bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive decline in post-COVID-19 syndrome does not correspond with persisting neuronal or astrocytic damage
Authors: Boesl Fabian , Goereci Yasemin , Schweitzer Finja , Finke Carsten , Schild Ann-Katrin , Bittner Stefan , Steffen Falk , Schröder Maria , Quitschau Anneke , Heine Josephine , Warnke Clemens , Franke Christiana 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCognitive impairment is the most frequent symptom reported in post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Aetiology of cognitive impairment in PCS is still to be determined. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are increased in acute COVID-19. Their role as biomarkers in other neurological disorders is under debate. We analysed serum levels of NfL and GFAP as markers for neuronal and astrocytic damage in 53 patients presenting to a PCS Neurology outpatient clinic. Only individuals with self-reported cognitive complaints were included. In these individuals, cognitive complaints were further assessed by comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (NPA). Patients were categorized into subgroups of subjective cognitive decline, single domain impairment, or multi-domain impairment. Serum NfL was in normal range, however an increase of serum GFAP was detected in 4% of patients. Serum NfL and GFAP levels correlated with each other, even when adjusting for patient age (r = 0.347, p = 0.012). NPA showed deficits in 70%; 40% showing impairment in several tested domains. No significant differences were found between serum NfL- and GFAP-levels comparing patients with subjective cognitive decline, single domain impairment, or multi-domain impairment. Persistent neuronal or astrocytic damage did not correlate with cognitive impairment in PCS.
A novel prediction tool for mortality in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding requiring emergency hospitalization: a large multicenter study
Authors: Tominaga Naoyuki , Sadashima Eiji , Aoki Tomonori , Fujita Minoru , Kobayashi Katsumasa , Yamauchi Atsushi , Yamada Atsuo , Omori Jun , Ikeya Takashi , Aoyama Taiki , Sato Yoshinori , Kishino Takaaki , Ishii Naoki , Sawada Tsunaki , Murata Masaki , Takao Akinari , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Kinjo Ken , Fujimori Shunji , Uotani Takahiro , Sato Hiroki , Suzuki Sho , Narasaka Toshiaki , Hayasaka Junnosuke , Funabiki Tomohiro , Kinjo Yuzuru , Mizuki Akira , Kiyotoki Shu , Mikami Tatsuya , Gushima Ryosuke , Fujii Hiroyuki , Fuyuno Yuta , Hikichi Takuto , Toya Yosuke , Narimatsu Kazuyuki , Manabe Noriaki , Nagaike Koji , Kinjo Tetsu , Sumida Yorinobu , Funakoshi Sadahiro , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Matsuhashi Tamotsu , Komaki Yuga , Miki Kuniko , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Kaise Mitsuru , Nagata Naoyoshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe study aimed to identify prognostic factors for patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding and to develop a high-accuracy prediction tool. The analysis included 8254 cases of acute hematochezia patients who were admitted urgently based on the judgment of emergency physicians or gastroenterology consultants (from the CODE BLUE J-study). Patients were randomly assigned to a derivation cohort and a validation cohort in a 2:1 ratio using a random number table. Assuming that factors present at the time of admission are involved in mortality within 30 days of admission, and adding management factors during hospitalization to the factors at the time of admission for mortality within 1 year, prognostic factors were established. Multivariate analysis was conducted, and scores were assigned to each factor using regression coefficients, summing these to measure the score. The newly created score (CACHEXIA score) became a tool capable of measuring both mortality within 30 days (ROC-AUC 0.93) and within 1 year (C-index, 0.88). The 1-year mortality rates for patients classified as low, medium, and high risk by the CACHEXIA score were 1.0%, 13.4%, and 54.3% respectively (all P < 0.001). After discharge, patients identified as high risk using our unique predictive score require ongoing observation.
Elevation of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles over the first month post-stroke in humans
Authors: Edwardson Matthew A. , Mitsuhashi Masato , Van Epps Dennis 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe sought to identify alterations in the quantity of plasma brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) over the first month post-stroke to shed light on related injury and repair mechanisms. We assessed plasma levels of presumed neuron-derived EVs (NDEs), astrocyte-derived EVs (ADEs), and oligodendrocyte-derived EVs (ODEs) in 58 patients 5, 15, and 30 days post-ischemic stroke and 46 controls matched for cardiovascular risk factors using sandwich immunoassays. Subsets of brain-derived EVs were identified by co-expression of the general EV marker CD9 and markers for neurons (L1CAM, CD171), astrocytes (EAAT1), and oligodendrocytes (MOG) respectively. Clinical MRIs assessed lesion volume and presence of hemorrhagic transformation. ADE levels were elevated 5, 15, and 30 days post-stroke compared to controls (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, and p = 0.005 respectively) with no significant change for NDE or ODE. ADEs were increased 15 days post-stroke in patients with hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.04) compared to patients with no hemorrhage. We conclude that ADE levels are preferentially increased over the first month post-stroke in humans, possibly to provide trophic support to injured neurons following ischemia. ADEs hold potential as biomarkers of blood–brain barrier breakdown and hemorrhagic transformation, but this requires further study at earlier time points post-stroke.
Seroprevalence of neuronal antibodies in diseases mimicking autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Vaisvilas Mantas , Petrosian David , Bagdonaite Loreta , Taluntiene Vera , Kralikiene Viktorija , Daugelaviciene Neringa , Neniskyte Urte , Kaubrys Gintaras , Giedraitiene Natasa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDetection of neuronal antibodies for autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes relies on commercially available cell-based assays and lineblots. However, lineblots may reveal the presence of neuronal antibodies in patients with various non-autoimmune etiologies. Herein we describe patients with non-autoimmune etiologies (cohort B) and detectable neuronal antibodies and compare them to definite cases of autoimmune encephalitis (cohort A) for differences in clinical data. All patients positive for at least one neuronal antibody were retrospectively evaluated for autoimmune encephalitis and/or paraneoplastic neurological syndrome between 2016 and 2022. 39 cases in cohort B and 23 in cohort A were identified. In cohort B, most common diagnoses were neurodegenerative disorders in 9/39 (23.1%), brain tumors in 6/39 (15.4%) while most common detected antibodies were anti–titin (N10), anti-recoverin (N11), anti-Yo (N8) and all were detected in serum only. Differential aspects between cohort A and B were CSF pleocytosis (14/23 (60.8%) vs 11/35 (31.4%), p = 0.042, respectively), MRI features suggestive of encephalitis (6/23 (26.1%) vs 0 (0%), p = 0.002, respectively) and epilepsy restricted to temporal lobes (14/23 (60.9%) vs 2/30 (6.7%), p = 0.0003, respectively). A large proportion of lineblot results were non-specific when only serum was tested and were frequently found in non-autoimmune neurological conditions.
Risk factors associated with neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka
Authors: Tembo Deborah , Abobo Francis D. N. , Kaonga Patrick , Jacobs Choolwe , Bessing Barnabas 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlobally, several children die shortly after birth and many more of them within the first 28 days of life. Sub-Sharan Africa accounts for almost half (43%) of the global neonatal death with slow progress in reduction. These neonatal deaths are associated with lack of quality care at or immediately after birth and in the first 28 days of life. This study aimed to determine the trends and risk factors of facility-based neonatal mortality in a major referral hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. We conducted retrospective analysis involving all neonates admitted in the University Teaching Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (UTH-NICU) in Lusaka from January 2018 to December 2019 (N = 2340). We determined the trends and assessed the factors associated with facility-based neonatal mortality using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) with a Poisson distribution and log link function. Overall, the facility-based neonatal mortality was 40.2% (95% CI 38.0–42.0) per 1000 live births for the 2-year period with a slight decline in mortality rate from 42.9% (95% CI 40.0–46.0) in 2018 to 37.3% (95% CI 35.0–40.0) in 2019. In a final multivariable model, home delivery (ARR: 1.70, 95% CI 1.46–1.96), preterm birth (ARR: 1.59, 95% CI 1.36–1.85), congenital anomalies (ARR: 1.59, 95% CI 1.34–1.88), low birthweight (ARR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.37–1.79), and health centre delivery (ARR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.25–1.75) were independently associated with increase in facility-based neonatal mortality. Conversely, hypothermia (ARR: 0.36, 95% CI 0.22–0.60), antenatal attendance (ARR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.68–0.85), and 1-day increase in neonatal age (ARR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.95–0.97) were independently associated with reduction in facility-based neonatal mortality. In this hospital-based study, neonatal mortality was high compared to the national and global targets. The improvement in neonatal survival observed in this study may be due to interventions including Kangaroo mother care already being implemented. Early identification and interventions to reduce the impact of risks factors of neonatal mortality in Zambia are important.
Radar nonlinear multi-target tracking method with parallel PHD filter
Authors: Tao Jin , Jiang Defu , Yang Jialin , Han Yan , Wang Song , Lu Xingchen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSince probability hypothesis density (PHD) filters do not need explicit data association, they have recently been widely used in radar multi-target tracking (MTT). However, in existing PHD filters, sampling times are generally considered the same for all targets. Due to the limitation of antenna beam width in radar applications, the same sampling time for all targets will lead to a mismatch between the predicted data and measurement data, reducing the accuracy of radar MTT. In order to eliminate the estimation error with less computational cost, a radar nonlinear multi-target tracking method with a parallel PHD filter is proposed in this article. The measurement area is divided into several subspaces according to the beam width of the radar antenna, and the PHD of all subspaces is calculated in parallel. Then, multi-feature information in radar echo assists tracking and improves real-time performance. Experimental results in various scenarios illustrate that the proposed method can eliminate the estimation errors introduced by sampling time diversity at the cost of less computation cost, especially in cluttered environments.
Aggressive sperm immobilization improves reproductive outcomes in patients with suboptimal semen parameters and previous ICSI fertilization failure
Authors: Chou Ching-Wen , Chen Shee-Uan , Chang Chin-Hao , Tsai Yi-Yi , Huang Chu-Chun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the most effective procedure to resolve male infertility, enhancing overall fertilization and pregnancy outcomes. However, it is important to note that fertilization failure (FF) can still occur in a few cases after ICSI. This study aims to introduce a specialized technique of aggressive sperm immobilization for ICSI and evaluate its impact on reproductive outcomes in cases involving prior fertilization failure. All infertile couples with male partners having suboptimal semen samples and previous ICSI fertilization failure were evaluated using retrospective data from National Taiwan tertiary university hospital (NTUH) between January 2016 and February 2022. Fertilization failure in our study was defined as less than 30% fertilization rate (FR, the number of normally fertilized oocytes divided by the total number of injected mature oocytes). Data involving both standard (routine procedure) and aggressive sperm immobilization (SI) techniques during different ICSI cycles were included in this study. Standard and aggressive SI methods were performed by compressing the distal half tail of the spermatozoa ≦ 5 and 15 times prior to ICSI respectively. Generalized estimating equations analysis were applied to compare the clinical outcomes between two procedures. Overall, data from 23 infertile couples who had undergone 65 ICSI cycles (31 standard SI with low fertilization rate and 34 aggressive SI) were included in the study. The average FR in the ICSI cycles with standard SI and aggressive SI were 23.6 ± 23.1% and 49.5 ± 31.8 respectively (P = 0.0002). The majority of embryos were transferred at the day 3 stage, with an average number transferred of 2.6 ± 0.9 in the aggressive SI group and 1.9 ± 0.9 in the standard group. The number of embryos transferred per transfer cycle was higher in the aggressive SI (P = 0.015), whereas the number of good-quality embryos was similar between the two procedures (P = 0.44). There were one and seven live births from the standard SI cycles and aggressive SI cycles respectively. In conclusion, aggressive SI was associated with a significantly higher FR, resulting in more available embryos for transfer without compromising embryo quality. Therefore, this specialized technique improved pregnancy outcome among infertile couples with a previous ICSI–FF. It can be a safe, economic, and effective method to improve the assisted reproductive technologies outcomes for infertile patients affected by previous ICSI–FF.
A minimal metadata set (MNMS) to repurpose nonclinical in vivo data for biomedical research
Authors: Moresis Anastasios , Restivo Leonardo , Bromilow Sophie , Flik Gunnar , Rosati Giorgio , Scorrano Fabrizio , Tsoory Michael , O’Connor Eoin C. , Gaburro Stefano , Bannach-Brown Alexandra 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlthough biomedical research is experiencing a data explosion, the accumulation of vast quantities of data alone does not guarantee a primary objective for science: building upon existing knowledge. Data collected that lack appropriate metadata cannot be fully interrogated or integrated into new research projects, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities for data repurposing. This issue is particularly acute for research using animals, where concerns regarding data reproducibility and ensuring animal welfare are paramount. Here, to address this problem, we propose a minimal metadata set (MNMS) designed to enable the repurposing of in vivo data. MNMS aligns with an existing validated guideline for reporting in vivo data (ARRIVE 2.0) and contributes to making in vivo data FAIR-compliant. Scenarios where MNMS should be implemented in diverse research environments are presented, highlighting opportunities and challenges for data repurposing at different scales. We conclude with a ‘call for action’ to key stakeholders in biomedical research to adopt and apply MNMS to accelerate both the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of animal welfare.
KCTD15 acts as an anti-tumor factor in colorectal cancer cells downstream of the demethylase FTO and the m6A reader YTHDF2
Authors: Zhang Fang-Yuan , Wu Lin , Zhang Tie-Ning , Chen Huan-Huan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPotassium Channel Tetramerization Domain Containing 15 (KCTD15) participates in the carcinogenesis of several solid malignancies; however, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Here we find that KCTD15 exhibits lower expression in CRC tissues as compared to para-carcinoma tissues. Tetracycline (tet)-induced overexpression and knockdown of KCTD15 confirms KCTD15 as an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic factor in CRC both in vitro and in xenografted tumors. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is known to affect the expression, stabilization, and degradation of RNAs with this modification. We demonstrate that upregulation of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), a classical m6A eraser, prevents KCTD15 mRNA degradation in CRC cells. Less KCTD15 RNA is recognized by m6A ‘reader’ YTH N6-Methyladenosine RNA Binding Protein F2 (YTHDF2) in FTO-overexpressed cells. Moreover, KCTD15 overexpression decreases protein expression of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) but increases acetylation of critical tumor suppressor p53 at Lys373 and Lys382. Degradation of p53 is delayed in CRC cells post-KCTD15 overexpression. We further show that the regulatory effects of KCTD15 on p53 are HDAC1-dependent. Collectively, we conclude that KCTD15 functions as an anti-growth factor in CRC cells, and its expression is orchestrated by the FTO-YTHDF2 axis. Enhanced p53 protein stabilization may contribute to KCTD15’s actions in CRC cells.
A Child with a Large Posterior Mediastinal Mass with Intraspinal Extension—Perioperative Anesthetic Challenges and Importance of Postoperative Analgesia
Authors: Chandana Sharon K. , Mariappan Ramamani , Lionel Karen R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA 4-year-old girl child with a large posterior mediastinal mass with intraspinal extension (T2–T5) presented with paraplegia and bowel and bladder dysfunctions. She was planned for T1 to T6 laminoplasty and excision of the intraspinal tumor, followed by thoracotomy and excision of the posterior mediastinal tumor. Neurogenic tumors are common posterior mediastinal masses in children. These children pose many anesthetic challenges because of their size, location, and invasiveness. Challenges include difficult intubation, ventilation due to compression of the tracheobronchial tree, hemodynamic fluctuations because of compression of vital structures, associated autonomic dysfunction, and intraoperative bleeding. Pediatric lung isolation for thoracotomy and excision, obtaining motor evoked potential response in a child with poor functional grade status, and selecting appropriate analgesia techniques in the presence of neurological deficits are some of the added challenges. Anesthetic management and the use of a continuous erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia are highlighted in this report.
Late Respiratory and Laboratory Findings in Children with a History of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Yucel Ayşe Gul , Mete Ugur Cem , Duksal Fatma 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective Symptoms due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may persist or new symptoms may appear later. It was aimed to investigate the relationships between late respiratory system findings, allergen sensitivity, and laboratory findings in children with asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 history.
Methods The study was conducted in tertiary hospital prospectively between April and July 2021. Children with respiratory system symptoms lasting longer than 1 month, with a history of asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 infection and those who were anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)- antibody-positive were included. Late respiratory system findings, allergen sensitivity, and immunological and hematological findings were evaluated. Children with chronic diseases and those who were anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-negative were excluded.
Results Of 105 patients, 44.8% were female with a mean age of 10.7 (1–17) years. Median time from history or exposure to COVID-19 was 5 months in all patients. Post-COVID-19 respiratory symptoms were cough (61%), followed by shortness of breath (46.7%), and chest pain (21%), which were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (p > 0.05). Of the laboratory findings, only the hemoglobin value was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.03), and there was no difference between them in terms of other parameters.
Conclusion It was shown that respiratory system symptoms may occur in the late period after COVID-19. The atopic status and laboratory findings of the patients did not affect this result.
Periostin Modulating Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children Related to Th17 Cell Function
Authors: Fan Huifeng , Yang Diyuan , Shi Tingting , Zhang Dongwei , Lu Gen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is recognized as a significant respiratory tract infection in children. Periostin associates with airway remodeling, and the T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a crucial role against M. pneumoniae infection. This study investigates the effect of periostin in Th17 cells and the associated mechanism in MPP.
Methods The study investigated the role of periostin stimulated with pulmonary bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from MPP. Levels of infection of M. pneumoniae were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The periostin was cloned into vector, and siRNA fragment were synthesized. The Th17 cells were transfected with the vector and the fragment, and its expression and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and IL-1β) were determined using western blot. The cell apoptosis, migration, and proliferation were measured using flow cytometer, transwell migration, and cell counting kit-8 assay, respectively.
Results The results showed that periostin expression had a positive correlation with MPP severity. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that the periostin inhibited the apoptosis of Th17 cells. Moreover, transwell migration showed a significant increased migration in Th17 cell was detected treated with BALF, and selective knockdown of periostin by specific siRNA had negative effect on cell migration. Western blot analysis showed the periostin induced the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), and downregulation of periostin could decrease the expression of cytokines in MPP group.
Conclusion The study suggested that periostin is required for Th17 cells migration, and it also has effect on Th17 apoptosis and proinflammatory cytokines expression in MPP.
Digital financial inclusion in micro enterprises: understanding the determinants and impact on ease of doing business from World Bank survey
Authors: Johri Amar , Asif Mohammad , Tarkar Preeti , Khan Waseem , Rahisha  , Wasiq Mohammad 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe study aims to identify the determinants of digital financial inclusion (DFI) and its role in micro enterprises’ ease of doing business. The study is based on the World Bank’s Enterprises Survey of Micro Firms (ESM) 2022 data of 998 micro-enterprises. The variables that measure access and use of digital finance are extracted from the data. Two sets of independent variables, namely digital resource capability and firms and owners’ characteristics, are taken as explanatory variables of digital financial inclusion. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been applied to analyze the difference in perceived business obstacles across the micro-enterprises with and without access and use of digital finance. Further, a logistic regression model is developed to analyze the determinants of DFI. The findings of the study reveal that digital financial inclusion helps to face obstacles in business regulation and handle market externalities. Further, estimates of both the logistic regression model and marginal effects suggest that access to the internet, education, and owner experience are instrumental in digital financial inclusion among micro-enterprises. This study may be helpful for various stakeholders, such as the government, promoters of entrepreneurship, banks, and international organizations working in digital financial inclusion. The originality of the study lies in exploring the determinants of DFI among micro-enterprises, which are still unexplored in the case of India using extensive and specific micro enterprise’s data collected by the World Bank.