bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term results after microsurgery for Cushing disease: experience with 426 primary operations over 35 years
Authors: Hofmann Bernd Markus , Hlavac Michal , Martinez Ramon , Buchfelder Michael , Müller Otto Albrecht , Fahlbusch Rudolf 
Published: January 2008

Object
The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the long-term results following microsurgery in a single surgeon's continuous series of patients with Cushing disease (CD), to assess the influence of changes in surgical procedures, and to compare the results with those of other treatment modalities. In particular, preoperative diagnosis, tumor size, results of histological examination, and complications were considered.

Methods
Between 1971 and 2004, 426 patients suffering from newly diagnosed CD underwent primary surgery. Pre-operative measures included clinical examination, endocrinological workup (testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and 2- and 8-mg dexamethasone overnight suppression tests), sellar imaging (polytomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance [MR] imaging), and in patients with negative results on imaging studies, inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Follow-up examinations consisting of endocrinological workup, and imaging took place 1 week and 3 months after surgery and then at yearly intervals.

Results
During microsurgery as first treatment, the adenoma finding rate was 86.6%. After selective adenomectomy, the remission rate was 75.9%, and this rate showed no improvement over the years. The best results were achieved in microadenomas confirmed on MR imaging or histopathological investigation. The recurrence rate (15%) and the complication rate (5.9%) declined over the years. If no adenoma was found, exploration of the sella turcica was performed in 45.6%, hypophysectomy in 3.5%, and hemihypophysectomy in 50.9% of these patients, leading to an early remission in 37.9%. In case of persistence or recurrence, further treatment (repeated operation, adrenalectomy, radio-therapy, or medical treatment) was used to control the disease.

Conclusions
Microsurgery remains the treatment of first choice in CD, even though no improvement in remission rates was observed over the years, because complication or remission rates for other treatment options are comparable or worse.
Immunohistochemical expression of nestin in adenohypophysial vessels during development of pituitary infarction
Authors: Salehi Fateme , Kovacs Kalman , Cusimano Michael D. , Horvath Eva , Bell C. David , Rotondo Fabio , Scheithauer Bernd W. 
Published: January 2008

Object
The aim of this work was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of nestin, a member of the intermediate filament family, in adenohypophysial vasculature during development and progression of pituitary infarction.

Methods
Forty-five nontumorous adenohypophyses and 34 pituitary adenomas of various types, all exhibiting acute or healing infarcts, were examined immunohistochemically using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.

Results
In both adenohypophyses and pituitary adenomas without infarction, nestin was expressed in only a few capillaries and endothelial cells. In acute infarcts without a vascular response, no nestin was demonstrable within necrotic capillaries (50 cases). In organizing infarcts, newly formed vessels spreading into necrotic zones showed nestin expression in all capillaries and practically every endothelial cell (25 cases). In the hypocellular, fibrotic scar phase, only a few vessels (4) were apparent, and immunoreactivity was focal and mild.

Conclusions
Nestin is strongly expressed in newly formed capillaries and is downregulated when infarcts transform to fibrous tissue. Nestin expression may provide valuable insight into the process of pituitary angiogenesis.
The efficacy of microendoscopic discectomy in reducing iatrogenic muscle injury
Authors: Shin Dong Ah , Kim Keung Nyun , Shin Hyun Cheol , Yoon Do Heum 
Published: January 2008

Object
The objective of this study was to evaluate the invasiveness of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) in comparison with microscopic discectomy (MD) by measuring serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK)-MM and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-5, and by comparing visual analog scale (VAS) scores of postoperative pain.

Methods
This study included a group of 15 patients who underwent surgery using MED and 15 patients who underwent surgery using MD, both for single-level unilateral herniated nucleus pulposus. The CPK-MM and LDH-5 levels were measured at admission and after 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively. Pain assessment was recorded using scores raging from 0 to 10 on a subjective VAS at admission and at 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively.

Results
The mean CPK-MM levels were lower for the MED group than for the MD group at both 3 (576.1 ± 286.3 IU/L compared with 968.1 ± 377.8 IU/L) and 5 days (348.1 ± 231.0 IU/L compared with 721.7 ± 463.2) postoperatively (p < 0.05). The mean VAS scores for postoperative back pain were lower in the MED group than in the MD group, both at 1 (3.3 ± 2.3 compared with 5.8 ± 1.5) and 5 days (1.9 ± 1.1 compared with 3.6 ± 1.1) postoperatively (p < 0.01).

Conclusions
The MED procedure is less invasive than MD, and causes less muscle damage and less back pain.
Excessive Exogenous Gonadotropins and Genetic and Pregnancy Outcomes After Euploidy Embryo Transfer
Authors: Ni Tianxiang , Zhou Wei , Liu Yingbo , Cui Weiran , Liu Yang , Lu Juanjuan , Zhang Qian , Chen Zi-Jiang , Li Yan , Yan Junhao 
Published: April 2024

ImportanceThe safety of exogenous gonadotropin treatment, based on its effect on embryos and pregnancy outcomes, remains inconclusive.ObjectiveTo evaluate the associations of different doses and durations of gonadotropins with embryonic genetic status and pregnancy outcomes after euploid embryo transfer in couples with infertility.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis study was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted at 14 reproductive centers throughout China from July 2017 to June 2018 that evaluated the cumulative live birth rate with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) among couples with infertility and good prognosis. The PGT-A group from the original RCT was selected for secondary analysis. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the total dosage of exogenous gonadotropins and treatment duration: group 1 (≤1500 IU and &amp;lt;10 days), group 2 (≤1500 IU and ≥10 days), group 3 (&amp;gt;1500 IU and &amp;lt;10 days), and group 4 (&amp;gt;1 500 IU and ≥10 days). Group 1 served as the control group. Data were analyzed from June through August 2023.InterventionsBlastocyst biopsy and PGT-A.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcomes were embryonic aneuploidy, embryonic mosaicism, and cumulative live birth rates after euploid embryo transfer.ResultsA total of 603 couples (mean [SD] age of prospective mothers, 29.13 [3.61] years) who underwent PGT-A were included, and 1809 embryos were screened using next-generation sequencing. The embryo mosaicism rate was significantly higher in groups 2 (44 of 339 embryos [13.0%]; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.69 [95% CI, 1.09-2.64]), 3 (27 of 186 embryos [14.5%]; aOR, 1.98 [95% CI, 1.15-3.40]), and 4 (82 of 651 embryos [12.6%]; aOR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.07-2.38]) than in group 1 (56 of 633 embryos [8.8%]). There were no associations between gonadotropin dosage or duration and the embryo aneuploidy rate. The cumulative live birth rate was significantly lower in groups 2 (83 of 113 couples [73.5%]; aOR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.27-0.88]), 3 (42 of 62 couples [67.7%]; aOR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.21-0.82]), and 4 (161 of 217 couples [74.2%]; aOR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.31-0.89]) than in group 1 (180 of 211 couples [85.3%]).Conclusions and relevanceIn this study, excessive exogenous gonadotropin administration was associated with increased embryonic mosaicism and decreased cumulative live birth rate after euploid embryo transfer in couples with a good prognosis. These findings suggest that consideration should be given to minimizing exogenous gonadotropin dosage and limiting treatment duration to improve embryo outcomes and increase the live birth rate.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03118141
Poly(ether‐ester)s synthesized from furandicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol using an acidic binary catalyst
Authors: Li Zhisong , Wu Linbo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPoly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is an important biobased polyester with better thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties than poly(ethylene terephthalate). In PEF synthesis, diethylene glycol furandicarboxylate (DF) is inevitably formed via etherification side reaction. Taking advantage of the side reaction, poly(ethylene‐co‐diethylene furandicarboxylate) (PEDF) poly(ether‐ester)s were synthesized only from 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and ethylene glycol (EG), using a cheap binary propanedisulfonic acid/dibutyltin oxide (PSA/DBTO) catalyst. The polymers were characterized by 1H NMR, intrinsic viscosity, solubility, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile, and gas barrier test. Due to strong acidity of PSA, not only major DF but also minor oligoethylene glycol furandicarboxylate ether‐containing units were formed. Their total content can be adjusted up to 78 mol% by simply increasing the dosage of PSA from 0 to 0.4 wt%. The effect of ether‐containing units on the solubility, thermal transition, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties of the poly(ether‐ester)s were examined and compared with the poly(ether‐ester)s synthesized via copolycondensation.
An improved sparrow search algorithm using chaotic opposition‐based learning and hybrid updating rules
Authors: Lian Lian 
Published: April 2024

SummaryMetaheuristic algorithms have special effects in solving optimization problems in real life and have become the focus of researchers. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is a newly proposed swarm‐based metaheuristic algorithm that has shown excellent optimization performance. Although compared with other algorithms, SSA shows good performance, the original SSA algorithm still has problems such as weak optimization ability, leading to falling into the local optimum, and being unable to balance exploration and exploitation well. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved SSA using chaotic opposition‐based learning and hybrid updating rules (CHSSA). First, chaotic opposition‐based learning is proposed to improve the diversity of the population. Second, two strategies, including adaptive weights and spiral search, are adopted to update the position. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed CHSSA, this paper uses 23 benchmark functions, IEEE CEC 2017 functions and 4 practical engineering optimization problems to evaluate the algorithm performance. The experimental results show that compared with other advanced optimization algorithms, CHSSA has the characteristics of fast convergence speed, high search accuracy, and strong robustness.
The role of climatic variables on nest evolution in tanagers
Authors: Colombo Silvia , Newman Kevin D. , Langmore Naomi E. , Taylor Claire J. , Medina Iliana 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAvian nests are fundamental structures in avian reproduction and face strong selective forces. Climatic conditions are likely to have shaped the evolution of specific nest traits, but evidence is scarce at a macroevolutionary level. The Thraupidae family (commonly known as tanagers) is an ideal clade to understand the link between nest architecture and climate because it presents wide variation in nest traits. To understand whether climatic variables have played a role in the diversification of nest traits among species in this family, we measured nests from 49 species using museum collections. We observed that dome‐nesting species are present in dryer and hotter environments, in line with previous findings suggesting that domed nests are a specialisation for arid conditions. We also found evidence that nests with thicker walls are present in locations with lower precipitation and that solar radiation can influence the shape of domed nests; birds tend to build shorter and narrower domes in areas with high levels of solar radiation. Open nest architecture is also potentially influenced by wind speed, with longer and deeper nests in areas characterised by strong winds. Our results support the hypothesis that different climatic variables can drive the evolution of specific aspects of nest architecture and contribute to the diversity of nest shapes we currently observe. However, climatic variables account only for a small fraction of the observed structural variation, leaving a significant portion still unexplained.
Sex ratio distorting microbes exacerbate arthropod extinction risk in variable environments
Authors: Fisher Adam M. , Knell Robert J. , Price Tom A. R. , Bonsall Michael B. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMaternally‐inherited sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs) are common among arthropod species. Typically, these microbes cause female‐biased sex ratios in host broods, either by; killing male offspring, feminising male offspring, or inducing parthenogenesis. As a result, infected populations can experience drastic ecological and evolutionary change. The mechanism by which SRDMs operate is likely to alter their impact on host evolutionary ecology; despite this, the current literature is heavily biased towards a single mechanism of sex ratio distortion, male‐killing. Furthermore, amidst the growing concerns surrounding the loss of arthropod diversity, research into the impact of SRDMs on the viability of arthropod populations is generally lacking. In this study, using a theoretical approach, we model the epidemiology of an understudied mechanism of microbially‐induced sex ratio distortion—feminisation—to ask an understudied question—how do SRDMs impact extinction risk in a changing environment? We constructed an individual‐based model and measured host population extinction risk under various environmental and epidemiological scenarios. We also used our model to identify the precise mechanism modulating extinction. We find that the presence of feminisers increases host population extinction risk, an effect that is exacerbated in highly variable environments. We also identified transmission rate as the dominant epidemiological trait responsible for driving extinction. Finally, our model shows that sex ratio skew is the mechanism driving extinction. We highlight feminisers and, more broadly, SRDMs as important determinants of the resilience of arthropod populations to environmental change.
The RAS‐signaling‐pathway‐mutation‐related prognosis in B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from South China children's leukemia group
Authors: Li Xinyu , Lin Shaofen , Liao Ning , Mai Huirong , Long Xingjiang , Liu Lili , Wu Beiyan , Chen Qiwen , Kong Qian , Kong Xianling , Liu Lixia , Qin Jiayue , Fang Jianpei , Zhou Dunhua 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe next‐generation sequencing technologies application discovers novel genetic alterations frequently in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). RAS signaling pathway mutations at the time of relapse ALL frequently appear as small subclones at the time of onset, which are considered as the drivers in ALL relapse. Whether subclones alterations in the RAS signaling pathway should be considered for risk group stratification of ALL treatment is not decided yet. In this work, we investigate the RAS signaling pathway mutation spectrum and the related prognosis in pediatric ALL. We employed an NGS panel comprising 220 genes. NGS results were collected from 202 pediatric ALL patients. 155 patients (76.7%) harbored at least one mutation. The incidences of RAS signaling pathway mutations are different significantly between T‐ALL and B‐ALL. In B‐ALL, the RAS pathway is mostly involved, and NRAS (17.6%), KRAS (22.7%), and PTPN11 (7.7%) were the three most frequently mutated genes. Co‐occurring mutations of CREBBP and NRAS, FLT3, or PTPN11 (p = 0.002, p = 0.009, and p = 0.003, respectively) were found in this cohort. The 3‐year RFS rates for the RAS signaling pathway mutation‐positive and negative cases was 76.5 % versus 89.7 % (p = 0.012). Four cases relapsed in the lately 3 years were RAS signaling pathway mutation‐positive. RAS signaling pathway mutation is an important biomarker for poorer relapse‐free survival in pediatric B‐ALL patients despite good early MRD levels.
A case of testicular cancer in a long‐term hydranencephaly survivor with undescended testes
Authors: Hirata Wataru , Shinojima Toshiaki , Yokota Kotaro , Kin Rei , Yamada Taketo , Asakura Hirotaka 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe development of malignant tumors in patients with hydranencephaly is extremely rare. We describe the first case of testicular cancer that developed in the undescended testes of a long‐term survivor of hydranencephaly.Case presentationA 32‐year‐old man with severe cerebral palsy due to hydranencephaly was referred to our department for the evaluation of a subcutaneous lump in the lower right abdomen. He was a long‐term survivor of hydranencephaly. After confirming the diagnosis of right testicular cancer originating in his undescended testes, surgical resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed a mixed‐type germ cell tumor.ConclusionThe decision‐making process for treating malignant tumors, like testicular cancer, in adults with severe cerebral palsy can be challenging. Clinical ethics consultation could be helpful in avoiding treatment delays.
National survey of transplant pharmacist ambulatory care practices
Authors: Sweiss Helen , Anger Lyndsey Bowman , Kataria Ann Dao , Doligalski Christina , Iaria Aoife , Pierce Dana , Waldman Georgina , Lichvar Alicia B. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionThere has been sustained growth in transplant pharmacist positions. However, the scope of pharmacist involvement, frequency of patient visits with a transplant pharmacist, and description of the transplant pharmacists' role in the ongoing management of transplant recipients have not been well described.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and role of transplant pharmacists in the management of transplant recipients in the ambulatory care setting.MethodsA 53‐question online survey was developed with the primary outcome being the incidence of solid organ transplant (SOT) programs with ambulatory care pharmacy services. Secondary outcomes included describing the scope of ambulatory transplant pharmacist activities for posttransplant recipients. The survey was distributed via transplant listservs and remained open from April 25, 2023 to May 27, 2023.ResultsA total of 174 responses were included for analysis, with 47 (27%) being partial responses. The total number of pediatric adult and pediatric transplant centers in the United States was 248 with a total number of 748 active programs, giving an estimated response rate of 23.8%. Of those, 93.7% reported having ambulatory transplant pharmacy services. The median of ambulatory care full‐time employees was 1 (interquartile range [IQR] 1–2) across the responding institutions. Transplant pharmacists were also involved in outpatient infusions (69.2%), immunization screening and administration (82.5%), telehealth services (57.0%), prescription refill authorization (61.0%) electronic medical record in‐basket, or equivalent messaging tasks (91.1%).ConclusionThe incidence of SOT pharmacist involvement in ambulatory care is overall high (93.7%). Analysis of this project allows for a better understanding of the landscape of SOT ambulatory care pharmacy services and can be used as an assessment for standard practice activities.
Optimization of Interleukin‐10 incorporation for dendritic cells embedded in Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels
Authors: Bulondo Fredrick , Babensee Julia E. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTranslational research in biomaterials and immunoengineering is leading to the development of novel advanced therapeutics to treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and viral infections. Dendritic cells (DCs) are at the center of these therapeutics given that they bridge innate and adaptive immunity. The biomaterial system developed herein uses a hydrogel carrier to deliver immunomodulatory DCs for amelioration of autoimmunity. This biomaterial vehicle is comprised of a poly (ethylene glycol)‐4 arm maleimide (PEG‐4MAL) hydrogels, conjugated with the immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin‐10, IL‐10, and cross‐linked with a collagenase‐degradable peptide sequence for the injectable delivery of immunosuppressive DCs to an anatomical disease‐relevant site of the cervical lymph nodes, for intended application to treat multiple sclerosis. The amount of IL‐10 incorporated in the hydrogel was optimized to be 500 ng in vitro, based on immunological endpoints. At this concentration, DCs exhibited the best viability, most immunosuppressive phenotype, and protection against proinflammatory insult as compared with hydrogel‐incorporated DCs with lower IL‐10 loading amounts. Additionally, the effect of the degradability of the PEG‐4MAL hydrogel on the release rate of incorporated IL‐10 was assessed by varying the ratio of degradable peptides: VPM (degradable) and DTT (nondegradable) and measuring the IL‐10 release rates. This IL‐10‐conjugated hydrogel delivery system for immunosuppressive DCs is set to be assessed for in vivo functionality as the immunosuppressive cytokine provides a tolerogenic environment that keeps DCs in their immature phenotype, which consequently enhances cell viability and optimizes the system's immunomodulatory functionality.
Impact of pemafibrate in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease complicated by dyslipidemia: A single‐arm prospective study
Authors: Ono Hiroki , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Arai Taeang , Suzuki Kenta , Higashi Tetsuyuki , Kitamura Michika , Shioda‐Koyano Kaori , Kawano Tadamichi , Yoshida Yuji , Okubo Tomomi , Hayama Korenobu , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Nagao Mototsugu , Iwabu Masato , Iwakiri Katsuhiko 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and AimThis study aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of 48‐week pemafibrate treatment in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) complicated by dyslipidemia.MethodsA total of 110 patients diagnosed with MASLD complicated by dyslipidemia received pemafibrate at a dose of 0.1 mg twice daily for 48 weeks.ResultsThe participants were 54 males and 37 females, with a median age of 63 (52–71) years. Besides improvement in lipid profile, significant reductions from baseline to 48 weeks of treatment were found in liver‐related enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001 for all). A significant decrease in the homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was observed in patients with insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR ≥ 2.5) (4.34 at baseline to 3.89 at Week 48, P < 0.05). Moreover, changes in ALT were weakly correlated with those in HOMA‐IR (r = 0.34; p < 0.05). Regarding noninvasive liver fibrosis tests, platelets, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2‐binding protein, type IV collagen 7s, and the non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score significantly decreased from baseline to Week 48. Most adverse events were Grades 1–2, and no drug‐related Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that 48‐week pemafibrate administration improved liver‐related enzymes and surrogate marker of liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD. The improvement of insulin resistance by pemafibrate may contribute to the favorable effect on MASLD complicated by dyslipidemia.