bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ossicular joint histopathology in cases of age‐related hearing loss
Authors: Roychowdhury Prithwijit , Castillo‐Bustamante Melissa , Polanik Marc D. , Kozin Elliott D. , Remenschneider Aaron K. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesAge‐related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a prevalent condition traditionally attributed to inner ear dysfunction. Little is known about age‐related changes in the ossicular joints or their contribution to presbycusis. Herein, we performed an otopathologic evaluation of the ossicular joints in cases of presbycusis without a clear sensorineural explanation.MethodsHistopathologic analysis of the incudomallear (IM) and incudostapedial (IS) joints was performed in specimens from the National Temporal Bone Registry with audiometrically confirmed presbycusis but without histologically observed sensorineural, strial, or mixed features; deemed cases of “indeterminate” presbycusis. Specimens identified as “indeterminate” presbycusis (IP, n = 18) were compared to specimens with histologically confirmed sensorineural presbycusis (n = 16) and strial presbycusis (n = 11). Presbycutic specimens were also compared to age‐matched controls (n = 9) and young controls (n = 14).ResultsThe synovial space at the center of the IM joint was wider in the IP group (194 ± 36.8 μm) compared to age‐matched controls (138 ± 36.5 μm), young controls (149 ± 32.2 μm), and ears with sensorineural presbycusis (148 ± 52.7 μm) (p < .05). The synovial space within the IS joint was wider in the IP group (105 ± 33.0 μm) when compared to age‐matched controls (57.9 ± 13.1 μm) and ears with sensorineural presbycusis (62.3 ± 31.2 μm) (p < .05).ConclusionIP ears have wider IM and IS joints when compared to ears with sensorineural presbycusis and age‐matched controls. Findings point to a potential middle ear source of high frequency conductive hearing loss in a subset of presbycutic ears.Level of EvidenceRetrospective study.
TOTAL SELF‐TRANSFORMATION USING MINDFULNESS
Authors: Sethi Deepak 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe author is a longtime corporate leader with extensive experience running executive development programs. He writes about the effective use of mindfulness for personal and professional development, including demystifying the term itself. He wants readers to “understand, explore, practice, get into the habit of and own the full extent of the amazing power of the dual approach of mindfulness meditation and of living mindfully.” He explains a “simple, practical, and powerful framework. It blends ancient Indian and Buddhist wisdom with current findings of neuroscience and my work in leadership development with corporate America. My dual approach has two key components. First, practicing 10 minutes of deep breathing every day to settle the mind, immediately followed by mindfulness meditation for 20 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes.” Noting that most of us take our minds for granted, he claims that “practicing mindfulness meditation every day is the equivalent to physical exercise, in terms of keeping the mind calm and functioning at its very peak. Living mindfully in the moment by observing our thoughts and feelings on an ongoing basis creates constant awareness. This awareness becomes sharper over time and is a prerequisite for personal change.”
Home cooking in the digital age: When observing food influencers on social media triggers the imitation of their practices
Authors: Sokolova Karina , Vessal Saeedeh Rezaee , Perez Charles 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSocial media influencers are effective in influencing the purchase intention of their audience. Aside from products, influencers also promote certain lifestyles and behaviors. Food influencers, for example, frequently feature home cooking, a healthier behavior compared to snacking or dining out. This study explored the potential of social media influencers in promoting such behavior. Driven by social cognitive theory, we explored whether self‐efficacy, perceived benefits, and concerns (social, entertainment, health, and economic) relate to the intention of the audience to cook at home following the recipes an Instagram influencer provides. We conducted three separate studies (two surveys and one experiment) with a French population of social network platform users. Our results showed that the entertainment value of an observed behavior is the main driver for imitation on social media, along with self‐efficacy, at least for women. Mixed results were obtained for social benefits. The perceived ease of the recipe, cooking experience, and explicit verbal encouragement were positively related to self‐efficacy. Surprisingly, the effect of health and economic benefits or concerns and labeling was not confirmed.
Nanotechnology and bioengineering approaches to improve the potency of mesenchymal stem cell as an off‐the‐shelf versatile tumor delivery vehicle
Authors: Taheri Mojtaba , Tehrani Hossein Abdul , Dehghani Sadegh , Alibolandi Mona , Arefian Ehsan , Ramezani Mohammad 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTargeting actionable mutations in oncogene‐driven cancers and the evolution of immuno‐oncology are the two prominent revolutions that have influenced cancer treatment paradigms and caused the emergence of precision oncology. However, intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity are the main challenges in both fields of precision cancer treatment. In other words, finding a universal marker or pathway in patients suffering from a particular type of cancer is challenging. Therefore, targeting a single hallmark or pathway with a single targeted therapeutic will not be efficient for fighting against tumor heterogeneity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess favorable characteristics for cellular therapy, including their hypoimmune nature, inherent tumor‐tropism property, straightforward isolation, and multilineage differentiation potential. MSCs can be loaded with various chemotherapeutics and oncolytic viruses. The combination of these intrinsic features with the possibility of genetic manipulation makes them a versatile tumor delivery vehicle that can be used for in vivo selective tumor delivery of various chemotherapeutic and biological therapeutics. MSCs can be used as biofactory for the local production of chemical or biological anticancer agents at the tumor site. MSC‐mediated immunotherapy could facilitate the sustained release of immunotherapeutic agents specifically at the tumor site, and allow for the achievement of therapeutic concentrations without the need for repetitive systemic administration of high therapeutic doses. Despite the enthusiasm evoked by preclinical studies that used MSC in various cancer therapy approaches, the translation of MSCs into clinical applications has faced serious challenges. This manuscript, with a critical viewpoint, reviewed the preclinical and clinical studies that have evaluated MSCs as a selective tumor delivery tool in various cancer therapy approaches, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Then, the novel nanotechnology and bioengineering approaches that can improve the potency of MSC for tumor targeting and overcoming challenges related to their low localization at the tumor sites are discussed.
Cuproptosis: Mechanism, role, and advances in urological malignancies
Authors: Wu Jialong , He Jide , Liu Zenan , Zhu Xuehua , Li Ziang , Chen Anjing , Lu Jian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractProstate, bladder, and kidney cancers are the most common malignancies of the urinary system. Chemotherapeutic drugs are generally used as adjuvant treatment in the middle, late, or recurrence stages after surgery for urologic cancers. However, traditional chemotherapy is plagued by problems such as poor efficacy, severe side effects, and complications. Copper‐containing nanomedicines are promising novel cancer treatment modalities that can potentially overcome these disadvantages. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis play crucial roles in the development, adaptability, and therapeutic sensitivity of urological malignancies. Cuproptosis refers to the direct binding of copper ions to lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leading to protein oligomerization, loss of iron–sulfur proteins, proteotoxic stress, and cell death. This review focuses on copper homeostasis and cuproptosis as well as recent findings on copper and cuproptosis in urological malignancies. Furthermore, we highlight the potential therapeutic applications of copper‐ and cuproptosis‐targeted therapies to better understand cuproptosis‐based drugs for the treatment of urological tumors in the future.
Protective Effect of Vitexin Against IL‐17‐Induced Vascular Endothelial Inflammation Through Keap1/Nrf2‐Dependent Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gan Ting , Xing Qian , Li Nan , Deng Zeyuan , Pan Changxuan , Liu Xiaoru , Zheng Liufeng 
Published: February 2024

ScopeVitexin, a C‐glycosylated flavonoid, is abundant in food sources and has potential health‐beneficial properties. However, the targets for its beneficial effects remain largely unknown. This study aims to establish an in vitro cell model of vascular low‐grade inflammation and explore the antiinflammatory mechanism of vitexin.Methods and ResultsLow‐dose TNFα and IL‐17 are combined to establish a cell model of vascular low‐grade inflammation. Cell‐based studies show that low‐dose TNFα (1 ng mL−1) alone has a slight effect, but its combination with IL‐17 can potently induce protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, leading to an inflammatory state. However, the vascular inflammation caused by low‐dose TNF plus IL‐17 does not lead to oxidative stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) does not involved in developing this inflammation. Vitexin can be absorbed by human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells to increase the Nrf2 protein level and attenuate inflammation. In addition, the antiinflammatory effect of vitexin is blocked by the knockdown of Nrf2. Further localized surface plasmon resonance, drug affinity responsive target stability, and molecular docking demonstrate that vitexin can directly interact with Keap1 to disrupt Keap1‐Nrf2 interaction and thus activate Nrf2. Treatment of mice with a bolus oral gavage of vitexin (100 mg kg−1 body weight) or a high‐fat diet supplemented with vitexin (5 mg kg−1 body weight per day) for 12 weeks confirms the rapid increase in blood vitexin levels and subsequent incorporation into blood vessels to activate Nrf2 and ameliorate inflammation in vivo.ConclusionThe findings provide a reliable cell model of vascular low‐grade inflammation and indicate Nrf2 protein as the potential target of vitexin to inhibit vascular inflammation.
Study on fiber Fabry–Perot displacement sensor for vibration monitoring of fuel pin
Authors: Lin Cheng , Wang Ning , Chen Jianjun , Yan Xueyang , Zhang Xuelian , Cai Yan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMeasuring the vibration displacement of the fuel pin is crucial for determining the vibration level and monitoring the condition of the fuel pin and assembly. A miniaturized displacement sensor based on the fiber Fabry–Perot (F–P) was designed and fabricated, and the overall cylindrical dimensions of the encapsulated fiber F–P sensor were 30 mm × 6.5 mm. Its working principle, characteristics, and structure parameters were analyzed in detail. Experimental results showed that the measurement range of displacements was up to approximately 1250 μm in humid environment. And the root mean squared error values of ~0.112 and ~0.144 showed that the sensor worked well in humid and high‐temperature environments. Experimental results indicated that the developed F–P sensor, featuring compact dimensions and high performance, had significant application value and great potential for monitoring the vibration and accessing the damage of the fuel pins.
A physically constrained Monte Carlo–Neural Network coupling algorithm for BNCT dose calculation
Authors: Wang Yongquan , Du Junliang , Lin Huan , Guan Xingcai , Zhang Lu , Li Jinyang , Gu Long 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)—a form of binary radiotherapy—the primary challenge in treatment planning systems for dose calculations arises from the time‐consuming nature of the Monte Carlo (MC) method. Recent progress, including the use of neural networks (NN), has been made to accelerate BNCT dose calculations. However, this approach may result in significant dose errors in both the tumor and the skin, with the latter being a critical organ in BNCT. Furthermore, owing to the lack of physical processes in purely NN‐based approaches, their reliability for clinical dose calculations in BNCT is questionable.PurposeIn this study, a physically constrained MC–NN (PCMC–NN) coupling algorithm is proposed to achieve fast and accurate computation of the BNCT three‐dimensional (3D) therapeutic dose distribution. This approach synergizes the high precision of the MC method with the speed of the NN and utilizes physical conservation laws to constrain the coupling process. It addresses the time‐consuming issue of the traditional MC method while reducing dose errors.MethodsClinical data were collected from 113 glioblastoma patients. For each patient, the 3D dose distributions for both the coarse and detailed dose grids were calculated using the MC code PHITS. Among these patients, the data from 14 patients were allocated to the test set, 9 to the validation set, and the remaining to the training set. A neural network, 3D‐Unet, was built based on the coarse grid dose and patient CT information to enable fast and accurate computation of the 3D detailed grid dose distribution of BNCT.ResultsStatistical evaluations, including relative deviation, dose deviation, mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were conducted. Our findings suggested that the PCMC–NN algorithm substantially outperformed the traditional NN and interpolation methods. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm significantly reduced errors, particularly in the skin and GTV, and improved computational accuracy (hereinafter referred to simply as ‘accuracy’) with a MAPE range of 1.6%–4.0% and a maximum MAE of 0.3 Gy (IsoE) for different organs. The dose–volume histograms generated by the PCMC–NN aligned well with those obtained from the MC method, further validating its accuracy.ConclusionsThe PCMC–NN algorithm enhanced the speed and accuracy of BNCT dose calculations by combining the MC method with the NN algorithm. This indicates the significant potential of the proposed algorithm for clinical applications in optimizing treatment planning.
Novel clinical diagnostic criteria based on noninvasive examination findings to predict the presence of urodynamic detrusor underactivity in men
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Majima Tsuyoshi , Mori Aya , Kamizyo Shunsuke , Naito Yushi , Matsuo Kazuna , Ishida Shohei , Gotoh Momokazu , Akamatsu Shusuke 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsTo investigate the usefulness of novel clinical diagnostic criteria based on noninvasive examination findings to diagnose urodynamic detrusor underactivity (DU) in men.MethodsWe developed clinical diagnostic criteria to predict the presence of urodynamic DU in men as follows: (a) bladder voiding efficiency <70% on uroflowmetry, (b) existence of “sawtooth and interrupted waveforms” on uroflowmetry, and (c) ultrasonography‐documented intravesical prostatic protrusion <10 mm. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of these clinical criteria for diagnosing urodynamic DU in men aged 50 years or above with lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent urodynamic studies.ResultsOf the 314 men analyzed (mean age, 72.4 years; mean detrusor contraction index [DCI], 98.8; and mean bladder outlet obstruction index [BOOI], 43.9), 89 men met this clinical DU diagnostic criteria. Of these, 79 men (88.8%) had urodynamic DU (DCI < 100 and BOOI < 40), nine (10.1%) had DU + BOO (DCI < 100 and BOOI ≥ 40), and one (1.1%) had normal voiding functions. None of the men with urodynamic BOO (DCI ≥ 100 and BOOI ≥ 40) met the clinical DU diagnostic criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of these clinical diagnostic criteria for urodynamic DU were 69.3%, 95.0%, 88.8%, and 84.4%, respectively.ConclusionThe proposed clinical DU diagnostic criteria showed a high PPV (88.8%) for diagnosing urodynamic DU. None of the patients with BOO met the clinical diagnostic criteria for DU. These clinical DU diagnostic criteria may be useful in identifying men with urodynamic DU in clinical practice.
When It's Not Allergic Rhinitis: Clinical Signs to Raise a Patient's Suspicion for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Houssein Firas A. , Phillips Katie M. , Sedaghat Ahmad R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo identify predictors of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients presenting with the chief complaint of nasal allergies.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingTertiary care, academic center.MethodsClinical and demographic characteristics were collected from participants who were patients presenting with the chief complaint of nasal allergies. From all participants, a 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) was collected, and a modified Lund‐Kennedy endoscopy score was calculated from nasal endoscopy. Association was sought between having CRS and variables of clinical and demographic characteristics, SNOT‐22, and endoscopy score.ResultsA total of 219 patients were recruited and 91.3% were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis; 45.2% were also diagnosed with CRS. Approximately half of the patients with CRS reported no intranasal corticosteroid usage. Having CRS was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30‐4.04, P = .004), endoscopy score (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.59‐2.42, P < .001), and the SNOT‐22 nasal subdomain score (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.11, P = .001) related to SNOT‐22 items: “need to blow nose,” “thick nasal discharge,” “sense of taste/smell,” and “blockage/congestion of nose.” At least moderate (item score ≥3) “blockage/congestion of nose” or “thick nasal discharge,” mild “need to blow nose” (item score ≥2) or very mild decreased “sense of taste/smell” (item score ≥1), and any nasal endoscopy findings (endoscopy score ≥1) were statistically significant predictors of CRS.ConclusionModerate or more severe nasal obstruction or discharge symptoms, any decreased sense of smell/taste, or positive nasal endoscopy findings in patients believing they have allergic rhinitis should prompt further evaluation of CRS to avoid delays in treatment.
Neonatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A meta‐analysis of 205 cases
Authors: Kranz Lincoln A. , Hahn Wyatt S. , Thompson Whitney S. , Hentz Roland , Kobrinsky Nathan L. , Galardy Paul , Greenmyer Jacob R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeonatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (nHLH), defined as HLH that presents in the first month of life, is clinically devastating. There have been few large descriptive studies of nHLH.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis of published cases of nHLH.MethodsA comprehensive literature database search was performed. Cases of HLH were eligible for inclusion if clinical analysis was performed at age ≤30 days. Up to 70 variables were extracted from each case.ResultsA total of 544 studies were assessed for eligibility, and 205 cases of nHLH from 142 articles were included. The median age of symptom onset was day of life 3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0–11, n = 141). Median age at diagnosis was day of life 15 (IQR: 6–27, n = 87). Causes of HLH included familial HLH (48%, n = 99/205), infection (26%, n = 53/205), unknown (17%, n = 35/205), macrophage activation syndrome/rheumatologic (2.9%, n = 4/205), primary immune deficiency (2.0%, n = 5/205), inborn errors of metabolism (2.4%, n = 5/205), and malignancy (2.0%, n = 4/205). Fever was absent in 19% (n = 28/147) of all neonates and 39% (n = 15/38) of preterm neonates. Bicytopenia was absent in 26% (n = 47/183) of patients. Central nervous system (CNS) manifestations were reported in 63% of cases (n = 64/102). Liver injury (68%, n = 91/134) and/or liver failure (24%, n = 32/134) were common. Flow cytometry was performed in 22% (n = 45/205) of cases. Many patients (63%, n = 121/193) died within the period of reporting. Discernable values for HLH diagnostic criteria were reported between 30% and 83% of the time.ConclusionsEvaluation of nHLH requires rapid testing for a wide range of differential diagnoses. HLH diagnostic criteria such as fever and bicytopenia may not occur as frequently in the neonatal population as in older pediatric populations. Neurologic and hepatic manifestations frequently occur in the neonatal population. Current reports of nHLH suggest a high mortality rate. Future publications containing data on nHLH should improve reporting quality by reporting all clinically relevant data.
Hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of purified lignin nanoparticles reinforced marine‐derived biopolymer composites
Authors: Alfatah Tata , Surya Indra , H.P.S. Abdul Khalil , Manoharadas Salim , Jaber Mohamed , Abdullah C.K. , Mistar Eka Marya , F.A.T. Owolabi , Yahya Esam Bashir 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLignin has been considered the main aromatic renewable biopolymer. Besides its availability in large quantities as a major and low‐cost side product of several industries as a polysaccharide component of lignocellulosic biomass for industrial applications, it remains underutilized and as such, lignin valorization is highly desirable. This study was focused on the fabrication, purification, and characterization of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) from black liquor of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunch (EFB). The functional properties of the LNPs investigated include the morphology, particle size, zeta potential distribution, elemental composition, functional groups, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The purified LNPs provided smaller particle sizes ranging from 32 to 62 nm while the unpurified sample sizes range between 53 and 88 nm. The zeta potential value of purified LNPs displays relatively good stability to the unpurified LNPs despite the consistency in their particle size spreading as observed from the TEM micrograph. The results of the GC–MS analysis signify that the purification procedure affects the compounds in the LNPs. The kappa‐carrageenan (KC) biopolymers reinforced with purified LNPs provided more organized surfaces than the biopolymers reinforced with unpurified LNPs, leading to enhanced hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the bionanocomposites. This study shows the potential applications of valorized lignin from oil palm residue as a reinforcement agent in renewable packaging.Highlights
Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were yielded from empty fruit bunch black liquor.
Syringyl to guaiacyl ratio of LNPs was increased from 0.83 to 1.26.
Biopolymers were prepared by incorporating LNPs into the kappa‐carrageenan.
Biopolymer with 4% purified LNPs had an optimum contact angle of 106.83°.
The optimized biopolymer showed an optimum tensile strength of 38.42 MPa.