bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Gatifloxacin and Dexamethasone in Rabbit Ocular Biofluid Using a Sensitive and Selective LC–MS/MS Method
Authors: Biswas Arpon , Choudhury Abhijit Deb , Mishra Anjali , Verma Sarvesh Kumar , Bisen Amol Chhatrapati , Sanap Sachin Nashik , Agrawal Sristi , Kumar Mukesh , Kumar Shivansh , Bhatta Rabi Sankar 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBacterial keratitis (BK) is an infection that causes inflammation of the cornea and, if severe, can result in blindness. Topical fluoroquinolones combined with corticosteroids have been shown to be useful in the treatment of BK. A rapid, selective, and sensitive bioanalytical method for simultaneous quantification of Gatifloxacin (GAT) and Dexamethasone (DEX) has been developed and validated using tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Optimal separation was accomplished in under 5 min using an Agilent Zorbax C18 column (100 mm × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase was composed of a blend of 0.2% formic acid in triple distilled water and methanol with a flow rate of 0.65 mL/min in isocratic mode. GAT and DEX were detected in positive electrospray ionization multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), and the retention time was found to be at 1.64 and 2.93 min, respectively. The linearity of GAT and DEX was found to be in the range of 1.56–400 ng mL−1 with good precision and accuracy. The method was validated according to USFDA regulatory guidelines. The validated method was effectively utilized for preclinical pharmacokinetic analysis of GAT and DEX in rabbit tear fluid following the topical application of a commercial formulation.
Characterization of Serum Biochemical Changes in Response to Alcohol Consumption Using FT‐Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Mırsal Hasan , Ceylan Zeynep , Sarıbal Devrim , Cebulski Joseph , Depciuch Joanna , Guleken Zozan 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAlcohol is one of the most widely used stimulants globally, with increasing consumption rates annually. Prolonged alcohol consumption leads to significant physiological and neurological changes, potentially resulting in various diseases, which could be detect in serum. Therefore, FT‐Raman spectroscopy was used to measure chemical changes in the serum of heavy drinkers, and these results were compared with the serum composition of a control group of non‐drinkers. Obtained results showed a significant increase in lipids and a decrease in the amide/lipid ratio after alcohol administration. Additionally, higher amide III/amide II and lower amide II/amide I ratios were observed in the serum of alcohol‐addicted patients. These shifts of 892, 966, 1286, 1459 and 2940 cm−1 peaks indicate alterations in the protein‐lipid balance due to alcohol consumption. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to further analyze the spectral data, with the first three principal components accounting for 95.36% of total data variability. A Bayesian‐optimized k‐nearest neighbor (BO‐KNN) model was applied for classification. The optimal hyperparameters—two neighbors, correlation distance metric, and squared inverse distance weight—were determined after seven iterations, resulting in a remarkably low classification error of 0.0384. The BO‐KNN model achieved training and test accuracies of 95.92% and 90.48%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.00 for the training set and 0.90 for the test set, demonstrating the model's high precision and robustness. In conclusion, FT‐Raman spectroscopy effectively revealed significant chemical changes in the serum of alcohol‐addicted individuals, providing valuable insights into the biochemical impact of alcohol consumption.
Preparation and structural characteristics of polysaccharides from loquat peel waste, and their preliminary bioactivities
Authors: Liu Dan , Zhang Lingju , Huang Hongge , Fu Changchun , Wei Yunxiao , Yu Zuolong , Han Chao , Tang Wei 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDLoquat peel, often as food waste, is a valuable source of bioactive polysaccharides. However, study of such polysaccharides is insufficient, leaving a significant gap in understanding their preparation, structure and bioactivities.RESULTSIn this study, three types of loquat peel polysaccharides (LPWP, LPHP and LPNP) were sequentially extracted using hot water, HCl and NaOH solutions, respectively. Among them, LPWP was the purest, with a yield of 3.4% and molecular weight of 470.6 kDa, and it differed from LPHP and LPNP in structure, as evidenced by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, which demonstrated that LPWP consisted of more arabinose (Ara) but less galacturonic acid, rhamnose and galactose, with molar percentages of 71.3%, 23.3%, 3.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Besides, LPWP also exhibited superior antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities in vitro, particularly in inhibiting α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase. Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis confirmed that LPWP was a methyl‐esterified pectic polysaccharide rich in branched arabinan, as evidenced by the notable proportion of α‐Ara residues, including T‐α‐Araf, 1,5‐α‐Araf and 1,2,3,5‐α‐Araf, with molar percentages of 27.1%, 23.1% and 10.2%, respectively. AFM imaging further revealed its branched‐chain morphology and aggregation behavior.CONCLUSIONThis study highlights the potential of loquat peel polysaccharides as a bioactive ingredient with significant antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties, particularly LPWP, which was found as a methyl‐esterified pectic polysaccharide with abundant‐branched arabinan. Our work provides valuable insights into the application of loquat peel polysaccharides in functional foods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigation of Expectations and Satisfaction After Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Mattos Jose L. , Hopper Haleigh , Soler Zachary , Mace Jess C. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Payne Spencer C. , Smith Timothy L. , Mattos Meghan K. 
Published: October 2024

ObjectiveTo perform the first mixed‐methods analysis of patient expectations and satisfaction after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).MethodsSemi‐structured interviews of subjects undergoing ESS were performed to understand pre‐operative expectations and 6‐month post‐operative satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and mediation analyses were performed. Quantitative questions were followed by qualitative probes for subjects to expand on quantitative answers. Study sample size was determined by thematic saturation based on qualitative responses. Data visualization was used to triangulate quantitative and qualitative data wherein themes emerged.ResultsA total of 52 participants were included in the mixed‐method analysis, and 110 were included in the mediation analysis. 56% of participants were male, with an average age of 55.7 (SD ± 2.18). Mean change in SNOT‐22 was 20.8 (SD ± 3.74), and 25% of participants did not achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Of the participants who did not achieve MCID, 79% would still choose to have sinus surgery again. Qualitative interviews revealed multiple preliminary categories describing the patient experience with ESS. Regression analysis showed that the most important predictor of satisfaction was whether pre‐operative expectations were met (OR = 3.8, p < 0.001). In mediation analysis, the effect of the clinical outcome on patient satisfaction was completely mediated by pre‐operative expectations (indirect effect p = 0.009, direct effect p = 0.17).ConclusionPatient expectations and satisfaction are important yet understudied measures in CRS and ESS. In ESS, satisfaction with outcome is driven by the fulfillment of pre‐operative expectations. Aligning such expectations is the most important intervention a sinus surgeon can perform to maximize success.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 135:555–561, 2025
Does Intralesional Steroid Injection Effectively Mitigate Vocal Fold Scarring in A Rabbit Model?
Authors: Jeong Jun‐Yeong , Thapa Samjhana , Lee Seung‐Won 
Published: October 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of intralesional steroid treatment in preventing vocal fold scarring following vocal fold surgery using a rabbit model.MethodsThe research involved 42 male New Zealand white rabbits. Fourteen rabbits underwent vocal fold scar surgery using a 532nm laser and served as controls (control group). The remaining rabbits were divided into two groups of 14: one group received vocal fold scar surgery followed by dexamethasone injection (Dexa group) and the other received the same surgery followed by triamcinolone injection (Triam group). Four weeks after surgery, histological examinations and high‐speed video analyses of vocal fold vibration were conducted. The maximum amplitude of vibration was the primary measure for assessing vocal fold function. In addition, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies were undertaken to analyze scar regeneration and remodeling.ResultsThe maximum amplitude differences were notably higher in the Dexa and Triam groups than in controls. Histologically, the collagen density (CD) ratios in both the Dexa and Triam groups were significantly reduced compared with controls. Real‐time PCR analysis indicated marked elevations of Has‐2 and Mmp‐9 in the Dexa and Triam groups relative to controls.ConclusionsIntralesional steroid injections after vocal fold surgery are effective for reducing vocal fold scarring in a rabbit model.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 2024
Survival Outcomes of Total Laryngectomy: Evaluating the Intersection of Race and Social Determinants
Authors: Oglesby Kacie R. , Warren James D. , McKee Elizabeth , Rose Alexandra , Liddell Peter H. , Jefferson Gina D. , Paul Oishika , Jackson Lana L. , Kane Anne C. 
Published: October 2024

ObjectiveAnalyze joint effects of race and social determinants on survival outcomes for patients undergoing total laryngectomy for advanced or recurrent laryngeal cancer at a tertiary care institute.MethodsRetrospective chart review of adult patients undergoing total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer at a tertiary care center from 2013 to 2020. Extracted data included demographics, pathological staging and features, treatment modalities, and outcomes such as recurrence, fistula formation, and 2‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was calculated for each patient.ResultsAmong 185 patients identified, 113 were Black (61.1%) and 69 were White (37.3%). No significant differences were observed between racial groups regarding age, gender, ADI, or cancer stage. There was no significant difference in 2‐year DFS/OS between groups. ADI was comparable between racial groups, with the majority in the highest deprivation quintile (63.8% of Whites vs. 62.5% of Blacks). No significant differences were observed in gender, race, cancer stage, positive margins, extracapsular extension, or smoking status among ADI quintiles. We observed a significant difference in 2‐year DFS stratified by ADI (p = 0.025). Stratifying by ADI and race revealed improved survival of White patients in lower quintiles but higher survival of Black patients in the highest disparity quintile (p = 0.013).ConclusionOverall, survival outcomes by race were comparable among laryngectomy patients, but there was a significant difference in 2‐year DFS when stratified by ADI. Further research into survival outcomes related to social determinants is needed to better delineate their effects on head and neck cancer outcomes.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 135:716–722, 2025
Artificial Intelligence in Temporal Bone Imaging: A Systematic Review
Authors: Spinos Dimitrios , Martinos Anastasios , Petsiou Dioni‐Pinelopi , Mistry Nina , Garas George 
Published: October 2024

ObjectiveThe human temporal bone comprises more than 30 identifiable anatomical components. With the demand for precise image interpretation in this complex region, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) applications is steadily increasing. This systematic review aims to highlight the current role of AI in temporal bone imaging.Data SourcesA Systematic Review of English Publications searching MEDLINE (PubMed), COCHRANE Library, and EMBASE.Review MethodsThe search algorithm employed consisted of key items such as ‘artificial intelligence,’ ‘machine learning,’ ‘deep learning,’ ‘neural network,’ ‘temporal bone,’ and ‘vestibular schwannoma.’ Additionally, manual retrieval was conducted to capture any studies potentially missed in our initial search. All abstracts and full texts were screened based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 72 studies were included. 95.8% were retrospective and 88.9% were based on internal databases. Approximately two‐thirds involved an AI‐to‐human comparison. Computed tomography (CT) was the imaging modality in 54.2% of the studies, with vestibular schwannoma (VS) being the most frequent study item (37.5%). Fifty‐eight out of 72 articles employed neural networks, with 72.2% using various types of convolutional neural network models. Quality assessment of the included publications yielded a mean score of 13.6 ± 2.5 on a 20‐point scale based on the CONSORT‐AI extension.ConclusionCurrent research data highlight AI's potential in enhancing diagnostic accuracy with faster results and decreased performance errors compared to those of clinicians, thus improving patient care. However, the shortcomings of the existing research, often marked by heterogeneity and variable quality, underscore the need for more standardized methodological approaches to ensure the consistency and reliability of future data.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 135:973–981, 2025
Long‐Term Biochar Application Improved Aggregate K Availability by Affecting Soil Organic Carbon Content and Composition
Authors: Bao Zhengrong , Dai Wanning , Li Han , An Zhengfeng , Lan Yu , Jing Hang , Meng Jun , Liu Zunqi 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTStraw biochar is an effective amendment at improving soil aggregate structure and increasing soil carbon and potassium (K) content. However, little information is available on the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate‐associated K distribution under long‐term biochar application conditions. To address this, a field trial established in 2013 was used to examine the impact of biochar (B0: 0 and B1: 2.625 t ha−1 year−1) and K fertilizer (K0: 0 and K1: 60 kg ha−1 year−1) on the variation in soil aggregate K and reveal the associated influencing factors. A total of four treatments (B0K0, B0K1, B1K0, and B1K1) were included in this study. The soil analysis results obtained in 2021 showed that after 9 years' amendment, B1K1 increased the aggregate exchangeable K (EK) and nonexchangeable K (NEK) pools by 27.40% and 39.55%, respectively, and the increment was primarily because biochar enhanced > 0.25 mm aggregate fractions and strengthened soil K+ adsorption capacity, which benefit from a synergistic increase in SOC and humic acid (HA) content by biochar. 13C NMR analysis showed that long‐term biochar applications altered the chemical composition of SOC, with an outcome of increased aromaticity and hydrophobicity but decreased the lipidation of SOC, indicating that the complexity of SOC molecular structure was enhanced and eventually contributed to strengthening the macroaggregates stability and soil K+ adsorption capacity. The correlation analysis revealed that soil aggregate EK and NEK contents were positively correlated with SOC and HA contents, which further proved that increase of SOC and soil HA is a significant mechanism for biochar ameliorate soil aggregate‐associated K availability.
Long‐Term Effects of Arable and Tree Cropping Systems on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in a Tropical Agroecological Transition Zone
Authors: Obour Peter Bilson , Bosompem Ohene Asa , Owusu Kwadwo , Danso Eric Oppong , Plauborg Finn , Arthur Emmanuel 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTContinuous cropping can affect soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and litter decomposition, but research on smallholder farms in Africa is limited. This study, conducted from 2020 to 2023 in Ghana's forest‐savanna transition zone, examined four cropping systems: continuous maize monocrop (M), maize rotated with legumes (ML), young cashew intercropped with maize or legumes (YCM/L), and mature cashew (MC). The objective was to assess the long‐term impact of the cropping systems on soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N) stocks, and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition rates using the tea bag protocol. Results showed significant variability in SOC and N stocks across the systems. At a 0–15 cm depth, SOC in the MC and M systems was 160% and 149% higher than in the YCM/L system. At 15–30 cm, SOC in the M and MC systems was 86% and 132% higher than in YCM/L. Soil nitrogen stocks followed a similar trend, with MC and M systems showing 94%–199% higher values than YCM/L at both depths. SOM decomposition rates for green and rooibos tea in the MC and ML systems were statistically similar after 90 days of incubation (p > 0.05). This study, the first to use the tea bag protocol in Ghanaian soils, revealed that mature cashew and sustainable practices, such as adding maize stover, can enhance SOC and N stocks in highly weathered tropical soils. These findings underscore the potential for specific cropping systems to improve soil health on smallholder farms.
Broadband NIR‐II Emission Generated by Tetrahedral Cr3+/Cr4+ in SrLaGa3O7
Authors: Shen Xiao‐Na , Li Zhi‐Jian , Yang Yu‐Guo , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Liu Bing , Yu Hua‐Jian , Qiu Cheng‐Cheng , Lv Xian‐Shun , Zhang Rui , Shi Qiang , Zhang Hua‐Di , Wang Xu‐Ping 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBroadband near‐infrared (NIR) phosphors have garnered significant attention due to their potential applications in phosphor‐concerted NIR light‐emitting diodes (pc‐NIR‐LEDs). Cr3+‐doped NIR phosphors are particularly intriguing because of their broad NIR emission and high efficiency. However, reports on Cr3+‐doped NIR‐II (900–1700 nm) phosphors are scarce. In this study, a novel Cr3+‐doped SrLaGa3O7 NIR‐II phosphor is presented, where the Cr3+ ions are located at tetrahedral sites. The full width at half maximum (FWHM), peak wavelength, internal quantum efficiency (IQE), and thermal activation energy (ΔE) for the synthesized SrLaGa3O7:0.9%Cr3+ phosphor are 194 nm, 1167 nm, 76.12%, and 0.269 eV, respectively. The substitution of Sc3+ for Ga3+ enhances the luminescence performance, and the 0.9%Cr3+/3%Sc3+ co‐doped SrLaGa3O7 phosphor exhibits a peak wavelength of 1208 nm, an IQE of 92.78%, and a ΔE of 0.285 eV. Furthermore, the sintering process in the air induces a transition from Cr3+ to Cr4+, resulting in the formation of SrLaGa3O7:0.9%Cr4+ phosphor, which has a peak wavelength of 1270 nm and an FWHM of 305 nm. The potential application of the 0.9%Cr3+/3%Sc3+ co‐doped SrLaGa3O7 phosphor in pc‐NIR‐LEDs is also evaluated.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation rescues mitochondrial and energy metabolism functions and ameliorates inflammatory states in the ovaries of aging mice
Authors: Liang Jinghui , Huang Feiling , Hao Xueyu , Zhang Peng , Chen Rong 
Published: October 2024

AbstractNoninvasive pharmacological strategies like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation can effectively address age‐related ovarian infertility by maintaining or enhancing oocyte quality and quantity. This study revealed that ovarian nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels decline with age, but NMN administration significantly restores these levels, preventing ovarian atrophy and enhancing the quality and quantity of ovulated oocytes. Improvements in serum hormone secretion and antioxidant factors, along with decreased expression of proinflammatory factors, were observed. Additionally, a significant increase in the number of ovarian follicles in aging individuals was noted. Scanning electron microscopy data indicated that NMN significantly alters the density and morphology of lipid droplets and mitochondria in granulosa cells, suggesting potential targets and mechanisms. Transcriptomic analysis and validation experiments collectively suggested that the beneficial effects of NMN on aging ovaries are mediated through enhanced mitochondrial function, improved energy metabolism, and reduced inflammation levels. Our results suggest that NMN supplementation could improve the health status of aging ovaries and enhance ovarian reserve, offering new insights into addressing fertility challenges in older women through assisted reproductive technology.
Adaptive wavelet‐VNet for single‐sample test time adaptation in medical image segmentation
Authors: Qian Xiaoxue , Lu Weiguo , Zhang You 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn medical image segmentation, a domain gap often exists between training and testing datasets due to different scanners or imaging protocols, which leads to performance degradation in deep learning‐based segmentation models. Given the high cost of manual labeling and the need for privacy protection, it is often challenging to annotate the testing (target) domain data for model fine‐tuning or to collect data from different domains to train domain generalization models. Therefore, using only unlabeled target domain data for test‐time adaptation (TTA) presents a more practical but challenging solution.PurposeTo improve the segmentation accuracy of deep learning‐based models on unseen datasets, and especially to enhance the efficiency and stability of TTA for individual samples from heterogeneous domains.MethodsIn this study, we proposed to dynamically adapt a wavelet‐VNet (WaVNet) to unseen target domains with a hybrid objective function, based on each unlabeled test sample during the test time. We embedded multiscale wavelet coefficients into a V‐Net encoder and adaptively adjusted the spatial and spectral features according to the input, and the model parameters were optimized by three loss functions. We integrated a shape‐aware loss to focus on the foreground segmentations, a Refine loss to correct the incomplete and noisy segmentations caused by domain shifts, and an entropy loss to promote the global consistency of the segmentations. We evaluated the proposed method on multidomain liver and prostate segmentation datasets to assess its advantages over other TTA methods. For the source domain model training of the liver dataset, we used 15 3D MR image samples for training and 5 for validation. Correspondingly, for the prostate dataset, we used 22 3D MR image samples for training and 7 for validation. In the target domain, we used a single 3D MR image sample for adaptation and testing. The total number of testing samples is 60 in the liver dataset (for 3 different domains) and 116 in the prostate dataset (for 6 different domains).ResultsThe proposed method showed the highest segmentation accuracy among all methods, achieving a mean (± SD) Dice coefficient (DSC) of 78.10 ± 5.23% and a mean 95th Hausdorff distance (HD95) of 15.52 ± 5.84 mm on the liver dataset; and a mean DSC of 80.02 ± 3.89% and a mean HD95 of 9.18 ± 3.47 mm on the prostate dataset. The DSC is 11.67% (in absolute terms) and 15.27% higher than that of the baseline (no adaptation) method, for the liver and the prostate datasets, respectively.ConclusionsThe proposed adaptive WaVNet enhanced the image segmentation accuracy from unseen domains during the test time via unsupervised learning and multi‐objective optimization. It can benefit clinical applications where data are scarce or with changing data distributions, including online adaptive radiotherapy. The code will be released at: https://github.com/sanny1226/WaVNet.