bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of platelet parameters for the diagnosis of preeclampsia among pregnant women attending at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital antenatal care unit, Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Walle Muluken , Asrie Fikir , Gelaw Yemataw , Getaneh Zegeye 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy‐related illness characterized by high blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria after the 20th gestational week (GW). Platelet (PLT) parameter changes are the common hematological abnormalities observed in PE patients. The main aim of this study was to assess the role of PLT parameters for PE diagnosis among pregnant women.MethodsA comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital. A total of 126 pregnant women (63 normotensive [NT] and 63 PE) were recruited using a convenient sampling method. Three milliliter blood was collected from each participant, and PLT parameters were determined using Sysmex XS‐500i analyzer. An independent t‐test supplemented with receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) were used for comparisons and diagnostic value of PLT parameters between the study groups.ResultsPlatelet count (PC) was significantly lower in the PE group compared to that in the NT group, whereas mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet large cell ratio (P‐LCR), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were significantly higher in PE. MPV had the largest area under the curve (AUC) [0.91: 95% CI; 0.85–0.96] followed by PC [0.79: 95% CI; 0.72–0.87]. MPV can differentiate PE patients from NT pregnant women at cut‐off value ≥12.10 fl (84.1% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity) while PC can indicate PE at a cut‐off value ≤176.5 × 109/L (65.1% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity).ConclusionA decreased PC and an increased MPV, P‐LCR, and PDW can be used as a simple, cost‐effective, quick, and reliable method of PE screening. Of them, MPV is the best indicator of PE.
The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta inhibitor seletalisib impairs monocyte-derived dendritic cells maturation, APC function, and promotes their migration to CCR7 and CXCR4 ligands
Authors: Scopelliti Fernanda , Mercurio Laura , Cattani Caterina , Dimartino Valentina , Albanesi Cristina , Costanzo Gianfranco , Mirisola Concetta , Madonna Stefania , Cavani Andrea 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPI3K pathway plays a crucial role in dendritic cells (DCs) functions, as it regulates different cellular processes, such as maturation and cytokines production. However, the specific role of PI3K p110δ isoform in human DCs has not been thoroughly addressed. In this study, we analyze the effects of seletalisib, a potent and specific inhibitor of PI3K p110δ, on phenotype and antigen-presenting functions of monocyte-derived DCs undergone maturation via LPS. Seletalisib treatment reduced membrane HLA-DR as well as CD83 and CD40 costimulatory molecules, whereas CD80 and CD86 expression was only partially affected. Additionally, DCs cultures showed reduced TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-12 and increased IL-23 secretion levels. This resulted in a reduced capacity of DCs to prime allogeneic T cells, with a strong decrease of Th1 differentiation. On the other hand, PI3K p110δ inhibitor seletalisib increased CXCR4 and CCR7 expression and augmented the DCs migration toward CCL19 and CXCL12 ligands. At molecular level, inhibition of PI3K p110δ isoform by seletalisib significantly down-regulated the phosphorylation of AKT and other downstream signaling molecules, such as ribosomal protein S6, 4E-BP1, and NF-κB p65. In contrast, seletalisib did not affect p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation or TLR-associated adapter molecule TIRAP in DCs. Our results indicate that PI3K p110δ can serve as an important regulatory signal for DCs, and selective inhibition of PI3K p110δ isoform by seletalisib could be used for the prevention of exaggerated and harmful immune responses occurring in pathologic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders.
Optimized multi‐axis spiral projection MR fingerprinting with subspace reconstruction for rapid whole‐brain high‐isotropic‐resolution quantitative imaging
Authors: Cao Xiaozhi , Liao Congyu , Iyer Siddharth Srinivasan , Wang Zhixing , Zhou Zihan , Dai Erpeng , Liberman Gilad , Dong Zijing , Gong Ting , He Hongjian , Zhong Jianhui , Bilgic Berkin , Setsompop Kawin 
Published: February 2022

PurposeTo improve image quality and accelerate the acquisition of 3D MR fingerprinting (MRF).MethodsBuilding on the multi‐axis spiral‐projection MRF technique, a subspace reconstruction with locally low‐rank constraint and a modified spiral‐projection spatiotemporal encoding scheme called tiny golden‐angle shuffling were implemented for rapid whole‐brain high‐resolution quantitative mapping. Reconstruction parameters such as the locally low‐rank regularization parameter and the subspace rank were tuned using retrospective in vivo data and simulated examinations. B0 inhomogeneity correction using multifrequency interpolation was incorporated into the subspace reconstruction to further improve the image quality by mitigating blurring caused by off‐resonance effect.ResultsThe proposed MRF acquisition and reconstruction framework yields high‐quality 1‐mm isotropic whole‐brain quantitative maps in 2 min at better quality compared with 6‐min acquisitions of prior approaches. The proposed method was validated to not induce bias in T1 and T2 mapping. High‐quality whole‐brain MRF data were also obtained at 0.66‐mm isotropic resolution in 4 min using the proposed technique, where the increased resolution was shown to improve visualization of subtle brain structures.ConclusionsThe proposed tiny golden‐angle shuffling, MRF with optimized spiral‐projection trajectory and subspace reconstruction enables high‐resolution quantitative mapping in ultrafast acquisition time.
Sampling Methods and Survey Designs for Larval Lampreys
Authors: Clemens Benjamin J. , Harris Julianne E. , Starcevich Steven J. , Evans Thomas M. , Skalicky Joseph J. , Neave Fraser , Lampman Ralph T. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Knowledge of the biology, distribution, and abundance of lampreys (Petromyzontiformes) is critical to inform conservation actions for native species and to inform control measures for the invasive Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Lampreys have complex life cycles that include a freshwater larval stage in which they burrow into substrates consisting of fine sediment and organic matter. The larval stage is frequently targeted in research and monitoring; given this interest, a review of survey designs and methods is needed. Our review identified 12 different sampling methods for larval lampreys and focused on one common method—backpack electrofishing in wadeable habitats. Our review also identified eight research and monitoring questions that have been addressed for larval lampreys in field studies, including distribution, species identification, life stage occurrence, abundance, length frequency, habitat use, residence and movement phenology, and species status. Each question provides unique information and poses distinct challenges to data acquisition and interpretation. The objectives guide decisions about study design and scope of inference. The scope of inference is determined by the size, spatial distribution, selection method, and number of sampling units within and across habitats, which determine the spatial and temporal scales under which results can be interpreted. The sampling unit size can span orders of magnitude from microhabitats to river drainages, ultimately informing management decisions at several spatial scales. The intended scope of inference and the interaction between biological questions and the fiscal and logistical capabilities of the study are integral considerations when designing an effective larval lamprey survey.
International external validation of a stratification tool to identify branch‐duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms at lowest risk of progression
Authors: Overbeek Kasper A. , van Leeuwen Nikki , Tacelli Matteo , Anwar Muhammad S. , Yousaf Muhammad N. , Chhoda Ankit , Arcidiacono Paolo Giorgio , Gonda Tamas A. , Wallace Michael B. , Capurso Gabriele , Farrell James J. , Cahen Djuna L. , Bruno Marco J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying branch‐duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD‐IPMNs) at lowest risk of progression may allow for a reduced intensity of surveillance.ObjectiveWe aimed to externally validate the previously developed Dutch‐American Risk stratification Tool (DART‐1; https://rtools.mayo.edu/DART/), which identifies cysts at low risk of developing worrisome features (WFs) or high‐risk stigmata (HRS).MethodsThree prospective cohorts of individuals under surveillance for BD‐IPMNs were combined, independent from the original development cohort. We assessed the performance (discrimination and calibration) of DART‐1, a multivariable Cox‐proportional logistic regression model with five predictors for the development of WFs or HRS.ResultsOf 832 individuals (mean age 77 years, SD 11.5) under surveillance for a median of 40 months (IQR 44), 163 (20%) developed WFs or HRS. DART‐1's discriminative ability (C‐statistic 0.68) was similar to that in the development cohort (0.64–0.72) and showed moderate calibration. DART‐1 adequately estimated the risk for patients in the middle risk quintile, and slightly underestimated it in the lowest quintiles. Their range of predicted versus observed 3‐year risk was 0%–0% versus 0%–3.7% for Q1; 0.3%–0.4% versus 3%–11% for Q2; and 2.6%–3% versus 2.4%–9.8% for Q3. The development of WFs or HRS was associated with pancreatic cancer (p < 0.001). Vice versa, in absence of WFs or HRS, the risk of malignancy was low (0.3%).ConclusionsThe performance of DART‐1 to predict the development of WFs or HRS in BD‐IPMN was validated in an external international cohort, with a discriminative ability equal as in the development cohort. Risk estimations were most accurate for patients with BD‐IPMNs in the middle risk quintile and slightly underestimated in the lowest quintiles.
A device to simulate contaminant transfer and surface and subsurface flow through intact soil monoliths
Authors: Hachgenei Nico , Nord Guillaume , Spadini Lorenzo , Mora Henri , Courvoisier François , Sutra Jean‐François , Vandervaere Jean‐Pierre , Legoût Cédric , Morel Marie‐Christine , Martins Jean , Lespine Anne , Duwig Celine 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMany contaminants of agricultural origin are released into rural environments, particularly at the soil surface. Their fate has been extensively investigated in repacked soils, but only few studies have addressed their transport in structurally preserved natural soils. Much remains unknown about their fate and transfer within and between environmental compartments, while the susceptibility of these compartments to the contaminants adverse effects can vary considerably. The lack of studies regarding surface and subsurface transfer of contaminants through intact soil compared with studies on repacked soil led us to propose a device and protocol for sampling intact soil monoliths (60 × 30 × 22 cm3, length, width, depth [LWD]) without heavy machinery. This is achieved by a modular design with removable top and bottom lid and a protocol of cutting the soil and replacing the affected bottom soil with a drainage layer of glass beads. The device allows the application of artificial rainfall events with simultaneous highly resolved quantification of infiltration excess overland flow and drainage discharge. It is designed to facilitate the collection of samples for physical, biological, and chemical analyses that fulfill cleanliness standards for organic contaminant analysis at trace levels using only poorly reactive stainless steel and glass materials. Testing of the device was performed by measuring the transfer of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin (IVM) through and over a silt‐loam pasture soil. This test case illustrates how the device can be used to gain valuable information on the transfer of trace organic contaminants through topsoils.
Placing abortion in historical, legal, and clinical context in American medical school classrooms
Authors: Wolf Jacqueline H. , Broecker Jane D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAbortion is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the United States. In 2018, physicians in the United States performed 189 abortions for every 1000 births. Abortion is also common in other countries; across the globe, tens of millions of women seek abortions annually. In the countries that have legalized abortion, ready access to the procedure, along with access to reliable contraception, have improved women's economic status, their health, their longevity, and their ability to care for their children. Yet, despite its prevalence and benefits, abortion has also been a magnet for political controversy in the United States and elsewhere. In the United States, where the controversy has not ebbed for 50 years, abortion laws in some states have become increasingly restrictive, particularly in the last decade. This commentary describes an innovative way to teach medical students about abortion and argues that teaching abortion to medical students in the United States and throughout the world has become more, rather than less, important. This article also argues that, given the importance of access to safe abortions for women's health and well‐being, medical schools are obligated to provide medical students with the comprehensive medical knowledge that will allow them, after becoming physicians, to accurately advise, and sensitively counsel, women seeking abortions. Medical schools are also obligated to arm medical students with the relevant historical and legal knowledge that will allow them to advocate for the comprehensive reproductive services that all women need—services that include safe, legal abortion.
Evaluating the impact of a social medicine course delivered in a local‐global context: A 10‐year multi‐site analysis
Authors: Voller Vanessa K. , Olirus Owilli Alex , Yang Andrew X. , Finnegan Amy C. , Westerhaus Michael 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAmidst the COVID‐19 pandemic and social uprisings demanding social and racial equity worldwide, there is an increasing demand for health justice training for health workers. However, there are scant evidence‐based assessments of the impact of such courses. Between 2010 and 2020, SocMed—a 501(c)3 non‐profit social justice organization—offered two distinct courses about health equity, the social determinants of health, and social medicine to health workers through the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Saint Mary Hospital Lacor in Gulu, Uganda. This study assesses the immediate impact of the SocMed curriculum on participants measured by a pre‐course and post‐course survey. In Minnesota, paired pre‐course and post‐course survey responses (mean n = 69; SD = 23) spanned years 2016–2019, while Uganda paired pre‐course and post‐course survey responses (mean n = 64; SD = 21) spanned years 2012–2013 and 2017–2019. Findings indicate that the course improved participants’ knowledge in all 24 of the topics in the Minnesota course and 42 of 44 topics in the Uganda course (significant at p < 0.05).
Use of deep learning in the MRI diagnosis of Chiari malformation type I
Authors: Tanaka Kaishin W. , Russo Carlo , Liu Sidong , Stoodley Marcus A. , Di Ieva Antonio 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo train deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) models for classification of clinically significant Chiari malformation type I (CM1) on MRI to assist clinicians in diagnosis and decision making.MethodsA retrospective MRI dataset of patients diagnosed with CM1 and healthy individuals with normal brain MRIs from the period January 2010 to May 2020 was used to train ResNet50 and VGG19 CNN models to automatically classify images as CM1 or normal. A total of 101 patients diagnosed with CM1 requiring surgery and 111 patients with normal brain MRIs were included (median age 30 with an interquartile range of 23–43; 81 women with CM1). Isotropic volume transformation, image cropping, skull stripping, and data augmentation were employed to optimize model accuracy. K-fold cross validation was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for model evaluation.ResultsThe VGG19 model with data augmentation achieved a sensitivity of 97.1% and a specificity of 97.4% with an AUC of 0.99. The ResNet50 model achieved a sensitivity of 94.0% and a specificity of 94.4% with an AUC of 0.98.ConclusionsVGG19 and ResNet50 CNN models can be trained to automatically detect clinically significant CM1 on MRI with a high sensitivity and specificity. These models have the potential to be developed into clinical support tools in diagnosing CM1.
Chronic kidney disease predictors in obese adolescents
Authors: Mackowiak-Lewandowicz Katarzyna , Ostalska-Nowicka Danuta , Zaorska Katarzyna , Kaczmarek Elzbieta , Zachwieja Jacek , Witt Martin , Nowicki Michal 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Glomerular hyperfiltration, initiating development of obesity-related glomerulopathy, results in an enlargement of the glomeruli and unsealing of the filtration barrier. It can be followed by adaptive focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to determine the expression pattern of lipid metabolism and selected kidney damage markers in obese adolescents and to identify potential factors which can predict CKD.

Methods
The study group consisted of 142 adolescents with a BMI z-score > 2. Sixty-two healthy and normal-weight individuals served as controls. The factors associated with the rate of glomerular filtration in obese adolescents were assessed by linear regression methods using univariate and multivariate analyses. The risk of developing CKD was estimated using the Fisher’s exact test.

Results
The study group was divided into “elevated,” “normal,” and “decreased” glomerular filtration rate (GFR) patients. Increased urine galectin-3 (Gal-3) concentration was diagnosed in all patients. “Decreased GFR” subjects expressed increased urine concentration of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and daily megalin excretion. Thirty-nine study participants developed CKD. Increased uric acid (UA) concentration was associated with CKD development both in “normal” and “decreased GFR” patients. Additionally, in “normal” GFR patients, increased concentrations of cholesterol (Ch), triglycerides (TG), and NGAL were associated with CKD.

Conclusions
Increased serum concentrations of Ch, TG, and UA and increased urine concentration of NGAL might predict CKD development in obese adolescents with normal and decreased GFR.

Graphical abstract
A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
Optimization algorithms as training approach with hybrid deep learning methods to develop an ultraviolet index forecasting model
Authors: Ahmed A. A. Masrur , Ahmed Mohammad Hafez , Saha Sanjoy Kanti , Ahmed Oli , Sutradhar Ambica 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe solar ultraviolet index (UVI) is a key public health indicator to mitigate the ultraviolet-exposure related diseases. This study aimed to develop and compare the performances of different hybridised deep learning approaches with a convolutional neural network and long short-term memory referred to as CLSTM to forecast the daily UVI of Perth station, Western Australia. A complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) is incorporated coupled with four feature selection algorithms (i.e., genetic algorithm (GA), ant colony optimization (ACO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and differential evolution (DEV)) to understand the diverse combinations of the predictor variables acquired from three distinct datasets (i.e., satellite data, ground-based SILO data, and synoptic mode climate indices). The CEEMDAN-CLSTM model coupled with GA appeared to be an accurate forecasting system in capturing the UVI. Compared to the counterpart benchmark models, the results demonstrated the excellent forecasting capability (i.e., low error and high efficiency) of the recommended hybrid CEEMDAN-CLSTM model in apprehending the complex and non-linear relationships between predictor variables and the daily UVI. The study inference can considerably enhance real-time exposure advice for the public and help mitigate the potential for solar UV-exposure-related diseases such as melanoma.
Simulating chalcogen bonding using molecular mechanics: a pseudoatom approach to model ebselen
Authors: Fellowes Thomas , White Jonathan M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe organoselenium compound ebselen has recently been investigated as a treatment for COVID-19; however, efforts to model ebselen in silico have been hampered by the lack of an efficient and accurate method to assess its binding to biological macromolecules. We present here a Generalized Amber Force Field modification which incorporates classical parameters for the selenium atom in ebselen, as well as a positively charged pseudoatom to simulate the σ-hole, a quantum mechanical phenomenon that dominates the chemistry of ebselen. Our approach is justified using an energy decomposition analysis of a number of density functional theory–optimized structures, which shows that the σ-hole interaction is primarily electrostatic in origin. Finally, our model is verified by conducting molecular dynamics simulations on a number of simple complexes, as well as the clinically relevant enzyme SOD1 (superoxide dismutase), which is known to bind to ebselen.
Treatment with Polyethylene Glycol–Conjugated Fungal d-Amino Acid Oxidase Reduces Lung Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Authors: Nunoi Hiroyuki , Xie Peiyu , Nakamura Hideaki , Aratani Yasuaki , Fang Jun , Nishimura Toyoki , Kataoka Hiroaki , Maeda Hiroshi , Matsukura Makoto 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency wherein phagocytes are unable to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) owing to a defect in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH) complex. Patients with CGD experience bacterial and fungal infections and excessive inflammatory disorders. Bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy are theoretically curative; however, residual pathogenic components cause inflammation and/or organic damage in patients. Moreover, antibiotic treatments may not help in preventing excessive inflammation due to the residual presence of fungal cell wall β-glucan. Thus, better treatment strategies against CGD are urgently required. Polyethylene glycol–conjugated recombinant porcine d-amino acid oxidase (PEG-pDAO) supplies ROS to defective NADPH oxidase in neutrophils of patients with CGD, following which the neutrophils regain bactericidal activity in vitro. In this study, we employed an in vivo nonviable Candida albicans (nCA)–induced lung inflammation model of gp91-phox knockout CGD mice and supplied novel PEG conjugates of Fusarium spp. d-amino acid oxidase (PEG-fDAO), as it exhibits higher enzyme activity than PEG-pDAO. The body weight, lung weight, and lung pathology were evaluated using three experimental strategies with the in vivo lung inflammation model to test the efficacy of the ROS-generating enzyme replacement therapy with PEG-fDAO. The lung weight and pathological findings suggest the condition was ameliorated by administration PEG-fDAO, followed by intraperitoneal injection of d-phenylalanine or d-proline. Although a more precise protocol is essential, these data reveal the targeted delivery of PEG-fDAO to the nCA-induced inflammation site and show that PEG-fDAO can be used to treat inflammation in CGD in vivo.