bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaccination in twin pregnancies: comparison between immunization before conception and during pregnancy
Authors: Svirsky Ran , Rabbi Moran Landau , Hamad Ramzia Abu , Sharabi-Nov Adi , Kugler Nadav , Galoyan Narina , Sharon Nataly Zilberman , Meiri Hamutal , Maymon Ron , Levtzion-Korach Osnat
Published: May 2024

To evaluate the development of neutralizing Anti-Spike Protein IgG (Anti-S-IgG) during twin pregnancies before conception vs. during pregnancy. In this prospective study, three blood samples were collected from pregnant women and subjected to anti-S-IgG immunodiagnostics. The patient’s medical records, including vaccination and PCR test results, were collected from the hospital’s electronic database. Age-matched non-pregnant women were used as a control group. We enrolled 83 women with twin pregnancies. 49 women were vaccinated before conception, 21 women were vaccinated during pregnancy, and 13 were not vaccinated. Of the 13 women who weren’t vaccinated, three became positive during pregnancy, and all three were severely ill. By contrast, in women who were vaccinated during or before pregnancy, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy caused only mild symptoms. A ten-fold lower level of neutralizing Anti-S-IgG in the 3rd trimester was observed in healthy women who were vaccinated before conception and remained healthy until discharge from the hospital after delivery 1605 (IQR: 763–2410) compared to the healthy women who were vaccinated during pregnancy 152 AU/mL (IQR: 54–360). This difference was higher among women who were infected by COVID-19 (as verified by a positive PCR test). The third-trimester level of neutralizing Ant-S-IgG in the infected group was 4770 AU/mL (4760–6100) in infected women vaccinated before conception compared to those vaccinated during pregnancy who had 70 AU/mL (IQR: 20–170) (p < 0.001). In women vaccinated at 13–16 weeks gestation, neutralizing Anti-S-IgG at 20–22 weeks went up to 372 AU/mL (IQR: 120–1598) but rapidly dropped to 112 AU/mL (IQR: 54–357) at 28–30 weeks, (p < 0.001), a faster decline than in women vaccinated at a median 22 weeks before conception. Being infected by COVID-19 before conception was linked to having low Anti-S-IgG levels during pregnancy, whereas being infected by COVID-19 during pregnancy led to a very high response in the 3rd trimester. In twin pregnancies, significantly lower neutralizing Anti-S-IgG levels were observed in women vaccinated during pregnancy compared to those vaccinated before conception, whether infected or not infected by COVID-19. A full course of vaccination before conception is recommended.

Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS) Receipt Release Date: October 4, 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ID: NCT04595214.
Three-dimensional electrochemical-magnetic-thermal coupling model for lithium-ion batteries and its application in battery health monitoring and fault diagnosis
Authors: Bai Xuanyao , Peng Donghong , Chen Yanxia , Ma Chaoqun , Qu Wenwen , Liu Shuangqiang , Luo Le
Published: May 2024

Storage batteries with elevated energy density, superior safety and economic costs continues to escalate. Batteries can pose safety hazards due to internal short circuits, open circuits and other malfunctions during usage, hence real-time surveillance and error diagnosis of the battery’s operational state is imperative. In this paper, a three-dimensional model of electrochemical-magnetic field-thermal coupling is formulated with lithium-ion pouch cells as the research focus, and the spatial distribution pattern of the physical field such as magnetic field and temperature when the battery is operational is acquired. Furthermore, this manuscript also investigates the diagnostic methodology for defective batteries with internal short circuits and fissures, that is, the operational state of the battery is evaluated and diagnosed by the distribution of the magnetic field surrounding the battery. To substantiate the method’s practical viability, the present study extends its examination to the 18650-battery pack. We obtained the magnetic field images of the normal operation of the battery pack and the failure state of some batteries and analyzed the relationship between the magnetic field distribution characteristics and the performance of the battery pack, providing a new method for the health monitoring and fault diagnosis of the battery pack. This non-contact method incurs no damage to the battery, concurrently exhibiting elevated sensitivity and extremely rapid response time. Meanwhile, it provides an effective means for non-destructive research on the batteries and can be applied to areas such as battery safety screening and non-destructive testing. This research not only helps to facilitate our understanding of the battery’s operating mechanism, but also provides robust support for safe operation and optimal battery design.
Population genomics of the invasive Northern Giant Hornet Vespa mandarinia in North America and across its native range
Authors: Taylor Benjamin A. , Tembrock Luke R. , Sankovitz Madison , Wilson Telissa M. , Looney Chris , Takahashi Junichi , Gilligan Todd M. , Smith-Pardo Allan H. , Harpur Brock A.
Published: May 2024

The northern giant hornet Vespa mandarinia (NGH) is a voracious predator of other insect species, including honey bees. NGH’s native range spans subtropical and temperate regions across much of east and southeast Asia and, in 2019, exotic populations of the species were discovered in North America. Despite this broad range and invasive potential, investigation of the population genomic structure of NGH across its native and introduced ranges has thus far been limited to a small number of mitochondrial samples. Here, we present analyses of genomic data from NGH individuals collected across the species’ native range and from exotic individuals collected in North America. We provide the first survey of whole-genome population variation for any hornet species, covering this species’ native and invasive ranges, and in doing so confirm likely origins in Japan and South Korea for the two introductions. We additionally show that, while this introduced population exhibited strongly elevated levels of inbreeding, these signatures of inbreeding are also present in some long-standing native populations, which may indicate that inbreeding depression alone is insufficient to prevent the persistence of NGH populations. As well as highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and eradication efforts to limit the spread of this species outside of its natural range, our data will serve as a foundational database for future genomic studies into introduced hornet populations.
Modeling COVID-19 data with a novel neutrosophic Burr-III distribution
Authors: Jamal Farrukh , Shafiq Shakaiba , Aslam Muhammad , Khan Sadaf , Hussain Zawar , Abbas Qamer
Published: May 2024

In this study, we have presented a novel probabilistic model called the neutrosophic Burr-III distribution, designed for applications in neutrosophic surface analysis. Neutrosophic analysis allows for the incorporation of vague and imprecise information, reflecting the reality that many real-world problems involve ambiguous data. This ability to handle vagueness can lead to more robust and realistic models especially in situation where classical models fall short. We have also explored the neutrosophic Burr-III distribution in order to deal with the ambiguity and vagueness in the data where the classical Burr-III distribution falls short. This distribution offers valuable insights into various reliability properties, moment expressions, order statistics, and entropy measures, making it a versatile tool for analyzing complex data. To assess the practical relevance of our proposed distribution, we applied it to real-world data sets and compared its performance against the classical Burr-III distribution. The findings revealed that the neutrosophic Burr-III distribution outperformed than the classical Burr-III distribution in capturing the underlying data characteristics, highlighting its potential as a superior modeling toolin various fields.
Angiotensin II participates in mitochondrial thermogenic functions via the activation of glycolysis in chemically induced human brown adipocytes
Authors: Takeda Yukimasa , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Dai Ping
Published: May 2024

Brown adipocytes are potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of obesity-associated metabolic diseases because they consume circulating glucose and fatty acids for heat production. Angiotensin II (Ang II) peptide is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity- and cold-induced hypertension; however, the mechanism underlying the direct effects of Ang II on human brown adipocytes remains unclear. Our transcriptome analysis of chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) showed that the Ang II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), but not AGTR2 and MAS1 receptors, was expressed. The Ang II/AGTR1 axis downregulated the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). The simultaneous treatment with β-adrenergic receptor agonists and Ang II attenuated UCP1 expression, triglyceride lipolysis, and cAMP levels, although cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation was enhanced by Ang II mainly through the protein kinase C pathway. Despite reduced lipolysis, both coupled and uncoupled mitochondrial respiration was enhanced in Ang II-treated ciBAs. Instead, glycolysis and glucose uptake were robustly activated upon treatment with Ang II without a comprehensive transcriptional change in glucose metabolic genes. Elevated mitochondrial energy status induced by Ang II was likely associated with UCP1 repression. Our findings suggest that the Ang II/AGTR1 axis participates in mitochondrial thermogenic functions via glycolysis.
Designing metal halide perovskite solar modules for thermomechanical reliability
Authors: Casareto Marco , Rolston Nicholas
Published: May 2024

There is a significant deficiency in perovskite solar module (PSM) stability under thermomechanical stressors which is not well-understood. In this perspective, common issues seen with perovskite solar cell device fabrication related to thermomechanical reliability of PSM processing are discussed, with a focus on how the robustness of device layers and interlayer adhesion can be improved. Film stresses, adhesion of charge transport layers, and instability under light and heat are discussed with the purpose of providing insight on designing PSMs for durability. Processing conditions of encapsulation of PSMs and critical parameters to consider are also examined, and accelerated testing protocols for PSMs are discussed that probe mechanical degradation modes and ensure reliability of devices in the field.
H2O2-triggered CO release based on porphyrinic covalent organic polymers for photodynamic/gas synergistic therapy
Authors: Wang Yang , Liang Xufeng , An Jian , Pu Jia , Meng Yujia , Bai Yiqiao , Yu Wenqiang , Gao Yunhan , Chen Tingting , Yao Yong
Published: May 2024

A novel H2O2-responsive carbon monoxide nanogenerator was designed by encapsulating manganese carbonyl prodrug into porphyrinic covalent organic polymers for realizing the combined CO gas and photodynamic therapy under light irradiation.
A theoretical study of Lifshitz transition for 2H-TaS2
Authors: Wang Wenxuan , Jiang Zhenyi , Zhang Xiaodong , Zheng Jiming , Du Hongwei , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: May 2024

This work provides a new understanding of both Lifshitz transition and reversal for p-n carrier sign of 2H-TaS2.
NaLuF4:RE3+ (Dy3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, Tm3+): controllable morphology, multicolor light
Authors: Guan Hongxia , Cao Ping
Published: May 2024

NaLuF4:RE3+ (Dy3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, Tm3+) phosphors can realize multicolor emission including white light.
Theoretical investigations of 2-vinylpyridine stereoselective polymerization catalyzed by cationic yttrium complexes with different ancillary ligands
Authors: Wen Xin , Zhang Zhenli , Ren Kaipai , Zhang Wenzhen , Zhou Guangli , Luo Yi
Published: May 2024

The polymerization mechanism of 2-vinylpyridine catalyzed by cationic yttrium complexes with diverse ancillary ligands, specifically Y-1, Y-2, and Y-3, was studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CH4via restorable surface plasmon and Pdn–Wδ+ synergetic sites
Authors: Hu Weisheng , Liu Zehua , Chen Liang , Wang Ting , Hu Yangguang , Long Ran , Liu Dong , Li Benxia
Published: May 2024

The integration of Wδ+–Pdn synergetic sites and plasmonic properties in the preactivated Pd/W18O49 catalyst results in excellent performance for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Stationsäquivalente Behandlung suchterkrankter Kinder und
Jugendlicher. Eine qualitative Untersuchung
Authors: Moser Florian
Published: May 2024

Ziel der Studie Die stationsäquivalente Behandlung etabliert sich
zunehmend als aufsuchende Be-handlungsform psychiatrischer Kliniken. In der
vorliegenden Untersuchung soll die Frage beantwortet werden, wie Fachkräfte die
praktische Umsetzbarkeit bei Suchterkrankten im kinder- und
jugendpsychiatrischen Setting einschätzen.

Methodik Um die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wurde anhand eines
qualitativen Forschungsdesigns evaluiert, inwieweit sich die stationsäquivalente
Behandlung mit den Mindestmerkmalen der stationären Behandlung vereinbaren
lässt. Als Ausgangsmaterial der Untersuchung dienten die Mindestmerkmale der
OPS-Kodes zur stationären und stationsäquivalenten Behandlung. Die Auswertung
erfolgte anhand qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse.

Ergebnisse Unter Voraussetzung der engen Vernetzung des Hilfesystems,
stabiler häuslicher Rahmenbedingungen und engmaschiger medizinischer Begleitung
eröffnen sich viele Chancen für die Zielgruppe. Personelle Kapazität sowie
somatische Entgiftung zeigen sich als große Herausforderungen im aufsuchenden
Setting, stellen für sich jedoch kein Ausschlusskriterium einer
stationsäquivalenten Suchtbehandlung dar.

Schlussfolgerung Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass die stationsäquivalente
Behandlung auch im Bereich der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie vielversprechende
Weiterentwicklungen des Suchthilfesystems bedeuten kann. Die Umsetzung in
Pilotversuchen unter verlaufsbegleitender Evaluation sollte mit in die weitere
Diskussion der praktischen Umsetzung aufgenommen werden.
A Comprehensive Review of Capsaicin and Its Role in Cancer Prevention
and Treatment
Authors: Radhakrishna Govardhan Katta , Ammunje Damodar Nayak , Kunjiappan Selvaraj , Ravi Kaveena , Vellingiri Shangavi , Ramesh Sameera Hammigi , Almeida Shannon D. , Sireesha Golla , Ramesh Soundarya , AL-Qahtani Saud , Chidamabaram Kumarappan , Theivendren Panneerselvam , Pavadai Parasuraman
Published: May 2024

This study examines the fundamental chemical mechanisms responsible for
capsaicin's advantageous impact on cancer, specifically investigating its
influence on several biological processes such as inflammation in cancer
metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation. This
entity's connections with other signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT,
NF-B, and TRPV channels, which have been linked to tumor growth, are thoroughly
examined in this work. This study presents a thorough analysis of preclinical
studies and clinical trials investigating the efficacy of capsaicin in treating
many forms of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and
others. Through tests conducted in both live organisms and laboratory settings,
it has been determined that capsaicin has the ability to inhibit tumor growth
and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. (in vitro and in vivo).
Researchers have also looked at the results of combining capsaicin with
chemotherapy medications in traditional treatment. The efficacy and
bioavailability of capsaicin as a viable medicinal drug are being studied, along
with ways to improve its clinical value. The present investigation carefully
assesses the challenges and potential options for maximizing the therapeutic
benefits of capsaicin, including customized drug delivery and personalized
therapeutic strategies. In finalization, this comprehensive investigation brings
together the evidence currently obtainable on the anticancer properties of
capsaicin, underscoring its potential as an autonomous treatment option in the
struggle against cancer. Capsaicin is a compound of significant relevance for
continuing research and clinical exploration in the field of cancer treatment
due to its diverse mechanisms of action and ability for boosting prevailing
therapy approaches.
Evaluation of placenta and fetal lung using shear wave elastography in gestational diabetes mellitus: An innovative approach
Authors: Bayraktar Burak , Golbasi Hakan , Omeroglu Ibrahim , Golbasi Ceren , Tuncer Can Sevim , Ince Onur , Bayraktar Miyase Gizem , Ozer Mehmet , Ekin Atalay
Published: May 2024

Purpose This study aims to investigate placental and fetal lung stiffness in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes, considering the well-established delay in fetal lung maturation associated with gestational diabetes.

Materials and Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary center and included pregnant women who underwent a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test between 24–28 weeks of gestation. Elastography measurements were performed using point shear wave elastography (pSWE).

Results The study included 60 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes and 60 pregnant women in the control group. The SWE velocity of the peripheral placenta, central placenta, and lung was higher in the gestational diabetes group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the SWE velocity of the peripheral placenta, central placenta, and lung was higher in newborns with neonatal respiratory morbidity. Based on the ROC analysis of patients with gestational diabetes, the AUC for lung SWE velocity was 0.88 (cut-off 12.4 kPa, 95% CI: 0.77–0.99, p<0.001) with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 95.6% for predicting neonatal respiratory morbidity.

Conclusion Fetal placental and lung stiffness increase in fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes. Moreover, higher fetal lung stiffness during the fetal period is associated with increased neonatal respiratory morbidity.
Multimodale Behandlungsstrategien für hausgebundene Menschen mit
schwerem ME/CFS: ein Scoping Review
Authors: Mayer-Huber Sandra , Kircher Alissa , Eberhartinger Maria , Stojanov Silvia , Behrends Uta
Published: May 2024

Zielsetzung Dieser Scoping Review zielt darauf ab, einen Überblick über
bisher publizierte Behandlungsstrategien zu geben, die multimodaler und nicht
rein medikamentöser Art sind und für haus- oder bettgebundene ME/CFS-Patienten
in Frage kommen. Der Schwerpunkt liegt somit auf der Analyse von
telemedizinischen und aufsuchenden Behandlungselementen. Darüber hinaus werden
die in den betrachteten Studien verwendeten Evaluations- und Auswertungsmethoden
herausgearbeitet.

Methode Nach einer Literaturrecherche gemäß der Scoping Review-Methode und
unter Verwendung von vordefinierten Kriterien wurden 14 Publikationen
eingeschlossen und ausgewertet. Voraussetzung für den Einschluss waren Modelle,
die auf hausgebundene Personen mit ME/CFS anwendbar sind und sich auf
sozialmedizinische, psychologische Unterstützungsangebote und nicht auf einzelne
medikamentöse Strategien beziehen.

Ergebnis Die als geeignet bewerteten Behandlungen fanden überwiegend in
einem aufsuchenden (Hausbesuche) (n=5) oder telemedizinischen (n=7) Format
statt. Studien mit einem anderen Setting wurden aus dem Grund einbezogen, dass
das beschriebene Modell in ein telemedizinisches Konzept umwandelbar wäre.
Darüber hinaus wurden in mehreren Studien (n=8) Individualisierung und
Flexibilität der Behandlungsmethode - und somit die Möglichkeit, auf das
tagesaktuelle Ausmaß der Beeinträchtigung eingehen zu können - ebenfalls als
wichtige Faktoren im Umgang mit dieser Patientengruppe herausgearbeitet. In
sechs Studien wurde eine zusätzliche, ausdrückliche Einbindung der Familien in
das Behandlungskonzept beschrieben. In zehn Artikeln wurde die Evaluation eines
Behandlungskonzepts beschrieben, meist unter Verwendung von Fragebögen (n=7). Es
wurde keine einheitliche Verwendung spezifischer Fragebögen festgestellt.
Qualitative Auswertungen wurden durchweg mittels thematischer Analyse nach Braun
und Clarke durchgeführt (n=3).

Schlussfolgerung Die Gesamtzahl der Publikationen, die sich mit
multimodalen Behandlungsstrategien für hausgebundene ME/CFS-Patienten
beschäftigen, ist gering. Es finden sich jedoch aufsuchende und telemedizinische
Ansätze. Die Mehrzahl der identifizierten Publikationen adressieren die
Notwendigkeit einer individualisierten, flexiblen Versorgung. Einige widmen sich
dem möglichen Mehrgewinn durch explizite Einbindung der Angehörigen. Die
recherchierten Daten belegen die besonderen Herausforderungen bei der Versorgung
von schwer betroffenen ME/CFS-Patienten und implizieren, dass diese
Besonderheiten auch im Forschungskontext berücksichtigt werden müssen.
Excessive Postprandial Sleepiness in Two Young Adults Effectively Treated with Antidiabetic Medications
Authors: Ohara Shinji , Takaki Ryusuke , Sasaki Shigeto
Published: May 2024

We herein describe the cases of two young Japanese adults who presented with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Based on their history, the postprandial nature of the sleepiness was suspected, although the patients themselves were not aware of the association. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) reproduced the sleepiness and showed the patterns of insulin resistance (IR) compatible with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in one patient and glucose intolerance in the other. There was no evidence of chronic hyperglycemia in either patient. Antidiabetic medications resulted in the disappearance of EDS in both patients; in one, a repeat OGTT revealed improved IR. We suggest that postprandial somnolence can present with EDS, and it can be effectively treated with antidiabetic medications, and that the OGTT can be useful in identifying IR, which may be the underliyng cause of the excessive postprandial somnolence.
Periprosthetic Hip Heterotopic Ossification after Electrocution
Authors: Coden Gloria , Johnson Kurt V. , Bono Olivia , Bono James V.
Published: May 2024

Background Heterotopic ossification is not only a common occurrence following total hip arthroplasty, but also may follow burn injuries. Uncommonly, this entity may become symptomatic when associated with a hip replacement and even less commonly presents in a delayed fashion years after the procedure.

Case Presentation We describe a case in which symptomatic periprosthetic heterotopic ossification was identified years after total hip replacement, but only months following an electrical injury.

Conclusion Patients with prosthetic joint replacements may be at risk for symptomatic periprosthetic heterotopic ossification following an electrocution event due to electrical conduction through the prosthesis and surrounding tissues.
Role of Nasal Surgery in Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review
Authors: Correa Eduardo J. , Conti Diego M. , Moreno-Luna Ramón , Sánchez-Gómez Serafín , O'Connor Reina Carlos
Published: May 2024

Objective To perform a systematic review to determine if isolated nasal surgery has any impact on subjective or objective parameters in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Materials and Methods From December 2022 to March 2023, we conducted a search on the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Two independent investigators performed a study selection according to the established criteria, as well as data collection, including the study design, the subjective and objective parameters addressed, the type of intervention, and the outcomes, considering the methodological quality and risk of bias.

Results In total, 25 studies met the selection criteria, and they showed that there is a significant improvement in sleep quality, sleepiness, nasal resistance, and snoring after isolated nasal surgery. Still, there is no relevant modification of other polysomnographic parameters. It also reduces the required titration pressures of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and increases the duration of its use.

Conclusion Isolated nasal surgery is not a primary treatment for OSA. Still, it improves the subjective parameters and can lead to CPAP therapy success by enhancing its effectiveness and long-term compliance.
The Isosceles Nasal Tip—Laser-Assisted Midline Assessment in Rhinoplasty
Authors: Neves Jose Carlos , Rivero Irene
Published: May 2024

The accurate determination of the nasal tip's spatial location is crucial for achieving symmetry in rhinoplasty. Even minor deviations can result in asymmetrical lengths and configurations of the nostrils. Our approach centers on defining the nasal tip position by establishing the midline of the nasal base and projecting an isosceles triangle. This triangle, with the tip as the vertex and alar creases as angles, ensures symmetric sidewalls. The symmetry axis, derived from the isosceles triangle, guides the placement of the tip sidewalls and columella. To implement this, we use anatomical benchmarks such as the implantation of the nasal base and position of the alar creases, considering inherent facial asymmetries. We introduce a laser gadget as an auxiliary tool, projecting perpendicular lines to guide precise midline alignment. Marking specific points, including interbrow midpoint and alar creases, ensures accuracy. In the past 12 months, we applied this methodology in 247 rhinoplasty cases, observing improved outcomes and patient satisfaction. Our proposal of utilizing isosceles triangles provides a streamlined approach to achieving symmetry. The laser device, while beneficial, should be viewed as supportive rather than an absolute guiding measure.
Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Using Nonpharmacological Interventions
Authors: Robinson Tonya W. , Stikes Reetta , Sorrell Jaki , Gater Amanda , Booth Adam T. , Gardner Amanda , Greenwell Colleen , Businger Shannon , Low Ryan , Petrie Rachael
Published: May 2024

Objective Management of neonatal abstinence syndrome includes nonpharmacological interventions, but their effectiveness may not be verified before implemented. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a type of bassinet in the treatment of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Study Design This is a retrospective observational cohort study. Study setting involved a 24-bed open-bay Level III neonatal intensive care unit located in a metropolitan academic trauma facility. Participant inclusion criteria involved prenatally opioid-exposed infants ≥ 35 weeks with confirmed maternal opioid urine toxicology, required pharmacological treatment for withdrawal symptoms, and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Three subsets of study participants were analyzed over three different time periods: Group 1 were infants admitted during 2019 without nonpharmacological intervention, Group 2 who were admitted from September 2021 to February 2022 and received nonpharmacological interventions, and Group 3 included those admitted from February 2022 to March 2023 who received the same interventions as Group 2 but were managed in bassinets being used in other local facilities for neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Results Group 3 had significant increases in length of stay compared with Group 1 (p = 0.006) and Group 2 (p = 0.013). Group 3 had a significantly greater length of treatment than Group 1 (p = 0.041) and a significantly higher total mg/kg morphine exposure than Group 1 (p = 0.006).

Conclusion Addition of the bassinet for nonpharmacological management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome appeared to prolong length of stay, length of treatment, and increase total mg/kg morphine exposure. As a retrospective nonrandomized study, weakness of low certainty of causality is of concern but findings strongly warrant further research before devices such as the bassinet used in this study are adopted for routine neonatal abstinence syndrome care.

Key Points
Heparins May Not Be the Optimal Anticoagulants for Sepsis and Sepsis-Associated Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Iba Toshiaki , Helms Julie , Totoki Takaaki , Levy Jerrold H.
Published: May 2024

Historically, heparin has had the longest historical use as an anticoagulant and continues this day to be the primary therapeutic option for preventing thrombosis and thromboembolism in critically ill hospitalized patients. Heparin is also used to treat sepsis and sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in various countries. However, the efficacy and safety of heparin for this indication remains controversial, as adequately powered randomized clinical studies have not demonstrated as yet a survival benefit in sepsis and sepsis-associated DIC, despite meta-analyses and propensity analyses reporting improved outcomes without increasing bleeding risk. Further, activated protein C and recombinant thrombomodulin showed greater improvements in outcomes compared with heparin, although these effects were inconclusive. In summary, further research is warranted, despite the ongoing clinical use of heparin for sepsis and sepsis-associated DIC. Based on Japanese guidelines, antithrombin or recombinant thrombomodulin may be a preferable choice if they are accessible.
Correlation between Vitamin D Levels and Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 in Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Sepsis
Authors: Lu Fang , Wang Qiao-Yun , Li Ai-Min
Published: May 2024

Objective Our objective was to examine potential differences in inflammatory markers, specifically antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LL-37 and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in the bloodstream of children with sepsis who had varying levels of vitamin D3.

Methods A total of 59 pediatric patients diagnosed with sepsis from January 2021 to November 2021 were enrolled in this study. The pediatric patients with sepsis were categorized into three groups based on their levels of vitamin D3, and AMP LL-37, IL-6, and procalcitonin (PCT) were compared among the three groups.

Discussion The LL-37 level in the group with vitamin D3 deficiency was notably lower than in the other two groups (p
deficiency group vs. insufficiency group = 0.019, p
deficiency group vs. normal group = 0.034), whereas the disparity between the group with vitamin D3 insufficiency and the group with normal vitamin D3 levels was not statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the level of vitamin D3 and LL-37 in pediatric patients with sepsis (r = 0.324, p = 0.012). On the other hand, the level of IL-6 in pediatric patients with sepsis showed a positive correlation with both LL-37 (r = 0.474, p = 0.000) and PCT (r = 0.527, p = 0.000).

Conclusion Pediatric patients with sepsis typically exhibit low levels of vitamin D3, which are positively correlated with the levels of serum LL-37. Furthermore, the presence of higher levels of serum LL-37 is positively correlated with higher levels of IL-6.
Holoprosencephaly: The Disease and Its Related Disabilities
Authors: Balconara Desireè , La Cognata Daria , Zanghì Antonio , Vecchio Michele , Marino Francesco , Sortino Giuseppe , Belfiore Giuseppe , Basile Antonio , Falsaperla Raffaele , Praticò Andrea D.
Published: May 2024

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), the most prevalent developmental anomaly affecting the forebrain in humans, occurs in approximately 1 in 16,000 liveborn neonates, with an incidence reaching 1 in 250 in conceptuses. This condition is distributed worldwide. HPE is etiologically heterogeneous, and its pathogenesis is variable. Environmental, teratogenic, genetic, or metabolic factors can contribute to the development of HPE. Notably, maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and maternal alcoholism are among the primary causative factors. HPE may be linked to various well-defined multiple malformation syndromes characterized by a normal karyotype, such as Smith–Lemli–Opitz's, Pallister–Hall's, or velocardiofacial syndrome. Alternatively, it can be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. (i.e., Patau's syndrome and, less frequently, Edwards' syndrome or Down's syndrome). The major genes implicated in HPE are SHH, ZIC2, SIX3, and TGIF. The range of HPE is extensive, covering diverse neuropathological phenotypes of varying severity. Three classical types of HPE can be distinguished in increasing order of severity: lobar HPE, characterized by separated right and left ventricles with some continuity across the frontal cortex; semilobar HPE, featuring a partial separation; and the most severe form, alobar HPE, where there is a single brain ventricle and the absence of an interhemispheric fissure. Additionally, there are other variations of HPE, ranging in severity, including the less severe interhemispheric median HPE (also known as middle interhemispheric variant). The phenotypic spectrum of HPE is highly extensive, encompassing severe cerebral malformations to microforms. Children with HPE often encounter numerous medical challenges; among them neurological disorders, craniofacial malformations, endocrine disorders, oral and motor dysfunction, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Neurologic problems, such as cerebral palsy and seizures, are common. The diagnosis of HPE is typically made prenatally, relying primarily on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. The prognosis for individuals with HPE is largely dependent on its underlying causes. Those with cytogenetic abnormalities, in particular, face a significantly poorer prognosis, with only 2% surviving beyond 1 year.
Anomalies of Midbrain/Hindbrain Development: Malformations of Cerebellum: Diagnosis, Classification, and Rehabilitative Hypothesis
Authors: Liotta Emanuele , Dierna Federica , Zanghì Antonio , Salafia Stefania , Vecchio Michele , Chiaramonte Rita , Cancemi Giovanna , Belfiore Giuseppe , Basile Antonio , Ruggieri Martino , Polizzi Agata
Published: May 2024

Extensive research has been conducted on the cerebellum, making it one of the most thoroughly investigated regions of the brain. It plays a fundamental role not only in motor control but also in motor learning and cognition. The development of the cerebellum is a lengthy process, beginning during the embryonic period up to the first years of life. This slow and protracted process makes it a vulnerable organ liable to different insults, responsible for many developmental disorders such as Dandy–Walker syndrome, medulloblastoma, dystroglicanopathy, pontocerebellar hypoplasia, thubulinopathies, and Jubert syndrome. Due to several factors, the true prevalence of cerebellar malformations is not known in most cases. The cerebellum undergoes development through following four fundamental stages:

(1) Identification of the cerebellar region at the boundary between the midbrain and hindbrain.

(2) Establishment of two cell proliferation compartments: firstly, Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar nuclei emerge from the ventricular zone of the metencephalic alar plate; secondly, granule cell precursors are generated from a separate proliferation compartment known as the upper rhombic lip.

(3) Migration of granule cells toward the interior: granule precursor cells constitute the external granular layer (EGL), and during the initial postnatal year, granule cells migrate inward to their final position in the internal granular layer.

(4) Formation of cerebellar circuitry and subsequent differentiation.

Based on different types of involvement of the structures detected in the brain magnetic resonance, the classification of brainstem and cerebellar anomalies is divided into three categories: (1) mainly the cerebellum, (2) mainly the brain stem, and (3) both involved. This review will outline the developmental processes of the cerebellum and delve into common developmental disorders associated with it, including the Dandy–Walker syndrome, cerebellar hypoplasia, rhomboencephalosynapsis, lissencephaly, and gray matter heterotopias.
Proposal and Validation of a Clinically Relevant Modification of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Diagnostic Criteria for Sepsis
Authors: Yamakawa Kazuma , Umemura Yutaka , Mochizuki Katsunori , Matsuoka Tadashi , Wada Takeshi , Hayakawa Mineji , Iba Toshiaki , Ohtomo Yasuhiro , Okamoto Kohji , Mayumi Toshihiko , Ikeda Toshiaki , Ishikura Hiroyasu , Ogura Hiroshi , Kushimoto Shigeki , Saitoh Daizoh , Gando Satoshi
Published: May 2024

Background Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) criteria were launched nearly 20 years ago. Following the revised conceptual definition of sepsis and subsequent omission of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score from the latest sepsis diagnostic criteria, we omitted the SIRS score and proposed a modified version of JAAM DIC criteria, the JAAM-2 DIC criteria.

Objectives To validate and compare performance between new JAAM-2 DIC criteria and conventional JAAM DIC criteria for sepsis.

Methods We used three datasets containing adult sepsis patients from a multicenter nationwide Japanese cohort study (J-septic DIC, FORECAST, and SPICE-ICU registries). JAAM-2 DIC criteria omitted the SIRS score and set the cutoff value at ≥3 points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed between the two DIC criteria to evaluate prognostic value. Associations between in-hospital mortality and anticoagulant therapy according to DIC status were analyzed using propensity score weighting to compare significance of the criteria in determining introduction of anticoagulants against sepsis.

Results Final study cohorts of the datasets included 2,154, 1,065, and 608 sepsis patients, respectively. ROC analysis revealed that curves for both JAAM and JAAM-2 DIC criteria as predictors of in-hospital mortality were almost consistent. Survival curves for the anticoagulant and control groups in the propensity score-weighted prediction model diagnosed using the two criteria were also almost entirely consistent.

Conclusion JAAM-2 DIC criteria were equivalent to JAAM DIC criteria regarding prognostic and diagnostic values for initiating anticoagulation. The newly proposed JAAM-2 DIC criteria could be potentially alternative criteria for sepsis management.
Tea Consumption, Milk or Sweeteners Addition, Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism, and Incident Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Xiang Hao , Liu Mengyi , Zhou Chun , Huang Yu , Zhang Yuanyuan , He Panpan , Ye Ziliang , Yang Sisi , Zhang Yanjun , Gan Xiaoqin , Qin Xianhui
Published: May 2024

Objective The association between tea consumption and venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between tea consumption with different additives (milk and/or sweeteners) and incident VTE, and the modifying effects of genetic variation in caffeine metabolism on the association.

Methods A total of 190,189 participants with complete dietary information and free of VTE at baseline in the UK Biobank were included. The primary outcome was incident VTE, including incident deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Results During a median follow-up of 12.1 years, 4,485 (2.4%) participants developed incident VTE. Compared with non-tea drinkers, tea drinkers who added neither milk nor sweeteners (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.76–0.94), only milk (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.80–0.93), and both milk and sweeteners to their tea (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.81–0.99) had a lower risk of VTE, while those who added only sweeteners to their tea did not (HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.75–1.17). Moreover, there was an L-shaped relationship between tea consumption and incident VTE among tea drinkers who added neither milk nor sweeteners, only milk, and both milk and sweeteners to their tea, respectively. However, a nonsignificant association was found among tea drinkers who added only sweeteners to their tea. Genetic variation in caffeine metabolism did not significantly modify the association (p-interaction = 0.659).

Conclusion Drinking unsweetened tea, with or without added milk, was associated with a lower risk of VTE. However, there was no significant association between drinking tea with sweeteners and incident VTE.
Prediction of COVID-19 Severity at Delivery after Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19 during Pregnancy
Authors: Sandoval Grecio J. , Metz Torri D. , Grobman William A. , Manuck Tracy A. , Hughes Brenna L. , Saade George R. , Longo Monica , Simhan Hyagriv N. , Rouse Dwight J. , Mendez-Figueroa Hector , Gyamfi-Bannerman Cynthia , Ranzini Angela C. , Costantine Maged M. , Sehdev Harish M. , Tita Alan T.N. ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network, Bethesda, MD
Published: May 2024

Objective This study aimed to develop a prediction model that estimates the probability that a pregnant person who has had asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prior to delivery admission will progress in severity to moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19.

Study Design This was a secondary analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients who delivered from March through December 2020 at hospitals across the United States. Those eligible for this analysis presented for delivery with a current or previous asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 during the delivery admission through 42 days postpartum. The prediction model was developed and internally validated using stratified cross-validation with stepwise backward elimination, incorporating only variables that were known on the day of hospital admission.

Results Of the 2,818 patients included, 26 (0.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6–1.3%) developed moderate–severe–critical COVID-19 during the study period. Variables in the prediction model were gestational age at delivery admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.08–1.22 per 1-week decrease), a hypertensive disorder in a prior pregnancy (aOR 3.05; 95% CI, 1.25–7.46), and systolic blood pressure at admission (aOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.05 per mm Hg increase). This model yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72–0.91).

Conclusion Among individuals presenting for delivery who had asymptomatic–mild COVID-19, gestational age at delivery admission, a hypertensive disorder in a prior pregnancy, and systolic blood pressure at admission were predictive of delivering with moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19. This prediction model may be a useful tool to optimize resources for SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant individuals admitted for delivery.

Key Points
Keep the (social) distance! Turnout and risk perception during health crisis
Authors: Stancea Andreea , Muntean Aurelian
Published: May 2024

This article investigates the relationship between risk perception and electoral participation of citizens. To assess this, we use the case study of the novel coronavirus and its relationship with voter turnout during the 2020 Romanian elections. We assess the relationship between COVID-19 and citizens’ intention to cast a vote by employing an individual model. Additionally, using the share rate of the infected population with COVID-19, we examine the association between the intensity of the outbreak across counties and electoral participation. Either though our research is cross-sectional and focuses on covariation rather than causal relationships, provides insightful results. The individual model shows that the higher the risk perception of infection is, the lower the intention to cast a vote. The aggregated exploratory model employed shows that an increase in the percentage of the shared infected population decreases the chance of electoral participation.
On dynamical system modeling of learned primal-dual with a linear operator

K

: stability and convergence properties
Authors: Huang Jinshu , Gao Yiming , Wu Chunlin
Published: May 2024

Learned Primal-Dual (LPD) is a deep learning based method for composite optimization problems that is based on unrolling/unfolding the primal-dual hybrid gradient algorithm. While achieving great successes in applications, the mathematical interpretation of LPD as a truncated iterative scheme is not necessarily sufficient to fully understand its properties. In this paper, we study the LPD with a general linear operator. We model the forward propagation of LPD as a system of difference equations and a system of differential equations in discrete- and continuous-time settings (for primal and dual variables/trajectories), which are named discrete-time LPD and continuous-time LPD, respectively. Forward analyses such as stabilities and the convergence of the state variables of the discrete-time LPD to the solution of continuous-time LPD are given. Moreover, we analyze the learning problems with/without regularization terms of both discrete-time and continuous-time LPD from the optimal control viewpoint. We prove convergence results of their optimal solutions with respect to the network state initialization and training data, showing in some sense the topological stability of the learning problems. We also establish convergence from the solution of the discrete-time LPD learning problem to that of the continuous-time LPD learning problem through a piecewise linear extension, under some appropriate assumptions on the space of learnable parameters. This study demonstrates theoretically the robustness of the LPD structure and the associated training process, and can induce some future research and applications.
Uniqueness and numerical inversion in bioluminescence tomography with time-dependent boundary measurement
Authors: Gong Rongfang , Liu Xinran , Shen Jun , Huang Qin , Sun Chunlong , Zhang Ye
Published: May 2024

In the paper, an inverse source problem in bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is investigated. BLT is a method of light imaging and offers many advantages such as sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, high signal-to-noise ratio and non-destructivity. It thus has promising prospects for many applications such as cancer diagnosis, drug discovery and development as well as gene therapies. In the literature, BLT is extensively studied based on the (stationary) diffusion approximation (DA) equation, where the distribution of peak sources is reconstructed and no solution uniqueness is guaranteed without proper a priori information. In this work, motivated by solution uniqueness, a novel dynamic coupled DA model is proposed. Theoretical analysis including the well-posedness of the forward problem and the solution uniqueness of the inverse problem are given. Based on the new model, iterative inversion algorithms under the framework of regularizing schemes are introduced and applied to reconstruct the smooth and non-smooth sources. We discretize the regularization functional with the finite element method and give the convergence rate of numerical solutions. Several numerical examples are implemented to validate the effectiveness of the new model and the proposed algorithms.