bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economical and eco‐friendly adsorbent derived from “Halodule uninervis” for effective removal of N‐nitrosodiphenylamine from wastewater: Equilibrium, reusability, and mechanism studies
Authors: Gijjapu Durga Rao , Nazal Mazen K. , Abuzaid Nabeel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractN‐nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA) is soluble in water and highly toxic. Exposure to NDPhA even at low concentrations for a long period can cause several health effects. Hence the removal of NDPhA from aqueous samples using a widely abundant and economical adsorbent is highly challenging. In this study, a highly efficient, eco‐friendly, and low‐cost adsorbent was derived from the dead leaves of Halodule uninervis seagrass (SG) without any chemical modifications. The derived adsorbent was characterized and investigated for the removal of NDPhA from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and adsorbate concentration were studied and optimized. The SG adsorbent showed a significant removal efficiency of 83% for NDPhA from wastewater solution using 1 g L−1 adsorbent. The maximum adsorption capacity for SG was found to be 64.84 mg g−1 at neutral pH and room temperature. The adsorption isotherm results fitted with the Langmuir model and followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. From the thermodynamic parameters, it has been found that the adsorption of NDPhA onto SG adsorbent is favorable, endothermic, and the chemical adsorption mechanism is predominant. This study indicated that SG adsorbent is reusable and can be easily regenerated and reused at least three times with a slight decrease in its removal efficiency.
Clinical characteristics and diagnoses of 1213 children referred to a first seizure clinic
Authors: Slinger Geertruida , Noorlag Lotte , van Diessen Eric , Otte Willem M. , Zijlmans Maeike , Jansen Floor E. , Braun Kees P. J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveNew‐onset seizure‐like events (SLEs) are common in children, but differentiating between epilepsy and its mimics is challenging. This study provides an overview of the clinical characteristics, diagnoses, and corresponding etiologies of children evaluated at a first seizure clinic (FSC), which will be helpful for all physicians involved in the care of children with SLEs.MethodsWe included 1213 children who were referred to the FSC of a Dutch tertiary children's hospital over a 13‐year period and described their clinical characteristics, first routine EEG recording results, and the distribution and specification of their eventual epilepsy and non‐epilepsy diagnoses. The time interval to correct diagnosis and the diagnostic accuracy of the FSC were evaluated.Results“Epilepsy” was eventually diagnosed in 407 children (33.5%), “no epilepsy” in 737 (60.8%), and the diagnosis remained “unclear” in 69 (5.7%). Epileptiform abnormalities were seen in 60.9% of the EEG recordings in the “epilepsy” group, and in 5.7% and 11.6% of the “no epilepsy” and “unclear” group, respectively. Of all children with final “epilepsy” and “no epilepsy” diagnoses, 68.6% already received their diagnosis at FSC consultation, and 2.9% of the children were initially misdiagnosed. The mean time to final diagnosis was 2.0 months, and 91.3% of all children received their final diagnosis within 12 months after the FSC consultation.SignificanceWe describe the largest pediatric FSC cohort to date, which can serve as a clinical frame of reference. The experience and expertise built at FSCs will improve and accelerate diagnosis in children with SLEs.Plain language summaryMany children experience events that resemble but not necessarily are seizures. Distinguishing between seizures and seizure mimics is important but challenging. Specialized first‐seizure clinics can help with this. Here, we report data from 1213 children who were referred to the first seizure clinic of a Dutch children's hospital. One‐third of them were diagnosed with epilepsy. In 68.8% of all children—with and without epilepsy—the diagnosis was made during the first consultation. Less than 3% were misdiagnosed. This study may help physicians in what to expect regarding the diagnoses in children who present with events that resemble seizures.
Mangrove forest drag and bed stabilisation effects on intertidal flat morphology
Authors: Gijsman Rik , Horstman Erik M. , Swales Andrew , MacDonald Iain T. , Bouma Tjeerd J. , van der Wal Daphne , Wijnberg Kathelijne M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMangrove trees influence their physical environment by exerting drag on tidal flows and waves while also stabilising the sediment bed of intertidal flats. These processes influence sediment accretion, the mangrove habitat and their resilience to sea level rise. However, little is known about the magnitude and spatial extent of the effects of mangrove forests on sediment transport and the morphology of the intertidal flat. We use manipulated simulations with an extended process‐based numerical model, to study the influence of mangrove forests on intertidal flat morphology on a yearly timescale. The model includes the influence of mangrove trees on tidal flows, waves and sediment dynamics. The model is calibrated and validated with a comprehensive set of measurement data including hydrodynamics, sediment transport and morphological processes from an expanding mangrove forest in the sediment‐rich Firth of Thames estuary in Aotearoa New Zealand.Sediment accretion on the upper intertidal flat is predominantly influenced by the characteristic morphology of the established mangrove forest, with increased bed stability at higher mudflat elevations related to prolonged aerial exposure and drying of the bed. Our results show that, in comparison to the situation without mangroves, sediment accretion increases in the most seaward fringe area of the forest. The unvegetated intertidal flat fronting the mangrove forest captures less sediment compared to the situation without mangroves. The mangrove forest drag triggers the development of a steeper, convex‐up‐shaped, upper intertidal flat profile, especially during periods with higher water levels and waves. These effects are expected to influence the development and storm‐recovery of natural and restored mangrove forests and may contribute to the resilience and persistence of mangrove‐vegetated intertidal flats for coastal flood risk reduction.
Brain tumor grade classification using multi‐step pre‐training
Authors: Mehmood Yasar , Bajwa Usama Ijaz , Anwar Muhammad Waqas 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMedical images offer a non‐invasive method to diagnose different diseases, but using them manually produces unreliable results. Modern deep learning architectures and techniques are computed and data‐intensive, making them difficult to use for relatively smaller datasets of medical images. Transfer learning has been used as a remedy for the problem mentioned above. However, the domain difference between the datasets used for pre‐training (e.g., ImageNet) and the target datasets, like medical images, negatively impacts the transfer learning results. Recently, many researchers have used additional pre‐training called domain‐adaptive pre‐training (DAPT) using the data from the target domain (e.g., medical images) before using the model on the target tasks to achieve superior performance. This study proposes a variant of DAPT by performing it on a subset of the architecture. It has achieved state‐of‐the‐art performance for brain tumor grading on the BraTS 2019 while being computationally efficient.
A self‐powered biosensor based on triboelectric nanogenerator for dual‐specificity bacterial detection
Authors: Lu Wei , Wang Xiaoqiang , Wang Congyu , Gong Ke , Li Jiawei , Li Xue , Wang Peng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPathogenic and corrosive bacteria pose a significant risk to human health or economic well‐being. The specific, sensitive, and on‐site detection of these bacteria is thus of paramount significance but remains challenging. Taking inspiration from immunoassays with primary and secondary antibodies, we describe here a rational design of microbial sensor (MS) under a dual‐specificity recognition strategy using Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) as the detection model. In the MS, engineered aptamers are served as the primary recognition element, while polydopamine‐N‐acetyl‐D‐galactosamine (PDA‐Gal NAc) nanoparticles are employed as the secondary recognition element, which will also generate and amplify changes in the output voltage signal. To achieve self‐powering capability, the MS is constructed based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with the specific aptamers immobilized on the TENG electrode surface. The as‐prepared MS‐TENG system exhibits good stability in output performance under external forces, and high specificity toward P. aeruginosa, with no cross‐reactivity observed. A linear relationship (R2 = 0.995) between the output voltage and P. aeruginosa concentration is established, with a limit of detection estimated at around 8.7 × 103 CFU mL−1. The utilization of PDA‐Gal NAc nanoparticles is found to play an important role in enhancing the specific and reliability of detection, and the underlying mechanisms are further clarified by computational simulations. In addition, the MS‐TENG integrates a wireless communication module, enabling real‐time monitoring of bacterial concentration on mobile devices. This work introduces a pioneering approach to designing self‐powered smart microbial sensors with high specificity, using a double recognition strategy applicable to various bacteria beyond P. aeruginosa.image
Evaluation of human herpesvirus‐8 viremia and antibody positivity in patients with HIV infection with human herpesvirus‐8‐related diseases
Authors: Watanabe Dai , Iida Shun , Hirota Kazuyuki , Ueji Takashi , Matsumura Takuro , Nishida Yasuharu , Uehira Tomoko , Katano Harutaka , Shirasaka Takuma 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHuman herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8) viremia is associated with refractory conditions in patients infected with HIV‐1. Therefore, we evaluated the factors related to plasma HHV‐8‐DNA. Participants included patients infected with HIV‐1 who visited our hospital. Plasma HHV‐8‐DNA levels were measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and anti‐HHV‐8 antibodies were assessed through enzyme immunoassays using multiple antigens (K8.1, ORF59, ORF65, and LANA). Factors related to plasma HHV‐8‐DNA were examined using Fisher's exact test or Mann–Whitney U test. The study involved 36 patients infected with HIV‐1, of whom 19 were histologically diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), two had multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), and 15 did not exhibit HHV‐8‐related disease. Before the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART), plasma HHV‐8‐DNA was detected in 44% (7/16) of patients with KS and in 9% (1/11) of patients without HHV‐8‐related disease. Among patients with KS, elevated plasma HHV‐8‐DNA levels (≥0.05 copies/µL) correlated with the presence of CDC category C diseases other than KS (p = 0.0337), anti‐HHV‐8 antibody negativity (p = 0.0337), anemia (p = 0.0474), and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.0146). Following ART initiation, the percentage of patients positive for plasma HHV‐8‐DNA decreased from 44% (7/16) to 6% (1/17), and the percentage of patients positive for anti‐HHV‐8 antibodies increased from 44% (7/16) to 88% (15/17). Finally, plasma HHV‐8‐DNA positivity and anti‐HHV‐8 antibody negativity were observed in two patients with MCD. Our findings suggest that insufficient production of anti‐HHV‐8 antibodies was associated with HHV‐8 viremia, and that anti‐HHV‐8 antibody production was recovered with ART; thus, indicating the possibility of involvement of humoral immunity in suppressing HHV‐8 viremia.
Systematic observation‐based diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with a bystander concealed nodoventricular pathway
Authors: Nagashima Koichi , Maruyama Mitsunori , Kaneko Yoshiaki , Sakai Satoshi , Sekihara Takayuki , Kawaji Tetsuma , Iwakawa Hidehiro , Egami Yasuyuki , Ota Chisato , Nagase Satoshi , Yagi Tetsuo , Suzuki Keisuke , Fukaya Hidehira , Nakamura Hironori , Mori Hitoshi , Ueda Akiko , Soejima Kyoko , Watanabe Ryuta , Wakamatsu Yuji , Hirata Shu , Hirata Moyuru , Okumura Yasuo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to establish a systematic method for diagnosing atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with a bystander concealed nodoventricular pathway (cNVP).MethodsWe analyzed 13 cases of AVNRT with a bystander cNVP, 11 connected to the slow pathway (cNVP‐SP) and two to the fast pathway (cNVP‐FP), along with two cases of cNVP‐related orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT).ResultsThe diagnostic process was summarized in three steps. Step 1 was identification of the presence of an accessory pathway by resetting the tachycardia with delay (n = 9) and termination without atrial capture (n = 4) immediately after delivery of a His‐refractory premature ventricular contraction (PVC). Step 2 was exclusion of ORT by atrio‐His block during the tachycardia (n = 4), disappearance of the reset phenomenon after the early PVC (n = 7), or dissociation of His from the tachycardia during ventricular overdrive pacing (n = 1). Moreover, tachycardia reset/termination without the atrial capture (n = 2/2) 1 cycle after the His‐refractory PVC was specifically diagnostic. Exceptionally, the disappearance of the reset phenomenon was also observed in the two cNVP‐ORTs. Step 3 was verification of the AVN as the cNVP insertion site, evidenced by an atrial reset/block preceding the His reset/block in fast–slow AVNRT with a cNVP‐SP and slow–fast AVNRT with a cNVP‐FP or His reset preceding the atrial reset in slow–fast AVNRT with a cNVP‐SP.ConclusionAVNRT with a bystander cNVP can be diagnosed in the three steps with few exceptions. Notably, tachycardia reset/termination without atrial capture one cycle after delivery of a His‐refractory PVC is specifically diagnostic.
The 2023 Orthopaedic Research Society's International Consensus Meeting on musculoskeletal infection: Summary from the host immunity section
Authors: Schwarz Edward M. , Archer Nathan K. , Atkins Gerald J. , Bentley Karen L. de Mesy , Botros Mina , Cassat James E. , Chisari Emanuele , Coraça‐Huber Débora C. , Daiss John L. , Gill Steven R. , Goodman Stuart B. , Harro Janette , Hernandez Christopher J. , Ivashkiv Lionel B. , Kates Stephen L. , Marques Cláudia N. H. , Masters Elysia A. , Muthukrishnan Gowrishankar , Owen John R. , Raafat Dina , Saito Motoo , Veis Deborah J. , Xie Chao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMusculoskeletal infections (MSKI), which are a major problem in orthopedics, occur when the pathogen eludes or overwhelms the host immune system. While effective vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent and treat MSKI should be possible, fundamental knowledge gaps in our understanding of protective, nonprotective, and pathogenic host immunity are prohibitive. We also lack critical knowledge of how host immunity is affected by the microbiome, implants, prior infection, nutrition, antibiotics, and concomitant therapies, autoimmunity, and other comorbidities. To define our current knowledge of these critical topics, a Host Immunity Section of the 2023 Orthopaedic Research Society MSKI International Consensus Meeting (ICM) proposed 78 questions. Systematic reviews were performed on 15 of these questions, upon which recommendations with level of evidence were voted on by the 72 ICM delegates, and another 12 questions were voted on with a recommendation of “Unknown” without systematic reviews. Two questions were transferred to another ICM Section, and the other 45 were tabled for future consideration due to limitations of available human resources. Here we report the results of the voting with internet access to the questions, recommendations, and rationale from the systematic reviews. Eighteen questions received a consensus vote of ≥90%, while nine recommendations failed to achieve this threshold. Commentary on why consensus was not achieved on these questions and potential ways forward are provided to stimulate specific funding mechanisms and research on these critical MSKI host defense questions.
Alanine aminotransferase cutoffs for the pediatric fatty liver disease: Major impact of the reference population
Authors: Aitokari Linnea , Lahti Siiri , Kivelä Laura , Riekki Hanna , Hiltunen Pauliina , Vuorela Nina , Viitasalo Anna , Soininen Sonja , Huhtala Heini , Lakka Timo , Kurppa Kalle 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectives and StudyThe often‐recommended alanine aminotransferase (ALT) cutoffs (girls 21 U/l, boys 25 U/l) are based on a NHANES cohort. A novel concept of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) emphasizes the role of ALT. We tested the prevalence of increased ALT and MASLD in children with overweight or obesity applying population‐based and NHANES‐based cut‐offs.MethodsSix‐ to seventeen‐year‐old children underwent data collection in a prospective Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study. ALT 95th percentiles were calculated from 1167 separate measurements considering various confounders. Test cohort comprised 1044 children with overweight/obesity.ResultsALT values increased at puberty onset (p = 0.031) and correlated negatively with age in girls (r = −0.222, p < 0.001). Particularly overall and central obesity increased ALT, whereas underweight or metabolic abnormalities had smaller effect. After applying the tested exclusions, the age‐related ALT 95th percentiles were 24–29 U/l for girls and 29–32 U/l for boys. In 6–8‐year‐old children with overweight/obesity, the prevalence of increased ALT and MASLD were 21.6% and 2.4% with age‐specific PANIC cutoffs. In older children, when NHANES‐based cutoffs were used, there was a trend for higher prevalence of increased ALT and MASLD in all age groups for both sexes, reaching significance for increased ALT in 12–16‐year‐old boys (NHANES 63.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 56.4%–70.0% vs. PANIC 47.1%, 95% CI [40.1%–54.2%]) and 9–11‐year‐old girls (60.0% [49.4%–69.8%] vs. 31.8% [22.8%–42.3%]), respectively. Increased ALT/MASLD were more common in boys than in girls, and in boys these increased with age, whereas in girls these peaked at age 9–12 years.ConclusionA reference population impacts on the prevalence of increased ALT and MASLD. Considering this help optimizing screening while avoiding unnecessary investigations and surveillance. The prospective part of this study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov; identifier NCT01803776.
Update on the diagnosis and management of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency: Expert review on behalf of the Asian Pan‐Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Authors: Inui Ayano , Ko Jae Sung , Chongsrisawat Voranush , Sibal Anupam , Hardikar Winita , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Treepongkaruna Suporn , Arai Katsuhiro , Kim Kyung Mo , Chen Huey‐Ling 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCitrin deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic liver disease caused by mutations in the SLC25A13 gene. The disease typically presents with cholestasis, elevated liver enzymes, hyperammonemia, hypercitrullinemia, and fatty liver in young infants, resulting in a phenotype known as “neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency” (NICCD). The diagnosis relies on clinical manifestation, biochemical evidence of hypercitrullinemia, and identifying mutations in the SLC25A13 gene. Several common mutations have been found in patients of East Asian background. The mainstay treatment is nutritional therapy in early infancy utilizing a lactose‐free and medium‐chain triglyceride formula. This approach leads to the majority of patients recovering liver function by 1 year of age. Some patients may remain asymptomatic or undiagnosed, but a small proportion of cases can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure, necessitating liver transplantation. Recently, advancements in newborn screening methods have improved the age of diagnosis. Early diagnosis and timely management improve patient outcomes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the long‐term follow‐up of NICCD patients into adolescence and adulthood.
Clinical relevance of inflammation on rectal biopsy for Hirschsprung disease: An outcomes analysis
Authors: Lotakis Dimitra M. , Rubalcava Nathan S. , Lopyan Natalie M. , Heider Amer , Rabah Raja , Elizabeth Speck K. , Jarboe Marcus D. , Ehrlich Peter F. , Ralls Matthew W. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectivesInflammation on diagnostic rectal biopsy for children with suspected Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is reported on pathology, and its significance is unknown. We describe the management and outcomes of a cohort with inflammation on rectal biopsy compared to those without. Specifically, to address the hypothesis that inflammation on diagnostic biopsy is associated with increased complication rates irrespective of intervention type and timing.MethodsA single institution retrospective review of children with HSCR who underwent biopsy and endorectal pull‐through (ERPT) from 2010 to 2020 was performed. The primary outcome was overall complications at 30‐days following ERPT. Secondary outcomes included timing and type of operative intervention as well as postoperative enterocolitis diagnosed within 6‐months of ERPT.ResultsForty‐nine children were identified; inflammation was present on diagnostic biopsy for 17 children. Those with inflammation were more likely to have clinical evidence of enterocolitis at the time of biopsy (p = 0.001) and were more likely to undergo leveling colostomy before ERPT (p = 0.01). Children with inflammation had a higher anastomotic leak rate (p = 0.04). Subgroup analysis of patients with inflammation undergoing primary ERPT versus leveling colostomy demonstrated no significant difference in outcomes following definitive ERPT.ConclusionsOur study suggests inflammation on diagnostic rectal biopsy for HSCR is associated with increased anastomotic leak rates. While additional prospective studies are indicated, attention to methods of mitigating inflammation and confirming its resolution before definitive pull‐through may be of benefit for improving clinical outcomes in patients found with inflammation on diagnostic rectal biopsy.
Brain imaging abnormalities in children with dysphagia with aspiration: A retrospective study
Authors: Patel Bhumi , Muston Heather , Pitman Ryan T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveHead imaging is often performed in children with persistent dysphagia with aspiration to evaluate for Chiari malformations that may be associated with dysphagia. Unfortunately, the frequency of Chiari malformations or other head imaging abnormalities in children who aspirate is unknown. The goal of this study is to determine the frequency of head imaging abnormalities in children with evidence of aspiration or penetration on video fluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS).SettingTertiary Children's Hospital.MethodsWe performed retrospective analysis of children with a diagnosis of aspiration evaluated at our center from January 2010 through April 2021. In this study, we included children with VFSS confirmed aspiration or penetration, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at our center, and without known genetic, congenital craniofacial, or neurologic abnormalities.ResultsOf the 977 patients evaluated in our system during that time with a diagnosis of aspiration, 185 children met the inclusion criteria. Eight children were diagnosed with Chiari malformations (4.3%) and 94 head MRIs were abnormal (51.4%). There was no difference in VFSS findings (frequency of aspiration, penetration, penetration‐aspiration score, or recommended thickness of liquid) in children with a Chiari malformation versus other abnormalities or normal brain imaging. The majority of other non‐Chiari brain imaging abnormalities were nonspecific. There was no difference in VFSS findings in children with abnormal MRI findings versus normal MRI.ConclusionsBrain imaging abnormalities are common in children who aspirate. Intervenable lesions are rare. Further studies are required to determine patients that will most likely benefit from brain imaging.