bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Canine Mammary Cancer through Liquid Biopsy: Proteomic Profiling of Small Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Novais Adriana Alonso , Tamarindo Guilherme Henrique , Melo Luryan Mikaelly Minotti , Balieiro Beatriz Castilho , Nobrega Daniela , dos Santos Gislaine , Saldanha Schaienni Fontoura , de Souza Fabiana Ferreira , Chuffa Luiz Gustavo de Almeida , Bracha Shay , Zuccari Debora Aparecida Pires de Campos 
Published: May 2024

(Background) Canine mammary tumors (CMT) have emerged as an important model for understanding pathophysiological aspects of human disease. Liquid biopsy (LB), which relies on blood-borne biomarkers and offers minimal invasiveness, holds promise for reflecting the disease status of patients. Small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) and their protein cargo have recently gained attention as potential tools for disease screening and monitoring. (Objectives) This study aimed to isolate SEVs from canine patients and analyze their proteomic profile to assess their diagnostic and prognostic potential. (Methods) Plasma samples were collected from female dogs grouped into CMT (malignant and benign), healthy controls, relapse, and remission groups. SEVs were isolated and characterized using ultracentrifugation (UC), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proteomic analysis of circulating SEVs was conducted using Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS). (Results) While no significant differences were observed in the concentration and size of exosomes among the studied groups, proteomic profiling revealed important variations. Mass spectrometry identified exclusive proteins that could serve as potential biomarkers for mammary cancer. These included Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH2 and ITI4), phosphopyruvate hydratase or alpha enolase (ENO1), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2), actin (ACTB), transthyretin (TTR), beta-2-glycoprotein 1 (APOH) and gelsolin (GSN) found in female dogs with malignant tumors. Additionally, Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), also known as group-specific component (GC), was identified as a protein present during remission. (Conclusion) The results underscore the potential of proteins found in SEVs as valuable biomarkers in CMT. Despite the lack of differences in vesicle concentration and size between the groups, the analysis of protein content revealed promising markers with potential applications in CMT diagnosis and monitoring. These findings suggest a novel approach in the development of more precise and effective diagnostic tools for this challenging clinical condition.
The Impact of Pelvic Incidence on Spinopelvic and Hip Alignment and Mobility in Asymptomatic Subjects
Authors: Kim Youngwoo , Vergari Claudio , Tokuyasu Hiroyuki , Shimizu Yu , Takemoto Mitsuru 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The influence of pelvic incidence (PI) on spinopelvic and hip alignment and mobility has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PI on spinopelvic and hip alignment and mobility, including the pelvic-femoral angle (PFA) and motion (ΔPFA), in functional positions in a cohort of asymptomatic volunteers.

Methods:
This was a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study. We included 136 healthy volunteers (69% female; mean age, 38 ± 11 years; mean body mass index, 22 ± 3 kg/m2) divided into 3 subgroups on the basis of their PI: PI < 45° (low PI), 45° ≤ PI ≤ 60° (medium PI), and PI > 60° (high PI). We made full-body lateral radiographs in free-standing, standing with extension, relaxed-seated, and flexed-seated positions. We measured the sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), and PFA. We calculated lumbar (∆LL), pelvic (∆SS), and hip (∆PFA) mobilities as the change between the standing (i.e., standing with or without extension) and sitting (i.e., relaxed-seated or flexed-seated) positions.

Results:
There were significant differences between some of the 3 subgroups with respect to the LL, SS, and PFA in each of the 4 positions. There were no significant differences in ΔLL, ΔSS, or ΔPFA between the 3 groups when moving from a standing to a sitting position. PI had an inverse linear correlation with PFAextension (R = −0.48; p < 0.0001), PFAstanding (R = −0.53; p < 0.0001), PFArelaxed-seated (R = −0.37; p < 0.0001), and PFAflexed-seated (R = −0.47; p < 0.0001). However, PI was not correlated with ΔPFAstanding/relaxed-seated (R = −0.062; p = 0.48) or ΔPFAextension/flexed-seated (R = −0.12; p = 0.18). Similarly, PI was not significantly correlated with ΔLL or ΔSS in either pair of positions.

Conclusions:
This study confirmed that spinopelvic and hip parameters in functional positions were affected by PI, whereas lumbar, pelvic, and hip mobilities did not depend on PI. These findings suggest that hip surgeons should consider the PI of the patient to determine the patient’s specific functional safe zones before and after total hip arthroplasty.

Level of Evidence:
Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Improving Recovery After a Traumatic Lower-Extremity Injury
Authors:   Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC)
Published: May 2024

Background:
Lower-extremity injuries can result in severe impairment and substantial years lived with a disability. Persistent pain and psychological distress are risk factors for poor long-term outcomes and negatively influence the recovery process following a traumatic injury. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions have the potential to address these risk factors and subsequently improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) program on physical function, pain, and general health at 12 months after hospital discharge following lower-extremity trauma. The CBPT program was hypothesized to improve outcomes compared with an education program.

Methods:
A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 325 patients who were 18 to 60 years of age and had at least 1 acute orthopaedic injury to the lower extremity or to the pelvis or acetabulum requiring operative fixation. Patients were recruited from 6 Level-I trauma centers and were screened and randomized to the CBPT program or the education program early after hospital discharge. The primary outcome was the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) scale. The secondary outcomes were objective physical function tests (4-square step test, timed stair ascent test, sit-to-stand test, and self-selected walking speed test), PROMIS Pain Intensity and Pain Interference, and the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Treatment effects were calculated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation, a robust analytical approach appropriate for causal inference with longitudinal data.

Results:
The mean treatment effect on the 12-month baseline change in PROMIS PF was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, −0.68 to 2.64; p = 0.23). There were also no observed differences in secondary outcomes between the intervention group and the control group.

Conclusions:
The telephone-delivered CBPT did not appear to yield any benefits for patients with traumatic lower-extremity injuries in terms of physical function, pain intensity, pain interference, or general health. Improvements were observed in both groups, which questions the utility of telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral strategies over educational programs.

Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
How to Improve the Quality of Euglycemic Glucose Clamp Tests in Long-Acting Insulin Studies
Authors: Yang Yi , Kuang Fu , Zhu XueYing , Li Li , Huang Yao , Liu Yang , Yu Xian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The euglycemic clamp test stands as the gold standard for assessing the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of long-acting insulin. However, despite its widespread use, there remains a notable absence of an established gold standard for evaluating the test’s quality. Existing recommendations from regulatory agencies lack specific threshold values, particularly concerning long-acting insulin. This study aimed to determine the evaluation criteria for assessing the quality of the long-acting insulin euglycemic glucose clamp test and to improve the overall quality of this testing method.
Methods
Fifty-three healthy volunteers were administered a single dose of insulin degludec (0.4 IU/kg) and underwent a 24-h euglycemic clamp test. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin degludec. Volunteers were separated into Group A (coefficient of variation in blood glucose [CVBG] ≤ 3.5%) and Group B (CVBG > 3.5%). The quality difference of the clamp test between the groups was assessed using various quality control indices. Volunteers were also categorized into Group C (C-peptide reduction rate < 50%) and Group D (C-peptide reduction rate ≥ 50%). The clamp test quality, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of Groups C and D were compared.
Results
Group A (2.95%) had significantly lower CVBG than Group B (4.15%), and Group D (63.22%) had significantly higher C-peptide reduction than Group C (35.23%). CVBG was positively correlated with other quality control indicators, such as the percentage of glucose excursion from the target range (GEFTR), duration of GEFTR, and area under the curve (AUC) of GEFTR. Groups C and D had CVBG < 3.5%; however, the area under the curve of GEFTR was significantly lower in Group C.
Conclusions
CVBG could be used as a standard for evaluating the quality of long-acting insulin euglycemic glucose clamp test, and the test quality was superior with a CVBG ≤ 3.5%. A C-peptide reduction ratio ≥ 50% indicated sufficient endogenous insulin inhibition; however, it cannot be inhibited when the CVBG level is low.
South African Eye Study: Establishing a normative database for retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in a black ethnicity paediatric population
Authors: Govender Nerissa , Baboolal Sandika 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in South African children of black ethnicity is not known. Current imaging devices do not include a paediatric normative database. There is also a lack of data on global majority ethnicities. This study used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to describe the average and quadrant RNFL thickness in children of black ethnicity.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital, Durban, South Africa, with a convenience-based sampling strategy. One normal eye from children between the ages of 5 and 18 were selected. An ocular examination included an autorefraction and an axial length measurement. The RNFL thickness was measured with the iVue-100 SD-OCT™.
Results:Seventy-three children were enrolled in this study based on power calculations. The mean (standard deviation) average RNFL thickness was 107.31um (8.1). The mean (standard deviation) inferior, superior, nasal, and temporal quadrant thickness were as follows: 135.1um (13.65), 135.6um (14.59), 83.2um (10.86), and 75.4um (9.03). No correlation was found between the average RNFL thickness and age, sex, spherical equivalent, and axial length with a p-value of 0.438, 0.106, 0.632, and 0.20 respectively.
Conclusion: This study described the normative values for retinal nerve fibre layer thickness using SD-OCT in South African children of black ethnicity between 5 and 18 years old and supports paediatric ethnic variation in the RNFL thickness. Establishing a normative database could help screen, diagnose and monitor glaucoma and other optic nerve pathologies in this paediatric ethnic group.
Microbial distribution in Mudbank regions off Alappuzha, South-west coast of India
Authors: Vijayan Jasna , Ammini Parvathi , Sri Pradeep Ram Angia , Nair Maheswari , Ngando Telesphore-Sime 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The coastal waters of Kerala, in the South Eastern Arabian Sea (SEAS), are unique during the Southwest monsoon season due to the concurrent occurrence of two physical processes, the upwelling and Mudbanks. However, little is known about the viral ecology and activity in a system where upwelling and mudbanks coexist, though it is generally recognized that microbial assemblages play a vital role in the food web dynamics of marine systems, particularly in upwelling. Water samples were taken from three locations, M1, M2, and M3, off Alappuzha, on the southwest coast of India to examine the viral activity and distribution. An 18-week study in 2014 and a 16-week study in 2016 on a weekly/biweekly interval were carried out from April to September, which were categorized into three seasons April to May, as pre-monsoon, June to August as monsoon, and September period as late-monsoon. The dissolved oxygen levels showed the incursion of hypoxic waters in all the stations during the peak upwelling period. Upwelling signals were prominent in all the stations, but Mudbank and upwelling co-occurred at M2 alone during monsoon. The abundance of viruses ranged from 0.86 to 15.68×106 Viral like Particles (VLPs mL-1) and prokaryotic abundance ranged from 2.73-16.26×105 cells mL-1. Viral and prokaryotic abundance was significantly higher in the monsoon compared to pre and late-monsoon. Based on Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results, the non-tailed viruses constituted the major (43%) proportion of the total viruses during this study region. However, the viral production rates and viral-mediated bacterial mortality were high in the pre-monsoon compared to the monsoon and late-monsoon periods. There was no obvious effect of Mudbanks on viral dynamics and the observed variations in virological and hydrological features were governed mainly by coastal upwelling.
Validity and reliability of the fall risk scale for older adults
Authors: Cossio-Bolaños Marco , Vidal-Espinoza Ruben , Caceres-Bahamondes Javiera , Campos Luis Felipe Castelli Correia , Alul Luis Urzua , Lázari Marcela Silva Ramos , Luarte-Rocha Cristian , Gomez-Campos Rossana 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Falls in older adults are a common and serious threat to health and functional independence. It can cause psychological distress, inability to participate in activities of daily living, brain injury, fractures, and even death. The aim was to analyze the psychometric properties of the self-assessed fall risk scale (FRS) that measures the risk of falls in older adults in a central region of Chile, as well as to verify the concurrent validity against functional fitness tests.
Material and Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 222 older adults (OA) [34 males and 188 females] with an age range of 65 to 85 years. The 13-item self-perceived fall risk scale (FRS) was validated. Anthropometric measures (weight, height and waist circumference) were assessed. Five functional fitness tests were measured (right and left hand grip strength, biceps curl, up-and-go, agility and 6-minute walk test). Validation was performed by construct validation [(exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)] and concurrent validity.
Results
The EFA revealed 4 factors in the FRS scale [1: fear of falling (variance 27.1%), 2: use of assistive devices (variance 10.6%), 3: loss of sensation (variance 9.3%), and 4: limited mobility (variance 8.3%)]. Factor loadings ranged from ~ 0.50 to 0.83 across the 4 components. The Kaiser-Meyer Olkin sample adequacy test (KMO) reflected adequate adequacy (KMO = 0.79, chi-square (X2) = 498.806, gl = 78, p = 0.00). The CFA showed a satisfactory final fit [chi-square (X2) = 126.748, Root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.042, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.946, Comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.935 y Normed fit index (NFI) = 0.90. The relationships between the FRS scale and functional fitness tests (right and left hand grip strength, biceps curl, up-and-go, agility and 6-minute walk test) ranged from low to moderate (r= -0.23 to 0.41).
Conclusion
The FRS scale showed acceptable validity and reliability in older adults in central region of Chile. It is expected that this scale will be useful for assessing fall risk in clinical and epidemiological settings in the aging Chilean population.
Entanglement detection with classical deep neural networks
Authors: Ureña Julio , Sojo Antonio , Bermejo-Vega Jara Juana , Manzano Daniel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In this study, we introduce an autonomous method for addressing the detection and classification of quantum entanglement, a core element of quantum mechanics that has yet to be fully understood. We employ a multi-layer perceptron to effectively identify entanglement in both twoand three-qubit systems. Our technique yields impressive detection results, achieving nearly perfect accuracy for two-qubit systems and over 90% accuracy for three-qubit systems. Additionally, our approach successfully categorizes three-qubit entangled states into distinct groups with a success rate of up to 77%. These findings indicate the potential for our method to be applied to larger systems, paving the way for advancements in quantum information processing applications.
Towards Clinical Subtypes in Schizophrenia: Integrating Cognitive, Functional, and Digital Phenotyping Assessments
Authors: Byun Andrew , Lane Erlend , Langholm Carsten , Flathers Matthew , hall mei hua , Torous John 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of schizophrenia impairs both proper and preventative care. The digital phenotyping data gathered from an international multi-site cohort study in people with schizophrenia (SZ) offers a novel opportunity to explore clinically meaningful subtypes in the context of clinical, functional, and cognitive data. Using a set of behavioral features derived from smartphone digital phenotyping, clinical assessment of symptoms including PANSS, clinical assessment of cognition with BACS, and clinical assessment of functioning with the social functioning assessments over the target period of twelve months, we found that the international cohort of 74 patients were categorized into three well-defined clusters that suggest clinically actionable targets from differential correlations in each. Namely, the identified clusters seemed to share phenotypic traits with the affective psychosis with more severe symptomatic presentation, a non-affective SZ with functional impairment, and a higher functioning non-affective SZ cluster. Partial correlation analysis further highlighted the emergence of different features per cluster, where anxiety symptoms were most notable for one group, whereas psychotic symptoms were most notable for the other two. Importantly, we showcase an analysis pipeline that transparently addresses challenges of missing data and potential skew so that this research methodology can be applied to future prospective validation studies. This study hopes to build a foundation for future digital phenotyping clustering work by scaling up to new sites, and populations to uncover the nature and extent of heterogeneity in schizophrenia.
Transcription factor ONECUT3 regulates HDAC6/HIF-1α activity to promote the Warburg effect and tumor growth in colorectal cancer
Authors: Xue Junli , Xue Junli , Wang Hao , Li Weihan , He Kexin , Zhang Shan , Jiang Shu-Heng , Li Rongkun Li Rongkun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The Warburg effect, also known as aerobic glycolysis, plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of colorectal cancer, although its mechanism remains unclear. Bioinformatics analysis of public databases and verification of clinical specimens revealed that the transcription factor ONECUT3 is a key regulator related to the Warburg effect in colorectal cancer. Functionally, genetic silencing of ONECUT3 reverses the Warburg effect and blunts tumor growth. Importantly, ONECUT3 promotes tumor growth in a glycolysis-dependent manner. Mechanistically, ONECUT3 does not directly alter the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), but rather inhibits the acetylation of HIF-1α via histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). This inhibition leads to increased transcriptional activity of HIF-1α, ultimately upregulating various glycolysis-related genes downstream of HIF-1α, thereby promoting the Warburg effect in colorectal cancer and facilitating tumor growth. Our study provides evidence for the mechanism of the Warburg effect in colorectal cancer, suggesting that ONECUT3 could be a potential new target for colorectal cancer treatment.
Evaluation of F2 Tomato Hybrids for Yield and Related Traits in Jima Geneti District, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Soresa Desalegn Negasa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Tomatoes are a vegetable crop grown by smallholder farmers in the Horro Guduru region, which is in the mid-latitude. Therefore, it is crucial to create high-yielding and resistant types of tomatoes. As a result, there has been little work done to tackle the issue and little knowledge on tomato erraticism. As a result, the experiment was created to assess tomato hybrids that were F2 segregated in order to measure variability, character association, and path coefficient analysis. In Jima Genet area, Western Ethiopia, in 2022 GC, an experiment involving 28 F2 tomato hybrids in RCBD with three replications was conducted. Significant variations were found between the F2 hybrids for each attribute according to analysis of variance. For the variables days to first flowering (pcv=8.81, gcv=8.12), fruit length (pcv=16.14, gcv=14.84), and fruit diameter (pcv=17.10, gcv=14.92), very minimal variations were found between the phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV). With the exception of flowers per cluster (47.83%), all yield-contributing traits showed high heritability (>50%). Fruit clusters per plant (105.11), fruits per plant (103.43), branches per plant (34.49), fruits per cluster (47.43), individual fruit weight (77.73), and fruit output per plant (108.25) all showed strong heritability linked to high genetic progress. To increase tomato fruit output, selection for such features may be useful. Plant heights at first blooming, flowers per plant, fruits per cluster, fruit clusters per plant, and fruits per plant with fruit output per plant were found to be significantly positively correlated both genotypically and phenotypically. Individual fruits per plant (0.674) and fruits per plant as a whole (1.096) had the most beneficial direct effects on fruit output per plant. To lessen the indirect influence of the other qualities during the creation of a high-yielding tomato variety, direct selection may be carried out with these traits serving as the primary selection criteria.