bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early use of high-efficacy disease‑modifying therapies makes the difference in people with multiple sclerosis: an expert opinion
Authors: Filippi Massimo , Amato Maria Pia , Centonze Diego , Gallo Paolo , Gasperini Claudio , Inglese Matilde , Patti Francesco , Pozzilli Carlo , Preziosa Paolo , Trojano Maria 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease that is characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration occurring from the earliest phases of the disease and that may be underestimated. MS patients accumulate disability through relapse-associated worsening or progression independent of relapse activity. Early intervention with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (HE-DMTs) may represent the best window of opportunity to delay irreversible central nervous system damage and MS-related disability progression by hindering underlying heterogeneous pathophysiological processes contributing to disability progression. In line with this, growing evidence suggests that early use of HE-DMTs is associated with a significant greater reduction not only of inflammatory activity (clinical relapses and new lesion formation at magnetic resonance imaging) but also of disease progression, in terms of accumulation of irreversible clinical disability and neurodegeneration compared to delayed HE-DMT use or escalation strategy. These beneficial effects seem to be associated with acceptable long-term safety risks, thus configuring this treatment approach as that with the most positive benefit/risk profile. Accordingly, it should be mandatory to treat people with MS early with HE-DMTs in case of prognostic factors suggestive of aggressive disease, and it may be advisable to offer an HE-DMT to MS patients early after diagnosis, taking into account drug safety profile, disease severity, clinical and/or radiological activity, and patient-related factors, including possible comorbidities, family planning, and patients’ preference in agreement with the EAN/ECTRIMS and AAN guidelines. Barriers for an early use of HE-DMTs include concerns for long-term safety, challenges in the management of treatment initiation and monitoring, negative MS patients’ preferences, restricted access to HE-DMTs according to guidelines and regulatory rules, and sustainability. However, these barriers do not apply to each HE-DMT and none of these appear insuperable.
Impact of COVID-19 on elective, emergency and oncological surgery during the first and the second wave in a tertiary university hospital
Authors: Gasteiger Lukas , Abram Julia , Klein Sebastian , Tscholl Pia , Hell Tobias , Putzer Gabriel , Moser Berthold , Joannidis Michael , Martini Judith 
Published: May 2022

Summary
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an important reduction in surgical activities during the first wave. Aim of this retrospective time-trend analysis was to examine whether also during the second wave in fall and winter 2020/2021 surgical interventions decreased.

Methods
Absolut numbers and types of surgeries in a tertiary university hospital during the second COVID-19 wave in fall/winter 2020/2021 were collected from the surgical planning software and compared with the same time frame over the last 5 years. In a second step, the reduction of surgical interventions during the second wave was compared with the reduction of surgical procedures during the first wave in spring 2020 at the same hospital.

Results
Despite a higher 7‑day incidence of COVID-19 infection and a higher number of patients needing ICU treatment during the second wave, the reduction of surgical interventions was 3.22% compared to 65.29% during the first wave (p < 0.0001). Elective surgical interventions decreased by 88.63% during the first wave compared to 1.79% during the second wave (p < 0.0001). Emergency and oncological interventions decreased by 35.17% during the first wave compared to 5.15% during the second wave (p : 0.0007) and 47.59% compared to 3.89% (p < 0.0001), respectively. Surgical activity reduction in our institution was less pronounced despite higher occupancy of ICU beds during the second COVID-19 wave in fall/winter 2020/2021.

Conclusion
Better understanding of the disease, adequate supply of disposables and improved interdisciplinary day by day management of surgical and ICU resources may have contributed to this improvement.
Socio-demographic and psychological factors associated with quality of life of women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for gynecological cancer
Authors: Di Mattei Valentina E. , Perego Gaia , Taranto Paola , Mazzetti Martina , Rancoita Paola M. V. , Milano Francesca , Mangili Giorgia , Rabaiotti Emanuela , Bergamini Alice , Cioffi Raffaella , Candiani Massimo 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Purpose
This research aimed to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological variables predictive of a greater functioning and quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer after their first cycle of carboplatin and taxol-based chemotherapy.

Methods
The sample of the present research consisted of 104 patients. The European Organization on Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were administered to each participant.

Results
The analyses showed that higher state anxiety levels predicted a lower role, emotional, and social functioning and a lower general quality of life. Higher trait anxiety levels and social support perceived from one’s friends predicted a greater role functioning. Similarly, having a relationship predicted a greater physical, cognitive, and social functioning. On the contrary, the presence of relapsed cancer was negatively associated with these patients’ quality of life.

Conclusions
The present study highlighted the importance of identifying patients at higher risk of experiencing lower levels of functioning and worse general quality of life to implement tailored interventions from the beginning of treatment, thus improving the quality of life of these patients throughout the chemotherapy treatment.
Kontextveränderung und Resilienz bei posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung
Authors: Löffler-Stastka Henriette , Narath Ursula 
Published: May 2022

ZusammenfassungDas Gefühl der Handlungsfähigkeit ist bei psychischen Erkrankungen oft beeinträchtigt, was zu dysfunktionalen Überzeugungen und anhaltenden Verhaltensmustern führt, die die Krankheit chronifizieren können. Soziale Engramme und empathisches Verhalten beeinflussen nachweislich die Kognition höherer Ordnung und modulieren negative Erfahrungen und Erinnerungen, indem sie zum Teil neues Lernen erleichtern oder auch erschweren. Auswirkungen von Stress auf verschiedene Prozesse des Gedächtnisses sind nachgewiesen. Inkonsistenzerfahrungen durch den Kontext, das (Versorgungs‑)System oder Behandlungsregime, können als chronischer Stressor zu einer Resilienzminderung führen. Anhand der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung werden die Wirkungen der Kontextfaktoren dargestellt.
The Italian tremor Network (TITAN): rationale, design and preliminary findings
Authors: Erro Roberto , Pilotto Andrea , Esposito Marcello , Olivola Enrica , Nicoletti Alessandra , Lazzeri Giulia , Magistrelli Luca , Dallocchio Carlo , Marchese Roberta , Bologna Matteo , Tessitore Alessandro , Misceo Salvatore , Gigante Angelo Fabio , Terranova Carmen , Moschella Vincenzo , di Biase Lazzaro , Di Giacopo Raffaella , Morgante Francesca , Valentino Francesca , De Rosa Anna , Trinchillo Assunta , Malaguti Maria Chiara , Brusa Livia , Matinella Angela , Di Biasio Francesca , Paparella Giulia , De Micco Rosa , Contaldi Elena , Modugno Nicola , Di Fonzo Alessio , Padovani Alessandro , Barone Paolo ,   TITAN Study Group
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Introduction
The recently released classification has revised the nosology of tremor, defining essential tremor (ET) as a syndrome and fueling an enlightened debate about some newly conceptualized entities such as ET-plus. As a result, precise information of demographics, clinical features, and about the natural history of these conditions are lacking.

Methods
The ITAlian tremor Network (TITAN) is a multicenter data collection platform, the aim of which is to prospectively assess, according to a standardized protocol, the phenomenology and natural history of tremor syndromes.

Results
In the first year of activity, 679 patients have been recruited. The frequency of tremor syndromes varied from 32% of ET and 41% of ET-plus to less than 3% of rare forms, including focal tremors (2.30%), task-specific tremors (1.38%), isolated rest tremor (0.61%), and orthostatic tremor (0.61%). Patients with ET-plus were older and had a higher age at onset than ET, but a shorter disease duration, which might suggest that ET-plus is not a disease stage of ET. Familial aggregation of tremor and movement disorders was present in up to 60% of ET cases and in about 40% of patients with tremor combined with dystonia. The body site of tremor onset was different between tremor syndromes, with head tremor being most commonly, but not uniquely, associated with dystonia.

Conclusions
The TITAN study is anticipated to provide clinically relevant prospective information about the clinical correlates of different tremor syndromes and their specific outcomes and might serve as a basis for future etiological, pathophysiological, and therapeutic research.
Artificial neural network for aspect ratio prediction of lignocellulosic micro/nanofibers
Authors: Santos Alexandre F. , Aguado Roberto , Corazza Marcos L. , Tarrés Quim , Sanchez-Salvador Jose-Luis , Blanco Angeles , Negro Carlos , Delgado-Aguilar Marc 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this work a wide sample analysis, under similar conditions, has been carried out and a calibration strategy based on a careful selection of input variables combined with sensitivity analysis has enabled us to build accurate neural network models, with high correlation (R > 0.99), for the prediction of the aspect ratio of micro/nanofiber products. The model is based on cellulose content, applied energy, fiber length and diameter of the pre-treated pulps. The number of samples used to generate the neural network model was relatively low, consisting of just 15 samples coming from pine pulps that had undergone thermomechanical, kraft and bleached kraft treatments to produce a significant range of aspect ratio. However, the ANN model, involving 4 inputs and 4 hidden neurons and calibrated on the basis of pine dataset, was accurate and robust enough to predict the aspect ratio of micro/nanofiber materials obtained from other cellulose sources including very different softwood and hardwood species such as Spruce, Eucalyptus and Aspen (R = 0.84). The neural network model was able to capture the nonlinearities involved in the data providing insight about the profile of the aspect ratio achieved with further homogenization during the fibrillation process.
Reasonable Doubt from Unconceived Alternatives
Authors: Jellema Hylke 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn criminal trials, judges or jurors have to decide whether the facts described in the indictment are proven beyond a reasonable doubt. However, these decision-makers cannot always imagine every relevant sequence of events—there may be unconceived alternatives. The possibility of unconceived alternatives is an overlooked source of reasonable doubt. I argue that decision-makers should not consider the defendant’s guilt proven if they have good reasons to believe that plausible, unconceived scenarios exist. I explore this thesis through the lens of the two most influential accounts of rational criminal proof—Bayesian and explanation-based approaches. I draw on related ideas from the philosophy of science to show why and when unconceived alternatives lead to reasonable doubt on either account.
The Effect of Nano-chitosan and Nano-curcumin on Radiated Parotid Glands of Albino Rats: Comparative Study
Authors: Meabed Omayma M. , Shamaa Ali , Abdelrahman Ibrahim Y. , El-Sayyed Gharieb S. , Mohammed Saher S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDecreasing the salivary flow rate manifested by xerostomia occurs early during the irradiation treatment. The duration of depressed salivary function varies among patients. Various histopathological changes occur in the salivary glands. The current study was performed to investigate and compare between the possible anti-radiotherapeutic effect of the gamma rays-synthesized curcumin nanoparticles (Cur NPs), and chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs). They were utilized to overcome the histopathological changes associated with radiation therapy in albino rats’ parotid glands. Sixty adult male Albino rats were utilized, fifteen as control group, fifteen as radiated group and thirty as Cur NPs and Cs NPs treatment groups. The parotid glands were dissected and examined histologically, immunohistochemically for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as histo-morphometrically. The histological results proved the antiradio-therapeutic effect of Cur NPs, and Cs NPs, with the least degenerative changes in the Cur NPs treated group. A high significant increase in VEGF was recorded in the radiated group as compared to the other treated groups. Cs NPs have proved to be an anti-radiotherapeutic and anti-oxidant substrate in treating the histopathological changes in radiated parotid glands of albino rats. However, it was lagging behind Cur NPs in all analyses but non-significant differences between them have been recorded.
Graphical Abstract
Improving the Quality of CaWO4 Target Crystals for CRESST
Authors: Kinast A. , Angloher G. , Benato G. , Bento A. , Bertolini A. , Breier R. , Bucci C. , Canonica L. , D’Addabbo A. , Lorenzo S. Di , Einfalt L. , Erb A. , Feilitzsch F. V. , Iachellini N. Ferreiro , Fichtinger S. , Fuchs D. , Fuss A. , Garai A. , Ghete V.-M. , Gorla P. , Gupta S. , Hamilton F. , Hauff D. , Ješkovský M. , Jochum J. , Kaznacheeva M. , Kluck H. , Kraus H. , Langenkämper A. , Mancuso M. , Marini L. , Mokina V. , Nilima A. , Olmi M. , Ortmann T. , Pagliarone C. , Palušová V. , Pattavina L. , Petricca F. , Potzel W. , Povinec P. , Pröbst F. , Pucci F. , Reindl F. , Rothe J. , Schäffner K. , Schieck J. , Schmiedmayer D. , Schönert S. , Schwertner C. , Stahlberg M. , Stodolsky L. , Strandhagen C. , Strauss R. , Usherov I. , Wagner F. , Willers M. , Zema V. ,   CRESST Collaboration
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST) experiment aims at the direct detection of dark matter particles via their elastic scattering off nuclei in a scintillating CaWO$$_4$$

4

target crystal. The CaWO$$_4$$

4

crystal is operated together with a light detector at mK temperature and read out by a Transition Edge Sensor. For many years, CaWO$$_4$$

4

crystals have successfully been produced in-house at Technical University of Munich (TUM) with a focus on high radiopurity which is crucial to reduce background originating from radioactive contamination. In order to further improve the CaWO$$_4$$

4

crystals, an extensive chemical purification of the raw materials and the synthesised CaWO$$_4$$

4

powder has been performed. In addition, a temperature gradient simulation of the growth process and subsequently an optimisation of the growth furnace with the goal to reduce the intrinsic stress was carried out. We present results on the intrinsic stress in the CaWO$$_4$$

4

crystals and on the CaWO$$_4$$

4

powder radiopurity. A crystal grown from the purified material was installed in the current CRESST set-up. The detector is equipped with an instrumented holder which is used to measure the alpha decay rate of the crystal. We present a preliminary analysis showing a significantly reduced intrinsic background from natural decay chains.
Total positivity and accurate computations with Gram matrices of Bernstein bases
Authors: Mainar E. , Peña J. M. , Rubio B. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this paper, an accurate method to construct the bidiagonal factorization of Gram (mass) matrices of Bernstein bases of positive and negative degree is obtained and used to compute with high relative accuracy their eigenvalues, singular values and inverses. Numerical examples are included.
Theorising a contextual framework for moderation of internal assessment: development and opportunities
Authors: Williams Anna H. , Johnston Michael B. , Averill Robin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSuitable execution of moderation policy is challenging but crucial for the trustworthiness and credibility of internal high-stakes assessment systems. In formal education, policies are rarely implemented as intended. Instead, they are enacted in ways influenced by mediating factors including the internal and external contexts of organisations. Ball, Maguire and Braun’s (2012) contextual-dimensions heuristic provides a conceptualisation of organisation-specific contexts, which is useful when the organisation is the unit of analysis. However, comprehensive analysis of policy enactment—including that relating to moderation—warrants consideration of contexts narrower in scope than whole organisations and wider in scope than individual organisations. In this article, we modify Ball and colleagues’ heuristic, incorporating Biggs’ (1993) application of systems theory, to develop a new contextual framework for moderation that is applicable on multiple scales and enables such analysis. This framework is applied to a selection of contemporary moderation studies with scopes that vary from one course, to jurisdiction-wide, to illustrate its utility. Our framework captures the hierarchy of embedded, interacting systems within which moderation is enacted and makes contextual relationships visible, allowing consideration of perspectives between units of analysis. Our framework provides a nuanced conceptualisation of context that distinguishes between material and human factors, and intrinsic and extrinsic contexts. We present potential uses of the framework for education organisations, central agencies and researchers including as a tool for identifying contextual factors involved in executing moderation initiatives and identifying possible pressures, tensions and enablers.
11C-methionine PET aids localization of microprolactinomas in patients with intolerance or resistance to dopamine agonist therapy
Authors: Bashari W. A. , van der Meulen M. , MacFarlane J. , Gillett D. , Senanayake R. , Serban L. , Powlson A. S. , Brooke A. M. , Scoffings D. J. , Jones J. , O’Donovan D. G. , Tysome J. , Santarius T. , Donnelly N. , Boros I. , Aigbirhio F. , Jefferies S. , Cheow H. K. , Mendichovszky I. A. , Kolias A. G. , Mannion R. , Koulouri O. , Gurnell M. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the potential for 11C-methionine PET (Met-PET) coregistered with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (Met-PET/MRCR) to inform clinical decision making in patients with poorly visualized or occult microprolactinomas and dopamine agonist intolerance or resistance.

Patients and methods
Thirteen patients with pituitary microprolactinomas, and who were intolerant (n = 11) or resistant (n = 2) to dopamine agonist therapy, were referred to our specialist pituitary centre for Met-PET/MRCR between 2016 and 2020. All patients had persistent hyperprolactinemia and were being considered for surgical intervention, but standard clinical MRI had shown either no visible adenoma or equivocal appearances.

Results
In all 13 patients Met-PET/MRCR demonstrated a single focus of avid tracer uptake. This was localized either to the right or left side of the sella in 12 subjects. In one patient, who had previously undergone surgery for a left-sided adenoma, recurrent tumor was unexpectedly identified in the left cavernous sinus. Five patients underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal selective adenomectomy, with subsequent complete remission of hyperprolactinaemia and normalization of other pituitary function; three patients are awaiting surgery. In the patient with inoperable cavernous sinus disease PET-guided stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) was performed with subsequent near-normalization of serum prolactin. Two patients elected for a further trial of medical therapy, while two declined surgery or radiotherapy and chose to remain off medical treatment.

Conclusions
In patients with dopamine agonist intolerance or resistance, and indeterminate pituitary MRI, molecular (functional) imaging with Met-PET/MRCR can allow precise localization of a microprolactinoma to facilitate selective surgical adenomectomy or SRS.
Time-related multivariate strategy for the comprehensive evaluation of microbial chemical data
Authors: Selegato Denise M. , Freitas Thamires R. , Pivatto Marcos , Pivatto Amanda D. , Pilon Alan C. , Castro-Gamboa Ian 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Introduction
In microbial metabolomics, the use of multivariate data analysis (MDVA) has not been comprehensively explored regarding the different techniques available and the information that each gives about the metabolome. To overcome these limitations, here we show the use of Fusarium oxysporum cultured in the presence of exogenous alkaloids as a model system to demonstrate a comprehensive strategy for metabolic profiling.

Matherials and methods
F. oxysporum was harvested on different days of incubation after alkaloidal addition, and the chemical profiles were compared using LC–MS data and MDVA. We show significant innovation to evaluate the chemical production of microbes during their life cycle by utilizing the full capabilities of Partial Least Square (PLS) with microbial-specific modeling that considers incubation days, media culture availability, and growth rate in solid media.

Results and Discusscion
Results showed that the treatment of the Y-data and the use of both PLS regression and discrimination (PLSr and PLS-DA) inferred complemental chemical information. PLSr revealed the metabolites that are produced/consumed during fungal growth, whereas PLS-DA focused on metabolites that are only consumed/produced at a specific period. Both regression and classificatory analysis were equally important to identify compounds that are regulated and/or selectively produced as a response to the presence of the alkaloids. Lastly, we report the annotation of analogs from the piperidine alkaloids biotransformed by F. oxysporum as a defense response to the toxic plant metabolites. These molecules do not show the antimicrobial potential of their precursors in the fungal extracts and were rapidly produced and consumed within 4 days of microbial growth.