bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A robust and durable superhydrophobic cotton fabric with excellent self-cleaning performance for oil/water separation
Authors: Zhou Zixing , Du Xiaosheng , Tang Jiayi , Du Junhui , Deng Sha , Wang Haibo
Published: December 2024

Graphical abstract
Abstract: Superhydrophobic cotton fabric is regarded as an accessible and efficient technology for oily wastewater cleanup because of high porosity, switch wettability, and low cost. However, the existing superhydrophobic fabrics cannot maintain durable superhydrophobicity during practical application due to poor action force between hydrophobic substance and fabric. Herein, a robust and durable fluorine-free superhydrophobic cotton fabric was successfully fabricated through a facile two-step modification process. Firstly, amino-functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles were chemically bonded to the cotton fabric surface, creating a rough structure with peaks and valleys. Subsequently, the surface was impregnated with a layer of hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for surface modification, resulting in a superhydrophobic surface effective for the separation of oil-water mixtures. The as-prepared superhydrophobic cotton fabric (PDMS-SiO2@cot) presented superhydrophobic property with water contact angle reached 156.7°. Meanwhile, the prepared PDMS-SiO2@cot can effectively separated various oil-water mixtures with high separation efficiency (98.2%-99.4%). Furthermore, the superhydrophobic cotton fabric demonstrated remarkable robustness by maintaining its hydrophobic characteristics after being subjected to a series of durability tests, including immersing into various solutions (acidic solution, alkaline solution, and organic solvents), exposuring ultrasonication, and experiencing mechanical stress (scraping, adhesive tape peeling, and sandpaper abrasion). In conclusion, the as-prepared superhydrophobic cotton fabric PDMS-SiO2@cot with excellent mechanical stability, chemical resistance, and self-cleaning properties show considerable potential for oily water remediation.
Biodegradable Polymeric Membranes Via Additive Manufacturing for Application in Water Treatment
Authors: Fortes Allef Gabriel da Silva , de Abreu Iago Rodrigues , Júnior Renato de Sousa Nascimento , Sampaio Arthur Antonio Sousa , Leitão Luigi Veloso , Reis Ana Luisa Teixeira , Silva Lauriene Gonçalves da Luz , de Morais Ana Carolina Lemos , Alves Tatianny Soares , Barbosa Renata , Folkersman Rudy
Published: December 2024

3D printing has found applications across various sectors, including water treatment, where the incorporation of novel materials enhances sustainability and imparts specific functional properties. This study focused on the production of polymeric filaments for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing, utilizing a PLA/PBAT blend infused with activated carbon and magnesium oxide, with concentrations up to 6 parts per hundred resin (PHR), for use in water treatment membranes. The distribution, composition, and morphology of the particles were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Alterations in physical properties, including water absorption and contact angle, were observed in comparison to the pure commercial blend. An adsorption efficiency exceeding 60% for methylene blue was achieved, as confirmed by SEM analysis of the membranes. Furthermore, the filaments demonstrated suitability for the production of high-quality water treatment membranes, as evidenced by SEM and Optical Microscopy (OM) analysis.
Mapping water quality parameters using Landsat 8 multispectral imagery, case study of Rwandan water bodies
Authors: Mukarugwiro Jeanne d'Arc , Newete Solomon , Abutaleb Khaled , Nsanganwimana Florien , Adam Elhadi , Parrini Francesca , Byrne Marcus
Published: December 2024

Water plays significant role in an aquatic ecosystem, and it displays its own biotic and abiotic characteristics that indicate the status of the ecosystem. Thus, it is crucial to assess and monitor the quality of water to ensure that it remains functional. Field-based methods are used to assess and quantify key water quality indicators such as temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus, and turbidity levels. However, such methods are labour intensive, expensive, and therefore not ideal to monitor broad scale spatial and temporal variations of biotic and abiotic characteristics of water. On the other hand, remote sensing can offer information on surface water quality parameters that are not readily available when using field surveys, making it possible to continuously monitor, and quantify specific water quality parameters. The main aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus, and turbidity in several Rwandan water bodies. Images from Landsat 8 acquired in August and November were processed according to individual band, band rationing as well as band combination. Maps were produced according to the correlation between the field based measured water parameters and the reflectance values of the Landsat 8 image. Results showed that Rwandan water bodies are more turbid and eutrophied; and warmer in the wet season compared to the dry season. These results can help Rwandan water resource management to create a geographically located database for future water surface in different water bodies.
Academic Resource Preferences for Medical Students Pursuing Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Malhotra Arjun
Published: December 2024

PURPOSE: This study explores the preferences of academic materials favored by medical students pursuing orthopaedic surgery. It aims to assess how these resources are perceived in terms of their utility in both pre-clinical education and clinical rotations. Additionally, the study explores the potential significance of visual mnemonics, a resource currently underrepresented in orthopaedic education.
METHODS: Deidentified electronic surveys, using the web-based platform SurveyMonkey, were distributed via national medical student orthopedic societies and medical student orthopedic interest groups. The surveys included multiple choice questions prompting respondents to rate their perceived usefulness of various educational resources, and their responses were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods.
RESULTS: Significant variations in resource preferences were identified across subjects. A consistent consensus was held that board reviews, question banks, and flashcards have greater utility compared to textbooks and lectures for pre-clinical subjects. A similar pattern emerged for clinical rotation resources with direct patient care, review resources, question banks, and flashcards being favored over conventional instructional methods. Visual mnemonics demonstrated efficacy in subjects demanding memorization-intensive efforts and most respondents expressed their belief that visual mnemonics would be useful in their orthopaedic studies.
CONCLUSION: The transition from conventional lecture-based instruction to dynamic, interactive learning approaches is a hallmark of modern medical education. This research provides strong evidence that medical students aspiring to become orthopaedic surgeons have a pronounced preference for active learning resources. These insights offer valuable guidance for refining educational strategies tailored to orthopaedic surgery candidates, potentially bolstering their success in securing positions in this competitive field.
RO8191, a new compound for initiating embryo implantation in mice
Authors: Shu Junlan , Terakawa Jumpei , Osuka Satoko , Muraoka Ayako , Ruan Jiali , Iida Atsuo , Ito Junya , Hondo Eiichi
Published: December 2024

During early pregnancy in mice, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) regulates embryo implantation by activating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. The STAT3 pathway has been recognized to play a critical role in embryo implantation. However, it is not clear whether STAT3 activation itself can cause induction of embryo implantation. In this study, the effects of RO8191, a potential STAT3 activator, on embryo implantation were investigated through a series of studies with different mouse models. We found that RO8191 can induce embryo implantation by activating the STAT3 pathway in delayed implantation mice. Furthermore, RO8191 can initiate decidualization, which is essential for embryo implantation, even in uterine epithelial-specific Stat3, Gp130, or Lifr conditional knockout (cKO) mice that exihbits infertility due to embryo implantation failure. Histomorphological observations revealed successful embryo implantation and embryonic development in Lifr cKO mice. Increased epithelial detachment and vascularization were observed in Stat3 cKO mice, and excessive inflammatory response and embryo death were observed in Gp130cKO mice. These results suggest that STAT3, Gp130 and LIFR each play a distinct role in embryo implantation and development. Although the specific mechanisms of RO8191 are not fully understood, this study providedinsights to support the application of RO8191 in treating recurent implantation failure.
Development and Assessment of a 28-Day Mortality Risk Prediction Model Utilizing a Column Chart for Patients with Pneumocystis Disease in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Weng Yiru , Zhou Tingting , Ye Honghua
Published: December 2024

Purpose To develop and assess a predictive model utilizing column charts for evaluating the 28-day mortality risk in patients diagnosed with Pneumocystis who have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods From 2008 to 2022, clinical data on patients with Pneumocystis were collected using the American Critical Care Medical Information Database IV (MIMIC-IV). Initially, 63 significant predictive indicators were included, with ICU admission as the time node and all-cause mortality within 28 days as the outcome. Using complete data modeling, the variable selection approach combines two methods: Lasso regression (glmnet package) and collinearity screening (car package). Use the bootstrap method 1000 times for internal validation. Calculate the AUC, mean sensitivity, and specificity of 1000 resamplings, as well as the 95% confidence interval, and then plot the ROC, calibration, and DCA curves.
Results The patients were split into two groups based on their 28-day survival status: 83 cases (67.48%) in the survival group and 40 instances (32.52%) in the death group. Five variables—the history of malignant tumors, Lods scores, Oasis scores, and complications of shock and severe renal injury—were eventually included in the entire sample after screening. According to Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, the model's sensitivity was 0.600 (95% CI 0.448-0.752), specificity was 0.904 (95% CI 0.840-0.967), and AUC was 0.814 (95% CI 0.732-0.897). The DCA curve indicates that the model application has high accuracy, which leads to a net benefit for population prediction, and the model calibration curve demonstrates good calibration accuracy. The bootstrap model's 1000 internal validation results demonstrate that the model's calibration performance is good and that its accuracy is highest when the probability of patient outcome events falls between 35% and 60%, which yields the highest net benefit for population prediction.
Conclusions With five factors and good discrimination and calibration, a column chart model for predicting the 28-day mortality risk of Pneumocystis patients based on MIMIC-IV clinical big data offers a useful new tool for assessing the prognosis of such patients.
Repeated sentinel lymph node biopsy for local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Matsubara Yuka , Suganuma Nobuyasu , Nakamoto Shogo , Kikawa Yuichiro , Iwamoto Takayuki , Yamashita Toshinari , Yoshida Tatsuya , Yamanaka Takashi , Saitou Aya
Published: December 2024

Background
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) has been established as a technique to evaluate early breast cancer. However, the clinical utility of repeated SNB (reSNB) for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) remains unclear.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed data from 52 patients who underwent reSNB for IBTR after initial breast-conserving surgery at Kanagawa Cancer Center between June 2012 and March 2019. reSNB was conducted using both the dye and radioactive isotope methods. The identification rate was defined as the number of cases in which sentinel lymph nodes were visualized on lymphoscintigraphy images divided by the total number of cases. The identification rate was compared according to the initial surgical procedure.
Results
Overall, the identification rate for reSNB was 94.2%. The identification rate for reSNB in the axilla was higher in patients who initially underwent SNB than in those who initially underwent axillary lymph node dissection (83.3% vs. 42.9%). ReSNB positivity was observed in three patients (6.7%) in the ipsilateral axilla, whereas no metastasis was detected in the contralateral axilla or internal mammary region. Although four cases of recurrence were observed after reoperation, there was no local recurrence in the ipsilateral axillary region.
Conclusions
reSNB demonstrated high identification rates, comparable to those of initial SNB, with a low rate of positive metastasis and no local recurrence in the ipsilateral axillary region. Despite the limited number of cases, these findings suggest the clinical significance of reSNB in IBTR cases.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Atropine Drug Encapsulation inside Protein Origami Icosahedral Nanocages in Physiological Environment
Authors: Bahreini Maziar , Sabetvand Roozbeh
Published: December 2024

Atomic nanocages are innovative nanostructures with significant potential in drug delivery systems. Their unique properties enable effective encapsulation and controlled release of therapeutic agents, making them a focal point in modern biomedical applications. Here, we used molecular dynamics (MD) approach used to describe this atomic samples (protein origami icosahedral nanocage) in drug delivery process of the Atropine for clinical applications. Current MD simulations done in two main phases. Firstly, the equilibrium phase of designed system detected by their initial temperature convergence to 300 K and center of mass them to 2.21 and 1.15 Å. Next, the encapsulating process of designed system done for 100 ns. MD results shown the potential and total energy parameters reached to 7.93 and 12.97 (optimum values) in the final time step of simulations. These results predicted the modeled protein origami icosahedral nanocage-drug systems has appropriate structural stability and can be used for various drug delivery purposes in actual cases.
Association of Fluid Balance Index with In-Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xu Zhihong , Liu Siyao , Liu Xiong , Hu Jun , Pan Mandong , Huang Xianwei , Lin Jiyan , Huang Xiaodong
Published: December 2024

Fluid resuscitation is critical in managing acute pancreatitis (AP), yet both excessive and insufficient resuscitation can lead to poor outcomes. This multicenter retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between the fluid balance index (FBI) and in-hospital mortality in critically ill AP patients. In total, 547 AP patients from the MIMIC-IV database and 91 patients from our center were classified into high-risk (FBI ≥ 145) and low-risk (FBI < 145) groups. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. The in-hospital mortality rate observed in the MIMIC-IV cohort was 8.96%. Machine learning analysis identified FBI as a key predictor of mortality. Multivariable Cox regression showed that patients with an FBI ≥ 145 had significantly increased in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.08–3.69) and 28-day mortality (HR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.50–5.64). Propensity score matching minimized baseline differences, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated higher mortality in the high-risk group (p < 0.05), consistent in our center’s cohort. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a near-linear increase in mortality with rising FBI (p < 0.05), confirmed by subgroup analysis. In conclusion, FBI is strongly associated with in-hospital mortality in critically ill AP patients, underscoring its potential to inform fluid resuscitation strategies.
The Impact of Paraspinal Sarcopenia Compared to Generalized Sarcopenia on Conservative Treatment Outcomes in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Jin Jinwoo , Wi Seung Myung
Published: December 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the concordance between assessment tools for generalized and paraspinal sarcopenia in patients with degenerative spinal stenosis, and to identify risk factors associated with conservative treatment failure and poor prognosis.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent MRI/whole-body DXA and at least three months of conservative treatment between 2013 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: 71 patients who continued with conservative treatment (Group A) and 30 patients who underwent surgery after conservative treatment failure (Group B). The decision to proceed with surgery was based on persistent or worsening symptoms despite comprehensive conservative management, and the surgical procedures performed included posterior decompressive laminectomy, with or without spinal fusion. Two independent reviewers assessed paraspinal and psoas muscle quality using axial T2 MRI. Paraspinal sarcopenia was determined by cross-sectional area (CSA) and the Goutalier classification of the paralumbar (PL) multifidus and erector spinae muscles. Generalized sarcopenia was assessed by normalized total psoas area (NTPA) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) values by DXA. Patients were divided into two groups based on conservative treatment success or failure, and characteristics were compared using the Student t-test and chi-squared test. Logistic regression generated unadjusted odds ratios (OR) for conservative treatment failure. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rho) was used to calculate the correlation between assessments of paraspinal and generalized sarcopenia.
Results
Patients who underwent surgery had a lower PL-CSA/BMI and higher fatty infiltration of PL muscles. No significant differences were found in generalized sarcopenia parameters between the groups. PL-CSA/BMI (OR: 0.983, p = 0.037) was independently associated with treatment failure. ASM/BMI had the highest correlation with PL-CSA/BMI (rho = 0.73, p < 0.001), though other correlations were significant but weaker.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the distinct role of paraspinal sarcopenia in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, showing a weak correlation with generalized sarcopenia. Paraspinal muscle health is crucial for predicting conservative treatment outcomes, emphasizing the need for specific diagnostic approaches. Future research should refine diagnostic criteria to improve patient management and outcomes.
Field experiment confirms high macroplastic trapping efficiency of wood jams in a mountain river channel
Authors: Liro Maciej , Mikuś Paweł , Zielonka Anna
Published: December 2024

Identifying macroplastic deposition hotspots in rivers is essential for planning cleanup efforts and assessing the risks to aquatic life and the aesthetic value of river landscapes. Recent fieldwork in mountain rivers has shown that wood jams retain significantly more macroplastic than other emergent surfaces within river channels. Here, we experimentally verify these findings by tracking the deposition of 64 PET bottles after 52–65 days of transport in the mid-mountain Skawa River (Polish Carpathians) under low to medium flow conditions. Despite variations in river channel management and the resulting morphological patterns along the study reach, the majority (71.9%, n = 46) of tracked bottles were trapped by wood jams near the low-flow channel. Interestingly, the trapping efficiency was three times higher in the straight, regulated reach (14.8% per km) compared to the highly sinuous, unregulated reach (4.5% per km). In the regulated reach, water inundations and wood jams are confined to a narrow zone near the low-flow channel, which may explain the high macroplastic trapping efficiency under low to medium flow conditions. In contrast, in the unmanaged, seminatural reach, where wood jams and water inundation occur over broader areas formed by extensive gravel bars, the trapping potential is lower under similar flow conditions. Our findings confirm that wood jams and channel morphology are key predictors of macroplastic trapping in mountain rivers. Together with previous observations, this underscores the significant role of flow conditions in shaping riverine macroplastic hotspots across reaches with different morphologies. Specifically, regulated mountain river reaches show a higher potential for hotspot formation during low to medium flows, while unregulated reaches tend to form hotspots during flood events.
Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and contrast-induced nephropathy in chronic total occlusion patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention Running title: TyG index and Contrast-induced nephropathy
Authors: Söner Serdar , Aktan Adem , Kılıç Raif , Güzel Hamdullah , Taştan Ercan , Okşul Metin , Cömert Adnan Duha , Coşkun Mehmet Sait , Söner Hülya Tosun , Güzel Tuncay
Published: December 2024

Objective
The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a biomarker of insulin resistance and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and mortality in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO).
Methods
218 individuals from three separate medical centers who underwent procedural PCI between February 2010 and April 2012 and had a CTO lesion in at least one coronary artery were recruited. According to the TyG index, patients were divided into two groups. Patients with a TyG index ≥ 8.65 were included in Group 1, and patients with a TyG index < 8.65 were included in Group 2. Patients were followed up for 96 months. The main outcome was the development of CIN and mortality.
Results
The mean age of the patients (65.8 ± 10.94 vs. 61.68 ± 11.4, p = 0.009), diabetes mellitus (60 [44.8%] vs. 11 [13.1%], p < 0.001), and dyslipidemia rates (52 [38.8%] vs. 21 [25%], p = 0.036) were higher in group 1. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, it was seen that age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08, p = 0.020), chronic kidney disease (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.02–5.33, p = 0.044), peripheral artery disease (OR = 5.66, 95% CI = 1.24–25.91, p = 0.026), LVEF (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92–0.99, p = 0.005), LDL cholesterol levels (OR = 1.00, 95%CI = 1.00-1.02, p = 0.024) and TyG index (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.21–3.89, p = 0.009) were independent predictors of the development of CIN.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates a correlation between the TyG index and the prevalence of CIN in patients with CTO undergoing PCI. Adding the TyG index to the routine clinical evaluation of patients with CTO undergoing PCI may help protect patients from the development of CIN.
Dupilumab dampens mucosal type 2 response during acetylsalicylic acid challenge in N-ERD patients
Authors: Schneider Sven , Eckl-Dorna Julia , Morgenstern Christina , Poglitsch Katharina , Quint Tamara , Gangl Katharina , Bartosik Tina , Campion Nicholas , Tu Aldine , Stanek Victoria , Bangert Christine
Published: December 2024

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is characterized by the clinical triad of hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, nasal polyposis, and asthma. The cells and immune mediators causing acute symptoms when driving the hypersensitivity reaction to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) ingestion, remain poorly defined. Here we investigate the dynamics of nasal immune mediators during ASA provocation in N-ERD patients before and twenty-four weeks after therapy with the IL-4 receptor alpha-blocking antibody dupilumab. Nasal mucosal lining fluids of patients with N-ERD, chronic rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and healthy disease controls were collected at defined time points up to two hours after ASA provocation and analysis of thirty-three different inflammatory mediators as well as transcriptomic profiling was performed. We observed that N-ERD patients showed a significant increase in type 2 associated cytokines sixty minutes after ASA provocation as compared to the other patient groups. This effect was diminished after twenty-four weeks of dupilumab therapy and was independent of the development of ASA tolerance. Transcriptomics revealed dampened upregulation of type 2 associated pathways genes as well as enhanced downregulation of lipid and peroxisome metabolisms at ASA provocation after dupilumab therapy. Thus, treatment with dupilumab leads to reduced nasal type 2 cytokine secretion and distinct changes in the transcriptomic profile during ASA provocation, but changes in type 2 mediators show no association with tolerance development.
Proteome Profiling of Serum Reveals Pathological Mechanisms and Biomarker Candidates for Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Wang Yun-chao , Zhu Hang-hang , He Liu-Chang , Yao Ya-ting , Zhang Lei , Xue Xin-li , Li Jing-yi , Zhang Li , Chen Jin-feng , Song Bo , Shi Chang-he , Li Yu-sheng , Gao Yuan , Yang Jing-hua , Xu Yu-ming
Published: December 2024

Background
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a global brain disorder that is characterized by a series of clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathological manifestations. However, the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms of CSVD have not been thoroughly investigated. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics has broad application prospects in biomedicine. It is used to elucidate disease-related molecular processes and pathophysiological pathways, thus providing an important opportunity to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of CSVD.
Methods
Serum samples were obtained from 96 participants (58 with CSVD and 38 controls) consecutively recruited from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. After removing high-abundance proteins, the serum samples were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics methods were used for in-depth analysis of the obtained proteomic data, and the results were verified experimentally.
Results
Compared with the control group, 52 proteins were differentially expressed in the sera of the CSVD group. Furthermore, analyses indicated the involvement of these differentially expressed proteins in CSVD through participation in the overactivation of complement and coagulation cascades and dysregulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins. The proteomic biomarker panel identified by the machine learning model combined with clinical features is expected to facilitate the diagnosis of CSVD (AUC = 0.947,95% CI = 0.895–0.978).
Conclusions
The study is the most in-depth study on CSVD proteomics to date, and suggests that the overactivation of the complement cascade and the dysregulation of IGFBP on- IGF may be closely correlated with the occurrence and progression of CSVD, offering the potential to develop peripheral blood biomarkers and providing new insights into the biological basis of CSVD.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Markers Improve the Discrimination for Prognostic Model in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Rocco Alba , Sgamato Costantino , Pelizzaro Filippo , Simeon Vittorio , Coccoli Pietro , Compare Debora , Elisa Pinto , Palano Giorgio , Foschi Francesco Giuseppe , Raimondo Giovanni , Missale Gabriele , Svegliati-Baroni Gianluca , Trevisani Franco , Caturelli Eugenio , Brunetto Maurizia Rossana , Vidili Gianpaolo , Masotto Alberto , Magalotti Donatella , Campani Claudia , Gasbarrini Antonio , Azzaroli Francesco , Rapaccini Gian Ludovico , Stefanini Bernardo , Sacco Rodolfo , Mega Andrea , Giannini Edoardo Giovanni , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Marco Maria Di , Guarino Maria , Chiodini Paolo , Farinati Fabio , Nardone Gerardo
Published: December 2024

Background/purpose of the study: We aimed to evaluate the performance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and their combination (combined NLR-PLR, CNP) on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in a large cohort of unselected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.
Methods: Training and validation cohort data were retrieved from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database. The optimal cut-offs of NLR and PLR were calculated according to the multivariable fractional polynomial and the minimum p-value method. The continuous effect and best cut-off categories of NLR and PLR were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. A shrinkage procedure adjusted over-fitting HR estimates of best cut-off categories. C-statistic and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated to evaluate the discrimination properties of the biomarkers when added to clinical survival models.
Results: 2,286 patients were split into training (n=1,043) and validation (n=1,243) cohorts.The optimal cut-offs for NLR and PLR were 1.45 and 188, respectively. NLR (HR 1.58, 95%CI 1.11-2.28, p=0.014) and PLR (HR 1.79, 95%CI 1.11-2.90, p=0.018) were independent predictors of OS. When added to the clinical prognostic model, including age, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), CHILD-Pugh score and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, CNP had a significant incremental value in predicting OS (IDI 1.3%, p=0.04). Data were confirmed in the validation cohort. NLR (p=0.027) and CNP (p=0.023) predicted RFS in the training cohort.
Conclusions: NLR, PLR, and CNP independently predicted shorter OS in HCC patients. The addition of CNP into the survival prediction model significantly improved the model's predictive accuracy for OS.
The clinical application value of a formula in the diagnosis of thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wu Weiqing , Luo Mingyue , Zhang Hu , Song Chunli , Liu Wenlan
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND
To explore the clinical application value of RDW-SD/RDW-CV ratio in the diagnosis of thalassemia.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 174 thalassemia patients (thalassemia group), 103 iron-deficiency anemia patients (iron-deficiency anemia group), and 196 healthy people (healthy control group) diagnosed Blood routine related indicators MCV, MCH, RBC, RDW-SD, RDW-CV,use receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to analyze RDW-SD/RDW-CV and previously known formulas MCV/RBC, MCH/RBC ratio in the diagnosis of thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia,apply the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the three formulas in the differential diagnosis of anemia.
RESULTS
The ratios of the three formulas of RDW-SD/RDW-CV, MCV/RBC, and MCH/RBC in the identification of thalassemia are 0.936, 0.879, 0.875, respectively. When the best cutoff value of RDW-SD/RDW-CV is 2.94. The sensitivity for diagnosing thalassemia is 82.70%, and the specificity is 90.8%.The AUCs of these three formulas in differentiating iron deficiency anemia are 0.954, 0.912, 0.915, and the AUCs for differentiating thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia are 0.748, 0.673, 0.668, apart, and the AUCs for differentiating α and β thalassemias They are 0.748, 0.673, and 0.668 separately.
CONCLUSIONS
Our new formula RDW-SD/RDW-CV ratio has fine clinical screening value in the diagnosis of thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia, and its diagnostic efficiency is better than the previously known formula MCV/RBC, MCH/RBC ratio, and It can be used for the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia, to a certain extent, it can also distinguish between α and β two kinds of thalassemia.
Assessment of structural heterogeneity and its correlation with early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma by diffusion weighted imaging based virtual MR elastography
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Jinhan , Zhai Weini , Li Chenxia , Xiao Jiaqi , Liu Shuai , Chu Chunwei , Jing Yanbo , Qu Kai , Zhang Yuelang
Published: December 2024

Background：The mechanical characteristics of tumors are closely related to their invasive growth, metastasis and diffusion. Virtual MR elastography(vMRE), which is based on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), can quickly and reliably reflect the biomechanical properties of cancer without the need for invasive procedures.
Aims: To explore the correlation between structural heterogeneity, early recurrence, and virtual shear modulus (mdiff) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) measured by vMRE.
Materials: A total of 40 HCC patients were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent routine MR sequence and DWI. The mdiff value was estimated by DWI with lower b values (b =200 s/mm2) and higher b values (b =1500 s/mm2). The mdiff inside the tumor(mdiff-tumor), at the tumor edge(mdiff-edge), and around the tumor (within 1cm) (mdiff-around) were measured, as well as the sum(mdiff-sum) of the above parameters. T test was used to compare the differences between groups, and ROC curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of vMRE. Kaplan-Meier curve, Log-rank test and Cox regression were used for survival analysis.
Results: The mdiff-tumor, mdiff-edge, mdiff-sum of low differentiation (4.968 kPa, 4.553 kPa, 27.822 kPa) are higher than those of medium-high differentiation (3.554 kPa, 2.858 kPa, 18.762 kPa) (P <0.050). The mdiff-sum shows the highest diagnostic efficiency, with sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 77.8%, 90.6%, and 0.823, respectively. There were no significant differences of mdiff-tumor, mdiff-edge, mdiff-around, mdiff-sum in vascular invasion, hemorrhage, necrosis or size (P>0.050). Patients with mdiff-around greater than 5.060 kPa are at a higher risk of early recurrence (P=0.003), and the mdiff-around serves as an independent predictor of early recurrence (HR=0.155, 95%CI 0.031 ~ 0.770, P=0.023).
Conclusion: vMRE can effectively differentiate the pathological grading of HCC, and the values around the tumor have certain early warning significance for the early recurrence of HCC.
Low-residue diet with oral nutritional supplements prior to colonoscopy improves the quality of bowel preparation: an endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shen Huilin , Sun Yijie , Wu Jiaqi , Zhong Xueqing , Li Guodong , Li Weimin
Published: December 2024

Background
Poor bowel preparation has been a great problem of endoscopists for a long time. Low-residue diet (LRD) is often recommended on the day before colonoscopy. However, the quality of bowel preparation with LRD alone is suboptimal. The aim of our study was to examine whether patients who consumed LRD with oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) had higher quality of bowel preparation than patients who consumed LRD alone before colonoscopy.
Methods
An endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients who scheduled for colonoscopy with sedation. Patients were randomized to the non-ONS group and the ONS group. The primary outcomes were the rates of adequate bowel preparation measured by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) and the Colon Endoscopic Bubble Scale (CEBuS). The secondary outcomes were the adenoma detection rate (ADR), the polyp detection rate (PDR) and the rates of adverse events.
Results
In both groups, 100 patients were analyzed. The rates of adequate bowel preparation measured by BBPS and OBPS and the PDR were significantly higher in the ONS group than in the non-ONS group (all P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the CEBuS scores, the ADR and the rates of adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
LRD with ONSs helps increase the quality of bowel preparation. To help with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, further studies are warrant.
Trial registration
[Chinese Clinical Trial Registry], [ChiCTR2400091660], [31/10/2024], [Retrospectively registered]
Human-biting behavior of Leptoconops irritans (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in a touristic area of the Balearic Islands (Spain)
Authors: González Mikel Alexander , Barceló Carlos , Rodríguez-López Aroa , Figuerola Jordi , Miranda Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2024

Biting gnats of genus Leptoconops Skuse 1889 are small blood-feeding insects recognized as highly irritating diurnal pests in certain regions around the globe. In Europe, their presence is poorly documented, except in France and Italy. Following reports of human discomfort in a touristic area of Menorca, Balearic Islands (Spain), a small-scale study was conducted to identify the biting species and assess their preferred biting sites using a human-landing assay along a habitat gradient in a coastal dune area. Leptoconops irritans (Noé, 1905) was identified based on morphological features and DNA barcoding. This species reached high densities (average rates of 3.3 landings/min), particularly near coastal dune vegetation. No statistically significant differences were found among the four main body site landings of L. irritans (F3,6.023 = 1.80, p = 0.250): head (n = 91, 53.8%), lower extremities (n = 39, 23.1%), upper extremities (n = 37, 21.8%) and other covered areas (n = 2, 0.2%). Landing preferences varied among the three volunteers and bites progressed differently. This study represents the second documented case of Leptoconops gnats causing human discomfort in Spain. We hope this research stimulates further interest in this understudied genus, which has been largely overlooked across much of Europe.
Long-term Effect of Adhesive Systems on Resin Composite Repair of 3D-Printed Polymers for Temporary Fixed Dental Prostheses
Authors: Genari Bruna , Degrazia Felipe Weidenbach , Suzuki Thaís Yumi Umeda , Cardenal Bernardo Papaleo Mendoza , Andrade Isabela Romão , Miranda Ranulfo Benedito de Paula
Published: December 2024

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adhesive systems on the bond strength of composite resin repairs to 3D-printed polymer material used in temporary fixed dental prostheses.
Materials and Methods: Block-shaped specimens of 3D-printed polymer materials used in temporary fixed dental prostheses (priZma 3D Bio Prov) were obtained using a Photon Mono 6K 3D printer (Anycubic) and subjected to post-curing processing (Wash&Cure 2.0, Anycubic). Composite resin restorations were fabricated on these blocks in two 2-mm increments. The following experimental groups were created: three-step conventional adhesive and universal adhesive system groups (n = 5). Sticks with an adhesive area of 0.5 mm² were obtained using a precision cutting machine, and microtensile bond strength was evaluated after 24 hours and six months. Data were analyzed using a t-test between groups and paired t-test between times with a significance level of 0.05, using SigmaPlot Statistical Software.
Results: The μTBS values varied from 28.42 ± 4.12 MPa to 43.29 ± 2.68 MPa. The three-step conventional adhesive yielded a higher microtensile bond strength (μTBS) than the universal adhesive system when tested after 24 hours (p = 0.01). However, after 6 months, no significant difference in μTBS was observed between the three-step conventional and universal adhesives (p = 0.07).
Conclusions: It can be concluded that both three-step conventional and universal adhesive systems are effective in promoting adhesive repair between temporary 3D-printed resin and composite resin.
Clinical Relevance: The findings suggest that both three-step conventional adhesive and universal adhesive systems can be reliably used for the repair of 3D-printed temporary restorations in clinical settings.
Association between muscular tissue desaturation and acute kidney injury in patients after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Long , Peng Ling , Huang Qianli , Wei Wei
Published: December 2024

Background
A significant association between muscular tissue oxygen saturation (SmtO2), measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and postoperative complications has been observed in patients undergoing major surgery. However, the association between muscular tissue desaturation and acute kidney injury (AKI) has not yet been reported in patients following surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.
Method
One hundred seventy-four adult patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement (TAAR) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) for acute type A aortic dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Muscular tissue oxygen saturation (SmtO2) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2), measured by NIRS, were recorded. The baseline SmtO2 and rScO2 were the average values over 30 seconds following anesthesia induction. The minimum SmtO2 and rScO2 values were the lowest measurements recorded at any time during surgery. The mean SmtO2 and rScO2 were the average values across the entire monitoring period. The thresholds defining muscular tissue desaturation were SmtO2 < 80%, < 85%, and < 90% of baseline (relative changes compared to the baseline measurement) and < 55% and < 50% (absolute values). Cerebral desaturation was defined as rScO2 falling below 55% or 50% on either the left or right side during surgery. The primary outcome was the association between muscular tissue desaturation and AKI. The secondary outcome was the association between cerebral desaturation and AKI.
Result
AKI occurred in 71 (40.08%) of the 174 patients underwent TAAR under CPB and DHCA. SmtO2 < 80% of baseline was associated with an increased risk of AKI (odds ratio [OR], 1.021; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001–1.041; P = 0.034). A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the optimal cutoff for SmtO2 < 80% baseline duration was 33.5 minutes in predicting AKI (sensitivity, 70.00%; specificity, 77.80%). The durations of SmtO2 < 85% baseline (OR, 1.009; 95% CI, 0.996–1.021; P = 0.195) and < 90% baseline (OR,1.007; 95% CI, 0.996–1.018; P = 0.208) were not significantly associated with AKI. There were no significant differences in the durations of absolute SmtO2 values < 55% and < 50% or in the minimum SmtO2 between the two cohorts. Minimum rScO2 and durations of left and right rScO2 < 55% and < 50% were also not associated with AKI. Patients with AKI experienced significantly higher in-hospital mortality and more postoperative complications compared with non-AKI patients.
Conclusion
Muscular tissue desaturation, defined as SmtO2 < 80% of baseline monitored on the lower leg, was significantly associated with an increased risk of AKI in patients who underwent TAAR under CPB and DHCA. Cerebral desaturation, defined as absolute rScO2 < 55% or < 50%, was not associated with AKI.
Steatosis Non-Invasive Tests Accurately Predict Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, While Fibrosis Non-Invasive Tests Fall Short: Validation in U.S. Adult Population
Authors: Sualeheen Ayesha , Tan Sze-Yen , Daly Robin M. , Georgousopoulou Ekavi , Roberts Stuart K. , Abbott Gavin , George Elena S.
Published: December 2024

Introduction
Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has replaced NAFLD as the diagnostic standard. This study aimed to validate steatosis and fibrosis non-invasive tests (NITs) used for NAFLD in predicting MASLD and advanced fibrosis, compared to transient elastography (TE), respectively.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used the NHANES database (2017–2020). The Dallas steatosis index (DSI), fatty liver index (FLI), Framingham steatosis index (FSI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were assessed against TE diagnosed MASLD. The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), APRI (The aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index), and BARD (body mass index, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio diabetes score) were assessed against TE diagnosed advanced fibrosis. The diagnostic accuracy evaluated with the weighted ROC analysis.
Results
The study included 5,399 participants (51% female), with an estimated MASLD prevalence of 42.9%, and 10.6% indicated advanced fibrosis as assessed by TE. Steatosis NITs showed good diagnostic accuracy for predicting MASLD (AUROC 0.835 to 0.862), with FLI having the maximum Youden index (0.55). Fibrosis NITs indicated poor to fair diagnostic performance for predicting advanced fibrosis (AUROC 0.572 to 0.699) but had high NPV (89%-94%). In an age categorized subgroup analysis fibrosis NITs indicated poor performance in those aged ≤ 35 years and exhibited unacceptably low specificity to exclude fibrosis in those aged ≥ 65 years.
Conclusion
In this population-based cohort of U.S. adults, all steatosis NITs demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for MASLD. However, the fibrosis NITs showed limited diagnostic ability and were influenced by age, suggesting they should be used with caution in the general population.
Physical Privacy Protection for Human Action Recognition: A Portable, Scalable, and Secure Approach
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Liu Mengyuan , Li Peiming
Published: December 2024

The widespread adoption of smart devices and surveillance systems has brought substantial benefits to public safety, smart homes, and health monitoring, while elevating privacy protection to a crucial concern, particularly for human action recognition technologies. Traditional video encryption methods rely on computational algorithms, which fail to fully mitigate privacy risks inherent during video capture. To tackle this issue, we propose a novel physical-layer privacy protection approach called Lens Privacy Sealing, offering an intuitive alternative to algorithmic encryption through simple hardware modifications of existing devices, enabling adjustable privacy levels to meet different recognition requirements. Conventional HAR techniques often follow a two-stage process, where human detection in encrypted videos becomes challenging due to degraded visual information, leading to significant performance loss. To balance privacy and performance, we introduce a single-stage recognition framework using a language-image pre-training model and novel transformers for spatio-temporal integration. Additionally, we develop modules to minimize interference from privacy masks, ensuring effective motion capture while preserving privacy. Extensive experiments validate that our proposed method achieves effective privacy protection while maintaining competitive recognition accuracy.
Comprehensive Study on In Vitro Propagation of Some Imported Peach Rootstocks: In Vitro Rooting and Acclimatization
Authors: Eliwa Galal I. , Dengawye El Refaey F. El , Gawish Mohamed S. , Yamany Mona M.
Published: December 2024

The current study was conducted in the tissue culture laboratory at the horticulture department, Damietta University's faculty of agriculture, Egypt. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of different IBA concentrations on the in vitro rooting and acclimatization of Okinawa (P. persica), Nemared (P. persica × P. davidiana) × P. persica), and Garnem (P. dulcis × P. persica) peach rootstocks. For the in vitro rooting stage, microcuttings of 2–3 cm long were cultured in MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg/L). According to our results, the Garnem genotype exhibited the highest in vitro rooting rate%, number of roots per plantlet, and root length. The level of 2.0 mg/L of IBA was associated with rooting rates of 100%, 83.33%, and 75% for the rootstocks Garnem, Okinawa, and Nemared, respectively. The Garnem genotype responded to 4.0 mg/L of IBA with a fixed highest root number (12.33), which is the average number of roots per plantlet. As for the rootstocks Nemared and Okinawa, the highest root number per plantlet was 8.00 and 5.00, respectively, in response to 3.0 mg/L of IBA. The root lengths of the three rootstocks varied significantly depending on the IBA treatment. The Garnem genotype presented the longest root length (5.33 cm), which was followed by the Okinawa genotype (2.49 cm), while the shortest value was presented with the Nemared (1.43 cm). The current study demonstrated that the three rootstocks developed abnormal roots and callus formation when the IBA concentration was increased to 4.00 mg/L. Following acclimatization, the three peach rootstocks of the Garnem, Okinawa, and Nemared had respective average survival rates of 93%, 90%, and 75% for plantlets with fully grown shoots and roots.