bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fasciculation analysis reveals a novel parameter that correlates with predicted survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Wannop Kate , Bashford James , Wickham Aidan , Iniesta Raquel , Drakakis Emmanuel , Boutelle Martyn , Mills Kerry , Shaw Chris 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionPrognostic uncertainty in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) confounds clinical management planning, patient counseling, and trial stratification. Fasciculations are an early clinical hallmark of disease and can be quantified noninvasively. Using an innovative analytical method, we correlated novel fasciculation parameters with a predictive survival model.MethodsUsing high‐density surface electromyography, we collected biceps recordings from ALS patients on their first research visit. By accessing an online survival prediction tool, we provided eight clinical and genetic parameters to estimate individual patient survival. Fasciculation analysis was performed using an automated algorithm (Surface Potential Quantification Engine), with a Cox proportional hazards model to calculate hazard ratios.ResultsThe median predicted survival for 31 patients was 41 (interquartile range, 31.5‐57) months. Univariate hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03‐1.16) for the rate of change of fasciculation frequency (RoCoFF) and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01‐1.19) for the amplitude dispersion rate. Only the RoCoFF remained significant (P = .04) in a multivariate model.DiscussionNoninvasive measurement of fasciculations at a single time‐point could enhance prognostic models in ALS, where higher RoCoFF values indicate shorter survival.
Seeding of Gastrostomy Tube Site in Patient With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue: A Case Report
Authors: Wescott Bethaney , Seegmiller Sara , Mohamed Elfadil Osman , Schneckloth Jill , Hurt Ryan T. , Mundi Manpreet S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEnteral nutrition (EN) is a widely used therapeutic tool to provide nutrition support for patients with various clinical conditions, including different types of cancer. Head and neck cancers, often complicated by dysphagia, are among leading indications for enteral feeding. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tubes are typically used to deliver EN. This article presents a case report of a young male with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Unfortunately, he developed metastasis of his cancer at the right lateral side of the PEG placement site, requiring surgical resection of seeded growth at the PEG site. This rare complication can be challenging, as it requires a high index of suspicion to diagnose and can potentially limit nutrition support options. A number of theories have been proposed to explain seeding during PEG/PEJ placement, including direct repositioning of malignant cells during instrumentation. A specific placement technique has not been shown to be superior, as seeding was reported with all placement techniques. However, given the lack of statistically powerful studies to describe this entity, there are still gaps we need to explore to better understand seeding of feeding tubes and best practices around diagnosis and early treatment. EN continues to be an important part of caring for patients with cancer during active or palliative treatments. Understanding potential risks in the setting of cancer metastasis is beneficial to the patients and multidisciplinary teams involved. Early recognition of possible seeding of feeding tube sites is necessary to ensure subsequent timely surgical intervention.
Tracing the path of inhaled nitric oxide: Biological consequences of protein nitrosylation
Authors: Bhatia Vikram , Elnagary Lara , Dakshinamurti Shyamala 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is a comprehensive regulator of vascular and airway tone. Endogenous NO produced by nitric oxide synthases regulates multiple signaling cascades, including activation of soluble guanylate cyclase to generate cGMP, relaxing smooth muscle cells. Inhaled NO is an established therapy for pulmonary hypertension in neonates, and has been recently proposed for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID‐19. In this review, we summarize the effects of endogenous and exogenous NO on protein S‐nitrosylation, which is the selective and reversible covalent attachment of a nitrogen monoxide group to the thiol side chain of cysteine. This posttranslational modification targets specific cysteines based on the acid/base sequence of surrounding residues, with significant impacts on protein interactions and function. S‐nitrosothiol (SNO) formation is tightly compartmentalized and enzymatically controlled, but also propagated by nonenzymatic transnitrosylation of downstream protein targets. Redox‐based nitrosylation and denitrosylation pathways dynamically regulate the equilibrium of SNO‐proteins. We review the physiological roles of SNO proteins, including nitrosohemoglobin and autoregulation of blood flow through hypoxic vasodilation, and pathological effects of nitrosylation including inhibition of critical vasodilator enzymes; and discuss the intersection of NO source and dose with redox environment, in determining the effects of protein nitrosylation.
On the metrological traceability and hierarchy of stable isotope reference materials aimed at realisation of the VPDB scale: Revision of the VPDBδ13C scale based on multipoint scale‐anchoring RMs
Authors: Assonov Sergey , Fajgelj Ales , Allison Colin , Gröning Manfred 
Published: December 2020

RationaleIn recent years, the primary reference material (RM) for the VPDB scale, NBS19, has become unavailable, and the RM used for low‐end scale‐anchoring, LSVEC, was found unsuitable due a drift in theδ13C value. Given these problems, new RMs aimed at realising the VPDBδ13C scale with low uncertainty were produced. Establishing the consistency of the new RMs with the “old” RMs prompted our revision of the underlying principles of RM value assignments, and the VPDBδ13C scale realisation and its long‐term sustainability.MethodsAnalysis of major developments of the VPDB scale, a review of the contemporary requirements for RMs, and comparison with well‐established measurement scales have been performed, with the aim of revising the VPDBδ13C scale, principles of RM value assignments, and calibrator hierarchy. Requirements for scale‐anchoring RMs with low uncertainty and measures to establish the scale sustainability have been formulated.ResultsThe revised scale realisation is based on multiple reference points, well‐defined calibration hierarchy and the use of well‐understood methods for value assignment. The realisation scheme includes the new primary RM IAEA‐603 and scale‐anchoring RMs IAEA‐610, IAEA‐611 and IAEA‐612, coveringδ13C from +2.46 to −36.7 ‰ VPDB, with uncertainties, including inhomogeneity and stability assessment, of less than 0.015 ‰. The values of these four RMs were assigned in a mutually consistent way; agreement between measurements made using this realisation with those made using the VPDB scale of 2006 has been demonstrated on NIST CO2RMs 8562–8564.ConclusionsMultipoint‐anchoring of the VPDBδ13C scale provides several distinct “points” on the scale as means for cross‐measurements to check the stability and viability of RMs and detect drift of values, if any. This ensures that theδ13C scale is suitable for the most demanding applications, and provides options for developing further RMs with high accuracy inside a robust scale realisation scheme.
Ni‐Rich Layered Cathode Materials by a Mechanochemical Method for High‐Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tron Artur , Hong Meihua , Don Park Yeong , Kim Jiyong , Mun Junyoung 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNi‐rich cathode materials are attractive for use in high energy density lithium‐ion batteries due to low Co, high specific capacity and low cost; however, due to the poor cycling stability of materials with high Ni content of over 80 %, their large‐scale application in electric vehicles is limited. Furthermore, for industrial applications, it is important to simplify the synthetic procedures to reduce the manufacturing cost of the cathode material. A mechanochemical method is introduced for a combination of carbonate and hydroxide starting materials with Ni content of over 80, 85, and 90 %. These precursor materials are stable in air and are easy to use for the synthesis of LiNixCoyMnzO2 materials by solid state reaction. The crystalline structures and surface morphologies of the obtained mixed precursors and LiNixCoyMnzO2 powders are characterized using X‐ray diffraction analysis and field scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance is evaluated by repeat charge‐discharge cycling and measurement of the rate capability for various potential ranges from 3.0 to various high cut‐off potentials of 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 V vs. Li/Li+. The results suggest that the whole process is very simple and similar to that used in the production of commercial LiNixCoyMnzO2, with no additional equipment needed in the application of this synthesis method for industrial purposes.
Astaxanthin as a new Raman probe for biosensing of specific subcellular lipidic structures: can we detect lipids in cells under resonance conditions?
Authors: Czamara Krzysztof , Adamczyk Adriana , Stojak Marta , Radwan Basseem , Baranska Malgorzata 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHere we report a new Raman probe for cellular studies on lipids detection and distribution. It is (3S, 3'S)-astaxanthin (AXT), a natural xanthophyll of hydrophobic properties and high solubility in lipids. It contains a chromophore group, a long polyene chain of eleven conjugated C=C bonds including two in the terminal rings, absorbing light in the visible range that coincides with the excitation of lasers commonly used in Raman spectroscopy for studying of biological samples. Depending on the laser, resonance (excitation in the visible range) or pre-resonance (the near infrared range) Raman spectrum of astaxanthin is dominated by bands at ca. 1008, 1158, and 1520 cm−1that now can be also a marker of lipids distribution in the cells. We showed that AXT accumulates in lipidic structures of endothelial cells in time-dependent manner that provides possibility to visualize e.g. endoplasmic reticulum, as well as nuclear envelope. As a non-toxic reporter, it has a potential in the future studies on e.g. nucleus membranes damage in live cells in a very short measuring time.
Brückenvenenverletzungen bei Schütteltrauma
Authors: Wittschieber D. , Muggenthaler H. , Mall G. , Mentzel H.-J. 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDas Schütteltrauma-Syndrom ist eine häufige Variante misshandlungsbedingter Kopfverletzungen bei Säuglingen und Kleinkindern und nach wie vor Gegenstand intensiver Forschungsbemühungen. Unter Verwendung verschiedener Bildgebungsmodalitäten wurden in den letzten Jahren mehrere Studien zur diagnostischen und forensischen Relevanz traumatisierter Brückenvenen durchgeführt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden der aktuelle Forschungsstand dargestellt und forensische Implikationen erörtert. Im Ergebnis der Metaanalyse der sieben gegenwärtig vorliegenden Untersuchungen ist festzustellen, dass Brückenvenenverletzungen bzw. Brückenvenenthrombosen häufig als rundlich und erweitert wirkende bzw. tubulär gestaltete Strukturen imponieren. Das „Tadpole“-Zeichen kann hierfür als ein wertvolles Hilfsmittel zu deren Identifizierung dienen. Insbesondere T2*/SWI-Sequenzen ermöglichen eine gute Detektierbarkeit dieser Läsionen und sollten bei Verdacht auf eine misshandlungsbedingte Kopfverletzung immer zusätzlich erstellt werden. Schlussfolgernd ist zu empfehlen, dass das Vorhandensein von radiologisch detektierbaren Brückenvenenverletzungen stets Anlass dazu geben sollte, auch nach weiteren Anzeichen einer Kindesmisshandlung zu suchen.
Retrospektiver Vergleich der roboterassistierten und der laparoskopischen Pyeloplastik an zwei Zentren
Authors: Griessner H. , Oberhammer L. , Pallauf M. , Oswald D. , Kunit T. , Colleselli D. , Merseburger A. , Kramer M. , Lusuardi L. , Mitterberger M. 
Published: December 2020

Zusammenfassung
Ziel
Wir verglichen in unserer retrospektiven Multicenterstudie die Ergebnisse der konventionell laparoskopischen Nierenbeckenplastik (L-NBP) mit denen der roboterassistierten Nierenbeckenplastik (R-NBP) nach Einführung des da Vinci X-Systems.

Methoden
Insgesamt wurden im definierten Zeitraum von Mai 2015 bis September 2019 76 Nierenbeckenplastiken an zwei unterschiedlichen Universitätskliniken durchgeführt. Für die Datenanalyse wurden 63 Patienten berücksichtigt, welche entweder eine L‑NBP (n = 27) oder eine R‑NBP (n = 36) nach Anderson und Hynse erhielten.

Ergebnisse
Das mediane Follow-up lag bei 22,5 (L-NBP) bzw. 12,7 (R-NBP) Monaten. Die statistische Analyse der Patientengruppen ergab bzgl. Alter, BMI, Geschlecht und betroffener Seite keinen statistischen Unterschied. Die Operationszeit war in der Gruppe der R‑NBP nicht statistisch signifikant kürzer (180 ± 72 vs. 159 ± 54 min, p = 0,194). Bezüglich postoperativer Major- bzw. Minor-Komplikationen nach Clavien-Dindo, Krankenhausaufenthaltsdauern (7,48 ± 2,86 vs. 6,33 ± 2,04 Tage) und Erfolgsrate ergab sich ebenso kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied.

Schlussfolgerung
Unsere Daten zeigen keinen signifikanten Unterschied der beiden Gruppen bezogen auf die peri- und postoperativen Ergebnisse. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass für den Patienten auch unmittelbar nach Implementierung eines robotischen Systems kein Nachteil entsteht.
Analysing the Operative Experience of Paediatric Surgical Trainees in Sub‐Saharan Africa Using a Web‐Based Logbook
Authors: Mooney Ciaran , Tierney Sean , O'Flynn Eric , Derbew Miliard , Borgstein Eric 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe expansion of local training programmes is crucial to address the shortages of specialist paediatric surgeons across Sub‐Saharan Africa. This study assesses whether the current training programme for paediatric surgery at the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is exposing trainees to adequate numbers and types of surgical procedures, as defined by local and international guidelines.MethodsUsing data from the COSECSA web‐based logbook, we retrospectively analysed numbers and types of operations carried out by paediatric surgical trainees at each stage of training between 2015 and 2019, comparing results with indicative case numbers from regional (COSECSA) and international (Joint Commission on Surgical Training) guidelines.ResultsA total of 7,616 paediatric surgical operations were recorded by 15 trainees, at different stages of training, working across five countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Each trainee recorded a median number of 456 operations (range 56–1111), with operative experience increasing between the first and final year of training. The most commonly recorded operation was inguinal hernia (n = 1051, 13.8%). Trainees performed the majority (n = 5607, 73.6%) of operations recorded in the eLogbook themselves, assisting in the remainder. Trainees exceeded both local and international recommended case numbers for general surgical procedures, with little exposure to sub‐specialities.ConclusionsTrainees obtain a wide experience in common and general paediatric surgical procedures, the number of which increases during training. Post‐certification may be required for those who wish to sub‐specialise. The data from the logbook are useful in identifying individuals who may require additional experience and centres which should be offering increased levels of supervised surgical exposure.
Fasted plasma asprosin concentrations are associated with menstrual cycle phase, oral contraceptive use and training status in healthy women
Authors: Leonard A. N. , Shill A. L. , Thackray A. E. , Stensel D. J. , Bishop Nicolette C. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Asprosin, an orexigenic hormone that stimulates hepatic glucose release, is elevated in insulin resistance and associated with obesity. Plasma asprosin concentrations may also be related to female sex hormone levels; higher levels are reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but this may be related to peripheral insulin resistance also associated with PCOS. Clarification of female-specific factors influence on the plasma asprosin response is crucial for studies investigating asprosin. Therefore, this study determined the association of menstrual phase, oral contraceptive (OC) use (as a pharmacological influence on sex hormone levels) and training status (as a physiological influence on sex hormone levels) on plasma asprosin levels in pre-menopausal women.

Methods
Fasting plasma asprosin, 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone, were assessed in 32 healthy untrained and trained women with regular menstrual cycles (non-OC; n = 8 untrained, n = 6 trained) or using OC (n = 10 untrained, n = 8 trained) during early follicular, late follicular and mid-luteal menstrual phases (or the time-period equivalent for OC users).

Results
Asprosin was lower in OC (0.75 ± 0.38 ng mL−1) than non-OC users (1.00 ± 0.37 ng mL−1; p = 0.022). Across a cycle, asprosin was highest in the early follicular equivalent time-point in OC users (0.87 ± 0.37 ng mL−1) but highest in the mid-luteal phase in non-OC users (1.09 ± 0.40 ng mL−1). Asprosin concentrations varied more across a cycle in untrained than trained women, with higher concentrations in the early follicular phase compared to the late follicular and mid-luteal (training status-by-menstrual phase interaction p = 0.028).

Conclusion
These findings highlight the importance of considering OC use, menstrual cycle phase and to a lesser extent training status when investigating circulating asprosin concentrations in females.
A multi objective volleyball premier league algorithm for green scheduling identical parallel machines with splitting jobs
Authors: Salimifard Khodakaram , Li Jingpeng , Mohammadi Davood , Moghdani Reza 
Published: December 2020

AbstractParallel machine scheduling is one of the most common studied problems in recent years, however, this classic optimization problem has to achieve two conflicting objectives, i.e. minimizing the total tardiness and minimizing the total wastes, if the scheduling is done in the context of plastic injection industry where jobs are splitting and molds are important constraints. This paper proposes a mathematical model for scheduling parallel machines with splitting jobs and resource constraints. Two minimization objectives - the total tardiness and the number of waste - are considered, simultaneously. The obtained model is a bi-objective integer linear programming model that is shown to be of NP-hard class optimization problems. In this paper, a novel Multi-Objective Volleyball Premier League (MOVPL) algorithm is presented for solving the aforementioned problem. This algorithm uses the crowding distance concept used in NSGA-II as an extension of the Volleyball Premier League (VPL) that we recently introduced. Furthermore, the results are compared with six multi-objective metaheuristic algorithms of MOPSO, NSGA-II, MOGWO, MOALO, MOEA/D, and SPEA2. Using five standard metrics and ten test problems, the performance of the Pareto-based algorithms was investigated. The results demonstrate that in general, the proposed algorithm has supremacy than the other four algorithms.
Assessing the age specificity of infection fatality rates for COVID-19: systematic review, meta-analysis, and public policy implications
Authors: Levin Andrew T. , Hanage William P. , Owusu-Boaitey Nana , Cochran Kensington B. , Walsh Seamus P. , Meyerowitz-Katz Gideon 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDetermine age-specific infection fatality rates for COVID-19 to inform public health policies and communications that help protect vulnerable age groups. Studies of COVID-19 prevalence were collected by conducting an online search of published articles, preprints, and government reports that were publicly disseminated prior to 18 September 2020. The systematic review encompassed 113 studies, of which 27 studies (covering 34 geographical locations) satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Age-specific IFRs were computed using the prevalence data in conjunction with reported fatalities 4 weeks after the midpoint date of the study, reflecting typical lags in fatalities and reporting. Meta-regression procedures in Stata were used to analyze the infection fatality rate (IFR) by age. Our analysis finds a exponential relationship between age and IFR for COVID-19. The estimated age-specific IFR is very low for children and younger adults (e.g., 0.002% at age 10 and 0.01% at age 25) but increases progressively to 0.4% at age 55, 1.4% at age 65, 4.6% at age 75, and 15% at age 85. Moreover, our results indicate that about 90% of the variation in population IFR across geographical locations reflects differences in the age composition of the population and the extent to which relatively vulnerable age groups were exposed to the virus. These results indicate that COVID-19 is hazardous not only for the elderly but also for middle-aged adults, for whom the infection fatality rate is two orders of magnitude greater than the annualized risk of a fatal automobile accident and far more dangerous than seasonal influenza. Moreover, the overall IFR for COVID-19 should not be viewed as a fixed parameter but as intrinsically linked to the age-specific pattern of infections. Consequently, public health measures to mitigate infections in older adults could substantially decrease total deaths.
An evaluation of the molecular mode of action of trans-resveratrol in the Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide challenged neuronal cell model
Authors: Bahar Bojlul , Singhrao Sim K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPorphyromonas gingivalis triggers a range of innate immune responses in the host that may contribute to the development of periodontitis and dementing diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to assess the mode of action of trans-resveratrol in modulating the P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS) induced metabolic inflammation in a neuronal cell model. Confluent IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells were treated with trans-resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum in the presence or absence of PgLPS. The abundance of messenger ribo-nucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts of a panel of 92 genes was quantitatively assessed through targeted transcriptome profiling technique and the biochemical pathways affected were identified through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Gene expression analysis revealed that trans-resveratrol down-regulated the mRNA of multiple gene markers including growth factors, transcription factors, kinases, trans-membrane receptors, cytokines and enzymes that were otherwise activated by PgLPS treatment of IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the cellular oxidative stress caused by the activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt1 (PI3K/Akt1) pathway that leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chronic inflammatory response induced by the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathway and nutrient utilization pathways were favourably modulated by trans-resveratrol in the PgLPS challenged IMR-32 cells. This study demonstrates the potential of trans-resveratrol as a bioactive compound with multiple modes of intracellular action further supporting its therapeutic application in neuroinflammatory diseases.