bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zero-echo time MRI: an alternative method for the diagnosis of urinary stones in children
Authors: Ozcan H. Nursun , Ozer Gozde , Dogan Hasan Serkan , Karakaya Jale , Oguz Berna , Tekgul Serdar , Haliloglu Mithat 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the potential of zero-echo time-magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI) in the assessment of urolithiasis and compare ZTE-MRI with computed tomography (CT) in pediatric patients.

Materials and methods
This was a single-center, prospective cross-sectional study conducted between April 2023 and December 2023. 23 patients (12 girls, 11 boys; mean age: 12.3, range 1–18) with urinary tract stones detected on non-enhanced abdominal CT were enrolled. The images were evaluated independently by two radiologists for the presence, and number of stones in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. In the second session, two radiologists evaluated whether urinary tract stones could be detected by MRI compared to CT, and the maximum diameter of the stones was measured. The CT and MRI results were compared with the Wilcoxon test. The agreement between the results of the observers was examined using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results
A total of 58 urinary tract stones were detected by CT and 39 of these were detected by MRI. Most of the stones that MRI could not detect were < 5 mm and the detection sensitivity of MRI increased in correlation with stone size (p < 0.001). There was poor intermodality agreement for stones < 5 mm, substantial agreement for stones 5–10 mm, and almost perfect agreement for stones > 10 mm. Interobserver agreement for stone detection on MRI was almost perfect for stones > 10 mm and 5–10 mm and was substantial for stones < 5 mm.

Conclusion
ZTE-MRI is a promising modality for detecting urinary stones without radiation exposure in children.

Clinical relevance statement
Zero-echo time-magnetic resonance imaging is a potential method for identifying urinary stones in children and other populations who are particularly sensitive to radiation.

Key Points

Urinary system stone disease in children is increasing and imaging is needed for managing urolithiasis.

Zero-echo time-magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI) had an accuracy of 81.8% and 93.7% for stones larger than 5 mm and 10 mm, respectively.

ZTE-MRI is a potential non-irradiating method for the diagnosis and management of urolithiasis.
Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear schwannomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of audiological outcomes
Authors: Iannacone Francesco P. , Rahne Torsten , Zanoletti Elisabetta , Plontke Stefan K. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In patients with inner ear schwannomas (IES), reports on hearing rehabilitation with cochlear implants (CI) have increased over the past decade, most of which are case reports or small case series. The aim of this study is to systematically review the reported hearing results with CI in patients with IES considering the different audiologic outcome measures used in different countries.

Methods
According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, a search of published literature was conducted. We included patients with IES (primary or with secondary extension from the internal auditory canal (IAC) to the inner ear, sporadic or NF2 related) undergoing cochlear implantation with or without tumour removal. The audiological results were divided into the categories “monosyllables”, “disyllables”, “multisyllabic words or numbers”, and “sentences”.

Results
Predefined audiological outcome measures were available from 110 patients and 111 ears in 27 reports. The mean recognition scores for monosyllabic words with CI were 55% (SD: 24), for bisyllabic words 61% (SD: 36), for multisyllabic words and numbers 87% (SD: 25), and 71% (SD: 30) for sentences. Results from for multisyllabic words and numbers in general showed a tendency towards a ceiling effect. Possible risk factors for performance below average were higher complexity tumours (inner ear plus IAC/CPA), NF2, CI without tumour removal (“CI through tumour”), and sequential cochlear implantation after tumour removal (staged surgery).

Conclusion
Hearing loss in patients with inner ear schwannomas can be successfully rehabilitated with CI with above average speech performance in most cases. Cochlear implantation thus represents a valuable option for hearing rehabilitation also in patients with IES while at the same time maintaining the possibility of MRI follow-up. Further studies should investigate possible risk factors for poor performance. Audiological tests and outcome parameters should be reported in detail and ideally be harmonized to allow better comparison between languages.
The life cycle of international cooperation: Introduction to the special issue
Authors: Gray Julia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractInternational organizations’ lives often extend far beyond the moment of their initial contracting. How IOs do adapt to shifting circumstances in their member states global geopolitical changes, and even internal dynamics within the IO itself? This special issue on the life cycle of international cooperation explores the ebbs and flows of the IOs that underpin the international system. Firm theory, organizational sociology, and agency theory all have incorporated life cycles perspectives into the study of organizations, but IR has yet to fully harness these frameworks. A life cycles approach centers on, first, incorporating the IO itself as the core unit of analysis and, second, the dynamic processes within IOs — including life stages such as false starts, consolidation, inertia, growth, revitalization, death, and succession. Incorporating these dynamic processes into our understanding of IOs reminds us that historically, IOs have always experienced periods of both flourishing and faltering. Grasping the mechanisms that drive these changes is indispensable for a thorough understanding of the international system’s vitality and resilience. Articles in this issue explore the durability of IOs in the face of crises; the measures that IOs deploy to legitimize their existence; the role of individual leaders’ rhetoric in IO vitality; the tradeoffs that member states face between pulling the plug on an IO versus creating a new institution; the effect of member-state IO withdrawal on the international system overall; and the mass public’s perceptions of such withdrawals.
Higher temperatures are associated with increased asthma-related emergency department visits among children: a time series analysis of environmental exposures in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Tse Sze Man , Sambahke Sadio , Sajedi Masoumeh , Gravel Jocelyn , Osmanlliu Esli 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAsthma exacerbations are a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits in children. Outdoor exposures such as air pollutants and meteorological factors have been associated with risk of asthma exacerbations. We evaluated the association between ambient temperature, relative humidity, and air quality on pediatric asthma-related ED visits in Montréal, Canada. In this retrospective study, we included children ≤ 17 years presenting with asthma to two pediatric EDs between January 1, 2017 and December 31st, 2020. Temperature and relative humidity data were obtained daily for Montréal through Weather Source™ and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) through Environment Canada. We evaluated the association between environmental exposures and the incidence of asthma-related ED visits using a quasi-Poisson regression analysis, adjusting for seasonality. We examined 21 201 asthma-related ED visits. Increased temperature was associated with an increased number of asthma-related ED visits. Compared to the reference decile (2.8 to 7.5⁰C), the strongest association with incident ED visits was for a temperature of 15.8 to 19.3⁰C, associated with a 37% increase in the number of asthma-related ED visits (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.22, 1.54). Current day relative humidity, AQHI, and changes of the exposure levels over the previous 1 to 7 days did not have an effect on asthma-related ED visits. Adjusting for seasonality, higher temperatures were associated with an increased number of asthma-related ED visits among children while humidity and air quality were not. At a population level, this can inform hospitals of upcoming trends in ED visits.
Modulation of gene expression in immune-related organs by in ovo stimulation with probiotics and prophybiotics in broiler chickens
Authors: Wishna-Kadawarage Ramesha N. , Połtowicz Katarzyna , Hickey Rita M. , Siwek Maria 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
In ovo stimulation has been studied intensively as an alternative to antibiotic use in poultry production. We investigated the potential use of a probiotic in combination with a phytobiotic as a prophybiotic for in ovo stimulation and reported its beneficial effects on the gut microbiome of broiler chickens. The current study further investigates the gene expression in the immune-related organs of these chickens to understand the tissue-specific immunomodulatory effects of the treatments. The selected prophybiotic (Leuconostoc mesenteroides with garlic aqueous extract) and its probiotic component alone were injected into ROSS308 chicken eggs on the 12th day of incubation, and gene expression in cecal tonsils, spleen, and liver at 35 days of age was determined using qPCR method. The relative expression of each treatment was compared to the positive control, chickens injected with physiological saline in ovo. The results displayed a downregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the cecal tonsils of the probiotic group and the liver of the prophybiotic group. The spleen displayed upregulated AVBD1 in both groups and upregulated IL1-β in the probiotic group. The probiotic group displayed increased expression of genes related to metabolism of energy (COX16), protein (mTOR), and lipids (CYP46A1) whereas the prophybiotic group displayed reduced expression of genes related to cholesterol synthesis (SREBP1) and glucose transportation (SLC2A2) in the liver. In conclusion, Leuconostoc mesenteroides differentially modulated gene expression in chickens when administered in ovo in combination with garlic aqueous extract. Further in ovo studies with different prophybiotic combinations are required to optimize the benefits in broiler chickens.
Ultrasound detection of non-atherosclerotic intima-medial abnormalities of lower limbs arteries in amateur endurance runners
Authors: Benacka O. , Jiravsky O. , Labudova M. , Benacka J. , Goncalvesova E. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Structural changes in the lower limb’s arterial wall in amateur endurance runners are a rare incidental finding, represented just by several case reports.

Aim
Study the incidence of non-atherosclerotic lower limb artery wall changes in defined group of amateur endurance runners and identify relationship with the training parameters and the relevant biochemical markers.

Methods
Amateur male athletes engaged in endurance running for more than 5 years were enrolled. Tibial and anterior popliteal arteries on each side were examined by ultrasound with focus on non-atherosclerotic structural wall changes: intima-medial border blurring, presence and character of non-atherosclerotic noduli. Subsequently the descriptive and correlation analysis were performed.

Results
The study enrolled 20 amateur male endurance runners from Black Swan Triathlon Club Slovakia. The low atherosclerotic risk was represented by normal lipid levels, BMI under 30 kg/m2 and non-smokers in all participants. At least one type of structural artery wall abnormality (noduli or intima-medial border blurring) was present in 19 of 20 participants (95%). The most present was the intima-medial blurring. (80% of participants). The noduli were present in 65% of study group, in almost 40% of these, they were considered as hyperechogenic. All these affections were predominantly in popliteal artery area (65%). The vast majority has bilateral affection. We find a mild correlation between these ultrasound findings and training load represented by annual kilometers and run hours. There was no association between these changes and lipid spectrum or CRP level.

Conclusion
The subclinical lower limb artery changes, represented by intima-medial border blurring and non-atherosclerotic noduli were present in almost every amateur endurance runner. Despite the underlying mechanism is not understood, the increased training load seems to be one of the responsible factors.
Forest Carbon Storage in the Western United States: Distribution, Drivers, and Trends
Authors: Hall Jazlynn , Sandor Manette E. , Harvey Brian J. , Parks Sean A. , Trugman Anna T. , Williams A. Park , Hansen Winslow D. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractForests are a large carbon sink and could serve as natural climate solutions that help moderate future warming. Thus, establishing forest carbon baselines is essential for tracking climate‐mitigation targets. Western US forests are natural climate solution hotspots but are profoundly threatened by drought and altered disturbance regimes. How these factors shape spatial patterns of carbon storage and carbon change over time is poorly resolved. Here, we estimate live and dead forest carbon density in 19 forested western US ecoregions with national inventory data (2005–2019) to determine: (a) current carbon distributions, (b) underpinning drivers, and (c) recent trends. Potential drivers of current carbon included harvest, wildfire, insect and disease, topography, and climate. Using random forests, we evaluated driver importance and relationships with current live and dead carbon within ecoregions. We assessed trends using linear models. Pacific Northwest (PNW) and Southwest (SW) ecoregions were most and least carbon dense, respectively. Climate was an important carbon driver in the SW and Lower Rockies. Fire reduced live and increased dead carbon, and was most important in the Upper Rockies and California. No ecoregion was unaffected by fire. Harvest and private ownership reduced carbon, particularly in the PNW. Since 2005, live carbon declined across much of the western US, likely from drought and fire. Carbon has increased in PNW ecoregions, likely recovering from past harvest, but recent record fire years may alter trajectories. Our results provide insight into western US forest carbon function and future vulnerabilities, which is vital for effective climate change mitigation strategies.
Forearc Variability and the Geochemical Diversity of Suprasubduction Zone Ophiolites: Insights From the Leka Ophiolite Complex, Norway
Authors: Becker Naomi A. , Nelson Wendy R. , Browning‐Hanson Joseph F. , George Freya R. , Crowley James L. , Viete Daniel R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNew whole‐rock major and trace element geochemistry from the Leka Ophiolite Complex in Norway is presented and compared to the geochemical evolution and proposed tectonomagmatic processes recorded in the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana system. These data demonstrate that the Leka Ophiolite Complex formed as forearc lithosphere during subduction initiation. A new high‐precision zircon U‐Pb date on forearc basalt constrains the timing of subduction initiation in the “Leka sector” of the Iapetus Ocean to 491.36 ± 0.17 Ma. The tectonomagmatic record of the Leka Ophiolite Complex captures only the earliest stages of subduction initiation and is thereby distinct from some other Appalachian–Caledonian ophiolites of similar age. The diversity of Appalachian–Caledonian ophiolite records may represent differing preservation and exposure of a variable forearc lithosphere.
Simulating Moisture Transport Over the Tibetan Plateau in Summer of 2015 Across Scales With a Global Variable‐Resolution Model (MPAS‐A)
Authors: Li Gudongze , Zhao Chun , Xu Mingyue , Feng Jiawang , Zhong Lei , Li Rui , Fu Yunfei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAccurately simulating moisture transport in summer over the TP is uncertain for current numerical models with one important factor being horizontal resolution. In this study, in order to investigate the moisture transport across scales, three experiments are conducted for summer of 2015 using a global variable‐resolution model (MPAS‐A), including one with globally quasi‐uniform resolution of 60 km (U60km) and two with regional refinements over the TP at resolutions of 16 km (V16km) and 4 km (V4km). The wet bias of summer rainfall within the TP increase from U60km to V16km but is significantly improved in V4km. One important source of rainfall bias is the moisture transport across scales. The differences in moisture transport among three simulations are significantly influenced by the changes in wind fields through the Himalayas and eastern TP in two layers, 700–600 and 600–400 hPa, which is largely modulated by their difference in large‐scale circulations particularly monsoon depression. At convection‐parameterized scale (from 60 to 16 km), the scale‐aware Grell‐Freitas convection scheme produces more rainfall and latent heat due to its large sensitivity to the integrating timestep. This sensitivity along with further resolved dynamical processes, collectively strengthen the monsoon depression to the south of TP and make it shift northward in conjunction with the mid‐latitude westerlies. With resolution increasing to convection‐permitting scale (from 16 to 4 km), the resolved moist convection releases significantly less latent heat and then reproduces a weaker monsoon depression. This causes a discrepancy that exceeds the resolution‐related difference at convection‐parameterized scale.
Processes that Contribute to Future South Asian Monsoon Differences in E3SMv2 and CESM2
Authors: Meehl Gerald A. , Shields Christine A. , Arblaster Julie M. , Fasullo John , Rosenbloom Nan , Hu Aixue , Neale Richard , Capotondi Antonietta , Golaz Jean‐Christophe , Van Roekel Luke , Annamalai H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTwo Earth system models are analyzed to gain insight into the processes that govern projected changes in the South Asian monsoon. Warmer present‐day base state tropical SSTs contribute to coupled processes that produce greater future tropical Pacific warming in CESM2 with less of an increase in season‐mean monsoon precipitation compared to E3SMv2. This is attributed to changes in the large‐scale east‐west atmospheric Walker circulation, with relatively larger increases in precipitation and upper‐level divergence over the tropical Pacific and increases in upper‐level convergence over South Asia in CESM2. The stronger El Niño‐like response in CESM2, which increases Pacific precipitation and upper‐level divergence farther to the east, and larger future ENSO amplitude in E3SMv2, produce a greater relative increase in future monsoon‐ENSO connections in E3SMv2 compared to CESM2. This analysis indicates that the key processes that affect future monsoon‐ENSO connections are ENSO amplitude and size of the future tropical Pacific El Niño‐like response.
Single-shot probing of sub-picosecond solid-to-overdense-plasma dynamics
Authors: Dai Kunjian , Cui Qingzhe , Zhang Jinwei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA single-shot near-infrared probing method has been developed to characterize the formation and evolution of the pre-plasma dynamics over sub-picosecond timescales, which is essential for the societal applications of laser-accelerated ion technologies.
Gemcitabine as chemotherapy of head and neck cancer in Fanconi anemia patients
Authors: van Harten Anne M. , Shah Ronak , de Boer D. Vicky , Buijze Marijke , Kreft Maaike , Song Ji-Ying , Zürcher Lisa M. , Jacobs Heinz , Brakenhoff Ruud H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFanconi anemia (FA) is a rare hereditary disease resulting from an inactivating mutation in the FA/BRCA pathway, critical for the effective repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). The disease is characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressing bone marrow failure, and an increased risk of developing malignancies early in life, in particular head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While ICL-inducing cisplatin combined with radiotherapy is a mainstay of HNSCC treatment, cisplatin is contra-indicated for FA-HNSCC patients. This dilemma necessitates the identification of novel treatment modalities tolerated by FA-HNSCC patients. To identify druggable targets, an siRNA-based genetic screen was previously performed in HNSCC-derived cell lines from FA and non-FA tumor origin. Here, we report that the Ribonucleotide Reductase (RNR) complex, consisting of the RRM1 and RRM2 subunits, was identified as a therapeutic target for both, FA and non-FA HNSCC. While non-FA HNSCC cells responded differentially to RNR depletion, FA-HNSCC cells were consistently found hypersensitive. This insight was confirmed pharmacologically using 2′, 2′-difluoro 2′deoxycytidine (dFdC), also known as gemcitabine, a clinically used nucleotide analog that is a potent inhibitor of the RNR complex. Importantly, while cisplatin exposure displayed severe, long-lasting toxicity on the hematopoietic stem and progenitor compartments in Fancg−/− mice, gemcitabine was well tolerated and had only a mild, transient impact. Taken together, our data implicate that gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy could serve as an alternative HNSCC treatment in Fanconi patients, and deserves clinical testing.
Brain gray matter changes in children at risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Authors: Roy Bhaswati , Ogren Jennifer A. , Allen Luke A. , Diehl Beate , Sankar Raman , Lhatoo Samden D. , Kumar Rajesh , Harper Ronald M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Potential failing adult brain sites, stratified by risk, mediating Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) have been described, but are unknown in children.

Methods
We examined regional brain volumes using T1-weighted MRI images in 21 children with epilepsy at high SUDEP risk and 62 healthy children, together with SUDEP risk scores, calculated from focal seizure frequency. Gray matter tissue type was partitioned, maps normalized, smoothed, and compared between groups (SPM12; ANCOVA; covariates, age, sex, and BMI). Partial correlations between regional volumes and seizure frequency were examined (SPM12, covariates, age, sex, and BMI); 67% were at high risk for SUDEP.

Results
The cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, putamen, cingulate, thalamus, and para-hippocampal gyrus showed increased gray matter volumes in epilepsy, and decreased volumes in the posterior thalamus, lingual gyrus, and temporal cortices. The cingulate, insula, and putamen showed significant positive relationships with focal seizure frequency indices using whole-brain voxel-by-voxel partial correlations. Tissue volume changes in selected sites differed in direction from adults; particularly, cerebellar sites, key for hypotensive recovery, increased rather than adult declines.

Conclusion
The volume increases may represent expansion by inflammatory or other processes that, with sustained repetitive seizure discharge, lead to tissue volume declines described earlier in adults.

Impact

Children with epilepsy, who are at risk for Sudden Unexplained Death, show changes in brain volume that often differ in direction of change from adults at risk for SUDEP.

Sites of volume change play significant roles in mediating breathing and blood pressure, and include areas that serve recovery from prolonged apnea and marked loss of blood pressure.

The extent of volume changes correlated with focal seizure frequency.

Although the underlying processes contributing to regional volume changes remain speculative, regions of tissue swelling in pediatric brain areas may represent transitory conditions that later lead to tissue loss in the adult condition.