bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A general skull stripping of multiparametric brain MRIs using 3D convolutional neural network
Authors: Pei Linmin , Ak Murat , Tahon Nourel Hoda M. , Zenkin Serafettin , Alkarawi Safa , Kamal Abdallah , Yilmaz Mahir , Chen Lingling , Er Mehmet , Ak Nursima , Colen Rivka 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAccurate skull stripping facilitates following neuro-image analysis. For computer-aided methods, the presence of brain skull in structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) impacts brain tissue identification, which could result in serious misjudgments, specifically for patients with brain tumors. Though there are several existing works on skull stripping in literature, most of them either focus on healthy brain MRIs or only apply for a single image modality. These methods may be not optimal for multiparametric MRI scans. In the paper, we propose an ensemble neural network (EnNet), a 3D convolutional neural network (3DCNN) based method, for brain extraction on multiparametric MRI scans (mpMRIs). We comprehensively investigate the skull stripping performance by using the proposed method on a total of 15 image modality combinations. The comparison shows that utilizing all modalities provides the best performance on skull stripping. We have collected a retrospective dataset of 815 cases with/without glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA). The ground truths of the skull stripping are verified by at least one qualified radiologist. The quantitative evaluation gives an average dice score coefficient and Hausdorff distance at the 95th percentile, respectively. We also compare the performance to the state-of-the-art methods/tools. The proposed method offers the best performance.The contributions of the work have five folds: first, the proposed method is a fully automatic end-to-end for skull stripping using a 3D deep learning method. Second, it is applicable for mpMRIs and is also easy to customize for any MRI modality combination. Third, the proposed method not only works for healthy brain mpMRIs but also pre-/post-operative brain mpMRIs with GBM. Fourth, the proposed method handles multicenter data. Finally, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first group to quantitatively compare the skull stripping performance using different modalities. All code and pre-trained model are available at: https://github.com/plmoer/skull_stripping_code_SR.
Manure amendment can reduce rice yield loss under extreme temperatures
Authors: Zhu Xiangcheng , Chen Jin , Huang Shan , Li Weiwei , Penuelas Josep , Chen Ji , Zhou Feng , Zhang Weijian , Li Ganghua , Liu Zhenghui , Ding Yanfeng , Wang Songhan , van Groenigen Kees Jan , Jiang Yu 
Published: June 2022

AbstractExtreme temperatures are predicted to become increasingly common due to climate change, threatening the sustainability and profitability of global rice production. Manure amendment is a common agricultural practice to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields, but whether this practice modulates the effect of extreme temperatures on crop yield is unclear. Here we show through a series of experiments and meta-analysis that long-term manure amendment reduces losses of rice yield due to extreme temperatures. We propose that by increasing soil fertility, manure amendment increased net photosynthetic rate and plant physiological resistance to extreme temperatures. Without considering the impact of other global change factors, we estimate that manure amendment could potentially reduce global losses of rice yield due to extreme temperatures from 33.6 to 25.1%. Thus, our findings indicate that manure amendment may play a key role in improving food security in a changing climate.
Natural forest growth and human induced ecosystem disturbance influence water yield in forests
Authors: Yu Zhen , Chen Xiuzhi , Zhou Guoyi , Agathokleous Evgenios , Li Lin , Liu Zhiyong , Wu Jianping , Zhou Ping , Xue Meimei , Chen Yuchan , Yan Wenting , Liu Lei , Shi Tingting , Zhao Xiang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTogether natural growth, afforestation and forest disturbance, such as felling, contribute to the dynamic nature of forests. Thus to enhance forest management, water resource management and carbon sequestration, the net effect of forest changes on water yield must be better understood. Here, we conduct a global meta-analysis of 496 watersheds over 25 years to investigate the impact of forest complexity and overall changes on water yields. We classify watersheds based on the type of human disturbance, including felling and thinning, afforestation, and absence of external disturbances. We find that the runoff coefficient (ratio of annual water yield in watershed outlet to precipitation) is more sensitive to external disturbances in forests with lower ecosystem complexity compared to forests with higher complexity. In addition, we found forest natural growth may increase runoff and lead to an increased runoff coefficient decades later. Our findings highlight the importance of nature-based forest restoration, especially in regions vulnerable to water shortage.
A Technique of Continuous Catheter Irrigation in an Infected Wrist Joint: Improving Management in Septic Arthritis of the Wrist
Authors: Choudhury Muntasir Mannan , Jiang Jackson Kian Hong , Yap Robert Tze Jin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSeptic arthritis of the wrist though decidedly rare can lead to severe consequences with loss of form and function of the hand. The approach to diagnosis and treatment remains challenging and may need multiple surgeries, prolonged hospital stays along with intravenous antibiotics for restitution of a pain and disease-free functioning wrist. Arthroscopic washout of the wrist joint, has paved the way for a less invasive and more effective approach to the management of the condition reducing the number of operations needed and the need for open wrist washout. In our paper, we describe in addition to arthroscopic washout of an infected wrist joint the insertion of irrigation catheters followed by continuous irrigation with normal saline through the catheters using an infusion pump for 5 days leading to resolution of symptoms without further surgical interventions.
Do some nontrivial closed 𝑧-invariant subspaces have the division property?
Authors: Esterle J. 
Published: June 2022

Banach spaces

E
E

of functions holomorphic on the open unit disk

D

\mathbb {D}

are considered such that the unilateral shift

S
S

and the backward shift

T
T

are bounded on

E
E

. Under the assumption that the spectra of

S
S

and

T
T

are equal to the closed unit disk, the existence is discussed of closed

z
z

-invariant subspaces

N
N

of

E
E

having the “division property,” which means that the function

f

λ

:
z
↦

f
(
z
)

z
−
λ

f_{\lambda }\colon z \mapsto \frac {f(z)}{z-\lambda }

belongs to

N
N

for every

λ
∈

D

\lambda \in \mathbb {D}

and for every

f
∈
N

f \in N

with

f
(
λ
)
=
0

f(\lambda )=0

. This question is related to the existence of nontrivial bi-invariant subspaces of Banach spaces of hyperfunctions on the unit circle

T

\mathbb {T}

.
Mechanical circulatory support devices for elective percutaneous coronary interventions: novel insights from the Japanese nationwide J-PCI registry
Authors: Muramatsu Takashi , Inohara Taku , Kohsaka Shun , Yamaji Kyohei , Ishii Hideki , Shinke Toshiro , Toriya Takuo , Yoshiki Yu , Ozaki Yukio , Ando Hirohiko , Amano Tetsuya , Nakamura Masato , Ikari Yuji 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Aims
We examined in-hospital outcomes of patients that required mechanical circulatory support (MCS), such as intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP), Impella®, or veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), for elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).

Methods and results
The J-PCI is a prospective Japanese nationwide multicentre registry sponsored by the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) and designed to collect clinical variables and in-hospital outcome data on consecutive patients undergoing PCI. Of the 253 228 patients registered between January 2018 and December 2018, 1627 patients (0.6%) undergoing elective PCI under MCS at 551 sites were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 74 years, and 25.2% of the patients were females. Multivessel disease and left main disease were observed in 59.0% and 19.7% of the patients, respectively. Majority of patients were treated with IABP alone (86.2%), followed by IABP plus VA-ECMO (6.0%) and Impella alone (3.9%). In-hospital mortality was reported in 134 patients (8.2%). Cardiac death was more common than non-cardiac death (6.8% vs. 1.5%). About 34.6% of the patients receiving VA-ECMO died during hospitalization, whereas 7.2% and 5.3% of patients receiving Impella and IABP died, respectively (P &lt; 0.01). The proportion of patients with VA-ECMO or Impella who had major bleeding requiring blood transfusion was higher than that of patients with IABP (14.1% vs. 13.0% vs. 2.8%).

Conclusion
In the setting of elective PCI, in-hospital mortality of patients requiring MCS was considerably high. VA-ECMO or Impella was associated with a higher risk of major bleeding than IABP.
Neutralizing Antibody Activity to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) After 1 or 2 Doses of BNT162b2 Vaccine in Infection-Naive and Previously Infected Individuals
Authors: Moy James N , Anderson Mark , Shen Xiaoying , Fu Jia , Stec Michael , Gosha Amy , Naquiallah Dina , Kinslow Jennifer , Montefiori David C , Cloherty Gavin , Landay Alan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Previous reports demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) binding immunoglobulin G levels did not increase significantly between the first and second doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in previously infected individuals. We tested neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants after the first and second doses of this vaccine in infection-naive and previously infected individuals. Delta, but not Omicron, nAb titers significantly increased from the first to the second dose in both groups of individuals. Importantly, we found that Omicron nAb titers were much lower than Delta nAb titers and that even after 2 doses of vaccine, 17 of 29 individuals in the infection-naive group and 2 of 27 in the previously infected group did not have detectable Omicron nAb titers. Infection history alone did not adequately predict whether a second dose resulted in adequate nAb. For future variants of concern, the discussion on the optimal number of vaccine doses should be based on studies testing for nAb against the specific variant.
Ectopic Cavernous Sinus Microprolactinoma Treated Medically
Authors: Minns Robert M , Barranco-Trabi Javier , Yiu Alvin C , Hussain Ali , Elegino-Steffens Diane U 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT
Ectopic prolactin-secreting microadenomas are rare and management is often surgical in contrast to intrasellar pituitary prolactin-secreting microadenomas. We present a case of ectopic dopamine-resistant microprolactinoma treated with cabergoline which led to symptom resolution, hormonal remission, and cystic degeneration of the tumor. A 30-year-old active duty male presented with a chief complaint of inability to maintain an erection for 6 months. Initial workup revealed suppressed serum testosterone of 128.60 ng/ml with an elevated prolactin level at 275.10 ng/ml. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed a small mass measuring 9 mm in the left cavernous sinus. Medical management was initiated with cabergoline, which was titrated over the course of a year from 0.5 mg a week to 3.5 mg a week at its peak before being weaned off completely at 54 months. After treatment, the patient’s symptoms resolved, his prolactin decreased to 29.5 ng/ml, near-normal, and his tumor had decreased size with cystic degeneration. Management for any prolactinoma has three primary goals: remittance of symptoms, decrease in prolactin levels, and decrease in tumor size. These are achieved through primarily medical management or surgery. Even though ectopic microprolactinomas are still frequently addressed surgically, this case shows that medical therapy can successfully treat ectopic prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenomas even in cases of dopamine resistance.
A numerical method based on the Nambu bracket for the 3D vorticity equation
Authors: Suzuki Yukihito 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
In this study, numerical methods for the 3D vorticity equation and Euler equation, which preserve the structure of Nambu mechanics for fluid dynamics, are investigated. Discrete vector fields of the stream function (or vector potential), velocity, and vorticity, as well as discrete counterparts of the gradient, curl, and divergence operators acting on them, are defined such that the structure of the de Rham complex in 3D Euclidean space is preserved. The inner products of the discrete vector fields are defined such that discrete counterparts of integration-by-parts formulae for the gradient, curl, and divergence operators hold. In addition, cross products of the discrete vector fields are introduced to define a skew-symmetric trilinear form. A discrete Nambu bracket, as well as the (kinetic) energy, helicity, and enstrophy of the discrete flow field, are defined straightforwardly. They are employed to derive a discrete vorticity equation in the same way as in the continuum setting. A discrete Euler equation is derived from the discrete vorticity equation based on the discrete counterpart of the Poincaré lemma, which holds under some typical conditions. It is proved that any solution to these discretized equations satisfies discrete analogues of the balances of energy, helicity, and enstrophy. Numerical experiments on a periodic array of rolls are conducted to examine the effectiveness of the method.
Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Derivatives in Improved Elastin Homeostasis in a Rat Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Dahal Shataakshi , Dayal Simran , Androjna Charlie , Peterson John , Ramamurthi Anand 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are localized rupture-prone expansions of the aorta with limited reversibility that develop due to proteolysis of the elastic matrix. Natural regenerative repair of an elastic matrix is difficult due to the intrinsically poor elastogenicity of adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This justifies the need to provide external, pro-elastin regenerative- and anti-proteolytic stimuli to VSMCs in the AAA wall towards reinstating matrix structure in the aorta wall. Introducing alternative phenotypes of highly elastogenic and contractile cells into the AAA wall capable of providing such cues, proffers attractive prospects for AAA treatment. In this regard, we have previously demonstrated the superior elastogenicity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-derived SMCs (cBM-SMCs) and their ability to provide pro-elastogenic and anti-proteolytic stimuli to aneurysmal SMCs in vitro. However, the major issues associated with cell therapy, such as their natural ability to home into the AAA tissue, their in vivo biodistribution and retention in the AAA wall, and possible paracrine effects on AAA tissue repair processes in the event of localization in remote tissues remain uncertain. Therefore, in this study we focused on assessing the fate, safety, and AAA reparative effects of BM-MSC-derived cBM-SMCs in vivo. Our results indicate that the cBM-SMCs (a) possess natural homing abilities similar to the undifferentiated BM-MSCs, (b) exhibit higher retention upon localization in the aneurysmal aorta than BM-MSCs, (c) downregulate the expression of several inflammatory and pro-apoptotic cytokines that are upregulated in the AAA wall contributing to accelerated elastic matrix breakdown and suppression of elastic fiber neo-assembly, repair, and crosslinking, and (d) improve elastic matrix content and structure in the AAA wall toward slowing the growth of AAAs. Our study provides initial evidence of the in vivo elastic matrix reparative benefits of cBM-SMCs and their utility in cell therapy to reverse the pathophysiology of AAAs.
A short review of male genito-urinary lesions caused by coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Sun Xun , Lyu Jiaju 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease that has spread worldwide since it first appeared in December 2019. It can cause pathologies in several organs of the body through direct and indirect mechanisms. After more than two years of study, the effects of COVID-19 on the genitourinary system are now well-evidenced as COVID-19 has considerable effects on the kidneys, testes, vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis. Renal invasion is mainly characterized by acute kidney injury. Testicular invasion is characterized by orchitis, testicular epididymitis, etc. Although COVID-19 has been suspected to spread via serum, evidence for the presence of the virus in the semen of patients is currently scarce. COVID-19 also impacts the sexual function of patients to varying degrees, with some patients developing erectile dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 invasion into the genitourinary system have not been clearly identified, and more clinical studies are required. This review discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the genitourinary system and male health.
Focused research in emergency medical systems in Asia: a necessity for trauma system advancement
Authors: Ratnayake Amila , Nakahara Shinji , Bagaria Dinesh , De Silva Sohan , De Silva Sri Lal , Llaneta April , Pattanarattanamolee Ratrawee , Li Yonggang , Hoang Bui Hai 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Since trauma is a growing health problem worldwide, emergency trauma care including emergency medical services (EMS) is becoming an integral part of the healthcare system. The optimal EMS which will improve access to trauma care, will be different in each country because of different healthcare systems, trauma etiology, and economic situations. To adopt models that have succeeded in developed countries is not always appropriate. In order to identify the optimal EMS model in developing countries, comparing the systems among many countries in detail and examining their advantages and disadvantages would be necessary. Therefore, this article tries to identify important elements of EMS to achieve mature EMS systems based on comparisons of 7 Asian countries, and discusses the need to conduct more detailed and extensive comparisons.
United States trauma system: Maryland focus
Authors: Gupta Shailvi , Tannous Anthony , Scalea Thomas 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Traumatic injury is a public health epidemic within the United States. The growth of trauma systems within the United States has saved countless lives as trauma care continues to improve nationally. This article briefly looks at the history of trauma systems within the United States, focusing on the Maryland system, one of the nation's first statewide, regionalized and organized trauma systems.
Severe Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology in Children: Is It Caused by Pathogens or Non-infectious Factors?
Authors: Hu Wei , Zhang Min , Xu Zhe , Li Jing , Wang Fu-Sheng , Li Tong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Recently, an outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children has been reported in more than 27 countries worldwide. However, information on its prevalence in different countries and regions is still lacking. The evidence is suggestive of a potential viral infection, but this has not been fully confirmed. Cases of this disease have been reported in children, mainly in those younger than 5 years old. The reason for the age range of the disease requires further investigation.
Clinical Characteristics and Stage at Presentation of Glaucoma Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Olawoye Olusola , Kizor-Akaraiwe Nkiru , Pons Jonathan , Sarimiye Tarela , Washaya Jennifer , Hughes Sowunmi , Ashaye Adeyinka , Garba Farouk , Gessesse Girum W. , Chitedze Richard , Ibanga Affiong , Saka Vincent , Agre Jeremie , Mahdi Abdull , Ogunro Adunola , Budengeri Patrick , Ajibode Haroun A. , Tamrat Lemlem , Onakoya Adeola , Okeke Suhanya , Hulley Jo-Anne , Giorgis Abeba , Onyekachi Ireka W. , Okosa Chimdi Chuka , Ogbonnaya Chimdia , Abdulsalam Shuaib , Fowobaje Kayode , Cook Stephen , Lawrence Scott , Macheka Boniface , Chan Ving Fai , Blanco Augusto Azuara , Congdon Nathan , Realini Tony ,   the STAGE Research Group
Published: June 2022

Précis:
The initial presentation of glaucoma varies meaningfully across SSA. A comprehensive strategy with regional customization based on local differences is needed to reduce glaucoma blindness in SSA.

Purpose:
To explore regional variations in the presentation of newly diagnosed glaucoma in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methodology:
This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study in which newly diagnosed, consecutive, glaucoma patients aged older than or equal to 18 years were recruited from 27 eye clinics in 10 countries throughout SSA. Demographic and ophthalmic examination data were collected. Glaucoma severity was based on optic nerve head and visual field assessment. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 14.0.

Results:
Among 1214 enrolled patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma from Western, Eastern, and Southern Africa, the overall mean (SD) age was 59.9 (17.1) years. More than half of all patients (716/1178; 60.8%) presented with severe glaucoma in the worse eye, and one-third (36.9%) had severe glaucoma in both eyes. Primary open angle glaucoma was the commonest form of glaucoma in all regions (77.4%). A family history of blindness (260/1204, 21.6%) was common. Patients from Western Africa had lower mean presenting intraocular pressure (26.4 [11.1] mm Hg, P<0.001), but had worse glaucoma in the better eye based on mean cup-disc ratio (0.8; P<0.001) and mean visual field mean deviation [10.4 (8.4)] dB, P=0.016) compared with other regions. Exfoliation glaucoma was more common in Eastern Africa (30/170=17.7%, P<0.001) compared with other regions.

Conclusion:
The initial presentation of glaucoma varies meaningfully across SSA. A comprehensive strategy with regional customization based on local differences is needed to reduce glaucoma blindness in SSA.