bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep and Daytime Function in People with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Kelly Monica , Badr Amira , Zeineddine Salam , Salloum Anan , Pandya Nishtha , Mitchell Michael , Sankari Abdulghani , Muñoz Isabel , Badr Safwan , Martin Jennifer 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Study Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.
Objectives: To determine the role of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), insomnia symptoms and sleep quality in the daytime function and quality of life of veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting: A Veterans Administration (VA) medical center in the Midwestern US.
Methods: Thirty-eight male veterans with SCI (22 cervical, 16 thoracic; mean [SD] age = 62.9[9.5] years) completed baseline assessments within a larger clinical trial. Measures assessed sleep apnea severity (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI), insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI), self-reported sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), fatigue (Flinders Fatigue Scale, FFS), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item, PHQ-9 excluding sleep item), functioning (Spinal Cord Independence Measure, SCIM), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life, WHOQOL-BREF). Bivariate correlations (alpha p<.05) were used to assess relationships between sleep (AHI, ISI, PSQI, ESS) and functon(FFS, PHQ-9, SCIM, WHOQOL-BREF).
Results: Mean AHI was 29.9(26.6), mean ISI was 9.38(6.2), mean PSQI was 9.0(4.6), and mean ESS was 7.0(5.2). There were no significant relationships between AHI and function measures. Significant relationships emerged between ISI and PHQ-9, some WHOQOL-BREF subscales, and SCIM as well as between PSQI and FFS, PHQ-9, and some WHOQOL-BREF subscales.
Conclusions: Among Veterans with SCI, insomnia symptom severity and poor sleep quality were associated with worse functioning, whereas SDB severity was not. Insomnia and poor sleep quality represent modifiable contributors to poor daytime function. Research evaluating the impact of evidence-based insomnia treatments among individuals living with SCI is warranted.
NAD+ modulates mitochondrial vulnerability and prevents retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Zhang Shaochong , Feng Lujia , Wen Yuwen , Zhang Ting , Zhuo Xiaohua , Wei Yantao , Liu Lixian , Huang Zhaohao , Zhang Guoming , Chen Lu , Du Yong , Fang Dong , Li Wangting , Zhou Linbin , Zhao Ling , Zhu Yingting , Liang Jia , Li Zhiquan , Song Xiaojing , Deng Caibin , Mao Xingxing , Hou Xiaofeng , Su Wenru , Zhuo Yehong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited blinding retinal degenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that eventually causes retinal degeneration. However, the mechanisms that initiate RP and drive retinal vulnerability remain incompletely understood, and new strategies for its prevention and therapy are urgently needed. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the initiator of a variety of neurodegeneration, whether mitochondrial dysfunction is an important pathogenic factor of RP is still unknown. Our single-cell RNA sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that both photoreceptor cells and RPE cells of RP rats have abnormal mitochondria, accompanied by decreased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism which rendered the lack of NAD+ vulnerable to disease-related insults. Moreover, similar experimental results were observed in an in vitro RP model established by human primary RPE cells. Furthermore, electroretinography combined with hematoxylin-eosin, immunofluorescence analysis, and fundus photograph investigations revealed that oral administration of the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide (NMN) protected RP rats against retinal degeneration. Mechanistically, single-cell RNA sequencing, siRNA targeting, and AAV virus applications demonstrated the therapeutic effect of NMN on RP through the glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase-mitochondria pathway. Collectively, these findings indicate that mitochondrial abnormalities may be the drivers of RP and NMN has a therapeutic effect on RP.
The Efficiency of Clinical Laboratories: The case of Iran
Authors: Shaker Zohreh , Shaker Zainab , Barouni Mohsen , Sabermahany Asma 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Medical diagnostic laboratories are an essential work environment that plays an important role in diagnosing, treating, and being sensitive to diseases. One way to evaluate laboratories' performance is to calculate their efficiency. This study investigates the efficiency of laboratories that are related to health centers in the south of IRAN.
methods
This study was conducted in 2021. The input numbers include: the number of technical personnel and the number of cell counters, and the output data includes: the scores obtained from the level 2 health laboratory evaluation list. And efficiency was calculated with DEAP software.
Findings:
The efficiency of laboratories of Orzueeyeh and Ravar Cities had the highest efficiency with the assumption of variable returns to scale efficiency 1, and the model of all laboratories is the laboratory of Ravar City. The laboratories of Kuhbanan and Rabor cities had the lowest efficiency with the assumption of variable returns to scale efficiency of 0.859 and 0.899, respectively. The average scale efficiency, Variable returns to scale, and constant returns to scale for laboratories in the cities of Kerman province are 0.842, 0.943, and 0.895, respectively.
Conclusion
To increase the efficiency of laboratories, significant resources and funds should be used, as well as a few studies in this regard in the country, which require more attention.
A Miniaturized MEMS Accelerometer with Anti-Spring Mechanism for Enhancing Sensitivity
Authors: Wu Tao , Xiong Ruihong , Xu Xuankai , Liu Yushuai , Du Shihao , Jin Lihui , Chen Fang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Anti-spring mechanisms are widely used for improving the noise performance of MEMS accelerometers due to their stiffness softening effect. However, the existing mechanisms typically require large bias force and displacement for achiev¬ing stiffness softening, leading to large device dimensions. Here, we propose a novel anti-spring mechanism composed of two pre-shaped curved beams connected in a parallel configuration, which can achieve stiffness softening without requiring large bias force and displacement. The stiffness softening effect of the mechanism is verified through theoretical modeling and finite element method (FEM) simulation. After that, the mechanism is implemented in a 4.2 mm × 4.9 mm MEMS capacitive accelerometer prototype. The experimental results reveal that the sensitivity of the accelerometer increases by 10.4% compared to the initial sensitivity, at the same time, the noise floor and bias instability decrease by 10.5% and 4.2%. The sensitivity,nonlinearity, bias instability, and noise floor after biasing are 51.1 mV/g, 0.99%, 0.24 mg, and 21.3 μg/√Hz, respectively. Thus, the proposed mechanism can enhance the performance of the accelerometer. This work provides an innovative approach for improving the performance of MEMS accelerometers while enabling miniaturization.
Predicting, Protecting, and Minimizing: A Software Tool for Safe Interactions with Nuclear Medicine Patients
Authors: Sinnott Christine , RowshanFarzad Pejman , Chen Zhen , Tjia Elaine , Djukelic Mario 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Nuclear medicine imaging patients are a source of radioactivity, and their bodily fluids pose a contamination risk. In the event of a medical emergency or an unplanned medical procedure, the radiation dose to individuals interacting with the patient must be considered. To address this, a patient-specific mathematical model was developed and this model was then translated into a user-friendly interface (GUI). This software provides personalized radiation safety precautions, based upon individuals interacting with the patient, aiming to minimize exposure to as low as reasonably achievable.
Willingness Factors in a Self-Quantification Program for Family Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Long-Term Care in Japan
Authors: Wakui Tomoko , Fujihara Satoko , Moriyama Yoko , Nakagawa Takeshi , Okubo Suguru , Obuchi Shuichi , Awata Shuichi , Kai Ichiro 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to examine the characteristics of willingness to participate in the self-quantification program for family CGs who provide long-term care to community-dwelling older adults. The family CGs, allocated based on the percentage of the nation’s older population who needed care and met the inclusion criteria, who provided caregiving at least once a week for those aged 65 + and who were certified as needing care under the Japanese long-term care insurance program, were collected through online monitors. We compared the characteristics of the program participants and nonparticipants using logistic regression.
Results
A total of 2653 family CGs whose data were available for all the variables of interest were analyzed. A total of 195 family CGs were willing to participate in the self-quantification program for 60 days. The survey included program participants who were predominantly male (55.9%), with an average age of 54.8 years (SD = 10.2). Participants tended to be fully employed (OR = 1.8; p < 0.01), but they were likely to experience greater burdens (OR = 1.8; p < 0.01) and daily caregiving demands (OR = 1.01; p < 0.01). This research highlights the potential efficacy of self-quantification programs for extensively burdened family CGs, illustrating that the requisites for support vary in accordance with the distinct characteristics of these CGs.
Long-Term outcomes of patients with a pre-existing neurological condition after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Hadidchi Roham , Al-Ani Yousef , Choi Solbie , Renteria Silhouette , Duong Katie S , Henry Sonya , Wang Stephen H , Duong Tim Q 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives.
This study investigated post COVID-19 outcomes of patients with pre-existing neurological conditions up to 3.5 years post-infection.
Methods.
This retrospective study consisted of 1,664 patients with COVID-19 (of which 1,320 had been hospitalized for acute COVID-19) and 8,985 non-COVID patients from the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx (Jan-2016 to Jul-2023). Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) post-COVID-19. Secondary outcomes were depression, anxiety, fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, altered mental status, and dyspnea post-COVID-19. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). Cumulative incidence function and Fine-Gray sub-distribution hazards model analysis were performed for secondary outcomes.
Results.
Patients with a neurological disease hospitalized for COVID-19 were more likely to die (adjusted HR = 1.92 [CI:1.60, 2.30], P < 0.005), whereas patients non-hospitalized for COVID-19 had mortality rate (aHR = 1.08 [CI:0.65, 1.81], P = 0.76), compared to non-COVID patients. Patients with a neurological disease (hospitalized for COVID-19 aHR = 1.76 [CI:1.53, 2.03], P < 0.005; not hospitalized for COVID-19: aHR = 1.50 [CI:1.09, 2.05], P = 0.01) were more likely to experience a MACE compared to non-COVID patients. Notably Blacks (aHR = 1.49) and Hispanics (aHR = 1.35) had a higher risk of post COVID-19 MACE. Both hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop higher cumulative incidence of altered mental status, fatigue, sleep disturbance, dyspnea compared to non-COVID patients (p < 0.05).
Conclusions.
Patients with pre-existing neurological conditions who contracted COVID-19 were more likely to have worse outcomes compared to controls. Identifying at-risk individuals could enable more diligent follow-up.
Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites in AIDS-Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma： A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Jiang Qunqun , Peng Kai , Zhang Zhongwei , Chen Xiaoping , Du Qian , Deng Liping , Xiong Yong , Ma Zhiyong , Zhang Yongxi 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is one of the most common tumors in patients with AIDS, while the occurrence of chylous effusions in Kaposi's sarcoma patients is rare and often indicates a poor prognosis. This report presents a case of successful management of an AIDS patient with Kaposi's sarcoma who developed both chylothorax and chylous ascites, along with a review of the relevant literature.
Case presentation: A 31-year-old male patient, who was recently diagnosed with HIV infection and oral Kaposi's sarcoma at our clinic center, returned two weeks post-discharge. He reported significant enlargement of the oral tumor, increased abdominal girth with accompanying abdominal distension and pain, and a dry cough over the past week. Upon readmission, CT scans indicated the presence of extensive pleural and abdominal effusions. Aspirates from both the pleural and abdominal effusions exhibited a milky chylous appearance. After eliminating other potential etiologies for the chylous effusion, we associated it with the progression of Kaposi's sarcoma. The patient's condition was ultimately successfully managed through a combination of antiretroviral therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and intermittent thoracoabdominal paracentesis for drainage.
Conclusion: The emergence of chylothorax and chylous ascites should arouse suspicion of Kaposi's sarcoma, and the presence of chylous effusions in Kaposi's sarcoma patients is an indication of disease progression. Prompt diagnosis and systemic treatment are crucial for the prognosis.
Effect of 25- or 15-minute intermittent Pringle maneuver on early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jia Xuehai , Liao Anque , Huang Yang , Du Xiangyu , Jiang Li 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Among various blood flow control techniques, the intermittent Pringle’s maneuver (IPM) remains the most convenient and widely used method to reduce bleeding during hepatic resection (HR). Now, the impact of IPM on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence is still unclear. Currently, there has no randomized controlled trial (RCT) to directly confirm the impact of IPM on the tumor recurrence for HCC patients undergoing HR. Since 2019, our team has been investigating the effect of 25-min IPM on liver function and post-hepatectomy safety in HCC patients. To date, we have published two RCTs to directly confirm the safety and feasibility of 25-min IPM for those HCC patients with Child-Pugh grade A liver function. However, our previous RCTs only focused on the short-term outcomes of HCC patients after HR. They did not answer the hot topic of whether the 25-min IPM would increase postoperative HCC recurrence after HR. Therefore, we design this RCT to compare the effects of 25-min IPM and 15-min IPM on early tumor recurrence for HCC patients undergoing HR.
Methods: This will be a single-center, parallel, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 334 consecutive patients who are eligible for the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled and randomized into either the 25-min IPM group or the 15-min IPM group in a ratio of 1:1 using a randomization protocol. After the completion of surgical intervention, patients will be included in a 2-year follow-up program.
Discussion: We design this protocol to compare the effects of the above two different IPM methods on tumor recurrence for HCC patients undergoing HR, which will have an important guiding significance for surgeons. Firstly, this RCT will be easy to implement and carry out. Secondly, this RCT will include various types of HR procedures (laparoscopic or open HR, minor or major hepatectomy, etc.), which will have well representativeness of clinical application. Thirdly, this RCT has well originality, which is the first RCT to compare the effects of 25-min and 15-min IPM on early tumor recurrence after HR.
Trial registration
This trial was registered on 29 April 2024, in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http:// www.chictr.org.cn), ChiCTR2400083647. The protocol version is V1.0 (20240429).
Identification of biomarkers associated with coagulation and fibrinolysis in acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by sepsis based on bioinformatics
Authors: Hao Yingxin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jing , Gu Jiahui , Yu Li 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represents the most severe manifestation of acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Studies have shown that coagulation and fibrinolysis play an important role in the occurrence of ARDS. However, diagnostic biomarkers related to coagulation and fibrinolysis in ARDS have not been fully elucidated. In the GSE32707 dataset, the differences in gene expression levels between sepsis induced ARDS (Se_ARDS) group and sepsis group were compared, and 9 important genes related to hemolysis and fibrinolysis were identified. Subsequently, we used LASSO and Random Forest to screen these 9 genes and we identified 5 diagnostic markers that may participate in the progression of ARDS, including CCL4, ITIH4, TGM2, PI3 and F13A1. The nomogram built based on markers had good diagnostic efficiency. The same results appeared in the combined validation dataset. Finally, RT-qPCR analysis results revealed significant differences in the expressions of TGM2, PI3, and ITIH4 with sepsis and Se_ARDS patients. In conclusion, we identified 5 diagnostic markers that may be involved in the progression of ARDS, including CCL4, ITIH4, TGM2, PI3 and F13A1. Our analysis can provide a basis for a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of ARDS progression, thereby providing more reliable results for diagnosis.
Investigating the Electrochemical Properties of Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Inorganic Eutectogels Derived from Carboxylic-Acid- Based Hydrophobic Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Dutta Arindam , Kundu Debashis , Sharma Surbhi , Silvester Debbie S. , Banerjee Tamal 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In this study, four novel eutectogel electrolytes were developed by confining four hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) within a solid titania (TiO2) matrix using a non-aqueous sol-gel method and further mediating them with the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]). The NADESs were carefully formulated by mixing decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, and palmitic acid with DL-Menthol in optimized molar ratios. The electrochemical properties of these eutectogels were comprehensively investigated utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrodes. The findings reveal that the eutectogels exhibit a distinct double-layer capacitive behavior, featuring an impressively broad operating potential window (OPW) of approximately 4 V with decent values of specific capacitance (16.23 – 47.72 F g−1). High room-temperature ionic conductivities (14.53 – 16.28 mS cm−1) were also obtained. While we observed moderate values of specific power (1.7 – 3.5 kW kg−1) due to relatively higher internal resistance, the gels demonstrated specific energy as high as 106 W h kg−1. These results underscore the considerable practical potential of these eutectogels in various electrochemical applications, specifically as electrolytes in high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors.
Effect of the coordination centers and the solvents on the parameters of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of biology active Zn+2 and Cd2+ acetate mononuclear complexes with chelating 1,10- phenanthroline
Authors: Demidov Viktor , Ivanova Alexandra , Tsvetkova Irina , Voschikov Vadim , Khamidulin Yaroslav , Glebova Irina , Pakhomova Tatiana 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The NMR 1Н and 13С spectra of Zn+ 2 and Cd2+ acetate mononuclear complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline M(phen)n(OAc)2•2H2O (M = Zn2+ and Cd2+, n = 1–3) for their solutions in DMSO-d6, D2O and mixture DMSO-D6–D2O were studied. The effect of the coordination centers and the solvents on the parameters of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra is considered. It is noted that the chemical shifts of the δH protons of the heteroaromatic rings of 1,10-phenanthroline are sensitive to coordination with Zn+ 2 and Cd2+ ions, but the type of solvent has the greatest effect on the δН. For M(phen)n(OAc)2•2H2O (n = 1,2) complexes, the maximum shift to a weak field of δH values occurs for the mixed solvent DMSO-D6–D2O. For complexes [M(phen)3](OAc)2•2H2O in the mixed solvent DMSO-D6–D2O, on the contrary, there is a very weak shift of the values of δH in a strong field compared with the values for DMSO-D6 and in a weak field compared with the values in D2O. The difference in the 1H NMR spectral pattern for compounds M(phen)n(OAc)2•2H2O (n = 1,2) and [M(phen)3](OAc)2•2H2O should be associated with the coordination saturation of the latter, for which the insertion of a solvent – D2O or DMSO-D6 into the internal coordination sphere is practically impossible While the complexes M(phen)n(OAc)2•2H2O (n = 1,2) are coordination-unsaturated structures and allow solvent molecules to penetrate into their internal coordination sphere. Complexes of Zn+ 2 and Cd2+ with 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized by complexation reactions.
Tryptophan/kynurenine and Neopterin Levels as Promising Inflammatory Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Karaduman Abdullah Burak , Aykac Ozlem , Yesilkaya Mehmetcan , Levent Serkan , Girgin Gozde , Ilgin Sinem 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is usually detected by physicians in patients, coincidentally, during an ultrasound examination of the neck. Therefore, measurable biomarkers in blood are needed to define the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaque in patients to identify and manage it. We hypothesized that biomarkers that indicate pathways related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis could be used to identify the presence and severity of plaque in patients. For this purpose, we determined the levels of participants' inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. On the other hand, kynurenine/tryptophan and neopterin levels were measured as relatively new biomarkers of inflammation in this study. Our study included 57 patients diagnosed with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and 28 healthy volunteers. Blood kynurenine and tryptophan levels were measured with LCMS/MS. The ELISA assay was used to measure blood catalase, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and neopterin levels. According to our results, while the kynurenine and neopterin levels were higher, the tryptophan levels were lower in patients. Furthermore, the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio, which reflects IDO-1 activity, was higher in patients. On the other hand, catalase, total superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde levels were higher, while the glutathione peroxidase activity was lower in patients. Increasing the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio and neopterin level in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis have been associated with an inflammatory state. The oxidative stress and inflammatory response biomarkers may be an effective diagnostic and prognostic tool for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.