast cell diseases, such as asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and mastocytosis. Herein, we generated 2G4, an anti-c-Kit antibody, to develop a therapeutic agent for mast cell diseases. The therapeutic efficacy of 2G4 antibody was evaluated in LAD2, a human mast cell line. 2G4 antibody completely inhibited c-Kit signaling by blocking the binding of stem cell factor, known as the c-Kit ligand. Inhibition of c-Kit signaling led to the suppression of proliferation, migration, and degranulation in LAD2 cells. Moreover, 2G4 antibody suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and complement component C5/C5a, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Taken together, these results suggest that 2G4 antibody has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for mast cell diseases.
Understanding dynamical states observed in a thermo-acoustic system from perspective of frequency-phase relationship derived from a probabilistic oscillator model
Authors: Ramanan Vikram , Ramankutty Anusai , Sreed Sharan , Chakravarthy Satyanarayanan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We perform lab scale experiments in a swirl combustor by reducing the equivalence ratio for two cases involving slightly different inlet air flow rates. Reduction in equivalence ratio at a constant air flow results in the combustor transiting from stable to unstable combustion. The transition passes through stable, type-2 intermittency and beat oscillations. The beat oscillations are seen to fluctuate at a single frequency, and hence suggestive of a process involving spatio-temporal variations in the phase of the driver (i.e., heat release rate fluctuations). This is understood in the manner of a reduced order model, where the driver is considered to an ensemble of phase oscillators with time delays and a probabilistic distribution of natural frequencies, similar to Kuramoto oscillator. The acoustic field is modeled as a Van-der-pol Duffing system, with natural frequency equal to the duct acoustic mode. The coupling between the oscillators is varied based on the physical premise of Rayleigh criterion. The coupled system is seen to qualitatively and quantitatively match the pressure data obtained from experiments. Insights into various conditions illustrate the role of mean and fluctuating instantaneous frequency amongst the phase oscillators in determining the modeled pressure oscillations. By quantifying

the extent of fluctuating frequency coupling among the phase oscillators, it is observed that beat oscillations have high correlation with lower deviation compared to intermittency and stable oscillations.