bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Status epilepticus in BRAF‐related cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome: Focus on neuroimaging clues to physiopathology
Authors: Musto Elisa , Gambardella Maria Luigia , Perulli Marco , Quintiliani Michela , Veredice Chiara , Verdolotti Tommaso , Berté Giovanna , Leoni Chiara , Onesimo Roberta , Pulitanò Silvia Maria , Tartaglia Marco , Zampino Giuseppe , Contaldo Ilaria , Battaglia Domenica Immacolata 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveCardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome (CFC) is a genetic disorder due to variants affecting genes coding key proteins of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Among the different features of CFC, neurological involvement, including cerebral malformations and epilepsy, represents a common and clinically relevant aspect. Status epilepticus (SE) is a recurrent feature, especially in a specific subgroup of CFC patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) and history of severe pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Here we dissect the features of SE in CFC patients with a particular focus on longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to identify clinical‐radiological patterns and discuss the underlying physiopathology.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical, electroencephalogram (EEG), and MRI data collected in a single center from a cohort of 23 patients with CFC carrying pathogenic BRAF variants who experienced SE during a 5‐year period.ResultsSeven episodes of SE were documented in 5 CFC patients who underwent EEG and MRI at baseline. MRI was performed during SE/within 72 hours from SE termination in 5/7 events. Acute/early post‐ictal MRI findings showed heterogenous abnormalities: restricted diffusion in 2/7, focal area of pcASL perfusion change in 2/7, focal cortical T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in 2/7. Follow‐up images were available for 4/7 SE. No acute changes were detected in 2/7 (MRI performed 4 days after SE termination).SignificanceAcute focal neuroimaging changes concomitant with ictal EEG focus were present in 5/7 episodes, though with different findings. The heterogeneous patterns suggest different contributing factors, possibly including the presence of focal cortical malformations and autoinflammation. When cytotoxic edema is revealed by MRI, it can be followed by permanent structural damage, as already observed in other genetic conditions. A better understanding of the physiopathology will provide access to targeted treatments allowing to prevent long‐term adverse neurological outcome.Plain Language SummaryCardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome is a genetic disorder that often causes prolonged seizures known as status epilepticus. This study has a focus on electroclinical and neuroimaging patterns in patients with cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome. During these status epilepticus episodes, we found different abnormal brain imaging patterns in patients, indicating various causes like brain malformations and inflammation. Understanding these patterns could help doctors find specific treatments, protecting cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome patients from long‐term brain damage.
The experience of Australian aged care workers during a trial implementation of a palliative care outcomes programme
Authors: Davis Esther L. , Mullan Judy , Johnson Claire E. , Clapham Sabina , Daveson Barbara , Bishop Gaye , Ahern Malene , Connolly Alanna , Davis Walter , Eagar Kathy 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEnd of life care is an essential part of the role of Australian aged care homes (ACHs). However, there is no national framework to support aged care staff in systematically identifying residents with palliative care needs or to routinely assess, respond to, and measure end of life needs. The Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) is a national outcomes and benchmarking programme which aims to systematically improve palliative care for people who are approaching the end of life, and for their families and carers. The PCOC Wicking Model for Residential Aged Care was developed and piloted in four Australian ACHs. This paper reports on the qualitative findings from semi‐structured interviews and focus groups conducted with ACH staff (N = 37) to examine feasibility. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes about the pilot: (i) processes to successfully prepare and support ACHs; (ii) appropriateness of PCOC tools for the ACH setting; and (iii) realised and potential benefits of the model for ACHs. The lessons presented valuable insights to refine the PCOC Wicking Model and enrich understanding of the potential challenges and solutions for implementing similar programs within ACHs in future. The results suggest that key to successfully preparing ACHs for implementation of the PCOC Wicking Model is an authentic and well‐paced collaborative approach with ACHs to ensure the resources, structures and systems are in place and appropriate for the setting. The PCOC Wicking Model for Residential Aged Care is a promising prototype to support ACHs in improving palliative and end of life care outcomes for residents and their carers.
The dynamics of knowledge sharing in chronically ill patient‐led online health communities
Authors: Vainauskienė Vestina , Žemaitaitienė Gintarė 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPatient‐led online health communities (OHCs) provide an accessible way for patients to share their knowledge without the constraints of time and distance. By sharing knowledge, patients receive information from other members of the community that expands their knowledge. In this way, knowledge ‘grows’ and enhances the ability of patients in the community to adequately self‐care in everyday life, that is, patient empowerment. This paper aims to understand the dynamics of knowledge sharing in patient‐led OHCs. In search of an answer to the research question, the virtual ethnography research design was applied using an observational data collection method. The observational research was conducted in five patient‐led OHCs of chronically ill patients on the Lithuanian version of the Facebook Platform. The results of the study provided insight into the dynamics of knowledge sharing by detailing the design of the discussions that took place in the studied communities and by characterising the path of knowledge sharing.
Beraprost sodium attenuates the development of myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction by regulating GSK‐3β expression in rats
Authors: Li Xing‐Xing , Wang Yun‐Zhe , Liu Chuang , Fu Guo‐Wei , Li Jun , Zhang Jin‐Ying 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of beraprost sodium (BPS) in the intervention of myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) through glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) and to provide new ideas for intervention in myocardial fibrosis.Materials and MethodsMI model rats given BPS and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) treated with BPS and TGF‐β. HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological changes of myocardial tissue. Fibrotic markers were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expressions of GSK‐3β, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and p‐CREB were analyzed by qPCR and western blot analysis. EDU staining was used to detect the proliferation of CFs. The promoter activity of GSK‐3β was detected by luciferase assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to detect the binding levels of GSK‐3β promoter and Y‐box binding protein 1 (YBX1). The levels of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAfter operation, BPS improved myocardial fibrosis and upregulated GSK‐3β protein expression in male SD rats. BPS can down‐regulate α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) level and up‐regulate GSK‐3β protein expression in CFs after TGF‐β stimulation. Furthermore, GSK‐3β knockdown can reverse the effect of BPS on TGF‐β‐activated CFs, enhance α‐SMA expression, and promote the proliferation of CFs. BPS could regulate GSK‐3β expression by promoting the binding of GSK‐3β promoter to YBX1. BPS induced upregulation of p‐CREB and cAMP, resulting in reduced fibrosis, which was reversed by the knockdown of GSK‐3β or prostaglandin receptor (IPR) antagonists.ConclusionBPS treatment increased the binding of YBX1 to the GSK‐3β promoter, and GSK‐3β protein expression was upregulated, which further caused the upregulation of p‐CREB and cAMP, and finally inhibited myocardial fibrosis.
Endotoxin reduction from biotech silk material inhibits the production of anti‐silk antibodies in mice
Authors: Deptuch Tomasz , Kucharczyk Kamil , Florczak Anna , Dams‐Kozlowska Hanna 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEliminating endotoxins is a common problem in the development of biotechnologically produced pharmaceuticals or biomaterials. Residual endotoxins in the final sample may hamper the properties of the product or induce severe adverse effects. Developing an effective downstream purification protocol that ensures a lack of minimal endotoxin content in the final product can be a challenging task. In our previous studies, we developed nanospheres produced from bioengineered silks. Despite their good overall biocompatibility, in vivo characterization of spheres showed mild activation of the immune system (mainly in terms of anti‐silk antibody production). Herein, we examined, if the endotoxins delivered with the silk spheres might have contributed to activating the adaptive immune response. We investigated various commercially available methods for endotoxin removal that can be applied as an extra step in downstream endotoxin removal from MS1‐type silk proteins. We selected a method that allowed for a 10‐fold reduction of endotoxin content in soluble silk and 2‐fold in the final product (silk spheres). The reduced level of endotoxins improved the biocompatibility of the silk spheres as these particles induced negligible titers of anti‐silk antibodies in an in vivo immune study. Since endotoxins can enhance life‐threatening immune responses, it is crucial to optimize the method of their removal before clinical use not only of silk‐based products but also of other biomolecules produced biotechnologically.
Trends in Serum Cytokine Expression in Pediatric Skeletal Dysplasia
Authors: O'Connell David A. , Carroll Ricki S. , Duker Angela L. , Schelhaas Andrea J. , Postell Marjorie M. , Fawcett Paul T. , Bober Michael B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of genetic conditions caused by abnormalities of growth, development, and maintenance of bone and cartilage. Little is known about the roles that cytokines play in the inflammatory and non‐inflammatory pathophysiology of skeletal dysplasia. We sought to test our hypothesis that cytokines would be differentially expressed in children with skeletal dysplasia as compared to typically growing controls. Cytokine levels were analyzed using the Cytokine Human Magnetic 25‐Plex Panel (Invitrogen, Waltham, MA, USA); 136 growing individuals with skeletal dysplasia and compared to a cohort of 275 healthy pediatric control subjects. We focused on the expression of 12 cytokines across nine dysplasia cohorts. The most common skeletal dysplasia diagnoses were: achondroplasia (58), osteogenesis imperfecta (19), type II collagenopathies (11), multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED: 9), diastrophic dysplasia (8), metatropic dysplasia (8), and microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPDII: 8). Of the 108 specific observations made, 45 (41.7%) demonstrated statistically significant differences of expression between controls and individuals with skeletal dysplasia. Four of the 12 analyzed cytokines demonstrated elevated expression above control levels in all of the dysplasia cohorts (interleukin 12 [IL‐12], IL‐13, interferon γ‐induced protein 10 kDa [IP‐10], regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted [RANTES]) and two demonstrated expression below control levels across all dysplasia cohorts (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP‐1], macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β [MIP‐1β]). The highest levels of overexpression were seen in MOPDII, with expression levels of IP‐10 being increased 3.8‐fold (p < 0.0001). The lowest statistically significant levels of expressions were in type II collagenopathies, with expression levels of MCP‐1 being expressed 0.43‐fold lower (p < 0.005). With this data, we hope to lay the groundwork for future directions in dysplasia research that will enhance our understanding of these complex signaling pathways. Looking forward, validating these early trends in cytokine expression, and associating the observed variations with trends in the progression of dysplasia may offer new candidates for clinical biomarkers or even new therapeutics. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Predictors of inpatient outcomes of COVID‐19 infection in patients with cirrhosis in the early pandemic phase: A nationwide survey
Authors: Sohail Abdullah , Naseem Khadija , Khan Ahmad , Adhami Talal , Brown Kyle 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and AimPrevious studies conducted at single centers have suggested that patients with cirrhosis are at a greater risk for worse outcomes with COVID‐19. However, there is limited data on a national level in the United States. We aimed to study hospital‐related outcomes and identify the predictors of poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and concurrent COVID‐19.MethodsWe queried 2020 National Inpatient and Readmission databases to identify all hospitalizations due to cirrhosis in adults with a diagnosis of COVID‐19. Primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, mechanical ventilation (MV), and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization. Secondary outcomes included mean length of stay (LOS) and mean hospitalization costs. We classified cirrhosis into compensated (CC) and decompensated (DC) groups.ResultsWe identified 25194 hospitalizations of adult patients due to cirrhosis with a concurrent diagnosis of COVID‐19. These patients had higher mortality (19.50% vs 6.19%, P ≤ 0.01), MV (11.7% vs 2.8%, P ≤ 0.01), ICU utilization (17.3% vs 8.1%, P ≤ 0.01), LOS (8.89 days vs 6.16 days, P ≤ 0.01), and total hospitalization costs ($24 817 vs $18 505, P ≤ 0.01) than those without COVID‐19. On subgroup analysis, patients in the DC group had higher mortality, LOS, and hospitalization costs compared to those in the CC group. On multivariate analysis, we also found that COVID‐19 infection, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3, acute kidney injury, end‐stage renal disease, septic shock, acute respiratory failure, MV, and ICU status were independent predictors for mortality.ConclusionOur study suggests that COVID‐19 infection is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cirrhosis, with threefold higher mortality and increased resource utilization. Early intervention through immunizations and advanced COVID‐19 therapies can help improve these outcomes.
Association Between MRI Radiomics and Intratumoral Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Its Prognostic Significance
Authors: Xu Ying , Li Zhuo , Yang Yi , Zhang Yuwei , Li Lu , Zhou Yanzhao , Ouyang Jingzhong , Huang Zhen , Wang Sicong , Xie Lizhi , Ye Feng , Zhou Jinxue , Ying Jianming , Zhao Hong , Zhao Xinming 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundTertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) have prognostic value in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients. Noninvasive tool to preoperatively evaluate TLSs is still lacking.PurposeTo explore the association between TLSs status of ICC and preoperative MRI radiomics analysis.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsOne hundred and ninety‐two patients with ICC, divided into training (T = 105), internal validation groups (V1 = 46), and external validation group (V2 = 41).SequenceCoronal and axial single‐shot fast spin‐echo T2‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted imaging, T1‐weighted, and T1WI fat‐suppressed spoiled gradient‐recall echo LAVA sequence at 3.0 T.AssessmentThe VOIs were drawn manually within the visible borders of the tumors using ITK‐SNAP version 3.8.0 software in the axial T2WI, DWI, and portal vein phase sequences. Radiomics features were subjected to least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to select the associated features of TLSs and construct the radiomics model. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the clinical radiological variables associated with TLSs. The performances were evaluated by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC).Statistical TestsLogistic regression analysis, ROC and AUC, Hosmer–Lemeshow test, Kaplan–Meier method with the log‐rank test, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe AUCs of arterial phase diffuse hyperenhancement were 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50–0.67), 0.52 (95% CI, 0.43–0.61), and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.52–0.80) in the T, V1, and V2 cohorts. The AUCs of Rad‐score were 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77–0.92), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.67–0.94), and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.71–0.96) in the T, V1, and V2 cohorts, respectively. In cohort T, low‐risk group showed significantly better median recurrence‐free survival (RFS) than that of the high‐risk group, which was also confirmed in cohort V1 and V2.Data ConclusionA preoperative MRI radiomics signature is associated with the intratumoral TLSs status of ICC patients and correlate significantly with RFS.Level of Evidence3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Chitosan Oligosaccharide Based Waterborne Polyurethane with UV Resistance and Oxidation Resistance for Functional Fabric
Authors: Chen Xin , Ye Ting , Liu Hao , Han Weiyi , Wang Chaoxia 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is an abundant polysaccharide in nature, which has various functions such as antioxidant and antibacterial. The possibilities of using COS can be extended by applying it to polyurethane materials. Herein, Chitosan oligosaccharide‐based waterborne polyurethane (CWPU) with intramolecular crosslinking network is prepared by using COS as chain extender. The mechanical properties of CWPU are improved, with tensile strength and elongation at break reaching 14.83 MPa and 449.63%, respectively. The DPPH free radical scavenging rate of CWPU increases from 8.43% to 70.98%, indicating that CWPU has favorable antioxidant performance. The tensile strength of the CWPU‐treated fabrics obtained by the padding method improve from 542.77 to 605.33N and there is no significant change in the whiteness of the fabric. Furthermore, the CWPU‐treated fabrics, with the UV protection factor of 30.39 and the UVA transmittance below 3%, can be used as UV‐protective fabrics. This work introduces COS into the molecular structure of polyurethanes to obtain functional PUs, expanding the application of COS in polyurethanes.
Dual polarized optical multi‐input multi‐output transmission over 7‐core few‐mode fiber using adaptive recursive least squares constant modulus algorithm
Authors: Khalid Hafiz A. , Ullah Sibghat 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe describe a system with multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) transmission over 7‐core few‐mode fiber (FMF) by incorporating polarization division multiplexing and mode division multiplexing. Three optical modes with x and y polarizations were used for 42 × 42 MIMO transmission over 7‐core FMF. We simulate the optical MIMO transmission at 20 Gbps with quadrature phase‐shift keying signals. By using the adaptive recursive least squares constant modulus algorithm (RLSCMA) at the receiver side, transmission data is successfully recovered by mitigating the effects of modal delay and mode coupling of received signals. The simulation results show that adaptive RLSCMA can improve the system performance of optical MIMO transmission systems.
Presentation Rates for Acute Pharyngitis in the Emergency Room Are Influenced by Extreme Weather Events
Authors: Haas Markus , Lucic Mateo , Pichler Franziska , Brkic Faris F. , Parzefall Thomas , Riss Dominik , Liu David T. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveExtreme weather events are becoming more prevalent with the increasing pace of climate change. These events negatively impact human health and put considerable strain on health care resources, including emergency departments. Within otolaryngology, acute pharyngitis is a common reason for emergency room visits (ERV). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of extreme meteorological conditions on ERV rates related to acute pharyngitis.Study DesignRetrospective time‐series study.SettingERVs related to acute pharyngitis (n = 1511) were identified at a tertiary care hospital in Vienna, Austria, between 2015 and 2018.MethodsThe effects of single‐day and prolonged (3‐day) extreme weather events on ERVs were analyzed using a distributed lag nonlinear model. Relative risk (RR) and cumulative relative risk (cRR) were calculated over a lag period of 14 days. RR refers to the risk for pharyngitis‐related ERV at extreme conditions (1st, 5th, 95th, or 99th percentile) compared to the risk at median conditions.ResultsSame‐day RR (lag0) was elevated more than 3‐fold after prolonged extremely low mean temperatures (P = .028). Furthermore, same‐day RR after single‐day and prolonged extremely high relative humidity was elevated by 51% (P = .024) and 46% (P = .036), respectively. Significant delayed effects on cRR were observed for extreme mean temperatures, relative humidity, and mean wind speeds within 8 days and for extreme atmospheric pressure within 14 days.ConclusionExtreme weather events impact ERV rates for acute pharyngitis. Extremely low temperatures, high relative humidity, high atmospheric pressure, and low and high wind speeds were risk‐promoting factors.
Empathy and cooperation vary with gender in Chinese junior high school adolescents
Authors: Wu Qin , Bu Weiwei , Lin Dong , Cui Liying , Wu Aruna , Zou Hehui , Gu Chen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrevious research on the relationship between empathy and subcategories of prosocial behavior, specifically cooperation, has shown inconsistent findings. It has also paid limited attention to gender differences in the impact of empathy. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between empathy and cooperation in Chinese junior high school adolescents, and the gender differences, through three studies. In Study 1, 448 eighth‐grade adolescents (age = 12–15 years, 55.1% males) completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Cooperative Propensity Rating Scale; the results showed that adolescent empathy was positively associated with cooperative propensity, and this association was significantly higher for males than for females. Study 2 used longitudinal data from 246 eighth‐grade adolescents (age = 12–15 years, 54.5% males) to further support the positive association between empathy and cooperation propensity and the gender differences found in Study 1. Study 3 employed the public goods dilemma to examine the effects of empathic states on the cooperative behavior of 157 eighth‐grade adolescents (age = 13–16 years, 48% males) by evoking empathy. Using different research methods, this study revealed a facilitative relationship between empathy and cooperation and demonstrated that empathy was more predictive of cooperation among male than among female adolescents.