bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative chemotherapy with docetaxel plus oxaliplatin and S-1 (DOS) versus oxaliplatin plus S-1 (SOX) for the treatment of locally advanced gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma (MATCH): an open-label, randomized, phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Xie Yibin , Zhang Wen , Du Chunxia , Zhong Yuxin , Zhu Yuelu , Jiang Liming , Dou Lizhou , Shao Kang , Sun Yongkun , Xue Qi , Tian Yantao , Gao Shugeng , Zhao Dongbing , Zhou Aiping 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
It remains unclear whether addition of docetaxel to the combination of a platinum and fluoropyrimidine could provide more clinical benefits than doublet chemotherapies in the perioperative treatment for locally advanced gastric/gastro-esophageal junction (LAG/GEJ) cancer in Asia. In this randomized, phase 2 study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of perioperative docetaxel plus oxaliplatin and S-1 (DOS) versus oxaliplatin plus S-1 (SOX) in LAG/GEJ adenocarcinoma patients.

Methods
Patients with cT3–4 Nany M0 G/GEJ adenocarcinoma were randomized (1:1) to receive 4 cycles of preoperative DOS or SOX followed by D2 gastrectomy and another 4 cycles of postoperative chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was major pathological response (MPR).

Results
From Aug, 2015 to Dec, 2019,154 patients were enrolled and 147 patients included in final analysis, with a median age of 60 (26–73) years. DOS resulted in significantly higher MPR (25.4 vs. 11.8%, P = 0.04). R0 resection rate, the 3-year PFS and 3-year OS rates were 78.9 vs. 61.8% (P = 0.02), 52.3 vs. 35% (HR 0.667, 95% CI: 0.432–1.029, Log rank P = 0.07) and 57.5 vs. 49.2% (HR 0.685, 95% CI: 0.429–1.095, Log rank P = 0.11) in the DOS and SOX groups, respectively. Patients who acquired MPR experienced significantly better survival. DOS had similar tolerance to SOX.

Conclusions
Perioperative DOS improved MPR significantly and tended to produce longer PFS compared to SOX in LAG/GEJ cancer in Asia, and might be considered as a preferred option for perioperative chemotherapy and worth further investigation.
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Self-Supervised Learning in Chest X-Ray Imaging to Reduce Annotated Images
Authors: Imagawa Kuniki , Shiomoto Kohei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA significant challenge in machine learning-based medical image analysis is the scarcity of medical images. Obtaining a large number of labeled medical images is difficult because annotating medical images is a time-consuming process that requires specialized knowledge. In addition, inappropriate annotation processes can increase model bias. Self-supervised learning (SSL) is a type of unsupervised learning method that extracts image representations. Thus, SSL can be an effective method to reduce the number of labeled images. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of reducing the number of labeled images in a limited set of unlabeled medical images. The unlabeled chest X-ray (CXR) images were pretrained using the SimCLR framework, and then the representations were fine-tuned as supervised learning for the target task. A total of 2000 task-specific CXR images were used to perform binary classification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and normal cases. The results demonstrate that the performance of pretraining on task-specific unlabeled CXR images can be maintained when the number of labeled CXR images is reduced by approximately 40%. In addition, the performance was significantly better than that obtained without pretraining. In contrast, a large number of pretrained unlabeled images are required to maintain performance regardless of task specificity among a small number of labeled CXR images. In summary, to reduce the number of labeled images using SimCLR, we must consider both the number of images and the task-specific characteristics of the target images.
Cécile & Oskar Vogt: Leben, Werk und ihr Beitrag zur Epileptologie
Authors: Kasper Burkhard S. 
Published: March 2024

ZusammenfassungCécile und Oskar Vogt waren Gehirnforscher, die Struktur und Funktion des Zentralnervensystems über Jahrzehnte gemeinsam systematisch studierten. Im Berlin der Jahrhundertwende begannen sie noch vor 1900 ihre umfassenden zyto- und myeloarchitektonischen Studien an humanen Ganzhirnschnitten und mit Stimulationsexperimenten der Hirnrinde verschiedener Species, die sie bis zu ihrem Tod fortsetzen. Unter einfachen Bedingungen in einer Berliner Privatwohnung begannen sie ihre „Neurologische Centralstation“, die 1902 zum Neurologischen Laboratorium der Universität und 1914 zum Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut (KWI) für Hirnforschung umgewidmet wurde. 1931 erst bezogen sie das neu gebaute KWI in Berlin-Buch, dem ersten Hirnforschungsinstitut seiner Art weltweit. Dies war wesentlich ermöglicht durch Zuwendungen von Krupp und der Rockefeller-Stiftung. In der NS-Zeit aus Berlin und dem Institut gedrängt, führten sie ihre Arbeit an einem neuen Institut im Schwarzwald fort, dessen Nachfolge heute das Cécile & Oskar Vogt Institut für Hirnforschung in Düsseldorf darstellt. In der Gruppe um die Vogts erarbeitete Korbinian Brodmann die berühmte Rindenkarte. Ihre Stimulationserkenntnisse diskutierten sie und glichen diese u. a. mit Otfried Foerster und Wilder Penfield ab. Die Vogts selbst arbeiteten an vielfältigen Themen. Wenngleich sie nicht direkt die Epilepsie studierten, so stellt die Ammonshornsklerose (AHS) eine zentrale Läsion in ihrer Überlegung zu ihrer Beobachtung der selektiven Vulnerabilität bestimmter Rindenregionen dar. Diese formulierten sie in der sog. Pathoklisetheorie, die gerade für Epilepsie und AHS kontrovers diskutiert wurde, sich aber als weitsichtig und i. W. als richtig erwies, wenngleich die Vogts sie mit den Mitteln ihrer Zeit noch nicht verifizieren konnten. Ihre Erkenntnisse wirken bis heute nach und stellen ein Fundament der modernen Epileptologie dar.
A remote sensing assessment of oak forest recovery after postfire restoration
Authors: Lopes L. F. , Dias F. S. , Fernandes P. M. , Acácio V. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMediterranean Europe is experiencing a rise in severe wildfires, resulting in growing socioeconomic and ecological impacts. Postfire restoration has become a crucial approach to mitigate these impacts and promote ecosystem recovery. However, the ecological effects of such interventions are still not well understood. We employed remote sensing techniques to evaluate the impact of postfire emergency stabilization on the recovery of deciduous oak forests in Portugal. Our study encompassed 3013 sampling points located in areas with and without postfire interventions. We chose the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as an indicator of oak forest recovery over a four-year period following wildfires that took place in 2016 and 2017. We used a Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) to assess how NDVI changed over time as a function of postfire restoration, fire characteristics, topography, and postfire drought events. We found that postfire restoration had a significant positive effect on NDVI recovery over time, although this effect was small. Severe drought and fire recurrence up to six fires had a negative effect on the recovery of NDVI. Conversely, severe wetness and either low or high burn severities had a positive effect on recovery. Our study emphasizes the importance of monitoring postfire restoration effects on forest recovery to guide restoration planning and improve forest management in burned areas. This becomes even more relevant under increased wildfire severity predicted for the Mediterranean region interacting with other climate-driven disturbances, which will further negatively affect forest recovery.
The effects of land use types on microplastics in river water: A case study on the mainstream of the Wei River, China
Authors: Zhang Le , Li Xi , Li Qi , Xia Xiaoqiang , Zhang Hang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMicroplastics are widely found in rivers and their sediments, which will cause harm to the water ecological environment. The Wei River is a first-class tributary of the Yellow River, the fifth largest river in the world, and has vulnerable ecological environment and most sediment in the world. However, understanding how anthropogenic activities and environmental factors affect the microplastics distribution in this river is not clear. Based on this, the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in the Wei River were investigated. The abundance of microplastics ranged from 1033 to 8333 items/m3 and from 120 to 840 items/kg in the water and in the sediment, respectively. Fibers and fragments were the main shapes of Wei River, microplastics less than 500 μm were the main sizes, and black and white/transparent were the main colors. In Wei River, the abundance of microplastics in urban areas was higher than that in agricultural areas and mountainous areas. Furthermore, the correlation analysis revealed that microplastic abundance in the water was related to anthropogenic activities (population density, per capita GDP and distance) and environmental factors (water temperature, NH3-N, ORP), while in the sediments was correlated with anthropogenic activities (per capita GDP) and environmental factors (water temperature and NH3-N). This study reveals new patterns in microplastic pollution in the Wei River, underscoring the need for targeted environmental strategies. Our findings provide novel insights into the characteristics and distribution of microplastics, significantly adding to the current understanding of riverine microplastic pollution.
Decoding the drivers and effects of deforestation in Peru: a national and regional analysis
Authors: Móstiga Maricel , Armenteras Dolors , Vayreda Jordi , Retana Javier 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHigh deforestation rates in tropical forests of South America lead to biodiversity loss, climate change and alterations in nature’s contributions to people. Deforestation drivers vary across scales due to the heterogeneity of environmental and socioeconomic conditions and forest types. Here, we test the effects of deforestation drivers on deforestation rate from 2000 to 2020 at national and regional scales using Peru as a study case. To do that, we selected nine deforestation drivers commonly used in tropical deforestation analyses. We used the forest cover loss dataset of Global Forest Change to calculate deforestation rates. We conducted five path analyses, one for the national scale and the others for the four regions, using the district as a spatial unit. The national path model explained 34% of the total observed variance and showed that temperature, agriculture, transport network, precipitation, rural population and fire had a positive effect on deforestation, while the slope had a negative effect. The regional path models (63% of the total observed variance in the Coast region, 32% in the Andean, 60% in the High Rainforest and 75% in the Low Rainforest) showed that many national drivers remained at the regional scale. However, we found that the strength, relation (positive/negative) and type (direct/indirect) may vary. Therefore, identifying regional differences in deforestation dynamics is crucial for forest conservation planning and for addressing effective policies in tropical countries. However, improving the quality and availability of national data is essential for further advancing our understanding of this complex process.
Characterizing Family Planning Utilization in Adult Women and Adolescents in Pohnpei, Federerated States of Micronesia
Authors: McDonald Katherine , Cash McGinley Haley L. , Abraham Delpihn , Kapiriel Stephanie F. , Lorrin Marcy 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Increasing family planning xutilization in low-income countries to improve health outcomes of women and children is a global priority. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has poor maternal child health outcomes; therefore, this study aimed to examine family planning utilization in Pohnpei State, FSM.

Methods
This cross-sectional study sought to characterize family planning utilization in adult women of reproductive age and high school age adolescents in Pohnpei using representative survey data collected in 2019 (N = 570 and N = 1726, respectively). Chi-square tests were used to determine significant factors associated with family planning utilization.

Results
Among adult women of reproductive age (18–49 years old) not trying to get pregnant, 31.6% reported using contraception during last intercourse. Contraceptive use was significantly lower among younger women (18–24 years old) (21.7%, p = 0.021), unmarried women (18.6%, p < 0.001), those without health insurance (28.7%, p = 0.030), those who have never had a pap smear (20.5%, p < 0.001), and those who have never been pregnant (14.5%, p < 0.002). Among adolescents who reported being sexually active, 28.5% reported using any contraception at last intercourse and 22.6% reported using a condom at last intercourse. Condom use among sexually active adolescents was lowest among 12th graders (13.5%, p < 0.001) and girls (16.8%, p = 0.004).

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that young, unmarried, never pregnant women face an unmet need for family planning. Additionally, women with lower access to and use of healthcare services have lower use of family planning.
Aloe vera gel confers therapeutic effect by reducing pyroptosis in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer rat model: Role of NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway
Authors: Mohamed Amany O. , Abd-Elghaffar Sary Kh. , Mousa Rehab A. , Kamel Amira A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common gastrointestinal tract illness. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing characteristics. This research sought to explore the therapeutic impact of Aloe vera gel on ethanol-provoked GU in rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

Methods
An ethanol-induced GU rat model was constructed using forty male Wistar rats distributed at random into four groups: control, ulcer, pantoprazole, and Aloe vera. Gross evaluation of the stomach, ulcer index (UI), inhibition index, and gastric pH estimation were analyzed. Gastric malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined using the spectrophotometric method, and serum gastrin level was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gastric nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain PYD containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) mRNA expression levels were estimated by quantitative real-time PCR. Finally, the histopathological examination of the glandular part of stomach tissue was done.

Results
The ulcer group revealed a significant increase in MDA, gastrin, NLRP3, and GSDMD and a decrease in gastric pH and GSH compared to the control group. Gross investigations of the ulcer group revealed a hemorrhagic lesion in the stomach and an increase in UI. Also, histopathological results for this group showed severe epithelial loss, haemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and blood vessel congestion. However, Aloe vera treatment improved the gross, biochemical, molecular, and histopathological alterations induced by ethanol when compared to the ulcer group.

Conclusions

Aloe vera exerted antiulcer activities through modulation of oxidant/antioxidant status, anti-secretory properties, and mitigation of pyroptosis.
Biaxial Extension of Cruciform Specimens: Embedding Equilibrium Into Design and Constitutive Characterization
Authors: Vitucci G. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Main desired features of biaxial tests are: uniformity of stresses and strains; high strain levels in gauge areas; reliable constitutive parameters identification. Despite cruciform specimen suitability to modern tensile devices, standard testing techniques are still debated because of difficulties in matching these demands.

Objective
This work aims at providing rational performance objectives and efficient cruciform specimens shapes in view of constitutive characterization.

Methods
Objective performance is evaluated along particular lines lying on principal directions in equibiaxial tensile tests. A rich specimen profile geometry is purposely optimized via finite elements analysis by varying cost function and material compressibility. Experimental tests, monitored via digital image correlation, are carried out for validation.

Results
New shapes are designed and tested in a biaxial tensile apparatus and show to perform better than existing ones. Elastic parameter identification is efficiently performed by only exploiting full field strain measurements along statically significant lines.

Conclusions
Small gauge areas and small fillet radii cruciform specimens approach the ideal deformation behaviour. For the constitutive parameters identification in planar tensile experiments, it suffices to monitor strains along the gauge lines.
Mitochondrial disorders leading to Alzheimer’s disease—perspectives of diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Pszczołowska Magdalena , Walczak Kamil , Miśków Weronika , Mroziak Magdalena , Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna , Leszek Jerzy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia globally. The pathogenesis of AD remains still unclear. The three main features of AD are extracellular deposits of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque, accumulation of abnormal formation hyper-phosphorylated tau protein, and neuronal loss. Mitochondrial impairment plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. There are problems with decreased activity of multiple complexes, disturbed mitochondrial fusion, and fission or formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, mitochondrial transport is impaired in AD. Mouse models in many research show disruptions in anterograde and retrograde transport. Both mitochondrial transportation and network impairment have a huge impact on synapse loss and, as a result, cognitive impairment. One of the very serious problems in AD is also disruption of insulin signaling which impairs mitochondrial Aβ removal.Discovering precise mechanisms leading to AD enables us to find new treatment possibilities. Recent studies indicate the positive influence of metformin or antioxidants such as MitoQ, SS-31, SkQ, MitoApo, MitoTEMPO, and MitoVitE on mitochondrial functioning and hence prevent cognitive decline. Impairments in mitochondrial fission may be treated with mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 or ceramide.
Graphical Abstract

(Graphic content via Canva Pro)
How Primary Care Clinicians Process Patient Death: Logistics, Emotions, and Opportunities for Structural Support
Authors: Erickson Jessica Alcalay , O’Brien Bridget C. , Nouri Sarah 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Navigating the logistics and emotional processing of a patient’s death is an inevitable part of many physicians’ roles. While research has primarily examined how inpatient clinicians cope with patient loss, little work has explored how primary care clinicians (PCCs) handle patient death in the outpatient setting, and what support resources could help PCCs process loss.

Objective
To explore PCCs’ experiences with the logistics and emotional processing of patient deaths and suggestions for supportive resources.

Design
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews conducted between March and May 2023.

Participants
Recruitment emails were sent to 136 PCCs (physicians and nurse practitioners) at three San Francisco academic primary care clinics. Twelve clinicians participated in the study.

Approach
This study used a template analysis approach. Interview transcripts were analyzed in an iterative fashion to identify themes for how PCCs navigate patient death.

Results
Participants (n=12) described outpatient death notification as inconsistent, delayed, and rife with uncertainty regarding subsequent actions. They felt various emotions, notably sadness and guilt, especially with deaths of young, vulnerable patients or those from preventable illnesses. Participants identified strategies for emotional processing and recommended improvements including clear procedural guidance, peer debriefings, and formal acknowledgements of deceased patients.

Conclusions
Interviewing PCCs about their experiences following a patient death revealed key themes in logistical and emotional processing, and clinic resource recommendations to better support PCCs. Given the distinct characteristics of primary care—such as enduring patient relationships, greater isolation in ambulatory settings compared to inpatient environments, and rising burnout rates—enhancing guidance and support for PCCs is crucial to mitigate administrative burdens and grief after patient loss.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Effect of Bariatric Surgery After Five Years—A Prospective Multicenter Trial
Authors: Peromaa-Haavisto Pipsa , Luostarinen Markku , Juusela Risto , Tuomilehto Henri , Kössi Jyrki 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is high among the bariatric surgery candidates. Obesity is the most important individual risk factor for OSA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on OSA 5 years after the surgery.

Patients and Methods
In this prospective multicenter study, standard overnight cardiorespiratory recording was conducted to 150 patients at baseline prior to bariatric surgery. A total of 111 (73.3%) patients of those had OSA. Cardiorespiratory recordings at 5 years after surgery were available for 70 OSA patients. The changes in anthropometric and demographic measurements including age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist and neck circumference were evaluated. Also, a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire 15D administered in a baseline was controlled at 5-year follow-up visit.

Results
At 5-year OSA was cured in 55% of patients, but moderate or severe OSA still persisted in 20% of patients after operation. Mean total AHI decreased from 27.8 events/h to 8.8 events/h (p < 0.001) at 5-year follow-up. A clinically significant difference in QoL was seen in mobility, breathing, sleeping, usual activities, discomfort and symptoms, vitality and sexual activity. The QoL total score improved more in OSA patient at 5-year follow-up.

Conclusions
LRYGB is an effective treatment of OSA in obese patients and the achieved beneficial outcomes are maintained at 5-year follow-up.

Graphical Abstract
Methodological Considerations on the Use of Cohort Designs in Drug-Drug Interaction Studies in Pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Dimakos Jenny , Douros Antonios 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The evidence regarding the clinical effects of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is scarce and limited. Pharmacoepidemiologic studies could help fill in this important knowledge gap. Here, we review the pharmacoepidemiology of DDIs with a focus on cohort designs. We also highlight the decision-making process with respect to different aspects of cohort study design, potential biases that may arise during this decision process, and mitigation strategies.

Recent Findings
Considering the pharmacologic mechanism of the DDI of interest as well as of the object drug and the precipitant drug separately at the design stage of cohort studies for DDIs will help minimize major biases such as prevalent user bias and confounding by indication. Confounding by indication could also be mitigated by using control precipitants. Further, the correct assignment of the cohort entry date via the application of a time-varying exposure definition can help minimize immortal time bias and prevalent user bias. Minimization of these biases may also potentially be achieved with recently developed tools such as target trial emulation and the prevalent new-user design; however, more research is needed in the area.

Summary
Careful consideration of the underlying pharmacology and the specifics of study design will help minimize major biases in cohort studies that aim to assess the clinical effects of DDIs. Recent methodological developments from other areas of pharmacoepidemiology could further improve the internal validity of DDI studies.