bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient Characteristics Associated With Worsening of Neck Pain–Related Disability After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Nationwide Study of 1508 Patients
Authors: Danielsen Elisabet , Ingebrigtsen Tor , Gulati Sasha , Salvesen Øyvind , Johansen Tonje O. , Nygaard Øystein P. , Solberg Tore K. 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Functional status, pain, and quality of life usually improve after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), but a subset of patients report worsening. The objective was to define cutoff values for worsening on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and identify prognostic factors associated with worsening of pain-related disability 12 months after DCM surgery.METHODS:In this prognostic study based on prospectively collected data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery, the NDI was the primary outcome. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were used to obtain cutoff values, using the global perceived effect scale as an external anchor. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using mixed logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between potential prognostic factors and the NDI.RESULTS:Among the 1508 patients undergoing surgery for myelopathy, 1248 (82.7%) were followed for either 3 or 12 months. Of these, 317 (25.4%) were classified to belong to the worsening group according to the mean NDI percentage change cutoff of 3.3. Multivariable analyses showed that smoking (odds ratio [OR] 3.4: 95% CI 1.2-9.5:P< .001), low educational level (OR 2.5: 95% CI 1.0-6.5:P< .001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade >II (OR 2.2: 95% CI 0.7-5.6:P= .004) were associated with worsening. Patients with more severe neck pain (OR 0.8: 95% CI 0.7-1.0:P= .003) and arm pain (OR 0.8: 95% CI 0.7-1.0;P= .007) at baseline were less likely to report worsening.CONCLUSION:We defined a cutoff value of 3.3 for worsening after DCM surgery using the mean NDI percentage change. The independent prognostic factors associated with worsening of pain-related disability were smoking, low educational level, and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade >II. Patients with more severe neck and arm pain at baseline were less likely to report worsening at 12 months.
Reossification of Bone Defects After Surgical Correction of Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis: A Review and An Original Study
Authors: Berton Quentin , Arrighi Marta , Barthélémy Isabelle , Garcier Jean-Marc , Loit Marie-Pierre , Cambier Sébastien , Coll Guillaume 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Surgical correction of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) aims to restore cranial shape. Reossification of bone defects is paramount for the best aesthetic prognosis. However, the literature on the quantitative evaluation of bone defects after NSC surgery is scarce. This study aimed to quantify and analyze the surface area of bone defects after NSC surgery and establish a threshold value for predicting persistent defects.

METHODS:
We conducted a systematic review and a prospective study of 28 children undergoing surgical treatment for NSC. We analyzed 426 defects on the first computed tomography scan (1 year postoperative) and 132 defects on the second computed tomography scan (4.6 years postoperative). Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Youden's J statistic.

RESULTS:
Our systematic review identified three studies reporting on bone defects' surface area and reossification rate. In our study, we found no statistically significant differences in the number or size of defects between sex or type of NSC. The threshold value for the surface area of bone defects above which there was a higher probability of persistent defects was 0.19 cm2 (Youden point), with an 89.47 % probability of persistence. Defects with a surface area below 0.19 cm2 had a considerably lower probability, only 15.07%, of persistence over time.

CONCLUSION:
Our study provides valuable quantitative data for managing bone defects after NSC surgery. Defects with a surface area above 0.19 cm2 should be monitored with radiological imaging because of the risk of persistence. Our findings highlight the importance of developing robust and reproducible methods for the quantitative analysis of bone defects after NSC surgery.
Steroid hormone signaling synchronizes cell migration machinery, adhesion and polarity to direct collective movement
Authors: Bhattacharya Mallika , Starz-Gaiano Michelle 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Migratory cells – either individually or in cohesive groups – are critical for spatiotemporally regulated processes such as embryonic development and wound healing. Their dysregulation is the underlying cause of formidable health problems such as congenital abnormalities and metastatic cancers. Border cell behavior during Drosophila oogenesis provides an effective model to study temporally regulated, collective cell migration in vivo. Developmental timing in flies is primarily controlled by the steroid hormone ecdysone, which acts through a well-conserved, nuclear hormone receptor complex. Ecdysone signaling determines the timing of border cell migration, but the molecular mechanisms governing this remain obscure. We found that border cell clusters expressing a dominant-negative form of ecdysone receptor extended ineffective protrusions. Additionally, these clusters had aberrant spatial distributions of E-cadherin (E-cad), apical domain markers and activated myosin that did not overlap. Remediating their expression or activity individually in clusters mutant for ecdysone signaling did not restore proper migration. We propose that ecdysone signaling synchronizes the functional distribution of E-cadherin, atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), Discs large (Dlg1) and activated myosin post-transcriptionally to coordinate adhesion, polarity and contractility and temporally control collective cell migration.
Harnessing artificial intelligence to reduce phototoxicity in live imaging
Authors: Gómez-de-Mariscal Estibaliz , Del Rosario Mario , Pylvänäinen Joanna W. , Jacquemet Guillaume , Henriques Ricardo 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Fluorescence microscopy is essential for studying living cells, tissues and organisms. However, the fluorescent light that switches on fluorescent molecules also harms the samples, jeopardizing the validity of results – particularly in techniques such as super-resolution microscopy, which demands extended illumination. Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software capable of denoising, image restoration, temporal interpolation or cross-modal style transfer has great potential to rescue live imaging data and limit photodamage. Yet we believe the focus should be on maintaining light-induced damage at levels that preserve natural cell behaviour. In this Opinion piece, we argue that a shift in role for AIs is needed – AI should be used to extract rich insights from gentle imaging rather than recover compromised data from harsh illumination. Although AI can enhance imaging, our ultimate goal should be to uncover biological truths, not just retrieve data. It is essential to prioritize minimizing photodamage over merely pushing technical limits. Our approach is aimed towards gentle acquisition and observation of undisturbed living systems, aligning with the essence of live-cell fluorescence microscopy.
Determination of Glyoxalase-1 levels and Identification of Genetic Variants in GLO1 Gene in Patients of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Shah Syed Zubair Hussain , Rashid Amir , Majeed Asifa 
Published: February 2024

Objective: To determine the association of diabetic nephropathy with glyoxalase-1 enzyme levels and a genetic missense variation (SNP rs4746) in its gene (GLO-1).
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from November 2020 to December 2022. One hundred patients and one hundred and thirteen healthy controls were enrolled using the nonprobability convenience sampling method. Medical history and 10ml blood were obtained from each individual after written informed consent. Blood samples were subjected to biochemical tests and DNA extraction which was later used for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis (C332C variant of rs4741 GLO-1 gene) using Tetra primer ARMS PCR and gel electrophoresis. Glyoxalase-1 enzyme activity in serum was measured using ELISA.
Results: There was a significant difference in serum glyoxalase-1 levels in the two groups (p-value< 0.001). The patient group had lower levels (16.24 ± 22.51mg/dl) of glyoxalase-1 as compared to the control group (48.70 ± 42.54mg/dl). In genotypic analysis, 98 out of 100 control individuals had AA genotype-while only one had CC and another AC genotype. In the patient group, 94 out of 100 patients showed AA genotype, three AC, and three CC genotypes. As the statistical significance (p-value) was 0.37, there was no significant association found between AC or CC genotype and diabetic nephropathy.
Conclusion: Glyoxalase-1 levels are linked to the development of diabetic nephropathy in our patients while a known missense variant rs4746 in the GLO-1 gene is not associated with increased risk.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.4.8258
How to cite this: Shah SZH, Rashid A, Majeed A. Determination of Glyoxalase-1 levels and Identification of Genetic Variants in GLO1 Gene in Patients of Diabetic Nephropathy. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(4):652-656. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.4.8258
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Complete recovery after fulminant myocarditis in a patient with COVID-19
Authors: Kitsou Vasiliki , Lunde Torbjørn , Solholm Atle , Blomberg Bjørn , Saeed Sahrai 
Published: February 2024

The clinical spectrum of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies from asymptomatic infection to severe disease with multiorgan dysfunction. Cardiovascular involvement is common and in rare cases can lead to serious complications, such as fulminant myocarditis. The clinical course of COVID-19 myocarditis varies from complete recovery to death in rare cases. The pathophysiology of COVID-19-related myocarditis is still unclear but is believed to involve direct viral injury and cardiac damage due to the host’s immune response. Guidelines on the management of COVID-19-related myocarditis are yet to be established. We present here the case of a male patient in his early fifties admitted with life-threatening myocarditis in the course of COVID-19 infection who was successfully treated and recovered without any sequelae.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.4.8685
How to cite this: Kitsou V, Lunde T, Solholm A, Blomberg B, Saeed S. Complete recovery after fulminant myocarditis in a patient with COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(4):785-789. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.4.8685
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Scheduling in the High-Uncertainty Heavy Traffic Regime
Authors: Atar Rami , Castiel Eyal , Shadmi Yonatan 
Published: February 2024

We propose a model uncertainty approach to heavy traffic asymptotics that allows for a high level of uncertainty. That is, the uncertainty classes of underlying distributions accommodate disturbances that are of order 1 at the usual diffusion scale as opposed to asymptotically vanishing disturbances studied previously in relation to heavy traffic. A main advantage of the approach is that the invariance principle underlying diffusion limits makes it possible to define uncertainty classes in terms of the first two moments only. The model we consider is a single-server queue with multiple job types. The problem is formulated as a zero sum stochastic game played between the system controller, who determines scheduling and attempts to minimize an expected linear holding cost, and an adversary, who dynamically controls the service time distributions of arriving jobs and attempts to maximize the cost. The heavy traffic asymptotics of the game are fully solved. It is shown that an asymptotically optimal policy for the system controller is to prioritize according to an index rule, and for the adversary, it is to select distributions based on the system’s current workload. The workload-to-distribution feedback mapping is determined by a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, which also characterizes the game’s limit value. Unlike in the vast majority of results in the heavy traffic theory and as a direct consequence of the diffusive size disturbances, the limiting dynamics under asymptotically optimal play are captured by a stochastic differential equation where both the drift and the diffusion coefficients may be discontinuous. Funding: R. Atar is supported by the Israeli Science Foundation [Grant 1035/20].
Polynomial Voting Rules
Authors: Tang Wenpin , Yao David D. 
Published: February 2024

We propose and study a new class of polynomial voting rules for a general decentralized decision/consensus system, and more specifically for the proof-of-stake protocol. The main idea, inspired by the Penrose square-root law and the more recent quadratic voting rule, is to differentiate a voter’s voting power and the voter’s share (fraction of the total in the system). We show that, whereas voter shares form a martingale process that converges to a Dirichlet distribution, their voting powers follow a supermartingale process that decays to zero over time. This prevents any voter from controlling the voting process and, thus, enhances security. For both limiting results, we also provide explicit rates of convergence. When the initial total volume of votes (or stakes) is large, we show a phase transition in share stability (or the lack thereof), corresponding to the voter’s initial share relative to the total. We also study the scenario in which trading (of votes/stakes) among the voters is allowed and quantify the level of risk sensitivity (or risk aversion) in three categories, corresponding to the voter’s utility being a supermartingale, a submartingale, and a martingale. For each category, we identify the voter’s best strategy in terms of participation and trading. Funding: W. Tang gratefully acknowledges financial support through the National Science Foundation [Grants DMS-2113779 and DMS-2206038] and through a start-up grant at Columbia University. D. D. Yao’s work is part of a Columbia–City University/Hong Kong collaborative project that is supported by InnoHK Initiative, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Laboratory for AI-Powered Financial Technologies.
Evaluation of a new low-cost negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Sun Haojie , Si Shanwen , Liu Xuekui , Geng Houfa , Liang Jun 
Published: February 2024

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a new and low-cost negative pressure wound therapy (LC-NPWT) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Method: In this retrospective cohort study, patients from our inpatient clinic with Wagner grade 3 DFUs were given LC-NPWT or conventional wound dressings. The primary outcome was the wound healing rates. Complete wound healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation of the wound, was recorded during the two months of follow-up. The definition of complete epidermis of the wound was that the skin was closed (100% re-epithelialisation), with no drainage or dressing. The secondary outcomes were the number of inpatient days and surgical procedures, and outcomes after hospital discharge. The wound score from the Bates–Jensen wound assessment tool and the levels of the inflammation factors procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were compared between the two groups. The Kaplan–Meier survival estimate was used to examine the cumulative wound healing rate. Results: The study cohort comprised 41 patients. The two-month wound healing rate was higher in patients in the LC-NPWT group than in the control group (15/21 (71.4%) versus 8/20 (40.0%), respectively; p=0.043). At the end of the two-month follow-up period, the cumulative wound healing rate was higher in the LC-NPWT group than in the control group (p=0.032). Patients in the LC-NPWT group had fewer inpatient days (19.3±3.84 versus 25.05±4.81; p<0.001) and shorter duration of antibiotic use (32.14±3.89 days versus 36.10±5.80 days; p=0.014) than those who received conventional wound dressings. There were significant improvements in mean wound score between the LC-NPWT group and the control group (p<0.001). After one week of treatment, the blood levels of PCT (0.03±0.30ng/ml versus 0.07±0.08ng/ml; p=0.039), CRP (14.55±13.40mg/l versus 24.71±18.10mg/l; p=0.047) and ESR (42.05±29.29mm/h versus 61.65±22.42mm/h; p=0.021) were lower in patients who received LC-NPWT than those who received conventional wound dressings. Conclusion: LC-NPWT is effective in the treatment of DFUs and provides a cheaper alternative for patients with DFUs that could potentially alleviate the economic distress these patients endure.
Aluminum-based quasi-3D self-aligning plasmonic metasurface with an attenuated substrate effect for high-sensitivity sensing
Authors: Huang Yuhang , Liang Yuzhang , Shen Lanlan , Li Rui , Yang Cheng , Peng Wei 
Published: February 2024

We propose an aluminum (Al)-based quasi-3D self-aligning plasmonic metasurface theoretically in this paper; it demonstrates a hybrid plasmon mode with narrow bandwidth and high peak-to-dip contrast that can be used for high-sensitivity sensing applications. This metasurface consists of a top Al nanodisk array elevated by a composite array of a dielectric nanopillar and Al nanohole. A moderate bulk refractive index sensitivity of up to 384 nm/RIU and an excellent surface sensitivity are achieved in this work, owing to an enhanced optical field around the top Al nanodisk readily accessing the external environment. High nanopillars here mean the top Al nanodisk is away from the bottom nanoholes, which is equivalent to suspending the top nanodisk into approximately symmetrical surroundings to eliminate adverse substrate effects. This work provides a valuable economic and high-performance sensing strategy for precise biochemical detection.
Classification performance bias between training and test sets in a limited mammography dataset
Authors: Hou Rui , Lo Joseph Y. , Marks Jeffrey R. , Hwang E. Shelley , Grimm Lars J. 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the performance bias caused by sampling data into training and test sets in a mammography radiomics study.MethodsMammograms from 700 women were used to study upstaging of ductal carcinoma in situ. The dataset was repeatedly shuffled and split into training (n = 400) and test cases (n = 300) forty times. For each split, cross-validation was used for training, followed by an assessment of the test set. Logistic regression with regularization and support vector machine were used as the machine learning classifiers. For each split and classifier type, multiple models were created based on radiomics and/or clinical features.ResultsArea under the curve (AUC) performances varied considerably across the different data splits (e.g., radiomics regression model: train 0.58–0.70, test 0.59–0.73). Performances for regression models showed a tradeoff where better training led to worse testing and vice versa. Cross-validation over all cases reduced this variability, but required samples of 500+ cases to yield representative estimates of performance.ConclusionsIn medical imaging, clinical datasets are often limited to relatively small size. Models built from different training sets may not be representative of the whole dataset. Depending on the selected data split and model, performance bias could lead to inappropriate conclusions that might influence the clinical significance of the findings.Advances in knowledgePerformance bias can result from model testing when using limited datasets. Optimal strategies for test set selection should be developed to ensure study conclusions are appropriate.
Terahertz MIMO antenna array for future generation of wireless applications
Authors: Pant Rashmi , Malviya Leeladhar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe paper proposes a high gain, low ECC, and high isolation THz MIMO antenna array for future generation wireless applications to accommodate a growing population of mobile users. A THz MIMO antenna array is designed with dimensions of 1200 × 2200 × 191.29 µm3. It employs the array of double-slit complementary split-ring resonators (D-CSRRs) on the bottom layer to improve the gain, return loss, and isolation. The gain of the proposed antenna array is 11.3 dBi with 66.45 % radiating efficiency at 0.65 THz. The −10 dB impedance bandwidth lies from 0.62–0.66 THz. The parameters of the MIMO antenna are evaluated such as isolation, envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), and channel capacity loss. The ECC and DG value observed are 2.84 × 10−6and 9.98 dB, respectively, at 0.65 THz. The channel capacity loss and isolation of the proposed MIMO antenna array are below 0.4 bps/Hz and (|S21| > 25 dB), respectively, in the complete operating band. The suggested THz MIMO antenna array can be utilised for THz high-speed wireless communication, video-rate imaging systems, sensing, the medical field for cancer imaging, security scanning, and the detection of illicit goods.
METTL3-mediated methylation of CYP2C19 mRNA may aggravate clopidogrel resistance in ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Tan Quandan , Yang Le , Yuan Shanshan , Zheng Danni , Lin Yapeng , Chen Kejie , He Ying , Chen Shuntian , Hao Junli , Dai Jin , He Song , Mao Fengkai , Leng Xinyi , Jiang Haisong , Yang Jie 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most frequently occurring interior modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA), and abnormal mRNA modifications can affect many biological processes. However, m6A’s effect on the metabolism of antiplatelet drugs for the prevention of ischemic stroke (IS) remains largely unclear.

Methods
We analyzed the m6A enzymes and m6A methylation in peripheral blood samples of IS patients with/without clopidogrel resistance (CR), and the peripheral blood and liver of rat models with/without CR. We also compared the effect of m6A methylation on the expression of the drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP2C19 and CYP2C6v1) in CR and non-CR samples.

Results
Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), an m6A enzyme, was highly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with CR, and in both the peripheral blood and liver of rats with CR. This enzyme targets CYP2C19 or CYP2C6v1 mRNA through m6A methylation, resulting in low expression of CYP2C19 or CYP2C6v1 mRNA. Consequently, this leads to decreased clopidogrel metabolism and CR.

Conclusion
The METTL3-mediated methylation of CYP2C19 mRNA may aggravate CR in IS patients.