bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment trends for undescended testis and impact of guideline changes a medical health care analysis of orchidopexy and cryptorchidism in Germany between 2006 und 2020
Authors: Sondermann Marcus , Menzel Viktoria , Borkowetz Angelika , Baunacke Martin , Huber Johannes , Eisenmenger Nicole , Thomas Christian , Boehm Katharina 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background
The last decades revealed new scientific knowledge regarding the fertility and potential malignancy of undescended testis AQ2(UDT). Accordingly, many guidelines changed their recommendation concerning timing of therapy, with the goal of an earlier time of surgery.

Methods
We analyzed the number of new diagnosis and performed surgeries in predefined age groups provided by the obligatory annual reports of German hospitals in the reimbursement.INFO”-tool between 2006 and 2020.

Results
Overall, 124,741 cases were analyzed. We showed a slight increase in performed surgeries in the first year by 2% per year with a main increase till 2011, a constant number of surgeries between first and 4th year and a decrease of surgeries between 5 and 14th year of living with a main decrease till 2009 by 3% per year.

Conclusion
Even if our results illustrate an increasing adaption of the guideline’s recommendation, there is still a significant number of patients who receive later treatment. More research about the reasons and circumstances for the latter is needed.
Xenografted human iPSC-derived neurons with the familial Alzheimer’s disease APPV717I mutation reveal dysregulated transcriptome signatures linked to synaptic function and implicate LINGO2 as a disease signaling mediator
Authors: Qu Wenhui , Lam Matti , McInvale Julie J. , Mares Jason A. , Kwon Sam , Humala Nelson , Mahajan Aayushi , Nguyen Trang , Jakubiak Kelly A. , Mun Jeong-Yeon , Tedesco Thomas G. , Al-Dalahmah Osama , Hussaini Syed A. , Sproul Andrew A. , Siegelin Markus D. , De Jager Philip L. , Canoll Peter , Menon Vilas , Hargus Gunnar 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and disease mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we explored pathological changes in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons carrying the familial AD APPV717I mutation after cell injection into the mouse forebrain. APPV717I mutant iPSCs and isogenic controls were differentiated into neurons revealing enhanced Aβ42 production, elevated phospho-tau, and impaired neurite outgrowth in APPV717I neurons. Two months after transplantation, APPV717I and control neural cells showed robust engraftment but at 12 months post-injection, APPV717I grafts were smaller and demonstrated impaired neurite outgrowth compared to controls, while plaque and tangle pathology were not seen. Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing of micro-dissected grafts, performed 2 months after cell injection, identified significantly altered transcriptome signatures in APPV717I iPSC-derived neurons pointing towards dysregulated synaptic function and axon guidance. Interestingly, APPV717I neurons showed an increased expression of genes, many of which are also upregulated in postmortem neurons of AD patients including the transmembrane protein LINGO2. Downregulation of LINGO2 in cultured APPV717I neurons rescued neurite outgrowth deficits and reversed key AD-associated transcriptional changes related but not limited to synaptic function, apoptosis and cellular senescence. These results provide important insights into transcriptional dysregulation in xenografted APPV717I neurons linked to synaptic function, and they indicate that LINGO2 may represent a potential therapeutic target in AD.
Memory function in autoimmune encephalitis: a cross-sectional prospective study utilising multiple memory paradigms
Authors: Griffith Sarah P. , Wesselingh Robb , Seery Nabil , Rushen Tiffany , Kyndt Chris , Long Brian , Seneviratne Udaya , Kalincik Tomas , Buzzard Katherine , Butzkueven Helmut , O’Brien Terence J. , Alpitsis Rubina , Malpas Charles B. , Monif Mastura ,   Australian Autoimmune Encephalitis Consortium
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background and objective
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is often associated with clinically significant memory impairment. This study aimed to evaluate memory in a cross-sectional prospective AE cohort using multiple memory paradigms.

Methods
52 patients (50% seropositive) meeting Graus criteria for possible AE were prospectively recruited between October 2019 and August 202. A comprehensive examination of memory was performed, including tests of supraspan verbal memory (list learning), logicosemantic memory (story learning), figural memory (learning of geometric designs), and verbal associative learning (verbal paired associates). Memory scores were compared to demographically adjusted normative data. Pattern analysis was conducted to assist in the identification of patterns in memory performances.

Results
Mean memory scores were not significantly below the normative mean. At an individual patient level, over 20% of the cohort exhibited impaired delayed figural memory, supraspan verbal memory learning and recall. Observed performances were significantly below expected performance for story learning (p = 0.017) and recall (p = 0.003), figural recall (p < 0.0001), initial acquisition (p < 0.001) and final acquisition of a list (p < 0.001) and all delayed recall measures of the list (p < 0.00001). 54.76% of patients exhibited intact psychometrics, and 16 distinct patterns of impairment emerged, indicating variability in memory outcomes.

Discussion
While statistical evidence for memory impairment did not emerge at an aggregate level, a proportion of patients present with evidence of abnormal memory performance on psychometrics. Variability in impaired memory measures argues for an individualised patient-focused approach to clinical assessment in AE. Future research should validate these findings with a larger sample size and explore the relationships between memory profiles and other cognitive functions.
Strength and muscle mass development after a resistance-training period at terrestrial and normobaric intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Benavente C. , Padial P. , Scott B. R. , Almeida F. , Olcina G. , Pérez-Regalado S. , Feriche B. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of a resistance training (RT) period at terrestrial (HH) and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on both muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength development with respect to the same training in normoxia (N). Thirty-three strength-trained males were assigned to N (FiO2 = 20.9%), HH (2,320 m asl) or NH (FiO2 = 15.9%). The participants completed an 8-week RT program (3 sessions/week) of a full body routine. Muscle thickness of the lower limb and 1RM in back squat were assessed before and after the training program. Blood markers of stress, inflammation (IL-6) and muscle growth (% active mTOR, myostatin and miRNA-206) were measured before and after the first and last session of the program. Findings revealed all groups improved 1RM, though this was most enhanced by RT in NH (p = 0.026). According to the moderate to large excess of the exercise-induced stress response (lactate and Ca2+) in HH and N, results only displayed increases in muscle thickness in these two conditions over NH (ES > 1.22). Compared with the rest of the environmental conditions, small to large increments in % active mTOR were only found in HH, and IL-6, myostatin and miR-206 in NH throughout the training period. In conclusion, the results do not support the expected additional benefit of RT under hypoxia compared to N on muscle growth, although it seems to favour gains in strength. The greater muscle growth achieved in HH over NH confirms the impact of the type of hypoxia on the outcomes.
Inferring occluded projectile motion changes connectivity within a visuo-fronto-parietal network
Authors: Zbären Gabrielle Aude , Kapur Manu , Meissner Sarah Nadine , Wenderoth Nicole 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAnticipating the behaviour of moving objects in the physical environment is essential for a wide range of daily actions. This ability is thought to rely on mental simulations and has been shown to involve frontoparietal and early visual areas. Yet, the connectivity patterns between these regions during intuitive physical inference remain largely unknown. In this study, participants underwent fMRI while performing a task requiring them to infer the parabolic trajectory of an occluded ball falling under Newtonian physics, and a control task. Building on our previous research showing that when solving the physical inference task, early visual areas encode task-specific and perception-like information about the inferred trajectory, the present study aimed to (i) identify regions that are functionally coupled with early visual areas during the physical inference task, and (ii) investigate changes in effective connectivity within this network of regions. We found that early visual areas are functionally connected to a set of parietal and premotor regions when inferring occluded trajectories. Using dynamic causal modelling, we show that predicting occluded trajectories is associated with changes in effective connectivity within a parieto-premotor network, which may drive internally generated early visual activity in a top-down fashion. These findings offer new insights into the interaction between early visual and frontoparietal regions during physical inference, contributing to our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the ability to predict physical outcomes.
Clinical and structural disconnectome evaluation in a case of optic aphasia
Authors: Veronelli Laura , Bonandrini Rolando , Caporali Alessandra , Licciardo Daniele , Corbo Massimo , Luzzatti Claudio 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOptic Aphasia (OA) and Associative Visual Agnosia (AVA) are neuropsychological disorders characterized by impaired naming on visual presentation. From a cognitive point of view, while stimulus identification is largely unimpaired in OA (where access to semantic knowledge is still possible), in AVA it is not. OA has been linked with right hemianopia and disconnection of the occipital right-hemisphere (RH) visual processing from the left hemisphere (LH) language areas.In this paper, we describe the case of AA, an 81-year-old housewife suffering from a deficit in naming visually presented stimuli after left occipital lesion and damage to the interhemispheric splenial pathway. AA has been tested through a set of tasks assessing different levels of visual object processing. We discuss behavioral performance as well as the pattern of lesion and disconnection in relation to a neurocognitive model adapted from Luzzatti and colleagues (1998). Despite the complexity of the neuropsychological picture, behavioral data suggest that semantic access from visual input is possible, while a lesion-based structural disconnectome investigation demonstrated the splenial involvement.Altogether, neuropsychological and neuroanatomical findings support the assumption of visuo-verbal callosal disconnection compatible with a diagnosis of OA.
Circular RNA circLIFR suppresses papillary thyroid cancer progression by modulating the miR-429/TIMP2 axis
Authors: Zhang Fengyuan , Li Jiazheng , Xu Jingjing , Jiang Xugan , Chen Shengxia , Nasser Qais Ahmad 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their important roles in various cancers, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The specific mechanisms by which the circLIF receptor subunit alpha (circLIFR, hsa_circ_0072309) influences PTC progression remain largely unknown.

Methods
In our study, CircLIFR, miR-429, and TIMP2 levels were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The roles of circLIFR and miR-429 in PTC cells were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays. Western blotting was utilized to examine the levels of TIMP2. The direct interaction between circLIFR, TIMP2, and miR-429 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays.

Results
In PTC tissues and cells, a decrease in circLIFR and TIMP2 levels, accompanied by an increase in miR-429 levels, was observed. Overexpression of circLIFR or downregulation of miR-429 effectively suppressed the proliferation and migration of PTC cells. Conversely, the knockdown of circLIFR or overexpression of miR-429 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, circLIFR overexpression suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circLIFR modulated TIMP2 expression by serving as a sponge for miR-429. Rescue experiments indicated that the antitumor effect of circLIFR could be reversed by miR-429.

Conclusion
This study confirmed circLIFR as a novel tumor suppressor delayed PTC progression through the miR-429/TIMP2 axis. These findings suggested that circLIFR held promise as a potential therapeutic target for PTC.
Mechanistic insights into 125I seed implantation therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma: focus on ROS-Mediated apoptosis and the role of GPX2
Authors: Luo Jun , Yao Zheng , Liang Weiren , Song Danjun , Zeng Hui , Jiang Yi , Bao Zhehan , Zheng Jiaping , Ding Yinan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis and poses significant therapeutic challenges. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of efficacy of 125I seed implantation therapy in CCA, focusing on the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis and the involvement of glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2).

Materials and methods
Human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and RBE were purchased for in vitro studies. In vivo studies were performed using a rabbit VX2 CCA model. Apoptosis and proliferation were detected by TUNEL staining and clone formation, respectively. ROS generation was detected by dihydroethidium staining. Histological evaluation was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results
Our results demonstrate that 125I seeds effectively inhibited tumor growth in the rabbit VX2 tumor model and promoted the apoptosis of CCA cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular analyses indicate a marked increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels following treatment with 125I seeds, suggesting the involvement of ROS-mediated apoptosis in the therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, the downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2) was observed, indicating its potential role in modulating ROS-mediated apoptosis in CCA.

Conclusion

125I seed implantation therapy exerts therapeutic effects on CCA by inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis. The downregulation of GPX2 may contribute to enhanced ROS accumulation and apoptotic cell death. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic potential of 125I seed implantation for CCA and highlight ROS-mediated apoptosis and GPX2 regulation as promising targets for further investigation and therapeutic intervention in this malignancy.
Paleoenvironment and vegetational history of a Middle Pennsylvanian intramontane peat swamp: an example from the Lower Radnice Coal, Kladno coalfield (Czech Republic)
Authors: Opluštil Stanislav , Eble Cortland , Šimůnek Zbyněk , Drábková Jana 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe depositional environment, hydrology and vegetational history of the Lower Radnice Coal (Duckmantian) in the Kladno coalfield was studied using sedimentary geology, coal petrology and paleobotanical/palynological methods. The peat accumulating wetland of the coal formed in a fluvial paleovalley approximately 15 km long and 2–5 km wide, bordered by basement paleohighs and landlocked in the interior of the central European Variscides. The peat swamp evolved on top of mud-dominated floodplain successions pedogenically modified to a vertic gleyed Protosol. Probably climatically controlled rising ground water table resulted in paludification that from downstream part gradually spread upstream. Most clastic load was deposited in the upper part of the valley, whereas only mud suspension was dispersed downstream throughout the vegetated swamp. The best conditions for peat accumulation were situated in the eastern part of the paleovalley, where up to 1.5 m thick coal with thin bands of impure coal and carbonaceous mudstone formed in an occasionally inundated rheotrophic system with peat accretion controlled by regional ground water table. The peat swamp was vegetated mainly by lepidodendrid lycopsids with Lepidodendron and Paralycopodites being dominant genera. Shrubby to ground cover vegetation was represented by medulosallean pteridosperms, small shrubby lycopsids, sphenopsids, and herbaceous ferns. Tree ferns were locally abundant, especially in mineral-rich substrates. The rheotrophic character of the peat swamp may indicate higher seasonality of the Variscan interior, compared to coastal areas in the North Variscan foreland with contemporaneous ombrotrophic peats. Modern equivalents of the Lower Radnice Coal swamp are inland planar tropical peat swamps in tributary paleovalleys of the Tasek Bera in peninsular Malaysia and central Congo basins.
Graphical abstract

Lower Radnice Coal peat swamp.
Influence of clinical expertise and practical experience on transfer accuracy in guided dental implant placement - an in vitro study
Authors: Reiff Florian Sebastian , Bischoff Charlotte , Woelfler Henriette , Roehling Stefan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate whether inexperienced users applying a static navigation system can perform in-vitro a fully guided implant placement protocol and achieve similar results in terms of accuracy compared to experienced clinicians.

Methods
Based on 36 identical resin models, a computer-assisted implant planning was performed and a surgical guide was produced accordingly. Three study groups were composed with 12 operators, each: control group with experienced surgeons (DOC), test group 1 with dental technicians (TEC) and test group 2 with non-specialists (OFC). Using a fully guided drilling protocol, two implants were placed into each of the 36 models. Subsequently, the differences between the virtually planned and final implant positions were determined and the transfer accuracy was evaluated.

Results
For the control group DOC, the mean value of axial deviation was 1.90 ± 1.15 degrees, for 3-dimensional deviation at the implant base 0.52 ± 0.33 mm, for 3-dimensional deviation at the implant tip 0.76 ± 0.39 mm and for vertical deviation at the implant tip − 0.11 ± 0.51 mm. For corresponding parameters, the mean values of test group TEC were 1.99 ± 0.87 degrees, 0.42 ± 0.21 mm, 0.68 ± 0.30 mm and − 0.03 ± 0.33 mm and for test group OFC 2.29 ± 1.17 degrees, 0.63 ± 0.35 mm, 0.89 ± 0.43 mm and − 0.24 ± 0.57 mm, respectively. The results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the control and the 2 test groups (p˃0.05).

Conclusion
The results of the present in-vitro study demonstrated that inexperienced users applying a static navigation system can perform a fully guided implant placement protocol and achieve similar results in terms of accuracy compared to experienced clinicians in this specific in vitro setup.
Axiomatising an information flow logic based on partial equivalence relations
Authors: Filinski Andrzej , Larsen Ken Friis , Jensen Thomas P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe present a relational program logic for reasoning about information flow properties formalised in an assertion language based on partial equivalence relations. We define and prove the soundness of the logic, a proof technique for precise, logic-based information flow properties. The logic extends Hoare logic and its unary state predicates to binary PER-based predicates for relating observationally equivalent states. A salient feature of the logic is that it is capable of reasoning about programs that test on secret data in a secure manner.
Deciphering of karst geomorphology and sinkhole (doline) structures using multiple geophysical and geological methods (Trabzon, NE Türkiye)
Authors: Alemdağ Hilal , Köroğlu Fatih , Aydın Zeynep Öğretmen , Şeren Aysel , Babacan Ali Erden , Ersoy Arzu Fırat 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo date, in Türkiye only a limited number and volume of combined geophysical and geological studies about karst have been performed. In this study, karstification and geomorphological features were examined with geophysical and geological methods together and initial results were obtained for Türkiye. Although the geology of the limestone forming the Şahinkaya Member, which contains Çayırbağı, Çalköy, and Çal Cave, near the Düzköy district of Trabzon/Türkiye province was studied by many researchers to date, there is no geophysical study to determine the internal structural features, groundwater, dolines, and karstic voids. The aim of this study was to identify karst formations and their structural extensions in Şahinkaya Member with geophysical methods. Therefore, three different study locations with a total surface area of approximately 3.2 km2 were examined with electrical resistivity tomography, self-potential, seismic refraction tomography, multichannel analysis of surface waves, and ground penetrating radar. These geophysical applications in limestone helped to identify karst cavities, water-saturated zones and dolines. Finally, the order of priority and efficiency of the five applied geophysical methods was compared, and the stages of the applications were outlined. In addition, the origin of karstification in the area investigated in this study was supported by petrographic, petrophysical and rock mechanic data.
The impact of Boric Acid tubes on quantitative urinary bacterial cultures in hospitalized patients
Authors: Ben-David Debby , Cohen Yael , Zohar Iris , Maor Yasmin , Schwartz Orna 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Introduction
The accuracy of urine culture results can be affected by pre-analytical factors such as transport delays and storage conditions. The objectives of this study were to analyze urine collection practices and assess the impact of introducing boric acid tubes for urine collection on quantitative urinary bacterial cultures of hospitalized patients in medical wards.

Methods
A quasi-experimental pre-post study conducted in an acute care facility. In the pre-intervention phase (2020–2021), urine samples were transported without preservatives at room temperature. In 2022 (post-intervention), we transitioned to boric acid transport tubes, evaluating its effect on significant bacterial growth (≥ 105 CFU/ml). Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified predictors of culture positivity.

Results
Throughout the duration of the study, a total of 12,660 urine cultures were analyzed. Date and time documentation was complete for 38.3% of specimens. Culture positivity was higher with longer processing times: positivity was 21.3% (220/1034) when specimens were processed within 4 h, 28.4% (955/3364) when processed in 4–24 h, and 32.9% (137/417) when processed after 24 h (p < 0.0001). For 4-24-hour processing, positivity decreased from 30.4% (704/2317) pre-intervention to 24.0% (251/1047) post-intervention (p < 0.001), with no significant changes in < 4 or ≥ 24-hour specimens. Stratified analysis by processing time revealed that the intervention was associated with reduced positivity only in cultures processed within 4–24 h (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.94; p = 0.008).

Conclusion
The introduction of boric acid transport tubes predominantly influenced cultures transported within a 4–24-hour window. This presents an opportunity to improve urine tract infection diagnostic practices in healthcare settings.