bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A method comparison study of the high throughput automated HISCL® SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen assay using nasopharyngeal swab samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects against conventional RT‐PCR
Authors: Linssen Joachim , Schapendonk Claire , Münster Marion , Daemen Paul , Rahamat‐Langendoen Janette , Wertheim Heiman 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOur study aim was to evaluate the performance of the automated Sysmex HISCL® severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antigen assay against reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). We tested 277 remnant frozen nasopharyngeal swab samples, stored in universal transport medium (UTM), yielding a sensitivity of 94.9% against historical RT‐PCR results with cycle threshold (Ct) < 30, and a sensitivity of 76.7% for Ct < 35, and specificity of 100% (all Ct values) confirming compatibility of UTM‐diluted samples with the assay system. Thereafter, we prospectively collected 141 nasopharyngeal swab samples in UTM from healthcare workers and 1369 paired swabs (400 UTM; 969 dry) from individuals at a public health testing center, with the first swab (UTM) reserved for RT‐PCR, yielding a positivity rate of 4.6%. HISCL assay performance using UTM swabs was superior to dry swabs, with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.5%–100%) at Ct < 30 versus 92.3% (95%CI 81.5%–97.9%), and a specificity of 99.3% (95% CI 98.1–99.89) against 83.3% (95%CI 80.7%–85.6%). We conclude that this antigen assay is suitable for high throughput facilities where the primary indication for testing is to rule out infection with low RT‐PCR Ct values (proxy for high viral loads) to curb viral spread.
The Effects of Endotracheal Tube Size During Bronchoscopy in Simulated Models of Intubated Patients
Authors: Kelebeyev Saveliy , Davison Wesley , Ford Branden L. , Pitman Michael J. , Bulman William A. 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveThe aim is to use a simulation lung model to assess the possibility of performing bronchoscopy through endotracheal tubes (ETT) less than 8.0‐mm while appropriately ventilating patients with normal and ARDS lungs in the setting of SARS‐CoV‐2.MethodsFive SHERIDAN® ETTs were used to ventilate SimMan® 3G under respiratory compliance levels representing normal and severe ARDS lungs. Baseline measurements of peak pressure, plateau pressure, and auto‐positive end expiratory pressure (auto‐PEEP) were recorded at four different inspiratory times (Ti). Three different‐sized disposable bronchoscopes were inserted, and all measurements were repeated.ResultsNormal lung model: Slim bronchoscopes in 6.0‐mm ETTs resulted in plateau pressures <30 cm H2O, and increasing Ti to minimize peak pressure resulted in low auto‐PEEP. Regular bronchoscopes in 7.0‐mm ETTs had similar results. Large bronchoscopes in 7.5‐mm ETTs generated plateau pressures ranging from 28 to 35 cm H2O with modest auto‐PEEP. Severe ARDS lung model: Slim bronchoscopes in 6.0‐mm ETTs resulted in plateau pressures of 46 and an auto‐PEEP of 5 cm H2O. Regular bronchoscopes in 7.0‐mm ETTs generated similar results. Large bronchoscopes in 8.0‐mm ETTs displayed plateau pressures of 44 and an auto‐PEEP of 2 cm H2O.ConclusionTo mitigate risk of laryngeal injury, larger ETTs during bronchoscopy should be avoided. Our data show bronchoscopy with any ETT causes auto‐PEEP and high plateau pressures, especially in lungs with poor compliance; however, ETT less than 7.5 mm can be used when considering several factors. Our data also suggest similar studies in patients with varying degrees of ARDS would be informative.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 133:147–153, 2023
Incidental FDG‐Avid Focuses in Palatine Tonsils on PET/CT
Authors: Reinholdt Kasper Basse , Dias André Henrique , Hoff Camilla Molich , Gormsen Lars Christian , Klug Tejs Ehlers 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesThe management of incidental findings of FDG‐avid tonsils on PET/CT (IFT) is unclear. We aimed to explore the prevalence of malignancy in IFT, identify risk factors for malignancy, and calculate optimal cutoffs of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions.MethodsAll patients who were tonsillectomized at our institution because of IFT from October 2011 to December 2020 were included. Patients undergoing PET/CT due to suspected tonsillar disease or cancer of unknown primary were excluded.ResultsIn total, 77 patients were included, of which 11 (14%) of them had IFT malignancy. Dysphagia (p = 0.019) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.035) were associated with malignancy. Absolute SUVmax cutoff (≥9: sensitivity 100%; specificity 53%) was superior to SUVmax side‐to‐side ratio (≥1.5: sensitivity 64%; specificity 70%) to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions.ConclusionWe recommend tonsillectomy for patients with IFT displaying SUVmax ≥ 9.0, ratio ≥ 1.5, or symptoms or findings suggesting malignancy.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 132:2370–2378, 2022
Association Between Alcohol Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms and the Recurrence of Laryngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Hui‐Ying , Lau Hui‐Ching , Ji Meng‐You , Hsueh Chi‐Yao , Zhang Ming 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesAlcohol consumption is closely associated with prognosis for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. As key enzymes in ethanol metabolism, proteins in the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) family make for valuable targets to establish a novel predictive nomogram model. This study attempts to do so by focusing on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADH1B and ADH1C in LSCC.MethodsSixty eight LSCC patients that were followed up for more than 10 years were retrospectively analyzed. Endpoints of the current study included disease‐free survival and overall survival. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and evaluated by log‐rank test. The prognostic value of eight ADH1B SNPs and three ADH1C SNPs were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A nomogram model for disease‐free survival was established and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the C‐index, and a calibration plot.ResultsSignificant association was exhibited between rs17033 (p < 0.001) and rs1229984 (p = 0.002) with an increase in LSCC recurrence rate on Kaplan–Meier curves. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the rs17033 polymorphism of ADH1B was independently associated with an increased risk of LSCC recurrence (HR = 3.325, 95% CI = 1.684–6.566, p = 0.001). Based on these findings, a prognostic nomogram of LSCC patients involving ADH1B rs17033 was constructed.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated an independent association between ADH1B gene variants and the recurrence of LSCC. A nomogram model based on rs17033 of ADH1B, age, T, and N stages were successfully developed for the first time to predict the probability of recurrence in LSCC patients.Level of Evidence3 Retrospective cohort study Laryngoscope, 132:2169–2176, 2022
A multi‐method approach to analyse changes in gully characteristics between 2009 and 2018 in southeast Nigeria
Authors: Osumgborogwu Ikenna Emmanuel , Wainwright John , Turnbull Laura , Uzoigwe Luke O. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGully erosion is the dominant environmental problem in southeast Nigeria and has led to loss of human and material resources. In this study, we evaluated changes in gully characteristics in southeast Nigeria and their potential drivers between 2009 and 2018 using a multi‐method approach: analysis of high‐resolution satellite imagery (2–5 m) and focus group discussions. Gully numbers increased from 26 to 39 and mean gully length increased from 0.39 to 0.43 km. We found that land adjacent to rivers had the highest concentration of gullies which is associated with an increase in slope angle from 10 to 58% up to 500 m from rivers. Regarding potential gully‐drivers, land‐use changes were observed. Non‐vegetated lands increased from 58.6 to 144.7 km2 between 2009 and 2018, while reductions in fallow lands from 281.2 to 57.8 km2 were observed. Results from focus group meetings indicate there was no gullying in the area before the Nigerian civil war (1967–1970). War‐time activities such as digging trenches and increased population density were said to have led to the formation of the oldest gullies in the area. Although war‐time activities have ceased, meeting attendees believed that present land‐use changes have increased the volume of surface runoff and thus enhancing gully erosion. Incorporating local knowledge in this study has therefore provided a valuable understanding on the key drivers of gullying that pre‐dates the availability of freely available high‐resolution satellite data.
A new sandwich hybridization assay method to identify and quantify Microcystis spp.
Authors: Dearth Nicole M. , Jones William J. , Espinosa Jessica I. , Mortensen Rebecca A. , Pinckney James L. , Greenfield Dianne I. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCyanobacteria are responsible for the largest number of harmful algal blooms (HABs) worldwide. HABs caused by the genus Microcystis are health threats because they often occur within close proximity to humans and produce phycotoxins such as microcystins that can contaminate drinking water and recreational areas. Molecular techniques enable accurate and rapid (~ 1 h) HAB detection that facilitates monitoring, “early warnings” of blooms, and corresponding management responses. Sandwich hybridization assay (SHA), the technique considered here, directly (no amplification) identifies and quantifies plankton species using ribosomal RNA (rRNA)‐targeted oligonucleotides. This project focused on the development of a new SHA method for the detection of Microcystis (16S rRNA) using laboratory cultures. Assay calibration curve and limits of detection were determined using Microcystis aeruginosa, though signal intensity differed significantly (p < 0.05) between three species (M. aeruginosa, Microcystis botrys, Microcystis wesenbergii). SHA results for M. aeruginosa raised under three light intensities (40, 60, and 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and two temperatures (25°C and 32°C) were greatest at the highest irradiance for both temperatures, but otherwise variable, yielding an overall significant (p < 0.05) interaction between light and temperature. The 32°C treatment also resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.05) Photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and microcystins concentrations per light intensity. Spiked field experiments showed that SHA signal was not significantly affected (p > 0.05) by a mixed phytoplankton assemblage. The assay speed, wide detection range, and specificity indicate that this method has promise for additional field studies and HAB monitoring.
Novel Pyrrolo [3,4‐b] Dithieno [3, 2‐f:2″,3″‐h] Quinoxaline‐8,10 (9H)‐Dione Based Wide Bandgap Conjugated Copolymers for Bulk Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Keshtov Mukhamed. L. , Khokhlov Alexei R. , Godovsky Dimitry. Y. , Ostapov Ilya. E. , Alekseev Vladimir G. , Xie Zhiyuan , Chayal Giriraj , Sharma Ganesh D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTwo D‐A copolymers consisting of fused ring pyrrolo‐dithieno‐quinoxaline acceptors are synthesized with different donor units, i.e., benzodithiophene (BDT) with alkylthienyl (P134) and 2‐ethylhexyloxy (P117) side chains. These copolymers are used as donors and a narrow bandgap acceptor Y6 to fabricate bulk heterojunction polymer solar cell devices. Owing to the strong electron‐deficient fused ring pyrrolo‐bithieno‐quinoxaline and weak alkyl thienyl side chains in BDT, the polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on P134:Y6 attain the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.42%, which is higher than the P117:Y6 counterpart (12.14%). The superior value of PCE for P134:Y6 can be associated with more well‐adjusted charge transport, weak charge recombination, proficient exciton generation, and dissociation into free charge carriers and their subsequent charge collection owing to the dense π–π stacking distance and more considerable crystal coherence length for the P134:Y6 thin films. This investigation confirms the great potential of a strong acceptor‐weak donor tactic for developing efficient D‐A copolymers consists of quinoxaline acceptor for PSCs.
Understanding Recreational Angler Diversity and Its Potential Implications on Promoting Responsible Fishing Practices in a Multispecies Gulf of Maine Fishery
Authors: Capizzano Connor W. , Jones Emily A. , Scyphers Steven B. , Zemeckis Douglas R. , Danylchuk Andy J. , Mandelman John W. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Recent work in the Gulf of Maine multispecies recreational fishery has established responsible fishing practices that anglers can use to reduce bycatch and the discard mortality of three key groundfish species. However, anglers represent a diverse stakeholder group whose backgrounds and experiences may influence how they receive, support, and adopt responsible fishing practices that aim to sustain catch-and-release angling opportunities. We therefore surveyed Gulf of Maine recreational anglers who target groundfish, including Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua, Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, and Cusk Brosme brosme, to assess whether differences among anglers influenced how likely anglers were to voluntarily adopt or consider adopting responsible fishing practices and which information channels they used to obtain such information. By broadly sampling Gulf of Maine recreational fishing license holders via an online survey, we collected responses from 306 respondents who targeted groundfish in some capacity; several topics, including fishing activity and experience, responsible fishing practices, information channels, and sociodemographics, were addressed in the survey. A latent class cluster analysis found that respondents who participate in this regional fishery can be broadly categorized into three distinct classes (Striped Bass [Morone saxatilis] Enthusiasts, All-rounders, and Offshore Groundfishers) from their primary fishing mode and target species. Despite the presence of these latent classes, class membership did not affect how likely respondents were to voluntarily adopt or consider adopting species-specific fishing practices from previous scientific investigations. However, class membership was observed to influence how respondents used information channels to receive angling information, with Offshore Groundfishers relying more often on captains and crew than the other classes. Therefore, to promote responsible fishing practices alongside regulations, we recommend that fishery managers use a mixed outreach program to effectively communicate and engage with this portion of the community until more directed studies can be conducted.
A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Controlled Phase II Study of Foliglurax in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Rascol Olivier , Medori Rossella , Baayen Corine , Such Pedro , Meulien Didier ,   AMBLED Study Group
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundAgents targeting the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 have emerged as a potentially attractive new class of drugs for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of foliglurax in reducing off time and dyskinesia in patients with PD.MethodsThis was a 28‐day, multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trial of foliglurax 10 and 30 mg as adjunct to levodopa in 157 randomly assigned patients with PD and motor complications.ResultsAlthough dose‐dependent decreases in daily awake off time were apparent following treatment with foliglurax, the change from baseline to day 28 in off time (primary endpoint) and dyskinesia (secondary endpoint) did not improve significantly compared with placebo for either foliglurax dose. Treatment with foliglurax was generally safe, and there were no relevant safety signals.ConclusionsThere was no evidence in this study that foliglurax has efficacy in improving levodopa‐induced motor complications in PD. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Multisequence MR‐generated sCT is promising for HNC MR‐only RT: A comprehensive evaluation of previously developed sCT generation networks
Authors: Qi Mengke , Li Yongbao , Wu Aiqian , Lu Xingyu , Zhou Linghong , Song Ting 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo verify the feasibility of our in‐house developed multisequence magnetic resonance (MR)‐generated synthetic computed tomography (sCT) for accurate dose calculation and fractional positioning for head and neck MR‐only radiation therapy (RT).MethodsForty‐five patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively studied. By applying our previously in‐house developed network, a patient's sCT can rapidly be generated with respect to feeding the sole T1 image, T1C image, T1DixonC image, T2 image, and their combination (five pipelines in total). A k(5)‐fold strategy was implemented during model establishment. Dose recalculation was performed for each pipeline generation to attain a dosimetric feasibility evaluation. Fractional positioning evaluation was performed by calculating the digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) of the sCT and planning CT and their offset to the portal image.ResultsThe dose mean absolute error values were (0.47±0.16)%, (0.48±0.15)% (p < 0.05), (0.50±0.16)% (p < 0.05), (0.50±0.15)% (p < 0.05), and (0.45±0.16)% (p < 0.05) for the T1, T1C, T1Dixon C, T2, and 4‐channel generated sCT to the prescription dose, respectively. The 4‐channel‐generated sCT outperforms any other single‐sequence pipeline. Among the single‐sequence MR imaging‐generated sCTs, the T1‐generated sCT shows the most accurate HU image quality and provides a reliable dose result. Quantified positioning errors with calculation of the difference to the planning CT offsets are (−0.26±0.50) mm, (–0.58±0.52) mm (p < 0.05), (–0.27±0.57) mm (p > 0.05), (–0.31±0.44) mm (p > 0.05), and (–0.19±0.37) mm (p > 0.05) at LNG and (0.34±0.53) mm, (0.48±0.56) mm (p > 0.05), (0.55±0.56) mm (p > 0.05), (0.37±0.61) mm (p > 0.05), and (0.24±0.43) mm (p > 0.05) at LAT of the anterior–posterior direction for the five pipelines.ConclusionMultisequence MR‐generated sCT allows for accurate dose calculation and fractional positioning for head and neck MR‐only RT.
In vivo assessment of hypertensive nephrosclerosis using ultrasound localization microscopy
Authors: Qiu Lanyan , Zhang Jingke , Yang Yi , Zhang Hong , Lee Fu‐Feng , He Qiong , Huang Chengwu , Huang Lijie , Qian Linxue , Luo Jianwen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeAs a typical chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN) is a common syndrome of hypertension, characterized by chronic kidney microvascular damage. Early diagnosis of microvascular damage using conventional ultrasound imaging encounters challenges in sensitivity and specificity owing to the inherent diffraction limit. Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) has been developed to obtain microvasculature and microvascular hemodynamics within the kidney, and would be a promising tool for the early diagnosis of CKD.MethodsIn this study, the advantage of quantitative indexes obtained by using ULM (mean arterial blood flow speeds of different segments of interlobular arteries) over indexes obtained using conventional clinical serum (β2‐microglobulin, serum urea nitrogen, and creatinine) and urine (24‐h urine volume and urine protein) tests and ultrasound Doppler imaging (peak systolic velocity [PSV], end‐diastolic velocity [EDV], and resistance index [RI]) and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS; rise time [RT], peak intensity [IMAX], mean transit time [mTT], and area under the time‐intensity curve [AUC]) for early diagnosis of HN were investigated. Examinations were carried out on six spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and five normal Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats at the age of 10 weeks.ResultsThe experimental results show that the indicators derived from conventional clinical inspections (serum and urine tests) and ultrasound imaging (PSV, EDV, RI, RT, IMAX, mTT, and AUC) do not show significant difference between hypertensive and healthy rats (p > 0.05), while the TTP of the SHR group (28.52 ± 5.52 s) derived from CEUS is significantly higher than that of the WKY group (18.68 ± 7.32 s; p < 0.05). The mean blood flow speed in interlobular artery of SHR (12.47 ± 1.06 mm/s) derived from ULM is significantly higher than that of WKY rats (10.13 ± 1.17 mm/s; p < 0.01).ConclusionThe advantages of ULM over conventional clinical inspections and ultrasound imaging methods for early diagnosis of HN were validated. The quantitative results show that ULM can effectively diagnose HN at the early stage by detecting the blood flow speed changes of interlobular arteries. ULM may promise a reliable technique for early diagnosis of HN in the future.
Technical note: A PET/MR coil with an integrated, orbiting 511 keV transmission source for PET/MR imaging validated in an animal study
Authors: Renner Andreas , Rausch Ivo , Cal Gonzalez Jacobo , Laistler Elmar , Moser Ewald , Jochimsen Thies , Sattler Tatjana , Sabri Osama , Beyer Thomas , Figl Michael , Birkfellner Wolfgang , Sattler Bernhard 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundMR‐based methods for attenuation correction (AC) in PET/MRI either neglect attenuation of bone, or use MR‐signal derived information about bone, which leads to a bias in quantification of tracer uptake in PET. In a previous study, we presented a PET/MRI specific MR coil with an integrated transmission source (TX) system allowing for direct measurement of attenuation. In phantom measurements, this system successfully reproduced the linear attenuation coefficient of water.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to validate the TX system in a clinical setting using animals and to show its applicability compared to standard clinical methods.MethodsAs test subject, a 15‐kg piglet was injected with 53 MBq of 18F‐NaF. The μ‐map obtained with the TX system and the reconstructed activity distribution were compared to four established AC methods: a Dixon sequence, an ultra‐short echo time (UTE) sequence, a CT scan, and a 511 keV transmission scan using a Siemens ECAT EXACT HR+ as the reference. The PET/MRI measurements were performed on a Siemens Biograph mMR to obtain the μ‐map using the TX system as well as the Dixon and UTE sequence directly followed by the CT and ECAT measurements.ResultsThe reconstructed activity distribution using the TX system for AC showed similar results compared to the reference (<5% difference in hot regions) and outperformed the MR‐based methods as implemented in the PET/MRI system (<10% difference in hot regions). However, the additional hardware of the TX system adds complexity to the acquisition process.ConclusionOur porcine study demonstrates the feasibility of post‐injection transmission scans using the developed TX system in a clinical setting. This makes it a useful tool for PET/MRI in cases where transmission information is needed for AC. Potential applications are studies using larger animals where state‐of‐the‐art atlas‐based or artificial intelligence AC methods are not available.
Directions for future research on urban mobility and city logistics
Authors: Kaspi Mor , Raviv Tal , Ulmer Marlin W. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis survey article provides an overview on future directions for research in urban mobility and city logistics. It sets a focus on three particularly serious changes in the business models: vehicle autonomy, crowdsourced logistics, and urban micro‐consolidation centers. In the future, service fleets might fully or partially be autonomous which brings new operational opportunities and challenges. In many business models, crowdsourcing jobs are already common. While this might save costs, it also leads to uncertainty in the available workforce and their behavior. Finally, micro‐consolidation centers enable the use of smaller, cheaper, and emission‐friendlier vehicles, but lead to more complex planning and operations. For each topic, the article presents an overview on the relevant literature as well as important and open research challenges.