bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum biomarker levels predict disability progression in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Fissolo Nicolás , Benkert Pascal , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Mongay-Ochoa Neus , Vilaseca-Jolonch Andreu , Llufriu Sara , Blanco Yolanda , Hegen Harald , Berek Klaus , Perez-Miralles Francisco , Rejdak Konrad , Villar Luisa M , Monreal Enric , Alvarez-Lafuente Roberto , Soylu Onder K , Abdelhak Ahmed , Bachhuber Franziska , Tumani Hayrettin , Martínez-Yélamos Sergio , Sánchez-López Antonio J , García-Merino Antonio , Gutiérrez Lucía , Castillo-Trivino Tamara , Lycke Jan , Rosenstein Igal , Furlan Roberto , Filippi Massimo , Téllez Nieves , Ramió-Torrentà Lluís , Lünemann Jan D , Wiendl Heinz , Eichau Sara , Khalil Michael , Kuhle Jens , Montalban Xavier , Comabella Manuel 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the potential of serum biomarker levels to predict disability progression in a multicentric real-world cohort of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).MethodsA total of 141 patients with PPMS from 18 European MS centres were included. Disability progression was investigated using change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score over three time intervals: baseline to 2 years, 6 years and to the last follow-up. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL), glial fibrillar acidic protein (sGFAP) and chitinase 3-like 1 (sCHI3L1) were measured using single-molecule array assays at baseline. Correlations between biomarker levels, and between biomarkers and age were quantified using Spearman’s r. Univariable and multivariable linear models were performed to assess associations between biomarker levels and EDSS change over the different time periods.ResultsMedian (IQR) age of patients was 52.9 (46.4–58.5) years, and 58 (41.1%) were men. Median follow-up time was 9.1 (7.0–12.6) years. Only 8 (5.7%) patients received treatment during follow-up. sNfL and sGFAP levels were moderately correlated (r=0.43) and both weakly correlated with sCHI3L1 levels (r=0.19 and r=0.17, respectively). In multivariable analyses, levels of the three biomarkers were associated with EDSS changes across all time periods. However, when analysis was restricted to non-inflammatory patients according to clinical and radiological parameters (n=64), only sCHI3L1 levels remained associated with future EDSS change.ConclusionsLevels of sNfL, sGFAP and sCHI3L1 are prognostic biomarkers associated with disability progression in patients with PPMS, being CHI3L1 findings less dependent on the inflammatory component associated with disease progression.
Comparative cardiovascular outcomes of novel drugs as an addition to conventional triple therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Suebsaicharoen Thanakit , Chunekamrai Puri , Yingchoncharoen Teerapat , Tansawet Amarit , Issarawattana Thanaphruet , Numthavaj Pawin , Thakkinstian Ammarin 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundCurrently, there is no head-to-head comparison of novel pharmacological treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A network meta-analysis aimed to compare effects of both conventional and alternative drug combinations on time to develop primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalisation (PCO).MethodsRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from Medline, Scopus up to June 2021. The RCTs were included if comparing any single or combination of drugs, that is, ACE inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), ivabradine (IVA), angiotensin receptor blocker/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), soluble guanylyl cyclase and omecamtiv mecarbil and reporting PCO. Data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves, individual patient data were generated. A mixed-effect Weibull regression was applied. Median time to PCO, HRs with 95% CI were estimated accordingly. Our findings suggested that ACEI+BB+MRA+SGLT2i, BB+MRA+ARNI, and ACEI+BB+MRA+IVA had lower probability of PCOs than the conventional triple therapy (ACEI+BB+MRA).ResultsMedian time to PCOs of ACEI+BB+MRA was 57.7 months whereas median times to those new combinations were longer than 57.7 months. In addition, the three new regimens had a significantly lower PCO risks than ACEI+BB+MRA, with the HRs (95% CI) of 0.51 (0.43 to 0.61), 0.55 (0.46 to 0.65) and 0.56 (0.47 to 0.67), accordingly.ConclusionThis study suggested that SGLT2i, ARNI and IVA in addition to ACEI+BB+MRA may be better in prolonging time to develop PCO in HFrEF patients.
Impact of a Transitional Pain Service on postoperative opioid trajectories: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ladha Karim S , Vachhani Kathak , Gabriel Gretchen , Darville Rasheeda , Everett Karl , Gatley Jodi M , Saskin Refik , Wong Dorothy , Ganty Praveen , Katznelson Rita , Huang Alexander , Fiorellino Joseph , Tamir Diana , Slepian Maxwell , Katz Joel , Clarke Hance 
Published: November 2023

Introduction
It has been well described that a small but significant proportion of patients continue to use opioids months after surgical discharge. We sought to evaluate postdischarge opioid use of patients who were seen by a Transitional Pain Service compared with controls.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data of individuals who underwent surgery in Ontario, Canada from 2014 to 2018. Matched cohort pairs were created by matching Transitional Pain Service patients to patients of other academic hospitals in Ontario who were not enrolled in a Transitional Pain Service. Segmented regression was performed to assess changes in monthly mean daily opioid dosage.

Results
A total of 209 Transitional Pain Service patients were matched to 209 patients who underwent surgery at other academic centers. Over the 12 months after surgery, the mean daily dose decreased by an estimated 3.53 morphine milligram equivalents (95% CI 2.67 to 4.39, p<0.001) per month for the Transitional Pain Service group, compared with a decline of only 1.05 morphine milligram equivalents (95% CI 0.43 to 1.66, p<0.001) for the controls. The difference-in-difference change in opioid use for the Transitional Pain Service group versus the control group was −2.48 morphine milligram equivalents per month (95% CI −3.54 to −1.43, p=0.003).

Discussion
Patients enrolled in the Transitional Pain Service were able to achieve opioid dose reduction faster than in the control cohorts. The difficulty in finding an appropriate control group for this retrospective study highlights the need for future randomized controlled trials to determine efficacy.
Declines in cigarette smoking among US adolescents and young adults: indications of independence from e-cigarette vaping surge
Authors: Pierce John P , Luo Man , McMenamin Sara B , Stone Matthew D , Leas Eric C , Strong David , Shi Yuyan , Kealey Sheila , Benmarhnia Tarik , Messer Karen 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo compare trends in cigarette smoking and nicotine vaping among US population aged 17–18 years and 18–24 years.MethodsRegression analyses identified trends in ever and current use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, using three US representative surveys from 1992 to 2022.ResultsFrom 1997 to 2020, cigarette smoking prevalence among those aged 18–24 years decreased from 29.1% (95% CI 27.4% to 30.7%) to 5.4% (95% CI 3.9% to 6.9%). The decline was highly correlated with a decline in past 30-day smoking among those aged 17–18 years (1997: 36.8% (95% CI 35.6% to 37.9%; 2022: 3.0% (95% CI 1.8% to 4.1%). From 2017 to 2019, both ever-vaping and past 30-day nicotine vaping (11.0% to 25.5%) surged among those 17–18 years, however there was no increase among those aged 18–24 years. Regression models demonstrated that the surge in vaping was independent of the decline in cigarette smoking. In the 24 most populous US states, exclusive vaping did increase among those aged 18–24 years, from 1.7% to 4.0% to equivalent to 40% of the decline in cigarette smoking between 2014–15 and 2018–19. Across these US states, the correlation between the changes in vaping and smoking prevalence was low (r=0.11). In the two US states with >US$1/fluid mL tax on e-cigarettes in 2017, cigarette smoking declined faster than the US average.ConclusionsSince 1997, a large decline in cigarette smoking occurred in the US population under age 24 years, that was independent of the 2017–19 adolescent surge in past 30-day e-cigarette vaping. Further research is needed to assess whether the 2014–15 to 2018–19 increase in exclusive vaping in those aged 18–24 years is a cohort effect from earlier dependence on e-cigarette vaping as adolescents.
Effects of ‘Ice’ flavoured e-cigarettes with synthetic cooling agent WS-23 or menthol on user-reported appeal and sensory attributes
Authors: Tackett Alayna P , Han Dae Hee , Peraza Natalia , Whaley Reid C , Mason Tyler , Cahn Rael , Hong Kurt , Pang Raina , Monterosso John , Page Michelle K , Goniewicz Maciej Lukasz , Leventhal Adam M 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThis clinical experiment tested the effects of exposure to e-cigarettes with WS-23 or menthol cooling additives on user appeal and sensory attributes, and, secondarily, whether WS-23 effects generalised across base characterising flavour, nicotine concentration, or nicotine/tobacco product use status.MethodsIn this within-participant double-blind experiment, adult tobacco/nicotine users administered standardised puffs of 18 different e-cigarette solutions in randomised sequences using a pod-style device. Each of three base characterising e-cigarette flavour solutions (‘bold tobacco’, ‘mango,’ ‘wintergreen’) in both 2% and 4% concentrations of nicotine benzoate salt were manipulated by adding either: (1) Menthol (0.5%), (2) WS-23 (0.75%) or (3) No cooling agent. After each administration, participants rated 3 appeal and 5 sensory attributes (0–100 scales).ResultsParticipants (n=84; M(SD)=38.6 (13.6) years old) were either exclusive e-cigarette (25.0%), cigarette (36.9%) or dual (38.1%) users. WS-23 versus no coolant products produced higher liking, willingness to use again, smoothness, and coolness and lower disliking, bitterness, and harshness ratings (|B|differencerange: 4.8 to 20.1; ps<0.005). Menthol (vs no coolant) increased willingness to use again and reduced harshness and coolness (ps<0.05). Flavours with WS-23 (vs menthol) were rated as smoother, cooler and less harsh (ps<0.05). Coolant effects did not differ by base flavour, nicotine concentration, or tobacco use status.ConclusionsAdding synthetic coolant WS-23 to e-cigarettes appears to make the vaping user experience more appealing, regardless of characterising base flavour. Regulatory agencies should be aware that the manufacturing process of adding synthetic coolants may increase the attractiveness of various e-cigarette products.Cite Now
Correction functions for soil–water characteristics curves extending the principles of thermodynamics
Authors: Li Yao , Vanapalli Sai K. 
Published: November 2023

The soil–water characteristics curve (SWCC) that is typically measured from laboratory tests is fit using mathematical models that are based on capillary law and used along with the saturated soil properties for predicting the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. Such SWCC models are valid for coarse-grained soils. However, the same models are also extended for modeling the SWCC of fine-grained soils over suction range from 0 to 106 kPa with a correction function. Due to this reason, SWCC models with correction functions have limitations in rigorous analyses of complex thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemo (THMC) behaviors of unsaturated soils, especially in the high suction range. In the present study, a correction function is proposed for modeling the SWCC behavior using two widely models based on a theoretical framework extending the principles of thermodynamics. The relationships between the traditional and the proposed correction functions are discussed. Finally, comparisons are provided between the proposed and the traditional correction functions on the SWCC behavior to highlight their differences. In addition, the effects of temperature and salinity on the SWCC with correction functions are also summarized. The proposed correction function is a valuable tool for rigorous analyses and reliable prediction of the complex THMC behaviors of unsaturated soils.
Benzimidazolium ionic liquid functionalized star-polycaprolactone stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography
Authors: Chen Ruonan , Yang Hongbing , Huang Qiuchen , Ba Mengyi , Li Wen , Song Yanli , Cai Zhiqiang , Sun Tao , Feng Qiaoqiao , Li Shuai 
Published: November 2023

In this work, an innovative ionic liquid functionalized star-shaped polymer is synthesized by coupling star-polycaprolactone with benzimidazolium (star-PCL-Bim), and statically coated into a capillary column for gas chromatographic (GC) separations. The fabricated star-PCL-Bim capillary column with moderate-polar nature reveals a high column efficiency of 3598 plates/m for n-dodecane at 120 °C, and advantageous distinguishing ability ( R > 1.5) for 9 aromatic isomer mixtures and 12 cis-/ trans -isomers. Its excellent resolving capacity can be credited to the architecture of star-PCL-Bim, the PCL arms, and π-electron-rich benzimidazolium cations, and it results in a quite different retention behavior of star-PCL-Bim from that of star-PCL and commercial HP-35 columns, with “dual-nature” selectivity in separating a mixture including 29 compounds. These favorable chromatographic characteristics demonstrate the great application potential of this material in GC, and provide a prospective strategy to obtain high-performance stationary phases.
Strong gravitational lensing by loop quantum gravity motivated rotating black holes and EHT observations
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Islam Shafqat Ul , Ghosh Sushant G. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe investigate gravitational lensing in the strong deflection regime by loop quantum gravity (LQG)-motivated rotating black hole (LMRBH) metrics with an additional parameter l besides mass M and rotation a. The LMRBH spacetimes are regular everywhere, asymptotically encompassing the Kerr black hole as a particular case and, depending on the parameters, describe black holes with one horizon only (BH-I), black holes with an event horizon and a Cauchy horizon (BH-II), black holes with three horizons (BH-III), or black holes with no horizons (NH) spacetime. It turns out that as the LQG parameter l increases, the unstable photon orbit radius $$x_{ps}$$

x

ps

, the critical impact parameter $$u_{ps}$$

u

ps

, the deflection angle $$\alpha _D(\theta )$$

α
D

(
θ
)

and angular position $$\theta _{\infty }$$

θ
∞

also increases. Meanwhile, the angular separation s decreases, and relative magnitude $$r_{mag}$$

r

mag

increases with increasing l for prograde motion but they show opposite behaviour for the retrograde motion. Using supermassive black holes (SMBH) Sgr A* and M87* as lenses, we compare the observable signatures of LMRBH with those of Kerr black holes. For Sgr A*, the angular position $$\theta _{\infty }$$

θ
∞

$$\in $$
∈
(16.4, 39.8) $$\upmu $$
μ
as, while for M87* $$\in $$
∈
(12.33, 29.9) $$\upmu $$
μ
as. The angular separation s, for SMBHs Sgr A* and M87*, differs significantly, with values ranging $$\in $$
∈
(0.008–0.376) $$\upmu $$
μ
as for Sgr A* and $$\in $$
∈
(0.006–0.282) $$\upmu $$
μ
as for M87*. The deviations of the lensing observables $$\Delta \theta _{\infty }$$

Δ

θ
∞

and $$\Delta s$$

Δ
s

for LMRBH ($$a=0.80,l=2.0$$

a
=
0.80
,
l
=
2.0

) from Kerr black holes can reach up to $$10.22\,\upmu $$

10.22

μ

as and $$0.241~\upmu $$

0.241

μ

as for Sgr A*, and $$7.683~\upmu $$

7.683

μ

as and $$0.181~\upmu $$

0.181

μ

as for M87*. The relative magnitude $$r_{mag}$$

r

mag

$$\in $$
∈
(0.047, 1.54). We estimate the time delay between the first and second relativistic images using twenty supermassive galactic centre black holes as lenses to find, for example, the time delay for Sgr A* and M87* can reach approximately 23.26 min and 33,261.8 min, respectively. Our analysis concludes that, within the $$1 \sigma $$

1
σ

region, a significant portion of the BH-I and BH-II parameter space agrees with the EHT results of M87* and Sgr A*. The possibility of LMRBH being a BH-III with three horizons has been almost ruled out, except for a small portion of parameter space, by $$\theta _{sh}$$

θ

sh

bounds of Sgr A* and M87* measured by EHT. In contrast, NH without a horizon is completely ruled out. We discover that the EHT results of Sgr A* place more stringent limits on the parameter space of LMRBH black holes than those established by the EHT results of M87*.
Effect of Kinesio taping versus mechanical cervical traction combined with physiotherapy program on chronic neck pain in young female university students
Authors: Abd-Eltawab Amany E. , Ameer Mariam A. 
Published: November 2023

Background: Mechanical neck pain is common among young female university students and can lead to disability and reduced physical activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Kinesio taping (KT) to mechanical cervical traction (MCT) on young female university students with chronic neck pain. Methods: Sixty young female university students with mechanical neck pain participated in this study; their ages ranged from 19 years to 23 years. They were assigned to three equal groups: the control group (A) received infrared, massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises three days per week for 6 weeks. Experimental group B received cervical traction in addition to the same program as the control, and experimental group C received KT in addition to the same program as the control group. Absolute pain intensity by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were measured pre-and post-treatment intervention. Data were gathered at baseline, and after 6 weeks of intervention for three groups. Results: The MANOVA test showed a significant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6 weeks between pre-and post-treatment intervention in group B ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively). There was a significant reduction in pain after 6 weeks in group C. There was also a significant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6 weeks in group B versus control group ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively). In addition, a significant reduction in pain level and NDI after 6 weeks was detected in group B compared to group C ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], respectively) while a significant reduction in pain level only between the control group (A) and group C was detected ([Formula: see text]). Conclusion: In young female university students with mechanical neck pain, cervical traction combined with physiotherapy program was found to be more effective than KT with physiotherapy program or physiotherapy program alone in reducing pain and enhancing functional abilities after 6 weeks. This will help physiotherapists make more informed decisions concerning the clinical effects of MCT.
The Bowland Shale Formation in the Blacon Basin: syngenetic processes, stacking patterns and heat productivity
Authors: Emmings Joseph F. , Hennissen Jan A. I. , Vane Christopher H. , Damaschke Magret , Marvin Lin , Moss-Hayes Vicky , Lamb Angela , Lacey Jack , Leng Melanie J. , Riley Nick J. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
We conducted a high-resolution multi-disciplinary analysis of two core sections in the borehole Ellesmere Port-1, Cheshire, UK. Biostratigraphic analysis indicates that the core sections are Kinderscoutian and late Arnsbergian–Chokierian in age, respectively. Both cores are assigned to the Bowland Shale Formation (Holywell Shale). Coupled core scan and discrete geochemical analysis enables interpretation of syngenetic processes at a high stratigraphic resolution. Both cores exhibit the classic cyclicity of limestones, calcareous to non-calcareous mudstones and siltstones, interpreted to represent sediment deposition during fourth-order sea-level fluctuation. Machine learning of the well log data coupled to the core scan data enabled prediction of the key lithofacies through the entire Bowland Shale interval in Ellesmere Port-1. The machine predictions show that the Bowland Shale is interfingered with three turbiditic leaves of the Cefn-y-Fedw Sandstone Formation and contains at least 12 complete fourth-order cycles. The Bowland Shale exhibits high radiogenic heat productivity in comparison with other sedimentary rocks, due primarily to relative U enrichment under intermittently euxinic conditions. Thermal modelling, however, shows that the radiogenic heat productivity of the Bowland Shale contributes a negligible source of additional heat at the scale of hundreds of metres.
Stronger Together: Cancer Clones Cooperate to Alleviate Growth Barriers in Critical Cancer Progression Transitions
Authors: Compton Zachary T. , Mallo Diego , Maley Carlo C. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Hershey and colleagues recently showed how clones in a triple-negative breast cancer cell line cooperate for their mutual fitness benefit. In this system, clones exchange soluble metabolites to increase their in vitro growth rate at low population densities, therefore mitigating the documented growth barrier that reduces individual fitness in small tumor cell populations (Allee effect). Such cooperation could aid important transitions in cancer progression in which cancer cell populations are small, like invasion or metastasis. Using orthotopic transplantation, the authors demonstrate that this cooperation is functional in one such transition in vivo, increasing the metastatic load and number of metastases, which are usually polyclonal. Together, these findings highlight the need to consider ecologic interactions to properly understand tumor growth dynamics, and how they complement the standing evolutionary model of cancer progression in our quest to understand and treat cancer.