bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscopy of Woven and Nonwoven Face Covering Materials: Implications for Particle Filtration
Authors: Vicenzi Edward P , Whittaker Scott , Weaver Jamie L , Staymates Matthew E , Radney James G , Zangmeister Christopher D 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
A suite of natural, synthetic, and mixed synthetic-natural woven fabrics, along with nonwoven filtration layers from a surgical mask and an N95 respirator, was examined using visible light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-X-ray computed tomography (µXCT) to determine the fiber diameter distribution, fabric thickness, and the volume of solid space of the fabrics. Nonwoven materials exhibit a positively skewed distribution of fiber diameters with a mean value of ≈3 μm, whereas woven fabrics exhibit a normal distribution of diameters with mean values roughly five times larger (&gt;15 μm). The mean thickness of the N95 filtration material is 1093 μm and is greater than that of the woven fabrics that span from 420 to 650 μm. A new procedure for measuring the thickness of flannel fabrics is proposed that accounts for raised fibers. µXCT allowed for a quantitative nondestructive approach to measure fabric porosity as well as the surface area/volume. Cotton flannel showed the largest mean isotropy of any fabric, though fiber order within the weave is poorly represented in the surface electron images. Surface fabric isotropy and surface area/volume ratios are proposed as useful microstructural quantities to consider for future particle filtration modeling efforts of woven materials.
Reduction in Long COVID Symptoms and Symptom Severity in Vaccinated Compared to Unvaccinated Adults
Authors: Maier Hannah E , Kowalski-Dobson Theresa , Eckard Ashley , Gherasim Carmen , Manthei David , Meyers Alyssa , Davis Dawson , Bakker Kevin , Lindsey Kathleen , Chu Zijin , Warsinske Lauren , Arnold Matthew , Buswinka Anna , Stoneman Emily , Valdez Riccardo , Gordon Aubree 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
The impact of vaccination prior to infection on postacute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, PASC), also known as long COVID, remains unclear. Here we assess the protective effect of vaccination on long COVID in a community-based setting.

Methods
The Immunity Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (IASO) study is an ongoing prospective cohort of working adults that began in October 2020. Participants are actively followed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. We compared the prevalence of symptoms and symptom severity in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated cases. Our primary definition of long COVID was the presence of symptoms at 90 days postinfection; 30 days postinfection was also examined.

Results
Overall, by 90 days postinfection, 13% of cases had long COVID, with 27% of unvaccinated cases and 8% of vaccinated cases reporting long COVID (relative risk [RR], 0.31 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .22–.42]). Vaccination was also associated with significantly lower average severity scores at all timepoints (eg, relative severity at 90 days postinfection: −2.70 [95% CI, −1.68 to −3.73]). In the pre-Omicron era, 28% of unvaccinated cases and 18% of vaccinated cases reported long COVID (P = .07), and vaccinated cases reported less severe symptoms including less difficulty breathing (P = .01; 90-day RR, 0.07).

Conclusions
Vaccinated cases had lower prevalence of long COVID and reduced symptom severity.
Characterization of Unique Eukaryotic Sphingolipids with Temperature-Dependent Δ8-Unsaturation from the Picoalga Ostreococcus tauri
Authors: Ishikawa Toshiki , Domergue Frédéric , Amato Alberto , Corellou Florence 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are ubiquitous components of eukaryotic cell membranes and are found in some prokaryotic organisms and viruses. They are composed of a sphingoid backbone that may be acylated and glycosylated. Assembly of various sphingoid base, fatty acyl and glycosyl moieties results in highly diverse structures. The functional significance of variations in SL chemical diversity and abundance is still in the early stages of investigation. Among SL modifications, Δ8-desaturation of the sphingoid base occurs only in plants and fungi. In plants, SL Δ8-unsaturation is involved in cold hardiness. Our knowledge of the structure and functions of SLs in microalgae lags far behind that of animals, plants and fungi. Original SL structures have been reported from microalgae. However, functional studies are still missing. Ostreococcus tauri is a minimal microalga at the base of the green lineage and is therefore a key organism for understanding lipid evolution. In the present work, we achieved the detailed characterization of O. tauri SLs and unveiled unique glycosylceramides as sole complex SLs. The head groups are reminiscent of bacterial SLs, as they contain hexuronic acid residues and can be polyglycosylated. Ceramide backbones show a limited variety, and SL modification is restricted to Δ8-unsaturation. The Δ8-SL desaturase from O. tauri only produced E isomers. Expression of both Δ8-SL desaturase and Δ8-unsaturation of sphingolipids varied with temperature, with lower levels at 24°C than at 14°C. Overexpression of the Δ8-SL desaturase dramatically increases the level of Δ8 unsaturation at 24°C and is paralleled by a failure to increase cell size. Our work provides the first characterization of O. tauri SLs and functional evidence for the involvement of SL Δ8-unsaturation for temperature acclimation in microalgae, suggesting that this function is an ancestral feature in the green lineage.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) as a Factor to Predict the Prognosis of Spinal Chordoma
Authors: He Guanping , Liu Xiaoguang 
Published: January 2024

Study Design.Retrospective study.Objective.In this study, the authors explore the potential relationship between hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the prognosis of patients with spinal chordoma.Summary of Background Data.Currently, prognostic factors related to the clinical course in the setting of spinal chordoma are poorly understood. Although the close relationship between HIF-1α and tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and recurrence have been widely reported, it has not been investigated in the context of spinal chordoma.Materials and Methods.In this study, 32 samples of chordoma patients were compared with 14 nucleus pulposus tissues as controls. The specific expression of HIF-1α was detected by immunohistochemistry. Continuous disease-free survival (CDFS) was defined as the interval from tumor resection to confirmation of the first local recurrence or distant metastasis. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the interval from the date of surgery to death related to any cause. The relationship between HIF-1α expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with chordoma was analyzed using the Pearson χ2test. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to evaluate whether HIF-1α expression was associated with the prognosis of patients after controlling for confounders.Results.HIF-1α was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm or nucleus in all of the chordoma samples, which showed significantly higher than that in the normal nucleus pulposus tissue (P=0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that high HIF-1α expression and location of HIF-1α expression were significantly associated with poor CDFS (hazard ratio (HR)=3.374;P=0.021) and OS (HR=4.511;P=0.012). In addition, we further found that high HIF-1α expression both in the cytoplasm and nucleus indicated a stronger prognostic factor for poor CDFS (HR=3.885;P=0.011) and OS (HR=4.014;P=0.011) in spinal chordoma patients.Conclusion:High HIF-1α expression may become a potential new biological indicator to predict a poor prognosis in patients with spinal chordoma. HIF-1α may also represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of spinal chordoma.
Diagnostic and prognostic risk factors analysis for distant metastasis in melanoma: a population-based study
Authors: Sun Junwei , Wang Mingyu , Kan Zhisheng 
Published: January 2024

Background
We aimed to develop tools that could predict the occurrence of distant metastases in melanoma and its prognosis based on clinical and pathological characteristics.

Materials and methods
We obtained data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of melanoma patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. Logistic analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with distant metastasis. Additionally, multivariate Cox analyses were conducted to determine independent prognostic factors for patients with distant metastasis. Two nomograms were established and evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Furthermore, we performed a retrospective analysis of melanoma with distant metastasis from our institute between March 2018 and June 2022.

Results
Of the total 19 396 melanoma patients, 352 (1.8%) had distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. The following clinical and pathological characteristics were identified as independent risk factors for distant metastasis in melanoma: N stage, tumor size, ulceration, mitosis, primary tumor site, and pathological subtype. Furthermore, tumor size, pathological subtype, and radiotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors. The results of the training and validation cohorts’ ROC curves, calibration, DCA, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves demonstrate the effectiveness of the two nomograms. The retrospective study results from our center supported the results from the SEER database.

Conclusion
The clinical and pathological characteristics of melanoma can predict a patient’s risk of metastasis and prognosis, and the two nomograms are expected to be effective tools to guide therapy decisions.
Evolving landscape of treatments targeting the microenvironment of liver metastases in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Lingling , Yu Xianzhe , Tang Xiaojun , Hu Chenggong , Wu Lei , Liu Yanyang , Zhou Qinghua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Liver metastases (LMs) are common in lung cancer. Despite substantial advances in diagnosis and treatment, the survival rate of patients with LM remains low as the immune-suppressive microenvironment of the liver allows tumor cells to evade the immune system. The impact of LMs on the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with solid tumors has been the main focus of recent translational and clinical research. Growing evidence indicates that the hepatic microenvironment delivers paracrine and autocrine signals from non-parenchymal and parenchymal cells. Overall, these microenvironments create pre- and post-metastatic conditions for the progression of LMs. Herein, we reviewed the epidemiology, physiology, pathology and immunology, of LMs associated with non-small cell lung cancer and the role and potential targets of the liver microenvironment in LM in each phase of metastasis. Additionally, we reviewed the current treatment strategies and challenges that should be overcome in preclinical and clinical investigations. These approaches target liver elements as the basis for future clinical trials, including combinatorial interventions reported to resolve hepatic immune suppression, such as immunotherapy plus chemotherapy, immunotherapy plus radiotherapy, immunotherapy plus anti-angiogenesis therapy, and surgical resection.
Feasibility, Tolerability, and Effectiveness of Transbronchial Interventions in Elderly Patients With Malignant Central Airway Obstruction
Authors: Kashiwabara Kosuke , Fujii Shinji , Tsumura Shinsuke , Tokunaga Ryuki 
Published: January 2024

Background:
In elderly patients with malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO), the treating physicians often hesitate to undertake transbronchial interventions (TBIs) as a palliative procedure in view of the advanced age of the patients.

Methods:
We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate the differences in the feasibility, tolerability, and effectiveness of TBIs between elderly (aged 75 years old or above; elderly group; n=27) and nonelderly (aged below 75 years old; nonelderly group; n=50) patients with MCAO. The primary endpoint was the incidence of complications during (within 24 hours) and after (>24 hours) TBIs.

Results:
The mean age of the patients was 81 years in the elderly group and 61 years in the nonelderly group. The complications encountered during/after TBI included endobronchial bleeding or hypoxemia requiring intubation occurring during the TBIs, and bacterial pneumonia, airway reocclusion, and stent migration occurring after the TBIs, although there was no difference in the frequency of complications during/after the TBIs between the elderly group and nonelderly group (26% vs. 30%, P=0.706). There was no difference in the percentage of patients in whom successful airway recanalization was achieved by TBI (93% vs. 80%, P=0.197), the percentage of patients who showed symptomatic improvement after the TBIs (67% vs. 76%, P=0.380) and the OS after the TBIs (6.1 vs. 7.3 months, P=0.704) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:
TBIs can be undertaken without hesitation as a palliative procedure in elderly patients with MCAO.
Basic Research Advances in China on Embryo Implantation, Placentation, and Parturition
Authors: Bao Haili , Wang Haibin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This review aimed to summarize the major progress in maternal-fetal medicine achieved by Chinese scientists in recent years. PubMed was systematically searched from January 2020 to November 2023. Publications that reported the progress in embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition made by Chinese scientists in the last 3 years were selected. The milestone events during gestation, embryo implantation, endometrial decidualization, placentation, and parturition are pivotal to a successful pregnancy. Embryo implantation requires intricate interactions between implantation-competent blastocysts and receptive endometrium. To adapt to pregnancy, endometrial stromal cells transform into specialized decidual cells, which occur spontaneously under the influence of ovarian hormones in humans but require the presence of embryos in mice. With embryonic development, the placenta forms to support fetal growth until parturition. The maternal-fetal interface is composed of diverse cell types, including endometrial decidual cells, placental trophoblast cells, endothelial cells, and various immune cells, a sophisticated interplay among which contributes to the maintenance of pregnancy. Near term, the uterus transitions from quiescence to contractility, in preparation for delivery. Disruptions to these events lead to pregnancy-related disorders such as repeated implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and infertility. In recent years, Chinese scientists have made prominent achievements in basic research on the aforementioned pregnancy events. Chinese scientists have made remarkable contributions to reproductive biology and maternal-fetal medicine research in recent years, highlighting future research directions in this field.
Wide Awake Local Anesthetic No Tourniquet in Hand and Wrist Surgery: Current Concepts, Indications, and Considerations
Authors: Sawhney Akshat , Thacoor Amitabh , Nagra Raveenjot , Geoghegan Luke , Akhavani Mo 
Published: January 2024

Background:
Traditionally, the use of a pneumatic arterial tourniquet was requisite for safe and effective surgery of the hand. The use of arterial tourniquets necessitates the use of regional or general anaesthesia. Wide-awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet (WALANT) has emerged as a novel technique to overcome the limitations of tourniquet use in conjunction with regional/general anaesthesia. This review aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of WALANT and provide guidance for surgeons with limited WALANT experience.

Methods:
A literature review of MEDLINE was performed up to March 2021 to identify all articles related to the use of WALANT in hand surgery. Any article reporting original data related to the use of WALANT was eligible for inclusion.

Results:
A total of 101 articles were identified through database searching. Of these, 79 met full inclusion criteria and described the use of WALANT in 19 elective and trauma procedures. Current data suggest that WALANT is safe and effective for use in a range of procedures.

Conclusions:
WALANT surgery is increasing in popularity as evidenced by the variety of surgical indications reported in the literature. There is limited comparative data on the cost-effectiveness of WALANT compared to conventional methods. Current data suggest that WALANT is safe, better tolerated by patients and associated with direct and indirect cost savings.
Lumbosacral Plexogram: An Aid to Reconstructive Nerve Possibilities in the Lower Extremity
Authors: Ramadan Sami , Leng Catherine , Duraku Liron S. , Chaudhry Tahseen , Power Dominic M. , George Samuel 
Published: January 2024

Summary:
The lumbosacral plexus is the network of nerves responsible for the motor and sensory function of the pelvis and lower limb. Our observation is that the anatomy of this plexus is less familiar to surgeons than that of the brachial plexus. Damage to the lumbosacral plexus and its terminal branches may have a significant impact on locomotion, posture, and stability. We have designed a visual representation of the lumbosacral plexus to aid clinicians treating peripheral nerve disorders. The utility is illustrated with a case report in which a patient underwent nerve transfers in the lower limb to restore function. A visual representation of the lumbosacral plexus is a valuable adjunct to a clinical examination and helps make sense of clinical signs. The color-coding of each root level and the arrangement of muscles from proximal to distal helps with visual recall. A clear assessment of complex lumbosacral plexus patients is essential for diagnosis and planning. As with the case described, a sound knowledge of the “plexogram” can identify solutions for complex patients and result in significant functional improvements. We hope it helps advance the field of nerve surgery and, particularly, nerve transfers.
Complications Associated with Facial Autologous Fat Grafting for Aesthetic Purposes: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Brucato Davide , Ülgür Ismail I. , Alberti Andrea , Weinzierl Andrea , Harder Yves 
Published: January 2024

Background:
With the increasing demand for aesthetic procedures, autologous fat grafting (AFG) seems to be an attractive option for facial volumization and rejuvenation. The aim of this study was to assess the type and severity of associated complications after facial AFG for aesthetic purposes.

Methods:
The entire PubMed/Medline and Cochrane databases were screened to identify studies describing complications that occurred after the injection of autologous fat into the face. These complications have been reviewed and analyzed according to their occurrence and severity in the different anatomical regions of the face.

Results:
Twenty-two articles including 38 patients reported on a total of 58 complications. Thirty-two complications have been classified as severe or permanent, including hemiplegia (n = 11), loss of vision (n = 7), or skin necrosis (n = 3). The other 26 complications were classified as mild or transient, such as lipogranuloma (n = 12) or mycobacterial abscess (n = 2). The majority of complications were reported after injection to the forehead (n = 26) and the temporal region (n = 21). Interestingly, this location seems to be the area at risk because 53% of all severe complications occurred in this anatomical region.

Conclusions:
AFG to the face is associated with a low incidence of complications, but if they occur, they can be dramatic, particularly in the forehead and temporal region. Nevertheless, AFG can be used to correct age-related changes of the face and volume loss and may represent an alternative to synthetic fillers. Therefore, AFG to the face should be performed by qualified doctors under careful consideration of risks and facial anatomy.
How Hermann J. Muller Viewed the Ernest Sternglass Contributions to Hereditary and Cancer Risk Assessment
Authors: Calabrese Edward J. , Giordano James 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
As one of the most influential radiation geneticists of the 20th century, Hermann J. Muller had a major role in the development and widespread acceptance of the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response for hereditary and cancer risk assessments worldwide. However, a spate of historical reassessments have challenged the fundamental scientific foundations of the LNT model, drawing considerable attention to issues of ethical probity and the scientific leadership of Muller. This review paper raises further questions about the objectivity of Muller with respect to the LNT model. It is shown that Muller supported Ernest Sternglass’s findings and interpretations concerning radiation-induced childhood leukemia, which have been widely and consistently discredited. These findings provide further evidence that Muller’s actions with respect to radiation cancer risk assessment were far more ideologically than scientifically based.
Recurrence and Survival Prediction Models for Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cancer: A Single-center Retrospective Research
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Han Xin , Sun Zhongquan , You Wanlu , Cao Haoze , Wu Xiaochang , Wang Weilin , Ding Yuan 
Published: January 2024

Purpose:
Regard preoperative chemotherapy as a holistic sequential treatment modality to identify predictive factors associated with recurrence and survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and construct models to provide decision support and treatment selection for the candidate patients.

Methods:
Retrospect PDAC patients who received preoperative chemotherapy from January 2016 to June 2023 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Run a univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Scoring systems were developed based on the hazard ratios (HR) of all significant predictors. Kaplan–Meier analyses and log-rank tests were used to calculate RFS and OS.

Results:
A total of 72 PDAC patients with preoperative chemotherapy were analyzed. After preoperative chemotherapy, 21(29.17%) patients achieved any radiologic downstaging with 68(94.44%) patients achieving negative resection margin status (R0 margins). For carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9) non-secreting patients, shrinkage rate of length diameter of tumor≥20%(P=0.027), resection margin status(P=0.011) were independent predictors of OS. And for CA19-9 secreting patients, CA19-9 serum level at the end of chemotherapy≥1000(P=0.027) and resection margin status (P=0.012) were independent predictors of OS. Points according HR were allocated to these factors in the proposed scoring system, respectively. Recurrence curves and survival curves with statistically significant differences were also presented for patients grouped according to the scoring systems. For CA19-9 non-secreting patients, the OS of patients with a score from 2 to 2.97 was significantly shorter than that of patients with a score from 4.94 to 5.91 (P=0.009). And for CA19-9 secreting patients, the OS of patients with a score of 2 was significantly shorter than that of patients with a score from 3.75 to 4.99 (P<0.001).

Conclusion:
Simple scoring models for RFS and OS incorporating CA19-9 serum levels or the tumor shrinkage rate and postoperative pathology may assist clinicians in evaluating prognosis of PDAC patients with preoperative chemotherapy.