bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The significance of structural rich club hubs for the processing of hierarchical stimuli
Authors: Mecklenbrauck Falko , Gruber Marius , Siestrup Sophie , Zahedi Anoushiravan , Grotegerd Dominik , Mauritz Marco , Trempler Ima , Dannlowski Udo , Schubotz Ricarda I. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe brain's structural network follows a hierarchy that is described as rich club (RC) organization, with RC hubs forming the well‐interconnected top of this hierarchy. In this study, we tested whether RC hubs are involved in the processing of hierarchically higher structures in stimulus sequences. Moreover, we explored the role of previously suggested cortical gradients along anterior‐posterior and medial‐lateral axes throughout the frontal cortex. To this end, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment and presented participants with blocks of digit sequences that were structured on different hierarchically nested levels. We additionally collected diffusion weighted imaging data of the same subjects to identify RC hubs. This classification then served as the basis for a region of interest analysis of the fMRI data. Moreover, we determined structural network centrality measures in areas that were found as activation clusters in the whole‐brain fMRI analysis. Our findings support the previously found anterior and medial shift for processing hierarchically higher structures of stimuli. Additionally, we found that the processing of hierarchically higher structures of the stimulus structure engages RC hubs more than for lower levels. Areas involved in the functional processing of hierarchically higher structures were also more likely to be part of the structural RC and were furthermore more central to the structural network. In summary, our results highlight the potential role of the structural RC organization in shaping the cortical processing hierarchy.
Increased white matter fibre dispersion and lower IQ scores in adults born preterm
Authors: Lapidaire Winok , Clayden Jonathan D. , Fewtrell Mary S. , Clark Christopher A. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPreterm birth has been associated with altered microstructural properties of the white matter and lower cognitive ability in childhood and adulthood. Due to methodological limitations of the diffusion tensor model, it is not clear whether alterations in myelination or variation in fibre orientation are driving these differences. Novel models applied to multi‐shell diffusion imaging have been used to disentangle these effects, but to date this has not been used to study the preterm brain in adulthood. This study investigated whether novel advanced diffusion MRI metrics such as microscopic anisotropy and orientation dispersion are altered in adults born preterm, and whether this was associated with cognitive performance. Seventy‐two preterm born participants (<37 weeks gestational age) were recruited from a 1982–1984 cohort (33 males, mean age 33.5 ± 1.0 years). Seventy‐two term born (>37 weeks gestational age) controls (34 males, mean age 30.9 ± 4.0 years) were recruited from the general population. Tensor FA was calculated with FSL, while microscopic FA and orientation dispersion entropy (ODE) were estimated using the Spherical Mean Technique (SMT). Estimated Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) were obtained from the WASI‐II (abbreviated) IQ test. Voxel‐wise comparisons using FSL's tract‐based spatial statistics were performed to test between‐group differences in diffusion MRI metrics as well as within‐group associations of diffusion MRI metrics and IQ outcomes. The preterm group had significantly lower FSIQ, VCI and PRI scores. Preterm subjects demonstrated widespread decreases in ODE reflecting increased fibre dispersion, but no differences in microscopic FA. Tensor FA was increased in a small area in the anterior corona radiata. Lower FA values in the preterm population were associated with lower FSIQ and PRI scores. An increase in fibre dispersion in white matter and lower IQ scores after preterm birth exist in adulthood. Advanced diffusion MRI metrics such as the orientation dispersion entropy can be used to monitor white matter alterations across the lifespan in preterm born individuals. Although not significantly different between preterm and term groups, tensor FA values in the preterm group were associated with cognitive outcome.
CVINet: A deep learning based model for the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in lower extremity using infrared thermal images
Authors: Krishnan Nithyakalyani , Muthu P. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractChronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a venous disorder characterized by impaired blood flow from the lower extremities back to the heart, leading to various symptoms and complications. Accurate and timely diagnosis of CVI is critical for effective management and prevention of further complications. Deep learning (DL) models have shown results that are promising in the field of medical image analysis tasks over the past few years. This article presents CVINet, a enhanced DL‐based convolutional neural network (CNN) model that has been developed specifically for the purpose of diagnosing CVI utilizing thermal imaging data. The proposed CNN model extracts relevant features from input images using a multi‐layered architecture with convolutional layers and pooling layers. Following feature extraction, data are directed to fully connected layers for performing classification task. To enhance the performance of this model, we employ techniques such as dropout regularization and batch normalization. This model utilizes its ability to automatically learn discriminative features from raw thermal images. A large set of thermal images from both CVI patients and healthy individuals was acquired for training and testing of the model. A comparison between few conventional pre‐trained models was conducted, and the best performing model for classification was examined. Pre‐trained VGG‐16, EfficientNet‐B0, and ResNet‐152 models produced classification accuracies of 94.7%, 95.3%, and 95.8%, respectively. The Proposed CVINet model attained a classification accuracy of 96.8% on binary classification, demonstrating high performance compared with other state‐of‐the‐art networks. Overall, our proposed CNN model offers a promising solution for accurately classifying CVI and normal subjects based on thermal images which outperforms the diagnosis by clinician. The potential benefits include early detection of CVI and personalized treatment strategies that can improve patient outcomes. They improve the accuracy of patient diagnosis, reducing radiologist workload and providing them with a tool that can automatically assess the condition of the lower limb venous condition, lowering the risk of misdiagnosis. Furthermore, improving healthcare service quality and early detection can alter the course of the disease and reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of the disease.
Exosomes derived from BMSCs alleviates high glucose‐induced diabetic retinopathy via carrying miR‐483‐5p
Authors: Cao Dan , Zhou Liang , Hu Rong 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive disease which can cause health problem. It has been reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)‐secreted exosomes could regulate the progression of DR via carrying microRNAs. Meanwhile, miR‐483‐5p was downregulated in DR; however, whether BMSCs‐secreted exosomes can modulate DR progression via carrying miR‐483‐5p remains unclear. To mimic DR in vitro, ARPE‐19 cells were exposed to 30 mM high glucose (HG). Exosomes were isolated from BMSCs and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blot. Cell counting kit‐8 assay was applied for assessing the cell viability. Flow cytometry was applied to test the cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, dual luciferase assay was used to evaluate the association among miR‐483‐5p and downstream target insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R). In addition, quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used for exploring the level of miR‐483‐5p and IGF‐1R. HG significantly induced apoptosis in ARPE‐19 cells, while BMSCs‐derived exosomes reversed this phenomenon. In addition, inhibition of miR‐483‐5p expression of exosomes further aggravated HG‐induced ARPE‐19 cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, IGF‐1R was the downstream messenger RNA of miR‐483‐5p, and IGF‐1R silencing could reverse the effect of exosomes with downregulated miR‐483‐5p on HG‐induced cell injury. Exosomes derived from BMSCs inhibit the progression of DR via carrying miR‐483‐5p. Thus, our study might provide a theoretical basis for discovering new strategies against DR.
Association of gut microbiota with portal vein pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Toshida Katsuya , Itoh Shinji , Kosai‐Fujimoto Yukiko , Ishikawa Takuma , Nakayama Yuki , Tsutsui Yuriko , Iseda Norifumi , Izumi Takuma , Bekki Yuki , Yoshiya Shohei , Toshima Takeo , Nakamuta Makoto , Yoshizumi Tomoharu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimMany recent studies have shown a relationship between various systemic diseases and the gut microbiota (GM), with the gut–liver axis receiving particular attention. In contrast, no report has comprehensively shown the effects of GM on the pathophysiology of patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).MethodWe enrolled 16 recipients who underwent LDLT for liver cirrhosis, and 17 donors constituted the reference group. We examined the differences in GM between recipients and donors. We also examined the relationships between GM, short‐chain fatty acids, and portal vein pressure (PVP) in recipients.ResultsThere was no significant difference in alpha‐diversity between the recipients and donors, but there was variation in beta‐diversity among the recipients. The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes was significantly higher in recipients than in donors (P = 0.016), and it was positively correlated with PVP (r = 0.511, P = 0.043). Propionic acid, which is a component of short‐chain fatty acids, was positively correlated with PVP (r = 0.544, P = 0.0295), the phylum Bacteroidetes (r = 0.677, P = 0.004), and total bilirubin concentration (r = 0.501, P = 0.048). Propionic acid was negatively correlated with serum albumin concentration (r = −0.482, P = 0.043).ConclusionOur findings suggest relationships between fecal Bacteroidetes levels, propionic acid concentrations, and PVP in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing LDLT.
Sex differences in the biomechanical and biochemical responses of caudal rat intervertebral discs to injury
Authors: Kenawy Hagar M. , Nuñez María I. , Morales Xóchitl , Lisiewski Lauren E. , Burt Kevin G. , Kim Min Kyu M. , Campos Leonardo , Kiridly Nadia , Hung Clark T. , Chahine Nadeen O. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of low back pain (LBP) worldwide. Sexual dimorphism, or sex‐based differences, appear to exist in the severity of LBP. However, it is unknown if there are sex‐based differences in the inflammatory, biomechanical, biochemical, and histological responses of intervertebral discs (IVDs).MethodsCaudal (Coccygeal/Co) bone‐disc‐bone motion segments were isolated from multiple spinal levels (Co8 to Co14) of male and female Sprague–Dawley rats. Changes in motion segment biomechanics and extracellular matrix (ECM) biochemistry (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], collagen [COL], water, and DNA content) were evaluated at baseline and in response to chemical insult (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) or puncture injury ex vivo. We also investigated the contributions of Toll‐like receptor (TLR4) signaling on responses to LPS or puncture injury ex vivo, using a small molecule TLR4 inhibitor, TAK‐242.ResultsFindings indicate that IVD motion segments from female donors had greater nitric oxide (NO) release in LPS groups compared to male donors. HMGB1 release was increased in punctured discs, but not LPS injured discs, with no sex effect. Although both male and female discs exhibited reductions in dynamic moduli in response to LPS and puncture injuries, dynamic moduli from female donors were higher than male donors across all groups. In uninjured (baseline) samples, a significant sex effect was observed in nucleus pulposus (NP) DNA and water content. Female annulus fibrosus (AF) also had higher DNA, GAG, and COL content (normalized by dry weight), but lower water content than male AF. Additional injury‐ and sex‐dependent effects were observed in AF GAG/DNA and COL/DNA content. Finally, TAK‐242 improved the dynamic modulus of female but not male punctured discs.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that there are differences in rat IVD motion segments based on sex, and that the response to injury in inflammatory, biomechanical, biochemical, and histological outcomes also exhibit sex differences. TLR4 inhibition protected against loss of mechanical integrity of puncture‐injured IVD motion segments, with differences responses based on donor sex.
The improvement of routine drug quality control analysis of some antihypertensive drugs using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography densitometry method with greenness profile evaluation
Authors: Abdelhamid Nessreen S. , Abdelaleem Eglal A. , Lashien Adel , Amin Mahmoud M. , Tohamy Salwa I. 
Published: December 2023

The common antihypertensive drugs are B‐blockers and diuretics. For the determination of beta‐blocker medicines (bisoprolol fumarate and carvedilol) and diuretic drug (Furosemide), new and accurate chromatographic method has been developed. The separation was achieved using a developing system that includes chloroform:methanol:ethyl acetate:ammonia (6:2:2:0.2 by volume) as a mobile phase and the bands were detected at 240 nm. The concentration ranges were 5–25, 1–7, and 1–3.5 μg/band for bisoprolol fumarate, carvedilol, and furosemide, respectively. This chromatographic approach is the first methodology for simultaneously determining bisoprolol fumarate, carvedilol, and furosemide in their pure forms and in their pharmaceutical dosage forms. The advantages of using known analytical procedures are their simplicity, speed, cost effectiveness, lack of laboriousness, and ability to save time as the three tablets are determined in one step and can be used for routine analysis of the investigated combinations in quality control laboratories. According to International Conference of Harmonization guidelines, the established procedures have been validated, and the results were statistically compared to those obtained by the reported reversed‐phase–high‐performance liquid chromatography methods using Student's t‐test and F‐test, with no significant difference between them, indicating that the proposed methods can be used for routine drug quality control analysis.
Pharmacokinetics and molecular docking of the cardioprotective flavonoids in Dalbergia odorifera
Authors: Wang Canhong , Gong Bao , Wu Yulan , Bai Congwen , Yang Meihua , Zhao Xiangsheng , Wei Jianhe 
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this research was to investigate the cardioprotective effects and pharmacokinetics of Dalbergia odorifera flavonoids. The cardioprotective effects were detected by hematoxylin‐eosin staining histopathological observations and the detection of myocardial enzymes by kits in serum, peroxidation and antioxidant levels and ATPase activities by kits in the homogenate supernatant, and antioxidant and apoptosis‐related protein expression in heart tissue by immunohistochemistry. The pharmacokinetics parameters of the flavonoids in rat plasma were investigated by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Molecular docking of the compounds absorbed by the blood with specific proteins was carried out. D. odorifera flavonoids significantly reduced the levels of creatinine kinase, alanine transaminase, nitric oxide, and Hydrogen peroxide, elevated the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and ATPase, significantly reduced the pathological degree of heart tissue and had obvious anti‐myocardial ischemia efficacy. Nine out of the 17 flavonoids were detected in rat plasma. The peak concentration and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve values of 3′‐O‐methylviolanone and sativanone were significantly higher than those of other ingredients. The peak time of most flavonoids (except for Genistein and Pruneion) was lower than 2 h, while the half‐life of elimination of the nine flavonoids ranged from 3.32 to 21.5 h. The molecular docking results showed that daidzein, dalbergin, formononetin, and genistein had the potential to bind to the target proteins. The results of the study provide an important basis for understanding the cardioprotective effects and clinical application of D. odorifera.
Evaluation of supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of pesticide residues in grain
Authors: Xie Tingting , Huang Jianli , Wu Jiaqi , Zhang Qingling 
Published: December 2023

A supercritical fluid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (SFC‐MS/MS) technique was developed for the rapid and simultaneous detection of nine pesticides (carbendazim, isoprocarb, paclobutrazol, isoprothiolane, flusilazole, quinalphos, piperonylbutoxide, propargite, and bioresmethrin) in rice, wheat, and maize. The cereal samples were extracted with a solution of 0.5% acetic acid in acetonitrile and purified using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method. The samples were characterized using multi‐reaction monitoring and quantified with the external standard method. Excellent linearities (R2 > 0.9991) and limits of quantification (0.4–40.0 μg/kg) were established for all nine pesticides. Satisfactory pesticide recovery rates (62.2%–107.4%) were obtained at three standard concentrations (50, 100, and 200 μg/kg), with relative standard deviations in the range of 2.1%–14.3%. The results confirmed that the proposed method was suitable for the routine detection of these pesticides in grain samples. Compared with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐MS/MS, the overall test run time and the amount of solvent required were reduced by 66% and 90%, respectively, when SFC‐MS/MS was applied. Therefore, the use of SFC‐MS/MS permits a shorter run time and affords greater analytical efficiency, such that it is both economical and environmentally sustainable.
Phytochemical profiling, in vitro biological activities, and in silico (molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) studies of Polygonum cognatum Meissn
Authors: Akpınar Reyhan , Yıldırım Baştemur Gizem , Bıçak Bilge , Sanli Nazmiye Ozlem , Mertoğlu Kamalı Elif , Pekmez Murat , Kecel Gündüz Serda , Perçin Özkorucuklu Sabriye 
Published: December 2023

Polygonum cognatum Meissn, a perennial herbaceous belonging to the Polygonaceae family, is an aromatic plant. High‐performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector method was developed and validated for the phytochemical analysis of the plant. Also, various methods were used to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of the methanolic extracts. Antioxidant activities were researched by 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity methods. Among the tested standard microbial strains, Candida albicans was found to be more sensitive with a 24.60 ± 0.55 mm inhibition zone according to the diffusion tests. In the microdilution tests, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration values were 4.75 and ≥ 4.75 mg/mL, respectively, for all tested pathogens. Human colon carcinoma cells were used to investigate cytotoxicity by using 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide analysis (IC50 = 2891 μg/mL for Plant A, IC50 = 3291 μg/mL for Plant B). Molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis were used to explain inhibition mechanisms of major phenolic compounds of plants against Tankyrase 1, Tankyrase 2 enzymes, and deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase subunit B and found compatible with experimental results.
Synthesis and characterization of pH‐responsive deep eutectic solvent followed by HPLC for trace determination of bisphenol A in water samples
Authors: Cao Lili , Li Yukaidi 
Published: December 2023

A microextraction based on pH‐responsive deep eutectic solvent combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the separation, preconcentration, and determination of bisphenol A in water samples. Five deep eutectic solvents were prepared using thymol (hydrogen bond acceptor) and 6‐, 8‐, 9‐, 10‐, and 12‐carbon carboxylic acids (hydrogen bond donor), and were used as extraction solvent. Herein, by alkalinizing the environment, phase transition takes place, and by adding acid, phase separation and extraction of analytes occur simultaneously. Some important parameters on the extraction such as deep eutectic solvent type, molar ratio of deep eutectic solvent components, deep eutectic solvent volume, potassium hydroxide concentration, hydrochloric acid volume, extraction time, and salt addition were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, intra‐ and interday precisions of the method based on seven replicate measurements of 10 μg L–1 of bisphenol A in water samples were 2.2% and 4.3%, respectively. The analytical performance of the method showed linearity over the concentration of 0.05–50 μg L−1 with the detection limit of 0.02 μg L−1. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by spiking different concentrations of bisphenol A in real water samples and obtaining relative recoveries in the range of 92.5%−105.2%.
Current Pediatric Tertiary Care Practices Following Adenotonsillectomy: An Update
Authors: Moroco Annie E. , Friedman Norman , Jabbour Christopher , Roy Soham , Schmidt Richard , Nardone Heather C. 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveAdenotonsillectomy is a common procedure performed in children, and the practice patterns at academic centers have been evolving with the publication of updated societal guidelines. In this study, we assess perioperative practice patterns at tertiary care children's hospitals for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.MethodsA cross‐sectional 18‐question survey distributed in July of 2022 recruited responses through August 25, 2022. The division chiefs of 70 pediatric otolaryngology groups at tertiary care children's hospitals across the United States and Canada were surveyed. Division chiefs submitted survey responses on behalf of the group practice patterns for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. The main measure was survey responses from the division chiefs of pediatric otolaryngology reporting group practice.ResultsThe survey response rate was 46%. Eighty‐eight percent of groups reported an official adenotonsillectomy admission policy. Commonly reported admission criteria included age (93%) and obesity (59%). Eighty‐eight percent of groups defined severe obstructive sleep apnea as apnea‐hypopnea index ≥10. Only 41% of groups required a child to be observed sleeping on room air prior to ambulatory discharge. Ninety‐seven percent of groups reported routinely obtaining preoperative polysomnography in a variety of clinical settings.ConclusionsMany children's hospitals report an official admission policy following adenotonsillectomy. Despite a decade passing since the initial publication of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery clinical practice guidelines, there remains great variability in the practice patterns for both preoperative polysomnography and postoperative monitoring and admission. These results highlight an opportunity for an improved unified approach to perioperative pediatric adenotonsillectomy practice.Level of Evidence5 Laryngoscope, 134:2931–2936, 2024