bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Misdiagnosed giant parathyroid cyst: differential diagnosis of a neck mass of the central region
Authors: D'amore Annamaria , Langellotti Lodovica , Bocale Raffaella , Lombardi Celestino Pio 
Published: June 2022

Parathyroid cysts (PCs) are rare benign lesions representing between the 0.08% and the 0.34% of the neck masses going on surgery. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck masses, especially in the differential diagnosis of the cystic anterior neck masses.Approximately 300 cases of PC are reported within the international literature.The gold standard for diagnosis is the evidence of high-level intact parathyroid hormone in cystic fluid. It is important to diagnose PCs before surgery, not intraoperatively, in order to avoid unnecessary surgeries or superfluous excision of part of the thyroid gland and prevent the patient from iatrogenic hypothyroidism.A surgical approach is required in those patients with large-sized cysts, relapses despite needle aspirations or if it causes hyperparathyroidism.We describe a case report of a patient, initially misdiagnosed with a thyroid cyst swelling, who instead had a giant non-functioning PC, which produced dyspnoea or dysphagia.
Harnessing new mHealth technologies to Strengthen the Management of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Vietnam (V-SMART trial): a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Velen Kavindhran , Nguyen Viet Nhung , Nguyen Binh Hoa , Dang Tho , Nguyen Hoang Anh , Vu Dinh Hoa , Do Thu Thuong , Pham Duc Cuong , Nguyen Huu Lan , Pham Huu Thuong , Marais Ben J , Johnston James , Britton Warwick , Beardsley Justin , Negin Joel , Wiseman Virginia , Marks Guy Barrington , Nguyen Thu Anh , Fox Greg J 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a major public health problem globally. Long, complex treatment regimens coupled with frequent adverse events have resulted in poor treatment adherence and patient outcomes. Smartphone-based mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer national TB programmes an appealing platform to improve patient care and management; however, clinical trial evidence to support their use is lacking. This trial will test the hypothesis that an mHealth intervention can improve treatment success among patients with MDR-TB and is cost-effective compared with standard practice.Methods and analysisA community-based, open-label, parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted among patients treated for MDR-TB in seven provinces of Vietnam. Patients commencing therapy for microbiologically confirmed rifampicin-resistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis within the past 30 days will be recruited to the study. Participants will be individually randomised to an intervention arm, comprising use of an mHealth application for treatment support, or a ‘standard care’ arm. In both arms, patients will be managed by the national TB programme according to current national treatment guidelines. The primary outcome measure of effectiveness will be the proportion of patients with treatment success (defined as treatment completion and/or bacteriological cure) after 24 months. A marginal Poisson regression model estimated via a generalised estimating equation will be used to test the effect of the intervention on treatment success. A prospective microcosting of the intervention and within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis will also be undertaken from a societal perspective. Cost-effectiveness will be presented as an incremental cost per patient successfully treated and an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained.EthicsEthical approval for the study was granted by The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2019/676).DisseminationStudy findings will be disseminated to participants and published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.Trial registration numberACTRN12620000681954.
Intraperitoneal paclitaxel for patients with primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: a phase I/II dose escalation and safety study—INTERACT MESO
Authors: van Kooten Job P , Dietz Michelle V , Guchelaar Niels A D , Brandt-Kerkhof Alexandra R M , Koolen Stijn L W , Burger Jacobus W A , Mathijssen Ron H J , Verhoef Cornelis , Aerts Joachim G J V , Madsen Eva V E 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionMalignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive tumour arising primarily from the peritoneum. The only potentially curative treatment is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). However, the majority of patients are not eligible to undergo this treatment. The benefit of systemic treatment for these patients is limited at the cost of considerable morbidity. Hence, there is a need for appropriate palliative treatment options for patients with MPM. As MPM rarely disseminates outside the abdominal cavity, these patients might benefit from local treatment. A higher, more effective dose of chemotherapy can directly be delivered at the site of the disease. Systemic uptake will be limited, likely resulting in less toxicity. The aim of the INTERACT MESO trial is to determine the maximum tolerable dose of intraperitoneal paclitaxel monotherapy in patients with MPM. Secondary endpoints are to assess safety and toxicity, feasibility and the pharmacokinetic profile of this treatment.Methods and analysisThe INTERACT MESO trial is a prospective, open-label, single-centre, phase I study with a classic three-plus-three dose escalation design. The study population consists of adult patients with primary MPM, without extra-abdominal disease, who are not eligible to undergo CRS-HIPEC. According to standard of care work-up for CRS-HIPEC, patients will undergo diagnostic laparoscopy to determine the feasibility of CRS-HIPEC. In case CRS-HIPEC is not considered feasible, a peritoneal port-a-cath (PAC) system will be placed. Through this PAC, 8–16 weekly cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy will be administered.Ethics and disseminationThe Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO, The Hague, The Netherlands) and the Medical Research Ethics Committee (METC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) have granted permission to carry out this study protocol. The results of this trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial registration numberNL9718. EudraCT: 2021-003637-11.
High burden of polyp mischaracterisation in tertiary centre referrals for endoscopic resection may be alleviated by telestration
Authors: Thrumurthy Sri , Htet Hein Myat Thu , Denesh Deepa , Kandiah Kesavan , Mohammed Noor , Gulati Shraddha , Emmanuel Andrew , Bhandari Pradeep , Haji Amyn , Hayee Bu'Hussain 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveEndoscopic resection (ER) often involves referral to tertiary centres with high volume practices. Lesions can be subject to prior manipulation and mischaracterisation of features required for accurate planning, leading to prolonged or cancelled procedures. As potential solutions, repeating diagnostic procedures is burdensome for services and patients, while even enriched written reports and still images provide insufficient information to plan ER. This project sought to determine the frequency and implications of polyp mischaracterisation and whether the use of telestration might prevent it.Design/methodA retrospective data analysis of ER referrals to four tertiary centres was conducted for the period July–December 2019. Prospective telestration with a novel digital platform was then performed between centres to achieve consensus on polyp features and ER planning.Results163 lesions (163 patients; mean age 67.9±12.2 y; F=62) referred from regional hospitals, were included. Lesion site was mismatched in 11 (6.7%). Size was not mentioned in the referral in 27/163 (16.6%) and incorrect in 81/136 (51.5%), more commonly underestimated by the referring centre (<0.0001), by a mean factor of 1.85±0.79. Incurred procedure time (in units of 20 min) was significantly greater than that allocated (p=0.0085). For 10 cases discussed prospectively, rapid consensus on lesion features was achieved, with agreement between experts on time required for ER.ConclusionsPolyp mischaracterisation is a frequent feature of ER referrals, but could be corrected by the use of telestration between centres. Our study involved expert-to-expert consensus, so extending to ‘real-world’ referring centres would offer additional learning for a digital pathway.
Lessons learned from the Last Gift study: ethical and practical challenges faced while conducting HIV cure-related research at the end of life
Authors: Kanazawa John , Rawlings Stephen A , Hendrickx Steven , Gianella Sara , Concha-Garcia Susanna , Taylor Jeff , Kaytes Andy , Patel Hursch , Ndukwe Samuel , Little Susan J , Smith Davey , Dubé Karine 
Published: June 2022

The Last Gift is an observational HIV cure-related research study conducted with people with HIV at the end of life (EOL) at the University of California San Diego. Participants agree to voluntarily donate blood and other biospecimens while living and their bodies for a rapid research autopsy postmortem to better understand HIV reservoir dynamics throughout the entire body. The Last Gift study was initiated in 2017. Since then, 30 volunteers were enrolled who are either (1) terminally ill with a concomitant condition and have a prognosis of 6 months or less or (2) chronically ill with multiple comorbidities and nearing the EOL.Multiple ethical and logistical challenges have been revealed during this time; here, we share our lessons learnt and ethical analysis. Issues relevant to healthcare research include surrogate informed consent, personal and professional boundaries, challenges posed conducting research in a pandemic, and clinician burnout and emotional support. Issues more specific to EOL and postmortem research include dual roles of clinical care and research teams, communication between research personnel and clinical teams, legally required versus rapid research autopsy, identification of next of kin/loved ones and issues of inclusion. Issues specific to the Last Gift include logistics of body donation and rapid research autopsy, and disposition of the body as a study benefit.We recommend EOL research teams to have clear provisions around surrogate informed consent, rotate personnel to maintain boundaries, limit direct contact with staff associated with clinical care and have a clear plan for legally required versus research autopsies, among other recommendations.
Clinical features and outcomes of perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas: comparison between micro- and macro-type lesions
Authors: Yu Jiaxing , Zhang Shiju , Bian Lisong , He Chuan , Ye Ming , Li Guilin , Hu Peng , Sun Liyong , Ling Feng , Zhang Hongqi , Hong Tao 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAlthough the angioarchitecture of perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (PMAVFs) is straightforward, their size and blood flow are highly heterogeneous. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in clinical features and outcomes of PMAVFs based on lesion size and blood flow.Methods114 consecutive patients with PMAVFs from two institutes were retrospectively reviewed. The lesions were classified as either micro-PMAVFs (shunt point diameter <1 cm) or macro-PMAVFs (shunt point diameter ≥1 cm).ResultsThe patients with micro-PMAVFs were older at the first presentation (33.50 vs 13.50 years, p<0.001). Macro-PMAVFs were more commonly associated with spinal metameric arteriovenous shunts (6.9% vs 28.6%, p=0.003). Compared with the macro-PMAVFs, the micro-PMAVFs showed a significantly higher risk of gradual clinical deterioration after initial onset (73.6%/year vs 10.0%/year; HR 3.888, 95% CI 1.802 to 8.390, p=0.001). A total of 58.6% of the micro-PMAVFs were treated surgically, whereas 85.7% of the macro-PMAVFs were treated via endovascular approaches. Complete obliteration was 73.7% for the whole cohort, and was more common for the micro-PMAVFs than for the macro-PMAVFs (87.9% vs 58.9%, p=0.001). At the last follow-up, spinal function was significantly improved compared with the pretreatment status, and the rate of severe disability of patients with macro-PMAVFs was slightly but not significantly higher than that of patients with micro-PMAVFs (16.1% vs 8.6%, p=0.315)ConclusionsThe clinical risks, treatment strategies and obliteration rates of PMAVFs differ based on their size and blood flow.
Computational delving into conceivable thermoelectric and spintronic applications of NH4AF3 (A = Fe and Co) ferromagnets
Authors: Mubarak A.A. , Tariq Saad , Hamioud Farida , Kanwal Bushra 
Published: June 2022

In this investigation, the structural, mechanical, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of fluoroperovskite NH4AF3 (A = Fe and Co) compounds were determined utilizing the WIEN2k code. The structural properties such as tolerance factor, enthalpy, and elastic stability criterion predict that the studied compounds are mechanically and thermodynamically stable. Furthermore, the mechanical properties show that NH4FeF3 is more stretchable and rigid in nature than NH4CoF3. Interestingly, both compounds exhibit the anisotropic, intermediate type of bonding effect, higher plastic deformation limit, and brittle nature. The high melting temperature of the present compounds indicates the possible usage of these compounds in high-temperature electronic applications. The electronic calculations show that NH4FeF3 and NH4CoF3 are half-metallic and ferromagnetic compounds with a combination of ionic and covalent bonds between the different atoms. The thermoelectric parameters predict that electrons are the main charge carriers for the present compound with p-type character. Our study suggests that these plausible applications of the compounds are very versatile and include heat sensors, spintronic devices, optoelectronic sensors, and magnetic tunnel junction devices.
Rotating black holes in Horndeski gravity: thermodynamic and gravitational lensing
Authors: Walia Rahul Kumar , Maharaj Sunil D. , Ghosh Sushant G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe lack of rotating black holes, typically found in nature, hinders testing modified gravity from astrophysical observations. We present the axially symmetric counterpart of an existing spherical hairy black hole in Horndeski gravity having additional deviation parameter Q, which encompasses the Kerr black hole as a particular case ($$Q=0$$

Q
=
0

). We investigate the effect of Horndeski parameter Q on the rotating black holes geometry and analytically deduce the gravitational deflection angle of light in the weak-field limit. For the S2 source star, the deflection angle for the Sgr A* model of rotating Horndeski gravity black hole for both prograde and retrograde photons is larger than the Kerr black hole values. We show how parameter Q could be constrained by the astrophysical implications of the lensing by this object. The thermodynamic quantities, Komar mass, and Komar angular momentum gets corrected by the parameter Q, but the Smarr relation $$M_{\text {eff}}=2ST+2\Omega J_{\text {eff}}$$

M
eff

=
2
S
T
+
2
Ω

J
eff

still holds at the event horizon.
Cosmogenic background study for a $$^{100}$$Mo-based bolometric demonstration experiment at China JinPing underground Laboratory
Authors: Chen W. , Ma L. , Chen J. H. , Huang H. Z. , Ma Y. G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe perform simulation study for a 10-kg $$^{100}$$

100

Mo-based bolometeric demonstration experiment for neutrinoless double-beta decay ($$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

) search at China JinPing underground Laboratory (CJPL). Cosmogenic production of radionuclides in $$^{100}$$

100

Mo-enriched lithium molybdate crystals and copper components of the detector system are studied using Geant4 toolkit based on the simulated cosmic ray data from the CRY library. Background energy spectra of the cosmogenic radionuclides including $$^{56}$$

56

Co, $$^{82}$$

82

Rb and $$^{88}$$

88

Y which are harmful for the $$^{100}$$

100

Mo-based $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

experiment are investigated. We then evaluate the total cosmogenic background level in the $$^{100}$$

100

Mo $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

search energy region of interest (ROI) for the demonstration experiment. After one year of cooling down underground, the residual background contribution is found to be 1.8 $$\times $$
×
10$$^{-6}$$

-
6

cts/kg/keV/yr and 3.3$$\times $$
×
10$$^{-4}$$

-
4

cts/kg/keV/yr from crystals and copper components, respectively. Furthermore, underground cosmogenic activation of copper and lithium molybdate crystal is calculated based on the simulation spectra of neutron and proton in CJPL. The underground cosmogenic background is found to be negligible in the ROI.
Early SoCs Information Flow Policies Validation Using SystemC-Based Virtual Prototypes at the ESL
Authors: Goli Mehran , Drechsler Rolf 
Published: June 2022

Virtual Prototypes
(VPs) at the
Electronic System Level
(ESL) are being increasingly adopted by the semiconductor industry and play an important role in modernizing the System-on-Chips (SoCs) design flow to raise design productivity and reduce time-to-market constraints. Due to their early availability and significantly faster simulation speed in comparison to
Register Transfer Level
(RTL) designs, VPs are used as reference models for lower levels of abstraction. Leveraging VPs and extending their use cases for early security validation are shown as a promising direction. As the cost of fixing any security flaws increases with the stage of development, VP-based security validation can significantly avoid costly iterations.

In this article, we present a novel VP-based dynamic information flow analysis approach at the ESL, consisting of three main phases which are runtime behavior extraction (in terms of transactions), transactions transformation, and security validation. The proposed approach empowers designers to validate the information flow policies of a given VP-based SoC against the most occurring security threat models which are information leakage (confidentiality) and unauthorized access to data in a memory (integrity). Experimental results including an extensive set of standard benchmarks and two real-world VP-based SoCs demonstrate the scalability and applicability of the proposed approach.
Abstract A12: Presence of circulating tumor cells is an adverse risk factor for early-stage uveal melanoma
Authors: Roszik Jason , Gombos Dan , Upshaw Joshua , Sarli Vanessa , Meas Salyna , Lucci Anthony , Hall Carolyn , Patel Sapna , Anand Kartik 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare melanoma; only 5% of cases at initial presentation have distant metastasis. As approximately 50% of patients will develop metastatic disease, there is a need to detect minimal residual disease (MRD). Liquid biopsy using circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been evaluated in multiple tumors; high CTC count predicts for increased risk of metastasis. We conducted a pilot study to check feasibility of CTCs in UM and evaluate if CTCs vary with risk status in early-stage UM.
Methods: We enrolled 40 UM patients ≥18 years, after obtaining informed consent in an IRB-approved protocol from 12/1/2014 to 2/1/2018. Peripheral blood was obtained to detect CTCs using CellSearch Circulating Melanoma Cell Assay. Demographic information, mutational analysis, date of diagnosis of primary UM or metastasis, and dates of CTC collection were collected. Risk stratification was done by gene expression profiling (GEP) by DecisionDX-UM assay. Landmark overall survival (OS) was calculated using “Landest” R package comparing CTC detected vs. not detected in early-stage UM.
Results: 39 patients were available for analysis. Median age of whole cohort was 52 years (20-83 years), 100% were non-Hispanic Caucasians, and 44% were male and 56% female. 20 patients had early-stage vs. 19 patients had metastatic disease at enrollment. 87% (13/15) of early-stage disease had class II disease. GNAQ & GNA11 mutations were present in 36% (12/39) and 13% (5/29), respectively. At initial blood draw, 36% of the patients had detectable CTCs [30% (6/20) in early stage vs. 42% (8/19) in metastatic], which increased to 54% at median study follow-up of 16.4 months [40% (8/20) in early stage vs. 68% (13/19) in metastatic]. Mean CTCs were higher in metastatic (9) vs. early stage (1.83) (p&gt;0.05). 5 patients in early-stage disease developed distant metastasis; 60% (3/5) had detectable CTCs before radiographic detection of metastasis. Out 5, 80% had class II disease and 20% had unknown GEP. Landmark overall survival (from study enrollment) at 24 months was statistically worse in CTC detected vs. not detected in early-stage UM (P&lt;0.05).
Conclusion: CTCs are more frequently detected in metastatic compared to early-stage UM. In early-stage UM, presence of CTCs predicts for increased risk of metastatic disease and is associated with worse outcome.
Citation Format: Jason Roszik, Dan Gombos, Joshua Upshaw, Vanessa Sarli, Salyna Meas, Anthony Lucci, Carolyn Hall, Sapna Patel, Kartik Anand. Presence of circulating tumor cells is an adverse risk factor for early-stage uveal melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A12.
Abstract B19: Suppression of CD8+ T-cell functions by melanoma cell-derived exosomes captured from plasma of patients with melanoma
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Diergaarde Brenda , Ferrone Soldano , Kirkwood John M , Whiteside Theresa L. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Exosomes, virus-sized (30-150nm) vesicles, derived from the endocytic compartment of parent cells, are produced by all cells and are present in all body fluids. Melanoma patients’ plasma contains exosomes produced by normal and malignant cells. To study the impact of melanoma cell-derived exosomes (MTEX) on human immune cells and melanoma progression, we isolated MTEX from total exosomes in plasma by immune capture with anti-CSPG-4 mAbs on beads. 19 proteins carried by MTEX and by non-MTEX of 12 patients with metastatic melanoma were quantified by on-bead flowcytometry. Immunoregulatory functions of these exosomes were measured in co-incubation assays with human immune cell subsets. Plasma exosomes of 6 normal donors served as controls. Melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) were present on MTEX only. MTEX carried more inhibitory ligands than non-MTEX (FasL, p&lt;0.007; TRAIL, p&lt;0.02), inhibited CD69 expression (p&lt;0.002) on CD8+ T cells, suppressed T-cell proliferation (p&lt;0.0005), and induced apoptosis of CD8+ T cells (p&lt; 0.0005). MTEX-mediated suppression accounted for suppressive activities of total plasma exosomes. Although non-MTEX were enriched in immunostimulatory proteins (p&lt;0.002), they induced greater suppression of NKG2D on NK cells than MTEX (p&lt;0.001). This is the first study to show that MTEX, a subset of circulating exosomes derived from melanoma cells, are largely responsible for immuno-suppressive effects that potentially translate into systemic immune suppression and tumor promotion in melanoma patients.
Citation Format: Priyanka Sharma, Brenda Diergaarde, Soldano Ferrone, John M Kirkwood, Theresa L. Whiteside. Suppression of CD8+ T-cell functions by melanoma cell-derived exosomes captured from plasma of patients with melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr B19.