bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution to the variability in the coeliac plexus structure and formation
Authors: Haviarová Zora , Kuruc Roman , Matjčík Viktor 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe coeliac plexus is often approached due to the diagnosis and treatment of the intractable pain associated with cancerous or non‐cancerous pathology of the pancreas or neighbouring organs. Various methods of coeliac plexus blocks are used and the variations in its structure are causes of the failures of such procedures.MethodsTwenty human cadavers (17 male, 3 females, age range 30–86 years, without any abdominal pathology) were dissected in the supine position. The abdominal autonomics was studied bilaterally after the incision of the abdominal wall the peritoneal sac was cut and the abdominal organs were removed. The coeliac plexus becomes visible after removing the hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments and pulling the stomach to the left and the pancreas downward.ResultsThe largest coeliac ganglion was 45 mm on the right and 25 mm on the left. The average distance of the ganglia from the coeliac trunks was 6–9 mm from the right and left. The size of coeliac ganglia varies from 5 to 45 mm and their number from 2 to 12. Ganglia can be diffusely or concentrically organized. The coeliac plexus almost always receives the branches from the greater splanchnic and vagus nerves. Sometimes the contributions from the lesser splanchnic nerve, phrenic nerve, and accessory phrenic nerve (60%) were observed. Very rarely are missing both phrenic nerves.ConclusionSympathectomy (splanchnicectomy), as well as the coeliac blocks (under US, CT control, or laparotomic) aimed at pain relief usually by pancreatic cancer, should consider these possible variabilities.
Early surgical outcomes of 550 consecutive patients treated for benign gynecological conditions by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery
Authors: Hurni Yannick , Simonson Colin , Di Serio Marcello , Lachat Régine , Bodenmann Pauline , Seidler Stéphanie , Huber Daniela 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionEvidence about intra‐ and postoperative complication rates related to transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for benign gynecological conditions is still limited. We report and analyze data from a large cohort of patients operated in a single institution during 3.5 years.Material and MethodsTo evaluate the safety and feasibility of vNOTES for benign gynecological indications, we performed a single‐center observational study reporting and analyzing perioperative outcomes of 550 consecutive patients operated between 2020 and 2024.ResultsOf the 550 included patients, 365 (66.4%) underwent a vNOTES hysterectomy, 167 (30.4%) a procedure limited to the adnexa, and 18 (3.3%) other interventions, including myomectomy, pelvic adhesiolysis, post‐hysterectomy pelvic hematoma drainage, pelvic organ prolapse repair, and appendectomy. The mean age was 49.4 ± 12.2 years, and the mean BMI was 26.2 ± 5.8 kg/m2. The total complication rate was 6.5% (36 cases), of which 2.7% (15 cases) were intraoperative complications and 4.0% (22 cases) were postoperative complications. Patients presented postoperative complications classified as Clavien–Dindo (CD) grade I in 4 cases (0.7%), grade II in 10 cases (1.8%), and grade III in 8 cases (1.5%). We observed no CD grade IV and V complications. Three patients (0.5%) were rehospitalized for postoperative complications management. The conversion rate was 1.6%, with nine cases of conversion to conventional laparoscopy and none to laparotomy.ConclusionsThe application of vNOTES appears safe and feasible for most benign gynecological surgeries. Our study focused on surgical complications and demonstrated a profile similar to those reported in previous studies.
Outcomes of severe aspergillosis in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A systematic review
Authors: Alessandri Francesco , Giordano Giovanni , Sanda Vlad Cristian , D'Ettorre Gabriella , Pugliese Francesco , Ceccarelli Giancarlo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundInvasive aspergillosis (IA) can lead to life‐threatening respiratory failure necessitating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. However, data on ECMO experience in the management of IA patients are scarce.ObjectivesThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of ECMO as a supportive intervention for critically ill patients with IA.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the literature using the search terms ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Aspergillus and Aspergillosis in two databases (Medline and Scopus). Clinical data were extracted by two independent investigators. Clinical parameters, such as mode of ECMO support, duration of treatment and clinical outcomes, were assessed.ResultsOverall, 32 patients were included in the analysis. The age ranged from 5 to 69 years, 59% were male, and 38% were female. The majority of patients suffered from ARDS (82%). 82% received VV‐ECMO, and 18% received VA‐ECMO. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequent cause of IA, coinfections were frequently observed (51%). The overall mortality was 78%. Complications during ECMO support were observed in 21 of the 39 cases (53.8%).ConclusionsIA poses significant management challenges for critically ill ICU patients, even with ECMO support. Although ECMO appears to improve survival of patients at high risk of AI, potential risks such as bacterial superinfection and altered pharmacokinetics of antifungal drugs must be carefully considered.
Robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on optimizing the port position and specimen retrieval
Authors: Sasaki Yutaro , Yokota Narushi , Nozaki Shuhei , Harada Satoshi , Yano Tetsuhiro , Nishiyama Mitsuki , Kobayashi Saki , Minato Ryoei , Daizumoto Kei , Tomida Ryotaro , Kusuhara Yoshito , Fukawa Tomoya , Yamaguchi Kunihisa , Yamamoto Yasuyo , Takahashi Masayuki , Kanda Kazuya , Kanayama Hiroomi , Furukawa Junya 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionOne of the factors that makes robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy difficult is that the optimal port position differs between nephrectomy and bladder cuff excision. In addition, how best to retrieve the specimen after resection while minimizing the size of the wound is a challenge in robot‐assisted surgery. To solve these problems, we designed a surgical technique for robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on port position optimization and specimen retrieval. This study describes the surgical technique of GelPoint robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy and reports our initial experience with this technique.MethodsBetween January 2023 and May 2024, seven patients underwent robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform and 11 underwent conventional robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy. We compared the patients' characteristics and surgical outcomes between the two groups.ResultsCompared with the conventional robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy group, the median operative time tended to be shorter in the GelPoint robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy group (280 vs. 357 min, respectively; p = .135). The maximum incision length tended to be longer in the GelPoint robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy group (7.0 vs. 6.0 cm, respectively; p = .078). The incidence of 30‐day complications was similar between the two groups (28.5% vs. 18.2%, respectively; p = 1.000). No complications were associated with the use of the GelPoint Platform.ConclusionThe surgical outcomes of GelPoint robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy are comparable to those of conventional robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy, and it can be performed safely and effectively. GelPoint robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy can be considered a feasible alternative for selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
Development of the Flexibility in Daily Life scale to measure multidimensional cognitive and behavioural flexibility in health and disease
Authors: Horne Kristina , Chen Tao , Irish Muireann 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectivesInflexibility of thought and behaviour is a transdiagnostic feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders and presents several empirical measurement challenges. Here, we developed and validated the Flexibility in Daily Life scale (FIDL); a novel, self‐report questionnaire, which captures expressions of cognitive and behavioural flexibility in daily life and is sensitive to natural shifts in these processes across the adult lifespan.MethodsThe FIDL was developed using a deductive scale development approach, which aimed to capture common themes within the flexibility literature and across diagnoses (e.g. insistence on sameness, preference for routines). Following multidisciplinary consensus, an initial 37‐item questionnaire was submitted for validation in an online sample of 295 healthy adult participants (19–78 years).ResultsExploratory factor analysis produced a revised 21‐item version comprising five factors, labelled: Repetition, Switching, Predictability/Control, Routine, and Thoughts/Beliefs. Internal consistency reliability was good‐to‐strong for the total FIDL score and moderate‐to‐strong for individual subscales. Convergent validity was established between the FIDL and an existing measure of cognitive flexibility. Critically, the FIDL total score evinced a U‐shaped relationship with age, whereby flexibility was lower at the younger and older tails of the lifespan and greater in middle age. The same U‐shaped trajectory emerged for the Repetition, Routine, and Thoughts/Beliefs factors.ConclusionsOverall, the FIDL is a valid and reliable multidimensional measure of flexibility, which upholds a clearly defined factor structure and good psychometric properties. It promises to be a valuable clinical and research tool to assess the natural fluctuations in flexibility across the lifespan and departures thereof.
New Cytotoxic α‐Aminoacylamide and bis‐1,5‐Disubstituted Tetrazole Adducts From Amino‐Diterpene Molecules by Ugi Reaction
Authors: Smirnova Anna , Tretyakova Elena , Kazakova Oxana 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTIn search for new molecules of diterpene origin with promising anticancer activity, two amino‐derivatives (methyl maleopimarate aminoimide and methyl 1β,13‐epoxydihydroquinopimarate C4‐hydrazone) were involved in the 4‐component Ugi reaction (Ugi‐4CR) and pseudo‐7‐component azido‐Ugi condensation (azido‐Ugi‐7CR) to afford a series of adducts holding α‐aminoacylamide and bis‐1,5‐disubstituted tetrazole substituents. The NCI‐60 cancer cell panel screening revealed diterpene‐type Ugi adducts 2, 5, and 6 with strong antiproliferative potency with GI50 in range of 1.2–15.4 μM. The high positive correlations with standard anticancer drugs suggest microtubules or progesterone and androgen receptors as possible targets of the synthesized compounds.
Global Value Chain Participation and Firms' Responses to Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Authors: Jiang Chun , Sun Fuwei , Zhang Zhida 
Published: September 2024

AbstractGreater participation in global value chains (GVCs) has highlighted the impact of exchange rate shocks on international trade. This paper examines how such participation influences firms' responses to exchange rate movements, focusing on the relationship between firms' pricing and value‐added in exports. This study, using detailed Chinese firm‐level data, demonstrates that firms with a high degree of GVC participation reacted to currency appreciation by lowering their export prices more substantially and reducing their export volumes less. This is mainly attributable to the “cost‐hedging effect” within the marginal cost channel and the “pricing inhibition effect” within the markup channel. By categorizing export firms by trade models and product types, this study further demonstrates that processing trade firms at the low end of the value chain and those with low product differentiation were more inclined to absorb exchange rate shocks. This study adds to the existing theoretical framework and provides strong evidence for China in deepening GVC integration and supporting the development of high‐quality export firms.
A novel, centrally acting mammalian aminosterol, ENT‐03, induces weight loss in obese and lean rodents
Authors: Barbut Denise , Kinney William A. , Chen Hsiao‐Huei , Stewart Alexandre F. R. , Hecksher‐Sørensen Jacob , Zhang Chen , Fleming Alexander , Zemel Michael , Zasloff Michael 
Published: September 2024

AbstractENT‐03, a spermine bile acid we recently discovered in the brain of newborn mice acts centrally to regulate energy and metabolism. Obese, diabetic (ob/ob) mice treated with five doses of ENT‐03 over 2 weeks, demonstrated a rapid decrease in blood glucose levels into the range seen in non‐obese animals, prior to any significant weight loss. Weight fell substantially thereafter as food intake decreased, and serum biochemical parameters normalized compared with both vehicle and pair‐fed controls. To determine whether ENT‐03 could be acting centrally, we injected a single dose of ENT‐03 intracerebroventricularly to Sprague–Dawley rats. Weight fell significantly and remained below vehicle injected controls for an extended period. By autoradiography, ENT‐03 localized to the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid. Significant cFos activation occurred in multiple anatomical regions within the hypothalamus and brainstem involved in appetite suppression, food‐entrained circadian rhythmicity, autonomic function, and growth. These data support a role for ENT‐03 in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Phase 1 studies in subjects with obesity and diabetes are currently in progress.
Invasive Cichlids Display Higher Aggression During Nest Defence Compared to the Native Mexican Mojarra
Authors: Franco Marco , Arce Elsah 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTNest defence is one component of parental investment by which individuals can increase the survival of their offspring. Aggressive behaviours and the time spent protecting nests are determining factors in the reproductive success of cichlid species. The Mexican mojarra is the only cichlid native to the Balsas River Basin in Mexico. At least four invasive cichlids have been introduced, including the convict cichlid and the spotcheek cichlid. These three species establish their nests in the River and defend them aggressively. We quantified the number of nests, aggressive behaviours and time spent in the nest by parents of the native species and these two invasive species. We expected that the invasive parents would be more aggressive during defence, spent more time protecting the eggs, and would have a higher density of nests. We also explored differences in nest defence between the sexes within each species. We found that invasive cichlids had a greater number of nests than the Mexican mojarra. In the two invasive species, there was no difference between males and females in the time spent in the nest or the number of aggressive behaviours. In contrast, male Mexican mojarras spent less time in the nest and performed fewer aggressive behaviours than their mates. The smaller number of nests and nest defence behaviour of this native species could compromise its reproductive success and population size. This differential nest defence between the Mexican mojarra and the invasive cichlids could have negative implications for the physiology, reproduction, and health of this native cichlid.
Efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib in vitiligo patients across Fitzpatrick skin types with biomarker analyses
Authors: Peeva Elena , Yamaguchi Yuji , Ye Zhan , King Brett , Picardo Mauro , Sloan Abigail , Ezzedine Khaled , Del Duca Ester , Estrada Yeriel , Hassan‐Zahraee Mina , He Wen , Hyde Craig , Bar Johnathan , Facheris Paola , Guttman‐Yassky Emma 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEfficacy and safety of ritlecitinib (an oral JAK3/TEC family kinase inhibitor) were evaluated in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) across Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs). Patients with FST I‐III (‘light skin’; n = 247) and FST IV‐VI (‘dark skin’; n = 117) received once‐daily ritlecitinib 50 mg (with/without 4‐week loading dose), low‐dose ritlecitinib or placebo for 24 weeks. At baseline, patients with light skin displayed higher CLM‐1 and NCR1 serum levels than patients with dark skin (p < 0.05). At 24 weeks, ritlecitinib 50 mg improved the extent of depigmentation measured by percent change from baseline in facial‐vitiligo area scoring index (placebo‐adjusted mean difference [90% CI]) in patients with light (−15.2 [−24.7, −5.8]; p = 0.004) and dark (−37.4 [−50.3, −24.4]; p < 0.0001) skin, with continuous re‐pigmentation through week 48. Treatment‐emergent adverse events were similar across FSTs. At weeks 4 and 24, ritlecitinib 50 mg reduced CXCL11 serum levels (p < 0.001) in patients with light skin, whereas patients with dark skin had increased levels at week 4 (p = 0.05) and no significant change at week 24. Ritlecitinib 50 mg decreased IL‐9 and IL‐22 expression levels in dark skin compared with light skin (qPCR; p < 0.05). These differences in immune dysregulations may explain why NSV patients with dark skin respond to therapy earlier than patients with light skin.
Evaluation of chemotherapy toxicities in patients receiving treatment for gastrointestinal cancers and therapeutic monitoring of 5‐fluorouracil as a clinical support tool
Authors: de Baco Lucas Silva , da Silva Laura Cé , Antunes Luis Carlos Moreira , Antunes Marina Venzon , Linden Rafael , Moreira Mauber Eduardo Schultz , Radins Ricardo Bolsson , Maranhão Sarayane Araújo Brandão , da Silva Barbosa Sylvio Elvis , Volpato Lucimara , Stefanon Lauren Razzera , Brucker Natália 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is essential in treating gastrointestinal cancers, but some patients show severe toxicity. The toxicity is exposure‐related, which is linked to the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) decoded by the DPYD gene. This study aimed to evaluate the possible toxicity related to 5‐FU plasma levels, DPYD genotyping, and DPD phenotyping.MethodsForty‐seven gastrointestinal cancer patients receiving 5‐FU were included in this study. 5‐FU plasma levels and DPD phenotyping were analyzed by UPLC‐MS/MS. DPYD genotyping was also assessed. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was used to classify the toxicity.ResultsFor hematological toxicity, 27.65% showed neutropenia, 78.72% anemia, and 29.78% thrombocytopenia. The area under the curve (AUC) of 5‐FU calculated from the plasma was evaluated for three treatment cycles, and we observed that at the initial cycle, 48.93% were underexposed and 10.63% were overexposed, with a total of 59.56% of patients outside the therapeutic range. In the DPYD genotyping, 97.87% of patients had a wild‐type genotype, and 2.12% had c.1236G>A mutation (E412E, rs56038477). A total of 82.97% of patients showed a phenotype compatible with normal DPD activity.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the evaluation of DPYD genotyping and DPD phenotyping in the Brazilian population still requires further study. Moreover, the analysis of the plasma AUC of 5‐FU could contribute to clinical routine, being a very useful tool, especially for identifying patients outside the therapeutic range and thus guiding more individualized doses, or even in the intervention of possible toxicities related to overexposure.
Manager political preferences and company investor bases
Authors: Feng Hongrui , Huang Yanhuang , Simkins Betty , Wang Jian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe investigate how the personal political preferences of top managers shape the investor base of firms. Based on the risk‐aversion attitude of firm decisions that rely on conservative political ideologies, we find that Republican managers tend to maintain a lower leverage level; invest less in tangible assets and R&D to pursue near‐term profitability; and maintain a high quality of information disclosure to increase stock liquidity. We demonstrate that firms led by Republican managers can attract more transient institutions. This relationship becomes stronger during financially stressful periods and is robust after considering the moderating role of managerial discretion and potential endogeneity.
Prevalence, factors and quality of life associated with frailty and pre‐frailty in middle‐aged and older adults living with HIV in Zimbabwe: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Manyara Anthony Muchai , Manyanga Tadios , Burton Anya , Wilson Hannah , Chipanga Joseph , Bandason Tsitsi , Grundy Chris , Madela Etheldreda I. Yoliswa , Ward Kate A. , Cassim Bilkish , Ferrand Rashida Abbas , Gregson Celia L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectivesWe investigated associations between HIV, frailty and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsThis cross‐sectional study recruited men and women aged ≥40 years in Zimbabwe. A researcher collected clinical and HRQoL data, and performed physical assessments and HIV testing. Frailty was defined using five criteria: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, low gait speed, low handgrip strength. The presence of three or more criteria defined frailty, one to two pre‐frailty, and zero non‐frail. Data analysis used adjusted regression modelling.ResultsOf 1034 adults (mean ± SD, 62.0 ± 14.0 years), 21.6% (n = 223) were living with HIV: 93.3% knew their status, of whom 96.2% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 89.7% of these had a viral load <50 copies/mL. Mean age at HIV diagnosis was 44.6 ± 10.4 years (only 8.1% were ≥70 years), people had been living with HIV for 9.8 ± 5.0 years and had been on ART for 9.4 ± 5.2 years. Overall, HIV was not associated with frailty: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42–2.33] for frailty versus non‐frailty. However, each 5 years lived with HIV was associated with twice the odds of frailty/pre‐frailty (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.03–4.13), independent of age and ART duration. Furthermore, each 5 years of ART use was associated with 60% lower odds of frailty/pre‐frailty (aOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19–0.78), independent of age and years lived with HIV. Older age, minimal education and poverty were associated with frailty. Frailty was associated with lower HRQoL in people both with and without HIV.ConclusionReduced survival and good viral suppression may explain the lack of association between HIV and frailty. Early ART initiation could reduce future risk of frailty.
Synthesis and characterization of the doped/co‐doped SnO2 nanoparticles by the sol–gel method
Authors: Aydın Ünal Fatma 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTin oxide (SnO2) is one of the important semiconductors used in the application of solar cells because of its chemical–mechanical stability and wide band gap. These properties are very important for the performance development and photoanode optimization of a dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). However, the low conduction band value of SnO2 reduces the photovoltaic efficiency, which limits the application of DSSC. Therefore, the doping strategy was used to increase the sensitivity to the visible light spectrum and change the light absorption properties of SnO2. In this paper, pure SnO2, Ag/SnO2, Pt/SnO2, and Pt/Ag/SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized at the nanoscale by a simple chemical sol–gel method. To characterize the structure, morphological/chemical properties, optical properties, and surface properties of the synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles, X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and particle size analysis were respectively used. XRD results showed that the crystal sizes varied between 8.8 and 12.2 nm depending on the doping. Doping processes resulted in reductions in particle sizes. Optical studies resulted in decreases in the band gap with the doping process. The conclusions obtained have shown that Ag doping, and Pt–Ag co‐doping can be promising for use as photoanode materials in semiconductor technology and especially in DSSC applications.