bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of wound pH on the antibacterial properties of Medical Grade Honey when applied to bacterial isolates present in common foot and ankle wounds. An in vitro study
Authors: McArdle Carla , Coyle Shirley , Santos Derek 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and post‐surgical wound infections are amongst the most troublesome complications of diabetes and following foot and ankle surgery (FAS) respectively. Both have significant psychosocial and financial burden for both patients and the healthcare system. FAS has been reported to have higher than average post‐surgical infections when compared to other orthopaedic subspecialties. Evidence also indicates that patients with diabetes and other co morbidities undergoing FAS are at a much greater risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs). With the growing challenges of antibiotic resistance and the increasingly high numbers of resilient bacteria to said antibiotics, the need for alternative antimicrobial therapies has become critical.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the use of medical grade honey (MGH) when altered to environments typically present in foot and ankle wounds including DFUs and post‐surgical wounds (pH6‐8).MethodsMGH (Activon) was altered to pH 6, 7 and 8 and experimental inoculums of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC10782), Escherichia coli, (NCTC10418), Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC10655) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (NCTC 5955) were transferred into each pH adjusted MGH and TSB solution and the positive and negative controls.ResultsMGH adjusted to various pH values had the ability to reduce bacteria cell survival in all pH variations for all bacteria tested, with the most bacterial reduction/elimination noted for Staphylococcus epidermidis. No correlations were noted among the pH environments investigated and the colony counts, for which there were small amounts of bacteria survived.ConclusionThis research would indicate that the antibacterial properties of honey remains the same regardless of the pH environment. MGH could therefore potentially be considered for use on non‐infected foot and ankle wounds to reduce the bacterial bioburden, the risk of infections and ultimately to improve healing outcomes.
Predictors of extubation failure in newborns: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Maoling , Hu Zhenjing , Yu Genzhen , Luo Ying , Xiong Xiaoju , Yang Qiaoyue , Song Wenshuai , Yu Yaqi , Yang Ting 
Published: October 2023

AbstractExtubation failure (EF) is a significant concern in mechanically ventilated newborns, and predicting its occurrence is an ongoing area of research. To investigate the predictors of EF in newborns undergoing planned extubation, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published in English from the inception of each database to March 2023. The PRISMA guidelines were followed in all phases of this systematic review. The Risk of Bias Assessment for Nonrandomized Studies tool was used to assess methodological quality. Thirty-four studies were included, 10 of which were overall low risk of bias, 15 of moderate risk of bias, and 9 of high risk of bias. The studies reported 43 possible predictors in six broad categories (intrinsic factors; maternal factors; diseases and adverse conditions of the newborn; treatment of the newborn; characteristics before and after extubation; and clinical scores and composite indicators). Through a qualitative synthesis of 43 predictors and a quantitative meta-analysis of 19 factors, we identified five definite factors, eight possible factors, and 22 unclear factors related to EF. Definite factors included gestational age, sepsis, pre-extubation pH, pre-extubation FiO2, and respiratory severity score. Possible factors included age at extubation, anemia, inotropic use, mean airway pressure, pre-extubation PCO2, mechanical ventilation duration, Apgar score, and spontaneous breathing trial. With only a few high-quality studies currently available, well-designed and more extensive prospective studies investigating the predictors affecting EF are still needed. In the future, it will be important to explore the possibility of combining multiple predictors or assessment tools to enhance the accuracy of predicting extubation outcomes in clinical practice.
Frequency of screening and SBT Technique Trial—North American Weaning Collaboration (FAST-NAWC): an update to the protocol and statistical analysis plan
Authors: Burns Karen E. A. , Lafrienier-Roula Myriam , Hill Nicholas S. , Cook Deborah J. , Seely Andrew J. E. , Rochwerg Bram , Mayette Michael , D’Aragon Frederick , Devlin John W. , Dodek Peter , Tanios Maged , Gouskos Audrey , Turgeon Alexis F. , Aslanian Pierre , Sia Ying Tung , Beitler Jeremy R. , Hyzy Robert , Criner Gerard J. , Kassis Elias Baedorf , Tsang Jennifer L. Y. , Meade Maureen O. , Liebler Janice M. , Wong Jessica T. Y. , Thorpe Kevin E. ,   For the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
This update summarizes key changes made to the protocol for the Frequency of Screening and Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) Technique Trial—North American Weaning Collaborative (FAST-NAWC) trial since the publication of the original protocol. This multicenter, factorial design randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, will compare the effect of both screening frequency (once vs. at least twice daily) to identify candidates to undergo a SBT and SBT technique [pressure support + positive end-expiratory pressure vs. T-piece] on the time to successful extubation (primary outcome) in 760 critically ill adults who are invasively ventilated for at least 24 h in 20 North American intensive care units.

Methods/design
Protocols for the pilot, factorial design trial and the full trial were previously published in J Clin Trials (https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0870.1000284) and Trials (https://doi: 10.1186/s13063-019–3641-8). As planned, participants enrolled in the FAST pilot trial will be included in the report of the full FAST-NAWC trial. In response to the onset of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when approximately two thirds of enrollment was complete, we revised the protocol and consent form to include critically ill invasively ventilated patients with COVID-19. We also refined the statistical analysis plan (SAP) to reflect inclusion and reporting of participants with and without COVID-19. This update summarizes the changes made and their rationale and provides a refined SAP for the FAST-NAWC trial. These changes have been finalized before completion of trial follow-up and the commencement of data analysis.

Trial registration
Clinical Trials.gov NCT02399267.
A self-managed exercise therapy program for wrist osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Larsson Sara L. , Ekstrand Elisabeth , Dahlin Lars B. , Björkman Anders , Brogren Elisabeth 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Post-traumatic wrist osteoarthritis (OA) can eventually lead to pain, muscular weakness, and stiffness of the wrist, which can affect the function of the entire upper limb and reduce the quality of life. Although there is strong evidence that all patients with OA should be offered adequate education and exercises as a first-line treatment, an effective self-management program, including structured education and therapeutic exercises, has not yet been introduced for individuals with wrist OA. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise therapy program with joint protective strategies to improve neuromuscular control (intervention group) compared to a training program with range of motion exercises (control group).

Methods
This is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two treatment arms in patients with symptomatic and radiographically confirmed wrist OA. The trial will be conducted at a hand surgery department. The participants will be randomly assigned either to a neuromuscular exercise therapy program or to a training program with range of motion exercises only. Participants in both groups will receive a wrist orthosis and structured education on wrist anatomy, pathophysiology, and joint protective self-management strategies. The programs consist of home exercises that will be performed twice a day for 12 weeks. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) is the primary outcome measure of pain and function. Wrist range of motion (ROM), grip strength, the Numeric Pain Rating scale (NPRS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Global Rating of Change (GROC), and conversion to surgery are the secondary measures of outcome. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline by a blinded assessor.

Discussion
The upcoming results from this trial may add new knowledge about the effectiveness of a self-managed exercise therapy program on pain and function for individuals with wrist OA. If the present self-management program proves to be effective, it can redefine current treatment strategies and may be implemented in wrist OA treatment protocols.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05367817. Retrospectively registered on 27 April 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov.
EggCountAI: a convolutional neural network-based software for counting of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs
Authors: Javed Nouman , López-Denman Adam J. , Paradkar Prasad N. , Bhatti Asim 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Mosquito-borne diseases exert a huge impact on both animal and human populations, posing substantial health risks. The behavioural and fitness traits of mosquitoes, such as locomotion and fecundity, are crucial factors that influence the spread of diseases. In existing egg-counting tools, each image requires separate processing with adjustments to various parameters such as intensity threshold and egg area size. Furthermore, accuracy decreases significantly when dealing with clustered or overlapping eggs. To overcome these issues, we have developed EggCountAI, a Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN)-based free automatic egg-counting tool for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Methods
The study design involves developing EggCountAI for counting mosquito eggs and comparing its performance with two commonly employed tools—ICount and MECVision—using 10 microscopic and 10 macroscopic images of eggs laid by females on a paper strip. The results were validated through manual egg counting on the strips using ImageJ software. Two different models were trained on macroscopic and microscopic images to enhance egg detection accuracy, achieving mean average precision, mean average recall, and F1-scores of 0.92, 0.90, and 0.91 for the microscopic model, and 0.91, 0.90, and 0.90 for the macroscopic model, respectively. EggCountAI automatically counts eggs in a folder containing egg strip images, offering adaptable filtration for handling impurities of varying sizes.

Results
The results obtained from EggCountAI highlight its remarkable performance, achieving overall accuracy of 98.88% for micro images and 96.06% for macro images. EggCountAI significantly outperformed ICount and MECVision, with ICount achieving 81.71% accuracy for micro images and 82.22% for macro images, while MECVision achieved 68.01% accuracy for micro images and 51.71% for macro images. EggCountAI also excelled in other statistical parameters, with mean absolute error of 1.90 eggs for micro, 74.30 eggs for macro, and a strong correlation and R-squared value (0.99) for both micro and macro. The superior performance of EggCountAI was most evident when handling overlapping or clustered eggs.

Conclusion
Accurate detection and counting of mosquito eggs enables the identification of preferred egg-laying sites and facilitates optimal placement of oviposition traps, enhancing targeted vector control efforts and disease transmission prevention. In future research, the tool holds the potential to extend its application to monitor mosquito feeding preferences.

Graphical Abstract
Accuracy of plasma Aβ40, Aβ42, and p-tau181 to detect CSF Alzheimer’s pathological changes in cognitively unimpaired subjects using the Lumipulse automated platform
Authors: Martínez-Dubarbie Francisco , Guerra-Ruiz Armando , López-García Sara , Lage Carmen , Fernández-Matarrubia Marta , Infante Jon , Pozueta-Cantudo Ana , García-Martínez María , Corrales-Pardo Andrea , Bravo María , López-Hoyos Marcos , Irure-Ventura Juan , Sánchez-Juan Pascual , García-Unzueta María Teresa , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Eloy 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The arrival of new disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) requires the identification of subjects at risk in a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive way. With tools allowing an adequate screening, it would be possible to optimize the use of these treatments. Plasma markers of AD are very promising, but it is necessary to prove that alterations in their levels are related to alterations in gold standard markers such as cerebrospinal fluid or PET imaging. With this research, we want to evaluate the performance of plasma Aβ40, Aβ42, and p-tau181 to detect the pathological changes in CSF using the automated Lumipulse platform.

Methods
Both plasma and CSF Aβ40, Aβ42, and p-tau181 have been evaluated in a group of 208 cognitively unimpaired subjects with a 30.3% of ApoE4 carriers. We have correlated plasma and CSF values of each biomarker. Then, we have also assessed the differences in plasma marker values according to amyloid status (A − / +), AD status (considering AD + subjects to those A + plus Tau +), and ATN group defined by CSF. Finally, ROC curves have been performed, and the area under the curve has been measured using amyloid status and AD status as an outcome and different combinations of plasma markers as predictors.

Results
Aβ42, amyloid ratio, p-tau181, and p-tau181/Aβ42 ratio correlated significantly between plasma and CSF. For these markers, the levels were significantly different in the A + / − , AD + / − , and ATN groups. Amyloid ratio predicts amyloid and AD pathology in CSF with an AUC of 0.89.

Conclusions
Plasma biomarkers of AD using the automated Lumipulse platform show good diagnostic performance in detecting Alzheimer’s pathology in cognitively unimpaired subjects.
Radiomics in the evaluation of ovarian masses — a systematic review
Authors: Adusumilli Pratik , Ravikumar Nishant , Hall Geoff , Swift Sarah , Orsi Nicolas , Scarsbrook Andrew 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Objectives
The study aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature reporting the application of radiomics to imaging techniques in patients with ovarian lesions.

Methods
MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Ovid and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant articles. Using PRISMA criteria, data were extracted from short-listed studies. Validity and bias were assessed independently by 2 researchers in consensus using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. Radiomic Quality Score (RQS) was utilised to assess radiomic methodology.

Results
After duplicate removal, 63 articles were identified, of which 33 were eligible. Fifteen assessed lesion classifications, 10 treatment outcomes, 5 outcome predictions, 2 metastatic disease predictions and 1 classification/outcome prediction. The sample size ranged from 28 to 501 patients. Twelve studies investigated CT, 11 MRI, 4 ultrasound and 1 FDG PET-CT. Twenty-three studies (70%) incorporated 3D segmentation. Various modelling methods were used, most commonly LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) (10/33). Five studies (15%) compared radiomic models to radiologist interpretation, all demonstrating superior performance. Only 6 studies (18%) included external validation. Five studies (15%) had a low overall risk of bias, 9 (27%) moderate, and 19 (58%) high risk of bias. The highest RQS achieved was 61.1%, and the lowest was − 16.7%.

Conclusion
Radiomics has the potential as a clinical diagnostic tool in patients with ovarian masses and may allow better lesion stratification, guiding more personalised patient care in the future. Standardisation of the feature extraction methodology, larger and more diverse patient cohorts and real-world evaluation is required before clinical translation.

Clinical relevance statement
Radiomics shows promising results in improving lesion stratification, treatment selection and outcome prediction. Modelling with larger cohorts and real-world evaluation is required before clinical translation.

Key points
• Radiomics is emerging as a tool for enhancing clinical decisions in patients with ovarian masses.
• Radiomics shows promising results in improving lesion stratification, treatment selection and outcome prediction.
• Modelling with larger cohorts and real-world evaluation is required before clinical translation.

Graphical Abstract
Intermittent theta-burst stimulation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation once weekly for treatment-resistant depression: a case report
Authors: Wivatvongvana Pakorn , Soonthornthum Chutimon , Kitisak Kittipong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Single-time non-invasive brain stimulation was carried out using the two-technique approach on a patient suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Five treatment sessions given at weekly intervals resulted in a significant improvement in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score for up to 6 weeks. The findings of this study could pave the way for a more efficient less resource-intensive time- and budget-saving technique of employing non-invasive brain stimulation for patients with treatment-resistant depression by minimizing the number of stimulation sessions.

Case presentation
A 67-year-old married non-Latino white American woman suffering from treatment-resistant depression received intermittent theta-burst stimulation in combination with transcranial direct current stimulation weekly for 5 consecutive weeks. Diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation showed an observable electrophysiological change. The patient reported a drastic improvement in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score up until 6-week follow-up and expressed satisfaction with the treatment.

Conclusions
This case study suggests that a streamlined protocol for using non-invasive brain stimulation could prove more effective for patients and healthcare providers in terms of safety in comparison to the present guidelines.
Novel role of immune-related non-coding RNAs as potential biomarkers regulating tumour immunoresponse via MICA/NKG2D pathway
Authors: Zhang Jing , Luo Qizhi , Li Xin , Guo Junshuang , Zhu Quan , Lu Xiaofang , Wei Leiyan , Xiang Zhiqing , Peng Manqing , Ou Chunlin , Zou Yizhou 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMajor histocompatibility complex class I related chain A (MICA) is an important and stress-induced ligand of the natural killer group 2 member D receptor (NKG2D) that is expressed in various tumour cells. Given that the MICA/NKG2D signalling system is critically embedded in the innate and adaptive immune responses, it is particularly involved in the surveillance of cancer and viral infections. Emerging evidence has revealed the important roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in different cancer types. We searched for all relevant publications in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science database using the keywords ncRNA, MICA, NKG2D, cancer, and miRNAs. All relevant studies published from 2008 to the 2023 were retrieved and collated. Notably, we found that miRNAs can target to NKG2D mRNA and MICA mRNA 3’-untranslated regions (3’-UTR), leading to translation inhibition of NKG2D and MICA degradation. Several immune-related MICA/NKG2D pathways may be dysregulated in cancer with aberrant miRNA expressions. At the same time, the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis holds that circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs induce an abnormal MICA expression by directly targeting downstream miRNAs to mediate mRNA suppression in cancer. This review summarizes the novel mechanism of immune escape in the ncRNA-related MICA/NKG2D pathway mediated by NK cells and cancer cells. Moreover, we identified the miRNA-NKG2D, miRNA-MICA and circRNA/lncRNA/mRNA-miRNA-mRNA/MICA axis. Thus, we were particularly concerned with the regulation of mediated immune escape in the MICA/NKG2D pathway by ncRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers of immunity and cancer.
Deriving the Shannon Index from the soil molecular Humeome serves as a descriptor of soil organic matter stability under different cropping systems
Authors: Drosos Marios , Orlando Michele , Cozzolino Vincenza , Scopa Antonio , Piccolo Alessandro 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSoil organic matter (SOM) is essential in maintaining soil structure, nutrient content, water retention, and biodiversity. It also represents an important C pool that, if efficiently stabilized, may play a role in the mitigation of global climate changes. However, knowledge is still limited on the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) molecular composition occurring with changes in land use and management practices. We calculated the Shannon diversity index (SH) for the soil molecular characteristics as obtained by the humeomic sequential fractionation applied on two different soil systems including uncultivated control: (1) Soils under a short-term cultivation of maize for 1 and 3 years; (2) Soils under a 20-year long-term cultivation of either continuous maize (MAIZE) or maize-bean rotation (MIX). The SH values were derived for each of the nine molecular classes in which the soil humeomic results were grouped. When single class SH were summed, we found that the resulting total Shannon heterogeneity (SHtot) and its value weighted for the relative OC percent, were inversely proportional to a Stability Soil Organic Matter Ratio (SOMR) equation, that, in turn, was directly proportional to the normalized Chemical Protection Ratio (nCPR) equation, based on the quantity of highly hydrophobic (organosoluble) compounds present in soils. The physical–chemical stability of SOM, expressed as SOMR and nCPR, increased with the decrease of the heterogeneity of the total molecular system (SHtot) for both short- and long-term soil systems. In fact, in the short-term soil system the molecular humeome was least heterogeneous under uncropped conditions, while SH showed increased heterogeneity with Maize cultivation for 1 and 3 years, in the order. The greatest SH homogeneity was again shown by the uncultivated control soil for the 20-year long-term system, and SH heterogeneity increased passing from the soil under Maize-Broad bean rotation, to that under Maize monocultivation. The SH values of single molecular classes revealed that nitrogenated or oxygenated aromatic compounds determined the stability of soil humus, being the nitrogenated heterocyclic compounds responsible for the residual molecular stability of SOM in both soil systems. This work indicated that the molecular complexity of a soil humeome can be represented by a Shannon descriptor that provides a handy and direct information on the dynamics of humus in soils.
Graphical Abstract