bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent enhancement of CNDs from Cinnamon bark with L-Arginine doping for Yeast cell Imaging
Authors: Lad Urvi M. , Dave Dhruti J. , Desai Bhumi N. , Suthar Devesh H. , Modi Chetan K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In this study, we present an economical and efficient synthesis method for carbon nanodots (CNDs) derived from cinnamon bark wood powder, supplemented with L-arginine doping at varying ratios. Extensive structural and optical characterization was conducted through techniques such as FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, DLS, UV-Vis, and PL spectra, providing a comprehensive understanding of their properties. Quantum yields (QY) were quantified for all three samples, contributing to the assessment of their fluorescence efficiency. The synthesized CNDs were successfully applied for bioimaging of yeast cells, employing fluorescence microscopy to visualize their interaction. Remarkably, L-arginine-doped CNDs exhibited enhanced fluorescence, particularly at a higher doping ratio (1:0.50), showcasing the influence of the dopant. The non-toxic nature of these CNDs was rigorously investigated, confirming their biocompatibility. This work not only contributes to the synthesis and characterization of CNDs but also highlights their potential for diverse applications, emphasizing their structural, optical, and biological attributes. The findings underscore the versatility of CNDs derived from cinnamon bark wood powder and their potential in advancing biotechnological and imaging applications.
Prostatic abscess complicated with endogenous endophthalmitis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yuan Xingchen , Wang Yongchuan , Zhu Zhenliu , Du Jing , Wang Kai , Ren Zijun , Bi Yuxing , Ren Anji , Zhou Haijun , Yu Zhiyong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of prostatic abscess and provide diagnostic and therapeutic references for clinical practice.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data from a patient treated at our institution for a prostatic abscess complicated by endogenous endophthalmitis was performed. The relevant literature concerning prostatic abscesses and endogenous endophthalmitis was reviewed and synthesized.
Results: The patient, who was consistently administered sensitive antibiotic therapy, achieved successful resolution of a prostatic abscess through transurethral incision and drainage. However, despite receiving a series of treatments including pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, and multiple vitreous injections, the patient experienced irreversible loss of vision in the left eye as a consequence of endogenous endophthalmitis.
Conclusion: Prostate abscess in the early stage presents with nonspecific clinical symptoms. Clear diagnosis can be achieved through transrectal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）, which are of great value. Treatment should be selected based on the local characteristics of the abscess and the overall condition of the patient. For patients with ineffective conservative treatment, timely surgical intervention is necessary. Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by prostate abscess manifests early with a lack of specificity and poor prognosis. Systemic susceptibility factors are the main pathogenic factors for endogenous endophthalmitis. Timely and effective intravitreal antibiotic injection and combined vitrectomy surgery can maximize the preservation of visual function.
Increased adherence to Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines by community health workers in Kano State, Nigeria through use of a clinical decision support (CDS) platform
Authors: McLaughlin Megan , Metiboba Loveth , Giwa Aisha , Femi-Ojo Olufunke , Ravi Nirmal , Mahmoud Nasir Mamoud , Mount-Finette Ezra , Langle-Chimal Ollin , Abbas Dina , Finette Barry 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines established in 1992 to decrease preventable under-five child morbidity and mortality, was adopted by Nigeria in 1997. Over 20 years later, while under-five child mortality remains high,6 less than 25% of first level facilities have trained 60% of community health workers (CHW) who care for sick children with IMCI.4 This study investigated the impact in CHWs overall adherence to IMCI guidelines, particularly for critical danger signs, as well as usability and feasible following the implementation of THINKMD’s IMCI-based digital clinical decision support (CDS) platform.
Methods: Adherence to IMCI guidelines was assessed by observational and digital data acquisition of key IMCI clinical data points by 28 CHWs, prior, during, and post CDS platform implementation. Change in IMCI adherence was determined for individual CHW and for the cohort by analyzing the number of IMCI data points acquired by each CHW per clinical evaluation. Consistency of adherence was also calculated by averaging the percent of total evaluations each data point was observed. Usability and acceptability surveys were administered following use of the CDS platform.
Results: THINKMD CDS platform implementation notably enhanced the CHWs’ ability to capture key IMCI clinical data elements. We observed a significant increase in the mean percentage of data points captured between the baseline period and during the CDS technology implementation (T-test, t = -31.399, p < 0.016, Holm-Bonferroni correction, two-sided), with the mean values going from 30.7% to 72.4%. Notably, even after the completion of the technology implementation phase, the mean percentage of IMCI elements captured by CHWs remained significantly elevated compared to the baseline, with a 26.72 percentage point increase (from 30.7% to 57.4%, T-test, t = -15.779, p < 0.05, Holm-Bonferroni correction, two-sided). Usability and feasibility of the platform was high. CHWs reported that the CDS platform was easy to learn and use (93%) and enabled them to identify sick children (100%).
Conclusion: These results demonstrate that utilization of a digital clinical decision support tool such as THINKMD’s IMCI based CDS platform can significantly increase CHW adherence to IMCI guidelines over paper-based utilization, increase clinical quality and capacity, and improve identification of key danger signs for under-five children while being highly accepted and adopted.
Association between asthma and melanoma: Results from the NHANES 2009-2016 and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tan Jun , Huang Xuanran , Dong Yan , Li Jianjun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective:
To investigate the phenotypic and genetic associations between asthma and melanoma.
Methods:
Initially, we conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2009 to 2016. In the survey, individuals answering "Yes" to "Ever been told you have asthma?" were categorized as asthma patients, while those answering "yes" to "Ever told you had cancer or malignancy?" and specifying "melanoma" were defined as melanoma patients. We employed a multivariate logistic regression model to evaluate the observed association between asthma and melanoma risk. Subsequently, the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, a novel method minimizing bias and establishing causal relationships, was utilized asthma dataincluding childhood-onset (347,481 controls and 46,802 cases), adult-onset (347,481 controls and 9,676 cases), and overall onset (347,481 controls and 22,296 cases) were retrieved from GWAS databases, alongside melanoma data (32697 samples) obtained from the FinnGen. Two-sample MR analysis was conducted to evaluate the causal relationship between asthma and melanoma, with the Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW) method as the primary data analysis approach.
Results:
The observational study encompassed a total of 23,218 participants, including 129 melanoma patients. In the unadjusted multivariate logistic regression model, asthma was associated with a reduced risk of melanoma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.404, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.188-0.869, P=0.023). Similar results were observed after adjusting for gender, age, race, and education level (OR = 0.439, 95% CI = 0.209-0.922, P=0.034). However, further adjustments for variables such as BMI, poverty to income ratio, diabetes, alcohol use, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and skin reaction to sun after non-exposure, outdoor time did not yield statistically significant results (OR = 0.675, 95% CI = 0.205-2.223, P=0.522). Mendelian analysis also failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between asthma and melanoma risk.
Conclusion:
While there may be an association between asthma and a reduced risk of melanoma, no causal relationship exists between the two. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to corroborate our findings.
Temporal evolution of antimicrobial resistance: insights from a decade-long surveillance of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in the Comunitat Valenciana (Spain)
Authors: Fortuny Jordi Sevilla , Aguilar Pilar Ausina , Vidal Maria Elena , González-Candelas Fernando , García-González Neris 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a highly prevalent antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogen in healthcare-settings worldwide, especially third-generation cephalosporin (3GC) and carbapenem-resistant strains. In the Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, these strains are a growing concern due to their increasing prevalence and limited treatment options. Fortunately, the Comunitat Valenciana has a well-established microbiological surveillance system, called RedMIVA, that gathers all tests performed at microbiology laboratories across the region, providing invaluable data for understanding resistance epidemiology.
Methods
We analyzed all K. pneumoniae test results from the RedMIVA between 2010 and 2022. We curated the susceptibility profiles, identified the total episodes attributable to C3G or carbapenem-resistant strains, and compared their relative abundance across time and hospitals. Additionally, we evaluated potential risk factors associated with the acquisition of resistant strains.
Results
Among the 131,159 identified cases, 23.7% were attributable to 3GC, or carbapenem-resistant isolates. 3GC-resistance was already prevalent (~ 12%) in the region at the start of the study (2010), whereas carbapenem-resistance emerged in 2016, with both showing differences in prevalence among hospitals. Notably, the initial rise of carbapenem resistance occurred in large hospitals, but by 2020, cases started to rise in smaller healthcare settings. Finally, we found that the elderly and male gender were risk factors for developing resistant infections, and that such episodes were associated with a higher hospitalization rate in the region.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates the power of comprehensive surveillance data to unravel the dynamics of AMR pathogens regionally. Our findings describe the overall prevalence of 3GC- and carbapenem resistant rates regionally and in each hospital, enhancing the development of effective control strategies. Notably, we describe the concerning spread of carbapenem resistance from larger hospitals to smaller settings. This critical finding highlights the urgent need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms behind this shift and develop effective strategies to prevent community transmission.
Long-term need and potential for withdrawal of enteral feeding in children with chronic kidney disease stage 5
Authors: Osaka Kei , Nishi Kentaro , Inoki Yuta , Okada Satoshi , Kaneda Tomoya , Akiyama Misaki , Sato Mai , Ogura Masao , Kamei Koichi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 may require long-term enteral tube feeding. However, the factors associated with the need for tube feeding and the potential for its withdrawal are unclear.
Methods
This single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2004 and 2021 and included patients with CKD stage 5 aged < 18 years. We evaluated data on the initiation of enteral tube feeding and its associated factors, the potential and timing of the withdrawal of enteral tube feeding, and improvements in feeding difficulties before and after kidney transplantation.
Results
Of the 58 study participants, 33 (57%) received enteral tube feeding for more than 1 month. After adjusting for males and major congenital complications, logistic regression analyses identified a younger age at the initiation of kidney replacement therapy as a factor associated with the need for enteral tube feeding (odds ratio: 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.28‒2.56, P < 0.001). During the study period, enteral tube feeding was withdrawn from 24 of the 33 (73%) children (withdrawal rates: 2 years, 26%; 3 years, 50%; and 5 years, 66%). Of the nine patients in whom enteral tube feeding was not withdrawn before kidney transplantation, six underwent withdrawal at 0.1, 0.1, 1.1, 1.6, 2.9, and 3.3 years after kidney transplantation, respectively. The remaining three patients continued enteral tube feeding after kidney transplantation and are still under observation.
Conclusions
Although withdrawal from enteral nutrition is difficult in children with CKD stage 5, it may be possible with kidney transplantation or over time.
Trial registration:
Not applicable
Intelligent Wireless Sensor Network for Surveillance and Security Information Gathering using Computer Vision and Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Apeh Simon Tooswem , Ajao Lukman Adewale , Nyitamen Dominic S. , Robbinson Ciroma L. , Wamdeo Edeh 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The use of a wireless sensor network (WSN) for gathering security information about terrorism patterns in war zones renders a wide range of advantages. Which reduces huge personnel fatalities, minimizing attendant personnel, and maintenance costs. As well as improving the efficiency of the sophisticated machinery that is more resilient than humans at the front line through autonomous surveillance. However, this research aims to develop an intelligent wireless sensing system (IWSS) for autonomous surveillance, firearm detection, and defense systems at the front line through the deployment of intelligent wireless sensor nodes. This prototypical model of the autonomous defense and surveillance system involves several sensors and intelligent cameras. These all are integrated into the ARM Cortex A53 processor for data collection, and image processing using the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Histogram of Gradient (HOG), and Eye Aspect Ratio (EAR) algorithms of the computer vision algorithm. The surveillance video clips/imagery extracted have experimented with the YOLOv3 model for object training, detection, and classification using a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN). The result obtained for the detection accuracy of humans in possession of the weapon is 100%, with a processing time of 0.875 seconds. Also, the deployment of the multi-agent sensing prototype for the autonomous surveillance system is implemented and simulated in a spanning tree network testbed model. The average detection accuracy results obtained are 94.85%, 95.10%, 96.58%, 93.57%, 95.26%, and 97.17% respectively.
Screening diagnostic markers for diabetic kidney disease based on the renal tubule transcriptome and exosome proteomics
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Lin Dengmei , Cheng Guo , Li Jun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The commonly used clinical diagnostic indicators of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) include urinary microalbumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate, which have controversial sensitivities and specificities. Therefore, it is essential to identify biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of DKD. Exosome data can be obtained by extracting, separating, and purifying renal tubular exosomes, followed by proteomic analysis. The renal tubular transcriptome dataset GSE30122 was searched and screened using the GEO database. Twenty-two intersection targets were obtained by the intersection of the two. GO enrichment analysis was performed for intersection targets through the clusterProfiler package in R language. Moreover, pathway enrichment analysis was conducted using the KEGG database. Biological process (BP) analysis revealed that intersection targets participated in renal system development. According to KEGG enrichment analysis, the intersection targets of these genes were involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Nine key targets were identified by constructing a random forest (RF) model, support vector machine (SVM) model, and generalized linear model (GLM) using the R language. An ROC curve was constructed to screen three key targets (CFH, COL4A1, and ANXA2) with an AUC > 0.9 as biomarkers for DKD diagnosis. Then, the three potential targets were subjected to differential expression analysis and clinical correlation verification (eGFR, proteinuria, and serum creatinine), which indicated that CFH, COL4A1, and ANXA2 were differentially expressed and clinically related. Western blot analysis also verified that compared with those in the normal group, the protein expression of CFH, COL4A1, and ANXA2 in the DKD group was upregulated (P < 0.05). Initially, the current study screened three potential diagnostic targets using proteomic and transcriptional analysis of renal tubular exosomes, providing clues for discovering new DKD biomarkers.
TK1 promotes tumour proliferation in bladder cancer via the TK1/TFDP1/β-catenin axis
Authors: Shi Kai , Xu Huixin , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Qikai , Lin Mingliang , Guan Xinping , Liang Yongqiang , Wang Jinqing , Guo Zhaoxin , Li Kewei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Developing a simple and effective diagnostic method for the early diagnosis of bladder cancers of great significance. Our study aimed to verify the molecular mechanism of TK1 in bladder cancer and explore its potential value as a molecular marker. TK1 expression in bladder cancer tissues was analysed using bioinformatic analysis. We also performed western blotting and immunohistochemistry to further detect TK1 expression. CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry analysis and subcutaneous xenograft mouse models were used to verify the role of TK1 in bladder cancer. A co-IP assay was conducted to explore the interaction between TK1 and TFDP1 in bladder cancer. TK1 was upregulated in bladder cancer tissues. We found that TK1 overexpression significantly promoted DNA replication and cell proliferation by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. TK1 regulates TFDP1 expression by directly interacting with TFDP1. TK1 regulated the Wnt pathway through the TK1/TFDP1/β-catenin axis in bladder cancer. Our study revealed that TK1 plays a critical role in bladder cancer and provides novel insights into bladder cancer treatment.
Genetics risk assessment of PALB2 polymorphism (rs249954 and rs152451) with breast cancer susceptibility among the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Gul Sohni , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Khan Hamza , Almutairi Mikhlid H. , Ali Ijaz 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2) gene play an important role in DNA damage repair and control of many biological processes. The occurrence of specific genetic variations, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in the PALB2 gene has been identified as a factor contributing to an increased susceptibility to breast cancer. The SNPs in PALB2 (rs249954 and rs152451) are identified and associated with breast cancer risk, however its role remains unknown in the Pashtun ethnic group, making it necessary to explore in this population. This case-controls study included 100 breast cancer patients and 100 healthy controls. The SNPs genotyping was performed using amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). The statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the risk allele of rs249954 and an elevated breast cancer risk (P = 0.0001), while rs152451 did not exhibit a significant association (P = 0.07). Heterozygous genotype of rs249954 was linked to increased breast cancer risk (P = 0.0001), whereas rs152451 did not show a significant association (P = 0.08). Mutant genotypes of both the SNPs correlated positively with breast cancer risk (P = 0.002, P = 0.042). Additionally, rs249954 exhibited significant association with Nodal status (P=0.01), Metastasis (P=0.01) and PR status (P=0.01). While PALB2 (rs142451) failed to exhibit significant association with any of the selected demographic and clinical parameters. In conclusion, the risk allele and both the heterozygous and homozygous genotypes of rs249954 were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, whereas only homozygous mutant genotype of rs152451 exhibited significant association. However, further studies with larger datasets and comprehensive genomic analysis are necessary to validate these findings and explore associations with other relevant SNPs.
Relative-Kinematic Formulation of Geometrically Exact Beam Dynamics based on Lie-Group Variational Integrators
Authors: Herrmann Maximilian , Kotyczka Paul 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Geometrically exact beam models can accurately describe the statics and dynamics of elastic, slender beams undergoing large deformations. This work introduces a variational integrator for such models based on a relative-kinematic formulation, in which positions and velocities of nodes in the discretized beam are expressed relative to the respective preceding nodes in the kinematic chain. The resulting model is especially suited for applications in robotics and control, since it has a minimum number of states and possesses the same structure as rigid mechanical systems, simplifying the combined modeling of rigid-flexible systems. Moreover, this approach allows to specifically select the modeled deformation modes, avoiding numerical issues associated with stiff, high-frequency modes and greatly increasing numerical efficiency. The proposed model is derived fully variational in the discrete mechanics framework and under consistent consideration of the underlying Lie group structure, which translates into beneficial numerical properties. We provide a detailed treatment of the inclusion of dissipation and propose two solver strategies for time integration, including a linear-time solver based on recursive rigid-body dynamics algorithms. The model is validated and analyzed in detailed simulation studies, which underline its efficiency for the simulation of stiff and slender beams. In the case of light dissipation, a Kirchhoff model in our relative-kinematic formulation achieved computation times between 22 and 219 times faster than the compared Simo-Reissner beam model from literature at the same error level.