bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic support, quality of life, and prognosis of frailty among the older adults
Authors: Wang Huai‐Yu , Huang Yuming , Zhou Meng‐Ru , Jiang Hao‐Yue , Zong Yu‐Han , Zhu Xi‐Huan , Sun Xiaojing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough socioeconomic support is recommended for frailty management, its association with the prognosis of frailty is unclear.MethodsUsing data from participants aged ≥65 years in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008–2018), the associations between socioeconomic support (source of income, medical insurance, community support, living status), onset of prefrailty/frailty, and worsening of prefrailty, were analyzed using multinominal logistic regression models. The associations between self‐reported low quality of life (QoL) and reversion of prefrailty/frailty were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Associations with mortality risk were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression models.ResultsA total of 13,859 participants (mean age: 85.8 ± 11.1 years) containing 2056 centenarians were included. Financial dependence was a risk factor for low QoL among prefrail/frail individuals, but not among robust individuals. Having commercial or other insurance, and receiving social support from the community were protective factors for low QoL among prefrail/frail individuals and for the worsening of prefrailty. Continuing to work was a risk factor for low QoL, but a protective factor for worsening of prefrailty. A negative association between continuing to work and mortality existed in prefrail individuals aged <85 years and ≥85 years. Living alone was a risk factor for low QoL, but was not significantly associated with frailty prognosis.ConclusionsPrefrail and frail individuals were vulnerable to changes in socioeconomic support and more sensitive to it compared with robust individuals. Preferential policies regarding financial support, social support, and medical insurance should be developed for individuals with frailty.
Socioeconomic inequality in prostate cancer diagnostics, primary treatment, rehabilitation, and mortality in Sweden
Authors: Strömberg Ulf , Berglund Anders , Carlsson Stefan , Thellenberg Karlsson Camilla , Lambe Mats , Lissbrant Ingela Franck , Stattin Pär , Bratt Ola 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe designed a nationwide study to investigate the association between socioeconomic factors (household income and education) and different aspects of prostate cancer care, considering both individual‐ and neighbourhood‐level variables. Data were obtained from Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe), a research database with data from several national health care registers including clinical characteristics and treatments for nearly all men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Sweden. Four outcomes were analysed: use of pre‐biopsy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 2018–2020 (n = 11,843), primary treatment of high‐risk non‐metastatic disease in 2016–2020 (n = 6633), rehabilitation (≥2 dispensed prescriptions for erectile dysfunction within 1 year from surgery in 2016–2020, n = 6505), and prostate cancer death in 7770 men with high‐risk non‐metastatic disease diagnosed in 2010–2016. Unadjusted and adjusted odds and hazard ratios (OR/HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Adjusted odds ratio (ORs) comparing low versus high individual education were 0.74 (95% CI 0.66–0.83) for pre‐biopsy MRI, 0.66 (0.54–0.81) for primary treatment, and 0.82 (0.69–0.97) for rehabilitation. HR gradients for prostate cancer death were significant on unadjusted analysis only (low vs. high individual education HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17–1.70); co‐variate adjustments markedly attenuated the gradients (low vs. high individual education HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90–1.35). Generally, neighbourhood‐level analyses showed weaker gradients over the socioeconomic strata, except for pre‐biopsy MRI. Socioeconomic factors influenced how men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in Sweden but had less influence on subsequent specialist care. Neighbourhood‐level socioeconomic data are more useful for evaluating inequality in diagnostics than in later specialist care.
Social isolation and post‐weaning environmental enrichment effects on rat emotional behavior and serotonergic system
Authors: da Silva Roxana Patrícia Bezerra , Pinheiro Isabeli Lins , da Silva Regina Katiuska Bezerra , Moretti Eduarda Correia , de Oliveira Neto Olavo Barbosa , Ferraz‐Pereira Kelli , Galindo Lígia Cristina Monteiro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSocial isolation (SI) is related to adverse neurobehavioral effects and neurochemical changes when it occurs early in development. On the other hand, environmental enrichment (EE) is associated with a reduction in anxiety‐like and depression‐like behavior, as well as an increase in serotonin (5‐HT) levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in rodents. This study systematically reviewed the effects of SI and EE on emotional behavior and serotonergic system components in rats after weaning. Primary experimental studies that used subgroups of rats subjected to SI, EE, and normal social conditions after weaning were considered eligible. Studies that used transgenic rodents, ex vivo studies, in vitro studies, human research, or in silico studies were ineligible. Two authors completed searches in Medline/PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Open Gray. The Kappa index was calculated to assess agreement between reviewers and assess study quality. The results showed that the animals exposed to EE showed better adaptation to a new environment. Furthermore, EE increased 5‐HT levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of rodents. Thus, it appears that an EE during the critical period of development may reduce anxiety/depression‐like behaviors, as well as increase long‐term neurotransmitter response.
Effect of pH and biopolymer ratio on phase behavior, rheology, and structural characteristics of pea protein isolate‐locust bean gum coacervates
Authors: Pavani Mekala , Singha Poonam , Singh Sushil Kumar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundInteraction between plant‐based proteins and polysaccharides depends on several factors. This work reports the influence of pH and biopolymer ratios on the protein (pea protein isolate, PPI)‐polysaccharide (locust bean gum, LBG) coacervates. Electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond between the biopolymers strongly influenced the formation of the coacervates.ResultsThe optimum coacervate conditions were observed at pH 4.5 and PPI:LBG ratio of 5:1. The coacervates showed a honeycomb porous architecture having an amorphous nature. Complex coacervates showed a significant elevation of denaturation temperature as compared to biopolymers alone.ConclusionThese results indicates that PPI‐LBG coacervates can be used as an effective biomaterial for encapsulating heat‐sensitive bioactive compounds and other multiple uses in food processing.
CircITGA7 regulates malignant phenotypes in bladder cancer cells via targeting miR‐330‐3p/KLF10 axis
Authors: Yang Xian‐Xu , Wang Chao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBladder cancer (BCa) is one of the common malignancies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play regulatory roles in cancer progression. CircITGA7 is a circRNA generated from several exons of ITGA7. The potential role of circITGA7 in BCa remains unknown and needs to be explored. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to assess circITGA7 and miR‐330‐3p expression in BCa tissues and cell lines. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival of these BCa patients. The biological function of circITGA7 was examined by overexpression of circITGA7 using CCK‐8, EdU, wound‐healing, and Transwell assays. Xenograft assay was performed to further validate the in vitro results. To explore the mechanism of circITGA7, luciferase reporter, RNA pull‐down, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays were employed to examine the binding interaction among circITGA7, miR‐330‐3p and kruppel‐like factor 10 (KLF10). Western blot was used to study the protein levels of KLF10.CircITGA7 was downregulated in BCa tissues and cell lines and indicated longer overall survival. Moreover, circITGA7 restricted cell proliferation, migration and invasion of BCa through negatively regulating miR‐330‐3p. The in vivo model showed that circITGA7 influenced the tumor growth. Besides, the overexpression of miR‐330‐3p promoted cell progression by directly targeting KLF10. Mechanistically, circITGA7 inhibited BCa progression by activating KLF10 via targeting miR‐330‐3p.CircITGA7 alleviates BCa cell progression via circITGA7/hsa‐miR‐330‐3p/KLF10 axis, which may provide novel therapeutic targets for BCa.
Extranodal extension in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Patel Aman M. , Vedula Sudeepti , Shaari Ariana L. , Choudhry Hannaan S. , Filimonov Andrey 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveAlthough large retrospective database studies have associated extranodal extension (ENE) with worse survival in several head and neck cancers, the prognostic significance of ENE in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. Our study examines ENE and overall survival (OS) in LSCC.MethodsThe 2006–2017 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with LSCC undergoing surgical resection and neck dissection, with or without adjuvant therapy. Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox regression survival analyses were implemented to identify the independent impacts of pathologic nodal (pN) classification and ENE on OS.ResultsOf 4208 patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 2343 (55.7%) were pN0/ENE‐negative, 1059 (25.2%) were pN1‐2/ENE‐negative, and 806 (19.2%) were pN1‐2/ENE‐positive. The 5‐year OS of pN0/ENE‐negative, pN1‐2/ENE‐negative, and pN1‐2/ENE‐positive patients was 62.8%, 56.7%, and 32.9%, respectively (p < .001). Among pN1‐2/ENE‐positive patients undergoing no adjuvant therapy, adjuvant radiotherapy alone, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 5‐year OS was 24.1%, 30.7%, and 36.7%, respectively (p < .001). After adjusting for patient demographics, clinicopathologic features, and adjuvant therapy, ENE‐positivity was associated with worse OS than ENE‐negativity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53–2.02, p < .001). pN1/ENE‐positivity (aHR 1.82, 95% CI 1.31–2.54) and pN2/ENE‐positivity (aHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.49–2.40) were associated with worse OS than pN1/ENE‐negativity (p < .001). Microscopic (aHR 1.83, 95% CI 1.54–2.18) and macroscopic ENE‐positivity (aHR 1.75, 95% 1.35–2.26) were associated with worse OS than ENE‐negativity (p < .001).ConclusionENE‐positivity has prognostic significance in LSCC and is associated with worse OS than ENE‐negativity. pN classification did not have prognostic significance independent of ENE. ENE should be carefully considered when determining the prognosis of LSCC and selecting adjuvant therapy.Level of Evidence4.
Direct angiographic comparison of different velocity‐selective saturation, inversion, and DANTE labeling modules on cerebral arteries
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zhu Dan , Qin Qin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeThis study evaluated the velocity‐selective (VS) MRA with different VS labeling modules, including double refocused hyperbolic tangent, eight‐segment B1‐insensitive rotation, delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation, Fourier transform–based VS saturation, and Fourier transform–based inversion.MethodsThese five VS labeling modules were evaluated first through Bloch simulations, and then using VSMRA directly on various cerebral arteries of healthy subjects. The relative signal ratios from arterial ROIs and surrounding tissues as well as relative arteria‐tissue contrast ratios of different methods were compared.ResultsDouble refocused hyperbolic tangent and eight‐segment B1‐insensitive rotation showed very similar labeling effects. Delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation yielded high arterial signal but with residual tissue signal due to the spatial banding effect. Fourier transform–based VS saturation with half the time of other techniques serves as an efficient nonsubtractive VSMRA method, but the remaining tissue signal still obscured some small distal arteries that were delineated by other subtraction‐based VSMRA, allowing more complete cancelation of static tissue. Fourier transform–based inversion produced the highest arterial signal in VSMRA with minimal tissue background.ConclusionThis is the first study that angiographically compared five different VS labeling modules. Their labeling characteristics on arteries and tissue and implications for VSMRA and VS arterial spin labeling are discussed.
MR elastography–based slip interface imaging (SII) for functional assessment of myofascial interfaces: A feasibility study
Authors: Hojo Emi , Sui Yi , Shan Xiang , Zheng Keni , Rossman Phillip , Manduca Armando , Powell Garret M. , An Kai‐Nan , Zhao Kristin D. , Bauer Brent A. , Ehman Richard L. , Yin Ziying 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeAbnormal adherence at functional myofascial interfaces is hypothesized as an important phenomenon in myofascial pain syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of MR elastography (MRE)–based slip interface imaging (SII) to visualize and assess myofascial mobility in healthy volunteers.MethodsSII was used to assess local shear strain at functional myofascial interfaces in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and thighs. In the FDP, MRE was performed at 90 Hz vibration to each index, middle, ring, and little finger. Two thigh MRE scans were performed at 40 Hz with knees flexed and extended. The normalized octahedral shear strain (NOSS) maps were calculated to visualize myofascial slip interfaces. The entropy of the probability distribution of the gradient NOSS was computed for the two knee positions at the intermuscular interface between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius, around rectus femoris, and between vastus intermedius and vastus medialis.ResultsNOSS map depicted distinct functional slip interfaces in the FDP for each finger. Compared to knee flexion, clearer slip interfaces and larger gradient NOSS entropy at the vastus lateralis–vastus intermedius interface were observed during knee extension, where the quadriceps are not passively stretched. This suggests the optimal position for using SII to visualize myofascial slip interface in skeletal muscles is when muscles are not subjected to any additional force.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that MRE‐based SII can visualize and assess myofascial interface mobility in extremities. The results provide a foundation for investigating the hypothesis that myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by changes in the mobility of myofascial interfaces.
Out‐of‐band transaction pool sync for large dynamic blockchain networks
Authors: Boskov Novak , Chen Xingyu , Simsek Sevval , Trachtenberg Ari , Starobinski David 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSynchronization of transaction pools (mempools) has shown potential for improving the performance and block propagation delay of state‐of‐the‐art blockchains. Indeed, various heuristics have been proposed in the literature to incorporate early exchanges of unconfirmed transactions into the block propagation protocol. In this work, we take a different approach, maintaining transaction synchronization externally (and independently) of the block propagation channel. In the process, we formalize the synchronization problem within a graph theoretic framework and introduce a novel algorithm (SREP—set reconciliation‐enhanced propagation) with quantifiable guarantees. We analyze the algorithm's performance for various realistic network topologies and show that it converges on static connected graphs in a time bounded by the diameter of the graph. In graphs with dynamic edges, SREP converges in an expected time that is linear in the number of nodes. We confirm our analytical findings through extensive simulations that include comparisons with MempoolSync, a recent approach from the literature. Our simulations show that SREP incurs reasonable bandwidth overhead and scales gracefully with the size of the network (unlike MempoolSync).
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein expression in female WAS carriers: A flow cytometry study from North India
Authors: Basu Suprit , Rikhi Rashmi , Arora Kanika , Joshi Vibhu , Sharma Saniya , Rawat Amit , Singh Surjit , Suri Deepti 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionWiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X‐linked inborn error of immunity characterized by microthrombocytopenia, infections, eczema, and increased predisposition to develop autoimmunity and malignancy. Flow cytometric assay for determining WAS protein (WASp) is a rapid and cost‐effective tool for detecting patients. However, very few studies described WASp expression in female carriers. Most WAS carriers are clinically asymptomatic. Active screening of female family members helps identify female carriers, distinguish de novo mutations, and to select appropriate donor prior to curative stem cell transplantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic capability of flow cytometry‐based WASp expression in peripheral blood cells to identify carriers and compare WASp expression in different blood cell lineages.Patients and methodsFemale patients, heterozygous for WAS gene, were enrolled in this study conducted at Pediatric Allergy Immunology Unit, Advanced Pediatric Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Flow cytometric assessment of WASp expression in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils was carried out and compared with healthy control and affected patients. The results were expressed in delta (Δ) median fluorescence intensity (MFI) as well as stain index (SI), which is the ratio of ΔMFI of patient and ΔMFI of control.ResultsThirteen mothers and two sisters of genetically confirmed WAS patients were enrolled in the study. All enrolled females were clinically asymptomatic and did not have microthrombocytopenia. Low WASp expression (SI < 1) was seen in lymphocytes and monocytes in 10 (66.6%) carriers. Females with variants in proximal exons (exons 1 and 2) were found to have lesser expression than those with distal (exons 3–12) variants.ConclusionFlow cytometry is a rapid, easily available, cost‐effective tool for WASp estimation. Lymphocytes followed by monocytes are the best cell lineages for WASp estimation in carrier females. However, genetic testing remains the gold standard, as carrier females with variants in distal exons may have normal WASp expression.
Greenly building strong interactions between epoxy and carbon fiber fabric via vapor assisted ozone
Authors: Dong Yujie , Qu Yan , Zhang Jianye , Qin You , Cai Jiayao , Ren Jianguo , Zhao Chunyuan , Li Zixiong , Li Zeyang , Zhong Bingwei , Wang Qi , Tan Huabing , Zheng Yaxuan , Liu Yaqing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo enhance the performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), it is crucial to establish robust interactions between epoxy and carbon fiber fabric (CFF). Herein, CFF was treated by an optimized H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidation method. The chemical and physical properties of the treated CFFs were meticulously characterized. For comparison, CFF, O3 treated CFF, and H2O/O3 treated CFFs were also examined. It was found that H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidized CFF more effectively than either O3 or H2O/O3. Reactive O groups were extensively grafted onto the surface of the H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidized CFF, leading to an increase in surface energy. Additionally, numerous defects were introduced on the surface of the H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidized CFF, significantly enhancing its surface roughness. Consequently, the interlaminar shear strength of H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidized CFF reinforced epoxy composite reached 63.31 ± 2.50 MPa, which is 43.3% higher than that of CFF reinforced epoxy composite. The fracture surface morphology and differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed the presence of strong interfacial chemical interactions, while the increased surface roughness ensured robust interfacial physical interactions. Based on these findings, the mechanisms of the H2O2/H2O/O3 oxidized CFF reinforcing epoxy were proposed. The present work aims to give out some ideas for the fabrication of green and advanced CFRP.Highlights
CFF was effectively oxidized by an optimized H2O2/H2O/O3 method eco‐friendly.
Improved the interlaminar shear strength of the epoxy composite by 43.3%.
Both the strong interfacial chemical and physical interactions were confirmed.
The reinforcing mechanism is attributed to the robust interactions.
Isoalantolactone exerts anti‐melanoma effects via inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and STAT3 signaling in cell and mouse models
Authors: Li Jun‐Kui , Jiang Xiao‐Li , Zhang Zhu , Chen Wen‐Qing , Peng Jun‐Jie , Liu Bin , Zhu Pei‐Li , Yung Ken‐Kin‐Lam 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimAlthough the anti‐cancer activity of isoalantolactone (IATL) has been extensively studied, the anti‐melanoma effects of IATL are still unknown. Here, we have investigated the anti‐melanoma effects and mechanism of action of IATL. MTT and crystal violet staining assays were performed to detect the inhibitory effect of IATL on melanoma cell viability. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by IATL were examined using flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism of IATL was explored by Western blotting, confocal microscope analysis, molecular docking, and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). A B16F10 allograft mouse model was constructed to determine the anti‐melanoma effects of IATL in vivo. The results showed that IATL exerted anti‐melanoma effects in vitro and in vivo. IATL induced cytoprotective autophagy in melanoma cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Moreover, IATL inhibited STAT3 activation both in melanoma cells and allograft tumors not only by binding to the SH2 domain of STAT3 but also by suppressing the activity of its upstream kinase Src. These findings demonstrate that IATL exerts anti‐melanoma effects via inhibiting the STAT3 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, and provides a pharmacological basis for developing IATL as a novel phytotherapeutic agent for treating melanoma clinically.
Numerical prediction of fog: A novel parameterization for droplet formation
Authors: Peterka András , Thompson Gregory , Geresdi István 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA novel aerosol activation scheme was developed and implemented into the WRF Thompson–Eidhammer Aerosol‐Aware microphysical module. While in most of the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models the activation is based on updraft velocity, even in the fog, the new parameterization considers the local rate of cooling and water vapor flux in the evaluation of the aerosol activation rate. In addition, diagnostic variables are added to evaluate the visibility reduction due to formation of haze droplets. The impact of changing the activation scheme is demonstrated by a case study of a well‐observed fog event. Data observed during the fog event campaign at Budapest and observed at standard meteorological stations are compared with the output of the numerical model. The results are summarized as follows: (i) the inhomogeneous spatial and temporal distribution of the number concentration of droplets is an inherent characteristic of the new parameterization scheme. (ii) Compared to the prior parameterization based on updraft velocity, the new parameterization scheme increases the number concentration of the droplets significantly, especially at the top of the fog. As a consequence, it reduces the downward short‐wave radiation flux prolonging the lifetime of the fog by about 30–60 min. (iii) Analyses reveal that earlier dissipation of the fog comparing to the observed data cannot be explained only by overestimation of the downward short‐wave radiation flux. (iv) The new method is able to evaluate the reduction of visibility due to haze.