bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intra- and Inter-operator variability in manual tumor segmentation: Impact on radionuclide therapy dosimetry
Authors: Dewaraja Yuni K , Covert Elise C. , Fitzpatrick Kellen , Mikell Justin K. , Kaza Ravi K. , Millet John D. , Barkmeier Daniel , Gemmete Joseph , Christensen Jared , Schipper Matthew J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose The aim was to quantify inter- and intra-observer variability in manually delineated lesion contours and the resulting impact on radionuclide therapy dosimetry. Methods Ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma lesions treated with 90Y radioembolization (RE) and imaged with post-therapy 90Y PET/CT were selected for retrospective analysis. Three radiologists contoured 20 lesions manually on baseline multiphase contrast-enhanced MRIs and two of the radiologists re-contoured at two additional sessions. Contours were transferred to co-registered PET/CT-based 90Y dose-maps. Volume-dependent recovery-coefficients (RCs) were applied for partial volume correction when reporting mean absorbed dose. To understand how uncertainty varies with tumor size, we fit power models regressing relative uncertainty in volume and in mean absorbed dose on contour volume. Finally, we determined effects of uncertainty on tumor control probability (TCP), as calculated using logistic models developed in a previous report for lesions treated with RE. Results The average lesion volume ranged from 1.8 mL to 194.5 mL and the mean absorbed dose ranged from 23.4 to 1,629.0 Gy. The mean inter-observer Dice coefficient for lesion contours was significantly less than the mean intra-observer Dice coefficient (0.79 vs. 0.85, p < 0.001). Uncertainty in volume, as measured by the Coefficient of Variation (CV) ranged from 4.2% to 34.7% with a mean of 17.2%. For lesions > 8 mL, the CV in mean absorbed dose had an average value of 7.2% (range 1.5% to 12.6%) while for smaller lesions it was 21.7% (range 8.4 to 55.2%). The fitted uncertainty curves as a function of volume, v (in mL), were: %CV (volume) = 23.0* v-0.17 and %CV (mean dose) = 32.4* v-0.44. With this model for uncertainty, the mean change in TCP was 16.2% (maximum 48.5%). Conclusion Though we find relatively high inter- and intra-observer reliability overall, uncertainty in tumor contouring propagates into non-negligible uncertainty in dose metrics and outcome prediction for individual cases that should be considered in dosimetry-guided treatment.
Characteristics Of Internal Oblique Muscle Strain In Professional Baseball Players: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Komatsu Shuro , Kaneko Hironori , Nagashima Masaki 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Internal oblique muscle strains can develop in professional baseball players, rendering the players unable to continue playing for a certain period. However, the characteristics of this injury are not well known. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the details of the injury and the post injury course of internal oblique muscle strain in professional baseball players.Methods: The subjects were members of a single Japanese professional baseball team with a total of 188 players (81 fielders and 107 pitchers) who developed internal oblique muscle strains from January 2012 to December 2021. The diagnosis of muscle strain was made on the basis of local pain and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The incidence of internal oblique muscle strain, the details of the site of the injury, and the time to return to play were examined.Results: There were 28 cases in 23 players (12.2%) of internal oblique muscle strain. The players were 16 fielders (24.7%) and 7 pitchers (7.5%), with a significantly greater incidence in fielders (p=0.006). Although internal oblique muscle strain was more common on the side contralateral to the batting or pitching side, it occurred on either side. Most of the injury sites were at the region of the muscle insertion to the lower ribs. At a mean time of 36.5 months after the initial injury, 5 players (21.7%) developed another internal oblique muscle strain. The mean time to return to play was 29.4±10.6 days (4–53 days).Conclusions: Baseball players who have symptoms at the side of the trunk should be regarded as having possible internal oblique muscle strain, and proactive examination should be considered.Trial registrations: Not applicable
Acute Toxicities and Cumulative Dose to the Brain of Repeated Sessions of Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) for Brain Metastases: a Retrospective Study of 184 Patients
Authors: Kuntz L. , Fèvre C. Le , Jarnet D. , Keller A. , Meyer P. , Thiery Alicia , Cebula H. , Noel Georges , Antoni D. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
BackgroundStereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) is a focal treatment for brain metastases (BMs); thus, 20 to 40% of patients will require salvage treatment after an initial SRT session, either because of local or distant failure. SRT is not exempt from acute toxicity, and the acute toxicities of repeated SRT are not well known. The objective of this study was to analyze the acute toxicities of repeated courses of SRT and to determine whether repeated SRT could lead to cumulative brain doses equivalent to those of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT).Material and MethodsBetween 2010 and 2020, data from 184 patients treated for 915 BMs via two to six SRT sessions for local or distant BM recurrence without previous or intercurrent WBRT were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were seen via consultations during SRT, and the delivered dose, the use of corticosteroid therapy and neurological symptoms were recorded and rated according to the CTCAEv4. The dosimetric characteristics of 79% of BMs were collected, and summation plans of 76.6% of BMs were created.Results36% of patients developed acute toxicity during at least one session. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was registered, and grade 1 or 2 cephalalgy was the most frequently reported symptom. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of acute toxicity between consecutive SRT sessions. In the multivariate analysis, acute toxicity was associated with the use of corticosteroid therapy before irradiation (OR=2.6; p=0.01), BMV grade (high vs. low grade OR=5.17; p=0.02), and number of SRT sessions (3 SRT vs. 2 SRT: OR=2.64; p=0.01). The median volume equivalent to the WBRT dose (VWBRT) was 47.9 mL. In the multivariate analysis, the VWBRT was significantly associated with the total GTV (p<0.001) and number of BMs (p<0.001). Even for patients treated for more than 10 cumulated BMs, the median BED to the brain was very low compared to the dose delivered during WBRT.ConclusionRepeated SRT for local or distant recurrent BM is well tolerated, without grade 3 or 4 toxicity, and does not cause more acute neurological toxicity with repeated SRT sessions. Moreover, even for patients treated for more than 10 BMs, the VWBRT is low.
One-Step Biosynthesis Of 7β-Hydroxy-Androst-4-Ene-3,17-Dione From Phytosterols By Cofactor Regeneration System In Engineered Mycolicibacterium Neoaurum
Authors: Zhao Yun-Qiu , Liu Yong-Jun , Ji Wei-Ting , Liu Kun , Gao Bei , Tao Xin-Yi , Zhao Ming , Wang Feng-Qing , Wei Dong-Zhi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: 7β-hydroxylated steroids (7β-OHSt) possess significant activities in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection, and some of them have been widely used in clinics. However, the production of 7β-OHSt is still a challenge due to the lack of cheap 7β-hydroxyl precursor and the difficulty in regio- and stereo-selectively hydroxylation at the inert C7 site of steroids in industry. The conversion of phytosterols by Mycolicibacterium species to the commercial precursor, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD), is one of the basic ways to produce different steroids. This study presents a way to produce a basic 7β-hydroxyl precursor, 7β-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (7β-OH-AD) in Mycolicibacterium, for 7β-OHSt synthesis. Results: A mutant of P450-BM3, mP450-BM3, was mutated and engineered into an AD producing strain for the efficient production of 7β-OH-AD. The enzyme activity of mP450-BM3 was then increased by 1.38 times through protein engineering and the yield of 7β-OH-AD was increased from 34.24 mg L-1 to 66.25 mg L-1. To further enhance the performance of 7β-OH-AD producing strain, the regeneration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for the activity of mP450-BM3-0 was optimized by introducing an NAD kinase (NADK) and a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Finally, the engineered strain could produce 164.52 mg L-1 7β-OH-AD in the cofactor recycling and regeneration system.Conclusions: This was the first report on the one-step biosynthesis of 7β-OH-AD from the conversion of cheap phytosterols by an engineered microorganism, and the yield was significantly increased through the mutation of mP450-BM3 combined with overexpression of NADK and G6PDH. The present strategy may be developed as a basic industrial pathway for the commercial production of high value products from cheap raw materials.
Genomic Surveillance of Rift Valley fever Virus: from Sequencing to Lineage assignment
Authors: Juma John , Fonseca Vagner , Konongoi Samson L. , Heusden Peter , Roesel Kristina , Sang Rosemary , Bett Bernard , Christoffels Alan , Oliveira Tulio , Oyola Samuel O. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The evolutionary history of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is complex and has been greatly influenced by dramatic environmental changes throughout Africa in the past few decades. Over this time period, RVFV gene flow has been impacted on various levels such as geographic dispersal and reassortment events. Overall, there are 15 lineages, designated from A to O. In many cases, viruses from these lineages have been detected outside enzootic regions through probable movement of infected animals and/or mosquitoes. This has led to large outbreaks in countries where the disease had not been previously reported. Genomic surveillance of the virus diversity is crucial in developing intervention strategies. Therefore, we have developed a user-friendly computational tool for rapidly classifying and assigning lineages of partial or whole genome sequences of the virus using the glycoprotein Gn gene within the M-segment. The computational method is presented both as a command line tool and a web application hosted at https://www.genomedetective.com/app/typingtool/rvfv/. Validation of the tool has been performed on a large dataset comprising of partial and whole genome sequences of the M segment collected from the GenBank database. The Rift Valley Virus typing tool was able to correctly classify all 129 RVFV sequences at species level with 100% specificity, sensitivity and accuracy. All the sequences in lineages A (n = 13), B (n = 1), C(n = 44), D(n = 1), E(n = 7), F(n = 1), I(n = 2), J(n = 1), M(n = 2), N(n = 13) and O(n = 2) were correctly classified at phylogenetic level. We further tested our tool using genomic data that we generated through sequencing of samples collected following RVF outbreaks in Kenya. The tool is useful in tracing the origin of outbreaks and supporting surveillance efforts. Availability: https://github.com/ajodeh-juma/rvfvtyping
Relationship between characters of chest pain and pre-hospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Youyang , Wu Shihao , Pan Jiangqi , Hoschar Sophia , Wang Zhen , Ladwig Karl-Heinz , Ma Wenlin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
ObjectiveAtypical symptoms of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are associated with more delays in care-seeking. Still, patients with typical chest pain have not received enough attention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pain characters on pre-hospital delays in AMI patients with chest pain.MethodsParticipants from the Multicenter Delay in Patients Experiencing AMI in Shanghai (MEDEA FAR-EAST) included 257 AMI patients (215 males). The data collection procedure consisted of three parts- basic epidemiological and medical information collection, bedside interview, and self-administered questionnaire. Patients were divided into two groups of persistent (n=171) or intermittent (including fluctuating, n=86) chest pain.ResultsCompared with patients with persistent pain, patients with intermittent pain have longer pre-hospital delay time (PHT) and patient decision time (DT) and DT/PHT, and they had a more positive response when symptoms occur. Further multiple regression analysis showed that intermittent pain was a risk factor for the delay. And in the analysis of different subgroups of chest pain, there was a significant negative correlation between the severity of pain and the impact of pain on daily life and the delay time.ConclusionsIn AMI patients, intermittent chest pain is an independent predictor of longer pre-hospital delays and should be given sufficient attention by patients and medical personnel.
ICT Specialists in Europe
Authors: Leogrande Angelo , Magaletti Nicola , Cosoli Gabriele , Giardinelli Vito , Massaro Alessandro 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The following article estimates the value of ICT Specialists in Europe between 2016 and 2021 for 28 European countries. The data were analyzed using the following econometric techniques, namely: Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, WLS and Pooled OLS. The results show that the value of ICT Specialists in Europe is positively associated with the following variables: "Desi Index", "SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity", "At least 100 Mbps fixed BB take-up" and negatively associated with the following variables: "4G Coverage","5G Coverage", "5G Readiness", "Fixed broadband coverage", "e-Government", "At least Basic Digital Skills", "Fixed broadband take-up", "Broadband price index", "Integration of Digital Technology". Subsequently, two European clusters were found by value of "ICTG Specialists" using the k-Means clustering algorithm optimized by using the Silhouette coefficient. Finally, eight different machine learning algorithms were compared to predict the value of "ICT Specialists" in Europe. The results show that the best prediction algorithm is ANN-Artificial Neural Network with an estimated growth value of 12.53%. Finally, "augmented data" were obtained through the use of the ANN-Artificial Neural Network, through which a new prediction was made which estimated a growing value of the estimated variable equal to 3.18%.
Optimization Based Control of Pressure regulation for Mechanical Ventilation System using Artificial Bee Colony Optimization (ABC) algorithm
Authors: Thilakar Anitha , Govindasamy Gopu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study proposes a lung mechanics model that replicates respiratory alveolar ventilation. A PC-based algorithm for mechanical ventilation support system is becoming increasingly popular because of its superior performance, efficiency, and ease of operation, A person having problem in the respiratory tract, an artificial ventilator machine with respiratory support is used. In the framework of proportional assist ventilation, optimization based feedback controller design for life support medical ventilators are explored. Investigated systematically persistence of the lungs pressure–volume with residual volume all accord with the model (RV). A typical time-delay system is a pressure and volume regulated mechanical ventilation system, which is used to treat patients who are unable to breathe effectively under their own. The proposed work an Artifcial Bee Colony optimization (ABC) can be practiced along with PID to identify optimal solutions to the tradeoffs inherent in mechanical Ventilation, in conjunction with a validated pulmonary physiology simulator. The Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) method is an optimization technique based on honeybee swarms unique inventive observance. The proposed research work discusses the instant phase of the art in the field of algorithms like Artificial Bee Colony, Harmony Search(HS),Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) for mechanical ventilation. The proposed investigation deliberates the optimization for the ventilation and among these Artificial Bee Colony optimization gives the refined output of 200 cm of H2O at 20 cm of H2O while confronting with the Harmony Search (HS) provides 100 cm of H2O at 20 cm of H2O and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) 60 cm of H2O at 20 cm of H2O. Artificial Bee Colony optimization furnishes the enhanced amount of pressure and volume respectively.
Uric Acid and Hemoglobin as Prognostic Factors in Lung Cancer with COVID-19
Authors: OzkanOzturk Semra , Kocaman Zehra , İnal Ali 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Cancer patients have an increased risk of COVID-19 compared to the healthy population. Due to increased proinflammatory cytokine excess, unopposed excessive immune response, that is, systemic inflammatory response; is the most important reason that increases the risk of mortality. In this study, we aimed to examine the parameters and inflammatory indices affecting mortality in lung cancer patients with COVID-19.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study included 66 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and treated for COVID-19 between April 2020 and July 2021. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic index (PI), modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and COVID inflammatory score (OIS) were calculated for all patients. Twenty-seven potential prognostic variables were chosen for univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
A total of 28 variables were analyzed univariable. Seven variables were identified to have prognostic significance: receiving chemotherapy in the last 28 days, hospitalization in the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation requirement, COVID 19 corticosteroid treatment doses, hemoglobin, platelet count, uric acid. Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard model, including seven prognostic significance factors evident in univariate analysis. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis; hemoglobin, uric acid were independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 in lung cancer.
Conclusion
Serum hemoglobin and uric acid level were identified as important prognostic factors in lung cancer patients with COVID-19. These findings may facilitate the prediction of survival in lung cancer patients with COVID-19. In the literature, there is no previous study on the effect of uric acid on prognosis in patients with COVID-19 and lung cancer. Prospective studies with larger patient populations are needed to confirm this study.
Community engagement to improve access to healthcare: A comparative case study to advance implementation science for transgender health equity
Authors: Thompson Hale M. , Clement Allison M. , Ortiz Reyna , Preston Toni Mari , Quantrell Ava L. Wells , Reback Cathy , Hamilton Alison , Milburn Norweeta 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
BackgroundRecent calls to action have been made for Implementation Science to attend to health inequities at the intersections of race, gender, and social injustice in the United States. Transgender people, particularly Black and Latina transgender women, experience a range of health inequities and social injustices. In this study, we compared two processes of transgender community-engagement in Los Angeles and in Chicago. The study addressed inequitable access to care and adapted and extended the Exploration Planning Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework for transgender health equity. MethodsA comparative case method and the EPIS framework were used to examine parallel implementations of transgender community engagement to expand access to care. In order to foster the conceptual development and adaptation of EPIS for trans health equity, the comparative case method required detailed description, exploration, and analyses of the community-engagement processes to expand access to healthcare. In both cities, the unit of analysis was a steering committee made up of local transgender and cisgender stakeholders. ResultsBoth steering committees initiated their exploration processes with World Café-style, transgender community-engaged events in order to assess community needs and structural barriers to healthcare. The steering committees curated activities that amplified the voices of transgender community members among stakeholders, encouraging more effective and collaborative ways to advance transgender health equity. Based on analysis and findings from the Los Angeles town hall, the steering committee worked with a local medical school, extending the transgender medicine curriculum and incorporating elements of transgender community-engagement. The Chicago steering committee determined from their findings that the most impactful intervention on structural racism and barriers to healthcare access would be to design and pilot a transgender employment program. ConclusionIn Los Angeles and Chicago, transgender community-engagement guided exploration, planning, and implementation processes and led to critical insights regarding specific, local structural barriers to healthcare. The steering committee itself represented an important vehicle for individual- and community-level relationship and capacity building. This comparative case study highlights key adaptations of EPIS toward the formation of an implementation science framework for transgender health equity.
Catalyzing Success in Community-based Conservation
Authors: Fariss Brandie , DeMello Nicole , Powlen Kathryn A. , Latimer Christopher E. , Masuda Yuta , Kennedy Christina M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Efforts to devolve rights and engage Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation have increased the demand for evidence of the efficacy of community-based conservation (CBC) and insights into what enables its success. We curated a diverse sample of 128 projects reporting both human well-being and environmental outcomes and coded 57 national-level, community-level, project-level, and control variables. We found that over 80% of CBC projects had some positive human well-being or environmental outcomes, but only 32% achieved positive outcomes for both. Applying Random Forest Classification, we found that the best predictors of combined success could be distilled to 17 variables representative of various policy levers and actionable opportunities for conservation practitioners related to national contexts, community characteristics, and the implementation of various strategies and interventions informed by existing CBC frameworks. We found that CBC projects had higher probabilities of combined success when they occurred in national contexts supportive of effective local governance, partnered with socially cohesive communities inclined toward collective action, acknowledged conflict or trust issues that could undermine it, promoted economic diversification, and invested in various capacity-building interventions, providing important insights into how to encourage greater success in CBC.