bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dioxin with metabolic syndrome (METS): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mohd Efendy Goon Mohd Danial , Zulkifli Sarah , Abdullah Soheimi Siti Suhana , Ab. Rahim Sharaniza , Abd Latip Normala , Hashim Norbaya , Kerisnan Nirmala Devi , E. M. Yahaya Nasehir Khan , Mohamed Alias , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin are persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and have been associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the associations of PCBs and dioxin with MetS and its risk factors, including obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG), hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). We searched three electronic databases for epidemiological studies concerning PCBs and dioxin with MetS published up to the end of 2023. Meta-analysis was performed for MetS itself and each of the MetS risks based on a random-effects meta-analysis model, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained. Publication bias was assessed based on Egger’s test. Eleven studies were included from three databases up to 2023. There were 40,528 participants aged 18–89, where 18–100% of them were males, included in our meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed a strong association between PCB exposure and DM (OR = 3.593, 95% CI 2.566, 5.031), while most of the risk factors for MetS, including obesity (OR = 1.875, 95% CI 0.883, 3.979), HTN (OR = 1.335, 95% CI 0.902, 1.976) and HTG (OR = 1.611, 95% CI 0.981, 2.643), were weakly associated with PCB. Furthermore, both PCBs (OR = 1.162, 95% CI 0.994, 1.357) and dioxin (OR = 2.742, 95% CI 1.936, 3.883) were found to be weakly and strongly associated with MetS, respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed that DM in the Asian population is associated with PCB exposure, while HTG in the Northern American population is associated with PCB exposure. Our meta-analysis has demonstrated a strong relationship between DM and PCBs, while the relationship between PCBs with MetS and other risk factors is less pronounced. Additionally, MetS is weakly associated with dioxin exposure. To improve primary care outcomes, healthcare providers should consider incorporating the assessment of patients' risk of exposure to PCBs and dioxins into their evaluation procedures for more targeted medical interventions.
Developing an optimised method for accurate wear testing of dental materials using the ‘Rub&Roll’ device
Authors: Maier Eva , Ruben Jan , Palin William M. , Bronkhorst Ewald , Olmos Manuel , Matta Ragai Edward , Loomans Bas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDental materials are challenged by wear processes in the oral environment and should be evaluated in laboratory tests prior to clinical use. Many laboratory wear-testing devices are high-cost investments and not available for cross-centre comparisons. The ‘Rub&Roll’ wear machine enables controlled application of force, chemical and mechanical loading, but the initial design was not able to test against rigid antagonist materials. The current study aimed to probe the sensitivity of a new ‘Rub&Roll’ set-up by evaluating the effect of force and test solution parameters (deionized water; water + abrasive medium; acid + abrasive medium) on the wear behaviour of direct and indirect dental resin-based composites (RBCs) compared with human molars against 3D-printed rod antagonists. Molars exhibited greater height loss than RBCs in all test groups, with the largest differences recorded with acidic solutions. Direct RBCs showed significantly greater wear than indirect RBCs in the groups containing abrasive media. The acidic + abrasive medium did not result in increased wear of RBC materials. The developed method using the ‘Rub&Roll’ wear machine in the current investigation has provided a sensitive wear test method to allow initial screening of resin-based composite materials compared with extracted human molars under the influence of different mechanical and erosive challenges.
Task-dependent contribution to edge-based versus region-based texture perception
Authors: Gheorghiu Elena , Diggiss Cassandra , Kingdom Frederick A. A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTexture segregation studies indicate that some types of textures are processed by edge-based and others by region-based mechanisms. However, studies employing nominally edge-based textures have found evidence for region-based processing mechanisms when the task was to detect rather than segregate the textures. Here we investigate directly whether the nature of the task determines if region-based or edge-based mechanisms are involved in texture perception. Stimuli consisted of randomly positioned Gabor micropattern texture arrays with five types of modulation: orientation modulation, orientation variance modulation, luminance modulation, contrast modulation and contrast variance modulation (CVM). There were four modulation frequencies: 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 cpd. Each modulation type was defined by three types of waveforms: sinewave (SN) with its smooth variations, square-wave (SQ) and cusp-wave (CS) with its sharp texture edges. The CS waveform was constructed by removing a sinewave from an equal amplitude square-wave. Participants performed two tasks: detection in which participants selected which of two stimuli contained the modulation and discrimination in which participants indicated which of two textures had a different modulation orientation. Our results indicate that threshold amplitudes in the detection task followed the ordering SQ < SN < CS across all spatial frequencies, consistent with detection being mediated by the overall energy in the stimulus and hence region based. With the discrimination task at low texture spatial frequencies and with CVM textures at all spatial frequencies the order was CS ≤ SQ with both < SN, consistent with being edge-based. We modeled the data by estimating the spatial frequency of a Difference of Gaussian filter that gave the largest peak amplitude response to the data. We found that the peak amplitude was lower for detection than discrimination across all texture types except for the CVM texture. We conclude that task requirements are critical to whether edges or regions underpin texture processing.
miR-182, miR-221 and miR-222 are potential urinary extracellular vesicle biomarkers for canine urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Karttunen Jenni , Kalmar Lajos , Grant Andrew , Ying Jun , Stewart Sarah E. , Wang Xiaonan , Frankl Fiona Karet , Williams Tim 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCurrent diagnostic methods for canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) are technically challenging or can lack specificity, hence there is a need for novel biomarkers of UC. To this end, we analysed the microRNA (miRNA) cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from urine samples of dogs with UC to identify candidate miRNA biomarkers. Urine was fractionated using ultrafiltration combined with size-exclusion chromatography and small RNA sequencing analysis was performed on both the EV enriched and (EV free) protein fractions. A greater number of candidate miRNA biomarkers were detected in the EV fraction than the protein fraction, and further validation using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was performed on the EV enriched fraction of a second cohort of dogs with UC which indicated that miR-182, miR-221 and miR-222 were significantly overrepresented in dogs with UC when compared with healthy dogs and dogs with urinary tract infections. Pathway analysis confirmed that these three miRNAs are involved in cancer. In addition, their potential downstream gene targets were predicted and PIK3R1, a well-known oncogene is likely to be a shared target between miRNA-182 and miRNA-221/222. In summary, this study highlights the potential of urinary EV-associated miRNAs as a source of biomarkers for the diagnosis of canine UC.
Increased imaging ligand hydrophilicity and improved pharmacokinetic properties provides enhanced in vivo targeting of fibroblast activation protein
Authors: Narain Radhika , Nessler Ian , Richardson Paul L. , Erickson Jamie E. , Wang Yuzhen , Ferri Jacqueline , Knight Heather L. , Bryant Shaughn H. , Phillips Lucy A. , Zhang Liang , Mitra Soumya 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this work, the impact of physicochemical modifications on pharmacokinetics and in vivo targeting of a small molecule fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) imaging ligand in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated. While similar ligands have been well-reported in oncology for molecular imaging and radiotherapy, there are limited reports of FAPI derivatives in targeted applications in immunology. As inflammation may increase both specific and non-specific delivery of targeted agents in general, we sought to identify the optimal targeted molecular imaging probe characteristics for efficient cell surface engagement. A series of FAPI derivatives were synthesized and their physicochemical properties modified via conjugation of fluorescent dyes and/or an albumin-binding small molecule. The impact of these modifications on cell surface binding affinity was assessed using an overexpressing cell line. Additionally, a thorough mechanistic characterization of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) cell surface internalization was evaluated in both overexpressing and endogenously expressing cells. Lastly, the pharmacokinetics and in vivo uptake in inflamed arthritic paws were characterized via near-infrared (NIR) imaging. All targeted molecular imaging agents tested maintained strong nanomolar binding affinity to cell surface FAP independent of chemical modification. The murine fibroblast-like synoviocytes expressed lower absolute cell-surface FAP compared to a transfected line, and the net internalization half-life measured for the transfected cells via flow cytometry was 7.2 h. The unmodified FAPI ligand exhibited the poorest in vivo targeting, likely resulting from its large apparent volume of distribution (62.7 ml) and rapid systemic clearance (t1/2 = 0.5 h). Conjugation of a charged, hydrophilic AF647 fluorophore decreased systemic clearance (t1/2 = 2.1 h) and demonstrated a 2-fold improvement in blocking FAPI-800CW engagement of FAP in vivo when compared to blocking of FAPI-800CW with FAPI with up to 2.8-fold improvements noted for the equivalent albumin binding construct comparison.
Assessing the Compatibility of Menatetrenone with Excipients: A
Spectroscopic Approach and Implication in Drug Formulation
Development
Authors: Singh Widhilika , Kushwaha Poonam , Kushwaha Shom Prakash 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the compatibility of menatetrenone with
selected pharmaceutical excipients. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR) was used to assess drug-excipient compatibility. The present research
systematically investigates the FTIR spectrum of each chemical compound
separately and their physical blends, analyzing for possible shifts, alterations
or novel peak that may indicate chemical interactions. This study aims to
utilize spectral data interpretation to detect potential compatibility problems
that may occur while design and production of menatetrenone containing dosage
forms ensuring their increased stability and effectiveness. The FTIR results
demonstrated that all the pharmaceutical excipients were compatible with
menatetrenone. In conclusion, the compatibility of pharmaceutical excipients
with menatetrenone was successfully assessed using FTIR that will aid in future
design of formulations containing menatetrenone as therapeutic moiety.
Amputation Risk in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients Treated with
SGLT-2 Inhibitors: A Systematic Literature Review of Randomized Clinical
Trials
Authors: Hoda Farazul , Jamali Mohammad Chand , Arshad Mawrah , Habib Mohammad Anwar , Akhtar Mohd , Najmi Abul Kalam 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background SGLT-2 inhibitors, prescribed for type 2 diabetes, have a
heightened risk of amputation. The FDA issued a warning in May 2017, leading to
the inclusion of a cautionary label. Vigilance is essential for patients and
healthcare providers to promptly identify and address potential limb
complications associated with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors.
Method A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted,
covering the period from inception to May 2024. This systematic literature
review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of the included studies was
assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool. Inclusion and exclusion
criteria were predefined, and data extraction was performed to summarize the
findings.
Result A total of 12 randomized control trial (RCT) studies were included
in the present systematic review. 37,657 (54.89%) participants were randomly
assigned to receive the different interventions of SGLT-2 inhibitor, whereas
30,959 (45.11%) received a placebo. Overall, 618 events were reported in the
treatment group, whereas 396 events were reported in the placebo group.
Conclusion In conclusion, patients treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors did not
have any significant difference in amputation occurrences compared to placebo
across various studies. However, canagliflozin usage has led to higher
amputation events in certain trials.
Thermal rectification in segmented Frenkel–Kontorova lattices with asymmetric next-nearest-neighbor interactions
Authors: Romero-Bastida M , Varela A Poceros 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In this work, we conduct an extensive study of the asymmetric heat flow, i.e. thermal rectification, present in the two-segment Frenkel Kontorova model with both nearest-neighbor (NN) and next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) interactions. We have considered systems with both high and low asymmetry and determined that, in the weak-coupling limit, thermal rectification is larger when NNN interactions are relevant. The behavior of the heat fluxes as a function of the coupling strength between the two segments is largely consistent with a well-defined rectification for larger system sizes. The local heat fluxes present a very different behavior for systems with high and low asymmetry. The results of this work may help in the design of molecular bridges, which have recently been shown to be able to function as thermal rectification devices.
CTMRG study of the critical behavior of an interacting-dimer model
Authors: Chatelain C 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The critical behavior of a dimer model with an interaction favoring parallel dimers in each plaquette of the square lattice is studied numerically using the corner transfer matrix renormalization group algorithm. The critical exponents are known to depend on the chemical potential of vacancies, or monomers. At large average density of the latter, the phase transition becomes the first-order. We compute the scaling dimensions of both the order parameter and temperature in the second-order regime and compare them with the conjecture that the critical behavior is the same as the Ashkin–Teller model on its self-dual critical line.
Risk evaluation and mitigation strategy compliance for pulmonary hypertension medications after policy implementation with computerized provider order entry support
Authors: Liske Joshua , Patel Nisha , Makowski Charles , Awdish Rana , Smith Zachary R 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension includes medications with risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) programs. Health-system inpatient pharmacies dispensing these agents must comply with inpatient REMS dispensing criteria. Implementing a health-system policy with computerized provider order entry (CPOE) decision support may improve REMS compliance.

Methods
This was a retrospective, quasi-experimental study comparing REMS compliance before and after development of a policy with CPOE decision support that was implemented in August 2019. Patients 18 years of age or older with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension were included if they received at least one dose of an endothelin receptor antagonist or riociguat while hospitalized. Patients were included in the preintervention group if they were hospitalized between August 1, 2017, and August 31, 2019, and in the postintervention group if they were hospitalized between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2021. The primary outcome was the REMS compliance rate. Secondary endpoints included the time to REMS compliance and independent factors associated with failed or delayed REMS compliance.

Results
A total of 150 patients were included, with 75 patients in both the pre- and postintervention groups. Compliance increased significantly from the preintervention (50%) to postintervention (92%) group (P &lt; 0.001). Time to compliance was also significantly reduced from 770 minutes in the preintervention group to 140 minutes in the postintervention group (P = 0.031). Factors independently associated with REMS compliance were being in the postintervention group (odds ratio, 16.9; 95% confidence interval, 5.8-49.2) and being admitted to a pulmonary hypertension center for comprehensive care. (odds ratio, 7.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-21.2).

Conclusion
A health-system policy with CPOE decision support improved both the rate of and time to compliance with inpatient REMS dispensing procedures.
72219 - Endoscopic treatment of epidermoid metaplasia
Authors: Elbe Peter , Omae Masami , Maltzman Henrik , Vujasinovic Miroslav 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Epidermoid metaplasia in the esophagus is an unusual condition that is considered to give an increased risk of squamous cell neoplasia. Endoscopic treatment has therefore been described as a method to prevent cancer. In the case of dysplasia, endoscopic resection is recommended and in case of metaplasia, ablation is recommended.

Method
We reviewed all patients diagnosed with epidermoid metaplasia at Karolinska University Hospital in 2022-2023.

Result
We identified six patients with epidermoid metaplasia. We decided not to treat an 86-year-old man due to age and co-diseases. Five of the patients, two women and three men, received endoscopic treatment. The average age was 69 years. One patient had high-grade squamous dysplasia and underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in a first session and a round of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in a second session. Four of the patients had epidermoid metaplasia without dysplasia and underwent only RFA. Of these four, three of the patients only needed one round of treatment. The fourth patient required three ablations, but that patient had a concomitant eosinophilic esophagitis with narrow esophagus and only the smallest RFA catheter (Channel catheter) could be used. None of the patients had any complications.

Discussion
Endoscopic treatment is a fast and safe method that should be considered in all patients with epidermoid metaplasia.
71779 - Health-related quality of life by type of breast surgery in women with primary breast cancer: prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Gulis Kim , Ellbrant Julia , Bendahl Pär-Ola , Svensjö Tor , Rydén Lisa 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-related outcome measures for patients with cancer have gained increased interest over the last decade. However, few prospective studies with longitudinal data evaluated HRQoL in patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate how HRQoL changed from the time of diagnosis to 1 year post breast cancer surgery for the main surgical techniques.

Method
This prospective longitudinal single-centre study included 340 patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed in 2019–2020 who underwent surgery. Patients completed a HRQoL questionnaire (Breast-Q) at baseline. One year post surgery, they completed the Breast-Q a second time, the EORTC Quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and the QLQ-BR23. Analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate the differences in HRQoL between surgical groups. Analysis of covariance with robust standard errors was used to adjust for confounders.

Result
Patients that had partial mastectomy or oncoplastic partial mastectomy were more satisfied with their breasts (P&lt;0.001), had a better body image (P=0.006) and higher sexual functioning scores (P=0.027) than patients who had a mastectomy with/without reconstruction. The oncoplastic and mastectomy with reconstruction groups had more breast symptoms than other groups (p&lt;0.001), and the mastectomy group had the least symptoms from the chest area.

Discussion
Partial mastectomy and oncoplastic partial mastectomy have the best outcomes in terms of breast satisfaction, body image and sexual functioning. This highlights the importance of preserving the breast when feasible and underscores that breast reconstruction is not equal to breast conservation.
72235 - Pattern of regional recurrences in patients with trunk melanoma and implications for ultrasound follow-up
Authors: Krabbe Ellen , Riaz Nazia , Mattsson Jan , Huibers Anne , Bagge Roger Olofsson 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Optimal follow-up of patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) positive trunk melanoma is uncertain. Completion lymph node dissection (CLND) is no longer indicated and instead these patients are followed by ultrasound examinations. However, exactly which nodal basins to examine has not been established, should it be focused on the positive sentinel node site or all basins indicated by the lymphoscintigraphy? This study aims to describe the patterns of recurrences in patients with trunk melanoma.

Method
Patients diagnosed with trunk melanoma undergoing wide local excision and SLN biopsy at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, between 2017-2021 were retrospectively evaluated in a prospectively held registry. Patients with a positive SLN biopsy did not undergo CLND, instead they were followed with ultrasound every six months for 3 years.

Result
A total of 261 patients were identified and 39 patients (15%) had a recurrence. Twenty-one (54%) presented with distant recurrences, 12 (31%) with regional nodal recurrences and six (15%) with in-transit metastasis as the first site of recurrence. Of the 261 patients, 55 (21%) had a positive SLN biopsy, and six (11%) of these had a regional nodal recurrence where one recurrence (2%) was outside of the positive SLN basin.

Discussion
For patients with a positive SLN, the risk of having a first recurrence in a regional nodal basin is 11%. Of these recurrences 83% were in the positive sentinel node basin, making it reasonable to focus the ultrasound examinations on the basin where the positive SLN was identified.