bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes of laminar angle in cervical double-door laminoplasty -Comparison of conventional method and suture anchor method using computed tomography images
Authors: Morishita Shingo , Hirai Takashi , Yuasa Masato , Matsukura Yu , Yamada Kentaro , Egawa Satoru , Onuma Hiroaki , Hashimoto Jun , Yoshii Toshitaka 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Laminar closure rarely occurs in conventional laminoplasty (LAMP). Thus, various techniques have been developed to maintain the laminar opening using the suture anchor. However, no studies have examined the two surgical methods using computed tomography. This study aimed to compare LAMP using the suture anchor and conventional LAMP in terms of laminar opening maintenance.
Methods
This study included patients who underwent double-door LAMP from C3 to C7 according to the Kirita-Miyazaki method (conventional group, where the lamina was sutured to the deep fascia) or using suture anchors (anchor group). The laminar angles from C3 to C6 were measured using cervical spine computed tomography intraoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively, respectively, in the conventional and anchor groups. We measured the C2–C7 lordotic angle, T1 or C7 slope, and cervical sagittal vertical axis by X-ray and investigated the 1-year postoperative recovery rate with Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores.
Results
The anchor group consisted of 11 patients and the conventional group consisted of 9 patients. The laminar angles at C4, C5, and C6 were significantly greater in the anchor group both intraoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. C3 had a slightly larger laminar angle in the anchor group but was not significant. The C3 laminar angle decreased over time in both groups. The laminar angle for C4, C5, and C6 in the anchor group was maintained intraoperatively to 1 year postoperatively. The laminar angle did not change beyond 1 week postoperatively in the conventional group.
Conclusions
The laminar angle in the anchor group was maintained intraoperatively to 1 year postoperatively, while the conventional group tended to close immediately postoperatively. The suture anchor technique may maintain laminar opening more rigidly than the conventional suture method.
Paper battery powered iontophoresis microneedles patch for hypertrophic scar treatment
Authors: Jiang Lelun , Gao Jie , Chen Fuqian , Wang Chen , Yang Jingbo , Zheng Ying , Liu Bin , Nie Gang , Zhu Linyu , Wu Shuo , Xie Xi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a plaque fibrous and indurated dermal lesion that may cause physical, psychological, and cosmetic challenges for patients. Intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is commonly used in clinical practice, which cause unbearable pain and uneven drug delivery within HS tissue. Herein, we developed a paper battery powered iontophoresis-driven microneedle patch (PBIMNP) for self-management and painless treatment of HS. The high integration of PBIMNP was achieved by incorporating a paper battery as the power source for iontophoresis. The transdermal drug delivery strategy of PBIMNP combined microneedles and iontophoresis techniques, involving "pressing and poking, phase transformation, and diffusion and iontophoresis", which can actively deliver 90.19% drug into the HS tissue with excellentin vitrodrug permeation performance. PBIMNP administration effectively reduced the mRNA and protein levels, leading to a decrease in the expression of TGF-β1 and Col I associated with HS formation, demonstrating its efficacy in HS treatment. The painless microneedles and wearable design endow the PBIMNP as a highly promising platform for self-administration on HS treatment.
Developing a framework for identifying risk factors and estimating direct economic disease burden attributable to healthcare-associated infections: case study of a Chinese Tuberculosis hospital
Authors: Ren Nili , Liu Xinliang , Luo Yi , Li Guofei , Huang Ying , Ji Desheng , Peng Cheng , Sun Jing , Li Hao 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a major global health burden, necessitating effective frameworks to identify potential risk factors and estimate direct economic disease burden. We proposed a framework designed to address these needs through a case study conducted in a Chinese Tuberculosis hospital using data from 2018 to 2019. The framework incorporates a comprehensive multistep process, including ethical application, participant inclusion, risk factor identification, and direct economic disease burden estimation. In the case study, ethical approval was obtained, and patient data were anonymized to ensure privacy. All TB hospitalized patients over study period were included and classified into groups with and without HAIs after screening the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Key risk factors, including gender, age, and invasive procedures were identified through univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, propensity score matching was employed to select the balanced groups with similar characteristics. Comparisons of medical expenditures (total medical expenditure, medicine expenditure, and antibiotic expenditure) and hospitalization days between the balanced groups were calculated as the additional direct economic disease burden measures caused by HAIs. This framework can serve as a tool for hospital management and policy-making, enabling the implementation of targeted infection prevention and control measures. It has the potential to be applied in various healthcare settings at local, regional, national, and international levels to identify high-risk areas, optimize resource allocation, and improve internal and external hospital management, as well as inter-organizational learning. Challenges to implement the framework are also raised, such as data quality, regulatory compliance, considerations on unique nature of communicable diseases and other diseases, and training need for professionals.
Highly active electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation coupled hydrogen production with unsaturated Ni-O(OH) coordination
Authors: Yang Nianjun , Xu Wenli , Zhang Qin , Sun Bing , Shang Qing , Chen Shuni , Li Qiqi , Gao Yinhong , Chen Yongting , Li Xuanke 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Electrocatalytic H2 production coupled with valuable chemical fabrication is highly desirable and sustainable approach for a carbon neutral future. The prerequisite for its industrialization on terawatt-scale is the exploitation of an electrocatalyst that can operate steadily at current densities exceeding ampere levels. In this work, a Ni-O(H)-C electrocatalyst is proposed to realize the exceptional performance at the ampere-level current densities towards ethanol electrooxidation to acetic acid (EOR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and their integrated system. This catalyst achieves a current density of 2 A cm–2 for EOR and 1.5 A cm–2 for HER at approximately 320 mV overpotential. This remarkable activity is achieved by the unsaturated atomic confinement of Ni-O(OH) species on the surface layer of Ni crystal, which offers an optimized electronic structure to suppress the kinetic processes, and block unfavorable structural transformation during electrocatalysis. A Ni-O(H)-C catalytic HER||EOR integration system offers a 220 mV voltage reduction at 1 A cm–2 in comparison to that of Pt/C||RuO2 water electrolysis cell. A Zn-ethanol-air battery is equipped with a Ni-O(H)-C catalyst, exhibiting more than 500 h of stable operation. Thanks to extensive universality of the proposed alcohol systems, our findings shine a bright future for the efficient and scalable manufacture of the value-added chemicals, together with high-purity hydrogen production.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Population
Authors: Deshpande Abhishek , O'Brien Joseph , Hamilton Betty , Pappas Matthew 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are at increased risk of developing primary and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The objective of our study was to characterize the risk factors for primary and recurrent CDI in a large cohort of patients hospitalized for HCT.Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent HCT from 2010–2023 to analyze the epidemiology, timing, and risk factors for CDI. We compared patients who developed CDI with those who did not, controlling for patient demographics, comorbidities, transplant factors, medications, and laboratory values.Results Of the 2,725 adults who underwent HCT, 252 (9.3%) developed primary CDI within one-year of transplantation. The incidence was higher among allogenic HCT recipients (17.8%) compared to autologous recipients (4.1%). Independent risk factors for primary CDI included receipt of penicillin antibiotics, prior chemotherapy, and umbilical cord stem cells. Receipt of macrolide antibiotics was an independent risk factor for recurrent CDI, while receipt of autologous HCT was associated with a reduced risk of both primary and recurrent CDI.Conclusions CDI presents an early complication after HCT, particularly in allogenic recipients who experience higher incidence rates and severe complications. Early recognition and management of these risk factors are essential to prevent these adverse outcomes.
Association of dietary niacin intake with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population
Authors: Song Zikai , Deng Dayong , Wu Haidi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Dietary niacin, a vital nutrient needed for the metabolism of mitochondrial energy, has been linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer mortality. There is, however, little information available about how dietary niacin intake affects mortality risk in the general population. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the relationship between dietary niacin consumption and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. 39428 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2008 were analyzed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, restricted cubic splines (RCS), trend tests, subgroup analysis and inflection point analysis were employed. Over a median follow-up period of 110 months, all-cause mortality accounted for 15.1% of cases, and cardiovascular mortality accounted for 3.387%. During Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, no linear trend was observed between dietary niacin intake and all-cause (P for trend = 0.001) or cardiovascular mortality (P for trend = 0.008) after adjusting for confounding factors. RCS revealed a non-linear association between dietary niacin intake and all-cause mortality (Non-linear P=0.001), but linear association between dietary niacin intake and cardiovascular mortality (Non-linear P = 0.384) when 99.9% of the data was shown. In the inflection point analysis, the HR of all-cause mortality was 0.995 (95% CI:0.991–0.995, P = 0.039) in general population with dietary niacin intake of <54.6 mg/day and 1.007 (95% CI:0.993–1.020, P = 0.296) in general population with dietary niacin intake of ≥54.6 mg/day. The effect of dietary niacin intake was consistent across most subgroups in terms of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with no significant interaction with randomized factors (all-cause mortality: P for interaction = 0.047–0.719, cardiovascular mortality: P for interaction = 0.257–0.784). Dietary niacin intake was nonlinearly associated with all-cause mortality but linearly associated with cardiovascluar mortality in general population of United States.
Robust Robot Motion Retargeting: Rig Unification and Application to Diverse Robots
Authors: Jeong Taemoon , Byun Taehyun , Kim Jihoon , Choi Keunjoon , Oh Jaesung , Lee Sungpyo , Darwish Omar , Kim Joohyung , Choi Sungjoon 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Humanoid robots are increasingly being developed for seamless interaction with humans in various domains. However, generating expressive and feasible motions for these robots remains a significant challenge due to their complex kinematic structures and physical constraints. We propose a robust and automated pipeline for motion retargeting that enables the generation of natural motions for diverse humanoid robots using various motion data sources. Our approach unifies different kinematic configurations into a single predefined rig and refines the motion trajectory, considering factors such as balance and contact. The retargeted motion is then fine-tuned to closely follow the source motion while adhering to the robot's physical limits. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology through successful applications on 12 simulated robots and validation on three real robots. This work represents a significant step towards automating expressive motion generation for humanoid robots, enabling their deployment in various real-world scenarios.
Modified Water Balance Model for Groundwater Recharge Estimations Using Cloud Integration
Authors: Das Arup Kumar , Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Singh Suraj Kumar , Kanga Shruti 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study introduces the Modified Water Balance Model (MWBM), leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE) and high-resolution remote sensing data to enhance Groundwater Recharge (GWR) estimations in West Bengal. Utilizing MODIS land surface temperature and CHIRPS precipitation data, the MWBM provides precise and spatially extensive GWR estimates. The study area, encompassing diverse climatic and geological conditions, reveals significant variations in GWR influenced by factors such as the Himalayan foothills, urban infrastructure, and soil types. Key findings indicate high GWR values in districts like Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri due to heavy rainfall, while areas such as Bankura and Purba Bardhhaman show lower, more stable GWR due to less permeable laterite layers. The MWBM's integration of satellite data and advanced computational tools marks a substantial advancement in groundwater management, providing critical insights for sustainable water resource planning. Future research should focus on incorporating dynamic meteorological data and assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on groundwater recharge.
Oxidative Valorization of Spruce Bark to Yield Vanillin
Authors: Samec Joseph , Muangmeesri Suthawan , Lebedeva Daria , Ramazanova Lala , Liu Sarah , Khalili Houssine , Mathew Aji , Ralph John 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

A competitive and environmentally sustainable biorefinery should valorize all parts of biomass, including bark. Currently, bark, which constitutes 10 wt% of timber and pulp wood, is burned at a low value. Softwood bark comprises 38% lignin, suggesting that this component could be an important source of valuable aromatic compounds; this lignin also contains substantial amounts of interlinkages with strong C–C bonds, such as β-5 linkages, which are not cleaved during standard depolymerization methods. In contrast to wood lignin which is linear, bark lignin appears to be cyclic, which further hinders depolymerization. Here, we present a method using oxygen to oxidatively depolymerize spruce bark lignin to yield valuable monophenols at 30-fold higher levels than expected from nitrobenzene oxidation. This is an important step in making biorefineries more sustainable and competitive and a new source to green vanillin.
Mendelian randomization analysis of the genetic causal relationship between different labor anesthesia methods and adverse neonatal outcomes
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Qu Danyang , Wang Shanshan , Dou Haiping , Xiu Yufang , Wang Yuqian , Yang Liu 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Despite the lack of data from randomized controlled trials, studies have indicated that labor anesthesia may be associated with neonatal asphyxia and adverse neonatal neurological outcomes. We used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal relationships between different labor anesthesia methods, neonatal asphyxia, and adverse neonatal neurological outcomes.
Method
We collected genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, including spinal, epidural, and other labor anesthesia methods, as well as neonatal asphyxia and adverse neurological outcomes (cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Data on different delivery analgesia methods sourced from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit Open GWAS project were used as exposure data. Neonatal asphyxia and neurological adverse outcomes sourced from the FinnGen consortium R10 were used as the outcome data. A two-sample MR was used to evaluate the effects of different delivery analgesia methods on neonatal asphyxia and three adverse neurological outcomes in newborns to determine the existence of a causal relationship between them. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used for MR analysis and a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted.
Results
Spinal, epidural, and other methods of labor anesthesia were not associated with neonatal asphyxia (odds ratio [OR]IVW = 1.302, P = 0.749; ORIVW = 1.431, P = 0.622; ORIVW = 0.695, P = 0.688, respectively), cerebral palsy (ORIVW = 0.759, P = 0.480; ORIVW = 0.701, P = 0.319; ORIVW = 0.695, 95% P = 0.688; ORIVW = 1.288, P = 0.523, respectively), intellectual disability (ORIVW = 1.309, P = 0.351; ORIVW = 0.744, P = 0.331; ORIVW = 0.712, P = 0.313, respectively), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ORIVW = 1.163, P = 0.778; ORIVW = 1.012, 95% P = 0.979; ORIVW = 0.972, P = 0.944, respectively). Sensitivity analysis showed no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects, and the results were reliable.
Conclusion
Our MR study based on genetic data does not support the existence of a causal relationship between different labor anesthesia methods and neonatal asphyxia or adverse neonatal neurological outcomes. Thus, labor pain relief methods can be selected based on the mother's needs and condition without increasing associated risks.
Associations between NHHR and Osteoporosis in the US NHANES Elderly Population
Authors: Liu Zhiwen , Wu Jianjun , Xiong Sicheng , Peng Zijing , Zhong Yelin , Zhang Zhihai , Huang Hongxing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Recent research suggests that the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHHR) is emerging as a possible marker for various health issues. However, its correlation with osteoporosis has not been explored. This study aims to explore how NHHR is linked to the likelihood of osteoporosis in older individuals.
Methods
The study examined the connection between NHHR and osteoporosis in people who are 50 years old and above, utilizing information from the 2005–2010 NHANES. Various statistical analyses were performed, including multivariate logistic regression, analysis using restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses, while controlling for relevant demographic and clinical factors.
Results
A total of 5548 individuals were included, with 313 diagnosed with osteoporosis. The examination reveals a notable negative correlation between NHHR and osteoporosis. Individuals in the top quartile of NHHR had a significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis in comparison to those in the bottom quartile [OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.44–0.90, P for trend = 0.004)].The analysis using RCS showed a non-linear connection between NHHR and osteoporosis (P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinear = 0.008). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent findings across various demographic and clinical subgroups.
Conclusions
In individuals aged 50 and above, there is a significant correlation between elevated NHHR levels and a reduced likelihood of developing osteoporosis. This study demonstrates that NHHR may serve as a valuable marker for assessing osteoporosis risk in this population, suggesting that incorporating NHHR into routine clinical assessments could enhance early detection and prevention strategies for osteoporosis.
Dietary inclusion of fibrous corn silages reduces gastric mucosa damage in fattening heavy pigs
Authors: Spanghero Mauro , Braidot Matteo , Orioles Massimo , Sarnataro Chiara , Pividori Isabella , Romanzin Alberto 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Several surveys conducted at slaughter sites have highlighted that gastric lesions are a widespread issue in fattening pigs, mainly due to feeding regimes. In fact, diets with small particle sizes and low fibre contents guarantee high digestibility and performance but generate more rapid stomach emptying with a negative effect on gastric mucosa integrity. Providing fattening pigs with fibrous materials (e.g., straw provided in racks) or coarse fibrous ingredients (e.g., coarse silages) reduced the presence of gastric ulcers. The present research compares a traditional corn-soy-based diet with an experimental diet where bran and a portion of corn meal were substituted with whole ear and whole plant corn silages at the maximum dosages permitted by new Protected Designation of Origin for Italian dry-cured ham (20 and 10% of DM, respectively). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the inclusion of corn silages in the diet on the productive performance of heavy Italian pigs and their ability to mitigate gastric mucosa damage.
Results
The growth performances were satisfactory (750-800 g/d) given the advanced interval of growth of animals (from 120 to 180 kg). However, the inclusion of corn silages tended to reduce the growth rate by 5-6% due to the reduction of organic matter digestibility, without compromising the slaughter traits or the back-fat fatty acid profile. The experimental diet substantially affected both stomach development and mucosal integrity. The first consequence was an increase in stomach weight of approximately 6% (P < 0.01) but the most notable advantage of coarse feeding was a reduction in stomach damage severity, with a low number of cases with higher scores in animals fed coarse materials (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The dietary inclusion of corn silages (30% of diet DM) is effective in decreasing the severity of stomach damage in finishing heavy pigs. Based on the performance of the feeding trial, the perspective of feeding heavy pigs corn silage should consider specific agronomic and harvesting techniques to improve digestibility and not reduce the growth rate.