bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Otoacoustic emission measurements: a test–retest reliability study
Authors: Yağcıoğlu Ayşenur Aykul , Öztürk Burak 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are an important part of the audiological test battery and have many clinical uses. This study aims to determine the amplitude changes in the test–retest condition of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), which are widely used in clinical settings.

Design
DPOAE and TEOAE measurements were taken in 110 ears of 55 adults aged 18–35 years with normal hearing during three sessions. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated by very short-term measurements taken 20 min after the first measurement and by short-term measurements taken 20 days after the first measurement.

Results
There was no statistically significant difference between the three measurements in which DPOAE and TEOAE amplitudes were evaluated. The weakest reliability for TEOAEs was determined at frequencies of 1.0 kHz and 1.5 kHz, and the weakest reliability for DPOAEs was determined at 6728 Hz.

Conclusions
The current findings indicate that DPOAE and TEOAE measurements are reliable for monitoring cochlear function over time. The data obtained from this study could help clinicians correctly interpret OAE changes and distinguish between physiological and pathological changes.
RNA-based antibiotic susceptibility testing of tmexCD-toprJ-mediated tigecycline resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Yu Feiyu , Zhang Haijie , Zhu Shuyao , Wang Zhiqiang , Liu Yuan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe emergence and prevalence of plasmid-encoded RND-type efflux pump TMexCD-TOprJ severely compromise tigecycline treatment, which is recognized as the last resort for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections. There is an urgent need for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) that can simultaneously identify the genotype and phenotype of tmexCD-toprJ-positive bacteria. Through characterizing transcriptional profiling responses of tmexCD-toprJ-positive and -negative strains after exposure to 2 μg/mL tigecycline, here we identified 12 differentially RNA biomarkers and developed an RNA-based AST (RBAST) to distinguish tmexCD-toprJ-positive and -negative K. pneumoniae. These mRNA biomarkers were successfully validated in tigecycline exposure time variations, concentration shifts, and other tmexCD-toprJ variants. In addition, a group of clinical isolated strains was effectively distinguished using RBAST, with an accuracy of over 94% during 3 h test period. Our work highlights the potential of RNA transcripts as biomarkers for rapid AST, which will contribute to deploying effective antibiotic regimens in clinical practice.
False-positive Imaging for Papillary Thyroid Cancer Caused by Intraosseous Hemangiomas
Authors: Kang Heejoo , Drake Frederick Thurston , McAneny David , Lee Stephanie L 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Two patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and an elevated thyroglobulin had false-positive imaging studies from intraosseous hemangiomas (IH). A 62-year-old man presented with a palpable lytic skull mass suspicious for a bone metastasis after computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Surgical excision confirmed an IH. The second patient is a 64-year-old woman whose I-123 whole-body scan with single photon emission computed tomography/CT demonstrated radioiodine uptake in the right frontal bone. Her MRI and CT scans were also consistent with an IH. These cases reveal the limitations of nuclear imaging and of CT and MRI scans in distinguishing metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer from IH in patients with lytic bone lesions. Because no imaging studies are definitive for an IH, bone cranial lesions may warrant resection to establish a diagnosis and avoid potential brain invasion by a malignancy or unnecessary radioiodine treatment.
Melanistic coloration does not influence thermoregulation in the crepuscular gecko Eublepharis macularius
Authors: Hastings Brandon T. , Melnyk Anastasiya , Ghyabi Mehrdad , White Emma , Barroso Frederico M. , Carretero Miguel A. , Lattanzi David , Claude Julien , Chiari Ylenia 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT
Body coloration in ectotherms serves multiple biological functions, including avoiding predators, communicating with conspecific individuals, and involvement in thermoregulation. As ectotherms rely on environmental sources of heat to regulate their internal body temperature, stable melanistic body coloration or color change can be used to increase or decrease heat absorption and heat exchange with the environment. While melanistic coloration for thermoregulation functions to increase solar radiation absorption and consequently heating in many diurnal ectotherms, research on crepuscular and nocturnal ectotherms is lacking. Since crepuscular and nocturnal ectotherms generally absorb heat from the substrate, in these organisms melanistic coloration may have other primary functions beside thermoregulation. As such, in this work we hypothesized that the proportion of dorsal melanistic body coloration would not influence heating and cooling rates in the crepuscular gecko, Eublepharis macularius, and that changes in environmental temperature would not trigger color changes in this species. Temperature measurements of the geckos and of the environment were taken using infrared thermography and temperature loggers. Color data were obtained using objective photography and a newly developed custom software package. We found that body temperature reflected substrate temperatures, and that the proportion of melanistic coloration has no influence on heating or cooling rates or on color changes. These findings support that melanistic coloration in E. macularius may not be used for thermoregulation and strengthen the hypothesis that in animals active in low light conditions, melanistic coloration may be used instead for camouflage or other functions.
Case Report: Tuberculosis in hydrocele of the spermatic cord in an older adult
Authors: Gharde Pankaj , Koul Shalinder , Lamture Yeshwant , Badwaik Nitesh 
Published: September 2023

Background: Antibioma is a loculated collection in the spermatic cord, which is generally a transparent sterile fluid located above the testis in the inguinal region. It is an acquired congenital anomaly that is commonly observed in infants and children. Infected spermatic cord hydrocele has been reported on previously, but to the best of our knowledge, antibioma of spermatic cord hydrocele in adults has not yet been reported. In specific cases of long-standing abscesses, cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) is used as the final diagnostic tool and can determine whether they are of tubercular pathology. Case: Here we are presenting a case of a 72-year-old male patient reporting to the surgery Outpatient Department, with complaints of swelling in the left inguinal region since birth, along with intermittent pain in the swelling for one year. It was diagnosed as antibioma and was confirmed to be of tubercular origin by CBNAAT following surgical exploration. The patient was started on anti-tubercular management as per the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme protocol. Conclusions: Long standing abscesses are mostly tuberculous. We must look into whether they need urgent attention or can be managed conservatively as a routine procedure.
Permanent Deformation Evaluation and Instability Prediction of Semi-rigid Pavement Structure Using Accelerated Pavement Testing and Finite Element Method
Authors: Liu Zhen , Gu Xingyu , Dong Qiao 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
A rutting prediction method for semi-rigid pavement structures using accelerated loading tests and finite element analysis was proposed in this study. Firstly, dynamic modulus and creep tests of three pavement materials were performed by changing sizes and temperatures. The prediction equation was obtained and verified using the falling weight deflectometer test and back-calculation modulus, and it was coupled into a modified Burgers model for rutting simulation for full-scale pavement structures. Results showed that the dynamic modulus of pavement materials increased with increasing specimen sizes and decreased with increasing temperature. SUP-25 had an enormous fatigue damage value (0.419) after 5,400 times repeated loading. The error between the rutting simulation and test results was 2.87 %, indicating that the model effectively applies to multilayer composite materials. Rutting deformation at one million loading times in summer was 4.6 times that in winter. From 22 to 120 km/h, rutting deformation decreased by 72.6 %. Axle load increased by 100 %, and rutting depth increased by 46.9 %, indicating that vehicle overload should be restricted, especially in low-speed sections in high-temperature areas. Rutting deformation entered the accelerated accumulation stage when the cumulative action times were more than 25 million, which requires timely maintenance and repair of pavement structures.
Experimental Study on Influencing Factors Associated with a New Tunnel Waterproofing for Improved Impermeability
Authors: Yuan Bingxiang , Liang Jingkang , Lin Hengzheng , Wang Wanying , Xiao Yao 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Leakage associated with deformation joints seriously affects tunnel structures. Existing tunnel deformation joint waterproofing structures have high construction costs and inconvenient maintenance requirements. This work proposes a new tunnel deformation joint waterproofing structure. Specifically, this structure combines Ω type water stop, an externally attached water stop, and a concrete component. An impermeability test compares standard waterproofed specimens to improved specimens. Under a variety of deformation joint widths, fatigue loading times, and displacement difference, the variation law of the seepage quantity and impermeability pressure values are obtained. The study also examined the ability of the waterproofing membrane and waterproofing coating to improve on standard practices currently used. The seepage quantity test results indicate a positive correlation of displacement difference and fatigue loading times with seepage quantity. The larger the deformation joint width of the specimen, the more the new construction process demonstrated its ability to resist high fatigue loading times and large displacement differences. As the fatigue loading times increase, the impermeability pressure value of both types of specimens decrease; however, the impermeability pressure value of the improved specimen was less affected, which verifies an increased fatigue resistance. Both waterproofing membranes and waterproofing coatings improve the waterproofing ability of the standard specimen, while the impermeability law demonstrated similar results to the standard process specimen. Ultimately, these findings reveal the value of selecting appropriate deformation joint widths under different practical engineering conditions.
BIST BANKA’da işlem gören bankaların COVİD-19 Pandemi dönemindeki finansal performanslarının farklı kriter ağırlıklandırma yöntemleri ile analizi
Authors: Gökdemir Tuğba , Gökay Emel Gül 
Published: September 2023

Çalışmanın amacı, COVİD-19 Pandemi dönemi için Borsa İstanbul (BIST)`da faaliyet gösteren bankaların finansal performanslarını incelemek ve pandemi dönemi öncesi ile karşılaştırmaktır. Çalışmada; bankaların finansal performanslarını ölçmede kullanılan kriterlerin ağırlık değerlerini belirleme ve bankaları performanslarına göre sıralama için birden fazla Çok Kriterli Karar Verme (ÇKKV) yönteminden yararlanılmıştır. Kriterlerin ağırlıklarını elde etmek için CRITIC ve DEMATEL, alternatiflerin sıralarını elde etmek için ise Amerikan Ekolüne ait VIKOR, TOPSIS ve Avrupa Ekolüne ait PROMETHEE II yöntemleri tercih edilmiştir. Ayrıca, bütünleşik sıra elde etmek amacı ile BORDA Sayım yöntemi, sıralamaların benzerliğini analiz etmek için ise Sperman Sıra Korelasyon Katsayısı tercih edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, pandemi döneminde performansı en yüksek olan bankaların kalkınma bankaları, en düşük olanların ise kamu mevduat bankaları olduğu belirlenmiştir. CRITIC yöntemi ile (2019-20-21) en önemli kriterin Likit Aktifler/Toplam Aktifler (%13 ağırlıklı), DEMATEL yöntemi ile ise en önemli kriterin Ortalama Öz kaynak Kârlılığı (%12,2 ağırlıklı) kriteri olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sperman Korelasyon katsayıları incelendiğinde; en iyi sıralamaları veren yöntemin PROMETHEE II, en kötü sıralamaları veren yöntemin ise VIKOR yöntemi olduğu görülmüştür. Literatür incelemesinde bankaların finansal performansının COVİD-19 Pandemi dönemindeki analizinin ve bunun için farklı ÇKKV kriter ağırlıklandırma yöntemlerini temel alan sıralama yöntemlerinin performansının karşılaştırıldığı bir çalışmaya rastlanılmamıştır. Ayrıca yerli literatür çalışmalarında ÇKKV yöntemlerinin Ekol başlığı altına alındığı bir çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır. Bu yönü ile çalışma özgün olup literatüre katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Ayrıca, önerilen yöntemin faydalı bilgiler sunduğu ve birçok işletmeye uygulanabilir olduğu ve paydaşlar için karmaşık kriter problemlerinin üstesinden gelmede yardımcı olacağı düşünülmektedir.
Ekonomi politikası belirsizliğinin nakit oranlarına etkisi: BİST 100 endeksindeki firmalarda bir uygulama
Authors: Dinçergök Burcu 
Published: September 2023

Bu çalışmada ekonomi politikası belirsizliğinin firmaların nakit oranları üzerindeki etkisi ve finansal kısıtların bu ilişkideki rolü analiz edilmektedir. Çalışma 2002-2021 döneminde BİST100 endeksinde yer alan firmaların verileri kullanılarak panel veri analizi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Kullanılan belirsizlik endeksleri sırasıyla Dünya Belirsizlik Endeksi, Avrupa Belirsizlik Endeksi ve Türkiye Belirsizlik Endeksleridir. Çalışma sonuçları, kullanılan tüm belirsizlik endeksleri için endeksteki artışın nakit oranlarını artırdığını göstermektedir. Elde edilen sonuçlar nakit tutma güdülerinden ihtiyatlılık güdüsü ile açıklanmaktadır. Çalışmada ayrıca firmalar finansal kısıtlılıklarına göre gruplara ayrılmıştır. Gruplamalar, Kaplan ve Zingales (1995) endeksine, firmaların kâr payı dağıtıp dağıtmamalarına ve kâr payı dağıtım oranlarına göre yapılmıştır. Teorik beklentinin aksine, sonuçlar sadece finansal kıstı göreceli olarak daha az olan firmalarda, ekonomi politikası belirsizliği ve nakit oranları arasındaki pozitif ilişkinin istatistiki açıdan anlamlı olduğunu göstermektedir.
The Role of Endothelinergic and Nitroxidergic Reactions in Predicting the Functional Outcome in Patients with Ischemic Stroke of Different Severity
Authors: Tynterova A. M. , Moiseeva E. M. , Golubev A. M. , Shusharina N. N. 
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the value of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) serum concentrations as potential biomarkers for predicting the functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Material and methods. A total of 37 patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and admitted to a multidisciplinary vascular center were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the severity of neurological deficits as determined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): Group 1 consisted of 20 patients with NIHSS scores 15, and Group 2 consisted of 17 patients with NIHSS scores 15. The functional outcome was assessed using the NIHSS absolute values and the degree of disability measured by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) by comparing the values before and after baseline treatment. Lab evaluation included quantitative assessment of stable NO and ET-1 metabolites in patient’s serum at admission and on day 10 of hospital stay. The SPSS Statistics V23.0 for Windows software package, Python programming language, and Pandas and SciPy libraries were used for statistical data processing. Results. Group 1 patients demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in NIHSS (P=0.0013) and mRS (P0.0001) scores, which was indicative of a favorable functional outcome. Group 2 patients showed some recovery of only neurological deficit measured by NIHSS scale (P=0.0012), changes in degree of disability by mRS were statistically insignificant. On Day10 of hospital stay, both groups showed a clinically significant increase in ET-1 content, and slight change in NO concentration. NIHSS score demonstrated a significant negative correlation with baseline ET-1 concentrations: R=–0.82, P=0.00023 — in Group 1; R=–0.55, P=0.00075 — in Group 2. Modified RS scores showed negative correlation with NO (R=–0.50, P=0.00044) and ET-1 (R=–1.0, P=0.0074) concentrations in Group 1, and positive correlation with NO (R=0.55, P=0.0023) and ET-1 (R=0.33, P=0.04) concentrations in Group 2. Conclusion. Monitoring of NO and ET-1 serum concentrations provides valuable insights for personalized assessment of the anticipated functional outcome in patients with cerebral ischemia. Further research and the development of prognostic mathematical models are needed to validate the use of endothelial function markers as predictive indicators of patients' recovery potential during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.
Análisis de la confusión producida por la creatinina y la edad en la correlación entre los niveles del receptor soluble 1 del factor de necrosis tumoral α (sTNFR1) y la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGe) en pacientes colombianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2
Authors: Poveda Alejandro , Gómez-Banoy Nicolás , Mockus Ismena 
Published: September 2023

Introducción. El factor de necrosis tumoral α (TNF-α) es una citoquina involucrada en los procesos inflamatorios de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Aunque la correlación entre los niveles del receptor soluble 1 del TNF-α (sTNFR1) y la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGe) ya ha sido descrita previamente en población colombiana con DM2, la influencia del sTNFR1 en la TFGe en un modelo ajustado a edad y creatinina no ha sido evaluada. Objetivos. Identificar y evaluar las correlaciones lineales entre los niveles del sTNFR1, las variables de uso clínico rutinario y la TFGe en pacientes colombianos con DM2. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en marzo de 2020 en 69 pacientes con DM2 que estaban inscritos en el Programa para la prevención de las complicaciones de la diabetes y las dislipidemias de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Los datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos y clínicos se recolectaron a partir de la revisión de las historias clínicas. Los niveles de sTNFR1 sérico se determinaron mediante prueba de ELISA. Se realizó un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple (regresión paso a paso) para evaluar las correlaciones entre sTNFR1, las variables clínicas y la TFGe. Resultados. El modelo final de regresión lineal múltiple, que incluye creatinina, niveles de sTNFR1 y edad, explica el 72% de la varianza de la TFGe (p=0.023); además, los niveles de sTNFR1 explican el 20% de la varianza de la TFGe de forma independiente (coeficiente β estandarizado= -0.2; IC95%: -0.008 a -0.001; p=0.02). Conclusión. En el modelo final de regresión lineal múltiple se encontró una correlación lineal inversamente proporcional y estadísticamente significativa entre los niveles del sTNFR1 y la TFGe, independientemente de los niveles séricos de creatinina y la edad. Comparado con la edad, los niveles de sTNFR1 tienen un efecto superior en términos de cambios en la TFGe.
Prevalence and clinical significance of iron deficiency in patients with acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Smirnova E. A. , Sedykh E. V. , Yakushin S. S. , Subbotin S. V. 
Published: September 2023

Aim. To study the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and anemia, as well as their impact on the clinical performance and quality of life in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).Material and methods. The work was performed as part of cross-sectional multicenter screening study of ID in patients with heart failure (HF), managed by the Russian Society of Heart Failure. We examined 80 patients hospitalized in the cardiology department due to ADHF, who signed an informed consent. The diagnosis of ADHF was based on clinical signs of decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous therapy with diuretics, vasodilators, or inotropic agents.Results. The prevalence of ID was 80,0%, anemia — 35,0%, combination of anemia and ID — 31,2%. The mean age of patients with ID was 69,4±10,9 years. Patients with ID had higher HF class (40,6% vs 6,3% without ID, p<0,001), a higher incidence of hydrothorax (65,6% vs 31,3%, p=0,012), higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (5155,5 [3267,3;9786,3] pg/mL vs 2055,5 [708,8;2839,0] pg/mL, p<0,001), lower 6-minute walk test distance (155,9±84,0 m vs 239,6±82,7 m in patients without ID, p=0,01), lower quality of life according to the visual analogue scale (36,4±16,3 vs 46,3±20,7, p=0,036). ID was more often recorded in patients with frailty (95,7% vs 73,7% in patients without frailty, p=0,003), requiring a higher starting dose of intravenous diuretics (50,9±18,9 mg vs 38,6±12,3 mg without ID, p=0,021).Conclusion. In patients hospitalized due to ADHF, the prevalence of ID is 80,0%, anemia — 35,0%, combination of ID and anemia — 31,2%. Patients with ID have a higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level, more severe signs of decompensation, which requires higher starting dose of loop diuretics. Patients with ID are more likely to have frailty, lower exercise tolerance and quality of life.
Medical follow-up and long-term survival of patients with cerebrovascular accident: data from the REGION-M registry
Authors: Tolpygina S. N. , Chernysheva M. I. , Zagrebelny A. V. , Voronina V. P. , Kutishenko N. P. , Dmitrieva N. A. , Lerman O. V. , Lukina Yu. V. , Lukyanov M. M. , Okshina E. Yu. , Parsadanyan N. E. , Martsevich S. Yu. , Drapkina O. M. 
Published: September 2023

Aim. To assess the survival rate of patients after cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depending on the visits to the local outpatient clinic and the type of medical supervision, and in the first year after hospital discharge.Material and methods. The outpatient part of the REGION-M registry included 684 patients assigned to the City Polyclinic № 64 of Moscow, discharged from the F. I. Inozemtsev City Clinical Hospital (Moscow) in the period from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2017 with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral stroke/transient ischemic attack.Results. During the first year after the CVA, 451 (65,9%) patients visited the local clinic on their own (group 1), while 166 (24,3%) patients was consulted by house call (group 2), and 67 (9,8%) did not see the physician (group 3). Patients visited by house call were more likely to have prior coronary artery disease and stroke, and the age of men was older than in other groups. Patients who did not see a doctor were less likely to have comorbidities and disabilities, and were less likely to visit the clinic before stroke. The mortality of patients in group 3 was significantly higher throughout the entire follow-up period (55,2%, 70,1% and 77,6% at stages 1, 2 and 3 (p<0,001), respectively) than in group 2 (31,2%, 55,4% (p<0,001)) and group 1 (23,7%, 37,0% and 54,3% (p<0,001)). Mortality of patients in group 1 was lower than group 2 (p<0,05-0,01). The relative risk of death in clinic visitors was 0,450 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0,333-0,608, p<0,0001), while in those visited by a doctor at home — 0,668 (95% CI, 0,482-0,927, p<0,05). In multivariate analysis and adjustment for sex and age (relative risk (RR) of death, 0,08 (95% CI, 0,048-0,133), p<0,0001 and 1,036 (95% CI, 1,031-1,042), p<0,001, respectively), the independent contribution of the factor of clinic visits was preserved. Thus, the RR of death in visitors was 0,996 (95% CI, 0,994-0,999), p<0,001 and 0,998 (95% CI, 0,995-1,0), p<0,05.Conclusion. The lower mortality among those visited the local clinic in the first year after CVA and among those who were visited by a doctor at home, compared with patients who were not observed, confirms the important role of medical supervision in the post-hospital period.