bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the changes of cardiac and hepatic iron load in thalassemia patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Xu Fengming , Li Da , Tang Cheng , Liang Bumin , Guan Kaiming , Liu Rongrong , Peng Peng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTo investigate the value of T2* technique on 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating the changes of cardiac and hepatic iron load before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with thalassemia (TM), the 141 TM patients were divided into 6 group for subgroup analysis: 6, 12, 18, 24 and > 24 months group, according to the postoperative interval. The T2* values of heart and liver (H-T2*, L-T2*) were quantified in TM patients before and after HSCT using 3.0 T MRI T2* technology, and the corresponding serum ferritin (SF) was collected at the same time, and the changes of the three before and after HSCT were compared. The overall H-T2* (P = 0.001) and L-T2* (P = 0.041) of patients after HSCT were higher than those before HSCT (mean relative changes = 19.63%, 7.19%). The H-T2* (P < 0.001) and L-T2* (P < 0.001) > 24 months after HSCT were significantly higher than those before HSCT (mean relative changes = 69.19%, 93.73%). The SF of 6 months (P < 0.001), 12 months (P = 0.008), 18 months (P = 0.002) and > 24 months (P = 0.001) were significantly higher than those before HSCT (mean relative changes = 57.93%, 73.84%, 128.51%, 85.47%). There was no significant improvement in cardiac and liver iron content in TM patients within 24 months after HSCT, while the reduction of cardiac and liver iron content in patients is obvious when > 24 months after HSCT.
Potency of teleophthalmology as a detection tool for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Li Liu , Jin Yu , Wang Jun Hua , Wang Sha Sha , Yuan Fang Xiu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn China, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is increasing, so it is necessary to provide convenient and effective community outreach screening programs for DR, especially in rural and remote areas. The purpose of this study was to use the results of ophthalmologists as the gold standard to evaluate the accuracy of community general practitioners' judgement and grading of DR to find a feasible and convenient DR screening method to reduce the risk of visual impairment and blindness in known diabetes patients. Retinal images of 1646 diabetic patients who underwent DR screening through teleophthalmology at Nanchang First Hospital were collected for 30 months (January 2020 to June 2022). Retinal images were collected without medication for mydriasis, stored by community general practitioner, and diagnosed by both community general practitioner and ophthalmologist of our hospital through teleophthalmology. The grading of ophthalmologist was used as a reference or gold standard for comparison with that of community general practitioner. A total of 1646 patients and 3185 eyes were examined, including 2310 eyes with DR. The evaluation by the community general practitioner had a Kappa value of 0.578, sensitivity of 80.58%, specificity of 89.94%, and accuracy of 83.38%% in 2020; a Kappa value of 0.685, sensitivity of 95.43%, specificity of 78.55%, and accuracy of 90.77% in 2021; and a Kappa value of 0.744, sensitivity of 93.99%, specificity of 88.97%, and accuracy of 92.86% in 2022. Teleophthalmology helped with large-scale screening of DR and made it possible for community general practitioner to grade images with high accuracy after appropriate training. It is possible to solve the current shortage of eye care personnel, promote the early recognition of disease and reduce the impact of diabetes-associated blindness.
New alternative ingredients and genetic selection are the next game changers in rainbow trout nutrition: a metabolomics appraisal
Authors: Roques Simon , Deborde Catherine , Skiba-Cassy Sandrine , Médale Françoise , Dupont-Nivet Mathilde , Lefevre Florence , Bugeon Jérome , Labbé Laurent , Marchand Yann , Moing Annick , Fauconneau Benoit 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe formulation of sustainable fish feeds based on plant ingredients supplemented by alternative ingredients to plant (insect, micro-algae, yeast) and genetic selection of fish for plant-based diets were tested on rainbow trout in two separate experiments. Plant-based diets and corresponding diets supplemented with an ingredient mix: insect, micro-algae and yeast in Experiment A, and insect and yeast in Experiment B were compared to commercial-like diets. In experiment A, the mix-supplemented diet was successful in compensating the altered growth performance of fish fed their respective plant-based diet compared to those fed the commercial diet, by restoring feed conversion. In experiment B, the selected line demonstrated improved growth performances of fish fed mix-supplemented and plant-based diets compared to the non-selected line. Metabolomics demonstrated a plasma compositional stability in fish fed mix-supplemented and basal plant-based diets comprising an amino acid accumulation and a glucose depletion, compared to those fed commercial diets. The selected line fed mix-supplemented and commercial diets showed changes in inositol, ethanol and methanol compared to the non-selected line, suggesting an involvement of microbiota. Changes in plasma glycine-betaine content in fish fed the mix-supplemented diet suggest the ability of the selected line to adapt to alternative ingredients.
Limited beneficial effects of systemic steroids when added to standard of care treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Skröder Carl , Hellkvist Laila , Dahl Åslög , Westin Ulla , Bjermer Leif , Karlsson Agneta , Cardell Lars Olaf 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntramuscular injections with methylprednisolone treating allergic rhinitis (AR) have a long history. Modern guidelines are designed to dissuade this treatment, but it´s frequently used, especially in primary care. This despite of concern for side effects and lack of modern placebo-controlled studies. This study was designed to evaluate if methylprednisolone, could significantly improve symptoms of birch pollen induced AR and reduce the concomitant use of standard of care medication. Forty-two patients with birch pollen induced AR were randomized to treatment with methylprednisolone (80 mg) or placebo (NaCl 0.9%). Daily symptom- and medication scores was registered for 3 weeks. Quality of life questionnaires Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and Juniper Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionaire (Juniper RQLQ) were registered at trial start and at the end of the 3 weeks period. The combined symptom- and medication scores indicate that the methylprednisolone treated group [mean Area Under the Curve (AUC) 37.1 (SD 16.2 (95% CI 29.9–44.6))] was significantly better off than the placebo group [mean AUC 49.1 (SD 10.1 (95% CI 44.5–53.7))], p = 0.008. No significant difference between the groups were found in the SNOT-22 and Juniper RQLQ analysis. Registered side effects were few and mild. The limited beneficial effects of systemic steroids when added to standard of care in combination of its potential risk for side effects, speaks against its use for treatment of severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. The lack of difference in quality-of-life further underscores this result.
Biological and genetic characterization of a newly established human external auditory canal carcinoma cell line, SCEACono2
Authors: Komune Noritaka , Sato Kuniaki , Ono Mayumi , Imaizumi Akira , Masuda Shogo , Itoyama Shinsaku , Manako Tomomi , Kuga Ryosuke , Hongo Takahiro , Kogo Ryunosuke , Onishi Hideya , Nakagawa Takashi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSquamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (EACSCC) is an extraordinarily rare and aggressive malignant disease. Establishment of EACSCC cell line with robust molecular characteristics is essential for the basic and translational research of EACSCC. Here, we show the newly established EACSCC cell line SCEACono2, derived from a patient with well-to-moderately differentiated EACSCC. We analyzed histologic and genetic features of SCEACono2 hiring multiple experiments, including next-generation sequencing (NGS). Immunocytochemical staining of SCEACono2 showed positivity of p53 and SCC1/2. Furthermore, SCEACono2 exhibited a unique characteristic that cytokeratin, vimentin as well as cancer stem cell markers (CD44, CD133, ALP and Oct3/4) were positive. SCEACono2 had an ability to form tumors at the temporal lesion xenograft nude mice model. NGS revealed that SCEACono2 harbored the somatic mutations of TP53 (p.G245S) and NOTCH1 (p.A465T). RNA-seq and downstream bioinformatics analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in inflammation and cell adhesion in SCEACono2 compared to SCC-9 and HSC-4. STR profiling indicated no evidence of cross-contamination. In conclusion, SCEACono2 could serves as a promising and robust research resource of EACSCC in vitro and in vivo.
Aerospace-foraging bats eat seasonably across varying habitats
Authors: Aihartza Joxerra , Vallejo Nerea , Aldasoro Miren , García-Mudarra Juan L. , Goiti Urtzi , Nogueras Jesus , Ibáñez Carlos 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRecent research has confirmed the efficiency of insectivorous bats as pest suppressors, underlining the ecological services they offer in agroecosystems. Therefore, some efforts try to enhance bat foraging in agricultural landscapes by acting upon environmental factors favouring them. In this study, we monitored a Miniopterus schreibersii colony, in the southern Iberian Peninsula. We intensively sampled their faeces and analysed them by metabarcoding to describe how the bent-winged bat diet would change with time, and to test whether their most-consumed prey would seasonally depend on different landscapes or habitats. Our results confirm that M. schreibersii are selective opportunist predators of moths, dipterans, mayflies, and other fluttering insects, shifting their diet to temporary peaks of prey availability in their foraging range, including both pest and non-pest insects. Supporting our hypothesis, throughout the year, M. schreibersii consume insects linked to diverse open habitats, including wetlands, grassland, diverse croplands, and woodland. The importance of each prey habitat varies seasonally, depending on their insect phenology, making bats indirectly dependent on a diverse landscape as their primary prey source. Bats' predation upon pest insects is quantitatively high, consuming around 1610 kg in 5 months, of which 1467 kg correspond to ten species. So, their suppression effect may be relevant, mainly in patchy heterogeneous landscapes, where bats' foraging may concentrate in successive outbursts of pests, affecting different crops or woodlands. Our results stress that to take advantage of the ecosystem services of bats or other generalist insectivores, keeping the environmental conditions they require to thrive, particularly a heterogeneous landscape within the colony's foraging area, is crucial.
Unravelling the many facets of human cooperation in an experimental study
Authors: Rostovtseva Victoria V. , Puurtinen Mikael , Méndez Salinas Emiliano , Cox Ralf F. A. , Groothuis Antonius G. G. , Butovskaya Marina L. , Weissing Franz J. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHumans readily cooperate, even with strangers and without prospects of reciprocation. Despite thousands of studies, this finding is not well understood. Most studies focussed on a single aspect of cooperation and were conducted under anonymous conditions. However, cooperation is a multi-faceted phenomenon, involving generosity, readiness to share, fairness, trust, trustworthiness, and willingness to take cooperative risks. Here, we report findings of an experiment where subjects had to make decisions in ten situations representing different aspects of cooperation, both under anonymous and ‘personalised’ conditions. In an anonymous setting, we found considerable individual variation in each decision situation, while individuals were consistent both within and across situations. Prosocial tendencies such as generosity, trust, and trustworthiness were positively correlated, constituting a ‘cooperativeness syndrome’, but the tendency to punish non-cooperative individuals is not part of this syndrome. In a personalised setting, information on the appearance of the interaction partner systematically affected cooperation-related behaviour. Subjects were more cooperative toward interaction partners whose facial photographs were judged ‘generous’, ‘trustworthy’, ‘not greedy’, ‘happy’, ‘attractive’, and ‘not angry’ by a separate panel. However, individuals eliciting more cooperation were not more cooperative themselves in our experiment. Our study shows that a multi-faceted approach can reveal general behavioural tendencies underlying cooperation, but it also uncovers new puzzling features of human cooperation.
Reliability of panoramic ultrasound imaging and agreement with magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of lumbar multifidus anatomical cross-sectional area
Authors: Fitze Daniel P. , Franchi Martino V. , Peterhans Loris , Frey Walter O. , Spörri Jörg 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of panoramic ultrasound (US) imaging and agreement with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing the average lumbar multifidus anatomical cross-sectional area between the lumbar vertebral bodies L3–L5 (i.e., LMF ACSAL3–L5). US and MRI scans of 20 male youth competitive alpine skiers were collected. To test the intra- and interrater reliability of US, transversal panoramic scans were analyzed on two different days by the same rater and the analysis of the first day was compared with the analysis of a second rater. To examine the agreement between US and MRI, Bland–Altman analysis was performed. Intrarater reliability was excellent, and interrater reliability was weak to good for both sides. The bias between MRI and US was − 0.19 ± 0.90 cm2 (2.68 ± 12.30%) for the left side and − 0.04 ± 0.98 cm2 (− 1.11 ± 12.93%) for the right side (i.e., for both sides US slightly overestimated LMF ACSAL3–L5 on average). The limits of agreement were − 1.95 to 1.57 cm2 (− 26.70 to 21.30%) for the left side and − 1.95 to 1.88 cm2 (− 26.46 to 24.24%) for the right side. Panoramic US imaging may be considered a method with excellent intrarater and weak to good interrater reliability for assessing LMF ACSAL3–L5. Comparison with MRI showed large individual differences in some cases, but an acceptable bias between the two imaging modalities.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals that RasGEF1b deletion alters basal and LPS-induced expression of genes involved in chemotaxis and cytokine responses in macrophages
Authors: Fernandes Heliana B. , de Oliveira Isadora Mafra , Postler Thomas S. , Lima Sérgio Q. , Santos Cícera A. C. , Oliveira Michaelle S. , Leão Felipe B. , Ghosh Sankar , Souza Maria C. , Andrade Warrison , Silva Aristóbolo M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRas guanine nucleotide exchange factor member 1b (RasGEF1b) of the RasGEF/CDC25 domain-containing family is preferentially expressed by macrophages. However, information is lacking about its role in macrophage function. In this study, we generated mice with ubiquitous deletion of Rasgef1b and used RNA-seq-based transcriptomics to compare the global gene expression in wild-type and knock-out primary bone-marrow-derived macrophages under basal conditions and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Transcriptional filtering identified several genes with significantly different transcript levels between wild-type and knock-out macrophages. In total, 49 and 37 differentially expressed genes were identified at baseline and in LPS-activated macrophages, respectively. Distinct biological processes were significantly linked to down-regulated genes at the basal condition only, and largely included chemotaxis, response to cytokines, and positive regulation of GTPase activity. Importantly, validation by RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of genes identified as down-regulated after LPS stimulation was also decreased in the knock-out cells under basal conditions. We used a luciferase-based reporter assay to showcase the capability of RasGEF1b in activating the Serpinb2 promoter. Notably, knockdown of RasGEF1b in RAW264.7 macrophages resulted in impaired transcriptional activation of the Serpinb2 promoter, both in constitutive and LPS-stimulated conditions. This study provides a small collection of genes that shows relative expression changes effected by the absence of RasGEF1b in macrophages. Thus, we present the first evidence that RasGEF1b mediates the regulation of both steady-state and signal-dependent expression of genes and propose that this GEF plays a role in the maintenance of the basal transcriptional level in macrophages.
Impact of active intra-complex rest intervals on post-back squat versus hip thrust jumping potentiation
Authors: Urbański Robert , Biel Piotr , Kot Sebastian , Perenc Dawid , Aschenbrenner Piotr , Stastny Petr , Krzysztofik Michał 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the impact of active rest intervals within a lower body complex training session on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) response in amateur soccer players. Twelve soccer players took part in four different experimental conditions. These sessions included 2 sets of lower body complex-paired exercises, each involving 3 repetitions of either back squats or hip thrusts at 90% one-repetition maximum (1RM) as a conditioning activity paired with a broad jump and countermovement jump. Between those exercises in active intra-complex rest interval conditions, participants were performing 8 repetitions of bench press at 75%1RM or, in passive intra-complex rest interval conditions, rested while seated. A significant main effect of a set to increase broad jump length (p = 0.002), countermovement jump height (p = 0.002), and modified reactive strength index (p = 0.005) was revealed, without any significant differences between conditions. Post-hoc comparisons showed a significant increase in broad jump length from baseline to Set-2 (231 ± 13 vs. 234 ± 13 cm; p = 0.003; ES = 0.22). On the other hand, countermovement jump height and modified reactive strength index significantly increased from baseline to Set-1 (34.4 ± 3.6 vs. 35.6 ± 3.9 cm; p = 0.027; ES = 0.31 and 0.4 ± 0.05 vs. 0.45 ± 0.09; p = 0.005; ES = 0.66). Results of this study showed that to sustain a high training density, sports practitioners may incorporate upper body exercises within the intra-complex rest interval during lower limb complex training sessions and still elicit a significant PAPE effect.
Theoretical approach to ferroelectricity in hafnia and related materials
Authors: Aramberri Hugo , Íñiguez Jorge 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHafnia ferroelectrics combine technological promise and remarkable behaviors. Their peculiarity stems from the many active extrinsic mechanisms that contribute to their properties and from a continuously growing number of novel intrinsic features. Partly because of their unconventional nature, basic questions about these materials remain open and one may wonder about the pertinence of some frequent theoretical assumptions. Here, aided by first-principles simulations, we show that, by adopting an original high-symmetry reference phase as the starting point of the analysis, we can develop a mathematically simple and physically transparent treatment of the ferroelectric state of hafnia. The proposed approach describes hafnia as a uniaxial ferroic, as suggested by recent studies of (woken-up) samples with well-developed polarization. Also, it is compatible with the occurrence of polar soft modes and proper ferroelectric order. Further, our theory provides a straightforward and unified description of all low-energy polymorphs, shedding light on old questions such as the prevalence of the monoclinic ground state, pointing at exciting possibilities like an antiferroelastic behavior, and facilitating the future development of perturbative theories, from Landau to second-principles potentials. Our work thus yields a deeper understanding of hafnia ferroelectrics, improving our ability to optimize their properties and induce new ones.
A new type of lipophilic hydrophobic self‐repairing cellulose insulating paper developed with ST‐110/FAS/PTFE ternary system as coating substrate
Authors: Zeng Zhenglin , Qin Jinshan , Wang Zuhao , Tan Weimin , Tang Chao 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe moisture generated by the ageing of the oil‐paper insulating system can easily lead to the deterioration of the performance of the insulating paper. In order to alleviate the impact of moisture on the performance of the insulating paper, we developed a kind of lipophilic hydrophobic self‐repairing cellulose insulating paper (new insulating paper) based on the ternary system of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorocarbon surfactant and fluorinated alkyl silane, and accelerated thermal ageing test for 45 days at 130°C was carried out. The experimental results show that the new insulating paper with excellent lipophilic property can realise hydrophobic self‐repairing through heat treatment after physical damage. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the new insulating paper increased by 5%–8% and 6.25%–27% respectively compared with the original cellulose insulating paper. At the end of ageing, the relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor of new insulating paper are 10.4% and 9.9% lower than that of the original cellulose insulating paper, while the breakdown voltage is 6.8% higher. The acid and moisture content produced during the ageing process of the insulating oil impregnated with new insulating paper are also less, indicating that the coating can delay the ageing of the insulating paper.
A Predictive Model for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis in Japanese Cancer Patients: Findings from the J-Khorana Registry
Authors: Shoji Masaaki , Yamashita Yugo , Ishii Masanobu , Inoue Hitoki , Kato Hiroshi , Fujita Shin , Matsui Kazuhiro , Tajiri Kazuko , Nameki Mizuo , Muraoka Nao , Nonaka Akiko , Sugino Hiroshi , Kono Mihoko , Oka Toru , Sueta Daisuke , Komuro Issei , Tsujita Kenichi ,   on behalf of J-Khorana Registry Investigators
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background Although the close relationship between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been identified, risk stratification for VTE in Japanese patients with cancer remains unclear.
Objectives This study aimed to validate the Khorana VTE risk assessment score (KRS) for VTE diagnosis and establish an optimal predictive model for VTE in Japanese patients with cancer.
Methods A total of 7,955 Japanese patients with cancer were subdivided into low- (0), intermediate- (1–2), and high-score (3) groups according to the KRS. Using 37 explanatory variables, a total of 2,833 patients with cancer were divided into derivation and validation cohorts (5:5). A risk model for Japanese participants was developed using the derivation cohort data.
Results The prevalence of VTE in low-, intermediate-, and high-score patients was 1.2, 2.5, and 4.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that cancer stage (III–IV) and KRS ≥ 2 were independent and significant predictors of VTE onset. The risk model for VTE assigned 1 point to body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and 2 points each to the prevalence of osteochondral cancer and D-dimer level ≥1.47 µg/mL. The areas under the curve of the risk model were 0.763 and 0.656 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively.
Conclusion The KRS was useful in Japanese patients, and our new predictive model may be helpful for the diagnosis of VTE in Japanese patients with cancer.