bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of deviations from soybean product crushing estimates on return and risk
Authors: Abdoh Hussein , Chitavi Michael 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study explores how differences in market yields of soymeal and soyoil, as derived from market prices compared to those obtained through the physical process of crushing soybeans, impact the returns and volatilities of these commodities. Positive (negative) deviations are associated with negative (positive) changes in return. Additionally, these deviations positively correlate with return volatility, suggesting that variations from the expected yields lead to price shifts and heightened return volatility. In summary, deviations from the crushing estimates significantly shape the modeling of soybean commodity returns and volatilities, with implications for understanding returns, hedging ratios, and portfolio return variance.
The mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor α in regulating Krüpple‐like factor 4 expression in SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cells
Authors: Liu Caiyun , Feng Chengbao , Li Haifei , Zhang Erying , Liu Bo , Wang Ying , Wang Peng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the expression and functional role of Krüpple‐like factor 4 (KLF4) protein stimulated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) in SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cells.MethodsSK‐BR‐3 cells were stimulated with various concentrations of TNF‐α at 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 ng/mL. Expression levels of KLF4 protein were detected by Western blotting. In the detection of apoptosis, flow cytometry, and DAPI staining were used for detecting the level of apoptosis.ResultsKLF4 expression was markedly elevated following stimulation of SK‐BR‐3 with TNF‐α. At the same time, the expression of KLF4 protein increased gradually with the increase of TNF‐α stimulation concentration. TNF‐α stimulation of SK‐BR‐3 cells increased apoptosis as measured by apoptosis levels. By overexpressing KLF4 protein in SK‐BR‐3 cells, it similarly increased apoptosis and promoted cell death of SK‐BR‐3 cells.ConclusionTNF‐α promotes KLF4 expression, while TNF‐α promotes apoptosis in SK‐BR‐3 cells, a process that may be due to elevated KLF4 protein expression.
Cost‐effectiveness of testosterone treatment utilising individual patient data from randomised controlled trials in men with low testosterone levels
Authors: Hernández Rodolfo , de Silva Nipun Lakshitha , Hudson Jemma , Cruickshank Moira , Quinton Richard , Manson Paul , Dhillo Waljit S. , Bhattacharya Siladitya , Brazzelli Miriam , Jayasena Channa N. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundTestosterone is safe and highly effective in men with organic hypogonadism, but worldwide testosterone prescribing has recently shifted towards middle‐aged and older men, mostly with low testosterone related to age, diabetes and obesity, for whom there is less established evidence of clinical safety and benefit. The value of testosterone treatment in middle‐aged and older men with low testosterone is yet to be determined. We therefore evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of testosterone treatment in such men with low testosterone compared with no treatment.MethodsA cost‐utility analysis comparing testosterone with no treatment was conducted following best practices in decision modelling. A cohort Markov model incorporating relevant care pathways for individuals with hypogonadism was developed for a 10‐year‐time horizon. Clinical outcomes were obtained from an individual patient meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled, double‐blind randomised studies. Three starting age categories were defined: 40, 60 and 75 years. Cost utility (quality‐adjusted life years) accrued and costs of testosterone treatment, monitoring and cardiovascular complications were compared to estimate incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios and cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves for selected scenarios.ResultsTen‐year excess treatment costs for testosterone compared with non‐treatment ranged between £2306 and £3269 per patient. Quality‐adjusted life years results depended on the instruments used to measure health utilities. Using Beck depression index‐derived quality‐adjusted life years data, testosterone was cost‐effective (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio <£20,000) for men aged <75 years, regardless of morbidity and mortality sensitivity analyses. Testosterone was not cost‐effective in men aged >75 years in models assuming increased morbidity and/or mortality.Conclusions and future researchOur data suggest that testosterone is cost‐effective in men <75 years when Beck depression index‐derived quality‐adjusted life years data are considered; cost‐effectiveness in men >75 years is dependent on cardiovascular safety. However, more robust and longer‐term cost‐utility data are needed to verify our conclusion.
Identifying changes in the distribution of income from higher‐order moments with an application to Australia
Authors: Martin Vance L. , Shi Jialu , Song Yang , Yao Wenying 
Published: January 2024

SummaryChanges in the distribution of income over time are identified based on an adjusted two‐sample version of the Neyman smooth test by using subsampling methods to approximate the sampling distribution of the test statistic when samples are not independent of each other. A range of Monte Carlo experiments show that the approach corrects for size distortions arising from dependent samples as well as generating monotonic power functions. Applying the approach to studying the distribution of income in Australia over the business cycle and the Global Financial Crisis, the empirical results highlight the importance of higher‐order moments and demonstrate that business cycles are not all alike as the relative strengths of higher‐order moments vary over phases of the cycle.
The impact of acute kidney injury stages on the outcomes of veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Kallur Akhil S. , Armijo‐Alba Julian , Russell Jacqueline L. , Sallam Tariq , Bien‐Aime Fred , Sanghavi Kavya K. , Garg Mohil , Khan Naveera , Bakri Mouaz Haj , Zaghlol Louay , Khan Imran , El‐Akawi Shadi , Llama Adrian , Sawalha Yazan , Trivedi Suraj , Alassar Aiman , Zaaqoq Akram M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough acute kidney injury (AKI) has been established as an independent risk factor for in‐hospital mortality for patients on veno‐arterial (V‐A) extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO), the impact of Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stages of AKI has yet to be elucidated as a risk factor.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of patient outcomes based on KDIGO stages of AKI at a single institution. The analysis was a cohort of 179 patients; 66 without AKI, 19 with stage 1 AKI, 18 with stage 2 AKI, and 76 with stage 3 AKI.ResultsEvery 1‐year increase in age was associated with 4% increased odds of mortality at 30 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01, 1.07; p = 0.004). The presence of AKI at any stage was associated with 59% increased odds of 30‐day mortality (95% CI 0.81, 3.10; p = 0.176). The presence of stage 1 AKI was associated with a 5% decreased odds of 30‐day mortality (95% CI 0.32, 2.89). The presence of stage 2 AKI (odds ratio [OR] 2.29, 95% CI 0.69, 7.55; p = 0.173) and stage 3 AKI (OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.81, 3.46; p = 0.164) was associated with increased odds of 30‐day mortality.ConclusionBased on our single‐center study, higher KDIGO stages of AKI likely have increased odds of mortality at 30 days. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Multi‐omic study of a cellular model of the retinal pigment epithelium producing extracellular deposits
Authors: Alvarez‐Barrios Ana , Álvarez Jorge García , García Rosario Pereiro , Gonzalez‐Iglesias Hector , Álvarez Lydia 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To study transcriptomic and metabolomic changes during a 6‐month follow‐up of an in vitro model of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) producing extracellular deposits.Methods: Primary cultures of human fetal RPE cells were established in P12 transwell inserts for 6 months and harvested at 4, 12, 17 and 25 weeks. Progressive accumulation of extracellular material was determined by apolipoprotein E (APOE) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) localization. Transcriptome was analysed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and differential expression analysis was conducted using the platform Dr. Tom. Untargeted metabolomics was carried out by high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐IM‐QTOF) and bioinformatic analysis was performed using Mass Professional Profiler software.Results: RPE cells formed a fully differentiated monolayer at 4 weeks in culture, but tight junctions and electrical resistance decreased from 12 weeks onwards, coinciding with the formation of extracellular deposits containing APOE and HAP. RNAseq showed alterations of cell migration, adhesion and differentiation, and oxidation–reduction, lipid metabolic and apoptotic processes during RPE ageing (4 vs 25 weeks, Q‐value < 0.001). Untargeted metabolomics provided 350 non‐redundant compounds, and principal component analysis showed a clear separation between time points and good reliability within each group (55% of cumulative variance). Moderated t‐test (Benjamin‐Hochberg correction) provided 103 compounds differentially altered during RPE follow‐up (p‐value < 0.001, fold‐change > 2), belonging to trans‐sulfuration, one carbon metabolism, glutathione metabolism, Kennedy pathway for sphingolipids and cysteine and methionine catabolism.Conclusions: Time‐dependent changes were observed in the cell culture model, including progressive sub‐RPE accumulation of APOE and HAP, and alterations in cell adhesion and migration, lipid metabolism and sphingolipids pathway contributing to photoreceptor protection and calcium mobilization.
TNF‐a/IL‐1B cytokine licensing enhances immunomodulatory potential of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Canning Aoife , Donohoe Ellen , Wang Jiemin , Moosavizadeh Seyedmohammad , Treacy Oliver , Ryan Aideen , Ritter Thomas 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown great potential for therapeutic treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, their immunomodulatory potential can be further enhanced by cytokine licensing. The aim of this work was to assess changes in MSC surface characterization profile and immunomodulatory function following licensing with TNF‐α/IL‐1β pro‐inflammatory cytokines.Methods: MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of FVB mice (H2kq) and licensed with a combination of 50 ng/mL TNF‐α and 50 ng/mL IL‐1β or cultured in growth medium alone. MSCs were harvested following 72‐h cytokine stimulation and added to immune cell potency assays. Characterization of MSC surface marker expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The immunology potential of FVB MSCs as an allogeneic cell therapy was assessed in vitro through co‐culture with Balb/c (H2kd) αCD3/CD28 activated T lymphocytes or Balb/c IFN‐γ/LPS‐stimulated macrophages.Results: TNF‐α/IL‐1β licensing was found to induce surface marker phenotype alterations compared with unlicenced MSCs, with increased expression of CD73, CD44, Sca‐1, CD29 and PD‐L1 observed. TNF‐α/IL‐1β licensed MSCs also secreted significantly higher quantities of nitric oxide compared with their untreated counterparts at two separate timepoints, 24‐h and 42‐h post‐stimulation. TNF‐α/IL‐1β MSCs significantly suppressed both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation at three different rations (1:5, 1:10, 1:50 MSCs: T cells) and significantly increased expansion of CD4+CD25++FoxP3+ regulatory T cells following co‐culture. TNF‐α/IL‐1β MSCs were found to significantly decrease levels of IFN‐γ from proliferating T cells. TNF‐α/IL‐1β MSCs were positive for CD80 expression had significantly reduced MHC I expression and could increase expansion of CD206 on M1‐like macrophages. Both T cell and macrophage co‐cultures with TNF‐α/IL‐1β MSCs showed a significant increase in IL‐6.Conclusions: Our results show the potential to enhance the therapeutic effects of MSC through cytokine licensing. Currently, TNF‐α/IL‐1β MSCs are being tested in ocular surface injury models for therapeutic efficacy.Keywords: Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, Cytokine Licensing, Immunomodulation, TNF‐α/IL‐1β.
Analysis of fixation patterns among glaucoma patients using a superfast eye tracking system
Authors: Gorczyca Aleksandra , Tamborski Szymon , Meina Michał , Zabel Przemysław , Gębska‐Tołoczko Martyna , Zabel Katarzyna , Suwała Karolina , Szkulmowski Maciej , Kaluzny Jakub 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The effect of glaucoma on eye movements is not well understood, so it is extremely important to be able to quantitatively characterize eye movement data which could accelerate glaucoma diagnosis. The aim of the study was to determine differences in eye movements among glaucoma patients and healthy subjects, using a superfast eye tracking system, FreezEye Tracker (FET).Methods: To study eye movements during a 30‐second fixation task, we used a prototype device FET, which was designed and assembled in our laboratory (Bartuzel et al., 2020). The unique capability of this device is to provide precise information (with an accuracy of about 1 μm on the retina) on eye movements during the fixation task (and other visual tasks) collected at high frequency (more than 1240 eye position measurements per second). We conducted a study on 13 glaucoma patients and 13 healthy subjects of similar age (69 ± 67). The participants' task was to look at the fixation point displayed in the centre of the screen for the period of 30 s.Results: During the fixation task, we reconstructed the trajectory of the eye movements (in the horizontal and vertical axis) and calculated area of the fixation points, called bivariate contour area (BVRCA) as a measure of fixation stability. Results show that in glaucoma patients the horizontal axis trajectory length (H) and BVRCA were smaller compared to healthy subjects. In glaucoma patients the avg. horizontal axis trajectory length was 60.91° [deg] and BVRCA parameter was 0.19°2. In a healthy group, the average horizontal axis trajectory length was 71.80° and BVRCA parameter was 0.36°2.Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the glaucoma patients had greater fixation stability during the task, and their microsaccades showed smaller deviation from the centre of fixation, compared to healthy subjects. The results of the study show that the device has the potential to differentiate basic eye movement parameters in glaucoma patients and healthy subjects.Reference
Bartuzel MM, Wróbel K, Tamborski S et al. High‐resolution, ultrafast, wide‐field retinal eye‐tracking for enhanced quantification of fixational and saccadic motion. Biomedical Optics Express, 2020, 11(6), 3164–3180.
Development and validation of a new colour vision screener: A multi‐centre study
Authors: Evans Benjamin , Rodríguez‐Carmona Marisa , Llapashtica Emsal , Barbur John 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The detection of acquired and congenital colour vision deficiency is of importance in the clinic for the early detection of ocular disease and determination of occupational suitability. Conventional methods of colour vision screening often fail to pass all normals and/or correctly identify those with acquired and congenital colour vision deficiency. The Colour Vision Screener (CVS) test [1] was developed to utilize an improved understanding of colour vision mechanisms to overcome the limitations present in conventional colour screening methods. This study aimed to use a robust multi‐centre methodology to fully validate the CVS test.Methods: Over 400 participants, including 124 normal trichromats, 166 deutans and 62 protans, were recruited from 10 international Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) testing centres. Each participant completed the CVS and the CAD test with calibrated visual displays. The red/green (RG) and yellow/blue (YB) CVS test sensitivity and specificity were established. The RG statistics were compared to the ‘gold standard’ reference for screening for RG congenital colour vision deficiency—the Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plate test.Results: The CVS test correctly identified ~99.1% of normal trichromats. All subjects with congenital RG loss and acquired loss on top of congenital RG deficiency were identified as having abnormal colour vision by the CVS. The Ishihara test, based upon 0 errors on the first 25 plates of the 38‐plate edition, correctly identifies ~80.6% of normal trichromats and 99.5% of subjects with congenital RG loss.Conclusions: Data collected across 10 international CAD centres demonstrate that the CVS can achieve a high sensitivity without sacrificing specificity. This multi‐centre study demonstrates that the CVS is quick, efficient, and easy to use and allows for the rapid and reliable screening of congenital and acquired colour vision deficiencies in large populations.Reference1. Barbur JL, Rodriguez‐Carmona M, Evans BEW. Colour vision assessment‐3. An efficient, two‐step, colour assessment protocol. Colour Research & Application 2021; 46: 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22599
Are red/green colour vision deficient individuals at altered risk of myopia?
Authors: Lingham Gareth , Biba Matilda , Harrington Siofra , Mackey David , Loughman James 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To investigate the association between red/green colour vision deficiency (CVD) and myopia in Irish and Australian participants.Methods: Data from the Ireland Eye Study (IES; age 12–13 years), Raine Study Gen2 cohort (Australia; age 18–22 years) and Kidskin Study (Australia; age 25–30 years) were used. Colour vision was assessed with the Hardy‐Rand‐Ritler (IES) or Ishihara colour vision test (Raine, Kidskin). Right eye spherical equivalent refractive error (SER; myopia defined as SER ≤ −0.50 dioptres [D]) was measured with cycloplegic autorefraction and right eye axial length (AXL) with interferometry. Participants who were female, or with incomplete colour vision or refraction data, tritanomaly, monochromacy, previous surgery or condition‐altering refraction were excluded. Linear and logistic regression were used for analysing binary and continuous outcomes, respectively, with an interaction between study country and CVD.Results: After exclusions (n = 56), there were 2488 participants of whom 1286 (51.7%) were male (IES: n = 503, Raine: n = 676 and Kidskin: n = 107). The prevalence of CVD across the IES, Raine and Kidskin studies, respectively, was 5.8% (16 deutan, 9 protan, 5 unclassified), 5.5% (18 deutan, 3 protan, 16 unclassified) and 6.5% (6 deutan, 1 unclassified). After adjusting for age, any red/green CVD was not associated with myopia risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.86–2.32, p = 0.36), SER or AXL. However, when analysed by CVD type, deutan CVD was associated with higher odds of myopia (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.44, p = 0.01) and a more myopic SER (difference = −0.61D, 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.12, p = 0.02; AXL: difference = 0.09 mm, 95%CI: −0.19 to 0.37, p = 0.51), compared to non‐CVD participants, while other CVD types were not associated with myopia (protan: OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.20–4.41, p = 0.94; unclassified: OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.08–1.56, p = 0.17), SER or AXL.Conclusions: In contrast to previous findings in Chinese school students, participants with a deutan CVD in this study had a higher risk of myopia.
Comparison of short‐term clinical outcomes between sutured scleral fixation and modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation
Authors: Kim TaeHwan , Noh Seungyoon , Kwon Yoon Hyung 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To compare and investigate the short‐term clinical outcomes between 10‐0 polypropylene sutured intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation and modified Yamane sutureless IOL scleral fixation in patients with IOL or crystalline les dislocation and aphakic state.Methods: From August 2012 to May 2022, medical records were retrospectively analysed for 43 patients with sutured scleral fixation and 40 patients with sutureless scleral fixation. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), total astigmatism, IOL astigmatism, refractive error, corneal endothelial cell density, surgical time and complications were compared before surgery, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery.Results: In the two groups, after 3 months of surgery, UCVA and BCVA improved compared to before surgery, but there was no significant difference between two groups. The absolute refractive error and total astigmatism for 1 week after surgery and IOL astigmatism for 1 week and 1 month after surgery were significantly lower in sutureless fixation group. There was no significant difference in post‐operative corneal endothelial cell density changes between two groups, and total surgical time and IOL fixation time were measured significantly lower in sutureless fixation group.Conclusions: Although modified Yamane sutureless IOL scleral fixation did not show significant improvement in visual acuity compared with conventional sutured IOL scleral fixation, sutureless fixation provided better stability of IOL in the early stages after surgery and short in the surgical time. So it can be an effective alternative to conventional sutured scleral fixation in patients with IOL or crystalline lens dislocation and aphakic state.
Thickness of the crystalline lens does not depend on cataract formation
Authors: la Rosa Alberto Lopez‐de , Diez‐Montero Cecilia , Martínez‐Plaza Elena , López‐Miguel Alberto , Maldonado Miguel J. 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To assess the influence of cataract formation on the lens thickness (LT), anterior (ACS) and posterior (PCS) cortex space and nuclear thickness (NT).Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional study including patients seeking for cataract surgery was performed. The standardized Lens Opacification Classification System (LOCS)‐III was used to classify lens opacities. A control group composed of non‐cataractous patients was also created. In addition, cataract patients were also classified according to the cataract location (presence or absence of cortical, nuclear or posterior subcapsular cataract). Optical biometry was performed to measure LT, ACS, NT and PCS. Propensity score was used to match cataract and non‐cataract patients one‐to‐one for sex, age and axial length. Groups were compared using the Student's t‐test or Yuen's test.Results: A sample of 603 volunteers (403 females, 200 males) aged 59.1 ± 18.8 years was recruited. Before matching, the lens cataract and the non‐cataract group was composed of 361 cataractous and 242 non‐cataractous volunteers. Also, all participants were classified into cortical and non‐cortical cataract groups (226 vs. 377), nuclear and non‐nuclear cataract groups (313 vs. 209) and into subcapsular and non‐subcapsular cataract groups (242 vs. 361). Before matching, cataract groups showed significant (p ≤ 0.003) higher LT (4.52 ± 0.39 vs. 3.94 ± 0.46 mm), ACS (0.75 ± 0.20 vs. 0.58 ± 0.23 mm), NT (3.34 ± 0.23 vs. 3.18 ± 0.25 mm) and PCS (0.42 ± 0.19 vs. 0.37 ± 0.19 mm). After matching, the lens, cortical, nuclear and subcapsular cataract samples were composed of 146, 258, 182 and 226 participants, respectively. Then, no significant (p ≥ 0.08) differences were found for LT, ACS, NT and PCS.Conclusions: Thickness of the lens and/or its main components is not changed due to cataract formation. The progressive lens growth associated to aging might be the main confounding factor misleading the outcomes of previous studies that reported differences in LT between cataractous and non‐cataractous patients.