bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful Applications of Food-Assisted and -Simulated Training Model of Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Li Yan-Rong , Chou Wei-Yu , Chan Wai-Kin , Cheng Kai-Lun , Sun Jui-Hung , Liu Feng-Hsuan , Chen Szu-Tah , Liou Miaw-Jene 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules is one kind of scarless treatment for symptomatic or cosmetic benign thyroid nodules. However, how to train RFA-naive physicians to become qualified operators for thyroid RFA is an important issue. Our study aimed to introduce a successful training model of thyroid RFA.Materials and MethodsWe used a food-assisted and -simulated training model of thyroid RFA. Chicken hearts were simulated into thyroid nodules, three-layer pork meats were simulated into peri-thyroid structure, and gel bottles were simulated into trachea, respectively. Successful training ablations were defined as chicken hearts that were fully cooked. After repeating training ablations of chicken hearts at least 100 times with the nearly 100% success rates for three young trainees, they served as the first assistant for the real procedures of thyroid RFA and then were qualified to perform thyroid RFA on real patients under the supervision of one experienced interventional radiologist.Results23 real patients who received RFA and follow-up at least 6 months after treatment were included in Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from January 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021. Three young endocrinologists performed thyroid RFA independently. The outcomes were volume reduction rate (VRR), major complications and minor complications. The median VRR at 12 months was 82.00%, two major complications were transient hoarseness, and three minor complications were wound pain. All complications were completely recovered within three days.ConclusionsFor young and RFA-native physicians without any basic skills of echo-guided intervention, this food-assisted and -simulated training model of thyroid RFA was useful for medical training and education.
Policy Allocation for Settlement Development Using Simple Allocation Matrix Rules and Geographic Information System
Authors: Litasari Ulfah Choerunnisa Nurul , Widiatmaka Widiatmaka , Munibah Khursatul , Machfud Machfud 
Published: March 2022

The settlement growth is potentially increased by the rural-to-urban perspective change due to the new era of aerotropolis in Kulon Progo. Land-use planning evaluation is required, especially settlement, which has a significant impact on the environment. However, land-use evaluation studies are currently focused on conforming analysis of official land-use planning (OLUP) toward existing or predicted land use partially or in combination with the performance assessment unit. Consequently, it affects the quality of policy products by disregarding crucial considerations of diverse conditions at points of time and aspects of ideality, reality, and regulation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to design a comprehensive policy allocation for settlements using a matrix allocation rule that integrates conformity and performance analysis in three aspects of planning simultaneously. Land allocation was proposed using a geographic information system (GIS) of land capability, settlement suitability, and agricultural and forest land protection. The current land use/land cover (LULC) was classified using visual interpretation of SPOT 7 satellite imagery and a multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) to predict the LULC in 2035. The result indicated that the stock of land allocation for settlement development is sufficient to meet the demands in 2035. However, there is a problem in the settlement distribution pattern in which 64.3% of existing settlements are located in non-recommended allocation. That number is predicted to increase by 1,145.8 ha. Land-use control instruments need to be conducted to prevent extensive settlement growth in non-recommended allocation. Conversely, zoning allocation should be directed to trigger the growth of settlements in recommended allocation.
Comparing Four Indexing Approaches to Define Soil Quality in an Intensively Cropped Region of Northern India
Authors: Lenka Narendra Kumar , Meena Bharat Prakash , Lal Rattan , Khandagle Abhishek , Lenka Sangeeta , Shirale Abhay Omprakash 
Published: March 2022

The usefulness of the soil quality index (SQI) as a tool to evaluate management options has mostly been studied within the boundaries of a crop or experimental field, calling for the need to enhance its utility in regional-scale soil health assessment. Thus, four quantitative approaches for computing the SQI were evaluated with samples collected from 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm depths at 156 points from the Trans-Gangetic Plains of North India. Principal component analysis (PCA) and soil function (SF)-based approaches were used to select the minimum dataset from 18 soil parameters and assign weights to key indicators. In both approaches, two different data transformation methods were followed: 1) routine method with maximum or minimum values of indicator parameters and 2) percentile method with the 90th or 10th percentile value as the denominator or numerator for “more is better” and “less is better” scoring functions, respectively. The PCA output with factor loadings from the varimax rotation showed six principal components accounting for 75% of the total variance, with PC1 explaining the highest variance (26.8%) followed by PC2 (16%). The SF-based approach was better than PCA in terms of a higher correlation of SQI with rice and wheat yields. The percentile method showed a higher correlation in both PCA and SF methods. The SQI computed from 0 to 30 cm soil data did not show any superiority over that from 0 to 15 cm soil. Thus, the soil function–based approach with the percentile method of data transformation proved better to compute the SQI and establish a relationship with production function.
Detection of De Novo PAX2 Variants and Phenotypes in Chinese Population: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Xiong Hua-Ying , Shi Yong-Qi , Zhong Cheng , Yang Qin , Zhang Gaofu , Yang Haiping , Wu Daoqi , Chen Yaxi , Li Qiu , Wang Mo 
Published: March 2022

Background:PAX2 is a nuclear transcription factor gene that is highly conserved among species. Variants within PAX2 could result in optic nerve colobomas and kidney hypoplasia. However, little clinical and genetic information is currently available about PAX2 variants in Chinese children.Objective: This study aims to further understand the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of PAX2 variants in Chinese population.Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data of 10 children identified as carriers of PAX2 variants by gene sequencing. All the variants found in this study were analyzed using in silico prediction and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines.Results: The mean age for developing the first symptom in 10 unrelated children was 7.2 years old. Proteinuria and bilateral kidney dysplasia were found in every patient. Two children underwent kidney histological examination; one child showed high-intensity C1q deposition in the kidney, and the other child showed focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). Three children had PAX2-related ocular abnormalities, including nystagmus, retinal exudation, amblyopia, microphthalmia, microcornea, and total blindness. In addition, one patient had the comorbidity of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Eight different PAX2 variants were found in ten patients, three of which were reported for the first time.Conclusion: We reported some patients with unique manifestations and comorbidities, and we reported three variants that have not been previously identified. The PAX2 gene is prone to spontaneous variants, and the outcome of patients is unfavorable. Because of the lack of specific therapy, genetic testing should be recommended for individuals with obvious evidence of kidney dysplasia and eye abnormalities, and kidney protective treatment should be initiated early.
Effect of Hydrogen Inhalation Therapy on Hearing Loss of Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma After Radiotherapy
Authors: Kong Xiaofeng , Lu Tianyu , Lu You-Yong , Yin Zhinan , Xu Kecheng 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hydrogen inhalation in improving hearing loss in patients with long-term survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.MethodsThe eustachian tube dysfunction score, pure tone air conduction threshold, bone conduction threshold, the score of tympanogram and otoscope were prospectively observed in patients with deafness after radiotherapy only or combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Paired t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data before and after treatment.ResultsA total of 17 patients were observed. The median time from radiotherapy to now was 228 months, and the median time from the diagnose of deafness to now was 92 months. After 4 weeks of hydrogen inhalation, the score of eustachian tube dysfunction, air conduction and bone conduction hearing thresholds were significantly reduced, P values were 0.0293, 0.0027, 0.0404, respectively. The mean air-bone gap, the score of otoendoscopy and tympanogram were also decreased, but the differences were not significant (P = 0.2079, P = 0.0536, P = 0.1056). Patients with radiotherapy alone and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy had significantly lower air conduction hearing threshold after hydrogen absorption (P = 0.0142, P = 0.0495). The results of air and bone hearing thresholds before, 4 and 12 weeks after hydrogen inhalation showed a descending trend. The air and bone hearing thresholds before hydrogen inhalation were 74.69 ± 27.03 dB and 45.70 ± 21.58 dB, respectively. At the 12th week, the mean values of air and bone hearing thresholds were the lowest, which were 66.88 ± 20.88 dB and 40.94 ± 18.93 dB, respectively, but there was no significant difference in air and bone hearing thresholds among all groups (P = 0.6755, P = 0.7712). After hydrogen inhalation treatment, no adverse reactions such as nosebleed, chest pain, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, earache and allergic reaction were observed.ConclusionThis is the first prospective study on the effect of hydrogen inhalation on hearing improvement in patients with deafness after radiotherapy/chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, suggesting that continuous hydrogen inhalation may be an alternative rehabilitation therapy for these patients.
Epidemiological Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants During Social Protests in Cali, Colombia
Authors: Patiño Luz H. , Castañeda Sergio , Muñoz Marina , Ballesteros Nathalia , Ramirez Angie L. , Luna Nicolas , Guerrero-Araya Enzo , Pérez Julie , Correa-Cárdenas Camilo A. , Duque Maria Clara , Méndez Claudia , Oliveros Carolina , Shaban Maryia V. , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto E. , Ramírez Juan David 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe third wave of the global health crisis attributed to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus reached Colombia in March 2021. Over the following 6 months, it was interpolated by manifestations of popular disapproval to the actual political regime—with multiple protests sprouting throughout the country. Large social gatherings seeded novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants in big cities and propagated their facile spread, leading to increased rates of hospitalizations and deaths.MethodsIn this article, we evaluate the effective reproduction number (Rt) dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Cali, Colombia, between 4 April 2021 and 31 July 2021 based on the analysis of 228 genomes.ResultsOur results showed clear contrast in Rt values between the period of frequent protests (Rt &gt; 1), and the preceding and following months (Rt &lt; 1). Genomic analyses revealed 16 circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages during the initial period—including variants of concern (VOCs) (Alpha, Gamma, and Delta) and variants of interest (VOIs) (Lambda and Mu). Furthermore, we noticed the Mu variant dominating the COVID-19 distribution schema as the months progressed. We identified four principal clusters through phylogenomic analyses—each one of potentially independent introduction to the city. Two of these were associated with the Mu variant, one associated with the Gamma variant, and one with the Lambda variant.ConclusionOur results chronicle the impact of large group assemblies on the epidemiology of COVID-19 during this intersection of political turmoil and sanitary crisis in Cali, Colombia. We emphasize upon the effects of limited biosecurity strategies (which had characterized this time period), on the spread of highly virulent strains throughout Cali and greater Colombia.
Study on the Association of Dietary Fatty Acid Intake and Serum Lipid Profiles With Cognition in Aged Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Li Pengfei , Gao Yanyan , Ma Xiaojun , Zhou Shaobo , Guo Yujie , Xu Jingjing , Wang Xixiang , Van Halm-Lutterodt Nicholas , Yuan Linhong 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe correlation between dietary fatty acid (FA) intake and serum lipid profile levels with cognition in the aged population has been reported by previous studies. However, the association of dietary FA intake and serum lipid profile levels with cognition in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is seldom reported.ObjectiveA cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the correlation between dietary FA intake and serum lipid profiles with cognition in the aged Chinese population with T2DM.MethodsA total of 1,526 aged Chinese subjects were recruited from communities. Fasting blood samples were collected for parameter measurement. The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) method was applied for a dietary survey. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Dietary FA intake and serum lipid levels were compared between subjects with T2DM and control subjects. A logistic regression analysis was carried out for analyzing the association of FA intake and serum lipid levels with the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in subjects with T2DM and control subjects.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the serum lipid level between the T2DM group and the control group. Results of the logistic regression analysis demonstrated the potential associations of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intake with the risk of MCI in subjects with T2DM, but the associations were not observed in control subjects.ConclusionThe T2DM phenotype might affect the relationship between dietary FA intake, circulating lipids, and cognitive performance. Large prospective cohort studies are needed to uncover the underlying mechanism of how dietary FA intake and serum lipid levels affect cognition in aged subjects with T2DM.
The Infraslow Frequency Oscillatory Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Enhances Sustained Attention
Authors: Qiao Jingwen , Li Xinyu , Wang Youhao , Wang Yifeng , Li Gen , Lu Ping , Wang Shouyan 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe vigilance fluctuation and decrement of sustained attention have large detrimental consequences to most tasks in daily life, especially among the elderly. Non-invasive brain stimulations (e.g., transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) have been widely applied to improve sustained attention, however, with mixed results.ObjectiveAn infraslow frequency oscillatory tDCS approach was designed to improve sustained attention.MethodsThe infraslow frequency oscillatory tDCS (O-tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 0.05 Hz was designed and compared with conventional tDCS (C-tDCS) to test whether this new protocol improves sustained attention more effectively. The sustained attention was evaluated by reaction time and accuracy.ResultsCompared with the C-tDCS and sham, the O-tDCS significantly enhanced sustained attention by increasing response accuracy, reducing response time, and its variability. These effects were predicted by the evoked oscillation of response time at the stimulation frequency.ConclusionSimilar to previous studies, the modulation effect of C-tDCS on sustained attention is weak and unstable. In contrast, the O-tDCS effectively and systematically enhances sustained attention by optimizing vigilance fluctuation. The modulation effect of O-tDCS is probably driven by neural oscillations at the infraslow frequency range.
A Pilot Study of Radiomic Based on Routine CT Reflecting Difference of Cerebral Hemispheric Perfusion
Authors: Ren Qingguo , An Panpan , Jin Ke , Xia Xiaona , Huang Zhaodi , Xu Jingxu , Huang Chencui , Jiang Qingjun , Meng Xiangshui 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundTo explore the effectiveness of radiomics features based on routine CT to reflect the difference of cerebral hemispheric perfusion.MethodsWe retrospectively recruited 52 patients with severe stenosis or occlusion in the unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA), and brain CT perfusion showed an MCA area with deficit perfusion. Radiomics features were extracted from the stenosis side and contralateral of the MCA area based on precontrast CT. Two different region of interest drawing methods were applied. Then the patients were randomly grouped into training and testing sets by the ratio of 8:2. In the training set, ANOVA and the Elastic Net Regression with fivefold cross-validation were conducted to filter and choose the optimized features. Moreover, different machine learning models were built. In the testing set, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve, calibration, and clinical utility were applied to evaluate the predictive performance of the models.ResultsThe logistic regression (LR) for the triangle-contour method and artificial neural network (ANN) for the semiautomatic-contour method were chosen as radiomics models for their good prediction efficacy in the training phase (AUC = 0.869, 0.873) and the validation phase (AUC = 0.793, 0.799). The radiomics algorithms of the triangle-contour and semiautomatic-contour method were implemented in the whole training set (AUC = 0.870, 0.867) and were evaluated in the testing set (AUC = 0.760, 0.802). According to the optimal cutoff value, these two methods can classify the vascular stenosis side class and normal side class.ConclusionRadiomic predictive feature based on precontrast CT image could reflect the difference of cerebral hemispheric perfusion to some extent.
Multi-Parameter MR Radiomics Based Model to Predict 5-Year Progression-Free Survival in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Liu Defeng , Yang Linsha , Du Dan , Zheng Tao , Liu Lanxiang , Wang Zhanqiu , Du Juan , Dong Yanchao , Yi Huiling , Cui Yujie 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundRelapse is the major cause of mortality in patients with resected endometrial cancer (EC). There is an urgent need for a feasible method to identify patients with high risk of relapse.PurposeTo develop a multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics-based nomogram model to predict 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) in EC.MethodsFor this retrospective study, 202 patients with EC followed up for at least 5 years after hysterectomy. A radiomics signature was extracted from T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and a dynamic contrast-enhanced three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE). The radiomics score (RS) was calculated based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. We have developed a radiomics based nomogram model (ModelN) incorporating the RS and clinical and conventional MR (cMR) risk factors. The performance was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe ModelN demonstrated a good calibration and satisfactory discrimination, with a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.840 and 0.958 in the training and test cohorts, respectively. In comparison with clinical prediction model (ModelC), the discrimination ability of ModelN showed an improvement with P &lt; 0.001 for the training cohort and P=0.032 for the test cohort. Compared to the radiomics prediction model (ModelR), ModelN discrimination ability showed an improvement for the training cohort with P = 0.021, with no statistically significant difference in the test cohort (P = 0.106). Calibration curves suggested a good fit for probability (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, P = 0.610 and P = 0.956 for the training and test cohorts, respectively).ConclusionThis multi-parameter nomogram model incorporating clinical and cMR findings is a valid method to predict 5-year PFS in patients with EC.
Analysis of L Antigen Family Member 3 as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Associated With the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Qianhui , Lu Xinyu , Xie Jiayi , Ma Na , Xu Weikang , Zhang Zhiming , Huang Xuan , Liu Hongyan , Hou Jinlin , Zhang Xiaoyong , Zhu Wei 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. L antigen family member 3 (LAGE3) is a prognostic biomarker and associated with progression in a variety of tumors. However, little has been reported about the role and potential mechanism of LAGE3 in HCC.MethodsThe clinical value and function of LAGE3 in HCC were obtained from multiple online databases. The potential functions and pathways of LAGE3 in HCC were analysed by R package of “clusterProfiler”. LAGE3 knockdown cells were constructed in HepG2, HuH7 and MHCC97H cell lines, respectively. The biological roles of LAGE3 were examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments.ResultsLAGE3 was upregulated in HCC tissues compared with normal tissues, and high expression of LAGE3 was significantly associated with several clinical characteristics and indicated a worse prognosis of HCC. The co-expressed genes of LAGE3 could be enriched in the mTOR signaling pathway in HCC. LAGE3 was upregulated in HCC cell lines. Functionally, knocking down LAGE3 expression not only increased apoptosis and inhibited growth rate, cell death mediated by T cells, colony formation, migration and invasion ability of HCC cell lines in vitro, but also reduced the progression of HCC in the subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model.ConclusionOur results suggested that LAGE3 served as an oncogenic factor of HCC and could be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.