bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Clinical Value of 2‐h Versus 4‐h Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Shargo Ryan , Luongo Michael , Mhaskar Rahul , Lu Peter L. , Wilsey Michael 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe gold‐standard diagnostic test for gastroparesis is gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES). Although a 4‐h GES is recommended in adult guidelines, no similar guidelines exist in the pediatric population, with many hospitals utilizing a 2‐h scan to reduce radiation exposure and save time.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate differences in the diagnosis of gastroparesis during 2‐h versus 4‐h GES. Four databases were systematically searched for articles reporting results of GES at both the 2‐ and 4‐h time points in a pediatric population. Outcomes included the proportion of patients with gastroparesis at 2‐ and 4‐h and the number of patients with differing transit status (normal or abnormal) from 2‐ to 4‐h. Meta‐analyses were conducted utilizing a random effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed utilizing the I2 statistic.Key ResultsA total of 344 records were identified, of which 9 articles met inclusion criteria. Of these, six articles were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled proportion of patients with alterations in gastric transit between 2 and 4 h was 0.2 (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.30). Overall, the extended 4‐h scan captured an additional 10% of patients with gastroparesis. There was significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 91.8%, p < 0.001), likely due to differences in GES protocol and patient samples.Conclusions and InferencesThe 4‐h GES offers a higher diagnostic yield in pediatric patients compared to a 2‐h study, despite heterogeneity in existing research. Further prospective studies are necessary to further quantify this advantage.
A Narrative Exploration of Family Members' Perspectives of Life Story Phases Following Transition of an Older Family Relative Into Long‐Term Care
Authors: Corbally Melissa , Ffrench Orla , Rodger Daragh , Ricci Rachele , Phelan Amanda 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe transition of an older person from a home environment into long‐term care is frequently unplanned and complex. Little is known about how relatives make sense of supporting the transition of their relatives to long‐term care.ObjectiveThis study explored family members' narratives of the process of supporting the transition of their older relative into long‐term care.MethodLife stories of six relatives who supported transitioning their older family relatives into a nursing home were collected using open narrative questioning in accordance with the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method. Data was analysed using a dialogic/performance analysis narrative analytic method.ResultsFour key life story phases were identified: before transition, crisis event, transition and after transition. These phases varied in time duration and involvement of healthcare providers. The longest phase was ‘before transition’ where a process of slow deterioration became more apparent to the participants retrospectively. This was followed by the shortest period ‘crisis event’ where the older person was admitted to tertiary care. Two permeating themes: family dynamics and knowledge/understanding underpinned all life story phases.ConclusionsRelatives' knowledge, family dynamics and positioning of self‐informed the duration of the life story phases of participants as they navigated the transition. Understanding nuanced differences in relatives' life story phases highlights how timing of information provision can affect the emotional adjustment of relatives experiencing this challenging process.Implications for PracticeBoth community and gerontological nurses' offer real potential to provide tailored and effective responses to relatives depending on each life phase. Sequencing of information appropriate to the life phase could potentially ease the stress associated with transitioning to nursing home care, possibly preventing a crisis event from occurring. Anticipatory conversations also offer potential to alleviate relatives' concerns through life story phases.
Evaluating CNN Architectures for the Automated Detection and Grading of Modic Changes in MRI: A Comparative Study
Authors: Xing Li‐peng , Liu Gang , Zhang Hao‐chen , Wang Lei , Zhu Shan , Bao Man Du La Hua , Wang Yan‐ni , Chen Chao , Wang Zhi , Liu Xin‐yu , Zhang Shuai , Yang Qiang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveModic changes (MCs) classification system is the most widely used method in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for characterizing subchondral vertebral marrow changes. However, it shows a high degree of sensitivity to variations in MRI because of its semiquantitative nature. In 2021, the authors of this classification system further proposed a quantitative and reliable MC grading method. However, automated tools to grade MCs are lacking. This study developed and investigated the performance of convolutional neural network (CNN) in detecting and grading MCs based on their maximum vertical extent. In order to verify performance, we tested CNNs' generalization performance, the performance of CNN with that of junior doctors, and the consistency of junior doctors after AI assistance.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 139 patients' MRIs with MCs was conducted and annotated by a spine surgeon. Of the 139 patients, MRIs from 109 patients were acquired using Philips scanners from June 2020 to June 2021, constituting Dataset 1. The remaining 30 patients had MRIs obtained from both Philips and United Imaging scanners from June 2022 to March 2023, forming Dataset 2. YOLOv8 and YOLOv5 were developed in PyCharm using the Python language and based on the PyTorch deep learning framework, data enhancement and transfer learning were applied to enhance model generalization. The model's performance was compared with precision, recall, F1 score, and mAP50. It also tested generalizability and compared it with the junior doctor's performance on the second data set (Dataset 2). Post hoc, the junior doctor graded Dataset 2 with CNN assistance. In addition, the region of interest was displayed using the class activation mapping heat map.ResultsOn the unseen test set, the YOLOv8 and YOLOv5 models achieved precision of 81.60% and 61.59%, recall of 80.90% and 67.16%, mAP50 of 84.40% and 68.88%, and F1 of 0.81 and 0.60 respectively. On Dataset 2, YOLOv8 and junior doctor achieved precision of 95.1% and 72.5%, recall of 68.3% and 60.6%. In the AI‐assisted experiment, agreement between the junior doctor and the senior spine surgeon significantly improved from Cohen's kappa of 0.368–0.681.ConclusionsYOLOv8 in detecting and grading MCs was significantly superior to that of YOLOv5. The performance of YOLOv8 is superior to that of junior doctors, and it can enhance the capabilities of junior doctors and improve the reliability of diagnoses.
Macrophage Polarization in the Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis and Treatment
Authors: Zou Xiongfei , Xu Hongjun , Qian Wenwei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTOsteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disorder that severely impacts quality of life due to pain and disability. Although the pathophysiology of OA remains incompletely understood, recent research highlights the role of synovial inflammation in OA onset and progression, driven primarily by inflammatory infiltrates, especially macrophages, in the synovium. These macrophages respond to the local microenvironment, polarizing into either pro‐inflammatory (M1) or anti‐inflammatory (M2) subtypes. This review focuses on the role of macrophage polarization in OA pathogenesis and treatment, emphasizing how M1/M2 polarization is influenced by pathways such as STAT, NF‐κB, caspase, and MAPK. These pathways induce low‐grade inflammation within OA‐affected joints, altering chondrocyte metabolism, inhibiting cartilage repair, and impairing mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis, thereby contributing to OA progression. Additionally, this review discusses potential therapies targeting macrophage polarization, encompassing compounds, proteins, cells, and microRNAs, to offer insights into novel treatment strategies for OA.
Does lung function in preschoolers help to predict asthma in later life?
Authors: Owens Louisa , Le Souëf Peter N. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe earliest respiratory function assessments, within or close to the neonatal period, consistently show correlations with lung function and with the development of asthma into adulthood. Measurements of lung function in infancy reflect the in utero period of lung development, and if early enough, show little influence of postnatal environmental exposures. Later in the preschool and school age periods, influences of the environment are superimposed on initial levels. Fetal exposures before birth such as maternal smoking during pregnancy, lead to reduced lung function and an increased risk of asthma in females particularly those with certain glutathione S‐transferase genotypes. Lung function measurements later in the preschool period are also associated with development of asthma. Although lung function in preschoolers does help predict asthma in later life and these observations have increased our understanding of the physiology underlying asthma, the findings have not led to thewidespread use of lung function measurements being in preschoolers as clinical predictors of asthma due to the practicalities of testing in this age group.
CRISPR‐Cas9 Mediated Gene Editing Platform Through Callus‐to‐Plant Regeneration and Functional Analysis of DoALA4─DoALA6 in Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Li Ying , Yang Jiapeng , Zhang Qian , Zhang Ke , Xue Qingyun , Liu Wei , Ding Xiaoyu , Niu Zhitao 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTDendrobium orchids are well known for their great horticultural and medicinal values; however, the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system for Dendrobium species still needs to be improved. Therefore, this study aims to establish a CRISPR/Cas9‐based functional validation system using Dendrobium officinale as a model species for the Dendrobium genus and to validate the DoALA4─DoALA6 genes, which may relate to growth and disease resistance. We first conducted a bioinformatics analysis of the P‐type ATPase gene family in D. officinale, revealing the evolutionary diversity of P‐type ATPase genes in orchids. Second, we inserted the GFP gene into the vector of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system to enhance the selection efficiency of genome‐edited plants. Comparative analysis showed that different explants exhibited varying transformation efficiencies, ranging from 5% to 46.2%. Considering the regeneration capability, survival rate and gene editing efficiency, we selected callus as the transformation explant. Third, we used this editing system to generate DoALA4─DoALA6 mutants. Phenotypic observations of the mutants and inoculation of D. officinale with Sclerotium rolfsii indicated that DoALA4─DoALA6 are crucial for the growth of D. officinale and its resistance to southern blight disease. This efficient and stable CRISPR/Cas9 platform offers a foundation for further gene studies and Dendrobium breeding.
Soft tissue tumor with BRAF and NRAS mutations sharing features with NTRK‐rearranged spindle cell neoplasm: A case report expanding the spectrum of spindle cell tumor with kinase gene alterations
Authors: Kakuda Yuko , Kato Ikuma , Kawata Takuya , Goto Keisuke , Ito Kan , Satake Ryo , Toki Shunichi , Murata Hideki , Wasa Junji , Katagiri Hirohisa , Takahashi Mitsuru , Nagashima Takeshi , Mori Taro , Oda Yoshinao , Sugino Takashi , Yamaguchi Ken 
Published: December 2024

AbstractNTRK‐rearranged spindle cell neoplasm is a group of tumors characterized by NTRK1/2/3 gene fusion. Recently, tumors with other kinase fusion genes were reported to exhibit similar morphologies. Herein, we discuss an adult‐onset soft tissue tumor with similar histologic patterns as kinase gene fusion‐related tumors but with BRAF and NRAS mutations. A female in her 40s had a 40 mm tumor with an unclear border in the soft tissue of her foot joint. Short spindle‐shaped tumor cell proliferation with abundant capillaries and collagen fiber bundles were observed. The tumor infiltrated the subcutaneous adipose tissue, exhibiting a lipofibromatosis‐like pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells coexpressed CD34, S‐100, and BRAF V600E. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed BRAF p.V600E and NRAS p.Q61K mutations. Since BRAF activation occurs in BRAF fusion gene tumors and BRAF mutations, they could share a similar mechanism in tumorigenesis. This case suggests the further expansion of kinase‐related spindle cell tumors.
Numerical Approaches in Nonlinear Fourier Transform‐Based Signal Processing for Telecommunications
Authors: Sedov Egor , Chekhovskoy Igor , Fedoruk Mikhail , Turitsyn Sergey 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTWe discuss applications of the inverse scattering transform, also known as the nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) in telecommunications, both for nonlinear optical fiber communication channel equalization and time‐domain signal processing techniques. Our main focus is on the challenges and recent progress in the development of efficient numerical algorithms and approaches to NFT implementation.
Externalist XAI?
Authors: Søgaard Anders 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDevelopers of artificial intelligence (AI) often cannot explain the inferences their neural networks make, at least not in ways that satisfy user needs. XAI—explainable artificial intelligence—aims to develop techniques for providing such explanations. XAI researchers have adopted techniques that, to philosophers, seem representationalist–internalist, leading some philosophers to call for more externalist alternatives. But is explaining AI models through causally related external factors feasible? I suggest we compare the idea of externalist XAI to so‐called functionalist XAI. Two common arguments against functionalist XAI are the Epistemic Argument and the Trust Argument, respectively. I discuss whether these arguments can be met by externalists, as well as a new, previously unnoticed challenge from random initialization.
A conserved nuclear factor YC subunit, NF‐YC3, is essential for arbuscule development
Authors: Xie Kun , Ren Yuhan , Huang Yujuan , Wang Lingxiao , Li Lechuan , Ye Hanghang , Yang Congfan , Wang Shuangshuang , Xu Guohua , Chen Aiqun 
Published: December 2024

SUMMARYEstablishing reciprocal symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is an important evolutionary strategy of most terrestrial plants to adapt to environmental stresses, especially phosphate (Pi) deficiencies. Identifying the key genes essential for AM symbiosis in plants and dissecting their functional mechanisms will be helpful for the breeding of new crop varieties with enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency. Here, we report a nuclear factor YC subunit‐encoding gene, OsNF‐YC3, whose expression is specifically induced in arbuscule‐containing cells, plays an essential role in AM symbiosis. Knockout of OsNF‐YC3 resulted in stunted arbuscule morphology and substantially decreased P accumulation, while overexpressing OsNF‐YC3 enhanced mycorrhization and Pi uptake efficiency. OsNF‐YC3 is directly regulated by OsPHRs, the major regulators of Pi starvation responses. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis uncovered multiple genes with crucial roles in arbuscule development as its potential downstream targets, including the AM‐specific Pi transporter gene OsPT11. OsNF‐YC3 can form a heterotrimer with the other two NF‐Y subunits, OsNF‐YA11 and OsNF‐YB11, in yeast. Loss of OsNF‐YA11 function also severely impaired arbuscule development in its mutants. Overall, our results highlight an essential role of OsNF‐YC3 and its potential interacting NF‐Y subunit, OsNF‐YA11, in regulating AM symbiosis and arbuscule development.
An independent biosynthetic route to frame a xanthanolide‐type sesquiterpene lactone in Asteraceae
Authors: Li Changfu , Li Yuanjun , Wang Jinxu , Lu Fengliu , Zheng Lifen , Yang Lu , Sun Wenwen , Ro Dae‐Kyun , Qu Xudong , Wu Yihan , Zhang Yansheng 
Published: December 2024

SUMMARYXanthanolides, also described as seco‐guaianolides, are unique sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) with diverse bioactivities. Most of xanthanolides are 12,8‐olides based on the position of their lactone ring. The biosynthetic pathway leading to xanthanolides has hitherto been elusive, especially how nature creates the xanthane skeleton is a long‐standing question. This study reports the elucidation of a complete biosynthetic pathway to the important 12,8‐xanthanolide 8‐epi‐xanthatin. The xanthane‐type backbone is directly derived from the central precursor germacrene‐type sesquiterpene, germacrene A acid, via oxidative rearrangement, catalyzed by an unusual cytochrome P450. Subsequently, a 12,8‐lactone ring is formed within this xanthane‐type backbone resulting in xanthanolides. The biosynthetic pathway for xanthanolides contrasts with the previously unified biosynthetic route for diverse 12,6‐guaianolides, in which a 12,6‐lactone ring formation precedes the transformation of a germacrene‐type skeleton into a guaiane‐type structure. The discovery of the full biosynthetic pathway of 8‐epi‐xanthantin opens new opportunities for producing xanthanolides in microbial organisms using synthetic biology strategies.
High Occurrence of ST131 Among Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Humans and Dogs in Sri Lanka
Authors: Dewasmika W. A. Pamudi Maldam , Dissanayake D. R. Anuruddhika , Neelawala N. G. Dulanjalee Anuruddhika Kumari , Dissanayake B. G. Nilanthi , Prasada D. V. Pahan , Francis Veithehi Rajeevan , Octavia Sophie , Lan Ruiting 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsExtraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is an important human and animal pathogen. In particular, the ST131 of ExPEC is a widely distributed clone, resistant to extended‐spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. We investigated the occurrence of ST131 among ExPEC from humans and dogs in Sri Lanka and determined its antimicrobial resistance.MethodsA total of 215 ExPEC isolates were collected from humans (n = 179) and dogs (n = 36) from two different cities in Sri Lanka. Antimicrobial resistance was tested by the disk diffusion method, and the presence of resistance‐encoding genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX‐M) and ST131 clades/subclades was tested by PCR.ResultsThe majority of the isolates were (61.8%) ST131, with 55.8% in ST131‐clade C. Of the clade C isolates, 44.3%, 27.8%, 15.7% and 6.7% were in clades C2, C other, C1‐non‐M27 and C1‐M27, respectively. Approximately 11% of the ST131 isolates were carbapenem resistant. ExPEC from dogs showed comparable resistance rates to human isolates except for resistance to amoxicillin‐clavulanate and amikacin.ConclusionWe observed a high occurrence of ST131 and its clade C, with more than 11% exhibiting resistance to carbapenems in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, ST131‐C1‐M27, with high resistance to both quinolones and extended‐spectrum cephalosporins, was also present. Our results emphasise the importance of the One Health approach in the monitoring of antimicrobial‐resistant E. coli in different regions of Sri Lanka to gain a better understanding of their prevalence over time, contributing to effective antimicrobial stewardship.
A note on Stein fillability of circle bundles over symplectic manifolds
Authors: Oba Takahiro 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe show that, given a closed integral symplectic manifold of dimension , for every integer , the Boothby–Wang bundle over carries no Stein fillable contact structure. This negatively answers a question raised by Eliashberg. A similar result holds for Boothby–Wang orbibundles. As an application, we prove the non‐smoothability of some isolated singularities.
Harder–Narasimhan filtrations of persistence modules
Authors: Fersztand Marc , Jacquard Emile , Nanda Vidit , Tillmann Ulrike 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe Harder–Narasimhan (HN) type of a quiver representation is a discrete invariant parameterised by a real‐valued function (called a central charge) defined on the vertices of the quiver. In this paper, we investigate the strength and limitations of HN types for several families of quiver representations which arise in the study of persistence modules. We introduce the skyscraper invariant, which amalgamates the HN types along central charges supported at single vertices, and generalise the rank invariant from multiparameter persistence modules to arbitrary quiver representations. Our four main results are as follows: (1) We show that the skyscraper invariant is strictly finer than the rank invariant and incomparable to the generalised rank invariant; (2) we characterise the set of complete central charges for zigzag (and hence, ordinary) persistence modules; (3) we extend the preceding characterisation to rectangle‐decomposable multiparameter persistence modules of arbitrary dimension; and finally, (4) we show that although no single central charge is complete for interval‐decomposable ladder persistence modules, a finite set of central charges is complete.
Regularity and asymptotics of densities of inverse subordinators
Authors: Ascione Giacomo , Savov Mladen , Toaldo Bruno 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this article, densities (and their derivatives) of subordinators and inverse subordinators are considered. Under minor restrictions, generally milder than the existing in the literature, employing a useful modification of the saddle point method, we obtain the large asymptotic behaviour of these densities (and their derivatives) for a specific region of space and time and quantify how the ratio between time and space affects the explicit speed of convergence. The asymptotics is governed by an exponential term depending on the Laplace exponent of the subordinator and the region represents the behaviour of the subordinator when it is atypically small (the inverse one is larger than usual). As a result, a route to the derivation of novel general or particular fine estimates for densities with explicit constants in the speed of convergence in the region of the lower envelope/the law of iterated logarithm is available. Furthermore, under mild conditions, we provide a power series representation for densities (and their derivatives) of subordinators and inverse subordinators. This representation is explicit and based on the derivatives of the convolution of the tails of the corresponding Lévy measure, whose smoothness is also investigated. In this context, the methods adopted are based on Laplace inversion and strongly rely on the theory of Bernstein functions extended to the cut complex plane. As a result, smoothness properties of densities (and their derivatives) and their behaviour near zero immediately follow.