bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of undergraduate dental theses defended in Peruvian licensed universities and factors associated with their publication
Authors: Cossio-Alva Bryan Alexis , Corrales-Reyes Ibraín Enrique , Pares-Ballasco Giancarlo , Luna-Mazzola Ivo , Sánchez-Ormeño José , Laura-Lopez Nievesrosa , Villegas-Maestre José Daniel , Mejia Christian R. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionIn Peru, the defense of a university thesis allow to obtain a professional degree and demonstrate the research skills of the aspirant.ObjectivesTo characterize the undergraduate dental theses defended in Peruvian universities and those published in scientific journals, as well as to identify the factors associated with their publication.MethodsA cross-sectional, analytical and observational study was conducted using a search strategy in Google Scholar. We ascertained whether the theses defended between 2015-2018 had been published in scientific journals. Prevalence ratios (aPR), 95% confidence intervals (CI 95%) and p-values were obtained using generalized linear models.ResultsMost of the theses were defended in private universities (65.9%), located in the provinces (76.7%), in 2017 (32.1%). The most studied line of research was Dental Education (n = 418; 18.4%). Of the total number of defended theses (n = 2,267), only 130 (5.7%) were published, in a total of 41 scientific journals, of which 22 are specialized in the dental field. The 130 articles received 443 citations, with an average of 3.4 citations per document. The Universidad Católica Santa María was the institution that defended the most theses (n = 372); however, the Universidad Científica del Sur presented the highest percentage of published theses (36.4%). Theses with case-control (aPR: 2.74; CI 95%: 1.07-7.01; p = 0.036) and cohort (aPR: 3.51; CI 95%: 2.02-6.11; p  &lt; 0.001) methodological design had a higher frequency of publication; on the contrary, those executed in the community were less frequently published (aPR: 0.39; CI 95%: 0.17-0.93; p = 0.033), as well as, those with two researchers (aPR: 0.41; CI 95%: 0.18-0.92; p = 0.031), adjusted for two variables.ConclusionOnly one in twenty theses was published. Publication was associated with the type of methodological design, the place of execution and the number of researchers.
An updated meta-analysis of the relationship between vitamin D levels and precocious puberty
Authors: Cheng Hong , Chen Dan , Gao Hui 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundSome studies have investigated the association between vitamin D levels and precocious puberty (PP) but with limited sample sizes and inconsistent conclusions across studies.MethodsUntil July 2022, a comprehensive electronic search of works of literature was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure). A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 case-control studies with 2145 cases and 2063 controls was conducted to explore the relationship between vitamin D and PP. Stratified analyses by year of publication, country, diagnosis category of PP, child’s sex, and methods of 25(OH)D test were conducted.ResultsThere was a negative correlation between 25(OH)D concentrations and PP in all study populations (SMD = -1.046, 95%CI = -1.366, -0.726). The pooled SMD remained significant in Chinese studies (SMD = -1.113, 95%CI = -0.486, -0.741), studies published before or after 2018 (SMD = -0.9832 and -1.185, 95%CI = -2.044, -1.133 and -1.755, -0.726), studies with female children (SMD = -1.114, 95%CI = -1.446, -0.781), and studies using electrochemiluminescence to detect 25(OH)D (SMD = -0.999, 95%CI = -1.467, -0.531). Vitamin D deficiency also increased the risk of PP (OR = 1.531, 95%CI = 1.098, 2.134). Unfortunately, heterogeneity was high in all analyses, and there was some publication bias.ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated an association between vitamin D and precocious puberty. We recommend more high-quality studies, especially prospective cohort studies with big sample sizes or some randomized controlled intervention trials, to validate the reliability of the results.
Climate and dispersal limitation drive tree species range shifts in post-glacial Europe: results from dynamic simulations
Authors: Zani Deborah , Lischke Heike , Lehsten Veiko 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe ability of species to colonize newly suitable habitats under rapid climate change can be constrained by migration processes, resulting in a shift of the leading edge lagging behind the ameliorating climate, i.e. migration lag. The importance and extent of such migration lags during the forest expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) are still debated. Similarly, the relative importance of the main drivers of post-glacial vegetation dynamics (temperature, dispersal limitation, and competition) is still discussed in the literature.MethodsWe used the dynamic global vegetation model LPJ-GM 2.0 to reconstruct the range shifts of 16 competing major European tree species after the LGM (18.5 ka BP) until recent times (0 ka BP). We simulated two dispersal modes by allowing free establishment whenever the climatic conditions suited the species (free dispersal), or by accounting for migration processes in the simulated vegetation dynamics (dispersal limitation). We then calculated thermal and range shift velocities, competition at establishment, thermal and dispersal lags for each species and dispersal mode. Finally, we compared our simulated range shift velocities with pollen-derived migration rates.ResultsThe simulation assuming limited dispersal resulted in more accurate migration rates as compared to pollen-derived migration rates and spreading patterns. We found no marked migration lags in the post-glacial establishment of pioneer species (Pinus sylvestris and Betula pubescens). Under the free dispersal mode, the remaining temperate species expanded rapidly and almost synchronously across central Europe upon climate warming (Bølling-Allerød interstadial). Differently, the northward spread of temperate species simulated under dispersal limitation happened mainly during the Holocene and in successive waves, with late spreaders (e.g. Fraxinus excelsior) experiencing multi-millennial dispersal lags and higher competition.DiscussionOur simulation under dispersal constraints suggests that the post-glacial tree expansion in Europe was mainly driven by species-specific thermal requirements and dispersal capacity, which in turn affected the order of taxa establishment and thus the degree of competition. Namely, taxa with less cold-tolerance and relatively low dispersal ability experienced the highest migration lags, whereas the establishment of pioneer species was mostly in equilibrium with the climate.
Liquid biopsy in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of state-of-the-art and future perspectives
Authors: Franzi Sara , Seresini Gabriele , Borella Paolo , Raviele Paola Rafaniello , Bonitta Gianluca , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Bareggi Claudia , Tosi Davide , Nosotti Mario , Tabano Silvia 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: To date, tissue biopsy represents the gold standard for characterizing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however, the complex architecture of the disease has introduced the need for new investigative approaches, such as liquid biopsy. Indeed, DNA analyzed in liquid biopsy is much more representative of tumour heterogeneity.Materials and methods: We performed a meta-analysis of 17 selected papers, to attest to the diagnostic performance of liquid biopsy in identifying EGFR mutations in NSCLC.Results: In the overall studies, we found a sensitivity of 0.59, specificity of 0.96 and diagnostic odds ratio of 24,69. Since we noticed a high heterogeneity among different papers, we also performed the meta-analysis in separate subsets of papers, divided by 1) stage of disease, 2) experimental design and 3) method of mutation detection. Liquid biopsy has the highest sensitivity/specificity in high-stage tumours, and prospective studies are more reliable than retrospective ones in terms of sensitivity and specificity, both NGS and PCR-based techniques can be used to detect tumour DNA in liquid biopsy.Discussion: Overall, liquid biopsy has the potential to help the management of NSCLC, but at present the non-homogeneous literature data, lack of optimal detection methods, together with relatively high costs make its applicability in routine diagnostics still challenging.
Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase 2 results in a macrophage polarization shift to M2 which attenuates local and systemic inflammation and reduces heterotopic ossification after polysystem extremity trauma
Authors: Rowe Cassie J. , Nwaolu Uloma , Salinas Daniela , Hong Jonathan , Nunez Johanna , Lansford Jefferson L. , McCarthy Conor F. , Potter Benjamin K. , Levi Benjamin H. , Davis Thomas A. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionHeterotopic ossification (HO) is a complex pathology often observed in combat injured casualties who have sustained severe, high energy polytraumatic extremity injuries. Once HO has developed, prophylactic therapies are limited outside of surgical excision. Tourniquet-induced ischemia injury (IR) exacerbates trauma-mediated musculoskeletal tissue injury, inflammation, osteogenic progenitor cell development and HO formation. Others have shown that focal adhesion kinase-2 (FAK2) plays a key role in regulating early inflammatory signaling events. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting FAK2 prophylactically would mitigate extremity trauma induced IR inflammation and HO formation.MethodsWe tested whether the continuous infusion of a FAK2 inhibitor (Defactinib, PF-573228; 6.94 µg/kg/min for 14 days) can mitigate ectopic bone formation (HO) using an established blast-related extremity injury model involving femoral fracture, quadriceps crush injury, three hours of tourniquet-induced limb ischemia, and hindlimb amputation through the fracture site. Tissue inflammation, infiltrating cells, osteogenic progenitor cell content were assessed at POD-7. Micro-computed tomography imaging was used to quantify mature HO at POD-56.ResultsIn comparison to vehicle control-treated rats, FAK2 administration resulted in no marked wound healing complications or weight loss. FAK2 treatment decreased HO by 43%. At POD-7, marked reductions in tissue proinflammatory gene expression and assayable osteogenic progenitor cells were measured, albeit no significant changes in expression patterns of angiogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic genes. At the same timepoint, injured tissue from FAK-treated rats had fewer infiltrating cells. Additionally, gene expression analyses of tissue infiltrating cells resulted in a more measurable shift from an M1 inflammatory to an M2 anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype in the FAK2 inhibitor-treated group.DiscussionOur findings suggest that FAK2 inhibition may be a novel strategy to dampen trauma-induced inflammation and attenuate HO in patients at high risk as a consequence of severe musculoskeletal polytrauma.
Indirect regulation of topsoil nutrient cycling by groundwater depth: impacts on sand-fixing vegetation and rhizosphere bacterial communities
Authors: Hao Lianyi , Liu Xiuhua , Ji Ruiqing , Ma Yandong , Wu Puxia , Cao Qingxi , Xin Yunling 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe impact of groundwater table depth (GTD) on bacterial communities and soil nutrition in revegetated areas remains unclear.MethodsWe investigated the impacts of plant growth and soil physicochemical factors on rhizosphere bacterial communities under different GTD.ResultsThe four plant growth indices (Pielou, Margalef, Simpson, and Shannon-Wiener indices) and soil water content (SWC) at the Artem and Salix sites all showed a decreasing trend with increasing GTD. Salix had a higher nutrient content than Artem. The response of plant rhizosphere bacterial communities to GTD changes were as follows. Rhizosphere bacteria at the Artem and Salix sites exhibited higher relative abundance and alpha diversity in SW (GTD &lt; 5 m) compared than in DW (GTD &gt; 5 m). Functional microbial predictions indicated that the rhizosphere bacterial communities ofArtemandSalixpromoted carbon metabolism in the SW. In contrast, Artem facilitated nitrogen cycling, whereas Salix enhanced both nitrogen cycling and phototrophic metabolism in the DW.DiscussionMantel test analysis revealed that in the SW of Artem sites, SWC primarily governed the diversity of rhizosphere and functional bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle by affecting plant growth. In DW, functional bacteria increase soil organic carbon (SOC) to meet nutrient demands. However, higher carbon and nitrogen availability in the rhizosphere soil was observed in the SW of the Salix sites, whereas in DW, carbon nutrient availability correlated with keystone bacteria, and changes in nitrogen content could be attributed to nitrogen mineralization. This indicates that fluctuations in the groundwater table play a role in regulating microbes and the distribution of soil carbon and nitrogen nutrients in arid environments.
The role of ventral tegmental area in chronic stroke rehabilitation: an exploratory study
Authors: Astrakas Loukas G. , Elbach Sabrina , Giannopulu Irini , Li Shasha , Benjafield Howard , Tzika A. Aria 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe acknowledged role of external rewards in chronic stroke rehabilitation, offering positive reinforcement and motivation, has significantly contributed to patient engagement and perseverance. However, the exploration of self-reward’s importance in this context remains limited. This study aims to investigate the functional connectivity of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a key node in the brain’s reward circuitry, during motor task-based rehabilitation and its correlation with the recovery process.MethodsTwelve right-handed healthy volunteers (4 men, 8 women, aged 57.4 ± 11.3 years) and twelve chronic stroke patients (5 men, 7 women, aged 48.1 ± 11.1 years) with clinically significant right-sided motor impairment (mean FM-UE score of 27.6 ± 8.7) participated. The analysis employed the CONN toolbox to assess the association between motor tasks and VTA connectivity using psychophysiological interaction (PPI).ResultsPPI analysis revealed motor-dependent changes in VTA connectivity, particularly with regions within the motor circuitry, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. Notably, stronger connectivity between the ipsilesional VTA and cerebellum was observed in healthy controls compared to chronic stroke patients, highlighting the importance of VTA-cerebellum interactions in motor function. Stroke patients’ motor performance was associated with VTA modulation in areas related to both motor tasks and reward processing, emphasizing the role of self-reward processes in rehabilitation. Changes in VTA influence on motor circuitry were linked to improvements in motor performance resulting from rehabilitation.DiscussionOur findings underscore the potential of neuroimaging techniques in quantifying and predicting rehabilitation outcomes by examining self-reward processes. The observed associations between VTA connectivity and motor performance in both healthy and stroke-affected individuals emphasize the role of psychological factors, particularly self-reward, in the rehabilitation process. This study contributes valuable insights into the intricate interplay between reward circuits and motor function, highlighting the importance of addressing psychological dimensions in neurorehabilitation strategies.
Intravenous cangrelor use for neuroendovascular procedures: a two-center experience and updated systematic review
Authors: Desai Harsh , Al-Salihi Mohammed Maan , Morsi Rami Z. , Vayani Omar R. , Kothari Sachin A. , Thind Sonam , Carrión-Penagos Julián , Baskaran Archit , Tarabichi Ammar , Bonderski Veronica A. , Siegler James E. , Hahn Mary , Coleman Elisheva R. , Brorson James R. , Mendelson Scott J. , Mansour Ali , Dabus Guilherme , Hurley Michael , Prabhakaran Shyam , Linfante Italo , Kass-Hout Tareq 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundThe optimal antiplatelet therapy regimen for certain neuroendovascular procedures remains unclear. This study investigates the safety and feasibility of intravenous dose-adjusted cangrelor in patients undergoing acute neuroendovascular interventions.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients on intravenous cangrelor for neuroendovascular procedures between September 1, 2020, and March 13, 2022. We also conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library up to February 22, 2023.ResultsIn our cohort, a total of 76 patients were included [mean age (years): 57.2 ± 18.2, males: 39 (51.3), Black: 49 (64.5)]. Cangrelor was most used for embolization and intracranial stent placement (n = 24, 32%). Approximately 44% of our patients had a favorable outcome with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 2 at 90 days (n = 25/57); within 1 year, 8% of patients had recurrent or new strokes (n = 5/59), 6% had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [sICH] (4/64), 3% had major extracranial bleeding events (2/64), and 3% had a gastrointestinal bleed (2/64). In our meta-analysis, 11 studies with 298 patients were included. The pooled proportion of sICH and intraprocedural thromboembolic complication events were 0.07 [95% CI 0.04 to 1.13] and 0.08 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.15], respectively.ConclusionOur study found that intravenous cangrelor appears to be safe and effective in neuroendovascular procedures, with low rates of bleeding and ischemic events. However, further research is needed to compare different dosing and titration protocols of cangrelor and other intravenous agents.
Battlefield acupuncture for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors: a novel care delivery model for oncology acupuncture
Authors: Zhang Yi Lily , Mao Jun J. , Li Q. Susan , Weitzman Matthew , Liou Kevin T. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionBattlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a standardized auricular acupuncture protocol, is widely used for pain in the military but is not well-studied in oncology. This study examined cancer survivors who received BFA for pain.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that compared the effectiveness of BFA and electroacupuncture vs. usual care for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors. This study focused on participants randomized to BFA. Participants received 10 weekly treatments. Needles were placed until one of these stop conditions were satisfied: ten needles were administered; pain severity decreased to ≤1 out of 10; patient declined further needling, or vasovagal reaction was observed. Pain severity was assessed using Brief Pain Inventory. Responders were those with ≥30% pain severity reduction. We examined pain location, BFA stop reason, and pain reduction of participants during the first session. We also examined which factors predicted responder status after the first session (week 1) or the full treatment (week 12).ResultsAmong 143 randomized to BFA, most common pain locations were lower back (30.8%) and knee/leg (18.2%). Of 138 who initiated treatment, 41 (30.0%) received ten needles; 81 (59.1%) achieved pain ≤1; 14 (10.2%) declined further needling; and 1 (0.7%) had vasovagal reaction. BFA reduced pain severity by 2.9 points (95% CI 2.6 to 3.2) after the first session (P &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for baseline pain severity, responders at week 1 were 2.5 times more likely to be responders at week 12, compared to those who were non-responders at week 1 (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.02 to 6.11, P = 0.04). Among those who achieved pain ≤1, 74% were responders at week 12, a higher proportion compared to the proportion of responders among those who received ten needles (39.5%), those who declined further needling (50%), and those with vasovagal reaction (0.0%) (P = 0.001). Those with pain in proximal joints had a higher proportion of responders at week 12, compared to those with pain in distal joints (64.2% vs. 20%, P = 0.008).ConclusionSpecific factors may predict the likelihood of achieving meaningful pain reduction from BFA. Understanding these predictors could inform precision pain management and acupuncture delivery models.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children characterized by enhanced antigen-specific T-cell expression of cytokines and its reversal following recovery
Authors: Pavan Kumar Nathella , Abbas Kadar M. , Renji Rachel M. , Venkataraman Aishwarya , Nancy Arul , Varadarjan Poovazhagi , Selladurai Elilarasi , Sangaralingam Thankgavelu , Selvam Ramya , Thimmaiah Akshith , Natarajan Suresh , Ramasamy Ganesh , Hissar Syed , Ranganathan Uma Devi , Nutman Thomas B. , Babu Subash 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children is considered to be a post-infectious complication of COVID-19. T-cell responses in children with this condition have not been well-studied.MethodsWe aimed to study the immune responses in children with MIS in comparison to children with acute COVID-19 and children with other infections. Whole blood was stimulated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)–specific antigens and flow cytometry was performed to examine CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses.ResultsChildren with MIS had higher frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing cytokines at baseline and upon SARS-CoV-2 antigen–specific stimulation in comparison to children with COVID-19 and/or other infections. Children with COVID-19 also exhibited higher frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing cytokines at baseline and upon SARS-CoV-2 antigen–specific stimulation in comparison to children with other infections. At 6–9 months following treatment and recovery, this enhanced response against SARS-CoV-2 antigens was down modulated in children with MIS.ConclusionOur study, therefore, provides evidence of enhanced activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in children with MIS and reversal following recovery.