bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ThymoSpheres culture: A model to study human polyclonal unconventional T cells
Authors: Billiet Lore , Jansen Hanne , Pille Melissa , Boehme Lena , Sanchez Sanchez Guillem , De Cock Laurenz , Goetgeluk Glenn , Pascal Eva , De Munter Stijn , Deseins Lucas , Ingels Joline , Michiels Thomas , De Vos Robrecht , Zolfaghari Amin , Vandamme Niels , Roels Jana , Kerre Tessa , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Taghon Tom , Vermijlen David , Vandekerckhove Bart 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn vitro cultures remain crucial for studying the fundamental mechanisms of human T‐cell development. Here, we introduce a novel in vitro cultivation system based on ThymoSpheres (TS): dense spheroids consisting of DLL4‐expressing stromal cells and human hematopoietic precursor cells, in the absence of thymic epithelial cells. These spheroids are subsequently cultured at the air–liquid interphase. TS generate large numbers of mature T cells, are easy to manipulate, scalable, and can be repeatably sampled to monitor T‐cell differentiation. The mature T cells generated from primary human hematopoietic precursor cells were extensively characterized using single‐cell RNA and combined T‐cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. These predominantly CD8α T cells exhibit transcriptional and TCR CDR3 characteristics similar to the recently described human polyclonal αβ unconventional T cell (UTC) lineage. This includes the expression of hallmark genes associated with agonist selection, such as IKZF2 (Helios), and the expression of various natural killer receptors. The TCR repertoire of these UTCs is polyclonal and enriched for CDR3‐associated autoreactive features and early rearrangements of the TCR‐α chain. In conclusion, TS cultures offer an intriguing platform to study the development of this human polyclonal UTC lineage and its inducing selection mechanisms.
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Supramolecular Interactions in Cd(II)–Organic Hydrate: Catalytic Applications in the Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Sadhukhan Arijit , Nath Patra Birendra , Maity Tanmoy , Kumar Das Asit , Kumar Ghosh Chandan , Brandao Paula , Gil Diego M. , Bera Debabrata , Roy Choudhury Chirantan , Kumar Bhaumik Prasanta , Mal Dasarath , Frontera Antonio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractA dinuclear cadmium(II) complex, [Cd2(Hhqc)2(H2O)4] (H3hqc=4,8‐dihydroxyquinoline‐2‐carboxylic acid) was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, elemental analyses and thermo‐gravimetric studies. The metal centers are found to be six coordinated with distorted pentagonal pyramidal geometry around them. The complex shows few significant intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions to produce a three dimensional supramolecular network comprising of T8(2) water tapes. Besides these non‐covalent interactions few other supramolecular interactions are also involved within the molecular dimer like π⋅⋅⋅π stacking, Cd⋅⋅⋅π etc. They have been analyzed using DFT calculations, MEP surface analyses and NCI plot index analyses. The detailed study highlights the complex interplay of π‐stacking, H‐bonding, and spodium interactions in stabilizing the dimers of complex, which providing precious insights into their energetic and structural characteristics. Further more, the catalytic efficiency of the synthesized complex has been investigated as an effective heterogeneous catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation reactionunder solvent‐free conditions.
Adolescent predictors of substance use in young adulthood among individuals with childhood‐onset chronic pain: A follow‐up study
Authors: Rogers Andrew H. , Palermo Tonya M. , Groenewald Cornelius B. , Murray Caitlin B. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent chronic pain is a substantial public health problem, and pain symptoms often persist into adulthood. Young adults with chronic pain are at elevated risk for more frequent tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use, and cross‐sectional research highlights the importance of psychosocial vulnerability factors. Limited research has examined how adolescent predictors, including mental health symptoms, pain, sleep and family functioning, impact later, young adult substance use.MethodsA prospective cohort of 229 young adults (77.3% female; Mage = 21.0, SD = 1.6) with childhood‐onset chronic pain completed measurements in adolescence and a follow‐up assessment in young adulthood of past 3‐month substance use frequency.ResultsAdolescent sleep quality and male sex were associated with more frequent tobacco use; adolescent depression was associated with more frequent alcohol use, and adolescent pain severity was associated with less frequent, and male sex was associated with more frequent cannabis use.ConclusionsAdolescent predictors of young adult substance use among youth with childhood‐onset chronic pain represent important factors that may inform assessment, prevention and treatment of substance use in this population. Identifying and testing psychological interventions that target these vulnerability factors may reduce overall substance use risk in young adulthood.SignificanceThis prospective observational study of young adults with childhood‐onset chronic pain identified adolescent depression and sleep quality as vulnerability factors associated with substance use. Given the increasing risk for substance use during adolescence and young adulthood, these findings highlight the potential importance of early intervention to reduce substance use among young adults with childhood‐onset chronic pain.
Implementation of a visualization teaching approach for mechanical analysis in civil engineering structures
Authors: Sun Panxu , Liang Kaixuan , Wang Dongwei , Zhang Xiangcheng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe visualization method for mechanics knowledge in civil engineering courses is very important, which can help students learn abstract mechanics. Combined with the structural analysis software, this paper develops a visualization teaching approach for mechanical analysis in civil engineering structures based on the proposed deformation decomposition method, such as elastic mechanics, material mechanics and structural dynamics. Compared with traditional strain analysis method, the proposed method is more intuitive and can identify more macroscopic basic deformations. By aid of a survey for undergraduate students and master students, the teaching effectiveness of the visualization course is higher than that of the blackboard writing course. Besides, Mann–Whitney test results show that there is a significant difference. The proportion of undergraduate students that think the combination of visualization has good effects are greater than those of master students. The proposed visualization teaching approach can be promoted in mechanics courses of civil engineering.
Simulation‐based generation and analysis of multidimensional future scenarios with time series clustering
Authors: Steinmann Patrick , van der Zwet Koen , Keijser Bas 
Published: September 2024

AbstractScenarios are commonly used for decision support and future exploration of complex systems. Using simulation models to generate these scenarios, called scenario discovery, has received increased attention in the literature as a principled method of capturing the uncertainty, complexity, and dynamics inherent in such problems. However, current methods of incorporating dynamics into scenario discovery are limited to a single outcome of interest. Furthermore, there is little work on the post‐generation evaluation of the generated scenarios. In this work, we extend scenario discovery to multiple dynamic outcomes of interest, and present a number of visual and statistical approaches for evaluating the resulting scenario sets. These innovations make model‐based scenario generation more widely applicable in decision support for complex societal problems, and open the door to multimethod scenario generation combining model‐based and model‐free methods such as Intuitive Logics or futures cones.
Chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Liu Kun , Zhu Youwen , Li Shan , Zhu Hong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundResearch focused on the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to radiotherapeutic regimens in patients with cancer has become increasingly common, revealing promising improvements in efficacy outcomes. In patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), combining immunotherapy with chemoradiotherapy can facilitate the significant prolongation of survival, emphasizing the need for pharmacoeconomic studies focused on the clinical uptake of these innovative treatment regimens.MethodsA three‐state Markov model was developed based on clinical data from the randomized phase 3 CONTINUUM trial and used to compare the cost‐effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy plus sintilimab (sintilimab group) to chemoradiotherapy alone (standard group), analyzing outcomes including incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER), incremental net monetary benefit (INMB), and incremental net‐health benefit (INHB) values at a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold corresponding to three times the Chinese GDP per capita ($37 035 per quality‐adjusted life year [QALY]).ResultsThe total costs for patients in the sintilimab and standard groups (QALYs [LYs]) were $92 116 (6.68 [10.03]) and $53 255 (3.75 [5.55]), respectively, for an ICER of $13 230/QALY ($8672/LY), an INMB of $70 021 with INHB of 1.89 QALYs. Using the selected WTP threshold. On the standard WTP threshold, the prevalence of sintilimab group as the primary treatment was 90.55% in China. The establishment of the model is stable.ConclusionsAdding sintilimab to chemoradiotherapeutic regimens represents an innovative and cost‐effective means for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC management in China.
Knee temperature remains abnormal in patients successfully treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An infrared thermography analysis
Authors: De Marziani Luca , Orazi Simone , Boffa Angelo , Andriolo Luca , Di Martino Alessandro , Zaffagnini Stefano , Filardo Giuseppe 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate if the operated knee environment remains abnormal in patients successfully treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL‐R).MethodsThirty asymptomatic patients were enrolled (28 men, 2 women, age 28.6 ± 6.54 years, body mass index: 24.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) and evaluated at 42.2 ± 12.5 months after surgery. Patients were assessed with patient‐reported outcome measurements and with a triaxial accelerometer. The temperature of the knees as well as four regions of interest were evaluated with an infrared thermographic camera FLIR T1020 (FLIR® Systems) according to a standardised protocol including a baseline evaluation and further evaluations immediately after exercise and after 5, 10 and 20 min. The temperature of the ACL‐R knee was compared to that of the contralateral healthy knee for the purpose of the study.ResultsThe mean temperature of the knee was higher (p = 0.010) for the ACL‐R knees (31.4 ± 1.4°C) compared to the healthy knees (31.1 ± 1.6°C), as well as for the patellar area (p = 0.005), the lateral area (p = 0.016) and the medial area (p = 0.014). The analysis of the response to the exercises of the ACL‐R knees showed similar trends to the healthy knees but higher temperature values at all time points (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent ACL‐R with concomitant meniscal treatment showed higher knee temperatures compared to ACL‐R knees without concomitant meniscal treatment after 5 (p = 0.047), 10 (p = 0.027) and 20 min (p = 0.048).ConclusionsThe temperature of asymptomatic knees previously treated with ACL‐R is higher than the contralateral healthy knee, both at rest and after exercise, with a further increase in knees that underwent both ACL‐R and meniscal treatment. These results suggest an inflammatory state persisting years after the surgery, which could predispose to the early onset of knee degeneration.Level of EvidenceIII, Case–control study.
Characteristics and outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for congenital biliary dilatation in children aged <6 years: Comparison between children and adults
Authors: Nakagawa Yoichi , Uchida Hiroo , Shirota Chiyoe , Tainaka Takahisa , Makita Satoshi , Satomi Miwa , Yasui Akihiro , Kano Yoko , Kato Daiki , Maeda Takuya 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground/PurposeWe evaluated the minimally invasive surgery for congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) in adults and children and analyzed the surgical outcomes, especially in children aged <6 years.MethodsCharacteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with CBD who underwent minimally invasive surgery at our hospital between 2013 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOverall, 129 patients (89 children aged <6 years, 9 children aged between 6 and 18 years, and 21 adults) were included in this study. Children exhibited more protein plug presence and abnormal biochemical data than adults. Incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistulas was highest in the adult group (3.4%, 11%, and 33%, respectively, p < .01). In children aged <6 years, postoperative bile leakage and pancreatic fistulas occurred in 9.0% and 3.4% of patients, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the Todani IVA was associated with a decrease in postoperative bile leakage (odds ratio: −1.7; 95% confidence interval: (−3.3)–(−0.22), p = .03).ConclusionAdults with CBD required prolonged operative times and had more short‐term complications than children with CBD. In children aged <6 years, minimally invasive surgery for CBD can be safely performed; however, a small diameter of the bile duct may be associated with bile leakage.
Feasibility of biliary atresia newborn screening in an integrated health network
Authors: Guthery Stephen L. , Kyle Jensen M. , Sean Esplin M. , O'Brien Elizabeth , Krong Jake , Srivastava Rajendu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDiagnostic delay remains a barrier to improving biliary atresia (BA) outcomes. We tested the implementation feasibility of a two stage BA newborn screening program in an integrated healthcare system.MethodsUnder a waiver of consent, we measured direct bilirubin (DB) levels in well newborns undergoing standard of care hyperbilirubinemia screening at four hospitals. Initial DB was measured by modifying nursery admission electronic medical record order sets. Second‐stage DB was obtained at ~2 weeks of age under parental permission/informed consent (PP/IC). Implementation measures included the proportions of (1) eligible newborns that were screened before nursery discharge, (2) newborns undergoing second stage screening at ~2 weeks of age, and (3) newborns that underwent clinical evaluation for persistently elevated DB.ResultsA total of 12,276 newborns met eligibility criteria for screening, of which 12,055 (98.2%) underwent first‐stage screening in the newborn nursery. Ninety‐four (0.78%) had elevated positive initial screens. Ninety newborns (95.7%) underwent second‐stage screening (n = 20) or contact was made with the primary care provider to recommend second‐stage screening (n = 70). Among all screened newborns, 15 (0.12%) had abnormal second screens. All had follow‐up clinical evaluation for potential cholestatic liver disease. No BA cases were identified through screening, though two infants who met exclusion criteria (admission to the newborn intensive care unit) were subsequently diagnosed with BA during the screening period.ConclusionsBA newborn screening is feasible in an integrated health network. Low consent rates have implications for future studies. Program infrastructure is required for implementation success and sustainability.
Investigation of the impact of papain on the volatile and non‐volatile metabolites of soybean meal yogurt
Authors: Yan Yaxin , Hua Dong , Liu Xiaoqing , Fan Xiangrong , Bai Miao , Liu He 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundSoybean meal yogurt was prepared from soybean meal using papain and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. A non‐targeted metabolomics approach was employed to analyze the relevance of papain to the differences in volatile and non‐volatile metabolites of soybean meal yogurt.ResultsThe results showed that the main up‐regulated metabolites and metabolic pathways after enzymatic digestion were dominated by amino acids and their derivatives. Conversely, the main down‐regulated metabolites and pathways were predominantly associated with flavonoid metabolism. Amino acids and their derivatives, as well as flavonoids, were found to be highly correlated with the formation of sweet, umami, astringent, and bitterness. The addition of papain enriched the content of aromatic compounds in soybean meal yogurt. Aromatic components such as 2‐heptanone, naphthalene, and p‐xylene increased in concentration. Synthetic peptide of aspartate and serine, gramine, geissospermine, N‐desmethyl vinblastine, and 3,7‐dihydroxyflavone were the major non‐volatile differential metabolites distinguishing the soybean meal yogurt.ConclusionThis study provided a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic traits of products co‐fermented by papain and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, offering insights for the application of papain in fermented goods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fetal Cystic Lymphatic Malformations
Authors: Nzelu Diane , Panayotidis Ismini , Smith Gill D. , Pandya Pranav 
Published: September 2024

ObjectiveEvaluate pregnancy and neonatal outcomes with fetal cystic lymphatic malformations (LMs), excluding those arising from the posterior neck, to facilitate patient counseling.MethodA systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidance. Case series and case reports published between 2000 and 2022 were included.ResultsSixty‐five studies (96 fetuses) met the inclusion criteria. The average gestational age at diagnosis was 25.5 weeks with the commonest location being the anterior neck (28%). All patients were diagnosed with LM using two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound. Prenatal progression in LM size, presence of intralesional bleeding, or fetal hydrops occurred in 70% (41/59), 9% (5/59), and 3% (2/59), respectively. Chromosomal and structural abnormalities were reported in 4% (2/52) and 2% (2/96), respectively. Overall livebirth rate was 94% (79/84); 12/96 resulted in termination and 5/84 in in utero demise.The average gestational age of delivery was 37.7 weeks. Exactly 19% (15/79) had a vaginal birth, of which shoulder dystocia occurred in one infant. Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure was performed in 13% (10/79). Postnatal treatment commonly involved surgical excision 38% (30/79), sclerotherapy in 21.5% (17/79), or combination of both in 11.4% (9/79). Of those with reported follow‐up, 4 died within 1 year, 1 developed heart failure at 2 years of life, and the remaining 44 had normal developmental outcomes.ConclusionFetal cystic LMs, excluding those in the posterior neck, are not commonly associated with chromosomal, or additional structural abnormalities. They usually increase in size before delivery with only a minority developing complications. The good developmental outcome was reported in all survivors.
Variability in Liver Size Measurements Using Different View Angles in Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Gao Jing , Flick Andrew , Allen Austin , Krasnoff Masha , Kinder Dennis , Nguyen Trinh 
Published: September 2024

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare liver size measurements in different conventional B‐mode ultrasound image (US) field views using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement as a reference.MethodsAfter receiving Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, three operators measured the largest sagittal and transverse dimensions of adult livers on three US image field views (90°, 120°, and 140°) with a single curvilinear transducer. We analyzed the differences in liver size across three image field views using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and examined the correlations between MRI and ultrasound measurements using Spearman regression. We used 95% Bland–Altman limits of agreement (95% LOA) to analyze the confidence interval for liver size measurements between MRI and US. Intra‐observer and inter‐observer reliability in measuring liver size were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsBased on sagittal liver length, 28 adult participants (7 men and 21 women, mean age 43 years) were divided into Group 1 (<17 cm, n = 10) or Group 2 (≥17 cm, n = 18). There was a significant difference in the liver size measurements across the three image field views (P < .001) in both groups. The highest correlation in liver size measurements between MRI and US was with ultra‐wide‐view (R2 = .87 in sagittal; R2 = .79 in transverse). Bland–Altman LOA also indicated good agreement between MRI and ultra‐wide‐view measurements. Intra‐observer and inter‐observer reliability in measuring liver size were good (ICC = 0.82–0.98).ConclusionThe study suggests that ultrasound ultra‐wide‐view provides the most accurate liver size measurement and good intra‐ and inter‐operator reliability.
Precise ablation zone segmentation on CT images after liver cancer ablation using semi‐automatic CNN‐based segmentation
Authors: Le Quoc Anh , Pham Xuan Loc , van Walsum Theo , Dao Viet Hang , Le Tuan Linh , Franklin Daniel , Moelker Adriaan , Le Vu Ha , Trung Nguyen Linh , Luu Manh Ha 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundAblation zone segmentation in contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images enables the quantitative assessment of treatment success in the ablation of liver lesions. However, fully automatic liver ablation zone segmentation in CT images still remains challenging, such as low accuracy and time‐consuming manual refinement of the incorrect regions.PurposeTherefore, in this study, we developed a semi‐automatic technique to address the remaining drawbacks and improve the accuracy of the liver ablation zone segmentation in the CT images.MethodsOur approach uses a combination of a CNN‐based automatic segmentation method and an interactive CNN‐based segmentation method. First, automatic segmentation is applied for coarse ablation zone segmentation in the whole CT image. Human experts then visually validate the segmentation results. If there are errors in the coarse segmentation, local corrections can be performed on each slice via an interactive CNN‐based segmentation method. The models were trained and the proposed method was evaluated using two internal datasets of post‐interventional CECT images ( = 22, = 145; 62 patients in total) and then further tested using an external benchmark dataset ( = 12; 10 patients).ResultsTo evaluate the accuracy of the proposed approach, we used Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), Hausdorff distance (HD), and volume difference (VD). The quantitative evaluation results show that the proposed approach obtained mean DSC, ASSD, HD, and VD scores of 94.0%, 0.4 mm, 8.4 mm, 0.02, respectively, on the internal dataset, and 87.8%, 0.9 mm, 9.5 mm, and −0.03, respectively, on the benchmark dataset. We also compared the performance of the proposed approach to that of five well‐known segmentation methods; the proposed semi‐automatic method achieved state‐of‐the‐art performance on ablation segmentation accuracy, and on average, 2 min are required to correct the segmentation. Furthermore, we found that the accuracy of the proposed method on the benchmark dataset is comparable to that of manual segmentation by human experts ( = 0.55, ‐test).ConclusionsThe proposed semi‐automatic CNN‐based segmentation method can be used to effectively segment the ablation zones, increasing the value of CECT for an assessment of treatment success. For reproducibility, the trained models, source code, and demonstration tool are publicly available at https://github.com/lqanh11/Interactive_AblationZone_Segmentation.