bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Cases of Nonvisualized Appendix on Ultrasound Not Actually Appendicitis? Single‐Center Results
Authors: Ulutaş Mehmet Eşref , Balcı Eray , Hasırcı İsmail , Ataş Abdullah Enes , Yılmaz Abdullah Hilmi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundUltrasonography (USG), which is used as the first step in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA), sometimes cannot visualize the appendix. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical, imaging, and pathology results of these cases and to provide information to clinicians about the next step to be taken.MethodsThe study was performed retrospectively between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Patients with a prediagnosis of AA who underwent USG as the first‐line imaging modality and in whom the appendix could not be visualized were included. Imaging, clinical, and pathology results of the patients were analyzed, and the study was completed by comparing patients with and without computed tomography (CT) scans as well as patients with and without AA diagnosis.ResultsThe study included 176 patients aged 18–89 years, 63 (35.8%) of whom were male and 113 (64.2%) female. The mean age was 37.5 ± 17.8 years. CT was not performed in 97 patients (55.1%), while it was performed in 79 patients (44.9%). Of the patients, 121 (68.7%) were discharged and 55 (31.2%) were hospitalized. Of the patients who were hospitalized, 36 (20.5%) received medical treatment and 19 (10.7%) received surgical treatment. Fifteen patients (8.5%) were pathologically diagnosed with AA. Two patients (1.1%) who were discharged without CT were subsequently diagnosed with AA. The white blood cell (WBC) count of patients operated on for AA was 13.4 ± 3.9 × 103/mL, while the WBC count of the other patients was 10.3 ± 4.2 × 103/mL (p = 0.009). The proportion of patients with an Alvarado score of ≥ 6 was 80% in patients diagnosed with AA, while this rate was 4.3% in other patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn cases of a nonvisualized appendix on USG, the absence of leukocytosis and an Alvarado score below 6 may suggest a reduced likelihood of AA. Consequently, further investigations, such as CT and magnetic resonance imaging, could be avoided.
Fused extracellular vesicles from M2 macrophages and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the targeted regulation of macrophage pyroptosis in periprosthetic osteolysis
Authors: Liu Qimeng , Ma Tianliang , Zhang Zheyu , Nan Jiangyu , Liu Guanzhi , Yang Yute , Hu Yihe , Xie Jie 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of aseptic loosening of prostheses stands as a critical area of global research interest. The pyroptosis of local macrophages triggered by wear particles plays a pivotal role in the onset of periprosthetic osteolysis and subsequent loosening. Extracellular vesicles, carrying the surface components and regulatory molecules of their parent cells, embody the cellular characteristics and biological functions of these progenitors. In a pioneering approach to precisely inhibit the pyroptosis of local macrophages induced by wear particles, we have engineered fused extracellular vesicles (fEV) from M2 macrophages and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. These fEV boast the distinctive capability for targeted transport and immune evasion, collectively enhancing the anti‐pyroptosis effect of the therapeutic extracellular vesicles. Our research demonstrates the targeted, significant preventive and therapeutic potential of fEVs against periprosthetic osteolysis prompted by wear particles, highlighting its crucial clinical significance and application prospects. These findings suggest that extracellular vesicle fusion technology heralds a novel paradigm in the design and development of targeted extracellular vesicle‐based drug delivery systems.
Bothersome Back Exchange in MALDI Plume and Its Impact on Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Lou Xianwen , van Houtem Michel , Lafleur René P. M. , Schoenmakers Sandra M. C. , van Dongen Joost L. J. , Palmans Anja R. A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTOne critical issue in hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX MS) analysis is the deleterious back exchange. Herein, we report that when matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is used, the MALDI process itself can also cause significant back exchange. The back exchange occurred inside the reactive MALDI plume was investigated by depositing a fully deuterated sample prepared in D2O on top of a preloaded dried layer of matrix. A benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA) compound that can form supramolecular polymer in water and five peptides of angiotensin II (AT), pentaglycine (5G), pentaalanine (5A), cyclohexaglycine (C6G), and cyclohexaalanine (C6A) were selected as the testing compounds. Just like the situation in solution, the back exchange for the side chains and end groups is fast in the MALDI plume, while for the backbone amides, it is slow and dependent on the primary structure of the peptide. For the peptides tested, 5%–15% of D‐labels in the backbone amides can be lost during the MALDI process. This degree of back exchange, although not an unbearable problem for most HDX MS applications as 85%–95% of the informative labels would still survive, could seriously limit the use of MALDI in the HDX MS analysis of supramolecular assemblies. For these assemblies, the EX1‐like mechanism with two distinct distributions is common, and the back exchange could gravely distort or even merge the distinct isotopic distributions, which are the characteristic symbols of EX1.
Estimation of Break and Noise Variance and the Maximum Distance of Climate Stations Allowed in Relative Homogenisation of Annual Temperature Anomalies
Authors: Lindau Ralf 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTRelative homogenisation uses the difference time series of neighbouring climate stations in order to reduce the dominating variance of the climate signal. Larger distances between the stations reduce the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) because the noise variance increases while the break variance remains constant. For different continents, we derive the distance where noise and break variance become equal (SNR = 1). This is an estimate for the maximum allowed distance because SNRs below 1 bear the risk that the homogenisation produces nonsense results. Technically, the break variance is derived by extrapolating the autocovariance to zero temporal distance. An analogous treatment of the variance provides an estimate of the sum of break and noise variance, so that the SNR can be concluded. However, the unavoidable usage of anomalies and limited time series shifts and bends the commonly assumed simple functions (decreasing exponential for the covariance and constant for the variance) in a complex manner. The actually occurring functions are theoretically derived and then fitted to observational data. Above that, we show that also in North America, the inhomogeneity levels themselves and not the jumps between them can be described as a random variable. Consequently, no Brownian‐motion‐type inhomogeneities seem to exist, as it was suggested in earlier studies.
Post‐irradiation Sinus Mucosa Disease in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated With Proton Therapy
Authors: Wu Pei‐Wen , Huang Chi‐Che , Chang Po‐Hung , Lee Ta‐Jen , Lin Chien‐Yu , Chang Joseph Tung‐Chieh , Huang Chien‐Chia 
Published: December 2024

ObjectivePost‐irradiation sinonasal mucosa disease (SMD) is observed in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy (RT), leading to a detrimental impact on quality of life. This study aimed to assess the incidence, severity, and regression of the post‐irradiation SMD among patients with NPC treated with proton therapy.MethodsNPC patients treated with proton therapy were retrospectively enrolled. The incidence of SMD was detected using scheduled follow‐up magnetic resonance images. The severity of SMD was evaluated using the Lund–Mackay (L–M) staging system. Localized inflammation of the nasopharynx was measured with the endoscopy score.ResultsA total of 161 NPC patients were recruited. The incidence of SMD significantly increased from the third month to the first year after RT. The severity of SMD gradually decreased over time. Regression analyses showed that patients with pre‐treatment SMD (OR = 1.75; p = 0.005) and lower serum total protein (OR = 0.16; p = 0.01) were associated with persistence of SMD at 2 years post‐RT. Correlations were observed between post‐RT L‐M and endoscopy scores (rs = 0.239, p < 0.001). A high endoscopy score (cut‐off value, 1.5 [sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 49.2%]) predicted the persistence of SMD.ConclusionsProton therapy in patients with NPC induces SMD, which peaked at 3 months post‐RT, decreased gradually with time, and became insignificant at 2 years post‐RT. Pre‐existence of SMD and lower serum total protein levels were factors associated with the persistence of post‐irradiation SMDs.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 2024
All‐Optical Coherent Control of Ultrafast Injection Photocurrent in Multilayer Rhenium Disulfide Under Two‐Color Light Excitation
Authors: Xing Leidong , Cao Xueqin , Wang Fan , Xi Yayan , Xu Guorong , Xue Xinyi , Ge Yanqing , Huang Yuanyuan , Xu Xinlong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractQuantum coherence by electronic quantum interference (QI) is significant to generate macroscopic photocurrent without heterostructures in both bulk and low‐dimensional materials. However, the coherent injection photocurrent by QI in low‐dimensional materials can be veiled by other linear or nonlinear optical effects. Herein, the coherent ultrafast injection photocurrent is investigated by coherent terahertz (THz) wave generation in multilayer rhenium disulfide (ReS2) at the nanometer scale under two‐color light excitation. It is observed that the THz radiation can be controlled by adjusting the relative phase between the two‐color lights under normal incidence. The experimental results demonstrate that the THz radiation of ReS2 is ascribed to the injection photocurrent from the electronic coherence of QI effect. However, the injection photocurrent is veiled by the nonlinear polarization, shift current, and drift current under oblique incidence. A method is proposed to isolate the pure injection photocurrent from these optical responses, based on the THz amplitude dependences on the pump power, incident polarization angle, and the relative phase between the two‐color lights. This work not only provides an all‐optical non‐contact method for understanding the quantum photocurrent in ReS2 but also promotes the quantum coherent control for solid‐state quantum devices.
A Novel Crosslinking Approach for Biomanufacturing of a Collagen‐Based Skin Dermal Template
Authors: Chan Weng Wan , Roy Keya Rani , Le Bach Quang , Ezhilarasu Hariharan , Zhang Xiaoqian , Lim Ryan Yi Da , Banerjee Avinanda , Kuriakose Mariya , Ng Krystle Joy , Murugan Priya , Goh Chun Ting , Zhou Weibiao , Naing May Win , Raghavan Srikala , Choudhury Deepak 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThird‐degree burns result in extensive damage to the skin's epidermal and dermal layers, with limited treatment options available. Currently, xenogeneic collagen‐based skin grafts are used as scaffolds to integrate into the wound bed and provide a template for neodermis formation. Existing commercial products like Integra dermal templates rely on a time‐consuming and variable dehydrothermal (DHT) crosslinking process. This study presents a novel crosslinking process for collagen sponges, utilizing UV irradiation followed by glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking. This UV method allows to fine‐tune the template's crosslink density and degradation profile while significantly reducing the total crosslinking time from 48 to 24 h compared to DHT/GA crosslinking. In vitro characterization and in vivo validation are conducted using a full‐thickness skin wound mouse model. The collagen template supports the human dermal fibroblast cell line WS‐1 proliferation more effectively than the Integra template after 2 weeks in culture. Additionally, in vivo data indicate a similar level of regeneration of full‐thickness skin wounds in mouse models between the sponge and Integra templates. Furthermore, the sponge template does not elicit any abnormal angiogenic or immune responses. The crosslinking approach offers a promising alternative production process for collagen sponge scaffolds.
Thermal Conductivity Hydroxylated Boron Nitride/Polyurethane/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Nanofiber Film Prepared by Electrospinning
Authors: Zhao Guan zhi , Ma Ruijie , Yin Yunjie 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAs functional composite materials rapidly develop, the insufficient thermal conductivity of polymer materials to meet application requirements is becoming increasingly apparent. In this work, electrospinning is employed to prepare hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheet (OH‐BNNSs)/water‐based polyurethane (WPU)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofiber membranes with good thermal conductivity. When the content of OH‐BNNSs is 10 wt.%, the thermal conductivity of the OH‐BNNS/PVA/WPU composite nanofiber membrane can reach 0.629 W (mK)−1, with yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elastic modulus of ≈3.85, ≈5.87, and ≈35.22 MPa, respectively. The results indicate that the OH‐BNNS/WPU/PVA composite nanofiber membrane exhibits good thermal conductivity and outstanding hydrophilicity. When the content of OH‐BNNSs is appropriate, the composite membrane also demonstrates good mechanical properties, showing significant potential in the field of thermally conductive polymer materials.
Effects of Chain Dispersity on the Stability of Frank–Kasper Phases Self‐Assembled from Diblock Copolymers
Authors: Lai Chi To , Shi An‐Chang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe effect of chain dispersity on the relative stability of Frank–Kasper (FK) phases self‐assembled from diblock copolymers (DBCPs) is studied using self‐consistent field theory applied to DBCPs with one disperse block obeying the Poisson or Schulz–Zimm distributions. The results demonstrate that the chain dispersity enhances the relative stability of the FK phases. For DBCPs with small conformational asymmetry, the FK phase can be stabilized by dispersity and the stability window of the FK phases widens with the increase of dispersity. For DBCPs with large conformational asymmetry, the Laves C14 and C15 phases, which are metastable in monodisperse DBCPs, can be stabilized by dispersity. An analysis of the spatial organization of polymers reveals that the enhanced stability of the FK phases originated from intra‐ and inter‐domain segregation of chains with different lengths.
Polymer Brush‐Functionalized MoS2 as a Water‐Based Lubricant Additive
Authors: Ren Haohao , Zeng Huayi , Sun Chufeng , Yang Jianghong , Luo Xingping , Li Jia , Li Bin , Sheng Wenbo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWater‐based lubricants have the advantages of low cost, easy cleaning, and environmental friendliness, and are suitable for various lubrication applications. However, the limited tribological properties of pure water‐based lubricants restrict their use. To improve these properties, water‐based lubrication additives can be employed. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is widely used in tribology because of its stability, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, but it has poor dispersion in water. To address this, MoS2 functionalized with poly(3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt) (MoS2+PSPMA) is successfully prepared by grafting polymer brushes onto MoS2 using ultraviolet light. The results show that MoS2+PSPMA exhibits significantly better dispersion stability in water compared to unmodified MoS2. Additionally, MoS2+PSPMA demonstrates superior tribological properties as a water‐based lubrication additive. During reciprocating friction, MoS2+PSPMA disperses effectively in water, forming a protective film on the wear surface that reduces friction. As an additive, MoS2+PSPMA indicates good dispersion and a low friction coefficient in water, positioning it as a promising candidate for future water‐based lubricants.
Strong and Tough Self‐Healing Elastomers via BTA‐Mediated Microstructure and Metal‐ligand Coordination
Authors: Huang Xinyi , Lai Yundong , Li Haonan , He Yuanxin , Wang Lingna , Zhang Haoran , Xu Yongfeng , Zhang Qiuyu , Li Chunmei 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCreating elastomers with high strength, toughness, and rapid self‐healing remains a key challenge. These seemingly contradictory properties require innovative design strategies. Herein, a novel approach is proposed by simultaneously incorporating a unique triple hydrogen bond unit, benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA), and imidazole‐Zn2+ dynamic coordination into the elastomer. The BTA forms rigid fibers through self‐assembly via triple hydrogen bonding, inducing microphase separation that significantly enhances the material's properties. Hydrogen bonds and coordination interactions provide dynamic reversibility and self‐healing, achieving a balance of strength, toughness, and healing capabilities. By varying the BTA content and the degree of coordination crosslinking, the elastomer's strength is tunable within 8.79–2.03 MPa, and it boasts an impressive elongation at a break of up to 700%. Remarkably, it recovers 94.6% of its strength after being cut in half, facilitated by treatment with DMF at 70 °C for 24 h. Furthermore, the integration of carbon nanotubes endows the material with resistance‐sensing, enabling real‐time monitoring of human movements. Overall, this study lays a theoretical foundation and introduces innovative concepts for the development of high‐toughness self‐healing elastomers.
Relationship Between Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measures and Functional Changes in Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Sherlock Sarah P. , McCrady Allison , Palmer Jeffrey , Aghamolaey Haleh , Ahlgren André , Widholm Per , Dahlqvist Leinhard Olof , Karlsson Markus 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIntroduction/AimsImproved methodologies to monitor the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are needed, especially in the context of clinical trials. We report changes in muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in participants with DMD, including changes in lean muscle volume (LMV), muscle fat fraction (MFF), and muscle fat infiltration (MFI) and their relationship to changes in functional parameters.MethodsMRI data were obtained as part of a clinical study (NCT02310763) of domagrozumab, an antibody‐targeting myostatin that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. This post hoc analysis evaluated participants with Dixon MRI data and corresponding functional data at baseline and weeks 49 and 97. Images were analyzed to evaluate changes in adductors, hamstrings, and quadriceps.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between increases in LMV and function. LMV changes in adductors (R = 0.51) and quadriceps (R = 0.54) showed a stronger correlation with function than LMV changes in hamstrings (R = 0.30). There was a negative correlation between MFF and MFI, respectively, and function in adductors (R = −0.57, R = −0.42), quadriceps (R = −0.59, R = −0.50), and hamstrings (R = −0.53, R = −048). Participants with preserved North Star Ambulatory Assessment scores had high total LMV (LMVtot) and low total MFI (MFItot). Low ratios of LMVtot to MFItot, or participants with small LMVtot and high MFItot, appeared to have a rapid decline in function and loss of ambulation.DiscussionThese findings support the use of MRI biomarkers as potential surrogate endpoints in clinical trials of patients with DMD.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02310763
Fast High‐Resolution Metabolite Mapping in the rat Brain Using 1H‐FID‐MRSI at 14.1 T
Authors: Simicic Dunja , Alves Brayan , Mosso Jessie , Briand Guillaume , Lê Thanh Phong , van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Starčuková Jana , Lanz Bernard , Klauser Antoine , Strasser Bernhard , Bogner Wolfgang , Cudalbu Cristina 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMagnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) enables the simultaneous noninvasive acquisition of MR spectra from multiple spatial locations inside the brain. Although 1H‐MRSI is increasingly used in the human brain, it is not yet widely applied in the preclinical setting, mostly because of difficulties specifically related to very small nominal voxel size in the rat brain and low concentration of brain metabolites, resulting in low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). In this context, we implemented a free induction decay 1H‐MRSI sequence (1H‐FID‐MRSI) in the rat brain at 14.1 T. We combined the advantages of 1H‐FID‐MRSI with the ultra‐high magnetic field to achieve higher SNR, coverage, and spatial resolution in the rat brain and developed a custom dedicated processing pipeline with a graphical user interface for Bruker 1H‐FID‐MRSI: MRS4Brain toolbox. LCModel fit, using the simulated metabolite basis set and in vivo measured MM, provided reliable fits for the data at acquisition delays of 1.30 ms. The resulting Cramér–Rao lower bounds were sufficiently low (< 30%) for eight metabolites of interest (total creatine, N‐acetylaspartate, N‐acetylaspartate + N‐acetylaspartylglutamate, total choline, glutamine, glutamate, myo‐inositol, and taurine), leading to highly reproducible metabolic maps. Similar spectral quality and metabolic maps were obtained with one and two averages, with slightly better contrast and brain coverage due to increased SNR in the latter case. Furthermore, the obtained metabolic maps were accurate enough to confirm the previously known brain regional distribution of some metabolites. The acquisitions proved high reproducibility over time. We demonstrated that the increased SNR and spectral resolution at 14.1 T can be translated into high spatial resolution in 1H‐FID‐MRSI of the rat brain in 13 min using the sequence and processing pipeline described herein. High‐resolution 1H‐FID‐MRSI at 14.1 T provided robust, reproducible, and high‐quality metabolic mapping of brain metabolites with minimal technical limitations.
The effect of inter‐municipal cooperation on social assistance programs: Evidence from housing allowances in England
Authors: Elston Thomas , Bel Germà , Wang Han 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDecentralized implementation of means‐tested social assistance programs requires significant organizational capacity among local governments. For other types of local public service, like refuse collection and utilities provision, inter‐municipal cooperation has proven capable of reducing the cost of subnational policy implementation, especially for smaller municipalities. But few impact evaluations test whether the same benefits can be achieved for less capital‐intensive and more co‐produced services, like social assistance. Moreover, most evaluations focus on production costs alone, despite the potential trade‐off with service quality. We analyze panel data describing both the cost and quality of housing allowance administration for 314 local authorities in England between 2009 and 2019, during which time 80 switched from autonomous services to inter‐municipal cooperation. Using coarsened exact matching and stacked difference‐in‐differences, we find no evidence of short‐term savings after cooperation, and only weak indications thereafter. We also observe declining processing speeds, increased maladministration, and signs of reduced payment accuracy, though mostly these are temporary effects. Altogether, these results suggest that, in this setting, inter‐municipal cooperation may be unsuited to labor‐intensive public services; that short‐ and long‐term effects can differ; and that, even in the absence of a profit motive, quality shading remains a risk in cooperation reforms.