bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Renal imaging at 5 T versus 3 T: a comparison study
Authors: Zheng Liyun , Yang Chun , Sheng Ruofan , Dai Yongming , Zeng Mengsu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Recently, a whole-body 5 T MRI scanner was developed to open the door of abdominal imaging at high-field strength. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of renal imaging at 5 T and compare the image quality, potential artifacts, and contrast ratios with 3 T.

Methods
Forty healthy volunteers underwent MRI examination both at 3 T and 5 T. MRI sequences included T1-weighted gradient-echo (GRE), T2-weighted fast spin echo, diffusion-weighted imaging, and multi-echo GRE T2* mapping. Image quality and presence of artifacts were assessed for all sequences using four-point scales. For anatomical imaging, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast ratio (CR) of abdomen organ tissues were calculated. Besides, for functional imaging, the contrast-to-noise ratio of cortex/medulla was calculated. Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test was used to compare the visual evaluation scores and quantitative measurements between 3 and 5 T images.

Results
Compared to 3 T examination, T1-weighted sequence at 5 T showed significantly better image quality with higher conspicuity of the renal veins and arteries, and comparable artifacts. Image quality was comparable between both field strengths on T2-weighted images, whereas a significantly higher level of artifacts was observed at 5 T. Besides, 5 T MRI contributed to higher SNR and CR for abdomen organ tissues. For functional imaging, 5 T MRI showed improved corticomedullar discrimination. There was no significant difference between apparent diffusion coefficient of renal at 3 T and 5 T, while 5 T MRI resulted in significantly shorter T2* values in both cortex and medulla.

Conclusions
5 T MRI provides anatomical and functional images of the kidney with sufficient image quality.
Feasibility study of three-dimensional printing knee model using the ultra-low-dose CT scan for preoperative planning and simulated surgery
Authors: Zhang Meng , Lei Ming , Zhang Jie , Li Hongyi , Lin Fenghuan , Chen Yanxia , Chen Jun , Xiao Mengqiang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective
To explore the feasibility of the three-dimensional printing (3DP) knee model using the ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan for preoperative planning and simulated surgery.

Methods
Thirty-six patients were divided into the standard-dose protocol group (A) and ultra-low-dose protocol group (B). The anteroposterior diameter, left and right diameter of femur, anteroposterior diameter of tibial plateau (APTP), left and right diameter, distance from the intercondylar ridge to tibial tuberosity, lower femur angle, and upper tibial angle were measured on CT images. On the 3D printed knee joint model, Vernier calipers were used to measure: anteroposterior diameter, left and right diameter of the internal and external condyles of femur; left and right diameters, anteroposterior diameters of tibial plateau; upper and lower meridian, left and right diameters of patella.

Results
With group A as reference, the effective radiation dose in group B was significantly reduced to 97.0% (36.4 ± 3.7 uSv and 1.1 ± 0.2 uSv, respectively). There was no difference in objective parameters for 3DP model (p = 0.31–0.84). None of the quantitative parameters of image quality showed significant difference (p = 0.11–0.96). Despite lower score of image quality and 3DP model in group B (3.0 ± 0.0 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2, 2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4; p < 0.05), the diagnostic performance was consistent in the two groups (all scores ≥ 2). Image quality and 3DP printed models were highly consistent (k = 0.97).

Conclusions
Ultra-low-dose protocol reduces the radiation dose while maintaining the image quality of knee. It meets the requirement for 3DP model, internal fixation model selection, and simulated surgery.
Radiomics analysis of the optic nerve for detecting dysthyroid optic neuropathy, based on water-fat imaging
Authors: Wu Hongyu , Luo Ban , Zhao Yali , Yuan Gang , Wang Qiuxia , Liu Ping , Zhai Linhan , Lv Wenzhi , Zhang Jing 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectiveDetecting dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) in the early stages is vital for clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using an optic-nerve-based radiomics nomogram on water-fat imaging for detecting DON.MethodsThis study included 104 orbits (83 in the training cohort) from 59 DON patients and 131 orbits (80 in the training cohort) from 69 thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) without DON patients. Radiomic features were extracted from the optic-nerve T2-weighted water-fat images for each patient. Selected radiomics features were retrained to construct the radiomic signature model and calculate the radiomic score (Rad-score). The conventional MRI evaluation model was constructed based on apical crowding sign, optic-nerve stretching sign and muscle index. The radiomics nomogram model combining the Rad-score and conventional MRI evaluation factors was then developed. Predictive performance of the three models was assessed using ROC curves.ResultsEight radiomics features from water-fat imaging were selected to build the radiomics signature. The radiomics nomogram (based on Rad-score, apical crowding sign and optic-nerve stretching sign) had superior diagnostic performance than did the conventional MRI evaluation model (AUC in the training set: 0.92 vs 0.80, the validation set:0.88 vs 0.75). Decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical usefulness of the radiomics nomogram.ConclusionsThis optic-nerve-based radiomics nomogram showed better diagnostic performance than conventional MRI evaluation for differentiating DON from TAO without DON. The changes of the optic-nerve itself may deserve more consideration in the clinical decision-making process.
The relationship between perianal fistula activity and abdominal adipose tissue in Crohn’s disease: an observational study
Authors: Xiong Ziman , Zhou Ziling , Hao Luwen , Li Yuanqiu , Hu Xuemei , Hu Daoyu , Luo Yan , Wang Yanchun , Shen Yaqi , Li Zhen 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between abdominal adipose tissue and perianal fistula activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) using cross-sectional imaging.

Methods
Patients with perianal fistulizing CD who underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and abdominal computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively enrolled. We scored the fistulas in each patient's MRI images based on Van Assche's classification. The area and density of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (at the third, fourth, and fifth lumbar (L3, L4, and L5) levels were measured by averaging five slices of measurements at each vertebral level in CT images, and areas were further standardized by the lumbar height2 (heightL1-5). The VAT/SAT ratio (VSR) and VAT/Total adipose tissue (VA/TA) index were calculated. Based on MRI scores, patients were divided into two groups with low and high activity, and their clinical, MRI features, and CT parameters were compared. We evaluated patients with follow-up MRI and compared the differences in clinical and radiological indicators among patients with different outcomes.

Results
Overall, 136 patients were included, 77 in the low-activity group and 59 in the high-activity group. Patients in the high activity group had lower subcutaneous adipose index (all levels, p < 0.05) and visceral adipose index (L3 level, p < 0.01), but higher SAT and VAT density (all levels, p < 0.01), VSR (L5 level, p = 0.07) and VA/TA index (L5 level, p < 0.05).

Conclusion
There were differences in adipose tissue composition among CD patients with different active perianal fistulas.
Priming mesenchymal stem cells with α-synuclein enhances neuroprotective properties through induction of autophagy in Parkinsonian models
Authors: Shin Jin Young , Kim Dong-Yeol , Lee Jieun , Shin Yu Jin , Kim Yi Seul , Lee Phil Hyu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be one of candidates for disease-modifying therapy in Parkinsonian diseases. As knowledge regarding the therapeutic properties of MSCs accumulates, some obstacles still remain to be overcome, especially, successful clinical translation requires the development of culture systems that mimic the natural MSC niche, while allowing clinical-scale cell expansion without compromising quality and function of the cells. In recent years, priming approaches using bioactive peptide or complement components have been investigated to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs.

Methods
We investigated an innovative priming strategy by conditioning the MSCs with α-synuclein (α-syn). To induce priming, MSCs were treated with different concentrations of α-syn and various time course. We evaluated whether α-syn enhances stemness properties of MSCs and priming MSCs with α-syn would modulate autophagy-related gene expression profiles.

Results
Treatment of naïve MSCs with α-syn upregulated transcriptional factors responsible for regulation of stemness, which was associated with the elevated expression of genes involved in glycolysis and cell re-programming. Primed MSCs with α-syn enhanced the expression of autophagy-regulating miRNA, and exosomes derived from primed MSCs were packed with autophagy-associated miRNA. In α-syn-overexpressing neuronal cells, primed MSCs with α-syn enhanced neuronal viability relative to naïve MSCs, through the induction of autophagy and lysosome activity. Animal study using an α-syn-overexpressing mice showed that the pro-survival effect of MSCs on dopaminergic neurons was more prominent in primed MSC-treated mice compared with that in naïve MSC-treated mice.

Conclusions
The present data suggest that MSC priming with α-syn exerts neuroprotective effects through augmented stemness and possibly the enhancement of autophagy-mediated α-syn modulation in Parkinsonian models.
Unrelated umbilical cord blood can improve the prognosis of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yang Ying , Zhang Ming , Li Mengqi , Li Yingchun , Yang Wei , Liu Zhuogang , Wang Hongtao 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is widely used as a curative treatment strategy for most types of hematological diseases. However, strategies for enhancing the graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect without aggravating the graft versus host disease (GVHD) effect are still being pursued.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed to compare the outcomes between combined unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB-haplo HSCT) and haplo HSCT.

Results
The results showed that neither acute GVHD (aGVHD) nor chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was increased in the UCB-haplo HSCT group, and the engraftment and infection rates were similar between the two groups. However, overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly improved, while transplantation-related mortality and relapse were significantly decreased in the UCB-haplo HSCT group by both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Conclusion
Our results indicated that the addition of a UCB unit could improve the prognosis of haplo-HSCT and enhance the GVL effect without increasing the incidence of GVHD.

Trial registration

The cohort study was retrospectively registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn as ChiCTR2100046681.
Microarray analysis reveals the potential molecular mechanism of Lp299v in stable coronary atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Fu Zhenyang , Song Xiaolei , Shen Anna , Zhou Tao 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA growing body of evidence has confirmed that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the formation and treatment of coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD). An increase in circulatory levels of inflammatory cytokines has been found in patients with CAD, while the molecular mechanisms of inflammation still remain elusive. This study was designed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and to explore the molecular mechanism and hub genes that are involved in the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) supplementation. Microarray dataset (GSE156357) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The DEGs were identified by the R software. Then, the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses and construction of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were performed by DAVID, STRING, and Cytoscape software. In daily alcohol user (DAU) group, 7,541 DEGs were identified, including 206 up-regulated and 7,335 down-regulated DEGs. In non-daily alcohol user (non-DAU) group, 2,799 DEGs were identified (2,491 up-regulated and 308 down-regulated DEGs). The GO enrichment analysis revealed that miosis was up-regulated and immune response was down-regulated. The KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Lp299v supplementation reduced the levels of chemotactic cytokines, and weakened immune response. Proteins of G protein-coupled receptor, inflammatory response, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis-related proteins were found in the PPI network. The hub genes were associated with G protein-coupled receptor, inflammatory response, and cell proliferation and apoptosis. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) enriched the DEGs in 4 modules. This study indicated the expressions of chemokine receptors and regulation of immune response in the Lp299v supplementation. Meanwhile, it was supposed that chemokine receptors may have a cellular effect.
Reliable assessment of telomere maintenance mechanisms in neuroblastoma
Authors: Meeser Alina , Bartenhagen Christoph , Werr Lisa , Hellmann Anna-Maria , Kahlert Yvonne , Hemstedt Nadine , Nürnberg Peter , Altmüller Janine , Ackermann Sandra , Hero Barbara , Simon Thorsten , Peifer Martin , Fischer Matthias , Rosswog Carolina 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundTelomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM) are a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma, and are conferred by activation of telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). However, detection of TMM is not yet part of the clinical routine, and consensus on TMM detection, especially on ALT assessment, remains to be achieved.MethodsWhole genome sequencing (WGS) data of 68 primary neuroblastoma samples were analyzed. Telomere length was calculated from WGS data or by telomere restriction fragment analysis (n = 39). ALT was assessed by C-circle assay (CCA, n = 67) and detection of ALT-associated PML nuclear bodies (APB) by combined fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence staining (n = 68). RNA sequencing was performed (n = 64) to determine expression ofTERTand telomeric long non-coding RNA (TERRA). Telomerase activity was examined by telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP, n = 15).ResultsTumors were considered as telomerase-positive if they harbored aTERTrearrangement,MYCNamplification or highTERTexpression (45.6%, 31/68), and ALT-positive if they were positive for APB and CCA (19.1%, 13/68). If all these markers were absent, tumors were considered TMM-negative (25.0%, 17/68). According to these criteria, the majority of samples were classified unambiguously (89.7%, 61/68). Assessment of additional ALT-associated parameters clarified the TMM status of the remaining seven cases with high likelihood: ALT-positive tumors had higher TERRA expression, longer telomeres, more telomere insertions, a characteristic pattern of telomere variant repeats, and were associated withATRXmutations.ConclusionsWe here propose a workflow to reliably detect TMM in neuroblastoma. We show that unambiguous classification is feasible following a stepwise approach that determines both, activation of telomerase and ALT. The workflow proposed in this study can be used in clinical routine and provides a framework to systematically and reliably determine telomere maintenance mechanisms for risk stratification and treatment allocation of neuroblastoma patients.
Early antibiotic therapy is associated with a lower probability of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Deniel G. , Cour M. , Argaud L. , Richard J. C. , Bitker L. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
While antibiotic therapy is advocated to improve outcomes in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) whenever mechanical ventilation is required, the evidence relies on small studies carried out before the era of widespread antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the impact of systematic antibiotic therapy on successful weaning from mechanical ventilation was never investigated accounting for the competitive risk of death. The aim of the study was to assess whether early antibiotic therapy (eABT) increases successful mechanical ventilation weaning probability as compared to no eABT, in patients with AECOPD without pneumoniae, using multivariate competitive risk regression.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of patients admitted in 2 intensive care units (ICU) from 2012 to 2020 for AECOPD without pneumonia and requiring mechanical ventilation. eABT was defined as any anti-bacterial chemotherapy introduced during the first 24 h after ICU admission. The primary outcomes were the adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of the probability of being successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation (i.e. non-invasive and invasive ventilation) according to eABT status and accounting for the competitive risk of death.

Results
Three hundred and ninety-one patients were included, of whom 66% received eABT. eABT was associated with a lower probability of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation when accounting for the competing risk of death in multivariate analyses (SHR 0.71 [95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.89], p < 0.01), after adjustment with covariates of disease severity. This association was present in all subgroups except in patients under invasive mechanical ventilation on ICU day-1, in patients with ICU day-1 worst PaCO2 > 74 torr (median value) and in patients with a documented bacterial bronchitis at ICU admission. Ventilator-free days at day 28, ICU-free days at day 28 and invasive mechanical ventilation-free days at day 28, were significantly lower in the eABT group, while there was no significant difference in mortality at day 28 between patients who received eABT and those who did not.

Conclusions
eABT was independently associated with a lower probability of being successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, suggesting that the clinician decision to overrule systematic administration of eABT was not associated with a detectable harm in AECOPD ICU patients without pneumonia.
Low-complexity hybrid interference cancellation for sparse code multiple access
Authors: Ghani Bilal , Launay Frederic , Pousset Yannis , Perrine Clency , Cances Jean Pierre 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA) is one of Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) candidates for 5G, the fifth generation mobile network. Multiple overlapped blocks of SCMA code are transmitted per frequency layer which compels the receiver to cancel unwanted SCMA code blocks. Thanks to the sparsity of SCMA, Message Passing Algorithm (MPA) achieves near-optimal performance. Nevertheless, this process is time-consuming and has a high degree of complexity even if Max-Log Algorithm is used. The major contribution of this paper is to propose a new decoding scheme called Hybrid Interference Cancellation (HIC) to reduce time processing without degrading a target Bit Error Rate (BER). The HIC decodes and removes the strongest user, reducing the complexity of Log Domain MPA decoding of remaining users, followed by a Low Density Parity Code (LDPC) decoder. The interference cancellation decoder is either a hard interference cancellation or a soft interference cancellation. The originality of the paper is to calculate a threshold value based on power measurements to decide whether hard decoder or soft decoder should be used to reach the BER target with a lower complexity. Results show a significant reduction in terms of complexity as compared to the traditional MPA process for the same values of BER.
Properties and applications of a conjugate transform on Schatten classes
Authors: Zhou Weiqi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe study a “conjugate” transform on matrix spaces. For Laurent/Toeplitz operators such a transform is a way of realizing the Hilbert transform on the torus. We establish its operator norm on Schatten classes and discuss the possibility of its boundedness upon permutations. Applications in the Rademacher–Menshov inequality and iterative methods are also included.
Analysis of a hybrid integro-differential inclusion
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed , Hashem Hind , Al-Issa Shorouk 
Published: September 2022

AbstractOur main objectives in this paper are to investigate the existence of the solutions for an integro-differential inclusion of second order with hybrid nonlocal boundary value conditions. The sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the solution will be given and the continuous dependence of the solution on the set of selections and on other functions will be proved. As an application, the nonlocal problem of the Chandrasekhar hybrid second-order functional integrodifferential inclusion and some particular cases will be presented. Also, we provide some examples to illustrate our results.
Automated all in one misspelling detection and correction system for Ethiopian languages
Authors: Demilie Wubetu Barud , Salau Ayodeji Olalekan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn this paper, a misspelling detection and correction system was developed for Ethiopian languages (Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrinya, Hadiyyisa, Kambatissa, and Awngi). For some of these languages, there have been few works on typo detection and correction systems. However, an effective and all-in-one typo detector and corrector system for Ethiopian languages have yet to be developed. A dictionary-based methodology is used to detect and rectify various forms of misspelling-related issues. The major characteristics of the proposed model can be outlined by presenting suggestions for detected flaws and automatically correcting them utilizing the first suggestion. In addition, the proposed model is evaluated using dictionary-based data sets for all languages. The corpora used were gathered from a variety of sources, including economic, political, social, and related publications, newspapers, and magazines. In this model, the users can perform all spelling-related issues within a single system (all-in-one). That means if the user(s) is (are) working on the Amharic language and then he/she/they can change the language she/he/they prefer(s) without shifting to another graphical user interface (GUI). Here, the users can save time and perform their tasks easily. Similarly, the user(s) can improve their skills in the selected languages accordingly. Finally, precision, recall, and f-measures for each language have been computed following a successful evaluation of the model. The system outperforms an f-measure of 89.57%, 87.57%, 88.31%, 86.83%, 81.83%, and 87.59% for Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrinya, Hadiyyisa, Kambatissa, and Awngi languages respectively. Furthermore, recommendations have been provided for future researchers.