bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional vector ECG analysis in the diagnosis of the left anterior fascicular block
Authors: Teregulov Yu. E. , Atsel E. A. , Ganieva S. F. , Teregulova E. T. , Maksimova M. S. , Teregulov A.  Yu. , Kamaletdinova Z. A. 
Published: October 2023

The relevance of the study is due to the complexity of the differential diagnosis of left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) with myocardial infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy based on a standard ECG.Aim. Determination of the criteria for LAFB according to the data of three- dimensional vectorcardiography with an analysis of the rate of formation of the vector loop.Material and research methods. The study included 85 patients who underwent a 12-lead ECG study. 2 groups of patients were selected. The main group of 56 patients with LAFB, mean age was 63.3±16.6 (M±δ) years, 34 men and 22 women. The control group included 29 healthy individuals, the mean age was 21.4±2.5 (M± δ) years, 12 men and 17 women. All patients underwent synchronous recording of 12 standard ECG leads in the IS «Unified Cardiologist of the Republic of Tatarstan» and reconstruction of a three-d imensional vectorcardiogram using the McFee-Parungao system with an analysis of the vector loop formation rate using EasyECG Rest ATES Medica software (Russia).Results and conclusions. It is shown that for LAFB the movement of the vector loop counterclockwise is typical in the frontal plane; the presence of 2 extrema, the second is directed upwards, to the right and back. On the graph of the rate of formation of a spatial vector loop, 2 peaks are recorded with a decrease in the rate in the final part of the QRS loop by 2–2.5 times relative to the first peak, which reflects a slowdown in myocardial excitation in the output section of the left ventricle.
Method of dynamic one-stage Dopplerography of coronary and cerebral blood flow with analysis of efficiency of antler balneotherapy in patients with arterial hypertension
Authors: Avkhimenko V. A. , Trivozhenko A. B. , Grebenyuk O. V. 
Published: October 2023

Integration of highly sensitive Doppler methods of assessment of coronary and cerebral blood circulation into process of functional and diagnostic audit of results of recovery treatment of patients with an arterial hypertension allows to estimate positive tendencies at normalization of processes regional perfusion. Use of the designated technologies showed reliable decrease in peak velocity in middle cerebra artery without increase in vascular resistance at the persons which passed a therapeutic course of antler reindeer breeding.Peak velocity in an middle cerebra artery before the designated treatment was within 92–115 cm/ c (Me 105 [96,3–104,5]), after the therapeutic procedures was registered in a big way 78–98 cm / c (Me 90 [82,4–94,3]). The designated phenomenon indicated improvement of regional cerebral oxygenation and natural reduction of volume of brain perfusion. At the same time, Doppler parameters in coronary arteries at the patients who completed the analyzed course of recovery treatment were transformed minimum, without reliable distinctions that presumably.
Advance Thermography diagnostics: automatic algorithm to find out acute sinusitis
Authors: Dolgov I. M. , Karamyshev Yu. V. , Zheleznyak I. S. , Karamysheva A. A. , Makhnovsky A. I. , Khriupkovskiy D. N. 
Published: October 2023

Development of medical imaging techniques (including medical thermography) provided an opportunity to mine data that can be explored for the development of clinical decision support systems.Aim.Find out quantitative thermography criteria for acute rhinosinusitis and implement these criteria into automated analysis protocols to create a diagnostic complex suitable for use by professionals of any medical speciality.Material, methods.After necessary adaptation, facial thermography by mean of thermography camera ТВС300-меd LLC “СТК СИЛАР” Russia, (384x288 pixel, 30 mK) was performed in 100 healthy volunteers and 305 patients with suspected acute rhinosinusitis (in 173 of them diagnosis was supported). Resulted thermograms were processed in “cloud service” TVision (LLC “Dignosys”, Russia). Point and regions of interest (ROI), namely, point in the middle of the line, connected inner edge of eyebrows (Тср) and ROI, covered the projections of maxillary sinuses were marked automatically. Difference between temperature in Тср point and mean temperature in each ROI (ΔТr/ΔТl), as well as mean temperature between ROI were calculated (ΔTпаз).Result.The best results ( sensitivity 82%, specificity 74%, accuracy 78%) were received when complex of ΔТr/ΔТl ≤0 and module |ΔTпаз| ≥0,5°C (both or at least one criterion) was applied. Based on these data, automatic algorithm of thermography acute rhinosinusitis diagnostics was created to use in primary medical care routine as clinical decision support systems.
In vitro compositional and phytochemical analysis of green and black tea
Authors: Aslam Iram , Ahmad Asif , Raja Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Saleha 
Published: October 2023

The traditional beverage that people consume more after water is a tea. The ethanolic extract of green and black tea have antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and these activities may differ in their processing methods. In this study, physiochemical analysis of green and black tea was carried out. The physiochemical analysis showed that green tea has higher moisture content, crude fat and crude fiber except for crude protein and ash content which is found higher in black tea. The maceration process was used for extraction purposes. This extract was used to analyze the total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity. A significant difference was found in the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of green and black tea. The flavonoids and phenolic content in T1 (ethanol 100%) acquired average and significant in the extract of green and black tea. The maximum value of TPC was observed in green tea extract 152.17a ± 0.28 mg GAE/g in treatment T1, and the value of TFC in green tea was found 40.26±11.387mg QE/g and the minimum value was found in black tea at 36.85±13.68 mg QE/g of extract. Antioxidant activity of green tea extract ranged from 90.64% to 69.07%, and black tea extract ranged from 89.05% to 50.93% in each extract. The parallel determination of the inhibitory effect of gram-negative and positive bacterial strains (Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was found sensitivity and resistivity towards extract of tea. The positive and negative effect was found in antimicrobial activity by using antibiotics against these bacterial strains.
N-acetylcysteine prevents catheter occlusion and inflammation in catheter associated-urinary tract infections by suppressing urease activity
Authors: Manoharan Arthika , Farrell Jessica , Aldilla Vina R. , Whiteley Greg , Kriel Erik , Glasbey Trevor , Kumar Naresh , Moore Kate H. , Manos Jim , Das Theerthankar 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionProteus mirabilis is a key pathobiont in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), which is well known to form crystalline biofilms that occlude catheters. Urease activity alkylates urine through the release of ammonia, consequentially resulting in higher levels of Mg2+ and Ca2+ and formation of crystals. In this study, we showed that N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, is a potent urease inhibitor that prevents crystalline biofilm formation.MethodsTo quantify urease activity, Berthelot’s method was done on bacterial extracts treated with NAC. We also used an in vitro catheterised glass bladder model to study the effect of NAC treatment on catheter occlusion and biofilm encrustation in P. mirabilis infections. Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was performed on catheter samples to decipher elemental profiles.ResultsNAC inhibits urease activity of clinical P. mirabilis isolates at concentrations as low as 1 mM, independent of bacterial killing. The study also showed that NAC is bacteriostatic on P. mirabilis, and inhibited biofilm formation and catheter occlusion in an in vitro. A significant 4-8log10 reduction in viable bacteria was observed in catheters infected in this model. Additionally, biofilms in NAC treated catheters displayed a depletion of calcium, magnesium, or phosphates (&gt;10 fold reduction), thus confirming the absence of any urease activity in the presence of NAC. Interestingly, we also showed that not only is NAC anti-inflammatory in bladder epithelial cells (BECs), but that it mutes its inflammatory response to urease and P. mirabilis infection by reducing the production of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1b.DiscussionUsing biochemical, microbiological and immunological techniques, this study displays the functionality of NAC in preventing catheter occlusion by inhibiting urease activity. The study also highlights NAC as a strong anti-inflammatory antibiofilm agent that can target both bacterial and host factors in the treatment of CA-UTIs.
Cryptosporidiosis diagnosed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing in a healthy child admitted to pediatric intensive care unit: a case report
Authors: Liu Xiaoyi , Wang Jing , Liu Jun , Li Xuming , Guan Yuanlin , Qian Suyun , Jia Xinlei 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundCryptosporidium infections in humans typically result in symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. When the diarrhea is severe, it can cause serious complications and even be life-threatening, especially in patients with compromised immune systems.Case presentationHere, we reported the use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of a 10-year-old boy with severe Cryptosporidium infection. Despite the absence of any history of immunocompromise, the infection still resulted in severe symptoms, including shock, as well as damage to his pancreas and kidneys. The mNGS tests detected the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum when conventional methods failed. The patient received anti-parasite treatment along with supportive care to manage the condition. With disease surveillance based on regular clinical tests and sequential mNGS tests, the child recovered from the severe conditions.ConclusionOur study emphasized the importance of recognizing the potential severity of Cryptosporidium infection, even among individuals with normal immune systems. Timely diagnosis and ongoing monitoring are essential for patient prognosis.
“A hard-won capability”: the experiences of parents managing their babies' medicines after discharge from a neonatal unit
Authors: Bracken Louise , Clark Janet , Gill Andrea , O'Brien Fiona , Dewey Rachael , Barker Catrin , Carter Bernie 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionParents of babies who required neonatal care are responsible for managing their medicines after they are discharged home. There is wide variation in the information and amount of preparation given to parents prior to assuming this challenging task. The aim of the Parent co-Designed Drug Information for parents and Guardians Taking Neonates home (PADDINGToN) study was to explore parents' experiences of managing their babies' medicines post discharge from a neonatal unit and to use this information to develop suitable resources for future families.MethodsA qualitative participatory interpretative approach using a mixture of remote and face-to-face small group interviews or one-to-one interviews was used. Parents were recruited using social media advertisements and convenience sampling from five study sites (four neonatal units in England and one in Ireland). Parents from other neonatal units were invited to take part through social media advertisement. The interviews were audio-recorded and inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.Results17 parents (14 mothers, 3 fathers) participated. One over-arching theme, 'A hard won capability', and four major interpretive themes were generated from the analysis of the data: Being in NICU and the prospect of going home: emotional and practical challenges; Living the reality of being at home: the uncertainty associated with giving medicines; Being at home: battling the system and a lack of support/knowledge; and Suggesting ways forward: parents' lived insights into improving information and resources.ConclusionDespite the challenges they faced, parents developed strategies for safely and reliably managing medicines administration and they assimilated knowledge, built their confidence and achieved a capability in medicines administration. Their experiences have been used to build a suite of medicines administration resources to support future parents.
Interdisciplinary students’ reflections on the development of their epistemic fluency
Authors: van Goch Merel Margot 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionHow can higher education institutions foster students’ epistemic fluency, that is, their ability to identify, reflect upon, and connect different knowledges and different ways of knowing? As higher education institutions put interdisciplinary research and education prominently on their strategic agendas, there is a call for knowledge on how to teach students to identify and integrate insights from different disciplines. This study approached this topic from the viewpoint of the student: what are the drivers and barriers to the development of epistemic fluency, according to interdisciplinary students?MethodsParticipants were undergraduate students enrolled in a course on the interdisciplinary research process with a specific emphasis on integration. In the first and last lectures of the course, students were asked to reflect on their openness to alternative perspectives and their connective thinking. They also reflected on their development in general and specifically in this interdisciplinary course.ResultsStudents were able to meaningfully reflect on their development and the results showed a varied picture of students’ epistemic fluency.
Perirenal fat thickness as a superior obesity-related marker of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Guo Xiu Li , Wang Jian Wen , Tu Mei , Wang Wei 
Published: October 2023

ObjectiveEmerging evidence highlighted that perirenal adipose tissue might regulate the cardiovascular and metabolism system through several pathways. This study aimed to assess the association between perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCCA) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodA total of 670 participants with complete data were included in this study. The trained reviewer collected demographic and anthropometric information. Laboratory assessments were determined by standard methods. PrFT and SCCA were evaluated by computed tomography and ultrasound. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between PrFT and SCCA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the identifying value of PrFT for SCCA.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of SCCA was 61.8% in T2DM. PrFT was significantly increased in the SCCA group. Growing trends were observed in the prevalence of hypertension, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) &gt; 1, plaque, and SCCA across the PrFT quartiles. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that PrFT was positively associated with cIMT (r = 0.401, p &lt; 0.001). This correlation remained significant after adjustment for visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and traditional metabolic risk factors (β = 0.184, p &lt; 0.001). Meanwhile, PrFT was independently correlated with plaque, cIMT &gt; 1 mm, and SCCA. The ORs (95% CI) were 1.072 (1.014–1.135), 1.319 (1.195–1.455), and 1.216 (1.119–1.322). Furthermore, PrFT remained correlated considerably with SCCA in subgroup analysis after stratification for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, and body mass index. From the ROC curve analysis, the AUCs (95% CI) of PrFT, VFA, and SFA identifying SCCA were 0.794 (0.760–0.828), 0.760 (0.724–0.796), and 0.697 (0.656–0.737), respectively. The AUC of PrFT was significantly higher than VFA (p = 0.028) and SFA (p &lt; 0.001). The optimal cutoff values of PrFT were 14.0 mm, with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 76.2%.ConclusionPrFT was independently associated with cIMT, plaque, cIMT &gt; 1 mm, and SCCA as a superior obesity-related marker of SCCA in T2DM.Clinical trial registrationClinical Trials.Gov, identifier ChiCTR2100052032.
Borealin/CDCA8 deficiency alters thyroid development and results in papillary tumor-like structures
Authors: Didier-Mathon Hortense , Stoupa Athanasia , Kariyawasam Dulanjalee , Yde Sonny , Cochant-Priollet Beatrix , Groussin Lionel , Sébag Frédéric , Cagnard Nicolas , Nitschke Patrick , Luton Dominique , Polak Michel , Carré Aurore 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundBOREALIN/CDCA8 mutations are associated with congenital hypothyroidism and thyroid dysgenesis. Borealin is involved in mitosis as part of the Chromosomal Passenger Complex. Although BOREALIN mutations decrease thyrocyte adhesion and migration, little is known about the specific role of Borealin in the thyroid.MethodsWe characterized thyroid development and function in Borealin-deficient (Borealin+/−) mice using histology, transcriptomic analysis, and quantitative PCR.ResultsThyroid development was impaired with a hyperplastic anlage on embryonic day E9.5 followed by thyroid hypoplasia from E11.5 onward. Adult Borealin+/− mice exhibited euthyroid goiter and defect in thyroid hormone synthesis. Borealin+/− aged mice had disorganized follicles and papillary-like structures in thyroids due to ERK pathway activation and a strong increase of Braf-like genes described by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) network of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Moreover, Borealin+/− thyroids exhibited structural and transcriptomic similarities with papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue from a human patient harboring a BOREALIN mutation, suggesting a role in thyroid tumor susceptibility.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate Borealin involvement in critical steps of thyroid structural development and function throughout life. They support a role for Borealin in thyroid dysgenesis with congenital hypothyroidism. Close monitoring for thyroid cancer seems warranted in patients carrying BOREALIN mutations.
Expansion of extrafollicular B and T cell subsets in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Baxter Ryan M. , Wang Christine S. , Garcia-Perez Josselyn E. , Kong Daniel S. , Coleman Brianne M. , Larchenko Valentyna , Schuyler Ronald P. , Jackson Conner , Ghosh Tusharkanti , Rudra Pratyaydipta , Paul Debdas , Claassen Manfred , Rochford Rosemary , Cambier John C. , Ghosh Debashis , Cooper Jennifer C. , Smith Mia J. , Hsieh Elena W. Y. 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionMost childhood-onset SLE patients (cSLE) develop lupus nephritis (cLN), but only a small proportion achieve complete response to current therapies. The prognosis of children with LN and end-stage renal disease is particularly dire. Mortality rates within the first five years of renal replacement therapy may reach 22%. Thus, there is urgent need to decipher and target immune mechanisms that drive cLN. Despite the clear role of autoantibody production in SLE, targeted B cell therapies such as rituximab (anti-CD20) and belimumab (anti-BAFF) have shown only modest efficacy in cLN. While many studies have linked dysregulation of germinal center formation to SLE pathogenesis, other work supports a role for extrafollicular B cell activation in generation of pathogenic antibody secreting cells. However, whether extrafollicular B cell subsets and their T cell collaborators play a role in specific organ involvement in cLN and/or track with disease activity remains unknown.MethodsWe analyzed high-dimensional mass cytometry and gene expression data from 24 treatment naïve cSLE patients at the time of diagnosis and longitudinally, applying novel computational tools to identify abnormalities associated with clinical manifestations (cLN) and disease activity (SLEDAI).ResultscSLE patients have an extrafollicular B cell expansion signature, with increased frequency of i) DN2, ii) Bnd2, iii) plasmablasts, and iv) peripheral T helper cells. Most importantly, we discovered that this extrafollicular signature correlates with disease activity in cLN, supporting extrafollicular T/B interactions as a mechanism underlying pediatric renal pathogenesis.DiscussionThis study integrates established and emerging themes of extrafollicular B cell involvement in SLE by providing evidence for extrafollicular B and peripheral T helper cell expansion, along with elevated type 1 IFN activation, in a homogeneous cohort of treatment-naïve cSLE patients, a point at which they should display the most extreme state of their immune dysregulation.
Lesion-aware attention network for diabetic nephropathy diagnosis with optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Liu Yuliang , Zhang Fenghang , Gao Xizhan , Liu Tingting , Dong Jiwen 
Published: October 2023

PurposeFor early screening of diabetic nephropathy patients, we propose a deep learning algorithm to screen high-risk patients with diabetic nephropathy from retinal images of diabetic patients.MethodsWe propose the use of attentional mechanisms to improve the model’s focus on lesion-prone regions of retinal OCT images. First, the data is trained using the base network and the Grad-CAM algorithm locates image regions that have a large impact on the model output and generates a rough mask localization map. The mask is used as a auxiliary region to realize the auxiliary attention module. We then inserted the region-guided attention module into the baseline model and trained the CNN model to guide the model to better focus on relevant lesion features. The proposed model improves the recognition of the lesion region.ResultsTo evaluate the lesion-aware attention network, we trained and tested it using OCT volumetric data collected from 66 patients with diabetic retinal microangiopathy (89 eyes, male = 43, female = 23). There were 45 patients (60 eyes, male=27, female = 18) in DR group and 21 patients (29 eyes, male = 16, female = 5) in DN group. Our proposed model performs even better in disease classification, specifically, the accuracy of the proposed model was 91.68%, the sensitivity was 89.99%, and the specificity was 92.18%.ConclusionThe proposed lesion-aware attention model can provide reliable screening of high-risk patients with diabetic nephropathy.