bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microcirculatory Dysfunction in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Detected by a Distributed System of Wearable Laser Doppler Flowmetry Analysers
Authors: Zharkikh Elena , Loktionova Yulia , Dunaev Andrey 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe paper is devoted to the study of perfusion and amplitude‐frequency spectra of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) signals in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in different skin areas of the upper and lower extremities using a distributed system of wearable LDF analysers. LDF measurements were performed in the areas of the fingers, toes, wrists and shins. The mean perfusion values, the amplitudes of blood flow oscillations in endothelial, neurogenic, myogenic, respiratory and cardiac frequency ranges, and the values of nutritive blood flow were analysed. The results revealed a decrease in tissue perfusion and nutritive blood flow in the lower extremities and an increase in these parameters in the upper extremities in patients with DM. A decrease in the amplitudes of endothelial and neurogenic oscillations was observed. The obtained results confirm the possibility of using wearable LDF analysers to detect differences in the blood flow regulation in normal and pathological conditions.
High‐frequency (470 kHz) ultrasonics‐assisted room temperature CO2 stripping and fate of Sono exposed solvent
Authors: Shanmugam Manikandan , Balraj Ambedkar , Babarao Ravichandar 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe conventional CO2 stripping process in solvent‐based postcombustion CO2 capture (PCCC) process uses heating to strip the CO2 (~120 °C). However, the challenges associated with this method are high energy consumption in degassing the CO2 from solvent, solvent loss and degradation resulting from the high –temperatures, resulting in high energy consumption typical of solvent‐based PCCC. The present study demonstrates the use of bath‐type sonication (470 kHz frequency) to remove CO2 from CO2 loaded 30 wt% Monoethanolamine under controlled temperature conditions. Solvent performance was evaluated following exposure to 2 h conventional heating and 75 h sonication.RESULTSIn a batch sono‐assisted process, CO2 stripping became possible at 17.5 °C compared to 102.2 °C using the conventional method. Increasing the sonication time led decreased carbon loading and increased stripping efficiency. The stripping rate was high at the initial stages of treatment. Evaluation of sono‐exposed solvents exhibited decreased pH during CO2 loading and decreased absorption capacity of the conventionally heated sample.CONCLUSIONThe sono‐assisted method consumes 3.57‐foldless energy than conventional heating. Its CO2 stripping rate was found to be higher within 5 min of sonication. Notably, the maximum temperature reached for the 1 h intervening mode of sonication at 470 kHz was 49.49 °C. The reduction in absorption capacity per hour of conventional heating was 24.5%, whereas for sonication it was <0.4% and solvent loss was 19.7% lower than conventional. There was no significant change in the color, pH and density of the sample. A 20.4% higher surface tension than that of the virgin sample was observed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Ultrasounds outperform magnetic resonance imaging in quantifying meniscal extrusion in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Tortorella Fabio , Boffa Angelo , Andriolo Luca , Facchini Giancarlo , Di Carlo Maddalena , Miceli Marco , Klos Burt , Zaffagnini Stefano , Filardo Giuseppe 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to quantify meniscal extrusion through ultrasound (US) evaluation in supine and standing positions and to compare the results with those documented through magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsSixty patients (38 men, 22 women, mean age 60.8 ± 9.7 years) with knee OA were enrolled and underwent a 1.5 T MR evaluation and an US examination of the symptomatic OA knee for the evaluation of the medial and lateral meniscus extrusion both in the supine clinostatic position (clino‐US) with the knee fully extended and in the standing weight‐bearing orthostatic position (ortho‐US). For the three imaging evaluations (MR, clino‐US and ortho‐US), both semi‐quantitative and quantitative measurements were performed.ResultsThe quantitative analysis documented higher values of medial meniscal extrusion at the ortho‐US evaluation (5.2 ± 2.3 mm) compared to MR (4.2 ± 2.2, p < 0.0005) and clino‐US (4.5 ± 2.3, p < 0.0005) and of the lateral meniscus at the ortho‐US evaluation (4.3 ± 1.8) compared to MR (3.3 ± 1.6, p < 0.0005) and clino‐US (3.8 ± 1.6, p < 0.0005). The semi‐quantitative analysis confirmed the same trend for both menisci. Higher extrusion values were documented in women and more advanced OA, as well as in older patients with higher body mass index, the latter being underestimated the most by the MR approach.ConclusionUS outperforms MR imaging in quantifying meniscal extrusion in patients with knee OA. Moreover, the highest values of meniscal extrusion have been documented using US in standing position compared to the supine position, underlining the importance of the weight‐bearing assessment of meniscal extrusion in knee OA patients.Level of EvidenceII.
“Before medically advised” hospital discharge and the risk of subsequent drug overdose: A case‐crossover analysis
Authors: Staples John A. , Hu Xiao , Khan Mayesha , Daly‐Grafstein Daniel , Naik Hiten , Kaasa Benjamin M. , Brubacher Jeffrey R. , Nasmith Trudy , Lyden Jennifer R. , Moe Jessica , Crabtree Alexis , Slaunwhite Amanda 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundPatient‐initiated or “before medically advised” (BMA) hospital discharge is more common among people who use drugs. Transitions of care can be destabilizing and might increase the risk of subsequent illicit drug overdose.ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate whether BMA discharge is associated with an increased risk of subsequent drug overdose (primary objective) and whether physician‐advised discharge is associated with an increased risk of subsequent drug overdose (secondary objective).MethodsWe performed a case‐crossover analysis of population‐based linked administrative health data for individuals experiencing an overdose between 2016 and 2019 in British Columbia, Canada. Using conditional logistic regression, we compared the likelihood of hospital discharge in the 28 days before overdose (the “pre‐overdose interval”) to the likelihood of hospital discharge in two self‐matched 28‐day control intervals ending 26 and 52 weeks before overdose.ResultsOver the 3.5‐year study interval, 235 of 27,584 (0.9%) pre‐overdose intervals and 189 of 55,168 (0.3%) control intervals included a BMA discharge, suggesting that BMA discharge was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of subsequent drug overdose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.68–2.58; p < 0.001). Physician‐advised hospital discharge was also a risk factor for subsequent overdose, occurring in 1350 of 27,584 (4.9%) pre‐overdose intervals and 1625 of 55,168 (2.9%) control intervals (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.27–1.52; p < 0.001).ConclusionsBoth BMA and physician‐advised hospital discharge are independently associated with transient increases in the risk of subsequent illicit drug overdose. Better in‐hospital treatment of substance use disorder and novel means of post‐discharge outreach should be deployed to reduce this risk.
COVID–19パンデミックが薬物過量服用による急性薬物中毒に与えた影響(The impact of COVID–19 pandemic on acute drug intoxication)
Authors: 佐知子 安藤 , 浩之 石田 , 浩三 林 , 大 田口 
Published: October 2024

要旨【目的】新型コロナウイルス感染症（COVID–19）の流行前後における薬物過量服薬による急性薬物中毒（drug overdose: OD）の特徴と動向を調査し，感染拡大が札幌圏の救急医療に与えた影響を明らかにすること。【方法】勤医協中央病院にODで救急搬送された患者；2018年2月1日から2020年1月31日（pre–COVID–19 period）361人と2020年2月1日から2022年1月31日（COVID–19 period）394人を，患者背景，1人当たりのODによる救急搬送歴，過量服用薬の種類，とくに一般用医薬品と要指導医薬品（OTC医薬品）の有無，服用錠数，アルコール摂取の有無，自殺企図の有無，自傷行為の有無および転帰を比較した。【結果】COVID–19 periodで有意に増加した因子は，<25歳，女性，平均搬送回数，服用錠数，アセトアミノフェン，カフェインおよび自傷行為であり，転帰に関しては入院が減少，帰宅および転院が増加した。OD搬送患者数，OTC医薬品，性別年齢以外の患者背景，アルコール摂取の有無および自殺企図の有無に関しては変化がなかった。【結論】COVID–19の流行により，若い女性，OD歴がある患者，自傷行為が増加したが，OD患者数は増加を認めず，国内の諸報告とは異なり，OTC医薬品全体としては影響を受けなかった。搬送された患者層の違いによるところが大きいと考える。
Difference in hematocrit and plasma albumin levels as an early biomarker of severity and prognosis in patients with severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Hao Yao , Sun Jing , Wang Xiaoyi , Wu Qiongle , Wang Wenjie , Zhang Aiping , Huifen Kuai B. S. , Yang Jianghua 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a widespread infectious disease with high mortality. Hence, identifying valuable biomarkers for detecting the early changes in SFTS is crucial. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the difference in hematocrit (HCT) and serum albumin (ALB) levels (HCT‐ALB) and the prognosis of patients with SFTS virus infection. After excluding the patients who did not meet the SFTS diagnostic criteria, those with SFTS from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College were divided into a fatal and Nonfatal group based on their disease prognosis. A dynamic analysis of the daily laboratory data was conducted for 14 days following SFTS onset. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of HCT‐ALB. Another sample of patients with SFTS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was utilized to verify the study conclusions. A total of 158 patients with SFTS were included. Among them, 126 patients were categorized in the Nonfatal group and 32 in the fatal group, leading to a mortality rate of 20.25% (32/158). Univariate analysis of the laboratory test findings and ROC curve analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HCT‐ALB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) had a relatively better ability to discriminate the disease condition of the patients with SFTS. Moreover, HCT‐ALB served as a predictor of SFTS prognosis. Additionally, an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.777 and a critical HCT‐ALB value of 4.75 on day 7 were associated with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 73.9%. On day 8 (AUC = 0.882), the critical value of HCT‐ALB was 9.25, while the sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 76.5%. Further verification based on the data of 91 patients with SFTS admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University demonstrated a mortality rate of 51% (24/47) among those with HCT‐ALB values >4.75 on day 7 of the disease course, highlighting the potential of the HCT‐ALB value of >4.75 for predicting SFTS prognosis. High HCT‐ALB values are closely related to the mortality of patients with SFTS. HCT‐ALB is a sensitive and independent predictor of early disease in patients with SFTS.
The Comparative Effects Between Long‐Term and Short‐Term Treatment of Finasteride on Anxiety‐Like and Depression‐Like Behaviors in Early Senescent Male Rats
Authors: Pintana Hiranya , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Chunchai Titikorn , Thonusin Chanisa , Saengmearnuparp Thiraphat , Kongkaew Aphisek , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThis study aims to compare the efficacy of 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) on anxiety and depression between long‐term and short‐term treatment followed by withdrawal in d‐galactose (Dgal)–induced senescent male rats. Thirty‐two, 8‐week‐old, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control rats and Dgal‐treated rats (150 mg/kg/day; subcutaneously) for 18 weeks. At week 13, Dgal‐treated rats were subdivided into three subgroups: (1) vehicle (DgV), (2) long‐term treatment with 5ARIs, Finasteride 5 mg/kg/day, per oral for 6 weeks (DgF), (3) short‐term treatment with 5ARIs, Finasteride 5 mg/kg/day, per oral for 2 weeks followed by a 4‐week withdrawal period (DgW). Anxiety and depression were assessed using the elevated‐plus maze (EPM) and splash test (ST). Blood was collected for biochemical analysis. After euthanasia, the brains were removed to examine brain inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroactive steroids, brain metabolites, and brain senescent markers. We found that DgV rats exhibited metabolic disturbance with a reduced preference index of the EPM, and grooming duration in ST. Increased brain neurotoxic metabolites, along with increased brain inflammation/oxidative stress, and reduced microglia complexity were observed in the DgV rats. Both therapeutic approaches improved metabolic parameters and preference index in the open arm of EPM in Dgal‐treated rats, while grooming duration and microglia complexity were increased only in DgF rats. Our results indicate that Fin reduces depression‐like and anxiety‐like behaviors by reducing brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and brain senescent. In conclusion, long‐term treatment with 5ARIs is more effective in alleviating depression than short‐term treatment followed by withdrawal in Dgal‐induced early senescent male rats.
Rapid and Accurate Identification of Dyes on Ancient Textiles by SERS With a Negligibly Invasive Approach
Authors: Xi Xiao‐Han , Zhang Yun , Yan Sen , Wang Ping‐Shi , Ma Hao , Ren Meng , Liu Guo‐Kun , Lei Yong , Ren Bin , Wang Xiang 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTNowadays, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become a powerful tool for rapidly detecting and analyzing textile cultural relics due to its ability to provide chemical information with single‐molecule sensitivity. However, preserving a high level of detection sensitivity while avoiding sample damage remains a persistent challenge. In this work, we developed a SERS approach with both microextraction and detection functions. The alcohol–water droplet with iodide‐modified Au nanoparticles (AuIMNPs) is directly dropped on the textile, where dyes strongly bound on textiles can be extracted by ethanol (EtOH). As a result, the sample can be well preserved from being damaged. In particular, the volatility of EtOH allows the molecules to be captured in the hot spots through the capillary effect during droplet evaporation, resulting in a dramatic increase in Raman signal intensity. This highly sensitive strategy can be used to measure dyes in plant extracts and mock‐up textiles. Furthermore, the capability of SERS to provide fingerprint information allows us to distinguish different dyes in overdyeing textiles. Eventually, this approach is successfully applied to identify dyes of authentic ancient Chinese textiles. This rapid, universal, and negligibly invasive approach provides a powerful way to study textile cultural relics.
Prospective Evaluation of Abelchia/RCPD Patients: Abnormalities in High‐Resolution Esophageal Manometry
Authors: Anderson Jennifer , Hu Huixin , Bakhsh Zainab , Liu Louis 
Published: October 2024

Self‐diagnosis of retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD) or abelchia has been increasing over the past 5 years with patients seeking treatment for lifelong symptoms of inability to burp, neck gurgling, bloating, and flatulence. There is a distinct paucity of objective data in diagnosis and underlying pathophysiology of this disorder.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate patients with abelchia using standardized investigations to explore possible underlying mechanisms.MethodsPatients presenting with clinical scenario consistent with RCPD were recruited into the study after informed consent. All patients underwent standardized investigations: Self reporting questionnaires EAT‐10, VHI‐10, and RSI scores, as well as esophagogastroscopy, barium swallow, and high‐resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), were performed.ResultsRCPD patients demonstrated a minor increase in the mean EAT‐10 (5.2 ± 1.2) and normal RSI/VHI‐10 scores. Barium swallow revealed 53% (CI 38%–64%) were abnormal with reflux with hiatus hernia (37%) and dysmotility (16%) as most common findings.HRM showed that 67% (CI 54%–78%) were abnormal. Ineffective motility was found in 41%, a further 23% showed a complete absence of peristalsis, whereas 33% were normal.ConclusionsRCPD is a clinical condition of lifelong inability to belch and associated symptoms. The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. This study demonstrates that a significant number of RCPD patients have abnormal esophageal neural network with high proportion of abnormal or absent esophageal peristalsis.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 135:758–762, 2025
Exploring the Coupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Land Use Conflicts and Ecosystem Services Supply–Demand Balances in Different Main Functional Areas, Southwest China
Authors: Li Weijie , Kang Jinwen , Wang Yong 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTConflicts between different types of land use, driven by rapid urbanization, are altering ecosystem services supply–demand balances (ESDB), and the reduction of ESDB will threaten regional sustainable development and human welfare. However, there are few studies on the interrelationships and their drivers between land use conflicts (LUCs) and ESDB from a coupling perspective, especially in different main functional areas. Therefore, this study focused on Southwest China. Firstly, the coupling coordination degree model was employed to measure the ESDB‐LUCs relationship and analyze its dynamic changes from 1990 to 2020. Then, the RDA method was used to explore the driving factors of the ESDB‐LUCs relationship in different functional areas (i.e., urban development area (UDA), agricultural development area (APA), and ecological protection area (EPA)). The results show that the LUCs index displayed a downward trend in the SW during 1990–2020, with a decreasing distribution pattern from the northeast to the southwest. The ESDB index exhibited a downward and then upward trend, with an increasing distribution mode from the northeast to the southwest. There was a spatial dependence between LUCs and ESDB. The type of coupling coordination between LUCs and ESDB was dominated by moderate coordination, with the index showing a spatial pattern of UDA > APA > EPA. Among these, the proportion of cropland and the proportion of urban land were the main factors influencing the degree of coordination of the UDA (explanation rate > 80%), showing positive and negative effects, respectively. The proportion of forestland and the proportion of cropland were the main factors influencing the APA and EPA (explanation rate > 70%), with negative and positive effects, respectively. Therefore, mitigating the conflict between cropland and urban land, cropland and forest land is essential to achieve ecosystem balance in the SW.
Polarized and Directional Electroluminescence from Organic Light‐Emitting Devices by Using a Bifunctional Meta‐Electrode
Authors: Wang Shi‐Rong , Li Liu , Bi Yan‐Gang , Zhang Xu‐Lin , Yang Yuan‐Mu , Feng Jing , Sun Hong‐Bo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractOrganic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) with polarized and directional emission are highly desired for their promising applications in optical imaging, optical communication, and immersive visual technologies. Existing implementation methods based on free space bulk optical elements suffer from significant power loss, limiting their practical applications. Here, a bifunctional meta‐electrode is proposed by integrating a metasurface consisting of Ag periodic corrugations onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) anode to simultaneously realize the functions of charge carrier injection and photon management in the OLEDs. Highly polarized and directional light emission is demonstrated while maintaining a high device efficiency using the meta‐electrode. The electroluminescence with a polarization extinction ratio of 5 is achieved by judiciously engineering the polarization‐dependent Purcell factor of the resonant cavity constructed by the meta‐electrode. Meanwhile, the directional light emission with a divergence angle of 10° can be obtained by the efficient out‐coupling of surface plasmon‐polariton mode. The light beam can be collimated in one direction by using 1D nanogratings and in two directions by using 2D nanopillars, respectively.
Role of Cyclic Ketene Dithioacetals in Free Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride
Authors: Bajbouj Mohammad , Jalil Ouiem , Degirmenci Isa 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe role of the sulfur analog of cyclic ketene acetals in the synthesis of polyvinyl chloride is examined in this study. In this context, whether 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithiolane (S‐CKA5), 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithione (S‐CKA6), and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dithiepane (S‐CKA7) monomers are involved in the radical polymerization of vinyl chloride through the ring opening reaction is examined by quantum chemical methods. In light of calculations at the M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d) level, it is concluded that, in general, S‐CKAs undergo little or no ring‐opening and form block copolymers, mainly with the homopolymerization of S‐CKAs and their ring‐retaining step. It is determined that S‐CKA7 is the most prone to ring‐opening reaction and inserting dithioate links to the polymer backbone. However, the radical ring‐opening of S‐CKA7 is strongly reversible, as in other S‐CKAs.
Metric learning guided sinogram denoising for cone beam CT enhancement
Authors: Li Haoran , Tsai Yun‐Han , Liu Hengjie , Ruan Dan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundCone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a widely available modality, but its clinical utility has been limited by low detail conspicuity and quantitative accuracy. Convenient post‐reconstruction denoising is subject to back projected patterned residual, but joint denoise‐reconstruction is typically computationally expensive and complex.PurposeIn this study, we develop and evaluate a novel Metric‐learning guided wavelet transform reconstruction (MEGATRON) approach to enhance image domain quality with projection‐domain processing.MethodsProjection domain based processing has the benefit of being simple, efficient, and compatible with various reconstruction toolkit and vendor platforms. However, they also typically show inferior performance in the final reconstructed image, because the denoising goals in projection and image domains do not necessarily align. Motivated by these observations, this work aims to translate the demand for quality enhancement from the quantitative image domain to the more easily operable projection domain. Specifically, the proposed paradigm consists of a metric learning module and a denoising network module. Via metric learning, enhancement objectives on the wavelet encoded sinogram domain data are defined to reflect post‐reconstruction image discrepancy. The denoising network maps measured cone‐beam projection to its enhanced version, driven by the learnt objective. In doing so, the denoiser operates in the convenient sinogram to sinogram fashion but reflects improvement in reconstructed image as the final goal. Implementation‐wise, metric learning was formalized as optimizing the weighted fitting of wavelet subbands, and a res‐Unet, which is a Unet structure with residual blocks, was used for denoising. To access quantitative reference, cone‐beam projections were simulated using the X‐ray based Cancer Imaging Simulation Toolkit (XCIST). In both learning modules, a data set of 123 human thoraxes, which was from Open‐Source Imaging Consortium (OSIC) Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression challenge, was used. Reconstructed CBCT thoracic images were compared against ground truth FB and performance was assessed in root mean square error (RMSE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM).ResultsMEGATRON achieved RMSE in HU value, PSNR, and SSIM were 30.97 ± 4.25, 37.45 ± 1.78, and 93.23 ± 1.62, respectively. These values are on par with reported results from sophisticated physics‐driven CBCT enhancement, demonstrating promise and utility of the proposed MEGATRON method.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that incorporating the proposed metric learning into sinogram denoising introduces awareness of reconstruction goal and improves final quantitative performance. The proposed approach is compatible with a wide range of denoiser network structures and reconstruction modules, to suit customized need or further improve performance.