bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex and interspecies differences in ESR2-expressing cell distributions in mouse and rat brains
Authors: Morishita Masahiro , Higo Shimpei , Iwata Kinuyo , Ishii Hirotaka 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
ESR2, a nuclear estrogen receptor also known as estrogen receptor β, is expressed in the brain and contributes to the actions of estrogen in various physiological phenomena. However, its expression profiles in the brain have long been debated because of difficulties in detecting ESR2-expressing cells. In the present study, we aimed to determine the distribution of ESR2 in rodent brains, as well as its sex and interspecies differences, using immunohistochemical detection with a well-validated anti-ESR2 antibody (PPZ0506).

Methods
To determine the expression profiles of ESR2 protein in rodent brains, whole brain sections from mice and rats of both sexes were subjected to immunostaining for ESR2. In addition, to evaluate the effects of circulating estrogen on ESR2 expression profiles, ovariectomized female mice and rats were treated with low or high doses of estrogen, and the resulting numbers of ESR2-immunopositive cells were analyzed. Welch’s t-test was used for comparisons between two groups for sex differences, and one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey–Kramer test were used for comparisons among multiple groups with different estrogen treatments.

Results
ESR2-immunopositive cells were observed in several subregions of mouse and rat brains, including the preoptic area, extended amygdala, hypothalamus, mesencephalon, and cerebral cortex. Their distribution profiles exhibited sex and interspecies differences. In addition, low-dose estrogen treatment in ovariectomized female mice and rats tended to increase the numbers of ESR2-immunopositive cells, whereas high-dose estrogen treatment tended to decrease these numbers.

Conclusions
Immunohistochemistry using the well-validated PPZ0506 antibody revealed a more localized expression of ESR2 protein in rodent brains than has previously been reported. Furthermore, there were marked sex and interspecies differences in its distribution. Our histological analyses also revealed estrogen-dependent changes in ESR2 expression levels in female brains. These findings will be helpful for understanding the ESR2-mediated actions of estrogen in the brain.
Meningitis in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit for severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Jaubert Paul , Charpentier Julien , Benghanem Sarah , Cariou Alain , Pène Frédéric , Mira Jean-Paul , Jozwiak Mathieu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Although it has been reported that patients with pneumococcal pneumonia may develop meningitis, lumbar puncture is not systematically recommended in these patients, even in patients with associated bacteremia or invasive pneumococcal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia who developed meningitis.

Methods
We retrospectively included all consecutive patients admitted to our ICU from January 2006 to December 2020 for severe pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia according to American Thoracic Society criteria. Meningitis was defined as pleocytosis > 5 cells/mm3 or a positive culture of cerebrospinal fluid for Streptococcus pneumoniae in lumbar puncture. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with meningitis during their ICU stay.

Results
Overall, 262 patients [64(52–75) years old] were included: 154(59%) were male, 80(30%) had chronic respiratory disease, 105(39%) were immunocompromised and 6(2%) were vaccinated against S. pneumoniae. A lumbar puncture was performed in 88(34%) patients with a delay from ICU admission to puncture lumbar of 10.5 (2.8–24.1) h and after the initiation of pneumococcal antibiotherapy in 81(92%) patients. Meningitis was diagnosed in 14 patients: 16% of patients with lumbar puncture and 5% of patients in the whole population. Patients with meningitis had more frequently human immunodeficiency virus positive status (29 vs. 5%, p = 0.02), neurological deficits on ICU admission (43 vs. 16%, p = 0.03) and pneumococcal bacteremia (71 vs. 30%, p < 0.01) than those without. The ICU mortality rate (14 vs. 13%, p = 0.73) and the mortality rate at Day-90 (21 vs. 15%, p = 0.83) did not differ between patients with and without meningitis. The proportion of patients with neurological disorders at ICU discharge was higher in patients with meningitis (64 vs. 23%, p < 0.001) than in those without. The other outcomes did not differ at ICU discharge, Day-30 and Day-90 between the two groups of patients.

Conclusion
Meningitis was diagnosed in 16% of patients with severe pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia in whom a lumbar puncture was performed, was more frequent in patients with pneumococcal bacteremia and was associated with more frequent neurological disorders at ICU discharge. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Online distributed waveform-synchronization for acoustic sensor networks with dynamic topology
Authors: Chinaev Aleksej , Knaepper Niklas , Enzner Gerald 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAcoustic sensing by multiple devices connected in a wireless acoustic sensor network (WASN) creates new opportunities for multichannel signal processing. However, the autonomy of agents in such a network still necessitates the alignment of sensor signals to a common sampling rate. It has been demonstrated that waveform-based estimation of sampling rate offset (SRO) between any node pair can be retrieved from asynchronous signals already exchanged in the network, but connected online operation for network-wide distributed sampling-time synchronization still presents an open research task. This is especially true if the WASN experiences topology changes due to failure or appearance of nodes or connections. In this work, we rely on an online waveform-based closed-loop SRO estimation and compensation unit for nodes pairs. For WASNs hierarchically organized as a directed minimum spanning tree (MST), it is then shown how local synchronization propagates network-wide from the root node to the leaves. Moreover, we propose a network protocol for sustaining an existing network-wide synchronization in case of local topology changes. In doing so, the dynamic WASN maintains the MST topology after reorganization to support continued operation with minimum node distances. Experimental evaluation in a simulated apartment with several rooms proves the ability of our methods to reach and sustain accurate SRO estimation and compensation in dynamic WASNs.
The efficacy of entrepreneurial networking and innovation in fostering the performance of small businesses in Uganda
Authors: Sendawula Kasimu , Kisubi Moses Kisame , Najjinda Shamirah , Nantale Hanifah , Kabbera Samuel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of entrepreneurial networking and innovation in fostering the performance of small businesses using evidence from Uganda. The study was cross-sectional and correlational. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey of 368 small businesses and analyzed through correlation, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Study findings indicate that entrepreneurial networking and innovation are significant predictors of small business performance. Results also indicate that innovation partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial networking and the performance of small businesses. As such, this study contributes to the extant literature on the performance of small businesses as it provides initial empirical evidence on the efficacy of entrepreneurial networking and innovation in fostering the performance of small businesses. It further contributes to the recent literature on the mediation effect of innovation using evidence from Uganda.
What is the functional reach of wastewater surveillance for respiratory viruses, pathogenic viruses of concern, and bacterial antibiotic resistance genes of interest?
Authors: Sokoloski Kevin J. , Holm Rochelle H. , Smith Melissa , Ford Easton E. , Rouchka Eric C. , Smith Ted 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Despite a clear appreciation of the impact of human pathogens on community health, efforts to understand pathogen dynamics within populations often follow a narrow-targeted approach and rely on the deployment of specific molecular probes for quantitative detection or rely on clinical detection and reporting.

Main text
Genomic analysis of wastewater samples for the broad detection of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and antibiotic resistance genes of interest/concern is inherently difficult, and while deep sequencing of wastewater provides a wealth of information, a robust and cooperative foundation is needed to support healthier communities. In addition to furthering the capacity of high-throughput sequencing wastewater-based epidemiology to detect human pathogens in an unbiased and agnostic manner, it is critical that collaborative networks among public health agencies, researchers, and community stakeholders be fostered to prepare communities for future public health emergencies or for the next pandemic. A more inclusive public health infrastructure must be built for better data reporting where there is a global human health risk burden.

Conclusions
As wastewater platforms continue to be developed and refined, high-throughput sequencing of human pathogens in wastewater samples will emerge as a gold standard for understanding community health.
Impact of 1,7-malaria reactive community-based testing and response (1,7-mRCTR) approach on malaria prevalence in Tanzania
Authors: Chang Wei , Cohen Jessica , Wang Duo-Quan , Abdulla Salim , Mahende Muhidin Kassim , Gavana Tegemeo , Scott Valerie , Msuya Hajirani M. , Mwanyika-Sando Mary , Njau Ritha John A. , Lu Shen-Ning , Temu Silas , Masanja Honorati , Anthony Wilbald , Aregawi W. Maru , Sunder Naveen , Kun Tang , Bruxvoort Katia , Kitau Jovin , Kihwele Fadhila , Chila Godlove , Michael Mihayo , Castro Marcia , Menzies Nicolas A. , Kim Sein , Ning Xiao , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Chaki Prosper , Mlacha Yeromin P. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Progress in malaria control has stalled in recent years and innovative surveillance and response approaches are needed to accelerate malaria control and elimination efforts in endemic areas of Africa. Building on a previous China-UK-Tanzania pilot study on malaria control, this study aimed to assess the impact of the 1,7-malaria Reactive Community-Based Testing and Response (1,7-mRCTR) approach implemented over two years in three districts of Tanzania.

Methods
The 1,7-mRCTR approach provides community-based malaria testing via rapid diagnostic tests and treatment in villages with the highest burden of malaria incidence based on surveillance data from health facilities. We used a difference-in-differences quasi-experimental design with linear probability models and two waves of cross-sectional household surveys to assess the impact of 1,7-mRCTR on malaria prevalence. We conducted sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our results, examined how intervention effects varied in subgroups, and explored alternative explanations for the observed results.

Results
Between October 2019 and September 2021, 244,771 community-based malaria rapid tests were completed in intervention areas, and each intervention village received an average of 3.85 rounds of 1-7mRCTR. Malaria prevalence declined from 27.4% at baseline to 11.7% at endline in the intervention areas and from 26.0% to 16.0% in the control areas. 1,7-mRCTR was associated with a 4.5-percentage-point decrease in malaria prevalence (95% confidence interval: − 0.067, − 0.023), equivalent to a 17% reduction from the baseline. In Rufiji, a district characterized by lower prevalence and where larviciding was additionally provided, 1,7-mRCTR was associated with a 63.9% decline in malaria prevalence.

Conclusions
The 1,7-mRCTR approach reduced malaria prevalence. Despite implementation interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain challenges, the study provided novel evidence on the effectiveness of community-based reactive approaches in moderate- to high-endemicity areas and demonstrated the potential of South-South cooperation in tackling global health challenges.

Graphical Abstract
Discrete space vector modulation and optimized switching sequence model predictive control for three-level voltage source inverters
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Zhu Minlong , Lin Jiaqi , Ipoum-Ngome Paul Gistain , Mon-Nzongo Daniel Legrand , Jin Tao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper proposes a discrete space vector modulation and optimized switching sequence model predictive controller for three-level neutral-point-clamped inverters in grid-connected applications. The proposed strategy is based on cascaded model predictive control (MPC) for controlling the grid current while maintaining the capacitor voltage balanced without weighting factor. To enhance the closed-loop performance, the external MPC evaluates 19 basic and 138 virtual vectors (VV) of the proposed space vector method. The optimal control voltage is then selected using an extended deadbeat method to reduce the execution time of the proposed control algorithm. By using the discrete space vector modulation principle, the VV are synthesized based on switching sequence (SS) and are divided into negative and positive SSs considering their impact on the neutral point (NP) potential. The inner MPC evaluates both types of SSs and selects the one that keeps the capacitor voltage balanced. Various controllers are evaluated and compared against the proposed control strategy. The results show that the proposed strategy improves performance without weighting factor, while maintaining a total harmonic distortion of current to be less than 2%. Compared to the modulated MPC which provides the same fixed switching frequency, the proposed controller reduces the computational burden by over 50% while also providing better NP voltage balance accuracy.
Penetrating two stab to the throat, survival time and physical mobility: a suicide case and literature review
Authors: Çelik Cemil , Çetinkaya Tuba Akkuş , Ata Uğur , Kamalak Murat , Saka Naile Esra 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
It is difficult to pinpoint the manner of death in cases of death due to sharp force injuries where injury patterns resemble one another. Other issues that might arise include physical mobility and survival time after injury. Within the scope of this case, a 53-year-old male suicide with findings suggestive of homicide is presented, along with research on the nature of sharp neck injuries, survival time, and movement after injury.

Case presentation
Thanks to the surveillance camera video that captured a significant portion of the occurrence, it was determined that the incident in the case that was presented, which had two perforations of the larynx, was suicide. At first appearance, this case could be assumed to be homicidal. Due to the injury, the victim could only walk around 300–350 m. The victim had a 4-h average survival time.

Conclusions
In general terms, the survival time according to the injury sites in the neck can be listed for a person (if the wound sizes are close to each other) as follows: injury causing vagal stimulation < arterial injury with severe blood loss < venous injury with blood loss < airway injury causing aspiration and respiratory failure.
Assessment of mitigation alternatives for differential shortening in high-rise reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Elansary Ahmed , Metwally Mohamed I. , El-Attar Adel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSelecting appropriate structural system for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings is essential in the design process to satisfy serviceability and strength requirements. Using ordinary analysis (OA) may result in inaccurate estimation of differential shortenings (DS) between vertical supporting elements which might lead to structural and architectural problems. Efficiency of staged analysis including time-dependent effects (SAT) has been recently recognized for the analysis of these buildings due to considering the sequential nature of construction. In this research, eight RC buildings with heights ranging between 35 and 175 m and various structural systems, namely rigid frames (RF), shear walls (SW), wall frames (WF), and tube in tube (TT), are analyzed. An assessment is conducted for the adequacy of three mitigation alternatives to decrease changes between DS estimated using OA and SAT. In Alternative 1, cross sections of all vertical elements (columns and shear walls) are increased by 50%. Alternative 2 is performed by iteratively proportioning the dimensions of internal columns without changing the cross sections of edge and corner vertical elements. One outrigger system is introduced along the height of buildings with WF and TT systems in Alternative 3. Analysis of the eight buildings is implemented by developing a numerical model considering the construction stages and time-dependent effects. The alternatives assessment is conducted by comparing differential displacements (DD), bending moments, and shearing forces before and after mitigation obtained from OA and SAT. The numerical results showed that Alternative 1 is not efficient in mitigating the differences between the OA and SAT for all the studied buildings. However, an optimum solution can be achieved using the Alternative 2 for all investigated systems. Also, Alternative 3 was found adequate in partially mitigating the differences between the two analyses for the buildings with WF and TT systems.
Probability of Regulatory Approval Over Time: A Cohort Study of Cancer Therapies
Authors: Hutchinson Nora , Bicer Selin , Feldhake Emma , Carlisle Benjamin G. , Gonen Mithat , Del Paggio Joseph , Kimmelman Jonathan 
Published: December 2023

PURPOSE New cancer therapies are frequently evaluated in multiple disease indications. We evaluated whether the probability of achieving US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new cancer therapy changes with time. METHODS We identified a cohort of anticancer drugs with a first registered efficacy trial from 2007 to 2011 on ClinicalTrials.gov. We downloaded all clinical trials for each included drug from the initiation of efficacy testing to January 11, 2021. Each trial was categorized by cancer indication and assigned to investigational trajectories on the basis of unique drug-indication pairings. We performed a univariate Cox’s proportional hazards regression to assess the probability of a trajectory leading to regulatory approval over time since initiation of the first efficacy trial for a given drug. RESULTS We included 213 drugs in our cohort, of which 37 (17.4%) received FDA approval in at least one oncology indication. In our primary analysis, we found a 15% decrease in the probability of approval for every year since initiation of the first efficacy trial (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85 [95% CI, 0.73 to 0.99]; P = .032). We found a 45% increase in the probability of approval for the first trajectory launched for a given drug in comparison with all others (HR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.33 to 0.91]; P = .021). CONCLUSION Drug-indication pairings pursued years after initial testing for efficacy have lowered probability of affecting care. Clinical trial investigators, sponsors, and regulatory bodies may benefit from awareness of this trend when considering both early and late trajectory trials in a drug's development.
Inhalational Anesthesia Reduced Transient Neurological Events After Revascularization Surgery for Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Kaku Yasuyuki , Ohmori Yuki , Kameno Koki , Uchikawa Hiroki , Takemoto Yushin , Kawano Takayuki , Ishimura Tatsuhiro , Uetani Hiroyuki , Mukasa Akitake 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The choice between inhalational and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in revascularization surgery for Moyamoya disease (MMD) remains a topic of debate. Anesthesia methods have changed with the advent of new anesthetics. This study investigated whether modern anesthesia methods affected the development of neurological symptoms after revascularization surgery for MMD.

METHODS:
This single-center retrospective study included 63 adult patients (82 hemispheres) with MMD treated with direct and indirect bypass surgeries at our hospital between 2013 and 2022. Patients were divided into inhalational anesthesia (IA) and TIVA groups based on the anesthesia maintenance method. Baseline patient characteristics; postoperative neurological symptoms, including hyperperfusion syndrome, cerebral infarction, and transient neurological events (TNEs); and cortical hyperintensity belt (CHB) sign scores (5-point scale from 0 to 4) on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging were compared between the two groups. The operation methods, anesthetics, and intraoperative hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were compared between patients with and without TNEs.

RESULTS:
The IA and TIVA groups comprised 39 and 43 hemispheres, respectively. The frequency of postoperative hyperperfusion syndrome and cerebral infarction did not differ between the groups, but the number of TNEs in the IA group (5/39; 13%) was significantly lower than that in the TIVA group (16/43; 37%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that TNEs were associated with TIVA (odds ratio, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.24-12.35; P = .02). The median [IQR] postoperative CHB sign score in the IA group (2 [1-3]) was significantly lower than that in the TIVA group (4 [3-4]).

CONCLUSION:
The IA group had fewer postoperative TNEs and lower CHB sign scores than the TIVA group. Although further studies are needed, this study provides insights into the prevention of TNEs with IA and reconsideration of the optimal anesthesia for MMD.
Exercise-Induced Cell-Free DNA Correlates with Energy Expenditure in Multiple Exercise Protocols
Authors: NOGIEC CHRISTOPHER D. , KARLIC ROSA , TABORDA EDDIE , DUNKELBARGER SONIA , FRIDLICH ORI , DOR YUVAL , POLAK PAZ , LI RUI 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Exercise-induced cell-free DNA (ei-cfDNA) has been studied in response to various types of exercise. Its correlation with exercise intensity and duration has been observed consistently. However, comprehensive measurements and exploration of the tissue of origin are lacking. The aim of this study is to establish precise connections between exercise variables and the distribution of tissue of origin, aiming to provide further evidence supporting its use as a biomarker for exercise.

Methods
Twelve self-identified active adults (six men and six women) performed a crossover study starting with either endurance testing or resistance testing under different intensities and protocols. We obtained blood before and after each exercise session and measured the levels of cfDNA and determined its tissue of origin utilizing cell type-specific DNA methylation patterns in plasma.

Results
We found that when duration and intensity are fixed, ei-cfDNA fold change correlates with energy expenditure (P = 0.001) in endurance testing and years trained (P = 0.001) in resistance testing. Most of the ei-cfDNA comes from increases in white blood cells (~95%) where neutrophils make up the majority (~74%) and the distribution is different between exercise modalities and protocols.

Conclusions
This study highlights the potential of exercise-induced cfDNA as a biomarker for exercise, showing correlations with energy expenditure and a consistent pattern of tissue origin. Additional research is needed to investigate potential sex differences in the response of cfDNA to exercise, further exploring its clinical implications.