bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A frequency peak at 3.1 kHz obtained from the spectral analysis of the cochlear implant electrocochleography noise
Authors: Herrada Javiera , Medel Vicente , Dragicevic Constantino , Maass Juan C. , Stott Carlos E. , Delano Paul H. 
Published: March 2024

Introduction
The functional evaluation of auditory-nerve activity in spontaneous conditions has remained elusive in humans. In animals, the frequency analysis of the round-window electrical noise recorded by means of electrocochleography yields a frequency peak at around 900 to 1000 Hz, which has been proposed to reflect auditory-nerve spontaneous activity. Here, we studied the spectral components of the electrical noise obtained from cochlear implant electrocochleography in humans.

Methods
We recruited adult cochlear implant recipients from the Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile, between the years 2021 and 2022. We used the AIM System from Advanced Bionics® to obtain single trial electrocochleography signals from the most apical electrode in cochlear implant users. We performed a protocol to study spontaneous activity and auditory responses to 0.5 and 2 kHz tones.

Results
Twenty subjects including 12 females, with a mean age of 57.9 ± 12.6 years (range between 36 and 78 years) were recruited. The electrical noise of the single trial cochlear implant electrocochleography signal yielded a reliable peak at 3.1 kHz in 55% of the cases (11 out of 20 subjects), while an oscillatory pattern that masked the spectrum was observed in seven cases. In the other two cases, the single-trial noise was not classifiable. Auditory stimulation at 0.5 kHz and 2.0 kHz did not change the amplitude of the 3.1 kHz frequency peak.

Conclusion
We found two main types of noise patterns in the frequency analysis of the single-trial noise from cochlear implant electrocochleography, including a peak at 3.1 kHz that might reflect auditory-nerve spontaneous activity, while the oscillatory pattern probably corresponds to an artifact.
Impact of spinal fusion on severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap
Authors: Bessaguet Hugo , Rousseau Marie-Christine , Gautheron Vincent , Ojardias Etienne , Dohin Bruno 
Published: March 2024

Background
Scoliosis constitutes a prevalent comorbidity in adolescents with polyhandicap and frequently leads to other severe impairments, impacting abilities and requiring complex caregiving strategies. Therefore, spinal fusion surgeries are commonly performed to alleviate pain and provide more comfort. However, spine stabilization has not previously been proven to improve the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap according to specific clinical scales.

Objective
This study describes and compares the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap before and after they underwent spinal fusion.

Methods
A monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted in the university hospital centre of Saint-Etienne, France. We included between 2009 to 2020, 30 scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap who underwent spinal fusion performed with the same surgical technique and the same surgeon. The main outcome was the variation in the Polyhandicap Severity Scale (PSS) score after surgery. Secondary outcomes were variations in PSS subscores, quality of life scores, fronto-sagittal X-ray parameters, and measures of surgical complication rates and lengths of stay.

Results
Among 30 adolescents, 27 PSS analyses were performed. We found a significant improvement between pre- and postoperative PSS scores, mainly for pain and respiratory, digestive, and skin disabilities. These improvements were accompanied by significant reductions in pelvic obliquity, in frontal and sagittal curves. The mean hospital length of stay was 45 days. During postoperative period, patients received a personalized postoperative rehabilitation procedure with spasticity and pain treatments, physiotherapy, and verticalization (wheelchair sitting and positioning devices such as contoured seat intended to increase postural stability). The mortality rate was estimated at 7%. At least 1 complication per patient occurred.

Conclusions
We show that spinal fusion surgeries confer a significant improvement in the severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap.
AN EFFECTIVE RESOURCE-SAVING OPTION IN THE SPHERE OF WOOD PROCESSING AND ITS PROCESSING IN THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY
Authors: Хакимова Фирдавес Харисовна , Noskova Olga Alekseevna , Khakimov Roman Rashidovich , Fonarev Ilya Igorevich 
Published: March 2024

The possibility and expediency of obtaining and bleaching sulfite pulp from young small-sized spruce wood from thinning (thinning) fellings was studied in comparison with ripe wood. In the process of thinning, a significant amount of young small-sized wood is formed, which can serve as a significant reserve of wood raw materials for the production of pulp and paper.
Sulfite pulping from young and ripe spruce wood obtained two samples of pulp of different degrees of penetration.
Comparative pulp bleachings were carried out according to the traditional economical but effective D/C-EG-G-D-A scheme; For comparison, pulp samples from ripe and young spruce wood were bleached according to the modern ecological scheme Pa-E-Ch1-E-Ch2-A (ECF technology).
It is shown that young small-sized spruce wood is delignified by sulfite cooking solution without difficulty, but somewhat more slowly than ripe wood.
Sulfite spruce pulp obtained from thinnings is easier to grind and bleach, has higher mechanical strength than from ripe wood. Bleached pulp was obtained from young thin spruce wood by bleaching according to the scheme D/C–EG –G–D–A of pulp from young thin spruce wood, which in all quality indicators meets the standards for grade AK-II (GOST 3914), which is used mainly in the production of "cultural" grades of paper (written and printed). Comparative bleaching of pulp of approximately the same degree of penetration from ripe and young wood using ECF technology using only two oxidative bleaching agents (hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide) significantly increases the efficiency of pulp bleaching in all quality indicators, but the cost of bleaching, in modern conditions, may be will be slightly higher than in the traditional scheme.
Eigenvalue lower bounds and splitting for modified Ricci flow
Authors: Colding Tobias Holck , Minicozzi II William P. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We prove sharp lower bounds for eigenvalues of the drift Laplacian for a modified Ricci flow. The modified Ricci flow is a system of coupled equations for a metric and weighted volume that plays an important role in Ricci flow. We will also show that there is a splitting theorem in the case of equality.
Pricing Personalised Drugs: Comparing Indication Value Based Prices with Performance Based Schemes
Authors: Levaggi Laura , Levaggi Rosella 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Price strategies are essential to balance timely access to drugs with expenditure containment. This is especially true for personalised drugs, whose effectiveness is heterogeneous across patients. For these drugs, some authors suggest to use Indication Based Price schemes (IBPs), while others argue that Performance-Based managed entry Agreements (PBAs) are more appropriate. We develop a theoretical model to compare the welfare properties of IBPs and PBAs in an environment where effectiveness is uncertain. The manufacturer observes heterogeneity in patients responses, but this information may be non verifiable. By contrast, the regulator can only observe data presented for listing purposes. We show that IBPs may allow to treat the efficient number of patients only if the social value of the drug is entirely appropriated by the manufacturer. PBAs may allow a fairer distribution of the social value, but their success depends on the contract rules and on the degree of uncertainty.
Inhibition of Chk1 stimulates cytotoxic action of platinum-based drugs and TRAIL combination in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Krkoška Martin , Paruch Kamil , Šošolíková Tereza , Vázquez-Gómez Gerardo , Herůdková Jarmila , Novotný Jan , Ovesná Petra , Sova Petr , Hyršlová Vaculová Alena 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays an important role in regulation of the cell cycle, DNA damage response and cell death, and represents an attractive target in anticancer therapy. Small-molecule inhibitors of Chk1 have been intensively investigated either as single agents or in combination with various chemotherapeutic drugs and they can enhance the chemosensitivity of numerous tumor types. Here we newly demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of Chk1 using potent and selective inhibitor SCH900776, currently profiled in phase II clinical trials, significantly enhances cytotoxic effects of the combination of platinum-based drugs (cisplatin or LA-12) and TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand) in human prostate cancer cells. The specific role of Chk1 in the drug combination-induced cytotoxicity was confirmed by siRNA-mediated silencing of this kinase. Using RNAi-based methods we also showed the importance of Bak-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in the combined anticancer action of SCH900776, cisplatin and TRAIL. The triple drug combination-induced cytotoxicity was partially enhanced by siRNA-mediated Mcl-1 silencing. Our findings suggest that targeting Chk1 may be used as an efficient strategy for sensitization of prostate cancer cells to killing action of platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs and TRAIL.
Contribution of the Microhistorical Approach to Landscape and Settlement Archaeology: Some French Examples
Authors: Poirier Nicolas 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In this article, we study the contributions of the microhistorical approach to landscape and settlement archaeology in the French context. First, we outline the reception of microhistorical concepts in France. The micro-analytical scale allows a renewal of the questionings, of the approaches, and therefore of the vision of the studied societies. In the particular case of archaeological research on landscape and settlement, we argue that the microhistorical approach proposes the spatial micro-scale as a framework, but it must be surpassed by a comparative approach capable of discerning common trends and local particularities. This approach thus makes it possible to question major macro-historical questions that still lack clear and consensual answers, such as the modalities of transition between major historical phases, the nucleation of settlement into the medieval village, the extension of the finages and the possibility of agricultural growth in the early Middle Ages, or the modalities of management and exploitation of natural resources.
Converging Effects of Chronic Pain and Binge Alcohol Consumption on Anterior Insular Cortex Neurons Projecting to the Dorsolateral Striatum in Male Mice
Authors: Yin Yuexi , Haggerty David L. , Zhou Shudi , Atwood Brady K. , Sheets Patrick L. 
Published: March 2024

Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid, and patients with chronic pain are more likely to meet the criteria for AUD. Evidence suggests that both conditions alter similar brain pathways, yet this relationship remains poorly understood. Prior work shows that the anterior insular cortex (AIC) is involved in both chronic pain and alcohol use disorder. However, circuit-specific changes elicited by the combination of pain and alcohol use remain understudied. The goal of this work was to elucidate the converging effects of binge alcohol consumption and chronic pain on AIC neurons that send projections to the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). Here, we used the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm to model binge-like alcohol drinking in mice that underwent spared nerve injury (SNI), after which whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings were performed in acute brain slices to measure intrinsic and synaptic properties of AIC-DLS neurons. In male, but not female mice, we found that SNI mice with no prior alcohol exposure consumed less alcohol compared to sham mice. Electrophysiological analyses showed that AIC-DLS neurons from SNI-alcohol male mice displayed increased neuronal excitability and increased frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, mice exposed to alcohol prior to SNI consumed similar amounts of alcohol compared to sham mice following SNI. Together, our data suggest that the interaction of chronic pain and alcohol drinking have a direct effect on both intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission onto AIC-DLS neurons in mice, which may be critical in understanding how chronic pain alters motivated behaviors associated with alcohol.Significant StatementWe currently have a poor understanding of how the brain processes the interaction of pain and alcohol. Commonly, pain is associated with increased alcohol consumption. However, our data indicate that nerve-injury pain reduces alcohol consumption in mice with no prior exposure to alcohol. Only in these pain-alcohol mice, we found that a specific population of neurons in the anterior insular cortex (AIC) displayed an increase in excitability. Together, this suggests that pain and alcohol interaction can sensitize an AIC circuit that could be targeted for attenuating alcohol intake for treating alcohol-use disorders.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and placental function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Silva Aimé , Motta Alicia 
Published: March 2024

In brief
Adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are frequently associated with abnormal placental functions. This review explores the involvement of proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in these processes, to gain molecular insights into abnormal pregnancy conditions associated with PCOS.

Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the major endocrine disorders affecting women during their reproductive ages.Given its association with other pathologies, such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, women with PCOS could present high-risk pregnancies, including a high abortion rate, implantation failure, an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. These adverse pregnancy outcomes are often attributed, at least in part, to defects in placental functions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are important transcription factors that participate in various placental pathways, regulating the expression of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammation. Furthermore, PPARs have been shown to play a role in placental development and function. Taking together this evidence, the present review focuses on the role of PPARs in placental tissue and discusses their implications in the pregnancy outcomes commonly associated with the presence of PCOS. In addition, the main treatments frequently employed have also been discussed.
Oviduct and endometrial epithelium improve in vitro produced bovine embryo developmental kinetics
Authors: Senn L Kirsten , Peterson Katheryn D , Edwards J Lannett , Payton Rebecca R , Mathew Daniel J 
Published: March 2024

In brief
Standard in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryo culture media limit embryonic development. Culturing IVP bovine embryos in standard IVP bovine embryo culture media conditioned with oviduct and/or endometrial cells improves blastocyst formation and reduces the time to formation.

Abstract
In vitro embryo production in cattle greatly impacts blastomere biochemistry, embryo rate of development and pre- and post-transfer survival. In vivo, the bovine embryo migrates through the oviduct isthmus before entering the uterus on approximately day 4 of development where it remains unattached within the uterine lumen until day 20 of gestation. During this time, the embryo is sequentially exposed to oviduct followed by endometrial secretions that support embryonic development. Considering this, we tested the effect of culturing in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos sequentially in oviduct epithelial- (OEp; days 1–3) followed by endometrial epithelial- (EEp) or EEp and fibroblast cell (EEp/F; days 4–8)-conditioned media on embryonic development using a time-lapse monitoring system. Compared to control, culturing IVP embryos in EEp- or EEp/F-conditioned media without prior culture in OEp-conditioned media increased blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced the time to blastocyst formation (P < 0.05). Culturing IVP bovine embryos in OEp-conditioned media followed by EEp- or EEp/F-conditioned media, however, had the greatest impact on embryo developmental kinetics and increased morula and blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced time to formation (P < 0.05). Day 8 blastocyst cell numbers, diameter and quality were not significantly different, although, blastocyst quality scores were less (indicative of better quality) for all cell-conditioned media compared to control. In conclusion, IVP bovine embryo development may be improved using a sequential embryo culture system involving bovine oviduct followed by endometrial cell-conditioned media.
Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD): A Single Center Experience on 100 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Mitevski Aleksandar , Cvetanovski Vladko , Markov Petar , Milev Ilija 
Published: March 2024

Introduction. Surgeons, using all available means for the treatment of the hemorrhoidal disease, must make compromises between the radicality of the potential surgical treatment (to prevent recurrence) and the maintenance of the postoperative functionality of the anorectum (avoiding stricture, anal fissures, incontinence, reduction of postoperative pain etc.). Materials and methods. All patients treated with the THD method using a system manufactured by THD S.p.A., Correggio, Italy, consisting of a proctoscope equipped with a Doppler probe and a light source was used to perform the operation. Results. Out of 100 operated patients, 64 (64%) were men and 36 (36%) were women. 54 patients had third degree hemorrhoidal disease, 32 had fourth degree, 7 patients had fourth degree hemorrhoidal disease with active bleeding and 7 patients had second degree hemorrhoidal disease with active bleeding. In the follow-up period, anal fissure formation in two patients and prolapse of a hemorrhoidal node in a treated patient with fourth-degree hemorrhoidal disease were noted. Discussion. It is estimated that more than 50% of the general population will experience at least one episode of symptomatic hemorrhoids during their lifetime. Morphological and hemodynamic changes that occur in patients with hemorrhoidal disease is the finding of an increased diameter of the terminal branches of the superior rectal artery that supplies the hemorrhoidal nodes. These branches are 10–11 in number, of which ligation of up to six is allowed for effective treatment with the THD method. Conclusion. If the THD technique is used according to the established standards, postoperative complications in patients in the form of fecal incontinence and chronic pain have not been described, which is also confirmed in our series. The absence of serious complications while addressing a hemorrhoidal disease at the level of the cause of its occurrence, makes the THD+mucopexy technique applicable in most cases. Correct manipulation of the instruments, precision in dearterization, mucopexy of the rectal mucosa and submucosa are imperative for achieving excellent results.
Ethics and Welfare in invertebrates: a stepping-stone to research and animal production
Authors: Crespi-Abril Augusto C. , Rubilar Tamara 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Even though only a few species are considered to be dangerous, pests or vectors, the majority of invertebrates produce a feeling of aversion in humans. This has contributed to the delay in the development of ethical considerations as regards this group in contrast with vertebrates, with the exception of cephalopods.
Objective: In the present study, we provide an overview of the current situation on animal ethics and welfare in order to contribute to the development of a framework for ensuring invertebrate welfare.
Methods: Today, animal welfare is multidisciplinary in nature to a very high degree as it includes ethology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, nutrition, cognitive-neural, veterinary medicine, and ethics. Animal welfare is a complex concept, difficult to achieve successfully from one perspective.
Results: As a consequence, we propose to include the five domains (nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state) along with the three conceptions (basic health and functioning, affective state and natural living), as well as the 5R Principle (Replace, Reduction, Refinement, Respect and Responsibility) in seeking to achieve a comprehensive welfare state.
Conclusions: We consider that in both research and animal production, the individual and collective ethical concerns coexist and, in fact, the main moral concern to account for is the collective one and that, within that collective view, the individual moral concern should be applied with responsibility and respect for the individual. Finally, we propose a practical example of invertebrate welfare production in sea urchin aquaculture with the aim of including animal production of invertebrates in this important discussion.
Fitorremediación de efluentes acuícolas mediante el uso de seis microalgas marinas: aportes de sustentabilidad en la industria acuícola del erizo de mar en Argentina
Authors: Martelli Antonela , Vanina Zualet Tania , Miras Gagliardi Maria Belén , Rubilar Tamara 
Published: March 2024

Introducción: La industria acuícola está en constante crecimiento, registrando una producción mundial de casi 88 millones de toneladas para el año 2020. Esta industria trae consigo problemas ambientales si sus efluentes no son debidamente tratados. En el 2020, se constituyó la primera empresa de base tecnológica del CONICET en la Patagonia Argentina cuyo propósito es la producción acuícola del erizo verde de mar, Arbacia dufresnii con la finalidad de elaborar una gama de productos nutracéuticos. Su sistema de cultivo conlleva un compromiso de sustentabilidad desde su creación, y sin embargo genera efluentes con niveles altos de nitratos y fosfatos.
Objetivo: Ante este escenario, y valorizando la biorremediación como herramienta de tratamiento de aguas, se propone en este trabajo la utilización de las microalgas marinas como agentes fitorremediadores del efluente acuícola.
Métodos: Se utilizaron las microalgas Chaetoceros gracilis, Navicula sp., Tetraselmis suecica., Rhodomona salina., Nanochloropsis galvana y Cylindrotheca closterium, las cuales son usadas como alimento de las larvas del erizo en el proceso productivo. Se diseñó un experimento que compara el crecimiento microalgal y la capacidad de remoción de los nutrientes en el efluente en contraste con el medio de cultivo artificial actualmente usado en el ciclo productivo.
Resultados: Es posible remediar el efluente de la industria acuícola mediante las microalgas seleccionadas, con porcentaje de eficacia de remoción del 100 % del nitrato y un porcentaje de eficacia de remoción promedio de 50 % para todas las microalgas testeadas. Asimismo, se obtuvieron valores de biomasa microalgal significativamente mayores cuando el cultivo fue realizado en el efluente respecto del cultivo en el medio artificial.
Conclusiones: Los avances en investigación proporcionados en este trabajo ponen de manifiesto que es posible el aprovechamiento de un descarte para cultivar las microalgas, incluso mejorando la productividad microalgal para su uso como alimento, disminuyendo los costos involucrados en el sector de producción microalgal cambiando el uso del tipo de medio de cultivo actual (F/2) por el proveniente de un descarte. Estos avances si son escalados y validados, pueden mejorar los estándares de sustentabilidad de la industria en el marco de una economía circular.