bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Key Pathophysiological Role of Skeletal Muscle Disturbance in Post COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Accumulated Evidence
Authors: Scheibenbogen Carmen , Wirth Klaus J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundRecent studies provide strong evidence for a key role of skeletal muscle pathophysiology in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In a 2021 review article on the pathophysiology of ME/CFS, we postulated that hypoperfusion and ischemia can result in excessive sodium and calcium overload in skeletal muscles of ME/CFS patients to cause mitochondrial damage. Since then, experimental evidence has been provided that supports this concept.MethodsWe collect, summarize and discuss the current state of knowledge for the key role of skeletal muscle pathophysiology. We try to explain which risk factors and mechanisms are responsible for a subgroup of patients with post COVID syndrome (PCS) to develop ME/CFS (PC‐ME/CFS).ResultsMitochondrial dysfunction is a long‐held assumption to explain cardinal symptoms of ME/CFS. However, mitochondrial dysfunction could not be convincingly shown in leukocytes. By contrast, recent studies provide strong evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle tissue in ME/CFS. An electron microscopy study could directly show damage of mitochondria in skeletal muscle of ME/CFS patients with a preferential subsarcolemmal localization but not in PCS. Another study shows signs of skeletal muscle damage and regeneration in biopsies taken one day after exercise in PC‐ME/CFS. The simultaneous presence of necroses and signs of regeneration supports the concept of repeated damage. Other studies correlated diminished hand grip strength (HGS) with symptom severity and prognosis. A MRI study showed that intracellular sodium in muscles of ME/CFS patients is elevated and that levels correlate inversely with HGS. This finding corroborates our concept of sodium and consecutive calcium overload as cause of muscular and mitochondrial damage caused by enhanced proton‐sodium exchange due to anaerobic metabolism and diminished activity of the sodium‐potassium‐ATPase. The histological investigations in ME/CFS exclude ischemia by microvascular obstruction, viral presence or immune myositis. The only known exercise‐induced mechanism of damage left is sodium induced calcium overload. If ionic disturbance and mitochondrial dysfunction is severe enough the patient may be captured in a vicious circle. This energy deficit is the most likely cause of exertional intolerance and post exertional malaise and is further aggravated by exertion.ConclusionBased on this pathomechanism, future treatment approaches should focus on normalizing the cause of ionic disbalance. Current treatment strategies targeting hypoperfusion have the potential to improve the dysfunction of ion transporters.
Aldolase B Deficient Mice Are Characterized by Hepatic Nucleotide Sugar Abnormalities
Authors: Buziau Amée M. , Lefeber Dirk J. , Cassiman D. , Rubio‐Gozalbo M. Estela , Kwast Hanneke , Tolan Dean R. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Brouwers Martijn C. G. J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTHereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is characterized by liver damage and a secondary defect in N‐linked glycosylation due to impairment of mannose phosphate isomerase (MPI). Mannose treatment has been shown to be an effective treatment in a primary defect in MPI (i.e., MPI‐CDG), which is also characterized by liver damage. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine: (1) hepatic nucleotide sugar levels, and (2), the effect of mannose supplementation on hepatic nucleotide sugar levels and liver fat, in a mouse model for HFI. Aldolase B deficient mice (Aldob−/−) were treated for four weeks with 5% mannose via the drinking water and compared to Aldob−/− mice and wildtype mice treated with regular drinking water. We found that hepatic GDP‐mannose and hepatic GDP‐fucose were lower in water‐treated Aldob−/− mice when compared to water‐treated wildtype mice (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively), consistent with impaired N‐linked glycosylation. Of interest, multiple other hepatic nucleotide sugars not involved in N‐linked glycosylation, such as hepatic UDP‐glucuronic acid, UDP‐xylose, CMP‐N‐acetyl‐beta‐neuraminic acid, and CDP‐ribitol (p = 0.002, p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p = 0.002), were found to have altered levels as well. However, mannose treatment did not correct the reduction in hepatic GDP‐mannose levels, nor was liver fat affected. Aldob−/− mice are characterized by hepatic nucleotide sugar abnormalities, but these were not abrogated by mannose treatment. Future studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanisms responsible for the abnormal hepatic nucleotide sugar pattern and intrahepatic lipid accumulation in HFI.Trial Registration: PCT ID: PCTE0000340, this animal experiment is registered at (https://preclinicaltrials.eu/).
Clinical effects of pediatric commercial food‐based formulas: A systematic review
Authors: Murayi Judy‐April , Evenson Elizabeth , Britton Chelsea , Gehred Alison , Goday Praveen S. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBlenderized tube feeding (BTF) uses a feeding tube to deliver blended whole foods directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) system and has had renewed interest over the last two decades. This was initially delivered in the form of homemade BTF (HBTF) and led to the development of commercial food‐based formula (CFBF). The safety and clinical outcome data for CFBF are limited. From our systematic review of the clinical benefits of pediatric CFBF, we found that families are very satisfied with CFBF despite the paucity of research. Most included studies evaluated both HBTF and CFBF, with only a few evaluating CFBF alone. The limited data suggests that CFBF may improve upper and lower GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, retching, constipation, and diarrhea; however, the effects of CFBF on growth have been mixed.
Rice bran and rice bran oil production perspective in Bangladesh: a review
Authors: Nath Bidhan , Bari Habibul , Paul Haimonti , Omar Md Imran , Haque Md Anwarul , Paul Subrata , Bhuiyan Md Golam Kibria , Ahmmed Md Moudud 
Published: December 2024

AbstractRice, a staple food in Bangladesh, produces substantial quantities of rice bran as a by‐product, offering considerable potential for advancing agriculture. While rice bran holds value, traditional uses like poultry feed and landfilling remain prevalent despite growing interest in its broader applications. This article explores the current status, stabilization methods, oil extraction techniques, and opportunities and challenges associated with rice bran utilization in Bangladesh. It identifies untapped value‐added products, such as biofuel and industrial materials, and discusses the technological and socio‐economic barriers hindering their development. It compares modern applications such as oil extraction, pharmaceuticals, and food production with more conventional practices. The study highlights untouched value‐added opportunities, including biofuel and industrial materials, which face technological and socio‐economic challenges. With around 4.87 million tons of rice brans projected for the 2023–2024 fiscal year, it emphasizes effective strategies to reduce postharvest losses, improve bran stabilization, and maximize oil yields. The article advocates targeted research, advanced techniques, and policy reforms to enhance rice bran's economic potential. Bangladesh benefits its agricultural economy and public health by optimizing rice bran management. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A machine learning approach to predicting inpatient mortality among pediatric acute gastroenteritis patients in Kenya
Authors: Ogwel Billy , Mzazi Vincent H. , Nyawanda Bryan O. , Otieno Gabriel , Tickell Kirkby D. , Omore Richard 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundMortality prediction scores for children admitted with diarrhea are unavailable, early identification of at‐risk patients for proper management remains a challenge. This study utilizes machine learning (ML) to develop a highly sensitive model for timelier identification of at‐risk children admitted with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) for better management.MethodsWe used seven ML algorithms to build prognostic models for the prediction of mortality using de‐identified data collected from children aged <5 years hospitalized with AGE at Siaya County Referral Hospital (SCRH), Kenya, between 2010 through 2020. Potential predictors included demographic, medical history, and clinical examination data collected at admission to hospital. We conducted split‐sampling and employed tenfold cross‐validation in the model development. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and the area under the curve (AUC) for each of the models.ResultsDuring the study period, 12 546 children aged <5 years admitted at SCRH were enrolled in the inpatient disease surveillance, of whom 2271 (18.1%) had AGE and 164 (7.2%) subsequently died. The following features were identified as predictors of mortality in decreasing order: AVPU scale, Vesikari score, dehydration, sunken eyes, skin pinch, maximum number of vomits, unconsciousness, wasting, vomiting, pulse, fever, sunken fontanelle, restless, nasal flaring, diarrhea days, stridor, <90% oxygen saturation, chest indrawing, malaria, and stunting. The sensitivity ranged from 46.3%–78.0% across models, while the specificity and AUC ranged from 71.7% to 78.7% and 56.5%–82.6%, respectively. The random forest model emerged as the champion model achieving 78.0%, 76.6%, 20.6%, 97.8%, and 82.6% for sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and AUC, respectively.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates promising predictive performance of the proposed algorithm for identifying patients at risk of mortality in resource‐limited settings. However, further validation in real‐world clinical settings is needed to assess its feasibility and potential impact on patient outcomes.
Eco‐Friendly, Sound Absorbing Materials Based on Cellulose Acetate Electrospun Fibers/Luffa Cylindrica Composites
Authors: Theodorou Viktoria , Matysík Michal , Plšková Iveta , Kusák Ivo , Papaphilippou Petri Ch. , Krasia‐Christoforou Theodora 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSound absorption plays a crucial role in addressing noise pollution that may cause harm to both human health and wildlife. To tackle this environmental issue, the implementation of natural‐based sound absorbing materials attracts considerable attention in the last few years. In this study, sound absorbing, eco‐friendly composites are produced by combining a 3D natural sponge namely Luffa Cylindrica (LC) with cellulose acetate (CA) microfibrous layers that are fabricated through electrospinning. Electrospun microfibers can effectively absorb sound waves due to their unique properties such as high porosity, small diameter, and large surface area. The individual components and the resulting composites, exhibiting various configurations, are characterized in respect to their morphology, porosity, density, and sound absorption properties. More precisely, the sound absorption coefficient is determined through the standing wave ratio method within the range of 500–4000 (Hz) frequency. The most promising materials consist of a multilayer combination of LC with CA microfibrous layers, which creates new prospects in the development of such materials for sound absorption applications.
Multiple attention channels aggregated network for multimodal medical image fusion
Authors: Huang Jingxue , Tan Tianshu , Li Xiaosong , Ye Tao , Wu Yanxiong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn clinical practices, doctors usually need to synthesize several single‐modality medical images for diagnosis, which is a time‐consuming and costly process. With this background, multimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) techniques have emerged to synthesize medical images of different modalities, providing a comprehensive and objective interpretation of the lesion.PurposeAlthough existing MMIF approaches have shown promising results, they often overlook the importance of multiscale feature diversity and attention interaction, which are essential for superior visual outcomes. This oversight can lead to diminished fusion performance. To bridge the gaps, we introduce a novel approach that emphasizes the integration of multiscale features through a structured decomposition and attention interaction.MethodsOur method first decomposes the source images into three distinct groups of multiscale features by stacking different numbers of diverse branch blocks. Then, to extract global and local information separately for each group of features, we designed the convolutional and Transformer block attention branch. These two attention branches make full use of channel and spatial attention mechanisms and achieve attention interaction, enabling the corresponding feature channels to fully capture local and global information and achieve effective inter‐block feature aggregation.ResultsFor the MRI‐PET fusion type, MACAN achieves average improvements of 24.48%, 27.65%, 19.24%, 27.32%, 18.51%, and 10.33% over the compared methods in terms of Qcb, AG, SSIM, SF, Qabf, and VIF metrics, respectively. Similarly, for the MRI‐SPECT fusion type, MACAN outperforms the compared methods with average improvements of 29.13%, 26.43%, 18.20%, 27.71%, 16.79%, and 10.38% in the same metrics. In addition, our method demonstrates promising results in segmentation experiments. Specifically, for the T2‐T1ce fusion, it achieves a Dice coefficient of 0.60 and a Hausdorff distance of 15.15. Comparable performance is observed for the Flair‐T1ce fusion, with a Dice coefficient of 0.60 and a Hausdorff distance of 13.27.ConclusionThe proposed multiple attention channels aggregated network (MACAN) can effectively retain the complementary information from source images. The evaluation of MACAN through medical image fusion and segmentation experiments on public datasets demonstrated its superiority over the state‐of‐the‐art methods, both in terms of visual quality and objective metrics. Our code is available at https://github.com/JasonWong30/MACAN.
DFT Calculations of 1H and 13C NMR Chemical Shifts of Hydroxy Secondary Oxidation Products of Geometric Isomers of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Methyl Esters: Structures in Solution and Revision of NMR Assignments
Authors: Venianakis Themistoklis , Siskos Michael G. , Gerothanassis Ioannis P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDetailed DFT studies of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of hydroxy secondary oxidation products of various geometric isomers of conjugated linolenic acids methyl esters are presented. Several low energy conformers were identified for model compounds of the central dienenol OH moiety, which were found to be practically independent on the various functionals and basis sets used. This greatly facilitated the minimization process of the geometric isomers of conjugated linolenic acids methyl esters. Several regularities of the literature experimental 1H and 13C chemical shifts were reproduced very accurately with the computational chemical shifts of the Gibbs low energy DFT optimized conformers, after a Boltzmann analysis. δ(13C) and δ(1H) of the methine CH‐OH group are highly diagnostic for the trans/trans and cis/trans geometric isomerism of the adjacent double bond. δ(13C) of the –CH2– group adjacent to the terminal double bond of the conjugated system strongly depend on the cis/trans geometric isomerism of this bond and, thus, could be of importance in structural analysis. Ambiguities in the reported literature resonance assignments of olefinic carbons had been resolved. Computational δ(1H) and δ(13C) can be utilized for the identification of geometric isomerism and structural and conformational elucidation of hydroxy derivatives of conjugated linoleic acids and their ester derivatives.
Bar Axial Force Correction Method for the Elastic Performance of Truss Materials With Periodic Units
Authors: Shang Mengfei , Sun Panxu , Wang Dongwei , Wang Shuxia 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTA bar axial force correction method is proposed on the basis of the representative volume element (RVE) method in this paper, which can predict the elastic performance of truss materials with periodic units. Based on the bar axial force correction method, the problem that the RVE method that node reaction forces on the common boundary may be unbalanced can be solved. For truss materials with periodic units, the effective elastic parameters and nodal displacement responses based on the proposed method are completely consistent those for the asymptotic homogenization (AH) method. Meanwhile, the proposed method is simpler than the AH method. Furthermore, compared with the axial compression experiment, the elastic modulus error of the proposed method is 3.81%. Thus, the correctness of this method is proved. Finally, the comparisons of different homogenization methods are analyzed in the numerical examples. The numerical examples show that the calculation results of the proposed method are the same as those of the AH method. Compared with the AH method, the maximum error of effective elastic parameters and nodal displacements for the RVE method are 22.51% and 13.65%, respectively. Compared with the AH method, the maximum error of effective elastic parameters and nodal displacements for the two‐node (TN) method are 14.43% and 10.60%, respectively. Therefore, the bar axial force correction method has a wider range of applications and higher computational accuracy.
Haemoglobin for Fall Risk Screening in Gynaecological and Obstetric Wards: Retrospective Survey and Delphi Validation
Authors: Mao Bijun , Chen Yan , Wang Chunsheng , Ma Yihan , Gu Huifeng , Shen Ya , Liu Luping , Zhou Peihong , Jiang Huiping 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThe objective of this study is to ascertain the suitability of haemoglobin as a screening factor for falls among obstetrics and gynaecology inpatients and to formulate a stratified scheme for assessing fall risk based on haemoglobin.DesignA retrospective analysis and Delphi surveys were employed for this investigation.MethodsInitially, a retrospective survey analysed falls among obstetrics and gynaecology inpatients in two hospitals from January 1, 2020, to July 10, 2022. Descriptive statistics, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Youden index, sensitivity and specificity were utilised for data examination. The conclusions drawn were subsequently validated by Delphi surveys, featuring 21 experts participating in five rounds of consultation. The Kappa value and the coefficient of variation (CV) were employed to assess expert advice.ResultsThe area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC) of haemoglobin was 0.762 ± 0.030, 95% CI (0.703, 0.821). The highest Youden index was 0.425, with sensitivity at 0.705 and specificity at 0.720 when haemoglobin was 107.5 g/L. Two consensuses were reached by experts: anaemia was important in causing falls in obstetrics and gynaecology wards, and haemoglobin should be employed as a screening factor for falls. The stratification of anaemia was developed as follows: ≥ 110; 90–109; 60–89; and < 60 g/L. Approval for the final results was unanimous among all experts. The Kappa value (K*) was 1, and the CV of expert advice ranged from 0.092 to 0.219.ConclusionsHaemoglobin could potentially be used as a predictor of fall risk in Gynaecological and Obstetric Wards. The recommended stratified scheme for anaemia in fall risk assessment is as follows: ≥ 110; 90–109; 60–89; and < 60 g/L.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

What problem did the study address?

The study revealed a relationship between falls and haemoglobin in obstetrics and gynaecology inpatients. It also proposed a stratification scheme for assessing fall risk based on haemoglobin levels.

What were the main findings?
Haemoglobin has a good performance on fall risk prediction in Gynaecological and Obstetric Wards.The stratified scheme of anaemia for fall risk assessment was suggested as follows: ≥ 110; 90–109; 60–89; and < 60 g/L.

Where and on whom will the research have an impact?
Nurses and inpatients in obstetrics and gynaecology wards will be affected by the results of this study, and it provided a reference for fall prevention.Reporting MethodThis study has adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines and named the reporting method.No Patient or Public Contribution.
Describing viewpoints on human‐nature relationships to unveil socio‐environmental conflicts and support community‐based projects
Authors: Demasi Beatriz , Prado Nina Garcia de Almeida , Lima Flávia Pereira , El‐Hani Charbel N. , Pardini Renata 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Socio‐environmental changes are threatening Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&LC), hampering conservation efforts, jeopardizing biocultural diversity and escalating environmental injustice. This situation fostered both collaborative research projects showing the potential of engaging with IP&LC for conserving biocultural diversity, and ideas in sustainability science as the relevance of accounting for plural human‐nature relationships and nature values in decision making. The success of these initiatives, however, depends on unveiling socio‐environmental conflicts as a first step to dialogue and cooperation.

We developed a tool to describe viewpoints on human‐nature relationships that underpin socio‐environmental conflicts based on a multicultural conceptual framework and Q‐methodology. To investigate its usefulness to unveil conflicts within community‐based projects, we applied it to community members and researchers working collaboratively in an artisanal fishing community in Brazil.

By purposefully choosing 23 participants who ordered 44 statements producing distributions later analysed for correlations, we described three viewpoints on human‐nature relationships and, from them, the main socio‐environmental conflicts within the community.

Two viewpoints associated with community members revealed contrasting standpoints about nature resulting from complex transformations—from resource‐dependent to tourism‐dependent—in the community. While some people whose occupations depend on outsiders wish to exploit and earn money with nature, others who depend exclusively on fishing fear that nature is under threat. These viewpoints allowed characterizing divergences that can limit collective organization within the community as well as shared desires for the future. One viewpoint was associated with researchers, highlighting differences between theirs and community members' conceptions.

Although framed to a specific situation, given its replicable development and amplitude of its conceptual basis, the tool can be adapted to different contexts. By underscoring the diversity within local communities, our tool helps leaving behind idealized notions about them. It also facilitates reflexivity among researchers on how their viewpoints can impact their relationship with communities. As a way of collectively reflecting about local perspectives on human‐nature relationships, the tool facilitates collaboration and finding ways forward.

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