bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Knee Replacement Surgery on Activity Level Based on Activpal: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Study
Authors: Alfatafta Huda , Alfatafta Mahmoud , Onchonga David , Hammoud Sahar , Khatatbeh Haitham , Zhang lu , Boncz Imre , Lohner Szimonetta , Molics Bálint 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: The knee replacement (KR) surgery is done to restore the activity level and reduce the risk of experiencing disabilities. The outcomes of this surgery is evaluated mainly with subjective tools or low validity objective tools. However, the effect of the surgery on activity level using high validity objective accelerometer is still in question. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to find out if the knee replacement surgery alone could enhance the physical activity based on high validity accelerometer, ActivPAL, after at least six months of the surgery. Two independent reviewers evaluated five electronic databases (Cochrane-Central-Register-of-Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science, and Scopus) to find relative studies between January 2000 and October 2021. The quality assessments and risk of bias assessments were examined.Results: Three articles were included with 202 participants (86 males, 116 females), with an average age of 64 years and an average 32 kg/m² body mass index. The results found that the number of steps was significantly improved up to 36.35% and 45.5% after six-months and one-year of the surgery, respectively. However, these changes did not meet the recommended activity level guideline and could be related to the patients' health status and their activity level before the surgery. No significant changes were seen in sedentary time, standing time, and upright time after six-months and one-year follow-up. Heterogeneity among studies was low to moderate (0%- 57%).Conclusion: The knee replacement surgery is an effective treatment to improve the quality of life in patients with severe knee injuries; however, to achieve the maximum benefit of the surgery the sedentary time should be reduced. Various factors have impacts on surgical success. Thus, further studies are needed to add these factors using high validity monitors.
Inference of molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation from co-expression data
Authors: Artyom Bannikov 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Co-expression analysis can be used to identify transcription factors and/or lncRNAs that directly regulate transcription of a gene. When all samples are in the same state, a transcription factor has to co-fluctuate with the target gene to be identifiable as regulatory. Co-fluctuation implies that a regulatory factor binds with intermediate strength. The binding is not too strong to make a factor constantly bound and not too weak to make a factor irrelevant. It follows that variables defining the binding of a factor are not all independent. For example, for transcription factors the following variables were suggested: expression level, binding strength and binding site accessibility. Any one of these variables can be made dependent. Relations between variable contain information about molecular mechanisms. This is true for regulatory lncRNAs as well. The significant difference is that the list of regulatory lncRNAs is unknown. Because of that, lncRNAs that were identified regulating transcription of a gene can only be compared to random lncRNAs. A method to distinguish regulatory lncRNAs by gene coverage was proposed.
Correlation Between Postoperative Hyperglycemia and the Occurrence of Surgical Site Infections After Surgery for Gastroenterological Malignancy: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Yamamoto Takehito , Ueda Shugo , Yoshitomi Mami , Terajima Hiroaki 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most important complications after surgery for gastroenterological malignancy in that it leads to prolonged postoperative hospital stay and increased inpatient cost. Especially in case for malignancy, SSI sometimes delays the initiation of postoperative treatments including adjuvant chemotherapy and that can negatively affect prognosis.Methods: Patients with gastroenterological malignancy who underwent surgery in our institution were retrospectively reviewed and categorized according to the occurrence of incisional SSI; SSI group and no SSI group. The clinicopathological characteristics between two groups were compared, i.e. age, sex, body mass index, location of malignancy, results of postoperative blood examination, operation time, and amount of blood loss. Then, the same analysis was performed in the subpopulation that included colorectal cancer patients.Results: The 528 patients enrolled in the present study consisted of 330 males and 198 females of mean age 68 ± 11 years at the time of their operation. The numbers of patients with diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas were 25, 150, 7, 255, 51, 5, and 35, respectively. Open surgery was performed in 303 patients and laparoscopic surgery in 225. Incisional SSI occurred in 46 patients (8.7%). Univariate analysis showed that postoperative hyperglycemia (serum glucose level ≥139 mg/dL within 24 h of operation) was the sole significant risk factor for incisional SSI (p=0.026). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative hyperglycemia was an independent risk factor for incisional SSI (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.009–3.614). In a subgroup analysis of patients who underwent colorectal surgery, the SSI occurred in 27 patients (10.5%). It also showed that postoperative hyperglycemia was a significant risk factor for incisional SSI (p=0.033), in addition to open surgery (p=0.024).Conclusions: Postoperative hyperglycemia was the independent risk factor for incisional SSI after surgery for gastroenterological malignancy. Prevention of postoperative hyperglycemia is important in achieving a decrease in the rate of incisional SSI.
Expedient Standing Or Squatting Placental Delivery And Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cohain Judy Slome , Buxbaum Rina E. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective: To compare expedient delivery of the placenta in standing or squatting by 3 minutes postpartum to current third stage management.Design, Setting, Sample and Methods: A retrospective cohort study comparing 2 practices with identical inclusion criteria differing in third stage management: 2,154 planned, attended low risk vaginal births using expedient squatting to 2,691 planned, attended low risk vaginal births using various forms of active or expectant management.Main Outcome measures: PPH≥1000 cc and manual removal of placenta.Results: Among comparable populations, combinations of active and expectant management resulted in 4.1% PPH≥1000 cc, whereas expedient delivery of the placenta in standing or squatting by 3 minutes postpartum resulted in 0% PPH≥500 cc.Conclusion: Less postpartum bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage occurs when women push out the placenta with the assistance of gravity and expedience, in standing or squatting by 3 minutes after birth. “The mind of the beginner is empty, open to all possibilities, free of the habits of the expert.”
Study on blue pigments in Cave 256, Mogao Grottoes: Five dynasties, Song Dynasty and Qing Dynasty
Authors: Shui Bi Wen , Yu Zong Ren , Cui Qiang , Wang Zhuo , Yin Zhi yuan , Sun Man Li , Su Bo Ming 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Murals of Cave 256, Mogao Grottoes consist of several layers, with the outermost layer overlays all others. The bottom layer was painted in the Five Dynasties. The outermost layer was mural of the Song Dynasty. Statues were repainted in the Qing Dynasty. We found that different blue pigments are used through research of murals and statues of different dynasties in Cave 256. In order to know the type of blue pigments, technology such as X-ray diffraction, microscopic FTIR spectroscopy and polarizing microscope were used for analysis of trace samples based on non-destructive research through the portable X-ray fluorescence. As a result, we know that Lazurite was used as blue pigment in murals of the Five Dynasties and Azurite was used in the Song Dynasty. Smalt used in statues of the Qing Dynasty was first discovered in Mogao Grottoes. Difference in blue pigments reflects the social development at that time to a certain extent. It can be inferred from the discovery of smalt that statues of the Qing Dynasty in Cave 256 were repainted in the first half of the 19th century.
Automatic Composition of Guzheng (Chinese Zither) Music Using Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) and Reinforcement Learning (RL)
Authors: Chen Shuling , Zhong Yong , Du Ruxu 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In recent years, with the advance of Artificial Intelligence, automatic music composition has been demonstrated. However, there are many music genres and music instruments. For a same piece of music, different music instruments would produce different effects. Invented some 2500 years ago, Guzheng is one of the oldest music instruments in China and the world. It has distinct timbres and patterns that cannot be duplicated by other music instruments. Therefore, it is interesting to know whether AI can compose Guzheng music or alike. In this paper we present a method that can automatically compose and play Guzheng music. First, we collect a number of existing Guzheng music pieces and convert them into Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format. Second, we use these data to train a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network and use the trained network to generate new Guzheng music pieces. Next, we use the Reinforcement Learning (RL) to optimize the LSTM network by adding special Guzheng playing techniques and Guzheng timbre. According to the evaluations from general audiences, our Guzheng music is very close to the real Guzheng music. The presented method can also be used to automatically compose the music of other Chinese music instruments.
A non-invasive risk score including skin autofluorescence predicts diabetes risk in the general population
Authors: Wolffenbuttel Bruce H.R. , Boersma Henderikus E. , Klauw Melanie M. , Smit Andries J. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
BackgroundWe evaluated the performance of skin autofluorescence to select groups at risk for undiagnosed and incident DM2 in a simple and fast risk model.MethodsWe evaluated 58,377 participants without known diabetes of whom SAF measurements. Newly diagnosed diabetes was defined as fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l and/or HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%) either at baseline or follow-up and self-reported diabetes at follow-up. Model 1 comprises age group, BMI group, SAF group; model 2 added number of parents with diabetes.ResultsAt baseline 1113 (1,9%) participants were identified with undiagnosed diabetes and 1033 (1,8%) participants developed diabetes during follow-up. Model 2, yielded an AUC of 0.792 and was non-inferior to the concise FINDRISC model, AUC of 0.797.Sensitivity and specificity for model 1 were respectively 56% (95% CI 53.8-58) and 82% (95% CI 81.3-81.9); and for model 2, respectively 58% (95% CI 56,2-60,4) and 81% (95% CI 80,6-81,2). Net reclassification index (NRI) did not improve significantly (NRI 1.43% (-0.50-3.37 p=0.15). ConclusionsThe combination of an easy to perform SAF measurement with age and BMI is a good alternative screening tool suitable for medical and non-medical settings. Family history of diabetes did not improve model performance in this homogeneous cohort.
Six-Weeks Very Low-calorie Diet (VLCD) Improves Glycaemic Control Without Reducing Plasma Branched-chain Amino Acids (BCAA) or Keto-Acids (BCKA) in Obese Men
Authors: Sayda Mariwan H , Abdul-Aziz Muhammad Hariz , Gharahdaghi Nima , Wilkinson Daniel J , Greenhaff Paul L , Philips Bethan E , Smith Kenneth S , Atherton Philip J , Idris Iskandar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Elevated plasma leucine, isoleucine and valine (BCAA) are associated with diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Here, we evaluated the effects of 6-weeks very-low calorie diet (VLCD) upon fasting BCAA in overweight (OW) non-diabetic men, to explore associations between circulating BCAA and IR, before and after a weight loss intervention.Fasting plasma BCAA were quantified in an OW (n = 26; BMI 32.4±3 kg/m2; mean age 44±9 y) and a normal-weight (NW) group (n = 26; BMI 24±3.1 kg/m2; mean age 32±12 y). Ten of the OW group (BMI 32.2±4 kg/m2; 46±8 y) then underwent 6-weeks of VLCD (600-800 kcal/d). Fasting plasma BCAA (gas-chomatography mass spectrometry), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) and body-composition (DXA) were assessed before and after VLCD. Total BCAA were elevated in OW individuals (sum leucine/isoleucine/valine: 457 ± 85 µM) compared to NW control individuals (365 ± 78 µM, P <0.001). Despite significant weight loss (baseline 103.9 ± 12.3 kg to 93 ± 9.6 kg and BMI 32.3 ± 4 kg/m2 to 28.9 ± 3.6 kg/m2), no changes were observed in BCAA after 6 weeks of VLCD. Moreover, although VLCD resulted in a significant reduction in HOMA-IR (baseline 1.19±0.62 to 0.51±0.21 post-VLCD; P <0.001), Pearson’s r revealed no relationships between BCAA and HOMA-IR, either before (leucine R2 2.49, P = 0.9; isoleucine R2 1.2, P = 0.9; valine R2 0.004, P = 0.8) or after VLCD (leucine R2 0.003, P = 0.9; isoleucine R2 0.006, P = 0.8; valine R2 0.002, P = 0.7).Plasma BCAA are elevated in OW compared to NW individuals. However, while 6-weeks VLCD reduced body weight and IR in OW individuals, this was not associated with reductions in BCAA. This suggests exisiting links between BCAA and insulin resistance in OW individuals, are more complex and are not normalised by simply losing weight.
Bayesian survival analysis of time-to-remission of prostate cancer and associated prognostic factors in a health-based institute, South-West Nigeria
Authors: Fagbamigbe Adeniyi , Abi Roland , Akinwande Matthew 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) develops when healthy cells in the prostate gland change and grow out of place, forming a tumour. In Nigeria, this disease is on an upward trajectory, despite the availability of screening services. This study seeks to estimate the time-to-remission and to determine the prognostic factors for prostate cancer remission.Method: A retrospective analytical study design was employed, through the extraction of case files of patients diagnosed and treated for CaP from January 2010 to December 2017 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The extracted data were further divided into two cohorts 2010 to 2014 and 2015 to 2017 to account for non-treatment months. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate the time-to-remission. Bayesian parametric (Weibull) Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model was used to determine the factors associated with time-to-remission.Results: The average age(SD) of the patients was 72(3.65) years, with peak incidence among those aged 70 – 79 years. Most CaP patients (87.3%) were diagnosed at stage IV, with many having metastasis to the spine. Among the patients, (33.6%) received chemotherapy and surgery. Patients from Northcentral part of Nigeria had the highest Median Time to Remission (MTR) of 3.7 months in the (2015 - 2017) cohort. The MTR for the 2010 - 2014 cohort was 2.9 months, 3.3 months for the 2015 - 2017 cohort while the overall MTR for the study was 3.2 months. Ages 60 – 69 years and 79 years and above in the 2010 – 2014 cohort decelerated time-to-remission by 30% (adjusted Time Ratio (aTR) = 1.3; 95% CrI (Credible Interval): 1.1 – 1.5) and 40% (aTR = 1.4; 95% CrI: 1.1 – 1.8) respectively. Time-to-remission was significantly delayed by 40% (aTR = 1.4; 95% CrI: 1.1 – 1.7), and 230% (aTR = 3.3; 95% CrI: 2.1 – 4.9) for patients from the south-south and north-central respectively for the 2015 – 2017 cohort compared to patients from the south-west. Conclusion: We found that patients age, location, marital status, occupation, stage, method of diagnosis, Gleason group, site and treatment received significantly influence the time to CaP remission. Stakeholders should therefore sensitize men well advanced in age to take up regular prostate examination as well as emphasize early presentation.
A Comparative Study of Calcified Epithelioma of Malherbe And Epidermoid Cyst With Ultrasound
Authors: Wei Xiuliang , Cheng Dongfeng , Shao Chunchun , Pang Kunkun , Xiao Juan , Zhang Yuqing , Wu Mei , Zhang Lulu , Ni Pingjuan , Liang Yu , Zhang Feixue 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective: To explore the ultrasonic(US)features of calcified epithelioma Malherbe (CEM) and epidermoid cyst(EC) in differential diagnosis and improve the accuracy of US diagnosis of CEM.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 309 subjects, who underwent US examination before operation and pathological diagnosis for CEM or EC post-operation. The subjects were categorized into the training and validation sets according to different inspection times. The US and clinical features of CEM were evaluated through univariate analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to establish the diagnostic model. Results: Statistically significant variables in univariate analysis(P<0.05)were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. The results demonstrated that the diagnostic model for CEM was statistically significant (P<0.001). The risk factors included posterior echo attenuation and hypoechoic halos (OR=9.277, 10.254) and the protective factors included age, thickness diameter, and posterior echo enhancement (OR=0.936, 0.302, 0.156). The diagnostic models tested in the training set (AUC=0.974, 95% CI=0.955-0.994) and the validation set(AUC=0.967, 95% CI=0.926-1.000) demonstrated good discriminant ability.Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy for CEM is higher compared to EC when the nodule is characterized by posterior echo attenuation, hypoechoic halos, smaller thickness, and younger age. US diagnostic model can guide the diagnosis of CEM.
Prenatal Paternal Depression, Anxiety, And Somatic Symptom Burden In Different Risk Samples: An Explorative Study
Authors: Zacher Magdalena , Wollanka Nele , Sauer Christina , Haßdenteufel Kathrin , Wallwiener Stephanie , Wallwiener Markus , Maatouk Imad 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Growing evidence implies that transition to parenthood triggers symptoms of mental burden not only in women but likewise in men, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This is the first study that examined and compared the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden of expectant fathers who face different risk situations during pregnancy.Methods: Prevalence rates of paternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), and somatic symptom burden (Somatic Symptom Scale 8) were examined in two risk samples and one control group in the third trimester of their partners’ pregnancy: risk sample I (n = 41) consist of expectant fathers whose partners were prenatally hospitalized due to medical complications; risk sample II (n = 52) are fathers whose partners were prenatally mentally distressed; and control group (n = 70) are those non-risk pregnancies.Results: On a purely descriptive level, the data display a trend of higher symptom burden of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the two risk samples, indicating that expectant fathers, whose pregnant partners were hospitalized or suffered prenatal depression, were more prenatally distressed. Exploratory testing of group differences revealed an almost three times higher prevalence rate of anxiety in fathers whose partner was hospitalized (12.2%) compared to those non-risks (4.3%).Conclusion: Results underline the need for screening implementations for paternal prenatal psychological distress, as well as specific prevention and treatment programs, especially for fathers in risk situations, such as their pregnant partners’ prenatal hospitalization. The study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00020131) on 2019/12/09.
The effect of sampling health facilities on estimates of effective coverage: a simulation study
Authors: Carter Emily D , Maiga Abdoulaye , Do Mai , Sika Glebelho Lazare , Mosso Rosine , Dosso Abdul , Munos Melinda 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Most existing facility assessments collect data on a sample of health facilities. Sampling of health facilities may introduce bias into estimates of effective coverage generated by ecologically linking individuals to health providers based on geographic proximity or administrative catchment. Methods: We assessed the bias introduced to effective coverage estimates produced through two ecological linking approaches (administrative unit and Euclidean distance) applied to a sample of health facilities. Our analysis linked MICS household survey data on care-seeking for child illness and childbirth care with data on service quality collected from a census of health facilities in the Savanes region of Cote d’Ivoire. To assess the bias introduced by sampling, we drew 20 random samples of three different sample sizes from our census of health facilities. We calculated effective coverage of sick child and childbirth care using both ecological linking methods applied to each sampled facility data set. We compared the sampled effective coverage estimates to ecologically linked census-based estimates and estimates based on true source of care. We performed sensitivity analyses with simulated preferential care-seeking from higher-quality providers and randomly generated provider quality scores.Results: Sampling of health facilities did not significantly bias effective coverage compared to either the ecologically linked estimates derived from a census of facilities or true effective coverage estimates using the original data or simulated random quality sensitivity analysis. However, a few estimates based on sampling in a setting where individuals preferentially sought care from higher-quality providers fell outside of the estimate bounds of true effective coverage. Those cases predominantly occurred using smaller sample sizes and the Euclidean distance linking method. None of the sample-based estimates fell outside the bounds of the ecologically linked census-derived estimates.Conclusions: Our analyses suggest that current health facility sampling approaches do not significantly bias estimates of effective coverage produced through ecological linking. Choice of ecological linking methods is a greater source of bias from true effective coverage estimates, although facility sampling can exacerbate this bias in certain scenarios. Careful selection of ecological linking methods is essential to minimize the potential effect of both ecological linking and sampling error.
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Polyp Detection and Screening Time in Colon Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Gilabert Pere , Vitrià Jordi , Laiz Pablo , Malagelada Carolina , Watson Angus , Wenzek Hagen , Seguí Santi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) is a minimally invasive procedure which is increasingly being used as an alternative to conventional colonoscopy. Videos recorded by the capsule cameras are long and require one or more experts’ time to review and identify polyps or other potential intestinal problems that can lead to major health issues. We developed and tested a multi-platform web application, AI-Tool, which embeds a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) to help CCE reviewers. With the help of artificial intelligence, AI-Tool is able to detect images with high probability of containing a polyp and prioritize them during the reviewing process. With the collaboration of 3 experts that reviewed 18 videos, we compared the classical linear review method using RAPID Reader Software v9 and the new software we present. Applying the new strategy, reviewing time was reduced by a factor of 6 and polyp detection sensitivity was increased from 81.08% to 87.80%.