bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The assessment of pentraxin 3: a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in lower respiratory tract infections in children
Authors: Madkour Shaimaa , Mostafa Mona Gamal , El-Kady Huda 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase reactant that is elevated in the plasma during inflammatory responses. We aimed to evaluate the utility of PTX3 as a clinical marker in children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and the association between PTX3 and LRTIs severity.

Methods
We included 60 patients admitted to Fayoum University Hospital with LRTIs fulfilling the WHO criteria for diagnosing LRTIs. We collected data on peak temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation upon admission, and length of hospital stay. The complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and PTX3 were measured upon admission.

Results
PTX3 levels were significantly correlated with peak temperature, duration of hospital stay, the Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score (PRESS), total leucocytic count (TLC), CRP, and blood cultures.

Conclusion
PTX-3 represented the severity of the disease and predicted the prognosis. Pentraxin levels demonstrate a statistically significant sensitivity of (93.3%) and a specificity of (70%) at the cut-off value (of 8.84) with an area under the curve (90.7%) in the diagnosis of LRTIs.
Progression prediction of coronary artery lesions by echocardiography-based ultrasomics analysis in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Xu Dan , Feng Chen-Hui , Cao Ai-Mei , Yang Shuai , Tang Zhen-Chao , Li Xiao-Hui 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Echocardiography-based ultrasomics analysis aids Kawasaki disease (KD) diagnosis but its role in predicting coronary artery lesions (CALs) progression remains unknown. We aimed to develop and validate a predictive model combining echocardiogram-based ultrasomics with clinical parameters for CALs progression in KD.

Methods
Total 371 KD patients with CALs at baseline were enrolled from a retrospective cohort (cohort 1, n = 316) and a prospective cohort (cohort 2, n = 55). CALs progression was defined by increased Z scores in any coronary artery branch at the 1-month follow-up. Patients in cohort 1 were split randomly into training and validation set 1 at the ratio of 6:4, while cohort 2 comprised validation set 2. Clinical parameters and ultrasomics features at baseline were analyzed and selected for models construction. Model performance was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) in the training and two validation sets.

Results
At the 1-month follow-ups, 65 patients presented with CALs progression. Three clinical parameters and six ultrasomics features were selected to construct the model. The clinical-ultrasomics model exhibited a good predictive capability in the training, validation set 1 and set 2, achieving AUROCs of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75–0.90), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74–0.94), and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.40–0.86), respectively. Moreover, the AUPRC values and DCA of three model demonstrated that the clinical-ultrasomics model consistently outperformed both the clinical model and the ultrasomics model across all three sets, including the training set and the two validation sets.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated the effective predictive capacity of a prediction model combining echocardiogram-based ultrasomics features and clinical parameters in predicting CALs progression in KD.
Structured multicellular intestinal spheroids (SMIS) as a standardized model for infection biology
Authors: Kraski Angelina , Migdał Paweł , Klopfleisch Robert , Räckel Clara , Sharbati Jutta , Heimesaat Markus M. , Alter Thomas , Hanisch Carlos , Gölz Greta , Einspanier Ralf , Sharbati Soroush 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
3D cell culture models have recently garnered increasing attention for replicating organ microarchitecture and eliciting in vivo-like responses, holding significant promise across various biological disciplines. Broadly, 3D cell culture encompasses organoids as well as single- and multicellular spheroids. While the latter have found successful applications in tumor research, there is a notable scarcity of standardized intestinal models for infection biology that mimic the microarchitecture of the intestine. Hence, this study aimed to develop structured multicellular intestinal spheroids (SMIS) specifically tailored for studying molecular basis of infection by intestinal pathogens.

Results
We have successfully engineered human SMIS comprising four relevant cell types, featuring a fibroblast core enveloped by an outer monolayer of enterocytes and goblet cells along with monocytic cells. These SMIS effectively emulate the in vivo architecture of the intestinal mucosal surface and manifest differentiated morphological characteristics, including the presence of microvilli, within a mere two days of culture. Through analysis of various differentiation factors, we have illustrated that these spheroids attain heightened levels of differentiation compared to 2D monolayers. Moreover, SMIS serve as an optimized intestinal infection model, surpassing the capabilities of traditional 2D cultures, and exhibit a regulatory pattern of immunological markers similar to in vivo infections after Campylobacter jejuni infection. Notably, our protocol extends beyond human spheroids, demonstrating adaptability to other species such as mice and pigs.

Conclusion
Based on the rapid attainment of enhanced differentiation states, coupled with the emergence of functional brush border features, increased cellular complexity, and replication of the intestinal mucosal microarchitecture, which allows for exposure studies via the medium, we are confident that our innovative SMIS model surpasses conventional cell culture methods as a superior model. Moreover, it offers advantages over stem cell-derived organoids due to scalability and standardization capabilities of the protocol. By showcasing differentiated morphological attributes, our model provides an optimal platform for diverse applications. Furthermore, the investigated differences of several immunological factors compared to monotypic monolayers after Campylobacter jejuni infection underline the refinement of our spheroid model, which closely mimics important features of in vivo infections.
fSCIG 10% in pediatric primary immunodeficiency diseases: a European post-authorization safety study
Authors: Čižnár Peter , Roderick Marion , Schneiderova Helen , Jeseňák Miloš , Kriván Gergely , Brodszki Nicholas , Jolles Stephen , Atisso Charles , Fielhauer Katharina , Saeed-Khawaja Shumyla , McCoy Barbara , Yel Leman 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
The safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of hyaluronidase-facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG) 10% (dual-vial unit of human immunoglobulin 10% and recombinant human hyaluronidase [rHuPH20]) were assessed in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs).

Methods
This phase 4, post-authorization, prospective, interventional, multicenter study (NCT03116347) conducted in the European Economic Area, enrolled patients aged 2 to < 18 years with a documented PID diagnosis who had received immunoglobulin therapy for ≥ 3 months before enrollment. New fSCIG 10% starters underwent fSCIG 10% dose ramp-up for ≤ 6 weeks (epoch 1) before receiving fSCIG 10% for ≤ 3 years (epoch 2); patients pretreated with fSCIG 10% entered epoch 2 directly. The primary outcome was the number and rate (per infusion) of all noninfectious treatment-related serious and severe adverse events (AEs).

Results
In total, 42 patients were enrolled and dosed (median [range] age: 11.5 [3–17] years; 81% male; 23 new starters; 19 pretreated). Overall, 49 related noninfectious, treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were reported in 15 patients; most were mild in severity (87.8%). No treatment-related serious TEAEs were reported. Two TEAEs (infusion site pain and emotional distress) were reported as severe and treatment-related in a single new fSCIG 10% starter. The rate of local TEAEs was lower in pretreated patients (0.1 event/patient-year) versus new starters (1.3 events/patient-year). No patients tested positive for binding anti-rHuPH20 antibodies (titer of ≥ 1:160).

Conclusions
No safety signals were identified, and the incidence of local AEs declined over the duration of fSCIG 10% treatment. This study supports fSCIG 10% long-term safety in children with PIDs.

Trial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov)
NCT03116347.
A system of ODEs for representing trends of CGM signals
Authors: Aliffi Giulia Elena , Nastasi Giovanni , Romano Vittorio , Pitocco Dario , Rizzi Alessandro , Moore Elvin J. , De Gaetano Andrea 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDiabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder which may result in severe and potentially fatal complications if not well-treated and monitored. In this study, a quantitative analysis of the data collected using CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices from eight subjects with type 2 diabetes in good metabolic control at the University Polyclinic Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, was carried out. In particular, a system of ordinary differential equations whose state variables are affected by a sequence of stochastic perturbations was proposed and used to extract more informative inferences from the patients’ data. For this work, Matlab and R programs were used to find the most appropriate values of the parameters (according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC)) for each patient. Fitting was carried out by Particle Swarm Optimization to minimize the ordinary least squares error between the observed CGM data and the data from the ODE model. Goodness of fit tests were made in order to assess which probability distribution was best suitable for representing the waiting times computed from the model parameters. Finally, both parametric and non-parametric density estimation of the frequency histograms associated with the variability of the glucose elimination rate from blood were conducted and their representative parameters assessed from the data. The results show that the chosen models succeed in capturing most of the glucose fluctuations for almost every patient.
A growth-effective age-based periodic site-index for the estimation of dynamic forest site productivity under environmental changes
Authors: Yue Chaofang , Kahle Hans-Peter , Klädtke Joachim , Kohnle Ulrich 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Key message
A novel periodic site index is introduced for the quantification of dynamic forest site productivity. The measure is age-independent, sensitive to environmental changes and efficient for the estimation and prediction of stand height and stand volume increment.

Context
Accurate and up-to-date prediction of site productivity is crucial for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, especially under environmental changes.

Aims
The aim of this study was to introduce a novel concept: a periodic site index based on growth-effective age for the quantification of dynamic forest site productivity.

Methods
The growth-effective age based periodic site index is estimated from repeated or multi-temporal measurements of stand dominant height. Furthermore, a recursive procedure to update the underlying site index model is presented by using repeated measurements of stand dominant height. The database used in this study comprised repeated measurements of 945 Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) experimental plots at 508 different locations in Southwest Germany.

Results
The evaluation shows that periodic site index is statistically superior to the conventional site index, based on chronological stand age, for estimating stand height and stand volume increment. The analysis of temporal differences between growth-effective stand age and chronological stand age and between periodic site index and conventional site index in the period 1900 to 2020 reveals trends referring to stand age and site productivity, which corroborate earlier regional studies on forest growth trends due to environmental changes.

Conclusions
The periodic site index is a better indicator for site productivity than conventional site index. Under conditions of environmental changes, conventional site index is biased, whereas the growth-effective age based site index provides an unbiased estimate of stand height development. With the more widespread application of remote sensing techniques, such as airborne laser scanning, the availability of multi-temporal stand height data will increase in the near future. The novel concept provides an adaptive modeling approach perfectly suited to these data for an improved estimation and prediction of forest site productivity under environmental changes and can straightforwardly be applied also to uneven-aged and multi-species stands.
Debris-flow monitoring on volcanoes via a novel usage of a laser rangefinder
Authors: Iezzi Alexandra M. , Bryant Emily , Thelen Weston A. , Gabrielson Craig , Moran Seth C. , Patrick Matthew R. , Younger E. Frank , Obryk Maciej K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMount Rainier has had at least 11 large lahars over the last 6,000 years, including one occurring without evidence of eruptive activity. This prompted the creation of a lahar detection system that uses a combination of seismic, infrasound, and tripwires. We test a laser rangefinder placed on a river channel bank for detecting and confirming mass movements flowing past a station as an alternative to the physical tripwires. After testing the device at an experimental debris-flow flume, the laser rangefinder successfully captured a small debris flow on Mount Rainier in 2023, confirming its effectiveness as a lahar detection and monitoring tool. Over the 2-month deployment at Mount Rainier, we find that spurious recordings in the laser rangefinder data (noise) tend to correlate with high humidity, and that periods of noise do not correlate with increased co-located seismic amplitude. Therefore, the impact of the noise on future alarms can be mitigated by coupling a laser rangefinder alarm with that of independent datasets.
Comparing subjective quality of recovery between remimazolam- and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia for surgical procedures: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hung Kuo-Chuan , Wang Wei-Ting , Liu Wei-Cheng , Hsu Chih-Wei , Huang Yen-Ta , Wu Jheng-Yan , Chen I-Wen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundRemimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine that has been recently introduced as an alternative to propofol for general anesthesia. While both agents have been compared in terms of safety and efficacy, their relative effects on postoperative quality of recovery (QoR) remain unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of remimazolam and propofol on subjective QoR in surgical patients who underwent general anesthesia.MethodsMedline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to May 28, 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials comparing remimazolam and propofol in terms of postoperative QoR. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) was used to assess study quality. QoR score on postoperative day (POD) 1 (primary outcome), QoR scores on PODs 2–3, QoR dimensions, time to loss of consciousness, other recovery characteristics, and rescue analgesia requirement were evaluated using random-effects meta-analyses.ResultsThis meta-analysis included 13 studies published between 2022 and 2024 involving 1,418 patients. QoR was evaluated using either the QoR-15 (10 studies) or QoR-40 (3 studies) questionnaire. The pooled results indicated no significant difference in the QoR scores on POD 1 (standardized mean difference: 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: − 0.20, 0.23,P = 0.88, I2 = 73%) and PODs 2–3 between remimazolam and propofol. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in QoR dimensions, length of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, and time to extubation as well as in the risks of agitation and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Patients administered remimazolam exhibited slower anesthetic induction (mean difference (MD): 32.27 s) but faster recovery of consciousness (MD: − 1.60 min) than those administered propofol. Moreover, remimazolam was associated with a lower risk of rescue analgesia requirement in the PACU (risk ratio: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.89,P = 0.009,I2 = 0%) but not in the ward.ConclusionRemimazolam is a potential alternative to propofol for general anesthesia as it offers similar QoR to the latter and has advantages in terms of consciousness recovery and immediate postoperative analgesia requirement.
Effects of high solid content and straw proportion on volatile fatty acids production from straw, sludge and food wastes: performance and microbial community characteristics
Authors: Chen Yu-Wei , Feng Gao , Hong Xia , Wang Meng , Zhang Quan , Sun Zhao-Yong , Chen Ya-Ting , Tang Yue-Qin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAnaerobic digestion (AD) is an efficient technology for treating organic solid wastes, and the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced during AD have significant value due to their wide range of applications and higher added value compared to methane. This study investigated the long-term effects of high solid content and straw proportion in mixed substrates (straw, sludge, and food wastes) on VFAs production through semi-continuous reactors under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions. Results showed that both reactors achieved a maximum VFAs concentration of ~ 22 g/L as the straw proportion increased to 50%. Acetate (48.3 – 64.5%) was the main component of produced VFAs in both reactors, while butyrate and propionate production in thermophilic temperature were superior compared to mesophilic conditions. Microbial community analysis revealed that Defluviitoga plays a pivotal role in acidogenesis within both reactors; besides, unclassified Hungateiclostridiaceae and Caproiciproducen were found to be dominant in thermophilic reactor, while Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were essential for VFAs production under mesophilic conditions. These findings provide valuable insights for the biotechnological exploration of acidogenic fermentation for large-scale mechanized production of VFAs from agricultural wastes.
Description of bone health in adolescents and young persons with Klinefelter syndrome – results from a pilot study
Authors: Spiekermann Julia , Höppner Jakob , Ibnukhsein Eliena , Sinningen Kathrin , Hanusch Beatrice , Kiewert Cordula , Siggelkow Heide , Grasemann Corinna 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
In adults with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), impaired bone health with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) has been described even in the presence of testosterone replacement therapy. The aim of the present study was to characterize bone health in young patients with KS.

Patients and methods
20 participants aged 16.10 ± 4.28 years with KS (7 with testosterone replacement therapy) were included in the KliBONE study (DRKS 00024870). Medical history, clinical, radiographic and biochemical parameters of bone health and metabolism were obtained. Radiographic bone health index (BHI) was assessed via automated digital X-ray radiogrammetry of the left hand or via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and left femur in participants ≥ 16 years. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were differentiated into osteoclasts and quantified in 7 participants and 7 healthy controls.

Results
Mean BHI SDS was − 1.42 ± 1.22 and mean BMD z-score at the lumbar vertebrae (L1-4) was − 0.92 ± 1.00. 25-OH-vitamin D levels < 20 ng/ml were detected in 8/20. Other parameters of bone metabolism (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, PTH, ß-crosslaps and osteocalcin) were within age-appropriate reference ranges. Serum leptin SDS was elevated (mean 2.15 ± 1.19). The number of osteoclasts in participants with KS did not differ from that of controls.

Conclusion
BHI SDS and BMD z-scores were lower than expected in young individuals with KS despite age-appropriate bone turnover markers and no apparent pathology in osteoclast differentiation. The cause of the early-onset bone phenotype requires further investigation.
Real-world experience with circulating tumor DNA in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with central nervous system tumors
Authors: Hickman Richard A. , Miller Alexandra M. , Holle Bridget M. , Jee Justin , Liu Si-Yang , Ross Dara , Yu Helena , Riely Gregory J. , Ombres Christina , Gewirtz Alexandra N. , Reiner Anne S. , Nandakumar Subhiksha , Price Adam , Kaley Thomas J. , Graham Maya S. , Vanderbilt Chad , Rana Satshil , Hill Katherine , Chabot Kiana , Campos Carl , Nafa Khedoudja , Shukla Neerav , Karajannis Matthias , Li Bob , Berger Michael , Ladanyi Marc , Pentsova Elena , Boire Adrienne , Brannon A. Rose , Bale Tejus , Mellinghoff Ingo K. , Arcila Maria E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe characterization of genetic alterations in tumor samples has become standard practice for many human cancers to achieve more precise disease classification and guide the selection of targeted therapies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can serve as a source of tumor DNA in patients with central nervous system (CNS) cancer. We performed comprehensive profiling of CSF circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in 711 patients using an FDA-authorized platform (MSK-IMPACT™) in a hospital laboratory. We identified genetic alterations in 489/922 (53.0%) CSF samples with clinically documented CNS tumors. None of 85 CSF samples from patients without CNS tumors had detectable ctDNA. The distribution of clinically actionable somatic alterations was consistent with tumor-type specific alterations across the AACR GENIE cohort. Repeated CSF ctDNA examinations from the same patients identified clonal evolution and emergence of resistance mechanisms. ctDNA detection was associated with shortened overall survival following CSF collection. Next-generation sequencing of CSF, collected through a minimally invasive lumbar puncture in a routine hospital setting, provides clinically actionable cancer genotype information in a large fraction of patients with CNS tumors.
Computer vision-based visualization and quantification of body skeletal movements for investigation of traditional skills: the production of Kizumi winnowing baskets
Authors: Yang Peng , Furukawa Yuka , Imaishi Migiwa , Kubo Mitsunori , Ueda Akira 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis paper explores the application of computer vision and mathematical modeling to analyze the intricate movements involved in weaving a traditional farming tool, the winnowing basket. By utilizing OpenPose algorithms, the study simplifies and visualizes the craftsmen's motions, particularly focusing on wrist movements. Video data of craftsmen in Chiba, Japan, creating Kizumi (place name) winnowing baskets is used as the basis for analysis. The extracted information is used to generate 2D motion trajectories of the wrist, allowing a comparison between beginners who watched parsed videos and those who watched the original videos in terms of skill acquisition and learning time. By visualizing human body behavior and combining statistical results, this study demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence techniques such as computer vision for observing repetitive human movement and inheriting traditional skills.