bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of hematology laboratory performance in the total testing process using quality indicators and sigma metrics in the northwest of Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Berta Dereje Mengesha , Grima Mekonnen , Melku Mulugeta , Adane Tiruneh , Chane Elias , Teketelew Bisrat Birke , Yalew Aregawi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsAssuring laboratory quality by minimizing the magnitude of errors is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to assess hematology laboratory performance in the total testing process using quality indicators and sigma metrics.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to June 2022. The study included a total of 13,546 samples. Data on included variables were collected using a checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to present the overall distribution of errors. Binary logistic regression models were applied. Furthermore, using a Sigma scale, the percentage of errors was converted to defects per million opportunities to assess laboratory performance. Finally, the defect per million opportunities was converted to a sigma value using a sigma calculator.ResultsOf the 13,546 samples and corresponding requests, the overall error rate was 123,296/474,234 (26%): 93,412/47,234 (19.7%) pre‐analytical, 2364/474,234 (0.5%) analytical, and 27,520/474,234 (5.8%) post‐analytical. Of the overall errors, 93,412/123,296 (75.8%), 2364/123,296 (1.9%), and 27,520/123,296 (22.3%) were pre‐analytical, analytical, and post‐analytical errors, respectively. The overall sigma value of the laboratory was 2.2. The sigma values of the pre‐analytical, analytical, and post‐analytical phases were 2.4, 4.1, and 3.1, respectively. The sample from the inpatient department and collected without adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) rejection rate as compared to the outpatient department and collected with adherence to SOPs, respectively. In addition, an association between prolonged turnaround times and manual recording, inpatient departments, and morning work shifts was observed.ConclusionThe current study found that the overall performance of the laboratory was very poor (less than three sigma). Therefore, the hospital leadership should change the manual system of ordering tests and release of results to a computerized system and give need‐based training for all professionals involved in hematology laboratory sample collection and processing.
Association of multiple sclerosis with stroke: A comprehensive review
Authors: Marsool Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool , Prajjwal Priyadarshi , John Jobby , Keluskar Harshada S. , Sivarajan Venu V. , Kundiri Khadijah A. , Lam Justin R. , Chavda Sachi , Atew Hundaol G. , Marsool Ali Dheyaa Marsool , Hameed Al‐Tuaama A. Z. , Hussin Omniat A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune‐mediated disorder characterized by the degradation of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Research indicates that individuals with MS exhibit a higher susceptibility to stroke compared to the general population. This association is rooted in shared underlying mechanisms, specifically involving neuroinflammatory processes.MethodologyWe performed an extensive search on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar using specific terms. The search terms included variations of “multiple sclerosis,” “stroke,” “cerebrovascular disease,” “vascular risk factors,” “disease‐modifying therapies,” and “neuroinflammation.” The search was limited to articles published from January 1, 2000, up to 31 May, 2023.Results and DiscussionStroke, a global health burden characterized by significant mortality and adult disability, underscores the critical importance of understanding the link between MS and stroke. Despite a growing body of research establishing an elevated risk of stroke in MS patients, notable information gaps persist. Limited prospective multicenter studies on stroke incidence in MS patients contribute to an incomplete understanding of the precise relationship between these two conditions.ConclusionIn conclusion, this review underscores the critical need for a thorough understanding of the complex relationship between MS and stroke. The identified risk factors and the influence of MS DMTs on stroke risk necessitate further investigation to inform evidence‐based preventive and therapeutic strategies. Bridging the existing information gaps through prospective multicenter studies is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of this association. The development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for acute stroke risk in MS patients is paramount to mitigate the impact of these debilitating conditions. Ultimately, this review serves as a foundation for future efforts to enhance preventative measures and therapeutic interventions, thereby improving the overall quality of life for individuals with MS susceptible to strokes.
Early mortality in children with cancer in Denmark and Sweden: The role of social background in a setting with universal healthcare
Authors: Mogensen Hanna , Erdmann Friederike , Mader Luzius , Vrelits Sørensen Gitte , Talbäck Mats , Tjørnelund Nielsen Thomas , Hasle Henrik , Heyman Mats , Winther Jeanette Falck , Feychting Maria , Tettamanti Giorgio , Kenborg Line 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSocioeconomic differences in overall survival from childhood cancer have been shown previously, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate if social inequalities were seen already for early mortality in settings with universal healthcare. From national registers, all children diagnosed with cancer at ages 0–19 years, during 1991–2014, in Sweden and Denmark, were identified, and information on parental social characteristics was collected. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of early mortality (death within 90 days after cancer diagnosis) by parental education, income, employment, cohabitation, and country of birth using logistic regression. For children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), clinical characteristics were obtained. Among 13,926 included children, 355 (2.5%) died within 90 days after diagnosis. Indications of higher early mortality were seen among the disadvantaged groups, with the most pronounced associations observed for maternal education (ORadj_Low_vs_High 1.65 [95% CI 1.22–2.23]) and income (ORadj_Q1(lowest)_vs_Q4(highest) 1.77 [1.25–2.49]). We found attenuated or null associations between social characteristics and later mortality (deaths occurring 1–5 years after cancer diagnosis). In children with ALL, the associations between social factors and early mortality remained unchanged when adjusting for potential mediation by clinical characteristics. In conclusion, this population‐based cohort study indicated differences in early mortality after childhood cancer by social background, also in countries with universal healthcare. Social differences occurring this early in the disease course requires further investigation, also regarding the timing of diagnosis.
Ultrastructural diversity in the shell of Artemia resting eggs
Authors: Li Jin‐Ling , He Qian , Chang Muhammad Saleem , Sun Shi‐Chun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe shell of Artemia resting egg, which is a delicate multilayered envelope surrounding the inside diapause embryo, plays an important role in the survival strategy of Artemia. To date, the ultrastructure of resting eggshell has been studied for only handful populations, and knowledge about the diversity of shell structure is still limited. In this paper, resting eggs from 13 Artemia populations were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the basic configuration of resting eggshell is quite conservative, but variations are not uncommon in the fine ultrastructure of each main layer of the shell (e.g., the shape and distribution of the radially oriented pores in the cortical layer; the size, number and arrangement of chambers in the alveolar layer; and the development state of outer cuticular membrane [OCM]). The ultrastructural variation of eggshell seems not to be linked with species and reproductive mode of Artemia. Resting eggs from very high habitats (4300+ m above sea level [a.s.l.]) on Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and certain tropical salterns have a hypoplastic OCM, which may be related to the adaptation to habitat conditions such as low oxygen concentration.Research Highlights
Comparative study on resting eggs from 13 Artemia populations reveals high diversity in the fine structure of eggshell.
Resting eggs from very high (4300+ m a.s.l.) habitats commonly have a hypoplastic OCM.
Generation of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike receptor binding domain mutants and functional screening for immune evaders using a novel lentivirus‐based system
Authors: Jia Junli , Garbarino Emanuela , Wang Yuhang , Li Jiaming , Song Minmin , Zhang Xin , Wang Xinjie , Li Lingyun , Chi Jing , Cui Lunbiao , Tang Huamin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe emergence of rapid and continuous mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike glycoprotein that increased with the Omicron variant points out the necessity to anticipate such mutations for conceiving specific and adaptable therapies to avoid another pandemic. The crucial target for the antibody treatment and vaccine design is the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike. It is also the site where the virus has shown its high ability to mutate and consequently escape immune response. We developed a robust and simple method for generating a large number of functional SARS‐CoV‐2 spike RBD mutants by error‐prone PCR and a novel nonreplicative lentivirus‐based system. We prepared anti‐RBD wild type (WT) polyclonal antibodies and used them to screen and select for mutant libraries that escape inhibition of virion entry into recipient cells expressing human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2. We isolated, cloned, and sequenced six mutants totally bearing nine mutation sites. Eight mutations were found in successive WT variants, including Omicron and other recombinants, whereas one is novel. These results, together with the detailed functional analyses of two mutants provided the proof of concept for our approach.
Pediatricians' practices and knowledge of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease: An international survey
Authors: Lubrecht Judith W. , van Giesen Guusje H. J. , Jańczyk Wojciech , Zavhorodnia Olha , Zavhorodnia Natalia , Socha Piotr , Moran‐Lev Hadar , Vreugdenhil Anita C. E. ,   the ESPGHAN Fatty Liver Special Interest Group
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveMetabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in children. It is associated with significant intra‐ and extrahepatic comorbidity. Current guidelines lack consensus, potentially resulting in variation in screening, diagnosis and treatment practices, which may lead to underdiagnosing and/or insufficient treatment. The increasing prevalence of MASLD and associated long‐term health risks demand adequate clinical management and consensus in guidelines. This study aims to evaluate the daily practices of pediatricians in screening, diagnosis and treatment of MASLD in children.MethodsAn online survey with 41 questions (single/multiple response options) was sent to pediatricians (with/without subspecialty) in Europe and Israel, via members of the ESPGHAN Fatty Liver Special Interest Group, between June and November 2022. The 454 pediatricians were included in this study.Results51% of pediatricians indicated using any guideline for diagnosis and treatment of MASLD, with 68% reporting to follow recommendations only partially. 63% is of the opinion that guidelines need revision. The majority of pediatricians screen for MASLD with liver function tests and/or abdominal ultrasound. A large variety of treatment options is utilized, including lifestyle management, supplements and probiotics, with a notable 34% of pediatricians prescribing pharmacotherapy. When asked how often pediatricians request a liver biopsy in children with MASLD, 17% indicates they request a liver biopsy in more than 10% of cases.ConclusionsThere is limited awareness and considerable variation in screening, diagnosis and treatment practices among European pediatricians, and a clear demand for new, uniform guidelines for MASLD in children.
Status of vitamins and minerals in children with screening‐identified celiac disease: A case‐control study
Authors: Al‐Hussaini Abdulrahman , Troncone Riccardo , Alobaid Suzan , Bashir Muhammed Salman 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectivesMicronutrient deficiencies characterize classical “late‐diagnosed” celiac disease (CeD). This study aimed to identify the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among children with “early‐diagnosed” screening‐identified CeD to determine the clinical value of routine testing for deficiencies in those patients.MethodsA case‐control study was conducted on screening‐identified CeD patients diagnosed during a mass screening study (84 patients, mean age 11.3 ± 2.6 years). The controls (443 children, mean age 10.8 ± 2.5 years) were negative for celiac disease serological screening. Hemoglobin, serum levels of iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E, 25‐OH vitamin D, zinc, and selenium were measured.ResultsThe mean serum levels of hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, copper, and selenium were significantly lower in CeD patients than in healthy controls (hemoglobin 12.56 vs. 13.02 g/dL [p = 0.04]; iron 10.61 vs. 17.6 µmol/L [p < 0.001], ferritin 25.7 vs. 48.3 µg/L [p < 0.001], vitamin D 29.1 vs. 37.5 nmol/L, zinc 11.9 vs. 21.7 µmol/L, copper 18.9 vs. 32.5 µmol/L, selenium 1.04 vs. 1.36 µmol/L; p < 0.001). Patients with celiac and severe intestinal damage (Marsh IIIb and IIIc) had significantly lower serum ferritin and vitamin A levels than patients with mild intestinal damage (Marsh II and IIIa) (ferritin 15 vs. 22 µg/L, p < 0.025; vitamin A 0.85 vs. 1.35 µmol/L, p = 0.007).ConclusionMicronutrient deficiencies are still detectable in “early‐diagnosed” screening‐identified CeD cases, a clinically relevant result that strongly supports efforts for screening and early diagnosis of CeD.
Assessment of unmixing approaches for the quantitation of SERS nanoparticles in highly multiplexed spectral images
Authors: Czaja Alexander , Awad Samer , Eremina Olga E. , Fernando Augusta , Zavaleta Cristina 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles (SERS NPs) offer powerful optical contrast features for imaging assays. Their gold core enhances the inelastic scattering cross section, allowing highly sensitive and rapid detection, and their characteristic sets of narrow spectral bands give them unsurpassed multiplexing capabilities. Multiplexed hyperspectral images are commonly unmixed using a compensation matrix of reference spectra to produce quantitative image channels illustrating the distribution of each material. It is these unmixed channels that are fit for interpretation from assays utilizing SERS NP contrast agents. Some factors that may impact SERS NP quantitative and dynamic range capabilities may include endogenous background heterogeneity, the ability of unmixing algorithms to account for signal variances, and linear system conditioning imposed by contrast agent signals. We report on hyperspectral Raman imaging of mixtures of SERS NPs from an expanded library of contrast agents. We study increasing plexity and varying degrees of system conditioning as inputs to a diverse set of classical, non‐negatively constrained, and regularized regression algorithms to investigate which signal features and unmixing methods deliver the most promising quantitation performance with the least error. Raman imaging of SERS NP mixtures is performed on controlled substrates and representative biological specimens, and experimental results are compared against ground truth data. We evaluate spectral fitting fidelity, quantitation, and specificity correlations with system conditioning. Spectral unmixing with a regularized hybrid of least squares regression with principal component analysis (HLP) algorithm approximated spectra with 3.5× better fitting fidelity and 3× better quantitation robustness with tissue background compared with simpler unmixing routines.
Soil gravel content and plant species configuration control vegetation restoration in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: You Yonggang , Wu Xinliang , Han Lihe , Lu Yapei , Zhou Jinxing , Rebi Ansa , Dong Qian , Wang Lina , Zhang Pengcheng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSoil gravel content strongly affects ecological restoration; however, the response and mechanism of plant traits to soil gravel content under the sensitive and fragile natural environment of Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau remains unclear. Herein, soils with three gravel content (10%, 30%, 50%) in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau were selected, and three plant species (one native plants of Elymus dahuricus (Ed), and two introduced ones of Festuca elata (Fe) and Medicago sativa (Ms)) were used in seven planting patterns with different proportions (Fe, Ed, Ms, Fe + Ed (1:1), Fe + Ms (2:1), Ed + Ms (2:1), Fe + Ed + Ms (2:2:1)). Plant traits, phytochemical properties and soil stoichiometric characteristics were measured to explore the interactive effects of soil gravels and plant species on vegetation restoration. Average plant height, coverage, shoot biomass, and total biomass were most affected by plant species (F = 277–611, p < 0.01), followed by gravel content (F = 90–195, p < 0.01) and their interaction (F = 5–51, p < 0.05); root biomass was most affected by gravel content (F = 130, p < 0.01). Among plant species, shoot and root biomass, total biomass overall decreased in the order of Fe + Ed + Ms>Fe>Fe + Ms>Fe + Ed>Ms>Ms + Ed>Ed. Plant total biomass, shoot biomass, root biomass and shoot/root ratio among different soils overall decreased in the order of low> high> medium gravel contents. All plant species were restricted by soil nitrogen except for Ed and Ed + Ms (N:P > 14). In addition, increasing the gravel content in the soil will increase the soil bulk density and reduce the total soil porosity. The total soil porosity is significantly positively correlated with the average plant height, coverage, aboveground biomass, and total biomass of plants (r = 0.78–0.91, p < 0.05). The total nitrogen content, total phosphorus (TP) content, and N: P in rhizosphere soil were significantly positively correlated with the average plant height, coverage, aboveground biomass, root biomass, and total biomass of plants (r = 0.70–0.97, p < 0.05), but soil N was significantly positively correlated with aboveground biomass and total biomass (r = 0.69, 0.71, p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in soil TP content between them. The gravel content directly affects plant growth by changing bulk density and total porosity, but the combined effect of soil nutrients and plants affects plant growth. Therefore, optimizing the configuration of soil properties (mainly nitrogen and compactness) and plant species (isecologic niche plants) is an effective strategy for ecological restoration in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.
Analysis of land‐based parameters and development of multi‐criteria decision support system for demarcation of potential aquaculture sites in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Dharani Shrree R. S. , Tanveer Mohammad , Puja U. T. , Rekha Nila , Ahmed Akram 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to develop a multi‐criteria decision support system to find out possible aquaculture sites available in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. This study focuses on identifying possible aquaculture sites available in Nagapattinam district using remote sensing and GIS approaches. A geographical model has been developed to choose the probable aquaculture sites. The remote sensing and geographic information system techniques were applied to study the decisive parameters that play a vital role in the site suitability for aquaculture purposes. The chosen decisive parameters viz., normalized difference vegetation index, digital elevation model, soil type, normalized difference water index, land use land cover area and land surface temperature were subjected to the development of decision support system. Moreover, four different multi‐criteria decision support techniques viz., weighted overlay, analytical hierarchy process, fuzzy classified analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy classified weighted overlay were applied in the present study. The results obtained from the study rendered that the weighted overlay and the analytical hierarchy process outperforms the fuzzy classified models. The suitability ratio of analytical hierarchy process and weighted overlay methods were found to be 12.7 and 12.4 respectively. A total of 25 locations were selected and mapped in the Nagapattinam region and their accuracy was checked. The analytical hierarchy process results were obtained with an accuracy of 84%. Hence, the analytical hierarchy process provided better results than the weighted overlay technique. The study rendered that the area of 7.22% is highly suitable for aquaculture. These findings are essential for the development of sustainable aquaculture, assisting stakeholders in selecting suitable aquaculture sites that maximize productivity while minimizing environmental degradation.
Gauge‐Flux‐Induced Anti‐Pt Phase Transitions for Extreme Control of Channel‐Drop Tunneling
Authors: Qin Chengzhi , Wang Bing , Fan Shanhui , Lu Peixiang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractParity‐time (PT) and anti‐parity‐time (anti‐PT) symmetries have provided important guiding principles in the research of non‐Hermitian physics. However, realizations of anti‐PT symmetry in photonic systems usually rely on optical nonlinearities and indirect‐coupling approaches. Here, they apply the channel interference principle mediated by synthetic gauge‐flux biasing in open‐cavity systems to construct anti‐PT symmetries. It is shown that a specific π‐flux biasing into a looped‐resonator array can force a frequency degeneracy between pairwise Bloch modes therein. By further coupling the array into two external waveguides with tailored positions of ports, the system near the degeneracy point can be described by an anti‐PT‐symmetric Hamiltonian. When a real gauge‐flux detuning is introduced, the system undergoes a spontaneous transition between anti‐PT and anti‐PT‐broken phases, through which the two extreme cases of complete channel‐drop tunneling and complete tunneling suppression can be switched. Finally, by superimposing a PT‐symmetric term onto the anti‐PT‐symmetric Hamiltonian via applying an imaginary gauge‐flux biasing, extreme channel‐drop amplifying effects can be further realized by exciting the “lasing” mode under the critical‐coupling condition. The work bridges the physical connection between synthetic gauge field and anti‐PT symmetry. This paradigm may also find many applications from optical routing, and switching to buffering and amplifying on a chip–scale platform.