bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paillier Cryptosystem Based ChainNode for Secure Electronic Voting
Authors: Umar Buhari Ugbede , Olaniyi Olayemi Mikail , Olajide Daniel Oluwaseun , Dogo Eustace Manayi 
Published: June 2022

Blockchain is a distributed and decentralized ledger of transactions that are linked together cryptographically leading to immutability and tamper-resistance, thereby ensuring the integrity of data. Due to the ability of blockchain to guarantee the integrity of data, it has found wide-range adoption in electronic voting (e-voting) systems in recent years, this is in a bid to prevent manipulation of votes. However, due to the distributed nature of the blockchain, opportunities arise for privacy intrusion of the data being secured. The translation of this privacy flaw in blockchain to e-voting systems is the possibility of violation of the privacy of the electorates. Consequently, in a bid to achieve integrity and privacy of votes in e-voting, this study presents the use of an open-source blockchain system, coupled with a privacy-oriented cryptosystem known as the Paillier cryptosystem, towards addressing the privacy concerns of the blockchain. The performance of the system was evaluated and a transaction throughput of 1424 tps was obtained for ten thousand simulated ballot transactions. Further evaluation was carried out on the system, by increasing the number of system transactions. This showed that the mining time of the blockchain increased by an average factor of 0.18 s for every thousand increases in the number of transactions. Also, the response time of the system to a range of user actions was evaluated over an increasing number of voters. Results obtained showed that the response time of the system for vote casting operations increased by an average of 0.33 min per thousand voters while for vote tallying there was an increase in response time by an average of 0.848 min per thousand voters. The scientific value of this study is the development of an integrity and privacy-preserving e-voting system consisting of an open-source nodechain coupled with a privacy-oriented cryptosystem known as the Paillier cryptosystem following the security requirements of e-voting systems. The proposed system addresses the issue of integrity in e-voting while still maintaining the privacy of the electorates.
Long-Term Dominance of Carbapenem-Non-Susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST111 in Hematologic Malignancy Patients and Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Zhang Liyang , Tan Filemon C. , Strasfeld Lynne , Hakki Morgan , Kirienko Natalia V. 
Published: June 2022

An epidemiological study uncovered that fluoroquinolone (FQ) neutropenic prophylaxis in hematopoietic cell transplant and hematologic malignancy (HCT/HM) patients was associated with breakthrough Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections (BSIs) with isolates non-susceptible to both FQs and meropenem. The molecular epidemiology of the FQ/meropenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates causing FQ-breakthrough BSIs in the HCT/HM patients remains unclear. Through whole genome sequencing on 57 P. aeruginosa isolates from 54 patients diagnosed with HM or receiving an HCT, we found that ST111 strains predominated, accounting for 22 (38.6%) of the isolates. 17 of 33 (51.5%) FQ-breakthrough BSIs were caused by ST111 strains, of which 15 (88.2%) were meropenem non-susceptible. ST111 strains, but not other oprD-deficient, meropenem-non-susceptible clinical strains, were found to have a colonization advantage over P. aeruginosa strain PA14 in C. elegans and to outcompete PA14 in in vitro co-culture assays. Together, we found that breakthrough P. aeruginosa BSIs during FQ prophylaxis in HCT/HM patients are dominated by clonally-related FQ/meropenem non-susceptible strains, predominantly ST111 type, and that the dominance of ST111 strains may be explained by a relative fitness advantage over other clinical strains. Additional work is necessary to better understand the factors driving the dominance and persistence of these ST111 strains.
Machine Learning Patient-Specific Prediction of Heart Failure Hospitalization Using Cardiac MRI-Based Phenotype and Electronic Health Information
Authors: Cornhill Aidan K. , Dykstra Steven , Satriano Alessandro , Labib Dina , Mikami Yoko , Flewitt Jacqueline , Prosio Easter , Rivest Sandra , Sandonato Rosa , Howarth Andrew G. , Lydell Carmen , Eastwood Cathy A. , Quan Hude , Fine Nowell , Lee Joon , White James A. 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) hospitalization is a dominant contributor of morbidity and healthcare expenditures in patients with systolic HF. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is increasingly employed for the evaluation of HF given capacity to provide highly reproducible phenotypic markers of disease. The combined value of CMR phenotypic markers and patient health information to deliver predictions of future HF events has not been explored. We sought to develop and validate a novel risk model for the patient-specific prediction of time to HF hospitalization using routinely reported CMR variables, patient-reported health status, and electronic health information.MethodsStandardized data capture was performed for 1,775 consecutive patients with chronic systolic HF referred for CMR imaging. Patient demographics, symptoms, Health-related Quality of Life, pharmacy, and routinely reported CMR features were provided to both machine learning (ML) and competing risk Fine-Gray-based models (FGM) for the prediction of time to HF hospitalization.ResultsThe mean age was 59 years with a mean LVEF of 36 ± 11%. The population was evenly distributed between ischemic (52%) and idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (48%). Over a median follow-up of 2.79 years (IQR: 1.59–4.04) 333 patients (19%) experienced HF related hospitalization. Both ML and competing risk FGM based models achieved robust performance for the prediction of time to HF hospitalization. Respective 90-day, 1 and 2-year AUC values were 0.87, 0.83, and 0.80 for the ML model, and 0.89, 0.84, and 0.80 for the competing risk FGM-based model in a holdout validation cohort. Patients classified as high-risk by the ML model experienced a 34-fold higher occurrence of HF hospitalization at 90 days vs. the low-risk group.ConclusionIn this study we demonstrated capacity for routinely reported CMR phenotypic markers and patient health information to be combined for the delivery of patient-specific predictions of time to HF hospitalization. This work supports an evolving migration toward multi-domain data collection for the delivery of personalized risk prediction at time of diagnostic imaging.
Clinical Characteristics and Management of Ovarian Vein Thrombosis: A Case Series
Authors: Alsheef Mohammed , Abuzied Yacoub , Alosaimi Muteb , Altamimi Amer , Alwazna Qusai , Almahmood Qusai , AlBulushi Noura Ali , Almutair Jehan , Zaidi Abdul Rehman Zia , Gray Jenny , Abu-Shaheen Amani 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundOvarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is an uncommon condition, occurring in ~1 in every 600–2,000 pregnancies. It is associated with various conditions, including thrombophilia, malignancy, sepsis, intra-abdominal and pelvic inflammatory conditions, pregnancy, and the postpartum period, and specific surgical interventions, particularly gynecological surgeries. Thus, this study aims to identify the associated factors for OVT and elaborate on the standard treatment strategies for its management.MethodsRetrospective data collection was used. Our study consists of 18 patients diagnosed with OVT between 2005 and 2016; the data was collected from the Health Information Management system at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using a standard format.ResultsOur study found that OVT involves the right ovarian vein more often than the left and mainly occurs in women during their postpartum period. These patients other associated factor included hypertension, diabetes, and a higher body mass index (BMI) of above 25 kg/m2. The most frequently presenting complaints were abdominal pain and fever. The most common treatment was the administration of enoxaparin (a low molecular weight heparin) for an average duration of one to three months, which resulted in a low recurrence rate of OVT.ConclusionsPhysicians should be vigilant for suspicion of OVT in female patients presenting with lower abdominal pain and fever in their postpartum period. Additionally, it is suggested to use low molecular weight heparin as initial therapy for OVT for one to three months, resulting in a high remission rate.
Risk Factors Associated With Lower Bone Mineral Density in Primary Aldosteronism Patients
Authors: Lv Xiaomei , Hu Huijun , Shen Chuyu , Zhang Xiaoyun , Yan Li , Zhang Shaoling , Guo Ying 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe association between primary aldosteronism (PA) and lower bone mineral density (BMD) has raised a concern, but the contributing factors remain unclear. We aim to explore the risk factors for lower BMD in PA patients.MethodsWe analyzed and compared the data of 60 PA patients with 60 matched essential hypertension (EH) patients. BMD, bone metabolites, and several oxidative stress and inflammation indicators—including C-reactive protein (CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total bilirubin (TBIL), mean platelet volume (MPV), etc.—were assessed and compared in PA and EH patients. Bivariate correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed to explore the factors associated with BMD in PA patients.ResultsThe BMD measured by quantitative computed tomography in PA patients was lower than that in EH patients (141.9 ± 34.0 vs. 158.9 ± 55.9 g/cm3, p = 0.047), especially in patients less than 50 years old. BMD was independently negatively associated with age (standardized β = -0.581, p &lt; 0.001), serum phosphorus (standardized β = -0.203, p = 0.008), urinary calcium excretion (standardized β = -0.185, p = 0.031), and MPV (standardized β = -0.172, p = 0.043) and positively associated with SOD (standardized β = 0.205, p = 0.011) and TBIL (standardized β = 0.212, p = 0.015).ConclusionsThe PA patients showed a lower BMD than the EH patients, which was associated with age, serum phosphorus, urinary calcium excretion, MPV, SOD, and TBIL. These variables might be potential markers for the assessment of bone loss and efficacy of treatments in PA patients.
Combined Use of Autofluorescence and Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in the Identification and Evaluation of Parathyroid Glands During Total Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yin Supeng , Pan Bin , Yang Zeyu , Tang Mi , Mo Hongbiao , Li Yao , Yi Ziying , Yin Tingjie , Shao Cong , Yan Cunye , Mo Linlong , Yuan Yuquan , Sun Yiceng , Zhang Fan 
Published: June 2022

Background and objectivesAccurate identification and evaluation of the parathyroid glands (PGs) intraoperatively is critical to reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIFI), including the autofluorescence (AF) and indocyanine green fluorescence (ICGF) imaging, is a promising technique to protect PGs. This study aimed to assess whether the combined use of AF and ICGF could reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism and improve the identification and evaluation of PGs during total thyroidectomy.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial enrolled 180 patients who were randomized into two groups and underwent total thyroidectomy with unilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection. In the control group, the PGs were identified and evaluated by the naked eye. In the NIFI group, AF was used to identify the PGs and ICGF was applied to assess the blood perfusion of the PGs in situ. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. The secondary outcomes included the number of identified PGs, autotransplanted PGs, and known preserved PGs in situ.ResultsThe incidence of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower in the NIFI group than in the control group (27.8% vs. 43.3%, P = 0.029). More PGs were identified in the NIFI group than in the control group (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.2 ± 0.4, P &lt; 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the number of autotransplanted PGs between the two groups (P = 0.134). Compared with the control group, a greater number of known PGs were preserved in situ in the NIFI group (1.3 ± 0.6 vs. 1.0 ± 0.5, P &lt; 0.001). In the NIFI group, only 4.5% of the patients with at least one well-perfused PG (ICG score of 2) developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism, which was significantly lower than that of the control group (34.6%, P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionCombined use of AF and ICGF during total thyroidectomy reduces the risk of transient postoperative hypoparathyroidism, enhances the ability to identify and preserve PGs, and improves the accuracy of evaluating the perfusion of PGs during surgery.Clinical Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register (www.chictr.org.cn), identifier ChiCTR2100045320. Registered on April 12, 2021.
Effects of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy on Serum Cortisol, Nesfatin-1, and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Elderly Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression
Authors: Dai Biao , Wu Xiaoping , Yan Fanfan , Chen Yang , Xu Yayun , Xia Qingrong , Zhang Xulai , Xie Xuefeng 
Published: June 2022

AimModified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) is an effective strategy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD); however, the mechanism underlying effects of MECT remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that TRD is closely associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, anorexigenic peptides, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, MECT effects on the HPA axis, anorexigenic peptides, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with TRD remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether the HPA axis (cortisol), anorexigenic peptides (nesfatin-1), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β) are involved in the mechanism underlying MECT effects in elderly patients with TRD.MethodsElderly patients with TRD were enrolled in this study between December 2019 and October 2021; all patients underwent MECT after physical examination. Serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured before and after the first, third, and sixth MECT sessions. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD-24) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate depression and cognitive impairment, respectively. We compared pre- and post-MECT serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels to confirm the short-term effects of MECT on these serum indices. We compared these serum indices across three time points (before the first, third, and sixth MECT sessions) to determine the long-term effects of MECT on serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.ResultsWe observed no statistically significant changes in the pre- and post-MECT serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, or pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. No significant changes in serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were observed across the aforementioned time points. Moreover, there were no statistically significant sex-based differences in the aforementioned serum indices. Furthermore, the serum cortisol level was negatively correlated with the serum IL-6 level before and after the first MECT session in patients with high cortisol levels (&gt; the 50th percentile value of all samples). Additionally, the post-MECT HAMD-24 and MMSE scores were significantly lower.ConclusionsMECT reduced depressive symptoms despite an adverse effect on cognition and had no significant effect on the serum cortisol, nesfatin-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in elderly patients with TRD.
High Expression of FCRLB Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaopeng , Lin Ruirong , Zeng Yi , Wang Yi , Wei Shenghong , Lin Zhitao , Chen Shu , Ye Zaisheng , Chen Luchuan 
Published: June 2022

Background: Mining the prognostic biomarkers of colorectal cancer (CRC) has important clinical and scientific significance. The role of Fc receptor-like B (FCRLB) in solid tumors has never been reported or studied to our knowledge, and the prognostic role of FCRLB in CRC still awaits characterization.Methods: The potential prognostic factor FCRLB was screened out through TCGA database analysis. Then, its expression and associations with clinicopathological variables were assessed in the TCGA CRC cohort. The prognostic value of FCRLB was examined with multiple methods, such as the Kaplan-Meier method, ROC curve, time-dependent ROC analysis, and prediction model nomograms. Then, functional enrichment and annotation among the high and low FCRLB groups were achieved utilizing GO and KEGG analyses and GSEA. Fresh CRC tissue samples obtained clinically were used for the preparation of the tissue microarray and for further validation.Results: FCRLB was highly expressed in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues. Moreover, over-expression of FCRLB correlated with higher CEA levels, advanced T stage, N stage, M stage, AJCC stage, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, and incomplete resection (R1 and R2 resection). In addition, high expression of FCRLB was closely correlated to less favorable OS, DSS, and PFI. The analysis of CRC tissue microarray further confirmed the conclusion drawn from the TCGA data analysis.Conclusion: FCRLB is notably up-regulated in CRC tissues and may serve as a potential biomarker of CRC.
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesis From Vermicomposting Leachate and its Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Arslan Hudaverdi , Gonca Serpil , Isik Zelal , Özdemir Sadin , Yalvac Mutlu , Dizge Nadir , Deepanraj Balakrishnan , Ashraf Ghulam Abbas 
Published: June 2022

Currently, nanotechnology and nanoparticles have been quickly emerged and have gained the attention of scientists due to their massive applications in environmental sectors. Nanotechnology also encompasses the ability to design, characterize, manufacture, and implement nano-sized structures. Today, metal oxide nanoparticles stand out in industrial applications in various fields of applied nanotechnology. Among metal oxide nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NPs) are one of the widely used NPs. Green chemistry-based nanoparticles production is one of the most interesting topics in recent years. In the present study, we used vermicomposting leachate to synthesize FeO-NPs. First, vermicomposting leachate (VCL) was produced and then FeO-NPs was obtained from ferric chloride salt. FeO-NPs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the antioxidant activities of FeO-NPs synthesized from vermicomposting leachate (VCL-FeO-NPs) were evaluated by DPPH scavenging activity. The highest DPPH activities of VCL-FeO-NPs at 200 mg/L concentration were 93.54%. In addition, the nanoparticles showed significant DNA nuclease activity. The antimicrobial activities of VCL-FeO-NPs were studied in micro dilution methods and it exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity through Gr +ve, Gr −ve, and fungi. The nanoparticles showed more effective microbial cell inhibition activity against E. coli. Also, biofilm inhibition results were detected against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were 66.05% and 67.29%, respectively.
Characterization of Factors Predicting a Favorable Opinion of Research Applications Submitted for an Ethical Review Process
Authors: Mirpuri Eduardo , García-Álvarez Lara , Acín-Gericó María Teresa , Bartolomé Blanca , Delgado Bolton Roberto C. , San-Martín Montserrat , Vivanco Luis 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionIn Spain, biomedical research applications must receive a positive ethical opinion from Research Ethics Committees (RECs) before being executed. There is limited information on how to optimize the ethical review process to reduce delays. This study was performed to characterize variables predicting favorable opinions at the first ethical review performed by a REC.Material and MethodsThe study assessed all research applications revised by a REC in 2019–2020. Data was extracted from REC's database of La Rioja, Spain. Variables collected covered three areas: (i) principal investigator's profile; (ii) study design; and (iii) ethical review process. A model based on multiple logistic regression analysis was created to identify variables explaining favorable opinions in first rounds of ethical review processes.ResultsThe sample included 125 applications (41 submitted in 2019, and 84 in 2020). At the first review, nine (7%) applications were rejected, 56 (45%) were approved, and the remaining 60 (48%) required at least two reviews prior to approval. When comparing both years, a 2-fold increase in the number of applications submitted, and a difference in the ratio of applications with a favorable vs. non-favorable opinion were observed. Furthermore, a model predicted 71% of probability of obtaining a favorable opinion in the first ethical review. Three variables appeared as being explanatory: if the principal investigator is either the group leader or the department's head (OR = 17.39; p &lt; 0.001), and if the informed consent (OR = 11.79; p = 0.01), and methods and procedures (OR = 34.15; p &lt; 0.001) are well done.ConclusionsThese findings confirm an increase in the number of submissions and a difference in the ratio of applications approved by year. Findings observed also confirm deficiencies in “informed consent” and in “methods and procedures” are the two main causes of delay for favorable ethical opinions. Additionally, findings highlight the need that group leaders and heads of departments should be more involved in guiding and supervising their research teams, especially when research applications are led by less experienced researchers. Based on these findings, it is suggested that an adequate mentoring and targeted training in research could derive in more robust research applications and in smoother ethical review processes.