bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perforated Amyand hernia with an adenocarcinoma tumour presenting as a groin abscess
Authors: Gbegli Emmanuel , Miremadi Ahmad , Serrao Eva Mendes , Sadler Timothy J 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
An Amyand hernia is an incarcerated inguinal hernia containing the appendix with or without appendicitis. This is a rare form of inguinal hernia, making up approximately 0.4%-1% of all cases. As with any hernia, this may become strangulated at any time, leading to the loss of blood supply and further development of gangrene and complications. Clinically, this can present in a manner indistinguishable from other types of inguinal hernias. In addition, the appendix can be affected by its own set of pathological processes, such as infection, inflammation, and malignancy. Not uncommonly both hernial and appendiceal complications coexist. The clinical diagnosis of an Amyand hernia remains challenging due to its low incidence and indistinct clinical presentation. At present, surgery is usually diagnostic and therapeutic. However, there is a growing number of recent reports showing the invaluable role of imaging on the diagnosis of Amyand hernias and associated complications. The correct and timely recognition of their imaging features including complications can optimize and expedite patient care by guiding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Here, we report for the first time the radiological and pathological findings of a patient with a unique complicated Amyand hernia, which posed a diagnostic challenge for the clinical and radiological teams.
Micro-RNA profiles of pathology and resilience in posterior cingulate cortex of cognitively intact elders
Authors: Kelley Christy M , Maloney Bryan , Beck John S , Ginsberg Stephen D , Liang Winnie , Lahiri Debomoy K , Mufson Elliott J , Counts Scott E 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is a key hub of the default mode network underlying autobiographical memory retrieval, which falters early in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We recently performed RNA sequencing of post-mortem PCC tissue samples from 26 elderly Rush Religious Orders Study participants who came to autopsy with an ante-mortem diagnosis of no cognitive impairment but who collectively displayed a range of Braak I–IV neurofibrillary tangle stages. Notably, cognitively unimpaired subjects displaying high Braak stages may represent cognitive resilience to AD pathology. Transcriptomic data revealed elevated synaptic and ATP-related gene expression in Braak Stages III/IV compared with Stages I/II, suggesting these pathways may be related to PCC resilience. We also mined expression profiles for small non-coding micro-RNAs (miRNAs), which regulate mRNA stability and may represent an underexplored potential mechanism of resilience through the fine-tuning of gene expression within complex cellular networks. Twelve miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between Braak Stages I/II and III/IV. However, the extent to which the levels of all identified miRNAs were associated with subject demographics, neuropsychological test performance and/or neuropathological diagnostic criteria within this cohort was not explored. Here, we report that a total of 667 miRNAs are significantly associated (rho &gt; 0.38, P &lt; 0.05) with subject variables. There were significant positive correlations between miRNA expression levels and age, perceptual orientation and perceptual speed. By contrast, higher miRNA levels correlated negatively with semantic and episodic memory. Higher expression of 15 miRNAs associated with lower Braak Stages I–II and 47 miRNAs were associated with higher Braak Stages III–IV, suggesting additional mechanistic influences of PCC miRNA expression with resilience. Pathway analysis showed enrichment for miRNAs operating in pathways related to lysine degradation and fatty acid synthesis and metabolism. Finally, we demonstrated that the 12 resilience-related miRNAs differentially expressed in Braak Stages I/II versus Braak Stages III/IV were predicted to regulate mRNAs related to amyloid processing, tau and inflammation. In summary, we demonstrate a dynamic state wherein differential PCC miRNA levels are associated with cognitive performance and post-mortem neuropathological AD diagnostic criteria in cognitively intact elders. We posit these relationships may inform miRNA transcriptional alterations within the PCC relevant to potential early protective (resilience) or pathogenic (pre-clinical or prodromal) responses to disease pathogenesis and thus may be therapeutic targets.
Contesting China’s Developing Country Status: Geoeconomics and the Public–Private Divide in Global Economic Governance
Authors: Weinhardt Clara , Petry Johannes 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The geopolitical rise of emerging economies has led to contestations and renegotiations of the boundaries of the developing country status. Established powers put pressure on emerging economies to give up this status and the benefits it comes with in global regimes. In this article, we analyse the (re)negotiation of China’s developing country status within the context of US–China geoeconomic competition with respect to two core areas in the global economy—finance and trade. We show that whether private or public actors are responsible for status classification influences the outcomes of contestation over China’s status. When private sector actors are central, China is more likely able to defend its developing country status against US pressure. We also find that these processes are mitigated by how decision-making processes are institutionalised. Our two case studies thus illustrate that regulatory processes such as status classification influence the outcomes of geoeconomic competition in international politics. These findings also shed new light on the power of states versus non-state actors within global governance amidst the geoeconomic turn: the public–private divide can serve as an important context factor that influences the probability of the international economic order to cater more towards US or Chinese geoeconomic strategies.
Laboratory Testing for Endocrine Hypertension: Current and Future Perspectives
Authors: Courcelles Louisiane , Stoenoiu Maria , Haufroid Vincent , Lopez-Sublet Marilucy , Boland Lidvine , Wauthier Loris , Beauloye Christophe , Maiter Dominique , Januszewicz Andrzej , Kreutz Reinhold , Persu Alexandre , Gruson Damien 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Secondary hypertension (SH) is a form of high blood pressure caused by an identifiable underlying condition. Although, it accounts for a small fraction of the overall hypertensive population, detection and management of SH is of utmost importance, because SH phenotypes carry a high cardiovascular risk and can possibly be cured by timely treatment.

Content
This review focuses on the endocrine causes of SH, such as primary aldosteronism, Cushing syndrome, thyroid disease, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, acromegaly, and rare monogenic forms. It discusses current biomarkers, analytical methods, and diagnostic strategies, highlighting advantages and limitations of each approach. It also explores the emerging -omics technologies that can provide a comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of SH and its underlying mechanisms.

Summary
Endocrine SH is a heterogeneous and complex condition that requires proper screening and confirmatory tests to avoid diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes. Careful biomarker interpretation is essential due to potential interferences, variability, and method-dependent differences. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is a superior method for measuring low-concentration hormones and metabolites involved in SH, but it requires expertise. Omics approaches have great potential to identify novel biomarkers, pathways, and targets for SH diagnosis and treatment, especially considering its multifactorial nature.
Evaluation of Nanopore Sequencing on Polar Bodies for Routine Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy
Authors: Oberle Anna , Hanzer Franziska , Kokocinski Felix , Ennemoser Anna , Carli Luca , Vaccari Enrico , Hengstschläger Markus , Feichtinger Michael 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) using polar body (PB) biopsy offers a clinical benefit by reducing the number of embryo transfers and miscarriage rates but is currently not cost-efficient. Nanopore sequencing technology opens possibilities by providing cost-efficient and fast sequencing results with uncomplicated sample preparation work flows.

Methods
In this comparative experimental study, 102 pooled PB samples (99 passing QC) from 20 patients were analyzed for aneuploidy using nanopore sequencing technology and compared with array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) results generated as part of the clinical routine. Samples were sequenced on a Nanopore MinION machine. Whole-chromosome copy-numbers were called by custom bioinformatic analysis software. Automatically called results were compared to aCGH results.

Results
Overall, 96/99 samples were consistently detected as euploid or aneuploid in both methods (concordance = 97.0%, sensitivity = 0.957, specificity = 1.0, positive predictive value = 1.0, negative predictive value = 0.906). On the chromosomal level, concordance reached 98.7%. Chromosomal aneuploidies analyzed in this trial covered all 23 chromosomes with 98 trisomies, and 97 monosomies in 70 aCGH samples.
The whole nanopore work flow is feasible in under 5 h (for one sample) with a maximum time of 16 h (for 12 samples), enabling fresh PB-euploid embryo transfer. A material cost of US$ 165 (EUR 150)/sample possibly enables cost-efficient aneuploidy screening.

Conclusions
This is the first study systematically comparing nanopore sequencing with standard methods for the detection of PB aneuploidy. High concordance rates confirmed the feasibility of nanopore technology for this application. Additionally, the fast and cost-efficient work flow reveals the clinical utility of this technology, making it clinically attractive for PB PGT-A.
Is the speed of adjusting to environmental change condition dependent? An experiment with house mice (Mus musculus)
Authors: Lopez-Hervas Karem , Porwal Neelam , Delacoux Mathilde , Vezyrakis Alexandros , Guenther Anja 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Environmental conditions change constantly either by anthropogenic perturbation or naturally across space and time. Often, a change in behavior is the first response to changing conditions. Behavioral flexibility can potentially improve an organism’s chances to survive and reproduce. Currently, we lack an understanding on the time-scale such behavioral adjustments need, how they actually affect reproduction and survival and whether behavioral adjustments are sufficient in keeping up with changing conditions. We used house mice (Mus musculus) to test whether personality and life-history traits can adjust to an experimentally induced food-switch flexibly in adulthood or by intergenerational plasticity, that is, adjustments only becoming visible in the offspring generation. Mice lived in 6 experimental populations of semi-natural environments either on high or standard quality food for 4 generations. We showed previously that high-quality food induced better conditions and a less risk-prone personality. Here, we tested whether the speed and/ or magnitude of adjustment shows condition-dependency and whether adjustments incur fitness effects. Life-history but not personality traits reacted flexibly to a food-switch, primarily by a direct reduction of reproduction and slowed-down growth. Offspring whose parents received a food-switch developed a more active stress-coping personality and gained weight at a slower rate compared with their respective controls. Furthermore, the modulation of most traits was condition-dependent, with animals previously fed with high-quality food showing stronger responses. Our study highlights that life-history and personality traits adjust at different speed toward environmental change, thus, highlighting the importance of the environment and the mode of response for evolutionary models.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with anteriorly directed mitral regurgitation is a red flag for concomitant pathology: a case report
Authors: Somma Vincenzo , Raman Jaishankar , Fitzpatrick Leigh , Prior David , Paratz Elizabeth 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is often linked to systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, typically resulting in a posteriorly directed mitral regurgitation (MR) jet. An anteriorly directed MR jet suggests additional mitral valve pathology that may not be resolved by myectomy alone.

Case summary
A 58-year-old construction worker with no significant medical history experienced a syncopal event and was admitted to the emergency department with acute pulmonary oedema. A systolic murmur was investigated with a trans-thoracic echocardiogram that revealed severe MR with an unusual anteriorly directed MR jet and a possible flail segment of the posterior leaflet. This finding was further characterized with a trans-oesophageal echocardiogram that revealed severe asymmetric septal hypertrophy with SAM of the mitral valve, severe mitral regurgitation into a dilated left atrium with pulmonary vein flow reversal not caused by HCM-associated SAM, and a markedly abnormal mitral valve with flail and prolapse. The patient underwent successful cardiac surgery, including mitral valve repair and septal myectomy. The patient’s recovery was uneventful, allowing for a return to work within a month post-surgery.

Discussion
The anteriorly directed MR jet served as a red flag, leading to the discovery of an independent mitral valve pathology that required surgical intervention beyond the expected treatment for SAM-associated HCM. This case highlights the complexity of assessing MR in patients with HCM and underscores the importance of characterizing MR jet direction in diagnosing additional mitral valve diseases.
Parallel evolution in an island archipelago revealed by genomic sequencing of Hipposideros leaf-nosed bats
Authors: Lavery Tyrone H , DeRaad Devon A , Holland Piokera S , Olson Karen V , DeCicco Lucas H , Seddon Jennifer M , Leung Luke K-P , Moyle Robert G 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Body size is a key morphological attribute, often used to delimit species boundaries among closely related taxa. But body size can evolve in parallel, reaching similar final states despite independent evolutionary and geographic origins, leading to faulty assumptions of evolutionary history. Here, we document parallel evolution in body size in the widely distributed leaf-nosed bat genus Hipposideros, which has misled both taxonomic and evolutionary inference. We sequenced reduced representation genomic loci and measured external morphological characters from three closely related species from the Solomon Islands archipelago, delimited by body size. Species tree reconstruction confirms the paraphyly of two morphologically designated species. The nonsister relationship between large-bodied H. dinops lineages found on different islands indicates that large-bodied ecomorphs have evolved independently at least twice in the history of this radiation. A lack of evidence for gene flow between sympatric, closely related taxa suggests the rapid evolution of strong reproductive isolating barriers between morphologically distinct populations. Our results position Solomon Islands Hipposideros as a novel vertebrate system for studying the repeatability of parallel evolution under natural conditions. We conclude by offering testable hypotheses for how geography and ecology could be mediating the repeated evolution of large-bodied Hipposideros lineages in the Solomon Islands.
Microbiological characterization of a rearing system for the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: a support to technical production regulations redaction and system monitoring
Authors: Pani Sara Maria , Coroneo Valentina , Pasquini Viviana , Sanna Adriana , Addis Piero 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
The overexploitation of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus stock, as a consequence of the growing market demand for roe, has boosted the research for echinoderm rearing. The chemical, physical, and microbiological characteristics of land-based facilities are crucial for sea urchins’ health and human consumption of their products. In Italy, health–hygienic regulations for P. lividus rearing are still to be perfected by the authorities. In this context, we characterized the microbiological quality of a pilot land-based facility for sea urchin production at the University of Cagliari (Italy) to support the development of technical production regulations.

Materials and Methods
The accredited Hygiene Laboratory of Cagliari University collected and analyzed the samples in June 2023. Mesophilic bacteria, yeasts, and molds were searched for in air and on surfaces. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, sulfite-reducing Clostridia, and Vibrio spp. were identified in water samples. We searched forVibrio spp. and Pseudomonas spp. in the gonads and coelomic fluid of sea urchins.

Results
Although air, surfaces, and water quality were satisfactory overall, some critical points should be monitored more strictly. Enterococci concentration was 250 CFU/100 mL in the water reserve, suggesting animal contamination (other than humans). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant to filtration processes, with a residual concentration of 6 CFU/250 mL after the second filtration. No colonies of Vibrio spp. or Pseudomonas spp. were isolated in sea urchins’ gonads or coelomic fluid.

Conclusions
Starting from the results, we provided targeted advice for developing technical production regulations, system monitoring, and facility routine maintenance in accordance with the ‘best practice’ approach. This analysis could be considered a first step toward the elaboration of common regulations about the minimal standards for the breeding environment of P. lividus by national and regional authorities.
Shortest-path ray tracing on self-adapting random grids
Authors: Quiaro Alejandro , Sacchi Mauricio D 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARY
A new ray tracing algorithm based on the shortest path method was designed and optimized to model seismic rays. The workflow is based on Dijkstra’s algorithm to find the shortest path iteratively on self-adapting random grids. These random grids adapt from one iteration to the next, storing in memory those nodes that minimize the traveltime in each iteration, consequently automatically densifying the grid in areas with significant velocity variations. Different data structures and grid geometries were studied, and it was confirmed that using a combination of a binary heap and random grids prevents systematic errors generated by using regular grids while keeping the computational times low. Since the nodes that minimize the traveltime are stored in each iteration, the memory requirements increase logarithmically, with the initial iterations having the most significant impact on the error minimization but plateauing afterwards. It was found that, albeit this increase in memory requirements, by focusing the densification of nodes in areas close to the actual trajectory of the rays, the error minimization requires fewer iterations than other implementations based on multiple realizations of random grids (requiring less than a tenth of the number of iteration of other methods). A function to handle extreme topographic variations was also designed, which uses a boolean test to reject rays crossing the topography, making the algorithm suitable for first arrival modelling in complex topography areas, such as the required for tomographic inversion of first arrivals in thrust-belt land seismic.
The influence of an anticline structure on ambient noise spectral anomalies at an underground gas storage
Authors: El Khoury Christine , Kazantsev Alexandre , Kula Damian , Dartois Arthur , Chauris Hervé 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARY
The purpose of this study is to investigate the seismic ambient noise spectral anomalies that occur near gas reservoirs. These anomalies involve a significant spectral amplification of the vertical component for frequencies generally between 1.5 and 4 Hz and have been reported at various hydrocarbon sites worldwide. There are differing views on the mechanisms responsible for these anomalies. The guideline for this study is that many hydrocarbon reservoirs share a common geological feature: an anticline structure. It appears to cause site effects that influence the amplitude of the ambient noise wavefield. This research examines a dense real data set of ambient noise recorded at the Chémery underground gas storage site in France. The analysis identifies stable spectral anomalies between 1.2 and 2.4 Hz that are correlated to the position of the anticline structure, which also corresponds to the position of the gas bubble. We use a beamforming technique to study the composition and the origin of the ambient noise, and show that the variations of the spectral anomalies over time are correlated to changes in the source wavefield. Finally, we perform numerical simulations of Rayleigh wave propagation within a realistic 3-D velocity model of the Chémery site, while using source distributions directly extracted from real data analysis. The comparison of the simulated anomalies with real data yields a satisfactory qualitative fit. We conclude that the fundamental-mode Rayleigh wave site effect on the anticline is the main mechanism of the spectral anomaly.
Understanding earthquake location uncertainties using global sensitivity analysis framework
Authors: Laporte Marine , Letort Jean , Bertin Michaël , Bollinger Laurent 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARY
Earthquake hypocentres are routinely obtained by a common inversion problem of P- and S-phase arrivals observed on a seismological network. Improving our understanding of the uncertainties associated with the hypocentral parameters is crucial for reliable seismological analysis, understanding of tectonic processes and seismic hazard assessment. However, current methods often overlook uncertainties in velocity models and variable trade-offs during inversion. Here, we propose to unravel the effects of the main sources of uncertainty in the location process using techniques derived from the Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) framework. These techniques provide a quantification of the effects of selected variables on the variance of the earthquake location using an iterative model that challenges the inversion scheme. Specifically, we consider the main and combined effects of (1) variable network geometry, (2) the presence of errors in the analyst’s observations and (3) errors in velocity parameters from a 1-D velocity model. These multiple sources of uncertainty are described by a dozen of random variables in our model. Using a Monte Carlo sampling approach, we explore the model configurations and analyse the differences between the initial reference location and 100 000 resulting hypocentral locations. The GSA approach using Sobol's variance decomposition allows us to quantify the relative importance of our choice of variables. It highlights the critical importance of the velocity model approximation and provides a new objective and quantitative insight into understanding the sources of uncertainty in the inversion process.