bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Facilitators to Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Care: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Schlenz Alyssa M. , Vestal Elisabeth , Abrams Christina M. , Kanter Julie , Phillips Shannon 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundChildren with sickle cell disease (SCD) require comprehensive care to prevent and treat serious and life‐threatening complications and to access disease‐specific treatment approaches that can improve outcomes. This study characterized barriers and facilitators to care for SCD in the context of the Conceptual Framework of Access to Care Model.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi‐structured interviews with 27 patient/caregivers focused on sickle cell anemia (SCA; a subtype of SCD). Data were analyzed using directed content analysis with the model above as the initial coding framework.ResultsThemes were identified among healthcare system and patient/community‐level factors. Healthcare system facilitators predominated themes, with a focus on the extent to which the healthcare services provided were a good match for the family and available and accommodating to patient and family needs. Additional facilitators at the patient/community level focused on whether patients and families could perceive and seek out, reach and pay for, and engage with healthcare. Barriers reflected the opposite experiences, with negative or challenging healthcare experiences and adverse social determinants of health interfering with access to care.ConclusionsBarriers and facilitators were mapped to the Conceptual Framework of Access to Care Model, with facilitators playing a more substantial role than barriers in access to comprehensive care among children with SCA and their caregivers. A focus on optimizing facilitators at both the healthcare system and patient/family level may have a considerable impact on improving access to and engagement in care.
Horner syndrome in a pediatric patient
Authors: Tandon Devansh , Azzopardi Matthew , Fenn Dominic , Parmar Mira , Jain Saurabh 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionHorner syndrome (HS) is a rare neurological disorder arising from disruption of the oculosympathetic pathway. Pediatric HS is uncommon and may be congenital, but underlying sinister causes need to be excluded.Case presentationAn 18‐week‐old boy presented with right peri‐orbital swelling, initially thought to be pre‐septal cellulitis. Further ophthalmic review revealed a right‐sided HS. Imaging identified a probable cervical neuroblastoma, leading to an urgent referral to oncology.ConclusionEarly recognition of pediatric HS is crucial as it may signal underlying malignancies like neuroblastoma. Atypical presentations with sequential or intermittent symptoms make diagnosis challenging. Comprehensive imaging and multidisciplinary care ensure timely diagnosis and management.
Using Win Odds to Improve Commit‐to‐Phase‐3 Decision‐Making in Oncology
Authors: Hartley Benjamin F. , Drury Thomas , Di Pace Brian , Zhou Helen , Chen Tai‐Tsang , Perevozskaya Inna 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTMaking good decisions about whether to commit‐to‐phase 3 clinical trials is challenging. This is especially true in oncology because the relationships between the registration endpoint, overall survival, and endpoints such as progression‐free survival and confirmed objective response are often poorly understood. We present a framework for decision‐making based on a three‐endpoint win odds. We discuss properties of the win odds and suggest that it can be interpreted, for decision‐making, as the reciprocal of an average hazard ratio for overall survival. We confirm the performance of the decision‐making method using simulation studies and a clinical trial case study. As part of this work, we describe the simulation of correlated patient‐level oncology endpoints using a multi‐state model of disease. This model can provide clinically realistic data for testing the performance of analysis methods. We conclude that the win odds can improve commit‐to‐phase‐3 decision‐making compared with other methods.
ZIF‐67 Electrocatalyst Modified With MnO2 Nanourchins for Hydrogen Generation from Alkaline Media
Authors: Muhammed Akhila , Retnakaran Sugandhi Aswathy , Sasidharan Nair Sumi Vijayakumari , Sreenivas Rijith 
Published: February 2025

AbstractNonprecious, earth abundant, and highly competent electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions have recently piqued researcher's interest. Herein, we synthesized a transition metal oxide‐based ZIF embedded with GO (ZIF‐67–MnO2–GO) by hydrothermal process and facile drop casting technique was adopted. This work illustrates the performance of ZIF‐67–MnO2–GO through least Tafel slope (27 mV dec−1) toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We meticulously evaluated the hydrogen evolution potential of ZIF‐67–MnO2–GO‐coated Cu substrate for water splitting reactions via high exchange current density, j (0.45 mA cm−2) and low Rct (381.1 Ω) values. Remarkably, the electrode exhibits improved activity (η10 = 119 mV) and consistent durability for hydrogen evolution path that follows Tafel mechanism. Within the electrode ZIF‐67–MnO2–GO, MnO2 exhibit a pivotal role for facilitating hydrogen adsorption and recombination of hydrogen atoms on the catalyst surface. These outcomes underscore the HER potential of the developed catalyst, which can be facilely fabricated through electrode deposition, offering a robust, cost effective, and durable catalyst alternative for HER catalyst.
Surveillance of Barrett's Esophagus Patients in an Expert Center is Associated With Low Disease‐Specific Mortality
Authors: Honing Judith , Tan W. Keith , Lu Victor Yan Zhe , Gourgiotis Vlasios , Gianfrancesco Isaac M. , Schumacher Alina A. , Vishwanathan Shriya , Cheah Calvin , Modolell Ines , Sujendran Vijay , Fitzgerald Rebecca C. , di Pietro Massimiliano 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionSpecialist guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's esophagus to reduce mortality related to esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the setting for optimal Barrett's esophagus monitoring is unclear. We assessed progression rate and disease‐specific mortality in a large cohort of patients followed up at a single Barrett's esophagus expert center.MethodsFor this prospective longitudinal single center cohort study, we recruited patients with a previous diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus between 2004 and 2022. Endoscopists were trained in Barrett's esophagus surveillance standards and image‐enhanced techniques, and biopsies were reviewed by expert pathologists. Exclusion criteria were a single surveillance endoscopy, high‐grade dysplasia, or esophageal adenocarcinoma at or within 12 months from index endoscopy and patients with < 12 months follow‐up. The primary outcome was the neoplastic progression rate of Barrett's esophagus with intestinal metaplasia to high‐grade dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma. Secondary outcomes included cancer stage and disease‐specific mortality, risk factors for progression and progression rate in patients with Barrett's esophagus with only gastric metaplasia or irregular z‐line and intestinal metaplasia (IZL‐IM).ResultsA total of 1932 patients were recruited, of which 969 were included in the primary analysis with a median follow‐up of 5.8 years. Of these, 109 developed high‐grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma with a progression rate of 1.63%/year. Overall, 48 patients received an esophageal adenocarcinoma diagnosis, of which 89,5% (43/48) had stage 1%, and 0.3% patients (3/969) had disease‐specific mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that age, alcohol consumption, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus length, hiatus hernia length, low‐grade dysplasia and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were risk factors for progression. The rate of progression in patients with Barrett's esophagus—gastric metaplasia or IZL‐IM was 0.06%/year.ConclusionsEndoscopic surveillance in an expert Barrett's esophagus center leads to a high neoplastic progression rate, and a low rate of disease‐specific mortality. Further research to correlate disease‐specific mortality and cancer stage with dysplasia detection rate is warranted to develop diagnostic quality indicators specific for Barrett's esophagus.
Comparison of Nonlinear Models for Describing the Growth Curve of Pekin Ducks
Authors: Ghavi Hossein‐Zadeh Navid 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundDucks are used to produce a significant amount of meat in some regions of the world. The enhancement of duck production systems necessitates the development of parameterized mathematical models that accurately depict duck growth, encompassing the assessment of various management and nutritional strategies.ObjectiveThis research aimed to elucidate the growth trajectory of Danish and French Pekin ducks by applying nonlinear modelling techniques.MethodsA total of 10 nonlinear mathematical functions (Brody, negative exponential, logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Schumacher, Morgan, Lomolino and Weibull) were employed in this study. The performance of the models was systematically evaluated, and the behaviour of the models was scrutinized throughout the process of fitting nonlinear regression curves. The overall goodness‐of‐fit for each model to a variety of data profiles was determined through the application of the adjusted coefficient of determination, root mean square error, Akaike's information criterion and Bayesian information criterion.ResultsThe adjusted coefficient of determination values associated with each model exhibit generally elevated levels, signifying that the models demonstrate a strong overall compatibility with the data. According to the established goodness‐of‐fit criteria, the Gompertz model emerged as the most suitable mathematical function for accurately representing the growth trajectory of Danish and French Pekin ducks. In contrast, the Brody model exhibited the least favourable fit to the growth patterns of Danish and French Pekin ducks. Analysing the first derivative of the Gompertz model, the absolute growth rates for Danish and French Pekin ducks as a function of time indicated a progressive increase in these rates with advancing age, peaking at 23 and 24 days of age, respectively, before subsequently declining.ConclusionAn analysis of the various growth models employed in this research revealed that nonlinear functions have the ability to fit Pekin duck body weight records.
Earthquake Source Parameters Determination Using Analog Seismic Records
Authors: Ou Qi , Kulikova Galina , Krüger Frank 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Continuous seismic recording is fundamental in shaping our understanding of earthquake kinematics, dynamics, and hazards. However, most modern computational analysis methods can only be applied to digital records which only became available in the late 1970s. The decades since represent far less time than the typical recurrence intervals between large earthquakes on most faults, thus drastically undersampling the seismic cycle. On the other hand, analog data have been recorded on paper for over a century, but they were conventionally used to determine event timing, origin, and magnitude only, leaving the focal mechanism and kinematic aspects of many historical earthquakes unknown or uncertain. Therefore, the vast collection of analog seismograms remains an under-explored treasure. Revisiting these legacy data is an endeavor which requires great effort but reaps great rewards. Yet, most scholars who might be interested in studying past events are unaware of the existence of these records or find the process of acquiring and digitising historical seismograms prohibitive. Due to the lack of usage, many archives lack necessary support such that the vast amount of legacy data could soon be lost without intervention. To promote the preservation and analysis of this precious dataset, this chapter gives a state-of-the-art overview of methods of earthquake source parameter determination using analog seismic records, with the aim to help interested readers embark on projects making use of historical seismology.
“Intra-operative assessment of leg length discrepancy with anterior approach total hip replacement: a comparison between standard table, position table with and without intra-operative radiographs”
Authors: Viglietta Edoardo , Fenucci Simone , Iorio Raffaele , Parisien Ariane , Grammatopoulos George , Kim Paul Roy , Beaulè Paul Edgar 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Purpose
Post-operative LLD is a major concern after THA. The anterior approach on a standard table allows surgeons for a direct control of the leg length. Intra-operative radiography (IR) helps in assessment of hip biomechanics and anatomic parameters. The aim of this study is to evaluate the LLD after THA through anterior approach with or without a position table and with or without the use of intra-operative radiographs. The hypothesis is that leg length may be better control when IR and a standard table are used.

Methods
This is a single-centre retrospective comparative cohort study of three matched groups of 80 patients receiving anterior approach THA with three different techniques (Group A: positioning table with IR; Group B: standard table with IR; Group C: standard table without IR). Pre-operative and post-operative LLD was calculated. Age, sex, BMI, acetabular cup and femoral stem size, operative time, and blood loss were recorded.

Results
In Group A, 15 patients (19%) had a LLD greater than 5 mm, and two patients (2,5%) had a LLD greater than 10 mm. In Group B, 20 patients (25%) had a LLD greater than 5 mm, and two patients (2,5%) had a LLD greater than 10 mm. In Group C, 16 patients (20%) had a LLD greater than 5 mm, and three patients (3,7%) had a LLD greater than 10 mm. No statistically significant differences were found for LLD > 5 mm, for LLD > 10 mm, nor for the mean LLD between the three groups (p  > 0.05). Mean operative time was statistically longer in Group B (p  < 0.05).

Conclusion
Neither the use of a standard/positioning table neither the use of IR seemed to be superior in restoring leg length after anterior approach THA. Together with the contradictory results in literature, findings of the current study indicate that no technique is clearly superior to one other and surgeons’ experience may play the most relevant role.
A first glimpse into circulating ghrelin patterns of thin-billed prion chicks (Pachyptila belcheri)
Authors: Slezacek Julia , Fusani Leonida , Kaiya Hiroyuki , Quillfeldt Petra 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The peptide hormone ghrelin, also known as “hunger hormone”, is primarily secreted by the stomach and plays a key role in the regulation of vertebrate appetite and energy balance. While the hunger hormone and its functions have been extensively researched in mammalian species, its physiological roles have received less attention in birds and knowledge on the ghrelin system is especially poor in wild avian species. In contrast to mammals, ghrelin acts as an anorexigenic signal in birds and suppresses food intake. In this study, we focussed on the altricial chicks of thin-billed prions (Pachyptila belcheri) which are subjected to irregular, up to 8 day-long fasts, while waiting for their parents to return from feeding trips. We show that thin-billed prion chicks, which received a meal in the night prior to sampling, had higher circulating ghrelin levels than fasting conspecifics. Ghrelin levels did not correlate with chick body condition, meal size, or the length of a fast. Our study adds to past literature supporting an anorexigenic effect of avian ghrelin and is among the first to describe ghrelin profiles in seabirds, thereby significantly contributing to the scarce literature on ghrelin in wild avian species.
Response to electroconvulsive therapy is associated with a more diverse oral microbiome– a prospective longitudinal cohort pilot study
Authors: Ammer-Herrmenau Christoph , Hamm Jacob , Neesse Albrecht , Günther Kilian , Besse Matthias , Zilles-Wegner David 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Recently it has been shown that psychiatric disorders are associated with changes in the host microbiome. Little is known about the association of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and microbiome alterations. In our pilot-study, 15 patients with severe or treatment resistant depression were prospectively recruited and oral swabs were collected pre- and post-ECT. Compared to a control group, ECT did not lead to a significant microbial shift in longitudinal samples (p = 0.65). However, alpha diversity measurements significantly differed between responders and non-responders before ECT (observed species p = 0.014, Shannon p = 0.03) and after ECT (observed species p = 0.015, Shannon p = 0.13).
The acute effects of continuous and intermittent whole-body passive heating on cardiovascular disease risk indicators in healthy and young males and females
Authors: Su Yunuo , Martinkova Adela , O’Donnell Emma , Bailey Stephen J. , Leicht Christof A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Purpose
Heat therapy is recognised to promote cardiovascular health, and whilst most recent heat therapy investigations have focussed on continuous heat exposure, traditional sauna use often includes recovery periods. This study compared the acute effects of continuous versus intermittent whole-body heating on cardiovascular function markers in males and females.

Methods
Twenty healthy participants (25 ± 3 years; 10 males, 10 females) were exposed to 2 passive heating regimens: continuous heating (CH) for 60 min and intermittent heating (IH) comprised of 3 × 20-min blocks interspersed by 15-min cooling breaks. Skin perfusion, blood pressure (BP), plasma nitrite, interleukins, body temperature, and thermal perceptual responses were assessed.

Results
Greater increases in rectal temperature (Trec) (CH: 1.2 ± 0.1 °C; IH: 0.5 ± 0.1 °C), skin perfusion, systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and plasma nitrite were found in CH compared to IH (p ≤ 0.01), but the thermal perceptual response was more unfavourable during CH (p < 0.01). Females had higher skin perfusion and plasma nitrite concentrations (p ≤ 0.04), but lower brachial and central BP than males in both conditions (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, females reached a higher Trec and more unfavourable thermal perception in CH (p ≤ 0.02).

Conclusion
More pronounced cardiovascular responses were associated with higher Trec and discomfort. Females exhibited higher skin perfusion and plasma nitrite concentrations than males and reported less favourable thermal perception in CH, but not in IH.
What is a cycling race simulation anyway: a review on protocols to assess durability in cycling
Authors: Peeters W. M. , Barrett M. , Podlogar T. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Physiological resilience or durability is now recognised as a determinant of endurance performance such as road cycling. Reliable, ecologically valid and standardised performance tests in laboratory-based cycling protocols have to be established to investigate mechanisms underpinning, and interventions improving durability. This review aims to provide an overview of available race simulation protocols in the literature and examines its rigour around themes that influence durability including (i) exercise intensity anchoring and (ii) carbohydrate intake whilst also (iii) inspecting reliability and justification of the developed protocols. Using a systematic search approach, 48 articles were identified that met our criteria as a cycling race simulation. Most protocols presented limitations to be recommended as exercise test to investigate durability, such as not appropriately addressing the influence of exercise intensity domains by anchoring exercise intensity as % peak power or %

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O2max. Ten articles provided reliability data, but only one articles under the appropriate conditions. Most studies sufficiently controlled nutrition during trials but not in the days leading to the trials or just before the trials. Thus, there is a paucity in protocols that combine justification and reliability with optimal nutritional support and mimic the true demands of a road-cycling race. This review lists an overview of protocols that researchers could use with caution to select a protocol for future experiments, but encourages further development of improved protocols, including utilisation of virtual software applications.
Insights into chestnut (Castanea spp.) graft incompatibility through the monitoring of chemical and physiological parameters
Authors: Gamba Giovanni , Donno Dario , Akyüz Burak , Cuenca Valera Beatriz , Beccaro Gabriele Loris 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Main conclusion
Incompatible chestnut grafts exhibited a notably reduced stomatal conductance, mirroring the trend observed for leaf chlorophyll content. Woody tissues at the graft interface of these combinations showed a significantly higher total phenolic content, especially in the internal layers.

Abstract
In recent years, significant efforts have been made to study the mechanisms of graft incompatibility in horticultural species, though research on minor species like chestnut remains limited. This study investigated the physiological and chemical dynamics in various chestnut grafts, aiming to develop a method for the early detection of graft incompatibility. The total phenolic content (TPC) and specific phenolic markers were analyzed at two phenological stages, callusing (CAL) and end of the vegetative cycle (EVC), using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. These analyses were performed on three sections comprising the graft. Stomatal conductance (Gsw) and leaf chlorophyll content were assessed during the growing season as support tools, being non-destructive useful indicators of plant water status. Significant differences in the physiological traits among compatible and incompatible grafting combinations were evident and remained stable throughout the season. Compatible combinations consistently displayed greater leaf chlorophyll content and higher stomatal conductance, highlighting their superior physiological performance. TPC increased significantly from the CAL to EVC stage across all experimental grafting combinations and in all three analyzed sections. Greater phenol accumulation was observed at the graft union of incompatible combinations, particularly in the inner woody tissues. The phytochemical fingerprint revealed castalagin as the dominant compound, with significant increases in benzoic acids, catechins, and tannins during the growing season. However, the role of gallic acid and catechin as markers of graft incompatibility remains uncertain. The multidisciplinary approach provided valuable insights into the issue of graft incompatibility.

Graphical abstract