bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Sub-Inhibitory effect of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin on virF gene expression in Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella Flexneri
Authors: Shahsavan Mohadeseh , Firoozeh Farzaneh , Bakhtiyari Mahmood , Pourrostami Kumars , Tavakoli Mahnaz , Hatami Shiva , Mohammadzadeh Mohammad 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Bacillary dysentery is a bacterial gastrointestinal disorder that damages the intestinal wall and excretion of blood and mucus in the feces. The disease is associated with Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) and Shigella flexneri. The virF gene is the major regulator of the virulence of these bacteria. Previous studies have shown that Sub-inhibitory concentration (Sub-MIC) of antibiotics have significant effects on bacterial virulence. Therefore, in this study, the effects of Sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin on Shigella flexneri and EIEC were evaluated.
Methods
Standard strains of both bacteria were treated with Sub-MIC concentrations of 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8 of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin antibiotics. Alternations in the expression of virF gene in antibiotic treated samples compared to control samples, were analysed using relative Real-time PCR.
Results
The mean expression of the virF gene in all Sub-MICs of ciprofloxacin were increased in both Shigella flexneri and EIEC, while Sub-MICs of azithromycin were reduced. The changes in gene expression were observed in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions
The results showed virulence of Shigella flexneri and EIEC is affected by Sub-MICs of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin. This phenomenon should be considered in antibiotic therapy of infections with these bacteria. Moreover, it seems that azithromycin is more convenient antibiotic of choice with a lower risk for treatment of acute infections associated with these bacteria.
Effects of Different Progesterone Containing Contraceptive Methods on Endogenous Progesterone Level and Ovulation Rate: prospective cohort observational study
Authors: Ossman Ahmed , Omar Mona 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Progestogen-only’ contraceptives are presented as injections, implants, oral formulations, hormone-releasing intrauterine methods, and emergency contraceptives. The research designed to assess the influence of progesterone in different progesterone containing contraceptive methods on endogenous progesterone level and ovulation rate.
Methods
This prospective cohort observational research was involved 80 healthy fertile females aged 20–35 years with normal menstrual history and had at least one offspring after spontaneous pregnancy. Subjects were classified into 4 equal groups according to contraceptive method: D group: used the injectable progesterone of 150 mg every 90 days or 3 months (Depo-Provera), I group: etonogestrel implant which contains 68 mg of etonogestrel, formerly known as Implanon, N group: used norgestrel (Ovrette, with each pill containing 0.075 mg of norgestrel), M group: used IUD (Mirena) containing 52 mg of levonorgestrel.
Results
women who in M group had higher endogenous progesterone level compared to those who used other contraceptives containing with normal follicle growth and normal follicle size. Incidence of amenorrhea was significantly decreased in M group 20% than D group 75%, I group ,65%, N group 70% and there was an insignificant difference among other three groups. Continuation rate was significantly increased in M group than other three groups after 3 months and 6 months
Conclusion
Mirena had low systemic absorption of exogenous progesterone so, it had low effect on endogenous progesterone and ovulation rate with low incidence of side effects compared to other contraceptives containing progesterone. Therefore, Mirena is an effective and safe method as contraceptive and can be used with women who had complication with using progesterone containing contraceptive methods in the study.
Diffusion- and Perfusion-weighted MRI Radiomics for Survival Prediction in Patients with Lower-grade Gliomas
Authors: Park Chae Jung , Kim Sooyon , Han Kyunghwa , Ahn Sung Soo , Kim Dain , Park Yae Won , Chang Jong Hee , Kim Se Hoon , Lee Seung-Koo 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Lower-grade gliomas of histologic grade 2 and 3 follow heterogenous clinical outcomes, which necessitates risk stratification. This study aimed to evaluate whether diffusion-weighted and perfusion-weighted MRI radiomics allow overall survival (OS) prediction in patients with lower-grade gliomas and investigate its prognostic value.
Methods
In this retrospective study, radiomic features were extracted from apparent diffusion coefficient, relative cerebral blood volume map, and Ktrans map in patients with pathologically confirmed lower-grade gliomas (January 2012 – February 2019). The radiomics risk score (RRS) calculated from selected features constituted a radiomics model. Multivariable Cox regression analysis, including clinical features and RRS, were performed. The models’ integrated area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (iAUC) were compared. The radiomics model combined with clinical features was presented as a nomogram.
Results
The study included 129 patients (median age, 44 years; interquartile range, 37–57 years; 66 women): 90 patients for training, and 39 patients for test set. The RRS was an independent risk factor for OS with a hazard ratio of 6.01. The combined clinical and radiomics model achieved superior performance for OS prediction compared to the clinical model in both training (iAUC, 0.82 vs. 0.72, P = .002) and test sets (0.88 vs. 0.76, P = .04). The radiomics nomogram combined with clinical features exhibited good agreement between the actual and predicted OS with C-index of 0.83 and 0.87 in the training and test set, respectively.
Conclusion
Adding diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI radiomics to clinical features improved survival prediction in lower-grade glioma.
Deaza-modification of MR1 ligands modulates recognition by MR1-restricted T cells
Authors: Jin Haihong , Ladd Nicole A. , Peev Andrew M. , Swarbrick Gwendolyn M. , Cansler Meghan , Null Megan , Boughter Christopher T. , McMurtrey Curtis , Nilsen Aaron , Dobos Karen M. , Hildebrand William H. , Lewinsohn Deborah A. , Adams Erin J. , Lewinsohn David M. , Harriff Melanie J. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
MR1-restricted T (MR1T) cells recognize microbial small molecule metabolites presented on the MHC Class I-like molecule MR1 and have been implicated in early effector responses to microbial infection. As a result, there is considerable interest in identifying chemical properties of metabolite ligands that permit recognition by MR1T cells, for consideration in therapeutic or vaccine applications. Here, we made chemical modifications to known MR1 ligands to evaluate the effect on MR1T cell activation. Specifically, we modified 6,7-dimethyl-8-D-ribityllumazine (DMRL) to generate 6,7-dimethyl-8-D-ribityldeazalumazine (DZ), and then further derivatized DZ to determine the requirements for retaining MR1 surface stabilization and agonistic properties. Interestingly, the IFN-γ response toward DZ varied widely across a panel of T cell receptor (TCR)-diverse MR1T cell clones; while one clone was agnostic toward the modification, most displayed either an enhancement or depletion of IFN-γ production when compared with its response to DMRL. To gain insight into a putative mechanism behind this phenomenon, we used in silico molecular docking techniques for DMRL and its derivatives and performed molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes. In assessing the dynamics of each ligand in the MR1 pocket, we found that DMRL and DZ exhibit differential dynamics of both the ribityl moiety and the aromatic backbone, which may contribute to ligand recognition. Together, our results support an emerging hypothesis for flexibility in MR1:ligand-MR1T TCR interactions and enable further exploration of the relationship between MR1:ligand structures and MR1T cell recognition for downstream applications targeting MR1T cells.
Does radioactive iodine treatment have an effect on serum TWEAK and other cardio-metabolic parameters in hyperthyroid patients?
Authors: Cetin Zeynep , CANPOLAT Asena GOKCAY , KOSEM Arzu , EDIBOGLU Elif , SAHIN Mustafa 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which excess thyroid hormone is produced and released. It is not clear whether radioactive iodine (RAI), one of the treatment methods, increases cardiovascular risk in these patients. We investigated whether RAI increases cardio-metabolic risk by looking at serum soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and other parameters.Method: The study included 21 patients who underwent RAI and 21 patients followed up with anti-thyroid drugs. At the beginning and at the 3rd month, thyroid stimulating hormone, free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and sTWEAK levels were measured. According to baseline and 3rd month data, both groups were compared with each other and within themselves.Results: sTWEAK levels were higher in the RAI group at baseline and at the 3rd month than in the medical group (baseline sTWEAK 78.80 vs 49.90, p=0.004; 3rd month sTWEAK 76.60 vs 40.63, p=0.001, respectively). CRP level was higher in the RAI group at the 3rd month than in the medical group (2.70 vs 1.49, respectively, p=0.024).Conclusion: Low-dose RAI does not lead to a change in cardio-metabolic risk in the early period.
Application of Intermediate CMOS Layer-based Defected Ground Structure to Design a Dual-Band On-chip Antenna with Improved Gain
Authors: SINGH HARSHAVARDHAN , Mandal Sujit Kumar 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In this paper, a novel CPW-fed dual-band on-chip antenna (OCA)
by introducing a Crossed Bowtie shaped Defected Ground Structure (CBDGS)
in one of the intermediate layers of the CMOS layout is proposed. In
general, a CPW fed OCA has its ground plane on the same plane of antenna,
however, introducing a DGS in one of the intermediate layer using Through
Silicon Vias (TSVs) to obtain dual band characteristics of antenna as well as
to improve its gain is performed in this work. A 10 dB operating band of 9
GHz (2.25 GHz - 11.75 GHz) is obtained by employing the meandered loop
miniaturization technique on the antenna designed on top CMOS layer, while
the introduction of DGS layer enforced a comparatively less stop band at the
middle of the operating band and the resultant structure offered a dual-band
resonance characteristic at 3.1 GHz and 10.4 GHz. Here, the intermediate
DGS layer between the top-layered antenna and Silicon (Si) wafer reduces
the substrate loss by preventing the coupling of the electromagnetic radiation
with the substrate and enhances the antenna gain significantly at both the
resonance frequencies respectively by +16.01 dB and +12.7 dB. A prototype
of the proposed antenna structure is fabricated and the obtained simulated
result is validated through experimental measurement.
Comparison of four frailty scales in predicting adverse outcomes in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Qin Fei , Guo Yanfei , Ruan Ye , Huang Zhezhou , Sun Shuangyuan , Gao Shuna , Ye Jinghong , Wu Fan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Frailty is related to numerous adverse outcomes and can be operationalized in a variety of ways. However, data on which frailty scales are most suitable for estimating risk remain limited. Herein we examined and compared four validated frailty scales in predicting adverse outcomes in a large population-based cohort of older adults.METHODS: A total of 5402 subjects aged 50 and older from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) in Shanghai were studied. Frailty was measured using a 35-item frailty index (FI), the frailty phenotype (FP), FRAIL, and Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Logistic regression models were performed unadjusted/adjusted to evaluate the association between frailty and outcomes including 4-year disability, hospitalization, and 4- and 7-year all-cause mortality. The accuracy for predicting these outcomes was determined by assessing the area under the curve (AUC) as well as sensitivity and specificity.RESULTS: Prevalence of frailty ranged from 4.2% (FRAIL) to 16.9% (FI). Frailty, however defined, was associated with an increased risk of any outcome. The aforementioned associations, except for those of FP with disability and hospitalization, remained significant after controlling for potential covariates. FI, followed by TFI and FRAIL, showed acceptable predictive ability for disability and mortality (AUC: 0.65-0.78). While specificity estimates (85.3-97.3%) for each scale were higher and similar across all outcomes, sensitivity estimates (6.3-56.8%) varied considerably within a lower range.CONCLUSIONS: All four scales did have the potential to identify Chinese older adults at high risk of adverse outcomes; however, their predictive accuracy varied.
Radiation-induced fibrosarcoma after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy for breast cancer: A case report and literature review
Authors: Hoshina Hideko , Kubouchi Kouichi , Tsutsumi Yutaka , Takei Hiroyuki 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS) has a 10-year incidence of 0.2-0.27% and a poor prognosis. In particular, radiation-induced fibrosarcoma has been rarer, and its incidence is 2.6-3.7% of RIS.Case presentation: A 43-year-old woman with pT1N1M0 breast cancer underwent breast-conserving surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy eight years ago, and continued hormonal therapy. She complained of a hard mass palpated in her right axillary breast. Although we suspected local recurrence, core needle biopsy revealed atypical spindled tumor cells without mammary or epithelial markers. A diagnosis of fibrosarcoma was made via tumorectomy. She underwent additional enlarged surgery.Conclusions: We report a rare case of fibrosarcoma after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy. Fibrosarcoma after radiation therapy for breast cancer has been reported in 30 cases, including the present case. The dead and alive cases were not significantly different in terms of age, primary breast cancer, radiation dose, and following months. Patients with breast masses after radiation therapy should be suspected local recurrence and RIS.
Structure-Function Clustering in Weighted Brain Networks
Authors: Crofts Jonathan J. , Forrester Michael , Coombes Stephen , O’Dea Reuben D. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Functional networks, which typically describe patterns of activity taking place across the cerebral cortex, are widely studied in neuroscience. The dynamical features of these networks, and in particular their deviation from the relatively static structural network, are thought to be key to higher brain function. The interactions between such structural networks and emergent function, and the multimodal neuroimaging approaches and common analysis according to frequency band motivate a multilayer network approach for their analysis. However, many such analyses rely on arbitrary threshold choices that convert dense, weighted networks to sparse, binary structures. Here, we generalise a measure of multiplex clustering to describe weighted multiplexes with arbitrarily-many layers. Moreover, we extend a recently-developed measure of structure-function clustering (that describes the disparity between anatomical connectivity and functional networks) to the weighted case. To demonstrate its utility we combine human connectome data with simulated neural activity and bifurcation analysis. Our results indicate that this new measure can extract neurologically relevant features not readily apparent in analogous single-layer analyses. In particular, we are able to deduce dynamical regimes under which multistable patterns of neural activity emerge. Importantly, these findings suggest a role for brain operation just beyond criticality to promote cognitive flexibility.
Effectiveness of a program for overcoming infertility in infertile women: An exploratory study
Authors: Kim¹ Kyu-Min , Kim Jae-Hak , Park Choon-Sun , Rhee Hyun-Sill 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The number of infertile women in South Korea is increasing, suggesting that infertility is a social phenomenon, rather than an individual family problem; thus, an active response is required. Natural pregnancy is relatively difficult in cases of infertility, with the main solution being assisted reproductive technologies. However, individuals must bear several costs for the same; it also places a significant burden on infertile women’s psychological and emotional aspects, reducing the effectiveness and pregnancy success rate of assisted reproductive treatment. Therefore, social and emotional support is needed to alleviate the negative burden (e.g., stress and depression). According to previous studies, before considering assisted reproductive technologies, it is necessary to provide infertility-related education and physical, psychological, and emotional support. Hence, this study examined the effectiveness of a program for infertile women in South Korea, operated by the Korean Federation of Infertile Families, using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design.
Methods
The participants were married women aged over 19 years, diagnosed with female infertility, who had no prior experience of childbirth or program participation. Overall, 37 individuals were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 19) groups. The program was conducted for eight weeks. The participants’ quality of life, depression, stress, self-esteem, social support, self-efficacy, and health-promoting behaviors were assessed and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System 9.4 software.
Results
The results demonstrated that the experimental group’s quality of life, stress, social support, and health promotion behaviors were significant, while their depression, self-esteem, and self-efficacy were not. However, positive score changes were observed before and after participating in the program.
Conclusions
From a long-term perspective, the program could provide the foundational data for the development and implementation of infertility-related interventions.
Study of ionospheric total electron content and its numerical estimation during several geomagnetic storms in the 24 solar cycle
Authors: Kundu Subrata , Sasmal Sudipta 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We present the ionospheric response of ge-omagnetic storms as observed from ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC). We select nine storm events and study the GPS-TEC profiles observed from two IGS stations, IISC, Bangalore, India, and AUCK, Auckland, New Zealand. We try to estimate the TEC profiles numerically by using the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and SSM-T1 (nonlinear regression analysis) approaches. We choose the geomagnetic storms satisfying the condition of Dst ≤ 50 nT and Kp ≥ 50. The F10.7 and Ap indices are chosen as inputs for the EOF modelling approaches to account for geomagnetic activity. The SSM-T1 model is composed of three components: diurnal, seasonal, and solar dependence fluctuations associated with VTEC data, and is fitted using the nonlinear least-squares technique using a total of 18 coefficients. The EOF and SSM-T1 models are built and tested on different storms using GPS TEC data for storm days from 2009 to 2017. The EOF and SSM-T1 models perform well for storms with non-significant ionospheric TEC responses. The EOF-TEC model reasonably estimates the night and early morning TEC well, but it does not reproduce short-term characteristics. Significant enhancement and depression in TEC are estimated by SSM-T1 better than in the EOF model. The storm enhancements in GPS-TEC are observed for both stations. The maximum enhancement in VTEC for IISC is observed for the storm in 2013, and the same for AUCK is observed in 2011. Positive and negative storm effects are observed in low and mid-latitude stations. The reduction or enhancement in the thermo-ionospheric [O/N 2 ] ratio plays a significant role in the decrement or enhancement in TEC during the storm.
Exome Sequencing Reanalysis: Past practices and patient characteristics at a single institution
Authors: Rosier Lauren , Helm Benjamin M. , Vetrini Francesco , Treat Kayla M. , Breman Amy M. , Conboy Erin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We performed a cross-sectional, retrospective review of our institution's previous uninformative exome sequencing (ES) results and reanalysis process, and we identified areas of improvement in our genetic testing pipeline. To accomplish this, we performed a detailed chart review of patients who had ES performed from 2013 through 2016 and catalogued data including age, indication for testing, ordering physician specialty, and if a reanalysis was performed. Our final sample included 165 patients with uninformative exome sequencing results, 50 of whom also had reanalysis. Then, descriptive statistics and Fishers exact tests were performed to identify factors associated with whether ES reanalysis had been completed or not. We found that certain factors were more closely associated with a patient having had a reanalysis performed for a normal or uninformative result, like whether the patient had a future appointment within our institution (p = 0.0276). Other factors more closely associated with a patient having reanalysis were if the patient met with a geneticist (p = 0.0018) and/or genetic counselor (p = 0.0027). Other variable such as age, race, and if the patient had a future appointment with their ordering provider were not associated with an increased likelihood of having reanalysis. These results highlight the value of genetics professionals in interpreting complex genetic testing and also identify areas where we may need to improve our current processes. In addition, our results confirm findings from previous studies, implement a basis for other clinics to examine their ES reanalyses pipeline, and allow us to support the call for additional guidelines on ES reanalysis.
Recent outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery for large renal stones: A comparison analysis with disposable and reusable ureteroscopes
Authors: Takazawa Ryoji , Waseda Yuma , Kobayashi Masaki , Fuse Honoka , Tamiya Takashi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the recent outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with a disposable ureteroscope in comparison to RIRS with a reusable ureteroscope. One hundred thirty patients with renal stones of 15-40 mm were analyzed. The patient characteristics and surgical outcomes of 64 patients treated with a disposable ureteroscope LithoVue® (disposable-scope group) were compared with those of 66 patients treated with a reusable scope previously (reusable-scope group). In the disposable-scope group, the mean stone diameter (24.9 vs. 22.0 mm, p=0.01) and stone volume (2.8 vs. 1.8 cc, p<0.01) were significantly larger than those in the reusable-scope group. The stone-free rate after one session of the disposable-scope group was equivalent to that of the reusable-scope group (81.3% vs. 86.4%, p=0.43) without the increase of complications although it required longer operative time (111.0 vs. 90.2 min, p<0.01). Moreover, the stone-free rate of the disposable-scope group was correlated with stone volume [cut-off value 2.9 cc, area under the curve (AUC) 0.94] better than stone diameter (cut-off value 26.0 mm, AUC 0.76). After propensity-score matching, 37 patients from each group were included. Although the disposable-scope group tended to require longer operative time (100.5 vs. 89.2 min, p=0.06), the stone-free rates of both groups were the same (91.2%). In conclusion, we are now able to treat larger renal stones with a disposable ureteroscope although it requires longer operative time. The stone volume can predict the outcome of RIRS for large renal stones of 15-40 mm more accurately than stone diameter.