bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in Prothrombin Time and International Normalized Ratio over 24 Hours in Warfarin‐Treated Patients
Authors: Bleske Barry E. , Welage Lynda S. , Warren Eric W. , Brown Morton B. , Shea Michael J. 
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To determine the variation of prothrombin times and international normalized ratio (INR) over 24 hours in humans.Design. Prospective, parallel study.Setting. University‐affiliated general clinical research center.Patients. Six patients receiving long‐term warfarin therapy and six sex‐matched controls.Interventions. Warfarin was administered to the patients at 6:00 P.M.Measurements and Main Results. Prothrombin times and INR were determined every 2 hours over 24 hours. Time of study entry, meals, and sleep cycles were controlled. A significant cosinor rhythm for prothrombin times and INR (p≤0.03) occurred in warfarin‐treated patients, suggesting that diurnal variation occurs. The mean difference between the peak and trough prothrombin times was 1.8 ± 0.9 seconds (range 0.8‐3 sec) with a mean change of 9.3% ± 3.7%. The peak prothrombin time and INR values occurred between 4:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. in five patients, and trough values between 6:00 P.M. and midnight in five. No significant cosinor rhythm was noted for controls (p>0.5).Conclusion. Significant variations in prothrombin time and INR occurred in patients receiving warfarin therapy, with the highest values occurring in the morning and the lowest in the evening. These results may have clinical implications for patients receiving either high‐ or low‐intensity warfarin therapy.
Pharmacokinetics of Fluconazole in Immune‐Compromised Children With Leukemia or Other Hematologic Disease
Authors: Seay Russell E. , Larson Tom A. , Toscano John P. , Bostrom Bruce C. , O'Leary Maura C. , Uden Donald L. 
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To describe the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in immune‐compromised children with leukemia or other hematologic disease.Design. Prospective.Setting. Children's Health Care‐Minneapolis hematology/oncology inpatient ward and outpatient clinic.Patients. Ten immune‐compromised children (mean ± SD age 7.4 ± 4.0 yrs, weight 31.6 ± 25.9 kg) with leukemia or other hematologic disease.Interventions. Serum was sampled before and after a single 6‐mg/kg intravenous dose and after seven oral 3‐mg/kg doses of fluconazole.Measurements and Main Results. Mean (SD) pharmacokinetics were distribution half‐life 1.67 (1.25) hours, elimination half‐life 15.62 (3.21) hours, total body clearance 0.63 (0.19) ml/min/kg, volume of distribution for the central compartment 0.56 (0.10) L/kg, volume of distribution at steady state 0.77 (0.12) L/kg, absorption half‐life 0.41 (0.26) hour, and oral bioavailability 0.92 (0.09). Volume of distribution for the central compartment was highly correlated with body surface area (r2=0.891) and weight (r2=0.949). Volume of distribution at steady state correlated with body surface area (r2=0.986), and total body clearance correlated with body surface area (r2=0.867).Conclusions. Fluconazole elimination was well described using a two‐compartment model. Oral absorption was rapid and nearly complete. Children have a larger volume of distribution for the central compartment and faster elimination rate than adults. Body surface area and weight are important factors in determining pharmacokinetics in these patients.
Renal Function and Methotrexate Clearance in Children With Newly Diagnosed Leukemia
Authors: Murry Daryl J. , Synold Timothy W. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Rodman John H. 
Published: October 2023

Study Objectives. To determine whether glomerular filtration rate (GFR) changes during induction chemotherapy in children with leukemia, and to examine GFR as a determinant of pharmacokinetic variability of methotrexate clearance.Design. Prospective, unblinded observational study in consecutive patients.Setting. A research hospital.Patients. Thirty‐eight children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Interventions. The patients received either high‐dose methotrexate 1 g/m2 intravenously over 24 hours or low‐dose methotrexate 30 mg/m2 orally every 6 hours for six doses; both regimens were followed by an intensive six‐drug chemotherapy regimen given over 6 weeks. Glomerular filtration rate was determined in each subject before and at the conclusion of induction therapy.Measurements and Main Results. The GFR was determined from 99mTc‐DTPA serum clearance in all patients, and methotrexate clearance was estimated from serial serum concentrations in 18 of these children who received high‐dose methotrexate. Median values for GFR at diagnosis (131 ml/min/1.73 m2) and after induction therapy (120 ml/min/1.73 m2) were not significantly different (p=0.26) but were highly variable (range 49–274 ml/min/1.73 m2). Body size, age, and serum creatinine were correlated significantly with GFR at diagnosis. Amphotericin B therapy (6 patients) significantly decreased GFR (p=0.046) without a corresponding increase in serum creatinine. Methotrexate clearance (58–155 ml/min/m2) was significantly (p=0.007) correlated with GFR, but GFR accounted for only 37% of the variability of methotrexate clearance.Conclusions. The GFR was normal but highly variable in these children with leukemia and was significantly altered by amphotericin. Our results explain little of the intersubject variability in methotrexate clearance.
Motile Sperm in Human Testis Biopsy Specimens
Authors: JOW WILLIAM W. , STECKEL JOPH , SCHLEGEL PETER N. , MAGID MARGRET S. , GOLDSTEIN MARC 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: We prospectively studied 62 consecutive infertile men who underwent 100 intraoperative wet prep cytological examinations of testis biopsy material obtained simultaneously with permanently fixed specimens. Wet preps were performed by placing a small sample of fresh testicular tissue on a slide, adding a drop of Ringer's lactate, and compressing the specimen under a glass coverslip. Among these 100 wet preps, complete sperm with tails were identified in 62 specimens, of which 44 contained nonmotile sperm and 18 contained motile sperm.Reproductive tract obstruction was documented in 65 testes (65%) on subsequent reconstructive surgery and/or inferred from histological evaluation, including mean mature spermatid counts on the permanent sections fixed in Bouin's solution. Obstruction was absent in the remaining testes (35%).All 18 testes with motile sperm found on wet prep were obstructed. These testes were also found to have complete spermatogenesis, a category selected to include normal spermatogenesis and slight hypospermatogenesis, determined by examination of the permanently fixed sections. The finding of motile vs. nonmotile sperm on a wet prep has positive predictive values of 100% vs. 81% for the presence of reproductive tract obstruction and 94% vs. 86% for complete spermatogenesis, respectively.The presence of motile sperm in human testis biopsy specimens is a novel finding. When any complete sperm with tail is found in a testis biopsy wet prep, obstruction is likely. When motile sperm are present, obstruction is almost certain, and immediate exploration and reconstructive surgery can be justified. Furthermore, the finding of motile sperm on wet prep suggests that testicular sperm might be used for in vitro fertilization in cases where the entire epididymis and efferent ductules have been ablated or destroyed.
An evaluation of video‐prompting procedures via telehealth to teach first aid skills to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Sureshkumar Brittney M. , Zonneveld Kimberley L. M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUnintentional injuries are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). First aid training involves teaching critical first aid skills, some of which are designed to treat unintentional injuries. To date, no study has (a) evaluated the effects of a video‐prompting procedure to teach first aid skills to children with IDD or (b) attempted to teach these skills to children by using a telehealth delivery format. We used a concurrent multiple‐baseline‐across‐skills design to evaluate the efficacy of a video‐prompting procedure via telehealth to teach five children with IDD to perform first aid on themselves for insect stings, minor cuts, and minor burns under simulated conditions. For all participants, our procedure produced large improvements that maintained for a minimum of 4 weeks. Furthermore, the effects of the training generalized to novel confederates for all participants, and these effects maintained for a minimum of 4 weeks.
Pirh2 modulates amyloid‐β aggregation through the regulation of glucose‐regulated protein 78 and chaperone‐mediated signaling
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Tiwari Shubhangini , Singh Sarika 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAmyloid‐β (Aβ) protein aggregation in the brain is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) however, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating amyloid aggregation are not well understood. Here, we studied the propitious role of E3 ubiquitin ligase Pirh2 in Aβ protein aggregation in view of its regulatory ligase activity in the ubiquitin‐proteasome system employing both cellular and sporadic rodent models of AD. Pirh2 protein abundance was significantly increased during Streptozotocin (STZ) induced AD conditions, and transient silencing of Pirh2 significantly inhibited the Aβ aggregation and modified the dendrite morphology along with the substantial decrease in choline level in the differentiated neurons. MALDI‐TOF/TOF, coimmunoprecipitation, and UbcH7‐linked in vitro ubiquitylation analysis confirmed the high interaction of Pirh2 with chaperone GRP78. Furthermore, Pirh2 silencing inhibits the STZ induced altered level of endoplasmic reticulum stress and intracellular Ca2+ levels in neuronal N2a cells. Pirh2 silencing also inhibited the AD conditions related to the altered protein abundance of HSP90 and its co‐chaperones which may collectively involve in the reduced burden of amyloid aggregates in neuronal cells. Pirh2 silencing further stabilized the nuclear translocation of phospho‐Nrf2 and inhibited the altered level of autophagy factors. Taken together, our data indicated that Pirh2 is critically involved in STZ induced AD pathogenesis through its interaction with ER‐chaperone GRP78, improves the neuronal connectivity, affects the altered level of chaperones, co‐chaperones, & autophagic markers, and collectively inhibits the Aβ aggregation.
Support effect of Mn/Na2WO4‐based catalysts in oxidative coupling of methane
Authors: Torshizi Hasan Oliaei , Nakhaei Pour Ali , Salimi Alireza , Nezhadalibaghan Zahra 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this work, the supported Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3, Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3‐TiO2 and Mn‐Na2WO4/ γ‐Al2O3‐SiO2 catalysts were prepared using the dry impregnation procedure and tested for suitability to the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and the support effect of the prepared catalysts in the OCM reaction was evaluated.RESULTSThe XPS results showed that the tetrahedral WO42− phase is presented in all prepared catalysts and it is expected that the presence of this phase is correlated with high OCM activity. The XPS results show that the amount of O2− in the treated Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3‐TiO2 catalyst at 800 °C is higher than that in the Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3 and Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3‐SiO2 catalysts, but is reduced with increasing temperature. At 850 °C, the amount of O2− in the treated Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst is higher than in the Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3‐TiO2 and Mn‐Na2WO4/γ‐Al2O3‐SiO2catalysts.CONCLUSIONThe results show that the MnSiO3 and MnTiO3 sites may deliver a much easier Mn2+↔Mn3+ cycle than the MnAl2O4 and MnWO4 sites at low temperatures, and may play a principal role in enhancing the catalyst activity in the OCM reaction at 800 °C. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
False‐positive supraclavicular lymph node detected on chest computed tomography in oncology patients: Clinical implication based on subsequent neck ultrasonography and ultrasonography‐guided tissue sampling
Authors: Jeong Yujin , Cho Eun , Baek Hye Jin , Jang Jeong Yoon , Choi Kwang Ho 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of false‐positive supraclavicular lymph node (LN) detected on chest computed tomography (CT), using subsequent neck ultrasonography (US) and US‐guided tissue sampling.MethodsAmong 172 patients with suspected supraclavicular LNs identified on CT, 87 underwent neck US or US‐guided tissue sampling. Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the diagnostic performance of US and independent predictors of false‐positive LNs.ResultsAmong 87 patients, 49 (56.3%) were pathologically confirmed as metastases, 26 (29.9%) were negative for malignancy, and 12 (13.8%) had pseudolesions or schwannomas. The diagnostic indices were as follows: sensitivity, 91.8%; specificity, 92.3%; PPV, 95.7%; NPV, 85.7%; and accuracy, 92.0% (AUC = 0.921; 95% CI: 0.832–0.970, p < 0.001). The false‐positive group had a higher mean age than the true‐positive group (mean age, 69.8 ± 9.2 vs. 63.9 ± 9.8, p = 0.003). Logistic regression analyses revealed that age ≥ 65 years was the only independent predictor of false‐positive LNs (OR = 4.391; 95% CI: 1.037–18.582; p = 0.044).ConclusionSubsequent US can be helpful for evaluating suspicious supraclavicular LNs detected on CT to establish appropriate management, especially in older patients.
A multi‐institutional study designed by members of Tokyo Guidelines (TG) Core Meeting to elucidate the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of acute cholangitis after bilioenteric anastomosis and biliary stent insertion with a focus on biliary obstruction: Role of transient hepatic attenuation difference (THAD) and pneumobilia in improving TG diagnostic performance
Authors: Kato Hiroyuki , Takada Tadahiro , Strasberg Steven , Isaji Shuji , Sano Keiji , Yoshida Masahiro , Itoi Takao , Okamoto Kohji , Kiriyama Seiki , Yagi Shintaro , Matsubara Takashi , Higuchi Ryota , Ohyama Tetsuji , Misawa Takeyuki , Mukai Shuntaro , Mori Yasuhisa , Asai Koji , Mizuno Shugo , Abe Yuta , Suzuki Kenji , Homma Yuki , Hata Jiro , Tsukiyama Kana , Kumamoto Yusuke , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Maruo Hirotoshi , Asano Yukio , Hori Shutaro , Shibuya Makoto , Mayumi Toshihiko , Toyota Naoyuki , Umezawa Akiko , Gomi Harumi , Horiguchi Akihiko 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe aim of this study was to clarify the clinical characteristics of acute cholangitis (AC) after bilioenteric anastomosis and stent‐related AC in a multi‐institutional retrospective study, and validate the TG18 diagnostic performance for various type of cholangitis.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 1079 AC patients during 2020, at 16 Tokyo Guidelines 18 (TG 18) Core Meeting institutions. Of these, the post‐biliary reconstruction associated AC (PBR‐AC), stent‐associated AC (S‐AC) and common AC (C‐AC) were 228, 307, and 544, respectively. The characteristics of each AC were compared, and the TG18 diagnostic performance of each was evaluated.ResultsThe PBR‐AC group showed significantly milder biliary stasis compared to the C‐AC group. Using TG18 criteria, definitive diagnosis rate in the PBR‐AC group was significantly lower than that in the C‐AC group (59.6% vs. 79.6%, p < .001) because of significantly lower prevalence of TG 18 imaging findings and milder bile stasis. In the S‐AC group, the bile stasis was also milder, but definitive‐diagnostic rate was significantly higher (95.1%) compared to the C‐AC group. The incidence of transient hepatic attenuation difference (THAD) and pneumobilia were more frequent in PBR‐AC than that in C‐AC. The definitive‐diagnostic rate of PBR‐AC (59.6%–78.1%) and total cohort (79.6%–85.3%) were significantly improved when newly adding these items to TG18 diagnostic imaging findings.ConclusionsThe diagnostic rate of PBR‐AC using TG18 is low, but adding THAD and pneumobilia to TG imaging criteria may improve TG diagnostic performance.
Identifying and locating carotenoids in supra‐orbital combs of male black grouse (Lyurus tetrix) using Raman and transmission electron microscopy: A histological study using rehydrated tissue samples
Authors: Dobson Jessica L. , Pike Thomas W. , Gonzalez‐Rodriguez Jose , Soulsbury Carl D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractColourful signals have long been implicated as indicators of individual quality in animals. Bare‐skin signals are an understudied aspect of avian colouration compared with plumage studies, despite displaying rapid changes in size and colour in response to different environmental or physiological stressors. Even fewer studies have focused on the underlying histology of these structures and the importance this plays in the resulting skin colour. Using the Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), we identified the underlying structure of individual dermal spikes, which make up the red supra‐orbital comb (a known integumentary signal of male quality), and highlight visual structural differences between combs of different sizes. In addition, we used Raman spectroscopy to indicate the presence of carotenoids within the tissue, something that had previously only been inferred through characteristic reflectance patterns. An increased understanding of the structural basis of colour of featherless parts of the skin opens up exciting new avenues for interpreting the information content of integumentary signals.
Multi‐Parametric MRI for Evaluating Variations in Renal Structure, Function, and Endogenous Metabolites in an Animal Model With Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Ischemia Reperfusion
Authors: Tao Quan , Zhang Qianqian , An Ziqi , Chen Zelong , Feng Yanqiu 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundIschemia reperfusion injury (IRI)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) may occur after renal ischemic injury. There is a lack of an accurate and comprehensive detection technique for IRI‐AKI.PurposeTo longitudinally evaluate IRI‐AKI in rats by renal structure, function, and metabolites using multi‐parametric MRI (mpMRI).Study TypeProspective.Animal ModelForty‐eight rats undergoing IRI‐AKI.Field Strength/Sequence7‐T, T1 mapping, and arterial spin labeling (ASL): echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence; blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD): gradient recalled echo (GRE) sequence; T2 mapping, quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT), and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST): rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence.AssessmentThe mpMRI for IRI‐AKI was conducted at 0 (control), 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days, all included eight rats. The longitudinal mpMRI signal of manually outlined cortex, outer stripe of the outer medulla (OSOM), inner stripe of the outer medulla, and medulla plus pelvis were calculated and compared, their diagnosis performance for IRI‐AKI also been evaluated.Statistical TestsPearson correlations analysis for correlation between mpMRI signal and renal injury, unpaired t‐tests for comparing the signal changes, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to identify most sensitive indicator of mpMRI. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsCompared with control kidneys, the T1 and T2 values of the cortex and medulla in IRI kidneys increased and reached their highest values on day 14, and the kidneys also showed the most severe edema and segments blurred. The RBF in the cortex and OSOM showed a significant decline after day 3. The BOLD signal in the OSOM largest increased on day 28. The cortical PSR and the amine‐CEST both decreased with IRI‐AKI progression, and amine‐CEST achieved the highest AUC for the diagnosis (0.899).Data ConclusionMulti‐parametric MRI may show comprehensive variations in IRI‐AKI, and amine‐CEST may exhibit the highest accuracy for diagnosis of IRI‐AKI.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 2
Impact of core protein naturally selected mutants associated with HBeAg‐negative status in HBV biosynthesis
Authors: Elizalde María Mercedes , Giadans Cecilia Graciela , Campos Rodolfo Héctor , Flichman Diego Martín 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss represents a late stage of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection associated with a drastic decrease in HBV‐DNA, a lower risk of disease progression, and the occurrence of several mutations in the preCore/core region. However, the underlying mechanisms supporting the downregulation of viral replication have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, the analysis of the frequency of subgenotype D1 core protein (HBc) mutations associated with HBeAg status revealed a higher mutation rate in HBeAg‐negative sequences compared to HBeAg‐positive ones. Particularly, 22 amino acids exhibited a higher frequency of mutation in HBeAg‐negative sequences, while the remaining residues showed a high degree of conservation. Subsequently, the assessment of HBc mutants derived from HBeAg‐negative patients in viral structure and replicative capacity revealed that HBc mutations have the ability to modulate the subcellular localization of the protein (either when the protein was expressed alone or in the context of viral replication), capsid assembly, and, depending on specific mutation patterns, alter covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) recycling and up‐ or downregulate viral replication. In conclusion, HBc mutations associated with HBeAg‐negative status impact on various stages of the HBV life cycle modulating viral replication during the HBeAg‐negative stage of infection.
Epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, and mental health status of human mpox cases: A multicenter cross‐sectional study in China
Authors: Fu Leiwen , Wang Bingyi , Wu Ke , Yang Liuqing , Hong Zhongsi , Wang Ziyu , Meng Xiaojun , Ma Ping , Qi Xiao , Xu Guangyong , Wang Fuxiang , Zhang Weijie , Huang Chenming , Zhang Dingyan , Lin Yuanlong , Cao Wanxian , Sun Ping , Wu Weibo , Gao Yong , Lv Fan , Qian Jun , Lu Hongzhou , Zou Huachun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHuman mpox is occurring worldwide, however, evidence from the Asian Pacific Region is limited. In this multicenter cross‐sectional study, information of confirmed mpox cases diagnosed between June 1 and July 31, 2023 in China. Information included demographic and epidemiological characteristics, and clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and mental health status of mpox cases. A total of 115 confirmed mpox cases were enrolled. All cases were men. A total of 102 (90.3%) identified as homosexual. The median age was 31.0 years (interquartile range 27.0–36.5). A total of 65 (56.5%) were HIV‐positive, of whom 92.3% were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). A total of 19/39 (40.4%) had a CD4 cell count <500 cells/μL. Systemic features such as fever (73.0%), lymphadenopathies (49.6%), and myalgia (28.7%) were commonly observed. Skin lesions were present in all participants: 49.6% in the genital area and 27.0% in the perianal area. Vesicular rash (78.3%) and papular rash (44.3%) were the most common lesion morphologies. People living with HIV were more likely to have anxiety than those living without HIV. The majority of mpox cases had primary genital lesions and sexual activities before diagnosis, which supports the likelihood of sexual contact transmission. Guidelines on hospitalization and isolation protocols for mpox patients necessitate further confirmation.