bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new method to predict venous complications in pediatric liver transplantation: Evaluation of splenic parameters by ultrasonography
Authors: Jieyang Jin , Mei Liao , Kunying Liu , Tao Wu , Ling Jin , Yang Yang , Shuhong Yi , Yan Lv , Jie Ren 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundVenous complications after pediatric liver transplantation seriously affect the survival rate of patients and grafts. At present, the diagnostic indicators have not been unified. Venous complications may cause portal hypertension, which may lead to splenomegaly and splenic vein dilatation. Therefore, the changes in spleen may be closely related to the venous complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between ultrasonic splenic parameters and venous complications and to study whether these splenic parameters can be used for the diagnosis of venous complications.MethodsWe retrospectively included pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation and collected ultrasonic spleen parameters before, and then 1–3 days, 1–3 weeks, 1–3 months, and 4–12 months after liver transplantation. We observed whether there were portal vein or hepatic vein complications within 1 year after liver transplantation.ResultsAmong 109 pediatric patients after liver transplantation included in our study, 11 of them suffered from portal vein complications and nine hepatic vein complications. Spleen transverse diameter, spleen longitudinal diameter, spleen portal vein diameter, spleen index, spleen transverse diameter ratio, spleen longitudinal diameter ratio, and spleen index ratio were independent risk factors of venous complications. The accuracy of spleen transverse diameter (AUROC: 0.73), spleen index (AUROC: 0.70), spleen transverse diameter ratio (AUROC: 0.71), and spleen index ratio (AUROC: 0.72) in predicting venous complications were higher than other ones.ConclusionsUltrasonic examination is a common follow‐up method for pediatric patients after liver transplantation and the application of ultrasonic spleen parameters may be helpful to monitor venous complications.
Influence of health‐related behaviors patterns on obesity among primary and secondary school students: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Li Yin , Xu Chang , Ban Yanjing , Xi Wei , Han Yu , Zhang Xin , Gao Lei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the co‐existing patterns of health‐related behaviors among children and adolescents at different education stages and the association with obesity.DesignCross‐sectional study.SampleA total of 5651 primary and secondary school students were drawn from the National Student Physical Health Survey in 2014 with an average age of 13.53 ± 2.87 years.MeasurementsPhysical measurements and questionnaires were completed, which concluded height, weight, and health‐related behaviors (sleep, physical activity, dietary, and screen behavior et al.). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted using Mplus 8.3 and SPSS 26.0 was used for other statistical analysis.ResultsThree latent classes of health‐related behaviors were fitted for each of the education stages. After adjustment for age, gender, and region, the high‐screen behavior group were 2.217 (95%CI = 1.030–4.772, p = .042) times more likely to be obesity than the health‐behavior group in primary school, and the poor‐diet group and poor‐diet and high‐screen behavior group were 2.101 (95%CI = 1.396–3.396, p < .001) and 1.788 (95%CI = 1.003–3.190, p = .049) times more likely to be overweight than the health‐behavior group in junior middle school respectively.ConclusionObesity is mainly influenced by screen behavior and dietary patterns among children and adolescents. Health‐related behavior patterns should be accurately identified and comprehensive joint interventions should be carried out to prevent obesity.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation modifies cortical excitability in middle‐aged and older adults
Authors: Gerges Ashraf N. H. , Graetz Lynton , Hillier Susan , Uy Jeric , Hamilton Taya , Opie George , Vallence Ann‐Maree , Braithwaite Felicity A. , Chamberlain Saran , Hordacre Brenton 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is a growing interest in the clinical application of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). However, its effect on cortical excitability, and whether this is modulated by stimulation duration, remains unclear. We evaluated whether taVNS can modify excitability in the primary motor cortex (M1) in middle‐aged and older adults and whether the stimulation duration moderates this effect. In addition, we evaluated the blinding efficacy of a commonly reported sham method. In a double‐blinded randomized cross‐over sham‐controlled study, 23 healthy adults (mean age 59.91 ± 6.87 years) received three conditions: active taVNS for 30 and 60 min and sham for 30 min. Single and paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered over the right M1 to evaluate motor‐evoked potentials. Adverse events, heart rate and blood pressure measures were evaluated. Participant blinding effectiveness was assessed via guesses about group allocation. There was an increase in short‐interval intracortical inhibition (F = 7.006, p = .002) and a decrease in short‐interval intracortical facilitation (F = 4.602, p = .014) after 60 min of taVNS, but not 30 min, compared to sham. taVNS was tolerable and safe. Heart rate and blood pressure were not modified by taVNS (p > .05). Overall, 96% of participants detected active stimulation and 22% detected sham stimulation. taVNS modifies cortical excitability in M1 and its effect depends on stimulation duration in middle‐aged and older adults. taVNS increased GABAAergic inhibition and decreased glutamatergic activity. Sham taVNS protocol is credible but there is an imbalance in beliefs about group allocation.
Temporal interplay between cognitive conflict and attentional markers in social collaboration
Authors: Abubshait Abdulaziz , Perez‐Osorio Jairo , De Tommaso Davide , Wykowska Agnieszka 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCognitive processes deal with contradictory demands in social contexts. On the one hand, social interactions imply a demand for cooperation, which requires processing social signals, and on the other, demands for selective attention require ignoring irrelevant signals, to avoid overload. We created a task with a humanoid robot displaying irrelevant social signals, imposing conflicting demands on selective attention. Participants interacted with the robot as a team (high social demand; n = 23) or a passive co‐actor (low social demand; n = 19). We observed that theta oscillations indexed conflict processing of social signals. Subsequently, alpha oscillations were sensitive to the conflicting social signals and the mode of interaction. These findings suggest that brains have distinct mechanisms for dealing with the complexity of social interaction and that these mechanisms are activated differently depending on the mode of the interaction. Thus, how we process environmental stimuli depends on the beliefs held regarding our social context.
The role of environmental impact assessments in the establishment and management of marine protected areas under the UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement
Authors: Duan Wen , Shen Luoyi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis article analyses the role of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in establishing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). The analysis is conducted by discussing Articles 194 and 205–206 of the UNCLOS and Articles 27–28 and 30 of the BBNJ Agreement. It concludes that the interaction between EIA and MPAs in ABNJ is not only desirable but also critical for the success of MPAs. The BBNJ Agreement operationalises the role of EIAs in establishing and managing MPAs under the UNCLOS by (1) granting EIA an important role in assessing the susceptibility of an MPA to the impact of certain human activities and (2) factoring part of indicative criteria for identifying potential MPAs in the list of criteria to be considered for conducting EIA screening.
Effect of cover crops and tillage systems on soil quality and sugarcane yield
Authors: Carneiro Marina Pedroso , de Souza Zigomar Menezes , Farhate Camila Viana Vieira , Cherubin Maurício Roberto , Panosso Alan Rodrigo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe management adopted in the establishment and replanting of sugarcane fields, with conventional tillage followed by fallow, is one of the main causes of soil quality degradation. In this context, the soil quality index (SQI) is an important tool to guide the use of more sustainable practices and management. This study aimed to monitor the effect of different cover crops in association with different tillage systems on sugarcane yield based on key indicators and an SQI developed using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). The experiment was carried out on a sugarcane expansion area located in the municipality of Ibitinga, São Paulo, Brazil. The following soil physical and chemical attributes were analyzed: soil bulk density, macroaggregates, available phosphorus and potassium. Soil carbon content was also analyzed and used to calculate the SQI. Productivity over the 4 years of sugarcane cultivation was also analyzed. The use of subsoilers for soil tillage proved efficient in managing compaction by providing lower soil bulk density values in the first years of cultivation (1.59 and 1.63 g cm−3); however, these effects occurred in the short term with a 10% increase in later years. The use of millet in association with subsoiling showed the best results for soil quality (0.59), reflected in the maintenance of yields at 100 Mg ha−1 over time. Thus, our study reinforces the importance of using soil conservation systems in sugarcane replanting areas to achieve production longevity.
Stand age and soil organic matter management as driven factors of soil biota community composition and soil chemical properties in a subtropical Acrisol
Authors: da Silva Lucas Jónatan Rodrigues , de Souza Tancredo , Nascimento Gislaine dos Santos 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPyrus pyrifolia is a common temperate fruit crop cultivated in Southern Brazil for fruit production. Although this plant species is found in several Brazilian states (Paraná, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul), it is predominantly concentrated in the smallholder farming system in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Our aim was to compare the soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, and soil quality in two adjacent stands with different ages. Within each stand, we analysed the influence of four organic residue management practices. Our results indicated that both studied stands, influenced by different organic residue management practices, exhibited differences in soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, and soil quality. Acaridae, Araneidae, Blattidae, Halictophagidae, and Opiliones were the main contributors, explaining 78.08% of the variance in the data. The 16‐year‐old stand, with compost utilization, displayed a high biodiversity of soil organisms, average soil chemical properties, and the highest values of soil quality, creating a habitat for predators and providing energy for litter transformers and ecosystem engineers in subtropical Acrisol. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the influence of old stands on soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, ecosystem homeostasis, herbivory pressure, and prey‐predation relationships. This, in turn, may enhance interest in establishing new management plans for Pyrus pyrifolia stands in commercial orchards.
Investigation of efficacy of two different chemotherapy protocols used in neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinical stages II–IV canine malignant mammary tumours
Authors: Kuruoglu Fikriye Ecem , Ekici Zeynep Merve , Nak Deniz , Ozyigit Musa Ozgur , Kupeli Zehra Avci , Koca Davut 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe first aim of this study is to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and reliability of two different neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) protocols consisting of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) and paclitaxel in dogs with clinical stages II–IV canine malignant mammary tumours (CMTs). Secondly, to determine the Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2‐positive and triple‐negative molecular subtypes and their value in predicting clinical response to NAC in biopsy samples, and thirdly, to reveal the changes in Ki‐67, human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2), oestrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression levels induced by NAC. Thirty dogs with clinical stages II‐IV CMTs (T1‐3N0‐1M0) according to the modified TNM system were included in the study. Dogs in group‐1 (n = 15) AC combination and dogs in group‐2 (n = 15) were administered paclitaxel. Partial response (PR) was the most common clinical response in both treatment groups (66.66% and 86.66%, respectively). There was no difference between the groups regarding clinical response parameters (p = .001). The rate of treatment responders was higher than the rate of non‐responders in both groups (p < .001). The adverse effects observed in both groups were mostly limited to grades 1 and 2 and all were easy to manage. The most frequently detected molecular subtype was Luminal A (59.25%). Complete response (CR) was achieved in 33.33% of dogs with triple‐negative CMT in the AC group and 14.29% of the Luminal A subtype in the paclitaxel group. Alterations in Ki‐67, HER2, ER, and PgR expressions after chemotherapy were not statistically significant (p > .05). As a result, we have shown that these neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols are effective and safe alternative treatment options for CMTs.
Low‐temperature plasma jet suppresses bacterial colonisation and affects wound healing through reactive species
Authors: Ge Yang , Wang Jun , Gu DongHua , Cao Wei , Feng Yongtong , Wu Yanfan , Liu Han , Xu Zhengping , Zhang Zhe , Xie Jinsong , Geng Shuang , Cong Junrui , Liu Yi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAn argon‐based low‐temperature plasma jet (LTPJ) was used to treat chronically infected wounds in Staphylococcus aureus‐laden mice. Based on physicochemical property analysis and in vitro antibacterial experiments, the effects of plasma parameters on the reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) content and antibacterial capacity were determined, and the optimal treatment parameters were determined to be 4 standard litre per minute and 35 W. Additionally, the plasma‐treated activation solution had a bactericidal effect. Although RNOS are related to the antimicrobial effect of plasma, excess RNOS may be detrimental to wound remodelling. In vivo studies demonstrated that medium‐dose LTPJ promoted MMP‐9 expression and inhibited bacterial growth during the early stages of healing. Moreover, LTPJ increased collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, and restored blood vessel density and TGF‐β levels to normal in the later stages of wound healing. Therefore, when treating chronically infected wounds with LTPJ, selecting the medium dose of plasma is more advantageous for wound recovery. Overall, our study demonstrated that low‐temperature plasma jets may be a potential tool for the treatment of chronically infected wounds.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Flow Around Rigid and Flexible Hydrofoils for Wetted and Cavitating Flow Conditions
Authors: Perali P. , Hauville F. , Leroyer A. , Astolfi J. A. , Visonneau M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The hydro-elastic response of a flexible NACA 0015 hydrofoil is investigated for both wetted and cavitating flow conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis are performed using a fully implicit coupling between the ISIS-CFD solver (developed by the METHRIC team at Ecole Centrale de-Nantes) and a modal approach for the structure. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver is first validated for wetted and cavitating flow conditions around a similar rigid hydrofoil, with experimental results carried out at the hydrodynamic tunnel of the French Naval Academy, including lift and drag measurements and high speed camera images. Then the numerical predictions for the flexible hydrofoil response are compared with experimental bending shapes and vibrations amplitudes, with a focus on cavitating flow conditions. For wetted flow conditions, numerical results show a good agreement with the experiments, for both rigid and flexible hydrofoils. For cavitating flow conditions, the hydro-elastic response is dominated by vibrations at the hydrofoil modal frequencies and the reentrant jet instability frequency. For the lowest values of the cavitation number, a large amplitude peak is experimentally observed in the frequency response spectra, due to lock-in between the first modal frequency and the reentrant jet frequency. Strong harmonics of this dominant peak also appear in the spectra, revealing a nonlinear response of the hydrofoil. While the amplitudes of vibrations are well predicted by the computations, the frequency lock-in observed in the experiments is not captured by the numerical model.
Coingestion of Collagen With Whey Protein Prevents Postexercise Decline in Plasma Glycine Availability in Recreationally Active Men
Authors: Aussieker Thorben , Janssen Tom A.H. , Hermans Wesley J.H. , Holwerda Andrew M. , Senden Joan M. , van Kranenburg Janneau M.X. , Goessens Joy P.B. , Snijders Tim , van Loon Luc J.C. 
Published: April 2024

Whey protein ingestion during recovery from exercise increases myofibrillar but not muscle connective protein synthesis rates. It has been speculated that whey protein does not provide sufficient glycine to maximize postexercise muscle connective protein synthesis rates. In the present study, we assessed the impact of coingesting different amounts of collagen with whey protein as a nutritional strategy to increase plasma glycine availability during recovery from exercise. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 14 recreationally active men (age: 26 ± 5 years; body mass index: 23.8 ± 2.1 kg·m−2) ingested in total 30 g protein, provided as whey protein with 0 g (WHEY), 5 g (WC05); 10 g (WC10), and 15 g (WC15) of collagen protein immediately after a single bout of resistance exercise. Blood samples were collected frequently over 6 hr of postexercise recovery to assess postprandial plasma amino acid kinetics and availability. Protein ingestion strongly increased plasma amino acid concentrations (p < .001) with no differences in plasma total amino acid availability between treatments (p > .05). The postprandial rise in plasma leucine and essential amino acid availability was greater in WHEY compared with the WC10 and WC15 treatments (p < .05). Plasma glycine and nonessential amino acid concentrations declined following whey protein ingestion but increased following collagen coingestion (p < .05). Postprandial plasma glycine availability averaged −8.9 ± 5.8, 9.2 ± 3.7, 23.1 ± 6.5, and 39.8 ± 11.0 mmol·360 min/L in WHEY, WC05, WC10, and WC15, respectively (incremental area under curve values, p < .05). Coingestion of a small amount of collagen (5 g) with whey protein (25 g) is sufficient to prevent the decline in plasma glycine availability during recovery from lower body resistance-type exercise in recreationally active men.
Prepandemic Feasibility of Tele-Exercise as an Alternative Delivery Mode for an Evidence-Based, Tai Ji Quan Fall-Prevention Intervention for Older Adults
Authors: Jones Dina L. , Robinson Maura , Selfe Terry Kit , Barnes Lucinda , Dierkes McKinzey , Shawley-Brzoska Samantha , Myers Douglas J. , Wilcox Sara 
Published: April 2024

There is a critical need for fall-prevention interventions to reach medically underserved, hard-to-reach, rural older adults. The evidence-based Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) program reduces falls in older adults. This pre-COVID-19 pandemic study assessed the feasibility and impact of a 16-week tele-TJQMBB intervention in older adults. Instructors led six tele-TJQMBB classes via Zoom for 52 older adults (mean age ± SD 68.5 ± 7.7 years) at one academic and four community sites. Nearly all (97%) planned sessions were delivered. Average attendance was 61%. There were no adverse events. Fidelity was fair to good (mean 67%). Forty-one percent of sessions experienced technical disruptions. Participants improved their gait speed, balance, lower-extremity strength, and body mass index. Tele-TJQMBB was feasible with a positive impact on outcomes. This study was the first step toward establishing an additional delivery mode that could potentially expand TJQMBB’s reach and maintenance.
Naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids: novel agents against the causative pathogens of eumycetoma and actinomycetoma—
en route
to broad-spectrum antimycetomal drugs
Authors: Khalid Sami Ahmed , Abd Algaffar Shereen , Tajuddeen Nasir , Lombe Blaise Kimbadi , Bringmann Gerhard 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Mycetoma is a devastating neglected tropical infection of the subcutaneous tissues. It is caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens recognized as eumycetoma and actinomycetoma, respectively. Mycetoma treatment involves diagnosing the causative microorganism as a prerequisite to prescribing a proper medication. Current therapy of fungal eumycetoma causative agents, such as
Madurella mycetomatis
, consists of long-term antifungal medication with itraconazole followed by surgery, yet with usually unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. Actinomycetoma, on the contrary, usually responds to treatment with co-trimoxazole and amikacin. Therefore, there is a pressing need to discover novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents to circumvent the time-consuming and costly diagnosis. Using the resazurin assay, a series of 23 naphthylisoquinoline (NIQ) alkaloids and related naphthoquinones were subjected to
in vitro
screening against two fungal strains of
M. mycetomatis
and three bacterial strains of
Actinomadura madurae
and
A. syzygii
. Seven NIQs, mostly dimers, showed promising
in vitro
activities against at least one strain of the mycetoma-causative pathogens, while the naphthoquinones did not show any activity. A synthetic NIQ dimer, 8,8'''-
O
,
O
-dimethylmichellamine A (
18
), inhibited all tested fungal and bacterial strains (IC
50
=
2.81–12.07 µg/mL). One of the dimeric NIQs, michellamine B (
14
), inhibited a strain of
M. mycetomatis
and significantly enhanced the survival rate of
Galleria mellonella
larvae infected with
M. mycetomatis
at concentrations of 1 and 4 µg/mL, without being toxic to the uninfected larvae. As a result, broad-spectrum dimeric NIQs like
14
and
18
with antimicrobial activity are considered hit compounds that could be worth further optimization to develop novel lead antimycetomal agents.