bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Brain Structure and Function in a Multisport Cohort of Retired Female and Male Athletes, Many Years after Suffering a Concussion: Implications for Neuroplasticity and Neurodegenerative Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Turner Michael , Belli Antonio , Castellani Rudolph J. 
Published: March 2024

Background: Cumulative effects of traumatic brain injury is of increasing concern, especially with respect to its role in the etiology and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Objective: Compare regional brain volume and connectivity between athletes with a history of concussion and controls. Methods: We evaluated whole-brain volumetric effects with Bayesian regression models and functional connectivity with network-based statistics, in 125 retired athletes (a mean of 11 reported concussions) and 36 matched controls. Results: Brain regions significantly lower in volume in the concussed group included the middle frontal gyrus, hippocampus, supramarginal gyrus, temporal pole, and inferior frontal gyrus. Conversely, brain regions significantly larger included the hippocampal and collateral sulcus, middle occipital gyrus, medial orbital gyrus, caudate nucleus, lateral orbital gyrus, and medial postcentral gyrus. Functional connectivity analyses revealed increased edge strength, most marked in motor domains. Numerous edges of this network strengthened in athletes were significantly weakened with concussion. Aligned to meta-analytic neuroimaging data, the observed changes suggest functional enhancement within the motor, sensory, coordination, balance, and visual processing domains in athletes, attenuated by concussive head injury with a negative impact on memory and language. Conclusions: These findings suggest that engagement in sport may benefit the brain across numerous domains, but also highlights the potentially damaging effects of concussive head injury. Future studies with longitudinal cohorts including autopsy examination are needed to determine whether the latter reflects tissue loss from brain shearing, or the onset of a progressive Alzheimer’s disease like proteinopathy.
Simulation-guided development of advanced PID control algorithm for skin cooling in radiofrequency lipolysis
Authors: Wang Binyu , Zang Lianru , Lu Yingxi , Zhan Mengying , Sun Tingting , Zhou Yu , Song Chengli 
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) lipolysis, a prevalent non-invasive fat reduction procedure, hinge on the delicate balance between effective lipolysis and patient safety, with skin overheating and subsequent tissue damage as primary concerns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate a novel bipolar radiofrequency lipolysis technique, safeguarding the skin through an innovative PID temperature control algorithm. METHODS: Utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software, a two-dimensional fat and skin tissue model was established, simulating various PID temperature control schemes. The crux of the simulation involved a comparative analysis of different PID temperatures at 45 °C, 50 °C, and 55 °C and constant power strategies, assessing their implications on skin temperature. Concurrently, a custom bipolar radiofrequency lipolysis device was developed, with ex vivo experiments conducted using porcine tissue for empirical validation. RESULTS: The findings indicated that with PID settings of Kp = 7, Ki = 2, and Kd = 0, and skin temperature control at 45 °C or 50 °C, the innovative PID-based epidermal temperature control strategy successfully maintained the epidermal temperature within a safe range. This maintenance was achieved without compromising the effectiveness of RF lipolysis, significantly reducing the risk of thermal damage to the skin layers. CONCLUSION: Our research confirms the substantial practical utility of this advanced PID-based bipolar RF lipolysis technique in clinical aesthetic procedures, enhancing patient safety during adipose tissue ablation therapies.
Potential of Steam Generating by The PMMA Fresnel Lens Concentrator for Indoor Solar Cooker Application
Authors: Asrori Asrori , Udianto Pondi , Faizal Elka , Rizza Muhammad Akhlis , Witono Kris , Perdana Dony 
Published: March 2024

Solar power is an alternative energy source that can be used for cooking. It is a simple, secure, and useful way to cook food without using conventional fuels that pollute the air. Solar cookers offer various benefits to the user’s health, productivity, and income as well as to the environment. Solar energy is abundant in a tropical country like Indonesia, making it a dependable and sustainable of energy resource. The study’s goal is to analyze the potency of steam produced by a solar cooker that uses a Fresnel lens concentrator. The thermal performance of the Fresnel lens concentrator with a conical receiver on the solar cooker prototype is discussed in this research. In the construction of solar cookers, PMMA (Polymethyl-Methacrylate) Fresnel lenses, manual trackers, and conical receiver types are used. The research conducts an experimental analysis of the thermal performance of the prototype solar cooker using a Fresnel lens concentrator with a conical receiver. This empirical approach provides valuable data on the efficiency and effectiveness of the solar cooker design. The experiment result shows the cumulative average solar irradiation, the average collection of solar energy per time of Fresnel lens concentrator, and the heat utilized of steam from conical receiver are 709.09 W/m², 456.14 Watt, and 383.88 Watt, respectively. The results of this study suggest that Fresnel lens concentrators are a promising development for indoor solar cookers and therefore provide a pathway for increased utilization of solar cooking technology.
Effectiveness of combination use of intralesional steroid with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid patients
Authors: Arpan Kumar Basak  , Joya Debnath  , Hossain Md Munjur , Hasanat Md Abul 
Published: March 2024

Background: Keloids are a common problem with significant recurrence rates despite intralesional steroid treatment and 5-fluorouracil in combination with triamcinolone may be superior to triamcinolone alone. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination use of intralesional steroids with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and was conducted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College (KYAMC), Enayetpur, Sirajganj, from July 2020 to June 2021. A total of 100 patients with keloid were included in this study. These patients were subjected to history, clinical examination, and investigations. In all cases, informed written consent was taken from the Participants and a separate case record form was used during data collection. Collected data were analyzed by the statistical software IBM SPSS 25. Results: This study shows that the majority (68%) of patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. The mean age was 26.43±7.77 years. Regarding sex, 56% were females and 44% were males with a male-female ratio of 1.3:1. 52% of patients had a duration of lesion up to 1 year, 22% of patients had 1-2 years and 26% of patients had >2 years. The most common site of keloid was the chest (38%), then face (32%), upper extremity (16%), shoulder (6%), back (4%). The most common presenting symptoms were pruritis (56%), then 38% were cosmetic disfigurement, 32% were skin discoloration, 28% were pain and 18% were restriction of movement. Trauma was the commonest factor seen in 34% of the patients followed by ear piercing (22%) and infection (20%). Other causes were spontaneous (10%), acne (6%), burns (6%), and post-surgical keloid (2%). 16 had a positive family history of the keloid disease. The majority (70%) had good outcomes followed by excellent outcomes in 22% and 8% had average outcomes. It was observed that most patients (88%) did not have any adverse effects. Only 12% had adverse effects seen as skin ulceration (6%), skin atrophy (4%) and telangiectasia (2%). Conclusion: This study revealed that the combination use of intralesional steroids with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid seems to offer the balanced benefit of faster and more efficacious response with fewer adverse effects. Treatment has to be individualized and can be combined with one or more modalities to aim for better efficacy and safety.
Mediscope 2024;11(1): 41-47
Pengenalan Moderasi Beragama melalui Metode Cerita pada Santri Taman Pendidikan Al-Qur’an Nagari Seulayat Ulakan
Authors: Rizki Agam Muhammad 
Published: March 2024

Indonesia termasuk negara multikultural yang mempunyai keragaman agama, budaya, bahasa, maupun suku. Oleh karena itu, moderasi beragama penting dikenalkan kepada masyarakat mulai dari anak- anak. Moderasi beragama diartikan sebagai tahapan pemahaman dan pengamalan secara seimbang dan adil seluruh ajaran agama untuk menghindari perilaku ekstrem. TPA Nagari Seulakat belum mengajarkan materi moderasi beragama kepada santri, maka program ini perlu dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengenalkan moderasi beragama melalui metode bercerita bagi santri TPA Nagari Seulayat Ulakan agar nantinya bisa diterapkan dalam kehidupan sehari- hari. Program kerja KKN ini dilakukan dengan metode Practical dan Theoritical. Hasil dari pengabdian ini menunjukkan bahwa program berjalan dan diterima dengan baik oleh santri. Para santri senang mendengarkan setiap penyampaian cerita yang di sampaikan oleh TIM KKN, santri juga bertahap sudah mulai menerapkan sikap moderasi beragama dikehidupan sehari- hari. Saran untuk kedepannya pihak pengajar TPA bisa menambahkan materi tentang moderasi beragama menjadi salah satu materi di TPA tersebut.
Clinical study: the impact of goal-directed fluid therapy on volume management during enhanced recovery after surgery in gastrointestinal procedures
Authors: Gao Ming , Chen Minggan , Dai Gang , Zhu Dengfeng , Cai Yiting 
Published: March 2024

Background: Goal-directed fluid therapy, as a crucial component of accelerated rehabilitation after surgery, plays a significant role in expediting postoperative recovery and enhancing the prognosis of major surgical procedures.Methods: In line with this, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of target-oriented fluid therapy on volume management during ERAS protocols specifically for gastrointestinal surgery. Patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery at our hospital between October 2019 and May 2021 were selected as the sample population for this research.Results: 41 cases of gastrointestinal surgery patients were collected from our hospital over 3 recent years. Compared with T1, MAP levels were significantly increased from T2 to T5; cardiac output (CO) was significantly decreased from T2 to T3, and significantly increased from T4 to T5; and SV level was significantly increased from T3 to T5. Compared with T2, HR and cardiac index (CI) were significantly elevated at T1 and at T3–T5. Compared with T3, SVV was significantly decreased at T1, T2, T4, and T5; CO and stroke volume (SV) levels were increased significantly at T4 and T5. In this study, pressor drugs were taken for 23 days, PACU residence time was 40.22 ± 12.79 min, time to get out of bed was 12.41 ± 3.97 h, exhaust and defecation time was 18.11 ± 7.52 h, and length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.47 ± 1.98 days. The average HAMA score was 9.11 ± 2.37, CRP levels were 10.54 ± 3.38 mg/L, adrenaline levels were 132.87 ± 8.97 ng/L, and cortisol levels were 119.72 ± 4.08 ng/L. Prealbumin levels were 141.98 ± 10.99 mg/L at 3 d after surgery, and 164.17 ± 15.84 mg/L on the day of discharge. Lymphocyte count was 1.22 ± 0.18 (109/L) at 3 d after surgery, and 1.47 ± 0.17 (109/L) on the day of discharge. Serum albumin levels were 30.51 ± 2.28 (g/L) at 3 d after surgery, and 33.52 ± 2.07 (g/L) on the day of discharge.Conclusion: Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) under the concept of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is helpful in volume management during radical resection of colorectal tumors, with good postoperative recovery. Attention should be paid to the influence of pneumoperitoneum and intraoperative posture on GDFT parameters.
A qualitative study of mentors’ perceptions and experiences of a near-peer mentoring program for medical students
Authors: Pölczman Lea , Jámbor Márk , Győrffy Zsuzsa , Purebl György , Végh András , Girasek Edmond 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionDuring their academic studies, medical students may encounter a variety of challenging situations. It is no wonder that they have a higher prevalence of poor mental health than the general population. Mentoring programs have proven useful in promoting mental health in medical education. The study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of medical students as mentors in a near-peer mentoring program.MethodsA qualitative study was carried out between March and April 2022 at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. Five focus group discussions (FGDs) included 26 medical students who were enrolled as mentors in the mentoring program. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and anonymized. An deductive and semantic approach was adopted, and the data were analyzed with thematic analysis.ResultsThree major themes were identified: professional and personal growth and reflections on the mentoring experience. Mentors reported growth in social and practical problem-solving skills, self-confidence, psychosocial benefits, and both personal and professional development. The program had a great impact on students’ sense of self-efficacy, self-awareness, perception of their competencies, and adherence to their boundaries.DiscussionIn conclusion, the mentors strongly emphasized the professional and psychosocial benefits they perceived while participating in the mentoring program. Therefore, the experiences obtained during the mentoring are important milestones. Mentoring programs could greatly improve students both personally and professionally so that later, they will be the best possible professionals in the field of health care.
A critical role for IFN-β signaling for IFN-κ induction in keratinocytes
Authors: Xu Bin , Musai Jon , Tan Yee Sun , Hile Grace A. , Swindell William R. , Klein Benjamin , Qin J. Tingting , Sarkar Mrinal K. , Gudjonsson Johann E. , Kahlenberg J. Michelle 
Published: March 2024

Background/PurposeCutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) affects up to 70% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and type I interferons (IFNs) are important promoters of SLE and CLE. Our previous work identified IFN-kappa (IFN-κ), a keratinocyte-produced type I IFN, as upregulated in non-lesional and lesional lupus skin and as a critical regulator for enhanced UVB-mediated cell death in SLE keratinocytes. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms governing regulation of IFN-κ expression have been relatively unexplored. Thus, this study sought to identify critical regulators of IFN-κ and identified a novel role for IFN-beta (IFN-β).MethodsHuman N/TERT keratinocytes were treated with the RNA mimic poly (I:C) or 50 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet B (UVB), followed by mRNA expression quantification by RT-qPCR in the presence or absence neutralizing antibody to the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). IFNB and STAT1 knockout (KO) keratinocytes were generated using CRISPR/Cas9.ResultsTime courses of poly(I:C) and UVB treatment revealed a differential expression of IFNB, which was upregulated between 3 and 6 h and IFNK, which was upregulated 24 h after stimulation. Intriguingly, only IFNK expression was substantially abrogated by neutralizing antibodies to IFNAR, suggesting that IFNK upregulation required type I IFN signaling for induction. Indeed, deletion of IFNB abrogated IFNK expression. Further exploration confirmed a role for type I IFN-triggered STAT1 activation.ConclusionCollectively, our work describes a novel mechanistic paradigm in keratinocytes in which initial IFN-κ induction in response to poly(I:C) and UVB is IFNβ1-dependent, thus describing IFNK as both an IFN gene and an interferon-stimulated gene.
Diet-induced ketosis in adult patients with subacute acquired brain injury: a feasibility study
Authors: Edwards Maria G. P. , Andersen Jens R. , Curtis Derek J. , Riberholt Christian G. , Poulsen Ingrid 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundResearch in animal models on cerebral metabolism after brain injury highlights the potential benefits of ketosis in reducing secondary brain injury, but studies in humans are lacking.AimThis study aimed to examine if a 6-week ketogenic diet intervention with added medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) was feasible in adult patients with acquired brain injury in the subacute phase, whether ketosis could be achieved and maintained, and to what extent serious adverse reactions, adverse reactions, serious adverse events, and adverse events occured.MethodsPatients ≥18 years of age diagnosed with subacute acquired brain injury and an expectation of hospitalisation ≥6 weeks were included in the intervention group. Patients not included in the intervention group were included in a standard care reference group. The intervention consisted of a ketogenic diet supplemented with MCT to obtain a plasma concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ≥0.5 mmol/L. Patients who were enterally fed were given KetoCal® 2.5:1 LQ MCT Multi Fiber (Nutricia A/S, Allerød, Denmark), supplemented with Liquigen® (Nutricia A/S, Allerød, Denmark). Patients consuming oral nutrition were given KetoCal® 2.5:1 LQ MCT Multi Fiber supplemented with Liquigen®, in addition to ketogenic meals.ResultsDuring a 13-week inclusion period, 12 of 13 eligible patients (92% [95% CI: 67% to 99%]) were included in the intervention group, and 17 of 18 excluded patients (94% [95% CI: 74% to 99%]) were included in the reference group. Eight patients (67%) completed the 6-week intervention. It took a median of 1 day to achieve ketosis from starting a 100% MCT ketogenic diet, and it was maintained for 97% of the intervention period after ketosis was obtained. There were no serious adverse reactions to the MCT ketogenic diet, and patients experienced adverse reactions not considered serious in 9.5% of days with the intervention. The MCT ketogenic diet was accepted by patients on all intervention days, and in the two patients transitioning from enteral feeding to oral intake, there were no complications related to transitioning.ConclusionIntervention with MCT ketogenic diet is feasible and tolerated for 6 weeks in hospitalised adult patients with subacute acquired brain injury. Randomised controlled trials are needed to assess the benefits and harms of the MCT ketogenic diet and the effect on patients’ recovery.Clinical trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [NCT04308577].
The virtual reality classroom: a randomized control trial of medical student knowledge of postpartum hemorrhage emergency management
Authors: Dunlop Kristyn , Dillon Grace , McEvoy Aoife , Kane Daniel , Higgins Shane , Mangina Eleni , McAuliffe Fionnuala M. 
Published: March 2024

ObjectiveTo investigate the use of a virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) to enhance medical student knowledge of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) emergency management and insertion of a postpartum balloon.MethodsA randomized control trial involving medical students from University College Dublin, Ireland. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (VRLE tutorial) or control group (PowerPoint tutorial on the same topic). All participants completed pre-learning experience and post-learning experience surveys. Both groups were timed and assessed on postpartum balloon insertion technique on a model pelvis. The primary outcome was assessment of student knowledge. Secondary outcomes included confidence levels, time taken to complete the task, technique assessment, satisfaction with the learning environment, and side effects of VR.ResultsBoth learning experiences significantly (p &lt; 0.001) enhanced student performance on the post-learning experience multiple choice questionnaire, with no difference between the intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, time for task completion was significantly less compared to the control group (1–2 min vs. 2–3 min, p = 0.039). Both learning experiences significantly (p &lt; 0.001) enhanced student confidence, with no significant difference between intervention and control groups. 100% of the students using the VRLE enjoyed the experience, and 82.4% were very likely to recommend use of VRLE in medical education. 94.1% of the students felt the VRLE was beneficial over didactic teaching.ConclusionReceiving formal instruction, regardless of format, enhances students’ knowledge and confidence of the topic covered. Students who received instruction via the VRLE assembled the postpartum balloon faster than students who received didactic teaching. VR may be beneficial in teaching hands-on procedural skills in obstetrics and gynecology education.
Roles of pyroptosis and immune infiltration in aortic dissection
Authors: Ge Xiaogang , Cai Qiqi , Cai Yangyang , Mou Caiguo , Fu Junhui , Lin Feng 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Aortic dissection (AD) is often fatal, and its pathogenesis involves immune infiltration and pyroptosis, though the molecular pathways connecting these processes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of immune infiltration and pyroptosis in AD pathogenesis using bioinformatics analysis.Methods: Two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets and a Gene Cards dataset of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) were utilized. Immunological infiltration was assessed using CIBERSORT, and AD diagnostic markers were identified through univariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Interaction networks were constructed using STRING, and weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to identify important modules and essential genes. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis determined immune infiltration, and Pearson correlation analysis assessed the association of key genes with infiltrating immune cells.Results: Thirty-one PRGs associated with inflammatory response, vascular epidermal growth factor receptor, and Rap1 signaling pathways were identified. WGCNA revealed seven important genes within a critical module. CIBERSORT detected immune cell infiltration, indicating significant changes in immune cell infiltration and pyroptosis genes in AD and their connections.Discussion: Our findings suggest that key PRGs may serve as indicators for AD or high-risk individuals. Understanding the role of pyroptosis and immune cell infiltration in AD pathogenesis may lead to the development of novel molecular-targeted therapies for AD.Conclusion: This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis, highlighting the importance of immune infiltration and pyroptosis. Identification of diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets may improve the management of AD and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.