bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Use of Grayscale Muscle Ultrasound to Indicate Muscle Recovery After Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction
Authors: Saffari Sara , Boon Andrea J. , Shin Alexander Y. 
Published: October 2024

Aim:
This study aimed to validate the use of grayscale muscle ultrasound by measuring echo intensity to longitudinally evaluate functional muscle reinnervation in a rabbit peroneal nerve defect model.

Methods:
Eighteen New Zealand White rabbits underwent a 30-mm peroneal nerve reconstruction with autografts or decellularized allografts. Ultrasound measurements of tibialis anterior muscles were performed before surgery and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks postoperatively and included cross-sectional muscle area, mean gray value (MGV), and mean gray value normalized for area (MGVA). At 24 weeks, functional motor recovery was evaluated with isometric tetanic force (ITF) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP). MGVA data was compared with ITF and CMAP measurements by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results:
Muscle area (Left/Right Ratio (L/R)) of autografts was superior to allografts at 4, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks (p<0.03 for all comparisons). MGVs of the operated side were significantly higher for autografts at 4, 8, and 12 weeks and at 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks for allografts (p<0.01 for all comparisons), compared to their unoperated sides. Similar patterns were seen in both groups for MGVA (operated versus control side). MGVA (L/R) demonstrated a strong correlation with ITF (L/R) for autografts (ρ = -0.7) and allografts (ρ = -0.87), but inconsistent with CMAPs (L/R).

Conclusion:
Quantitative muscle ultrasound demonstrated a reliable, non-invasive tool for evaluating motor recovery in a rabbit peroneal nerve reconstruction model. Clinical translation could provide valuable insights into muscle health and structural changes following nerve reconstruction.
Quantifying the Impact of C7 Spinal Nerve Harvest on Spontaneous, Patient-Initiated Movement of the Donor Upper Extremity
Authors: Muhlestein Whitney E. , Chang Tommy Nai-Jen , Logue Cook Rachel N. , Chang Kate W.-C. , Lu Johnny Chuieng-Yi , Chung Kevin C. , Yang Lynda J.-S. , Brown Susan H. , Chuang David Chwei-Chin 
Published: October 2024

Background:
Transfer of a healthy C7 spinal nerve is a tool for upper extremity reanimation in patients with severe brachial plexus injury (BPI). Its use remains controversial owing to concern for neurological injury to the donor arm. Utilizing wearable motion-sensor technology, we aimed to quantify donor arm morbidity after C7 spinal nerve harvest in patients with pan-BPI, reporting both the time and magnitude of donor arm movement in a real-world setting compared to healthy controls.

Methods:
Seventeen patients who underwent contralateral C7 (CC7) transfer for traumatic pan-BPI at least 2 years prior were compared to 14 healthy controls. Each participant wore an accelerometer on both arms for 7 consecutive days. The vector time (VT), or time of movement measured in hours/day, and the vector magnitude (VM), or magnitude of arm movement measured as a single vector magnitude per second, were collected and compared between groups. The correlation between VT and VM and time from C7 spinal nerve harvest was also calculated.

Results:
At mean 7.7 years after C7 spinal nerve harvest, there was no difference between donor and control arms for VT (5.76±1.55] vs 5.45±1.22 hours, P = 0.56) or VM (2242236±753853 vs 1919223±579723 activity counts, P = 0.20), regardless of donor arm dominance. The C7 harvest cohort used the injured arm 53% of the time and with 27% of the power of the donor arm.

Conclusions:
There was no significant difference in time or magnitude of arm movement between donor arms and the arms of healthy controls.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND PROMOTER ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF GROWTH REGULATOR BRAGRF5 INBRASSICA CAMPESTRISL. SSP.CHINENSIS
Authors: Wang Xiu-Ying , Zhang Jing , Qi Xian-Hui , Li Gai-Zhen , Lan Chuang-Ye , Li Qi-Zhang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic gene expression is a critical aspect, with transcription factors playing a key role by combining with cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. Growth regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcriptional factors. TheArabidopsis thalianagrowth-regulating factor gene (AtGRF5), when ectopically expressed in crops such asBeta vulgaris(sugar beet) andBrassica napus(canola), has an effect of accelerating shoot organogenesis and enhancing the efficiency of genetic transformation. However, an efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation system inBrassica campestrisL. ssp.chinensis, a major vegetable crop in China, remains to be established. In this work, we identified and characterized theAtGRF5ortholog inB. campestris, named asBraGRF5, from BRAD database. Molecular analysis ofBraGRF5gene and exploration of its protein interaction network were further conducted. Therefore, the promoter region ofBraGRF5was thoroughly examined to determine cis-acting elements of various kinds and quantities. It is expected to provide a foundation for regulation ofBraGRF5, and a informative reference for the improvement ofB. campestristransformation efficiency and molecular breeding.
Projected Trends of Obesity throughout the Life Course According to Sex, Race, and Birth Cohorts in the United States
Authors: Hazelton William D. , Ni Peiyun , Harlass Matthias , Hahn Anne I. , Tian Ruiyi , Zauber Ann G. , Lansdorp-Vogelaar Iris , Cao Yin 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundMost research on obesity trends and projections has focused on changes across calendar years. However, as the risk of disease increases with cumulative exposure to obesity, it is crucial to characterize the obesity landscape through a life-course perspective and across birth cohorts.ObjectiveTo enhance the accuracy of obesity epidemic projections throughout life course and across birth cohorts in the US.DesignCross-sectional and cohort study.SettingUnited StatesParticipantsIndividuals participated in three National Health Examination Surveys (NHES) from 1959 to 1970 and 18 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 1971 to 2020.MeasurementsBody mass index (BMI) distributions by sex, race, and birth cohort.ResultsBy leveraging over 40 years of cross-sectional and longitudinal data from nationally representative surveys, we developed models to estimate historical and future BMI distributions in the US for both children and adults throughout their life course. We also calculated life-years of exposure to overweight and obesity, according to sex, race, and birth cohort. Our findings reveal significant increases in these metrics among birth cohorts since 1965 and highlight differential trends by sex and race for the 1965, 1985, and 2005 cohorts.LimitationsAssumption that model parameters will hold in the future.ConclusionOur approach significantly expands upon previous models by projecting life course with continuous BMI distributions informed by longitudinal trajectories, explicitly accounting for variations in birth cohorts.Primary Funding SourceNational Institutes of Health.
SGLT2 inhibitors improved clinical outcomes on biliary diseases beyond glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gao Ming , Lin Qiuyu , Zhu Tingyi , Hu Kaiyue , Zhong Bei , Zhang Kaini , Chen Xiaoli , Chen Xinyu , Zhang Ying , Li Yangyang , Tang Shaowen , Su Dongming , Liang Xiubin , Liu Yu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackground & aimsDiabetes is known to increase the risk of gallstone disease. This study assesses the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the incidence of biliary diseases, relative to sulfonylureas, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and lithogenic diet (LD)-fed mice.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis was performed on T2DM patient data who commenced SGLT2i or sulfonylurea therapy from January 1, 2017, to September 1, 2022-sourced from Nanjing Medical University’s database. They were matched using propensity scores (PS) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Follow-up for developing biliary diseases was conducted up to the earliest relevant end-point. Cox models, PS matching, and sensitivity analyses, including standard mortality ratio weighting (SMRW), were applied to determine hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). Parallelly, LD-fed C57BL/6J mice were administered SGLT2i or sulfonylureas to corroborate findings in animal models.ResultsFrom the 1,901 patients analyzed over an average of 2.83 years, SGLT2i therapy correlated with a substantially lower risk of developing biliary diseases (HR 0.595, 95% CI 0.410-0.863), particularly among defined subgroups. A downward trend in risk was observed with extended use beyond two years. Concordant data from the mouse model pointed towards SGLT2i mitigating gallstone formation, with putative mechanisms including reduced liver injury and dyslipidemia, as well as improved gallbladder motility and bile acid production.ConclusionSGLT2i potentially reduces the risk of biliary diseases compared to sulfonylureas, meriting further clinical investigation.
Activated carbon ameliorates type 2 diabetes via metabolic remodeling of the gut microbiota
Authors: Zhao Cai-Xia , Wu Yu-Tong , Guo Xiao-Yu , Wang Yin , Su Jian-Qiang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health concern worldwide and there has been increasing attention on the role of natural dietary drugs in diabetes therapy. However, the effects of these drugs on gut microbial composition, functional potentials and metabolisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted integrated 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analyses in T2D GK rats and healthy Wistar rats that exposed to four natural dietary drugs (highly porous activated carbon, wheatgrass, dandelion and corn stigma). Oral administration of activated carbon and dandelion decreased the body weight gain in both high-fat diet (HFD) GK rats and Wistar rats. Significantly lower level of blood glucose was observed in GK rats with activated carbon intervention. A group of beneficial bacteria and metabolites were promoted, and the endotoxin-producing bacteria were inhibited by dietary drugs, especially for the activated carbon diet. Oral administration of activated carbon resulted in metabolic changes and anti-inflammatory effects that decreased both high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. The beneficial effects of increased positive responders are related to improved carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, regulated inflammatory mediators, with simultaneous reduction of detrimental compounds such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis and modification of the gut microbiome. These findings highlight the effectiveness of natural dietary drugs, with a particular emphasis on activated carbon, and establish a foundation for tailoring the use of these drugs in T2D therapy.ImportanceOur findings highlight the significant hypoglycemic effect of activated carbon, demonstrating its potential to remodel the gut microbiota, improve carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, regulate inflammatory mediators, and reduce detrimental compounds such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These results suggest that dietary intervention with activated carbon could be a noninvasive and accessible method for improving diabetes management, providing novel insights into the role of natural dietary drugs in metabolic health and diabetes therapy.
Building the future through digital entrepreneurship and innovation
Authors: Sánchez-García Eduardo , Martínez-Falcó Javier , Marco-Lajara Bartolomé , Gigauri Iza 
Published: October 2024

PurposeThe main objective of this research is to analyze the dynamics of academic research on digital entrepreneurship and innovation, unveiling the main research trends developed in the last decade.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis has been carried out using a dual methodological approach comprising bibliometric methods and an innovative three-level systematic review, involving the analysis of the most used keywords, the co-occurrence network of keywords and a traditional review of the abstracts of the 1713 peer-reviewed articles that make up the database under study, with the aim of revealing and discussing the most important research trends developed in the period analyzed.FindingsThe results reveal seven major research trends that underscore the fundamental role of digital platforms in democratizing innovation, enabling a more inclusive and collaborative environment wherein startups, established firms, academia and government entities converge to drive technological advancements and societal progress. Additionally, the pressing need for a holistic understanding of digital technologies' potential to spur economic growth, societal progress and sustainable development is highlighted, as well as the challenges posed by privacy, security and the digital divide.Originality/valueThis research has been developed using an innovative methodology, and contributes to the academic discourse by providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and prospects of digital entrepreneurship and innovation for policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers, urging a collaborative effort to harness the benefits of digital transformation in an equitable and responsible manner, fostering an environment of innovation that is conducive to the sustainable growth of the digital economy.
Influencer-product attractiveness transference in interactive fashion marketing: the moderated moderating effect of speciesism against AI
Authors: Cheng Junjun , Wang Jiaxuan 
Published: October 2024

PurposeFashion marketers are adopting attractive virtual personalities to replace human influencers on social media, but the impact of consumer bias against virtual influencer acceptance is not fully understood. Drawing upon match-up hypothesis, attribution theory and speciesism against artificial intelligence (AI), this research investigates how speciesism shapes the influencer-product attractiveness transference in AI-powered influencer marketing for fashion products.Design/methodology/approachThree studies were conducted (N = 1,385) to test the influencer-product attractiveness transference, the moderating role of influencer type and the moderated moderating role of speciesism against AI.FindingsOur studies validated the attractiveness transference and revealed that influencers’ attractiveness promotes purchase intention via perceived product attractiveness. The adoption of virtual (vs human) influencers weakens the attractiveness transference and attenuates the mediating effect. Low speciesism boosts the effectiveness of virtual influencers, such that attractiveness transference disappears only when high-speciesism consumers react to virtual influencers.Originality/valueOur findings clarify how influencers’ physical appearance, AI application and speciesism together impact interactive fashion marketing, offering practical insights into successful influencer strategies on social media.
Defining, measuring and managing healthcare quality using unstructured physician review comments
Authors: Terpend Regis , Rossetti Christian , Kroes James 
Published: October 2024

PurposePhysician review websites (PRW) and Medicare requirements are pressing administrators to measure, monitor and improve healthcare service delivery. Healthcare service attributes linked to patient satisfaction have received increased attention. Text analysis provides an alternative methodology to capture contemporaneous data on service delivery attributes. A Kano analysis based on these service attributes can help administrators prioritize service delivery and ultimately improve patient satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachHealthcare service attributes were defined from 4,000+ comments on a PRW using latent content text analysis. The resulting 15 attributes were validated by medical professionals using a q-sort methodology and analyzed using a Kano methodology.FindingsThe 15 attributes cover three domains of healthcare service – clinic operations, competency and care. The Kano analysis yields a hierarchy, or pyramid, of healthcare service attributes: (1) must-be’s: establish service operational capabilities and benchmark peer performance; (2) satisfiers: establish and increase trust through: (a) clinical competence, (b) careful management of young patients and (c) delivery of appropriate care and treatment (3) delighters: use service-dominant logic to provide patient-centered care.Originality/valueThis research bridges the gap between the “what” and “how” that is frequently missing in text analysis of online reviews. We provide a methodology coupled with a Kano analysis, a widely used quality improvement tool, which results in a hierarchy of service attributes that can guide administrators and researchers.
Financial crisis of 1931? British banking stability and the role of open‐market operations
Authors: Römer Matthias 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTo what extent was the summer of 1931 a financial crisis in Britain? Previous research has shown how London merchant banks were affected, but it remains unclear to what extent the largest commercial banks of London – the clearing banks – were under threat. Monthly balance sheets reported by clearing banks do not fully reflect the day‐to‐day liquidity in financial crisis, possibly overstating available liquidity. This article does not rely on what clearing banks reported, but what the largest five London clearing banks actually did on a daily basis during the summer of 1931. I find that the London clearing banks were not seriously under threat. This is because large‐scale asset purchases by the Bank of England stabilized the liquidity of the London clearing banks. This intervention is consistent with previous crisis situations during the nineteenth century and at the outset of the First World War.
Long‐term effects of treatment and management approaches for impinging dorsal spinous processes in ridden horses
Authors: Brassington R. , Hardy R. , Bye T. 
Published: October 2024

SummaryBackgroundImpinging dorsal spinous processes (IDSP) are a common cause of pain and loss of performance in sports horses, with a range of surgical and conservative treatments available.ObjectivesIdentify relationships between treatment choice and the likelihood of returning to previous level of performance for horses diagnosed with IDSP.Study designCross‐sectional survey of owners with horses diagnosed with IDSP.MethodsA 14‐question online survey was circulated via social media. Data were collected for 260 horses and analysed for associations between treatment choice and return to pre‐diagnosis level of performance.ResultsJust under 50% of horses in the sample returned to their previous level of performance post‐treatment. Horses that were treated surgically had twice the odds of returning to their previous level than those that were not, and horses that underwent an exercise rehabilitation programme had 10 times the odds of returning to level.Main limitationsAs this was an owner survey, self‐selection bias and recall bias could have influenced the findings.ConclusionsIf the aim is for the horse to return to a competitive career post‐treatment, the most appropriate surgical intervention appears to be the best approach, and an exercise rehabilitation plan may have benefit.
Echoes of insecurity: The detrimental effect of crime on corporate employment
Authors: Peng Zhang , Shi Xinzheng , Yu Junyan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of local crime on corporate employment in China. Leveraging a comprehensive data set of 85 million court judicial documents, we construct city‐level crime measures. We find that local crime is negatively associated with corporate employment. Using China's Gang Crime Crackdown program as a quasi‐natural experiment and the difference‐in‐differences approach, we further identify the causal relationship. Violent crimes and those with longer sentences drive the negative correlation between local crime and corporate employment. This relation is particularly pronounced among low‐skilled employees, in cities with inadequate commuter security, and in financially constrained firms. Our findings emphasize the role of a secure social environment in the local labor market and firms' employment decisions.
Characterisation of the Novel HLA‐B*58:139 Allele by Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Li Qi , Chen Nanying , Dong Lina , Zhang Wei , Zhu Faming 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTHLA‐B*58:139 differs from the HLA‐B*58:01:01:01 allele by one nucleotide substitution in exon 4.
Synaptic communication within the microcircuits of pyramidal neurons and basket cells in the mouse prefrontal cortex
Authors: Fekete Zsuzsanna , Weisz Filippo , Karlócai Mária Rita , Veres Judit M. , Andrási Tibor , Hájos Norbert 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBasket cells are inhibitory interneurons in cortical structures with the potential to efficiently control the activity of their postsynaptic partners. Although their contribution to higher order cognitive functions associated with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) relies on the characteristics of their synaptic connections, the way that they are embedded into local circuits is still not fully uncovered. Here, we determined the synaptic properties of excitatory and inhibitory connections between pyramidal neurons (PNs), cholecystokinin‐containing basket cells (CCKBCs) and parvalbumin‐containing basket cells (PVBCs) in the mouse mPFC. By performing paired recordings, we revealed that PVBCs receive larger unitary excitatory postsynaptic currents from PNs with shorter latency and faster kinetic properties compared to events evoked in CCKBCs. Also, unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents in PNs were more reliably evoked by PVBCs than by CCKBCs, yet the former connections showed profound short‐term depression. Moreover, we demonstrated that CCKBCs and PVBCs in the mPFC are connected with each other. Because alterations in PVBC function have been linked to neurological and psychiatric conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia and CCKBC vulnerability might play a role in mood disorders, a deeper understanding of the general features of basket cell synapses could serve as a reference point for future investigations with therapeutic objectives.
imageKey points
Cholecystokinin‐ (CCKBCs) and parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells (PVBCs) have distinct passive and active membrane properties.
Pyramidal neurons give rise to larger unitary excitatory postsynaptic currents in PVBCs compared to events in CCKBCs.
Unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents in pyramidal neurons are more reliably evoked by PVBCs than by CCKBCs.
Basket cells form chemical synapses and gap junctions with their own cell type.
The two basket cell types are connected with each other.