bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐term immunotoxicity induced by florpyrauxifen‐benzyl herbicide exposure in the spleen of male albino mice
Authors: Morsi Dalia S. , Abu Quora Hagar A. , AboShabaan Hind S. , El‐Garawani Islam M. , Abdel Moneim Ahmed E. , Hathout Heba M. R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFlorpyrauxifen‐benzyl (FPB) is a new arylpicolinate systemic herbicide that has been used to control or suppress the majority of herbicide‐resistant biotype weeds in rice. To our knowledge, the impact of FPB on the immune system remains undetected thus far. Hence, this work aimed to address the toxic effects of FPB and the possible related mechanisms on the spleen of exposed mice. Initially, an acute toxicological test was performed to ascertain the median lethal dose (LD50) of FPB for 24 h which was found to be 371.54 mg/kg b.wt. For mechanistic evaluation of FPB toxicity, three sublethal doses (1/20th, 1/10th, and 1/5th LD50) were orally administered to mice for 21 consecutive days. Changes in spleen relative weight, oxidative status, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, histopathological alterations were evaluated. Following the FPB exposure, significant (p < 0.05) decline in spleen index, apoptotic features, histolopathological changes were observed. Additionally, excessive oxidative stress in spleen tissues was monitored by downregulating antioxidant enzymes and upregulating the oxidant parameters. Furthermore, exposure to FPB resulted in notable activation of the NF‐қB signaling pathway, accompanied by elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (namely, IL‐1β and TNF‐α) as well as CD3 and CD19 levels have decreased significantly in spleen tissues. Collectively, FPB exposure exhibited apoptosis, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammatory response in a dose‐dependent manner, leading to spleen tissue damage and immunotoxicity. Further studies on FPB is recommended to outstand its hazards on ecosystems.
Metagenomic insights into fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis patients from India
Authors: Arunan Bharathi , Talukdar Daizee , Swain Satish , Varadarajan Ashwin , Sarda Radhika , Singh Gagandeep , Nischal Neeraj , Soneja Manish , Bakshi Susmita , Jana Pradipta , Tanwar Subhash , Sikka Kapil , Verma Hitesh , Subramanian Arulselvi , Xess Immaculata , Wig Naveet , Das Bhabatosh , Ray Animesh 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) associated mucormycosis (CAM) was reported predominantly from India during the second wave of COVID‐19 and has a high mortality rate. The present study aims to understand the fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of CAM‐infected individuals and compare it with severe COVID‐19 patients and healthy controls. The fungal community composition was decoded by analyzing the sequence homology of the internal transcribed spacer‐2–(ITS‐2) region of metagenomic DNA extracted from the upper respiratory samples. The alpha‐diversity indices were found to be significantly altered in CAM patients (p < 0.05). Interestingly, a higher abundance of Candida africana, Candida haemuloni, Starmerella floris, and Starmerella lactiscondensi was observed exclusively in CAM patients. The interindividual changes in mycobiome composition were well supported by beta‐diversity analysis (p < 0.05). The current study provides insights into the dysbiosis of the nasal mycobiome during CAM infection. In conclusion, our study shows that severe COVID‐19 and CAM are associated with alteration in mycobiome as compared to healthy controls. However, the sequential alteration in the fungal flora which ultimately leads to the development of CAM needs to be addressed by future studies.
Employing machine learning to enhance fracture recovery insights through gait analysis
Authors: Rezapour Mostafa , Seymour Rachel B. , Sims Stephen H. , Karunakar Madhav A. , Habet Nahir , Gurcan Metin Nafi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the potential of gait analysis coupled with supervised machine learning models as a predictive tool for assessing post‐injury complications such as infection, malunion, or hardware irritation among individuals with lower extremity fractures. We prospectively identified participants with lower extremity fractures at a tertiary academic center. These participants underwent gait analysis with a chest‐mounted inertial measurement unit device. Using customized software, the raw gait data were preprocessed, emphasizing 12 essential gait variables. The data were standardized, and several machine learning models, including XGBoost, logistic regression, support vector machine, LightGBM, and Random Forest, were trained, tested, and evaluated. Special attention was given to class imbalance, addressed using the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE). Additionally, we introduced a novel methodology to compute the post‐injury recovery rate for gait variables, which operates independently of the time difference between the gait analyses of different participants. XGBoost was identified as the optimal model both before and after the application of SMOTE. Before using SMOTE, the model achieved an average test area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.90, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [0.79, 1.00], and an average test accuracy of 86%, with a 95% CI of [75%, 97%]. Through feature importance analysis, a pivotal role was attributed to the duration between the occurrence of the injury and the initial gait analysis. Data patterns over time revealed early aggressive physiological compensations, followed by stabilization phases, underscoring the importance of prompt gait analysis. χ2 analysis indicated a statistically significant higher readmission rate among participants with underlying medical conditions (p = 0.04). Although the complication rate was also higher in this group, the association did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06), suggesting a more pronounced impact of medical conditions on readmission rates rather than on complications. This study highlights the transformative potential of integrating advanced machine learning techniques like XGBoost with gait analysis for orthopedic care. The findings underscore a shift toward a data‐informed, proactive approach in orthopedics, enhancing patient outcomes through early detection and intervention. The χ2 analysis added crucial insights into the broader clinical implications, advocating for a comprehensive treatment strategy that accounts for the patient's overall health profile. The research paves the way for personalized, predictive medical care in orthopedics, emphasizing the importance of timely and tailored patient assessments.
A rhPDGF‐BB/bovine type I collagen/β‐TCP mixture for the treatment of critically sized non‐union tibial defects: An in vivo study in rabbits
Authors: Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Costello Joseph P. , Ehlen Quinn T. , Slavin Blaire V. , Mirsky Nicholas A. , Kelly Sophie , Suarez Camila , Daunert Sylvia , Witek Lukasz , Coelho Paulo G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNon‐union during healing of bone fractures affects up to ~5% of patients worldwide. Given the success of recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐B chain homodimer (rhPDGF‐BB) in promoting angiogenesis and bone fusion in the hindfoot and ankle, rhPDGF‐BB combined with bovine type I collagen/β‐TCP matrix (AIBG) could serve as a viable alternative to autografts in the treatment of non‐unions. Defects (~2 mm gaps) were surgically induced in tibiae of skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits. Animals were allocated to one of four groups—(1) negative control (empty defect, healing for 8 weeks), (2 and 3) acute treatment with AIBG (healing for 4 or 8 weeks), and (4) chronic treatment with AIBG (injection 4 weeks post defect creation and then healing for 8 weeks). Bone formation was analyzed qualitatively and semi‐quantitatively through histology. Samples were imaged using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and computed tomography for defect visualization and volumetric reconstruction, respectively. Delayed healing or non‐healing was observed in the negative control group, whereas defects treated with AIBG in an acute setting yielded bone formation as early as 4 weeks with bone growth appearing discontinuous. At 8 weeks (acute setting), substantial remodeling was observed with higher degrees of bone organization characterized by appositional bone growth. The chronic healing, experimental, group yielded bone formation and remodeling, with no indication of non‐union after treatment with AIBG. Furthermore, bone growth in the chronic healing group was accompanied by an increased presence of osteons, osteonal canals, and interstitial lamellae. Qualitatively and semiquantitatively, chronic application of AI facilitated complete bridging of the induced non‐union defects, while untreated defects or defects treated acutely with AIBG demonstrated a lack of complete bridging at 8 weeks.
Prevalence and clinical features of chronic uveitis in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases: A nationwide study
Authors: Maniscalco Valerio , Scarallo Luca , Aloi Marina , Alvisi Patrizia , Norsa Lorenzo , Zuin Giovanna , Simonini Gabriele , Lionetti Paolo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) encompass a group of chronic inflammatory disorders primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract but capable of impacting various organs, including the eye, with uveitis being the most common ocular condition. We assessed uveitis prevalence and clinical features in a nationwide cohort of pediatric IBD. Among 4229 cases, six patients (four Crohn's disease, one ulcerative colitis, and one unclassified IBD) were identified, resulting in an overall prevalence rate of 141.8 per 100,000 patients. Uveitis onset varied: two before IBD, two after, and two concomitantly. Symptomatic uveitis occurred in 2/6 patients, with anterior involvement in all cases. Median follow‐up was 3 years (interquartile range 2–4.75 years). At the last follow‐up, 5/6 patients exhibited quiescent IBD, while 4/6 had inactive uveitis. One patient had ocular complications. Uveitis is a rare but potentially complicating manifestation of pediatric IBD.
Delayed sowing and its ramifications: biophysical, yield and quality analysis of wheat cultivars in the northwest Indo‐Gangetic plains
Authors: Roy Debasish , Vashisth Ananta , Krishnan Prameela , Mukherjee Joydeep , Meena Mahesh Chand , Biswakarma Niraj , Rathore Pooja , Bag Koushik , Kumari Sweta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe continuous cultivation of rice–wheat in the same field is a key element of double‐cropping systems in the Indo‐Gangetic plains. Yields of such cropping systems are increasingly challenged as climate change drives increases in temperature, terminal stress and uneven rainfall, delaying rice harvesting and subsequently delaying sowing of wheat. In this paper, we evaluate the optimum sowing dates to achieve high grain yield and quality of wheat cultivars in northwest India. Three cultivars of wheat, HD‐2967, HD‐3086 and PBW‐723, were sown on three different dates at the research farm of ICAR‐IARI, New Delhi, to generate different weather conditions at different phenological stages. Different biophysical attributes, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, were measured at different phenological stages. Yield and grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten were measured in different cultivars sown on different dates.RESULTSBiophysical parameters were found to be higher in timely sown crops followed by late‐sown and very late‐sown crops. Further, the different sowing dates had a significant (P < 0.05) impact on the grain quality parameters such as protein, starch, amylopectin, amylose and gluten content. Percentage increases in the value of starch and amylose content under timely sown were ~7% and 11.6%, ~5% and 8.4%, compared to the very late‐sown treatment. In contrast, protein and amylopectin contents were found to increase by ~9.7% and 7.5%, ~13.8% and 16.6% under very late‐sown treatment.CONCLUSIONHigh‐temperature stress during the grain‐filling periods significantly decreased the grain yield. Reduction in the grain yield was associated with a reduction in starch and amylose content in the grains. The protein content in the grains is less affected by terminal heat stress. Cultivar HD‐3086 had higher growth, yield as well as quality parameters, compared to HD‐2967 and PBW‐723 in all treatments, hence could be adopted by farmers in northwest India. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pronounced Olfactory Habituation with Age
Authors: Hintschich Constantin A. , Ma Cindy , Hähner Antje , Hummel Thomas 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesOlfactory habituation is a transient decrease in olfactory sensitivity caused by prolonged odor exposure, aiding in the discernment of new olfactory stimuli against the background. We explored the impact of subclinical olfactory impairment on odor habituation using age as a proxy.MethodsBefore the actual experiment, the individual olfactory threshold for the rose‐like odorant phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) was assessed separately for the left and right nostril using the “Sniffin’ Sticks” test, and ratings for odor intensity and pleasantness were collected. After applying a nasal clip continuously delivering PEA odor to one nostril for 10 min and 2 h, respectively, threshold, intensity, and pleasantness were reassessed immediately after clip removal.ResultsIn the group of 80 participants (younger adults‐mean age 27.7 ± 4.5 years; older adults‐mean age 61.5 ± 4.7 years), olfactory thresholds were already significantly elevated after just 10 min, and this habituation was even more pronounced after 2 h. This effect could be observed bilaterally even though significantly more distinct on the exposed side. Older participants generally exhibited a more pronounced habituation on the exposed side after 2 h compared to the younger participants.ConclusionThe results indicate that older people experience more notable habituation after extended exposure to odors. This is most likely due to the compromised olfactory function in age. Although older and younger subjects scored in the normosmic range when tested with standardized olfactory tests, the stress on the system after exposure to an odor clearly revealed the lower functionality of the aging sense of smell.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 134:3765–3768, 2024
The Production of Polysarcosine‐Containing Nanoparticles by Ring‐Opening Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly
Authors: Morrell Anna H. , Warren Nicholas J. , Thornton Paul D. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractN‐carboxyanhydride ring‐opening polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (NCA ROPISA) offers a convenient route for generating poly(amino acid)‐based nanoparticles in a single step, crucially avoiding the need for post‐polymerization self‐assembly. Most examples of NCA ROPISA make use of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrophilic stabilizing block, however this non‐biodegradable, oil‐derived polymer may cause an immunological response in some individuals. Alternative water‐soluble polymers are therefore highly sought. This work reports the synthesis of wholly poly(amino acid)‐based nanoparticles, through the chain‐extension of a polysarcosine macroinitiator with L‐Phenylalanine‐NCA (L‐Phe‐NCA) and Alanine‐NCA (Ala‐NCA), via aqueous NCA ROPISA. The resulting polymeric structures comprise of predominantly anisotropic, rod‐like nanoparticles, with morphologies primarily influenced by the secondary structure of the hydrophobic poly(amino acid) that enables their formation.
Modeling potential consequences of climate-driven sex reversal on Southern and Summer Flounder population dynamics
Authors: Conrad H. M. , Kindsvater H. K. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective
We investigate the interacting effects of fishery selectivity and sexual dimorphism by using the fisheries for Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma and Summer Flounder P. dentatus as case studies. In both species, females are larger than males, and temperature-sensitive sex determination can lead to an increased proportion of males at sexual differentiation in warmer temperatures.

Methods
We developed a size-, age-, and sex-structured population dynamics model for each species to understand how temperature-induced sex reversal will interact with harvesting to impact population productivity. We considered scenarios with realistic sex ratios and varying levels of fishing pressure.

Result
Our models of these species show that population egg production, abundance, biomass, and catch will all be constrained if sex ratios at differentiation become more male-biased. For both species, climate-induced changes to the sex ratio in early-life stages could have a greater impact on relative catch than fishing mortality. We demonstrate that the spawning potential ratio may not be sensitive to climate-induced changes in the sex ratio unless we account for changes in the sex ratio at differentiation in the historic baseline reproductive potential.

Conclusion
These findings underscore the importance of utilizing sex-specific stock assessments for species with temperature-sensitive sex determination mechanisms.
Comparing Essential Tremor with and without Soft Dystonic Signs and Tremor Combined with Dystonia: The TITAN Study
Authors: Erro Roberto , Lazzeri Giulia , Terranova Carmen , Paparella Giulia , Gigante Angelo Fabio , De Micco Rosa , Magistrelli Luca , Di Biasio Francesca , Valentino Francesca , Moschella Vincenzo , Pilotto Andrea , Esposito Marcello , Olivola Enrica , Malaguti Maria Chiara , Ceravolo Roberto , Dallocchio Carlo , Spagnolo Francesca , Nicoletti Alessandra , De Rosa Anna , Di Giacopo Raffaella , Sorrentino Cristiano , Padovani Alessandro , Altavista Maria Concetta , Pacchetti Claudio , Marchese Roberta , Contaldi Elena , Tessitore Alessandro , Misceo Salvatore , Bologna Matteo , Rizzo Vincenzo , Franco Giulia , Barone Paolo ,   TITAN study group
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundTremor disorders remain as clinical diagnoses and the rate of misdiagnosis between the commonest non‐parkinsonian tremors is relatively high.ObjectivesTo compare the clinical features of Essential Tremor without other features (pure ET), ET plus soft dystonic signs (ET + DS), and tremor combined with dystonia (TwD).MethodsWe compared the clinical features of patients with pure ET, ET + DS, and TwD enrolled in The ITAlian tremor Network (TITAN). Linear regression models were performed to determine factors associated with health status and quality of life.ResultsThree‐hundred‐eighty‐three patients were included. Sex distribution was significantly different between the groups with males being more represented in pure ET and females in TwD. The initial site of tremor was different between the groups with about 40% of TwD having head tremor and ET + DS unilateral upper limb tremor at onset. This pattern mirrored the distribution of overt dystonia and soft dystonic signs at examination. Sensory trick, task‐specificity, and position‐dependence were more common, but not exclusive, to TwD. Pure ET patients showed the lowest degree of alcohol responsiveness and ET + DS the highest. Midline tremor was more commonly encountered and more severe in TwD than in the other groups. Regression analyses demonstrated that tremor severity, sex, age, and to a lesser degree the variable “group”, independently predicted health status and quality of life, suggesting the existence of other determinants beyond tremor.ConclusionsPure ET and TwD manifest with a phenotypic overlap, which calls for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers. ET + DS shared features with both syndromes, suggesting intra‐group heterogeneity.
Knowledge‐based planning for Gamma Knife
Authors: Zhang Binghao , Babier Aaron , Ruschin Mark , Chan Timothy C. Y. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundCurrent methods for Gamma Knife (GK) treatment planning utilizes either manual forward planning, where planners manually place shots in a tumor to achieve a desired dose distribution, or inverse planning, whereby the dose delivered to a tumor is optimized for multiple objectives based on established metrics. For other treatment modalities like IMRT and VMAT, there has been a recent push to develop knowledge‐based planning (KBP) pipelines to address the limitations presented by forward and inverse planning. However, no complete KBP pipeline has been created for GK.PurposeTo develop a novel (KBP) pipeline, using inverse optimization (IO) with 3D dose predictions for GK.MethodsData were obtained for 349 patients from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. A 3D dose prediction model was trained using 322 patients, based on a previously published deep learning methodology, and dose predictions were generated for the remaining 27 out‐of‐sample patients. A generalized IO model was developed to learn objective function weights from dose predictions. These weights were then used in an inverse planning model to generate deliverable treatment plans. A dose mimicking (DM) model was also implemented for comparison. The quality of the resulting plans was compared to their clinical counterparts using standard GK quality metrics. The performance of the models was also characterized with respect to the dose predictions.ResultsAcross all quality metrics, plans generated using the IO pipeline performed at least as well as or better than the respective clinical plans. The average conformity and gradient indices of IO plans was 0.737 0.158 and 3.356 1.030 respectively, compared to 0.713 0.124 and 3.452 1.123 for the clinical plans. IO plans also performed better than DM plans for five of the six quality metrics. Plans generated using IO also have average treatment times comparable to that of clinical plans. With regards to the dose predictions, predictions with higher conformity tend to result in higher quality KBP plans.ConclusionsPlans resulting from an IO KBP pipeline are, on average, of equal or superior quality compared to those obtained through manual planning. The results demonstrate the potential for the use of KBP to generate GK treatment with minimal human intervention.
Fragility of overactive bladder medication clinical trials: A systematic review
Authors: Li Kevin D. , Venishetty Nikit , Fernandez Adrian M. , Hakam Nizar , Ghaffar Umar , Gupta Shiv , Patel Hiren V. , Breyer Benjamin N. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposeOveractive bladder (OAB) syndrome significantly impairs quality of life, often necessitating pharmacological interventions with associated risks. The fragility of OAB trial outcomes, as measured by the fragility index (FI: smallest number of event changes to reverse statistical significance) and quotient (FQ: FI divided by total sample size expressed as a percentage), is critical yet unstudied.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a systematic search for randomized controlled trials on OAB medications published between January 2000 and August 2023. Inclusion criteria were trials with two parallel arms reporting binary outcomes related to OAB medications. We extracted trial details, outcomes, and statistical tests employed. We calculated FI and FQ, analyzing associations with trial characteristics through linear regression.ResultsWe included 57 trials with a median sample size of 211 participants and a 12% median lost to follow‐up. Most studies investigated anticholinergics (37/57, 65%). The median FI/FQ was 5/3.5%. Larger trials were less fragile (median FI 8; FQ 1.0%) compared to medium (FI: 4; FQ 2.5%) and small trials (FI: 4; FQ 8.3%). Double‐blinded studies exhibited higher FQs (median 2.9%) than unblinded trials (6.7%). Primary and secondary outcomes had higher FIs (median 5 and 6, respectively) than adverse events (FI: 4). Each increase in 10 participants was associated with a +0.19 increase in FI (p < 0.001).ConclusionsA change in outcome for a median of five participants, or 3.5% of the total sample size, could reverse the direction of statistical significance in OAB trials. Studies with larger sample sizes and efficacy outcomes from blinded trials were less fragile.