bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A modified endobutton technique for treating acromioclavicular joint dislocation
Authors: Duan Wenyu , Yijun Zhang , Beiyu Wang , Qiang Yu , zhou Zhou , Youcai Liu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of the modified Endobutton surgical technique in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation.
Methods
A total of 46 patients with Rockwood type III-V acromioclavicular joint dislocation, treated with modified ETP (Endobutton) or CHP (clavicular hook plate) from June 2018 to May 2023 in our department, were selected as research subjects. They were divided into CHP internal fixation group (control group, n = 22) and ETP fixation group (observation group, n = 24) according to the surgical treatment method.
Results
The the observation group had a shorter postoperative length of hospital stay compared to the control group (P < 0.05), and the combined incidence of postoperative shoulder pain and complications was lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, the observation group had lower VAS pain scores at 3 days and 3 months postoperatively compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group had a higher Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score at 3 months postoperatively compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group had a significantly higher rate of excellent and good shoulder joint function recovery compared to the control group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The modified endobutton technique for treating acromioclavicular joint dislocation has shown promising clinical outcomes.
White Matter Microstructural Lateralization and Links to Language Function in Perinatal Stroke
Authors: Geeraert Bryce L. , Brooks Brian L. , Kirton Adam , Carlson Helen L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Perinatal strokes occur more commonly in the left hemisphere and often impact language areas, yet language disability only occurs in 20–25% of cases. Functional imaging studies investigating language processing have shown that perinatal stroke in the left hemisphere may result in contralesional shifts of activity, but none have investigated the structure of white matter connections in such altered language network conditions. Diffusion tensor imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging offer robust, microstructurally-sensitive metrics which can probe links between language-related tracts and function. In a sample of 73 participants with perinatal stroke and 32 typically-developing controls, we applied these methods to evaluate microstructure and lateralization of the arcuate fasciculus and uncinate fasciculus, two tracts classically associated with language. Furthermore, we examined associations between the microstructure of the contralesional arcuate and uncinate and language-based measures (i.e., verbal learning and verbal fluency) in children with unilateral perinatal stroke. We observed greater lateralization of white matter microstructure in the arcuate and uncinate for stroke participants than typically developing controls driven largely by differences in the ipsilesional hemisphere. Microstructure of the contralesional arcuate fasciculus was associated with both verbal learning and verbal fluency, while the contralesional uncinate fasciculus structure was associated with verbal fluency only. Overall, we demonstrate that white matter microstructure of bilateral language networks is impacted by unilateral perinatal stroke, and microstructural development of the arcuate and uncinate appear to be associated with language-based tests. Enhanced understanding of such functionally-relevant neuroplasticity may inform future rehabilitation strategies and intervention trials.
New target-HMGCR inhibitors for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis: a drug Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhou Jie , Xu Yixin , Wang Haitao , Liu Zhilin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) lacks specific drugs. Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), have shown potential for improving PSC prognosis, but their therapeutic efficacy remains controversial. We analyzed HMGCR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from published genome-wide association studies using Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal link between HMGCR and PSC risk. Effects of HMGCR were compared with proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, common lipid-lowering drugs, using coronary heart disease risk as a positive control. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analysis, complemented by the weighted median method. Heterogeneity analysis, examination of horizontal pleiotropy, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were conducted for result robustness. Genetically predicted HMGCR exhibited a pronounced detrimental effect on PSC in both the IVW method (OR [95%] = 2.43 [1.23 to 4.78], P = 0.010) and weighted median method (OR [95%] = 2.36 [1.02 to 5.45], P = 0.04). Conversely, PCSK9 did not reach statistical significance. Heterogeneity tests, horizontal multiple validity tests and sensitivity analyses all reflect the reliability of the results. This study establishes a causal relationship between HMGCR and PSC, providing robust evidence supporting the potential enhancement of prognosis in PSC patients through statin drugs targeting HMGCR.
The causal relationship between antidepressant use and venous thromboembolism
Authors: Peng Qiufeng , Ye Kui , Xue Hongbo , Zhao Yingjian , Cui Hongbin , Du Junji , Zhang Zengguang , Zhang Hewei , Liu Yidong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The use of antidepressants has been increasing in recent years, however, the connection between antidepressant use and the risk of venous thromboembolism has been inconsistent, with earlier research yielding contradictory findings about the impact of antidepressant use on the risk of venous thromboembolism. Mendelian randomization was used to determine if antidepressant use affects venous thromboembolism at the genetic level. Genetic tools linked to antidepressant use at a large genome-wide level (P < 5e-7) were selected from the FinnGen consortium. We acquired pooled VTE data from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). Mendelian randomization analyses, both univariate and multivariate, were carried out. Genetically predicted antidepressant use did not affect venous thromboembolism [odds ratio (OR) = 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-1.00; P = 0.68] under a multiplicative random-effects inverse-variance-weighted model. MR-Egger (OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.97-1.00; P = 0.06), similar causality was found between the other different models, and multivariate Mendelian randomization (OR = 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.01; P = 0.08) was not significantly correlated. Individual single nucleotide polymorphisms have no effect on the overall calculations. Therefore, in the general population, there is no causal relationship between antidepressant use and venous thromboembolism.
Decreased serum IL-35 and IL-37 in COPD patients with severe emphysema
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Wei Yuying , Yan Qunfeng , Cui Luyun , Wang Qing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a heterogeneous syndrome and chronic persistent inflammation has been discovered to play critical role in the structural damage leading to the progression of emphysema. IL-35 and IL-37 are both immune-suppressing cytokines which exert inhibitory effects on a lot of inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to determine the correlation between serum levels of IL-35 and IL-37 with the severity of emphysema and clinical parameters of COPD patients.
Methods
We detected the serum levels of IL-35, IL-37 and IL-33 from 64 Chinese patients with stable COPD by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and examined the association of their concentrations with COPD patients’ clinical parameters.
Results
The serum levels of IL-35 and IL-37 were significantly decreased in the COPD patients with severe emphysema subtype compared to non-emphysema or mild-to-moderate emphysema subtype. The serum level of IL-35 was correlated with body mass index(BMI), modified Medical Research Council(mMRC) score and the concentrations of IL-33 and IL-37. The lower IL-35 group exhibited decreased BMI, lower FEV1/FVC, severe extent of emphysema and worse mMRC. Multivariable regression showed that lower FEV1/FVC, worse mMRC score and decreased serum levels of IL-35 were independently associated with severe emphysema.
Conclusions
We found that the serum IL-35 and IL-37 levels were decreased in severe emphysema subtype. The lower level of IL-35 was correlated with lower BMI and worse mMRC score. IL-35 concentrations, FEV1/FVC and mMRC score were independently associated with the extent of emphysema.
Experimental Study on the Optical Properties and Photothermal Conversion of Biomass Composite Phase Change Materials
Authors: Zhijuan CHANG , Qiangwei WANG , Jiawen HOU , Xuehong WU , Cai LV , LIU Yong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. The advantages of solar energy include its wide distribution, short cycle, high power, easy availability, and no pollution. As solar energy is seriously affected by changing weather, large-scale utilization of solar energy is restricted. Organic phase change materials (PCMs) are an ideal thermal energy storage medium, and the development of solar-thermal energy conversion technology requires materials to effectively capture and store solar energy. However, PCMs have some characteristics that need improvement, such as low light-to-heat conversion rates. Therefore, this article added biomass porous carbon (BPC) to improve the thermal conductivity and optical properties of PCMs. The experimentally determined thermal conductivity of 70% paraffin wax (PA)-(BPC) composite PCM (CPCM) was 3.18 times higher than that of pure PA. In addition, the average absorbance in the range of 190–2000 nm was approximately 1.3, and approximately 95% of solar radiation was absorbed by the CPCM and stored as thermal energy. The photothermal conversion efficiency of the CPCM was as high as 89.6%, thus infrared thermal image analysis was used to discover the positive effects of biomass porous materials on solar light capture and heat transfer. Therefore, composite BPC-based PCMs have broad application prospects in light-to-heat conversion and energy storage.
Spatiotemporal gait analysis of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia types 3 and 10 using Inertial Measurement Units: a comparative study
Authors: Barcellos Igor , Hasen Clint , Strobel Giovanna Klüppel , Geritz Johanna , Munhoz Renato P. , Moscovich Mariana , Maetzler Walter , Teive Hélio Afonso Ghizoni 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Given the high morbidity related to the progression of gait deficits in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), there is a growing interest in identifying biomarkers that can guide early diagnosis and rehabilitation. Spatiotemporal parameter (STP) gait analysis using inertial measurement units (IMUs) has been increasingly studied in this context. This study evaluated STP profiles in SCA types 3 and 10, compared them to controls, and correlated them with clinical scales. IMU portable sensors were used to measure STPs under four gait conditions: self-selected pace (SSP), fast pace (FP), fast pace checking-boxes (FPCB), and fast pace with serial seven subtractions (FPS7). Compared to healthy subjects, both SCA groups had higher values for step time, variability, and swing time, with lower values for gait speed, cadence, and step length. We also found a reduction in speed gain capacity in both SCA groups compared to controls and an increase in speed dual-task cost in the SCA10 group. However, there were no significant differences between the SCA groups. Swing time, mean speed, and step length were correlated with disease severity, risk of falling and functionality in both clinical groups. In the SCA3 group, fear of falling was correlated with cadence. In the SCA10 group, results of the Montreal cognitive assessment test were correlated with step time, mean speed, and step length. These results show that individuals with SCA3 and SCA10 present a highly variable, short-stepped, slow gait pattern compared to healthy subjects, and their gait quality worsened with a fast pace, mainly with dual task involvement.
Using Virtual Reality Simulations to Alleviate Fear and Anxiety in Children Awaiting MRI: A Small-Scale Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Saliba Thomas , Boitsios Grammatina , Presziosi Marco , Negro Giulia , De Leucio Alessandro , Simoni Paolo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
Up to 75% of paediatric patients experience anxiety and distress before undergoing new medical procedures. Virtual reality is an interesting avenue for alleviating the stress and fear of paediatric patients due to its ability to completely immerse the child in the virtual world and thus expose them to the sights and sounds of an MRI before undergoing the exam. We aimed to explore the impact of virtual reality exposure on reducing fear and anxiety in paediatric patients scheduled to undergo an MRI.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective randomized control trial in a tertiary paediatric hospital over three weeks. Inclusion criteria comprised children aged 4 to 14 undergoing MRI without medical contraindications for VR use. Thirty patients (16 in VR, 14 in control) were included in the study. The VR group experienced a simulated MRI room with typical sounds for up to 5 minutes before their actual MRI. Fear and anxiety were measured using the FACES scale before and after MRI for the control group as well as after VR exposure for the VR group.
Results:
The VR group exhibited a significant reduction in anxiety post-VR exposure regarding the upcoming MRI (p = 0.009).
Conclusions:
VR exposure effectively reduces pre-MRI anxiety in paediatric patients who are about to undergo the exam. This research is in line with previous findings, however there is need for further investigation in this field using larger and MRI-naïve groups of patients.
TRAIP enhances progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through EMT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by interacting with DDX39A
Authors: Liu Litong , Wang ping , Guo cheng , Song li , Chen lifang , Qi hongbin , Zheng Yangyang , Xing xiaoming , Wang Chengqin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with high mortality and poor prognosis. Its incidence rate is increasing gradually. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor interacting protein (TRAIP), as a factor related to several tumors, reveals that its gene expression is different between normal tissue and primary tumor of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using bioinformatics analysis.
Method
In our study, TCGA database, immunohistochemistry, proliferation assay, colony formation, wound healing assay, Transwell, cell cycle analysis and tumor xenografts model were used to determine the expression and functions of TRAIP in TSCC.
Result
We found that TRAIP may promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of TSCC. Furthermore, the results of bioinformatics analysis, mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation suggested that DDX39A may be a TRAIP interacting protein. DDX39A has been proven to be an oncogene in several tumors, which may have an important effect on cell proliferation and metastasis in multiple tumors. In addition, the high expression of DDX39A implies the poor prognosis of patients. Our study demonstrated that TRAIP probably interact with DDX39A to regulate cell progression through epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Conclusion
These results indicate that TRAIP is important in occurrence and development of TSCC and is expected to become the new promising therapeutic target.
What’s happening in the kitchen? The influence of nutritional knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and kitchen characteristics on women's dietary quality in Ethiopia
Authors: Yalew Temesgen Awoke , Tessema Masresha , Lahiff Edward 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Low diet quality significantly contributes to public health risks in low-income countries. This situation is particularly concerning for vulnerable groups, such as women and children, who are at increased risk of malnutrition due to inadequate access to proper nutrition.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the influence of nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, practices, and kitchen characteristics on women's dietary quality in Ethiopia.
Method
A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2022 in five regions and two city administrations in Ethiopia. A multistage stratified cluster sampling method was employed. From ninety-nine enumeration areas, twenty eligible households were selected. A total of 1,980 women aged 15–49 years were included in this survey. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 16 computer software. The determinants of diet quality were identified using Poisson, logistic, and ordinary least square regression analyses. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results
The results showed that the average dietary diversity score for women was 3.4. Only 21.5% of the participants achieved the minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W), and the mean adequacy ratio for nutrients was 61.6%. The participants’ average nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores were 63%, 39%, and 23%, respectively. The regression analysis showed a positive association between knowledge and attitude, on the one hand, and dietary diversity and the mean nutrient adequacy ratio, on the other hand, which were significant at P < 0.01. Cooking time and propensity to prepare new food were also positively associated with dietary diversity and with minimum dietary diversity, again significant at P < 0.01.
Conclusion
Our study showed that improved nutrition-related knowledge and a positive attitude toward nutrition significantly influence dietary quality. Additionally, cooking time and the propensity to prepare new foods positively influence diet quality.
Morphological Features as Prognostic Indicators in Brain Metastases
Authors: Ocaña-Tienda Beatriz , Pérez-Beteta Julián , Mendivil Ana Ortiz , Asenjo Beatriz , Albillo David , Pérez-Romasanta Luís A. , Llorente Manuel , Carballo Natalia , Arana Estanislao , Pérez-García Víctor M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background. Stereotactic radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for managing patients with fewer than five brain metastases (BMs). However, some lesions recur after irradiation. The purpose of this study was to identify patients who are at a higher risk of failure, which can help in adjusting treatments and preventing recurrence.
Methods. In this retrospective multicenter study, we analyzed the predictive significance of a set of interpretable morphological features derived from T1-weighted MR images, as imaging biomarkers, using Kaplan-Meier estimators. The feature set studied included the total and necrotic volumes, the surface regularity and the CE rim width. Additionally, we evaluated other non-morphological variables and performed multivariate cox analysis.
Results. A total of 183 lesions in 128 patients were included (median age 61 [31-95], 64 men and 64 women). None of the studied variables measured at diagnosis were found to have prognostic value. However, the total and necrotic volumes and the CE rim width measured at the first follow-up after treatment and the change in volumes due to irradiation can be used as biomarkers for recurrence. Optimal classification was achieved when combining volume changes before and after treatment with the presence or absence of necrosis (p<<0.001).
Conclusion. This study demonstrates the prognostic significance of interpretable morphological features extracted from routine clinical MR imaging following irradiation in brain metastases, offering valuable insights for personalized treatment strategies.
Artificial intelligence-based parametrization of Michaelis–Menten maximal velocity: Toward in silico New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
Authors: Karakoltzidis Achilleas , Karakitsios Spyros P. , Sarigiannis Dimosthenis Α. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The development of mechanistic systems biology models necessitates the utilization of numerous kinetic parameters once the enzymatic mode of action has been identified. Moreover, wet lab experimentation is associated with particularly high costs, does not adhere to the principle of reducing the number of animal tests, and is a time-consuming procedure. Alternatively, an artificial intelligence-based method is proposed that utilizes enzyme amino acid structures as input data. This method combines NLP techniques with molecular fingerprints of the catalyzed reaction to determine Michaelis–Menten maximal velocities (Vmax). The molecular fingerprints employed include RCDK standard fingerprints (1024 bits), MACCS keys (166 bits), PubChem fingerprints (881 bits), and E-States fingerprints (79 bits). These were integrated to produce reaction fingerprints. The data were sourced from SABIO RK, providing a concrete framework to support training procedures. After the data preprocessing stage, the dataset was randomly split into a training set (70%), a validation set (10%), and a test set (20%), ensuring unique amino acid sequences for each subset. The data points with structures similar to those used to train the model as well as uncommon reactions were employed to test the model further. The developed models were optimized during training to predict Vmax values efficiently and reliably. By utilizing a fully connected neural network, these models can be applied to all organisms. The amino acid proportions of enzymes were also tested, which revealed that the amino acid content was an unreliable predictor of the Vmax. During testing, the model demonstrated better performance on known structures than on unseen data. In the given use case, the model trained solely on enzyme representations achieved an R-squared of 0.45 on unseen data and 0.70 on known structures. When enzyme representations were integrated with RCDK fingerprints, the model achieved an R-squared of 0.46 for unseen data and 0.62 for known structures.
Stabilization of two coupled wave equations with a localized singular Kelvin-Voigt damping
Authors: Ammari Kaïs , Hassine Fathi , Harouna Souleymane Kadri , Tebou Louis 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

We consider two wave equations coupled through a singular Kelvin-Voigt damping mechanism in a bounded domain. We are interested in investigating stability issues for this system.We prove the polynomial stability of the semigroup if the damping region is big enough, and logarithmic stability of the semigroup if the damping region is an arbitrarily small nonempty open subset of the domain under consideration. The main features of our proofs: i) frequency domain approach and, ii) flow multipliers combined with extra auxiliary elliptic systems in the case of polynomial stability, or iii) Carleman estimate in the case of logarithmic stability. A numerical analysis of the spectrum of the one dimensional space semi-discretized system using mixed finite element method indicates that uniform (with respect to the mesh size) exponential decay is not to be expected. This latter result leads us to conjecture that our first polynomial stability result cannot be improved to an exponential stability one.