bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between Diabetic Macular Edema and Capillary Non Perfusion; An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study
Authors: Waly Mostafa A. , Ghoraba Hammouda Hamdi , El-Bradey Mohamed Hosni , Einen Mostafa Abd El Latif Abo El 
Published: August 2021

Aims: The aim is to use of OCTA to describe the retinal structural damages observed in DME and the relationship between the edema and the capillary non perfusion and to quantify VD and the FAZ area.
Study Design: prospective, cross sectional, observational study
Place and Duration of Study: University Hospitals in the period between March 2018 to March 2020.
Methodology: OCTA images were obtained using the AngioVue (Optovue Inc., CA, USA). For quantitative analysis of the VD and the FAZ area with the help of the manufacturer’s automated software.
Results: The study included included 160 eyes of 135 diabetic patients, 61 (45%) females and 74 (55%) males and 20 eyes from 20 age-matched healthy individuals (12 males and 8 females). A significantly worse visual acuity was found in diabetic eyes with CME (mean (x̅) ± SD LogMAR 0.61 ± 0.33), than NPDR eyes without macular edema (0.25 ± 0.19), and controls (Mean ± SD LogMAR 0.02 ± 0.05),the values of VD of the SCP were significantly affected more than the DCP very early in the diabetic course (No DR stage) (P=0.040). Moving one stage more in the disease (mild to moderate NPDR with no edema stage) the deep layer got significantly more affected than the superficial layer (P=0.038). In the more advanced stages of the disease and as the macular edema develop and progress (spongy edema and CME) the two plexuses showed decreased VD values nearly to the same degree with the deep plexus affected slightly more (low VD values) than the superficial plexus
Conclusion: Using the OCTA machine with AngioAnalytics parameters (vessel density and non-flow area) aided in the objective quantification of macular perfusion and accurate measurement of the FAZ area in diabetic eyes with and without macular edema. Both parameters were significantly correlated with visual function in treatment-naive diabetic eyes with macular edema.
Optometric Screening of Elementary Students in Greece
Authors: Bollano-Lazaridis Melinta , Chandrinos Aristeidis 
Published: August 2021

Background: The aim of this study is to provide a wide screening test in elementary school students in Greece in order to trace undiagnosed visual deficiencies, which can affect the visual performance and efficiency.
Methods: Examination procedures were approved by the Ministry of Education for the optometric team to enter the school premises and perform the assessments. The researchers performed optometric testing according to standard protocols to evaluate visual acuity (VA), near point of convergence (NPC), accommodative amplitude and facility, vergence facility, stereopsis, and pursuit and saccade oculomotor function.
Results: The 835 students that were examined came from a total number of 14 schools so as to enable social stratification of high, medium, and low living standards. Fewer than 17% of the children managed to pass all visual tests at published goal levels. Testing identified a significant number of students who had undiagnosed visual deficiencies (83%).
Conclusion: Visual Function in elementary students needs to be evaluated on a regular basis following a comprehensive Optometric screening so that a wide range of visual dysfunctions can be detected. Our ultimate goal is to ensure adequate conditions for every student to develop vision skills needed to meet academic demands.
Thoracoscopic Surgery Shows Non-Inferiority to Open Surgery for Clinical N0-N2 and Pathologic N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Yamashita Shin-ichi , Tokuishi Keita , Moroga Toshihiko , Yoshida Yasuhiro , Kawahara Katsunobu , Iwasaki Akinori 
Published: August 2021

Objectives
Controversy has remained over the primary surgical management for stage IIIA-N2 non–small cell lung cancer. Minimal or non-bulky N2 disease defined as single-station nodal involvement may still be a candidate of radical surgery. The aim of this study was thus to assess the outcome of thoracoscopic surgery in clinical N0-N2 and pathologic N2 disease.

Methods
Seventy-nine cases of pathologic N2 diseases without induction therapy (clinical N0, 27; N1, 13; N2, 39) were operated on between September 2003 and December 2010 in our institute. Forty-seven patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery (group T) and 32 patients underwent standard thoracotomy (group S). Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

Results
There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding dissected number of lymph nodes, operative time, morbidity, and mortality. However, blood loss in group T was less than in group S (Mean: T, 229 versus S, 534 mL, respectively; P = 0.0004). Although disease-free survival in group T did not differ from that in group S, overall survival in group T was better than in group S after propensity score matching to adjust confounding factors including tumor size and T factor (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that multinodal stations was significantly worse prognostic factor [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.6–14.3); P = 0.005) in disease-free and overall survivals [HR = 8.21; 95% CI = (1.9–35.4); P = 0.005]. Thoracoscopic surgery was favorable prognostic factor in overall survivals [HR = 0.13; 95% CI = (0.03–0.6); P = 0.009].

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that thoracoscopic surgery for non-bulky N2 disease was feasible and not inferior to standard thoracotomy in terms of oncologic outcome.
A Case of Valentino's Syndrome Presenting as Possible Appendicitis
Authors: Cherry Brandon H. , Patel Denish , Ronaghan Joseph E. 
Published: August 2021

Introduction
We present a case of a 24-year-old female who presented with the signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis.

Case report
When computed tomography and ultrasound were not definitive for the diagnosis, the decision was made to perform a laparoscopic appendectomy. The appendix showed no gross signs of inflammation, so intraoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy was used to examine for a perforated peptic ulcer. When no perforations were found, exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed purulent fluid in the right colic gutter and a pinhole perforation in the first part of the duodenum. The defect was repaired and the abdominal space was washed thoroughly and closed. The patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital in good health.

Conclusion
Valentino's syndrome is an uncommon cause of right lower quadrant pain and symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis.
Representation of Women Among Cardiology Grand Rounds Speakers in the United States
Authors: DeFilippis Ersilia M. , Muppala Supriya , Kaur Gurleen , Huston Jessica H. , Harrington Robert A. , Capers Quinn , Douglas Pamela S. , Mahmud Nadim , Reza Nosheen 
Published: December 2024

ImportanceWomen are underrepresented in leadership positions in cardiology. Institutional grand rounds (GR) are platforms through which faculty can gain professional exposure and access to career development opportunities. The gender diversity of invited cardiology GR speakers has not been investigated.ObjectiveTo examine the representation of women among cardiology GR speakers in the United States.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study reviewed all 626 internal medicine residency training program websites in the American Medical Association’s FRIEDA directory to identify publicly available records of cardiology GR. Grand rounds from September 1997 through December 2022 were included; GR with more than 1 speaker and trainee-led case conferences were excluded.ExposuresGrand rounds speaker gender.Main Outcomes and MeasuresData on GR topic focus, speaker gender, and academic rank were collected.ResultsA total of 3806 GR lectures at 42 institutions were included; 799 (21%) were delivered by women and 3007 (79%) by men. The proportion of women GR speakers increased by 1% per year and increased for each topic over time with the exception of electrophysiology and basic/translational science. Women were most likely to speak on women’s cardiovascular health (80 lectures [10.0%] vs 17 [0.6%] for men; P &amp;lt; .001).Conclusions and RelevanceWomen compose about 1 in 5 cardiology GR speakers with modest growth in representation over time but remain underrepresented as GR speakers for procedural cardiology and basic/translational science topics.
Intravascular Sympathetic Stimulation to Facilitate Catheter Ablation of Premature Ventricular Complexes
Authors: Markman Timothy M. , Tschabrunn Cory M. , Callans David , Marchlinski Francis E. , Nazarian Saman 
Published: December 2024

ImportanceInfrequent intraprocedural premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) limit the efficacy of catheter ablation. Intravascular stimulation of sympathetic nerves via vertebral veins (VVs) has been used to activate cardiac sympathetic tone and may promote PVCs.ObjectiveTo characterize the ability of direct electrical sympathetic stimulation via VVs to induce PVCs at the time of catheter ablation.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis prospective case series involved adult patients undergoing catheter ablation of PVCs, with rare or absent PVCs despite standard provocation, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between 2022 and 2024. Stimulation was performed via the left VV (20 Hz, up to 25 mA).Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was PVC frequency, assessed before, during, and after stimulation. A multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to compare the rate of PVCs during the procedure.ResultsFifteen patients (mean [SD] age, 60 [17] years; 10 male [71%]) had a mean (SD) preprocedure PVC burden of 16.3% (8.6%) (median [IQR], 17.0% [11.5%-21.5%]), and 7 of 15 had undergone at least 1 prior unsuccessful ablation. Provocation of PVCs was attempted with isoproterenol, atrial and ventricular burst pacing, and minimal sedation in all patients before VV stimulation. Throughout the 10-minute period before VV stimulation, patients had a mean (SD) of 1.3 (1.4) PVCs (median [IQR], 1.0 [0.0-2.5] PVCs). During VV stimulation, PVCs were noted in all patients (mean [SD], 8.2 [5.7] PVCs per minute; median [IQR], 6.0 [4.5-13.0] PVCs per minute). In the 10-minute period after VV stimulation, patients had a mean (SD) of 5.1 (6.6) PVCs per minute (median [IQR], 3.0 [0.5-6.5] PVCs per minute). After VV stimulation, ablation was guided by activation mapping in 7 patients and by pace mapping alone in the remaining patients. Postablation monitoring demonstrated a mean (SD) 1.3% (2.3%) burden of PVCs (median [IQR], 0.0% [0.0%-2.5%]), with 9 of 15 patients having less than 1% burden of PVCs. There were no adverse events related to VV stimulation.Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings suggest that intravascular sympathetic stimulation via the VV can be used to safely provoke PVCs during catheter ablation.
Universal Health Checkups and Risk of Incident Diabetes and Hypertension
Authors: Takeuchi Masato , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Kawakami Koji 
Published: December 2024

ImportanceType 2 diabetes and hypertension are obesity-related, noncommunicable diseases becoming increasingly common worldwide. In 2008, Japan launched a nationwide universal health checkup program, Specific Health Checkup (SHC), for the primary prevention of obesity-related diseases, but its effectiveness has been understudied.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of the SHC program with incident diabetes and hypertension, using a target trial emulation framework.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study used data from a longitudinal health care database involving both checkup history and medical encounter records in Japan. Individuals aged 40 to 74 years, without diabetes or hypertension, and without a prior checkup history, were eligible. Individuals were repeatedly assessed for eligibility from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2020, to assemble sequential cohorts of 78 620 SHC participants and 214 554 nonparticipants. Statistical analysis was conducted from June 8 to December 30, 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe composite risk of incident type 2 diabetes or hypertension over a period of up to 10 years, defined as the combination of a newly documented diagnosis and use of relevant medications. A propensity score–weighted survival analysis was conducted to adjust for baseline variables. A series of sensitivity analyses and a negative outcome control analysis were conducted using depression as a benchmark.ResultsSequential cohorts consisted of 78 620 SHC participants (median age, 46 years [IQR, 41-53 years]; 62.7% women) and 214 554 nonparticipants (median age, 49 years [IQR, 44-55 years]; 82.0% women) from 153 084 unique persons, each of whom entered the study cohort a mean (SD) of 1.9 (1.5) times. Within a median follow-up of 4.2 years (IQR, 2.7-6.3 years), the primary end point occurred among 11.2% of all individuals (10.6% of the SHC participants and 11.4% of the nonparticipants), with a lower hazard ratio (HR) among the SHC recipients (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.89-0.92); the difference in cumulative incidence at 10 years was −1.6% (95% CI, −1.8% to −1.3%). The sensitivity analyses showed similar results. The negative control analysis suggested the potential for residual confounding (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07); the bias-calibrated HR was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89) for the primary outcome.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study, within a median of 4.2 years of follow-up, SHC recipients had a 9.8% lower risk of incident diabetes and hypertension (13.8% in the bias-calibrated analysis). The cost-effectiveness of the SHC and its transportability to other regions are unclear, requiring future investigations.
Commentary on “Consumed by Creed”
Authors: Fillon Adrien A. , Larigaldie Nathanael , Brown Nicholas J. L. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT“Consumed by Creed” is a research article that suggests a link between obsessive‐compulsive symptoms and support for political violence. Analyzing the article and the data set provided by the authors, we found errors in their methodology and procedures, accompanied by a high degree of researcher freedom that could have led to the finding of false‐positive results. Given the important political and psychological implications of the claimed findings and the weakness of the evidence presented, we recommend substantial caution in interpreting the results reported in the article, and we urge researchers to drastically improve current research practices in the field of radicalization to ensure that policy decisions are based on valid and reliable evidence.
Enhanced Cell Adhesion Properties of a Collagen‐Mimicking Peptide Through Site‐Specific L‐DOPA Incorporation
Authors: Pasi Deutschman Mor , Zevi Gal , Chen Saray , Kryukov Olga , Kass Itamar , Cohen Smadar , Alfonta Lital 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCollagen, a key structural protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM), provides essential physical and biological support for cells, making it indispensable in tissue engineering (TE). Producing collagen‐mimicking polypeptides (CMPs) in E. coli offers advantages such as rapid production, cost efficiency, and ease of genetic modifications. These CMPs can self‐assemble into collagen fibrils, although they lack the post‐translational modifications (PTMs) required for structural stability. To address this, the described E. coli system employs genetic code expansion to incorporate L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA) into CMPs at specific sites. The catechol side chain of L‐DOPA enhances molecular structural stability, supports cellular attachment, and promotes cell growth. These CMPs form a triple‐helix structure and self‐assemble in vitro to construct collagen fibrils, with the inclusion of L‐DOPA significantly enhancing the fibrillation process. The CMPs are biocompatible, enabling the spreading and increased metabolic activity of human fibroblasts cultured on 2‐D hydrogels or within 3‐D scaffolds, contingent on the presence of L‐DOPA‐incorporated CMPs. This system allows for precise genetic modifications, incorporating non‐canonical amino acids to customize CMP properties for diverse TE applications. This innovative strategy merges TE and synthetic biology to improve collagen‐based biomaterials, providing custom‐made solutions.
Visible‐ and Near‐Infrared Light‐Driven Molecular Photoswitches for Biological Applications
Authors: Xu Yang , Tang Yuqi , Li Quan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMolecular photoswitches can undergo isomerization under light exposure, making them uniquely attractive for high spatiotemporal resolution remote control of biological functions. Visible and near‐infrared (NIR) light, with their low energy consumption, high safety, and strong tissue penetration, are particularly suitable for biological applications. Therefore, developing visible‐ and NIR light‐driven molecular photoswitches for biological use is of great significance. This review introduces the most common visible‐ and NIR light‐driven molecular photoswitches and presents the state‐of‐art of their applications in bioimaging, biosensing, drug delivery, photocontrolled cancer phototherapy, and photopharmacology. The opportunities and challenges of the photoswitches for their future development in biological applications are outlined.
Pixel‐Level Hardware Strategy for Large‐Scale Convolution Calculation in Neuromorphic Devices
Authors: Zhang Xianghong , Liu Di , Wu Jianxin , Cheng Enping , Qin Congyao , Gao Changsong , Shan Liuting , Zou Yi , Hu Yuanyuan , Guo Tailiang , Chen Huipeng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractFor convolution neural networks, increasing the performance of hardware computer systems is crucial in the era of big data. Benefiting from the neuromorphic devices, producing the convolutional calculation at the crossbar array circuit has become a promising approach for high‐performance hardware computer systems. However, as computation scales, this hardware system faces the challenge of low resource utilization efficiency and low power efficiency. Here, a novel pixel‐level strategy, leveraging the dynamic change of electron concentration as the process of convolution calculation, is proposed for high‐performance hardware computer systems. Compared with the crossbar array circuit‐based strategy, instead of at least four devices, raised the power efficiency to 413% and decreased the training epochs to 38%. This work presents a novel physics‐based approach that enables highly efficient convolutional calculation, improves power efficiency, speeds up convergency, and paves the way for building complex convolution neural networks with large‐scale convolutional computation capabilities.
High‐Speed and Scalable Wet Spinning of Graphene/Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Composite Filaments
Authors: Martinez Antonio Proctor , Decker Lucy K. , Wang Kunyu , Kim Jong Bin , Murray Christopher B. , Yang Shu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLiquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are promising candidates for the development of soft, environmentally‐responsive actuators and have recently been explored for application in smart textiles and soft robotics. To realize the potential of LCEs within these systems, the fast, scalable, and continuous production of LCE filaments at controlled diameters is critical. Here, a wet‐spinning method is presented for the scalable manufacturing of graphene/LCE composite filaments. Through a double diffusion mechanism, the graphene/LCE precursors rapidly crosslink into tangible filaments without the use of UV light, instead taking advantage of solvent exchange and high catalyst influx. The continuous production of polydomain graphene/LCE filaments can achieve speeds up to 4500 m h−1. Through π−π interactions between graphene and the LCE matrix, the composite graphene/LCE filaments across a broad range of diameters (137 to 1128 µm) can be obtained with high integrity, achieving actuation stresses and strains up to 3.66 MPa and 44%, respectively, in 3 s. The filaments are showcased as artificial muscles, where both thin and thick filament sizes are of interest. The presented scalable wet‐spinning method will open new opportunities to design smart textiles and soft robotics from fibers of controlled sizes.
STING‐Activating Polymers Boost Lymphatic Delivery of mRNA Vaccine to Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Miao , Wang Yongling , Li Benhao , Yang Bowei , Zhao Mengyao , Li Bingyu , Liu Jianping , Hu Yaxin , Wu Zhaoming , Ong Yenhui , Han Xiaolin , Ding Lingwen , Zhu Kongfu , Li Jianwei , Luo Min , Chen Shengqi , Peng Ling , Zhang Longjiang , Chen Xiaoyuan , Ni Qianqian 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe unprecedented success of mRNA vaccines against COVID‐19 has inspired scientists to develop mRNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. However, using nucleoside modified mRNA as vaccine, though evading innate immune toxicity, diminishes its therapeutic efficacy for cancers. Here, we report a polyvalent stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activating polymer (termed as PD) to bolster the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccine. PD is made of tertiary amine units and conjugated with a biodegradable alkyl chain. Co‐formulation of PDs bearing different number of tertiary amines with lipid materials and mRNA resulted in the lipid‐like nanoparticles (PD LNPs) which effectively promoted lymphatic delivery and elicited robust immune activation via the STING signaling pathway. Notably, PD with eighteen tertiary amines (PD18) is predominant in balancing immune activity and tolerability. Subcutaneous administration of PD18 LNPs containing ovalbumin (OVA) mRNA enhanced the frequency of antigen specific CD8+ T cell with immune memory, leading to potent anticancer efficacy that surpassed 2′3’‐cGAMP in both prophylactic and therapeutic cancer models. Additionally, PD18 LNP‐based mRNA vaccine showed conferred resistance to cancer challenge for up to 60 days. Overall, this study offers a new perspective of using STING‐ activating polymer for imparting synergistic activity in mRNA vaccine‐based cancer immunotherapy.
Expandable Fast Li‐Ion Diffusion Network of Li‐Rich Mn‐Based Oxides via Single‐Layer LiCo(Ni)O2 Segregation
Authors: Yang Yali , Luo Tie , Zuo Yuxuan , Wang Hangchao , Gao Chuan , Cai Junfei , Yang Tonghuan , Xiao Wukun , Yu Yue , Xia Dingguo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLi‐rich Mn‐based cathode materials exhibit a remarkable reversible specific capacity exceeding 250 mAh g−1, positioning them as the preferred choice for the next generation of high‐energy density lithium‐ion battery cathode materials. However, their inferior rate and cycling performance pose significant challenges. In this context, a Li‐rich material incorporating an expanded fast Li‐ion diffusion network has been successfully synthesized. This advancement involves the introduction of a single‐layer of LiCo(Ni)O2 with high Li‐ion diffusion coefficients into the crystal structure of Li‐rich cathode, thereby enhancing the rate performance, achieving an impressive capacity of 212 mAh g−1 at 5 C. Furthermore, the single‐layer LiCo(Ni)O2 can effectively isolates Li2MnO3 phase domains, thereby enhancing the structural stability during the anion redox process, consequently extending the electrochemical stability limits. Operating within a voltage range of 2.1–4.6 V, the capacity retention reaches 80% after 400 cycles, with a voltage decay of merely 0.74 mV per cycle. This innovative utilization of an expanded fast Li‐ion diffusion network provides invaluable insights that will guide the development of strategies aimed at unlocking rate capability in layered oxide cathode materials.