bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Cortical Gray Matter Changes Preceding Accelerated Volume Changes in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Authors: Cho Kang Ik , Pasternak Ofer , Zhang Fan , Penzel Nora , Seitz-Holland Johanna , Tang Yingying , Zhang Tianhong , Xu Lihua , Li Huijun , Keshavan Matcheri , Whitfield-Gabrielli Sue , Niznikiewicz Margaret , Stone William , Wang Jijun , Shenton Martha 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Recent studies show that accelerated cortical gray matter (GM) volume reduction seen in anatomical MRI can help distinguish between individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis who will develop psychosis and those who will not. This reduction is thought to result from an accumulation of microstructural changes, such as decreased spine density and dendritic arborization. Detecting the microstructural sources of these changes before they accumulate is crucial, as volume reduction likely indicates an underlying neurodegenerative process. Our study aimed to detect these microstructural GM alterations using diffusion MRI (dMRI). We tested for baseline and longitudinal group differences in anatomical and dMRI data from 160 individuals at CHR and 96 healthy controls (HC) acquired in a single imaging site. Eight cortical lobes were examined for GM volume and GM microstructure. A novel dMRI measure, interstitial free water (iFW), was used to quantify GM microstructure by eliminating cerebrospinal fluid contribution. Additionally, we assessed whether these measures differentiated the 33 individuals at CHR who developed psychosis (CHR-P) from the 127 individuals at CHR who did not (CHR-NP). At baseline the CHR group had significantly higher iFW than HC in the prefrontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, while volume was reduced only in the temporal lobe. Neither iFW nor volume differentiated between the CHR-P and CHR-NP groups at baseline. However, in most brain areas, the CHR-P group demonstrated significantly accelerated iFW increase and volume reduction with time than the CHR-NP group. Our results demonstrate that microstructural GM changes in individuals at CHR have a wider extent than volumetric changes and they predate the acceleration of brain changes that occur around psychosis onset. Microstructural GM changes are thus an early pathology at the prodromal stage of psychosis that may be useful for early detection and a better mechanistic understanding of psychosis development.
Single Session Combined Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS), Magnetic Field, and Light Therapy by A Multifunctional Device in Pain Management After Acute Soft Tissue Injuries Among Athletes_ A Case-Control Study in Sweden
Authors: Carnefeldt Sebastian John , Yarmohammadi Ali Arab 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of single-session combined LIPUS, magnetic field therapy, and the two light therapies (invisible infrared and Blue) using a multifunctional device in pain management after acute soft tissue injuries among athletes.
Methods
During the period of Feb-May 2023, a case-control study was conducted in Sweden among one hundred (100) athletes with various soft tissue injuries. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures pain intensity was used to compare between the LipusPlus therapy group and the Sham group.
Results
The analysis revealed that the LipusPlus therapy had a more pronounced impact on pain reduction compared to the Sham treatment. The LipusPlus group reported greater VAS reduction (2.460 on the VAS scale) compared to the Sham group (0.120 on the VAS scale). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion
Combination therapy with devices like LipusPlus is a promising safe and effective alternative therapy for early pain management among athletes with acute soft tissue injuries which addresses the unique needs of athletes for rapid recovery by a potential synergic effect of multiple modalities. Combination therapy can be a valuable armament in physiotherapy and sports medicine arsenal.
Evaluation of gut microbial diversity and correlation in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with hand, foot and mouth disease
Authors: Jin Hongwei , Feng Bin , Gong Wenxiao , Chen Xiaoliang , Wang Dongli , Li Yan , Huang Weijun , Peng Wenting 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
With the proposal of the concept of "metagenomics" and the development of sequencing technology, 16S rRNA gene profiling has been widely applied in the survey of microbial diversity. This study explored the gut microbiota of children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). We enrolled 24 cases with asymptomatic and symptomatic HFMD from January 2022 to October 2022 at a median age of three years. The controls were 19 healthy children of a similar age who underwent routine health examinations at the hospital during the same period. Gut microbiota was analyzed using high throughput 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing (16S rRNA sequencing). The gut microbiota, both in asymptomatic and symptomatic HFMD patients, was distinct from the controls. Compared with the controls, the composition of gut microbiota in the HFMD cases represented a significant difference. The dysbiosis of gut microbiota of the HFMD cases included a reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria and an up-regulation of inflammation-inducing bacteria. These may have impaired the intestinal biological mucosal barrier and host immune functions, promoting the invasion of the enterovirus. In this study, aiming to preliminarily evaluate the characteristics of the diversity in the intestinal flora of patients with severe pneumonia, which can help to formulate new preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Autotetraploid synthetic seeds of Ficus carica L. exhibit a superior cold acclimation system than their origin diploids
Authors: Abdolinejad Ruhollah , Shekafandeh Akhtar 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The current study investigates cold conservation of Synseeds of two fig cytotypes using sodium alginate 3% and nodal segments as explants. The biometrical and some important physiochemical parameters were evaluated to determine the cold acclimation responses of both cytotypes’ Synseeds. Results demonstrated that in the 9th month of conservation, 37.5% of autotetraploid Synseeds had survived, whereas all diploid Synseeds had died. The survival rate of autotetraploid Synseeds (87.5%) in the 6th month of conservation was significantly higher than that of their origin diploids (54.16%). Autotetraploid Synseeds produced significantly lower amounts of stress indexes such as H2O2 and MDA (53.7% and 31.7%, respectively) during the cold conservation period, particularly in the 6th month of conservation, than their origin diploids; which were accompanied by a lower ion leakage (49.75%) and a higher water content (8.34%) compared to their origin diploids. Furthermore, autotetraploid Synseeds exhibited superior capability of accumulating cell osmolytes in the 6th month of conservation than their origin diploids, including higher contents up to 34.62% TSS, 73.78% proline, and 43.96% glycine betaine. The activity of two key antioxidant enzymes of CAT and APX was also significantly higher in autotetraploid Synseeds up to 48.14% and 30.29% in the 6th month of conservation, respectively, than in their origin diploids. According to the findings, it could be concluded that the autotetraploid cytotype has significantly more tolerance to cold stress due to its superior cold acclimation strategies, mainly including the osmolytes accumulation and cell detoxification dependent on antioxidant enzymes, than their origin diploid cytotype.
High-quality HfO2/HfSe2 gate stack for low-power steep-switching computing devices
Authors: Lee Sungjoo , Kang Taeho , Park Joonho , Jung Hanggyo , Choi Haeju , Lee Nayeong , Jeon Jongwook , Kim Yong-Hoon 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Herein, we report a high-quality gate stack (native HfO2 formed on 2D HfSe2) fabricated via plasma oxidation, realizing an atomically sharp interface with a suppressed interface trap density (Dit ~ 5×1010 cm− 2 eV− 1). The chemically converted HfO2 exhibits dielectric constant, κ ~ 23, resulting in low gate leakage current (~ 10− 3 A/cm2) at EOT ~ 0.5 nm. Density functional calculations indicated that the atomistic mechanism for achieving a high-quality interface is the possibility of O atoms replacing the Se atoms of the interfacial HfSe2 layer without a substitution energy barrier, allowing layer-by-layer oxidation to proceed. The field-effect-transistor-fabricated HfO2/HfSe2 gate stack demonstrated an almost ideal subthreshold slope (SS) of ~ 61 mV/dec (over four orders of IDS) at room temperature (300 K), along with a high Ion/Ioff ratio of ~ 108 and a small hysteresis of ~ 10 mV. Furthermore, we fabricated HfO2/HfSe2 based impact-ionization FET with a separately controlled channel structure, demonstrating the steep-switching characteristics of SS ~ 3.43 mV/dec at room temperature, overcoming the Boltzmann limit. Our results provide a significant step toward the realization of post-Si semiconducting devices for future energy-efficient data-centric computing electronics.
Distribution characteristics of Hg2+ and methylmercury in natural organic matter with different molecular weights
Authors: Zhang Dan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Natural organic matter (NOM) is a very important environmental medium in the aquatic environment. Hg2+ and methylmercury (MeHg) in the aquatic environment are mostly present in the form by combining with NOM. The distribution characteristics of Hg2+ and MeHg affects their transport and transformation in the aquatic environment. However, the distribution characteristics in molecular weight fractionated natural organic matters (Mf-NOM) are still unclear. In this study, the distribution characteristics of Hg2+ and MeHg in Mf-NOM were studied by isotope tracer technology. We observed that when both Hg2+ and MeHg were distributed in Mf-NOM, Hg2+ tended to distribute in higher molecular weight Mf-NOM, while MeHg preferred to the lower ones. These distributions had a strong correlation with pH. They was also affected by thiol-containing small molecules, which can bind with both Hg2+ and MeHg to form a more stable substance. Moreover, the composition and pH of water play a key role in determining the distribution characteristics of Hg2+ and MeHg in actual environment.
Relationships between cystatin C‑ and creatinine‑based eGFR in older adults with frailty
Authors: Shi Xiaotian , Wang Shan , Yang Huayu , Yang Yifan , Li Xu , Ma Qing 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background Frailty is commonly observed in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as indicated by a decrease in physical function indicators such as grip strength and gait speed, which are linked to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Objective We hypothesizedthat the ratio of cystatin C-based eGFR (eGFRcys) to creatinine-based eGFR (eGFRcr) could serve as an indicator offrailty.
Methods This cross-sectional study included 502 individuals(≥60). The Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) defines frailty. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the predictive efficacy of the eGFRcys/eGFRcr and to calculatethe area under the curve (AUC). The cutoff value was determined to optimize both test sensitivity and specificity.
Results The prevalence of frailty was 10.6%. The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) (OR=1.759, 95% CI 1.374-2.252), polypharmacy (OR=0.379,95% CI 0.190-0.755) and MNA-SF scores (OR=0.596,95% CI 0.488-0.729) were factors related tofrailty. ROC curve analysis showed that eGFRcys/eGFRcr had some predictive value for frailty, with an AUC of 0.665 (95% CI 0.622-0.706), a sensitivity of 60.38%, a specificity of 70.38%, and an optimal cutoff value of 0.3076. With the addition of MNA.SF, there was a significant increase in the AUC for diagnosing frailty to 0.749 (95% CI 0.709-0.786), with a sensitivity of 62.26% and specificity of 83.74%.
Conclusion The prevalence of frailty is high among older individuals and is associated with several factors, including ACCI, polypharmacy and malnutrition. A combination of a lower eGFRcys/eGFRcre ratio and MNA. SF may serve as a potential marker for detecting frailty.
Repeated Omicron infection dampens immune imprinting from vaccination and induces broad neutralizing profiles against other Omicron sub-variants
Authors: Yang Yang , Gong Xiaohua , Peng Ling , Wang Fuxiang , Liu Jiexiang , Peng Yun , Niu Siyu , Yin Juzhen , GUO Liping , Tang Yimin , Liu Yingxia , Lu Hongzhou 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Protection from boosting with updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines containing emerging Omicron sub-variants like BA.1 or BA.5 was not satisfying, especially the neutralizing ability against the newly emerged BQ and XBB related variants. Similar with influenza virus, antigenic drift is highly relevant to SARS-CoV-2 evolution, and immune imprinting may limit the performance of updated vaccines. In this study, we investigated whether repeated infection with Omicron variant could reduce the immune imprinting. A total of 194 participants with different status of vaccination (unvaccinated, regular vaccination and booster vaccination) confirmed for first infection and re-infection with BA.5, BF.7 and XBB variants were enrolled, and the neutralizing profiles against wild type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron sub-variants were analyzed. The results showed that neutralizing potency against the corresponding infected variant is significantly hampered along with the doses of vaccination during first infection. However, for the participants with first infection of BA.5/BF.7 variants and re-infection of XBB variant, immune imprinting was obviously alleviated, indicated as significantly increased ratio of the corresponding infected variant/WT ID50 titers and higher percentage of samples with high neutralizing activities (ID50 > 500) against BA.5, BF.7 and XBB variants. Moreover, repeated Omicron infection could induce strong neutralizing potency with broad neutralizing profiles against a series of other Omicron sub-variants including the newly emerged EG.5.1 variant, both in the vaccine naïve and vaccine experienced individuals. In conclusion, our results provide useful information for the antigen selection and vaccination strategies, and indicated that repeated boosting vaccination with Omicron based vaccines especially the XBB sub-variant without the WT spike protein might achieve broad and efficient antibody responses against Omicron variant.
Effect of mixed Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection on rapid molecular diagnostics among patients starting MDR-TB treatment in Uganda
Authors: Komakech Kevin , Nakiyingi Lydia , Fred Ashab , Achan Beatrice , Joloba Moses , Kirenga Bruce J , Ssengooba Willy 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: We evaluated the effect of mixed-MTB strain infection on the performance of Line Probe Assay (LPA) and GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assays among patients initiating MDR-TB treatment in Uganda
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using sputum specimens collected from participants screened for STREAM 2 clinical trial between October 2017 and October 2019. Samples from 62 MTB smear-positive patients and rifampicin-resistant patients from the peripheral health facilities were processed for Xpert and LPA as screening tests for eligibility in the trial. From November 2020, processed stored sputum samples were retrieved and genotyped to determine the presence of mixed-MTB strain infection using a standard 24-locus Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit–Variable Number Tandem-Repeat (MIRU-VNTR). Samples with at least 20/24 MIRU-VNTR loci amplified were considered for analysis. Agar proportional Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) was performed on culture isolates of samples that had discordant results between LPA and Xpert. The impact of the presence of mixed-MTB strain on Xpert and LPA test interpretation was analyzed.
Results: A total of 53/62 (85%) samples had analyzable results from MIRU-VNTR. The overall prevalence of mixed-MTB infection was 5/53 (9.4%). The prevalence was highest among males 3/33 (9.7%) and among middle-aged adults, 4/30 (13.3%). Lineage 4 of MTB contributed 3/33 (9.1%) of the mixed-MTB infection prevalence. Having mixed MTB strain infection increased the odds of false susceptible Xpert test results (OR 7.556, 95% CI 0.88-64.44) but not for LPA. Being HIV-positive (P=0.04) independently predicted the presence of mixed MTB infection.
Conclusions: The presence of mixed-MTB strain infection may affect the performance of the GeneXpert test but not for LPA. For patients with high pre-test probability of rifampicin resistance, an alternative rapid method such as LPA should be considered.
Defining and optimising the economic and social return on investment of telephone cancer information and support services: a research protocol
Authors: McCaffrey Nikki , White Vicki , Engel Lidia , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Orellana Liliana , Livingston Patricia , Paul Christine , Aranda Sanchia , De Silva Daswin , Bucholc Jessica , Hutchinson Alison , Steiner Anna , Ratcliffe Julie , Lane Katherine , Spence Danielle , Harper Todd A , Livingstone Ann , Fradgley Elizabeth , Hutchinson Claire 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Over 50% of people affected by cancer report unmet support needs. To address unmet information and psychological needs, non-government organisations such as Macmillan Support (UK) and Cancer Councils (Australia) have developed state-based cancer information and support services, including telephone support. Due to competing demands, evidence on the value of telephone support services is needed to ensure that future investment makes the best use of scarce resources. This research aims to determine the costs and broader economic and social value of a telephone support service, to inform future funding and service provision models.
Methods
A co-designed, evaluative social return on investment analysis (SROI) will be conducted to estimate and compare the costs and monetised benefits of Cancer Council Victoria’s (CCV) telephone support line, 13 11 20, over one- and three-year benefit periods. Nine studies will empirically estimate the parameters to inform the SROI and calculate the ratio (economic and social value to value invested): Step 1 mapping outcomes (in-depth analysis of CCV’s 13 11 20 recorded call data; focus groups and interviews); Step 2 providing evidence of outcomes (comparative survey of people affected by cancer who do and do not call CCV’s 13 11 20; general public survey); Step 3 valuing the outcomes (financial proxies, value games); Step 4 establishing the impact (Delphi); Step 5 calculating the net benefit; and Step 6 service improvement (discrete choice experiment (DCE), “what if” analysis). Alternative ways of delivering, promoting, and targeting CCV’s 13 11 20 to optimise the SROI ratio of inputs (costs and resources) to monetised benefits will be explored. Qualitative (focus groups, interviews) and quantitative studies (natural language processing, cross-sectional studies, Delphi) and economic techniques (willingness-to-pay, financial proxies, value games, DCE) will be applied.
Discussion
This SROI applies a comprehensive and rigorous program of research using mixed-methods to generate robust evidence for identifying, measuring, and reporting the broader benefits and outcomes, and economic and social value of a telephone support line. The protocol describes the program methods and provides a potential guide for evaluating telephone support services and similar programs in other health and social care settings, advancing SROI methodology.
The use of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids in women with gestational diabetes at risk of late preterm delivery: a puzzle worth solving
Authors: Özkan Sadullah , Dereli Murat Levent , Kurt Dilara , Kurt Ahmet , Sucu Sadun , Fıratlıgil Fahri Burçin , İşleyen Fatih , Çelen Şevki , Üstün Yaprak Engin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: To investigate the association between late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment and outcome in late preterm neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus,
Methods: All patients with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery at Etlik Lady Zübeyde Hospital between 2017 and 2021 were included. Women who met the inclusion criteria and were not given antenatal corticosteroid treatment during current pregnancy before 34 0/7 weeks of gestation were divided into two groups according to whether or not they received late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment. The two groups were compared in terms of adverse neonatal complications. The main outcomes were composite respiratory outcome and composite neonatal outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine additional potential predictors of neonatal outcome.
Results: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 400 participants with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery within the study period. Of these women, 196 (49%) received late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment. Main outcomes showed no difference. Decreasing gestational age at birth was identified as an independent risk factor predicting both composite respiratory outcome and composite neonatal outcome in multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Conclusions: Antenatal corticosteroid treatment at or after 34 0/7 weeks of gestation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery was not associated with improvement in adverse neonatal outcomes. Decreasing gestational age at birth was the only independent risk factor predicting composite neonatal and composite respiratory outcomes.
Risk factors of the antenatal depression in a sample of Italian pregnant women: A preliminary study
Authors: Sergi Maria Rita , Saggino Aristide , Balsamo Michela , Picconi Laura , Anchora Luigi , Tommasi Marco 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background: Antenatal depression is characterized by low mood, insomnia, disorganised behaviour, irritability, and agitation during the pregnancy. If underestimated, antenatal depression is untreated during the pregnancy. It is associated to higher levels of suicide, higher risk of depression after childbirth, preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, poor interactions between child and mother and severe obstetric outcomes. New data underlined the importance to prevent the risk of depression during the pregnancy. This study examines the predictive validity of potential risk factors, such as socio-demographic and psychological factors, in developing the antenatal depression.
Methods: The sample was composed by Italian pregnant women (N=247, mean age of 33.77, SD=4.78 years). This sample completed the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Teate Depression Inventory (TDI) and questionnaires about demographic variables. To study associations among variables examined bivariate correlations were computed. To analyse the role of socio-demographic factors and the psychological dimension to predict the severity of the antenatal depression a logistic regression was performed.
Results: Results showed significantly positive correlations between the EPDS and the TDI, and no associations among the EPDS and all socio-demographic factors. Therefore, only the psychological factors were significant predictive risk factors of antenatal period. Finally, higher score of the depression measured via TDI predicted higher score of the EPDS.
Conclusions: Our results had implications in clinical field. Indeed, the early diagnosis of depression during the pregnancy can help operators in the gynaecological field to prevent the depression in the post-partum period.