bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarkers in cardiogenic shock: old pals, new friends
Authors: Jozwiak Mathieu , Lim Sung Yoon , Si Xiang , Monnet Xavier 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn cardiogenic shock, biomarkers should ideally help make the diagnosis, choose the right therapeutic options and monitor the patient in addition to clinical and echocardiographic indices. Among “old” biomarkers that have been used for decades, lactate detects, quantifies, and follows anaerobic metabolism, despite its lack of specificity. Renal and liver biomarkers are indispensable for detecting the effect of shock on organ function and are highly predictive of poor outcomes. Direct biomarkers of cardiac damage such as cardiac troponins, B-type natriuretic and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides have a good prognostic value, but they lack specificity to detect a cardiogenic cause of shock, as many factors influence their plasma concentrations in critically ill patients. Among the biomarkers that have been more recently described, dipeptidyl peptidase-3 is one of the most interesting. In addition to its prognostic value, it could represent a therapeutic target in cardiogenic shock in the future as a specific antibody inhibits its activity. Adrenomedullin is a small peptide hormone secreted by various tissues, including vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelium, particularly under pathological conditions. It has a vasodilator effect and has prognostic value during cardiogenic shock. An antibody inhibits its activity and so adrenomedullin could represent a therapeutic target in cardiogenic shock. An increasing number of inflammatory biomarkers are also of proven prognostic value in cardiogenic shock, reflecting the inflammatory reaction associated with the syndrome. Some of them are combined to form prognostic proteomic scores. Alongside clinical variables, biomarkers can be used to establish biological “signatures” characteristic of the pathophysiological pathways involved in cardiogenic shock. This helps describe patient subphenotypes, which could in the future be used in clinical trials to define patient populations responding specifically to a treatment.
Predictors of COVID-19 severity among a cohort of Egyptian patients
Authors: Fathy Mona , Moemen Samar , Hamed Dalia , Hussein Shadia , Ashour Wafaa , Ashoush Omar , Hegazy Mona , Abdelghani Ahmad , Abdelfatah Dalia , El Salawy Naglaa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
As the outbreak of COVID-19 progresses, prognostic markers for the identification of high-risk individuals are urgently needed. The angiotensin system is implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 as ACE2 is the cellular receptor for SARS-COV-2 virus, and expression of the ACE2 gene could regulate an individual’s susceptibility to infection. In addition, the balance between ACE and ACE2 activity may play a role in the severity of COVID-19.

Aim of work
The aim of the work is to explore the role of ACE1 I/D and ACE2 G8790A gene variants and serum ACE l/ACE2 ratio as risk factors for severity of COVID-19 infection.

Methods
One hundred and eighty COVID-19 patients were divided into three groups: mild (60 patients), moderate (60 patients), and severe (60 patients). The enzyme levels of ACE and ACE2 were measured by ELISA. ACE I/D (rs4646994) was assayed using PCR and ACE2 (rs2285666) gene variant was determined using real-time PCR.

Results
ACE/ACE2 ratio was significantly lower in the mild group than in the moderate-to-severe group (P < 0.001). GG (reference) genotype and G allele of ACE2 were more frequent in mild group, AA (variant) genotype, and A allele were more frequent in severe group (P value < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression, COVID-19 severity was associated with older age (> 50y) (OR 10.4, 95% CI 3.8–28.4, P < 0.001), comorbidities (OR 8.2, 95% CI 1.6–42.1, P 0.012), and higher ACE/ACE2 ratio (OR 8.3, 95% CI 3.7–18.6 P < 0.001) were independent significant predictors of severity. Haplotype analysis revealed that patients with D allele of the ACE gene combined with the A allele of the ACE2 gene had nearly double the risk of having severe COVID infection (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.5, P = 0.024).

Conclusion
Old age (> 50 years), presence of comorbidities, and a high ACE/ACE2 ratio are recognized as pivotal predictors of COVID-19 severity.
Research progress on calibration of bridge structural health monitoring sensing system
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Tao , Lin Wansong , Jing Mengyao , Xu Wenming 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe full life-cycle state monitoring of bridge structures is an effective way to ensure traffic safety and is also an important trend in the development of modern transportation. The accuracy, traceability, and reliability of sensor data are the foundation for the Bridge Health Monitoring (BHM) system to achieve its various functions. However, commonly seen uncertainties in measurement results of the monitoring system such as error, linearity, and repeatability often need to be calibrated to ensure accuracy and reliability of the data. Therefore, the calibration of these basic uncertain elements has been brought to our research focus. In this study, we first comb the monitoring parameters and characteristics of different sensor systems to help select suitable bridge structure monitoring sensors and adopt appropriate calibration and traceability strategies. Then, in combination with the research on traditional sensor calibration techniques and new sensor calibration technology, we present the key factors to be considered in the sensor calibration process and the challenges faced by the current technologies. Finally, suggestions are made for the research trend on the calibration of bridge monitoring sensors, aiming to provide reference for both theoretical and practical studies on bridge sensor calibration in the future.
Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks in chronic pain: a narrative review
Authors: Marrone Francesco , Pullano Carmine , De Cassai Alessandro , Fusco Pierfrancesco 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Recent studies have unveiled the intricate and distinctive nature of fascia, no longer regarding it solely as a muscle container. Recent research highlights its complex innervation and structure, signifying its significance in chronic pain pathways.

Methods
We conducted a systematic literature search (updated on February 2024) to evaluate the role of fascial plane blocks in chronic pain treatment. All article types (randomized clinical trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies along with case reports and case series) were deemed eligible for inclusion if they referenced “fascial plane blocks” for the control of chronic pain conditions (persistent post-surgical, neuropathic, musculoskeletal-myofascial and cancer-related) and were published between 2010 and February 2024.

Results
The search revealed an increasing evidence in the literature for the implementation of fascial blocks in chronic pain management, although still heavily limited to case reports or series.

Conclusion
With the integration of ultrasound technology and a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action, the fascial plane blocks continue to broaden their application also in chronic pain management, as a part of a multimodal strategy or as an alternative to conventional drugs or opioids.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibition as a Novel Therapy for Peritoneal Mucinous Carcinomatosis With GNAS Mutations
Authors: Weitz Jonathan , Nishizaki Daisuke , Liau Joy , Patel Jay , Ng Isabella , Sun Siming , Ramms Dana , Zou Jingjing , Wishart Brian , Rull Jordan , Baumgartner Joel , Kelly Kaitlyn , White Rebekah , Veerapong Jula , Hosseini Mojgan , Patel Hitendra , Botta Gregory , Gutkind J. Sylvio , Tiriac Herve , Kato Shumei , Lowy Andrew M. 
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Mucinous neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by a propensity for metastasis to the peritoneum, resulting in peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMC). A subset of these tumors, most often originating in the appendix, harbor mutations in the
GNAS
oncogene. While the natural history of
GNAS
-mutant PMC varies, patient outcomes are generally poor, as is response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of single-agent palbociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor, in patients with
GNAS
-mutant PMC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We enrolled 16 patients with PMC in a single-arm personalized cancer therapy trial. For all patients, tumor tissue and/or circulating tumor DNA genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing and, when possible, PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability status was assessed. Twelve of 16 patients had previous disease progression on at least one previous line of chemotherapy. The primary tumor was appendix in 13 patients, unknown in two patients, and pancreas in one patient. Eleven cases were classified as low grade, and five as high grade.

RESULTS

In 13 of 16 patients, we observed a decrease in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and in six patients, the CEA declined by >50%. As measured by clinical and modified peritoneal RECIST criteria, 50% of evaluable patients had stable disease after 12 months of palbociclib. At a median follow-up of 17.6 months, median survival has not been reached. Clinical response to CDK4/6 inhibition was mirrored in tumors with
GNAS
mutation and mucinous histology using an ex vivo preclinical platform.

CONCLUSION

CDK4/6 inhibition with palbociclib had clinical activity in PMC characterized by mutations in
GNAS
that was superior to that previously reported with cytotoxic chemotherapy. CDK4/6 inhibition is a novel therapeutic strategy worthy of further evaluation in this subgroup of gastrointestinal neoplasms.
Mixed-encoding one-photon-interference quantum secure direct communication
Authors: Li Xiang-Jie , Cheng Yuan-Bin , Pan Xing-Bo , Zhang Yun-Rong , Qian Ling , Long Gui-Lu 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) guarantees both the security and reliability of information transmission using quantum states. One-photon-interference QSDC (OPI-QSDC) is a technique that enhances the transmission distance and ensures secure point-to-point information transmission, but it requires complex phase locking technology. This paper proposes a mixed-encoding one-photon-interference QSDC (MO-QSDC) protocol that removes the need for phase locking technology. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the MO-QSDC protocol could also beat the PLOB bound.
Thyrotroph Hyperplasia Caused by Severe Primary Hypothyroidism Leading to Adrenal Crisis
Authors: Hakami Yasser , AlJaman Abdulaziz 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Thyrotroph hyperplasia is commonly present but remains largely undiagnosed in primary hypothyroidism. It is easily reversible with thyroid replacement therapy. If imaging is performed prior to biochemical evaluation, then patients may undergo pituitary surgery unnecessarily. We present the case of a 30-year-old man with thyrotroph hyperplasia caused by profound primary hypothyroidism leading to hypopituitarism that resolved after levothyroxine replacement therapy. We will discuss the current literature regarding pituitary hyperplasia in primary hypothyroidism in adults.
Impact of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus on Acute Kidney Injury After Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kim Jae Hwan , Kim Kyoung-Sun , Kwon Hye-Mee , Kim Sung-Hoon , Jun In-Gu , Song Jun-Gol , Hwang Gyu-Sam 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common complications after liver transplantation (LT) and can significantly impact outcomes. The presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of AKI development. However, the impact of HCV on AKI after LT has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of HCV on AKI development in patients who underwent LT.

METHODS:
Between January 2008 and April 2023, 2183 patients who underwent living donor LT (LDLT) were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of chronic HCV infection. We compared LT recipients using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Factors associated with AKI development were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. In addition, 1-year mortality and graft failure were assessed using a Cox proportional regression model.

RESULTS:
Among 2183 patients, the incidence of AKI was 59.2%. After PSM, the patients with HCV showed a more frequent development of AKI (71.9% vs 63.9%, P = .026). In multivariate analysis after PSM, HCV was associated with AKI development (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–2.20, P = .022), 1-year mortality (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.12–3.52, P = .019), and graft failure (HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.22–3.69, P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS:
The presence of HCV was associated with increased risk for the development of AKI, 1-year mortality, and graft failure after LT.
On-Demand Delivery Platforms and Restaurant Sales
Authors: Li Zhuoxin , Wang Gang 
Published: October 2024

Restaurants are increasingly relying on on-demand delivery platforms (e.g., DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats) to reach customers and fulfill takeout orders. Although on-demand delivery is a valuable option for consumers, whether restaurants benefit from or are being hurt by partnering with these platforms remains unclear. This paper investigates whether and to what extent the platform delivery channel substitutes restaurants’ own takeout/dine-in channels and the net impact on restaurant revenue. Empirical analyses show that restaurants overall benefit from on-demand delivery platforms—these platforms increase restaurants’ total takeout sales while creating positive spillovers to customer dine-in visits. However, the platform effects are substantially heterogeneous, depending on the type of restaurants (independent versus chain) and the type of customer channels (takeout versus dine-in). The overall positive effect on fast-food chains is four times as large as that on independent restaurants. For takeout, delivery platforms substitute independent restaurants’ but complement chain restaurants’ own takeout sales. For dine-in, delivery platforms increase both independent and chain restaurants’ dine-in visits by a similar magnitude. Therefore, the value of delivery platforms to independent restaurants mostly comes from the increase in dine-in visits, whereas the value to chain restaurants primarily comes from the gain in takeout sales. Further, the platform delivery channel facilitates price competition and reduces the opportunity for independent restaurants to differentiate with premium services and dine-in experience, which may explain why independent restaurants do not benefit as much from on-demand delivery platforms. This paper was accepted by D. J. Wu, information systems. Funding: Z. Li is grateful to the National Science Foundation Division of Social and Economic Sciences for support provided through the CAREER award [Grant 2243736]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.01010 .
Galvanising Youth Engagement in Fair Trade: Lessons from the FTIS 2023 workshop
Authors: Smith Laura , Green Emma , Cligg Lucy , Fianu Joanna 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This article reflects on the outcomes of a workshop at the Fair Trade International Symposium in June 2023 which explored some of the ways young people are engaging in Fair Trade. Campaigners recognize the importance of giving leadership responsibilities to young people with fresh ideas and social connections to help expand the Fair Trade movement. There are opportunities to engage young people through the connections between Fair Trade and the environmental and social issues that young people are passionate about today. The workshop showcased three such initiatives: a climate and food security debate; an ethical enterprise project; and Fairtrade Fortnight events at the University of Leeds. Through these initiatives young people learned about trade (in)justice and gained a deeper understanding of the root causes of sustainability issues, whilst gaining transferable skills and building competencies to work collaboratively and creatively. Engaging with Fair Trade can provide young people with experiential learning opportunities that forward the goals of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) agenda and promote the relevance of the Fair Trade movement to a younger generation.
Intent-based control and management framework for optical transport networks supporting B5G services empowered by large language models [Invited]
Authors: Tzanakaki Anna , Anastasopoulos Markos , Alevizaki Victoria-Maria 
Published: October 2024

This study focuses on the development of an intent-based networking (IBN) control and management framework automating operations of beyond 5G (B5G) infrastructures supported by optical transport networks to interconnect radio access and core networks. Currently, these infrastructures operate in accordance with the software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) paradigm, relying on complex northbound and southbound interfaces to expose their (network) capabilities and apply suitable configuration policies to B5G infrastructure. B5G infrastructures are expected to operate over complex heterogeneous transport network and compute domains, each having its own programming language and interfaces. To address the increased complexity of this approach, the present study relies on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs) to significantly simplify the interaction between different layers and domains through automated translation of configuration policies from one domain to another. More specifically, the developed GenAI models are used to support automated operations of B5G infrastructures by 1) translating high-level intents provided by network operators expressed in the form of natural language into autogenerated optimization code used by the orchestrator and 2) creating autoconfiguration policies for the optical transport network. The semantic accuracy and complexity of the proposed framework to generate appropriate configuration policies are experimentally tested over an optical transport network interconnecting the radio access and core networks of a B5G infrastructure.
Green pulse regenerative amplification using a Pr3+:LiYF4 crystal pumped by GaN blue laser diodes
Authors: Yada Hiroyuki , Ichikawa Yuki 
Published: October 2024

Direct regenerative amplifications of green pulses (522 nm) were investigated using a Pr3+-doped LiYF4 crystal pumped by GaN blue laser diodes. Green pulses with two different temporal duration regimes, i.e. sub-picosecond (sub-ps) and sub-nanosecond (sub-ns), were prepared from the second harmonic generation of the mode-locked Yb3+-doped fiber laser at the repetition rate of 100.86 kHz and used as a seed for the comparison of the amplification processes. For the sub-ps (0.63 ps) and sub-ns (0.3-0.4 ns) seeds, the amplifications resulted in 1.25 µJ and 1.53 µJ in the pulse energies, 0.60 nm and 0.27 nm bandwidths, and the beam qualities of (M2
x
= 2.26, M2
y
= 1.25) and (M2
x
= 1.47, M2
y
= 1.23), respectively. A comparison of the B integrals confirmed that the wider bandwidth and the lower beam quality of the sub-ps seed amplification versus the sub-ns seed amplification were caused by the nonlinear effects in the sub-ps amplification.
Abnormal spirometric patterns and respiratory symptoms in HIV patients with no recent pulmonary infection in a periurban hospital in Ghana
Authors: Yeboah Kwame , Musa Latif , Bedu-Addo Kweku 
Published: October 2024

Background
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with chronic airway obstruction, even in patients who have achieved viral suppression from combination antiretroviral treatment (cART). Spirometry is a supplementary test that aids in diagnosing pulmonary dysfunction in people living with HIV.

Aim
To compare the prevalence of spirometric abnormalities among cART-treated HIV patients and cART-naïve HIV patients with non-HIV controls with no recent history of pulmonary infection in a peri-urban hospital in Ghana.

Methods
In a case-control design, spirometry was performed in 158 cART-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naïve HIV patients and 156 non-HIV controls. Clinical, sociodemographic data and respiratory symptoms were collected using a structured questionnaire. Spirometric abnormalities were categorised as obstructive (OSP) or restrictive (RSP) spirometric patterns based on the Cameroonian reference equation.

Results
The prevalence of OSP was higher in the cART-treated and cART-naïve HIV patients compared to non-HIV controls (13.9% vs 10.7% vs 5.1% respectively, p = 0.026), whereas that of RSP was similar among the study groups. Respiratory symptoms were common among cART-treated and cART-naïve HIV patients compared to non-HIV controls (48.1% vs 40% vs 19.2% respectively, p < 0.001). The major factors associated with OSP were female gender [OR (95% CI) = 2.46 (1.09–5.13), p = 0.031], former cigarette smoking [1.92 (1.04–3.89), p < 0.001], exposure to medium-to-high levels of biomass [3.07 (1.16–8.73), p = 0.019], presence of a respiratory symptom [1.89 (1.11–5.08), p = 0.029] and unemployment [3.26 (1.19–8.95), p = 0.042]. The major determinants of RSP were age, female gender [1.74 (1.05–4.29), p = 0.041], former cigarette smoking [2.31 (1.27–6.77), p < 0.001] and medium-to-high biomass exposure [1.58 (1.06–5.37), p = 0.043].

Conclusion
In HIV patients without any recent pulmonary infection in a peri-urban area of Ghana, there was a higher prevalence of OSP among cART-treated and cART naïve HIV patients compared to the non-HIV control. However, the prevalence of RSP was similar among HIV patients and non-HIV controls.
Speaking to a metronome reduces kinematic variability in typical speakers and people who stutter
Authors: Wiltshire Charlotte E. E. , Cler Gabriel J. , Chiew Mark , Freudenberger Jana , Chesters Jennifer , Healy Máiréad P. , Hoole Philip , Watkins Kate E. 
Published: October 2024

Background
Several studies indicate that people who stutter show greater variability in speech movements than people who do not stutter, even when the speech produced is perceptibly fluent. Speaking to the beat of a metronome reliably increases fluency in people who stutter, regardless of the severity of stuttering.

Objectives
Here, we aimed to test whether metronome-timed speech reduces articulatory variability.

Method
We analysed vocal tract MRI data from 24 people who stutter and 16 controls. Participants repeated sentences with and without a metronome. Midsagittal images of the vocal tract from lips to larynx were reconstructed at 33.3 frames per second. Any utterances containing dysfluencies or non-speech movements (e.g. swallowing) were excluded. For each participant, we measured the variability of movements (coefficient of variation) from the alveolar, palatal and velar regions of the vocal tract.

Results
People who stutter had more variability than control speakers when speaking without a metronome, which was then reduced to the same level as controls when speaking with the metronome. The velar region contained more variability than the alveolar and palatal regions, which were similar.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate that kinematic variability during perceptibly fluent speech is increased in people who stutter compared with controls when repeating naturalistic sentences without any alteration or disruption to the speech. This extends our previous findings of greater variability in the movements of people who stutter when producing perceptibly fluent nonwords compared with controls. These results also show, that in addition to increasing fluency in people who stutter, metronome-timed speech also reduces articulatory variability to the same level as that seen in control speakers.