bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decompression alone or decompression with fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis: five-year clinical results from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Karlsson Thomas , Försth Peter , Öhagen Patrik , Michaëlsson Karl , Sandén Bengt 
Published: July 2024

AimsWe compared decompression alone to decompression with fusion surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, with or without degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). The aim was to evaluate if five-year outcomes differed between the groups. The two-year results from the same trial revealed no differences.MethodsThe Swedish Spinal Stenosis Study was a multicentre randomized controlled trial with recruitment from September 2006 to February 2012. A total of 247 patients with one- or two-level central lumbar spinal stenosis, stratified by the presence of DS, were randomized to decompression alone or decompression with fusion. The five-year Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), visual analogue scales for back and leg pain, and patient-reported satisfaction, decreased pain, and increased walking distance. The reoperation rate was recorded.ResultsFive-year follow-up was completed by 213 (95%) of the eligible patients (mean age 67 years; 155 female (67%)). After five years, ODI was similar irrespective of treatment, with a mean of 25 (SD 18) for decompression alone and 28 (SD 22) for decompression with fusion (p = 0.226). Mean EQ-5D was higher for decompression alone than for fusion (0.69 (SD 0.28) vs 0.59 (SD 0.34); p = 0.027). In the no-DS subset, fewer patients reported decreased leg pain after fusion (58%) than with decompression alone (80%) (relative risk (RR) 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 0.97). The frequency of subsequent spinal surgery was 24% for decompression with fusion and 22% for decompression alone (RR 1.1 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.8)).ConclusionAdding fusion to decompression in spinal stenosis surgery, with or without spondylolisthesis, does not improve the five-year ODI, which is consistent with our two-year report. Three secondary outcomes that did not differ at two years favoured decompression alone at five years. Our results support decompression alone as the preferred method for operating on spinal stenosis.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(7):705–712.
High prevalence of long-term olfactory disorders in healthcare workers after COVID-19: A case-control study
Authors: Frasnelli Johannes , Tognetti Arnaud , Winter Anja L. , Thunell Evelina , Olsson Mats J. , Greilert Nina , Olofsson Jonas K. , Havervall Sebastian , Thålin Charlotte , Lundström Johan N. 
Published: July 2024

Background
More than a year after recovering from COVID-19, a large proportion of individuals, many of whom work in the healthcare sector, still report olfactory dysfunctions. However, olfactory dysfunction was common already before the COVID-19 pandemic, making it necessary to also consider the existing baseline prevalence of olfactory dysfunction. To establish the adjusted prevalence of COVID-19 related olfactory dysfunction, we assessed smell function in healthcare workers who had contracted COVID‐19 during the first wave of the pandemic using psychophysical testing.

Methods
Participants were continuously tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies since the beginning of the pandemic. To assess the baseline rate of olfactory dysfunction in the population and to control for the possibility of skewed recruitment of individuals with prior olfactory dysfunction, consistent SARS-CoV‐2 IgG naïve individuals were tested as a control group.

Results
Fifteen months after contracting COVID‐19, 37% of healthcare workers demonstrated a quantitative reduction in their sense of smell, compared to only 20% of the individuals in the control group. Fifty-one percent of COVID‐19‐recovered individuals reported qualitative symptoms, compared to only 5% in the control group. In a follow-up study 2.6 years after COVID-19 diagnosis, 24% of all tested recovered individuals still experienced parosmia.

Conclusions
In summary, 65% of healthcare workers experienced parosmia/hyposmia 15 months after contracting COVID-19. When compared to a control group, the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in the population increased by 41 percentage points. Parosmia symptoms were still lingering two-and-a half years later in 24% of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Given the amount of time between infection and testing, it is possible that the olfactory problems may not be fully reversible in a plurality of individuals.
Preventing loss of sirt1 lowers mitochondrial oxidative stress and preserves C2C12 myotube diameter in an in vitro model of cancer cachexia
Authors: Hain Brian A. , Kimball Scot R. , Waning David L. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome associated with advanced cancer that contributes to mortality. Cachexia is characterized by loss of body weight and muscle atrophy. Increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a contributing factor to loss of muscle mass in cachectic patients. Mice inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells lose weight, muscle mass, and have lower muscle sirtuin‐1 (sirt1) expression. Nicotinic acid (NA) is a precursor to nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+) which is exhausted in cachectic muscle and is a direct activator of sirt1. Mice lost body and muscle weight and exhibited reduced skeletal muscle sirt1 expression after inoculation with LLC cells. C2C12 myotubes treated with LLC‐conditioned media (LCM) had lower myotube diameter. We treated C2C12 myotubes with LCM for 24 h with or without NA for 24 h. C2C12 myotubes treated with NA maintained myotube diameter, sirt1 expression, and had lower mitochondrial superoxide. We then used a sirt1‐specific small molecule activator SRT1720 to increase sirt1 activity. C2C12 myotubes treated with SRT1720 maintained myotube diameter, prevented loss of sirt1 expression, and attenuated mitochondrial superoxide production. Our data provides evidence that NA may be beneficial in combating cancer cachexia by maintaining sirt1 expression and decreasing mitochondrial superoxide production.
Inverse mean curvature flow and Ricci-pinched three-manifolds
Authors: Huisken Gerhard , Koerber Thomas 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Let

(
M
,
g
)

(M,g)

be a noncompact, connected, complete Riemannian three-manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature satisfying

Ric
≥

ε
⁢

tr
⁡

(
Ric
)

⁢
g

\mathrm{Ric}\geq\varepsilon\operatorname{tr}(\mathrm{Ric})g

for some

ε
>
0

\varepsilon>0

.
In this note, we give a new proof based on inverse mean curvature flow that

(
M
,
g
)

(M,g)

is either flat or has non-Euclidean volume growth.
In conjunction with the work of J. Lott [On 3-manifolds with pointwise pinched nonnegative Ricci curvature, Math. Ann.
388 (2024), 3, 2787–2806] and of M.-C. Lee and P. Topping [Three-manifolds with non-negatively pinched Ricci curvature, preprint (2022), https://arxiv.org/abs/2204.00504], this gives an alternative proof of a conjecture of R. Hamilton recently proven by A. Deruelle, F. Schulze, and M. Simon [Initial stability estimates for Ricci flow and three dimensional Ricci-pinched manifolds, preprint (2022), https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.15313] using Ricci flow.
External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme for serological diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 detection in Sicily Region (Italy), in the period 2020–2022
Authors: Di Gaudio Francesca , Brunacci Giuseppina , Cucina Annamaria , Giaccone Vita , Raso Maria , Lundari Anna , Cancilleri Antonio , Buffa Vito , Russo Eleonora , Vasto Sonya , La Rocca Mario , Indelicato Sergio 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Since December 2019, worldwide public health has been exposed to a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus-2. Serological testing is necessary for retrospective assessment of seroprevalence rates, and the determination of vaccine response and duration of immunity. For this reason, it was necessary to introduce a panel of tests able to identify and quantify Covid-19 antibodies.

Methods
As a Regional Reference Centre, the CRQ Laboratory (Regional Laboratory for the Quality Control) developed and conducted an External Quality Assessment (EQA) panel of assays, to evaluate the quality of various methods, that were used by 288 Sicilian laboratories, previously authorized on behalf of the Public Health Service.

Results
The performance test was based on pooled samples with different levels of concentration of antibodies. 97 , 98, and 95 % of the participating laboratories tested all samples correctly in 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively. The best performance was observed in the test of total Ig. The general performance of laboratories improved over the years.

Conclusions
The incorrect diagnosis had and could still have important implications on vaccination cycles. Only through the effort of laboratory professionals, and the extension of the EQA scheme, a better harmonization of methods, protocols, and thus results, to guarantee a better healthcare system, will be possible.
Effect of acidic vaginal pH on the efficacy of dinoprostone (PGE2) vaginal tablet for labor induction in full term pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Panagiotopoulos Michail , Pergialiotis Vasilios , Antsaklis Panagiotis , Theodora Marianna , Sindos Michail , Daskalaki Maria-Anastasia , Koutroumanis Pelopidas , Daskalakis George 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
There is controversial evidence that acidification of vaginal pH may increase the efficacy of vaginal prostaglandins in labor induction, with research being mainly focused on misoprostol. This study aims to evaluate the impact of this intervention on the progress of labor induction with dinoprostone (PGE2) vaginal tablet.

Methods
This double-blind, parallel-group, randomized study was conducted between October 2021 and December 2022 at Alexandra General Hospital, Athens, Greece. A total of 230 women with singleton, full term pregnancy that were scheduled for labor induction were randomly divided into two groups: Group A, who received acidic vaginal wash (5 % acetic acid) and Group B, who received a normal saline vaginal wash. Afterwards, participants received a vaginal tablet of 3 mg dinoprostone every 6 h (maximum two doses).

Results
There were no statistically significant differences in mode of delivery, duration of different labor stages, Bishop score changes and possible complications. Participants in the acidification group needed less often labor augmentation with oxytocin and epidural anesthesia (p=0.03).

Conclusions
Vaginal acidification seems to have no effect on the efficacy of the dinoprostone vaginal tablet. Even though it may reduce the need for oxytocin augmentation, there is no apparent benefit on clinical outcomes, such as reduction in cesarean section rates or shorter labor duration. Future research is necessary in order to validate these findings.
Decoding French equivalents of the English present perfect: evidence from parallel corpora of parliamentary documents
Authors: Raoprasert Thatchanon , Thumvichit Athip 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Scholars have yet to establish a consensus regarding French equivalents of the English present perfect (PP). This study investigates the French equivalents of the PP through the lens of parallel corpora. Although the passé composé is commonly considered the French equivalent, no singular tense in French entirely mirrors the PP. This paper challenges this assumption by suggesting other French forms as viable correspondences, including the présent de l’indicatif, the passé récent, the futur antérieur, and the imparfait. Leveraging the benefits of parallel corpora for crosslinguistic analysis, these forms were scrutinized in relation to their function and application across different uses of the PP. The findings provide empirical evidence that enriches the understanding of the crosslinguistic complexity between the PP and its French equivalents, offering valuable insights for foreign language learning, teaching, and translation. The study also stresses the importance of interpretations of tense equivalences in the pursuit of successful crosslinguistic communication.
A multimodal contrastive analysis of regulations and instructions during the COVID-19 lockdown in the context of the Island of Madeira and the United Kingdom
Authors: da Silva Leandro , Kurteš Svetlana 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The paper analyses aspects of multilingual and multimodal narratives employed during the COVID-19 lockdown, attempting to identify how they were used in professional and public environments. More specifically, the paper looks at editing choices, photography, design, drawing, colour, and writing to get a better understanding of multimodal communication, semiotics, image analysis, and their correlation with the written text and the way it has been perceived and interpreted, be it in online or print-based contexts. Methodologically, this is a contrastively inspired research project, looking specifically at Portuguese-speaking contexts of the Island of Madeira and English-speaking contexts of the United Kingdom, taking into account instructions about the COVID-19 pandemic. These are mainly bilingual English–Portuguese and multilingual texts, multimodal manifestations, and communicative and semiotic effectiveness.
Positive bases, cones, Helly-type theorems
Authors: Bárány Imre 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Assume that k ≤ d is a positive integer and 𝓒 is a finite collection of convex bodies in ℝ
d
. We prove a Helly-type theorem: If for every subfamily 𝓒* ⊂ 𝓒 of size at most max{d + 1, 2(d – k + 1)} the set ⋂ 𝓒* contains a k-dimensional cone, then so does ⋂ 𝓒. One ingredient in the proof is another Helly-type theorem about the dimension of lineality spaces of convex cones.
Potential applications for modified Klemmsolutions
Authors: Schnarr H. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The article describes various modifications of Klemm etching solutions and their applications to different materials. In addition to classic immersion etching, electrolytic etching is also used for the first time, demonstrating the potential of this etching method based on sodium thiosulfate and potassium metabisulfide for other materials.
Umweltpolitischer Vorreiter
Authors: Seefried Elke 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Auf der Konferenz der Vereinten Nationen für Umwelt und Entwicklung etablierte sich 1992 das Bild Deutschlands als umweltpolitischer Vorreiter. Elke Seefried zeigt anhand neu zugänglicher Quellen, wie sich Anfang der 1990er Jahre außen-, umwelt- und entwicklungspolitische Selbstverständnisse und Politiken Deutschlands veränderten. Nicht nur Umweltminister Klaus Töpfer (CDU), sondern auch zivilgesellschaftliche Akteure wirkten daran mit, eine Politik nachhaltiger Entwicklung zu einem Markenkern deutscher Politik zu machen. Der schillernde Begriff nachhaltige Entwicklung stand für globales Verantwortungsbewusstsein und multilaterale Verständigung. Zugleich hatte er eine Kompensationsfunktion: Das Bild des umweltpolitischen Vorreiters ermöglichte ein Ausweichen vor der Frage einer deutschen Beteiligung an militärischen Interventionen. Die Rio-Konferenz war damit Motor einer neuen deutschen Rolle in der Weltpolitik.
Resilienz
Authors: Szöllösi-Janze Margit 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Das Konzept Resilienz als Sonde in die Zeitgeschichte einzuführen, erlaubt dieser, sich über Verwissenschaftlichungsprozesse neu zu definieren, sich der Analyse komplexer Zusammenhänge zu stellen und innovative Fragestellungen zu entwickeln. Seit den 1970er Jahren diffundierte der Terminus international aus der Physik zunächst in die Psychologie und Ökologie und verklammert seit der Jahrtausendwende wie ein interdisziplinäres Scharnier Natur-, Lebens-, Gesellschafts- und Kulturwissenschaften. Der Resilienz-Begriff drang außerdem aus den Wissenschaften in das Denken etwa von Politik, Militär, Ökonomie und Kindererziehung vor. Resilienz ist eng an die Wahrnehmung multipler Krisen oder gar drohender Katastrophen gebunden und an die Erwartung geknüpft, den Kipppunkt wissenschaftsbasiert für Innovation und Erneuerung zu nutzen.
Partial Tibial Neurectomy for Treatment of Spastic Paresis in a Simmental Calf
Authors: Alkan Fahrettin , Zamirbekova Nuriza , Ergin Hilmican , Pulat Selman , Koc Yilmaz 
Published: July 2024

Spastic	paresis	is	a	progressive	neuromuscular	disease	that	usually	occurs	in calves	at	the	age	of	3-5	months.	The	material	of	this	study	was	a	3.5-month old	female	Simmental	calf,	weighing	87	kg,	brought	to	Selcuk	University Faculty	of	Veterinary	Medicine	Large	Animal	Hospital	in	May	2023	with	a complaint	of	lameness	in	the	right	hind	leg.	Clinical	examination	revealed contraction	and	hyperextension	in	the	right	hind	limb	of	the	calf.	There	was no	swelling	or	pain	in	the	tarsal	or	genu	joints	or	other	anatomical	regions. Radiological	examination	showed	no	evidence	of	degenerative	joint	disease. A	diagnosis	of	progressive	spastic	paresis	was	made	on	the	basis	of	the	clinical findings.	Partial	neurectomy	of	the	tibial	nerve	was	made	to	treat	the	calf	with spastic	paresis.	A	15	cm	incision	was	made	over	the	semimembranous	and gluteobiceps	muscles	to	access	the	area.	The	tibial	nerve	innervating	the gastrocnemius	muscles	was	then	identified	and	a	1	cm	section	was	resected. This	de-innervated	the	gastrocnemius	muscles	of	the	limb	and	the	weight was	transferred	to	the	flexor	digitorum	superfisialis.	Postoperatively,	the patient	was	treated	with	antibiotics	and	analgesics.	In	conclusion;	in	the case	of	spastic	paralysis,	pain	and	contractions	related	to	muscle	spasms disappeared	after	the	partial	tibial	neurectomy	operation	and	the	life	welfare of	the	calf	increased.
Breaking of Rossby waves in the stratosphere. Part I. Climatology and long-term variability
Authors: АНТОХИНА О.Ю. , ГОЧАКОВ А.В. , ЗОРКАЛЬЦЕВА О.С. , АНТОХИН П.Н. , КРУПЧАТНИКОВ В.Н. 
Published: July 2024

Процессы разрушения (опрокидывания) планетарных волн Россби (ОВР) вносят значительную изменчивость в стратосферную циркуляцию. Используя метод идентификации ОВР, адаптированный к условиям циркуляции в стратосфере, анализируются климатология и долговременная изменчивость ОВР в средней стратосфере. В основе метода лежит анализ геометрии контуров потенциальной завихренности (PV – potential vorticity) на уровне 850 К по данным ERA5 для диапазона завихренности 0–400 PVU (единицы PV), выделенного на основании климатологии поля PV. Показано, что ОВР имеет внутрисезонные особенности. Наиболее часто волны разрушаются в северных частях Восточной Азии и Тихого океана с октября по декабрь, а также в апреле и марте; в январе и феврале не выявлено областей с преобладанием процессов ОВР. Мы получили статистически значимое увеличение количества ОВР в начале зимы (октябрь–декабрь) и в конце (март–апрель). Для середины зимы (январь–февраль) были получены незначимые отрицательные тренды. Результаты настоящей работы могут быть использованы при анализе долговременной изменчивости стратосферной циркуляции, в том числе возникновения стратосферных аномалий, предшествующих внезапным стратосферным потеплениям.
The processes of planetary wave breaking (Rossby Wave Breaking – RWB) significantly contribute to variability in stratospheric circulation. Employing a previously developed method for identifying RWB, adapted for stratospheric circulation, this study analyzes the climatology and long-term variability of RWB processes in the middle stratosphere. The method is based on the analysis of potential vorticity (PV) contour geometry at the 850-K level using ERA5 data within the PV range 0–400 PVU (Potential Vorticity Units) determined based on PV field climatology. It was demonstrated that RWB processes exhibit intraseasonal peculiarities. Most frequently, waves break in the northern regions of East Asia and the Pacific Ocean from October to December and in April to March. In January and February, no areas with prevailing RWB processes were identified. We obtained statistically significant increase in the number of RWB for the first half of winter (October–December) and for the end of the winter period (March and April). For mid-winter (January and February), insignificant negative trends were obtained.
16S rRNA based metagenomic analysis unveils unique oral microbial signatures in oral squamous cell carcinoma cases from Coastal Karnataka, India
Authors: Aparna KG , Ravindra Jeshma , Chakraborty Gunimala , Ballamoole Krishna Kumar , Vinaya Kumar JR , Chakraborty Anirban 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 14th most frequent cancer with 300,000 new cases and 100,000 deaths reported annually. Even with advanced therapy, the treatment outcomes are poor at advanced stages of the disease. The diagnosis of early OSCC is of paramount clinical value given the high mortality rate associated with the late stages of the disease. Recently, the role of microbiome in the disease manifestation, including oral cancer, has garnered considerable attention. But, to establish the role of bacteria in oral cancer, it is important to determine the differences in the colonization pattern in non-tumour and tumour tissues. In this study, 16S rRNA based metagenomic analyses of 13 tumorous and contralateral anatomically matched normal tissue biopsies, obtained from patients with advanced stage of OSCC were evaluated to understand the correlation between OSCC and oral microbiome. In this study we identified Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Capnocytophaga, Leptotrichia, Peptostreptococcus, Parvimonas and Bacteroidetes as the most significantly enriched taxa in OSCC lesions compared to the non-cancerous tissues. Further, PICRUSt2 analysis unveiled enhanced expression of metabolic pathways associated with L-lysine fermentation, pyruvate fermentation, and isoleucine biosynthesis in those microbes associated with OSCC tissues. These findings provide valuable insights into the distinctive microbial signatures associated with OSCC, offering potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways underlying OSCC pathogenesis. While our focus has primarily centred on microbial signatures, it is essential to recognize the pivotal role of host factors such as immune responses, genetic predisposition, and the oral microenvironment in shaping OSCC development and microbiome composition.