bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and safety value of ultrasound-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy for mediastinal masses: a single-center experience
Authors: Poisa Paolo , Malerba Paolo , Orsini Anna , Sabbadini Linda , De Tavonatti Maria Grazia , Cecchinel Stefania , Orizio Paola , Caletti Stefano , Saifi Erkin Saeed , Nardin Matteo , Pelizzari Giovanni 
Published: February 2025

AbstractUS-guided (Ultrasound-guided) percutaneous transthoracic core needle biopsy (CNB) is a favorable method for establishing the correct diagnosis of mediastinal masses. However, studies in this area are scant and often include small samples, thus making it difficult to provide robust evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of this procedure. Thus, we aimed to report on the 20 years of experience at our center with regard to US-guided CNB.We included all consecutive patients referred to our center to undergo US-guided percutaneous transthoracic CNB for a mediastinal mass between 1999 and 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to display data. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to inquire about predictors of diagnostic sampling.The final cohort included 140 patients with a median age of 37 years. In 20.7% of the cases, the mediastinal mass was an incidental finding. The parasternal approach was used most often. US-guided CNB was diagnostic in 84.3% of the patients and most of the diagnoses included hematological neoplasms. The reasons for non-diagnostic sampling included firm lesion consistency, low quantity of samples, and lesion necrosis. The parasternal approach resulted in an independent predictor of diagnostic sampling (AOR 4.16, 95% CI 1.14–15.23, p=0.031), while a bulky feature revealed only a trend for diagnostic sampling. One non-severe adverse event occurred, with spontaneous resolution.US-guided percutaneous transthoracic CNB is an effective and safe procedure that allows the diagnosis of mediastinal masses. The identification of patients that could benefit from this technique should be the next step in researching this topic.
Therapierefraktäre chronische Depression bei einem CADASIL-Patienten mit körperlich asymptomatischem Verlauf: ein Fallbericht
Authors: Wurthmann Sebastian , Kastrup Oliver , Wurthmann Cornelius , Scherbaum Norbert , Roser Patrik 
Published: February 2025

ZusammenfassungDepressive Störungen sind sehr häufige psychische Erkrankungen, die normalerweise gut behandelbar sind. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit ist jedoch erforderlich, wenn sich die depressive Symptomatik trotz leitliniengerechter Therapie nicht verbessert und hirnstrukturelle Veränderungen in der Bildgebung feststellbar sind. Wir berichten über einen humangenetisch neu diagnostizierten 63-jährigen Patienten mit zerebraler autosomal-dominanter Arteriopathie mit subkortikalen Infarkten und Leukenzephalopathie (CADASIL) mit einem zwei Jahrzehnte langen Verlauf schwerer affektiver Symptome ohne klassische somatische CADASIL-Krankheitsmerkmale, obwohl eine pathogene Variante in der EGFr-4-Domäne des NOTCH3-Proteins gefunden wurde. CADASIL ist eine seltene Erbkrankheit der kleinen Hirngefäße, die durch Mutationen im NOTCH3-Gen verursacht wird. Die Krankheit beginnt typischerweise im jungen Erwachsenenalter und ist durch ischämische Schlaganfälle, migräneartige Kopfschmerzen, psychiatrische Störungen und kognitiven Verfall gekennzeichnet. Pathogene Varianten in den NOTCH3 EGFr-Domänen 1-6 sind mit einem schwereren somatischen Phänotyp verbunden. Unser Fallbericht unterstreicht die phänotypische Heterogenität von CADASIL mit ausschließlich psychiatrischen Symptomen trotz Mutation in der EGFr-Domäne 4; daher sollte CADASIL bei Vorliegen von affektiven Störungen, fehlendem Ansprechen auf Antidepressiva und typischen MR-Veränderungen in Betracht gezogen werden.
Successful Trial of Labor After Two Caesarean Sections (TOLA2C): Analysis of a Delivery Protocol with Feto-Maternal Outcome
Authors: Brandstetter Maximilian , Brandstetter Andreas , Kainz-Schultes Sabine , Jacobs Volker R. , Fazelnia Claudius , Fischer Thorsten , Bogner Gerhard 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe majority of obstetrical clinics do not offer a trial of labor after two Caesarean sections (TOLA2C) due to concerns about fetal and maternal complications such as uterine rupture or asphyxia. This study aimed to establish a delivery protocol for safely undergoing TOLA2C and analyzed predictors for a successful vaginal delivery.Analysis of retrospectively collected data of all pregnant women after two consecutive Caesarean sections was performed at the Obstetrics Department of a tertiary community hospital from January 2013 until December 2022. Those who desired TOLA2C were screened by a senior obstetrician and had to consent to a delivery protocol consisting of five pre- and eight peripartum criteria. Maternal demographic data, indications for previous Caesarean sections and feto-maternal outcome parameters were compared between the successful TOLA2C group and the intrapartum Third-Caesarean section group.In the study period, 385 women planned a delivery after two consecutive CS. Following the protocol, 358 patients (93.0%) were scheduled as elective repeat CS, while 27 (7.0%) attempted vaginal delivery. In this TOLA2C group, 17 women (63.0%) successfully delivered vaginally. In contrast, ten failed vaginal attempts (37.0%) resulted in nine intrapartum repeat CS and one intrapartum emergency CS. Women with prior vaginal delivery had a higher chance of a successful TOLA2C (p = 0.04). In comparison, women with a previous CS due to the indication of arrested labor had a higher risk for intrapartum repeat CS (p = 0.02). No fetal or maternal death occurred, and no major complications were observed.Under the specified conditions, TOLA2C is safe for mother and fetus, and successful vaginal delivery is feasible.
Negative emotions, projection bias, and the vote choice in South Korea
Authors: Chang Kiyoung , Park Jeeyoung 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Can corruption scandals change voters’ perceptions of candidates’ ideological positions? While it is well established that competence shocks, such as corruption scandals, influence voters’ affective attachment to political elites and their perceived capacity to address social issues, this study explores how such shocks may also lead voters to perceive some candidates as more ideologically extreme. This phenomenon, known as the contrast effect, occurs when voters interpret signals of low competence as indicators of greater ideological distance from their preferred positions. This study focuses on a major corruption scandal in South Korea and examines its impact on voters’ perceptions of presidential candidates’ ideological positions. The findings reveal that during the election period, voters’ negative emotions towards the ex-president’s corruption led them to perceive greater ideological distance from certain candidates. Specifically, most centrist voters and those from one side of the political spectrum perceived the ‘corrupt’ party as moving further from their own ideological positions. This study highlights the importance of considering emotional responses to political events in shaping voters’ ideological perceptions and subsequent electoral choices.
Surface polarization strongly influences electrostatics in a nonlocal medium
Authors: Behjatian Ali , Blossey Ralf , Krishnan Madhavi 
Published: February 2025

Electrostatics in the solution phase is governed by free electrical charges such as ions, as well as by bound charges that arise when a polarizable medium responds to an applied field. In a local medium, described by a constant dielectric permittivity, the sign of the far-field electrostatic potential distribution around an object is governed by its electrical charge. We demonstrate significant departures from this expectation in a nonlocal medium characterized by a wave vector-dependent dielectric function. Here, surface polarization due to the solvent, or indeed non-solvent dipoles, may wield significant influence at large distances. The polarization correlation length may not only significantly augment the effective screening length but we also show that the electrical contribution from polarization can compete with and even invert the sign of the electrical potential and the field arising from charge alone. These results hold ramifications for a range of apparently anomalous electrically governed observations, such as underscreening, electrophoretic mobilities of charge-neutral objects, and long-ranged attraction between like-charged entities in water and other solvents.
Controllable two-dimensional asymmetric diffraction grating via vortex light in semiconductor double quantum wells system
Authors: Zhao Kunpeng , Zhang Duo , Guo Junbing , Li Jiaqian 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We present a theoretical scheme to realize two-dimensional (2D) asymmetric diffraction grating in a five-level inverted Y-type&#xD;asymmetric double semiconductor quantum wells (SQWs) structure with resonant tunneling. The SQW structure interacts with a weak probe laser field, a spatially independent 2D standing-wave (SW) field, and a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) vortex field respectively. The results indicate that the diffraction patterns are high sensitive to amplitude modulation and phase modulation. Because of the existence&#xD;of vortex light, it is possible to realize asymmetric high-order diffraction in the SQW structure, and then a 2D asymmetric grating&#xD;is established. By adjusting the detunings of the probe field, vortex field and SW field, as well as the interaction length, diffraction intensity and direction of the 2D asymmetric electromagnetically induced grating (EIG) can be controlled effectively. In addition, the&#xD;number of orbital angular momentum (OAM) and beam waist parameter can be used to modulate the diffraction intensity and energy&#xD;transfer of the probe light in different regions. High-order diffraction intensity is enhanced and high efficiency 2D asymmetric diffraction grating with different diffraction patterns are obtained in the scheme. Such 2D asymmetric diffraction grating may be beneficial to the research of optical communication and innovative semiconductor quantum devices.
Observational Signatures of Traversable Wormholes
Authors: Chen Yiqian , Cheng Lang , WANG Peng , Yang Haitang 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In this paper, we study the observational signatures of traversable Simpson-Visser wormholes illuminated by luminous celestial spheres and orbiting hot spots. We demonstrate that when light sources and observers are on the same side of the wormholes, the images of the wormholes mimic those of black holes. However, when the light sources are positioned on the opposite side from observers, photons traversing the wormhole throat generate distinct observational signatures. Specifically, unlike black hole images, the wormhole images are confined within the critical curve, resulting in smaller centroid variations. Furthermore, the light curve of hot spots can exhibit additional peaks.
Implication of shell quenching in the scandium isotopes around $N=20$
Authors: An Rong , Jiang Xiang 蒋翔 , Tang Na , Cao Li-Gang 曹李刚 , Zhang Feng-Shou 张丰收 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Shell closure structures are commonly observed phenomena in nuclear charge radii throughout the whole nuclide chart.&#xD; Inspired by the recent work that the abrupt change can be observed significantly in the charge radii of scandium isotopic chain across the neutron number $N=20$, we further review the underlying mechanism of the enlarged charge radii for $^{42}$Sc based on the covariant density functional theory. The pairing correlations are tackled by solving the state-dependent Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer equations. Meanwhile, the neutron-proton correlation around Fermi surface derived from the simultaneously unpaired proton and neutron is taken into account properly in describing the systematic evolution of nuclear charge radii. The calculated results suggest that the abrupt increase of charge radii across the $N=20$ shell closure seems to be improved along scandium isotopic chain if the strong neutron-proton correlation is expected appropriately.
The Center
Authors: Kubátová Hana 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This chapter describes the ‘center’ of the wartime state and the expansions of and limitations on its authority. The center encompassed the newly formed capital city but also the structures and institutions under the fascist regime. I begin where the Slovak state was established, in Bratislava, and explore the various layers, political, national, and social, of the city and the regime. The chapter lays out the contours of the state, whether these were physical or institutional, domestic, or international. This chapter’s portrayal of the center reveals a landscape that is mired in uncertainty, marked by awkwardness, and plagued by anxiety. Despite being presented as the fulfillment of God’s plans and national will, the state’s survival was contingent on appeasing Hitler in Berlin and garnering popular support across a heterogenous countryside. As a result, to establish its legitimacy, the regime relied on not only violence and coercion but also indirect rule, inviting those situated at the edges to be its agents in implementing the new order of Christian and Slovak national social it created.
Toxicity of anti-cancer drugs: the imaging findings to watch out for in common cancers
Authors: Pulappadi Vishnu Prasad , Rangarajan Krithika , Pramanik Raja , Yadav Mukesh K , Thulkar Sanjay 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
A multitude of drugs are used for the treatment of various types of cancers. They consist of conventional cytotoxic agents and newer targeted agents. Both types of agents produce a variety of side effects by their effect on normal cells of the body. Regardless of whether they produce any symptoms or not, a proportion of these side effects can be visualized on imaging, and their identification is crucial for guiding further management. While some of the adverse effects are mild and tolerable, many others require dose reduction and even withdrawal of the drug. A few of these manifestations may resemble tumour progression or recurrence on imaging. Therefore, appropriate knowledge regarding the imaging manifestations of the adverse effects caused by the chemotherapeutic agents used for various types of cancers is an integral part of onco-radiology practice. In this review, the common adverse effects of various anti-cancer drugs have been described based on the type of malignancy in which they occur, rather than based on the organ affected. This would allow the radiologist to look for common side effects while reading the scan of a patient with a specific cancer.
An open-label Phase 2a study to assess the safety and tolerability of trimetazidine in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: van Eijk Ruben P A , Steyn Frederik J , Janse van Mantgem Mark R , Schmidt Angela , Meyjes Myrte , Allen Sally , Daygon Dara V , Loeffler Jean-Philippe , Al-Chalabi Ammar , van den Berg Leonard H , Henderson Robert D , Ngo Shyuan T 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Metabolic imbalance is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression. Impaired glucose oxidation and increased reliance on fatty acid oxidation contribute to reduced metabolic flexibility and faster disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We sought to evaluate the safety and tolerability, and explore the pharmacodynamic response of trimetazidine, a partial fatty acid oxidation inhibitor, on oxidative stress markers and energy expenditure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study was conducted between June 29, 2021 and May 24, 2023. People living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, recruited in Australia and the Netherlands, received open-label oral trimetazidine for 12 weeks after an initial 4-week lead-in period. The primary outcome measures were safety and tolerability, as well as the change from baseline in oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Secondary outcome measures were change from baseline in energy expenditure, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale—revised, and slow vital capacity (SVC). Linear mixed effects were used to estimate the mean difference in MDA and 8-OHdG between the on- and off-treatment periods. This trial is registered under ClinicalTrial.gov National Clinical Trial (NCT) number NCT04788745 and European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) number 2020-005018-17. Twenty-one participants received trimetazidine; 19 (90%) completed the treatment period. Trimetazidine was well tolerated; there were 57 adverse events reported, of which 7 (11%) were deemed potentially drug-related, including hot flushes (2), nausea (2), paraesthesia (2) and fatigue (1). MDA was numerically lower during treatment [−0.29 uM; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.90 to 0.33, P = 0.36]; 8-OHdG was significantly lower during treatment (−0.12 nM; 95% CI −0.23 to −0.01, P = 0.0245). The decrease in oxidative stress markers was accompanied by a reduction in resting energy expenditure (95 kcal, 95% CI 36.8–154, P = 0.0014). The absence of a placebo group prevented the interpretation of the clinical parameters. Oral trimetazidine was safe and well tolerated among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This, combined with the significant reduction in markers of oxidative stress and resting energy expenditure, warrants a larger double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy study.
Evaluation of Nafion Degradation Process using Clusteroluminescence
Authors: Sakai Hinari , Li Shih Han , Morii Shunsuke , Akiyama Nagi , Mine Mayu , Kinoshita Yakumo , Ohta Noboru , Sekiguchi Hiroshi , Kamitani Kazutaka , Fujikawa Shigenori , Fujii Syuji , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Li Ming-Chia , Hirai Tomoyasu 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We have reported novel evaluation techniques for degradation process of Nafion membrane using clusteroluminescence. Degradation process of Nafion membrane with and without strain was traced using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. During degradation, the side chain groups were decomposed and residue side chain starts to aggregate, leading to aggregation-induced emission caused by clusteroluminescence.
Left bundle branch area pacing from the iliac approach in a patient without superior access: a case report
Authors: Xu Lei , Su Yangang , Qin Shengmei , Ge Junbo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) emerges as an alternative to traditional right ventricular pacing, demonstrating safety and feasibility through superior access for implantation.

Case summary
An 89-year-old female, with a prior history of pacemaker pocket infection and a tricuspid endocarditis during follow-up, was referred to our hospital for management due to a sinus arrest. The patient underwent pacemaker removal due to a pocket infection in the right subclavian area, necessitating tricuspid valvuloplasty for infective endocarditis. Venography revealed occlusion in the left brachiocephalic vein. Subsequently, LBBAP pacemaker implantation via the right iliac vein was performed, with follow-up indicating proper functioning of the pacing system.

Discussion
The feasibility of the right iliac vein access for LBBAP implantation is highlighted, demonstrating good stability and offering a practical alternative. This approach mitigates unnecessary risks associated with thoracotomy and epicardial lead placement, providing a safer and effective option for cardiac pacing.
Scared Straight or Scared to Death? Fatalism in Response to Disease Risks
Authors: Kerwin Jason T 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This paper shows that responses to disease risks can be “fatalistic”: higher risk beliefs can lead to more risk-taking rather than less. Intuitively, this can occur because high risk beliefs raise not only the chance of contracting the disease (which raises the marginal cost of risk-taking) but also the perceived chance that you are already infected (which lowers the marginal cost). I test for fatalism by randomly providing information about the true (low) average risk of HIV transmission in Malawi. Consistent with rational fatalism, the treatment causes sexual activity to rise slightly on average but decline sharply for people with high initial risk beliefs—especially those with high baseline levels of sexual activity.
Building Survey Data Infrastructure on Aging: The Legacy of NIA
Authors: Agree Emily M , Sonnega Amanda , Wolf Douglas A 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has contributed to the remarkable growth in the field of gerontology. One of the many ways the NIA has contributed is through the creation and support of an extensive body of relevant data resources. This paper focuses primarily on NIA’s support for the creation and use of these data sources in research, including mention of related documentation, archiving, harmonization, and dissemination/data access activities. Through all of these efforts, NIA-supported data have been used by researchers and policy analysts across a wide range of scholarly disciplines, producing a large body of research that provides a scientific foundation for policy and practice.
Pericardiectomy using ultrasonic scalpel in patients with constrictive pericarditis
Authors: Yoshinaga Takashi , Takaki Jun , Nakata Kosuke , Hirota Takafumi , Hidaka Hideaki , Horibe Tatsuya , Okamoto Ken , Fukui Toshihiro 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Pericardiectomy using ultrasonic scalpel is the effective operative treatment of chronic pericarditis. However, no consecutive case series of radical pericardiectomy using ultrasonic scalpel has been reported.

METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 10 patients who underwent radical pericardiectomy using ultrasonic scalpel between April 2015 and March 2024. Preoperative and postoperative variables were reviewed.

RESULTS
The median age was 65 years, and three patients were female. Three patients had preoperative atrial fibrillation. Forty % of patients were in NYHA class 3–4. Three patients underwent urgent surgery. Ultrasonic scalpel was used for dissection and resection of thickened parietal pericardium and visceral pericardium around the heart except in the area of the posterior left atrium in all patients. Three patients underwent the off-pump technique. Coronary artery bypass grafting and tricuspid valve annuloplasty were performed concomitantly in 3 and 1 patients, respectively. Operative mortality was zero. Mediastinitis and acute kidney injury were observed in one patient each. One patient died of stroke during follow-up. The other patients were in NYHA class I.

CONCLUSIONS
Radical pericardiectomy is essential in patients with constrictive pericarditis. Ultrasonic scalpel is a useful tool to perform radical resection of pericardium.
Towards an expanded neurocognitive account of ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects
Authors: Dai Yingliang , Harrison Ben J , Davey Christopher G , Steward Trevor 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist that has shown effectiveness as a rapidly acting treatment for depression. Although advances have been made in understanding ketamine’s antidepressant pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of action, the large-scale neurocognitive mechanisms driving its therapeutic effects are less clearly understood. To help provide such a framework, we provide a synthesis of current evidence linking ketamine treatment to the modulation of brain systems supporting reward processing, interoception and self-related cognition. We suggest that ketamine’s antidepressant effects are, at least in part, driven by dynamic multi-level influences across these key functional domains.