bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary investigation on the effect of extracorporeal shock wave combined with traction on joint contracture based on PTEN‐PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Run , Zhou Ting , Wang Feng , Zhou Chen Xu , Wang Hua , Zhang Quan Bing , Zhou Yun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo investigate the intervention effect of extracorporeal shock wave combined with manual traction on fixation‐induced knee contracture and its influence on PTEN‐PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thirty‐six SD male rats were randomly divided into six groups. The left knee joints were not fixed in the control group (C group). Rats in other groups underwent brace fixation in the extended position of the left knee. After 4 weeks of bracing, it is randomly divided into five groups: Model group (M group), natural recovery group (NR group), extracorporeal shock wave treatment group (ET group), manual traction group (MT group), and extracorporeal shock wave combined with manual traction group (CT group). Joint range of motion (ROM) of left knee was carried out to assess joint function. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were respectively used to assess the cell number and collagen deposition expression. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to assess protein levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (AKT). The combined therapy was more effective than extracorporeal shock wave therapy or manual traction alone against the joint ROM, cell number and the collagen deposition, low‐expression of PTEN, and overexpression of PI3K/AKT in the anterior joint capsule of rats with knee extension contracture. Extracorporeal shock wave combined with manual traction can promote the histopathological changes of anterior joint capsule fibrosis, upregulate the protein expression of PTEN and downregulate the protein expression of PI3K/AKT in the fibrotic joint capsule in a rat joint contracture model.
Role of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in Evaluation of Cystic Renal Mass
Authors: Das Chandan J. , Agarwal Keshav , Sharma Sanjay , Seth Amlesh 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesContrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows excellent delineation of perfusion in septa and nodules without exposure to ionizing radiation or nephrotoxic contrast media. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of CEUS for the assessment of cystic renal masses and compare its diagnostic performance with that of CECT.MethodsExactly 40 patients diagnosed to have cystic renal masses on CECT scan were prospectively evaluated with CEUS and were assigned a Bosniak class. Based on results of final histopathology and clinical follow‐up, internal validity of both CEUS and CECT was evaluated, including agreement between these two modalities.ResultsOut of the 40 patients (mean size 3.1 ± 2.5 cm), 23 patients had benign lesions and 17 patients had malignant lesions. For CEUS, the sensitivity and negative predictive value was 100%, the specificity and positive predictive value was 73.9%. For CECT, the sensitivity and negative predictive value were 88.2 and 83.3%, respectively, whereas the specificity and positive predictive value was 87 and 90.9%, respectively. Both imaging modalities had similar accuracy with fair to good agreement with the final diagnosis (Κ = 0.71 and 0.75 for CEUS and CECT, respectively). Concordance between CEUS and CECT was seen in 29 patients (72.5%) with fair agreement between the two modalities (K = 0.66).ConclusionCEUS has comparable accuracy with CECT and could be used as screening modality to rule out the presence of complex cystic renal masses without exposure of nephrotoxic contrast media and ionizing radiation.
Long‐Term Hearing Outcome of Cochlear Implantation in Cases with Simultaneous Intracochlear Schwannoma Resection
Authors: Di Micco Riccardo , Salcher Rolf , Lesinski‐Schiedat Anke , Lenarz Thomas 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesThe aim was to analyze the long‐term hearing results after simultaneous microsurgical extirpation via enlarged cochleostomy and cochlear implantation in intracochlear schwannoma as compared with non‐tumor single‐side deafness patients.MethodsMicrosurgical extirpation via enlarged cochleostomy with simultaneous cochlear implantation was performed in 15 cases of intracochlear schwannoma between 2014 and 2021. Speech recognition tests in German language and impedance performances were collected over 36 months of observation and compared with an internal cohort of 52 age matched non‐tumor single‐side deafness patients. Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center.ResultsThe surgery proved feasible and uneventful in all cases. In the case of intracochlear schwannoma, the hearing rehabilitation results were highly satisfactory and comparable to those of the non‐tumor single‐side deafness cohort. The speech recognition performance improved steadily in the first 12 months; afterward, it remained stable, providing indirect evidence against tumor recurrence during the follow‐up. One patient required implant revision surgery related to device failure, but no recurrence was registered in the 36 months of observation.ConclusionsCochlear implantation is the strategy of choice for hearing rehabilitation in case of intracochlear schwannomas in the long term. In particular, the combination of tumor extirpation via cochleostomy with a cochlear implantation in the same surgical time offers a viable therapy for intracochlear schwannoma, granting a sufficient degree of radicality without compromising the cochlear integrity. This technique allows for revision surgery if required.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 134:1854–1860, 2024
Effects of Thyroarytenoid Activation Induced Vibratory Asymmetry on Voice Acoustics and Perception
Authors: Chung Hye Rhyn , Lee Yoonjeong , Reddy Neha K. , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionAsymmetry of vocal fold (VF) vibration is common in patients with voice complaints and also observed in 10% of normophonic individuals. Although thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle activation plays a crucial role in regulating VF vibration, how TA activation asymmetry relates to voice acoustics and perception is unclear. We evaluated the relationship between TA activation asymmetry and the resulting acoustics and perception.MethodsAn in vivo canine model of phonation was used to create symmetric and increasingly asymmetric VF vibratory conditions via graded stimulation of bilateral TA muscles. Naïve listeners (n = 89) rated the perceptual quality of 100 unique voice samples using a visual sort‐and‐rate task. For each phonatory condition, cepstral peak prominence (CPP), harmonic amplitude (H1‐H2), and root‐mean‐square (RMS) energy of the voice were measured. The relationships between these metrics, vibratory asymmetry, and perceptual ratings were evaluated.ResultsIncreasing levels of TA asymmetry resulted in declining listener preference. Furthermore, only severely asymmetric audio samples were perceptually distinguishable from symmetric and mildly asymmetric conditions. CPP was negatively correlated with TA asymmetry: voices produced with larger degrees of asymmetry were associated with lower CPP values. Listeners preferred audio samples with higher values of CPP, high RMS energy, and lower H1‐H2 (less breathy).ConclusionListeners are sensitive to changes in voice acoustics related to vibratory asymmetry. Although increasing vibratory asymmetry is correlated with decreased perceptual ratings, mild asymmetries are perceptually tolerated. This study contributes to our understanding of voice production and quality by identifying perceptually salient and clinically meaningful asymmetry.Level of EvidenceN/A (Basic Science Study) Laryngoscope, 134:1327–1332, 2024
Ephemeral gully development in the hilly and gully region of China's loess plateau
Authors: Liu Boyang , Zhang Biao , Yin Ziming , Hao Bai , Wu Shufang , Feng Hao , Siddique Kadambot H. M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEphemeral gully erosion is a significant form of soil erosion that visibly impacts soil productivity and restricts land use. While watersheds are fundamental for controlling soil erosion, past studies have focused on individual ephemeral gully or slope types, which do not fully represent changes in ephemeral gullies at the watershed scale. This research used remote sensing images (0.5 m resolution), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and field investigations to analyze the spatial–temporal evolution and development rate of ephemeral gully erosion at the watershed scale on the Loess Plateau from 2009 to 2021. Using spatial information and morphological parameters of ephemeral gullies obtained from the SegNet model, we found that: (1) ephemeral gully numbers decreased from 4495 in 1999 to 2312 in 2021 due to improved vegetation coverage; (2) average growth rates of ephemeral gully frequency, length, density, dissection degree, and width were 2.87 km−2 year−1, 1.66 m year−1, 0.12 km km−2 year−1, 0.01% year−1, and 0.04 m year−1, respectively; (3) ephemeral gully erosion volume (V) and length (L) had a good power function relationship: . The root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) between measured and predicted ephemeral gully volumes indicated that the V–L relationship has a good predictive ability for ephemeral gully volume; thus, the V–L model was used to evaluate the development rate of ephemeral gully erosion volume in small watersheds from 2009 to 2021, revealing an average value of 743.20 m3 year−1. This study presents an empirical model for assessing ephemeral gully volume and volume changes at a watershed scale using high‐resolution remote sensing images, providing a reference for understanding the development of ephemeral gully erosion in small watersheds over time.
How do journals publishing palliative and end‐of‐life care research report ethical approval and informed consent?
Authors: Godskesen Tove , Vie Knut Jørgen , Bülow William , Holmberg Bodil , Helgesson Gert , Eriksson Stefan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study explores how papers published in international journals in palliative and end‐of‐life care report ethical approval and informed consent. A literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, the ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection, PsycINFO, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). A total of 169 empirical studies from 101 journals were deductively coded and analysed. The results showed that 5% of publications provided no information on ethical approval, 12% reported minimal information, 56% reported rudimentary information, and 27% reported comprehensive details. We also found that 13% did not report any information on informed consent, 17% reported minimal information, 50% reported rudimentary information, and 19% reported comprehensive details. The prevalence of missing and incomplete ethical statements and inadequate reporting of informed consent processes in recent publications raises concerns and highlights the need for improvement. We suggest that journals advocate high reporting standards and potentially reject papers that do not meet ethical requirements, as this is the quickest path to improvement.
Assessment of vocal fold movement through anterior–posterior view of videofluoroscopic swallowing study
Authors: Lee JoonHee , Ahn Hye Joon , Kang Min Soo , Choi Kyoung Hyo , Lee Yoon Se , Oh Byung‐Mo , Lee Seung Hak 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess the value of using videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) for assessing vocal fold paralysis.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients who underwent VFSS with a vocal fold testing maneuver from June 2020 to February 2022, and who had undergone laryngoscopy within 2 weeks before or after VFSS. The vocal fold testing maneuver consisted of making an ‘e’ sound for about 2–3 seconds during VFSS anterior–posterior (AP) view. The diagnostic value of the VFSS was evaluated by a trained reviewer, who assessed the presence and laterality of vocal fold paralysis by examining videos of the patients performing the vocal fold testing maneuver. Intra‐rater reliability was determined by evaluation of the videos by the same reviewer 2 weeks later, and inter‐rater reliability was determined by evaluation by a second reviewer.ResultsSeventy patients were enrolled in the study. The positive predictive value was 91.43% and the intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliabilities, as determined by Cohen's kappa value, were 0.746 and 0.824 respectively.ConclusionsThe presence and laterality of vocal fold paralysis were identified accurately and reliably by the reviewers, showing that VFSS can be used to assess vocal fold paralysis.Level of evidence2.
Associations between lipid profiles and late‐life cognitive impairment among oldest‐old and centenarian adults
Authors: Chen Yujian , Yang Kaidi , Huang Ya , Wang Xuejiao , Zhao Yali , Ping Ping , Guan Shasha , Fu Shihui 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDyslipidemia and cognitive impairment are common among old adults and the occurrence of them rises exponentially with increasing age. Evidences of the relationships between serum lipids and cognitive impairment are inconsistent or equivocal among older adults. This study aimed to investigate the associations between lipid profiles and late‐life cognitive impairment among oldest‐old and centenarian adults. In this cross‐sectional study, serum lipids were biochemically measured among 606 oldest‐old adults and 653 centenarians, and cognitive function was evaluated using mini‐mental state examination (MMSE). Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the associations between serum lipids and cognitive impairment. Results showed participants with cognitive impairment had lower total cholesterol (TC) levels compared with those without cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). TC levels were positively associated with MMSE (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a negative association was observed between TC levels and cognitive impairment (p for trend = 0.002). This negative association remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (p for trend = 0.028). These results suggested that older adults with higher TC levels were likely to have better cognitive function. Taking immoderate cholesterol‐lowering drugs among older adults is questionable and requires investigation, and cognitive performance of old adults with lower TC levels deserves more attention.
Reactivation of Ni‐TiO2 catalysts in hydrogen flow and in supercritical 2‐propanol—Comparative study by electron spin resonance in situ
Authors: Kandarakova Irina , Yakushkin Stanislav , Nesterov Nikolay , Philippov Alexey , Martyanov Oleg 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHighly dispersed Ni‐TiO2 catalyst has been studied in the process of preparation and under catalytic transfer hydrogenation reaction conditions in supercritical 2‐propanol (250°C, 70 bar) using electron spin resonance in situ. Electron spin resonance in situ has been used to study the process of the catalyst passivation and subsequent reduction of the oxide layer in the gas flow. Reduction of the NiO layer on the surface of passivated Ni nanoparticles has been detected in supercritical 2‐propanol, which is in agreement with kinetic modeling data. It has been found that the reduction of the nickel oxide layer in supercritical 2‐propanol occurs at a lower temperature compared with the reduction in hydrogen flow, according to in situ electron spin resonance study.
Optimization of 3D dynamic speech MRI: Poisson‐disc undersampling and locally higher‐rank reconstruction through partial separability model with regional optimized temporal basis
Authors: Jin Riwei , Li Yudu , Shosted Ryan K. , Xing Fangxu , Gilbert Imani , Perry Jamie L. , Woo Jonghye , Liang Zhi‐Pei , Sutton Bradley P. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPurposeTo improve the spatiotemporal qualities of images and dynamics of speech MRI through an improved data sampling and image reconstruction approach.MethodsFor data acquisition, we used a Poisson‐disc random under sampling scheme that reduced the undersampling coherence. For image reconstruction, we proposed a novel locally higher‐rank partial separability model. This reconstruction model represented the oral and static regions using separate low‐rank subspaces, therefore, preserving their distinct temporal signal characteristics. Regional optimized temporal basis was determined from the regional‐optimized virtual coil approach. Overall, we achieved a better spatiotemporal image reconstruction quality with the potential of reducing total acquisition time by 50%.ResultsThe proposed method was demonstrated through several 2‐mm isotropic, 64 mm total thickness, dynamic acquisitions with 40 frames per second and compared to the previous approach using a global subspace model along with other k‐space sampling patterns. Individual timeframe images and temporal profiles of speech samples were shown to illustrate the ability of the Poisson‐disc under sampling pattern in reducing total acquisition time. Temporal information of sagittal and coronal directions was also shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the locally higher‐rank operator and regional optimized temporal basis. To compare the reconstruction qualities of different regions, voxel‐wise temporal SNR analysis were performed.ConclusionPoisson‐disc sampling combined with a locally higher‐rank model and a regional‐optimized temporal basis can drastically improve the spatiotemporal image quality and provide a 50% reduction in overall acquisition time.
Modelling the time‐dependent mechanical behaviour of clay rocks based on meso‐ and micro‐structural viscous properties
Authors: Sun Yufeng , Pardoen Benoît , van den Eijnden Bram , Wong Henry 
Published: September 2023

AbstractClay rocks are multiphase porous media having a complex structure and behaviour characterised by heterogeneity, damage and viscosity, existing on a wide range of scales. The mesoscopic scale of mineral inclusions embedded in a clay matrix has an important role in the mechanisms of deformation under mechanical loading by cracking and creeping. This study introduces a micromechanical approach to model the time‐dependent mechanical behaviour of clay rocks. A heterogeneous clay rock is represented at the mesoscopic scale as a composite material consisting of rigid elastic mineral inclusions (quartz, calcite and pyrite) embedded in a clay matrix. To describe the damageable rock behaviour and its failure modes at the small scale, interfaces between different mineral phases and within the clay matrix are considered. Viscous effects are incorporated inside the clay aggregates, with intergranular microfractures propagating in the clay matrix, in order to investigate their contribution to the creep behaviour of clay rock at the macroscale. The mesostructure of the clay rock is represented in digital 2D Representative Elementary Areas (REAs). The overall mesoscale behaviour of the clay rock under mechanical solicitation is numerically obtained from the REA by computational homogenisation within a two‐scale finite element squared framework. Then, the model is validated at mesoscale against experimental data. The variability of the material response and the time evolution of the mineral interfacial damage state are investigated in relation to the small‐scale properties and failure, while considering mesostructure variability. The results can give some valuable insights into creep behaviour of the clay rock from a small‐scale perspective.
Evaluation of alterations in interstitial fluid dynamics in cases of whole‐brain radiation using the diffusion‐weighted image analysis along the perivascular space method
Authors: Taoka Toshiaki , Ito Rintaro , Nakamichi Rei , Nakane Toshiki , Kawamura Mariko , Ishihara Shunichi , Ichikawa Kazushige , Kawai Hisashi , Naganawa Shinji 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn the current study, we assessed changes in interstitial fluid dynamics resulting after whole‐brain radiotherapy using the diffusion‐weighted image analysis along the perivascular space (DWI‐ALPS) method, which is a simplified variation of the diffusion tensor image ALPS (DTI‐ALPS) method using diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) with orthogonal motion‐probing gradients (MPGs). This retrospective study included 47 image sets from 22 patients who underwent whole‐brain radiotherapy for brain tumors. The data for the normal control group comprised 105 image sets from 105 participants with no pathological changes. DWI was performed with the three MPGs applied in an orthogonal direction to the imaging plane, and apparent diffusion coefficient images for the x‐, y‐, and z‐axes were retrospectively generated. The ALPS index was calculated to quantify interstitial fluid dynamics. The independent t‐test was used to compare the ALPS index between normal controls and patients who underwent whole‐brain radiotherapy. Patients were compared in all age groups and individual age groups (20–39, 40–59, and 60–84 years). We also examined the correlation between biologically equivalent doses (BEDs) and the ALPS index, as well as the correlation between white matter hyperintensity and the ALPS index. In the comparison of all age groups, the ALPS index was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the postradiation group (1.32 ± 0.16) than in the control group (1.44 ± 0.17), suggesting that interstitial fluid dynamics were altered in patients following whole‐brain radiotherapy. Significant age group differences were found (40–59 years: p < 0.01; 60–84 years: p < 0.001), along with a weak negative correlation between BEDs (r = −0.19) and significant correlations between white matter hyperintensity and the ALPS index (r = −0.46 for periventricular white matter, r = −0.38 for deep white matter). It was concluded that the ALPS method using DWI with orthogonal MPGs suggest alteration in interstitial fluid dynamics in patients after whole‐brain radiotherapy. Further systematic prospective studies are required to investigate their association with cognitive symptoms.