bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metals and Trajectories of Anti-Müllerian Hormone During the Menopausal Transition
Authors: Ding Ning , Wang Xin , Harlow Siobán D , Randolph John F , Gold Ellen B , Park Sung Kyun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Experimental and epidemiological studies have linked metals with women's reproductive aging, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Disrupted ovarian folliculogenesis and diminished ovarian reserve could be a pathway through which metals impact reproductive hormones and outcomes.

Objective
The study aimed to evaluate the associations of heavy metals with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian reserve.

Methods
The study included 549 women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation with 2252 repeated AMH measurements from 10 to 0 years before the final menstrual period (FMP). Serum AMH concentrations were measured using picoAMH ELISA. Urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were measured using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable linear mixed regressions modeled AMH as a function of time before the FMP interaction terms between metals and time to the FMP were also included.

Results
Adjusting for confounders, compared with those in the lowest tertile, women in the highest tertile of urinary arsenic or mercury concentrations had lower AMH concentrations at the FMP (percent change: −32.1%; 95% CI, −52.9 to −2.2, P-trend = .03 for arsenic; percent change: −40.7%; 95% CI, −58.9 to −14.5, P-trend = .005 for mercury). Higher cadmium and mercury were also associated with accelerated rates of decline in AMH over time (percent change per year: −9.0%; 95% CI, −15.5 to −1.9, P-trend = .01 for cadmium; −7.3%; 95% CI, −14.0 to −0.1, P-trend = .04 for mercury).

Conclusion
Heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, and mercury may act as ovarian toxicants by diminishing ovarian reserve in women approaching the FMP.
Long-term Recordings of Arcuate Nucleus Kisspeptin Neurons Across the Mouse Estrous Cycle
Authors: Vas Szilvia , Wall Ellen , Zhou Ziyue , Kalmar Lajos , Han Su Young , Herbison Allan E 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The arcuate nucleus kisspeptin (ARNKISS) neurons represent the GnRH pulse generator that likely drives pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in all mammals. Using an improved GCaMP fiber photometry system enabling long-term continuous recordings, we aimed to establish a definitive profile of ARNKISS neuronal activity across the murine estrous cycle. As noted previously, a substantial reduction in the frequency of ARNKISS neuron synchronization events (SEs) occurs on late proestrus and extends into estrus. The SE amplitude remains constant throughout the cycle. During metestrus, we unexpectedly detected many multipeak SEs where many SEs occurred rapidly, within 160 seconds of each other. By applying a machine learning-based, k-means clustering analysis, we were further able to detect substantial within-stage variability in the patterns of pulse generator activity. Estrous cycle-dependent changes in SE activity occurred around the time of lights on and off. We also find that a mild stressor such as vaginal lavage reduces ARNKISS neuron SE frequency for up to 3 hours. These observations provide a comprehensive account of ARNKISS neuron activity across the estrous cycle, highlight a new pattern of multipeak SE activity, and introduce a new k-means clustering approach for analyzing ARNKISS neuron population behavior.
The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: a novel model for developmental studies in mollusks
Authors: Miglioli Angelica , Tredez Marion , Boosten Manon , Sant Camille , Carvalho João E. , Dru Philippe , Canesi Laura , Schubert Michael , Dumollard Rémi 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
A model organism in developmental biology is defined by its experimental amenability and by resources created for the model system by the scientific community. For the most powerful invertebrate models, the combination of both has already yielded a thorough understanding of developmental processes. However, the number of developmental model systems is still limited, and their phylogenetic distribution heavily biased. Members of one of the largest animal lineages, the Spiralia, for example, have long been neglected. In order to remedy this shortcoming, we have produced a detailed developmental transcriptome for the bivalve mollusk Mytilus galloprovincialis, and have expanded the list of experimental protocols available for this species. Our high-quality transcriptome allowed us to identify transcriptomic signatures of developmental progression and to perform a first comparison with another bivalve mollusk: the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. To allow co-labelling studies, we optimized and combined protocols for immunohistochemistry and hybridization chain reaction to create high-resolution co-expression maps of developmental genes. The resources and protocols described here represent an enormous boost for the establishment of Mytilus galloprovincialis as an alternative model system in developmental biology.
Optimal Cross-Sectional Regression
Authors: Liao Zhipeng , Liu Yan , Xie Zhenzhen 
Published: January 2024

Errors-in-variables (EIV) biases plague asset pricing tests. We offer a new perspective on addressing the EIV issue: instead of viewing EIV biases as estimation errors that potentially contaminate next stage risk premium estimates, we consider them to be return innovations that follow a particular correlation structure. We factor this structure into our test design, yielding a new regression model that generates the most accurate risk premium estimates. We demonstrate the theoretical appeal as well as the empirical relevance of our new estimator. This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance. Supplemental Material: The supplemental appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4966 .
Automated control and stabilization of ultrabroadband laser pulse angular dispersion
Authors: Buck Samuel , Reid Derryck , Galimberti Marco 
Published: January 2024

We present an innovative automatic control of angular dispersion for high-power laser systems. A novel, to the best of our knowledge, diagnostic has been developed to visualize angular dispersion in ultrashort near-infrared laser pulses for on-shot analysis. The output of a commercial ultrabroadband oscillator was prepared with an arbitrary chromatic dispersion and sent through a compensation system composed of 4° glass wedges in motorized mounts. These wedges were rotationally controlled in discrete steps about the beam axis in accordance with the diagnostic, via an automated feedback loop, to successfully eliminate angular dispersion to a precision of 5 nrad/nm. The system can be implemented to maintain a zero or nonzero target dispersion for experiments.
Interpolation linearization predistortion technology for FMCW LiDAR
Authors: Chen Honggang , Zhao Le , Hu Leilei , Chen Long , Zhang Bo , Luo Yong , Liang Xuerui , Gan Linfei 
Published: January 2024

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser ranging technology is an important development direction of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for the future. It has the advantages of high ranging accuracy, high resolution, wide range, and no ranging blind zone. A distributed feedback laser can be used as a high-quality light source in FMCW laser ranging systems because of its wide frequency modulation range, simple frequency modulation mode, and small package. Aiming at the nonlinear problem of the laser in the frequency modulation process, we present a novel, to our knowledge, predistortion algorithm based on interpolation linear fitting to enhance the linearity of the FMCW laser for LiDAR systems. The sweeping frequency curve of the laser is obtained using the Hilbert transform, and then the sweeping frequency curve is segmented and linearly fitted to calculate the interpolated driving current signals corresponding to linear frequency changes. Using this method, we achieved a nonlinearity error lower than 1e-7 for the swept-frequency signal and demonstrated that the ranging error is less than ±5cm at a distance of 100 m in the FMCW system. In addition, we also demonstrated a 3D static object point cloud with high imaging quality. Compared with the iterative predistortion algorithm based on the function fitting, this method avoids fitting errors at the inflection points of the triangular swept-frequency signal and the complexity of multiple iterative calculations. It enables rapid generation of pre-distorted swept-frequency signals, making it particularly suitable for real-time applications of automotive LiDAR systems.
Numerical modeling of Dy3+-doped aluminosilicate fiber lasers for yellow light emission
Authors: Lee Jinho , Ososkov Yan , Jackson Stuart D. 
Published: January 2024

Numerical simulations of Dy3+-doped aluminosilicate fiber lasers for yellow light emission are presented. The 4F9/2→6H13/2 laser transition emitting at approximately 580 nm has been developed experimentally with 445 nm diode pumping and shows promise for higher output power in both silicate and in particular fluoride glass hosts. In this report, we focus on accumulating the published spectroscopic data in order to quantify cross relaxation (CR) in each of these hosts and use it to estimate its role in the laser dynamics. The model involves calculation of the branching ratios, and radiative and nonradiative decay rates and compares well with reported experimental results. We show the important role of the background losses on previous laser performance and the relatively strong increase in the laser threshold as a result of CR despite the moderately low Dy3+ concentrations that have been experimentally tested.
Epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in the Greater Horn of Africa: A systematic review
Authors: Aregawi Weldegebrial G. , Levecke Bruno , Ashenafi Hagos , Byaruhanga Charles , Kebede Nigatu , Mulinge Erastus , Wassermann Marion , Romig Thomas , Dorny Pierre , Dermauw Veronique 
Published: January 2024

Background
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), the life cycle of which involves multiple hosts. We conducted a systematic review (SR) on E. granulosus s.l. in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), to provide a picture of its recent epidemiology across all hosts.

Methods
For this SR, conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, five electronic databases, as well experts in the region were consulted to retrieve records published between 2000 and 2022, reporting the presence of E. granulosus s.l. infections in any natural host in the GHA (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda).

Principal findings
A total of 247 records were retained, describing the presence of E. granulosus s.l. throughout the GHA, except for Djibouti. Only few population surveys on human CE were conducted in the area, with the prevalence ranging between 0.3 and 11.3%. In animals, the reported prevalence ranged up to 61.6% in camels, 88.4% in cattle; 65.2% in goats, 9.9% in pigs, 67.8% in sheep and 94.5% in dogs. In addition, E. granulosus s.l. was also reported in wildlife. A total of five species were reported in the different hosts, namely E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1, G3, GOmo), E. canadensis (G6/7), E. ortleppi (G5), E. felidis, and E. equinus (G4).

Conclusions
We confirm that E. granulosus s.l. is prevalent throughout the GHA. Nevertheless, despite our efforts to screen grey literature, an accurate assessment of the epidemiology in GHA remains challenging, due to the lack of combined host, in-depth risk factor and behavioural studies, as well as the wide diversity in subpopulations studied and diagnostic tools used. Interdisciplinary and transboundary partnerships would be essential for the design of effective control strategies, tuned to the GHA setting.
Strengthening health service delivery and governance through institutionalizing ‘Urban Health Atlas’—A geo-referenced Information Communication and Technology tool: Lessons learned from an implementation research in three cities in Bangladesh
Authors: Shafique Sohana , Bhattacharyya Dipika Shankar , Hossain Md. Tarek , Hasan Shaikh Mehdi , Ahmed Shakil , Islam Rubana , Adams Alayne M. 
Published: January 2024

Introduction
Urban health governance in Bangladesh is complex as multiple actors are involved and no comprehensive data are currently available on infrastructure, services, or performance either in public and private sectors of the healthcare system. The Urban Health Atlas (UHA)–a novel and interactive geo-referenced, web-based visualization tool was developed in Bangladesh to provide geospatial and service information to decision makers involved in urban health service planning and governance. Our objective was to study the opportunities for institutionalization of the UHA into government health systems responsible for urban healthcare delivery and document the facilitators and barriers to its uptake.

Methods
This implementation research was carried out during 2017–2019 in three cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Dinajpur and Jashore. During the intervention period, six hands-on trainings on UHA were provided to 67 urban health managers across three study sites. Thirty in-depth and twelve key informant interviews were conducted to understand user experience and document stakeholder perceptions of institutionalizing UHA.

Results
Capacity building on UHA enhanced understanding of health managers around its utility for service delivery planning, decision making and oversight. Findings from the IDIs and KIIs suggest that UHA uptake was challenged by inadequate ICT infrastructure, shortage of human resources and lack of ICT skill among managers. Motivating key decision makers and stakeholders about the potential of UHA and engaging them from its inception helped the institutionalization process.

Conclusion
While uptake of UHA by government health managers appears possible with dedicated capacity building initiatives, its use and regular update are challenged by multiple factors at the implementation level. A clear understanding of context, actors and system readiness is foundational in determining whether the institutionalization of health ICTs is timely, realistic or relevant.
Prospective cohort study of surgical site infections following single dose antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean section at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Medchal, India
Authors: Basany Kalpana , Chaudhuri Sirshendu , Shailaja P. Lakshmi , Agiwal Varun , Angaali Neelima , A. Y. Nirupama , D. Shailendra , Haggerty Catherine , Reddy P. S. 
Published: January 2024

Background
Caesarean section (CS) is considered to be a life-saving operative intervention for women and new-borns in certain antepartum and intrapartum conditions. Caesarean delivery may be accompanied by several complications including surgical site infections (SSI). However, there is a significant lack of uniformity in the administration of antibiotics for preventing surgical site infections (SSI) following caesarean deliveries. The present study was conducted to determine the incidence of post CS SSI following the adoption of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis as recommended by WHO at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Medchal, India. Also, to identify the risk factors of SSI and reported the bacteriological profiles and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the culture positive isolates.

Main objectives
To estimate the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI’s) according to CDC criteria following WHO-recommended single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for caesarean section at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Medchal, India.

Methods
A prospective hospital-based study was conducted between June 2017 and December 2019, in which women who underwent caesarean delivery were followed up for 30 days post-delivery. Clinical details were collected using a structured questionnaire, and participants were followed up weekly after discharge to document any signs and symptoms of SSI. Symptomatic patients were requested to come to the hospital for further investigation and treatment. Standard microbiological tests were conducted to detect microorganisms and their antibiotic sensitivity.

Results
The study included 2,015 participants with a mean age of 24.1 years. The majority were multigravida (n = 1,274, 63.2%) and underwent emergency caesarean delivery (n = 1,232, 61.1%). Ninety two participants (4.6%, 95% CI: 3.7% to 5.6%) developed surgical site infections, with 91 (98.9%) having superficial and 1 (1.1%) having a deep infection. Among those who developed an SSI, 84 (91.3%) did so during their hospital stay, while 8 (8.7%) developed an SSI at home. The adjusted relative risk (a RR) for developing an SSI was 2.5 (95% CI: 1.4 to 4.6; power 99.9%) among obese women and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1 to 4.7; power 100%) among women aged 25 years or younger. Microbial growth in culture was observed from 55 (75.8%) out of total 66 samples. The most common organisms identified were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 7(12.3%)23, 46.0%), Klebsiella sp. (n = 13, 26.0%), and Escherichia coli (n = 12, 24.0%).

Conclusion
The rate of SSI following caesarean deliveries subjected to single dose antibiotic prophylaxis was low. Young women and obese women were at high risk of developing SSI.
Geographical distribution of antimicrobial exposure among very preterm and very low birth weight infants: A nationwide database study in Japan
Authors: Yoneda Kota , Shinjo Daisuke , Takahashi Naoto , Fushimi Kiyohide 
Published: January 2024

Objectives
To examine spatial effects in neonatal care, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the geographical distribution of antimicrobial exposure among very preterm and very low birth weight infants in Japan.

Study design
We utilized a nationwide claims database in Japan to extract prescriptions of injectable antimicrobials for 41,423 very preterm and very low birth weight infants admitted within the first two days of life from April 2010 to March 2021. We identified frequently prescribed antimicrobials, revealed early neonatal exposure and neonatal exposure to each antimicrobial agent by 47 prefectures in Japan, and evaluated their spatial autocorrelation using global and local Moran’s I statistics. We then scrutinized regional disparities in antimicrobial drug prescriptions.

Results
The top 10 antimicrobials prescribed to very preterm and very low birth weight infants in Japan were ampicillin, amikacin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, fluconazole, ampicillin combination, micafungin, cefmetazole, cefazolin, and vancomycin. We identified northern cold spots for fluconazole exposure and southern hot spots for ampicillin, amikacin, gentamicin, and cefmetazole exposure. Geographical heterogeneity in the selection of antibacterial and antimycotic agents was observed.

Conclusion
Our study revealed the geographical distribution of antimicrobial exposure among very preterm and very low birth weight infants in Japan, thus disclosing its spatial effects. Further research addressing the spatial effects of neonatal care is needed to understand how drug exposure affects the outcomes of preterm infants.
Aerobic exercise protects MI heart through miR-133a-3p downregulation of connective tissue growth factor
Authors: Liu Niu , Zhen Zhiping , Xiong Xin , Xue Yaqi 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise intervention to inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and thus improve cardiac function in myocardial infarction (MI) mice by regulating CTGF expression through miR-133a-3p.

Methods
Male C57/BL6 mice, 7–8 weeks old, were randomly divided into sham-operated group (S group), sham-operated +aerobic exercise group (SE group), myocardial infarction group (MI group) and MI + aerobic exercise group (ME group). The mice were anesthetized the day after training and cardiac function was assessed by cardiac echocardiography. Myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF%) was analyzed by Masson staining. Myocardial CTGF, Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting, and myocardial miR-133a-3p was measured by RT-qPCR.

Results
Compared with the S group, miR-133a-3p, Bcl-2 and EF were significantly decreased and CTGF, Bax, Bax/ Bcl-2, Caspase 3, Cleaved Caspase-3, LVIDd, LVIDs and CVF were significantly increased in the MI group. Compared with the MI group, miR-133a-3p, Bcl-2 and EF were significantly increased, cardiac function was significantly improved, and CTGF, Bax, Bax/ Bcl-2, Caspase 3, Cleaved Caspase-3, LVIDd, LVIDs and CVF were significantly decreased in ME group. The miR-133a-3p was significantly lower and CTGF was significantly higher in the H2O2 intervention group compared with the control group of H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes. miR-133a-3p was significantly higher and CTGF was significantly lower in the AICAR intervention group compared to the H2O2 intervention group. Compared with the control group of H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes, CTGF, Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly increased and Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the miR-133a-3p inhibitor intervention group; CTGF, Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly decreased and Bcl-2 was significantly upregulated in the miR-133a-3p mimics intervention group.

Conclusion
Aerobic exercise down-regulated CTGF expression in MI mouse myocardium through miR-133a-3p, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improving cardiac function.
Effect of Russian current expert modes on quadriceps muscle torque in healthy adults: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hasan Ansam , Moustafa Ibrahim , Shousha Tamer 
Published: January 2024

Background
Russian current (RC), a well-known neuromuscular electrical stimulation operating at 2500 Hz, has demonstrated significant strength improvement over traditional exercises due to its high tolerance and low pain provocation. Despite extensive NMES parameter research, the specific effects of expert modes, particularly ON2 and Rest, remain unexplored. This study investigates the direct effect of these expert modes on quadriceps muscle strength in healthy adults.

Methods
This is a single-blind, randomization-controlled trial. Forty-eight healthy university students (31 females, 17 males) were assigned in two randomized experimental groups either the ON2 or Rest mode for a 15-minute electrical stimulation session. Quadriceps maximum voluntary isokinetic contraction measurements were taken before and directly after RC application using Biodex Medical Systems 4 pro isokinetic dynamometer.

Results
Both RC modes significantly increased the quadriceps muscle torque in healthy adults compared to baseline (p<0.05). Baseline mean torque was 123.28 (SD = 38.8), and post- RC mean torque was 136.67 (SD = 45.76). Deviation from normality was observed at baseline (p = 0.034) and persisted post-RC application (p = 0.017). The Wilcoxon test reported significant increases in quadriceps muscle knee torque for both ON2 and Rest groups (p < 0.001). The lack of ties in ranks and negative Z-values highlight the robustness of the observed effects.

Conclusion
The findings of this study align with previous research on NMES and RC supporting the idea that electrical stimulation enhances muscle strength, selecting the appropriate RC expert modes can assist physiotherapist in tailoring rehabilitation program to achieve their specific strength goals.