bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extended LUTS Medication Use Following BPH Surgical Treatment: a US Healthcare Claims Analysis
Authors: Kaplan Steven , Kaufman Ronald , Elterman Dean , Chughtai Bilal , Roehrborn Claus 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND Postoperative medication use is an important yet relatively unexplored element of the benign prostatic hyperplasia patient journey. We assessed and compared the percentage of patients who required medication postoperatively after the three most common BPH surgeries in the real world: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), photovaporization procedure with GreenLight Laser (PVP), and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) with the UroLift system.METHODS Within a random representative sample of US Medicare and commercial insurance claims, patients with at least one year of follow-up data available after an outpatient TURP, PVP, or PUL procedure were linked to pharmaceutical claims to elucidate rates of continuous and de novo use of alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or combination medical therapy. Periods of interest were perioperative (use within three months postoperatively and not beyond) and one and five years postoperatively.RESULTS 36 629 men diagnosed with BPH underwent outpatient TURP (n = 20 319), GreenLight PVP (n = 10 517) and PUL (n = 5 793) procedures within the claims dataset. The rate of medical therapy use through one year was lowest for PUL (4.1%) compared to TURP (6.2%) and PVP (6.6%), and was equivalent between procedures through five years (10.6% TURP, 10.4% PVP, and 10.3% PUL).CONCLUSIONS Patients who undergo surgery to treat BPH may desire to discontinue or bypass BPH medications. However, these data suggest that approximately 10% of BPH patients use medication through five years postoperatively and that a more invasive procedure does not necessarily result in reduced rates of medication use.
The Role of Serum Vaspin Level in the Early Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia Induced in Experimental Animal Model
Authors: Çelik Ömer , Doğan Uğur , Ellidağ Hamit Yaşar , Etli Özlem , Çakır Remzi Can , Yıldız Turan Can , Aydemir Erhan , Eyvaz Kemal 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is one of the abdominal surgical emergencies with high mortality and morbidity and early diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of serum vaspin level as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of AMI in an experimental animal model.
Materials and Methods
Sixty female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 6 groups. Ischaemia groups (1, 3, 5) underwent SMA dissection and ligation, while control groups (2, 4, 6) did not. Blood and intestinal tissue samples were collected at 30 min, 2 h, and 6 h.Vaspin (ng/ml), TAS (Total antioxidant capacity, µmol Trolox equiv. /L), TOS (Total oxidant capacity, µmol H2O2 equiv. /L), ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase, U/L), AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase, U/L) and OSI (TOS/TAS) ratio of these biochemical values were studied.
Results
Vaspin levels were compared at 30 min, 2 h, and 6 h in ischaemia and control groups. No significant difference was found at 30 min and 2 h (p > 0.05), but a significant increase was observed at 6 h (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the Vaspin (ng/ml) measurements of the ischaemia groups at three different times (p < 0.05). The highest Vaspin (ng/ml) value was obtained at the 6th hour and the lowest at the 30th minute.
Conclusion
In our study, a statistically significant increase in vaspin levels was detected with increasing ischaemia duration and necrosis. These findings suggest that vaspin may be a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis of AMI.
Correlation of Middle Ear Risk Indices and Hearing Outcome in Tympanoplasty
Authors: P Shrinath D Kamath , Gulla Drishti 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chronic Otitis Media is a permanent abnormality of the pars tensa or pars flaccida which is predisposed by a middle ear pathology.1 Most important clinical feature is conductive hearing loss.
The treatment of choice is reconstructive surgery in the form of tympanoplasty which is performed once ear is dry to prevent graft failure.
There are various risk factors which influence graft uptake and hearing outcome following tympanoplasty. Most important risk factors are ear discharge, presence of cholesteatoma, erosion of ossicles, history of previous surgery or smoking.
Middle Ear Risk Index is one such prognostic tool which helps in predicting the outcome following tympanoplasty in patients of Chronic Otitis Media.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate middle ear risk indices and hearing outcome in patients undergoing tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy.
METHODLOGY
This study was conducted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology at KS Hegde Charitable Hospital. Subjects diagnosed with Chronic Otitis Media who underwent tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy were included in this study after written informed consent. Details were recorded in the performa. All cases were subjected to Pure Tone Audiometry and findings were recorded. Based on the details, Middle Ear Risk Index was calculated. 3 months post-operatively, patients were assessed on parameters such as graft uptake by otoscopy, evaluation of hearing, tinnitus, any other complaints and repeat PTA was done. These findings were then evaluated and compared with preoperative findings. All data was tabulated in an Excel sheet and analysed.
RESULT
Study was conducted on 82 subjects diagnosed with Chronic Otitis Media who underwent tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy. Age of subjects ranged from 19 to 69 years. Subjects were divided into 3 categories according to Middle Ear Risk Index. 43 subjects were in mild category, 29 subjects were in moderate category and 10 subjects were in severe category. Subjects undergoing tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy showed statistically significant graft uptake as well as hearing improvement in both left and right ear for all three categories of Middle Ear Risk Index.
CONCLUSION
According to our study, MERI may not accurately predict the outcome in patients under undergoing tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy. The individual risk factors of MERI can also be used as prognostic indicators.
Multi-enzyme reaction inspired cascade photocatalysis for solar-driven CO2 reduction to ethane
Authors: Wang Jianji , Wang Huiyong , Liu Zhimin , Zhang Qian , Gao Shuaiqi , Zhao Xiao , Guo Yingying 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Solar-driven photocatalytic CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals and fuels is an emerging solution to the challenges of traditional energy and environmental/climate concerns. However, photocatalytic synthesis of two-carbon (C2) compounds is quite challenging due to the high activation barrier of C-C coupling reaction and low content of intermediates. Herein, inspired by the tandem synthesis in multi-enzyme reactions, Cu-N4 and Mo-N4 active sites have been designed and integrated in CuPor-POP-Mo as cascade dual metal sites for efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to ethane (C2H6) for the first time. Significantly, an excel-lent C2H6 production rate of 472.5 µmol g− 1 h− 1 and a high product selectivity of 87.5% (electron selectivity ~ 97.5%) have been achieved, which are the record high values in photocatalytic C2H6 production by using porous polymer catalysts. In-situ spectral characterizations and DFT calculations indicate that unlike the electrocatalytic CO2 to C2 products reported previously, the Cu site mainly catalyzes *CO production, and the Mo site triggers the C-C coupling reaction between *CO intermediates, thus Cu and Mo sites synergistically boost CO2 photoreduction to C2H6. Our work provides new insights into the rational design of photocatalysts for the effective production of C2 and C2+ products from CO2.
Investigation into crosslinking kinetics, physical properties, and thermal conductivity of humic acid epoxy composite
Authors: Shnawa Hussein 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Natural and renewable materials, such as lignin, for high value products has become part of the research of increasing importance due to the phenomenon of global warming there has been a lot of interest in the development of composites based on renewable resources for a variety of applications. This paper seeks by a series of FT-IR spectroscopy, gravimetry, and DSC experiments to address the curing behavior, thermo-physical properties (glass transition temperature (Tg)), thermal conductivity (TC), and moisture absorption (MA) of bio-composites made of commercial epoxy resin (E) with humic acid (HA). It is observed that in almost all cases, the prepared composites (HAE) have similar curing behavior to that of (E) with higher activation energy, Tg, and MA. In addition, TC decreases for 5 and 10 wt% HAE, while it increases for 20 wt% HAE. Conversely, by increasing the amount of humic acid, the Tg and MA ability of the composites increased. Concerning TC, the presence of HA at 5 and 10 wt% results a slight decrease in the TC of the composites. A bio-based and valuable composite have been produced from epoxy and humic acid by commonly simple mixing process which might be easily transferable to commercial production process.
Radiological method and findings in pediatric cranial firearm injuries
Authors: Arslan İlknur , Koç Ayşe Selcan , Yöntem Ahmet 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Firearm Injuries are growing problem due to rising civil wars, terrorist acts, and the spread of personal armament. Notably, there has been a reported rise in firearm injury and fatal cases among children and young people, who are particularly vulnerable to widespread violent behavior. Early diagnosis and treatment, including radiological imaging after initial intervention, can reduce mortality and morbidity in firearm injury cases
Objective
To explore the demographic characteristics and computerized tomography findings of pediatric patients with cranial firearm injuries and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of conventional radiography and tomography.
Materials and methods
This study included cases of cranial firearm injuries presented to the pediatric emergency department of XXX City Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021. Data recorded for each case included age, gender, clinical course, and weapon type. Cranial tomography images were reviewed for entry and exit wounds, bullet trajectory, brain damage, bone fractures, distribution of bone fragments, bullet core fragments and their distribution.
Results
Of the 12 cases included in this study, 10 were male, 2 were female, with a mean age of 143 ± 46.5 months. In the five cases injured by a shotgun, subcutaneous pellets were seen in the penetration area at bone and parenchymal doses on cranial tomography axial images. In 2 cases of handgun injury, a subcutaneous bullet core was found in the temporal region while another bullet core had penetrated the skin and bone in the frontal region without causing any brain tissue damage. In four cases with handgun injuries, the bullet core penetrated the skin and cranial bones, causing brain tissue damage. Seven cases with subcutaneous pellets or bullet cores identified radiologically were treated in emergency department. Five patients with firearm injuries required hospitalization, of which two did not survive.
Conclusion
Cranial tomography has many advantages over x-ray ımaging. Axial images provide essential information on the bullet core, entry and exit wounds, primary and secondary parenchymal damage, hemorrhage, edema, bone fractures, and bullet or pellet residue. This imaging modality aids clinicians in deciding on medical or surgical interventions, selecting treatment types, monitoring treatment efficacy, and predicting mortality. It is an effective, recommended method that offers forensic physicians rapid and reliable insights into weapon type, bullet core trajectory, and skull fractures, thereby facilitating both clinical and forensic assessments.
Multiomics analysis of CXCL9+ macrophages in the immunotherapy response of bladder cancer
Authors: Zhou Lin , Yu Guopeng , Zheng Zhongpeng , Liu Yushan , Xu Bin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Macrophages, key players in the immune system, are prevalent across diverse tissues. Within the tumor microenvironment, their functional roles drive the coevolution of the cancer ecosystem during tumor development, metastasis, and therapeutic responses.
Methods:
This study investigated the role of CXCL9 + macrophage in predicting ICI efficacy through integrated immunological analysis, including single-cell RNA (scRNA), spatial transcriptomics RNA (stRNA), and multi-omics analysis.
Results:
From 16 patients, 113,905 cells were classified into distinct clusters, with myeloid cells further sub-clustered into four primary macrophage populations: Macro-CCL4, Macro-CXCL9, Macro-FOLR2, and Macro-SPP1. Macro-CXCL9 was identified as pivotal in early macrophage differentiation and tumor immunity regulation. Spatial transcriptomics and transcription factor analyses revealed Macro-CXCL9's unique interactions and regulatory roles. The study employed CIBERSORTx for immune classification, highlighting Macro-CXCL9's association with improved immunotherapy responses. Pan-cancer analysis underscored the heterogeneity of immune cell interactions across cancer types. In bladder cancer, five distinct subtypes were identified, with Class E showing a higher abundance of Macro-CXCL9. A risk model, Mscore, was developed using Macro-CXCL9 marker genes to predict immune checkpoint blockade efficacy.
Conclusions:
High Mscores correlated with poorer survival and reduced treatment response, establishing Mscore as a robust prognostic indicator. Our findings provide insights into the role of Macro-CXCL9 in bladder cancer and suggest its potential as a biomarker for patient stratification and therapeutic targeting in precision immunotherapy. Further validation in clinical trials is warranted.
Variation of ventilation in the North Atlantic over the past three decades - a climate change signal
Authors: Guo Haichao , Koeve Wolfgang , Kriest Iris , Frenger Ivy , Tanhua Toste , Brandt Peter , He Yanchun , Xue Tianfei , Oschlies Andreas 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) ventilates a large part of the world ocean via the formation of mode waters and North Atlantic Deep Water. Whether human activities have altered this ventilation system remains uncertain. To assess the temporal variations of ocean ventilation in the North Atlantic, we calculated the "age" of seawater, that is the duration since its last contact with the ocean surface, from both observed and simulated chlorofluorocarbon-12 and sulfur hexafluoride concentrations. Results suggest enhanced ventilation in the intermediate waters and slowing-down ventilation in the deep waters over the past three decades. We propose such ventilation change is a climate change signal because (i) the observed ventilation evolution pattern consistently emerges in historical simulations across different Earth System models where each model might be in a different phase of natural climate variability, (ii) the pattern intensifies with ongoing climate change in model projections under a high-emission scenario, indicating it is an anthropogenically forced signal, and (iii) observed and simulated ventilation changes in the North Atlantic seem to be part of a broader global trend, with enhanced upper-ocean ventilation, and slowing deep-ocean ventilation also in other ocean basins.
Academic achievement in obstetrics and gynecology clerkships amongst medical students: Gender difference and importance of simulation in women’s health
Authors: Akhund Shahid Akhtar 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
This study examines Pakistan’s high maternal death rate, attributing it to cultural sensitivities such as gender segregation, which impacts patient care and medical education. Obstetrics and gynecology are specialties for female physicians, resulting in male trainees’ restricted exposure and underperformance in clinical skills. This study investigates the influence of these barriers on clerkship evaluation outcomes for male and female students and proposes employing simulations to promote learning.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University of Wollongong in 2021. It used obstetrics and gynecology and internal medicine end-of-year clerkships assessment scores of students from Pakistan. Data of 795 male and 777 female students were compared.
Results
In the obstetrics and gynecology assessment, the mean percentage scores of male students (M = 70.46, SD = 6.32) was higher for written components than that of female students (M = 68.69, SD = 7.28; p < 0.001). However, in the practical component, female students scored higher (M = 69.05, SD = 10.39) than male students (M = 65.98, SD = 10.47; p < 0.001). Both groups had almost the same total scores. No significant difference was observed in internal medicine clerkship scores.
Conclusion
Incorporating high-fidelity simulation during obstetrics and gynecology clerkship training may improve male trainees’ performance and motivate them to pursue the specialization.
Altered bacterial community composition is associated with the development of hepatogenous diabetes in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Zhang Yin , Tao Na , Li Meichuan , Liu Yujuan , Hu Han , Zhang Ping , He Qiuyi , Wu Xiaohuan , Shang Min , Li Ying , Yang Fangwan , Yang Ping , Wang Yanlin , Liu Jun , Lin Shide 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of gut microbiota with hepatogenous diabetes (HD) in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods
The composition and diversity of the gut microbiota were detected via 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 80 cirrhotic patients. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to evaluate glucose disturbances. The associations of gut microbiota with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and HD were analyzed.
Results
Among the 80 cirrhotic patients, 21 patients had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 26 patients had IGT, and 33 patients had HD. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios in patients with IGT and HD (2.225 and 2.232, respectively) were lower than those in patients with NGT (3.286). At the genus level, patients with HD had a significantly lower richness of Faecalibacterium, Clostridium, Gemmiger and Roseburia and a significantly greater richness of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus than did those with NGT (P < 0.05). Patients with HD also had significantly lower abundances of Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, Gemiger and Lactobacillus than did those with IGT (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the LEfSe analysis revealed that patients with HD were enriched for Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae.
Conclusion
In patients with liver cirrhosis, seriously altered bacterial community composition, characterized by decreased richness of short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria and increased richness of Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae, was associated with the development of HD. These finding unveil a novel mechanistic insight into HD pathogenesis and suggest targeting the modulation of gut microbiota may offer a promising strategy in the management of HD.
Biodegradable Tracer Particles for Underwater Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Xu Nicole , Su Yunxing , Jovchevska Mija 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This study introduces biodegradable particles as a sustainable, low-cost, and effective alternative to synthetic tracers for flow visualization of biological and underwater systems using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Biodegradable alternatives address critical challenges associated with conventional synthetic tracers, e.g. silver-coated glass beads, such as potential environmental impact, toxicity Raffel et al. [1], and high costs [2]. We characterized various biodegradable particles to determine their density, size, and light scattering properties. Corn and arrowroot starch emerged as the most promising candidates, with densities closely matching deionized (DI) and artificial seawater (35 ppt), minimizing buoyancy effects. Both particles exhibited uniform size distributions, with mean diameters of 10.9 (corn) and 8.7 µm (arrowroot). Laser scattering tests demonstrated comparable performance to commercial tracers in both DI and saltwater environments. PIV experiments using a translating airfoil, live brine shrimp, and live jellyfish confirmed that starch particles accurately visualized velocity and vorticity fields, effectively capturing flow structures in brine shrimp and jellyfish swimming. The nontoxic, digestible nature of starch makes them ideal for biological and ecological studies, minimizing risks to live organisms and the environment. Thus, we highlight the potential of natural starchas an eco-friendly replacement for synthetic tracers in PIV experiments, promoting sustainable and frugal practices in flow visualization without compromising performance.
The role of pkcι in yap 1 signaling in cervical cancer and its relationship with prognosis
Authors: chen shengmin , wang guoping , lin zhiren , yuan feng 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

To explore the role of Protein Kinase Cι(PKCι/PRKCI) in yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) signaling in cervical cancer and its relationship with prognosis.Select normal cervical tissue(NCT)low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL),high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL)and cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)in 80 cases each.PKCι and YAP1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry(IHC)and analyzed for correlation,clinical pathology and prognosis.Cervical cancer SiHa cell lines were transfected with PKCι gene overexpression,transfection efficiency was evaluated by inverted fluorescence microscope,viability was treated with PKCι inhibitor aurothiomalate,which was measured by CCK-8,and cell migration was measured by transwell experiments.The PKCι gene expression was measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and verified by transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR. The positivity rates for PKCι and YAP1 varied in patients with NCT,LSIL, and HSIL (P < 0.05). Both PKCι and YAP1 expression showed statistically significant differences between different degrees of SCC differentiation and the presence of vasculoma plugs(P < 0.05). Univariate analysis of the survival prognosis of patients with SCC showed that protein expression,differentiation,lymph node metastasis, and vasoma metastasis were independent factors affecting overall survival(P < 0.05). The expression level of PKCι transfected PKCι mRNA in SiHa cells was significantly higher than that in empty-loaded liposomes(P < 0.05). Patients with cervical lesions are often accompanied by abnormal expression of PKCι and YAP1,which may have synergistic effects between each other to affect the occurrence and development of SCC and its prognosis,promote the proliferation and migration of SCC cells,and provide a possible basis for the pathogenesis study of SCC and its diagnosis and treatment to determine the prognosis.