bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐cell analysis of Crohn's disease: Unveiling heterogeneity and evaluating ustekinumab outcomes
Authors: Li Zheng‐Yang , Sun Yong‐Hong , Qian‐Hua  , Wang Hai‐Yan , Wang Ya‐Jie , Miao‐Jiang  
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to dissect the cellular complexity of Crohn's disease (CD) using single‐cell RNA sequencing, focusing on identifying key cell populations and their transcriptional profiles in inflamed tissue.MethodsWe applied scRNA‐sequencing to compare the cellular composition of CD patients with healthy controls, utilizing Seurat for clustering and annotation. Differential gene expression analysis and protein–protein interaction networks were constructed to identify crucial genes and pathways.ResultsOur study identified eight distinct cell types in CD, highlighting crucial fibroblast and T cell interactions. The analysis revealed key cellular communications and identified significant genes and pathways involved in the disease's pathology. The role of fibroblasts was underscored by elevated expression in diseased samples, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets, including responses to ustekinumab treatment, thus enriching our understanding of CD at a molecular level.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the complex cellular and molecular interplay in CD, suggesting new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, offering insights into disease mechanisms and treatment implications.
Sodium MRI of the Lumbar Intervertebral Discs of the Human Spine: An Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Kamp Benedikt , Radke Karl Ludger , Knet Marek , Strunk Rosanna , Gallinnis Patrik J. , Nagel Armin M. , Filler Timm J. , Antoch Gerald , Abrar Daniel B. , Frenken Miriam , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg , Müller‐Lutz Anja 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundLower back pain affects 75%–85% of people at some point in their lives. The detection of biochemical changes with sodium (23Na) MRI has potential to enable an earlier and more accurate diagnosis.PurposeTo measure 23Na relaxation times and apparent tissue sodium concentration (aTSC) in ex‐vivo intervertebral discs (IVDs), and to investigate the relationship between aTSC and histological Thompson grade.Study TypeEx‐vivo.SpecimenThirty IVDs from the lumbar spines of 11 human body donors (4 female, 7 male, mean age 86 ± 8 years).Field Strength/Sequence3 T; density‐adapted 3D radial sequence (DA‐3D‐RAD).AssessmentIVD 23Na longitudinal (T1), short and long transverse (T2s* and T2l*) relaxation times and the proportion of the short transverse relaxation (ps) were calculated for one IVD per spine sample (11 IVDs). Furthermore, aTSCs were calculated for all IVDs. The degradation of the IVDs was assessed via histological Thompson grading.Statistical TestsA Kendall Tau correlation (τ) test was performed between the aTSCs and the Thompson grades. The significance level was set to P < 0.05.ResultsMean 23Na relaxation parameters of a subset of 11 IVDs were T1 = 9.8 ± 1.3 msec, T2s* = 0.7 ± 0.1 msec, T2l* = 7.3 ± 1.1 msec, and ps = 32.7 ± 4.0%. A total of 30 IVDs were examined, of which 3 had Thompson grade 1, 4 had grade 2, 5 had grade 3, 5 had grade 4, and 13 had grade 5. The aTSC decreased with increasing degradation, being 274.6 ± 18.9 mM for Thompson grade 1 and 190.5 ± 29.5 mM for Thompson grade 5. The correlation between whole IVD aTSC and Thompson grade was significant and strongly negative (τ = −0.56).Data ConclusionThis study showed a significant correlation between aTSC and degenerative IVD changes. Consequently, aTSC has potential to be useful as an indicator of degenerative spinal changes.Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 1
Gingipain and oncostatin M synergistically disrupt kidney tight junctions in periodontitis‐associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Wei Wei , Sun Jing , Ji Zhaoxin , Hu Jiangqi , Jiang Qingsong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by rapid renal decline. Periodontitis, a chronic oral inflammatory disease, is increasingly associated with renal dysfunction. Although periodontitis is recognized as a contributor to kidney damage, the mechanisms linking it to AKI remain unclear.MethodsThis study explored the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) W83‐infected periodontitis on AKI in C57BL/6J mice, using ischemia‐reperfusion injury 55 days post‐infection. Gingipain inhibitors, KYT‐1 and KYT‐36, were applied. Detection of P. gingivalis was performed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and PCR, while transcriptome sequencing, qRT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining assessed renal damage. In vitro, HK‐2 cells were exposed to P. gingivalis at a multiplicity of infection of 10 for 48 h, with inhibition by gingipain or oncostatin M (OSM). Disruption of tight junctions (TJs) was quantified using qRT‐PCR, transepithelial electrical resistance, and cell counting kit‐8 assays.ResultsPeriodontitis worsened AKI, linked to P. gingivalis infection and renal TJ disruption in the kidney. P. gingivalis infection activated OSM expression, which correlated positively with gingipain. Significantly, OSM and gingipain might collaboratively contribute to the damage of renal TJs, with the reduced expression of TJ proteins. Suppressing gingipain activity presented itself as a protective strategy against the destruction of TJs and the attendant worsening of AKI due to periodontitis.ConclusionsOur study enhances the understanding of the interplay between periodontitis and AKI, highlighting the harmful impact of P. gingivalis in AKI.
Environment found to explain the largest variance in physical and compositional traits in malting barley grain
Authors: Ramanan Maany , Gielens Daan R. S. , de Schepper Charlotte F. , Courtin Christophe M. , Diepenbrock Christine , Fox Glen Patrick 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDStarch is the most abundant constituent (dry weight) in the barley endosperm, followed by protein. Variability of compositional and potentially related physical traits due to genotype and environment can have important implications for the malting and brewing industry. This was the first study to assess the effects of genotype, environment, and their interaction (G × E) on endosperm texture, protein content, and starch traits corresponding to granule size, gelatinization, content, and composition, using a multi‐environment variety trial in California, USA.RESULTSOverall, environment explained the largest variance for all traits (ranging from 23.2% to 76.5%), except the endosperm texture traits wherein the G × E term explained the largest variance (45.0–86.5%). Our unique method to quantify the proportion of fine and coarse milled barley particles using laser diffraction showed a binomial distribution of endosperm texture. The number of small starch granules varied significantly (P‐value < 0.05) across genotypes and environments. We observed negative correlations between total protein content and each of enthalpy (−0.70), total starch content (−0.54), and difference between offset and onset gelatinization temperature (−0.52). Furthermore, amylose to amylopectin ratio was positively correlated to volume of small starch granules (0.36).CONCLUSIONOur findings indicate that environment played a larger role in influencing the majority of starch‐related physical and compositional traits. In contrast, variance in endosperm texture was largely explained by G × E. Maltsters would benefit from accounting for environmental contributions in addition to solely genotype when making sourcing decisions, especially with regards to total protein, total starch, enthalpy, and difference between offset and onset gelatinization temperature. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria rather than ammonia‐oxidizing archaea dominates soil nitrification during vegetation restoration in karst areas
Authors: Sun Mingming , Xiao Dan , Zhang Wei , Wang Kelin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSoil nitrification, driven by ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB), is a crucial process in maintaining the soil nitrogen (N) balance. However, the influence of AOA and AOB on soil gross nitrification rates (GNR) in response to vegetation restoration remains unclear, particularly in karst regions. In this study, we investigated soil GNR and the abundance, diversity, and community composition of AOA and AOB across after vegetation restoration. Four land use types were examined: plantation forest (PF), forage grass (FG), a combination of plantation forest and forage grass (FG), and cropland (CR, control). Soil ammonium N () was higher in the vegetation restoration compared to that in cropland, whereas nitrate N () exhibited the opposite trend. Soil GNR were reduced by 55.4%–90.3% in the vegetation restorations compared to that in cropland. The abundance, Chao1, and Shannon index of AOB were lower in vegetation restorations compared to cropland, respectively. The abundance and diversity of AOA were higher than those of AOB but were unaffected by vegetative restoration. Furthermore, AOB community is more sensitive to vegetation restoration than AOA community. Specifically, the abundance of AOB taxa belonging to the genera Nitrosospira and Nitrosovibrio was decreased by the restoration efforts. In addition, soil nutrients availability (e.g., , , and phosphorus) and AOB index (e.g., Shannon index) were the main factors driving soil GNR. This study highlights the importance of AOB in driving soil nitrification during vegetation restoration and emphasizes the necessity to optimize soil nitrogen management in karst ecosystems.
Leaf litter breakdown phenology in headwater stream networks is modulated by groundwater thermal regimes and litter type
Authors: Hare Danielle K. , Helton Ashley M. , Cummins Carolyn S. , Bumpers Phillip M. , Tomczyk Nathan J. , Rogers Phoenix A. , Wenger Seth J. , Hotchkiss Erin R. , Rosemond Amy D. , Benstead Jonathan P. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLeaf litter dominates particulate organic carbon inputs to forest streams. Using data‐informed simulations, we explored how litter type (slow‐ vs. fast‐decomposing species), pulsed autumn litter inputs, groundwater‐mediated temperature regimes, and climate warming affect litter breakdown in a 3rd‐order stream network. We found that the time‐dependent interactions of these variables govern network‐scale litter breakdown phenology, with greater thermal sensitivity of slow‐decomposing litter for both current and future scenarios. Groundwater thermal inputs modified litter breakdown phenology by reducing spring and summer and elevating winter litter breakdown fluxes. Under future warming scenarios, the source depth of contributing groundwater influenced summer detrital resources; shallow groundwater‐fed streams had reduced summer resources compared to deep groundwater‐fed streams. Our results demonstrate that predicting in‐stream carbon cycling requires explicit consideration of the phenology of resource inputs and the seasonal timing of environmental factors, notably stream thermal regimes.
Schrödinger–Poisson systems with zero mass in the Sobolev limiting case
Authors: Romani Giulio 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe study the existence of positive solutions for a class of systems which strongly couple a quasilinear Schrödinger equation driven by a weighted ‐Laplace operator and without the mass term, and a higher‐order fractional Poisson equation. Since the system is set in , the limiting case for the Sobolev embedding, we consider nonlinearities with exponential growth. Existence is proved relying on the study of a corresponding Choquard equation in which the Riesz kernel is a logarithm, hence sign‐changing and unbounded from above and below. This is in turn solved by means of a variational approximating procedure for an auxiliary Choquard equation, where the logarithm is uniformly approximated by polynomial kernels. Our results are new even in the planar case .
Financing constraints of firms: Is there political favoritism in the economic resources given by the central government?
Authors: Liu Xiaoqian , Cifuentes‐Faura Javier , Gao Ming , Yang Cunyi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEconomic resources within the jurisdiction of local governments in China shape the external financing environment of enterprises. However, few studies have focused on China's unique political hierarchy, which results in differentiated access to economic resources for different levels of local governments and substantially affects local corporate financing constraints. This paper examines the impact of city political hierarchy on firm financing constraints among Chinese A‐share listed firms from 2004 to 2019. We use the 200,000 population criterion for delineating the political hierarchy of cities in 1927 as the cutoff for fuzzy regression discontinuity design to identify causal effects. The results show that the greater a city's political rank is, the lower its financing constraints are. The mechanism suggests that the central government provides more financial and political resources to high‐level cities, directly and indirectly influencing the financing constraints of firms. In addition, high‐level cities' government preferences, bank loans, debt financing costs, and business credit are vital channels at the firm level. However, this effect varies depending on the ownership and size of the firm.
Responsibility endowing power: A theoretical framework of health empowerment for Chinese older people with chronic illness
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhang Hao , Peng Jie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimTo construct a health empowerment framework for the Chinese older people with chronic conditions.DesignA Straussian grounded theory design was selected to generate the theoretical framework.MethodsData were collected from 53 community‐dwelling older people with chronic conditions in China between November 2017 and August 2019, via semi‐structured interviews and with participating observation. The constant comparative method identified the key categories.Results‘Responsibility endowing power’, the health empowerment core theme, was defined as initiating, performing and realizing responsibility towards health through the interaction between the self, family and society. The framework enriches the meaning of health empowerment, changing older people's nursing practice.
Validation of a Novel Mobile Application for Assessing Pediatric Tracheostomy Emergency Simulations
Authors: Tawfik Marc‐Mina , Schiff Elliot , Mosavian Roxanna , Campisi Christine , Shen Amanda , Lin Juan , Windsor Alanna M. , Weingarten‐Arams Jacqueline , Soshnick Sara H. , Nishisaki Akira , Je Sangmo , Maa Tensing , Harwayne‐Gidansky Ilana , Fortunov Regine M. , Yang Christina J. ,   for the International Network for Simulation‐based Pediatric Innovation, Research, and Education (INSPIRE) Investigators
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivePediatric tracheostomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet clinician knowledge and quality of tracheostomy care may vary widely. In situ simulation is effective at detecting and mitigating related latent safety threats, but evaluation via retrospective video review has disadvantages (eg, delayed analysis, and potential data loss). We evaluated whether a novel mobile application is accurate and reliable for assessment of in situ tracheostomy emergency simulations.MethodsA novel mobile application was developed for assessment of tracheostomy emergency in situ simulation team performance. After 1.25 hours of training, 6 raters scored 10 tracheostomy emergency simulation videos for the occurrence and timing of 12 critical steps. To assess accuracy, rater scores were compared to a reference standard to determine agreement for occurrence or absence of critical steps and a timestamp within ±5 seconds. Interrater reliability was determined through Cohen's and Fleiss' kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient.ResultsRaters had 86.0% agreement with the reference standard when considering step occurrence and timing, and 92.8% agreement when considering only occurrence. The average timestamp difference from the reference standard was 1.3 ± 18.5 seconds. Overall interrater reliability was almost perfect for both step occurrence (Fleiss' kappa of 0.81) and timing of step (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99).DiscussionUsing our novel mobile application, raters with minimal training accurately and reliably assessed videos of tracheostomy emergency simulations and identified areas for future refinement.Implications for PracticeWith refinements, this innovative mobile application is an effective tool for real‐time data capture of time‐critical steps in in situ tracheostomy emergency simulations.
Ergonomics of Various Modalities for Ear Surgery
Authors: Lin Matthew E. , Zhou Sheng , Kakeheta Seiji , Ito Tsukasa , Shibata Seiji B. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveEvaluate ergonomic differences of various modalities for performing middle ear surgery.Study DesignObservational study.SettingTwo academic tertiary care centers.MethodsAttending physicians and residents performing middle ear surgery were photographed intraoperatively. Intraoperative photographs were analyzed using the validated Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool to measure musculoskeletal disease (MSD) risk. Descriptive statistics and significance testing were used to characterize and compare ergonomic differences between surgical modalities. Multivariable ordinal regression was performed to assess factors associated with increased MSD risk, as determined by the final RULA score.ResultsMost of our 110 intraoperative photos featured attendings (82.7%) performing combined middle ear surgery and mastoidectomy (60.0%). Body angles and the final RULA score varied significantly among modalities. On subset analysis, microscopic surgery exhibited significantly worse wrist, trunk, and neck angles compared to endoscopic and exoscopic surgery. Exoscopic surgery had significantly lower final RULA scores than both endoscopic and microscopic surgery, indicating significantly lower MSD risk. Microscopic and endoscopic surgery final scores did not vary significantly. In a multivariable ordinal regression of factors associated with increased RULA score, exoscopic surgery had statistically significantly less ergonomic risk relative to microscopic surgery (odds ratio = 0.12, 95% confidence interval = [0.03‐0.43]).ConclusionExoscopic, endoscopic, and microscopic surgery all featured low ergonomic risk, although exoscopic middle ear surgery demonstrated the lowest risk profile among studied surgical modalities. This demonstrates the importance of using each modality in combination with other ergonomic interventions to provide meaningful musculoskeletal benefits.
Exploring perceptions of inpatient hospital attire in children with cancer
Authors: Lucas Christy M. , Mack Molly C. , Majeski Jill , Maurer Scott H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAttire bolsters identity, self‐expression, and comfort. Hospital gowns are known to be distressing in adults. Attitudes of children with cancer toward hospital attire remain uninvestigated and may be a modifiable factor in overall well‐being.MethodsA 39‐item mixed methods survey evaluated perceptions of patient attire in children with cancer. Children aged 7–18 years were recruited at an academic medical center. Data analysis included simple statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsForty children with cancer receiving oncologic care participated. Participants’ mean age was 12.4 (SD = 3.0, range = 7–17) years, and 25 (62%) were male. Quantitative data revealed 81% of participants preferred their own attire when admitted to the hospital, feeling more comfortable in such when well (91%) or sick (75%). They did not feel like they “must” wear a gown when admitted (60%) and did not want to be asked about preferred inpatient attire (63%). Thematic analysis revealed that children had strong negative views of gowns and preferred to wear their own attire in the hospital, which provided physical and emotional comfort. Children worried wearing their own clothing could impede their care.ConclusionChildren with cancer prefer wearing their own clothes in the hospital for physical and emotional comfort. They are willing to wear gowns for ease of care; however, they do not want to arbitrate when they need to make that choice. Providers may ease distress by considering a child's own clothes as default hospital attire with instructions for when a gown is necessary for good clinical care.
Research on reversible bonding of microfluidic chips based on stretch release adhesive strips
Authors: Wang Qingzheng , Feng Xin , Yang Shuo , Xu Fan , Chai Menghao , Fan Yiqiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe reversible bonding of microfluidic chips has been developing rapidly with the requirement of reusable microfluidic devices or the need to obtain the samples inside the chip. Traditional bonding methods for polymer‐based microfluidics, e.g., thermal bonding, permanently attach the substrate and cover plate. Sometimes, once the chip flow channel is blocked, it is difficult to clean and affect the reusability of the chip. This study proposes a new reversible bonding method for poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chips with the help of stretch release adhesive strips. The designed microchannels were fabricated on the surface of PMMA plates using CO2 laser irradiation. Then, stretch release adhesive strips were used as an intermediate layer between the substrate (with microchannels) and another flat PMMA/PS/PC plate to seal the microchannel. The assembled chip sets were bonded at room temperature with bonding strength comparable with other permanent bonding methods. Experimental results show that simply pulling the adhesive layer by applying a shear force can easily detach the intermediate adhesive layer from both the substrate and cover plate to separate the bonded chipset. The proposed reversible bonding method is simple, rapid and has low residue and high bonding strength. Bacterial culture experiments were also conducted to verify the biocompatibility of the proposed bonding method. The proposed reversible bonding technique can be used for polymer‐based microfluidic devices that require sample recovery or chip reuse.Highlights
The stretch release adhesive strip can provide high bond strength.
It allows easy peeling for reversible bonding.
It bonds at room temperature with simple operation.
It has good transparency for easy observation of experiments.
It has good biocompatibility.