bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproductive history does not compromise subsequent live birth and perinatal outcome following in‐vitro fertilization: analysis of 25 329 first frozen–thawed embryo transfer cycles without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy
Authors: Chen D. , Xu Q. , Mao X. , Zhang J. , Wu L. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the effect of women's reproductive history on live‐birth rate and perinatal outcome after first frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of women who had undergone their first FET cycle between January 2014 and December 2020 at a university‐affiliated fertility center. No transferred embryo underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. The women were categorized into five groups based on their reproductive history: no previous pregnancy; previous termination of pregnancy (TOP); previous pregnancy loss; previous ectopic pregnancy (EP); and previous live birth. The women with no previous pregnancy were considered as the reference group. The primary outcome was the live‐birth rate and secondary endpoints included rates of positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss and EP as well as perinatal outcomes such as birth weight and preterm birth. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to control for a number of potential confounders, including age, body mass index, education level, duration and cause of infertility, insemination method, type of endometrial preparation, number of embryos transferred, embryo developmental stage, quality of the embryos transferred, year of treatment and endometrial thickness. Additionally, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to check the robustness of the main findings.ResultsIn total, 25 329 women were included in the final analysis. On univariate analysis, each reproductive‐history type except for previous EP was significantly associated with worse pregnancy outcome following in‐vitro fertilization (IVF), including rates of positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss and live birth, when compared with the group of women with no previous pregnancy. However, after correcting for several potential confounders, the differences in rates of live birth, pregnancy loss, positive pregnancy test and clinical pregnancy were no longer significant between the study and control groups on multivariable regression models, while the risk of EP after embryo transfer was elevated among women with a previous TOP or EP. There was no increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome associated with reproductive history compared with the control group. Notably, similar results were obtained from the PSM models, confirming the robustness of the main findings.ConclusionRelative to women without a previous pregnancy, those with a prior TOP, pregnancy loss, EP or live birth did not have compromised live‐birth rate or perinatal outcomes following FET without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, with the exception of an increased risk of EP in those with prior TOP or EP. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
ASPRE trial: effects of aspirin on mean arterial blood pressure and uterine artery pulsatility index trajectories in pregnancy
Authors: Rolnik D. L. , Syngelaki A. , O'Gorman N. , Wright D. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe mechanism by which aspirin prevents pre‐eclampsia is poorly understood, and its effects on biomarkers throughout pregnancy are unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of aspirin on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) using repeated measures from women at increased risk of preterm pre‐eclampsia.MethodsThis was a longitudinal secondary analysis of the Combined Multimarker Screening and Randomized Patient Treatment with Aspirin for Evidence‐Based Pre‐eclampsia Prevention (ASPRE) trial using repeated measures of MAP and UtA‐PI. In the trial, 1620 women at increased risk of preterm pre‐eclampsia were identified using the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks, of whom 798 were randomly assigned to receive 150 mg/day aspirin and 822 were assigned to receive placebo daily from 11–14 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation or delivery, whichever came first. MAP and UtA‐PI were measured at baseline and follow‐up visits at 19–24, 32–34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Generalized additive mixed models with treatment by gestational age interaction terms were used to investigate the effects of aspirin on MAP and UtA‐PI trajectories over time.ResultsAmong 798 participants in the aspirin group and 822 in the placebo group, there were 5951 MAP and 5942 UtA‐PI measurements. Trajectories of raw and multiples of the median (MoM) values of MAP did not differ significantly between the two groups (MAP MoM analysis: P‐value for treatment by gestational age interaction, 0.340). In contrast, trajectories of raw and MoM values of UtA‐PI showed a significantly steeper decline in the aspirin group than in the placebo group, with the difference mainly driven by a more pronounced reduction before 20 weeks of gestation (UtA‐PI MoM analysis: P‐value for treatment by gestational age interaction, 0.006).ConclusionsIn women at increased risk of preterm pre‐eclampsia, 150 mg/day aspirin initiated in the first trimester does not affect MAP but is associated with a significant decrease in mean UtA‐PI, particularly before 20 weeks of gestation. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Tachyonic production of dark relics: a non-perturbative quantum study
Authors: Kainulainen Kimmo , Koskivaara Olli , Nurmi Sami 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We study production of dark relics during reheating after the end of inflation in a system consisting of a non-minimally coupled spectator scalar field and the inflaton. We derive a set of renormalized quantum transport equations for the one-point function and the two-point function of the spectator field and solve them numerically. We find that our system can embody both tachyonic and parametric instabilities. The former is an expected result due to the non-minimal coupling, but the latter displays new features driven by a novel interplay of the two-point function with the Ricci scalar. We find that when the parametric instability driven by the two-point function takes place, it dominates the total particle production. The quantitative results are also found to be highly sensitive to the model parameters.
Optimized Algorithms and Hardware Implementation of Median Filter for Image Processing
Authors: Draz H. H. , Elashker N. E. , Mahmoud Mervat M. A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractImage processing algorithms are essential for clarifying the image and improving the ability to recognize distinct characteristics of the image. The field of digital image processing is widespread in several research and technology applications. In many of these applications, the existence of impulsive noise in the obtained images is one of the most frequent problems. The median filter is a strong method to remove the impulsive noise; it effectively eliminates salt and pepper noise from the image. The main target of this paper is to investigate efficient median filter units to be connected to a general-purpose processor (GPP) for FPGA-based embedded systems. The paper exposes three novel techniques, two of them specially for median filtering techniques and the third one is used to get the maximum number of any 9 elements array. The proposed algorithms are inspired by the Median Of Median (MOM) algorithm. The first two techniques are tested for filtering$$3 \times 3$$3×3image windows and optimized for producing the expected result in high accuracy, short time, and reduced number of comparisons. The last technique is tested for a 9 elements array for extracting the maximum number in same high efficiency manner. Furthermore, the three proposed techniques are implemented leveraging the advantage of the parallel processing and the FPGA flexible resources to satisfy the real-time processing constraints. A comparison between the first two proposed filtering units and their counterparts in the literature is included. The comparison reveals the superiority of the first technique in terms of accuracy with fewer comparators than previously published techniques. Besides, the paper illustrates how the concept beyond the proposed techniques can be used to perform the maximum pooling for convolution neural networks.
On a Conjecture of De Giorgi About the Phase-Field Approximation of the Willmore Functional
Authors: Bellettini Giovanni , Freguglia Mattia , Picenni Nicola 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn 1991 De Giorgi conjectured that, given $$\lambda >0$$

λ
>
0

, if $$\mu _\varepsilon $$

μ
ε

stands for the density of the Allen-Cahn energy and $$v_\varepsilon $$

v
ε

represents its first variation, then $$\int [v_\varepsilon ^2 + \lambda ] d\mu _\varepsilon $$

∫

[

v
ε
2

+
λ
]

d

μ
ε

should $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-converge to $$c\lambda {\text {Per}}(E) + k \mathcal {W}(\Sigma )$$

c
λ
Per
(
E
)
+
k
W
(
Σ
)

for some real constant k, where $${\text {Per}}(E)$$

Per
(
E
)

is the perimeter of the set E, $$\Sigma =\partial E$$

Σ
=
∂
E

, $$\mathcal {W}(\Sigma )$$

W
(
Σ
)

is the Willmore functional, and c is an explicit positive constant. A modified version of this conjecture was proved in space dimensions 2 and 3 by Röger and Schätzle, when the term $$\int v_\varepsilon ^2 \, d\mu _\varepsilon $$

∫

v
ε
2

d

μ
ε

is replaced by $$ \int v_\varepsilon ^2 {\varepsilon }^{-1} dx$$

∫

v
ε
2

ε

-
1

d
x

, with a suitable $$k>0$$

k
>
0

. In the present paper we show that, surprisingly, the original De Giorgi conjecture holds with $$k=0$$

k
=
0

. Further properties of the limit measures obtained under a uniform control of the approximating energies are also provided.
Loss of hypothalamic MCH decreases food intake in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Bolborea Matei , Vercruysse Pauline , Daria Tselmen , Reiners Johanna C. , Alami Najwa Ouali , Guillot Simon J. , Dieterlé Stéphane , Sinniger Jérôme , Scekic-Zahirovic Jelena , Londo Amela , Arcay Hippolyte , Goy Marc-Antoine , de Tapia Claudia Nelson , Thal Dietmar R. , Shibuya Kazumoto , Otani Ryo , Arai Kimihito , Kuwabara Satoshi , Ludolph Albert C. , Roselli Francesco , Yilmazer-Hanke Deniz , Dupuis Luc 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with impaired energy metabolism, including weight loss and decreased appetite which are negatively correlated with survival. Neural mechanisms underlying metabolic impairment in ALS remain unknown. ALS patients and presymptomatic gene carriers have early hypothalamic atrophy. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) controls metabolic homeostasis through the secretion of neuropeptides such as orexin/hypocretin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH). Here, we show loss of MCH-positive neurons in three mouse models of ALS based on SOD1 or FUS mutations. Supplementation with MCH (1.2 µg/d) through continuous intracerebroventricular delivery led to weight gain in male mutant Sod1G86R mice. MCH supplementation increased food intake, rescued expression of the key appetite-related neuropeptide AgRP (agouti-related protein) and modified respiratory exchange ratio, suggesting increased carbohydrate usage during the inactive phase. Importantly, we document pTDP-43 pathology and neurodegeneration in the LHA of sporadic ALS patients. Neuronal cell loss was associated with pTDP-43-positive inclusions and signs of neurodegeneration in MCH-positive neurons. These results suggest that hypothalamic MCH is lost in ALS and contributes to the metabolic changes, including weight loss and decreased appetite.
The role of Pcdh10 in neurological disease and cancer
Authors: Zhen Yilan , Pavez Macarena , Li Xinying 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Protocadherin 10 (PCDH 10), a member of the superfamily of protocadherins, is a Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed on the surface of cell membranes. Protocadherin 10 plays a critical role in the central nervous system including in cell adhesion, formation and maintenance of neural circuits and synapses, regulation of actin assembly, cognitive function and tumor suppression. Additionally, Pcdh10 can serve as a non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic indicator for various cancers.

Methods
This paper collects and reviews relevant literature in Pubmed.

Conclusion
This review describes the latest research understanding the role of Pcdh10 in neurological disease and human cancer, highlighting the importance of scrutinizing its properties for the development of targeted therapies and identifying a need for further research to explore Pcdh10 functions in other pathways, cell types and human pathologies.
Molecular detection of Wolbachia and Bartonella as part of the microbiome of phlebotomine sand flies from Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Lozano-Sardaneta Yokomi N. , Marina Carlos F. , Torres-Monzón Jorge A. , Sánchez-Cordero Víctor , Becker Ingeborg 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies are dipterans of relevance due to their role as vectors of several pathogens worldwide. Bacteria in the gut of sand flies possibly affect their vectorial capacity and competence to transmit parasites. A retrospective study was performed in sand fly specimens that had previously been collected in four localities of the state of Chiapas during the period 2009–2011 to detect Wolbachia and Bartonella and their possible coinfection with Leishmania. For the molecular detection of bacteria, we used primers and conditions that had previously been reported. A total of 531 sand fly specimens of 10 species were analyzed. Four Wolbachia strains were detected in five sand fly species, showing a prevalence of 8.6%. All the Wolbachia strains had previously been reported in other taxa. In one sand fly species, we also detected a new lineage of Bartonella evidenced by a phylogenetic analysis. No sand fly specimens showed coinfections of these bacteria and Leishmania. The bacteria found in the phlebotomine sand flies are possibly transmitted by plant-mediated horizontal transmission and during blood meal feeding.
Plasma cell-free DNA promise monitoring and tissue injury assessment of COVID-19
Authors: Jin Xin , Wang Yanqun , Xu Jinjin , Li Yimin , Cheng Fanjun , Luo Yuxue , Zhou Haibo , Lin Shanwen , Xiao Fei , Zhang Lu , Lin Yu , Zhang Zhaoyong , Jin Yan , Zheng Fang , Chen Wei , Zhu Airu , Tao Ye , Zhao Jingxian , Kuo Tingyou , Li Yuming , Li Lingguo , Wen Liyan , Ou Rijing , Li Fang , Lin Long , Zhang Yanjun , Sun Jing , Yuan Hao , Zhuang Zhen , Sun Haixi , Chen Zhao , Li Jie , Zhuo Jianfen , Chen Dongsheng , Zhang Shengnan , Sun Yuzhe , Wei Peilan , Yuan Jinwei , Xu Tian , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Xu Xun , Zhong Nanshan , Xu Yonghao , Sun Kun , Zhao Jincun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCoronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a complex disease that affects billions of people worldwide. Currently, effective etiological treatment of COVID-19 is still lacking; COVID-19 also causes damages to various organs that affects therapeutics and mortality of the patients. Surveillance of the treatment responses and organ injury assessment of COVID-19 patients are of high clinical value. In this study, we investigated the characteristic fragmentation patterns and explored the potential in tissue injury assessment of plasma cell-free DNA in COVID-19 patients. Through recruitment of 37 COVID-19 patients, 32 controls and analysis of 208 blood samples upon diagnosis and during treatment, we report gross abnormalities in cfDNA of COVID-19 patients, including elevated GC content, altered molecule size and end motif patterns. More importantly, such cfDNA fragmentation characteristics reflect patient-specific physiological changes during treatment. Further analysis on cfDNA tissue-of-origin tracing reveals frequent tissue injuries in COVID-19 patients, which is supported by clinical diagnoses. Hence, our work demonstrates and extends the translational merit of cfDNA fragmentation pattern as valuable analyte for effective treatment monitoring, as well as tissue injury assessment in COVID-19.
Video-based training of situation awareness enhances minimally invasive surgical performance: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kowalewski Karl-Friedrich , Seifert Laura , Kohlhas Laura , Schmidt Mona Wanda , Ali Seher , Fan Carolyn , Köppinger Karl Felix , Müller-Stich Beat Peter , Nickel Felix 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Many training curricula were introduced to deal with the challenges that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) presents to the surgeon. Situational awareness (SA) is the ability to process information effectively. It depends on general cognitive abilities and can be divided into three steps: perceiving cues, linking cues to knowledge and understanding their relevance, and predicting possible outcomes. Good SA is crucial to predict and avoid complications and respond efficiently. This study aimed to introduce the concept of SA into laparoscopic training.

Methods
This is a prospective, randomized, controlled study conducted at the MIS Training Center of Heidelberg University Hospital. Video sessions showing the steps of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were used for cognitive training. The intervention group trained SA with interposed questions inserted into the video clips. The identical video clips, without questions, were presented to the control group. Performance was assessed with validated scores such as the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) during LC.

Results
72 participants were enrolled of which 61 were included in the statistical analysis. The SA-group performed LC significantly better (OSATS-Score SA: 67.0 ± 11.5 versus control: 59.1 ± 14.0, p value = 0.034) and with less errors (error score SA: 3.5 ± 1.9 versus control: 4.7 ± 2.0, p value = 0.027). No difference in the time taken to complete the procedure was found. The benefit assessment analysis showed no difference between the groups in terms of perceived learning effect, concentration, or expediency. However, most of the control group indicated retrospectively that they believed they would have benefitted from the intervention.

Conclusion
This study suggests that video-based SA training for laparoscopic novices has a positive impact on performance and error rate. SA training should thus be included as one aspect besides simulation and real cases in a multimodal curriculum to improve the efficiency of laparoscopic surgical skills training.
Microbiota-gut-brain axis: relationships among the vagus nerve, gut microbiota, obesity, and diabetes
Authors: Longo Susanna , Rizza Stefano , Federici Massimo 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Aims
The purpose of this review is to explore the interconnected pathways of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), focusing on the roles of the vagus nerve and glucagon like peptide-1 in appetite control, and in the development of obesity and diabetes.

Methods
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are metabolic disorders whose prevalence has significantly increased in recent decades and is expected to increase every year, to pandemic proportions. These two pathologies often coexist and have substantial public health implications. The term “diabesity” defines the pathophysiological connection between overweight and T2DM. The gut microbiota affects many aspects of the host. Beyond the regulation of intestinal functions and the activation of immune responses, the gut microbiota plays a role in central nervous system functions (i.e., mood, and psychiatric conditions associated with stress and memory) and is a central regulator of metabolism and appetite.

Results
The MGBA involves pathways such as the autonomic and enteric nervous systems, the hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal axis, the immune system, enteroendocrine cells, and microbial metabolites. Notably, the vagus nerve plays an essential role in eating behavior by modulating appetite and learning nutritional preferences.

Conclusions
Because of its enteroendocrine cell-mediated interaction with the gut microbiota, the vagus nerve may provide a potential pathway through which gut microorganisms influence host feeding behavior and metabolic control of physiological and pathological conditions.
Development of Gambling Behaviour and Its Relationship with Perceived Social Support: A Longitudinal Study of Young Adult Male Gamblers
Authors: Bickl Andreas M. , Kraus Ludwig , Loy Johanna K. , Kriwy Peter , Sleczka Pawel , Schwarzkopf Larissa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractYoung adult men who gamble frequently face an elevated risk of developing gambling-related problems. So far, little is known about how changing levels of perceived social support interact with the course of gambling behaviour and gambling-related problems in this population. Using data from a prospective single-arm cohort study (Munich Leisure Time Study), we applied hierarchical linear models to investigate the longitudinal association of changes in perceived emotional and social support (hereafter PESS; operationalized as ENRICHD Social Support Instrument score) with gambling intensity, gambling frequency, and fulfilled criteria for gambling disorder. Pooling data from three time points (baseline, 12-month and 24-month follow-ups) to assess two 1-year intervals, these models disentangle the associations of (a) “level of PESS” (cross-sectional, between participants) and (b) “changes in individual PESS” (longitudinally, within-participants). Among the 169 study participants, higher levels of PESS were associated with fewer gambling-related problems (− 0.12 criteria met; p = 0.014). Furthermore, increasing individual PESS was associated with lower gambling frequency (− 0.25 gambling days; p = 0.060) and intensity (− 0.11 gambling hours; p = 0.006), and fewer gambling-related problems (− 0.19 problems; p < 0.001). The results suggest a mitigating influence of PESS on gambling behaviour and gambling-related problems. Increasing individual PESS appears more decisive for this pathway than high initial levels of PESS. Treatment and prevention strategies that activate and reinforce beneficial social resources in people with gambling-related problems are recommended and promising.