bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A conformational change of C-reactive protein drives neutrophil extracellular trap formation in inflammation
Authors: Karasu Ebru , Halbgebauer Rebecca , Schütte Lena , Greven Johannes , Bläsius Felix M. , Zeller Johannes , Winninger Oscar , Braig David , Messerer David Alexander Christian , Berger Bettina , Feuerstein Hendrik , Schultze Anke , Peter Karlheinz , Knippschild Uwe , Horst Klemens , Hildebrand Frank , Eisenhardt Steffen U. , Huber-Lang Markus 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
C-reactive protein (CRP) represents a routine diagnostic marker of inflammation. Dissociation of native pentameric CRP (pCRP) into the monomeric structure (mCRP) liberates proinflammatory features, presumably contributing to excessive immune cell activation via unknown molecular mechanisms.

Results
In a multi-translational study of systemic inflammation, we found a time- and inflammation-dependent pCRP dissociation into mCRP. We were able to confirm that mCRP co-localizes with leukocytes at the site of injury after polytrauma and therefore assessed whether the CRP conformation potentiates neutrophil activation. We found mCRP-induced neutrophil-extracellular trap formation in vitro and ex vivo involving nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activation, p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, and histone H3 citrullination. Mimicking the trauma milieu in a human ex vivo whole blood model, we found significant mCRP generation as well as NET formation, prevented by blocking pCRP conformational changes.

Conclusions
Our data provide novel molecular insights how CRP dissociation contributes to neutrophil activation as driver of various inflammatory disorders.
Impact of essential oil and probiotics supplementation on growth performance, serum biomarkers, antioxidants status, bioenergetics and histomorphometry of intestine of Nile tilapia fingerlings challenged with Aeromonas veronii
Authors: Raslan Walaa S. , Shehab Ahmed , Matter Aya F. , Youssuf Hadeer A. , Farid Omar Ahmed , Sabek Ahmed , Magdy Yasmeen , Kadah Amgad 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Probiotics and essential oils feed supplements are widely used in the aquaculture sector. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with probiotics, essential oils and their combination on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, resistance against Aeromonas veronii, and intestinal histomorphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 360 O. niloticus fingerlings were randomly assigned to four groups (3 replicates/ group; each replicate contains 30 fish) based on the different dietary treatments. The first group was fed a basal control diet (G1), the second group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.015% probiotic (Klu-zetar®) (G2), the third group was fed a basal diet with 0.015% essential oil (ACTIVO®) (G3), and the fourth group was fed a basal diet mixed with 0.015% Klu-zetar® and 0.015% ACTIVO®, (G4) for 6 weeks. At the end of the trial fish were intraperitoneally injected with pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas veronii and the fish mortality rate was recorded for 7 days post infection.

Results
The results revealed that using probiotics and or essential oils in Nile tilapia diets improved growth performance, reduced oxidative stress, enhanced immunity, maintained intestinal integrity, and enhanced resistance to pathogenic infection (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions
It is concluded that the use of probiotics and/ or essential oils enhance the overall outcomes of Nile tilapia, so it is highly recommended to be used in aquaculture management.
Extracellular vesicle-mediated approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of MASLD: current advances and future prospective
Authors: Gurjar Swasthika , Bhat A Ramanarayana , Upadhya Raghavendra , Shenoy Revathi P. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an asymptomatic, multifaceted condition often associated with various risk factors, including fatigue, obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea. The increasing burden of MASLD underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and effective therapies. Owing to the lack of efficient therapies for MASLD, early diagnosis is crucial. Consequently, noninvasive biomarkers and imaging techniques are essential for analyzing disease risk and play a pivotal role in the global diagnostic process. The use of extracellular vesicles has emerged as promising for early diagnosis and therapy of various liver ailments. Herein, a comprehensive summary of the current diagnostic modalities for MASLD is presented, highlighting their advantages and limitations while exploring the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools for MASLD. With this aim, this review emphasizes an in-depth understanding of the origin of EVs and the pathophysiological alterations of these ectosomes and exosomes in various liver diseases. This review also explores the therapeutic potential of EVs as key components in the future management of liver disease. The dual role of EVs as biomarkers and their therapeutic utility in MASLD essentially highlights their clinical integration to improve MASLD diagnosis and treatment. While EV-based therapies are still in their early stages of development and require substantial research to increase their therapeutic value before they can be used clinically, the diagnostic application of EVs has been extensively explored. Moving forward, developing diagnostic devices leveraging EVs will be crucial in advancing MASLD diagnosis. Thus, the literature summarized provides suitable grounds for clinicians and researchers to explore EVs for devising diagnostic and treatment strategies for MASLD.
The importance of multiple Z- plasty- assisted physical therapy in the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture
Authors: Elmelegy Nader Gomaa , Nader Dalia 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
The palmar aponeurosis is extremely adherent to the skin above it. Many of the pre-tendinous coarse fibers enter the dermis at an angle, not just in the palmar creases but also throughout the palm. It’s difficult to distinguish whether Dupuytren’s illness starts in the skin’s dermis or the palmar aponeurosis since the skin adheres so closely to the palmar fascia. In this work, we have investigated the clinical and histological origins of Dupuytren’s disease, as well as its impact on the disease’s management.

Methods
A clinical prospective study was conducted on 47 patients, 42 males and 5 females, who presented with Dupuytren’s contracture in the hands (29 patients were bilateral and 18 one-sided), in the period between April 2012 and September 2020.

Results
Histologically, all our specimens showed chronic inflammatory skin lesions showing hyperkeratotic epidermal covering and dermal infiltration with aggregates of chronic inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells, proliferated vascular spaces, and fibrous stroma. Clinical satisfaction was excellent in 67(88.2%) hands, good in six (7.8%)hands, fair in three (4%) hands, and no poor results.

Conclusions
Dupuytren’s disease is a chronic inflammatory skin illness that can penetrate fascia, as we’ve proved histologically and surgically. For a considerable reduction in recurrence, the adhering skin and accompanying cord must be removed.

Level of evidence
IV – therapeutic study.
hnRNPU-mediated pathogenic alternative splicing drives gastric cancer progression
Authors: Jin Guoguo , Song Yanming , Fang Shaobo , Yan Mingyang , Yang Zhaojie , Shao Yang , Zhao Kexin , Liu Meng , Wang Zhenwei , Guo Zhiping , Dong Zigang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Alternative splicing (AS) is a process that facilitates the differential inclusion of exonic sequences from precursor messenger RNAs, significantly enhancing the diversity of the transcriptome and proteome. In cancer, pathogenic AS events are closely related to cancer progression. This study aims to investigate the role and regulatory mechanisms of AS in gastric cancer (GC).

Methods
We analyzed AS events in various tumor samples and identified hnRNPU as a key splicing factor in GC. The effects of hnRNPU on cancer progression were assessed through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Gene knockout models and the FTO inhibitor (meclofenamic acid) were used to validate the interaction between hnRNPU and FTO and their impact on AS.

Results
We found that hnRNPU serves as a key splicing factor in GC, and its high expression is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Genetic depletion of hnRNPU significantly reduced GC progression. Mechanistically, the m6A demethylase FTO interacts with hnRNPU transcripts, decreasing the m6A modification levels of hnRNPU, which leads to exon 14 skipping of the MET gene, thereby promoting GC progression. The FTO inhibitor meclofenamic acid effectively inhibited GC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion
The FTO/hnRNPU axis induces aberrant exon skipping of MET, thereby promoting GC cell growth. Targeting the FTO/hnRNPU axis may interfere with abnormal AS events and provide a potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for GC.

Graphical Abstract
Schematic model for the findings of this work: Aberrant hnRNPU in GC binds FTO. The m6A-modified hnRNPU transcripts are recognized by m6A reader YTHDF3 and subsequently demethylated by FTO. This demethylation enhances the stability of hnRNPU mRNA, consequently promoting alternative splicing of MET. The altered splicing pattern ultimately contributes to the proliferation of GC cells.
The influence of thermal and hypoxia induced habitat compression on walleye (Sander vitreus) movements in a temperate lake
Authors: Brooks J. L. , Lédée E. J. I. , Larocque S. M. , Cooke S. J. , Brown E. , Midwood J. D. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Globally, temperate lakes are experiencing increases in surface water temperatures, extended periods of summer stratification, and decreases of both surface and deep water dissolved oxygen (DO). The distribution of fish is influenced by a variety of factors, but water temperature and dissolved oxygen are known to be particularly constraining such that with climate change, fish will likely feel the “squeeze” from above and below.

Methods
This study used acoustic telemetry to explore the effects of both thermal stratification and the deoxygenation of the hypolimnion on walleye (Sander vitreus) movements in a coastal embayment in Lake Ontario. Using historical water quality monitoring data, we documented seasonal and annual fluctuations in availability of both ‘suitable’ (all temperatures, DO > 3 mg/L) and ‘optimum’ (temperatures 18–23 °C, DO > 5mg/L) abiotic habitat for walleye and determined how these changes influenced walleye movements over a three-year period.

Results
Hypoxia (< 3 mg/L DO) was present in Hamilton Harbour every summer that data were available (32 of the 42 years between 1976 and 2018), with a maximum of 68.4% of the harbour volume in 1990. We found that thermal stratification and a hypoxic hypolimnion greatly reduced the volume of suitable habitat during our telemetry study. The reduction of suitable habitat significantly reduced walleye movement distances, however as the summer progressed, this remaining suitable habitat warmed into their thermal optimum range which was found to increase walleye movement distances. Despite the seemingly poor conditions, tagged walleye remained in the harbour for most of the year, and were the fastest growing individuals compared to other sampled coastal subpopulations in Lake Ontario.

Conclusions
Although we documented a reduction in the quantity of non-hypoxic habitat available to walleye, the water temperature of the remaining habitat increased throughout the summer into the physiologically optimum range for walleye and increased in metabolic quality. Many abiotic factors influence how, where, and what habitat fish choose to use, and this study reveals the importance of considering both habitat quality (temperature and dissolved oxygen) and quantity when evaluating fish habitat use and behaviour.
Ultrasound super-resolution imaging for non-invasive assessment of microvessel in prostate lesion
Authors: Huang Xin , Ye Huarong , Hu Yugang , Lei Yumeng , Tian Yi , Huang Xingyue , Zhang Jun , Zhang Yao , Gui Bin , Liu Qianhui , Zhang Ge , Deng Qing 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in men worldwide. An early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis. Traditional invasive procedures such as image-guided prostate biopsy often cause discomfort and complications, deterring some patients from undergoing these necessary tests. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and clinical value of using ultrasound super-resolution imaging (US SRI) for non-invasively assessing the microvessel characteristics of prostate lesion.

Methods
This study included 127 patients with prostate lesion who presented at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between November 2023 and June 2024 were included in this study. All the patients underwent transrectal US (TRUS), contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), and US SRI. CEUS parameters of time-intensity curve (TIC): arrival time (AT), rising time (RT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PKI), falling time (FT), mean transit time (MTT), ascending slope (AS), descending slope (DS), D/A slope ratio (SR), and area under the TIC (AUC). US SRI parameters: microvessel density (MVD), microvessel diameter (D), microvessel velocity (V), microvessel tortuosity (T), and fractal number (FN), were analyzed and compared between prostate benign and malignant lesion.

Results
The tumor markers of prostate in the malignant group were all higher than those in the benign group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The TIC parameters of CEUS revealed that the PKI, AS, DS, and AUC were significantly higher in the malignant group than in the benign group (P < 0.001), whereas the RT, TTP and FT in the malignant group were significantly lower (P < 0.001). Malignant lesion exhibited significantly higher MVD, larger D, faster V, greater T, and more complex FN than benign lesion (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
US SRI is a promising non-invasive imaging modality that can provide detailed microvessel characteristics of prostate lesion, offering an advancement in the differential diagnosis for prostate lesion. And, US SRI may be a valuable tool in clinical practice with its ability to display and quantify microvessel with high precision.
Safety and efficacy of chocolate balloon in the treatment of infrapopliteal artery disease
Authors: Wu Ridong , Yang Qingqi , Wang Mian , Li Zilun , Yao Chen , Chang Guangqi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of chocolate balloons in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and infrapopliteal artery disease, and compare them with conventional balloons.

Methods
This single-center retrospective study included 167 patients with CLTI and infrapopliteal who underwent endovascular intervention with or without chocolate balloons from September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023. The primary endpoint was amputation-free survival (AFS). Secondary endpoints included major amputation, the absence of clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), the incidence of flow-limiting dissection, below-the-knee (BTK) stent implantation, change in Rutherford clinical grade, procedural success, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Patients were followed at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months to assess symptom improvement, vascular patency as determined by dual-function ultrasound or angiography, and survival.

Results
At 12 months, AFS was noted in 78.1% of patients in chocolate balloon group and 70.7% of those in conventional balloon group (p = 0.37). The chocolate balloon group demonstrated a significantly higher rate of CD-TLR absence, with 84.0% compared to 69.4% in the conventional balloon group (p = 0.04). The chocolate balloon group had a major amputation-free rate of 92.8%, slightly better than the 89.5% in the conventional balloon group (p = 0.58).
Notably, the chocolate balloon group significantly reduced flow-limiting dissection (p = 0.02) and BTK stent implantation (p = 0.03) compared to the conventional balloon group.

Conclusion
Chocolate balloon reduces the incidence of flow-limiting dissection and BTK stent implantation in patients with CLTI and infrapopliteal. Compared with conventional balloons, there was less lesion revascularization at 12 months, but no significant benefit was found in improving ASF and reducing major amputation of the affected limb.
Prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia among Egyptian children from rural areas of the Delta region: a single-centre cross-sectional study
Authors: Zedan Magdy , Abousamra Nashwa K. , Osman Engy , Gebril Asmaa S. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
An estimated 1.1–1.4 million children die from pneumonia each year, making up 17–19% of all paediatric mortality; the majority of these deaths occur in underdeveloped nations. In Egypt, during the first 2 years of life, about 6% of children have at least one pneumonic episode.

Aims
(a) Determination of the prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among children in Egypt’s Delta region, both generally and specifically in rural regions, and (b) evaluation of each case’s clinical and epidemiological phenotypes.

Subjects and methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 174 rural children who were admitted to Mansoura University Children Hospital (MUCH) between 2016 and 2022 and had a confirmed diagnosis of CAP. Two categories were created for the cases: both typical and atypical CAP.

Results
Out of 39,130 admitted cases, a total of 768 children from Delta region fitted the diagnosis of CAP with an overall prevalence of 1.96% (45.6% from rural areas). Data of 174 cases with CAP were evaluated, and 125 (71.8%) were diagnosed with typical CAP and 49 (28.2%) with atypical CAP. There was a statistically significant difference between typical and atypical CAP groups regarding age and sex. Recurrent pneumonia was significantly more prevalent among children with typical CAP. The prevalence of complications was significantly higher among typical CAP cases compared to atypical CAP cases (P < 0.001). Bronchopneumonia was the most frequent radiologic findings among typical CAP cases (28.0%), while interstitial pneumonia was the most among atypical CAP cases (46.9%). Children with typical CAP had a significantly higher percentage of positive CRP (68.8%) compared to those with atypical CAP (32.7%). Staph coagulase negative was the most identified pathogen among all cases (12.78%). Children with typical CAP had a significantly lower frequency of macrolides use compared to those with atypical CAP (8.8%) vs. (98.0%).

Conclusion
Among the Delta region, the prevalence of CAP among children is 1.96% (45.6% in rural regions). Compared to atypical CAP, typical CAP affects children more frequently (71.8%) and results in a more severe form of the disease in terms of clinical symptoms, sequelae, and radiological abnormalities.
Multi-response optimization of friction stir welding process parameter of AA 5083 with Taguchi-VIKOR approach
Authors: Kolli Murahari , Sunnapu Chendrasekhar , Medikondu Nageswara Rao 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study investigates the optimization of friction stir welding (FSW) parameters for aluminum alloy (AA) 5083 alloy joints to enhance performance characteristics. Weld speed (WS), tool rotational speed (RS), and tool shoulder profiles were selected as input parameters of the study. The AA 5083 FSW joint’s macro and microstructure examination, tensile strength (TS), % of elongation (%EL), impact energy (IE), micro-hardness (MH), and wear rate (WR) were considered performance characteristics. Taguchi L9 orthogonal array used to design, plan, and conduct experiments, to optimize the single performance characteristics, maximize the TS, %EL, IE, and MH, and minimize the WR performance characteristics. The VIKOR technique is considered for multi-performance characterization purposes, it gives the multi-criteria decision solution of a single optimization solution. It also assigned the ranking order list with suitable calculated weights. Further, a novel Taguchi-VIKOR approach was applied to optimize the multi-performance characteristics of FSW–AA 5083 joints and then assign them with rankings. An ANOVA analysis was conducted to identify the prominent input parameter corresponding to the multi-response condition and their levels. The multi-response optimization effects observed the best conditions as a concave tool (CC) profile, 1400 rpm RS, and 40 mm/min WS. It resulted in significant improvements in mechanical properties, with TS reaching 201.65 MPa, % of EL at 9.48%, IE at 16 J, MH at 92.4 HV, and WR reduced to 0.00265 mm3/min.
Quality of Life and cost of living in colon cancer patients
Authors: Kouris Ioannis , Kalogianni Antonia , Kapadochos Theodoros , Kiranoudi Aggeliki , Pavlatou Niki , Kyriakopoulos Antonios , Toylia Georgia 
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Colon cancer is a common form of cancer. The main goal of any therapeutic approach is the patient's best quality of life combined with the effectiveness of the treatment.
Aim: To explore the quality of life of patients with colon cancer in Greece as well as to estimate the change in their cost of living.
Material and methods: This is a prospective descriptive observational study, conducted during the period January 2020- January 2022. In total, 192 participants were enrolled in the study. Data collection was performed by using a questionnaire both open-ended and closed-ended questions (demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics, questions for the assessment of the changes in patients’ financial cost of living and their quality of life). Data analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 21.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).
Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.7 years, while 39.6% were women. The majority of patients (73.4%) were retired and 14.6% were employed. The average cost of living of the patients due to the disease during the previous semester was €3.714. Scores on the mental and physical health summary scales were significantly lower than 50 indicating that patients' quality of life was significantly worse than average in both mental and physical health. Younger patients had better general health, p=0.047.
Conclusion: Τhe generally reduced quality of life for patients with colon cancer, can be interpreted in relation to the increased anxiety of patients, pain, as well as the significant financial burden they face.
Calibration-free wavelength modulation spectroscopy approach for practical logging measurements of methane slip from natural gas engines
Authors: Jaeger Nicolas S. B. , Mhanna Mhanna , Rochussen Jeremy , Kirchen Patrick 
Published: January 2025

Natural gas (NG) is a potential substitute for diesel in engine
applications because of its potential to reduce greenhouse gas and
toxicant emissions. To maximize the benefits of NG, robust diagnostic
methods are required to quantify concentration of unburned methane in
the exhaust stream, without requiring frequent sensor recalibration. A
wavelength modulation spectroscopy sensor has been developed to
measure CH4 slip from NG engines. The sensor uses
the first-harmonic-normalized, second-harmonic (2f/1f) processing method to perform
long-duration, logging measurements at 20 Hz on an NG-powered marine
vessel. Calibration-free 2f/1f measurements were shown to match
calibrated 2f/1f measurements with an average error of
2.17% over the course of a 3 h sailing.