bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring Vibrational Excitation Pathways for High-Yield Oxidation of Methane to Methanol
Authors: Nallapareddy Charan R. , Underwood Thomas C.
Published: July 2024

The direct conversion of methane to methanol under mild conditions is a pathway to utilize methane and form a value-added fuel over distributed scales. However, over-oxidation of methanol limits the maximum methanol yield, energy efficiency, and scalability of the process. For the first time, we show how molecular excitations and reaction timescales can be tailored in thermal non-equilibrium to break this limit. We engineer reaction pathways to form preferential intermediates that restrict the formation of unwanted byproducts. We synchronize vibrational excitations with active product removal in a one-pot reactor to control the accumulation of methanol and extend high methanol selectivity (> 30%) to high methane conversion (> 50%). We use these methods to demonstrate the highest methanol yield (21.4%) reported via single-step methane conversion at near-atmospheric conditions. We generalize these advances using process descriptors to demonstrate a pathway to even higher yields for energy efficient methanol synthesis.
Voting with their feet: Spring staging geese increasingly select for cereal crops over grassland at an important central European stopover site
Authors: Polakowski Michał , Jankowiak Łukasz , Broniszewska Monika , Fabiszewski Michał , Fox Anthony David
Published: July 2024

Northern hemisphere wild geese have increasingly shifted in the non-breeding season from feeding on natural wetlands to grazing agricultural grasslands and, since the 1960s, to green cereals, enhancing agricultural conflicts. From an agricultural perspective, it is important to know if this shift is a response to availability (i.e. grassland conversion to arable) or a response to the enhanced feeding opportunities provided by cereals and hence goose food preferences. In an important Polish goose spring staging area, we showed no change in the extent of cereal production area between 2012 and 2018, but based on repeated goose counts, a significant increase in goose use from a mean of 20.7% (± 0.04 se during 2007–2015) use of cereal fields to 33.5% in 2023. Larger flocks of the numerically dominant Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons (hereafter White-fronted) and Bean Goose Anser fabalis showed greater preference for feeding on cereals in 2023, increasingly through the staging period, whereas larger flocks preferred grass in the period 2007–2015 (although patterns differed in less numerous species). Previous studies have shown that geese can maintain higher food intake rates on monospecific cereal fields than on grass swards, suggesting the recent transition is due to improved foraging efficiency, since their availability relative to grassland and other habitats has not changed. We predict that more geese will make this transition in this study area and in many other European farmland landscapes as long as there are no fitness penalties to doing so, potentially increasing level of agricultural conflict as more geese in larger flocks depredate cereal fields.
Yiqi Huazhuo decoction attenuates insulin resistance by regulating liver lncRNA-PID1 in ZDF rats
Authors: Weng Siying , Xu Shuyi , Zhou Cui , Chai Fang , Zhou Jianyang
Published: July 2024

Yiqi Huazhuo Decoction(YD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, demonstrates notable therapeutic efficacy in the management of type2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). This study aims to investigate the expression patterns of lncPID1, PID1, and downstream genes in T2DM rats subjected to YD treatment, elucidating the potential role of YD as an adjunctive therapy for T2DM. Two intervention groups, namely YD-lo(15 mg/kg/d) and YD-hi(30 mg/kg/d), were established. YD intervention resulted in decreased blood glucose, insulin resistance(IR), and lipid levels in rats. The relative expression of lncPID1, mRNA-PID1 and Foxo1 was reduced, while the expressions of IRS1 and p-Aktser473 were upregulated in the rat liver. Following YD treatment, expressions of lncPID1, PID1, and Foxo1 were downregulated in BRL-3A-IR cells, whereas IRS1 and Akt expressions were upregulated. Conversely, inhibiting lncPID1 demonstrated the opposite effect, indicating that YD modulates downstream target genes through lncPID-mediated regulation. The binding between lncPID1 and mRNA-PID1 was validated by RIP-PCR. It's posited that lncPID1 plays a pivotal role in the insulin receptor signaling pathway in the liver of ZDF rats. YD suppresses both lncPID1 and PID1, thereby enhancing the expression of IRS1 and Akt. This cascade effect further inhibits Foxo1 expression, promotes liver glycogen synthesis and mitigates insulin resistance in T2DM.
A phase III, randomized, open label non inferiority study to evaluate the efficacy of oral Ondansetron and Dexamethasone vs intravenous Ondansetron and Dexamethasone in prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC)- ONDEXCEL TRIAL.
Authors: Kaur Gurmeet , Jha Akash , Gogia Ajay , Batra Atul , Bakhshi Sameer , Pushpam Deepam
Published: July 2024

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the common complications experienced by patients and affects up to 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy. Most Guidelines (ASCO, NCCN, and MASCC/ESMO) recommend the use of triple drug or 4 drug antiemetic regimens for prevention of CINV caused by highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) i.e 5HT3 receptor antagonist, steroids, NK receptor antagonist and olanzapine. Both oral as well as intravenous antiemetics are recommended. However, no head to head trials are available to compare efficacy of oral vs intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone combination for prevention of CINV in treatment naïve newly diagnosed cancer patients. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, phase III, open label non inferiority study to evaluate the efficacy of oral vs intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone in prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving 1st cycle of highly emetogenic chemotherapy. This study initiated in March 2023. A total of 210 patients are planned to be enrolled over a period of 1.5 years. The study has been registered with clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2024/03/063697).
The effects of a nutritional intervention on the sports nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of elite athletes: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Jayawardena Ranil , Weerasinghe Kalani , Nanayakkara Indu , Madhujith Terrence , Hills Andrew P , Kalupahana Nishan Sudheera
Published: July 2024

Background: Sports nutrition plays a crucial role in providing the fuel to meet the energy demands of athletes' training programs, enhancing adaptations associated with training, and ensuring rapid recovery between workouts. However, evidence suggests that the dietary habits of many athletes are unsatisfactory when compared to sport-specific nutrition recommendations. This discrepancy is mainly due to a lack of up-to-date, evidence-based nutritional knowledge. Hence, this parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week evidence-based, culturally appropriate, personalized sports nutrition intervention on the sports nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of elite athletes in Sri Lanka, in comparison to a control group that does not receive this intervention.
Methods: Elite track and field athletes, competing at the national level and/or representing Sri Lanka in international competitions, will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG) (n=15) or the control group (CG) (n=15). Participants in the IG will receive an evidence-based, culturally acceptable, personalized sports nutrition intervention from the principal investigator through one-to-one consultations at four time points (0, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks), while participants in the CG will be followed up throughout the period without receiving the intervention. The primary outcome measure is the number of participants who achieve at least a 10% increase in mean sports nutrition knowledge score at the end of the 16th week, compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes include nutritional status and sports performance-related measures at the beginning and end of the 16th week.
Discussion: While the primary objective is to enhance sports nutrition knowledge (SNK), it is anticipated that improvements in nutritional status and overall health may significantly impact sports performance, overall health, and career longevity of the athletes.
Trial registration: This trial is registered under the Sri Lanka Clinical Trial Registry: SLCTR/2024/013 on 10th April 2024.
Shortcuts to adiabatic Thouless pumping
Authors: Ke Yongguan , Liu Wenjie , Lee Chaohong
Published: July 2024

Topological effects, known for their robustness against considerable perturbation, disorder, and defects, are believed to promote emerging quantum technologies. However, topological enhancement and protection could play a crucial role within coherence time, out of which decoherence mostly washes out the quantum feature. It urges us to accelerate topological effects to achieve effective protection and optimal control of quantum information. Taking the prototypical Thouless pumping as an example, quantized transport of particles in a cyclic adiabatic evolution faces a challenge: slow driving may exceed the coherent time, while fast driving may break quantization. To address this dilemma, we propose to add a control Hamiltonian to speed up Thouless pumping using shortcuts to adiabaticity. Compared to traditional Thouless pumping, our fast pumping scheme not only enables a substantial reduction of pumping time up to 11 orders of magnitude, but also effectively suppresses wavepacket diffusion. Furthermore, we demonstrate the resilience of our protocol to moderate noise levels. Our study settles the notoriously critical problem toward practical quantum technologies by combining topological effects and quantum control.
Trans-differentiation of Jdp2-depleted Gaba-receptor-positive cerebellar granule cells to Purkinje cells
Authors: Yokoyama Kazunari , Ku Chia-Chen , Pan Jia-Bin , Wuputra Kenly , Hsu Wen-Li , Kato Kohsuke , Noguchi Michiya , Nakamura Yukio , Saito Shigeo , Tsai Cheng-Yu , Lin Yin-Chu , Wu Deng-Chyang , Lin Chang Shen
Published: July 2024

The Jun dimerization protein (Jdp2) gene is active in mouse cerebellar granule cells and its protein product plays a crucial role in the formation of the cerebellum lobes through programmed cell death. However, the role of Jdp2 in cellular differentiation and pluripotency in the cerebellum, and the effect of the antioxidation reaction on cell plasticity, remain unknown. N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) induced the early commitment of the differentiation of granule cell precursors (GCPs) to neurons, especially Purkinje cells, via the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α6 subunit (Gabra6) axis; moreover, Jdp2 depletion enhanced this differentiation program of GCPs. The antioxidative effect of NAC was the main driving force of this decision toward the neural differentiation of the GCP population in the presence of Gabra6 in vitro. This implies that antioxidative drugs are effective agents for rescuing oxidative-stress-induced GCP damages in the cerebellum and commit this Gabra6-positive cell population toward differentiation into Purkinje cells.
Establishment and validation of a predictive model for perioperative heart failure in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP)
Authors: Tan Xiujuan , Yan Zhaohua , Mo Guixi , Gu Xiaoxia , Wang Jingjing , Liu Hongtao , Zhang Liangqing
Published: July 2024

Objective:
The aim of this study is to create and validate a model that predicts the risk of perioperative heart failure for individuals who have hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP).
Material and methods:
We investigated a retrospective cohort of females with HDP who had caesarean sections performed at our hospital between January 1, 2014, and June 31, 2021. Exclusion criteria comprised under 18 years of age, incomplete clinical data, natural vaginal delivery, and complications with heart disease. The investigation's cohort was separated into two groups at random; 75% of pregnancies were allocated for the development of a prediction model, while the remaining 25% was employed for internal validation of the model. The predictors included in this study were those associated with heart failure and risk factors for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The most parsimonious model of perioperative heart failure was generated by employing stepwise backwards logistic regression. Goodness-of-fit was evaluated utilizing the Hosmer‒Lemeshow test. The assessment of model discrimination was performed employing the concordance index, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was utilized for illustration.
Results:
In this study, predictive models were developed and validated to predict the probability of perioperative heart failure in patients with HDP. The model includes 4 predictive factors, such as preoperative HELLP syndrome, MAP, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and anaesthesia method, which can unite preoperative comorbidities and intraoperative conditions to predict the probability of perioperative heart failure in patients with HDP. The model concordance index was 0.8501, with good discrimination and calibration, a high predictive value, and clinical utility.
Conclusion:
The predictive model for perioperative heart failure in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) is helpful for anaesthesiologists to formulate personalized and precise treatment plans for caesarean section in patients with hypertension in pregnancy, which has important clinical significance.
Prevalence and predictors of stunting in children aged 1-18 years with nephrotic syndrome attending Mulago Hospital, Uganda
Authors: Nalubega Raihanah , Batte Anthony , Kiguli Sarah
Published: July 2024

Background
Nephrotic syndrome is the predominant glomerulopathy in children worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. One of the key complications of nephrotic syndrome is stunting, which impacts childhood growth and development. In this study, we determined the prevalence and predictors of stunting among children and adolescents with nephrotic syndrome in a tertiary nephrology clinic in Uganda.
Methods
Between February and August 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study that enrolled children and adolescents aged 1 to 18 years with nephrotic syndrome. Participants had been undergoing steroid treatment for a minimum of 3 months and were registered at the Paediatric Renal Clinic of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Medical history, physical examination and anthropometric assessment were conducted on the enrolled children and the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth reference standards were used to evaluate stunting in the enrolled children. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of stunting and a P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Overall, 94 participants were enrolled, with a median age (IQR) at diagnosis of 6 years (IQR 3-9). Among the participants, 48 (51.1%) were male. The prevalence of stunting was observed in 15 participants (15.96%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.88 — 16.04). Regarding severity, 12 participants (12.8%) were moderately stunted, and 3 (3.2%) were severely stunted. Participants with proteinuria exhibited higher odds of stunting compared to those without proteinuria (OR: 4.11, 95% CI: 1.05 — 15.98, p < 0.041).
Conclusions
There is a high prevalence of stunting among the children with nephrotic syndrome, particularly among those with ongoing proteinuria. This underscores the importance of regular growth monitoring and screening for early identification and eventual management of stunting among children receiving care for nephrotic syndrome. Providing nutritional counselling and other interventions is thus crucial in addressing stunting among this specific group of children and adolescents.
Parsing heterogeneity in global and local white matter integrity at different stages across the psychosis continuum
Authors: Iseli Galya , Ulrich Sarah , Stämpfli Philipp , Studerus Erich , Coynel David , Riecher-Rössler Anita , Homan Philipp , Kaiser Stefan , Borgwardt Stefan , Kirschner Matthias , Schmidt André
Published: July 2024

Psychosis progresses along a continuum. While clinical heterogeneity is evident across the continuum, it remains unknown whether this is also reflected in white matter (WM) heterogeneity and whether parsing WM heterogeneity may reveal subgroups with more pronounced clinical features. This analysis included 212 participants consisting of healthy controls (HC, n=59), individuals with high schizotypy (SPT, n=27), at-risk mental state (ARMS, n=35), and patients with first episode psychosis (FEP, n=50) and schizophrenia (SZ, n=41). Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and fiber density (FD) were derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the Person-Based-Similarity Index (PBSI) and Coefficient of Variation Ratio (CVR) were computed to assess global and local heterogeneity. ANCOVAs were performed to determine whether people with deviating PBSIs exhibit more pronounced clinical features. Global heterogeneity for all DTI parameters significantly differed across groups, with greatest heterogeneity in SZ and SPT. Results further indicate that FA deviators exhibit lower global functioning and higher negative symptoms. Local FA heterogeneity was greater in FEP relative to ARMS and HC in almost all WM tracts, while SZ patients specifically showed greater heterogeneity in the right thalamic radiation and the left uncinate compared to HCs. Group differences in WM heterogeneity might be indicative of symptom specificity and duration. Future large-scale studies are warranted to test the robustness of DTI subtypes and their clinical relevance.
Self-Reported Use and Effectiveness of Marijuana for Pelvic Pain among Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Reinert Anna , Bolshakova Maria , Cortessis Victoria , Wong Alexander
Published: July 2024

Background
Legal access to cannabinoids is increasing, and patients with chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis may explore use of marijuana for symptom management.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken using an anonymous online questionnaire to survey women with endometriosis about their experience with marijuana for management of pelvic pain: exploring symptom benefit, characteristics of use, and factors contributing to use and discontinuation. Participants were recruited from an outpatient gynecology clinic using endometriosis ICD-10 diagnostic codes - and from the Endometriosis Association mailing list.
Results
Marijuana use for symptom relief was reported by 78 (32.2%) Endometriosis Association participants, and 58 (46.8%) clinic participants. Within both populations, marijuana was considered very or moderately effective by most users (68.0–75.9%). Legality of recreational and medicinal marijuana in the state of residence was strongly associated with use (OR 7.13 [95%CI:2.57–19.8]). Among users specifying current or past use, discontinuation was reported by 45% (54 of 121), and most frequently attributed to non-clinical factors of legal/employment risk and obstacles to marijuana access; 64.8% of former users attributed discontinuation to non-clinical factors only. Lack of symptom relief from other clinical management was the most cited motivation for initiation (55.1% clinic, 39.7% EA users).
Conclusion
Marijuana use is common among women with endometriosis and chronic, refractory pelvic pain. Legality and access appear to impact use and discontinuation. While legal access to marijuana is associated with increased use, marijuana obtained outside of legal routes is also commonly being used for symptom relief.
Quantum Inspired Kernel Matrices: Exploring Symmetry in Machine Learning
Authors: Raubitzek Sebastian , Schrittwieser Sebastian , Schatten Alexander , Mallinger Kevin
Published: July 2024

Quantum machine learning, an emerging field at the intersection of quantum computing and classical machine learning, has shown great promise in enhancing computational capabilities beyond classical bounds. A key element in this area of research is the utilization of Quantum Kernel Estimators, traditionally grounded in the symmetries of SU(2) groups associated with qubits. This study extends the conceptual framework of Quantum Kernel Estimators to incorporate a broader spectrum of symmetry groups. By harnessing the various structures of Lie groups, we develop novel quantum-inspired feature maps that offer more flexible and potentially powerful ways to encode and compress classical data into quantum states. We present a comprehensive theoretical introduction for this approach, followed by a methodology that integrates the developed feature maps into kernel-based quantum classifiers. Our results, derived from a series of computational experiments across various datasets, demonstrate the efficacy of this approach in comparison to traditional quantum and classical machine learning models. The findings not only underline the versatility of Lie-group theory in enhancing quantum machine learning algorithms but also open new avenues for exploring complex symmetries in quantum information processing. This research bridges a gap between the study of symmetries and machine learning, paving the way for more sophisticated quantum algorithms capable of tackling complex, high-dimensional data in ways previously unattainable.
Exploration and Novel Conceptual Framework for Digitalizing a Cognitive-Motor Test Integrating with an ICT-Rollator (Inter-Communication Technology Rollator) for Healthy Seniors and Seniors with Dementia.
Authors: Bandaru Niharika , Hökelmann Anita
Published: July 2024

As age increases, there is a decline in cognitive function, processing speed, and psychomotor function and this cognitive decline can be reduced or maintained by physical activity. In the current study, we aimed to use technology for all the elderly with and without dementia by helping with memory, spatial orientation, and other cognitive and motor tasks. It can be achieved by testing with a digitalized cognitive-motor test before and after the digitalized physical activity Intervention with ICT-Rollator. Meanwhile, the psycho-motor test analyzes cognitive and motor function using technology for all seniors and those with dementia. The foundation of the development and digitization of the innovative psycho-motor test is based on the core of human behavior. Evidence shows enough studies aimed at incorporating technologies for physical activity into the lives of the elderly. Still, there is a lack of research for integrating technologies for testing cognitive and motor abilities at the same time in healthy elderly and seniors with dementia. The psycho-motor test, which measures motor and cognitive abilities memory, spatiotemporal orientation, mobility, coordination, shape, and color recognition, reading skills, navigation, reaction time, and attention was administered to 12 seniors with dementia and 12 healthy seniors of age 65+. Therefore, psycho-motor tests integrating with ICT-Rollator could help seniors and therapists monitor motor-cognitive functions. Further research focuses on the technology integrations to enhance motor-cognitive functions, physical outcomes, and psychological outcomes in the elderly and for individual chronic conditions according to their respective symptoms.
Study on sex determination and variation in gender expression of individual trees in a population of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don
Authors: Phular Karuna , sharma rajesh , Ginwal H.S
Published: July 2024

Conifers are reported to exhibit predominantly monoecious behaviour however, numerous species and some genera show uncertainties regarding their gender expression. The factors influencing the sexual differentiation of strobili in monoecious or dioecious conifers remain poorly understood.To investigate this unpredictable phenomenon in conifers, we selected three populations representing pure stands of Cedrus deodara in dense temperate forests of Northern India, specifically one in Uttarakhand and two in Himachal Pradesh. Each site was surveyed, and total 900 trees were marked as male, female, monoecious and neutral trees based on their reproductive behaviour and sexual representation. Selection criteria were based on the reproductive age of Cedrus deodara, as it attains maturity when it reaches a height of 19 to 20 meters.Our findings revealed that Cedrus deodara exhibits subdioecious behaviour, characterized by the occurrence of four basic sex forms such as male trees, female trees, monoecious trees, and neutral trees. Yearly observations from 2014 to 2016 unveiled that Cedrus deodara does not exhibit consistent reproductive behaviour. Instead, the species displays a fascinating pattern of alternation between dioecy and monoecy. Additionally it was also found that individual trees demonstrated change in their expression of sex during each reproductive cycle. These findings underscore the complexity of sex determination and reproductive plasticity in Cedrus deodara. This research pave the way for future investigations into the factors influencing sex expression and reproductive behaviour in conifers and will contribute to our broader knowledge of plant sexuality and plant evolution.
Fungal diversity and contamination of some selected medicinal plants in South Africa
Authors: Oladeji Oluwaseun Mary , Phoku Judith Zanele , Adelusi Oluwasola Abayomi , Aasa Oluwakemi Adeola , Njobeh Patrick Berka
Published: July 2024

Indigenous medicinal plants have gained attention worldwide for their ability to cure different ailments. However, there are concerns over the contamination of these plants by fungal species, which produce mycotoxins. This study investigated 36 different medicinal plants purchased from Faraday Muthi Market, Johannesburg, South Africa for fungal contamination using macro- and microscopic approaches, and their identities were confirmed by molecular means. The fungal loads of the mycoflora recovered from the medical plants ranged from 1.8 × 104 CFU/g to 2 × 107 CFU/g, exceeding the WHO regulatory limit of 1 x 103 CFU/g. Furthermore, a total of 164 fungal species from nine genera, including Aspergillus (39.6%), Penicillium (19.5%), and Fusarium (9.7%), other notable fungal genera such as Alternaria (5.5%), Mucor (5.4%), Rhizopus (5.4%), Chaetomium (4.2%), Cladosporium (3.6%), Emericella nidulans (3.6%) and Epicoccum (3.0%) were also recovered from the medicinal plants. Furthermore, A. niger (10.97%) was the most prevalent among all the identified fungal species. Consequently, consuming fungal-contaminated medicinal plants may increase the risk of exposure to fungal species, which might have a dire impact on human health. Therefore, this research underscores the importance of stringent quality control measures in the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of medicinal plants in South Africa and other African countries to mitigate fungal contamination risks.
The preliminary study of the effects of individual musculoskeletally stable position in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Luo Xiao , Li Xiaoqing , Shi Bing , Tan Lijun
Published: July 2024

Objective: TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) is the dysfunction of group of muscles and bones in the joint area, the main symptom of TMD is the pain of the chewing muscles and (or) the temporomandibular joints, which seriously affects the life qualities of patients and even social behaviors. Stabilization splint is one of the commonly used effective reversible treatment, the determination of the jaw position is the critical point in the process of treatment.
Methods: In this study, we firstly used Fricton Index to evaluate the clinical curative effect of TMD with the treatment of IMS (Individual MusculoskeletallyStable) position stabilization splint; then CBCT (Cone Beam Computerized Tomography) was used to observe the TMJ condylar position changes of TMD before and after the treatment of IMS stabilization splint; finally sEMG (surface-Electromyogram) was used to observe the changes of electromyography of AT (anterior temporalis) and MM (masseter muscle) of TMD before and after the treatment of IMS stabilization splint.
Results and conclusions: IMS stabilization splint is one of efficient reversible treatments for TMD, which can relieve and even eliminate the TMD symptoms, especially for ease of pain and corrective to jaw movement disorder; After the treatment of IMS, posterior space of TMJ has the tendency of increasing; IMS stabilization splint may ease even cure the TMD by removing the masticatory muscle disorders, terminating the masticatory muscles antagonism between bad function so as to make them function in harmony with each other.
An investigation to the clinical application of personalized 3D printed guides combined with preoperative virtual iliosacral screws for the management of posterior pelvic ring injury
Authors: Zhao Peishuai , Liu Leyu , Chen Jiaqiang , Li Renjie , Wang Xiaopan , Wu Min
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Percutaneous iliosacral screws are difficult to utilise to treat pelvic ring instability injuries, and they usually require navigational or fluoroscopic guidance. The goal of this study is to create a unique 3D-printed guide for iliosacral screw insertion during surgery and evaluate its effectiveness and safety.
Methods
The same group of surgeons did a retrospective examination of patients who received surgery for an unstable posterior pelvic ring injury at our hospital's trauma centre between January 2020 and May 2023, in accordance with the selection criteria. Patients were categorised into two groups: the conventional surgery (CS) group (n = 17) and the 3D guide plate (GP) group (n = 14), based on the surgical techniques employed, the following variables were documented: Gender, age, cause of injury, sacral dysmorphism, fracture classification, screw insertion time, radiation exposure time for each screw, postoperative screw position grading, follow-up period, and fracture reduction quality.
Results
The CS group consisted of 17 patients, nine female and eight male, with an average age of 42.6 ± 13.4 years. A total of 14 patients presented with the GP group, consisting of eight females and six males, with an average age of 40.4 ± 13.1. The two groups had no statistically significant differences in sacral dysmorphism, follow-up time, fracture reduction quality, gender, age, cause of injury, or AO fracture classification (p > 0.05). A total of 42 iliosacral screws were inserted in 31 patients: 24 screws in the CS group (18 S1 and 6 S2), and 18 screws in the GP group (14 S1 and 4 S2). In comparison to the CS group, the GP group had substantially lower rates of screw misposition, radiation exposure time per screw, and insertion time per screw (5.56% versus 25.00%; 0.31 ± 0.14min versus 0.91 ± 0.17min; 17.29 ± 1.90min versus 25.18 ± 3.99min). Comparisons between the two groups regarding the duration of radiation exposure for each screw, and the time required to insert each screw were all statistically significant (p < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the rate of screw misposition between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
In combination with 3D guide plate technology, the preoperative virtual screw can precisely position the iliosacral screw, thereby introducing a novel technique for percutaneous iliosacral screw placement.
Gradual treatment effect from mesenchymal stem cell on steroid-refractory aGVHD in patients receiving above 8 infusions and with gut involvement: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial
Authors: Jiang Erlie , Qian Kun , Wang Lu , Yang Donglin , Shao Yangliu , Hu Liangding , Li Yuhang , Yao Chen , Han Mingzhe , Hou Xiaoqiang , Liu Daihong
Published: July 2024

Background Failure of systemic corticosteroid therapy is quite common in patients with newly diagnosed acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) above grade II. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used as a tolerable and potential effective second-line therapy for steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD) for decades, however, well-designed perspective, controlled studies are lacking.Methods This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study enrolled patients with SR-aGVHD above grade II from 7 centers. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive MSCs or placebo added to one center’s choice of second-line agents except for ruxolitinib. Study agents were infused twice weekly. Patients who were CR (complete response), NR (no response), and PD (progression of disease) at d28 received 8 infusions and those who were PR (partial response) at d28 received the above infusions for another 4 weeks. The per-protocol population consisted of patients who received ≥ 8 study agent infusions. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR, CR + PR) at d28, and was analyzed in the per-protocol and intention-to-treat populations.Results Seventy-eight patients with a median age of 38 (range, 13–62) years were enrolled, 40 in the MSC group and 38 in the control. Patients in MSC group received a median of 8 doses with a median response time of 14 days. In per-protocol analysis (n = 62), ORR at d28 was significantly higher in the MSC group than in the control (71.9% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.043). Among patients with gut involvement, ORR at d28 was significantly higher in the MSC group than in the control (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.031). The 2-year cumulative incidence of moderate or severe cGVHD was marginally lower in the MSC group compared to the control (16.5% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.056). In intention-to-treat analysis, the main endpoint was not met (p = 0.375). The incidences of adverse events were comparable between the two groups.Conclusions Adding MSCs to one conventional second-line agent for SR-aGVHD had a gradual treatment effect at a median of 2 weeks in adult patients who completed 8 infusions and with gut involvement. The toxicities were comparable between two groups.Trial registration chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000035740
Cervical cancer screening by co-testing in women 35 years and older: an analysis of the 1st round of screening in Germany
Authors: Carassiti Raffaella , Jentschke Matthias , Soergel Philipp , Hilal Ziad
Published: July 2024

Background:Since 2020, co-testing for women over the age of 35 has been a new strategy for cervical cancer screening in Germany. In this study, we investigated the added value of co-testing in organized cervical screening for the German screening population.
Methods: A total of 1956 women were referred to our large dysplasia consultation institution due to abnormal screening results in the first round of screening between 2020 and 2022. The endpoint of this retrospective study was the posttest probability of a CIN 2+/CIN 3+ lesion on the cervix uteri. In addition, the influence of HPV subtypes on the endpoints was investigated.
Results:CIN 2+ or CIN 3+ lesions were diagnosed in 21.6% and 13.0%, respectively, of the patients. The risk of severe dysplasia increases with the grade of cytological abnormality and is dependent on the HPV subtype. The risk for detecting invasive cervical cancer (16 patients in total) was significantly greater for women with HPV16 infection than for women with HPV infection of other high-risk types (odds ratio 11.18; 95% confidence interval 3.01, 40.81). CIN 2+ lesions were diagnosed in 10.1% of patients with normal cytology.
Conclusions: CIN 2+ lesions could be detected in more than every 5th woman with an abnormal screening result. Normal Pap smear results with HPV evidence must be confirmed by colposcopy. Risk stratification based on the underlying HPV subtype appears to be particularly useful if HPV 16 is detected.
Trial registration: German Clinical trials register (ID: DRKS00027014, Registration date: 03.12.2021)
The prognosis of iatrogenic saphenous nerve injuries during hamstring tendon harvesting in ACL reconstruction
Authors: EGERCI Omer Faruk , DOGRUOZ Fırat , ASOGLU Mehmet Melih , ERTAN Mehmet Barıs , YAPAR Aliekber , KOSE Ozkan
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of iatrogenic saphenous nerve (SN) injuries incurred during hamstring tendon harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and their impact on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction at least two years postoperatively.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon grafts at a single institution between January 2015 and January 2020. The study assessed the incidence of SN injuries immediately after surgery and at final follow-up, the recovery rate and time, and the impact of these injuries on functional outcomes using the Lysholm Knee Score (LKS) and patient-reported effects on daily activities.
Results
Out of 159 patients analyzed, iatrogenic SN injury was initially observed in 87 (54.7%) patients post-ACLR. At the final follow-up, paresthesia had resolved in 36 (22.6%) patients within an average of 11.1 months. Persistent SN injury was noted in 51 (32.1%) patients, with varying involvement of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) and the sartorial branch (SBSN). Patients with consistent SN injury reported a significant impact on daily activities and had lower LKS scores compared to those without injury or with recovered injury. A higher re-rupture rate was associated with persistent SN injury.
Conclusions
SN injuries during hamstring graft harvesting for ACL reconstruction are common, with a significant portion of patients experiencing persistent sensory deficits at least two years postoperatively. These injuries can adversely affect patient satisfaction and functional outcomes and increase the re-rupture rate.
Association between the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ma Xiangming , Jia Jianguo , Cui Haozhe , Zhou Jing , Tian Fei , Yang Jingtao , Zhang Yali , Dai Jiaying , Cao Liying
Published: July 2024

Background TG/HDL-C is a confirmed predictive factor for insulin resistance and is suggested to be closely related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but previous research is inconclusive. The association between TG/HDL-C and NAFLD incidence was further explored in this large-sample, long-term retrospective cohort study.Methods Individuals who participated in the Kailuan Group health examination from July 2006 to December 2007 (n = 49,518) were included. Data from anthropometric and biochemical indices, epidemiological surveys, and liver ultrasound examinations were collected and analysed statistically, focusing on the association between TG/HDL-C and the incidence of NAFLD.Results During a mean follow-up period of 7.62 ± 3.99 years, 24838 participants developed NAFLD. The cumulative NAFLD incidences associated with the first to fourth quartiles of TG/HDL-C were 59.16%, 65.04%, 71.27%, and 79.28%, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) for NAFLD in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 1.20 (1.16–1.25), 1.50 (1.45–1.56), and 2.02 (1.95–2.10) (P for trend < 0.05), respectively, and the HR (95% CI) corresponding to an increase of one standard deviation in TG/HDL-C was 1.10 (1.09–1.11) (P < 0.05). Subsequent subgroup and sensitivity analyses yielded results similar to those of the main analyses.Conclusions TG/HDL-C is independently associated with NAFLD risk, with higher TG/HDL-C indicating a greater NAFLD risk.
Fertility assessment in long-term young female survivors with hematological disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a single-center real-life cross-sectional study
Authors: Hou Yanru , Li Ziyu , Li Shuting , Bai Lu , Ai Jiajia , Cheng Cheng , Tian Li , Cheng Yifei , Wang Jianliu
Published: July 2024

HSCT has been recognized as a successful treatment for various hematological disease. The 5-year survival rate for children and adolescents diagnosed with hematological disease has risen to over 90% in high-income countries. Nevertheless, it has been reported that between 65-84% of individuals who undergo HSCT suffer from premature ovarian failure(POF), with only 0.6% managing to conceive successfully. To report the 5-year experience and evaluate the fertility of young female survivors in HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital, a total of 102 pediatric and female patients aged 8-35 years who underwent HSCT were included. The incidence of POF was 88.2%, 93.9% and 61.5% for young female AML, ALL and AA patients, respectively. The AA group (p=0.028) had a significantly lower incidence of POF. In the POF group, 89% of patients underwent haploidentical related donor HSCT (p=0.364) and the CED of these patients was 10391 mg/m2 (4890, 10589) (p=0.222).According to the univariate analysis, patients who were ≥13 years old at the time of HSCT (p=0.007), who were diagnosed with AA (p=0.028), who experienced menarche before HSCT and amenorrhea after HSCT (p=0.016) had a higher incidence of POF. Multivariate analysis was performed that only age at HSCT was independently associated with POF post-HSCT.
Preexisting Mental Disorders and Mental Distress During the Pandemic
: The Roles of Stress, Risk Perception, and Loneliness
Authors: Kwon Soyoung
Published: July 2024

Purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented stressors on individuals globally, leading to significant mental health challenges. This study examines the relationship between perceived adversities experienced during the pandemic—such as stress, risk perception, and loneliness—and the mental health outcomes of individuals with a specific focus on those already grappling with mental disorders.
Methods. The study analyzed data from 8,259 adults who participated in surveys between waves 4 (April 2020) and 29 (June 2021) of the Understanding American Study. Participants self-reported their psychiatric diagnosis history and completed self-report measures of mental distress (PHQ-4), perceived stress, risk perception, and loneliness.
Results. Those with preexisting comorbid mental disorders reported higher levels of mental distress, COVID-19 risk perception, perceived stress as well as more days experiencing loneliness during the pandemic. Perceived adversities—stress, risk perception, and loneliness—were all positively associated with increased mental distress, indicating the risk factors for mental distress during the pandemic. Among these factors, loneliness was identified as the primary contributor, accounting for 30%-40% of the mental health gap between individuals with and without preexisting mental diagnoses. Also, the detrimental impact of these adversities was more pronounced for those with preexisting mental disorders.
Conclusion. The research highlights that those with preexisting mental disorders, particularly those with comorbidities, face an increased risk of experiencing mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underscore the critical importance of providing targeted support and interventions specifically designed for this vulnerable population, with a particular focus on addressing loneliness.
Two neotropical spoted felids in the Nevado de Toluca?: the highest altitude records
Authors: Zarco-González Martha Mariela , Balbuena-Serrano Ángel , Zarco-González Zuleyma , Monroy-Vilchis Octavio
Published: July 2024

Leopardus wiedii and Leopardus pardalis are endangered small felids, its principal altitudinal range expands from sea level to 1,500 m. Camera traps were placed in the Matawi Indigenous Park on the Nevado de Toluca Volcano. We obtained photographic records of L. wiedii at 3,207 masl and of L. pardalis at 3,307 masl. This is the highest altitudinal record for margay in its whole distribution, and for ocelot in the northern hemisphere.
Greater Sphenoid Wing Reconstruction With 3d Printed Anatomical Intracranial Implant for a Child With Spheno- Orbital Encephalocele
Authors: Patel Abhishek , Ranjan Alok , Krishna Murali , Vora Tarang Kamalkishor
Published: July 2024

Sphenoid wing dysplasia is a characteristic finding in children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1(NF1). Six years old boy presented to us with painless progressive uni-ocular vision loss and progressive pulsatile proptosis. Imaging revealed spheno-orbital encephalocele into the orbit through the dysplastic posterior orbital wall. 3D printed customized implant was designed and placed to fit the defect and prevent further herniation of temporal lobe in to the orbit.
Ongoing Range Shift of Mangrove Foundation Species: Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle in Georgia, USA
Authors: Vervaeke William , Feller Ilka , Jones Scott
Published: July 2024

Ongoing climate change is leading to shifting vegetation patterns in coastal areas worldwide. One such shift in vegetation is the ability of tropical species to establish and survive farther north than they would have in the past. A well-studied example of this tropicalization is the expansion of mangroves at the marsh-mangrove ecotone, thought to be controlled by a decrease in extreme freeze events in the SE USA. However, accurate mangrove distribution data at their poleward limit in this region is currently lacking. Here, we report information collected from targeted surveys along the Atlantic coasts of Florida and Georgia at the poleward limit of mangroves in the USA. We document both Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle individuals naturally occuring in Georgia, USA, poleward of previous reports by more than 23 km (A. germinans) and by almost 80 km (R. mangle), respectively. Results highlight the lack of distributional information in this under-sampled region, and the need for additional study of species-specific physiology and tolerance, especially for R. mangle which exhibited surprising resilience and responses to freeze events. These data will be crucial to validate models showing a northern shift of mangroves. Knowing where mangroves have established and the associated conditions that allowed establishment will help inform models of tropicalization and ecotonal shifts in areas where foundation species are expanding, giving managers and researchers needed insight as current landscapes change.
Discriminant study of cervical squamous cells based on computer image analysis
Authors: NIU Haiyan , ZHENG Jing , XIE Na , JIANG Chaona , LAN Yonghong
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a discriminant method of cervical squamous epithelium cells based on computer image analysis. The discriminant coincidence rates indicate that this method can be an appropriate reference approach of classification and diagnosis on cervical squamous epithelium cells, and potential applications are presented in a tentative study on automated image analysis system for cytological fields.