bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single, Double and Triple-hit Strategies to Establish a Long-term Premature Rabbit Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Catozzi Chiara , Stretti Francesca , Scalera Enrica , Storti Matteo , Modena Angelo , Aquila Giorgio , Villetti Gino , Ferrini Erica , Grandi Andrea , Stellari Franco Fabio , Ravanetti Francesca , Ragionieri Luisa , Ciccimarra Roberta , Zoboli Matteo , Brandenberger Christina , Schulte Henri , Murgia Xabier , Civelli Maurizio , Ricci Francesca 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung condition of premature neonates, yet without an established pharmacological treatment. The BPD rabbit model exposed to 95% oxygen has been used in recent years for drug testing purposes. However, the toxicity of the strong hyperoxic “hit” precludes a longer-term follow-up due to high mortality after the first week of life. This study aimed to extend the preterm rabbit model to postnatal day (PND) 14 to mimic the evolving phase of BPD and investigate therapeutic interventions at later and more relevant time points.
Methods
Preterm rabbit pups delivered on the 28th day of gestation were either exposed to room air or different degrees of hyperoxia (50% and 70% O2) for 14 days. Single (immediately after birth) or double (at birth and at PND5) intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administrations were also tested in combination with 50% O2. Age-matched rabbits delivered vaginally at term were used as controls. Survival, weight gain, lung function, pulmonary artery micro-ultrasound Doppler analysis, lung histology (alveolarization, lung injury score and design-based stereology), and longitudinal micro-CT imaging were used to compare the outcomes at PND14.
Results
Premature birth itself, without any other BPD “hit,” was associated with lung function deficits, delayed lung development, and cardiovascular abnormalities. The BPD-like lung phenotype was enhanced by 70% O2 but not by 50% O2 hyperoxia. Notably, hyperoxia improved survival in a dose-dependent manner in the first days of life, supporting the transition to the extrauterine life of preterm pups. Intratracheal LPS delivered immediately after birth was associated with significantly higher lung injury scores at PND14 and increased tissue damping, a marker of parenchymal air resistance.
Conclusion
Several strategies are feasible to extend the preterm rabbit model of BPD to PND14. Preterm birth at the saccular phase itself, even in the absence of other postnatal BPD triggers, was associated with lung function deficits, delayed lung development and cardiovascular abnormalities compared with age-matched term rabbit pups. Enhanced BPD-like phenotypes can be further achieved by continued exposure to moderate hyperoxia (70% O2) and the intratracheal administration of LPS.
Efficient production of fermentable sugars from common reed biomass through hydrothermal and citric acid pretreatment processes
Authors: Wang Shijie , You Xinyan , Gui Zheng , Wang Jiabin , Kang Shuyang , Cao Jin , Xie Fang , Yang Rongling , Luo Hongzhen 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Producing fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass could provide renewable substrate for biofuel production by microbial fermentation. However, the structure of lignocellulose hinders enzymatic saccharification efficiency to obtain sugars, thus development of efficient pretreatment methods to reduce the biomass recalcitrance is an important issue. In this study, the effects of two typical processes including hydrothermal (HTP) and citric acid pretreatments (CAP) on the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of reed biomass were investigated. The results indicate that a higher glucose yield of 87.1% was achieved using cellulase of 10 FPU/g substrate following HTP conducted at 180 ℃ for 120 min. Subsequently, a yield of 63.4% glucose was realized after enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase when subjected to reed pretreatment with 6% (w/v) CA at 150 ℃ for 60 min. The enhancement in enzymatic yield to 84.2% was also achieved by adding Tween-80 of 100 mg/g substrate. The mechanism of enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis by HTP and CAP processes was elucidated through physicochemical characterization techniques. Overall, this study offers valuable insights for the production of fermentable sugars from renewable lignocellulose.
Effects of Acute Grape Seed Extract Supplementation on Muscle Metaboreflex in Healthy Young Individuals
Authors: Apilado Alvin , Boyer William , Gillum Trevor , Sullivan Sean , Harveson Andrew , Lira Albert , Kim Jong-Kyung 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Studies demonstrated that grape seed extract (GSE) increases the production of nitric oxide (NO) and reduces central sympathetic output. However, limited data have reported regarding the potential beneficial effects of this extract on blood pressure (BP) to increased sympathetic activity induced by the muscle metaboreflex (MMR) activation. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine whether GSE supplementation could reduce the BP in response to static exercise and post exercise muscular ischemia (PEMI) in normotensive young adults. In 12 healthy subjects (7 male and 5 female, 24.6 ± 3.4 year), we compared acute effect of both GSE (600 mg) and placebo (PL: 600 mg) on changes from rest in systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) during static exercise (SE) and PEMI. Subjects completed 2 min of SE at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) followed by 2 min of PEMI. MAP was significantly increased during SE and MMR in both conditions, but the rise was significantly attenuated following GSE supplementation compared to PL supplementation (20 ± 2 mmHg vs. 25 ± 2 mmHg). CO was significantly increased during SE and MMR in both conditions, but the rise was significantly higher in GSE treatment than PL treatment. TPR was significantly increased in both conditions, but the rise was significantly higher following PL treatment compared to GSE treatment (SE: 3.1 ± 0.5 mmHg/L/min vs. 0.9 ± 0.6 mmHg/L/min; MMR: 2.7 ± 0.4 mmHg/L/min vs. 1.4 ± 0.4 mmHg/L/min). Our findings suggest that GSE is effective in reducing BP response mediated by the MMR activation. The current study may have potential clinical significance that this extract at least partially buffers an exaggerated BP response evoked during exercise in hypertensive individuals.
Radiomics-Based Predictive Nomogram for Assessing the Risk of Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Veeturi Sricharan S. , Saleem Arshaq , Ojeda Diego , Sagues Elena , Sanchez Sebastian , Gudino Andres , Levy Elad I. , Hasan David , Siddiqui Adnan H. , Tutino Vincent M. , Samaniego Edgar A. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) has the potential to be used as an imaging biomarker for the risk stratification of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Radiomics provides a refined approach to quantify and further characterize AWE's textural features. This study examines the performance of AWE quantification combined with clinical information in detecting symptomatic IAs.
Methods: Ninety patients harboring 104 IAs (29 symptomatic and 75 asymptomatic) underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). The assessment of AWE was performed using two different methods: 3D-AWE mapping and composite radiomics-based score (RadScore). The dataset was split into training and testing subsets. The testing set was used to build two different nomograms using each modality of AWE assessment combined with patients’ demographic information and aneurysm morphological data. Finally, each nomogram was evaluated on an independent testing set.
Results: A total of 22 radiomic features were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic IAs. The 3D-AWE Mapping nomogram achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (63% accuracy, 78% sensitivity and 58% specificity). The RadScore nomogram exhibited a better performance, achieving an AUC of 0.83 (77% accuracy, 89% sensitivity and 73% specificity).
Conclusions: Combining AWE quantification through radiomic analysis with patient demographic data in a clinical nomogram achieved high accuracy in detecting symptomatic IAs.
The diverging role of O-GlcNAc Transferase in corticotroph and somatotroph adenomas
Authors: Gonzalez Roel , Massman Logan , Ho Sophia , Luna Sarai , Cheok Stephanie , Liang Brandon , Mrachek Kelly , Coss Dylan , Ioachimescu Adriana G , Zwagerman Nathan , Stichelen Stephanie Olivier-Van 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and tumor progression of pituitary adenomas (PA) remain incompletely understood. Corticotroph and somatotroph PA associate a high clinical burden, and despite improved surgical outcomes and medical treatment options, sometimes require multiple surgeries and radiation. Preliminary data suggested a role of O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT), the enzyme responsible for O-GlcNAcylation of proteins. O-GlcNAcylation and OGT have been found elevated in other types of tumors.
Methods
We evaluated 63 functioning and nonfunctioning PA (NFPA) from patients operated and postmortem normal and tumoral pituitary tissue by immunohistochemistry. We performed transcriptomic analyses to explore the relevance in PAs of the O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT). We used an OGT antibody in immunobiological analysis to define its level in PA tissue in operated patients.
Results
OGT was strongly associated with PA hormone secretory capacity in functioning PA and, with the tumor growth in the nonfunctioning PA (NFPA). In NFPA, OGT positively associated with tumor size but not with cavernous sinus invasion (Knosp grading). In GH-secreting PA, OGT expression was negatively correlated with circulating Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) level. In adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting PA, OGT expression was positively associated with circulating ACTH levels. OGT did not correlate with tumor size in secreting PAs. OGT levels were higher in gonadotroph PA compared to normal gland.
Conclusion
O-GlcNAcylation can be downregulated in non-cancerous tumors such as GH-secreting adenomas. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the OGT role in pathogenesis of PA.
Tripod-Fix device for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Hung Hsiang-Yi , Chen Shin-Yuan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Current vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs) often involve devices associated with bone cement leakage. Tripod-Fix is designed to mitigate the risk of bone cement leakage by expanding in three dimensions to fit a narrower vertebral space. This study enrolled 12 patients diagnosed with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). The primary outcomes assessed were changes in the Visual Analog Score (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment. Our results demonstrated significant pain relief with VAS decreasing from 8.6 ± 1.8 to 0.7 ± 0.9 and improved mobility with ODI decreasing from 73.7 ± 16.3 to 2.7 ± 4.1 post-treatment. Follow-up radiographs revealed no device-related adverse events such as cement leakage, vertebral body collapse, or adjacent vertebral fractures (AVFs). In addition, the mean anterior height restoration ratio after treatment was 15.9 ± 5.1%.Our preliminary findings suggest that Tripod-Fix exhibits safety and efficacy comparable to the third-generation devices currently utilized for treating osteoporotic VCFs.
Impacts of urinary tract anomalies or history of upper urinary tract surgery on outcome of mini-ECIRS (Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery)
Authors: Shibata Yosuke , Ito Hiroki , Fukuda Tetsuo , Yamamichi Fukashi , Watanabe Takahiko , Tabei Tadashi , Inoue Takaaki , Matsuzaki Junichi , Kobayashi Kazuki 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of urinary tract anomalies or a history of upper urinary tract surgery (UTAS) on the minimally invasive endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (mini-ECIRS) outcomes. Data from 1432 patients undergoing ECIRS for urolithiasis at three Japanese tertiary institutions between 2015 and 2021 were analyzed, with patients categorized into those with normal urinary tracts (non-UTAS) and those with UTAS (UTAS). We retrospectively examined the association between the UTAS and perioperative outcomes in mini-ECIRS. Of the 1096 cases in the final analysis, 1035 and 61 were identified as non-UTAS and UTAS, respectively. Stone-free rate (residual fragments > 2 mm, 62.8% vs. 62.7%), operation time (110.5 vs. 115.0 minutes), and hospital stay duration (5.6 vs. 5.7 days) showed no significant differences between non-UTAS and UTAS. The UTAS group demonstrated significantly higher rates of preoperative pyuria (86.2% vs. 71.1%), preoperative urinary tract infection (32.8% vs. 15.5%), preoperative stenting (52.5% vs. 31.0%), and preoperative nephrostomy (24.6% vs. 9.2%). However, the postoperative fever (26.3% vs. 25.0%) or septic shock (1.9% vs. 0%) were comparable between non-UTAS and UTAS. Stone burden and the number of calyces involved were significantly associated with a low stone-free rate (P < 0.001). Younger age, female sex, solitary stones, number of calyces involved, preoperative urinary tract infection, and absence of preoperative nephrostomy were identified as risk factors for perioperative complications. The UTAS was not associated with stone-free outcomes or perioperative complications. Mini-ECIRS demonstrated comparable stone-free outcomes and safety in patients with UTAS and those with normal urinary tracts.
Physiological and behavioral responses of pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum to the non-consumptive effects (NCEs) from the ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Jun-Chao Xu , Ruo-Lin Wang , Qing-Jiang Xing , Yun Yang , Xing-Xing Wang , Zhaozhi Lu , Tong-Xian Liu , Yi Zhang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Non-consumptive effects (NCEs) refer to the ecological impacts of predators beyond direct consumption, encompassing alterations in prey behavior, physiology, and reproduction. However, several key questions regarding NCEs, such as the individual behavioral feedback pattern within prey, remain unresolved. The study aimed to understand how the presence of ladybird-induced NCEs influences individual aphid behavior, feeding patterns, and reproductive capabilities. In this study, by introducing a single red aphid into populations of green ones of varying sizes, with a specific focus on tracking the behavior of individual aphids, we investigated the NCEs that induced by ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) on pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Experimental setups included observation chambers for behavioral analysis, tracking marker configurations, and experiments assessing feeding and offspring dynamics. The findings reveal that NCEs can significantly mediate aphid behavior, particularly increasing individual moving speed and distance, while concurrently impacting feeding and reproductive capacities. Moreover, the study suggests that chemical factors, such as hydrocarbons (from ladybird footprints) and E-β-farnesene (EBF, an aphid alarm pheromone), are crucial for ladybird-aphid interactions mediated by NCEs; EBF can broaden the scope of NCEs, while hydrocarbons can prolong effect duration of it. The influence of NCEs on aphid individual behavior and population-level responses has practical implications for pest management strategies. Overall, this investigation provides insights into the complex relationship of predator-prey dynamics, offering a nuanced perspective for developing more effective and sustainable pest control strategy.
Bi-Institutional Analysis of Microbiological Spectrum and Therapeutic Management of Parotid Abscesses
Authors: Mayer Marcel , Esser Julia , Walker Sarah , Shabli Sami , Lechner Axel , Canis Martin , Klussmann Jens Peter , Nachtsheim Lisa , Wolber Philipp 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background. A parotid abscess (PA) is a complication of an acute bacterial parotitis with a potentially life-threatening course. To date, data on the diagnosis and therapy of PA is sparse and mostly consists of case reports or case series. Therefore, this study aimed at comprehensively analyzing the microbiological spectrum and the therapeutic management in a bi-institutional setting.
Methods. A retrospective clinical chart review was performed to identify all patients surgically treated for PA at two tertiary care centers in Germany. Data on demographics, clinical management and microbiological data including species identification, pathogenicity, type of antibiotic therapy, adjustment of antibiotics, antibiotic sensitivity testing, and smear test results were extracted. Intervention-related variables and etiology were analyzed for their statistical association with outcome variables.
Results. Overall, 85 patients were included. Most patients (92.9%) underwent surgical incision. Around half of the patients (45.9%) were treated under local anesthesia. No facial nerve palsy was observed. The most frequently detected pathogens were Streptococci (n=23), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n=6) including one case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Most patients (68.2%) received an aminopenicillin +/- beta-lactamase inhibitor as empiric antibiotic therapy. In 6 cases the antibiotic therapy was modified after receiving the antibiogram. Four patients (5.2%) presented with recurrent PA. Etiology was idiopathic (42.4%) or obstructive, immunosuppressive, or tumorous (each 11.8%). Patients with a dental focus (p=0.007) had a longer duration of hospitalization. Chronic parotitis was associated with recurrence (p<0.001).
Conclusion. The results show that the surgical therapy of PA under local anesthesia is safe. A dental examination should routinely be performed to rule out a dental focus. Obtaining a microbiological specimen in order to modify antibiotic therapy if necessary and a histopathological specimen to rule out a tumorous etiology is obligate.
Electronic patient-reported outcome monitoring system for sarcoma patients undergoing drug treatment: A development and feasibility study
Authors: Toki Shunichi , Nishisho Toshihiko , Yamashita Natsumi , Numoto Kunihiko , Sugihara Shinsuke , Kidani Teruki , Kawasaki Motohiro , Nishimura Hideki , Muramatsu Shudai , Namba Hirofumi , Tanioka Hiroki , Fujibuchi Taketsugu , Fukuoka Natsuko , Shiko Yuki , Taira Naruto , Sairyo Koichi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Symptom and quality of life monitoring using electronic patient-reported outcomes has been widely adopted for common cancers. However, there are few such systems and studies for rare cancers such as sarcoma in Japan. We herein report a development and feasibility study of a novel system for monitoring electronic patient-reported outcomes.
Methods: Our study group, which included members from industry and academia, conducted weekly electronic patient-reported outcome monitoring for sarcoma patients during the administration of anti-tumor agents. This prospective study was conducted from 2021 to 2023, with each patient monitored for 12 weeks to 1 year.
Results: Twenty-three patients were included in this study. The weekly response rate and missing rate of the electronic patient-reported outcome system were 95.7% and 0.12%, respectively. The median time required to answer the items for Performance Status, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level, and 14 symptoms from the Patient-Reported Outcome-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events was 11 s, 46 s, and 123 s, respectively. In a comparison between electronic and paper-based patient-reported outcomes, the intraclass correlation coefficient of the EuroQol index score was 0.92 (95%CI: 0.89-0.94) and the weighted kappa coefficient was >0.6 for items in the weekly evaluations. The items that showed the highest rate of moderate or severe grade (at least once in each case) in the whole cohort were general pain (82.6%), fatigue (78.3%), decreased appetite (73.9%) and pain/discomfort (73.9%).
Conclusions: The novel electronic patient-reported outcome monitoring system for Japanese sarcoma patients undergoing drug treatment is found to be feasible and showed excellent compliance. For the application of the system in clinical practice, an update to implement an alert function based on a precise predictive model, is warranted.
Are we there yet? AI on traditional blood tests efficiently detects common and rare diseases
Authors: Németh Ákos , Tóth Gábor , Fülöp Péter , Paragh György , Nádró Bíborka , Karányi Zsolt , Paragh György , Horváth Zsolt , Bagyó Gábor , Édes István , Kappelmayer János , Harangi Mariann , Daroczy Balint 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Chronic workforce shortages, unequal distribution, and rising labor costs are crucial challenges for most healthcare systems. The past years have seen a rapid technological transition to counter these pressures. We developed an AI-assisted software with ensemble learning on a retrospective data set of over one million patients that only uses routine and broadly available blood tests to predict the possible presence of major chronic and acute diseases as well as rare disorders. We evaluated the software performance with three main approaches that are 1) statistics of the ensemble learning focusing on ROC-AUC (weighted average: 0.9293) and DOR (weighted average: 63.96), 2) simulated recall by the model-generated risk scores in order to estimate screening effectiveness and 3) performance on early detection (30–270 days before established clinical diagnosis) via creating historical anamnestic patient timelines. We found that the software can significantly improve three important aspects of everyday medical practice. The software can recognize patterns associated with both common and rare diseases, including malignancies, with outstanding performance. It can also predict the later diagnosis of selected disease groups 1–9 months before the establishment of clinical diagnosis and thus could play a key role in early diagnostic efforts. Lastly, we found that the tool is highly robust and performs well on data from various independent laboratories and hospitals on widely available routine blood tests. Compared to decision systems based on medical imaging, our system relies purely on widely available and inexpensive diagnostic tests.