bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution and impact of sarcopenia in severe aplastic anaemia survivors following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Chen Dandan , Yuan Zhaohu , Guo Yuan , Liu Weifeng , Cheng Zixuan , Ye Lihua , Mo Wenjian , Wei Xinhua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is a potential risk factor for adverse outcomes in haematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. We aimed to explore longitudinal body changes in muscle and adipose mass and their prognostic value in allogeneic HSCT‐treated severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed consecutive SAA patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT between January 2017 and March 2022. Measurements of pectoral muscle and corresponding subcutaneous fat mass were obtained via chest computed tomography at baseline and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months following HSCT. Sarcopenia was defined as pectoral muscle index (PMI) lower than the sex‐specific median at baseline. Changes in body composition over time were evaluated by generalized estimating equations. Cox regression models were used to investigate prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) and failure‐free survival (FFS). A nomogram was constructed from the Cox regression model for OS.ResultsWe included 298 adult SAA patients (including 129 females and 169 males) with a median age of 31 years [interquartile range (IQR), 24–39 years] at baseline. Sarcopenia was present in 148 (148/298, 50%) patients at baseline, 218 (218/285, 76%) patients post‐1 month, 209 (209/262, 80%) patients post‐3 month, 169 (169/218, 78%) patients post‐6 month, and 129 (129/181, 71%) patients post‐12 month. A significant decrease in pectoral muscle mass was observed in SAA patients from the time of transplant to 1 year after HSCT, and the greatest reduction occurred in post 1–3 months (P < 0.001). The sarcopenia group exhibited significantly lower 5‐year OS (90.6% vs. 100%, log‐rank P = 0.039) and 5‐year FFS (89.2% vs. 100%, log‐rank P = 0.021) than the nonsarcopenia group at baseline. Sarcopenia at baseline (hazard ratio, HR, 6.344; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.570–25.538; P = 0.01; and HR, 3.275; 95% CI: 1.159–9.252; P = 0.025, respectively) and the delta value of the PMI at 6 months post‐transplantation (ΔPMI6) (HR, 0.531; 95% CI: 0.374–0.756; P < 0.001; and HR, 0.666; 95% CI: 0.505–0.879; P = 0.004, respectively) were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors for OS and FFS in SAA patients undergoing HSCT, and were used to construct the nomogram. The C‐index of the nomogram was 0.75, and the calibration plot showed good agreement between the predictions made by the nomogram and actual observations.ConclusionsSarcopenia persists in SAA patients from the time of transplant to the 1‐year follow‐up after HSCT. Both sarcopenia at baseline and at 6 months following HSCT are associated with poor clinical outcomes, especially in patients with persistent muscle mass loss up to 6 months after transplantation.
Optimizing biochar application for enhanced cotton and sugar beet production in Xinjiang: a comprehensive study
Authors: Wang Shibin , Wang Chunli , Xie Lulu , Li Yi , Siddique Kadambot HM , Qi Xingyun , Luo Honghai , Yang Guang , Hou Zhenan , Wang Xiaofang , Liang Jiaping , Xie Xiangwen , Liu De Li , Zhang Fucang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDOptimizing biochar application is vital for enhancing crop production and ensuring sustainable agricultural production. A 3‐year field experiment was established to explore the effects of varying the biochar application rate (BAR) on crop growth, quality, productivity and yields. BAR was set at 0, 10, 50 and 100 t ha−1 in 2018; 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha−1 in 2019; and 0, 10, 25 and 30 t ha−1 in 2020. Crop quality and growth status and production were evaluated using the dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution with the entropy weighted method (DTOPSIS‐EW), principal component analysis (PCA), membership function analysis (MFA), gray relation analysis (GRA) and the fuzzy Borda combination evaluation method.RESULTSLow‐dose BAR (≤ 25 t ha−1 for cotton; ≤ 50 t ha−1 for sugar beet) effectively increased biomass, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), water and fertility (N, P and K) productivities, and yield. Biochar application increased the salt absorption and sugar content in sugar beet, with the most notable increases being 116.45% and 20.35%, respectively. Conversely, BAR had no significant effect on cotton fiber quality. The GRA method was the most appropriate for assessing crop growth and quality. The most indicative parameters for reflecting cotton and sugarbeet growth and quality status were biomass and LAI. The 10 t ha−1 BAR consistently produced the highest scores and was the most economically viable option, as evaluated by DTOPSIS‐EW.CONCLUSIONThe optimal biochar application strategy for improving cotton and sugar beet cultivation in Xinjiang, China, is 10 t ha−1 biochar applied continuously. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Youth Athletes With Sever's Disease Exhibit Altered Achilles Tendon Ultrasound Characteristics
Authors: Hanlon Shawn L. , Whitney Kristin E. , DeJong Lempke Alexandra F. 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesCalcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease) is an overuse condition caused by repetitive traction stress to the calcaneal apophysis. Whether Achilles tendon morphology is altered in this young patient population remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify differences in Achilles tendon morphology between youth athletes diagnosed with calcaneal apophysitis and healthy controls.MethodsThis retrospective chart review included 46 patients (n = 23 Sever's disease, 15F/8M, 12.4 ± 2.3 years old) and (n = 23 healthy controls, 13F/10M, 15.9 ± 1.5 years old) who sought care in a Children's Hospital Sports Medicine/Orthopedics Department between 2012 and 2022. We measured ultrasound‐derived degree of tendon thickening, Achilles tendon thickness (cm), and cross‐sectional area (CSA [cm2]). Separate multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were used to compare degree of thickening, mass‐normalized Achilles tendon thickness, and CSA between participant groups, covarying for age. Cohen's d effect sizes were used to assess the magnitude of mean differences and standard error (MDSE) between groups.ResultsYoung athletes with Sever's disease had a significantly greater degree of tendon thickening with a large effect compared with healthy controls (MDSE: 0.07 [0.01] mm P < .001, d = 1.39). Achilles tendon thickness and CSA did not statistically differ between groups; however, the magnitude of between‐group differences for these measures (MDSE: 0.18 [0.05] cm, MDSE: 0.27 [0.07] cm2, respectively) were moderate.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate previously unrecognized differences in Achilles tendon morphology between young athletes with clinically diagnosed Sever's disease and healthy controls. Our study supports incorporating diagnostic ultrasound as part of a comprehensive examination to ensure appropriate diagnosis and clinical management for adolescents with heel pain.
The effect of flame treatment on the compressive strength of composite sandwich panels made of pure epoxy resin H‐shaped structures and hollow glass bead/epoxy resin composite material
Authors: Peng Weizheng , Zhou Jian , Liu Guizhen , Wang Lin , Feng Zhiliang , Ding Zhongjun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAt present, syntactic foam composites (HGB/EP) made of epoxy resin (EP) and hollow glass beads (HGBs) have received extensive attention in the research field of lightweight materials because of their high compression strength‐to‐density ratio. However, the deep‐sea environment has put forward higher requirements for the compressive properties of materials. The traditional sandwich structure with HGB/EP as the core has gradually failed to meet the requirements for the mechanical properties of equipment deeper in the ocean. This paper proposes a sandwich structure comprising a pure EP H‐shaped structural component as the rigid skeleton and an HGB/EP syntactic foam composite as the lightweight filling component. The pure EP H‐shaped structural component was subjected to flame treatment using a butane flame jet at different distances. The compression resistance of the resulting sandwich structure was tested, and the results showed varying degrees of improvement in compressive strength after flame treatment. The effects of flame treatment on the surface adhesion performance of the pure EP were characterized using compression‐shear tests, optical microscopy, contact angle tests, infrared spectroscopy, and flame temperature tests. The results demonstrated that flame treatment at a distance of 0 cm significantly increased the oxygen‐containing functional groups on the surface of the pure EP, improved the wettability of the pure EP surface, increased the adhesive strength between the pure EP H‐shaped structural component and HGB/EP, and enhanced the compressive strength of the sandwich structure. The shear strength of the shear test specimens improved by 33.0%, while the compressive strength of the sandwich structure specimens increased by 17.5%.Highlights
The sandwich structure composed of pure epoxy resin H‐shaped structure and foam composite material was prepared.
The distance of flame treatment affects the surface chemical groups of epoxy resin.
Flame treatment significantly improved the surface wettability of epoxy resin.
Postinjection protocols following platelet‐rich plasma administration for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review
Authors: Levine Oscar Paul , Kondapi Koushik , Tjong Vehniah Kristin , Gohal Chetan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivePlatelet‐rich plasma (PRP) use in treating orthopedic conditions has increased, yet evidence of its clinical efficacy is inconsistent and limited by heterogeneity in osteoarthritis (OA) severity, PRP preparations and protocols, and clinical outcome measurement. This review aims to characterize the variations in postinjection protocols in studies assessing the clinical efficacy of PRP for knee OA.Literature SurveyA systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. A literature search from database inception to February 2023 of CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE was conducted.MethodologyArticle screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were completed in duplicate by two reviewers. Primary outcomes were presence/absence and timing of the following postinjection protocol components: nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) restrictions, non‐NSAID analgesic and cryotherapy use, immediate knee flexion/extension, immediate rest, activity restriction, return‐to‐activity guidelines, and rehabilitation protocols. A descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. Given study heterogeneity, a meta‐analysis was not performed.SynthesisA total of 187 studies were included for analysis. Half of all studies (51.9%) excluded patients due to preinjection NSAID use, most often within 5 days of blood sampling or injection. Postinjection NSAID restriction was included in 42.8% of studies, ranging from 1 to 1800 days. Few studies (19.4%) that permitted non‐NSAID analgesia restricted their use prior to clinical assessments. Postinjection immediate flexion, extension, and immobilization were rarely (8.6%) mentioned. Activity restriction was included in a third of studies (35.3%), with the most frequent length of restriction being 1 day. Postinjection return‐to‐activity protocols were less common (20.3%), usually with a “gradual” and/or “as tolerated” recommendation. A minority of studies (16.0%) reported physical therapy protocols and the vast majority (93.3%) were home based.ConclusionSignificant heterogeneity remains in post‐PRP injection protocols, with unclear consensus regarding optimal recommendations and limited rationale for the protocols outlined. Further study is necessary to compare protocols directly and to determine which pre‐ and postinjection recommendations can result in optimal outcomes.
Clinicopathologic Comparison of Basal Cell Carcinoma among a Diverse Patient Population in Los Angeles County
Authors: Choi Esther , Oberg Martha A. , Hijazi Maya , Hall Luke , Miller Kimberly A. , Mehta Arjun , Capone Stephen , In Gino K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in the United States. The majority of cases are identified in Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and are far less demonstrated in patients of colour (POC). However, the Hispanic population represents a large and growing proportion of the US population, and skin cancer diagnoses in Hispanics are rising. Thus, the goal of this study is to examine clinicopathologic differences between BCC in Hispanics versus NHW.

Methods
A retrospective chart review of Hispanic and NHW patients with BCC at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center from January 2018 to March 2020 was performed. In total, 101 BCC samples from the first 100 patients identified of Hispanic ancestry, as well as 50 BCC samples identified from the first 50 patients identifying as NHW, were included for analysis. Patient characteristics (age, sex, medical history, and ethnicity), as well as tumour characteristics (location, subtype, tumour depth, and perineural invasion), were collected. We used between subjects t-tests for continuous variables, and chi-square tests for categorical variables.

Results
In total, 151 specimens were collected amongst 122 subjects (79 Hispanics and 43 NHW patients). Among NHW, the majority of patients (74.4%) were men, but among the Hispanic population, the majority (68.4%) were female (p &lt; 0.001). Prior history of other skin cancer was more common among NHW (67.4%) than Hispanics (31.6%) (p=&lt;0.001). The Hispanic population had a significantly higher proportion of head and neck tumours (p = 0.0004) but a lower proportion of extremity tumours (p = 0.001) compared to NHW. Pigmented BCC was significantly more common among Hispanic patients (p &lt; 0.01). Finally, within the Hispanic group, there was a significant association between sex and histology (p = 0.004), with Hispanic men demonstrating more aggressive mix histology compared to Hispanic women.

Discussion
Our study supports the notion that BCC disparities occur among POC compared to NHW. This includes variations in epidemiologic factors such as sex and past medical history, primary tumour location, and pathologic characteristics. Further research should be conducted to identify additional differences in skin cancer presentation in POC to reduce the gaps in skin cancer knowledge and care.
Standing on the shoulders of science
Authors: Krieger Joshua L. , Schnitzer Monika , Watzinger Martin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryToday's innovations rely on scientific discoveries of the past, yet only some corporate R&D builds directly on scientific output. In this article, we analyze U.S. patents to investigate how firms generate value by building on prior art “closer” to science. We show that patent value is decreasing in distance‐to‐science. Overall, we find a science premium within firms ranging from 5.0 to 18.3%. If we allow for firm sorting into different modes of R&D based on their relative advantage, that is, when we do not control for firm fixed effects, we find an even larger science premium: patents building directly on scientific publications are 4.0–42.3% more valuable than patents in the same technology that are not directly based on science.Managerial SummaryBuilding on scientific research allows firms to capture significantly more value from their inventions. By analyzing U.S. patents and their linkages to scientific publications, our paper describes the relationship between invention “proximity” to the scientific literature and public firm valuations—as measured in abnormal stock market returns. Our findings indicate that patents building on science are 5.0–18.3% more valuable. If we account for variations in R&D strategies among firms, the premium becomes even larger, ranging from 4.0 to 42.3%. Further, the results show that the value‐enhancing benefits of integrating scientific insights into R&D are greater for firms with more experience building on science. Together, the results underscore the competitive advantages of using science as a foundation for corporate innovation.
Reevaluating and Restructuring Comprehension Strategy Instruction
Authors: Dewitz Peter , Graves Michael F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the face of arguments that knowledge is the key to reading comprehension, we examined the evidence for comprehension strategies instruction. Since the National Reading Panel Report, a number of researchers have reaffirmed the value of including comprehension strategy instruction in the elementary and middle school curriculum. The latest reviews and meta‐analyses indicate that teaching comprehension strategies improves children's and adolescents’ reading comprehension. We outline what strategies should be taught, when, how, and how much. Differentiation of instruction is vital because students who struggle to comprehend benefit more from comprehension strategy instruction than students who are already expert readers.
A retrospective study on the immobilisation of five captive primate species at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, Uganda
Authors: Watuwa James , Mbabazi Rachel , Musinguzi James , Celcus Sente , Laubscher Liesel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis retrospective study examined data from 108 primates consisting of 41 olive baboons (Papio anubis), 30 colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza), six debrazza monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus), 26 red‐tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), and five ruwenzori colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii). These primates underwent annual health assessments, involving the administration of an initial intramuscular dose ketamine (5 mg/kg) plus medetomidine (0.05 mg/kg). Additional intramuscular top‐ups of ketamine (5 mg/kg) plus medetomidine (0.05 mg/kg) were given as needed. Monitoring started when the animals were placed on the examination table in dorsal recumbency and continued until their return to the enclosures. During this period, various physiological parameters, such as heart rate (beats per minute), respiration rate (breaths per minute), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2, %) and rectal temperature (°C), were recorded at random intervals. To reverse immobilisation, atipamezole was administered intramuscularly at five times the medetomidine dose. Additionally, the study measured various induction and recovery times.
In utero exposure to violence and child health in Iraq
Authors: Sardoschau Sulin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of exposure to violence during pregnancy on anthropometric and cognitive outcomes of children in the medium run. I combine detailed household-level data on more than 36,000 children with geo-coded information on civilian casualties in the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq between 2003 and 2009 and exploit within-mother differences in prenatal exposure to violence. I find that one violent incident during pregnancy decreases height- and weight-for-age z-scores by 0.13 standard deviations and lowers cognitive and behavioral skills of children. Leveraging information on the severity, type and perpetrator of violence, I isolate the effect of stress from access to prenatal care. The analysis reveals that stressful events, particularly those involving direct threats to personal safety (violence directed at the civilian population and involving execution and torture), exert an even larger negative impact on child health than those incidents that disrupt health infrastructure and access to prenatal care.
Neat locally compact abelian p-groups
Authors: Herfort Wolfgang , Hofmann Karl Heinrich , Russo Francesco G. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInspired by a result of Kulikov about splitting of pure subgroups in discrete abelian p-groups we classify all locally compact abelian p-groups with no elements of infinite p-height in which every maximal monothetic subgroup splits. Descriptions of separable compact groups with elements of finite p-height, in which every pure monothetic subgroup splits, are obtained.
Pharmacological articles in the German magazine DIE ZEIT (THE TIME)—content, adequacy, and comprehensibility
Authors: Böger Laura Sophie , Seifert Roland 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe German weekly magazine DIEZEIT (THE TIME) reaches more than one million readers per issue, mainly from high-income social classes. Pharmacological content is frequent in DIE ZEIT. As it therefore reaches many people who generally have no in-depth knowledge of pharmacology, it can be assumed that DIE ZEIT is an important primary source of information. It should be its task to depict the drugs widely used by the population and to present them correctly and comprehensibly. This study analyzes 71 articles from 2012 to 2022 in terms of form, content, and comprehensibility. The analysis shows that in DIE ZEIT, drug groups largely correspond to the prescription figures and disease prevalence in Germany, with cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and pain medications being frequently discussed. There are deviations in the case of oncological drugs, for example, which are discussed more frequently than prescribed. New drug approvals are reported less frequently, and when they are, it is usually about the research phase. DIE ZEIT often reports on findings that are less than a week old and frequently quotes trustworthy experts, but no scientific sources can be found in around a quarter of the articles. A COVID-19 effect can also be identified in the years 2020 to 2022, as reporting on drugs for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominated. An important point of criticism was identified with regard to comprehensibility. Less than half of the articles achieved the cut-off value for general comprehensibility specified by the Textlab analysis program, and only one article achieved the value for target group–oriented comprehensibility. This analysis confirms the problem that science communication is often too complicated and incomprehensible. It discusses the tension between the prescribed drugs and the mission of DIEZEIT to entertain and should serve as a basis for analyzing other newspapers. Finally, we make specific suggestions how presentation of pharmacological topics in lay media can be improved in the future.