bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-related differences in the loss and recovery of serial sarcomere number following disuse atrophy in rats
Authors: Hinks Avery , Power Geoffrey A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Older adults exhibit a slower recovery of muscle mass following disuse atrophy than young adults. At a smaller scale, muscle fibre cross-sectional area (i.e., sarcomeres in parallel) exhibits this same pattern. Less is known, however, about age-related differences in the recovery of muscle fibre length, driven by increases in serial sarcomere number (SSN), following disuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in SSN adaptations and muscle mechanical function during and following muscle immobilization. We hypothesized that older adult rats would experience a similar magnitude of SSN loss during immobilization, however, take longer to recover SSN than young following cast removal, which would limit the recovery of muscle mechanical function.

Methods
We casted the plantar flexors of young (8 months) and old (32 months) male rats in a shortened position for 2 weeks, and assessed recovery during 4 weeks of voluntary ambulation. Following sacrifice, legs were fixed in formalin for measurement of soleus SSN and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) with the un-casted soleus acting as a control. Ultrasonographic measurements of pennation angle (PA) and muscle thickness (MT) were conducted weekly. In-vivo active and passive torque-angle relationships were constructed pre-cast, post-cast, and following 4 weeks of recovery.

Results
From pre- to post-cast, young and older adult rats experienced similar decreases in SSN (–20%, P < 0.001), muscle wet weight (–25%, P < 0.001), MT (–30%), PA (–15%, P < 0.001), and maximum isometric torque (–40%, P < 0.001), but there was a greater increase in passive torque in older (+ 180%, P < 0.001) compared to young adult rats (+ 68%, P = 0.006). Following cast removal, young exhibited quicker recovery of SSN and MT than old, but SSN recovered sooner than PA and MT in both young and old. PCSA nearly recovered and active torque fully recovered in young adult rats, whereas in older adult rats these remained unrecovered at ∼ 75%.

Conclusions
This study showed that older adult rats retain a better ability to recover longitudinal compared to parallel muscle morphology following cast removal, making SSN a highly adaptable target for improving muscle function in elderly populations early on during rehabilitation.
Prion protein gene (PRNP) variation in German and Danish cervids
Authors: Ernst Sonja , Piestrzyńska-Kajtoch Agata , Gethmann Jörn , Natonek-Wiśniewska Małgorzata , Sadeghi Balal , Polak Miroslaw P. , Keller Markus , Gavier-Widén Dolores , Moazami-Goudarzi Katayoun , Houston Fiona , Groschup Martin H. , Fast Christine 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe structure of cellular prion proteins encoded by the prion protein gene (PRNP) impacts susceptibility to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer. The recent emergence of CWD in Northern European reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces alces) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), in parallel with the outbreak in North America, gives reason to investigate PRNP variation in European deer, to implement risk assessments and adjust CWD management for deer populations under threat. We here report PRNP-sequence data from 911 samples of German red, roe (Capreolus capreolus), sika (Cervus nippon) and fallow deer (Dama dama) as well as additional data from 26 Danish red deer close to the German border and four zoo species not native to Germany. No PRNP sequence variation was observed in roe and fallow deer, as previously described for populations across Europe. In contrast, a broad PRNP variation was detected in red deer, with non-synonymous polymorphisms at codons 98, 226 and 247 as well as synonymous mutations at codons 21, 78, 136 and 185. Moreover, a novel 24 bp deletion within the octapeptide repeat was detected. In summary, 14 genotypes were seen in red deer with significant differences in their geographical distribution and frequencies, including geographical clustering of certain genotypes, suggesting “PRNP-linages” in this species. Based on data from North American CWD and the genotyping results of the European CWD cases, we would predict that large proportions of wild cervids in Europe might be susceptible to CWD once introduced to naive populations.
SARS-CoV-2 variants divergently infect and damage cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Mok Bobo Wing-Yee , Kwok Maxwell , Li Hung Sing , Ling Lowell , Lai Angel , Yan Bin , Law Cherie Tsz-Yiu , Yeung Chui Him , Zhang Anna Jinxia , Tam Rachel Chun-Yee , Kukic Anja , Cremin Conor J. , Zhang Yajie , Long Teng , Kang Zhisen , Luo Ruibang , Leung Kam Tong , Li Albert M. , Lui Grace , Tsui Stephen Kwok-Wing , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Chan Paul K. S. , Yan Bryan P. , Chen Honglin , Poon Ellen Ngar-Yun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 can cause cardiac complications and the latter are associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. SARS-CoV-2 variants differ in their infectivity and pathogenicity, but how they affect cardiomyocytes (CMs) is unclear.MethodsThe effects of SARS-CoV-2 variants were investigated using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC-) CMs in vitro and Golden Syrian hamsters in vivo.ResultsDifferent variants exhibited distinct tropism, mechanism of viral entry and pathology in the heart. Omicron BA.2 most efficiently infected and injured CMs in vitro and in vivo,and induced expression changes consistent with increased cardiac dysfunction, compared to other variants tested. Bioinformatics and upstream regulator analyses identified transcription factors and network predicted to control the unique transcriptome of Omicron BA.2 infected CMs. Increased infectivity of Omicron BA.2 is attributed to its ability to infect via endocytosis, independently of TMPRSS2, which is absent in CMs.ConclusionsIn this study, we reveal previously unknown differences in how different SARS-CoV-2 variants affect CMs. Omicron BA.2, which is generally thought to cause mild disease, can damage CMs in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlights the need for further investigations to define the pathogenesis of cardiac complications arising from different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Justice concerns in large-scale renewable energy projects: a case study echoing the importance of procedural justice in wind energy development in Kenya
Authors: Ndi Frankline A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Large-scale renewable energy projects are increasingly being rolled out across rural Kenya, with the government playing a frontline role in attracting energy investors through various state-led and state-centric policies and investment incentives such as feed-in-tariffs and power purchase agreements. While these policies are commendable, and are indeed attracting many private investors, existing studies document how social and environmental justice concerns are often overlooked—sometimes causing local contestations against energy projects. However, to date, there has been less attention given to cases where procedural justice elements (e.g., access to information, access to meaningful participation, access to justice, and respect for local culture) led to a successful land negotiation for energy development without outright conflict. Using a case study in Kenya, this article aims to bridge this gap by showing how a fair application of various elements of procedural justice in land consultation has facilitated the establishment of the Kipeto wind farm. This qualitative research is based on semi-structured interviews that took place from February to March 2023, with a follow-up visit in December the same year, supplemented with review of secondary data sources.

Results
The results indicate that for energy projects to be accommodated in and by communities, access to land must be properly negotiated, particularly with the actual landowners whose livelihoods are most likely to be implicated by the project. Second, local people’s perception of what they regard as a ‘just’ or ‘fair’ process of land consultation constitutes the basis for their acquiescence and compliance.

Conclusion
Ensuring a ‘just’ procedure in land consultation with the actual landowners is a key strategy to avoid conflicts. Land investors, governments, and policy-makers who interface and negotiate with communities must ensure the provision of procedural justice, particularly in contexts where local livelihood is tied to land and where land is individually owned. Although the findings suggest a positive case of wind energy development in Kenya, the project is barely 4 years old; things may change overtime if agreed conditions are not met as specified in the MoU. Therefore, additional follow-up research is needed to ascertain the extent to which both KEL and landowners live up to their promises.
Spatiotemporal changes and driving factors of ecosystem services between karst and non-karst World Heritage sites in Southwest China
Authors: Chen Yue , Rong Li , Xiong Kangning , Feng Mingjun , Cheng Cai 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Understanding the spatiotemporal variation and drivers of ecosystem services is fundamental to optimal management and sustainable development of World Heritage (WH) sites. Although WH sites face multiple natural and anthropogenic threats, our understanding of their ecosystem services is still limited, especially for karst WH sites. In this study, we assessed habitat quality (HQ), carbon storage (CS), soil retention (SR), water conservation (WC), and the combined ecosystem service (CES) of karst and non-karst WH sites in Southwest China from 2000 to 2020 using the InVEST model. We also assessed trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services using the spatial overlay method, and identified driving factors of variation in ecosystem services using geographical detector and structural equation models. The results showed that ecosystem services of the WH sites exhibited high spatiotemporal variation. In particular, there were higher values in the property zone than in the buffer zone, and an increasing trend in SR but a decreasing trend in HQ and CES over time. Compared to non-karst sites, karst WH sites had significantly lower values of HQ, CS, SR, and CES, but higher spatial heterogeneity in CS, WC, and CES. Weak trade-offs among ecosystem services dominated the WH sites, with the proportion of weak synergies increasing over time. Compared to non-karst sites, karst WH sites had a significantly lower proportion of strong synergies and a significantly higher proportion of weak synergies. The provision of ecosystem services was primarily influenced by natural factors (e.g., landscape division index and normalized difference vegetation index), followed by anthropogenic factors (e.g., distance from road and population density). Overall, these findings may have important implications for decision-making aimed at protecting the outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity of WH with different attributes.
Automatic reorientation to generate short-axis myocardial PET images
Authors: Yang Yuling , Wang Fanghu , Han Xu , Xu Hui , Zhang Yangmei , Xu Weiping , Wang Shuxia , Lu Lijun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Accurately redirecting reconstructed Positron emission tomography (PET) images into short-axis (SA) images shows great significance for subsequent clinical diagnosis. We developed a system for automatic redirection and quantitative analysis of myocardial PET images.

Methods
A total of 128 patients were enrolled for 18 F-FDG PET/CT myocardial metabolic images (MMIs), including 3 image classifications: without defects, with defects, and excess uptake. The automatic reorientation system includes five modules: regional division, myocardial segmentation, ellipsoid fitting, image rotation and quantitative analysis. First, the left ventricular geometry-based canny edge detection (LVG-CED) was developed and compared with the other 5 common region segmentation algorithms, the optimized partitioning was determined based on partition success rate. Then, 9 myocardial segmentation methods and 4 ellipsoid fitting methods were combined to derive 36 cross combinations for diagnostic performance in terms of Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), Kendall correlation coefficient (KCC), Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC), and determination coefficient. Finally, the deflection angles were computed by ellipsoid fitting and the SA images were derived by affine transformation. Furthermore, the polar maps were used for quantitative analysis of SA images, and the redirection effects of 3 different image classifications were analyzed using correlation coefficients.

Results
On the dataset, LVG-CED outperformed other methods in the regional division module with a 100% success rate. In 36 cross combinations, PSO-FCM and LLS-SVD performed the best in terms of correlation coefficient. The linear results indicate that our algorithm (LVG-CED, PSO-FCM, and LLS-SVD) has good consistency with the reference manual method. In quantitative analysis, the similarities between our method and the reference manual method were higher than 96% at 17 segments. Moreover, our method demonstrated excellent performance in all 3 image classifications.

Conclusion
Our algorithm system could realize accurate automatic reorientation and quantitative analysis of PET MMIs, which is also effective for images suffering from interference.
Application of image recognition-based tracker-less augmented reality navigation system in a series of sawbone trials
Authors: Chui Elvis Chun-Sing , Mak Kyle Ka-Kwan , Ng Randy Hin-Ting , Fung Ericsson Chun-Hai , Mak Harold Hei-Ka , Chan Mei-Shuen , Zhao Wei , Su Xiuyun , Zhang Jin , Xu Jianglong , Sang Hongxun , Pei Guoxian , Ong Michael Tim-Yun , Cheung Wing-Hoi , Law Sheung-Wai , Wong Ronald Man Yeung , Yung Patrick Shu-Hang 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
This study introduced an Augmented Reality (AR) navigation system to address limitations in conventional high tibial osteotomy (HTO). The objective was to enhance precision and efficiency in HTO procedures, overcoming challenges such as inconsistent postoperative alignment and potential neurovascular damage.

Methods
The AR-MR (Mixed Reality) navigation system, comprising HoloLens, Unity Engine, and Vuforia software, was employed for pre-clinical trials using tibial sawbone models. CT images generated 3D anatomical models, projected via HoloLens, allowing surgeons to interact through intuitive hand gestures. The critical procedure of target tracking, essential for aligning virtual and real objects, was facilitated by Vuforia’s feature detection algorithm.

Results
In trials, the AR-MR system demonstrated significant reductions in both preoperative planning and intraoperative times compared to conventional navigation and metal 3D-printed surgical guides. The AR system, while exhibiting lower accuracy, exhibited efficiency, making it a promising option for HTO procedures. The preoperative planning time for the AR system was notably shorter (4 min) compared to conventional navigation (30.5 min) and metal guides (75.5 min). Intraoperative time for AR lasted 8.5 min, considerably faster than that of conventional navigation (31.5 min) and metal guides (10.5 min).

Conclusions
The AR navigation system presents a transformative approach to HTO, offering a trade-off between accuracy and efficiency. Ongoing improvements, such as the incorporation of two-stage registration and pointing devices, could further enhance precision. While the system may be less accurate, its efficiency renders it a potential breakthrough in orthopedic surgery, particularly for reducing unnecessary harm and streamlining surgical procedures.
Sixteen-year outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: a single-center experience
Authors: Akintoye Oluwanifemi , Divya Aabha , Farid Shakil , Nashef Samer , De Silva Ravi 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) grafting is a safe technique for revascularization of the left anterior descending artery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent MIDCAB surgery in our institution. This was a retrospective, observational outcome study of retrospectively collected data. Data was collected using community, electronic, and paper medical records as well as telephone follow-up conversations with patients who underwent MIDCAB between December 1996 and June 2021. The primary outcome measure was mortality. Secondary outcomes included revascularization, myocardial infarction, and wound infection. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results
A total of 215 patients were identified in the study period undergoing MIDCAB at our center. The median age was 77 years, and the cohort consisted of 180 (83.3%) of male patients. The median follow-up period was 16 years (12.1–17.7). At follow-up, freedom from repeat left anterior descending revascularization and from other vessels, revascularization was 96.7% and 89.1% respectively. Survival rates were 99.5%, 81.0%, and 45.2% survival at 1 year, 10 years, and 25 years respectively. Univariate analysis showed age (p < 0.01, Hazard ratio 1.08 confidence interval 1.05–1.11) and left ventricular function (p < 0.01, hazard ratio 2.40, confidence interval 1.66–3.45) as factors associated with mortality.

Conclusions
Our single-center experience of MIDCAB demonstrated excellent long-term freedom from revascularization and other complications. Although limited by the retrospective nature, the study shows MIDCAB to be a safe procedure for definitive revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
Factors associated with low back pain in ready-made garments workers in Bangladesh
Authors: Mithy Samme Akter , Hossain Shohal , Afroz Sadia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Low back pain (LBP) is an increasingly prevalent work-related condition that affects workers in manufacturing in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which often causes disability or additional problems when doing demanding physical duties. This study focused on the risk factors for LBP in the context of workers with LBP who work in the ready-made garment (RMG) factories.

Methods and materials
A cross-sectional study involved 385 RMG workers, all of whom were adults with ≥ 1 year of work job experience and who typically worked in a sitting position. We use surveys method for collecting data, and a standardized questionnaire covering sociodemographic, pain, work, associated effects, and activities, as well as risk factor-related variables, was used. To evaluate the associations among categorical variables and LBP, we used the chi-square test. To identify the variables that showed strong relationships with LBP, multivariable logistic regression analysis was also carried out.

Results
The participant’s age (mean ± SD) is 31.27 ± 6.94. One-hundred ninety-four of the 385 participants between the ages of 30–39 years (23.9%) suffered from LBP and statistically strongly significant (χ2 = 15.187, p < 0.05). BMI, employment pattern, and specific work experience are also strongly significant. Out of all risk factors, age 40 and above (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.53–17.78), overweight (BMI >  = 25 kg/m2) (OR 10.72, 95% CI 2.16–53.5), work in an awkward position, stationary position for ling time, working beyond physical ability, incorrectly using body mechanics, repeated twisting and bending, continuously longtime sitting, and using ergonomically improper tools were found to be significantly associated with LBP.

Conclusion
The point prevalence of LBP among RMG workers is 41.6%. Only male gender is associated with the presence of LBP. This study showed that working in an awkward position, stationary position for a long time, incorrectly using body mechanics, repeated twisting, and bending had significant associations with LBP. Training programs that instruct proper weight-bearing skills should be encouraged by factories. The occurrence of LBP must also be reduced by regularly performing screening activities to detect it, with a special focus on married people, overweight or obese, and older-aged people.
Melanocyte lineage dynamics in development, growth and disease
Authors: Brombin Alessandro , Patton E. Elizabeth 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
Melanocytes evolved to produce the melanin that gives colour to our hair, eyes and skin. The melanocyte lineage also gives rise to melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. The melanocyte lineage differentiates from neural crest cells during development, and most melanocytes reside in the skin and hair, where they are replenished by melanocyte stem cells. Because the molecular mechanisms necessary for melanocyte specification, migration, proliferation and differentiation are co-opted during melanoma initiation and progression, studying melanocyte development is directly relevant to human disease. Here, through the lens of advances in cellular omic and genomic technologies, we review the latest findings in melanocyte development and differentiation, and how these developmental pathways become dysregulated in disease.
UK prehospital practitioners' knowledge of heat-related illness and heatstroke
Authors: Griffen Harry , Walter Edward 
Published: August 2024

Background: Heat-related illness is commonly seen in individuals undergoing physical exercise or exertion (exertional heat illness) and those exposed to high ambient temperatures, for example in heatwaves (classic heat illness). While severe heat-related illness, including heatstroke, requires urgent recognition and treatment to minimise morbidity and mortality, little is known about prehospital practitioners' knowledge of the condition. Aims: This study aimed to assess UK prehospital practitioners' knowledge of recognition, treatment and risks of heat-related illness. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated to UK prehospital practitioners. Findings and conclusions: Some aspects, such as the criteria for diagnosis and the need for urgent treatment were generally well known. Other areas, such as risk of mortality and risk of complications and organ dysfunction, were less well known. Further education and awareness of this condition may be warranted.