bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning‐Assisted Analysis of Sublingual Microcirculatory Dysfunction for Early Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation and Cardiovascular‐Kidney‐Metabolic Syndrome Stage in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Wuhao , Sun Fang , Jiang Nan , Yuan Liyuan , Bu Xiaona , Shu Wentao , Li Qiang , Zhu Zhiming 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTAimsTo examine whether sublingual microcirculation can be used as an effective and noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic risks in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and MethodsThis cross‐sectional observational study enrolled 186 patients with T2DM. All patients were evaluated using the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FGCRS) and cardiovascular‐kidney‐metabolic (CKM) syndrome stage. Side‐stream dark‐field microscopy was used for sublingual microcirculation, including total and perfused vessel density (TVD and PVD). Multiple machine‐learning prediction models have been developed for CKM risk and stage assessment in T2DM patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine cutoff points.ResultsCompared to patients with T2DM, diabetic patients with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) had a greater CV risk, as measured by the FGCRS, accompanied by markedly decreased microcirculation perfusion. Microcirculatory parameters (TVD and PVD), including carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV), and FGCRS, were closely associated with SA incidence. Microcirculatory parameters, Index (DMSA screen), and cut‐off points were used to screen for SA in patients with T2DM. Furthermore, a new set of four factors identified through machine learning showed optimal sensitivity and specificity for detecting CKM risk in patients with T2DM. Decreased microcirculatory perfusion served as a useful early marker for CKM syndrome risk stratification in patients with T2DM without SA.ConclusionsSublingual microcirculatory dysfunction is closely correlated with the risk of SA and CKM risk in T2DM patients. Sublingual microcirculation could be a novel tool for assessing the CKM syndrome stage in patients with T2DM.
Reversing the decline of threatened koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in New South Wales: Using genomics to enhance conservation outcomes
Authors: Lott Matthew J. , Frankham Greta J. , Eldridge Mark D. B. , Alquezar‐Planas David E. , Donnelly Lily , Zenger Kyall R. , Leigh Kellie A. , Kjeldsen Shannon R. , Field Matt A. , Lemon John , Lunney Daniel , Crowther Mathew S. , Krockenberger Mark B. , Fisher Mark , Neaves Linda E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGenetic management is a critical component of threatened species conservation. Understanding spatial patterns of genetic diversity is essential for evaluating the resilience of fragmented populations to accelerating anthropogenic threats. Nowhere is this more relevant than on the Australian continent, which is experiencing an ongoing loss of biodiversity that exceeds any other developed nation. Using a proprietary genome complexity reduction‐based method (DArTSeq), we generated a data set of 3239 high quality Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to investigate spatial patterns and indices of genetic diversity in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), a highly specialised folivorous marsupial that is experiencing rapid and widespread population declines across much of its former range. Our findings demonstrate that current management divisions across the state of New South Wales (NSW) do not fully represent the distribution of genetic diversity among extant koala populations, and that care must be taken to ensure that translocation paradigms based on these frameworks do not inadvertently restrict gene flow between populations and regions that were historically interconnected. We also recommend that koala populations should be prioritised for conservation action based on the scale and severity of the threatening processes that they are currently faced with, rather than placing too much emphasis on their perceived value (e.g., as reservoirs of potentially adaptive alleles), as our data indicate that existing genetic variation in koalas is primarily partitioned among individual animals. As such, the extirpation of koalas from any part of their range represents a potentially critical reduction of genetic diversity for this iconic Australian species.
Rare Earth Metal Reagents in Organic Synthesis: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sun Dandan , Xu Jiaxin , Liu Gaojie , Chen Yi‐Hung 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMetal‐mediated organic synthesis has significantly advanced the field of synthetic chemistry over the decades. While transition metal‐catalyzed reactions have become foundational, characterized by well‐understood mechanisms like oxidative addition and reductive elimination, rare earth metals have not received as much attention. This review aims to highlight the synthetic applications of rare earth metals, fostering increased interest in their exploration. We discuss various reactions facilitated by these metals, including substitution, addition, insertion into unsaturated bonds, and coupling reactions, showcasing their unique capabilities and potential in modern synthetic chemistry.
A Formal General Method for the Synthesis of Spiroacetals: Easy Access to Oleocaran/Elmonin Core
Authors: Boulogeorgou Maria A. , Stathakis Christos I. , Gallos John K. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA general method for the synthesis of spiroacetals was investigated. Simple symmetrical [n,n]‐spiroacetals (n=5,6) can be prepared from α,ω‐alkanediols by their conversion to the respective ω‐benzyloxyalkyl bromides, addition of their Grignard reagents to ethyl formate, further oxidation of the resulting secondary alcohols and finally deprotection with spontaneous intramolecular acetalization. Access to the respective unsymmetrical [m,n]‐spiroacetals (m,n=5,6,7) was similarly achieved by addition of the above Grignard reagent to a ω‐benzyloxyalkanal, followed by the same reaction sequence. This method was further adapted for the synthesis of the unsubstituted structural core of natural spiroacetals oleocaran and elmonin, thus demonstrating its potential.
Collection of serum albumin aggregate nanoparticles from human plasma by dielectrophoresis
Authors: Ware Jason , Shea Delaney , Lim Jeong Youn , Malakian Anna , Armstrong Randall , Pethig Ronald , Ibsen Stuart 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDielectrophoresis (DEP) is a fast and reliable nanoparticle recovery method that utilizes nonuniform electric fields to manipulate particles based on their material composition and size, enabling recovery of biologically‐derived nanoparticles from plasma for diagnostic applications. When applying DEP to undiluted human plasma, collection of endogenous albumin proteins was observed at electric field gradients much lower than predicted by theory to collect molecular proteins. To understand this collection, nanoparticle tracking analysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) dissolved in 0.5× phosphate‐buffered saline was performed and showed that albumin spontaneously formed aggregate nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 237 nm. These aggregates experienced a dielectrophoretic force as a function of aggregate radius rather than the diameter of individual protein molecules which contributed to their collection. In high conductance buffer (6.8 mS/cm), DEP was able to move these aggregates into regions of high electric field gradient, and in lower conductance buffer (0.68 mS/cm), these aggregates could be moved into high or low gradient regions depending on the applied frequency. Disruption of BSA aggregates using a nonionic detergent significantly decreased the particle diameter, resulting in decreased dielectrophoretic collection of albumin which increased the collection consistency of particles of interest. These results provide techniques to manipulate albumin aggregates via DEP, which impacts collection of diagnostic biomarkers.
Secure and efficient device‐to‐device communication in IoT: The DMBSOA‐enhanced MQTT protocol
Authors: Loganathan Bharathi Shantha , Jaganathan Sathya Priya 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in enhancing technology by facilitating data transfer, storage, control, and management across networks. Secure communication within IoT environments remains a significant challenge. This research aims to enhance IoT security by integrating Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and MQTT‐Sensor Network (MQTT‐SN) protocols with the Dual Mutation‐Based Seagull Optimization Algorithm (DMBSOA). MQTT, known for its lightweight and dependable messaging, is widely used in the IoT community but is vulnerable to cyber‐attacks, particularly concerning privacy and authentication. DMBSOA, inspired by seagulls' foraging behavior, optimizes MQTT settings to enhance security, reliability, and performance. The proposed model dynamically adjusts key parameters such as transmission frequency, Quality of service (QoS) levels, and message size to improve energy consumption, throughput, end‐to‐end delay, and packet delivery ratio. A comprehensive system model is presented, comprising publisher, subscriber, and broker nodes, with security mechanisms integrated into the broker to ensure data integrity, authentication, and encryption. MQTT operates over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), while MQTT‐SN uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP), catering to resource‐constrained devices and low‐power modes. The proposed technique attained throughput (68 kB), energy consumption (120 mJ), security level (96%), energy efficiency (98.80%), path loss (22 dB), end‐to‐end delay (35 ms), processing time (230 s) and packet delivery ratio (0.98). The DMBSOA‐optimized MQTT protocol demonstrates superior performance compared to these models, highlighting its potential to meet the evolving demands of IoT security. This research underscores the effectiveness of DMBSOA in enhancing MQTT protocol security and efficiency, providing a promising solution for secure IoT communication.
Texture‐based morphometry in relation to apolipoprotein ε4 genotype, ageing and sex in a midlife population
Authors: Dounavi Maria‐Eleni , Mak Elijah , Operto Gregory , Muniz‐Terrera Graciela , Bridgeman Katie , Koychev Ivan , Malhotra Paresh , Naci Lorina , Lawlor Brian , Su Li , Falcon Carles , Ritchie Karen , Ritchie Craig W. , Gispert Juan Domingo , O'Brien John T. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBrain atrophy and cortical thinning are typically observed in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, to a lesser extent, in those with mild cognitive impairment. In asymptomatic middle‐aged apolipoprotein ε4 (ΑPOE4) carriers, who are at higher risk of future AD, study reports are discordant with limited evidence of brain structural differences between carriers and non‐carriers of the ε4 allele. Alternative imaging markers with higher sensitivity at the presymptomatic stage, ideally quantified using typically acquired structural MRI scans, would thus be of great benefit for the detection of early disease, disease monitoring and subject stratification. In the present cross‐sectional study, we investigated textural properties of T1‐weighted 3T MRI scans in relation to APOE4 genotype, age and sex. We pooled together data from the PREVENT‐Dementia and ALFA studies focused on midlife healthy populations with dementia risk factors (analysable cohort: 1585 participants; mean age 56.2 ± 7.4 years). Voxel‐based and texture (examined features: contrast, entropy, energy, homogeneity) based morphometry was used to identify areas of volumetric and textural differences between APOE4 carriers and non‐carriers. Textural maps were generated and were subsequently harmonised using voxel‐wise COMBAT. For all analyses, APOE4, sex, age and years of education were used as model predictors. Interactions between APOE4 and age were further examined. There were no group differences in regional brain volume or texture based on APOE4 carriership or when age × APOE4 interactions were examined. Older people tended to have a less homogeneous textural profile in grey and white matter and a more homogeneous profile in the ventricles. A more heterogeneous textural profile was observed for females in areas such as the ventricles, frontal and parietal lobes and for males in the brainstem, cerebellum, precuneus and cingulate. Overall, we have shown the absence of volumetric and textural differences between APOE4 carriers and non‐carriers at midlife and have established associations of textural features with ageing and sex.
Surgical outcomes of profunda artery perforator flap in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Marchi Filippo , Iandelli Andrea , Pace Gian Marco , Bellini Elisa , Tirrito Alessandro , Costantino Andrea , Cerri Luca , Greco Antonio , Polimeni Antonella , Parrinello Giampiero , Peretti Giorgio , De Virgilio Armando 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap in head and neck reconstruction.MethodsA single arm meta‐analysis was performed for flap survival rate (primary outcome), reoperation for major complication, and overall complication rates (secondary outcomes).ResultsThe search strategy yielded a total of 295 potentially relevant publications, of which 13 were included. A total of 305 patients (males: 80.8%, n = 232/281), with a median age of 56.1 years (n = 305/305; 95% CI 53.9–63), who underwent a total of 307 PAP flap reconstructions for head and neck defects were included. Flap survival rate was 100% (n = 306/307; 95% CI 99.6%–100%), with a reoperation rate for major complications of 3.7% (n = 15/307; 95% CI 1.85%–6.1%) and an overall complication rate of 26.5% (n = 92/307; 95% CI 15.7%–38.9%). Notable postoperative complications included wound dehiscence (n = 15/307, 4.9%), delayed healing (n = 14/307, 4.6%), and wound infection (n = 12/307, 3.9%). Partial flap necrosis and hematoma occurred in 2.6% of cases (n = 8/307), while arterial and venous thrombosis were documented in 0.7% (n = 2/307) and 1.3%, respectively (n = 4/307).ConclusionThe application of the PAP flap in head and neck reconstructions showed several favorable aspects, such as an exceptionally low flap failure rate, versatility in achieving variable dimensions, and a relatively low incidence of complications. PAP flap might be considered as a compelling alternative to the traditionally employed soft tissue free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.
Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of toxin‐producing Klebsiella oxytoca clinical isolates from children admitted to the oncology chemotherapy center in Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran, Iran: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sabzivand Nasim , Nazari Shiva , Shirvani Fariba , Azimi Leila , Salmanzadeh Ahrabi Siavash , Mohammadi Estiri Maedeh 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsKlebsiella oxytoca (K. oxytoca) is the second bacterial cause of nosocomial infections in the general population after K. pneumoniae. This study surveyed the frequency of cytotoxin‐producing strains of K. oxytoca and their antibiotic susceptibility profile in a cohort of children admitted to a referral hospital with different malignancies.MethodsThe Stool samples of children admitted to the Cancer Chemotherapy Unit of the Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran were analyzed using conventional biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction targeting the pehX gene to identify K. oxytoca. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of isolated K. oxytoca against commonly prescribed antibiotics used in treating infection at the facility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. Also, the prevalence of genes encoding toxins among K. oxytoca was identified by PCR assay.ResultsThe Stool samples of 280 participants were taken for the study of which 38 samples [(55.3% (21/38) 42 males and 44.7% (17/38) females)] tested positive for various Klebsiella spp. Out of this, K. oxytoca was identified in 2.5% (7/280) stools using cultures and conventional biochemical tests. Also, the stools of 2.9% (8/280) of the participants tested positive for K. oxytoca using PCR assay. Using PCR, (2/7) of the K. oxytoca isolates tested positive for the npsA and npsB genes and were identified as toxigenic K. oxytoca strains.ConclusionThe prevalence of toxin‐producing K. oxytoca strains in stool samples of children diagnosed with cancer in Iran is relatively low. Most of the K. oxytoca isolates were susceptible to tested antibiotics. Globally, active surveillance of toxigenic K. oxytoca strains in patients with different malignancies or immunocompromised patients is recommended in healthcare settings.
Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Malik Javeria , Muskan Fariha , Raza Ghana , Waseem Areesha , Shahid Hiba , Jaffery Syeda Fatima , Khan Umeed , Zaheer Muhammad Kashan , Shaikh Yasmeen , Rashid Ahmed Mustafa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveDespite the historical neurological use of Withania somnifera, limited evidence supports its efficacy for conditions like anxiety and insomnia. Given its known anti‐stress properties, this review evaluated its safety and efficacy for anxiety and insomnia.MethodsWe searched Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar until August 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing W. somnifera to placebo in patients with anxiety and/or insomnia. Outcome measures included changes in anxiety levels via the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM‐A), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), Total Sleep Time (TST), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), Total Time in Bed (TIB), Sleep Efficiency (SE), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score. We utilized a random‐effect model for pooling Mean Differences (MD) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed through sensitivity and subgroup analysis, and the quality of RCTs was evaluated using the Cochrane revised risk of bias tool.ResultsPooled results from five RCTs (n = 254) demonstrated that W. somnifera significantly reduced HAM‐A scores (MD = −5.96; [95% CI −10.34, −1.59]; P = 0.008; I2 = 98%), as well as sleep parameters such as SOL, TST, PSQI, and SE, but not WASO and TIB.ConclusionWhile W. somnifera extracts yielded promising results, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety and insomnia.
Remote assessment of the association between early executive function and mathematics skills
Authors: Ernst Jasmine R. , Pan Sarah E. , Carlson Stephanie M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractExecutive function (EF) skills are consistently associated with global mathematics assessments. However, less is known about which specific mathematics skills invoke EF in early childhood. We adapted batteries of EF, numerical, and patterning tasks to be conducted via synchronous video conferencing with typically developing 4‐year‐old children (N = 115, 56.6% female, 85.2% White, non‐Hispanic, 7.8% Multiracial, 0.9% Hispanic, 0.9% Black, 1.7% American Indian/Alaska Native, 2.6% Asian and 0.9% missing) from primarily upper middle class households (maternal education range: some college to graduate or professional degree, mode = graduate or professional degree) in the United States. We found feasibility of remote adaptation varied greatly by task. Just over half of enrolled children (57.02%) completed all tasks and there were higher rates of missingness compared to an in‐person sample with a similar age range collected in schools. Nonetheless, working memory predicted various mathematics skills, including patterning, verbal counting, and number comparison, controlling for age and maternal education. Relations between cognitive flexibility and patterning varied across model specifications. Overall, these findings provide insight into the costs and benefits of remotely administered direct assessments of EF and mathematics in early childhood and add to the growing body of literature suggesting working memory plays an important role in several foundational early mathematics skills. Suggestions are offered for remote assessment with preschoolers.Highlights
Executive function and mathematics tasks were adapted for remote use and associations among skill sets were examined.
Remotely administered data collection sessions had higher rates of missingness than comparable in‐person studies.
Findings replicate and extend prior work on the associations between working memory and patterning, verbal counting, and number comparison in a remote setting.
Evolution of genome and immunogenome in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas driven by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Weng Zelin , Mai Zihang , Yuan Jianye , Liu Qianwen , Deng Fangqi , Yang Hong , Ling Yihong , Xie Xiuying , Lin Xiaodan , Lin Ting , Chen Jiyang , Wei Xiaoli , Luo Kongjia , Fu Jianhua , Wen Jing 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNeoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by surgery is a standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). However, the evolution of genome and immunogenome in ESCCs driven by NCRT remains incompletely elucidated. We performed whole‐exome sequencing of 51 ESCC tumors collected before and after NCRT, 36 of which were subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Clonal analysis identified clonal extinction in 13 ESCC patients wherein all pre‐NCRT clones disappeared after NCRT, and clonal persistence in 9 patients wherein clones endured following NCRT. The clone‐persistent patients showed higher pre‐NCRT genomic intratumoral heterogeneity and worse prognosis than the clone‐extinct ones. In contrast to the clone‐extinct patients, the clone‐persistent patients demonstrated a high proportion of subclonal neoantigens within pre‐treatment specimens. Transcriptome analysis revealed increased immune infiltrations and up‐regulated immune‐related pathways after NCRT, especially in the clone‐extinct patients. The number of T cell receptor–neoantigen interactions was higher in the clone‐extinct patients than in the clone‐persistent ones. The decrease in T cell repertoire evenness positively correlated to the decreased number of clonal neoantigens after NCRT, especially in the clone‐extinct patients. In conclusion, we identified two prognosis‐related clonal dynamic modes driven by NCRT in ESCCs. This study extended our knowledge of the ESCC genome and immunogenome evolutions driven by NCRT.