bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vivo performance of a microelectrode neural probe with integrated drug delivery
Authors: Rohatgi Pratik , Langhals Nicholas B. , Kipke Daryl R. , Patil Parag G. 
Published: July 2009

Object
The availability of sophisticated neural probes is a key prerequisite in the development of future brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). In this study, the authors developed and validated a neural probe design capable of simultaneous drug delivery and electrophysiology recordings in vivo. Focal drug delivery promises to extend dramatically the recording lives of neural probes, a limiting factor to clinical adoption of BMI technology.

Methods
To form the multifunctional neural probe, the authors affixed a 16-channel microfabricated silicon electrode array to a fused silica catheter. Three experiments were conducted in rats to characterize the performance of the device. Experiment 1 examined cellular damage from probe insertion and the drug distribution in tissue. Experiment 2 measured the effects of saline infusions delivered through the probe on concurrent electrophysiological measurements. Experiment 3 demonstrated that a physiologically relevant amount of drug can be delivered in a controlled fashion. For these experiments, Hoechst and propidium iodide stains were used to assess insertion trauma and the tissue distribution of the infusate. Artificial CSF (aCSF) and tetrodotoxin (TTX) were injected to determine the efficacy of drug delivery.

Results
The newly developed multifunctional neural probes were successfully inserted into rat cortex and were able to deliver fluids and drugs that resulted in the expected electrophysiological and histological responses. The damage from insertion of the device into brain tissue was substantially less than the volume of drug dispersion in tissue. Electrophysiological activity, including both individual spikes as well as local field potentials, was successfully recorded with this device during real-time drug delivery. No significant changes were seen in response to delivery of aCSF as a control experiment, whereas delivery of TTX produced the expected result of suppressing all spiking activity in the vicinity of the catheter outlet.

Conclusions
Multifunctional neural probes such as the ones developed and validated within this study have great potential to help further understand the design space and criteria for the next generation of neural probe technology. By incorporating integrated drug delivery functionality into the probes, new treatment options for neurological disorders and regenerative neural interfaces using localized and feedback-controlled delivery of drugs can be realized in the near future.
Evaluation of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids in a Veteran Sample
Authors: Smith Sherri L. , Noe Colleen M. , Alexander Genevieve C. 
Published: July 2009

Background: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) was developed as a global hearing aid outcome measure targeting seven outcome domains. The published norms were based on a private-pay sample who were fitted with analog hearing aids. Purpose: The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the IOI-HA and to establish normative data in a veteran sample. Research Design: Survey. Study Sample: The participants were 131 male veterans (mean age of 74.3 years, SD = 7.4) who were issued hearing
aids with digital signal processing (DSP). Intervention: Hearing aids with DSP that were fitted bilaterally between 2005 and 2007. Data Collection and Analysis: Veterans were mailed two copies of the IOI-HA. The participants were instructed to complete the first copy of the questionnaire
immediately and the second copy in two weeks. The completed questionnaires were mailed to the laboratory. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated. As suggested by Cox and colleagues, the participants were divided into two categories based on their unaided subjective
hearing difficulty. The two categories were (1) those with less hearing difficulty (none-to-moderate category) and (2) those who report more hearing difficulty (moderately severe+ category). The norms from the current veteran sample then were compared to the original, published sample. For
each hearing difficulty category, the critical difference values were calculated for each item and for the total score. Results: A factor analysis showed that the IOI-HA in the veteran sample had the identical subscale structure as reported in the original sample. For the total scale,
the internal consistency was good (Chronbach's α = 0.83), and the test‐retest reliability was high (λ = 0.94). Group and individual norms were developed for both hearing difficulty categories in the veteran sample. For each IOI-HA item, the critical
difference scores were <1.0. This finding suggests that for any item on the IOI-HA, there is a 95 percent chance that an observed change of one response unit between two test sessions reflects a true change in outcome for a given domain. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed
that the psychometric properties of the IOI-HA questionnaire are strong and are essentially the same for the veteran sample and the original private-pay sample. The veteran norms, however, produced higher outcomes than those established originally, possibly because of differences in the population
samples and/or hearing aid technology. Clinical and research applications of the current findings are presented. Based on the results from the current study, the norms established here should replace the original norms for use in veterans with current hearing aid technology.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Ultrasonography in Early Diagnosis of Metatarsal Bone Stress Fractures: A Pilot Study of 37 Patients
Authors: BANAL FRÉDÉRIC , GANDJBAKHCH FRÉDÉRIQUE , FOLTZ VIOLAINE , GOLDCHER ALAIN , ETCHEPARE FABIEN , ROZENBERG SYLVIE , KOEGER ANNE-CLAUDE , BOURGEOIS PIERRE , FAUTREL BRUNO 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To date, early diagnosis of stress fractures depends on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scan scintigraphy, as radiographs are usually normal at onset of symptoms. These examinations are expensive or invasive, time-consuming, and poorly accessible. A recent report has shown the ability of ultrasonography (US) to detect early stress fractures. Our objective was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of US versus dedicated MRI (0.2 Tesla), taken as the gold standard, in early diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures.Methods.A case-control study from November 2006 to December 2007 was performed. All consecutive patients with mechanical pain and swelling of the metatarsal region for less than 3 months and with normal radiographs were included. US and dedicated MRI examinations of the metatarsal bones were performed the same day by experienced rheumatologists with expertise in US and MRI. Reading was undertaken blind to the clinical assessment and MRI/US results.Results.Forty-one feet were analyzed on US and dedicated MRI from 37 patients (28 women, 9 men, mean age 52.7 ± 14.1 yrs). MRI detected 13 fractures in 12 patients. Sensitivity of US was 83%, specificity 76%, positive predictive value 59%, and negative predictive value 92%. Positive likehood ratio was 3.45, negative likehood ratio 0.22.Conclusion.In cases of normal radiographs, US is indicated in the diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures, as it is a low cost, noninvasive, rapid, and easy technique with good sensitivity and specificity. From these data, we propose a new imaging algorithm including US.
Biomarkers of Chronic Uveitis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Predictive Value of Antihistone Antibodies and Antinuclear Antibodies
Authors: NORDAL ELLEN B. , SONGSTAD NILS T. , BERNTSON LILLEMOR , MOEN TOROLF , STRAUME BJØRN , RYGG MARITE 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To study the predictive value of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) tests and antihistone antibodies (AHA) as risk factors for development of chronic asymptomatic uveitis of insidious onset in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods.ANA by indirect immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cells (IF-ANA), ELISA for ANA (E-ANA), and AHA were analyzed in sera of 100 children with recent-onset JIA and in 58 control sera. Clinical features, including age at onset, JIA subgroup, and presence of uveitis, were recorded in this prospective population-based cohort study.Results.E-ANA was positive in 4 of the 100 sera, and was not associated with uveitis. Chronic uveitis developed in 16 children with JIA: in 14 of 68 positive for IF-ANA ≥ 80, and in 13 of 44 positive for AHA ≥ 8 U/ml. IgM/IgG AHA were found in higher proportions in children with uveitis (mean 12.4 U/ml) than in those with JIA and no uveitis (mean 6.9 U/ml) or in healthy controls (mean 4.3 U/ml).Conclusion.No association was found between E-ANA and uveitis, and most IF-ANA-positive sera were E-ANA-negative. E-ANA is not clinically relevant in this setting and should never be used to determine frequencies of eye examinations to detect new uveitis in JIA. AHA ≥ 8 U/ml, IF-ANA titer ≥ 320, and young age at onset of arthritis were significant predictors for development of chronic uveitis. The diagnostic value of AHA ≥ 8 U/ml as a biomarker of chronic uveitis in JIA is very similar to IF-ANA ≥ 80.
Shifting patterns of multiple sclerosis treatment in a highly prevalent United States population
Authors: Kwon Sue , Sillau Stefan , Corboy John R. , Nair Kavita V. , Carlson Aaron M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveOur objectives were to (1) obtain the prevalence and demography of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a representative Colorado population, and (2) to assess the utilization of disease‐modifying therapy within this prevalent cohort.MethodsThis is a retrospective, observational study of patients that had contact with the University of Colorado Health System from 2012 to 2020. We queried Health Data Compass, a data warehouse, for patient data and applied the MS Prevalence Workgroup Algorithm to generate a prevalent cohort. We calculated prevalence as of 31 December 2020, and stratified by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Payer information and treatment exposure were obtained from linked claims from the Colorado All Payers Claim Database. Disease‐modifying therapies were classified as highly effective and moderately effective based on the clinical trial, TREAT‐MS (NCT03500328).ResultsFrom a population of 1,382,821 individuals, 8557 people with MS were captured. Age‐adjusted prevalence of MS as of 31 December 2020 was 572.3 per 100,000 with a mean age of 47.36. Prevalence varied between demographic subgroups, with the lowest prevalence in Hispanic men (215.6) and highest in White (824.1) and Black women (820.1). Overall disease‐modifying therapy exposure was 62.4%, with increased highly effective therapy use and a corresponding decrease in moderately effective therapy use on a yearly basis.InterpretationMS is highly prevalent in a representative Colorado cohort. Overall treatment and proportion of highly effective therapy exposure increased significantly during a critical period of MS therapeutic advances, indicating a shift in disease management driven sharply by the availability of on‐label anti‐CD20 therapy.
Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated With Alterations in the Gastrointestinal Microbiota
Authors: Andréasson Kristofer , Olofsson Tor , Lagishetty Venu , Alrawi Zaid , Klaassens Eline , Holster Savanne , Hesselstrand Roger , Jacobs Jonathan P. , Wallman Johan K. , Volkmann Elizabeth R. 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveEmerging research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with intestinal dysbiosis. This prospective pilot study evaluates changes in intestinal microbial composition in patients with RA initiating treatment with either methotrexate (MTX) or a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi).MethodsConsecutive patients, fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for RA, who started treatment with either MTX or TNFi delivered a stool sample upon initiation of immunosuppression and 3 months later. A 16S ribosomal RNA gene‐based validated microbiota test (GA‐map Dysbiosis Index Score [DIS], Genetic Analysis, Oslo, Norway) was used to evaluate for the presence and degree of dysbiosis. Fecal levels of Prevotella copri (P. copri) were analyzed by custom‐made quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Changes in microbial composition were analyzed in relation to changes in disease activity, as measured by the disease activity score based on 28‐joint counts, using C‐reactive protein.ResultsAt baseline, dysbiosis was present in 33 of 50 (66%) participants and more common in participants with more than 2 years of disease duration (P = 0.019). At the 3‐month follow‐up, 27 of 50 (54%) were good treatment responders and the DIS had improved in 14 of 50 (28%). Participants initiating TNFi more often exhibited improvement in the DIS compared with those initiating MTX (P = 0.031). P. copri was identified in 32 of 50 (64%) at baseline. An improvement in disease activity score based on 28‐joint counts, using C‐reactive protein was associated with a simultaneous decrease in P. copri abundance (rs = 0.30, P = 0.036).ConclusionThis study affirms that dysbiosis is a feature of RA. Although patients were not randomized to MTX or TNFi, the findings suggest that specific therapies may differentially modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota in RA. The association between P. copri and treatment response requires further study.
Optimization analysis of distributed energy consumption based on dynamic data synchronization and intelligent control
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhang Huaguang , Zhang Juan , Yue Xiaohui 
Published: April 2024

SummaryWith the rapid development of the global renewable energy source field, the importance of dynamic index processing technology in distributed energy systems has become more and more obvious. To better improve the real‐time dynamic interaction means of microgrids in the energy Internet and optimize the relevant methods for microgrid energy consumption detection, this article proposes to introduce the distributed Hadoop platform into the electrical thermal coupling multivariate data in the form of cluster configuration, and then use the Spark framework to detect and capture real‐time data, to complete the tracking and analysis of energy consumption data. At the same time, the Internet of Things and the cloud intelligent monitoring system are combined to further clean and explore the data, to achieve the in‐depth detection of the energy consumption problem of the microgrid under the premise of reducing the initial investment, and achieve the purpose of reducing the operating cost. In this case, the outliers are detected according to the photovoltaic indicators of photovoltaic power stations, the filtration and purification functions of photovoltaic indicators are used by the nuclear density curve, and the sustainable solar energy is optimized by combining multiple indicators such as wind direction and temperature. Based on reducing energy consumption, the overfitting phenomenon of the controller is controlled, and an optimized controller‐led cloud platform is established. By establishing the objective function model, the robustness of the controller is guaranteed and the detection expectation is satisfied by the experiment of energy consumption data. In addition, when the cloud platform is created, this study uses a genetic algorithm to optimize the controller index and then builds a cloud console detection mechanism that collaborates with the Internet. Through the research, it is found that outliers may lead to the redundancy of energy consumption indicators in the non‐processing state. This study adopts the optimization of energy consumption parameters and the help of a distributed data framework to deal with and effectively solve this problem. In terms of interpolation simulation verification combined with experimental data, this paper proposes to use the Internet of Things, wearable devices, sensors, and other means to monitor the cost of energy consumption, to realize the distributed dynamic storage of massive real‐time data in the process of parallel processing, as well as the evaluation and detection of real‐time data replacement.
Hairless (Hr) Deficiency Mitigates High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Guo Haoyu , Zhu Kuicheng , He Long , Yang Jian‐jun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObesity is a significant global health concern linked to excessive dietary energy intake. This research focuses on the mammalian hairless protein (HR), known for its role in skin and hair function, and its impact on metabolism. Examining male wild‐type (Hr+/+) and Hr null (Hr−/−) mice over a 14‐week normal chow diet (NCD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) intervention. This study reveals that HR deficiency exhibited a protective effect against HFD‐induced obesity and insulin resistance. This protective effect is attributed to increased energy expenditure in Hr−/− mice. Moreover, the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of Hr−/− mice displays elevated levels of the thermogenic protein, uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), and its key transcriptional regulators (PPARγ and PGC1α), compared to Hr+/+ mice. In summary, the findings underscore the protective role of HR deficiency in countering HFD‐induced adiposity by enhancing insulin sensitivity, raising energy expenditure, and augmenting thermogenic factors in BAT. Further exploration of HR metabolic regulation holds promise for potential therapeutic targets in addressing obesity‐related metabolic disorders.
3D Hydrogel Culture System Recapitulates Key Tuberculosis Phenotypes and Demonstrates Pyrazinamide Efficacy
Authors: Gupta Vishal K. , Vaishnavi Vijaya V. , Arrieta‐Ortiz Mario L. , P.S. Abhirami , K.M. Jyothsna , Jeyasankar Sharumathi , Raghunathan Varun , Baliga Nitin S. , Agarwal Rachit 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe mortality caused by tuberculosis (TB) infections is a global concern, and there is a need to improve understanding of the disease. Current in vitro infection models to study the disease have limitations such as short investigation durations and divergent transcriptional signatures. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing a 3D collagen culture system that mimics the biomechanical and extracellular matrix (ECM) of lung microenvironment (collagen fibers, stiffness comparable to in vivo conditions) as the infection primarily manifests in the lungs. The system incorporates Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected human THP‐1 or primary monocytes/macrophages. Dual RNA sequencing reveals higher mammalian gene expression similarity with patient samples than 2D macrophage infections. Similarly, bacterial gene expression more accurately recapitulates in vivo gene expression patterns compared to bacteria in 2D infection models. Key phenotypes observed in humans, such as foamy macrophages and mycobacterial cords, are reproduced in the model. This biomaterial system overcomes challenges associated with traditional platforms by modulating immune cells and closely mimicking in vivo infection conditions, including showing efficacy with clinically relevant concentrations of anti‐TB drug pyrazinamide, not seen in any other in vitro infection model, making it reliable and readily adoptable for tuberculosis studies and drug screening.
Delivery of miRNAs Using Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Incorporated into 3D Hydrogels Enhances MSC Osteogenesis by Modulation of Fatty Acid Signaling and Silicon Degradation
Authors: Shrestha Surakshya , Tieu Terence , Wojnilowicz Marcin , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Forsythe John S. , Frith Jessica E. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStrategies incorporating mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), hydrogels and osteoinductive signals offer promise for bone repair. Osteoinductive signals such as growth factors face challenges in clinical translation due to their high cost, low stability and immunogenicity leading to interest in microRNAs as a simple, inexpensive and powerful alternative. The selection of appropriate miRNA candidates and their efficient delivery must be optimised to make this a reality. This study evaluated pro‐osteogenic miRNAs and used porous silicon nanoparticles modified with polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM‐pSiNP) to deliver these to MSC encapsulated within gelatin‐PEG hydrogels. miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐101‐3p and miR‐125b‐5p are strongly pro‐osteogenic and are shown to target FASN and ELOVL4 in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway to modulate MSC osteogenesis. Hydrogel delivery of miRNA:PAMAM‐pSiNP complexes enhanced transfection compared to 2D. The osteogenic potential of hBMSC in hydrogels with miR125b:PAMAM‐pSiNP complexes is evaluated. Importantly, a dual‐effect on osteogenesis occurred, with miRNAs increasing expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) whilst the pSiNPs enhanced mineralisation, likely via degradation into silicic acid. Overall, this work presents insights into the role of miRNAs and fatty acid signalling in osteogenesis, providing future targets to improve bone formation and a promising system to enhance bone tissue engineering.
Artificial Intelligence‐Driven Platform: Unveiling Critical Hepatic Molecular Alterations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development
Authors: Jiang Miao , Wu Pengyun , Zhang Yuwei , Wang Mengling , Zhang Mingjie , Ye Zhaoxiang , Zhang Xuejun , Zhang Cai 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSince most Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) typically arises as a consequence of long‐term liver damage, the hepatic molecular characteristics are closely related to the occurrence of HCC. Gaining comprehensive information about the location, morphology, and hepatic molecular alterations related to HCC is essential for accurate diagnosis. However, there is a dearth of technological advancements capable of concurrently providing precise HCC diagnosis and discerning the accompanying hepatic molecular alterations. In this study, an integrated information system is developed for the pathological‐level diagnosis of HCC and the revelation of critical molecular alterations in the liver. This system utilizes computed tomography/Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering combined with an artificial intelligence strategy to establish connections between the occurrence of HCC and alterations in hepatic biomolecules. Employing artificial intelligence techniques, the SERS spectra from both healthy and HCC groups are successfully classified into two distinct categories with a remarkable accuracy rate of 91.38%. Based on molecular profiling, it is identified that the nucleotide‐to‐lipid signal ratio holds significant potential as a reliable indicator for the occurrence of HCC, thereby serving as a promising tool for prevention and therapeutic surveillance.