bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of online health training/counseling and progressive muscle relaxation exercise on postpartum depression and maternal attachment: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Uçakcı Asalıoğlu Canan , Yaman Sözbir Şengül 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of online health training/counseling and a progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PMRE) program on postpartum depression and maternal attachment.MethodsThe present study was a randomized, controlled, experimental trial. Participants were asked to complete the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at 35 weeks of pregnancy. Group assignment was done by stratified block randomization according to EPDS score (0–9, 10–30) and parity. Women in the experimental group received training in progressive muscle relaxation, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment via online video calls twice a week starting at 36–37 weeks of pregnancy. They were asked to complete the PMRE program from 36 weeks of pregnancy until 6 months postpartum, and online counseling was provided throughout this period. Participants completed the Maternal Postpartum Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the EPDS at 6 weeks postpartum.ResultsMean PAI score was 64.24 ± 9.61 in the experimental group before the intervention and 62.14 ± 10.13 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 9.12 ± 5.05 and the mean score of the control group was 9.77 ± 6.30 (P > 0.05). The mean MPAS score after the intervention was 13.92 ± 5.54 in the experimental group and 17.51 ± 6.12 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 3.40 ± 3.00 and the mean score of the control group was 11.40 ± 5.91 (P < 0.05).ConclusionOnline health training/counseling and PMRE reduce the risk of postpartum depression and increase maternal attachment.
Parenchymal renal rupture due to an obstructive ureteric calculus in an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter
Authors: Toyoshima Moe , Ikarashi Daiki , Sekiguchi Kie , Kawamura Tatsuya , Machida Arisa , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Arakawa Yumeka , Ito Akito , Maekawa Shigekatsu , Obara Wataru 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionParenchymal renal rupture due to a ureteric calculus is extremely rare and an emergency.Case presentationA 54‐year‐old man was brought to the emergency room with left back pain without trauma. Computed tomography showed left parenchymal renal rupture with an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis, ureter, and an 11‐mm ureteric calculus in the ureterovesical junction. A ureteral stent was placed, and the patient was treated conservatively as his vital signs were stable. We performed transurethral lithotripsy after resolution of the perirenal hematoma.ConclusionTo best of our knowledge, this report is the first to present a case of parenchymal renal rupture due to a ureteric calculus in an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter. Ureteric calculus within an incompletely duplicated renal pelvis and ureter is at risk of parenchymal renal rupture. Therefore, the aggressive treatment of ureteric calculus could be important.
CDX2 alleviates hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells through suppression of reactive oxygen species‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Li Weiwei , Han Zhonghou , Yin Xiurong , Zhou Rongjuan , Liu Hongfeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells are considered to be important factors leading to male infertility. It was reported that CDX2 expression was downregulated in hypoxia‐stimulated spermatogenic cells. However, the effects of CDX2 on hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells are still unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CDX2 in hypoxia‐induced injury of spermatogenic cells, as well as its mechanism of action. Spermatogenic cells were cultured under 1% oxygen for 48 h to established hypoxia damage model. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidases (GSH‐Px). Protein levels were detected using western blotting. Hypoxia exposure induced increase in ROS generation, apoptosis rate, and oxidative stress in spermatogenic cells. ROS scavenger inhibited hypoxia‐induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation. Hypoxia exposure induced CDX2 downregulation. CDX2 overexpression suppressed hypoxia‐induced ROS generation, apoptosis rate, oxidative stress, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation. Moreover, CDX2 knockdown restores the inhibitory effects of si‐β‐catenin or NAC on hypoxia‐induced activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, our study suggests that CDX2 overexpression alleviates hypoxia‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress by suppression of ROS‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in spermatogenic cells.
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic dissection
Authors: Elmarasi Mohamed , Elmakaty Ibrahim , Elsayed Basel , Elsayed Abdelrahman , Zein Jana Al , Boudaka Ammar , Eid Ali H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a critical role in regulating vasotone, and their phenotypic plasticity is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases. Two main VSMC phenotypes have been well described: contractile and synthetic. Contractile VSMCs are typically found in the tunica media of the vessel wall, and are responsible for regulating vascular tone and diameter. Synthetic VSMCs, on the other hand, are typically found in the tunica intima and adventitia, and are involved in vascular repair and remodeling. Switching between contractile and synthetic phenotypes occurs in response to various insults and stimuli, such as injury or inflammation, and this allows VSMCs to adapt to changing environmental cues and regulate vascular tone, growth, and repair. Furthermore, VSMCs can also switch to osteoblast‐like and chondrocyte‐like cell phenotypes, which may contribute to vascular calcification and other pathological processes like the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. This provides discusses the mechanisms that regulate VSMC phenotypic switching and its role in the development of vascular diseases. A better understanding of these processes is essential for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The burden of frailty in heart failure: Prevalence, impacts on clinical outcomes and the role of heart failure medications
Authors: Lai Hsi‐Yu , Huang Shih‐Tsung , Anker Stefan D. , von Haehling Stephan , Akishita Masahiro , Arai Hidenori , Chen Liang‐Kung , Hsiao Fei‐Yuan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundFrailty often coexists with heart failure (HF), which significantly aggravates the clinical outcomes of older adults. However, studies investigating the interplay between frailty and HF in older adults are scarce. We aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty using the cumulative deficit approach and evaluate the impacts of frailty on health utilization, use of HF‐related medications and adverse clinical outcomes (all‐cause mortality, all‐cause readmissions and HF readmissions) among older HF patients.MethodsA total of 38 843 newly admitted HF patients were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and categorized into three frailty subgroups (fit, mild frailty and severe frailty) based on the multimorbidity frailty index. Cox regression models and Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to estimate the impacts of frailty on clinical outcomes at 1 and 2 years of follow‐up. Generalized estimating equation models were further conducted to evaluate the associations between longitudinal and time‐varying use of HF‐related medications and clinical outcomes among distinct frailty subgroups.ResultsOf 38 843 older HF patients (mean age 80.4 ± 8.5 years, 52.3% females) identified, 68.3% were categorized as frail (47.5% of mild frailty and 20.8% of severe frailty). The median number of readmissions (fit: 1 [inter‐quartile range—IQR 2], mild frailty: 1 [IQR 2] and severe frailty: 2 [IQR 3]) increased with the severity of frailty. Only 27.3% of HF patients died of cardiovascular diseases regardless of their frailty status. Compared with the fit group, the severe frailty group was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.21), all‐cause readmissions (subdistributional hazard ratio (sHR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.16–1.25) and HF‐related readmissions (sHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09–1.20) at 2 years of follow‐up. Those who used triple or more HF‐related medications were at lower risk for all‐cause readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.49, 95% CI 0.44–0.54) and HF‐related readmissions (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.37–0.47) at 2 years of follow‐up even in the severe frailty group.ConclusionsFrailty is highly prevalent and associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality, all‐cause readmissions and HF readmissions among older HF patients. Those who were using triple or more HF‐related medications were at lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes across distinct frailty subgroups. Further studies are needed to optimize the treatment strategies for older HF patients with distinct frailty status.
A comparative assessment of carbonaceous electrodes with diverse interfacial properties for H2O2 electrogeneration
Authors: Petsi Panagiota , Plakas Konstantinos V , Frontistis Zacharias , Karabelas Anastasios J 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe present study investigates the in situ electrogeneration of H2O2 by the 2e− oxygen reduction reaction in an electrochemical flow cell using three commercially available cathodic electrode materials with different interfacial properties; that is, activated carbon felt (ACF), non‐activated carbon felt (NACF) and gas diffusion electrode (GDE).RESULTSExperiments were first performed to optimize the operating parameters and to determine the yield of H2O2 electrosynthesis. The estimated maximum yield of ~40% was achieved with the NACF electrode after 30 min of operation. Furthermore, the performance of the electrodes was investigated in two scenarios, namely (i) under conditions with O2‐saturated electrolyte and (ii) under continuous air supply, to study the differences in O2 distribution within the electrode material as a function of its interfacial properties. The maximum H2O2 concentration for the first scenario was 3.86 mg L−1 after 60 min of operation, which was obtained with the NACF electrode. In contrast, in the second scenario, H2O2 electrogeneration was significantly increased for all three electrodes, with the GDE exhibiting the best performance, at 43.3 mg L−1 after 60 min of operation.CONCLUSIONSThe properties of the electrode material play a decisive role in H2O2 electrogeneration. The hydrophilicity of the electrode is very important when O2 is dissolved in the electrolyte. Hydrophobicity is preferable when gaseous O2 is applied to the electrode as a three‐phase interface is formed, which favors the transfer/penetration of O2. The pore size of the electrode is of crucial importance, as mesoporous materials facilitate the distribution of gaseous O2 in the electrode body. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
“Pscore”: A Novel Percentile‐Based Metric to Accurately Assess Individual Deviations in Non‐Gaussian Distributions of Quantitative MRI Metrics
Authors: Hafiz Rakibul , Irfanoglu M. Okan , Nayak Amritha , Pierpaoli Carlo 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundQuantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics could be used in personalized medicine to assess individuals against normative distributions. Conventional Zscore analysis is inadequate in the presence of non‐Gaussian distributions. Therefore, if quantitative MRI metrics deviate from normality, an alternative is needed.PurposeTo confirm non‐Gaussianity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) metrics on a publicly available dataset, and to propose a novel percentile‐based method, “Pscore” to address this issue.Study TypeRetrospective cohort.PopulationNine hundred and sixty‐one healthy young adults (age: 22–35 years, females: 53%) from the Human Connectome Project.Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, spin‐echo diffusion echo‐planar imaging, T1‐weighted: MPRAGE.AssessmentThe dMRI data were preprocessed using the TORTOISE pipeline. Forty‐eight regions of interest (ROIs) from the JHU atlas were redrawn on a study‐specific diffusion tensor (DT) template and average values were computed from various DT and mean apparent propagator (MAP) metrics. For each ROI, percentile ranks across participants were computed to generate “Pscores”—which normalized the difference between the median and a participant's value with the corresponding difference between the median and the 5th/95th percentile values.Statistical TestsROI‐wise distributions were assessed using log transformations, Zscore, and the “Pscore” methods. The percentages of extreme values above‐95th and below‐5th percentile boundaries (PEV>95(%), PEV<5(%)) were also assessed in the overall white matter. Bootstrapping was performed to test the reliability of Pscores in small samples (N = 100) using 100 iterations.ResultsThe dMRI metric distributions were systematically non‐Gaussian, including positively skewed (eg, mean and radial diffusivity) and negatively skewed (eg, fractional and propagator anisotropy) metrics. This resulted in unbalanced tails in Zscore distributions (PEV>95 ≠ 5%, PEV<5 ≠ 5%) whereas “Pscore” distributions were symmetric and balanced (PEV>95 = PEV<5 = 5%); even for small bootstrapped samples (average [SD]).Data ConclusionThe inherent skewness observed for dMRI metrics may preclude the use of conventional Zscore analysis. The proposed “Pscore” method may help estimating individual deviations more accurately in skewed normative data, even from small datasets.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 1
Strengthening the relationship between intractable plantar keratosis and human papillomavirus
Authors: Alou Luis , Becerro‐de‐Bengoa‐Vallejo Ricardo , Losa‐Iglesias Marta E. , Moreno Juan , Sánchez‐Gómez Rubén , González Natalia , Sevillano David 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with intractable plantar keratosis (IPK) by comparing the histopathological findings of biopsies. A prospective, observational, and concordance study was carried out. Three different specimens were taken from each IPK. A first punch was sent for histopathological examination, and a second punch and a superficial skin scraping were both sent for HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and type determination. A total of 51 patients were included. From the histopathological examination, it was determined that 35 (68.6%) samples were diagnosed as warts and 16 (31.3%) as keratosis. However, the presence of HPV was confirmed by PCR in 49 (96.1%) and in 42 (82.4%) samples obtained by punch and superficial scraping, respectively. In the 49 PCR‐positive samples, the most common HPV types were HPV1, HPV2, HPV27, HPV57, and HPV65, accounting for 81.6% of the samples. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that HPV infection and IPK lesions are very closely related. Although we cannot confirm that HPV is the cause of the development of IPK, the high prevalence of HPV observed in these lesions calls for a change to the procedures for managing IPK.
TIM22 and TIM29 inhibit HBV replication by up‐regulating SRSF1 expression
Authors: Guo Lin , Liu Jia‐jun , Long Shao‐yuan , Wang Pei‐yun , Li Shan , Wang Jin‐lan , Wei Xia‐fei , Li Jie , Lei Ling , Huang Ai‐long , Hu Jie‐li 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. After the viruses infect the human body, the host can respond to the virus infection by coordinating various cellular responses, in which mitochondria play an important role. Evidence has shown that mitochondrial proteins are involved in host antiviral responses. In this study, we found that the overexpression of TIM22 and TIM29, the members of the inner membrane translocase TIM22 complex, significantly reduced the level of intracellular HBV DNA and RNA and secreted HBV surface antigens and E antigen. The effects of TIM22 and TIM29 on HBV replication and transcription is attributed to the reduction of core promoter activity mediated by the increased expression of SRSF1 which acts as a suppressor of HBV replication. This study provides new evidence for the critical role of mitochondria in the resistance of HBV infection and new targets for the development of treatment against HBV infection.
The southern Brazilian tropical forest during the penultimate Pleistocene glaciation and its termination
Authors: Aviles Adriana Mercedes Camejo , Ledru Marie‐Pierre , Ricardi‐Branco Fresia , Marquardt Gisele C. , de Campos Bicudo Denise 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTTo describe the composition of the penultimate glacial Brazilian Atlantic forest, we analyzed pollen, charcoal and diatoms deposited in the section from 871 to 1400 cm of core CO14 drilled in the Colônia basin in southeastern Brazil. The landscape was characterized by a cool grassland with three conifer genera: Araucaria, Podocarpus and Ephedra. Total arboreal pollen frequency did not change during the transition from glacial to interglacial conditions. Changes in Podocarpus frequency and concentration showed out‐of‐phase responses with austral summer insolation at an orbital scale while, at a millennial scale, both northern and southern hemisphere ice volume controlled the interplay between positions of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone and South Tropical Front (STF), which in turn defined the latitudinal distribution of rainfall. The disappearance of Podocarpus and the decrease of Araucaria observed between ~167 and 160 ka were related to a dry interval which was not observed elsewhere. During Termination II a progressive decrease in conifer pollen taxa was in phase with a southward shift in the STF and increase in Atlantic sea surface temperatures. Our results show that southern hemisphere conifer distribution is strongly linked to austral summer insolation and winter precipitation and will be threatened by the southward expansion of the summer rainfall boundary.
Accurate recognition of rice plants based on visual and tactile sensing
Authors: Chen Xueshen , Dang Peina , Zhang Enzao , Chen Yanxue , Tang Cunyao , Qi Long 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDCrop recognition is the basis of intelligent agricultural machine operations. Visual perception methods have achieved high recognition accuracy. However, the reliability of such methods is difficult to guarantee because of the complex environment of paddy fields. Tactile sensing methods are not affected by background or environmental interference, and have high reliability. However, in an ideal environment, the recognition accuracy is not as high as that of the visual method.RESULTSTo balance the accuracy and reliability of rice plant recognition, a combined visual–tactile method was proposed in this study. A rice plant recognition device was developed with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) sensor embedded inside the device as a tactile perceptron and a graphic designed as a visual perceptron. The primary role of the tactile perceptron is to initially recognize rice plants and provide a time point for image capture for visual perception. The main role of the visual perceptron is to extract features from the captured images and recognize rice plants again. The results of tactile and visual recognition were eventually fused to achieve accurate recognition of rice plants.CONCLUSIONThe contact speed between the recognition perceptron and rice–weed was selected for the field performance test based on the real situation of paddy field operation. The results showed that the accuracy and reliability of rice plant recognition decreased as the travelling speed of the paddy field operation machine increased. The results of this study provide a basis for intelligent farm machinery operations in rice fields. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Bigger is better: age class‐specific survival rates in long‐lived turtles increase with size
Authors: Otten Joshua G. , Refsnider Jeanine M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVital rates for small, non‐breeding individuals are important components of population dynamics for many species, but often individuals of these sizes are difficult to locate, capture, and track. As such, biologists frequently lack reliable estimates of juvenile survival because sample sizes and recapture rates for this life stage are low. Long‐lived animals often take many years to reach sexual maturity and spend much of this time in the smaller size classes, making them sensitive to changes in survival rates. We estimated the survival rates of all size classes for the northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) using a mark‐recapture dataset with >3,500 captures from 2019–2021 and 210 nests from 2018–2021. As turtle size increased, annual survival probability increased regardless of sex. Estimated annual survival probability for turtles >18 cm long (i.e., adult females >15 years) was about 0.95, over 4 times higher than turtles that were 3 cm long (i.e., hatchlings <1 year; 0.22 annual survival probability). Although we did not observe a difference in survival probability between sexes of any size class, adult females are nearly twice the size of adult males, leading to an increased annual survival probability for females of 0.95, compared to 0.80 for males. Changes in adult survival had the greatest influence on population estimates over time, with temporary decreases, such as those due to poaching or an environmental disaster, potentially leading to unrecoverable decreases in the overall population size. Our study provides detailed survival rates for all size classes in a long‐lived turtle, which are necessary to assess population stability and can be used to determine the most effective conservation or management practices.