bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Adsorption During Ex Vivo Blood Perfusion Improves Contractility of Donation After Circulatory Death Hearts
Authors: Saemann Lars , Pohl Sabine , Wächter Kristin , Georgevici Adrian‐Iustin , Köhler Conny , Jünger Jennifer , Hoorn Fabio , Gharpure Nitin , Großkopf Anne , Korkmaz‐Icöz Sevil , Wenzel Folker , Karck Matthias , Simm Andreas , Szabó Gábor 
Published: November 2024

Background
Donation after circulatory death (DCD) hearts have to withstand ischemia/reperfusion injury that is partially driven by proinflammatory cytokines and decreases ventricular contractility. We hypothesize that cytokine adsorption during normothermic ex vivo blood perfusion of DCD hearts reduces the cytokine levels and improves ventricular contractility.

Methods and Results

Porcine DCD hearts were maintained 4 hours by ex vivo blood perfusion with (DCD‐BP
CytoS
, all groups: N=8) or without (DCD‐BP) CytoSorb, followed by 2 hours reperfusion with fresh blood, including left ventricular functional analysis using a balloon catheter. In a control and a DCD group, hearts were evaluated after procurement. We determined lactate and cytokines after ex vivo blood perfusion and the myocardial and left anterior descending artery transcriptome using microarrays after reperfusion. In DCD‐BP
CytoS
, the developed pressure (control: 124±7 mm Hg/s, DCD: 86±4 mm Hg/s, DCD‐BP: 69±11 mm Hg/s, DCD‐BP
CytoS
: 112±9 mm Hg/s;
P
<0.05) and maximal slope of pressure increment (control: 2010±39 mm Hg/s, DCD: 1219±164 mm Hg/s, DCD‐BP: 964±163 mm Hg/s, DCD‐BP
CytoS
: 1794±205 mm Hg/s;
P
<0.05) were higher compared with DCD‐BP and DCD hearts. However, contractility decreased later during reperfusion without CytoSorb. After 4 hours, troponin, lactate (45±5% versus 69±9%,
P
<0.05), IL (interleukin)‐1β, ‐1ra, and ‐8 were lower in DCD‐BP
CytoS
hearts. In the myocardium of DCD‐BP
CytoS
compared with DCD‐BP hearts, inflammatory mediator receptor activity/binding pathways were enriched, and pathways for collagen‐containing extracellular matrix and contractile fiber were underrepresented. In the left anterior descending artery of DCD‐BP
CytoS
hearts, serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity and wound‐healing pathways were enriched, and mitochondrial protein‐containing complex and respiratome‐associated pathways were underrepresented.

Conclusions
CytoSorb during ex vivo blood perfusion enhances the maintenance of DCD hearts and is likely to improve graft function after transplantation.
Acute Effects of Cannabis Inhalation on Arterial Stiffness, Vascular Endothelial Function, and Cardiac Function
Authors: Cheung Christian P. , Coates Alexandra M. , Baker Ryleigh E. , Burr Jamie F. 
Published: November 2024

Background
The cardiovascular impact of cannabis use is incompletely understood. Although evidence links chronic use to an increased risk of disease and adverse cardiovascular events, few studies have investigated the acute effects of cannabis inhalation on subclinical dysfunction. Furthermore, it remains unknown how method of inhalation and cannabinoid profile modify risk. While controlling for inhalation method and the effects of either Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), we examined the acute cardiovascular effects of cannabis use on arterial stiffness, vascular endothelial responsiveness, and cardiac function, as markers of cardiovascular impairment.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐two young, healthy, cannabis users were assessed for arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity, vascular endothelial function via brachial artery flow mediated dilation, and cardiac function via echocardiography, before and after (1) smoking THC‐predominant cannabis (S‐THC), (2) vaporizing THC‐predominant THC (V‐THC), and (3) vaporizing cannabidiol‐predominant cannabis (V‐CBD). S‐THC and V‐THC increased heart rate (S‐THC: ∆17±15 bpm, V‐THC: ∆16±16 bpm;both
P
<0.0001) and mean arterial pressure (S‐THC: ∆7±6 mm Hg, V‐THC: ∆5±5 mm Hg;both
P
<0.0001) whereas V‐CBD did not (∆1±4 bpm, ∆3±4 mm Hg;both
P
>0.05). After inhalation, pulse wave velocity increased (S‐THC: ∆0.29±0.75 m/s, V‐THC: ∆0.42±0.74 m/s, V‐CBD: ∆0.10±0.44 m/s;
P
=0.002) and diastolic function was reduced ([early/late ratio] S‐THC: ∆‐0.2±0.53, V‐THC: ∆‐0.33±58, V‐CBD: ∆0.01±66;
P
=0.03). Differences in heart rate were related to changes in pulse wave velocity (r
2
=0.2;
P
=0.0002) and diastolic function (r
2
=0.26;
P
<0.0001). Inhalation method did not alter these cannabinoid‐dependent responses.

Conclusions
THC predominant, but not cannabidiol predominant, cannabis elicits increases in heart rate and blood pressure irrespective of inhalation method, which may increase arterial stiffness and reduce diastolic function. These findings implicate THC as a relevant factor for cannabis‐related subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04693884.
The Interaction between Administrative Courts and Investment Tribunals in Egypt
Authors: Elsisi Ahmed A. , Ali Arif H. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Investment arbitration has increasingly become one of the primary methods for the settlement of legal disputes between foreign investors and sovereign States. International investment agreements provide foreign investors with direct legal recourse to international arbitration against host States’ adverse actions. However, on the national level, administrative courts may also have jurisdiction to exercise judicial review over the same challenged government actions. The adjudication of the same measures on both levels often leads to an inevitable interaction between investment tribunals and administrative courts. This article examines the interaction between the courts of Majlis al-Dawla in Egypt and international arbitral tribunals and attempts to highlight the points of their collaboration and mutual reliance. The analysis of the interaction shows that the risk of investment tribunals exercising de facto appellate review over domestic courts’ decisions is minimal, not least because both institutions adjudicate disputes under different and distinct legal bases.
The Shaping of Heracles in Creophylus, Pisander, and Panyassis
Authors: Alepidou Apostolia 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This article explores the shaping of Heracles’s persona in the lost epics of Creophylus, Pisander, and Panyassis. In consultation with relevant literary and artistic accounts, I investigate the hero’s modus operandi within each of these so-called Heracles epics. While scholars have been hindered from envisioning Heracles as a fully fledged character within the framework of these poorly preserved poems, my examination aims to shed light on his dynamic representation in early Greek epic.
al-Yūsī, Tawḥīd and the Theological Structure of Islamic Knowledge
Authors: Gallien Claire 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Academic studies of Islamic epistemology have predominantly focused on the classical and post-classical periods and neglected works in the “organization of sciences (tartīb al-ʿulūm)” genre from the early-modern period. At that time, the field had already developed several models, including one inspired by Aristotle, the encyclopedic template, and the pedagogical ordering of sciences. These models have been studied by scholars in the history of philosophy and science, history of religion, as well as pedagogy and learning. However, scholars in Divinity faculties have long ignored these works, leading to an inadequate treatment of their theological foundation and function. Bringing theology to the fore, this article offers an appreciation of how theological principles and epistemic holism have framed and shaped the contours of the “organization of sciences” genre from the early-modern period onwards. The article focuses on al-Qānūn fī Aḥkām al-ʿIlm written by Abū ʿAlī al-Ḥasan b. Masʿūd al-Yūsī (d. 1102 AH / 1691 CE) and explains how the interdependent, cohesive, and holistic dimensions of al-Yūsī’s organization of the sciences is directly derived from Islamic theology. More specifically, the article explores the unique structural role of the tri-partite definition of the religion (dīn) as “faith, religion, and spiritual excellence (imān-islām-iḥsān)” in al-Yūsī’s organization of the sciences and the function of tawḥīd in his conception of knowledge.
Grain Quality of Panicle Portions in Chalky and Low-Chalky Rice Cultivars
Authors: Samonte Stanley Omar PB. , Ponce Kimberly S. , Sanchez Darlene L. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractCarbohydrate stress reduces grain size and head rice percentage and increases the chalkiness in rice. This study aims to compare low and high-quality cultivars for their milled rice and chalky grain percentages, as well as grain size, in the top, middle, and bottom panicle portions. Low-chalky and chalky long-grain rice cultivars were grown at Beaumont in 2019 and 2022. Panicles were harvested, partitioned into top, middle, and bottom portions, and phenotyped for grain size, head rice percentage, and chalkiness. Grain area reduction percentage from top to middle panicle portions is higher in the low-chalky cultivars, Presidio and Kaybonnet. This could relieve the carbohydrate stress that leads to chalkiness. The rice cultivars were also genotyped for Chalk5 and OsPPDK. The low-chalky cultivars had the same allele as the low-chalk Lemont for Chalk5. Presidio had a different allele for OsPPDK compared with the cultivars tested. Consistent with the genotyping result for Chalk5, Presidio and Kaybonnet had lower chalkiness than LaGrue and Leah. There was a positive correlation between the number of primary panicle branches and head rice percentage. The improvement in breeding efficiency for high grain quality requires phenotypic screening for a high number of primary panicle branches and for low chalky and partially chalky grain percentages.
Effect of kaolin on productivity, anatomical and biochemical responses to water deficit in Pelargonium graveolens grown in sandy soil
Authors: AbuEl-Leil Eman F. , AbdelRahman Mohamed A. E. , Desoukey S. F. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the response of geranium plants to different irrigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60% based on ETo) and Kaolin application rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) during 2022 and 2023 seasons, at Aly Mobarak Experimental Farm, Horticulture Research Station, located at El-Bustan site, El-Behiera Governorate, Egypt, by using a two-way factorial analysis experimental design. The results revealed that water deficit significantly reduced most studied traits. Irrigation level at 60% based on ETo exhibited poorest performance on growth parameters and decreased fresh yield and essential oil yield by 27.77% 10.73%, respectively as compared with full irrigated plants. However, foliar application of kaolin at 200 and 300 ppm led to increasing biomass accumulation by 28.51, 26.16%, and essential oil yield by 79.51, 89.95%, respectively, as compared with untreated plants grown under the same level of water deficit (60% based on ETo). GC–MS analysis of essential oil showed that water deficit and kaolin application increased geraniol/citronellol ratio and consequently improved oil quality. Results highlight the positive influence of water deficit and kaolin rates on the development and performance of anatomical parameters. Enzymes assay in leaves revealed in an increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and decreased in catalase (CAT) activity under water deficit. As for WUE at 60%, followed by 80% based on ETo recorded excellent response for geranium plants which led to more water saving. So, it could be concluded that foliar application of kaolin at 200 and 300 ppm obtained the optimal characteristics of geranium plants under experimental conditions. In particular, essential oil yield and productivity.
Bio-organic fertilizer affects secondary cell wall biosynthesis of Dendrocalamus farinosus by inhibiting the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway
Authors: Li Shangmeng , Cao Ying , Wang Boya , Fan Wei , Hu Shanglian 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBamboo, as a timber plant, holds significant environmental and economic value. Dendrocalamus farinosus is particularly valuable as it serves both as a source of bamboo shoots and timber, offering high yield, strong disease resistance, and superior fiber quality. Our previous study demonstrated that bio-organic fertilizers promoted the growth of D. farinosus and significantly altered the cellulose and lignin content, key components of the secondary cell wall in culms. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to uncover the potential mechanisms by which bio-organic fertilizers affect the secondary cell wall biosynthesis in D. farinosus. A total of 1,437 metabolites were identified, with 20 differential metabolites significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway in bamboo shoots (7 upregulated; 13 downregulated). We identified 8,075 differentially expressed genes in bamboo shoots, including 72 genes potentially involved in lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis (6 upregulated; 66 downregulated). In internodes, we identified 5,324 differentially expressed genes, including 83 genes potentially involved in secondary cell wall biosynthesis (43 upregulated; 39 downregulated). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validated the expression patterns of 8 key genes in internodes. The results suggest that bio-organic fertilizers may affect secondary cell wall biosynthesis in internodes by inhibiting the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway in D. farinosus shoots. Our study offers insights into the efficient utilization of bamboo and lignocellulosic biomass, serving as a valuable resource for future research.
Cardinality matching versus propensity score matching for addressing cluster-level residual confounding in implantable medical device and surgical epidemiology: a parametric and plasmode simulation study
Authors: Du Mike , Johnston Stephen , Coplan Paul M. , Strauss Victoria Y. , Khalid Sara , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Rapid innovation and new regulations lead to an increased need for post-marketing surveillance of implantable devices. However, complex multi-level confounding related not only to patient-level but also to surgeon or hospital covariates hampers observational studies of risks and benefits. We conducted parametric and plasmode simulations to compare the performance of cardinality matching (CM) vs propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce confounding bias in the presence of cluster-level confounding.

Methods
Two Monte Carlo simulation studies were carried out: 1) Parametric simulations (1,000 iterations) with patients nested in clusters (ratio 10:1, 50:1, 100:1, 200:1, 500:1) and sample size n = 10,000 were conducted with patient and cluster level confounders; 2) Plasmode simulations generated from a cohort of 9981 patients admitted for pancreatectomy between 2015 to 2019 from a US hospital database. CM with 0.1 standardised mean different constraint threshold (SMD) for confounders and PSM were used to balance the confounders for within-cluster and cross-cluster matching. Treatment effects were then estimated using logistic regression as the outcome model on the obtained matched sample.

Results
CM yielded higher sample retention but more bias than PSM for cross-cluster matching in most scenarios. For instance, with ratio of 100:1, sample retention and relative bias were 97.1% and 26.5% for CM, compared to 82.5% and 12.2% for PSM. The results for plasmode simulation were similar.

Conclusions
CM offered better sample retention but higher bias in most scenarios compared to PSM. More research is needed to guide the use of CM particularly in constraint setting for confounders for medical device and surgical epidemiology.
Evaluating Senegal's COVID-19 surveillance system for early detection and response: lessons from the Keur Massar district, March 03, 2020 to May 31, 2022
Authors: Ba Amady , Loko Roka Jerlie , Ndiaye Mbouna , Ba Mamadou Sarifou , Diop Boly , Pasi Omer 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of strong surveillance systems in detecting and responding to public health threats. We sought to evaluate attributes of Keur Massar district's existing COVID-19 surveillance system.

Method
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022; desk review covered data collected from March 03, 2020 to May 31, 2022 in 18 health posts. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire completed during a face-to-face interview and a desk review of surveillance data gathered from different notification platforms (Excel, ODK, DHIS2 aggregated, and tracker). Study was conducted in Keur Massar department, in the Dakar region. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 18 nurses in June 2022. We utilized a standardized, semi-structured questionnaire adapted from CDC guidelines for surveillance evaluation.

Results
All 18 head nurses targeted, responded to the questionnaire, with an average age of 41.5 years and 63% aged between 30 and 44. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.6, and respondents had an average of 15.1 years of experience. All nurses were involved in COVID-19 surveillance and had notified at least one suspected case.
While 39% conducted COVID-19 data analysis, 55.6% received feedback from the national level. The usefulness score for the surveillance system was 77.7, with the lowest score (72.9) related to describing the pandemic’s magnitude. Simplicity scored 63.3, with low scores for the availability of guidelines (0) but high scores for training and equipment (94.4). Acceptability scored 76.6, with strong support for COVID-19 surveillance but weak community involvement (48.6).
While no cases were reported through the DHIS2 aggregated platform, 1327 PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 cases were reported through the national Excel sheet and 278 PCR-positive cases were reported through the COVID-19 DHIS2 tracker during the same period. Timeliness varied, averaging 3 days using ODK and 7 days with the national Excel sheet, with a combined average of 5 days across both systems.

Conclusion
The study highlights challenges in COVID-19 surveillance due to limited human resources, multiple data systems, and delays in notification. While most nurses were trained and equipped, gaps in data quality, timeliness, and community support emphasize the need for streamlined processes and increased workforce capacity.
Health literacy and self-care among adult immigrants with type 2 diabetes: a scoping review
Authors: Tørris Christine , Nortvedt Line 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Introduction
There exists a gap in the health status of immigrants in comparison to the overall population, and health literacy has been shown to be a mediator for health outcomes and may predict their quality of life (QoL). We aimed to systematically map and synthesize research findings on adult immigrants’ health literacy in terms of their health beliefs, understanding, and self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Methods
A scoping review guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was conducted, based on systematic searches in the Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo databases in June 2023. The retrieved articles were screened and assessed by the two authors independently.

Results
Of 568 identified studies, 16 (9 qualitative, 4 cross-sectional, 1 mixed-methods, and 2 experimental) were included in this review. Low/moderate health literacy levels with no sex-related differences were reported. Immigrants’ access to health information was limited by language barriers and a lack of culturally adapted information, especially from their physicians. Among women, access to health information was limited by patriarchal norms. Knowledge gaps were primarily related to understanding the necessity of medication and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Healthcare professionals played an important role in motivating immigrants to adhere to treatment.

Conclusion
Few studies were found on this topic, and additional research is needed to enhance health literacy among immigrants. Limited health information, language barriers, and a shortage of culturally sensitive knowledge appear to hinder immigrants’ ability to access, understand, and apply health information. Cultural norms and personal factors further suppress these abilities, ultimately impacting their health outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that health literacy is a crucial component of healthcare professionals’ curricula, equipping them with the skills to identify and assist patients with low health literacy.
Reliability of the digital functionally generated path technique for assessing occlusal interferences and adjusting CAD-CAM zirconia crowns: an in vivo study
Authors: Saad Sherine Anwar , Shalaby Yousreya Atteya , Azer Amir Shoukry 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Designing the occlusal surface of a prosthesis to ensure optimal eccentric occlusion is challenging without precisely replicating the patient’s mandibular movements. During the CAD-CAM prosthesis delivery process, clinicians often need to make adjustments to the prosthesis to avoid occlusal interferences that may occur during lateral excursions. Recently, there have been developments in the field of mandibular motion tracking using optical devices. These approaches seek to incorporate an individual’s functional movement into the research field of occlusal morphology.

Aim
This study aimed to assess the accuracy of digitally replicating mandibular movements to identify and correct occlusal interferences in monolithic CAD-CAM zirconia crowns.

Methods
An intraoral scanner (IOS) was used to capture complete arch maxillary and mandibular teeth and record buccal and lateral interocclusal records of maxillary first premolar abutment teeth of thirteen participants. For each patient, two monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated following the standard digital workflow. The crowns were categorized based on the virtual method used for adjusting occlusal interferences into two groups: Group I, where occlusal interferences in CAD-CAM zirconia crowns were adjusted using buccal interocclusal records, and Group II, where adjustments were made using both buccal and lateral interocclusal records. After crown fabrication following the manufacturer’s instructions, occlusion was analyzed using an electronic pressure analyzer. The mean, standard deviation and median values of the recorded data were measured. Paired t test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank test were executed for analyzing differences between groups (p value ≤ 0.05).

Results
Group I recorded higher maximum pressure at lateral mandibular movement with mean ± standard deviation value of 26.00 ± 4.95% than Group II with 20.62 ± 3.38%. Regarding pressure recorded at maximum intercuspation (MI) Group I showed higher results; 8.08 ± 1.50% compared to Group II with 7.23 ± 1.59% mean ± standard deviation value. The average value of crown volume for Group I was (160.36 ± 15.94) mm3, while for Group II was (157.63 ± 14.45) mm3.

Conclusions
The digital functionally generated path technique allows for identifying occlusal interferences and modifying CAD-CAM zirconia crown designs.