bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taking Food to Mouth: Correlation Between Repetitive Movement and Upper Limb Flexion Synergy After Stroke
Authors: Liu Gang , Chia Chin-hsuan , Jia Hai-jun , Chen Jia-xi , Wang Wei-ning , Tian Shan , Cao Yue , Wu Jun-fa , Wu Yi , Yang Cui-wei 
Published: February 2025

Background Pathological upper-limb synergistic movement is a prevalent symptom of post-stroke motor dysfunction and pose a significant challenge in the rehabilitation of hemiplegia. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, hindering the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Objective This study aims to explore the mechanisms underlying pathological synergic movements post-stroke by examining the interrelationship between motor modules associated with upper limb flexion synergy and the repetitive action of “taking food to the mouth.” Methods Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to capture the EMG signals of normal elbow flexion, the act of “taking food to the mouth,” and post-stroke upper limb flexion synergy. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was employed to compare and analyze the corresponding modular and coefficient matrices derived from these three motor tasks. Results The modular matrix associated with flexion synergy exhibited the most significant correlation with the “taking food to the mouth” task, whereas the coefficient matrix shared the lowest correlation. Conclusion Upper limb flexion synergy after stroke may be related to the activation of the highly excitatory motor module formed by previously repeated movement of “taking food to mouth”.
Effects of intranasal maropitant on clinical signs of naturally acquired upper respiratory disease in shelter cats
Authors: Parncutt John , Johnson Lynelle R , Subharat Supatsak , Oke Bronwyn , Hill Kate E 
Published: February 2025

Objectives The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intranasally administered maropitant citrate would reduce the severity of clinical signs of feline upper respiratory disease (FURD) in shelter cats with naturally acquired disease. Methods Shelter cats with clinical signs of FURD were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal maropitant diluted in saline (maropitant citrate 10 mg/ml q12h, diluted 1:10 with sterile 0.9% saline) or intranasal 0.9% saline q12h for 7 days. Clinical disease severity was measured at entry into the study and again after completion of 7 days of treatment using a visual analogue scale to assess four separate clinical signs: conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, ocular discharge and nasal discharge. Total disease severity was also calculated. Cats received other medications for FURD as per standard shelter protocols, and all investigators were masked to group assignments. A Mann–Whitney U-test was performed to compare the clinical improvement score (CIS) between the treatment and control groups. Results There were 34 cats in the maropitant treatment group; 27 cats served as placebo controls. Groups did not differ in age, sex distribution, nature of disease, administration of other medications for FURD or baseline clinical disease severity. There was no significant difference in CIS between the maropitant treatment and control groups for conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, ocular discharge, nasal discharge or total disease severity after 7 days. Conclusions and relevance This study found no significant difference in outcomes for cats with FURD when treated with intranasal maropitant compared with treatment with intranasal saline. Further investigations would be required before intranasal maropitant could be recommended as the standard of care for FURD.
Feasibility, reliability, and validity of ambulatory smartphone-administered cognitive tests in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Goga Josiah J , Ginell Keara M , Ng Yee To , Ehde Dawn M , Alschuler Kevin N , Sliwinski Martin J , Fritz Nora E , Kratz Anna L 
Published: February 2025

Background: Detection of subtle changes in cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be enabled by ambulatory smartphone-based cognitive tests. Objective: To examine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of ambulatory cognitive tests in people with MS. Method: Adults with MS ( N = 255) completed the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-3, and 14 days of 4X/day ambulatory cognitive tests of working memory (dot memory) and processing speed (symbol search). Feasibility (response rates), measurement reliability (overall and by number of days of tests), and construct validity (convergent validity and known-groups analyses) were calculated. Results: Participants completed 80.1% of available testing sessions. Reliability was 0.98 for dot memory and 0.99 for symbol search. Reliability attained ⩾0.90 within 3 days for dot memory and 1 day for symbol search. Symbol search scores correlated significantly with neuropsychological tests of processing speed ( rs range = |0.53–0.69|) and differed significantly by disability level ( t = −3.95, p < 0.001) and MS subtype ( t = −2.81, p = 0.005). Dot memory scores correlated with neuropsychological tests of working memory ( rs range = |0.45–0.58|); dot memory scores did not differ by disability level or MS subtype. Conclusion: Smartphone-administered tests of working memory and processing speed demonstrate good feasibility, reliability, and construct validity in MS.
A Mediterranean-style diet protects against cognitive and behavioral deficits, adiposity, and Alzheimer's disease-related markers, compared to a macronutrient-matched typical American diet in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Braden-Kuhle Paige N , Lacy Vivienne A , Brice Kelly N , Bertrand Morgan E , Uras Hatice Buse , Shoffner Catherine , Fischer Bridgette E , Rana Ashish , Willis Jada L , Boehm Gary W , Chumley Michael J 
Published: February 2025

Background Research suggests that modifying risk factors may prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, understanding the potential of healthful dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet (MD), in AD prevention is crucial. While supplementation of individual Mediterranean foods has demonstrated efficacy in reducing AD biomarkers and cognitive impairment in rodents, the effects of a comprehensive MD warrant further investigation. Additionally, while rodent studies often use a “Western diet” as a model for the typical American diet (TAD), these diets generally exceed the macronutrient densities of typical American consumption, particularly in fats and carbohydrates. Objective To better reflect human diets, we developed two diets for mice that more closely mirrored the macronutrient composition of the traditional MD or the TAD, each with matched macronutrient profiles (50% kcal from carbohydrates, 35% kcal from fat, 15% kcal from protein), and distinct food sources from Mediterranean regions or the U.S., respectively. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one diet (MD or TAD) at weaning (21 days of age), which they consumed for six months. Results Compared to the TAD, MD animals had lower body weight, abdominal and hepatic fat, serum TNF-α, and central Aβ1–42, while also exhibiting enhanced exploratory behavior, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and preserved spatial memory. The MD also protected against LPS-induced central inflammation and BDNF loss. Conclusions These findings suggest that a comprehensive MD provides protection against metabolic and AD-related markers in wildtype mice, despite matched caloric availability to the TAD.
Optimization of urban road space resource utilization based on public transport network layout optimization model
Authors: Ruan Wen 
Published: February 2025

In modern cities, improving transportation efficiency is directly linked to effectively using spatial resources, particularly road spatial resources. This study aims to optimize urban road spatial resources for enhancing traffic efficiency. First, the study examines the spatial arrangement of current urban roads, specifically the symmetrical layout of two-way lanes and the resulting “tidal traffic” phenomenon. A model is then proposed for optimizing the usage of urban road space resources based on traffic efficiency by utilizing variable lanes and designated bus-only lanes to maximize the efficiency of urban roads. The study found that, when [Formula: see text], except for the one-way traffic flow in the direction of entering the city in the evening peak, which is higher, the traffic flow in the other directions is maintained between 60 pcu and 820 pcu. The 30th bus line layout scheme resulted in the lowest total cost of bus travel, accommodating only 2596 people per hour. Optimizing the layout plan, especially the 30th bus route layout plan, not only minimizes the total cost of bus travel, but also effectively accommodates a large number of passengers per hour, thus supporting the feasibility of the proposed optimization strategy. These achievements provide strong theoretical support for urban traffic management and advocate for the adoption of more practical and scientific approaches to utilize urban road resources. The proposed study scheme offered robust theoretical backing for examining urban traffic management and encouraged the adoption of a more pragmatic and scientific approach to utilizing urban roadway resources.
Hypoglycemia Prediction in Type 1 Diabetes With Electrocardiography Beat Ensembles
Authors: Tseng Mu-Ruei , Vyas Kathan , Das Anurag , Quamer Waris , Dave Darpit , Erranguntla Madhav , Villegas Carolina , DeSalvo Daniel , McKay Siripoom , Cote Gerard , Gutierrez-Osuna Ricardo 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Current methods to detect hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D) require invasive sensors (ie, continuous glucose monitors, CGMs) that generally have low accuracy in the hypoglycemic range. A forward-looking alternative is to monitor physiological changes induced by hypoglycemia that can be measured non-invasively using, eg, electrocardiography (ECG). However, current methods require extraction of fiduciary points in the ECG signal (eg, to estimate QT interval), which is challenging in ambulatory settings. Methods: To address this issue, we present a machine-learning model that uses (1) convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to extract morphological information from raw ECG signals without the need to identify fiduciary points and (2) ensemble learning to aggregate predictions from multiple ECG beats. We evaluate the model on an experimental data set that contains ECG and CGM recordings over a period of 14 days from ten participants with T1D. We consider two testing scenarios, one that divides ECG data according to CGM readings (CGM-split) and another that divides ECG data on a day-to-day basis (day-split) Results: We find that models trained using CGM-splits tend to produce overly optimistic estimates of hypoglycemia prediction, whereas day-splits provide more realistic estimates, which are consistent with the intrinsic accuracy of CGM devices. More importantly, we find that aggregating predictions from multiple ECG beats using ensemble learning significantly improves predictions at the beat level, though these improvements have large inter-individual differences. Conclusion: Deep learning models and ensemble learning can extract and aggregate morphological information in ECG signals that is predictive of hypoglycemia. Using two validation procedures, we estimate an upper bound on the accuracy of ECG hypoglycemia prediction of 81% equal error rate and a lower bound of 60%. Further improvements may be achieved using big-data approaches that require longitudinal data from a large cohort of participants.
Therapeutic Potential of Chitosan Nasal Gel in Addressing Olfactory Dysfunction: A Clinical Trial and Mechanistic Study
Authors: Algarni Majed A. , Abdelazim Mohamed H. , Alsulami Fahad T. , Alzarea Abdulaziz Ibrahim , Alharbi Adnan , Altemani Abdullah H. , Alshammari Abdullah S. , Alsenani Faisal , Abdelazim Ahmed H. 
Published: February 2025

Background Olfactory dysfunction significantly impacts daily life, affecting safety, appetite, and sensory enjoyment. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are essential for odor detection, but environmental exposure can lead to dysfunction. Regeneration of these neurons is crucial for maintaining olfactory function, and elevated calcium levels in nasal mucus are linked to this dysfunction. Objective The study evaluated chitosan nasal gel for persistent olfactory dysfunction lasting over 6 months, focusing on ORNs regeneration and reduced calcium levels in nasal mucus. Methods A randomized, double-blind trial included 215 participants with persistent olfactory dysfunction lasting over 6 months. Participants were divided into two groups: 116 received nasal chitosan gel, and 99 received a control sodium chloride gel. Over 3 months, 11 participants in the chitosan group and 9 in the control group were lost to follow-up. Olfactory function was assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test, and calcium levels were measured before and after treatment. Results Patients treated with chitosan nasal gel showed an increased composite threshold, discrimination, identification (TDI) score, indicating improved olfactory function. Discrimination and identification scores improved, while threshold scores showed no significant change. Notably, while the total TDI score improved by 4.55 points, it did not reach the threshold for clinical significance (5.5 points). Furthermore, chitosan nasal gel significantly reduced calcium levels in nasal secretions compared to the control group. No improvement was observed in the placebo group, likely due to the strict inclusion criteria targeting individuals with treatment-resistant olfactory dysfunction persisting over 6 months. Conclusion This small-scale pilot study highlights the potential of chitosan nasal gel to improve specific domains of olfactory dysfunction and reduce nasal calcium levels. However, further studies with larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
A multicenter, postmarketing surveillance of elobixibat in patients with chronic constipation in Japan: A final analysis report
Authors: Nakajima Atsushi , Umeyama Minami , Higashikawa Masaaki , Shimada Yusuke , Arai Yuki 
Published: February 2025

Objective: An interim analysis of postmarketing surveillance reported the safety and efficacy of elobixibat, a laxative medication that inhibits the ileal bile acid transporter, at 4 weeks in approximately 1000 patients with chronic constipation in Japan. However, its long-term safety and efficacy in elderly patients remain unclear. This study aimed to conclude and report the final analysis of postmarketing surveillance, including 52-week safety and efficacy profiles in a clinical practice setting, using approximately 3000 patients. Methods: The overall survey period spanned from June 2018 to May 2022. Observation periods were set at 4 weeks (4-week treatment period) and 52 weeks (52-week treatment period). Adverse drug reactions and efficacy outcomes, including defecation frequency, Bristol Stool Form Scale scores, and patient satisfaction, were analyzed. Results: The 4-week safety analysis set included 3638 patients with a mean age of 70.8 years, and 73.7% were aged ⩾65 years. Most patients (62.5%) were treated with elobixibat alone, while the rest received concomitant laxatives. In total, 231 patients (6.35%) experienced adverse drug reactions, with gastrointestinal disorders (6.02%) such as diarrhea (3.35%) and abdominal pain (2.06%), being the most common adverse drug reaction. The adverse drug reaction incidence in elderly patients aged ⩾65, ⩾75, and ⩾85 years was 5.49%, 4.85%, and 2.80%, respectively. In the 52-week treatment period, adverse drug reaction incidence was 5.40% (71/1315 patients), similar to that in the 4-week treatment period. Regarding efficacy, defecation frequency and Bristol Stool Form Scale scores significantly improved from week 2 onward, regardless of the age group and administration timing (before breakfast, lunch, or dinner). Most patients reported satisfaction from week 2 onward (6.0%, 66.9%, 78.6%, and 90.4% at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 52, respectively). Conclusion: This study confirmed the long-term safety and efficacy of elobixibat in patients with chronic constipation, including many elderly ones, in routine clinical practice.
How learning and legitimacy goals influence inter-firm imitation in R&D investment decisions
Authors: Mazzelli Ambra , Foss Nicolai J 
Published: February 2025

Much research has examined the drivers of firms’ R&D investments. However, many questions remain with respect to the role of R&D as a learning target and as a means of achieving legitimacy, particularly in the context of imitative R&D strategy. We develop a theory that integrates different explanations of why firms engage in imitation, highlighting efficiency-enhancing learning and legitimacy and focusing on firms’ R&D investment decisions. We argue that deviations in firm performance from social aspiration levels determine the salience of learning and legitimacy goals. Specifically, as performance moves from lying below to being above social aspiration levels, organizations gradually shift from a primary focus on learning vicariously from others’ R&D investments toward a focus on mimicking them to maintain legitimacy. An analysis of a sample of 2,081 Spanish manufacturing firms, as well as an online experiment with 863 participants from the manufacturing industry largely support our hypotheses. JEL CLASSIFICATION: D22, M10, O32
Dual versus single antiplatelet therapy in patients with non-cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke and baseline MRI
Authors: De Marchis Gian Marco , Toebak Anna , Dittrich Tolga , Vlachos Dimitrios , Wang Angela , Smith Eric E , Mundl Hardi , Colorado Pablo , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Hart Robert G 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is superior to single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) for secondary prevention after minor, non-cardioembolic stroke. We aimed to assess whether DAPT efficacy is modified by large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) etiology, and DAPT safety by stroke size on MRI. Patients and methods: Post hoc analysis of the Phase 2 PACIFIC-STROKE randomized clinical trial, which enrolled patients with non-cardioembolic stroke, all with baseline MRI and compared the Factor XIa inhibitor asundexian with placebo on a background of DAPT or SAPT. We compared patients treated with DAPT versus SAPT. The efficacy endpoint was the rate of recurrent ischemic stroke, the safety endpoint was major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding during follow-up. Results: 1590 patients were included, median NIHSS was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1–4), 40% received DAPT. Median follow-up was 11.5 months. The efficacy endpoint occurred in 4.4% and 4.8% in the DAPT group and SAPT group, respectively, with the strongest numerical benefit of DAPT over SAPT among patients with NIHSS ⩽ 3 not treated by intravenous thrombolysis. LAA index stroke etiology did not modify DAPT treatment effect. The safety endpoint occurred more often in the DAPT than in the SAPT group (4.6% vs 2.7%), with the numerically lowest risk among patients with NIHSS ⩽ 3 not treated by intravenous thrombolysis. Stroke size did not modify the effect of DAPT on the safety endpoint. Discussion and conclusion: We found no evidence of major treatment effect heterogeneity with DAPT compared with SAPT in patients with and without LAA or by stroke size on MR-DWI.
Correlation between double-J stent length and patient body height: a randomized, prospective cohort study
Authors: Ahmed Mohd Hamid Shafique , Arora Amandeep , Hambarde Pramol , Sawant Ajit , Pawar Prakash , Mulla Asif 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the correlation between double-J (DJ) ureteric stent length and patient body height compared with direct ureteric length (DUL).

Methods
This randomized, prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care center in the Department of Urology, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, between January 2017 and January 2018. Male and female patients above the age of 12 years who presented with urolithiasis and required double-J (DJ) stenting following endoscopic lithotripsy (URSL, PCNL, RIRS) were enrolled in the study. In Group 1, stent selection was based on the direct ureteric length (DUL), and in the other group (Group 2), double-J ureteric stents were inserted based on the patient’s body height. All patients underwent postoperative X-ray kidney-ureter-bladder examination on day 3 to assess the graded position of the double-J (DJ). The relationship between the graded position of the double-J stents, stent compliance, and patient discomfort was evaluated at a follow-up visit 2 weeks postoperatively.

Results
A total of 222 patients were included in the study, with 113 patients in group 1 stented according to DUL and 109 patients in group 2 stented according to height. The mean age of the patients was 42.12 years (± 15.05), with Group 1 having a slightly longer mean DUL of 24.11 cm (± 1.27) compared to Group 2, which had a mean DUL of 23.05 (± 1.74) (P < 0.001). Group 1 exhibited a higher proportion of symptomatic patients than group 2, with a greater mean number of symptoms per patient (1.76 vs. 1.07, p = 0.0005). Group 1 also reported more severe symptoms than group 2 (2.62 vs. 2.05, p = 0.0188). The analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the DUL and both Height and weight (r = 0.316; p = 0.0001). However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between DUL, body weight, and body mass index (BMI).

Conclusion
Our study suggests that Height-based DJ stent selection is superior to direct DUL measurement and height as a predictor of DUL, providing means to predict DUL based on the patient’s height.
Quantitative levels of interferon gamma as a biomarker in the aqueous and serum samples of infectious and noninfectious uveitis patients
Authors: Shaban Sahar Saad Eldeen Mohamed , Safwat Hend Mohammed , Abdelmohymen Abeer Mohammed , Hassan Donia Ahmed , Mansour Mona Nabeh , Mohammed Hanan Said , Seliem Nora , El Attar Shahinaz , Amin Doaa Refaat , Khirala Seham Kamal Ahmed , Ghamry Aya Ahmed , Anany Mona Gamal El Din Al , Mohammed Shaymaa Fathy 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
To study the utility of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) as a differentiating biomarker by assessing the aqueous humour and serum of patients with infectious and noninfectious uveitis.

Methods
A total of 40 patients with acute uveitis were divided into 2 groups (18 patients with infectious uveitis and 22 patients with noninfectious uveitis). All the subjects underwent a full ophthalmological examination. Aqueous humour (AqH) and serum samples were collected from uveitis patients. The quantitative levels of IFN-γ in aqueous medium and serum were measured by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results
The quantitative level of IFN-γ in the aqueous humour was significantly greater (87.5 ± 81) (pg/ml) in infectious uveitis patients than in noninfectious uveitis patients (37.3 ± 9.9) (pg/ml) (p value = 0.006). However, the serum IFN-γ level (pg/ml) did not significantly differ between these groups (p value = 0.279). Thus, the IFN-γ level in the aqueous humour can be used to discriminate between infectious and noninfectious uveitis with 33.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusion
Aqueous IFN-γ can be used as a biomarker for differentiating between infectious and noninfectious uveitis.