bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the Tendency to Thrombosis Increase in Autoimmune Thyroid Dysfunction? Rotational Thromboelastometric Analysis
Authors: Cansu Güven Barış , Cansu Döndü Üsküdar , Taşkıran Bengür , Teke Hava Üsküdar 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The tendency for thrombosis is a well-known issue in hyperthyroidism, and the tendency for both bleeding and thrombosis has been shown in hypothyroidism. In the study, we aimed to establish the tendency to thrombosis by evaluating the coagulation system in thyroid diseases using thromboelastography (TEG). Thirty patients with new-onset autoimmune-based hypothyroidism, 30 with hyperthyroidism and 30 healthy volunteer subjects were enrolled in this study. Complete blood count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels and rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) were studied. In the ROTEM/TEG analysis, coagulation time (CT), coagulation formation time (CFT) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) were measured. Short CT and/or CFT and/or long MCF were presumed as the tendency to hypercoagulability. The mean age of subjects with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism was 46±15.9 years and 44.8±13 years, respectively. The thrombocyte count in the hypothyroid group and both thrombocyte counts and fibrinogen levels in the hyperthyroid group was significantly higher than in the healthy group (p=0.004, p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). According to ROTEM/TEG results, higher mean MCF figures were noted in both the hypo- and hyperthyroid groups compared with the healthy group (p=0.014 (hypothyroid vs. healthy groups), p=0.020 (hyperthyroid vs. healthy groups)). We showed a tendency for thrombosis using ROTEM in patients with both hyper- and hypothyroidism without thrombosis. The correlation between ROTEM/TEG parameters and the main components of thrombosis formation (thrombocyte count and fibrinogen level) indicate that the main factor might be inflammation (autoimmunity), apart from thyroid hormone levels.
Using Faecal Immmunochemical Cartridges for Gut Microbiome Analysis within a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Brezina Stefanie , Borkovec Martin , Baierl Andreas , Bastian Fabienne , Futschik Andreas , Gabriel Paul , Gasche Nikolaus , Gruenberger Thomas , Hallas Michael , Jansen Christian , Leeb Gernot , Lutz Rebecca , Sladek Barbara , Gsur Andrea 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program B-PREDICT is an invited two stage screening project using a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for initial screening followed by a colonoscopy for those with a positive FIT. Since the gut microbiome likely plays a role in the etiology of CRC, microbiome-based biomarkers in combination with FIT could be a promising tool for optimizing CRC screening. Therefore, we evaluated the usability of FIT cartridges for microbiome analysis and compared it to Stool Collection and Preservation Tubes.Methods: Samples were collected from participants of the B-PREDICT screening program using FIT cartridges as well as Stool Collection and Preservation Tubes and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) based on centre log ratio transformed abundances and used ALDEx2 to test for significantly differential abundant taxa between the two sample types. Additionally, FIT and Stool Collection and Preservation Tube triplicate samples were obtained from volunteers to estimate variance components of microbial abundances.Results: FIT and Preservation Tube samples produce highly similar microbiome profiles which cluster according to subject. Significant differences between the two sample types can be found for abundances of some bacterial taxa (e.g. 33 genera) but are minor compared to the differences between the subjects. Analysis of triplicate samples revealed slightly worse repeatability of results for FIT than for Preservation Tube samples.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that FIT cartridges are appropriate for gut microbiome analysis nested within CRC screening programs.
Learning takes time: Biotic resistance by native herbivores increases through the invasion process.
Authors: Santamaría Jorge , Golo Raül , Verdura Jana , Tomas Fiona , Ballesteros Enric , Alcoverro Teresa , Arthur Rohan , Cebrián Emma 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
As invasive species spread, the ability of local communities to resist invasion depends on the strength of biotic interactions. Evolutionarily unused to the invader, native predators or herbivores may be initially unskilled or wary of consuming newcomers, allowing them to proliferate. However, these relationships may be highly dynamic, and novel consumer-resource interactions could form as familiarity grows. Here, we explore the development of effective biotic resistance towards a highly invasive alga in the Mediterranean using multiple space-for-time approaches. We show that the principal native Mediterranean herbivore learns to consume the invader species within less than a decade. At recently invaded sites, the herbivore actively avoided the alga, shifting to distinct preference and high consumptions at older sites, even when invader abundance was low. This rapid strengthening of the interaction contributed to the eventual collapse of the alga after an initial dominance. Therefore, our results stress the importance of conserving key native populations to allow communities to develop effective resistance mechanisms against invaders with time.
Genetics in inborn errors of immunity: pediatric autoinflammatory phenotypes and the underlying genetic causes in 125 families
Authors: Poker Yvonne , von Hardenberg Sandra , Hofmann Winfried , Tang Ming , Baumann Ulrich , Schwerk Nicolaus , Wetzke Martin , Lindenthal Viola , Auber Bernd , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Ott Hagen , von Bismarck Philipp , Viemann Dorothee , Dressler Frank , Klemann Christian , Bergmann Anke Katharina 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Monogenic autoinflammatory diseases (AID) encompass a growing group of inborn errors in the innate immune system causing unprovoked or exaggerated systemic inflammation. Diagnosis of monogenic AID requires an accurate description of the patients´ phenotype and the identification of highly penetrant genetic variants in single genes is pivotal. In a routine genetic diagnostic setting, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of 125 pediatric patients with suspected monogenic AID. Datasets were analyzed in a step-wise approach to identify the most feasible diagnostic strategy: First, we analyzed a virtual gene panel including 13 genes associated with known AID and, if no genetic diagnosis could be established, followed by the analysis of a virtual panel including 420 genes published by the International Union of Immunological Societies associated with all known inborn error of immunity (IEI). Subsequently WES data were analyzed without pre-filtering for known AID/IEI genes. Analyzing 13 genes yielded a definite diagnosis in 16.0% (n=20). The diagnostic yield was increased by analyzing 420 genes to 21.8% (n=26). Importantly, expanding the analysis to WES data did not increase the diagnostic yield in our cohort, neither in single WES analysis nor in trio-WES analysis. The study highlights that analyzing virtual gene panels based on WES that include the majority of known genes causing AID or differential diagnosis can rapidly confirm the diagnosis for a large number of pediatric patients. WES data or trio-WES data analysis as a first-tier diagnostic analysis in patients with suspected monogenic AID is of minor use.
Evaluation of Synthesized Magnetic Nanoparticles and Salicylic Acid Effects on Improvement of Antioxidant Properties and Essential Oils of Calotropis Procera Hairy Roots and Seedlings
Authors: Adabavazeh Fatemeh , Pourseyedi Shahram , Nadernejad Nazi , Razavizadeh Roya , Mozafari Hossein 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Calotropis procera presents high levels of medicinally important terpenes and phenolics with antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to develop a suitable platform for mass production of pharmacological metabolites and improvement of antioxidant activity of C. procera. Motivated by such aim, potential effects of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and salicylic acid (SA) on antioxidant defense response and essential oils in seedlings and hairy roots were investigated. 21-day-old seedlings were treated by five levels of MNPs (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L−1) and three SA concentrations (0.0, 0.05, 0.1 mM). Moreover, the hairy roots about 2 cm were transferred into MS liquid medium supplemented with the above-mentioned concentrations of MNPs and 0 and 0.01 mM SA. After treatment, total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonol, anthocyanin, activity of polyphenol oxidase and L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2, 2‑diphenyl‑1‑picrylhydrazyl and production of essential oils were analyzed. Our results demonstrated that hairy root culture is a powerful alternative for improving and inducing secondary metabolites of C. procera as compared to seedlings. Moreover, it was found that MNPs combined with SA have the more ability than all other treatments to improve antioxidant activity and essential oil in both seedlings and hairy roots. Here, 100 and 200 mg L−1 MNPs combined with 0.01 mM SA had more pronounced impact on induction of pharmacological constituents and antioxidant activity. Results suggest that MNPs and SA in hairy root culture can bring great insights into development in vitro biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites.
Highly Sensitive, Ultra-Thin Dynamic Lateral Pressure Sensor Using Blue Laser Exposed Porous CNTs
Authors: Jang Jin , Park Chanju , Choi Munsu , Lee Suhui , Kim Hyunho , Lee Taeheon , Billah M.M. , Jung Byunglib 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Piezoresistive sensor is an essential component of wearable electronics that can detect resistance changes when pressure is applied. An effective approach to enhance its performance is to make micro-structured device. In this paper, porous carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are formed by blue laser (BL) exposure on CNTs layer, which increases its thickness ~4 times compared to the as-deposited layer. Then, the pressure sensor is fabricated by spin coating of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) elastomer on the porous CNTs layer. A 1.32 µm thick pressure sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of 6.54 x 106 kPa-1, a wide sensing range of 278 Pa ~ 40 kPa, and fast response/recovery times of 900/760 µs, respectively. The stability of the pressure sensor is demonstrated by repeated loading and unloading of 20 kPa for 3600 cycles. The stretchable pressure sensor was also demonstrated using lateral CNT electrodes on SEBS surface, exhibiting stable pressure performance up to 20% stretching. Finally, a 32 x 32 active-matrix pressure sensor array is demonstrated consisting of amorphous InGaZnO4 thin-film transistor (TFT) backplane for pressure mapping and real-time monitoring. The sensor array demonstrates dynamic area touch by pen writing with ~1 cm/s speed.
Cultural Consensus in Ethnotaxonomy - Lessons From a Fishing Community in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Renck Vítor , Apgaua Deborah M. G. , Tng David Y. P. , Bollettin Paride , Ludwig David , El-Hani Charbel N. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background - Traditional fishing communities are strongholds of ethnobiological knowledge but establishing to what degree they harbor cultural consensus about different aspects of this knowledge has been a challenge in many ethnobiological studies. Methods - We conducted an ethnobiological study in an artisanal fishing community in northeast Brazil, where we interviewed 91 community members of different genders and dedicated to distinct activities, in order to obtain free lists and salience indices of the fish they know. To establish whether there is cultural consensus in their traditional knowledge on fish, we engaged a smaller subset of 45 participants in triad tasks where they chose the most different fish out of 30 triads. We used the similarity matrices generated from the task results to detect if there is cultural consensus in the way fish were classified by them. We also modelled the effect of gender, age and type of activity on the agreement rate of participants with modal responses in the triad tasks (i.e., that pair of fish in which most participants considered the most similar within each triad).Results - The findings show how large is the community’s knowledge of fish, with 197 ethnospecies registered, of which 33 species were detected as salient or important to the community. In general, men cited more fish than women. We also found that there was no cultural consensus in the ways fish were classified, but younger participants tended to use similar criteria for classifying fish. Conclusions - Both free-listing and triad task methods revealed little cultural consensus in the way knowledge is structured and how fish were classified by community members. Our results suggest that it is prudent not to make assumptions that a given traditional community has a single cultural consensus model in classifying the organisms in their environment.
Feasibility of Postoperative Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Proximity of Carbon and Titanium Hybrid Implants Using a Robotic Radiotherapy Device
Authors: Henzen Dominik , Schmidhalter Daniel , Guyer Gian , Stenger-Weisser Anna , Ermiş Ekin , Poel Robert , Deml Moritz Caspar , Fix Michael Karl , Manser Peter , Aebersold Daniel Matthias , Hemmatazad Hossein 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background and purposeTo assess the feasibility of postoperative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with hybrid implants consisting of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone and titanium (CFP-T) using CyberKnife.Materials and methods All essential steps within a radiation therapy (RT) workflow were evaluated. First, the contouring process of target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) was done for patients with CFP-T implants. Second, after RT-planning, the accuracy of the calculated dose distributions was tested in an academic, anthropomorphic phantom using film dosimetry. As a third step, the accuracy of the mandatory image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) including automatic matching was assessed using the anthropomorphic phantom. For this goal, a standard quality assurance (QA) test was modified to carry out its IGRT part in presence of CFP-T implants.ResultsUsing CFP-T implants, target volumes could precisely delineated. There was no need for compromising the contours to overcome artifact obstacles. Differences between measured and calculated dose values were below 11% for the academic phantom, and at least 95% of the voxels were within 5% dose difference. The comparisons for the anthropomorphic phantom showed a gamma-passing rate (5%, 1mm) of at least 97%. Additionally the test results with and without CFP-T implants were comparable. No issues concerning the IGRT were detected. The modified machine QA test resulted in a targeting error of 0.71 mm, which corresponds to the results of the unmodified standard tests.Conclusion Dose calculation and delivery of postoperative spine SBRT is feasible in proximity of CFP-T implants using a CyberKnife system.
Study on SPECT/CT Imaging Features and Related Pathology of Cystic Generation of the Talus
Authors: Song Qitao , Zeng Xiantie , Huang Haijing , Long Lei , Xu Jin , Cui Shuangshuang , Li Zhonghai , Ma Xinlong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objective: To explore the imaging features of three-phase bone and SPECT/CT images of cystic lesions on the talus. Methods: A total of 189 patients with suspected chronic pain in the ankle joint of the talus cystic degeneration were enrolled in this retrospective study, who underwent 99mTc-MDP three-phase bone imaging and delayed SPECT/CT scans in our hospital. The location, range of involvement, classification, CT value, and radioactivity uptake of the sclerosis of cystic lesions on the talus, and the continuity of articular surface were observed. Comparisons were analyzed with the pathological results. Results: Totally, 83% (157/189) of the talar cysts were located to the medial fornix, most of which involved the anterior middle part (43.27%), and the larger cysts involved the posterior part (9.6%). 63% (119/189) of the patients were type I, and 37% (70/189) of the patients were type II. The articular surface of the medial dome of the talus of all of the patients was intact, and the subchondral bony articular surface of 88% (166/189) patients was rough. The coincidence rate of the location, type, range of involvement of cystic lesions with pathological results was 87.83% (166/189). The CT value of cystic lesions was 45 15Hu (30-60Hu). The percentage of pathological chondrogenesis in the high CT value ≥ 50Hu (19/70) group and the low CT value < 50Hu (51/70) group were 89.47% (17/19) and 29.14% (15/51) (c2=20.12, P＜0.001), respectively. The T/B ratio of the radioactivity uptake area of the talus vault was 2.0±0.5(1.5-2.5). The percentage of pathological new trabecular bones in T/B ratio≥2.0 (157/189) group and T/B ratio＜2.0 (32/189) group (c2=45.08，P＜0.001) were 82.80% (130/157) and 25.00% (8/32), respectively. Conclusions: Three-phase bone imaging could identify the damage of the talus caused by cystic degeneration, and delayed SPECT/CT images have certain advantages in display the location, range of involvement, classification, and repair of cystic lesions of the talus.
Disparities in critical care resources across Pakistan – findings from a national survey
Authors: Khan Mustafa Ali , Shahbaz Hamna , Noorali Ali Aahil , Ehsan Anam Noor , Zaki Mareeha , Asghar Fahham , Hassan Mohammed Moizul , Arshad Haroon Muhammad , Sohaib Muhammad , Asghar Ali , Khan Muhammad Faisal , Sabeen Amber , Aqeel Masooma , Khan Muhammad Haroon , Munir Tahir , Amin Syed Kashif , Atiq Huba , Haider Adil Hussain , Samad Zainab , Latif Asad 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, concerted efforts were made by provincial and federal governments to invest in critical care infrastructure and medical equipment to bridge the gap of resource-limitation in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across Pakistan. An initial step in creating a plan towards strengthening Pakistan’s baseline critical care capacity was to carry out a needs-assessment within the country to assess gaps and devise strategies for improving the quality of critical care facilities. Methods: To assess the baseline critical care capacity of Pakistan, we conducted a series of cross-sectional surveys of hospitals providing COVID-19 care across the country. These hospitals were pre-identified by the Health Services Academy (HSA), Pakistan. Surveys were administered via telephonic and on-site interviews and based on a unique checklist for assessing critical care units which was adapted from the Partners in Health 4S Framework, which is: Space, Staff, Stuff, and Systems. These components were scored, weighted equally, and then ranked into quartiles. Results: A total of 106 hospitals were surveyed, with the majority being in the public sector (71.7%) and in the metropolitan setting (56.6%). We found infrastructure, staffing, and systems lacking as only 19.8% of hospitals had negative pressure rooms and 44.4% had quarantine facilities for staff. Merely 36.8% of hospitals employed accredited intensivists and 54.8% of hospitals maintained an ideal nurse-to-patient ratio. 31.1% of hospitals did not have a staffing model while 37.7% of hospitals did not have surge policies. On chi-square analysis, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were noted between public and private sectors along with metropolitan versus rural settings in various elements. Almost all ranks showed significant disparity between public-private and metropolitan-rural settings, with private and metropolitan hospitals having a greater proportion in the 1st rank, while public and rural hospitals had a greater proportion in the lower ranks. Conclusion: Pakistan has an underdeveloped critical care network with significant inequity between public-private and metropolitan-rural strata. We hope for future resource allocation and capacity development projects for critical care in order to reduce these disparities.
Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern: A Review on its Transmissibility, Immune Evasion, Reinfection, and Severity
Authors: Mohsin Md , Mahmud Sultan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Omicron, the new Covid-19 variant, has already become dominant in many countries and is spreading at an unprecedented speed. The objective of this study was to review the existing literature on Omicron’s transmissibility, immune evasion, reinfection, and severity.Method: A literature search was performed in “PubMed”, “Web of Science”, “Scopus”, "ScienceDirect", “Google Scholar”, “medRxiv”, and “bioRxiv”. Data were extracted from articles that reported at least one of transmissibility, immune evasion, reinfection, and severity related to Omicron.Findings: We found that Omicron spreads faster than any other previous variants. This higher transmissibility can be ascribed to its more extraordinary ability to evade immunity developed by both vaccinations and previous infections. However, we found that infections by Omicron are significantly less severe compared to infections by Delta and other previous variants. We observed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization, intensive care unit, and mechanical ventilator use, a shorter median hospital stay, and lower fatality rates in Omicron infections than Delta and other variants.Conclusion: Omicron might be less severe than other VOCs. However, its immune evasiveness and faster spread pose an enormous threat to the global healthcare system.
Diversity and Composition of Tropical Metropolitan ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): An Indicator to Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
Authors: Muhammad Amira Aqilah , Abdullah Nurul Ashikin , Ya´cob Zubaidah , Mansor Mohammad Saiful 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Ant communities are highly sensitive to niche changes; therefore, they are useful indicators of ecosystem health. Little to nothing is known about ant communities inhabiting Kuala Lumpur’s metropolitan parks. Therefore, we aimed to survey ant species diversity and composition in 12 parks within the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Forty-nine species from 29 genera and six subfamilies were identified from 9,677 individuals in 1,008 field collections, made using a combination of hand-collection and pitfall and yellow pan methods, from February to July 2019. The species accumulation curve reached a plateau after approximately 80 samplings. The difference in ant diversity between parks was nonsignificant. The dominant ant species was Oecophylla smaragdina, followed by Carebara diversa and Anoplolepis gracilipes. This study provides the first ant checklist, comprising information on eight functional groups, seven invasive and several forest-associated species, and one new locality record, for highly urbanized areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Our results provide a basis for future studies to better understand the potential consequences of urbanization on ant communities and their ecology in urban settings.