bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and functional outcome of rectal cancer patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Pennings Alexander J. , Vink Geraldine R. , van Kuijk Sander , Melenhorst Jarno , Beets Geerard L. , May Anne M. , Breukink Stephanie O. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimIn the last decade, the Netherlands has implemented various diagnostic and treatment strategies to enhance rectal cancer outcomes. This study, using data from the Prospective Dutch ColoRectal Cancer (PLCRC) cohort, investigates whether these multidisciplinary advancements have translated into improved health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional outcomes for the general Dutch rectal cancer population.MethodsPatients with Stage I–III rectal cancer enrolled in the PLCRC cohort were included. HRQoL and functional outcomes were assessed 1 and 2 years after diagnosis using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ‐C30), EORTC QLQ Colorectal Cancer 29 and the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score. HRQoL and functional outcomes were compared based on year of diagnosis (2014–2019).ResultsA total of 1294 patients were included. Two years after diagnosis, patients diagnosed in 2019 (n = 392) had a clinically relevant higher score on physical (8.2, 95% CI 4.1–12.3), role (13.5, 95% CI 7.3–19.7) and social functioning (5.8, 95% CI 0.3–11.2) compared to those diagnosed in 2014 (n = 65). Additionally, patients diagnosed in 2019 experienced less fatigue 2 years after diagnosis compared to those diagnosed in 2014 (−8.6, 95% CI −14.1 to −3.0). The Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score showed no differences.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that over the past decade rectal cancer patients in the Netherlands have witnessed improvements in HRQoL across various domains. Most probably, the improvement is due to a combination of implementation of population screening, a more restrictive neoadjuvant radiotherapy policy and advances in minimally invasive surgery and organ preserving treatment options.
Short‐term morbidity and mortality after right hemicolectomy: an update of national performance in the Netherlands
Authors: Sijmons J. M. L. , Grüter A. A. J. , Toorenvliet B. R. , Tollenaar R. A. E. M. , Dekker J. W. T. , Tanis P. J. , Tuynman J. B. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimThe purpose of this Dutch retrospective population‐based study was to evaluate how short‐term outcomes and inter‐hospital variability after right hemicolectomy for colon cancer have evolved between 2012 and 2020.MethodPatients who underwent right hemicolectomy for primary solitary colon cancer between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020 and were registered in the Dutch Colorectal Audit were included. Surgical characteristics and outcomes were assessed during three time periods (2012–2014, 2015–2017, 2018–2020). Complications and mortality were the primary outcomes, and reintervention, readmission and length of stay secondary outcomes.ResultsIn total, 29 274 patients were included. Significant increase in minimally invasive surgery (51.1% 2012–2014, 73.2% 2015–2017, 85.0% 2018–2020), increase in conversion (6.6%, 7.8%, 9.1%, P < 0.001) and decrease in acute/urgent resections (15.9%, 11.7%, 10.9%, P < 0.001) were found. The overall complication rate was slightly lower in the third period (30.9%, 30.6%, 28.8%, P = 0.004), primarily because of decreasing non‐surgical complications (19.7%, 20.6%, 17.6%, P < 0.001), while surgical complications remained unchanged (17.5%, 18.3%, 18.2%, P = 0.277). Postoperative mortality was 3.4%, 2.3% and 3.5%, respectively. Reintervention rate slightly decreased (9.4%, 8.3%, 8.6%, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients admitted for more than 6 days decreased over time (54.3%, 42.4%, 34.3%, P < 0.001), with an increase in readmission rate (7.4%, 6.8%, 9.3%, P < 0.001). Inter‐hospital variability decreased over time for complications, length of stay and conversion.ConclusionThis study shows a national decreasing inter‐hospital variability in clinical outcomes after right hemicolectomy and a decrease in postoperative complications. Despite increasing use of laparoscopy, surgical complications and mortality remained stable over time.
KDM2B and its peptides promote the stem cells from apical papilla mediated nerve injury repair in rats by intervening EZH2 function
Authors: Cao Yangyang , Wang Yantong , Xia Dengsheng , Fan Zhipeng 
Published: October 2024

AbstractHow to improve the neurogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and develop biological agent based on the underlying epigenetic mechanism remains a challenge. Here, we investigated the effect of histone demethylase Lysine (K)‐specific demethylase 2B (KDM2B) on neurogenic differentiation and nerve injury repair by using MSCs from dental apical papilla (SCAP). We found that KDM2B promoted the neurogenic indicators expression and neural spheres formation in SCAP, and modified the Histone H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) methylation on neurogenesis‐related genes. KDM2B improved the SCAP mediated recovery of motor ability at the early healing stage of spinal cord injury rats. Meanwhile, KDM2B acted as a negative regulator to its partner EZH2 during neurogenic differentiation, enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) suppressed the neurogenic ability of SCAP. Further, the protein interaction between KDM2B and EZH2 was identified which decreased during neurogenic differentiation. On this basis, we revealed seven key protein binding sequences of KDM2B to EZH2, and synthesized KDM2B‐peptides based on these sequences. By the usage of KDM2B‐peptides, EZH2 function was effectively intervened and the neurogenic ability of SCAP was promoted. More, KDM2B‐peptides significantly improved the SCAP mediated functional recovery at SCI early phase. Our study revealed that KDM2B acted as a promotor to neurogenic differentiation ability of dental MSCs through binding and negatively regulating EZH2, and provided the KDM2B‐peptides as candidate agents for improving the neurogenic ability of MSCs and nerve injury repair.
Dorsomedial striatal AMPA receptor antagonism increases alcohol binge drinking in selectively bred crossed high alcohol preferring mice
Authors: Bauer Meredith R. , McVey Megan M. , Zhang Yanping , Boehm Stephen L. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractCrossed high alcohol preferring (cHAP) mice have been selectively bred to consume considerable amounts of alcohol resulting in binge drinking. The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) is a brain region involved in goal‐directed action selection, and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) is a brain region involved in habitual action selection. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) may involve a disruption in the balance between the DMS and DLS. While the DLS is involved in binge drinking, the reliance on the DMS and DLS in binge drinking has not been investigated in cHAP mice. We have previously demonstrated that glutamatergic activity in the DLS is necessary for binge‐like alcohol drinking in C57BL/6J mice, another high drinking mouse. Because of this, we hypothesised that DLS glutamatergic activity would gate binge‐like alcohol drinking in cHAP mice. cHAP mice underwent bilateral cannulation into the DMS or DLS and were allowed free‐access to 20% alcohol for 2 h each day for 11 days. Mice were microinjected with the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) antagonist, NBQX, into the DMS or DLS immediately prior to alcohol access. AMPAR protein expression was also assessed in a separate group of animals in the DMS and DLS following an 11‐day drinking history. We found that intra‐DMS (but not intra‐DLS) NBQX alters binge alcohol drinking, with intra‐DMS NBQX increasing alcohol consumption. We also found that the ratio of GluA1 to GluA2 differs across dorsal striatal subregions. Together, these findings suggest that glutamatergic activity in the DMS may serve to limit binge drinking in cHAP mice.
Cholinergic dysfunction in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder links to impending phenoconversion
Authors: Terkelsen Miriam H. , Iranzo Alex , Serradell Mónica , Baun Andreas M. , Stokholm Morten G. , Danielsen Erik Hvid , Østergaard Karen , Otto Marit , Svendsen Kristina B. , Møller Mette , Johnsen Erik L. , Garrido Alicia , Vilas Dolores , Santamaria Joan , Møller Arne , Gaig Carles , Brooks David J. , Borghammer Per , Tolosa Eduardo , Pavese Nicola 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeMost patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) progress to a parkinsonian alpha‐synucleinopathy. However, time to phenoconversion shows great variation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cholinergic and dopaminergic dysfunction in iRBD patients was associated with impending phenoconversion.MethodsTwenty‐one polysomnography‐confirmed iRBD patients underwent baseline 11C‐donepezil and 6‐Fluoro‐(18F)‐l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F‐DOPA) positron emission tomography (PET). Potential phenoconversion was monitored for up to 8 years. PET images were analysed according to patients' diagnoses after 3 and 8 years using linear regression. Time‐to‐event analysis was made with Cox regression, dividing patients into low and high tracer uptake groups.ResultsFollow‐up was accomplished in 17 patients. Eight patients progressed to either Parkinson's disease (n = 4) or dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 4), while nine remained non‐phenoconverters. Compared with non‐phenoconverters, 8‐year phenoconverters had lower mean 11C‐donepezil uptake in the parietal (p = 0.032) and frontal cortex (p = 0.042), whereas mean 11C‐donepezil uptake in 3‐year phenoconverters was lower in the parietal cortex (p = 0.005), frontal cortex (p = 0.025), thalamus (p = 0.043) and putamen (p = 0.049). Phenoconverters within 3 years and 8 years had lower 18F‐DOPA uptake in the putamen (p < 0.001). iRBD patients with low parietal 11C‐donepezil uptake had a 13.46 (95% confidence interval 1.42;127.21) times higher rate of phenoconversion compared with those with higher uptake (p = 0.023). iRBD patients with low 18F‐DOPA uptake in the most affected putamen were all phenoconverters with higher rate of phenoconversion (p = 0.0002).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that cortical cholinergic dysfunction, particularly within the parietal cortex, could be a biomarker candidate for predicting short‐term phenoconversion in iRBD patients. This study aligns with previous reports suggesting dopaminergic dysfunction is associated with forthcoming phenoconversion.
Supportive Care Needs of Young Adults With Endometriosis: An Open‐Ended Online Survey and Exploration of Unmet Needs
Authors: Taffs Louis , Waters Niamh , Marino Jennifer , Rapsey Charlene , Peate Michelle , Girling Jane E. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe aim of this study is to identify and explore the unmet needs of adolescents and young adults living with endometriosis.DesignAn open‐ended online survey was conducted, with questions derived from prior research looking at areas of unmet need in healthcare, career and work, financial, information, psychological, social and cultural domains.Setting and PopulationSelf‐selecting 18‐25 year olds with surgically diagnosed endometriosis (self‐reported) currently living in Australia were included as participants.MethodsInvitation to participate in an open‐ended online survey was shared through the social media of Australian endometriosis organisations and the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Surveys were analysed qualitatively through template analysis.Main Outcome MeasuresRecording of the unmet supportive care needs of this population was carried out.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐one respondents fit the eligibility criteria of being aged 18–25 years (median age 23 years). Most were born in Australia (94%), university‐educated (54%) and lived in a metropolitan setting (69%). There was a range of unmet needs that were presented across education, work, healthcare and relationships. Group‐specific challenges were identified: doctors either over‐ or underemphasising future fertility; disrupted sexual and romantic life due to painful sex; managing pain in the classroom and workplace where periods are taboo; and being gender‐queer in gynaecological medical spaces.ConclusionsThe increasingly young age at which patients are receiving an endometriosis diagnosis precipitates a shift in patient care. The treatment decisions that are being made must be reflective of the unique needs of the adolescents who carry the burden of the disease. Clinicians are advised to be aware of and discuss needs with their patients.Patient or Public ContributionThe nine open‐ended questions in this survey were developed from data from a preliminary series of interviews with endometriosis patients in a tertiary women's healthcare centre. In asking these data‐informed questions to the online endometriosis community, patients across broader sociocultural demographics and disease states (including less symptomatic endometriosis) have provided a broader understanding of their supportive care needs.
TRUTHFUL IS MORAL: PRACTICING ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CHINESE HISTORIOGRAPHY
Authors: Wang Q. Edward 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIn recent years, efforts have been made to reevaluate the tradition of Chinese historical thought and writing. This article seeks to further these efforts and offer a new understanding of the characteristics of historical writing in traditional China. It argues that, at the level of practice, traditional Chinese historians, like their counterparts in the rest of the world, were deeply concerned with establishing and communicating facts in historical writing. Their separation of commentary and narrative in order to practice “straight writing” of the latter is a telling example, one that evolved into an enshrined tradition over the long span of imperial China. At the theoretical level, Chinese historians also consciously explored the ways in which truthfulness in history could be reconciled with the ethical responsibilities they perceived and sought to assume in and for their time. This quest did not stop at the level of “praise and blame” for past personalities and events. Rather, their practice amounted to an effort, epitomized by the historical practice of the Song period (960–1279), to search for the metaphysics of historical morality, or the immanent and overarching principles that guide human society.
Evaluation of steel ladle refractories lining designs aiming energy savings using open‐source finite element tools
Authors: Santos Julianne Alice , Santos Matheus Felipe , Moreira Murilo Henrique , Angélico Ricardo Afonso , Pandolfelli Victor Carlos 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis research aimed to implement a finite element heat transfer model to simulate the thermal cycle of steel ladles using an open‐source tool. FEniCS was selected, as it can solve partial derivative equations such as the heat transfer ones, which describes the thermal state of the steel ladle via finite element method. For this, each step of the steel ladle cycle (preheating, waiting steps, and holding) had its own model, comprising specific combinations of boundary conditions. An energy consumption analysis was carried out based on the calculation of the heat flux for each stage of the ladle cycle according to three selected configurations of the refractory lining chosen for the simulation. The results showed that the solutions obtained by both the open‐source method and by the commercial tool (Abaqus) were equivalent. The comparison of different lining configurations, especially using insulators, presented several advantages from the energy point of view. The attained conclusions can be of great interest to the refractory engineers who seek novel solutions to improve the insulating performance of the steel ladle. The present framework makes it possible to test a multitude of different designs and processing operation conditions, making the proposed tool a cost‐effective solution to aid the required improvements to reduce the carbon footprint of critical industrial processes such as steelmaking.
Distinguishing characteristics of out‐of‐school adolescents in South Korea: A machine learning approach
Authors: Han Yoonsun , Park Jisu , Song Juyoung , Kang Deborah Minjee 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRecently in South Korea the increasing prevalence of school dropouts and the declining age at which students leave school have drawn renewed attention to this issue. In line with preventive efforts and recognizing early signs of leaving school, the current study aims to identify a set of variables that are most important for understanding the experience of school dropout among South Korean adolescents. Data from two independent panel studies collected by the National Youth Policy Institute in South Korea were merged and analyzed in this study: Korean Children and Youth Panel Study (N = 1646, age = 15.90, girls = 50.73%) and Dropout Youth Panel Study (N = 609, age = 16.84, girls = 56.16%). We applied machine learning algorithms to classify the experience of school dropout using two analytic methods: random forest and decision tree. A total of 36 features from personal, family, school, peer, and community domains were used in the analyses. Specifically, adolescent behavioral characteristics (truancy, smoking, drinking, media use), family structure, teacher relationship, group bullying victimization, and collective efficacy, were consistently identified as significant features of school dropout in random forest and decision tree models. Such information, which highlights a broad spectrum of important factors within adolescents' ecological systems, may provide a scientific knowledge base for school‐level prevention efforts. By identifying these features, social workers and educators may develop early warning systems against school dropouts and accurately screen adolescents with high risk.
Linking training with competitive strategy: the mediating role of human capital
Authors: Osorio‐Londoño Andres A. , Naranjo‐Valencia Julia C. , Calderón‐Hernandez Gregorio 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study evaluates the mediating role of human capital in the relationship between training and competitive strategy implementation. It provides a novel contribution to strategic human resource management literature by exploring mechanisms linking training with competitive strategies. The Resource‐Based View of the firm and Miles and Snow's opposite strategies are used herein to connect training, human capital, and competitive strategy. Hypotheses about human capital's mediating role in the relationships between training and prospector and defender strategies, respectively, were proposed and empirically tested in 245 large Colombian industrial companies by structural equation modeling. This study found that human capital mediates the relationship between training and competitive strategies. In practical terms, training facilitates competitive strategy implementation via human capital improvement.
Recurrence rates after healing in patients with neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers healed with and without sucrose octasulfate‐impregnated dressings: A 1‐year comparative prospective study
Authors: Lázaro‐Martínez José Luis , García‐Madrid Marta , Bohbot Serge , López‐Moral Mateo , Molines‐Barroso Raúl J. , García‐Álvarez Yolanda 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTo compare recurrence rates after a 1‐year follow‐up period of healed neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers after treatment with or without sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing. A 1‐year prospective study with two arms was conducted between April 2021 and April 2023 on 92 patients with healed neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers. Patients were divided into two groups; the treatment group, that includes patients healed with a sucrose octasulfate‐impregnated dressing, and the control group, which includes patients treated with other local treatments different from sucrose octasulfate‐impregnated dressings. After healing, patients were prospectively followed up during 1‐year and assessed monthly in the specialised outpatient clinics. The main outcome of the study was ulcer recurrence after wound healing within 1 year follow‐up. Secondary outcomes were minor or major amputation and all causes of death. Fifty patients in the treatment group and 42 patients in the control group were included. Fourteen (28%) patients suffered from a reulceration event in the treatment group compared to 28 (66.7%) in the control group, p < 0.001. Time to recurrence in the treatment group was 10 (16.26–2.75) and 11.50 (30.75–5.25) weeks in the control group, p = 0.464. There were no observed differences in the minor amputation rates between the two groups: 15.2% (n = 7) in the treatment group and 7.1% (n = 3) in the control group (p = 0.362). Major amputations and death outcomes were exclusively observed in the treatment group. Specifically, four major amputations (8.7%) in the treatment group were complications arising from recurring events complicated by infection during the SARS‐CoV‐2 period. Seven patients died due to complications not related with local therapy. The relative risk of recurrence was 20.18 times higher in the control group compared with those treated with octasulfate dressing (p < 0.001). Treatment with sucrose octasulfate‐impregnated dressings can decrease recurrence rates of neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcers more effectively than neutral dressings. Besides, it may enhance the foot's clinical properties in patients with poor microcirculation, which could aid in preventing future recurrences.
Strong hybrid cellular/lamellar ceramic/polymer composites via emulsification freeze casting
Authors: Li Guanjin , Li Yushu , Yang Likai , Hong Lingyi , Dong Xinyu , Tan Vincent Beng Chye , Zhai Wei 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDespite their unremarkable constituents, natural materials, with their hybrid hierarchical structure, possess exceptional mechanical properties. The hybrid hierarchical structure typically comprises two or more distinct phases such as lamellar, gradient, tubular, and cellular form. An oil‐in‐water emulsion freeze casting method is devised to create composite materials with a bio‐inspired hybrid cellular/lamellar structure. The impact of two types of binders on the microstructure, namely, polyvinyl alcohol and F127, and their correlation with the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Samples fabricated with a 5 wt.% F127 emulsification slurry exhibited an “H”‐shaped cellular/lamellar structure and achieved compressive strength and specific energy absorption of about 360 MPa and 37 kJ/kg, which are noteworthy considering their ceramic and epoxy composition. Finite element analyses were then conducted to reveal how mechanical load distribution between the different phases of the composites and the influence of microstructure on fracture paths can lead to enhancement in mechanical properties.