bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Circulating PCSK9 With Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tiller Christina , Holzknecht Magdalena , Lechner Ivan , Oberhollenzer Fritz , von der Emde Sebastian , Kremser Thomas , Gollmann-Tepeköylü Can , Mayr Agnes , Bauer Axel , Metzler Bernhard , Reinstadler Sebastian J. , Reindl Martin 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:
Beyond therapeutic implications, PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) has emerged as a promising cardiovascular biomarker. The exact role of PCSK9 in the setting of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate the association of PCSK9 with ischemia-reperfusion injury, visualized by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, in patients with STEMI revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS:
In this prespecified substudy from the prospective MARINA-STEMI (NCT04113356) registry, we included 205 patients with STEMI. PCSK9 concentrations were measured from venous blood samples by an immunoassay 24 and 48 hours after PCI. The primary end point was defined as presence of intramyocardial hemorrhage according to cardiac magnetic resonance T2* mapping. Secondary imaging end points were the presence of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and infarct size. The clinical end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events.

RESULTS:

We observed a significant increase in PCSK9 levels from 24 to 48 hours (268–304 ng/mL;
P
<0.001) after PCI. PCSK9 24 hours after PCI did not show any relation to intramyocardial hemorrhage, MVO, and infarct size (all
P
>0.05). PCSK9 concentrations 48 hours post-STEMI were higher in patients with intramyocardial hemorrhage (333 versus 287 ng/mL;
P
=0.004), MVO (320 versus 292 ng/mL;
P
=0.020), and large infarct size (323 versus 296 ng/mL;
P
=0.013). Furthermore, patients with increased PCSK9 levels >361 ng/mL at 48 hours were more likely to experience major adverse cardiac events (15% versus 8%;
P
=0.002) during a median follow-up of 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS:
In patients with STEMI, a significant increase in PCSK9 was observed from 24 to 48 hours after PCI. While PCSK9 levels after 24 hours were not related to myocardial or microvascular injury, PCSK9 after 48 hours was significantly associated with intramyocardial hemorrhage, MVO, and infarct size as well as worse subsequent clinical outcomes.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier; NCT04113356.
Population receptive field models capture the event-related magnetoencephalography response with millisecond resolution
Authors: Eickhoff Katharina , Hillebrand Arjan , de Jong Maartje C. , Dumoulin Serge O. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Much of the visual system is organized into visual field maps. In humans, this organization can be studied non-invasively by estimating the receptive fields of populations of neurons (population receptive fields; pRFs) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, fMRI cannot capture the temporal dynamics of visual processing that operate on a millisecond scale. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) does provide this temporal resolution but generally lacks the required spatial resolution. Here, we introduce a forward modeling approach that combines fMRI and MEG, enabling us to estimate pRFs with millisecond resolution. Using fMRI, we estimated the participant’s pRFs using conventional pRF-modeling. We then combined the pRF models with a forward model that transforms the cortical responses to the MEG sensors. This enabled us to predict event-related field responses measured with MEG while the participants viewed brief (100 ms) contrast-defined bar and circle shapes. We computed the goodness of fit between the predicted and measured MEG responses across time using cross-validated variance explained. We found that the fMRI-estimated pRFs explained up to 91% of the variance in individual MEG sensor’s responses. The variance explained varied over time and peaked between 75 ms to 250 ms after stimulus onset. Perturbing the pRF positions decreased the explained variance, suggesting that the pRFs were driving the MEG responses. In conclusion, pRF models can predict event-related MEG responses, enabling routine investigation of the spatiotemporal dynamics of human pRFs with millisecond resolution.
Effects of fermented milk intake and physical activity on the suppression of age-related decline in physical fitness among the elderly
Authors: Shimamoto K. , Amamoto R. , Park S. , Suwa T. , Makino H. , Matsubara S. , Aoyagi Y. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Physical deterioration in the elderly can lead to disability and mortality. Although the intake of fermented milk has been recently attracting attention as a proposed measure to prevent physical weakness, studies and findings are limited. Here, we investigated the effect of intake of fermented milk products on suppression of age-related decline in physical fitness through a long-term epidemiological study of community-dwelling elderly people who are capable of independent living. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 581 elderly people aged 65-92 years from the Nakanojo Study, with the addition of a 5-year prospective analysis on 240 elderlies. Subjects were arbitrarily grouped on the basis of questionnaire estimates of fermented milk products intake (<3 or ≥3 days/week) and pedometer/accelerometer-determined patterns of physical activity (<7,000 or ≥7,000 steps/day). After adjustment for potential confounders, the retrospective study showed that the group consuming fermented milk products ≥3 days/week showed significantly faster walking speeds than the <3 days/week group. The group taking ≥7,000 steps/day had a significantly faster walking speed than the group taking <7,000 steps/day. Those who did both walked the fastest, indicating an additive effect. Adding protein or energy intake as a covariate to the potential confounders found a correlation between the intake of fermented milk products and walking speed, suggesting that the effect of fermented milk products consumption is independent of nutritional intake status, due to the beneficial properties of bacteria included in fermented milk. The 5-year prospective study confirmed a clear relationship between the frequency of consumption of fermented milk products and the suppression of preferred walking speed decline. Our findings suggest that habitual intake of fermented milk contributes to the suppression of walking speed decline in elderly people.
Continuous reference intervals for holotranscobalamin, homocysteine and folate in a healthy paediatric cohort
Authors: Smith Joel D , Karlaftis Vasiliki , Hearps Stephen , Attard Chantal , Savoia Helen , Campbell Janine , Monagle Paul ,   on behalf of the HAPPI Kids study team
Published: August 2024

Background The detection of deficiencies in B12 and folate children is important. However, despite the availability of various markers to assess B12 and folate metabolism, there are limited studies describing the reference intervals (RIs) and changes during growth and development for these markers in healthy children. Methods Using samples collected from 378 children aged 30 days–< 18 years, we derived continuous RIs for holotranscobalamin, homocysteine and red cell folate. Results The lower RI for holotranscobalamin was lowest at birth, rising during early childhood and then declining following ages 4–6 years whereas red cell folate was highest early in life and then declined steadily towards adulthood. Total homocysteine, reflective of both B12 and folate status was elevated early in life, reaching a nadir at age 2 and then increasing towards adulthood. Conclusions Continuous central 95th percentile RI for holotranscobalamin, homocysteine and red cell folate for children ages 30 days to <18 years were established. Each marker shows dynamic changes throughout childhood and adolescence which will assist clinicians in more appropriately assessing B12 and folate status in this population.
Endovenous thermal ablation mid-term outcomes for the treatment of large diameter incompetent great saphenous veins
Authors: Karathanos Christos , Spanos Konstantinos , Batzalexis Konstantinos , Chaidoulis Athanasios , Tzimas-Dakis Konstantinos , Volakakis Georgios , Kouvelos George , Matsagas Miltiadis , Giannoukas Athanasios D 
Published: August 2024

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) in treating large diameter, ≥12 mm, incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) in comparison to smaller ones. Methods A retrospective comparative study was undertaken including 196 patients (205 limbs) undergoing EVTA. According to maximum GSV diameter patients were divided into two groups (group A <12 mm, group B ≥12 mm). Primary outcome was anatomic success defined as absence of reflux of GSV. Secondary outcomes were complications, postoperative pain using the 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and improvement of Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (CΙVIQ-20) scores assessed at 7- days, 1 month, 12 months and 24 months postoperatively. Results 118 patients with GSV diameter <12 mm (group A) and 87 with GSV diameter ≥12 mm (group B) were included. Patients’ demographics, CEAP classification and length of ablated vein did not differ between the groups. Preoperative VCSS and VAS pain score were significant greater in group B (6.03 vs 6.94, p = .04 and 5.21 vs 5.77, p = .032, respectively). No differences in adverse events were observed post-operatively among groups. GSV occlusion rate at 1 month was 98.3% (SE 1.3%) in group A and 96.5 % (2.2%) in group B ( p = .3), at 12 months 95.7% (SE 2%) and 94.2% (SE 2.8%) ( p = .5), and at 24 months 94% (SE 2.4%) and 93.1% (SE 3%) ( p = .4) respectively. Both groups experienced significant and similar improvement in their VCSSs and CIVIQ scores postoperatively. In a subgroup analysis among different EVTA and GSV >12 mm, 1470 nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) showed comparable results in terms of occlusion rates, complications, VCSS and CIVIQ scores. Conclusions Endovenous thermal ablation techniques are efective and safe in the treatment of GSV incompetence regardless the diameter of the GSV. Both 1470 nm EVLA and RFA techniques performed similar outcomes.
A new era of high-resolution CT diagnostics of the lung: improved image quality, detailed morphology, and reduced radiation dose with high-resolution photon-counting CT of the lungs compared to high-resolution energy-integrated CT
Authors: Aurumskjöld Marie-Louise , Sjunnesson Lotta , Pistea Adrian , Ásbjörnsson Gylfi , Wellman Fredrik , Bozovic Gracijela 
Published: August 2024

Background High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is dependent on detailed morphology in diagnostic assessment of interstitial lung diseases. Photon-counting CT (PCCT) enables improved resolution while reducing radiation. Purpose To compare if the image quality, detailed morphology, and radiation dose in HRCT of the lung improves with PCCT compared to energy-integrated CT (EICT). Material and Methods HRCT with PCCT in patients with body mass index (BMI) from normal to obese, previously examined with different EICT were included. They were evaluated in a five-step scale for image quality according to Quality Criteria for CT (Diagnostic Requirement of the ImPACT group-European standardization). In addition, ground-glass opacities, bronchiectasis, emphysema, nodules, and subpleural detailed morphology (≤1 cm from the pleural border) were evaluated by three independent thoracic and/or pediatric radiologists. Visual grading characteristics (VGC) were used for comparison of image quality and detailed morphology and Fleiss kappa for intra-observer variability. Dose-length product (DLP) and CT dose index-volume (CTDIvol) were collected to calculate effective radiation dose. Results HRCT with PCCT in 52 women and 48 men (mean age=67.2 ± 13.6 years; age range=27–87 years; BMI=26.9 kg/m2; range=18.6–45 kg/m2) previously examined with EICT (mean age=65.3 ± 13.6 years; age range=27–85 years; BMI=27 kg/m2; range=18.9–45 kg/m2) were included. There were significant differences in image quality for all entities in favor of PCCT. The radiation dose was reduced with PCCT by 47% in all, particularly pronounced in obese with 48.5%. Conclusion Image quality, detailed morphology, and radiation dose, particularly in obese patients, were significantly improved in HRCT with PCCT compared to conventional EICT. The new technique enables visualization of subpleural structures.
Epidemiology and clinical features of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Larsen Johanne Gry , Henningsen Mikkel Johannes , Karlsson William Kristian , Christensen Rune Häckert , Al-Khazali Haidar Muhsen , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Ashina Håkan 
Published: August 2024

Background To synthesize the available epidemiologic data on short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA). This, in turn, might inform diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making. Methods EMBASE and PubMed were searched for observational studies reporting on the prevalence or relative frequency of SUNHA or its individual clinical features. Two investigators independently conducted title and abstract screening, full-text review, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, and random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence or relative frequency of SUNHA and its individual clinical features. Results Fifteen clinic-based studies met our eligibility criteria. Of these, five studies reported estimates on the relative frequency of SUNHA among adults evaluated for headache or facial pain, yielding a pooled relative frequency as 0.32% (95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.62; I2  = 89.9%). Most often, SUNHA presented as episodic, side-locked stabbing headache of severe pain intensity, predominantly affecting the ophthalmic and/or maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve. The most common cranial autonomic features were lacrimation, conjunctival injection, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion. Conclusions SUNHA is a rare headache disorder with distinct clinical features. However, our findings must be interpreted with caution as a result of between-study heterogeneity and lack of population-based studies, underscoring the need for further epidemiologic research.
Urothelial Carcinoma with Trophoblastic Differentiation—A Report with Review
Authors: Mishra Monica , Ayyanar Pavithra , Tripathy Sagar Ranjan , Das Manoj Kumar 
Published: August 2024

Background Urothelial carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation is a rare type of urothelial carcinoma that poses a diagnostic challenge. Case details A 50-year-old man presented with hematuria for 4 months duration. Ultrasonography examination showed polypoidal lesions along the right lateral wall and near the right vesicoureteric junction of the urinary bladder. The transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) specimen showed marked necrosis and urothelial tumor cells arranged in nests, sheets, and papillae, admixed with multinucleated large cells. Deep muscle and extensive lymphovascular invasion were noted. The tumor cells were diffuse immunopositive for GATA3 and focal positive for p63 and SALL4. Large multinucleated tumor cells were immunopositive for β-hCG, GATA3, inhibin-α, and PLAP, focally positive for SALL4 while negative for p63. The patient denied further treatment and succumbed to the disease after 8 months of the TURBT procedure. Conclusion We report a rare invasive urothelial carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation and discuss the differential diagnosis and literature review.
Treatment Options for Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Xie Yingwei , Zhang Yishan , Du Zhen , Liu Dan , Yan Wei , Liu Yuexin , Ping Hao 
Published: August 2024

Objectives Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the urinary bladder is a rare and highly aggressive form of bladder cancer, with no widely agreed-upon treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to identify important factors influencing patient prognosis and to assess how various treatment approaches affect survival outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, including patients with bladder primary SRCC who were presented between 2000 and 2017. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to examine the impact of various factors on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were applied to homogenize both groups. The impact of different treatment regimens on patient CSS and OS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 33 cases of non-muscular invasive SRCC and 210 cases of muscular invasive SRCC were included in this study. Multivariate analysis identified race, TNM stage, and surgical method as independent variables influencing both OS and CSS. In non-muscle invasive bladder SRCC patients, radical cystectomy showed no CSS benefit compared to transurethral resection of bladder tumors ( P = 0.304). For muscle invasive SRCC, patients who underwent partial cystectomy had better OS and CSS compared to those who underwent radical cystectomy ( P = 0.019, P = 0.024). However, after conducting a PSM analysis, the differences between the two surgical outcomes were not statistically significant ( P = 0.504, P = 0.335). Lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation did not show any benefit to the prognosis of patients. Conclusion This study identified race, TNM stage, and surgical approach as significant independent predictors for SRCC outcomes. Simple radical cystectomy and partial cystectomy proved to be effective treatments for SRCC. The optimal treatment option still needs to be supported by a number of prospective research trials.
Compression and energy absorption of wood-based reinforced 3D Kagome lattice structures
Authors: Zhang Yufei , Bai Zhongyang , Zhang Yuhui , Hu Yingcheng 
Published: August 2024

3D Kagome lattice sandwich structure is recognized as the most excellent lattice configuration. However, the preparation method of 3D Kagome is complicated and the raw materials for its preparation are limited to materials with high plasticity. In this study, we developed a wood-based 3D Kagome lattice structure that combines discrete rods into a continuous core using reinforcement. Orthogonal tests, theoretical analysis, and finite element simulations were performed to investigate the correlation between the dimensional parameters, the mechanical properties, and the energy absorption capacity. The damage modes were found to be mainly bending fracture, core shear, and panel rupture, with the use of reinforcement affecting the damage modes. Compressive properties of the 3D Kagome lattice structure are increased by increasing core diameter and inclination degree, decreasing core in-cut diameter, and using high-strength reinforcements. Finite element simulations further confirm that the use of high-strength reinforcements changes the stress distribution of the lattice structure. The 3D Kagome lattice structure with an inclination degree of 65°, a core diameter of 10 mm, a reinforcement wall thickness of 2 mm, and a core in-cut diameter of 2 mm has the optimal compression performance and energy absorption capacity.
Lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) model for obesity early detection using thermal images
Authors: Leo Hendrik , Saddami Khairun , Roslidar  , Muharar Rusdha , Munadi Khairul , Arnia Fitri 
Published: August 2024

Objective The presence of a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) model with a high-accuracy rate and low complexity can be useful in building an early obesity detection system, especially on mobile-based applications. The previous works of the CNN model for obesity detection were focused on the accuracy performances without considering the complexity size. In this study, we aim to build a new lightweight CNN model that can accurately classify normal and obese thermograms with low complexity sizes. Methods The DenseNet201 CNN architectures were modified by replacing the standard convolution layers with multiple depthwise and pointwise convolution layers from the MobileNet architectures. Then, the depth network of the dense block was reduced to determine which depths were the most comparable to obtain minimum validation losses. The proposed model then was compared with state-of-the-art DenseNet and MobileNet CNN models in terms of classification performances, and complexity size, which is measured in model size and computation cost. Results The results of the testing experiment show that the proposed model has achieved an accuracy of 81.54% with a model size of 1.44 megabyte (MB). This accuracy was comparable to that of DenseNet, which was 83.08%. However, DenseNet’s model size was 71.77 MB. On the other hand, the proposed model’s accuracy was higher than that of MobileNetV2, which was 79.23%, with a computation cost of 0.69 billion floating-point operations per second (GFLOPS), which approximated that of MobileNetV2, which was 0.59 GFLOPS. Conclusions The proposed model inherited the feature-extracting ability from the DenseNet201 architecture while keeping the lightweight complexity characteristic of the MobileNet architecture.
Impact of contact lens hygiene risk factors on the prevalence of contact lens-related keratitis in Alexandria-Egypt
Authors: Sakr Suzan Ibrahim , Nayel Amira Ahmed , Khattab Ahmed Lotfi , Elhamamsy Waad Mahmoud , Abozaid Islam Abdelmonaem , Awad Ramy , Elkazaz Hager AbdelKhalek , Habeel Christeena Saeed , Samaha Raymond , Ghaith Alaa Atef 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
This study aimed at measuring the effect of contact lens hygiene risk factors on the prevalence of contact lens-related keratitis and identifying the specific risk factors to both microbial and non-microbial keratitis independently.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at Alexandria Ophthalmology Hospital from May to October 2023. All contact lens wearers attending the outpatient clinic had undergone face-to-face interviews using a standardized validated questionnaire which included demographic data and contact lenses (CLs) hygiene risk factors. Participants were classified into two groups; normal group and keratitis group. Keratitis group was further subdivided into non-microbial and microbial group.

Results
The study included 245 contact lens wearers; 149 normal cases, 50 (20.4%) contact lens-related non-microbial keratitis (CLNK) cases, and 46 (18.8%) contact lens-related microbial keratitis (CLMK) cases. Sharing contact lenses and eye trauma were significant risk factors for both CLNK (p=0.036), (p=0.001) and CLMK (p=0.003), (p=0.017). CLs wear duration for more than 12 hours was associated with an increased risk of CLNK by about 4 times (p=0.030) and overnight wear of contact lenses increased the risk of CLNK by 2.6 times (p=0.030). Showering or swimming in lenses was identified as a significant risk factor for CLMK (p=0.012), moreover washing lenses with tap water increased the risk of CLMK (p=0.030).

Conclusions
Poor compliance with contact lenses hygiene rules results in a high prevalence of contact lens-related keratitis. Eye trauma and sharing contact lenses were significant hygiene risk factors for both contact lens-related non-microbial keratitis and contact lens-related microbial keratitis.