bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing a neural unreliability account of auditory sensory processing atypicalities in Rett Syndrome.
Authors: Brima Tufikameni , Beker Shlomit , Prinsloo Kevin D. , Butler John S. , Djukic Aleksandra , Freedman Edward G. , Molholm Sophie , Foxe John J. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
In the search for objective tools to quantify neural function in Rett Syndrome (RTT), which are crucial in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, recordings of sensory-perceptual functioning using event-related potential (ERP) approaches have emerged as potentially powerful tools. Considerable work points to highly anomalous auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in RTT. However, an assumption of the typical signal-averaging method used to derive these measures is “stationarity” of the underlying responses – i.e. neural responses to each input are highly stereotyped. An alternate possibility is that responses to repeated stimuli are highly variable in RTT. If so, this will significantly impact the validity of assumptions about underlying neural dysfunction, and likely lead to overestimation of underlying neuropathology. To assess this possibility, analyses at the single-trial level assessing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), inter-trial variability (ITV) and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) are necessary.
Methods
AEPs were recorded to simple 100Hz tones from 18 RTT and 27 age-matched controls (Ages: 6–22 years). We applied standard AEP averaging, as well as measures of neuronal reliability at the single-trial level (i.e. SNR, ITV, ITPC). To separate signal-carrying components from non-neural noise sources, we also applied a denoising source separation (DSS) algorithm and then repeated the reliability measures.
Results
Substantially increased ITV, lower SNRs, and reduced ITPC were observed in auditory responses of RTT participants, supporting a “neural unreliability” account. Application of the DSS technique made it clear that non-neural noise sources contribute to overestimation of the extent of processing deficits in RTT. Post-DSS, ITV measures were substantially reduced, so much so that pre-DSS ITV differences between RTT and TD populations were no longer detected. In the case of SNR and ITPC, DSS substantially improved these estimates in the RTT population, but robust differences between RTT and TD were still fully evident.
Conclusions
To accurately represent the degree of neural dysfunction in RTT using the ERP technique, a consideration of response reliability at the single-trial level is highly advised. Non-neural sources of noise lead to overestimation of the degree of pathological processing in RTT, and denoising source separation techniques during signal processing substantially ameliorate this issue.
Plant production and community structure in a mesic semi-natural grassland: Moderate soil texture variation has a much stronger influence than experimentally increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition
Authors: Hamp Meghan , Grogan Paul 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Aims
Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition derived from agricultural intensification and fossil fuel burning can significantly impact plant growth, species diversity, and nutrient cycling. Semi-natural grasslands are of particular concern because their generally low intensity agricultural management suggests they may be very sensitive to enhanced atmospheric N deposition inputs, although previous experimental research indicates highly variable site-specific responses. Mediating factors such as soil texture that influence actual availability of soil water and nutrients to plants have generally not been investigated.
Methods
We report the impacts of 16 years of experimental N addition (simulating 2050 atmospheric N input rates) to a hayfield of varying loamy soil texture (clay-loam – sandy-loam) on plant community structure and above-and belowground biomass.
Results
Chronic low-level N addition treatment had no significant effects, while species richness, diversity, and aboveground growth were best explained by variation in soil water-filled pore space and were substantially larger on those plots with clay-rich soils.
Conclusions
The consistent lack of responses to the low-level N additions and the lack of a growth response to a separate single year’s factorial high-level N and phosphorus addition experiment, indicate that future atmospheric N deposition increases are unlikely to have major impacts on hay production or species composition in mesic semi-natural grasslands. By contrast, the strong interconnected influences of soil clay content and water availability in our results suggest that texture variation – even within loamy soils - will be a primary determinant of the impacts of anticipated future summer warming and reduced rainfall on hayfield vegetation.
Enhanced Immunosuppressive Capability of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles with High Expression of CD73 in Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis
Authors: Duan Yanan , Chen Xiteng , Shao Hui , Li Yongtao , Zhang Zhihui , Li Huan , Zhao Chuan , Xiao Hong , Wang Jiawei , Zhang Xiaomin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune uveitis is an inflammatory disease triggered by an aberrant immune response. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) are emerging as potential therapeutic agents for this condition. CD73, an ectoenzyme present on MSC-sEVs, is involved in mitigating inflammation by converting extracellular adenosine monophosphate into adenosine. We hypothesize that the inhibitory effect of MSC-sEVs on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) could be partially attributed to the surface expression of CD73.
Methods: To investigate novel therapeutic approaches for autoimmune uveitis, we performed lentiviral transduction to overexpress CD73 on the surface of MSC-sEVs, yielding CD73-enriched MSC-sEVs (sEVs-CD73). Mice with IRBP-induced EAU were grouped randomly and treated with 50 μg MSC-sEVs, vector infected MSC-sEVs, sEVs-CD73 or PBS via single tail vein injection. We evaluated the clinical and histological features of the induced mice and analyzed the proportion and functional capabilities of T helper cells. Furthermore, T-cells were co-cultured with various MSC-sEVs in vitro, and we quantified the resulting inflammatory response to assess the potential therapeutic benefits of sEVs-CD73.
Results: Compared to MSC-sEVs, sEVs-CD73 significantly alleviates EAU, leading to reduced inflammation and diminished tissue damage. Treatment with sEVs-CD73 results in a decreased proportion of Th1 cells in the spleen, draining lymph nodes, and eyes, accompanied by an increased proportion of Treg cells. In vitro assays further reveal that sEVs-CD73 inhibit T-cell proliferation, suppress Th1 cells differentiation, and enhance Treg cells proportion.
Conclusion: Over-expression of CD73 on MSC-sEVs enhanced their immunosuppressive effects in EAU, indicating that sEVs-CD73 have the potential as an efficient immunotherapeutic agent for autoimmune uveitis.
The clinicopathological features and possible physiological mechanisms of only EGFR-T790M primary mutation in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: zhao ping , Xu Li , Zhu Huijuan , Ding wei , Tang Hui 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The EGFR-T790M mutation often increases the difficulty of treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The only EGFR-T790M primary mutation of the lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) is rare, there are relatively few reports on the clinicopathological characteristics and physiological mechanisms of this disease. We collected the clinical data of LUAD patients with only EGFR-T790M primary mutation to analyze the Clinicopathological features and possible physiological mechanism and provide evidences for clinical treatment. We found that the β-Catenin and Cyclin D1 were strongly positive. Only using the EGFR TKIs to treat this disease can obtain a partial response(PR) time of less than 8 months, Serum CYFRA 21 − 1 was significantly increased in the patient with Ki67 and mutant P53 positive, and the tumor cells are easy to metastasize and have a fast course of disease. The patient with negative Ki67 and mutant P53 underwent surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy, and the progression-free survival (PFS) time was 25 months. Our findings reveal that only EGFR-T790M primary mutation has no concern with the staging of lung cancer, it is related to the abnormal activation of Wnt signaling pathway; The combination of Ki67 and mutated P53 may be used as a prognostic indicator for this kind of patients.
Intraseasonal impact of the Scandinavian pattern on winter surface air temperature over Asia
Authors: Huang Qilei , Shi Ning , Zhou Botao 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This study employs the ERA5 and JRA55 monthly reanalysis datasets to examine the intraseasonal impact of the Scandinavian (SCA) teleconnection pattern on the surface air temperature (SAT) over Asia in boreal winters from 1958 to 2021. We demonstrate that the impacts of the SCA pattern exhibit evident intraseasonal variations. Notably, the accumulated SAT anomalies over the region to the north of Tibetan Plateau (NP) due to the SCA pattern tend to propagate southward to the eastern China (EC) during late winter, which is associated with the gradually intensifying westward gradient of the air temperature to the east of Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, both the November and January SCA patterns can significantly cause one-month-lagged SAT anomalies over the NP, albeit through different mechanisms. For the November SCA pattern, the associated snow cover anomalies can persist until December, facilitating the formation of local significant SAT anomalies via anomalous sensible heat flux. In contrast, from January to February, the background gradients of both the air temperature and potential vorticity intensify, creating more favorable conditions for the vertical coupling between the upper and lower circulation anomalies associated with the SCA pattern. Consequently, the SCA pattern tends to persist, leading to significant SAT anomalies over both the NP and EC in February. These significant influences of the SCA pattern exhibit evident interdecadal variations.
Individual- and community-level determinants of the number of antenatal care visits in emerging regions of Ethiopia: a negative binomial model
Authors: Getachew Eyob , Aragaw Fantu Mamo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective:- This study was carried out to identify individual and community-level factors influencing the number of antenatal care (ANC) visits in Ethiopia's emerging regions (Afar, Somali, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella).
Design:- Cross-sectional study design.
Setting:- Ethiopia's emerging regions(Afar, Somali, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella) from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.
Participants:- The analysis included a total weighted sample of 441 women from the EDHS dataset who had given birth within the five years before the survey.
Primary outcomes:- The number of ANC visits.
Results: In this study, 20.5% (95% CI: 16.7%, 24.5%) of pregnant women received four minimum recommended visits. Women with secondary (IRR 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1, 1.5), and higher (IRR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) education, terminated pregnancy (IRR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.9, 3.1), wanted pregnancy (IRR 1.4; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.3), high community poverty (IRR 0.5; 95%CI: 0.4, 0.7), community media exposure (IRR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8), and high community illiteracy (IRR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.9) were significant predictors of many antenatal care visits in Ethiopia’s emerging regions.
Conclusions: According to the findings of our study, more than three-quarters of pregnant mothers in Ethiopia's emerging region did not receive the adequate number of visits recommended by the WHO. Pregnancy desirability, history of a terminated pregnancy, maternal education; community poverty level, community literacy, and community media exposure were significantly associated with the number of ANC visits. Therefore, Promoting interpectoral actions would be vital in improving maternal health.
Overall survival was inferior in octogenarians with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
Authors: Yen Yi-Hao , Kee Kwong-Ming , Hung Chao-Hung , Chen Chien-Hung , Hu Tsung-Hui , Wang Jing-Houng , Lin Chih-Yun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

It is unclear whether overall survival (OS) differs by age for patients with early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We aim to clarify this issue. All patients diagnosed with early‐stage HCC (i.e., within Milan criteria) and Child–Pugh class A liver disease undergoing RFA between 2011 and 2021 were enrolled. Patients with incomplete ablation were excluded. This study enrolled 791 patients and them divided into four groups by age: <70 years (Group 1, n = 508), 70–74 years (Group 2, n = 122), 75–79 years (Group 3, n = 102), and ≥80 years (Group 4, n = 59). The five-year OS was 65% in Group 1, 60% in Group 2, 53% in Group 3, and 38 % in Group 4 (p = 0.009). With Group 4 as the reference, multivariate analysis indicated that Groups 1 (HR: 0.496, 95% CI: 0.314–0.785, p = 0.003) and 3 (HR: 0.496, 95% CI: 0.277–0.889, p= 0.018) but not Group 2 (HR: 0.689, 95% CI: 0.403–1.179, p = 0.174) were independent factors associated with superior five-year OS. In conclusion, among patients with early-stage HCC and Child–Pugh class A liver disease undergoing RFA, those aged ≥80 years had inferior five-year OS.
Association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high- density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and atrial fibrillation in adults with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Guan Mijie , Hu Haofei , Qi Dongli , Qin Xun , Wan Qijun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although a reverse relationship between lipid levels and AF has been suggested, it is uncertain if this link is relevant to CKD patients. This research investigated the association between the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C) and the risk of AF in individuals with CKD.
Methods: Data was collected from 21,091 non-selective, consecutive CKD patients from 2006 to December 31, 2015. We assessed the association between the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and AF in CKD patients using binary logistic regression, along with a series of sensitivity and subgroup analyses. The dataset supporting these analyses can be accessed at:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0230189.
Results: Of the 21,091 CKD patients, 211 (1.00%) were diagnosed with AF. The cohort, predominantly male (79.93%), had a mean age of 60.89 ±10.05 years. The mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was 1.39±0.35. After adjusting for covariates, a significant inverse association was observed between the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and the incidence of AF in CKD patients (OR = 0.422, 95% CI: 0.273-0.652, P = 0.00010). The robustness of these findings was confirmed through sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis consistently showed a link between the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and AF, suggesting that confounding factors had little effect on the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio's relationship with AF.
Conclusion: Our research demonstrates an independent inverse relationship between the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and the risk of AF in CKD patients. It is recommended to avoid overly aggressive lowering of LDL levels in CKD patients, as this may increase the risk of developing AF.
Exploring the relationship between Clinical Supervision and Well-being in Otolaryngology Residency Board, KSA
Authors: Alessa Mohammad Ali , Eltouny Sarah , Abed Rabab 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Surgical residency has been recognized as stressful because of the long working hours and challenging cases. In addition, family care or being a spouse or parent may be associated with a positive or negative impact on well-being. Therefore, well-being care is important for managing burnout in residents. The concept of psychological well-being refers to optimal psychological functioning and experience, while burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, feelings of depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Sideways training has recently drawn increased amounts of attention in residency training, and residents claim to have a great impact on the clinical learning environment. Clinical supervision is an important component of the clinical environment that facilitates the safe development of clinical skills and the knowledge of trainees to prepare them for independent practice. Residents during rotation are exposed to different types of supervision with different experiences and backgrounds, which influences their learning. We would like to investigate this impact in depth to determine whether there is a difference in otolaryngology residents’ well-being under different supervision conditions and to measure the degree of wellbeing from one level to another during training.
Subjects and Method:
This was a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study in which an online survey was conducted to determine the relationship between resident wellbeing and clinical supervision among Saudi otolaryngology head and neck surgery residents.
The data collection instruments used included the D-RECT (Dutch Residents Educational Climate Test) for measuring clinical supervision and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale questionnaire for measuring wellbeing.The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each item using SPSS 21.0.
Results:
The majority of residents reported higher mean (SD) scores for the following items: “I’ve been feeling useful” (3.53 [1.23]); “I’ve been feeling interested in new things” (3.28 [1.13]); and “I’ve been dealing with problems well” (3.27 [1.10]). The mean (SD) WEMWBS item scores showed no statistically significant difference between junior and senior residents; however, mental wellbeing was significantly associated with all four D-RECT score levels.
Conclusion:
Clinical supervision and mentorship have a strong impact on physicians’ mental well-being, specifically by promoting self-esteem and a sense of utility at work in the context of medical training.
Allergy and autoinflammation drive persistent systemic inflammatory response in Meniere Disease
Authors: Frejo Lidia , Cara Francisca , Flook Marisa , Robles-Bolivar Paula , Escalera-Balsera Alba , Montilla-Ibañez Maria Alharilla , Dominguez-Duran Emilio , Martinez-Martinez Marta , Perez-Carpena Patricia , Lopez-Escamez Jose Antonio 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Meniere disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder associated with genetic and environmental factors. Several triggers may induce an inflammatory response that may persist over time, leading to a chronic inflammatory process. This study aims to determine if the inflammatory state observed in some MD patients is mediated by allergy or autoinflammation. A 2-year longitudinal study including 72 patients was designed to track levels of cytokines and chemokines in plasma samples. We used discriminant and trajectory analyses to define functional clusters. Furthermore, THP-1 cells were treated with MD patients’ plasma and NaCl to study their capacity to polarize to M1 or M2 macrophages, and qPCR was used to study the upstream events leading to cytokine release. We identified 4 groups of patients according to their cytokine levels. First, an autoimmune group with high TNF-α levels (19%). An allergic phenotype (24%) with elevated IgE and the capacity to polarize macrophages into M2. The third with an autoinflammatory phenotype had increased IL-1β (14%) activated through CASP1 and NLRP3. The last group had low levels of cytokines (42%). Most individuals remained in the same group according to their cytokine levels over time; interestingly, 36% of patients with an allergic profile also showed high levels of IL-1β. We characterized 2 immunophenotypes according to cytokines and IgE levels. The first may drive an allergic reaction led by IgE and classical allergy-related cytokines. A second group of patients seems to be mediated by the production of IL-1β and the inflammasome pathway.
Wheezing Episodes in Children Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brussels
Authors: Delporte Clémentine , Bruwaene Lore Van , Bruffaerts Nicolas , Rebuffat Elisabeth , Goetghebuer Tessa 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose: Studies have demonstrated important changes in the seasonality of pediatric respiratory illnesses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of childhood wheezing episodes before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to their potentially associated environmental triggers.
Methods: Files of all children treated with salbutamol for a wheezing episode in September and October 2019, 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Infection epidemiology, daily concentrations of air pollutants (NO2, O3, PM10 and PM2.5) and fungal spores were collected over the same time period.
Results: In 2021, 298 episodes of wheezing were observed compared to 111 in 2020 and 86 in 2019 (p<0.001). Compared to 2019, children with wheezing in 2021 were significantly older (p<0.001), less likely to have a history of recurrent wheezing (p<0.001) and required less hospitalization (p=0.034). Adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were more prevalent in 2021 as compared to 2019 (p<0.001). The concentration of PM10, PM2.5 and O3 was higher in 2021, as compared to both 2019 and 2020 (p<0.001) while the concentration of NO2 and airborne spores was lower in 2021 compared to 2019 (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: A threefold increase in wheezing episodes was observed in the autumn post-COVID (2021) compared to pre-COVID (2019) together with a significant increase in some viruses and most air pollutants. We hypothesize that this abnormal surge may be related to the release of restrictions with rapid spread of viruses in children who were exposed to high levels of air pollution.
Bias-stress-stable Sub-1.5 V Oxide Thin-film Transistors via Synergistic Composition of Sol-gel Quaternary High-k Oxide Dielectrics
Authors: Baek Seokhyeon , Choi Jun-Gyu , Lee Won-June , Kwak Taehyun , Jo Yong-Ryun , Park Sungjun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

A rising demand in reliable, energy-efficient, and large-area electronics, particularly in the realm of sol-gel oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs), has steered research focus away from semiconductor towards dielectrics. However, achieving both bias stability and low-voltage operation remains a significant hurdle. While typical oxide TFTs employ high-dielectric-constant (high-k) dielectrics with lowered film thickness to acquire low-voltage operation, they inevitably suffer from undesired defects at both bulk and interfacial trap sites in dielectric layer. In this study, bias-stress-stable all solution-processed oxide TFTs were demonstrated with operation voltage under 1.5 V via sol-gel quaternary high-k oxide dielectric (Al-Hf-Zr-O, AHZO). In-depth understanding of their individual contributions to dielectric performance leads to the acquisition of optimized composition ratios of AHZO with amorphous feature and outstanding dielectric performance, marked by dielectric constant (k) over 11, leakage current density (Jleak) below 10− 5.5 A cm-2, and sturdy breakdown strength (EB) exceeding 5 MV cm-1. By integrating the AHZO with In-Ga-Zn-O (IGZO) layer, we achieved sub 1.5 V TFTs while maintaining excellent bias stability with threshold voltage (VTH) shift lower than 0.20 V for 3600 s. Our findings offer a detailed insight into the realm of multi-component oxide dielectrics, paving the way for miniaturization and reliability in functional devices and sensors.