bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent acute kidney injury: Postoperative impact and predictors in patients undergoing liver resection
Authors: Doi Shunsuke , Yasuda Satoshi , Nagai Minako , Nakamura Kota , Matsuo Yasuko , Terai Taichi , Kohara Yuichiro , Sakata Takeshi , Sho Masayuki 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimPersistent acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been investigated in patients undergoing liver resection. We aimed to identify the predictors of persistent AKI, its effect on postoperative outcomes and long‐term renal function in patients following liver resection, and its impact on survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsWe examined 990 patients who underwent liver resection, including a subgroup analysis of 384 patients with curative resection for initial HCC. Persistent AKI was defined as residual impairment of serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥50% from baseline 1 month after surgery.ResultsThe persistent AKI group had significantly worse postoperative outcomes, including overall morbidity, major morbidity, longer hospital stay, and 90‐day mortality. In the subgroup analysis of patients with HCC, persistent AKI was associated with a significantly poorer overall survival (OS) rate (p < 0.001), and the multivariate analysis confirmed persistent AKI as an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.005). The long‐term postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was significantly greater in the persistent AKI group than in the no AKI and transient AKI groups (p < 0.001 for both). Chronic kidney disease, albumin–bilirubin grade ≥2, and anatomical resection were independent predictors of persistent AKI (p = 0.001, p = 0.039, and p = 0.015, respectively).ConclusionsPersistent AKI adversely affects postoperative outcomes and long‐term renal function in patients undergoing liver resection. Furthermore, it is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Therapeutic strategies to prevent persistent AKI are critical for improving postoperative outcomes in these patients.
Mechanical and dielectric properties of porous Si3N4 ceramics prepared by modified water‐based gel casting
Authors: Zhang Heng , Yao Dongxu , Xia Yongfeng , Zeng Yu‐Ping 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPorous Si3N4 ceramics were prepared using the low‐toxicity monomer HEMA (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) via a modified gel casting method. The rheological properties of Si3N4 slurries were investigated. Triethanolamine with high activity was used as a catalyst and modifier for gelation reactions, effectively improving the curing rate and suppressing the inherent surface oxygen inhibition in such process systems. With an increase in solid loading of the slurry, the drying shrinkage (12.3% to 5.4%) significantly decreased, while the green body density (44.0%–49.0%) and flexural strength (9.65–16.46 MPa) increased, demonstrating an excellent mechanical strength. After sintering at 1700°C, the porous Si3N4 ceramics prepared with 24–36 vol% solid loading slurry exhibited a flexural strength of 144.39–193.66 MPa and a porosity of 55.8% to 49.0%. The dielectric constant and loss tangent at 30 GHz ranged from 2.88 to 3.38 and 1.17–1.56 × 10−3, respectively. These ceramics show promising potential applications in high‐performance structural ceramics and high‐temperature wave‐transparent materials.
Antimicrobial effects of a multimodal wound matrix against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an in vitro and an in vivo porcine wound model
Authors: Gil Joel , Solis Michael , Strong Ryan , Cassagnol Roger , Jozic Ivan , Davis Stephen C. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractChronic non‐healing wounds pose significant challenges due to an elevated inflammatory response caused in part by bacterial contamination (Physiol Rev. 2019;99:665). These wounds lead to billions being spent in the health care system worldwide (N Engl J Med. 2017;376:2367, Int J Pharm. 2014;463:119). We studied the in‐vitro and in‐vivo antimicrobial effects of a multimodal wound matrix (MWM) against two common wound pathogens, Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA USA300) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27312 (PA27312) (Int Wound J. 2019;16:634). The in‐vitro study conducted was a zone of inhibition test with the two microbes at 104 Log CFU/mL inoculated on Tryptic soy agar with 5% sheep blood (TSAII) plates. Treatments used were MWM, Mupirocin (Positive control for MRSA), Silver Sulfadiazine (Positive Control for PA), Petrolatum and Sterile Saline (both serving as Negative Controls). Treatments were allowed to diffuse into the agar for 3 h and then were incubated for 24 h at 37°C. The in‐vivo study utilized a deep dermal porcine wound model (22 × 22 × 3 mm) created on six animals. Three animals were inoculated with MRSA USA300 and the other three with PA27312 with each allowing a 72‐h biofilm formation. After 72 h, baseline wounds were assessed for bacterial concentration and all remaining wounds were treated with either MWM alone, Silver Treatment or Untreated Control. Wounds were assessed on days 4, 8 and 12 after treatment application for microbiological analysis. In‐vitro, MWM exhibited significant inhibition of MRSA USA300 and PA27312 growth when compared to negative controls (p ≤ 0.05). Likewise, in‐vivo, the MWM‐treated wounds exhibited a significant (p ≤ 0.05) bacterial reduction compared to all other treatment groups, especially on days 8 and 12 for both pathogens. MWM demonstrated promise in addressing colonized wounds with biofilms. Additional studies on MWM's benefits and comparisons with existing treatments are warranted to optimize wound care strategies (Adv Wound Care. 2021;10:281).
Evaluation of the efficacy, safety and satisfaction rates of platelet‐rich plasma, non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid and the combination of platelet‐rich plasma and non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid in patients with burn scars treated with fractional CO2 laser: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Roohaninasab Masoumeh , Jafarzadeh Alireza , Sadeghzadeh‐Bazargan Afsaneh , Zare Sona , Nouri Maryam , Nilforoushzadeh Mohammad Ali , Behrangi Elham 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSkin scarring can result from burns, injuries, stretch marks and acne, leading to cosmetic and functional difficulties. Treatments for burn scars encompass a range of options, such as lasers, corticosteroid injections, surgery and regenerative techniques such as platelet‐rich plasma (PRP). Hyaluronic acid‐based products offer skin hydration and shield against aging effects. A study is being conducted to evaluate how effective PRP injection, hyaluronic acid and their combination improve burn scars and their effects on quality of life and potential disabilities. In our study, PRP and non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid treatments were compared in 10 individuals with burn scars between 2022 and 2023. Patients received CO2 fractional laser treatment followed by injections in scar areas. Evaluations included the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), biometric assessments, ultrasounds and satisfaction ratings. Two therapy sessions were conducted at 1‐month interval, and assessments were done before treatment, 1 month after the first session, and 3 months after the first session. Biometric assessments showed significant improvements in various parameters (tewametry, corneometry, erythema index, melanin index, cutometry, thickness and density) in the intervention groups compared to the placebo group (p <0.05). PRP‐non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid, PRP and non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid treatments exhibited the best clinical responses with significant differences between groups (p <0.05). Dermal thickness did not show significant improvement during treatment sessions, and changes among subjects were not significantly different. The colorimetry parameter improved in all groups except the placebo group, with no significant difference between intervention groups. The VSS significantly decreased in all treatment groups except the placebo group. PRP, non‐cross‐linked hyaluronic acid and especially the combination of these two treatment options are very effective in treating burn scars.
Phase equilibria in the ZrO2–YO1.5–NbO2.5 system at 1300°C and high‐temperature experiments in the ZrO2–YNbO4 subsystem
Authors: Tan Xiwen , Liu Chuanqi , Luo Peide , Zhao Dan , Zhang Fan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPhase equilibria in the ZrO2–YO1.5–NbO2.5 system were experimentally studied at 1300°C, and a comparison with the existing ZrO2–YO1.5–TaO2.5 (ZYTO) was conducted. Ternary fluorite phases on the Y:Nb > 1 side extend from binary ZrO2‐YO1.5 to YO1.5–NbO2.5 system, generating a continuous solid solution region. Furthermore, it was observed that three phases of M‐YNbO4, fluorite, and m‐ZrO2 were in equilibrium. On the Y:Nb < 1 side, two three‐phase equilibrium regions were measured, namely M‐YNbO4+m‐ZrO2+O‐Nb2Zr6O17 and h‐Nb2O5+O‐Nb2Zr6O17+M‐YNbO4. The tetragonal YNbO4 and ZrO2 phases both extend nearly along with Y:Nb = 1. The t‐ZrO2 phases with slightly lower stabilizer content were found to transform into their monoclinic polymorph during the cooling process. However, in the ZrO2–YNbO4 subsystem, the tetragonal ZrO2 was nontransformable due to larger YO1.5 and NbO2.5 co‐dopants, and the maximum solubility is about 18.1 mol%. Upon cooling, the tetragonal YNbO4 phase, even with the maximum ZrO2 content, is transformable to monoclinic form. The maximum solubility of ZrO2 in YNbO4 is determined to be about 20.7 mol%. Finally, the high‐temperature liquidus in the ZrO2–YNbO4 system was first determined based on the cooling traces, and a vertical section diagram was proposed for further speculation. A eutectic reaction of Liquid→YNbO4+ZrO2 was discovered, and the eutectic composition and temperature were measured as 39.2ZrO2–29.2YO1.5–31.6NbO2.5 and 1813°C. This study provides the basis for thermodynamic assessment of ZrO2–YO1.5–NbO2.5 and is valuable for the design and development of the ZrO2–YO1.5–NbO2.5‐based ceramic materials.
AKR7A5 knockout promote acute liver injury by inducing inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice
Authors: Shi Hui , Xu Wenda , Liu Qingling , Li Yan , Dong Silin , Zhao Zhenjun 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAlcohol liver disease has become a worldwide critical health problem. The ingested alcohol could be converted into acetaldehyde or combined with free fatty acids to induce the endoplasmic reticulum oxidative stress in the liver. Coincidentally, AKR7A5 has both aldehyde detoxification and antioxidant effects. Therefore, we discuss the possible role and mechanism of AKR7A5 in the acute alcohol injury of mice liver. There were four experiment groups, the C57BL/6 mice of wild‐type mice (WT) or AKR7A5−/− mice (KO) were intragastrically administrated with saline or 50% ethanol at 14 mL/kg, respectively. Compared to the WT + alcohol group, abnormal liver function, disordered hepatic cord, severe congestion in the hepatic sinus and the space of the hepatic cord, occurrence of oxidative stress, DNA damage and different expressions of apoptosis‐related proteins were detected in the KO + alcohol group. Meanwhile, the biological process enrichment analysis showed that the down‐regulated proteins were related to the metabolism of fatty acid, the up‐regulated proteins positive regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process, negative regulation of coagulation and haemostasis. In conclusion, single ethanol binge combined with the absence of AKR7A5 caused more severe inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis of endogenous pathways, abnormal lipids metabolism and disordered coagulation in mice liver.
Video versus audio telehealth in safety net clinic patients: Changes by rurality and time
Authors: Larson Annie E. , Stange Kurt C. , Heintzman John , Zahnd Whitney E. , Davis Melinda M. , Harvey S. Marie 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the mix of video versus audio telehealth modality is critical to informing care for low‐income safety net clinic patients. Our study examined whether telehealth modality and continued use of telehealth varied by rurality and whether that changed over time.MethodsEncounters from adults in the OCHIN national network of primary care safety net clinics were identified by encounter type (in‐person vs telehealth) and telehealth modality (video vs audio) from 4/1/2021 to 3/31/2023. Our main outcome was an interaction between patient rurality (defined using Rural Urban Commuting Area codes) and time. Linear probability models with clinic fixed effects were used to estimate predicted probabilities.ResultsThe predicted probability of a telehealth visit decreased from 37.9% to 24.7% among urban patients (P <.001) and remained stable (29.5%‐29.8%; P = .82) among patients in small rural areas. By March 2023, telehealth use among patients in small rural areas was 5.1 percentage points higher than among urban patients (P = .02). The predicted probability of an audio‐only visit ranged from 63.5% to 70.5% for patients across all levels of rurality, but no significant differences by rurality or time were found.ConclusionsSafety net clinic patients were more likely to use audio‐only than video telehealth visits. Telehealth in urban and large rural areas decreased since the first year of the pandemic. By the end of the study, patients in small rural communities used significantly more telehealth than urban patients. Elimination of reimbursement for audio telehealth visits may exacerbate existing health care inequities.
Drivers of vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen richness in grasslands along a precipitation gradient (central Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Cancellieri Laura , Sperandii Marta G. , Rosati Leonardo , Bellisario Bruno , Franceschini Cinzia , Aleffi Michele , Bartolucci Fabrizio , Becker Thomas , Belonovskaya Elena , Berastegi Asun , Biurrun Idoia , Brunetti Michele , Bückle Christoph , Che Rongxiao , Conti Fabio , Dembicz Iwona , Fanni Stefania , Fantinato Edy , Frank Dieter , Frattaroli Anna Rita , Garcia‐Mijangos Itziar , Guglielmino Adalgisa , Janišová Monika , Maestri Samuele , Magnes Martin , Potenza Giovanna , Primi Riccardo , Sobolev Nikolay , Tsarevskaya Nadezda , Vacca Andrea , Dengler Jürgen , Filibeck Goffredo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractQuestionsSemi‐natural grasslands in Southern Europe are biodiversity hotspots, yet their patterns of plant species richness are less studied than in Central Europe. In the Central Apennines (Italy), there are large areas of dry calcareous grasslands, across a steep gradient of mean annual precipitation (from 650 to 1350 mm within c. 30 km). We asked: How do these grasslands compare to other Palaearctic grasslands in richness levels? How do the precipitation gradient and other environmental predictors influence species richness? Does this influence differ among taxonomic groups?LocationSubmontane and lower‐montane belt of the Central Apennines (Abruzzo and Lazio, Italy).MethodsWe recorded the species richness of vascular plants and (terricolous) bryophytes and lichens in 97 plots of 10 m2, aligning them with the precipitation gradient while maintaining geological substrate and elevation similar. Mean temperature and precipitation were estimated with a high‐resolution regional model. A wide array of environmental variables (including soil properties and grazing load) were measured for each plot. Multivariate relationships within and between response and predictor variables were studied with Canonical Correlation. The relative importance of predictors on response variables was modeled with Boosted Regression Trees.ResultsThe sampled grasslands were very species‐rich in the Palaearctic context. Vascular plant richness was negatively influenced by topographic heat load and soil sand content, but we did not detect a relationship with mean annual precipitation. Bryophyte richness was poorly modeled by the measured variables, although it was positively correlated with lichen richness. Lichen richness had a marked negative relationship with soil phosphorus and mean annual precipitation.ConclusionsIn Southern European semi‐natural mountain grasslands, vascular plant richness is driven more by fine‐scale edaphic factors than by precipitation gradients. In contrast, bryophyte and lichen species richness is predicted by a mixture of climatic and edaphic variables.
Professionalism lapses in health professions training: Navigating the ‘Yellow Card’ moments for transformative learning
Authors: Sibbald Matt , Sheth Urmi , Last Nicole , Keuhl Amy , McPherson Isla , Wojkowski Sarah , Bakker Dorothy , Rowland Paula 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIntroductionHealth professions training programmes face increasing reports of professionalism lapses, which can delay, or end, trainee progression. How programmes respond to professionalism lapses to facilitate professional identity development has not been clarified. The objective of this study is to identify factors that facilitate and impair transformations around professionalism lapses in health professions training programmes.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study interviewing 5 faculty and 20 trainees with firsthand or secondhand experience with professionalism lapses from a range of health professions training programmes at McMaster University. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we coded verbatim transcripts informed by the lenses of social and transformative learning theories. We constructed themes through iterative and comparative analysis, seeking meaningful variation across professions and triangulating faculty and trainee perspectives.ResultsFour themes were constructed. First, lapses are in the eye of the beholder with personal definitions intersecting with institutional and situation norms. Difficulties exist in recognising and convincing trainees to respond to lapses that are perceived to be minor or subject to interpretation. Second, responses to professionalism lapses occurred within power hierarchies, which impacted how trainees reacted to the remediation process, risked superficial trainee responses to concerns and led to concerns around inequitable treatment in how standards were applied. Third, fostering transformation involves building trainee confidence, agency, trust and engagement. Focused support and advocacy for trainees can empower and promote agency in tackling disorienting lapses. Fourth, perspective shifts involve deep engagement over time, including but not limited to self‐reflection, structured discussion and seeking support.DiscussionIdentifying and addressing professionalism lapses is complex and requires nuanced and contextual exploration of personal, institutional and situational dynamics at play. By fostering environments that promote genuine reflection and dialogue and focus on building trainee confidence, agency, trust and engagement, health professions training programmes can better support trainees in navigating these complex situations and contribute to the broader goal of socialising to a professional culture and practice.
Harnessing RNA interference for the control of Fusarium species: A critical review
Authors: Liu Caihong , Kogel Karl‐Heinz , Ladera‐Carmona Maria 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFusarium fungi are a pervasive threat to global agricultural productivity. They cause a spectrum of plant diseases that result in significant yield losses and threaten food safety by producing mycotoxins that are harmful to human and animal health. In recent years, the exploitation of the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism has emerged as a promising avenue for the control of Fusarium‐induced diseases, providing both a mechanistic understanding of Fusarium gene function and a potential strategy for environmentally sustainable disease management. However, despite significant progress in elucidating the presence and function of the RNAi pathway in different Fusarium species, a comprehensive understanding of its individual protein components and underlying silencing mechanisms remains elusive. Accordingly, while a considerable number of RNAi‐based approaches to Fusarium control have been developed and many reports of RNAi applications in Fusarium control under laboratory conditions have been published, the applicability of this knowledge in agronomic settings remains an open question, and few convincing data on RNAi‐based disease control under field conditions have been published. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on the role of RNAi in Fusarium disease control by evaluating current research and highlighting important avenues for future investigation.
Societal Upheaval and the Contraceptive Transition
Authors: Lerch Mathias 
Published: October 2024

AbstractHuman development and family planning programs since the 1970s have led to a fast‐rising prevalence of modern contraceptive means at the global level. However, countries with rising but still low levels of contraceptive use experienced an increasing number of societal upheavals, including armed conflicts, sudden and high‐intensity natural disasters, as well as dramatic effects of health epidemics. This may challenge the continued diffusion of modern means of birth regulation as well as their adherent use. To better understand the role of societal upheavals in the contraceptive transition, we provide a narrative literature review of their multidimensional pathways of influence in the contraceptive decision‐making process. The review suggests four main findings. First, well‐known contemporary barriers to contraceptive use become more salient during societal upheavals. Second, historical barriers reemerge predominantly. Third, societal upheavals exert specific effects on the contraceptive transition, such as through birth replacement, the repopulation of communities, and the sexual vulnerability of girls and young women. Fourth, there are more pathways leading to a reduced (rather than a heightened) contraceptive prevalence. The conclusion discusses the implications of those insights for the contraceptive transition, provides a critical perspective of the literature, and draws avenues for future research.