bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent expression of activation markers on Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells in smear negative TB patients
Authors: Esmael Ahmed , Mihret Adane , Abebe Tamrat , Mussa Daniel , Neway Sebsibe , Ernst Joel , Rengarajan Jyothi , Wassie Liya , Howe Rawleigh 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundT cell activation (HLA-DR, CD-38), proliferation (KI-67), and functional (IFN-γ, TNF-α) markers have recently been shown to be useful in predicting and monitoring anti-TB responses in smear positive TB, but previous research did not characterize the activation and proliferation profiles after therapy of smear negative TB.MethodologyIn this study, we used polychromatic flow cytometry to assess selected PPD-specific T cell markers using fresh PBMC of smear negative and positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients, recruited from health facilities in Addis Ababa.ResultLevels of activation (HLA-DR, CD38) and proliferation (Ki-67) among total unstimulated CD4 T cells decreased significantly after therapy, particularly at month 6. Similarly, levels of PPD-specific T cell activation markers (HLA-DR, CD-38) were significantly lower in smear positive PTB patients following treatment, whereas a consistent decline in these markers was less apparent among smear negative PTB patients at the sixth month.ConclusionAfter six months of standard anti-TB therapy, persistent levels of activation of HLA-DR and CD-38 from PPD specific CD4+T cells in this study could indicate that those markers have little value in monitoring and predicting anti-TB treatment response in smear negative pulmonary TB patients in Ethiopian context.
Interferon gamma expression and mortality in unselected cohorts of urothelial bladder cancer patients
Authors: Gillezeau Christina , Movva Naimisha , van Gerwen Maaike , Rabon-Stith Karma , Shire Norah , Brohawn Philip Zachary , Taioli Emanuela , Fryzek Jon 
Published: August 2022

Background
The role of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression in long-term survival has not been studied in patients with urinary bladder cancer (UBC). IFN-γ expression was characterized among various UBC patient cohorts to assess if IFN-γ status is associated with overall survival (OS).

Methods
A tumor-based IFN-γ gene signature was evaluated among adult UBC patients newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2017 from two hospital systems in New York. Patient cohorts included metastatic (stage IV or progressing to stage IV [MBC]), muscle-invasive (stages T2a to T4a [MIBC]), and non–muscle-invasive (carcinoma in situ or stages 0a, 0is, and I [NMIBC]) disease. Descriptive analyses were conducted comparing IFN-γ signature in the highest tertile to those in the lowest two tertiles.

Results
234 patients with bladder cancer were evaluated (56 MBC, 38 MIBC, and 140 NMIBC). Median OS was only reached in the MIBC cohort for those with an IFN-γ signature in the lowest two tertiles (15.03 months [95% CI, 8.50–50.60]). Those with an IFN-γ signature in the highest tertile had a decreased risk of mortality in all cohorts indicating better survival, but this was statistically significant in only the MIBC cohort (adjusted HR = 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01–0.73]).

Conclusion
IFN-γ signature status was associated with a decreased mortality risk in all cohorts, particularly MIBC, indicating that it may be a prognostic marker of survival in patients with UBC.
Changes in lipoproteins associated with lipid-lowering and antiplatelet strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Lotfollahi Zahra , Mello Ana P. Q. , Fonseca Francisco A. H. , Machado Luciene O. , Mathias Andressa F. , Izar Maria C. , Damasceno Nagila R. T. , Oliveira Cristiano L. P. , Neto Antônio M. F. 
Published: August 2022

Background
Despite lipid-lowering and antiplatelet therapy, the pattern of residual lipoproteins seems relevant to long-term cardiovascular outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effects of combined therapies, commonly used in subjects with acute myocardial infarction, in the quality of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles.

Methods
Prospective, open-label trial, included patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were randomized to antiplatelet treatment (ticagrelor or clopidogrel) and subsequently to lipid-lowering therapy (rosuvastatin or simvastatin/ezetimibe) and were followed up for six months. Nonlinear optical properties of LDL samples were examined by Gaussian laser beam (Z-scan) to verify the oxidative state of these lipoproteins, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to analyze structural changes on these particles, dynamic light scattering (DLS) to estimate the particle size distribution, ultra violet (UV)-visible spectroscopy to evaluate the absorbance at wavelength 484 nm (typical from carotenoids), and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Lipoprint) to analyze the LDL subfractions.

Results
Simvastatin/ezetimibe with either clopidogrel or ticagrelor was associated with less oxidized LDL, and simvastatin/ezetimibe with ticagrelor to lower cholesterol content in the atherogenic subfractions of LDL, while rosuvastatin with ticagrelor was the only combination associated with increase in LDL size.

Conclusions
The quality of LDL particles was influenced by the antiplatelet/lipid-lowering strategy, with ticagrelor being associated with the best performance with both lipid-lowering therapies. Trial registration: NCT02428374.
A mean platelet volume in inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bambo Getachew Mesfin , Shiferaw Elias , Melku Mulugeta 
Published: August 2022

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal tract inflammatory state, which is affecting millions of individuals in the world. It can affect alimentary canals such as colon, rectum, ileum and other parts. In IBD, platelet parameters underwent several changes. Therefore, the aim of this review was determining the estimated pooled mean platelet volume and mean difference in inflammatory bowel disease to elucidate its potential diagnostic value.

Methods
Articles were extensively searched in bibliographic databases using Medical Subject Heading and entry phrases or terms. In addition, articles were directly searched in Google Scholar to account for the studies omission in searching bibliographic databases. Observational (cohort, cross-sectional and case-control) studies, published in English language and conducted on IBD were included. For studies meeting the eligibility criteria, the first author’s name, publication year, population, study design, study area, sample size, mean platelet volume and standard deviation were extracted and entered in to Microsoft-excel. The analysis was done by Stata version 11. In order to estimate the pooled mean platelet volume and mean difference, random effect model was done. The heterogeneity was quantified using Higgin’s I2 statistics. Publication bias was determined using Egger’s test statistics and funnel plot. Sub-group analysis based on population carried to reduce heterogeneity.

Results
A total of 17 relevant articles with 2957 participants (1823 IBD cases and 1134 healthy controls) were included to this study. The pooled estimated MPV was 9.29fl; 95% CI: 9.01–9.57 and 9.50fl; 95% CI: 8.81–10.20 in IBD and control groups, respectively. The standardized pooled estimate of mean difference in mean platelet volume was -0.83fl; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.51; I2: 93.1%; P-value < 0.001. In subgroup analysis based on population, the highest estimated mean difference in MPV was observed among patients of CD; -2.30; 95% CI: -3.46, -1.14; I2: 97.8%; P-value < 0.001.

Conclusion
According to the current systematic review and meta-analysis, mean platelet volume was lower in IBD compared to control. The decreased mean platelet volume could be attributed to platelet consumption or sequestration associated with the progression of IBD. As a result, in IBD, mean platelet volume can provide diagnostic and prognostic information.
Comparison of two one-piece acrylic foldable intraocular lenses: Short-term change in axial movement after cataract surgery and its effect on refraction
Authors: Goto So , Maeda Naoyuki , Ohnuma Kazuhiko , Noda Toru 
Published: August 2022

Purpose
To compare the change in intraocular lens (IOL) axial movement, corneal power, and postoperative refraction of eyes implanted with two different single-piece, open loop, acrylic foldable IOLs with planar-haptic design: one IOL with hinges vs. one IOL without hinges. The role of IOL axial movement on short-term refractive shift after cataract surgery was also evaluated.

Methods
This retrospective comparative study enrolled consecutive patients who had phacoemulsification with aspheric IOL implantation. The IOL depth (the distance from corneal endothelium to IOL surface) and corneal power were measured via anterior-segment optical coherence tomography at 4 days and 1 month postoperatively. The changes in axial movement of the IOL, corneal power, and manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) were compared among groups, and the correlations between each lens were evaluated.

Results
IOL with hinges was implanted in 42 eyes of 42 patients and IOL without hinges was implanted in 42 eyes of 42 patients. The change in axial movement between 4 days and 1 month was significantly smaller in the IOL with hinges group than in the IOL without hinges group (p < 0.001). The axial movement of IOL with hinges did not correlate with the MRSE change; however, the forward shift of IOL without hinges correlated with the myopic refractive change (Pearson r = 0.62, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The postoperative axial movement of IOL was more stable in the IOL with hinges group than the IOL without hinges group between 4 days and 1 month after cataract surgery. Even though the two study IOLs with planar-haptic design are made of similar acrylic materials, other characteristics such as hinge structure may affect IOL stability in the bag.
Risk stratification by 30-day prognostic factors of clinical outcomes after granulocyte transfusion in acute myeloid leukemia: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yoo Jaeeun , Cho Hyung Suk , Yoon Jae-Ho , Cho Byung Sik , Kim Hee-Je , Lee Dong-Gun , Jekarl Dong Wook , Kim Myungshin , Oh Eun-Jee , Park Yeon-Joon , Kim Yonggoo 
Published: August 2022

Background
Granulocyte transfusions (GTs) have been used to treat infections in neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, there is persistent controversy regarding their outcomes. We aimed to analyze accumulated clinical and laboratory data from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent GT at our institution in the last 10 years to determine optimal parameters to estimate the GT effect. We hypothesized that patients grouped according to prognostic factors would have inconsistent clinical outcomes.

Materials and methods
In this single-center retrospective study, we collected medical records of 219 GT-treated patients diagnosed with AML from 2009 to 2019. Prognostic factors, including clinical and laboratory parameters, were assessed. Serial measurements of laboratory parameters before and after GT were collected, and the area under the curve of the white blood cells (AUC-WBC) was calculated using the trapezoidal method. A prognostic scoring system using 8 factors from multivariate analysis was analyzed. The primary outcome was survival at 30 days (D30) after GT initiation.

Results
The 8 factors for the prognosis scoring system included secondary AML, mean AUC-WBC, prothrombin time, and levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), phosphorus, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Patients were grouped into 4 risk groups (low, medium, high, and very high), and the D30 survival rates for each group were as follows: 87.6% (99/113), 55.9% (33/59), 21.1% (4/19), and 0% (0/19), respectively. Hematopoiesis, liver, and renal function affected the outcome. FLT3 mutation acted as a favorable factor for D30 survival.

Conclusions
GT response in patients with AML seemed to be reflected by 8 score markers, and GT was significantly effective in the low-risk group. We suggest that it is important to evaluate the risk assessment of patients before GT to achieve better outcomes.
Mechanical and gamma-ray shielding examinations of Bi2O3–PbO–CdO–B2O3 glass system
Authors: Almuqrin Aljawhara H. , Kumar Ashok , Prabhu Nimitha S. , Jecong Julius Federico M. , Kamath Sudha D. , Abu Al-Sayyed Mohammed Ibrahim 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Bi2O3–PbO–CdO–B2O3 glass samples were prepared via melt quenching. The substitution of Bi2O3 for B2O3 resulted in a continuous increase in density from 4.334 to 5.742 g/cm3. The molar volume (V
m) gradually increased from 37.197 to 38.429 cm3/mol when the Bi2O3 level increased from 10 to 25 mol%. With the addition of Bi2O3 from 10 to 25 mol%, Young’s, bulk, shear, and longitudinal modulus reduced from 40.80 to 35.07 GPa, 22.92 to 19.97 GPa, 16.95 to 14.52 GPa, and 45.53 to 39.33 GPa, respectively. These glasses are bendable rather than elongated and can withstand longitudinal stress over shear stress. Radiation protection qualities were investigated using EpiXS software, which is based on the ENDF/B-VIII EPICS2017 library, between 122 and 1275 keV. The mass attenuation coefficients are substantially higher at low energies. The radiation shielding properties of Bi2O3–PbO–CdO–B2O3 glasses were improved by replacing B2O3 with Bi2O3. Quantifying this improvement is critical in developing compact radiation shielding employing this glass system.
Numerical Analysis & No Regrets. Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Francisco Javier Sayas (1968–2019)
Authors: Gatica Gabriel N. , Heuer Norbert , Meddahi Salim 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This is the preface of a special issue dedicated to the memory of
Francisco Javier Sayas who passed away on April 2, 2019. The articles
reflect Sayas’ main research interests in the numerical analysis of
partial differential equations, containing contributions on the scattering and propagation
of acoustic and electromagnetic waves, and the analysis of
discontinuous Galerkin schemes, boundary element methods, and coupled schemes.
We discuss the main contributions of Sayas and give an overview of the results covered by
this special issue.
Uncertainty visualization: Fundamentals and recent developments
Authors: Hägele David , Schulz Christoph , Beschle Cedric , Booth Hannah , Butt Miriam , Barth Andrea , Deussen Oliver , Weiskopf Daniel 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper provides a brief overview of uncertainty visualization along with some fundamental considerations on uncertainty propagation and modeling. Starting from the visualization pipeline, we discuss how the different stages along this pipeline can be affected by uncertainty and how they can deal with this and propagate uncertainty information to subsequent processing steps. We illustrate recent advances in the field with a number of examples from a wide range of applications: uncertainty visualization of hierarchical data, multivariate time series, stochastic partial differential equations, and data from linguistic annotation.
Delineation of profoundly birefringent nonlinear photonic crystal fiber in terahertz frequency regime
Authors: Yadav Sapana , Singh Sachin , Lohia Pooja , Umar Ahmad , Dwivedi Dilip Kumar 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The photonic aspects of semiconducting hexagon-shaped photonic crystal fiber including effective mode area, effective mode index, dispersion, and confinement loss, have already been investigated. The finite element method has been used to compute the maximum distribution of the studied photonic crystal fiber by COMSOL software. The linear modifications from both the effective mode index and an effective mode area have been investigated. Dispersion and confinement loss are examined in terms of air hole ring number and wavelength. For every wavelength, the effective-index model implies that the studied fiber can indeed be single mode. Even though its practical single-mode range inside the opacity aperture of silica appears large, it is eventually confined by a bend-loss edge at both brief & medium wavelengths. Moreover, the reported fiber offers minimal confinement loss of almost 10−8 dB/cm, birefringence 0.0012, and dispersion around 10−11 ps/km nm.
Is cadaveric dissection essential in medical education? A qualitative survey comparing pre-and post-COVID-19 anatomy courses
Authors: Kochhar Smriti , Tasnim Tasfia , Gupta Adarsh 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Context
With the surge of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19]), the modality of teaching anatomy has shifted from in-person cadaveric dissection to virtual lessons for incoming first-year medical students. As a result, we aim to assess the impact that this curriculum change has on student perspectives.

Objectives
This study aims to understand the relative effect of a virtual anatomy course implemented during the pandemic (2019–2020) on the confidence, skills, and perspectives of first-year medical students compared to medical students who had traditional in-person anatomy at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan SOM) in Stratford, New Jersey.

Methods
The authors developed a 14-question survey to target gross anatomy students of the Classes of 2023 and 2024 at Rowan SOM. The Class of 2024 had a virtual anatomy lab compared to the Class of 2023, who had an in-person anatomy lab in their first year of medical school. The responses were analyzed to understand the difference between a hands-on cadaver lab and a virtual anatomy lab utilizing SPSS.

Results
The survey was administered to approximately 400 people, from which we received 149 responses (37.3%). Among all responses, 36.2% (n=54) belonged to the Class of 2023 who encountered hands-on cadaver experience, whereas 63.8% (n=95) belonged to the Class of 2024 who gained virtual anatomy lab experience. An independent t-test statistical analysis was utilized. Under the confidence domain, when students were asked about the understanding of trauma after their respective anatomy labs, 64.0% of the Class of 2023 (n=50) showed significantly higher confidence with p<0.001, compared to 15.4% for the Class of 2024 (n=78). Under the skills domain, the Class of 2023 (n=50) felt more comfortable with ultrasound (64.0%), identifying all of the pertinent anatomical structures and their respective locations on imaging (72.0%), and identifying the pathology (90.0%) with respective p values of <0.001, <0.001, and 0.004. Only 36.9% of Class of 2024 respondents shared similar comfort with ultrasound (n=84), 30.9% identifying pertinent anatomical structures (n=84) and 65.4% in identifying pathology (n=84). Under the attitude domain, the Class of 2023 (n=50) had more respect toward the human body with their hands-on cadaver experience (88.0%) than the Class of 2024 (n=89, 33.3%).

Conclusions
Based on current results, it can be established that medical students who had in-person cadaveric dissection had a favorable attitude toward their anatomy course compared to students who had virtual anatomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prediction model for agro-tourism development using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system method
Authors: Andayani Sri Ayu , Umyati Sri , Dinar  , Tampubolon George Michael , Ismail Agus Yadi , Dani Umar , Nugraha Dadan Ramdani , Turnip Arjon 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIndonesia is one of the most important centers for biodiversity in the world with the highest level of endemism. Meanwhile, tourism is one of the important and strategic economic sectors in the future. It is hoped that the development of the tourism industry will also be able to support efforts to conserve nature, biological wealth, and national cultural wealth. The identification and development planning of the tourism industry needs to be done in more detail and carefully. In this article, the identification and prediction model of support from the local government and the community in developing agro-tourism was proposed. The prediction model was built using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) method. Data were taken from 56 community members as respondents around the agro-tourism area. The results of modeling using the ANFIS method showed satisfactory results with an accuracy of 98.89%. The support of the local government and the surrounding community for the development of community-based agro-tourism is still considered not optimal. There needs to be a synergy between the two with various recommendations for more realistic development support.
Impedimetrischer Inline-Biofilmsensor
Authors: Delan Annekatrin , Becker Michael , Boer Michael , Liefeith Klaus , Frant Marion , Rost Jürgen , Schirmer Uwe , Pietsch Christian , Glöß Daniel , Günther Margarita , Gerlach Gerald 
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Beitrag wird ein Sensorsystem zum Nachweis bakterieller Kontaminationen in wasserführenden Anlagen der Trinkwasserversorgung und in technischen Wasserkreisläufen vorgestellt, das eine schwellwertbasierte permanente Überwachung der Trinkwasserinstallationen ermöglicht. Der Aufbau basiert auf einem Zwei-Sensoren-Prinzip mit einem Messsensor, der eine poröse Polyamid 12-Substratfalle als Detektionsort für die Biofilmbildung enthält, und einem Referenzsensor. Als Trägermaterialien für die Substratfalle wurden geeignete dreidimensionale Geometrien entwickelt und mittels additiven Fertigungsverfahren realisiert. Dabei ist es gelungen, einen optimalen Kompromiss zwischen fluidisch optimierter 3D-Struktur und der technologischen Realisierbarkeit mittels 3D-Druck zu finden. Im Ergebnis entstand eine fluidische Falle für Mikroorganismen, durch die das entsprechende Leitungswasser geführt wird und auf deren Oberfläche sich eine angereicherte Mikroorganismenpopulation als Biofilm auf dem Substratmaterial ausbildet. Die Anbindung des Sensors an eine Mess-, Steuerungs- und Regelungs- (MSR-)Technik ist über eine Datenschnittstelle gewährleistet, wo auch der Vergleich der impedimetrischen Messdaten zwischen Mess- und Referenzkanal erfolgt. Wenn das Differenzsignal einen Schwellenwert erreicht, kann eine frühzeitige Behandlung von Komponenten des Wasserkreislaufes weit vor dem Eintreten möglicher gesundheitlicher Beeinträchtigungen durch Wasserkontaminationen durchgeführt werden. Die Sensoren sind als austauschbare Einheiten nach Bewuchs mit Biofilmen konzipiert. Für den Einsatz in Trinkwasserinstallationen entsprechen Sensor, Beschichtung und Sensorträger den hygienischen Anforderungen der Trinkwasserverordnung.
Preliminary jury instructing: a dilemmatic communication practice
Authors: Tracy Karen 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This study analyzes judges’ preliminary jury instruction in nine US federal civil trials. Following an overview of past and current jury instructing practices, including the role of pattern instructions, I describe the trial materials and introduce genre analysis and grounded practical theory, the two theoretical-methodological frames I use to analyze judges’ instructing. Judges’ preliminary instructions are shown to include the basic units identified in written pattern instructions. How they are performed reveals significant judge variation, and the variations make apparent difficulties built into the law that are backgrounded when solely written texts are studied. Some of these difficulties surface in judges’ description of the case and law, in orientation to note-taking, and in discussion of what is evidence and how to assess it. In concluding I argue that conceiving of high-quality jury deliberation as centrally dependent on getting instructions more comprehensible fails to recognize the fundamental judgment task that juries have. Being a good juror involves navigating communication dilemmas. Attending to the judge’s preliminary jury instructing, the paper argues, requires jurors honoring multiple principles that may be in tension.