bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary albumin creatinine ratio is associated with lipid profile
Authors: Hwang Sang Won , Lee Taesic , Uh Young , Lee Jun Young 
Published: June 2024

AbstractModerately elevated albuminuria (30–300 mg/g) is a marker of renal dysfunction and a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, several recent studies have reported a relationship between moderately elevated albuminuria and triglyceride (TG) levels. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and total cholesterol (TC), TG, and high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C) levels. We analyzed data from 19,340 patients from the 2011–2014 and 2019–2020 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the UACR was positively associated with TC and TG levels and negatively associated with HDL-C levels in both Korean women and men. These results were reanalyzed according to the degree of proteinuria (normal, moderately elevated albuminuria, and severely elevated albuminuria (≥ 300 mg/g)). We found a positive relationship between UACR and TC and TG levels, but a negative association with HDL-C levels, except for TC (moderately elevated albuminuria) and HDL-C (moderately elevated albuminuria) in Korean men and TC (severely elevated albuminuria), TG (severely elevated albuminuria), and HDL-C (normal range albuminuria) in Korean women. The correlation between albuminuria and lipid profiles became more evident as albuminuria shift from normal to the severely elevated albuminuria. Thus our multivariate linear regression analysis showed that lipid profiles (TG, TC, and HDL-C levels) were associated with the UACR.
Non-mechanical steering of the optical beam in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Urrego Daniel F. , Machado Gerard J. , Torres Juan P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe demonstrate in a proof-of-concept experiment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography where steering of the optical beam that probes the sample in a transverse scan does not make use of any mechanical element. Steering is done with the help of a phase-only spatial light modulator, that introduces a spatially-dependent phase between the two orthogonal polarization components of an optical beam, and some optical elements that control the polarization of light. We demonstrate that making use of the non-mechanical beam steering system considered here, we can reproduce the main traits of imaging with standard OCT that makes use of mechanical-assisted optical beam steering.
Production of norovirus-, rotavirus-, and enterovirus-like particles in insect cells is simplified by plasmid-based expression
Authors: Lampinen Vili , Gröhn Stina , Lehmler Nina , Jartti Minne , Hytönen Vesa P. , Schubert Maren , Hankaniemi Minna M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractInsect cells have long been the main expression host of many virus-like particles (VLP). VLPs resemble the respective viruses but are non-infectious. They are important in vaccine development and serve as safe model systems in virus research. Commonly, baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is used for VLP production. Here, we present an alternative, plasmid-based system for VLP expression, which offers distinct advantages: in contrast to BEVS, it avoids contamination by baculoviral particles and proteins, can maintain cell viability over the whole process, production of alphanodaviral particles will not be induced, and optimization of expression vectors and their ratios is simple. We compared the production of noro-, rota- and entero-VLP in the plasmid-based system to the standard process in BEVS. For noro- and entero-VLPs, similar yields could be achieved, whereas production of rota-VLP requires some further optimization. Nevertheless, in all cases, particles were formed, the expression process was simplified compared to BEVS and potential for the plasmid-based system was validated. This study demonstrates that plasmid-based transfection offers a viable option for production of noro-, rota- and entero-VLPs in insect cells.
Sexual violence among female survivors in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: epidemiology, clinical features, and circumstances of occurrence
Authors: Kiakuvue Yannick Nkiambi , Kanyere Furaha Siwatula , Mukubu Doris Mwila , Ruhindiza Bienvenu Mukuku , Mukuku Olivier 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSexual violence (SV) is a major public health issue in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the eastern part of the country where women have been victims of SV for many years. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of the survivor and perpetrator characteristics, as well as the circumstances surrounding SV incidents in Goma. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study using data from all SV survivors who sought medical care at four hospitals in Goma from January 2019 to December 2020. The analysis of the data was carried out using STATA 16 software. A total of 700 women sought medical attention for SV in the four hospitals. The survivors’ age range was 12–67 years with a mean age of 31.7 ± 14.6 years. Women aged 20–29 years were the most affected (28%). The majority of SV survivors experienced their first assault (88.29%) and sought medical attention within 72 h (60.6%). The assaults occurred mostly outside the SV survivors’ homes under armed threat (84.29%), predominantly by men in civilian clothes (61.43%) compared to men in military uniform (38.57%). More than half of the survivors were assaulted by a stranger (64.71%), and of those, more than half were committed by a single perpetrator (57.29%). The findings underscore the urgent need to address this pervasive issue, emphasizing the necessity of targeted interventions to protect survivors and prevent future incidents. The circumstances surrounding these assaults, such as the prevalence of armed threats and attacks outside survivors’ homes, highlight the complex challenges in combating SV in this region.
Growth of bulk β-Ga2O3 crystals from melt without precious-metal crucible by pulling from a cold container
Authors: Yoshikawa A. , Kochurikhin V. , Tomida T. , Takahashi I. , Kamada K. , Shoji Y. , Kakimoto K. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe report the growth of bulk β-Ga2O3 crystals based on crystal pulling from a melt using a cold container without employing a precious-metal crucible. Our approach, named oxide crystal growth from cold crucible (OCCC), is a fusion between the skull-melting and Czochralski methods. The absence of an expensive precious-metal crucible makes this a cost-effective crystal growth method, which is a critical factor in the semiconductor industry. An original construction 0.4–0.5 MHz SiC MOSFET transistor generator with power up to 35 kW was used to successfully grow bulk β-Ga2O3 crystals with diameters up to 46 mm. Also, an original diameter control system by generator frequency change was applied. In this preliminary study, the full width at half maximum of the X-ray rocking curve from the obtained β-Ga2O3 crystals with diameters ≤ 46 mm was comparable to those of β-Ga2O3 produced by edge-defined film fed growth. Moreover, as expected, the purity of the obtained crystals was high because only raw material-derived impurities were detected, and contamination from the process, such as insulation and noble metals, was below the detection limit. Our results indicate that the OCCC technique can be used to produce high-purity bulk β-Ga2O3 single crystalline substrate.
Predicting the bodily self in space and time
Authors: de Boer D. M. L. , Johnston P. J. , Namdar F. , Kerr G. , Cleeremans A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo understand how the human brain distinguishes itself from external stimulation, it was examined if motor predictions enable healthy adult volunteers to infer self-location and to distinguish their body from the environment (and other agents). By uniquely combining a VR-setup with full-body motion capture, a full-body illusion paradigm (FBI) was developed with different levels of motion control: (A) a standard, passive FBI in which they had no motion control; (B) an active FBI in which they made simple, voluntary movements; and (C) an immersive game in which they real-time controlled a human-sized avatar in third person. Systematic comparisons between measures revealed a causal relationship between (i) motion control (prospective agency), (ii) self-other identification, and (iii) the ability to locate oneself. Healthy adults could recognise their movements in a third-person avatar and psychologically align with it (action observation); but did not lose a sense of place (self-location), time (temporal binding), nor who they are (self/other). Instead, motor predictions enabled them to localise their body and to distinguish self from other. In the future, embodied games could target and strengthen the brain’s control networks in psychosis and neurodegeneration; real-time motion simulations could help advance neurorehabilitation techniques by fine-tuning and personalising therapeutic settings.
Implications of unconventional histological subtypes on magnetic resonance imaging and oncological outcomes in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kurokawa Koichiro , Yamada Yasutaka , Sakamoto Shinichi , Horikoshi Takuro , Sato Kodai , Nanba Sakie , Kubota Yoshihiro , Kanesaka Manato , Fujimoto Ayumi , Takeuchi Nobuyoshi , Shibata Hiroki , Sazuka Tomokazu , Imamura Yusuke , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Uno Takashi , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe prognostic significance of unconventional histology (UH) subtypes including intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P), ductal adenocarcinoma, and cribriform pattern has been investigated for prostate cancer (PCa). However, little is known about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the oncological impact of tumor localization in localized PCa with UH. Clinical data of 211 patients with acinar adenocarcinoma (conventional histology [CH]) and 82 patients with UH who underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) were reviewed. Patients with UH are more likely to be older and have higher Gleason grade group, higher Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2.1 score, and larger tumor volume (TV) than those with CH. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of UH as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ration (HR) 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.79, P = 0.0073). No significant difference in PFS was seen regarding tumor localization (transition zone [TZ] or peripheral zone [PZ]) in patients with UH (P = 0.8949), whereas PZ cancer showed shorter PFS in patients with CH (P = 0.0174). PCa with UH was associated with higher progression than PCa with CH among resection margin (RM)-negative cases (P < 0.0001). Further, increased PI-RADS v2.1 score did not correlate with larger TV in UH (P = 0.991), whereas a significant difference in TV was observed in CH (P < 0.0001). The prognostic significance of UH tumor was independent of tumor localization, and shorter PFS was observed even in RM-negative cases, indicating an aggressive subtype with micro-metastatic potential. Furthermore, UH tumors are more likely to harbor a large TV despite PI-RADS v2.1 score ≤ 3. These findings will help optimal perioperative management for PCa with UH.
The structural evolution of undisturbed loess due to water infiltration
Authors: Zhuang Jianqi , Kong Jiaxu , Zhu Yi , Peng Jianbing 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLoess structure is the physical key factor that determines its stability and consists of macro-pores, loose texture, and water sensitivity. The structural change characteristics and effects of the undisturbed loess before and after water infiltration are studied using mechanical CT and simulation tests in order to study the structural change process within the undisturbed loess caused by water infiltration. The change in particle state is as follows: the peak frequency point of the equivalent diameter of the loess particles after infiltration ranged from 16.75 to 23.76 μm, and the eroded fine particles consisted primarily of fine particles. The smaller loess particles are removed by water infiltration resulting in coarsening of soil particles. The sphericity of the loess particles gradually changes from spherical pores to angular and dendritic pores. The particle inclination angle transitions to a range greater than 70°, and its proportion is approximately 61%. The change in pore structure is as follows: The loess porosity after infiltration increased by approximately 20%, and the increase in the pore area ratio of the mesopores and the macropores was higher than that of the micropores. Additionally, the small pores increased by more than 5 times the original state of the undisturbed loess. The connected pores expanded less than 60% of the initial state to more than 90% after infiltration, thus, increasing the dominant seepage channel of the undisturbed loess. These changes in particle and porosity further increase the water filtration intensity and promote the migration of fine particles (mainly silt particles), linking loess catastrophes and are the leading cause of loess settlement and slope instability. The process of water infiltration into the loess, the mechanism of loess collapsibility, and the influence of salinity on the loess structure and strength are discussed in this study.
Evaluation of the outcomes of biliary-enteric reconstruction in robotic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a single-center propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Liu Jie , Dou Changwei , Chen Jian , Lu Yi , Liang Lei , Wei Fangqiang , Zhang Chengwu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAlthough robotic radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) has been reported in some large hepatobiliary centers, biliary-enteric reconstruction (BER) remains a critical step that hampers the operation’s success. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and quality of BER in robotic radical resection of HCCA and propose technical recommendations. A retrospective study was conducted on patients with HCCA who underwent minimally invasive radical resection at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2016 and July 2023. A 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM), widely used to reduce selection bias, was performed to evaluate the outcomes, especially BER-related data, between the robotic and laparoscopic surgery. Forty-six patients with HCCA were enrolled; ten underwent robotic-assisted resection, while the others underwent laparoscopic surgery. After PSM at a ratio of 1:2, 10 and 20 patients were assigned to the robot-assisted and laparoscopic groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics of both groups were generally well-balanced. The average liver resection time was longer in the robotic group than in the laparoscopic group (139.5 ± 38.8 vs 108.1 ± 35.8 min, P = 0.036). However, the former had less intraoperative blood loss [200 (50–500) vs 310 (100–850) ml], despite no statistical difference (P = 0.109). The number of residual bile ducts was 2.6 ± 1.3 and 2.7 ± 1.2 (P = 0.795), and anastomoses were both 1.6 ± 0.7 in the two groups (P = 0.965). The time of BER was 38.4 ± 13.6 and 59.1 ± 25.5 min (P = 0.024), accounting for 9.9 ± 2.8% and 15.4 ± 4.8% of the total operation time (P = 0.001). Although postoperative bile leakage incidence in laparoscopic group (40%) was higher than that in robotic group (10%), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.204); 6.7 ± 4.4 and 12.1 ± 11.7 days were observed for tube drawing (P = 0.019); anastomosis stenosis and calculus rate was 10% and 30% (P = 0.372), 0% and 15% (P = 0.532), respectively. Neither group had hemorrhage- or bile leakage-related deaths. Robotic radical resection for HCCA may offer perioperative outcomes comparable to conventional laparoscopic procedures and tends to be advantageous in terms of anastomosis time and quality. We are optimistic about its wide application in the future with the improvement of surgical techniques and experience.
Polybenzimidazole dispersed polymer coated nanowires as efficient electrolytes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Abd Elkodous M. , Maegawa Keiichiro , Matsuda Atsunori 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this study, polymer-coated anisotropic inorganic nanowires dispersed in PBI matrix were introduced to construct 1D proton conducting channels within PBI. Ionic-liquid and solvothermal methods were used for the synthesis of ZrO2 and W18O49 NWs, which were coated with PVPA and PDDA polymers to increase their proton conductivity. Our results showed that, prepared membranes have amorphous nature due to the dominating presence of PBI. SEM analysis revealed the average thickness of membrane of about 36 µm. TG/DTA analysis detected lower weight loss of W18O49 NWs (total 2.8%) compared to ZrO2 NWs (18%). Proton conductivity analysis showed that, PDDA/W18O49 NWs possess relatively 4 times higher proton conductivity (4$$ \times $$
×
10−4 Scm−1) compared to PDDA/ZrO2 NWs (1$$ \times $$
×
10−4 Scm−1) at 80 ℃. In addition, PDDA-coated W18O49 NWs dispersed PBI membranes showed the highest fuel cell current density (1.2 A/cm2) and power density (215 mW/cm2) at 150 ℃ after 24 h which is nearly 2.5 times higher than pure PBI membrane. In addition, they exhibited the lowest in-situ proton resistance of about (0.47 Ω) compared with that of pure PBI membrane (0.8 Ω). Our results are introducing new concepts towards the development of thin and efficient polymer electrolyte membranes for PEM fuel cells.
Regulation of endocrine cell alternative splicing revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis
Authors: Wang Jin , Wen Shiyi , Chen Minqi , Xie Jiayi , Lou Xinhua , Zhao Haihan , Chen Yanming , Zhao Meng , Shi Guojun 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe prevalent RNA alternative splicing (AS) contributes to molecular diversity, which has been demonstrated in cellular function regulation and disease pathogenesis. However, the contribution of AS in pancreatic islets during diabetes progression remains unclear. Here, we reanalyze the full-length single-cell RNA sequencing data from the deposited database to investigate AS regulation across human pancreatic endocrine cell types in non-diabetic (ND) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) individuals. Our analysis demonstrates the significant association between transcriptomic AS profiles and cell-type-specificity, which could be applied to distinguish the clustering of major endocrine cell types. Moreover, AS profiles are enabled to clearly define the mature subset of β-cells in healthy controls, which is completely lost in T2D. Further analysis reveals that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and FXR1 family proteins are predicted to induce the functional impairment of β-cells through regulating AS profiles. Finally, trajectory analysis of endocrine cells suggests the β-cell identity shift through dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation of β-cells during the progression of T2D. Together, our study provides a mechanism for regulating β-cell functions and suggests the significant contribution of AS program during diabetes pathogenesis.
Clinical implementation of artificial-intelligence-assisted detection of breast cancer metastases in sentinel lymph nodes: the CONFIDENT-B single-center, non-randomized clinical trial
Authors: van Dooijeweert C. , Flach R. N. , ter Hoeve N. D. , Vreuls C. P. H. , Goldschmeding R. , Freund J. E. , Pham P. , Nguyen T. Q. , van der Wall E. , Frederix G. W. J. , Stathonikos N. , van Diest P. J. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPathologists’ assessment of sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) for breast cancer (BC) metastases is a treatment-guiding yet labor-intensive and costly task because of the performance of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in morphologically negative cases. This non-randomized, single-center clinical trial (International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number:14323711) assessed the efficacy of an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted workflow for detecting BC metastases in SNs while maintaining diagnostic safety standards. From September 2022 to May 2023, 190 SN specimens were consecutively enrolled and allocated biweekly to the intervention arm (n = 100) or control arm (n = 90). In both arms, digital whole-slide images of hematoxylin–eosin sections of SN specimens were assessed by an expert pathologist, who was assisted by the ‘Metastasis Detection’ app (Visiopharm) in the intervention arm. Our primary endpoint showed a significantly reduced adjusted relative risk of IHC use (0.680, 95% confidence interval: 0.347–0.878) for AI-assisted pathologists, with subsequent cost savings of ~3,000 €. Secondary endpoints showed significant time reductions and up to 30% improved sensitivity for AI-assisted pathologists. This trial demonstrates the safety and potential for cost and time savings of AI assistance.
Factors Related to the Sleep Duration of 3-Month-Old Infants
Authors: Silva Paula Louro , Ramos Tamiris , Castro Natalia Pinheiro , Richetto Nicole , López Rossana Verônica , Luzia Liania Alves , Rondó Patricia Helen 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Objective To identify the factors related to sleep duration in 3-month-old infants.
Materials and Methods From 2021 to 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study in the city of Araraquara, Brazil, involving 140 mothers and their respective 3-month-old infants. Maternal socioeconomic, demographic, obstetric, and nutritional characteristics, as well as nutritional and morbidity characteristics of the respective infants, were evaluated. Sleep duration was determined by the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations of maternal, newborn, and infant factors with sleep duration at three months.
Results The nighttime sleep duration of the infants was of 9 hours. There were negative associations between nighttime sleep duration and prone sleep position (p = 0.011), falling asleep between 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm (p = 0.032), falling asleep after 11:00 pm (p < 0.001), respiratory infection (p = 0.011), dermatitis (p = 0.002), and the presence of children under 9 years of age in the household (p = 0.013).
Discussion In the present study, factors such as infant morbidity, the presence of other children in the household, and sleeping habits were associated with a decrease in sleep duration in 3-month-old infants. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of morbidity in the first months of life and of promoting healthy habits such as regulating the time to go to sleep, providing an adequate sleep environment, and other practices that help improve the quality and duration of sleep.
Syndrome Differentiation and Mechanism Exploration of “Tongguan Liqiao” Acupuncture Method for Treating Poststroke Dysphagia
Authors: Huang Hongwen , Chen Chao , Fan Xiaonong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract“Tongguan Liqiao” acupuncture method established by Xuemin Shi, a master of traditional Chinese medicine in China and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, derives from the famous “Xing Nao Kai Qiao” therapy (activating the brain and opening the orifices) acupuncture method. It fundamentally takes “adjusting the spirit” as the root of selecting acupoints based on syndrome differentiation. Neiguan (PC 6), Renzhong (DU 26), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) are selected as the main acupoints to adjust the spirit and revive the brain, nourish the liver and kidney, which treats the root cause. Acupoints such as Lianquan (RN 23), Yifeng (SJ 17), Wangu (GB 12), and Fengchi (GB 20) in the neck region are selected for “unblocking orifices,” which relieves the symptoms. This acupuncture method features deep needling, which aligns with modern swallowing function anatomy. The method can improve the function of poststroke dysphagia by enhancing cerebral blood supply and metabolism and promoting neural functional remodeling.