bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebrovascular Function in Sporadic and Genetic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Stringer Michael S. , Blair Gordon W. , Kopczak Anna , Kerkhofs Danielle , Thrippleton Michael J. , Chappell Francesca M. , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Brown Rosalind , Shuler Kirsten , Hamilton Iona , Garcia Daniela Jaime , Doubal Fergus N. , Clancy Una , Sakka Eleni , Poliakova Tetiana , Janssen Esther , Duering Marco , Ingrisch Michael , Staals Julie , Backes Walter H. , van Oostenbrugge Robert , Biessels Geert Jan , Dichgans Martin , Wardlaw Joanna M. ,   The SVDs@target consortium
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveCerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs) are associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction, such as increased blood–brain barrier leakage (permeability surface area product), vascular pulsatility, and decreased cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). No studies assessed all 3 functions concurrently. We assessed 3 key vascular functions in sporadic and genetic SVD to determine associations with SVD severity, subtype, and interrelations.MethodsIn this prospective, cross‐sectional, multicenter INVESTIGATE‐SVDs study, we acquired brain magnetic resonance imaging in patients with sporadic SVD/cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), including structural, quantitative microstructural, permeability surface area product, blood plasma volume fraction, vascular pulsatility, and CVR (in response to CO2) scans. We determined vascular function and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) associations, using covariate‐adjusted linear regression; normal‐appearing white matter and WMH differences, interrelationships between vascular functions, using linear mixed models; and major sources of variance using principal component analyses.ResultsWe recruited 77 patients (45 sporadic/32 CADASIL) at 3 sites. In adjusted analyses, patients with worse WMH had lower CVR (B = −1.78, 95% CI −3.30, −0.27) and blood plasma volume fraction (B = −0.594, 95% CI −0.987, −0.202). CVR was worse in WMH than normal‐appearing white matter (eg, CVR: B = −0.048, 95% CI −0.079, −0.017). Adjusting for WMH severity, SVD subtype had minimal influence on vascular function (eg, CVR in CADASIL vs sporadic: B = 0.0169, 95% CI −0.0247, 0.0584). Different vascular function mechanisms were not generally interrelated (eg, permeability surface area product~CVR: B = −0.85, 95% CI −4.72, 3.02). Principal component analyses identified WMH volume/quantitative microstructural metrics explained most variance in CADASIL and arterial pulsatility in sporadic SVD, but similar main variance sources.InterpretationVascular function was worse with higher WMH, and in WMH than normal‐appearing white matter. Sporadic SVD‐CADASIL differences largely reflect disease severity. Limited vascular function interrelations may suggest disease stage‐specific differences. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:483–498
Micro‐Doses of DNP Preserve Motor and Muscle Function with a Period of Functional Recovery in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice
Authors: Zhong Renjia , Dionela Demi L.A. , Kim Nina Haeyeon , Harris Erin N. , Geisler John G. , Wei‐LaPierre Lan 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveMitochondrial dysfunction is one of the earliest pathological events observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP), a mild mitochondrial uncoupler, in an ALS mouse model to provide preclinical proof‐of‐concept evidence of using DNP as a potential therapeutic drug for ALS.MethodshSOD1G93A mice were treated with 0.5–1.0 mg/kg DNP through daily oral gavage from presymptomatic stage or disease onset until 18 weeks old. Longitudinal behavioral studies were performed weekly or biweekly from 6 to 18 weeks old. In situ muscle contraction measurements in extensor digitorum longus muscles were conducted to evaluate the preservation of contractile force and motor unit numbers in hSOD1G93A mice following DNP treatment. Muscle innervation and inflammatory markers were assessed using immunostaining. Extent of protein oxidation and activation of Akt pathway were also examined.ResultsDNP delayed disease onset; improved motor coordination and muscle performance in vivo; preserved muscle contractile function, neuromuscular junction morphology, and muscle innervation; and reduced inflammation and protein oxidation at 18 weeks old in hSOD1G93A mice. Strikingly, symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice exhibited a period of recovery in running ability at 20 cm/s several weeks after 2,4‐dinitrophenol treatment started at disease onset, offering the first observation in disease phenotype reversal using a small molecule.InterpretationOur results strongly support that micro‐dose DNP may be used as a potential novel treatment for ALS patients, with a possibility for recovery, when used at optimal doses and time of intervention. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:542–557
Study on the Structure and Function of Intestinal Microorganisms in Silkworm Maggot Exorista sorbillans
Authors: Zhong Siyin , Jiang Zhe , Zhang Jiabao , Gu Zhiya , Wei Jing , Li Bing , Li Fanchi 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTInsects have important symbiotic relationships with their intestinal microbiota. The intestinal microbiota is involved in or influences various processes in insects such as development, metabolism, immunity, and reproduction. Currently, research on the intestinal microbiota of parasitic insects is still in its early stages. The tachinid parasitoid Exorista sorbillans is a dipteran parasitic insect, with the silkworm (Bombyx mori) being its main host. Silkworms parasitized by E. sorbillans can suffer from severe silkworm maggot disease, which also poses a serious threat to sericulture. In this study, the intestinal microbiota of larval E. sorbillans at three instar stages was analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to explore the community composition of the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, using conventional culture methods, six cultivable strains were isolated and identified from the larval E. sorbillans on an antibiotic‐free LB medium, and four cultivable strains were isolated and identified from the hemolymph of parasitized silkworms. This study investigated the E. sorbillans from the perspective of intestinal microbiota, elucidating the composition and structural characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of the tachinid parasitoid, and preliminarily discussing the functional roles of several major microorganisms, which helps to further clarify the potential mechanisms of interaction between the parasitoid and the silkworm.
Autism Spectrum and gastrointestinal health: Screening on the influence of environmental factors on gastrointestinal problems
Authors: Brito Anita , Tocantins Fernando Ribeiro , Brentani Helena , Fujita André , Taddei Carla Romano , Beltrão‐Braga Patricia Cristina Baleeiro 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that combines genetic and environmental factors. The human microbiota is colonized by permanent or transitory microorganisms, depending on the host and the external factors controlling their permanence. The composition of the gut microbiota (GM) in ASD individuals is notably different from that in controls, which may contribute to the clinical conditions observed in these individuals. This study aimed to indirectly investigate the influence of GM on the gut‐brain axis in individuals with ASD and controls by analyzing environmental factors that contribute to the microbiota composition. Two questionnaires were designed to collect data, one for the ASD Group (ASDG) and the other one for the Control Group (CG). The raw data from both questionnaires were collected from 2772 respondents. After triage, answers from 1687 ASD individuals, along with 466 respondents from the CG, were analyzed, resulting in a total of 2237 respondents. Our results showed that gastrointestinal problems (GP) escalate as individuals age and become more prominent in ASD individuals. In contrast, feeding problems (FP) did not appear to escalate in either group as individuals aged, even though the FP decreased in the CG. ANOVA revealed significant differences in breastfeeding status compared to GPs among preterm control individuals born via cesarean section (p‐value = 0.027). The mean values of GP for breastfed and nonbreastfed individuals, for ASDG (0.257; 0.268) and CG (0.105; 0.248), highlighted the differences in breastfeeding effects on GP for the study groups. The use of antibiotics during pregnancy seemed to be significant for GPs in the ASDG only for breastfed individuals (p‐value <0.001), but not in the CG group. In conclusion, variables such as mode of delivery, FPs, type of birth, and length of breastfeeding do not seem to be determining factors for GP in the ASDG but are relevant for the CG. However, for ASDG individuals whose mothers took antibiotics during pregnancy, breastfeeding may act as a protective factor, as maternal antibiotic administration during pregnancy seems to aggravate GP‐values across the ages of the participants. Considering GP as a proxy for GM and recognizing the importance of GM composition for central nervous system (CNS) function, it appears that in individuals with ASD, GM seems to be more dependent on other factors, which might be linked to the genetic background of each one. These findings suggest that future studies of the gut‐brain axis in individuals with ASD might consider the individual's genetic background, environmental factors, and GM.
Offending and clinical characteristics of adults with autism spectrum disorder: Experience at forensic psychiatry center in Türkiye between 2012 and 2022
Authors: Boylu Muhammed Emin , Görmez Aynur , Turan Şenol , Yeşilkaya Ümit Haluk , Boylu Fatma Betül , Duran Alaattin 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe forensic and clinical need for better understanding of criminal offending in adults with ASD is increasingly recognized. To date, few studies have examined the differences and similarities between criminal offenders with and without ASD with respect to demographics, offending profiles, and clinical characteristics. This study, conducted in Turkey, is the first to conduct such as comparison using a national database of forensic files. Computerized search of the forensic records of 11,853 adults assessed between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2022, for criminal responsibility by the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine found 74 adults diagnosed with ASD; they ranged in age from 18 to 40. [Correction added after first online publication on 04 December 2024. The value 11,583 has been revised to 11,853.] The demographic, clinical, and offending characteristics of these adults were compared to 100 adults without ASD selected from the remaining 11,779 records based on age (18–40 years) and year of assessment (10 from each year). The ASD group was younger, more likely to be unemployed and not living on their own. The ASD group was more likely to have co‐morbid intellectual disability, ADHD, and OCD, while the non‐ASD group was more likely to have co‐morbid personality disorders, The ASD group was more likely to commit unplanned simple (non‐penetrative) sexual and violent offenses against strangers; the non‐ASD group was more likely to commit planned, qualified (penetrative) crimes against known persons. Impulsivity and manipulability were more often contributory in persons with ASD; revenge was more often contributory in persons without ASD. Adults with ASD were more likely to commit crimes on social media. In conclusion, this study found that adult offenders with and without ASD differed in demographics, psychiatric co‐morbidities, and types of offending behaviors. These differences may have implications for the prevention of criminal offending in persons with ASD and addressing their needs once they are in the criminal justice system.
Turning trash into treasure: conversion of agroresidue rice straw into carboxymethylcellulose biopolymer
Authors: Kaur Prabhpreet , Bohidar Himadri B. , Williams Richard , Pfeffer Frederick M. , Agrawal Ruchi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn the present study, rice straw‐derived cellulose was converted into carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) using alkalization followed by an etherification reaction. The synthesis conditions for this chemical modification were optimized such that CMC with a high degree of substitution (1.02) was obtained. Infrared spectra of the synthesized CMC clearly showed an increased intensity of the C═O bond at 1600 cm−1, confirming successful carboxymethylation. Further, X‐ray diffraction analysis demonstrated a decrease in cellulose crystallinity owing to partial rearrangement from a crystalline to an amorphous phase during initial alkalization reaction. The obtained CMC biopolymer was subsequently cross‐linked to form a composite hydrogel matrix reinforced with bentonite clay. The hydrogel showed about 91% adsorption capacity for methylene blue dye as a model contaminant in aqueous media. Therefore, this study shows that lignocellulosic agrowaste is a rich source of cellulose, and its derivatives such as CMC possess the potential to realize the waste to wealth sustainability goal.
Sequential Adaptive Design Method for Incorporating External Data
Authors: Chen Jinmei , Li Lixin , Feng Yuhao , Chow Shein‐Chung , Tan Ming , Pan Jianhong , Chen Pingyan , Wu Ying 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTExternal data (e.g., real‐world data (RWD) and historical data) have become more readily available. This has led to rapidly increasing interest in exploring and evaluating ways of utilizing external data to facilitate traditional clinical trials (TCT), especially for rare diseases with high unmet medical needs where a TCT would be impractical and/or unethical. In this article, we focus on hybrid studies that incorporate external data into randomized clinical trials to augment the control arm and explore a complex innovative design. A sequential adaptive design conducts multiple interim assessments to improve the accuracy of estimates of agreement between external data and current data. At each interim assessment, we apply the inverse probability weighted power prior (IPW‐PP) method to adaptively borrow information from external data to account for confounding and heterogeneity. The randomization ratio is dynamically adjusted during the interim assessment based on accumulatively augmented information to reduce the sample size of the current trial. Additionally, the proposed design can be extended to allow interim analyses for early efficacy/futility stopping, that is, early assessment of trial success or failure based on accumulated data, potentially reducing ineffective treatment exposure and unnecessary time and resources. The performance of the proposed method and design is evaluated via extensive simulation studies. The sequential adaptive design and IPW‐PP approach having desirable properties are implemented.
Addressing Class Imbalance in Bayesian Classification Through Posterior Probability Adjustment
Authors: Nassiri Vahid , Tekle Fetene , Tatikola Kanaka , Geys Helena 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTClass imbalance is a known issue in classification tasks that can lead to predictive bias toward dominant classes. This paper introduces a novel straightforward Bayesian framework that adjusts posterior probabilities to counteract the bias introduced by imbalanced data sets. Instead of relying on the mean posterior distribution of class probabilities, we propose a method that scales the posterior probability of each class according to their representation in the training data.
Active and Passive Offline Breaks Differentially Impact the Consolidation of Procedural Motor Memories in Children and Adults
Authors: Voisin D. , Peigneux P. , Urbain C. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionShort post‐learning breaks, lasting from 5 to 30 min, transiently enhance procedural motor memory performance in adults. However, the impact of activity type (active vs. passive) during the offline break on sequential motor performance remains poorly investigated in children.MethodThis study examined the impact of active versus passive post‐learning breaks on procedural motor memory in 116 healthy participants (58 children, aged 9.03 ± 1.19; 58 adults, aged 22.89 ± 1.77 years). Participants practiced a Finger Tapping Task, reproducing a five‐element keypress sequence as fast and accurately as possible. The task included two sessions (S1 and S2) separated by either a short (30 min) or long (4 h) break. The first 30‐min of the post‐learning break included either a passive (remaining still) or an active (engaging in daily activities) condition.ResultsRepeated‐measures ANOVA revealed significant Session × Age group × Break duration and Session × Break type interaction effects (ps < 0.05). Post hoc analyses indicated Session effects in adults after both Break types, but only after short Break duration (S1 < S2, p < 0.001; long delay p = 0.1). In children, Session effects were observed after both short and long breaks, but only in the active Break type (S1 < S2, ps < 0.001; passive condition p = 0.1).ConclusionThese results revealed spontaneous post‐learning motor performance improvements at both short and long delays in children, but only in the active post‐training condition, unlike adults who showed improvements only at short delays, regardless of activity type. This suggests developmental differences in offline conditions (duration and activity) linked to plasticity mechanisms underlying procedural motor memory consolidation.
Transcranial Doppler as a Primary Screening Tool for Detecting Right‐to‐Left Shunt in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients?
Authors: Sasannejad Payam , Khosravani Fateme , Ziaei Moghaddam Alireza , Sabi Mohsen Soltani , Jarahi Lida 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundCryptogenic stroke (CS), a subtype of ischemic stroke with undetermined etiology, accounts for approximately 25% of the cases. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an important potential cause of CS via paradoxical embolism. While transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the current gold standard for PFO detection, transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound offers a noninvasive alternative with potential advantages in sensitivity for right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) detection. This study's main goal is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of TCD compared to TEE for PFO detection in CS patients.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 110 patients aged 18–65 years with confirmed CS from 2020 to 2024. All underwent TCD screening for RLS using a standardized protocol. Subsequently, they were categorized based on a simplified version of the Spencer Logarithmic Scale, followed by confirmatory TEE. Clinical characteristics, imaging findings, TCD results, and indications for PFO closure were analyzed.ResultsThe mean age of the cohort was 45 years, with 58.2% being males. TEE identified PFO in 44.5% (49/110) of subjects. TCD accurately detected RLS in 42 of the 49 PFO cases (85.7%) confirmed by TEE. For PFO detection, TCD demonstrated a sensitivity of 85.4%, specificity of 88.5%, PPV of 85.4%, and Youden's index of 0.73. Notably, of the seven PFO cases missed by TCD, none received percutaneous closure based on clinical criteria.ConclusionsTCD exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for detecting high‐risk PFO in patients with CS when compared to the gold‐standard TEE. As a noninvasive modality, TCD may serve as an effective screening tool to identify CS patients who could potentially benefit from confirmatory TEE and subsequent PFO closure intervention. The findings support the use of TCD as a screening tool to triage CS patients for confirmatory TEE and potential PFO closure.
The COVID‐19 Pandemic and Its Influence on Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: Lessons Learned
Authors: Kleinveld Vera E. A. , Bruijnes Johanna E. , Labrecque Samuel , Jeurissen‐Bekkering Danielle E. G. , Faber Catharina G. , Horlings Corinne G. C. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients might represent a high‐risk population for severe COVID‐19 disease, as cardiopulmonary symptoms are part of the clinical spectrum of DM1. The COVID‐19 pandemic may have impacted DM1 patients. We aimed to determine the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on DM1 patients to guide management strategies in possible future pandemics.Methods: Data on the presence of a COVID‐19 infection were retrieved from 195 DM1 patients in the MYODRAFT database. Between August 12 and October 4, 2021, 82 patients and proxies filled out a questionnaire on COVID‐19 symptoms, well‐being, and organization of care. Data were compared to prepandemic data.Results: A total of 18 patients had COVID‐19 (13 confirmed, 5 probable infections). The prevalence of COVID‐19 in our cohort was 9.2%, which was lower than in the Dutch population (11.5%). Four patients (22.2%) were hospitalized due to a COVID‐19 infection, which was higher than in the Dutch population (3.6%). Two infected patients died. A high rate of canceled appointments was reported. Patients reported no change in physical functioning during the pandemic, whereas proxies reported a deterioration in mental and physical well‐being of patients.Conclusions: The prevalence of COVID‐19 infections was not higher in DM1 patients than in the general population, but DM1 patients are more susceptible to complicated disease when infected. Longitudinal data on patient‐reported physical functioning suggest that the COVID‐19 pandemic and the pandemic management strategies implemented did not influence the course of disease in DM1 patients, and similar strategies can be re‐used in comparable situations.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Adjuvant Alectinib versus Platinum‐Based Chemotherapy in Resected ALK‐Positive Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer in the Chinese Health Care System
Authors: Wei Qiran , Liang Yifang , Mao Jiahui , Guan Xin 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe ALINE trial demonstrated the superiority of alectinib over platinum‐based chemotherapy in resected Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)‐positive non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Considering the high cost of alectinib, this study aimed to evaluate the economic value of alectinib compared to platinum‐based chemotherapy for treating early‐stage ALK‐positive NSCLC from the perspective of the Chinese health care system.Materials and MethodsWe developed a five‐state Markov model with monthly cycles to estimate the lifetime costs, life‐years (LYs), quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs), and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in terms of cost per LY gained and per QALY gained. Costs were obtained from database, expert opinions and published literature, and utilities were primarily derived from a multicenter cross‐sectional study based on the Chinese population. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 5% per year. Sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were conducted to assess uncertainty in model results.ResultsCompared to platinum‐based chemotherapy, alectinib increased total costs by $16,245 and provided gains of 2.02 LYs and 1.84 QALYs over a lifetime horizon. ICERs were $8,052/LY and $8,806/QALY. The ICER in terms of cost per QALY gained was most sensitive to the outcome discount rate. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated a 93% probability of alectinib being cost‐effective at a willing‐to pay (WTP) threshold of $12,367/QALY (1 GDP per capita), rising to 100% at $37,100/QALY (3 GDP per capita).ConclusionAlectinib appears to be the preferred cost‐effective option in the adjuvant treatment for Chinese patients with resected early‐stage ALK‐positive NSCLC.