bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial and ethnic differences in infant survival for hydrocephaly—Texas, 1999–2017
Authors: Ahmed Munir , Shumate Charles , Bojes Heidi , Patel Ketki , Agopian A. J. , Canfield Mark 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundCongenital hydrocephaly, an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the ventricular spaces at birth, can cause disability or death if untreated. Limited information is available about survival of infants born with hydrocephaly in Texas. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to calculate survival estimates among infants born with hydrocephaly without spina bifida in Texas.MethodsA cohort of live‐born infants delivered during 1999–2017 with congenital hydrocephaly without spina bifida was identified from the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Deaths within 1 year of delivery were identified using vital and medical records. One‐year infant survival estimates were generated for multiple descriptive characteristics using the Kaplan–Meier method. Crude hazard ratios (HRs) for one‐year survival among infants with congenital hydrocephaly by maternal and infant characteristics and adjusted HRs for maternal race and ethnicity were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsAmong 5709 infants born with congenital hydrocephaly without spina bifida, 4681 (82%) survived the first year. The following characteristics were associated with infant survival: maternal race and ethnicity, clinical classification (e.g., chromosomal or syndromic), preterm birth, birth weight, birth year, and maternal education. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, differences in survival were observed by maternal race and ethnicity after adjustment for other maternal and infant characteristics. Infants of non‐Hispanic Black (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.58) and Hispanic (HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.12–1.54) women had increased risk for mortality, compared with infants of non‐Hispanic White women.ConclusionsThis study showed infant survival among a Texas cohort differed by maternal race and ethnicity, clinical classification, gestational age, birth weight, birth year, and maternal education in infants with congenital hydrocephaly without spina bifida. Findings confirm that mortality continues to be common among infants with hydrocephaly without spina bifida. Additional research is needed to identify other risk factors of mortality risk.
Afferent and efferent connections of the secondary general visceral sensory nucleus in goldfish
Authors: Uezono Shiori , Kato Takeshi , Yamada Yuusuke , Yoshimoto Masami , Yamamoto Naoyuki 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe secondary general visceral sensory nucleus (SVN) receives ascending fibers from the commissural nucleus of Cajal (NCC), or the primary general visceral sensoru in the medulla oblongata of teleosts. However, the full set of fiber connections of the SVN have been studied only in the Nile tilapia. We have investigated the connections of the SVN in goldfish by tracer injection experiments to the nucleus. We paid special attention to the possible presence of spinal afferents, since the spinal cord projects to the lateral parabrachial nucleus, or the presumed homologue of SVN, in mammals. We found that the SVN indeed receives spinal projections. Spinal terminals were restricted to a region ventrolaterally adjacent to the terminal zone of NCC fibers, suggesting that the SVN can be subdivided into two subnuclei: the commissural nucleus‐recipient (SVNc) and spinal‐recipient (SVNsp) subnuclei. Tracer injections to the SVNc and SVNsp as well as reciprocal injections to the diencephalon revealed that both subnuclei project directly to diencephalic structures, such as the posterior thalamic nucleus and nucleus of lateral recess, although diencephalic projections of the SVNsp were rather sparse. The SVNsp appears to send fibers to more wide‐spread targets in the preoptic area than the SVNc does. The SVNc projects to the telencephalon, while the SVNsp sends scarce or possibly no fibers to the telencephalon. Another notable difference was that the SVNsp gives rise to massive projections to the dorsal diencephalon (ventromedial thalamic, central posterior thalamic, and periventricular posterior tubercular nuclei). These differential connections of the subnuclei may reflect discrete functional significances of the general visceral sensory information mediated by the medulla oblongata and spinal cord.
Disentangling effects of habitat on salmonid abundance in thermal refuges while accounting for imperfect detection
Authors: Sullivan Christopher J. , Vokoun Jason C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThermal refuges provide critical habitat for cold‐water‐dependent salmonids in marginal riverscapes during extreme heat events globally. Studies of thermal refuge use by salmonids are complicated by short‐term changes in weather conditions during heat waves, intermittent fish use, and the use of different analytical endpoints. We passively surveyed cold‐water‐dependent brown, rainbow, and brook trout (hereafter “trout”) thermoregulating in several thermal refuges along the Housatonic River, Connecticut, USA, during a two‐week heatwave using underwater action cameras (UACs). Using these data, we assessed the influence of various short‐term riverscape conditions on the abundance of trout within thermal refuges using a zero‐inflated Poisson, time‐stratified N‐mixture model in a Bayesian framework that accounts for imperfect detection. We detected at least one trout per sampling occasion, and estimated abundances summed across all thermal refuges ranged from 63.99 (95% credible interval [CRI] = 55.0–79.0) to 182.04 (167.0–199.0). We estimated higher trout abundances in larger thermal refuges located in low‐gradient river sections, and refuges that were deeper and cooler than the Housatonic River during the sampling occasion (all β estimates >0.0 and did not overlap zero). We also found evidence that less variable and cooler temperature regimes in the nearby Housatonic River led to higher estimated trout abundances within thermal refuges (all β estimates <0.0 and did not overlap zero). Last, we found that trout detection probabilities within thermal refuges were moderate (range = 0.521–0.634) when using UAC surveys and that the video image brightness negatively influenced detection (αbright = −0.193, 95% CRI = −0.330 to −0.058). To aid in trout population persistence in dynamic, marginal riverscapes as the climate changes, focusing on modifiable refuge attributes (e.g., depth, cold‐water plume area), and strategically targeting refuges in riverscape segments beneficial to trout may be tactics that could enhance conservation strategies globally.
The relevance of prothrombotic genetic variants in women who experienced pregnancy loss or embryo implantation failure: A retrospective analysis of 1922 cases
Authors: Cernera Gustavo , Liguori Renato , Bruzzese Dario , Castaldo Giuseppe , De Placido Giuseppe , Conforti Alessandro , Amato Felice , Alviggi Carlo , Comegna Marika 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of our study was that to assess the allelic and genotype frequencies of nine prothrombotic gene variants in patients with a history of pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Women who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) with ongoing pregnancy and those with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) were also included.MethodsNine prothrombotic gene variants were evaluated: factor V Leiden (FVL), factor V, H1299R variant (FVR2), factor II (FII) G20210A, methylene‐tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C, beta‐fibrinogen ‐455G>A, factor XIII (FXIII) V34L, human platelet antigen‐1 (HPA‐1) L33P variants, and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) 4G/5G. The following study groups were assessed: (1) women who experienced one (n = 334) or two (n = 264) episodes of pregnancy loss; (2) 468 women who experienced RPL; (3) 214 women who underwent ART followed by ongoing pregnancies; and (4) 282 women who experienced RIF after ART, that is, three or more consecutive implantation failures following high‐quality embryo transfers to the uterus with an appropriate endometrium. As control group, 430 subjects from the general population were enrolled.ResultsFVL, the ‐455G>A variant of beta‐fibrinogen, and PAI‐1 4G were associated with a higher risk of developing RPL compared with the general population. Furthermore, FVL, FVR2, FII G20210A and MTHFR C677T conferred a significantly higher risk of RIF in women who performed ART compared with the general population. No statistical differences between the general population and other study groups were observed.ConclusionsSpecific prothrombotic genetic variants are more frequently expressed in women with RPL and RIF, supporting their role in the development of polimicrothrombosis and impairing the invasion during embryo implantation.
“Embodying opposites”—A case illustration of Dance Movement Therapy as an additional intervention in the treatment of co‐morbid Borderline Personality Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Harty Erin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDance Movement Therapy is gradually becoming recognized as a treatment option in Mental Health Care. However, the working mechanisms can be difficult to comprehend without experiential knowledge of this therapy form. This article aims to offer insight into the clinical application of Dance Movement Therapy for Sanne, a woman with a history of interpersonal relationship difficulties, problems with self‐regulation, low self‐efficacy and diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and co‐morbid Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This case illustration describes treatment interventions during two months of bi‐monthly Dance Movement Therapy as an additional treatment alongside weekly group therapy and bi‐monthly individual Psychotherapy. Post treatment, Sanne demonstrates improvements in self‐regulatory behavior, interpersonal relationships and self‐efficacy as well as an experience she describes as being whole. This article highlights the implications for practitioners of embodied forms of therapy as well as multidisciplinary teams who wish to better understand how the use of opposites within Dance Movement Therapy may be used as an additional intervention for people with Borderline Personality Disorder and co‐morbid complex Post Traumatic stress Disorder.
Assessment of temporal instability in the applied ecology and conservation evidence base
Authors: Brisco Elizabeth , Kulinskaya Elena , Koricheva Julia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractOutcomes of meta‐analyses are increasingly used to inform evidence‐based decision making in various research fields. However, a number of recent studies have reported rapid temporal changes in magnitude and significance of the reported effects which could make policy‐relevant recommendations from meta‐analyses to quickly go out of date. We assessed the extent and patterns of temporal trends in magnitude and statistical significance of the cumulative effects in meta‐analyses in applied ecology and conservation published between 2004 and 2018. Of the 121 meta‐analyses analysed, 93% showed a temporal trend in cumulative effect magnitude or significance with 27% of the datasets exhibiting temporal trends in both. The most common trend was the early study effect when at least one of the first 5 years effect size estimates exhibited more than 50% magnitude difference to the subsequent estimate. The observed temporal trends persisted in majority of datasets once moderators were accounted for. Only 5 datasets showed significant changes in sample size over time which could potentially explain the observed temporal change in the cumulative effects. Year of publication of meta‐analysis had no significant effect on presence of temporal trends in cumulative effects. Our results show that temporal changes in magnitude and statistical significance in applied ecology are widespread and represent a serious potential threat to use of meta‐analyses for decision‐making in conservation and environmental management. We recommend use of cumulative meta‐analyses and call for more studies exploring the causes of the temporal effects.
The composition and nutritional quality of biorefined lucerne protein depend on precipitation method
Authors: Stødkilde Lene , Ingerslev Anne Krog , Ambye‐Jensen Morten , Jensen Søren Krogh 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDLucerne protein extract is a novel high‐quality protein source with excellent amino acid (AA) composition of interest for human consumption. In this study, protein from screw‐pressed lucerne juice was extracted by different precipitation methods to evaluate the effect on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of the extracted protein. Methods based on heat, acidification or fermentation were used for protein precipitation, and the nutritional value of protein was evaluated in a rat digestibility trial.RESULTSHeat precipitation at 85 °C produced a protein product with a crude protein (CP) content of 589 g kg−1 dry matter (DM), a balanced AA composition and a high standardized nitrogen (N) digestibility (82.8%). Precipitation by acidification, at a lower temperature (60 °C) or by fermentation, resulted in lower CP content (425–488 g kg−1 DM). Nitrogen digestibility for the pH‐adjusted precipitate was equal to the 85 °C heat‐precipitated protein, while the fermented and 60 °C precipitated proteins showed lower N digestibility (76.5% and 78.6%, respectively). By applying a two‐step heat precipitation method (60 °C followed by 80 °C), a protein content of 712 g kg−1 DM and an N digestibility of 93.6% was reached, which are comparable to high‐quality animal‐based protein sources such as milk, whey, casein, and eggs, covering the AA requirements for children >6 months.CONCLUSIONHigh‐quality protein can be extracted from lucerne, but the future focus should be on increased yield as the current low yields of the refined product will challenge the environmental and economic sustainability of production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of pork sausage on intestinal microecology and metabolism in mice
Authors: Xiao Hailong , Yin Danhan , Du Lidan , Li Gaotian , Lin Jie , Fang Chenyu , Shen Shaolin , Xiao Gongnian , Fang Ruosi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDProcessed meat, as an important part of the human diet, has been recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although numerous epidemiological reports supported the IARC's view, the relevant evidence of a direct association between processed meat and carcinogenicity has been insufficient and the mechanism has been unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of pork sausage (as a representative example of processed meat) intake on gut microbial communities and metabolites of mice. Microbial communities and metabolites from all groups were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Ultra performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time of flight‐mass spectrometer (UPLC‐Q‐TOF/MS), respectively.RESULTSThe levels of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, Alloprevotella, Lactobacillus, Prevotella_9, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Alistipes, Blautia, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Allobaculum, Helicobacter, Desulfovibrio, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐014, Lachnospiraceae_UCG‐006 and Streptococcus (P < 0.05) were obviously altered in the mice fed a pork sausage diet. Twenty‐seven metabolites from intestinal content samples and fourteen matabolites from whole blood samples were identified as potential biomarkers from multivariate analysis, including Phosphatidic acid (PA), Sphingomyelin (SM), Lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC), Diglyceride (DG), D‐maltose, N‐acylamides and so forth. The significant changes in these biomarkers demonstrate metabonomic variations in pork sausage treated rats, especially carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.CONCLUSIONThe present study provided evidence that a processed meat diet can increase the risk of colorectal cancer and other diseases significantly by altering the microbial community structure and disrupting the body's metabolic pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The distribution of depth, volume, and basin shape for lakes in the conterminous United States
Authors: Ganz Keenan J. , Glines Max R. , Rose Kevin C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDepth regulates many attributes of aquatic ecosystems, but relatively few lakes are measured, and existing datasets are biased toward large lakes. To address this, we used a large dataset of maximum (Zmax; n = 16,831) and mean (Zmean; n = 5,881) depth observations to create new depth models, focusing on lakes < 1,000 ha. We then used the models to characterize patterns in lake basin shape and volume. We included terrain metrics, water temperature and reflectance, polygon attributes, and other predictors in a random forest model. Our final models generally outperformed existing models (Zmax ; root mean square error [RMSE] = 8.0 m and Zmean ; RMSE = 3.0 m). Our models show that lake depth followed a Pareto distribution, with 2.8 orders of magnitude fewer lakes for an order of magnitude increase in depth. In addition, despite orders of magnitude variation in surface area, most size classes had a modal maximum depth of ~ 5 m. Concave (bowl‐shaped) lake basins represented 79% of all lakes, but lakes were more convex (funnel‐shaped) as surface area increased. Across the conterminous United States, 9.8% of all lake water was within the top meter of the water column, and 48% in the top 10 m. Excluding the Laurentian Great Lakes, we estimate the total volume in the conterminous United States is 1,057–1,294 km3, depending on whether Zmax or Zmean was modeled. Lake volume also exhibited substantial geographic variation, with high volumes in the upper Midwest, Northeast, and Florida and low volumes in the southwestern United States.
O‐GlcNAcylation: cellular physiology and therapeutic target for human diseases
Authors: Ye Lin , Ding Wei , Xiao Dandan , Jia Yi , Zhao Zhonghao , Ao Xiang , Wang Jianxun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractO‐linked‐β‐N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAcylation) is a distinctive posttranslational protein modification involving the coordinated action of O‐GlcNAc transferase and O‐GlcNAcase, primarily targeting serine or threonine residues in various proteins. This modification impacts protein functionality, influencing stability, protein–protein interactions, and localization. Its interaction with other modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination is becoming increasingly evident. Dysregulation of O‐GlcNAcylation is associated with numerous human diseases, including diabetes, nervous system degeneration, and cancers. This review extensively explores the regulatory mechanisms of O‐GlcNAcylation, its effects on cellular physiology, and its role in the pathogenesis of diseases. It examines the implications of aberrant O‐GlcNAcylation in diabetes and tumorigenesis, highlighting novel insights into its potential role in cardiovascular diseases. The review also discusses the interplay of O‐GlcNAcylation with other protein modifications and its impact on cell growth and metabolism. By synthesizing current research, this review elucidates the multifaceted roles of O‐GlcNAcylation, providing a comprehensive reference for future studies. It underscores the potential of targeting the O‐GlcNAcylation cycle in developing novel therapeutic strategies for various pathologies.
Range shifter contribution to neutron exposure of patients undergoing proton pencil beam scanning
Authors: Romero‐Expósito Maite , Liszka Malgorzata , Christou Athanasia , Toma‐Dasu Iuliana , Dasu Alexandru 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundSuperficial targets require the use of the lowest energies within the available energy range in proton pencil‐beam scanning (PBS) technique. However, the lower efficiency of the energy selection system at these energies and the requirement of a greater number of layers may represent disadvantages for this approach. The alternative is to use a range shifter (RS) at nozzle exit. However, one of the concerns of using this beamline element is that it becomes an additional source of neutrons that could irradiate organs situated far from the target.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the increase in neutron dose due to the RS in proton PBS technique. Additionally, an analytical model for the neutron production is tested.MethodsTwo clinical plans, designed to achieve identical target coverage, were created for an anthropomorphic phantom. These plans consisted of a lateral field delivering an absorbed dose of 60 Gy (RBE) to the target. One of the plans employed the RS. The MCNP code was used to simulate the plans, evaluating the distribution of neutron dose equivalent (Hn) and the equivalent dose in organ. In the plan with the RS plan, neutron production from both the patient and the RS were assessed separately. Hn values were also fitted versus the distance to field edge using a Gaussian function.ResultsHn per prescription dose, in the plan using the RS, ranged between 1.4 and 3.7 mSv/Gy at the field edge, whereas doses at 40 cm from the edge ranged from 9.9 to 32 μSv/Gy. These values are 1.2 to 10 times higher compared to those obtained without the RS. Both this factor and the contribution of neutrons originating from the RS increases with the distance from field edge. A triple‐Gaussian function was able to reproduce the equivalent dose in organs within a factor of 2, although underestimating the values.ConclusionsThe dose deposited in the patient by the neutrons originating from the RS predominantly affects areas away from the target (beyond approximately 25 cm from field edge), resulting in a neutron dose equivalent of the order of mSv. This indicates an overall low neutron contribution from the use of RS in PBS.
SimLife®: A New Dynamic Model for Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Simulation
Authors: Rullière Anne , Danion Jérôme , Fieux Maxime , Tonnerre Denis , Faure Jean‐Pierre , Legré Margaux , Favier Valentin , Oriot Denis , Dufour Xavier , Carsuzaa Florent 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe SimLife® model consists in a human cadaver dynamized by pulsatile vascularization. The objective was to evaluate the face, contents, and constructs validity of the SimLife® model in head and neck surgical oncology simulation. Head and neck surgical oncology simulation sessions on SimLife® models were organized with lateral neck dissection and total laryngectomy. Face and contents validity were addressed by questionnaires. Constructs validity was assessed by objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) score. High realism was demonstrated for consistency of tissues (7.1 ± 1.4), color of arteries and veins (7.3 ± 1.9, 8.5 ± 1.1, respectively), and vein consistency (8.5 ± 1.2). The mean OSATS score was 19.7 ± 5.4 for residents and 32.7 ± 1.9 for senior surgeon (P = .0022). SimLife® is a hyperrealistic model for head and neck surgical oncology simulation and it might become a core component of the surgical resident curriculum.