bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nigrosome 1 visibility and its association with nigrostriatal dopaminergic loss in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kim Han‐Kyeol , Kim Taewon , Baek Min Seok , Kim Eung Yeop , Sung Young Hee , Lee Jae Hoon , Ryu Young Hoon , Ahn Sung Jun , Yoo Han Soo , Lyoo Chul Hyoung 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundNigrosome 1 (NG1), a small cluster of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra and visible in the susceptibility map‐weighted magnetic resonance image (SMwI), is severely affected in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the degree of nigrostriatal degeneration according to the visibility of NG1 has not yet been well elucidated.MethodsWe consecutively recruited 138 PD and 78 non‐neurodegenerative disease (non‐ND) patients, who underwent both 18F‐FP‐CIT positron emission tomography (PET) and SMwI. Three neurologists and one radiologist evaluated the visibility of NG1 in SMwI. The participants were thereby grouped into visible, intermediate, and non‐visible groups. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic input was calculated using the specific binding ratio (SBR) of the 18F‐FP‐CIT PET. We determined the threshold of regional SBR for discriminating NG1 visibility and the probability for NG1 visibility according to regional SBR.ResultsVisual rating of NG1 showed excellent interobserver agreements as well as high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate the PD group from the non‐ND group. NG1 was visible in seven patients (5.1%) in the PD group, who had relatively short disease duration or less severe loss of striatal dopamine. The threshold of putaminal SBR reduction on the more affected side for the disappearance of NG1 was 45.5%, and the probability for NG1 visibility dropped to 50% after the reduction of putaminal SBR to 41% from the normal mean.ConclusionsAlmost half loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic input is required to dissipate the hyperintensity of NG1 on SMwI, suggesting its utility in diagnosing PD only after the onset of the motor symptoms.
Exercise induced muscle blood flow is decreased in Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 polyneuropathy: a power Doppler analysis
Authors: Gera Orna , Shavit‐Stein Efrat , Amichai Taly , Nikitin Vera , David Merav Ben , Greenbaum Lior , Chapman Joab , Dori Amir 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackground and purposeIntramuscular blood flow increases during physical activity and may be quantified immediately following exercise using power Doppler sonography. Post‐exercise intramuscular blood flow is reduced in patients with muscular dystrophy, associated with disease severity and degenerative changes. It is not known if intramuscular blood flow is reduced in patients with neuropathy, nor if it correlates with muscle strength and structural changes. The aim was to determine whether blood flow is reduced in patients with polyneuropathy due to Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1) and to compare more affected distal to less affected proximal muscles.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study including 21 healthy volunteers and 17 CMT patients. Power Doppler ultrasound was used to quantify post‐exercise intramuscular blood flow in distal (gastrocnemius) and proximal (elbow flexor) muscles. Intramuscular blood flow was compared to muscle echo intensity, muscle strength, disease severity score, patient age and electromyography.ResultsPolyneuropathy patients showed reduced post‐exercise blood flow in both gastrocnemius and elbow flexors compared to controls. A more prominent reduction was seen in the gastrocnemius (2.51% vs. 10.34%, p < 0.0001) than in elbow flexors (4.48% vs. 7.03%, p < 0.0001). Gastrocnemius intramuscular blood flow correlated with muscle strength, disease severity and age. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that quantification of intramuscular blood flow was superior to echo intensity for detecting impairment in the gastrocnemius (area under the curve 0.962 vs. 0.738, p = 0.0126).ConclusionPost‐exercise intramuscular blood flow is reduced in CMT1 polyneuropathy. This reduction is present in both impaired distal and minimally affected proximal muscles, indicating it as an early marker of muscle impairment due to neuropathy.
Influence of plastic deformations on both yield strength and torsional fatigue life of non‐ferrous alloys
Authors: Małecka Joanna , Łagoda Tadeusz , Głowacka Karolina , Vantadori Sabrina 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe present paper is aimed to experimentally investigate the influence of a plastic deformation on both yield strength and torsional fatigue life of a CuZn40Pb2 leaded brass alloy and a 6082‐T6 aluminum alloy. Two types of preloading are considered, that is, (i) a cyclic torsion (cyclic preloading) and (ii) a monotonically increasing tension (static preloading). More precisely, for each of the above alloys, different both numbers of loading cycles and maximum values of the static preloading are considered. Moreover, an in‐depth fracture surface analysis on the failed specimens is performed, and fracture mechanisms at different scale lengths summarized.
The climate‐driven distribution and response to global change of soil‐borne pathogens in agroecosystems
Authors: Peng Ziheng , Liu Yu , Qi Jiejun , Gao Hang , Li Xiaomeng , Tian Qi , Qian Xun , Wei Gehong , Jiao Shuo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAimSoil‐borne pathogens severely affect crop production, but the present distribution of agricultural soil‐borne pathogens and their response to global changes are unexplored at large spatial scales. Here, we examine the nationwide‐scale distribution patterns, dominant taxa and environmental drivers of fungal soil‐borne pathogens, and their response to warming, nutrient enrichment and their interaction.LocationChina.Time periodJuly and August 2019.Major taxa studiedFungal plant pathogens.MethodsThrough nationwide field surveys of 711 top‐ and subsoil samples in 51 cropland locations, we investigated the distribution patterns, environmental drivers and dominant taxa of fungal plant pathogens. We then conducted a mesocosm experiment with soils collected at 40 survey locations to evaluate the response patterns of fungal pathogens to global changes, including warming, nutrient enrichment and their interaction.ResultsWe observed that the abundance and richness of potential soil‐borne pathogens were higher in the topsoil than in the subsoil. Mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation as the main drivers had a stronger effect on the abundance, richness and community of pathogens in the topsoil than subsoil. Two phylotypes, belonging to genus Fusarium, were the dominant soil‐borne pathogens accounting for approximately one third of total abundance, and their abundances (e.g. relative and absolute abundance via quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were negatively correlated with precipitation and temperature. The mesocosm experiment simulating global changes further revealed that the abundance and richness distributions of soil pathogens predicted the direction of their response to global changes, with a positive response in pathogen‐poor soil and negative in pathogen‐rich soil. We further constructed spatial atlases of the dominant soil‐borne pathogens and their responses to global changes in agricultural fields.Main conclusionsOur findings suggest that the current distribution of potential soil‐borne pathogens is regulated by climate, which could affect their future dynamics and is vital to agricultural practices for pathogen control and crop production.
Informing the development of a decision aid: Expectations and wishes from service users and psychiatrists towards a decision aid for antipsychotics in the inpatient setting
Authors: Müller Katharina , Schuster Florian , Krumm Silvia , Leucht Stefan , Siafis Spyridon , Heres Stephan , Brieger Peter , Hamann Johannes 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectivesDecision aids (DAs) are promising tools to foster evidence‐based shared decision‐making between practitioners and service users. Nevertheless, it is still obscure how an evidence‐based DA for people with severe mental illness, especially psychosis, should look in an inpatient treatment setting to be useful and feasible. Therefore, we conducted focus groups with psychiatrists and service users to collect and assess their expectations and wishes regarding an evidence‐based DA. From these findings, we derived immediate recommendations for the future development of DAs.MethodsWe held two group interviews with service users (n = 8) and three group interviews with psychiatrists (n = 10). We used an open, large‐scale topic guide. First, we presented data from a current meta‐analysis on antipsychotics to the interviewees and, in a second step, asked for their expectations and wishes towards a DA that integrates these data.ResultsOur thematic analysis revealed six key themes addressed by the respondents: (1) general considerations on the importance and usefulness of such a DA, (2) critical comments on psychiatry and psychopharmacotherapy, (3) communicative prerequisites for the use of a DA, (4) form and content of the DA, (5) data input, data processing and output as well as (6) application of the DA and possible obstacles.ConclusionsParticipants identified several important features for the development of DAs for selecting antipsychotics in inpatient psychiatric treatment. The digital format was met with the greatest approval. Especially the adaptability to different needs, users and psychopathologies and the possibility to outsource information dissemination via app seemed to be a decisive convincing argument. Further research is required to test specific features of DAs to be developed in clinical settings.
Sampling refugee groups: The example of Syrians in Turkey
Authors: Schiefer David , Düvell Franck , Sağıroğlu Ali Zafer , Mann Lena 
Published: March 2023

AbstractQuantitative surveys among refugees not only advance our scientific understanding of forced migration, but they also provide political and civil society actors with the information they need to take measures to improve their protection and living conditions. These actors often need to acquire such information within a short period of time. However, the methods to access and survey this group to gain valid findings are subject to scientific debates. Based on a survey among Syrian refugees in Turkey, this article demonstrates a study design that generated valid knowledge about this population within a limited amount of time and resources. As a unique feature of the article, we compare our sample with four other sources of information to scrutinize how well it resembles the target population. As we can show, although point estimations differ to some extent, the internal distributions of sample characteristics are comparable across sources confirming the success of our sampling method.
Omadacycline therapy for Mycobacterium abscessus species infections
Authors: Ingram Paul R. , Jones Eva E. , Allen Bethwyn , Murray Ronan J. , Keehner Terillee J. , Whitmore Timothy J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundAntimicrobial resistance and therapy‐related adverse effects make Mycobacterium abscessus treatment challenging. Omadacycline is a novel, bioavailable aminomethylcycline with favourable in vitro activity against M. abscessus.AimsTo describe a case report and review the published literature describing outcomes for M. abscessus infections treated with omadacycline.MethodsSystematic literature review.ResultsWe identified three articles that, in addition to our case report, describe 18 patients. Pulmonary infections were most frequent. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were reported for two isolates (0.25 and 0.5 mg/L). Despite half the patients starting omadacycline because of failure of prior therapy, 15 (83%) had a favourable outcome, defined as ‘cure’, ‘improvement’ or ‘clinical success’ as determined by the primary study authors. One patient (6%) discontinued omadacycline because of gastrointestinal intolerance.ConclusionsAlthough the limited observational data and in vitro susceptibility results are encouraging, randomised control trials are required to determine the role of omadacycline as part of combination therapy for this most difficult‐to‐treat pathogen.
The prevalence and use of emerging technologies in STEAM education: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Leavy Aisling , Dick Lara , Meletiou‐Mavrotheris Maria , Paparistodemou Efi , Stylianou Elena 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe advent of new and emerging technologies and industries has highlighted the need to equip youth with a unique skillset necessary to cope with a rapidly changing and complex digital era and adapt to modern societies' demands. This need has led to the development of teaching approaches to equip students with creative and innovative skills to help prevent any future skills gap. This shift has fuelled the growth of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Education worldwide.ObjectivesOur goal was to engage in a systematic review of the literature to identify the application and prevalence of emerging technologies within the landscape of STEAM Education.MethodsWe engaged in a systematic review of the literature. Following the application of exclusion criteria to 461 studies, 43 studies were extracted and analysed.Findings and ConclusionsAnalysis of these studies provides evidence of the fast‐growing use of innovative emerging technologies within the STEAM landscape across all levels of education, from early childhood to college‐level settings. Our analysis reveals an emphasis on developing STEAM‐related disciplinary knowledge and the desire to develop students' 21st‐century skills with a notable lack of targeted emphasis on developing understandings in the arts disciplines. We identify the need for carefully designed intervention studies involving collaboration between multidisciplinary STEAM experts that use high‐quality measures which support the development of inferences relating to learning outcomes arising from such interventions.
SUMOylation mediates the disassembly of the Smad4 nuclear export complex via RanGAP1 in KELOIDS
Authors: Lin Xiaohu , Pang Qianqian , Hu Jie , Sun Jiaqi , Dai Siya , Yu Yijia , Xu Jinghong 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSentrin/small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) has emerged as a powerful mediator regulating biological processes and participating in pathophysiological processes that cause human diseases, such as cancer, myocardial fibrosis and neurological disorders. Sumoylation has been shown to play a positive regulatory role in keloids. However, the sumoylation mechanism in keloids remains understudied. We proposed that sumoylation regulates keloids via a complex. RanGAP1 acted as a synergistic, functional partner of SUMOs in keloids. Nuclear accumulation of Smad4, a TGF‐β/Smad pathway member, was associated with RanGAP1 after SUMO1 inhibition. RanGAP1*SUMO1 mediated the nuclear accumulation of Smad4 due to its impact on nuclear export and reduction in the dissociation of Smad4 and CRM1. We clarified a novel mechanism of positive regulation of sumoylation in keloids and demonstrated the function of sumoylation in Smad4 nuclear export. The NPC‐associated RanGAP1*SUMO1 complex functions as a disassembly machine for the export receptor CRM1 and Smad4. Our research provides new perspectives for the mechanisms of keloids and nucleocytoplasmic transport.
Thyme essential oil inhibits intracellular replication of CyHV‐3 and inactivates extracellular virus. An in vitro study
Authors: Troszok Agnieszka , Roszko Marek 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) can induce up to 100% mortality among carp populations. To date, there has been no safe method to prevent the consequences of the activity of CyHV‐3. Thyme is widely used in cooking due to its flavour. Both thyme and thyme essential oil (TEO) are used in traditional herbal medicine, mainly to treat respiratory system disorders. In this study, TEO containing predominantly cymene and thymol was applied to explore its antiviral effect. The toxicity of TEO was examined in MTT and crystal violet assays. The anti‐CyHV‐3 activity of TEO in the intracellular and extracellular stages of the viral replication cycle was explored in a plaque assay and TaqMan qPCR. TEO interfered with the intracellular stages of the CyHV‐3 replication cycle with selectivity indexes (SI) of around 5. It also displayed virucidal activity in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Two‐hour preincubation of CyHV‐3 with TEO generated SI, ranging from 13.37 to 18.47 depending on cell line and method of examination. Preincubation of cells with TEO at a safe concentration did not decrease the intracellular viral DNA copy number, which suggests that TEO does not disturb the attachment of the virus to the cells. Further research regarding the antiviral activity of compounds of TEO is required in order to indicate the most potent molecules that could be considered candidates for application in aquaculture.
Frequency and implications of coexistent manifestations of serious illness in older adults with dementia
Authors: Nothelle Stephanie , Bollens‐Lund Evan , Covinsky Kenneth E. , Kelley Amy 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn older adults, serious illness comprises three manifestations: dementia, activity of daily living (ADL) impairment, and other advanced medical conditions (AMC; e.g., end‐stage renal disease). Little is known about how dementia and other manifestations of serious illness co‐occur. We aim to describe the prevalence of persons with dementia (PWD) who are living with additional manifestations of serious illness, and the implications on healthcare utilization, Medicare costs, caregiving hours and out‐of‐pocket expenses.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we use data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) linked to Medicare fee‐for‐service claims. We limited inclusion to adults >65 years. Dementia was determined using validated methodology that incorporates functional and cognitive test scores from HRS. We classified PWD as having dementia alone, dementia and an AMC (irrespective of ADL impairment) or dementia and ADL impairment (without an AMC). Healthcare utilization and Medicare costs were measured in claims, caregiving hours and out‐of‐pocket expenses were self‐reported.ResultsMost PWD (67%) met criteria for another manifestation of serious illness (24% advanced medical condition, 44% ADL impairment). PWD and an AMC had the highest proportion of hospital use and the highest median total Medicare costs ($17,900 vs. $8962 dementia + ADL impairment vs. $4376 dementia alone). Mean total hours of caregiving per month were similar for PWD and an AMC and PWD and ADL impairment (142.9 and 141.9 h, respectively), while mean hours were much lower for PWD alone (47.7 h). Median out‐of‐pocket costs were highest for PWD and ADL impairment ($13,261) followed by PWD and an AMC ($10,837) and PWD alone ($7017).ConclusionsPWD commonly face another manifestation of serious illness. Dementia and ADL impairment was associated with the highest costs for PWD and families while dementia and an AMC was associated with the highest costs for Medicare.
Anesthetic effects of isoflurane and fentanyl infusion in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp) undergoing salpingectomy or deferentectomy, previously chemically restrained with ketamine–midazolam or ketamine–dexmedetomidine
Authors: Gomes Viviane Horta , Freitas Mayara Muniz , Morais Thuane do Nascimento , de Menezes Thiago Queiroz , Stocco Anieli Vidal , da Silva Marcela de Oliveira Loureiro , Balthazar Daniel de Almeida 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluated the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of two anesthetic protocols for salpingectomy or deferentectomy in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp).Materials and MethodsFive capuchin monkeys (5 per group) received ketamine (20 mg/kg) combined with midazolam (0.5 mg/kg; group KM) or dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg; group KD) intramuscularly. Anesthesia is induced with propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. Before the start of surgery, fentanyl 3 μg/kg was administered IV, and continuous infusion (10 μg/kg/min) IV was started. Times and quality of anesthetic recovery were evaluated postoperatively.ResultsKM and KD resulted in adequate chemical restraint. KD resulted in bradycardia. Intraoperative heart rate and systolic blood pressure were higher in KM than in KD. Both groups had smooth recovery. Time to standing was longer in KM than in KD.ConclusionBoth protocols allowed the performance of surgeries, with few cardiorespiratory effects. Anesthetic recovery was smooth and shorter in KD group.
Pervasive cortical and white matter anomalies in a mouse model for CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Donovan Alex P. A. , Rosko Lauren , Ellegood Jacob , Redhead Yushi , Green Jeremy B. A. , Lerch Jason P. , Huang Jeffrey K. , Basson M. Albert 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCHARGE (Coloboma of the eye, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth, Genital anomalies and Ear abnormalities) syndrome is a disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding CHD7, an ATP dependent chromatin remodelling factor, and is characterised by a diverse array of congenital anomalies. These include a range of neuroanatomical comorbidities which likely underlie the varied neurodevelopmental disorders associated with CHARGE syndrome, which include intellectual disability, motor coordination deficits, executive dysfunction, and autism spectrum disorder. Cranial imaging studies are challenging in CHARGE syndrome patients, but high‐throughput magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in mouse models allow for the unbiased identification of neuroanatomical defects. Here, we present a comprehensive neuroanatomical survey of a Chd7 haploinsufficient mouse model of CHARGE syndrome. Our study uncovered widespread brain hypoplasia and reductions in white matter volume across the brain. The severity of hypoplasia appeared more pronounced in posterior areas of the neocortex compared to anterior regions. We also perform the first assessment of white matter tract integrity in this model through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess the potential functional consequences of widespread reductions in myelin, which suggested the presence of white matter integrity defects. To determine if white matter alterations correspond to cellular changes, we quantified oligodendrocyte lineage cells in the postnatal corpus callosum, uncovering reduced numbers of mature oligodendrocytes. Together, these results present a range of promising avenues of focus for future cranial imaging studies in CHARGE syndrome patients.