bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
State development of precision agriculture focused on special coffee production in Southeastern of Colombia
Authors: Medina David Coral , Rosero-García Doris , Burbano Diana , Martinez Ricardo Pereira , Pereira Gilberto Vinicius Melo , Soccol Carlos Ricardo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Colombia is one of the most important agricultural producers in the world. Coffee stands as one of the pivotal products within Colombian agriculture. However, the coffee agro chain is not as developed as in countries like Brazil. In Colombia, there exists a higher prevalence of artisanal procedures. Currently, the state of adoption and implementation of precision agriculture focused on coffee in Colombia is incipient. Therefore, this paper aims to present a bibliometric and statistical study of the current state of precision agriculture (PA) in Colombia, specifically in the southeastern. From the bibliometric research, 37 representative scientific showed the state of progress in PA. The academic sector makes the main contributions to PA. The theoretical study was complemented with the implementation of a survey for 431 farmers. This survey asks about the socioeconomic and production conditions of the smallholders. The most relevant results showed that the fermentation process is unstandardized, varying from 10 to 20; 71% of the farmers have less than 2 ha of land available to develop the crop and present high levels of food insecurity. Castilla is the majority coffee variety harvested, followed by Colombia and Caturra. The most representative results showed that the average age of farmers without study is 49 years old, while the average age for farmers with a kinder garden level is 45 years old. Women are focused on crop management and domestic labor in the region under investigation.
In vitro cell surface marker expression on mesenchymal stem cell cultures does not reflect their in vivo marker expression
Authors: Cao Ye , Boss Anna L. , Bolam Scott M. , Munro Jacob T , Crawford Haemish , Dalbeth Nicola , Poulsen Raewyn C. , Matthews Brya G 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Cell surface marker expression is one of the criteria for defining human mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSC) in vitro. However, it is unclear if expression of markers including CD73 and CD90 reflects the in vivo origin of cultured cells. We evaluated expression of a large panel of putative MSC markers in primary cultured cells from periosteum and cartilage to determine whether expression of these markers reflects either the differentiation state of cultured cells or the self-renewal of in vivo populations. Cultured cells had universal and consistent expression of various putative stem cell markers including >95% expression CD73, CD90 and PDPN in both periosteal and cartilage cultures. Altering the culture surface with extracellular matrix coatings had minimal effect on cell surface marker expression. Osteogenic differentiation led to loss of CD106 and CD146 expression, however CD73 and CD90 were retained in >90% of cells. We sorted periosteal populations capable of CFU-F formation on the basis of CD90 expression in combination with CD34, CD73 and CD26. All primary cultures universally expressed CD73 and CD90 and lacked CD34, irrespective of the expression of these markers in vivo. We conclude that markers including CD73 and CD90 are acquired in vitro in most ‘mesenchymal’ cells capable of expansion. This near-universal expression makes the utility of evaluating these markers routinely in cultures questionable as an approach to demonstrate consistent cell phenotype. Overall, we demonstrate that in vitro expression of many cell surface markers in plastic-adherent cultures is unrelated to their in vivo expression.
Impact of frailty on outcomes after cardiac surgery
Authors: Ahuja Abhilasha , Baker Thomas , Ramanan Mahesh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
To evaluate whether increasing frailty, as measured by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), was associated with increased risk of hospital mortality for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Methods:
A retrospective binational cohort study of 46,928 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand was conducted. The primary exposure, frailty, was measured using the CFS. Associations between frailty and the primary outcome, hospital mortality, were evaluated using multivariable, mixed effects logistic regression models. Secondary outcomes including hospital and ICU length of stay, invasive ventilation hours, need for renal replacement therapy and tracheostomy, and non-home discharge were also evaluated.
Results:
6.7% (3122/46928) patients were classified as frail (CFS 5-8) and 93.3% (43,806/46,928) were non-frail (CFS 1-4). Raw mortality was 4.2% (132/3122) in the frail group and 1.05% (461/43,806) in the non-frail group. After multivariable adjustment for illness severity, age, elective status, type of surgery, hospital type and country, frailty was significantly associated with increased hospital mortality (OR=2.879, 95% CI 2.284-3.629, p<0.001). Increasing frailty was also significantly associated with higher risk of secondary outcomes including length of stay in hospital and ICU, receipt of renal replacement, tracheostomy and duration of mechanical ventilation.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that increasing frailty was strongly associated with increased hospital mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, invasive ventilation, need for renal replacement therapy and tracheostomy insertion among patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand.
Assessing the Climate Adaptive Potential of Imported Chili in Comparison with Local Cultivars through Germination Performance Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Farhan , Kusumiyati Kusumiyati , Soleh Mochamad Arief , Khan Muhammad Rabnawaz , Sundari Ristina Siti 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The study offers insightful information about the adaptability of local and imported Chili cultivars. This experiment examines how three different chili cultivars Tanjung, Unpad, and Osaka perform in the germination and early growth phases while considering a wide range of environmental conditions. Research conducted in Jatinangor, Sumedang Regency, Indonesia, highlights the differences between cultivars and the varied possibilities for adaptability each variation possesses.
Results
Among them, Tanjung stands out as the most promising cultivar; its robust performance is demonstrated by its high germination index 91.7. Notable features of Osaka include the highest biomass output (1.429 g), the best water usage efficiency (WUE) at 0.015 g/liter, and the best distribution uniformity (91.2%) and application efficiency (73.6%) under different irrigation conditions. Tanjung's competitiveness is further evidenced by the fact that it trails Osaka closely on several metrics. Lower performance across criteria for Unpad suggests possible issues with flexibility.
Conclusion
The value of this information becomes apparent when it comes to well-informed breeding programs and cultivation techniques, especially considering uncertain climate patterns and global climate change. This research contributes significantly to the body of knowledge, enabling well-informed choices for environmentally dynamic, sustainable chili farming.
The Role of Long Non-coding RNA (NKILA and LINC00993) as Tumour Biomarkers in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mohamed Randa , Alkilany Mohamed , El-feky Hoda , Abd-Elmageed Amal 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer) BC) is the most frequent cancer among women and the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (NKILA and LINC00993) are downregulated in BC and can have potential use as a novel tumor biomarker.
Aim of the work:
To investigate the Long non-coding RNA (NKILA and LINC00993) and cytokines (NF-KB and CXCL-1) as potential biomarkers in breast cancer.
Subjects and methods:
This case-control study included sixty-four pairs of surgically resected human breast cancer tissues and adjacent breast tissues. Expressions of LncRNAs (NKILA, LINC00993) and (NFκB, CXCL1) cytokines were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis,
Results
There was a significant decrease in LncRNAs (NKILA, LINC00993) levels in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue (P < 0.001). Also, there was a significant increase in NF-KP and CXCL1 levels in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that the LncRNAs (NKILA, LINC00993) expression levels could be considered a promising marker for the diagnosis of breast cancer patients with a sensitivity (90.6%, 92.2% respectively). Also, cytokines (NF-KB and CXCL-1) expression levels could be considered a promising marker for the diagnosis of breast cancer patients with a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5%, 89.1% respectively).
Conclusion
These findings suggest that LncRNAs (NKILA, LINC00993) and cytokines (NF-KB and CXCL-1) can be used as novel biomarkers for breast cancer.
Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Yang Lingfei , Li Zhiming , Wang Xiaorong , Song Tao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
Methods: This study included 148 consecutive patients with suspected HAE who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2013 and February 2023. They underwent both routine ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound examinations, and the contrast-enhanced ultrasound results of all cases were compared with those of the gold standard, postoperative pathology. We evaluated date such as sensitivity, specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn and the area under curve of the subjects calculated. The area under curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
Results: Of the148 patients with suspected hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, 83 were female and 65 males, with an average age of 38 ± 13 years (range, 18–74 years). Pathological diagnoses showed that 139 patients had hepatic alveolar echinococcosis; 137 cases were diagnosed correctly with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, with a diagnostic accuracy of 92.56% (137/148), sensitivity of 94.24% (131/139), specificity of 66.66% (6/9), positive predictive value of 97.76% (131/134), negative predictive value of 42.85% (6/14), positive likelihood ratio of 2.82, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 (6/14). The area under curve under the receiver operating characteristic curve for contrast-enhanced ultrasound was 0.805.
Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is 92.56%.
The determination of the comparative effect of Ertugliflozin, Pioglitazone, and Metformin on patients of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Authors: Khaliq Adil , Badshah Haroon , Shah Yasar , Rehman Inayat Ur 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases and malignancies. With the increased prevalence rate of NAFLD worldwide, an effective therapeutic solution for such a condition is essential. Among the previous studies pioglitazone, metformin, and sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors were established as role models for the improvement of NAFLD.
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of pioglitazone, ertugliflozin, and metformin in NAFLD with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their effect on the function of liver enzymes.
Materials and methods: This study was prospectively randomized. A total of 180 patients having NAFLD with T2DM were divided into three groups administered with ertugliflozin 15mg (n = 60), pioglitazone 30 mg (n = 60), and metformin 500 mg (n = 60) for 24 weeks. Liver stiffness (LS) and controlled attenuation parameters were measured using fibroscan. The grades of fatty liver were identified ultrasonically.
Results: The result suggested that the ratio of fatty liver in grade 1 (mild fat content) was increased significantly in the ertugliflozin group (0.0 to 11.6%) while in the pioglitazone group (10.0 to 8.3%), a minor decrease was observed in grade 3 (severe far content). A significant decrease was observed in LSM (7.94±3.23 to 6.5±3.0) among the ertugliflozin group. The CAP score was significantly decreased from (360.38±39.34 to 300.60±37.0). The level of biochemical parameters including ALT, AST, and GGT significantly decreased in the ertugliflozin group. There was also a significant decrease in blood sugar, lipid profile, and body mass index between the groups. Previous studies analysis declare BMI is the risk factor for fatty liver which was also decreased in this study.
Conclusion: ertugliflozin has significantly improved fatty liver, liver stiffness, and liver enzymes of patients having NAFLD with T2DM. The therapy was safe and effective and it may be used in future recommendations for physician facilitation in the case of NAFLD patients.
Assessing the State of Training in Congenital Interventional Cardiology: A Global Survey of Program Directors
Authors: Aggarwal Varun , Butera Gianfranco , Boe Brian , Celebi Ahmet , Downing Tacy , Filho Raul Rossi , Kenny Damien , Pan Xiangbin , Sivakumar Kothandam , Whiteside Wendy , Hijazi Ziyad M. , Armstrong Aimee K. , Linsky Norm 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the current state of congenital interventional cardiology training worldwide, with a focus on case volumes, competency assessment, and the need for ongoing mentorship during early career stages.
Methods
A survey was conducted among program directors (PDs) of congenital interventional training programs across the globe. The survey gathered data on training pathways, case volumes, types of procedures performed, trainee competency assessment, and the role of ongoing mentorship.
Results
Of the 79 PDs who completed the survey, it was observed that training pathways and case volumes varied significantly, particularly between the United States and other countries. Most PDs reported an annual laboratory case volume of > 500 congenital cardiac cases, with most cases being interventional. While trainees demonstrated competency in simple procedures (diagnostic cases, simple ASD closure), complex interventions (such as patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants) require ongoing mentorship for graduates. PDs recommended a minimum case volume of 400 total cases for trainees, including 250 interventional cases. In addition to case volumes, assessing trainee competency was deemed important, with clinical reasoning, judgment, skillset, teamwork, and complication management being key areas of evaluation.
Conclusion
The study highlights the variability in congenital interventional cardiology training and the need for ongoing mentorship during the early career years. External mentorship programs, facilitated by national and international societies, are proposed to provide critical support for early career interventionalists thusenhancing patient care for congenital heart disease. Ultimately, the findings of this survey may serve as a framework for future training standards and guidelines in this specialized field.
Finding near optimal solutions to the Thesis Defense Timetabling problem by exploiting symmetries
Authors: Dimitsas Angelos , Gogos Christos 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Thesis Defense Timetabling is the problem of arranging meetings of graduation candidates and faculty members for evaluating the theses of the first ones. Several rules apply that guarantee that the evaluation process will be assigned to appropriate opponents based on their expertise, while work will be balanced among all faculty members. The problem is combinatorial in nature, and optimal solutions are hard to find and even harder to verify that they are indeed optimal. In this work we present an exact model of the problem that is solved using Constraint Programming. We augment this model by adding constraints that capture three types of symmetries that we identified. These additions make the models capable of finding near optimal solutions, in reasonable time, and this is demonstrated by running experiments on public datasets of Thesis Defense Timetabling problem instances. Several new best solutions and lower bounds are obtained. Our approach shows that exploiting intricate details of a problem can drive contemporary constraint programming solvers to optimal or near optimal solutions faster.
Infliximab serum concentrations and disease activity in perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miranda Eron Fabio , Nones Rodrigo Bremer , Baraúna Fernanda Barbosa , Marçal Gustavo Nardi , Olandoski Marcia , Moraes Thyago Proença , Kotze Paulo Gustavo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction: there are several studies in the literature that associate the presence of higher serum concentrations of infliximab (IFX) with fistula healing in perianal Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to evaluate serum IFX concentrations in patients with perianal fistulizing CD (PFCD) in the presence or absence of general, clinical, and radiological activities and deep remission.
Methods: a cross-sectional study in patients with PFCD during maintenance treatment with IFX from two centers. Serum IFX concentrations were measured before its next infusion and anal fistulas were evaluated by clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 90 days before or after serum collection. According to clinical scores and endoscopic, radiological, laboratory, and MRI markers, patients were classified as in remission or active disease.
Results: 38 patients with PFCD were included. Demographic characteristics were similar in patients with remission or active disease. The overall mean serum IFX concentration of the entire sample (n=38) was 5.21 ± 4.75 ug/mL (Median 3.63; IQR 1.44 - 8.82). In the 23 (60.5%) patients in remission, serum IFX levels were 6.25 ± 5.34 ug/mL (Median 3.62; IQR 1.95 - 11.03), and in the 15 (39 .5%) who presented active disease of 3.63 ± 3.24 ug/mL (Median 3.63; IQR 1.32 - 6.43; p=0.026). When evaluating general, clinical, and radiological activity of PFCD, and deep remission in isolation, no statistical difference between the groups was observed (p=0.226, p=0.418, p=0.126 and p=0.232 respectively). The 13 (34.2%) patients with an optimized dose of IFX had significantly higher serum concentrations than the remaining 25 (65.8%) with a standard dose: 8.33 ± 4.41 ug/mL (Median 8.36; IQR 3.82 – 11.20) vs. 3.59 ± 4.13 ug/mL (Median 1.97; IQR 1.18 - 3.85); p=0.002). Patients in remission and with an optimized IFX dose had significantly higher serum concentrations of IFX than those with a standard dose (p=0.006), whereas, among those with active disease, no significant difference was observed (p=0.083).
Conclusion: there were no differences in IFX serum concentrations in patients with general, clinical, or radiological active disease as compared with those in remission. Patients with an optimized IFX dose had significantly higher serum concentrations than those with a standard dose. Patients in remission and with an optimized IFX dose had significantly higher serum concentrations than those with a standard dose.
The Influence of Air Masses on Human Mortality in the United States
Authors: Lee Cameron C. , Silva Alindomar , Ibebuchi Chibuike C , Sheridan Scott C 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Temperature-related mortality is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Herein, we explore the effect of air masses (AMs) – a relatively novel and holistic metric of human thermal comfort – on mortality across 61 different cities in the United States. Results show that AMs are significantly related to anomalous mortality in most US cities, and in most seasons. Of note, Humid-Warm (HW) air masses are associated with immediate increases in deaths in all seasons, however, mortality displacement only occurs outside of summer. The Warm and Dry-Warm AMs show slightly longer periods of increased mortality, albeit slightly less intensely as HW but with a similar lag structure by season. Two of the three cool AMs (Cool and Dry-Cool) each show a strong, but delayed mortality response in all seasons, with peak mortality 2 to 4 days after they occur, with the Dry-Cool AM having nearly a 15% risk of excess mortality. Meanwhile, the most seasonally consistent results are with transitional weather, whereby passing cold fronts are associated with a significant decrease in mortality 1 day after they occur, while warm fronts are associated with significant increases in mortality at that same lag time. Finally, artificial neural network modeling reveals that AM-mortality relationships gleaned from a combined meta-analysis can actually lead to more skillful modeling of these relationships than models trained on some individual cities, especially in the cities where such relationships might be masked due to low average daily mortality.
Optimizing Shared Decision-Making for Risk-Reducing Mastectomy in Women with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Authors: Polidorio Natalia , Sandoval Renata L. , Bioni Pâmela , Pisani Janina , Achatz Maria Isabel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Decisions regarding risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) in women with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) are challenged by unclear survival benefits and potential quality of life (QOL) impacts. We evaluated QOL in LFS women and identified factors associated with QOL outcomes in those who received RRM.
Methods
LFS women from a single institution cohort between 2012 and 2022 were identified and BREAST-Q surveys were administered. Scores were compared according to the choice of RRM or surveillance and factors associated with differences in QOL outcomes in patients submitted to RRM were identified.
Results
Among 90 women, 37 (41%) chose surveillance and 53 (59%) underwent RRM. Compared to surveillance, RRM women had worse satisfaction with breasts (p = 0.05) and physical well-being (p < 0.01) scores. RRM ≤ 30 years was associated with worse psychosocial well-being (p = 0.05). Women with no cancer and breast cancer only had worse sexual health than those with other malignancies (p = 0.02). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at RRM was associated with lower psychosocial (p = 0.05) and satisfaction (p = 0.01) scores. Implant-based was superior to autologous reconstruction in sexual well-being (p = 0.05). Surgical complications resulted in worse sexual (p = 0.05) and physical (p = 0.04) outcomes, while additional reconstructive surgery resulted in worse psychosocial (p = 0.01), sexual (p < 0.01), and physical (p < 0.01) well-being.
Conclusion
RRM resulted in worse satisfaction with breasts and physical well-being than surveillance. Age at RRM, oncological history, financial status, SLNB, surgical complications, and additional breast reconstructive surgery were associated with differences in QOL in women with RRM. These findings add valuable insights for breast cancer risk management in LFS women.