bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indobufen alleviates ischemic stroke injury by regulating transcription factor NRF2 and inhibiting ATG5 expression
Authors: Wang Yang , Bai Ge , Mu Shanshan , Zhang Fenglian , Wang Yan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a detrimental neurological disease and IS lacks valuable methods to recover body function. Indobufen (IND) could alleviate IS. However, the possible mechanism remains undefined.

Methods
SH-SY5Y cells were cultured under the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) environment and then were treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) of NRF2 and ATG5. The influence of various concentrations of IND (50 μM, 100 μM, 200 μM, and 400 μM) was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were examined by ELISA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined by DCFH-DA staining. The protein levels of LC3II/LC3I, Beclin1, p62, NRF2, and ATG5 were detected by western blot.

Results
IND increased cell viability, while depressed the rate of apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells of OGD/R environment. IND inhibited autophagy by suppressing the levels of LC3II/LC3I, Beclin1 protein, and increasing p62 protein expression in SH-SY5Y cells of OGD/R environment. IND limited the contents of ROS and MDA, while amplifying the activity of SOD in SH-SY5Y cells with OGD/R exposure. IND also promoted NRF2 expression in OGD/R environment.

Conclusion
IND could inhibit autophagy, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells with OGD/R exposure, further alleviating IS injury by regulating transcription factor NRF2 and inhibiting ATG5 expression.
The effect of combination treatment with low-intensity shockwave therapy and daily tadalafil on severe erectile dysfunction: a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kalyvianakis Dimitrios , Mykoniatis Ioannis , Pyrgidis Nikolaos , Kapoteli Paraskeui , Zilotis Filimon , Hatzichristou Dimitrios 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Patients with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) remain the most challenging group in terms of available noninvasive treatment modalities.

Aim
The study sought to assess the role of combination therapy with low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) and daily tadalafil 5 mg in a highly select group of patients with severe vasculogenic ED through a double-blind, randomized trial.

Methods
Forty-eight sexually active men were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of LiST 3 times weekly and tadalafil 5 mg once daily (n = 34) or sham therapy and tadalafil (n = 17) for 4 weeks. Patients were assessed at 1 and 3 months after completion of treatment.

Outcomes
Improvement of erectile function was evaluated through the International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) or 6-item IIEF and the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary. The primary outcome was the difference between the groups in the IIEF-EF at 3 months after completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes comprised (1) the difference between the groups in the IIEF-EF at 1 month after completion of treatment, (2) the difference between the groups in the “yes” responses to question 3 of the SEP diary at 1 and 3 months, and (3) the treatment-related adverse events. The number of patients attaining a minimal clinically important difference in the IIEF-EF (improvement of at least 7 points) was also assessed.

Results
After treatment, the absolute scores in the IIEF-EF were higher in patients receiving LiST and tadalafil vs sham therapy and tadalafil both at the 1-month (12.1 ± 2.4 vs 10.2 ± 1.7; P = .002) and at the 3-month (12.9 ± 2.1 vs 10.8 ± 1.8; P &lt; .001) evaluation. Between the 2 groups, the proportion of “yes” responses to question 3 of the SEP diary was not statistically significant, whereas the number of patients attaining a minimal clinically important difference in the IIEF-EF was statistically significant only at the 3-month evaluation. No adverse events occurred.

Clinical Implications
Application of LiST in patients with severe vasculogenic ED receiving daily dose tadalafil may further improve erectile function compared with tadalafil as a stand-alone treatment on the short term.

Strengths and Limitations
Although we provided the first study in the field, severe vasculogenic ED was defined based on medical history and clinical examination and not based on penile ultrasound measures.

Conclusion
The combination of 12 sessions LiST 3 times weekly and daily tadalafil for 4 weeks led to a 2-point difference in the IIEF-EF compared with sham therapy and daily tadalafil among patients with severe vasculogenic ED after 1 and 3 months from completion of treatment.
Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 counteracts ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5-mediated inhibition of seed germination and post-germinative growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Zhang Dayan , Liang Xiaoju , Liang Jiansheng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5), a key regulator of the abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway, plays a fundamental role in seed germination and post-germinative development. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the repression function of ABI5 remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that the conserved eukaryotic WD40 repeat protein Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1) is a novel negative regulator of ABI5 in Arabidopsis. The RACK1 loss-of-function mutant is hypersensitive to ABA, while this phenotype is rescued by a mutation in ABI5. Moreover, overexpression of RACK1 suppresses ABI5 transcriptional activation activity for ABI5-targeted genes. RACK1 may also physically interact with ABI5 and facilitate its degradation. Furthermore, we found that RACK1 and the two substrate receptors CUL4-based E3 ligases (DWA1 and DWA2) function together to mediate the turnover of ABI5, thereby efficiently reducing ABA signalling in seed germination and post-germinative growth. In addition, molecular analyses demonstrated that ABI5 may bind to the promoter of RACK1 to repress its expression. Collectively, our findings suggest that RACK1 and ABI5 might form a feedback loop to regulate the homeostasis of ABA signalling in acute seed germination and early plant development.
Impact of a Special Operations Forces Basic Training on Body Composition and Energy Expenditure
Authors: Mullie Patrick 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The Belgian Special Operations Regiment undergoes an 8-week basic training course (SOF Basic Course) following the Military Initiation Phase. The aims of the present study were to estimate energy expenditure and changes in body composition during SOF Basic Course.

Materials and Methods
A multi frequency body composition analyser assessed baseline and endpoint body composition. For the purpose of estimating energy expenditure, 41 participants were fitted with triaxial accelerometers. T-tests were performed on paired and unpaired samples in order to estimate statistical significance. Effect size was estimated with Cohen’s d.

Results
SOF Basic Course was completed by 88 out of 126 participants. The participants’ mean (SD) age was 25.0 (4.1) years, weight was 77.6 (8.6) kg, and body fat percentage was 15.3% (3.3). Body weight of completers decreased from 78.3 (8.8) kg to 76.4 (8.0) kg (P = 0.01). Also, body fat decreased by 3.1 (1.8) kg (P = 0.01), and muscle mass increased by 1.2 (1.7) kg (P = 0.01). There was a decrease in body fat percentage from 15.3% (3.3) to 11.6% (3.4) (P = 0.01), with a Cohen’s effect size of 1.86.
The loss of 3.1 kg of body fat corresponds to a loss of 21,700.0 kcal (90.3 MJ) or 362.0 kcal.d−1 (1.5 MJ.d−1). The mean (SD) energy expenditure by physical activity was 1,943.0 (653.8) kcal.d−1 (14.6 [2.7] MJ.d−1). The average (SD) total energy expenditure was 4,088.0 (710.0) kcal.d−1 (36.8 [3.8] MJ.d−1).

Conclusion
Tactical athletes must perform in hypo-energetic environment. Research in the future should investigate the impact of increased energy intake on body composition.
Discharge Opioid Dose Indirectly Associated With Functional Outcomes 2 Weeks After Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy in a US Military Sample
Authors: Herrera Germaine F , Patzkowski Jeanne C , Patzkowski Michael S , Giordano Nicholas A , Scott-Richardson Maya , Kent Michael , Highland Krista B 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Postsurgical opioid utilization may be directly and indirectly associated with a range of patient-related and surgery-related factors, above and beyond pain intensity. However, most studies examine postsurgical opioid utilization without accounting for the multitude of co-occurring relationships among predictors. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with opioid utilization in the first 2 weeks after arthroscopic surgery and examine the relationship between discharge opioid prescription doses and acute postsurgical outcomes

Methods
In this prospective longitudinal observational study, 110 participants undergoing shoulder or knee arthroscopies from August 2016 to August 2018 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center completed self-report measures before and at 14 days postoperatively. The association between opioid utilization and both patient-level and surgery-related factors was modeled using structural equation model path analysis.

Results
Participants who were prescribed more opioids took more opioids, which was associated with worse physical function and sleep problems at day 14, as indicated by the significant indirect effects of discharge opioid dose on day 14 outcomes. Additional patient-level and surgery-related factors were also significantly related to opioid utilization dose and day 14 outcomes. Most participants had opioid medications leftover at day 14.

Conclusion
Excess opioid prescribing was common, did not result in improved pain alleviation, and was associated with poorer physical function and sleep 14 days after surgery. As such, higher prescribed opioid doses could reduce subacute functioning after surgery, without benefit in reducing pain. Future patient-centered studies to tailor opioid postsurgical prescribing are needed.
Understanding the role of zinc ions on struvite nucleation and growth in the context of infection urinary stones
Authors: Prywer Jolanta , Torzewska Agnieszka , Mielniczek-Brzóska Ewa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Taking into account that in recent decades there has been an increase in the incidence of urinary stones, especially in highly developed countries, from a wide range of potentially harmful substances commonly available in such countries, we chose zinc for the research presented in this article, which is classified by some sources as a heavy metal. In this article, we present the results of research on the influence of Zn2+ ion on the nucleation and growth of struvite crystals—the main component of infection urinary stones. The tests were carried out in an artificial urine environment with and without the presence of Proteus mirabilis bacteria. In the latter case, the activity of bacterial urease was simulated chemically, by systematic addition of an aqueous ammonia solution. The obtained results indicate that Zn2+ ions compete with Mg2+ ions, which leads to the gradual replacement of Mg2+ ions in the struvite crystal lattice with Zn2+ ions to some extent. This means co-precipitation of Mg-struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) and Znx-struvite (Mg1-xZnxNH4PO4·6H2O). Speciation analysis of chemical complexes showed that Znx-struvite precipitates at slightly lower pH values than Mg-struvite. This means that Zn2+ ions shift the nucleation point of crystalline solids towards a lower pH. Additionally, the conducted research shows that Zn2+ ions, in the range of tested concentrations, do not have a toxic effect on bacteria; on the contrary, it has a positive effect on cellular metabolism, enabling bacteria to develop better. It means that Zn2+ ions in artificial urine, in vitro, slightly increase the risk of developing infection urinary stones.
Folk psychological attributions of consciousness to large language models
Authors: Colombatto Clara , Fleming Stephen M 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Technological advances raise new puzzles and challenges for cognitive science and the study of how humans think about and interact with artificial intelligence (AI). For example, the advent of large language models and their human-like linguistic abilities has raised substantial debate regarding whether or not AI could be conscious. Here, we consider the question of whether AI could have subjective experiences such as feelings and sensations (‘phenomenal consciousness’). While experts from many fields have weighed in on this issue in academic and public discourse, it remains unknown whether and how the general population attributes phenomenal consciousness to AI. We surveyed a sample of US residents (n = 300) and found that a majority of participants were willing to attribute some possibility of phenomenal consciousness to large language models. These attributions were robust, as they predicted attributions of mental states typically associated with phenomenality—but also flexible, as they were sensitive to individual differences such as usage frequency. Overall, these results show how folk intuitions about AI consciousness can diverge from expert intuitions—with potential implications for the legal and ethical status of AI.
Evaluating Parliamentary Academic Fellows
Authors: Prabhakar Rajiv 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Parliamentary Academic Fellowship (PAF) schemes have been introduced to boost knowledge exchange between legislatures and the academy. Evaluations of these schemes are rare. This article evaluates the UK Parliament’s PAF scheme based on interviews with former PAFs, Parliamentary hosts, and the Knowledge Exchange Unit. I find that PAFs and hosts want different things from the scheme. This is part of a wider issue of the differing incentives that academics and Parliamentary staff face in conducting knowledge exchange. Bringing academics and Parliamentary staff closer together means adapting the PAF scheme and exploring other forms of engagement beyond a formal fellowship scheme.
Reference gender-specific neonatal size at birth growth curves for singleton and twin neonates from North India
Authors: Murugesan Ambalakkuthan , Nangia Sushma , Saili Arvind 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives
To construct reference growth curves for the preterm population from North India and compare it with global charts.

Methods
This prospective study enrolled preterm neonates (23 to 36 weeks) from July 2018 to August 2019 after excluding stillbirths and those with congenital malformations. Anthropometry was performed within 18 hours of birth. Gestation age was assessed by the best estimate of a combination of the last menstrual period, antenatal first-trimester ultrasound, and Expanded New Ballard Score (ENBS). Centile curves were constructed for both genders for twins and singleton neonates separately using the GAMLSS method using R software.

Results
During the study period, of the 14,908 births, 3253 (21.8%) were born preterm. After excluding malformations and stillbirths, 2976 preterm neonates were eligible, out of which anthropometry within 18 hours was done for 2719 neonates. Data was analyzed for 2290 singleton and 414 twin preterm neonates. Smoothed reference growth curves were constructed for all anthropometric parameters for both genders for singleton as well as twin neonates. Indian preterm infants were smaller compared to international standards. The proportion of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates was 23.1% (Fenton’s charts) but only 10.9% when the data from the newly constructed chart was used. The concordance with international standards was better for very preterm neonates &lt;32 weeks than moderate and late preterm neonates (32 to 36 weeks).

Conclusions
The reference charts derived from the present study can be used for the North Indian preterm population. The use of western growth charts tends to overestimate the incidence of SGA.
Improving the sampling of red Noctiluca scintillans to understand its impact on coastal ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Kordubel Katharina , Baschek Burkard , Hieronymi Martin , Voynova Yoana G , Möller Klas O 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Recently, natural and anthropogenic pressures caused an apparent increase in the frequency and spread of red Noctiluca scintillans (RNS) blooms. Here, we describe this potential expansion and the associated environmental factors based on an extensive literature review (1857–2023). Our analysis suggests that Noctiluca increased over time in several Australian, Chinese and European coastal regions. We point to eutrophication, ocean warming and deoxygenation as possible drivers of these intensifications. Moreover, we demonstrate Noctiluca’s importance for coastal ecosystems: with competitive advantages causing fast and intense blooms, Noctiluca has the potential to alter plankton communities, influencing productivity in affected areas. Throughout our analysis, we identified major knowledge gaps that are relevant to assess Noctiluca: (i) challenges in determining its spatiotemporal evolution; (ii) limited knowledge about drivers triggering and ending blooms; (iii) scarce information about feeding, reproduction and interaction in situ and (iv) uncertainty regarding its contribution to carbon export. We hypothesize that these gaps are related to limitations in traditional sampling techniques, and we highlight the need for a holistic approach combining traditional with novel techniques like remote sensing and underwater cameras. Our suggested approach could help filling the identified gaps and facilitate predictions of bloom dynamics and impacts under future climate conditions.
Needle infiltration assisted explantation technique for peripheral nerve stimulator leads
Authors: Nia Sam , Adler Alexandra , Scemama Pascal , Yalamuru Bhavana 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Peripheral nerve stimulation is a neuromodulation modality that is increasing used to treat chronic pain. The permanent peripheral nerve stimulator systems, while easy to implant, are designed to stay in place and scar at the implantation site. There is a paucity of literature on explantation techniques for peripheral nerve stimulators.

Methods
In this report, we describe a needle infiltration assisted technique for lead explantation. This novel technique is minimally invasive, cost-effective, and utilizes a combination of fluoroscopy and ultrasound imaging. We describe the successful use of this technique in 3 cases without any adverse events.

Conclusion
There are many situations which might require a permanent peripheral nerve stimulator to be explanted such as infection, lead erosion, patient request, or need for the patient to undergo magnetic resonance imaging. In these scenarios, we propose a novel needle infiltration assisted technique of explantation that is safe, effective, and easy to replicate.
Analytical insights into semi-infinite plate scattering: the wiener–hopf technique and two-sided linear boundary conditions
Authors: Hales A D G , Ayton L J 
Published: April 2024

Summary
The Wiener–Hopf Technique is popular throughout applied mathematics, particularly for wave scattering problems. One such problem is the scattering of an incident wave impinging upon a semi-infinite surface. For scattering problems in which one applies separate boundary conditions on each side of the diffraction medium, we must adapt the standard Wiener–Hopf approach via a generalised technique to deal with the resulting matrix system. Such problems are present in the literature, where the Wiener–Hopf problem is reduced to solving Hilbert equations, leading to the so-called Wiener–Hopf–Hilbert method. However, both boundaries tend to have the same mathematical form, which is overly simplistic when describing realistic compliant boundaries or surface coatings. In some other literature, the matrix factorization problem remains the focus and is solved for arbitrary entries, which may prove challenging to use in complex scattering problems. We solve a more general problem while keeping an applied scattering framework, drawing attention to the additional analytical considerations needed to adapt previous methods. More specifically, we study the Wiener–Hopf matrix kernel, which shows that it holds the key to distinguishing these problems from those studied in previous literature. Finally, we present an example of a sound wave scattering off a plate that has a one-sided surface coating and is in flow. We treat this as a two-sided boundary and model the upper side with the Ingard–Myers impedance boundary condition and the lower side with the rigid Neumann boundary condition. Results are presented using impedance values from existing literature that reflect real materials.
A simple construction of potential operators for compensated compactness
Authors: Raiță Bogdan 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
We give a short proof of the fact that each homogeneous linear differential operator $\mathscr{A}$ of constant rank admits a homogeneous potential operator $\mathscr{B}$, meaning that $$\ker\mathscr{A}(\xi)=\mathrm{im\,}\mathscr{B}(\xi) \quad\text{for }\xi\in\mathbb{R}^n\backslash\{0\}.$$ We make some refinements of the original result and some related remarks.
Interpreting Statutes in a Manner Consistent with Seychelles’ International Obligations: Analysing the Court of Appeal’s Decision in The Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles v Laura Valabhji (2023)
Authors: Mujuzi Jamil Ddamulira 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The Constitution of Seychelles requires courts, when interpreting the Charter of Human Rights, to take judicial notice of human rights treaties. However, a similar obligation is not imposed on courts when interpreting legislation. Before the case of The Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles v Laura Valabhji (18 December 2023), the Court of Appeal had never held that courts are obliged to interpret statutes to conform to Seychelles’ international obligations. The Court rejected a literal approach to statutory interpretation and favoured a purposive approach to justify its reliance on an international treaty when interpreting the Anti-Corruption Act. In this article, the author argues that the Court’s decision in Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles v Laura Valabhji has three challenges: it did not explain the meaning of international obligations; its reliance on Indian and Sri-Lankan cases as a source of common law for Seychelles ignores, not only the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, but also the distinction between foreign cases as a source of common law and foreign cases from common law countries as persuasive authorities; and finally, its failure to define ‘control’ has the effect of expanding the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission beyond what was envisaged by the legislature.