bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modifying the trajectory of epicardial leads can substantially reduce MRI‐induced RF heating in pediatric patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device at 1.5T
Authors: Jiang Fuchang , Bhusal Bhumi , Nguyen Bach , Monge Michael , Webster Gregory , Kim Daniel , Bonmassar Giorgio , Popsecu Andrada R. , Golestanirad Laleh 
Published: August 2023

PurposeAfter epicardial cardiac implantable electronic devices are implanted in pediatric patients, they become ineligible to receive MRI exams due to an elevated risk of RF heating. We investigated whether simple modifications in the trajectories of epicardial leads could substantially and reliably reduce RF heating during MRI at 1.5 T, with benefits extending to abandoned leads.MethodsElectromagnetic simulations were performed to assess RF heating of two common 35‐cm epicardial lead trajectories exhibiting different degrees of coupling with MRI incident electric fields. Experiments in anthropomorphic phantoms implanted with commercial cardiac implantable electronic devices confirmed the findings. Both electromagnetic simulations and experimental measurements were performed using head‐first and feet‐first positioning and various landmarks. Transfer function approach was used to assess the performance of suggested modifications in realistic body models.ResultsSimulations (head‐first, chest landmark) of a 35‐cm epicardial lead with a trajectory where the excess length of the lead was looped and placed on the inferior surface of the heart showed an 87‐fold reduction in the 0.1 g–averaged specific absorption rate compared with the lead where the excess length was looped on the anterior surface. Repeated experiments with a commercial epicardial device confirmed this. For fully implanted systems following low–specific absorption rate trajectories, there was a 16‐fold reduction in the average temperature rise and a 28‐fold reduction for abandoned leads. The transfer function method predicted a 7‐fold reduction in the RF heating in 336 realistic scenarios.ConclusionSurgical modification of epicardial lead trajectory can substantially reduce RF heating at 1.5 T, with benefits extending to abandoned leads.
Thin slab quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Naji Nashwan , Wilman Alan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeSusceptibility maps reconstructed from thin slabs may suffer underestimation due to background‐field removal imperfections near slab boundaries and the increased difficulty of solving a 3D‐inversion problem with reduced support, particularly in the direction of the main magnetic field. Reliable QSM reconstruction from thin slabs would enable focal acquisitions in a much‐reduced scan time.MethodsThis work proposes using additional rapid low‐resolution data of extended spatial coverage to improve background‐field estimation and regularize the inversion‐to‐susceptibility process for high resolution, thin slab data. The new method was tested using simulated and in‐vivo brain data of high resolution (0.33 × 0.33 × 0.33 mm3 and 0.54 × 0.54 × 0.65 mm3, respectively) at 3T, and compared to the standard large volume approach.ResultsUsing the proposed method, in‐vivo high‐resolution QSM at 3T was obtained from slabs of width as small as 10.4 mm, aided by a lower‐resolution dataset of 24 times coarser voxels. Simulations showed that the proposed method produced more consistent measurements from slabs of at least eight slices. Reducing the mean ROI error to 5% required the low‐resolution data to cover ˜60 mm in the direction of the main field, have at least 2‐mm isotropic resolution that is not coarser than the high‐resolution data by more than four‐fold in any direction.ConclusionApplying the proposed method enabled focal QSM acquisitions at sub‐millimeter resolution within reasonable acquisition time.
Recommendations to improve maternal health equity among Black women in “The South”: A position paper from the SNRS minority health research interest & implementation group
Authors: Eapen Doncy , Mbango Catherine , Daniels Glenda , Mathew Joseph Nitha , Mary Annapoorna , Mathews Nisha , Carr Kathryn Kravetz , Wells Cheryl , Suriaga Armiel , Saint Fleur Angeline 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBlack women in the United States experience a higher maternal mortality rate compared to other racial groups. The maternal mortality rate among non‐Hispanic Black women is 3.5 times that of non‐Hispanic White women and is higher in the South compared to other regions. The majority of pregnancy‐related deaths in Black women are deemed to be preventable. Healthy People 2030 directs healthcare providers to advance health equity through societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and healthcare disparities. The Southern Nursing Research Society has put forward this position paper to provide recommendations to improve maternal health equity among Black women. Recommendations for nurses, multidisciplinary healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers are discussed.
Improvement of the tensile properties of laminated composites reinforced with Heli‐Coil forms of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Sritharan Ramanan , Askari Davood 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe traditional composite laminated structures suffer from the absence of reinforcements in the thickness direction between the laminae and microfibers, which will result in poor interaction between the laminae, individual microfiber filaments, and the resin. In addition, out‐of‐the‐plane properties are generally dominated and controlled by poor matrix properties (e.g., mechanical, electrical, and thermal). Most prior investigations were focused on the use of straight carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, or nanomaterials in particle forms to improve the resin properties. Our previous research has shown that CNTs with helical (Heli‐Coil) geometries (HCNTs) are more effective as a nanoscale reinforcement to improve the properties of polymeric resins. Because of their inertness, the interfacial bonding between CNTs and the resin is generally weak, and they can be easily pulled out of the resin (inefficient load transfer) if the CNTs are in their straight forms. However, the helical geometries of HCNTs can provide unique mechanical‐interlocking mechanisms between the constituents that can substantially improve their effectiveness as a nanoscale reinforcement, leading to improvements in composite performance, properties, and multifunctionality. In this research, HCNTs at low concentrations below 0.1 wt% were processed and then used to fabricate nanocomposite laminates. Tensile test specimens were carefully prepared following the ASTM D3039/D3039M standard and then tested, analyzed, and evaluated. Additionally, the fractured test specimens were inspected and analyzed using optical and 3D scanning laser‐confocal‐microscopy imaging. The test results showed improvements of 12.3%, 11.3%, and 17.5% for the tensile strength, modulus, and strain‐to‐failure, respectively. In conclusion, traditional fiber‐reinforced composites can considerably benefit from the helical forms of HCNTs.Highlights
The helical geometry of CNTs (HCNTs) is more effective for composite reinforcement.
HCNTs provide unique interlocking mechanisms between the composite constituents.
HCNTs can considerably improve the multifunctional characteristics of the composites.
HCNTs can considerably improve the tensile properties of composite laminates.
Traditional composites can substantially benefit from the helical forms of HCNTs.
Pathogenic roles of microRNAs and competing endogenous RNAs in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR): Potential diagnostic markers for HSCR
Authors: Hou Lian , Kang Quan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non‐coding single‐stranded RNAs. They can bind to the 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) of mRNAs and regulate the expression of their target genes by inducing degradation or translation inhibition of the corresponding mRNAs. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) can disable miRNAs by combining miRNAs response elements (MREs) with miRNAs. Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a common pediatric surgical disease in which cells derived from the enteric neural crest fail to colonize the distal colon, but its pathogenesis is not very clear. In recent years, with more and more studies on miRNAs in HSCR, miRNAs seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of HSCR. miRNAs in HSCR affect the proliferation and migration of enteric neural crest cells mainly through target genes, and ceRNAs inhibit miRNAs, thus participating in the pathogenesis of HSCR. It was reported that some miRNAs in the serum of children with HSCR were significantly higher than those in the control group. Therefore, miRNAs are expected to be a new noninvasive early screening biomarker and targeted therapy point for HSCR. Here, we provide a summary of the understanding of miRNAs and ceRNAs in regulating enteric nervous system proliferation and migration and their roles in the pathogenesis of HSCR.
Sex disparities in treatment patterns after metformin initiation among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Oktora Monika P. , de Vos Stijn , de Vries Sieta T. , Hak Eelko , Denig Petra 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeTo assess sex differences in treatment patterns after metformin initiation among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients.MethodsA cohort study was conducted using the Groningen Initiative to ANalyze Type 2 diabetes Treatment (GIANTT) primary care database. Patients aged ≥18 years initiating metformin were followed 2–5 years. Markov modeling was conducted to estimate treatment transition rates and calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing men with women adjusted for age, HbA1c level at initiation, and cardiovascular disease history. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to determine the time to and likelihood of getting treatment intensification. HbA1c levels at initiation and intensification were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests.ResultsIn total, 11 508 metformin initiators were included (50.1% women). The most common transition after initiation was a dose increase (probability women 0.52, men 0.59, no significant difference). Women were more likely than men to switch to any other non‐insulin hypoglycemic agent after initiation (aHR 1.66; 95% CI 1.31–2.12), after dose increase (aHR 1.48; 95% CI 1.10–1.98) and after dose decrease (aHR 2.64; 95% CI 1.28–5.46). Time to intensification was longer, time to switching was shorter, and HbA1c levels at initiation and intensification were lower for women than men.ConclusionsSex disparities were observed in treatment transitions after metformin initiation. Women more often switched treatment than men, which suggest that prescribers acknowledge more tolerance or other problems for metformin in women. Men intensified treatment earlier and at higher HbA1c levels, indicative of a higher need for treatment intensification.
Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins
Authors: Walker Andrew A. , Perkins Lynda E. , Battisti Andrea , Zalucki Myron P. , King Glenn F. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOchrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is an Australian processionary caterpillar with detachable urticating setae that have a defensive function. These true setae induce inflammation when they contact human skin, and equine foetal loss syndrome if they are accidentally ingested by gravid horses. We used transcriptomics and proteomics to identify proteins and peptides present in and on urticating setae, which may include toxins that contribute to inflammation and/or foetal loss syndromes. This process identified 37 putative toxins, including multiple homologues of the honeybee venom peptide secapin, and proteins with similarity to odorant binding proteins, arylphorins, and the insect immune modulator Diedel. This work identifies candidate molecules that may contribute to the adverse effects of processionary caterpillar setae on human and animal health.
Efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma and platelet‐rich fibrin in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Yundong , Du Liang , Yang Bowen , Fan Donghao , Jia Shaohui , Zheng Cheng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveBasic scientific studies have demonstrated positive effects of platelet‐rich therapies, such as platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF), on tendon repair. However, clinical evidence indicating improved prognosis is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine whether augmentation of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with PRP and PRF improves outcomes compared to arthroscopic repair alone.Literature SurveyPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until June 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. No language restriction was applied.MethodologyThe primary outcomes were the rate of repeat tears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (retear rate) and clinical function scores (Constant‐Murley Score, University of California, Los Angeles Score), and the extracted data were assessed for quality. Statistical analyses were performed using Review manager 5.3, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant.SynthesisTen RCTs with 628 patients were included. The results showed that augmenting surgery with PRP reduces retear rates compared to surgery alone (risk ratio [RR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.69, p = .001), whereas PRF has no effect on retear rates (p = .92). Regarding clinical function, PRP improves Constant‐Murley scores (mean difference [MD] = 2.03, 95% CI 0.13–3.93, p = .04) and University of California, Los Angeles scores (MD = 1.30, 95% CI 0.36–2.24, p = .007), whereas PRF improves only Constant‐Murley scores (MD = 3.93, 95% CI 1.50–6.36, p = .002). However, these differences were small and below the minimum clinically important difference threshold.ConclusionsThis study showed that compared to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone, the application of PRP in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair reduces retear rate and improves clinical function scores, whereas the application of PRF has no clinically meaningful benefit. The small number and heterogeneity of studies as well as methodological limitations and risk of bias limit confidence in the true effect.
Cannabidiol tempers alcohol intake and neuroendocrine and behavioural correlates in alcohol binge drinking adolescent rats. Focus on calcitonin gene‐related peptide's brain levels
Authors: Tringali Giuseppe , Lavanco Gianluca , Castelli Valentina , Pizzolanti Giuseppe , Kuchar Martin , Currò Diego , Cannizzaro Carla , Brancato Anna 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlcohol binge drinking is common among adolescents and may challenge the signalling systems that process affective stimuli, including calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) signalling. Here, we employed a rat model of adolescent binge drinking to evaluate reward‐, social‐ and aversion‐related behaviour, glucocorticoid output and CGRP levels in affect‐related brain regions. As a potential rescue, the effect of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol was explored. Adolescent male rats underwent the intermittent 20% alcohol two‐bottle choice paradigm; at the binge day (BD) and the 24 h withdrawal day (WD), we assessed CGRP expression in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala, hypothalamus and brainstem; in addition, we evaluated sucrose preference, social motivation and drive, nociceptive response, and serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol (40 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered before each drinking session, and its effect was measured on the above‐mentioned readouts. At BD and WD, rats displayed decreased CGRP expression in mPFC, NAc and amygdala; increased CGRP levels in the brainstem; increased response to rewarding‐ and nociceptive stimuli and decreased social drive; reduced serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol reduced alcohol consumption and preference; normalised the abnormal corticolimbic CGRP expression, and the reward and aversion‐related hyper‐responsivity, as well as glucocorticoid levels in alcohol binge‐like drinking rats. Overall, CGRP can represent both a mediator and a target of alcohol binge‐like drinking and provides a further piece in the intricate puzzle of alcohol‐induced behavioural and neuroendocrine sequelae. CBD shows promising effects in limiting adolescent alcohol binge drinking and rebalancing the bio‐behavioural abnormalities.
Perspective on Solid‐State Single‐Photon Sources in the Infrared for Quantum Technology
Authors: Castelletto Stefania , Boretti Alberto 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSolid‐state single‐photon sources in the infrared region are crucial for advancing quantum technologies, in particular long‐distance fiber or on‐chip quantum communication, quantum key distribution, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and fundamental research. The ability to generate and manipulate individual photons in the infrared spectrum is an area of expansion due to the availability of advanced material quality or new emerging materials. The latest advancements in the discovery and utilization of single‐photon sources in various material platforms and their foreseeable future development are here summarized.
Dynamic Electronic and Ionic Transport Actuated by Cobalt‐Doped MoSe2/rGO for Superior Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tao Song , Zhang Xinyue , Gao Zhaoyang , Chen Tsung‐Yi , Min Huihua , Yang Hao , Chen Han‐Yi , Shen Xiaodong , Wang Jin , Yang Hui 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMolybdenum selenium (MoSe2) has tremendous potential in potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to its large interlayer distance, favorable bandgap, and high theoretical specific capacity. However, the poor conductivity and large K+ insertion/extraction in MoSe2 inevitably leads to sluggish reaction kinetics and poor structural stability. Herein, Coinduced engineering is employed to illuminate high‐conductivity electron pathway and mobile ion diffusion of MoSe2 nanosheets anchored on reduced graphene oxide substrate (Co‐MoSe2/rGO). Benefiting from the activated electronic conductivity and ion diffusion kinetics, and an expanded interlayer spacing resulting from Co doping, combined with the interface coupling with highly conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) substrate through Mo‐C bonding, the Co‐MoSe2/rGO anode demonstrates remarkable reversible capacity, superior rate capability, and stable long‐term cyclability for potassium storage, as well as superior energy density and high power density for potassium‐ion capacitors. Systematic performance measurement, dynamic analysis, in‐situ/ex‐situ measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the performance‐enhancing mechanism of Co‐MoSe2/rGO in view of the electronic and ionic transport kinetics. This work offers deep atomic insights into the fundamental factors of electrodes for potassium‐ion batteries/capacitors with superior electrochemical performance.
ChArmTelo Enables Large‐Scale Chromosome Arm‐Level Telomere Analysis across Human Populations and in Cancer Patients
Authors: Guo Mengbiao , Songyang Zhou , Xiong Yuanyan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTelomeres are structures protecting chromosome ends. However, a scalable and cost‐effective method to investigate chromosome arm‐level (ChArm) telomeres (Telos) in large‐scale projects is still lacking, hindering intensive investigation of high‐resolution telomeres across cancers and other diseases. Here, ChArmTelo, the first computational toolbox to analyze telomeres at chromosome arm level in human and other animal species, using 10X linked‐read and similar technologies, is presented. ChArmTelo currently consists of two algorithms, TeloEM and TeloKnow, for arm‐level telomere length (TL) analysis. The algorithms are demonstrated by comprehensive analysis of chromosome arm‐level telomere lengths (chArmTLs) in nearly 400 whole genome sequencing samples (WGS) from human populations and animals, including healthy and cancer samples. Notably, considerable performance improvement contributed by using the latest complete telomere‐to‐telomere reference genome (CHM13v2), compared to hg38, is shown. ChArmTelo reveals population‐specific chArmTL differences and liver cancer signatures of chArmTLs and that DNA replication origin disruption may contribute to cancer by affecting TLs. Importantly, ChArmTelo can be readily applied to tens of thousands of cancer and healthy samples with published WGS data.
The Voltage‐Adaptive Effect in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Integrated with an Electron‐Conductive Interlayer
Authors: Wang Junzhang , Xu Yunkai , Xu Zhou , Shan Yunpeng , Yang Jingting , Luo Zhongkuan , Yang Hui , Guo Xingzhong , Lu Jun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered as one of the top competitors to go beyond Li‐ion batteries. However, the shuttle effect triggered by soluble lithium polysulfides (LPSs) brings great troubles for understanding the solid–liquid–solid conversion process of the sulfur cathode. Herein, a new characterization technique is developed to deepen the understanding of such soluble LPSs shuttling, by integrating an electron‐conductive interlayer. The voltage of the interlayer exhibits a voltage‐adaptive effect to the cathode, indicating the true dependence of the open‐circuit voltages on the LPSs instead of on the solid cathodes. Furthermore, a quantitative method can be introduced to monitor the shuttling LPSs by such interlayer design, and it shows great potential to be a new standard technique, providing direct comparison of the shuttle effect between different studies. The newly developed interlayer design paves an avenue to gain new insight into the reaction process and improve the performance of Li–S batteries.
Genetically Engineered Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of mRNA to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Chen Jianhai , Tan Jianwei , Li Jian , Cheng Wenxiang , Ke Liqing , Wang Anqiao , Wang Qiqing , Lin Sien , Li Gang , Wang Benguo , Chen Jingqin , Zhang Peng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn addition to inhibiting persistent inflammation, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) is known as an important therapeutic target for alleviating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Modulation of PTEN gene expression in synovial tissue using messenger RNA (mRNA) is a promising approach to combat RA. However, mRNA therapeutics are often hampered by unsatisfactory stability and inefficient localization in synovial tissue. In this study, a genetically engineered biomimetic membrane‐coated mRNA (MR@P‐mPTEN) carrier that effectively delivers mRNA‐PTEN (mPTEN) directly to the RA joint is presented. By overexpressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) receptors on macrophage biomimetic membranes via plasmid transfection, decoys that reduce inflammatory pathway activation are prepared for TNF‐α. The resulting construct, MR@P‐mPTEN, shows good stability and RA targeting based on in vivo fluorescence imaging. It is also found that MR@P‐mPTEN competitively binds TNF‐α and activates the PTEN pathway in vitro and in vivo, thereby inhibiting synovitis and joint damage. Clinical micro‐computed tomography and histological analyses confirm the treatment effects. These results suggest that the genetically engineered biomimetic therapeutic platform MR@P‐mPTEN both inhibits pro‐inflammatory cytokines and upregulates PTEN protein expression to alleviate RA damage, providing a new a new combination strategy for RA treatment.