bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) for advanced pancreatic and periampullary adenocarcinoma
Authors: Thosani Nirav , Cen Putao , Rowe Julie , Guha Sushovan , Bailey-Lundberg Jennifer M. , Bhakta Dimpal , Patil Prithvi , Wray Curtis J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractLong term prognosis and 5-year survival for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains suboptimal. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided RFA (EUS-RFA) is an emerging technology and limited data exist regarding safety and long-term outcomes. The aim of this study is to report safety-profile, feasibility and outcomes of EUS-RFA for advanced PDAC. Prospective review of patients with diagnosis of locally-advanced or metastatic PDAC undergoing EUS-RFA between October 2016 to March 2018 with long-term follow up (> 30 months). Study patients underwent a total of 1–4 RFA sessions. All patients were enrolled in longitudinal cohort study and received standard of care chemotherapy. 10 patients underwent EUS-RFA. Location of the lesions was in the head(4), neck(2), body(2), and tail(2). 22 RFA sessions were performed with a range of 1–4 sessions per patient. There were no major adverse events (bleeding, perforation, infection, pancreatitis) in immediate (up to 72 h) and short-term follow up (4 weeks). Mild worsening of existing abdominal pain was noted during post-procedure observation in 12/22 (55%) of RFA treatments. Follow-up imaging demonstrated tumor progression in 2 patients, whereas tumor regression was noted in 6 patients (> 50% reduction in size in 3 patients). Median survival for the cohort was 20.5 months (95% CI, 9.93–42.2 months). Currently, 2 patients remain alive at 61 and 81 months follow-up since initial diagnosis. One patient had 3 cm PDAC with encasement of the portal confluence, abutment of the celiac axis, common hepatic and superior mesenteric artery. This patient had significant reduction in tumor size and underwent standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. In our experience, EUS-RFA was safe, well-tolerated and could be concurrently performed with standard chemotherapy. In this select cohort, median survival was improved when compared to published survival based upon SEER database and clinical trials. Future prospective trials are needed to understand the role of EUS-RFA in overall management of PDAC.
Optimized multi-echo gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging for gray and white matter segmentation in the lumbosacral cord at 3 T
Authors: Büeler Silvan , Yiannakas Marios C. , Damjanovski Zdravko , Freund Patrick , Liechti Martina D. , David Gergely 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAtrophy in the spinal cord (SC), gray (GM) and white matter (WM) is typically measured in-vivo by image segmentation on multi-echo gradient-echo magnetic resonance images. The aim of this study was to establish an acquisition and analysis protocol for optimal SC and GM segmentation in the lumbosacral cord at 3 T. Ten healthy volunteers underwent imaging of the lumbosacral cord using a 3D spoiled multi-echo gradient-echo sequence (Siemens FLASH, with 5 echoes and 8 repetitions) on a Siemens Prisma 3 T scanner. Optimal numbers of successive echoes and signal averages were investigated comparing signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values as well as qualitative ratings for segmentability by experts. The combination of 5 successive echoes yielded the highest CNR between WM and cerebrospinal fluid and the highest rating for SC segmentability. The combination of 3 and 4 successive echoes yielded the highest CNR between GM and WM and the highest rating for GM segmentability in the lumbosacral enlargement and conus medullaris, respectively. For segmenting the SC and GM in the same image, we suggest combining 3 successive echoes. For SC or GM segmentation only, we recommend combining 5 or 3 successive echoes, respectively. Six signal averages yielded good contrast for reliable SC and GM segmentation in all subjects. Clinical applications could benefit from these recommendations as they allow for accurate SC and GM segmentation in the lumbosacral cord.
Longitudinal evaluation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfated form and estradiol with cancer-related cognitive impairment in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Toh Yi Long , Tan Chia Jie , Yap Ning Yi , Parajuli Ritesh , Lau Aik Jiang , Chan Alexandre 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to elucidate how patient-reported cognitive symptoms manifest from variations in hormone levels or precursors such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form [collectively termed as DHEA(S)] and to investigate their association in breast cancer survivors. Levels of estradiol and DHEA(S) were compared between early-stage breast cancer patients with and without cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) during adjuvant chemotherapy. Data were analyzed from 242 patients (mean age ± SD = 50.8 ± 9.2 years) who had completed FACT-Cog v.3.0, blood draws and questionnaires. Regression model was used to fit the magnitude of change in each respective biomarker levels against overall cognitive impairment status while adjusting for clinically important covariates. There was reduction in mean plasma levels of estradiol and DHEAS during and towards the end of chemotherapy (p-values < 0.001). Compared to non-impaired patients, smaller magnitude of decline was observed in DHEA(S) levels in patients reporting CRCI, with significant association between decline in DHEAS levels and acute onset of CRCI at 6 weeks from baseline (adjusted β of 0.40, p-value of 0.02). In contrast, patients reporting CRCI showed greater magnitude of decline in estradiol compared to non-impaired patients, although this was not found to be statistically significant. There was an association between magnitude of change in biomarker levels with self-reported CRCI which suggests that the hormonal pathway related to DHEAS may be implicated in acute CRCI for breast cancer survivors. Our findings help to improve biological understanding of the pathway from which DHEAS may correlate with cognitive dysfunction and its impact on cancer survivors.
Electron microscopy and calorimetry of proteins in supercooled water
Authors: Melillo Jorge H. , Nikulina Elizaveta , Iriarte-Alonso Maiara A. , Cerveny Silvina , Bittner Alexander M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSome of the best nucleating agents in nature are ice-nucleating proteins, which boost ice growth better than any other material. They can induce immersion freezing of supercooled water only a few degrees below 0 °C. An open question is whether this ability also extends to the deposition mode, i.e., to water vapor. In this work, we used three proteins, apoferritin, InaZ (ice nucleation active protein Z), and myoglobin, of which the first two are classified as ice-nucleating proteins for the immersion freezing mode. We studied the ice nucleation ability of these proteins by differential scanning calorimetry (immersion freezing) and by environmental scanning electron microscopy (deposition freezing). Our data show that InaZ crystallizes water directly from the vapor phase, while apoferritin first condenses water in the supercooled state, and subsequently crystallizes it, just as myoglobin, which is unable to nucleate ice.
US county-level prevalence and spatial distribution of optimal birth outcomes 2018–2019
Authors: Dyer Lauren , Bell Caryn , Perez Susan , Crear-Perry Joia , Theall Katherine , Wallace Maeve 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA shift in focus towards healthy reproductive outcomes may reveal opportunities for novel interventions and strategies to promote optimal health. Using variables from the National Center for Health Statistics restricted use natality files, we calculated Empirical Bayes smoothed (EBS) rates of optimal birth for the all live births—both overall and by maternal race/ethnicity—by applying the smoothing tool in GeoDa version 1.18.0.10 We defined counties achieving greater racial birth equity as those where the overall EBS optimal birth rate was greater than the national 75th percentile and the absolute difference between maternal racial/ethnic categories was smaller than the national 25th percentile difference. During the study period, 49.80% of overall births could be classified as an optimal birth according to the study definition. Of the 3140 US counties, only 282 (8.98%) appeared to advance White-Black equity in optimal births, and 205 (6.53%) appeared to advance White-Hispanic equity in optimal births. In the effort improve maternal health, we should focus not only on the absence of negative outcomes, but also the occurrence of positive outcomes. Our analytic results suggest that optimal births can be measured and that geographic inequities by race occur.
Preparation of novel B4C nanostructure/Si photodetectors by laser ablation in liquid
Authors: Hamd Salah S. , Ramizy Asmiet , Ismail Raid A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this study, boron carbide (B4C) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by pulsed laser ablation of boron in ethanol at a laser fluence of 6.36 J cm−2 pulse−1. The effect of numbers of laser pulses on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of B4C NPs was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that all B4C nanoparticles synthesized were polycrystalline in nature with a rhombohedral structure. When the laser pulses increased from 500 to 1500, the optical band gap of B4C decreased from 2.45 to 2.38 eV. Fluorescence measurements showed the emission of two emission peaks. The Raman spectra of B4C nanoparticles exhibit six vibration modes centered at 270, 480, 533, 722, 820, and 1080 cm−1. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images show the formation of spherical nanoparticles of an average size of 68, 75, and 84 nm for samples prepared at 500, 1000, and 1500 pulses, respectively. The dark I–V characteristics of B4C/Si heterojunction photodetectors showed rectification characteristics, and the heterojunction prepared at 500 pulses exhibits the best junction characteristics. The illuminated I–V characteristics of B4C/p-Si heterojunction photodetectors exhibited high photosensitivity to white light. The spectral responsivity of the p-B4C/p-Si photodetector shows that the maximum responsivity was 0.66 A W−1at 500 nm for a photodetector prepared at 500 pulses. The highest specific detectivity and quantum efficiency were 2.18 × 1012Jones and 1.64 × 102% at 550 nm, respectively, for a heterojunction photodetector fabricated at 500 pulses, The ON/OFF ratio, rise time, and fall time are measured as a function of the number of laser pulses. The photodetector fabricated at 1500 laser pulses showed roughly rise and fall intervals of 1.5 and 0.8 s, respectively.
Potential mechanisms and prognostic model of eRNAs-regulated genes in stomach adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gao Liuying , Rong Hao 
Published: October 2022

AbstractGastric Carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, in which stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is the most common histological type. A growing amount of evidence has suggested the importance of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in the cancer. However, the potential mechanism of eRNAs in STAD remains unclear. The eRNAs-regulated genes (eRRGs) were identified through four different enhancer resources. The differentially expressed eRRGs were obtained by ‘DESeq2’ R package. The prognosis prediction model was constructed by Cox and Lasso regression analysis. The ‘ChAMP’ R package and ‘maftools’ R package were used to investigate the multi-omics characters. In this study, combining the concept of contact domain, a total of 9014 eRRGs including 4926 PCGs and 4088 lncRNAs were identified and these eRRGs showed higher and more stable expression. Besides, the functions of these genes were mainly associated with tumor-related biological processes. Then, a prognostic prediction model was constructed and the AUC values of the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival prediction reached 0.76, 0.84 and 0.84, respectively, indicating that this model has a high accuracy. Finally, the difference between high-risk group and low-risk group were investigated using multi-omics data including gene expression, DNA methylation and somatic mutations. Our study provides significant clues for the elucidation of eRNAs in STAD and may help improve the overall survival for STAD patients.
Giant clam (Tridacna) distribution in the Gulf of Oman in relation to past and future climate
Authors: Reuter Markus , Spreter Philipp M. , Brachert Thomas C. , Mertz-Kraus Regina , Wrozyna Claudia 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe Oman upwelling zone (OUZ) creates an unfavorable environment and a major biogeographic barrier for many coral reef species, such as giant clams, thus promoting and maintaining faunal differences among reefs on the east and west side of the Arabian Peninsula. We record the former existence of Tridacna in the Gulf of Oman and review its stratigraphic distribution in the Persian Gulf to provide new insights on the connectivity of coral reef habitats around southern Arabia under changing climate and ocean conditions. Fossil shells were carbon-14 dated and employed as sclerochronological proxy archives. This reveals that the Omani population represents a last glacial colonization event during the Marine Isotope Stage 3 interstadial under colder-than-present temperatures and variable upwelling intensity linked to Dansgaard-Oeschger climate oscillations. It was favored by temperatures just above the lower threshold for the habitat-forming reef coral communities and instability of the upwelling barrier. We conclude that the distribution of Tridacna in the northern Arabian Sea is generally limited by either strong upwelling or cool sea surface temperature under gradually changing climate conditions at the interglacial-glacial scale. Opportunities for dispersal and temporary colonization existed only when there was a simultaneous attenuation of both limiting factors due to high-frequency climate variability. The OUZ will unlikely become a future climate change refuge for giant clams because they will be exposed either to thermal stress by rapid anthropogenic Indian Ocean warming or to unfavorable upwelling conditions.
Prone positioning may increase lung overdistension in COVID-19-induced ARDS
Authors: Otáhal Michal , Mlček Mikuláš , Borges João Batista , Alcala Glasiele Cristina , Hladík Dominik , Kuriščák Eduard , Tejkl Leoš , Amato Marcelo , Kittnar Otomar 
Published: October 2022

AbstractReal-time effects of changing body position and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on regional lung overdistension and collapse in individual patients remain largely unknown and not timely monitored. The aim of this study was to individualize PEEP in supine and prone body positions seeking to reduce lung collapse and overdistension in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that prone positioning with bedside titrated PEEP would provide attenuation of both overdistension and collapse. In this prospective observational study, patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS under mechanical ventilation were included. We used electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with decremental PEEP titration algorithm (PEEPEIT-titration), which provides information on regional lung overdistension and collapse, along with global respiratory system compliance, to individualize PEEP and body position. PEEPEIT-titration in supine position followed by PEEPEIT-titration in prone position were performed. Immediately before each PEEPEIT-titration, the same lung recruitment maneuver was performed: 2 min of PEEP 24 cmH2O and driving pressure of 15 cmH2O. Forty-two PEEPEIT-titration were performed in ten patients (21 pairs supine and prone positions). We have found larger % of overdistension along the PEEP titration in prone than supine position (P = 0.042). A larger % of collapse along the PEEP titration was found in supine than prone position (P = 0.037). A smaller respiratory system compliance was found in prone than supine position (P < 0.0005). In patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS, prone body position, when compared with supine body position, decreased lung collapse at low PEEP levels, but increased lung overdistension at PEEP levels greater than 10 cm H2O.Trial registration number: NCT04460859.
Cognitive genomics of learning delay and low level of social performance monitoring in macaque
Authors: Ninomiya Taihei , Noritake Atsushi , Tatsumoto Shoji , Go Yasuhiro , Isoda Masaki 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCognitive skills and the underlying neural architecture are under the influence of genetics. Cognitive genomics research explores the triadic relationship between genes, brain, and cognition, with its major strategy being genotype-driven. Here we show that an inverse strategy is feasible to identify novel candidate genes for particular neuro-cognitive phenotypes in macaques. Two monkeys, originally involved in separate psychological studies, exhibited learning delay and low levels of social performance monitoring. In one monkey, mirror neurons were fewer compared to controls and mu suppression was absent in the frontal cortex. The other monkey showed heightened visual responsiveness in both frontal cortex and dopamine-rich midbrain, with a lack of inter-areal synchronization. Exome analyses revealed that the two monkeys were most likely cousins and shared variants in MAP2, APOC1, and potentially HTR2C. This phenotype-driven strategy in cognitive genomics provides a useful means to clarify the genetic basis of phenotypic variation and develop macaque models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Modelling brain dynamics by Boolean networks
Authors: Bertacchini Francesca , Scuro Carmelo , Pantano Pietro , Bilotta Eleonora 
Published: October 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between brain architecture and brain function is a central issue in neuroscience. We modeled realistic spatio-temporal patterns of brain activity on a human connectome with a Boolean networks model with the aim of computationally replicating certain cognitive functions as they emerge from the standardization of many fMRI studies, identified as patterns of human brain activity. Results from the analysis of simulation data, carried out for different parameters and initial conditions identified many possible paths in the space of parameters of these network models, with normal (ordered asymptotically constant patterns), chaotic (oscillating or disordered) but also highly organized configurations, with countless spatial–temporal patterns. We interpreted these results as routes to chaos, permanence of the systems in regimes of complexity, and ordered stationary behavior, associating these dynamics to cognitive processes. The most important result of this work is the study of emergent neural circuits, i.e., configurations of areas that synchronize over time, both locally and globally, determining the emergence of computational analogues of cognitive processes, which may or may not be similar to the functioning of biological brain. Furthermore, results put in evidence the creation of how the brain creates structures of remote communication. These structures have hierarchical organization, where each level allows for the emergence of brain organizations which behave at the next superior level. Taken together these results allow the interplay of dynamical and topological roots of the multifaceted brain dynamics to be understood.
Automated fracture screening using an object detection algorithm on whole-body trauma computed tomography
Authors: Inoue Takaki , Maki Satoshi , Furuya Takeo , Mikami Yukio , Mizutani Masaya , Takada Ikko , Okimatsu Sho , Yunde Atsushi , Miura Masataka , Shiratani Yuki , Nagashima Yuki , Maruyama Juntaro , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inage Kazuhide , Orita Sumihisa , Eguchi Yawara , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe emergency department is an environment with a potential risk for diagnostic errors during trauma care, particularly for fractures. Convolutional neural network (CNN) deep learning methods are now widely used in medicine because they improve diagnostic accuracy, decrease misinterpretation, and improve efficiency. In this study, we investigated whether automatic localization and classification using CNN could be applied to pelvic, rib, and spine fractures. We also examined whether this fracture detection algorithm could help physicians in fracture diagnosis. A total of 7664 whole-body CT axial slices (chest, abdomen, pelvis) from 200 patients were used. Sensitivity, precision, and F1-score were calculated to evaluate the performance of the CNN model. For the grouped mean values for pelvic, spine, or rib fractures, the sensitivity was 0.786, precision was 0.648, and F1-score was 0.711. Moreover, with CNN model assistance, surgeons showed improved sensitivity for detecting fractures and the time of reading and interpreting CT scans was reduced, especially for less experienced orthopedic surgeons. Application of the CNN model may lead to reductions in missed fractures from whole-body CT images and to faster workflows and improved patient care through efficient diagnosis in polytrauma patients.
Damage evolution and fracture behavior of different materials specimens containing a central hole subjected to local loading
Authors: Ji Dongliang , Zhao Hongbao , Cheng Hui , Yang Xiuhan , Ge Lina 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe strength of the different materials specimens containing a central hole subjected to varying loading areas constitutes lots of underground engineering such as entry arrangement and mining process. In this study, the failure resulted from micro-fracturing in the specimen, which can be characterized by the crack propagation path if the damage events are monitored by using Digital Image Correlation (DIC), infrared thermal imager and high-speed camera. The experimental results demonstrate that there are three different types of typical failure modes for specimens with central holes according to the loading areas. The evolution of the temperature field is shown for various loading areas, the smaller loading area, the greater the stress concentration, and the more pronounced the thermodynamic features. The temperature field can also be associated with material properties in addition to loading area. Additionally, failure around the hole with redistributed stress has been observed, and strain energy density (SED) can help explain the failure mechanisms. The progressive damage process, which takes into account the heterogeneity in elastic modulus and rock strength characteristic, is demonstrated by developing a constitutive model that uses the uniaxial compression and Brazilian disc tests to parameterize it. By comparison with plastic zone, the proposed constitutive model is used to quantitatively evaluate the accumulation of damage. Failure mechanisms are established based on this work and are anticipated to be extensively utilized in engineering applications.