bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic acid deficiency amongst spondylodiscitis patients
Authors: Solis Waldo Gerard , Taylor Michael Adrian , Brooks Michael , Shaw Richard , Van Gelder Eleni Mylordi , Van Gelder James 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundSpondylodiscitis can be a disabling and life‐threatening infection. Ascorbic Acid is crucial for neutrophil function and collagen formation. Its association and clinical relevance in spondylodiscitis has not been previously examined.AimsTo determine the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical outcomes of spondylodiscitis patients with Ascorbic Acid deficiency.MethodsSixty‐eight consecutive patients admitted with spondylodiscitis, between December 2021 and August 2023 were included. Clinical characteristics, Ascorbic Acid levels and clinical outcomes were evaluated.ResultsThirty‐seven patients had Ascorbic Acid levels taken during admission. The median initial Ascorbic Acid level was 15 μmol/L with an IQR 6.5–27 μmol/L. Depletion defined as <28 μmol/L was present in 78% of patients. Deficiency defined as ≤11 μmol/L was present in and 46% of patients. Patients with depletion were more likely to require Intensive Care Admission (absolute risk increase = 24.1%; 2.6%–45.7%). Fifteen patients had repeat serum levels taken during admission with median increase of 17 μmol/L and an IQR 0–26 μmol/L. Patients that received supplementation had a significantly greater increase in Ascorbic Acid levels compared with those that did not receive supplementation (P = 0.002).ConclusionAscorbic acid deficiency is highly prevalent amongst spondylodiscitis patients. Depletion was associated with worse outcomes. Replacement significantly increased serum levels in comparison to standard hospital diet. The clinical significance of replacement remains to be evaluated.
The malnutrition screening tool STRONGKIDS performed better than other screening tools for children hospitalised in Egypt
Authors: Omar Omneya Magdy , Tayel Dalia I. , Saleh Radwa Mohamed , Ramadan Magdy Abdelfatah 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimTo compare the accuracy of three different screening tools, namely, the Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP), and Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGKIDS), in assessing malnutrition risk in hospitalised children.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 300 children aged 6 months to 15 years at Alexandria University Children's Hospital, Egypt. The sensitivity and specificity of each tool were calculated to detect acute and chronic malnutrition, and an agreement test was conducted between the nutritional screening tools. The patients were classified into different nutritional risk groups, and their classification was compared with anthropometric measures and clinical variables, such as the length of hospital stay (LOS).ResultsThe prevalence of stunting and wasting on admission was found to be 3% and 6.6%, respectively. Children categorised as high‐risk on admission had a longer LOS than those at low risk. The agreement test between the STAMP score and STRONGKIDS score on admission showed the most significant agreement, and STRONGKIDS had the best accuracy in detecting acute and chronic malnutrition.ConclusionThe comparison of the three screening tools revealed that STRONGKIDS exhibited the best accuracy in detecting acute and chronic malnutrition.
Effects of 30 days bed rest and exercise countermeasures on PBMC bioenergetics
Authors: Buescher F.‐M. , Schmitz M. T. , Frett T. , Kramme J. , de Boni L. , Elmenhorst E. M. , Mulder E. , Moestl S. , Heusser K. , Frings‐Meuthen P. , Jordan J. , Rittweger J. , Pesta D. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimAltered mitochondrial function across various tissues is a key determinant of spaceflight‐induced physical deconditioning. In comparison to tissue biopsies, blood cell bioenergetics holds promise as a systemic and more readily accessible biomarker, which was evaluated during head‐down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), an established ground‐based analog for spaceflight‐induced physiological changes in humans. More specifically, this study explored the effects of HDTBR and an exercise countermeasure on mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).MethodsWe subjected 24 healthy participants to a strict 30‐day HDTBR protocol. The control group (n = 12) underwent HDTBR only, while the countermeasure group (n = 12) engaged in regular supine cycling exercise followed by veno‐occlusive thigh cuffs post‐exercise for 6 h. We assessed routine blood parameters 14 days before bed rest, the respiratory capacity of PBMCs via high‐resolution respirometry, and citrate synthase activity 2 days before and at day 30 of bed rest. We confirmed PBMC composition by flow cytometry.ResultsThe change of the PBMC maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS) amounted to an 11% increase in the countermeasure group, while it decreased by 10% in the control group (p = 0.04). The limitation of OXPHOS increased in control only while other respiratory states were not affected by either intervention. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between white blood cells, lymphocytes, and basophils with PBMC bioenergetics in both groups.ConclusionThis study reveals that a regular exercise countermeasure has a positive impact on PBMC mitochondrial function, confirming the potential application of blood cell bioenergetics for human spaceflight.
From A to E: Uniting vitamins against stroke risk—A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Tripathi Shashank , Nath Manabesh , Misra Shubham , Kumar Pradeep 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and AimStroke represents a significant public health challenge, necessitating the exploration of preventive measures. This network meta‐analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of different vitamin treatments compared to a placebo in preventing stroke.MethodsA systematic electronic search in databases including PubMed, EmBASE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar until 31 May 2023 was conducted, to identify published studies investigating the association between vitamin intake and the risk of stroke. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a frequentist network meta‐analysis. Furthermore, we ranked vitamins based on p‐scores, facilitating a comparative assessment of their effectiveness in preventing stroke.ResultsA total of 56 studies, including 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 39 cohort studies were analyzed. Direct estimates obtained from network meta‐analysis, we found that vitamin A (RR: .81 [.72–.91]), vitamin B‐complex (RR: .85 [.74–.97]), vitamin B6 (RR: 79 [.68–.92]), folate (RR: .86 [.75–.97]), vitamin C (RR: .77 [.70–.85]) and vitamin D (RR: .73 [.64–.83]) were significantly associated with a decreased stroke risk. However, no significant association was observed for vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Subsequent to network meta‐analysis, vitamins were ranked in decreasing order of their efficacy in stroke prevention based on p‐score, with vitamin D (p‐score = .91), vitamin C (p‐score = .79), vitamin B6 (p‐score = .70), vitamin A (p‐score = .65), vitamin B‐complex (p‐score = .53), folate (p‐score = .49), vitamin B2 (p‐score = .39), vitamin E (p‐score = .28), vitamin B12 (.13) and placebo (.10).ConclusionOur study has established noteworthy connections between vitamin A, vitamin B‐complex, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin D in the realm of stroke prevention. These findings add substantial weight to the accumulating evidence supporting the potential advantages of vitamin interventions in mitigating the risk of stroke. However, to solidify and validate these observations, additional research is imperative. Well‐designed clinical trials or cohort studies are needed to further explore these associations and formulate clear guidelines for incorporating vitamin supplementation into effective stroke prevention strategies.
The whitewashing of blame
Authors: Chislenko Eugene 
Published: January 2024

AbstractI argue that influential recent discussions have whitewashed blame, characterizing it in ways that deemphasize or ignore its morally problematic features. I distinguish “definitional,” “creeping,” and “emphasis” whitewash, and argue that they play a central role in overall endorsements of blame by T.M. Scanlon, George Sher, and Miranda Fricker. In particular, these endorsements treat blame as appropriate by definition (Scanlon), or as little more than a wish (Sher), and infer from blame's having one useful function that it is a good practice overall (Fricker). I use an analogy with revenge to illustrate the mechanisms of whitewashing, including broadening a concept to include available alternatives to it and inference from one feature of a practice to an overall conclusion about that practice. Several features of blame make it particularly prone to whitewashing, including blamers' personal or emotional stake in blaming and widespread disagreement about the nature of blame. I argue that a non‐whitewashing treatment of blame must pay closer attention both to blame's harms, and to comparisons between blame and alternative, non‐blaming reactions.
Time‐ and cycle‐dependent growth of surface cracks in alloy 718
Authors: Satin Morris M. , Johnson W. Steven , Neu Richard W. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThermomechanical fatigue (TMF) crack growth of Alloy 718 when the cycle includes long high‐temperature tensile dwells is often accelerated because sustained‐load crack growth occurs during the dwells and a temperature affected zone (TAZ) develops ahead of a crack tip that reduces fatigue crack growth resistance upon application of a cycle after the long dwell. This paper presents new TMF and sustained‐load tests that aim to study and characterize the TAZ development and growth ahead of semi‐elliptical and single‐edge cracks. The influence of constraint on crack growth is assessed. This investigation focuses on a coarse‐grained (CG) Alloy 718 at 650°C. By comparing the crack growth behavior between a fine‐grained and CG microstructure after a long tensile dwell, a modification of the TAZ growth prediction model that includes the influence of grain size is proposed. Using this improved model for TAZ growth and acceleration, the TMF crack growth prediction of surface cracks is improved.
Dissolved silica affects the bulk iron redox state and recrystallization of minerals generated by photoferrotrophy in a simulated Archean ocean
Authors: Zhou Alice , Templeton Alexis S. , Johnson Jena E. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChemical sedimentary deposits called Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) are one of the best surviving records of ancient marine (bio)geochemistry. Many BIF precursor sediments precipitated from ferruginous, silica‐rich waters prior to the Great Oxidation Event at ~2.43 Ga. Reconstructing the mineralogy of BIF precursor phases is key to understanding the coevolution of seawater chemistry and early life. Many models of BIF deposition invoke the activity of Fe(II)‐oxidizing photoautotrophic bacteria as a mechanism for precipitating mixed‐valence Fe(II,III) and/or fully oxidized Fe(III) minerals in the absence of molecular oxygen. Although the identity of phases produced by ancient photoferrotrophs remains debated, laboratory experiments provide a means to explore what their mineral byproducts might have been. Few studies have thoroughly characterized precipitates produced by photoferrotrophs in settings representative of Archean oceans, including investigating how residual Fe(II)aq can affect the mineralogy of expected solid phases. The concentration of dissolved silica (Si) is also an important variable to consider, as silicate species may influence the identity and reactivity of Fe(III)‐bearing phases. To address these uncertainties, we cultured Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE‐1 as a photoferrotroph in synthetic Archean seawater with an initial [Fe(II)aq] of 1 mM and [Si] spanning 0–1.5 mM. Ferrihydrite was the dominant precipitate across all Si concentrations, even with substantial Fe(II) remaining in solution. Consistent with other studies of microbial iron oxidation, no Fe‐silicates were observed across the silica gradient, although Si coprecipitated with ferrihydrite via surface adsorption. More crystalline phases such as lepidocrocite and goethite were only detected at low [Si] and are likely products of Fe(II)‐catalyzed ferrihydrite transformation. Finally, we observed a substantial fraction of Fe(II) in precipitates, with the proportion of Fe(II) increasing as a function of [Si]. These experimental results suggest that photoferrotrophy in a Fe(II)‐buffered ocean may have exported Fe(II,III)‐oxide/silica admixtures to BIF sediments, providing a more chemically diverse substrate than previously hypothesized.
When ice and sea are not barriers for flies: First report of Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in South America
Authors: Contador Tamara , Maturana Claudia S. , Gañan Melisa , Rendoll‐Cárcamo Javier , Troncoso‐Villar Matías , Kennedy James , Convey Peter , Krzemińska Ewa , Kim Sanghee , Lobos Isabel , Piñeiro Alejandro , Hernandez Jordan , Benítez Hugo A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
During the 2022/2023 austral winter, large swarms of Trichocera (Saltrichocera) maculipennis Meigen, 1818 (Diptera: Trichoceridae), were observed around house roofs in Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, southern Chile, 54° S). In January 2023, the presence of this species was also confirmed in Punta Arenas (53° S), with specimens collected within the Chilean Antarctic Institute warehouse facilities.
Trichocera maculipennis is native to the Holarctic region and became established on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctic) over 15 years ago. However, the species has not previously been reported from South America.
Taxonomic and molecular identification techniques were used to confirm the identity of the new specimens obtained from Navarino Island and Punta Arenas. Preliminary observations of the fly's habitat preferences and swarming behaviour in Puerto Williams are provided, as well as comparisons in wing morphometrics between flies from Puerto Williams and King George Island.
The fly's extensive distribution and high abundance in Puerto Williams are consistent with human‐facilitated introduction and several years' establishment.
These findings emphasise the importance of implementing robust management strategies and biosecurity measures, particularly during transportation between logistical hubs in southern South America and the remote areas of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve and Antarctica.
Substance P/calcitonin gene‐related peptide and their receptors expression in human periodontal ligament after root canal preparation with five different systems
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli Javier , Muñoz‐Alvear Hernan Dario , Lopez‐Moncayo Luis Fernando , Kacharaju Kranthi Raja , Velasquez‐Rivera Adriana Carolina , Carlosama‐Recalde Luis Alberto , Pazmiño Juan Camilo , Gomez‐Sosa Jose Francisco , Diaz‐Barrera Luis Eduardo , Munoz Hugo Roberto 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of five different root canal preparation instruments on Substance P (SP), Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and their receptors expression in healthy human periodontal ligament.MethodologySTROBE guidelines were used to design a study using 60 periodontal ligament samples obtained from healthy lower premolars where extraction was indicated for orthodontic reasons. Prior to extraction 40 of these premolars were equally divided into four groups and root canals were prepared using different systems: Mtwo, Reciproc Blue, HyFlex EDM and Plex‐V. Ten premolars were prepared with hand files and served as a positive control group. The remaining 10 premolars where extracted without treatment and served as a negative control group. All periodontal ligament samples were processed to measure the expression of SP, CGRP and their receptors by radioimmunoassay. Kruskal–Wallis and Duncan tests were performed to determine statistically significant differences between the groups for each variable.ResultsGreater expression of all the peptides measured were found in the hand‐file preparation group, followed by the Reciproc Blue, Mtwo, HyFlex EDM and Plex‐V groups. The lower SP, CGRP and their receptors values were for the intact teeth control group. Kruskal–Wallis test showed statistically significant differences amongst groups (p < .001). Dunn post‐hoc tests showed statistically significant differences in SP, CGRP and their receptors expression between the intact teeth and the hand‐file and Reciproc Blue groups. Hand‐file group showed significant differences with the other groups, except with Reciproc Blue, where no differences were observed in any of the peptides measured. Finally, no differences were observed between Plex‐V and HyFlex in any of the peptides measured.ConclusionsRoot canal preparation with hand files and Reciproc Blue generates the highest expression of SP, CGRP, NK1 and CGRP1R in human periodontal ligament, whilst Plex‐V and HyFlex maintain the basal expression of neuropeptides and their receptors. Mtwo showed intermediate results between Reciproc Blue and HyFlex.
Phase separation during the direct powder bed fusion of SiC
Authors: Lamm Benjamin W. , Karakoc Omer , Mao Keyou , Koyanagi Takaaki , Liu Jian , Katoh Yutai 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPowder bed fusion (PBF) is an attractive additive manufacturing option for fabrication of SiC object with complex geometries. However, the density and microstructure controls remain a challenge. This study is aimed at understanding laser–SiC interactions, with emphasis on microstructure‐processing relationships, to identify potential solutions for the process improvement. SiC tubes were fabricated by PBF of pure SiC powders without sintering additives. Comprehensive analysis by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy indicated that binding of SiC particles was achieved by incongruent melting of SiC to a Si/C mixture containing SiC micro‐ and nanocrystallites. The phase evolution under laser irradiation of SiC was explained by phase diagrams. This study uncovered the PBF SiC microstructure at different length scales and the relationship between the microstructure and the processing parameters.
Rapid geometric characterization of ceramics fragments through split Hopkinson pressure bar tests
Authors: Li Dan , Zhao Bing , Meng Maozhou 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe research on fracture mechanisms of brittle materials is extremely difficult such as the determination of the energy absorption modes and the geometric characteristics of debris. In this paper, a dynamic experimental fragment recovery device was developed to study the facture characteristics of A99 ceramics (the mass of Al2O3 accounts for 99%) based on the Split‐Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments, in which the energy absorption mechanism was revealed. A three‐view characterization method was developed to obtain the geometric characterization formula under various strain rate; therefore, the geometric parameters of the fragments can be quickly characterized. The failure mode was investigated in correlation between strain rate and micro‐cracks. It was found that the shape of the strain rate controlled the proportion of dissipated energy. At a lower strain rate the fragment was prone to needle shape, while at a higher strain rate (above 2001 s−1) the proportion of dissipated energy increased to 72% and the fragment shape tended to be nearly spherical. A formula based on strain rate was proposed to characterize the geometric parameters of the fragments without the need of geometry dimensions; therefore, the fragment rate can be quickly obtained, which could provide guidance for the design of ceramics parts.
Alleviating administrative burden through digitalization and redesign: A laboratory experiment on student financial aid in Germany
Authors: Kalucza Janne , Sievert Martin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIndividuals encounter and experience different costs, conceptualized as administrative burdens, when seeking access to social welfare programs. Scholars and practitioners suggest that digitalizing and redesigning application processes could alleviate and shift some of these negative experiences. However, empirical research testing whether real interventions achieve this remains scarce. In a laboratory experiment, we randomly assigned participants (n = 120) to one of two application processes for a student financial aid program: the standard paper‐based or a digitalized and redesigned application procedure. Students encountering the latter experienced significantly less administrative burdens, were more satisfied, and completed a higher proportion of process steps. Furthermore, functional literacy improved the experience of the bureaucratic encounter. These findings reveal the potential of redesigning and digitalizing application processes to alleviate administrative burdens.
RETRACTED: Effects of quality nursing on the surgical site wound infection after colostomy in patients with colorectal cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Chun , Huang Ping , Hu Hong , Chen Guo‐Wei , Zhu Li 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo systematically evaluate the effects of quality nursing interventions on surgical site wound infections (SSWI), length of stay in the hospital and postoperative complications in patients with colorectal stomas. A search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to retrieve publicly available data from the construction of the database until September 2023 in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of applying quality nursing in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) stoma surgery. Two authors independently performed literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment. Stata 17.0 was applied for our meta‐analysis. Fifteen RCTs with 1186 patients, with 593 patients in each of the quality nursing and control groups, were included. Meta‐analysis revealed that compared with the control group, the incidence of SSWI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.21–0.54, p < 0.001) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.16–0.30, p < 0.001) in the quality nursing group were significantly reduced, and the length of stay in the hospital was significantly shorter (standardised mean difference = −1.12, 95% CI: −1.42 to −0.82, p < 0.001). The application of quality nursing interventions after CRC stoma surgery is effective in reducing the incidence of SSWI and postoperative complications and can also shorten hospital stays.
Clinical efficacy of ablative laser combined with pulsed dye laser in the treatment of pathological scars: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tian Yuan , Li Meijia , Cheng Rong , Yuan Jian , Hao lijun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveA systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ablative laser combined with pulsed dye laser to treat pathological scars.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted to identify all blind, randomized, controlled trials of ablative laser and pulsed dye laser for treating pathological scars. The databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were used. All research on ablative laser combined with PDL in treating pathological scars with ablative laser or no treatment as controls were included in the meta‐analysis. The retrieved studies' reference lists were thoroughly examined.ResultsPOSAS and VSS were used as evaluation criteria in seven studies involving 189 patients. Effect of combined laser group therapy (−1.259 95% confidence interval, −1.515 to −1.003; p < 0.0001). The difference between the combined treatment and control groups was (−1.375; 95% CI, −1.727 to −1.023; p < 0.0001) and (−1.150; 95% CI, −1.523 to −0.777; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsAblative laser combined with PDL is more effective and safer than ablative laser or PDL alone in the treatment of pathological scars.