bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deuterium echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) in the human liver in vivo at 7 T
Authors: Nam Kyung Min , Gursan Ayhan , Bhogal Alex A. , Wijnen Jannie P. , Klomp Dennis W. J. , Prompers Jeanine J. , Hendriks Arjan D. 
Published: May 2023

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of deuterium echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) to accelerate 3D deuterium metabolic imaging in the human liver at 7 T.MethodsA deuterium EPSI sequence, featuring a Hamming‐weighted k‐space acquisition pattern for the phase‐encoding directions, was implemented. Three‐dimensional deuterium EPSI and conventional MRSI were performed on a water/acetone phantom and in vivo in the human liver at natural abundance. Moreover, in vivo deuterium EPSI measurements were acquired after oral administration of deuterated glucose. The effect of acquisition time on SNR was evaluated by retrospectively reducing the number of averages.ResultsThe SNR of natural abundance deuterated water signal in deuterium EPSI was 6.5% and 5.9% lower than that of MRSI in the phantom and in vivo experiments, respectively. In return, the acquisition time of in vivo EPSI data could be reduced retrospectively to 2 min, beyond the minimal acquisition time of conventional MRSI (of 20 min in this case), while still leaving sufficient SNR. Three‐dimensional deuterium EPSI, after administration of deuterated glucose, enabled monitoring of hepatic glucose dynamics with full liver coverage, a spatial resolution of 20 mm isotropic, and a temporal resolution of 9 min 50 s, which could retrospectively be shortened to 2 min.ConclusionIn this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of accelerated 3D deuterium metabolic imaging of the human liver using deuterium EPSI. The acceleration obtained with EPSI can be used to increase temporal and/or spatial resolution, which will be valuable to study tissue metabolism of deuterated compounds over time.
Concordance between patient‐ and physician‐reported Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG‐ADL) scores
Authors: Dewilde Sarah , Janssen M. F. , Tollenaar Nafthali H. , Vanoli Fiammetta , Frangiamore Rita , Phillips Glenn , Paci Sandra , Mantegazza Renato , Meisel Andreas , Stascheit Frauke 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroduction/AimsMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by abnormal skeletal muscle fatiguability. The MG Activities of Daily Living (MG‐ADL) scale assesses eight symptoms and is often used as primary endpoint in MG clinical trials where it is completed by neurologists. However, in observational studies, patients frequently complete the MG‐ADL scale independently of their neurologist. In this study we aimed to assess the concordance between self‐ and physician‐reported MG‐ADL scores.MethodsAn international observational study was conducted among adult patients with MG scheduled for a routine visit or who entered the hospital via emergency services. Consenting patients and physicians completed the MG‐ADL. Concordance between assessments was calculated using Gwet's agreement coefficient (Gwet's AC) for the MG‐ADL individual items and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the MG‐ADL total score.ResultsData were collected from 137 patients (63% female; mean age, 57.7 years). Physicians assessed the patient's symptoms as slightly more severe (8.1 vs 7.5 MG‐ADL total score, respectively), corresponding to a difference of 0.6 on a range from 0 to 24. The ICC for the MG‐ADL total score between the patient and the physician assessment was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.95), showing excellent concordance. Gwet's AC showed substantial to almost perfect agreement for all items, except eyelid droop, for which the agreement was moderate.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that patients and neurologists have a concordant assessment of the patient's MG symptoms when using the MG‐ADL scale. This evidence supports patient self‐administration of the MG‐ADL in clinical practice and research.
Remodeling of the neuromuscular junction in myasthenia gravis increases serum neurofilament heavy chain levels
Authors: Wong Sui H. , Petzold Axel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroduction/AimsIn myasthenia gravis, prolonged muscle denervation causes muscle atrophy. We re‐visited this observation using a biomarker hypothesis. We tested if serum neurofilament heavy chain levels, a biomarker for axonal degeneration, were elevated in myasthenia gravis.MethodsWe enrolled 70 patients with isolated ocular myasthenia gravis and 74 controls recruited from patients in the emergency department. Demographic data were collected alongside serum samples. Serum samples were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the neurofilament heavy chain (NfH‐SMI35). The statistical analyses included group comparisons, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.ResultsSerum neurofilament heavy chain levels were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in individuals with myasthenia gravis (0.19 ng/mL) than in healthy control subjects (0.07 ng/mL). A ROC AUC optimized cutoff level of 0.06 ng/mL gave a diagnostic sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 76%, positive predictive value of 0.77 and a negative predictive value of 0.81.DiscussionThe increase of serum neurofilament heavy chain levels in myasthenia gravis is consistent with observations of muscle denervation. We suggest that there is ongoing remodeling of the neuromuscular junction in myasthenia gravis. Longitudinal quantification of neurofilament isoform levels will be needed to investigate the prognostic value and potentially guide treatment decisions.
Spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia (SPEM) cell lineages can be an origin of gastric cancer
Authors: Goldenring James R 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntestinal‐type gastric cancer arises in a field of precancerous metaplastic lineages. Two types of metaplastic glands are found in the stomachs of humans with the characteristics of pyloric metaplasia or intestinal metaplasia. While spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia (SPEM) cell lineages have been identified in both pyloric metaplasia and incomplete intestinal metaplasia, it has been unclear whether SPEM lineages or intestinal lineages can give rise to dysplasia and cancer. A recent article published in The Journal of Pathology describes a patient with evidence of an activating Kras(G12D) mutation in SPEM that is propagated into adenomatous and cancerous lesions which manifest further oncogenic mutations. This case therefore supports the concept that SPEM lineages can serve as a direct precursor for dysplasia and intestinal‐type gastric cancer. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
A review of the use of propensity score methods with multiple treatment groups in the general internal medicine literature
Authors: Shurrab Mohammed , Ko Dennis T. , Jackevicius Cynthia A. , Tu Karen , Middleton Allan , Michael Faith , Austin Peter C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundPropensity score (PS) methods with two treatment groups (e.g., treated vs. control) is a well‐established technique for reducing the effects of confounding in nonrandomized studies. However, researchers are often interested in comparing multiple interventions. PS methods have been modified to incorporate multiple exposures. We described available techniques for PS methods in multicategory exposures (≥3 groups) and examined their use in the medical literature.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted for studies published in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science until February 27, 2023. We included studies using PS methods for multiple groups in general internal medicine research.ResultsThe literature search yielded 4088 studies (2616 from PubMed, 86 from Embase, 85 from Google Scholar, 1671 from Web of Science, five from other sources). In total, 264 studies using PS method for multiple groups were identified; 61 studies were on general internal medicine topics and included. The most commonly used method was that of McCaffrey et al., which was used in 26 studies (43%), where the Toolkit for Weighting and Analysis of Nonequivalent Groups (TWANG) method and corresponding inverse probabilities of treatment weights were estimated via generalized boosted models. The next most commonly used method was pairwise propensity‐matched comparisons, which was used in 20 studies (33%). The method by Imbens et al. using a generalized propensity score was implemented in six studies (10%). Four studies (7%) used a conditional probability of being in a particular group given a set of observed baseline covariates where a multiple propensity score was estimated using a non‐parsimonious multinomial logistic regression model. Four studies (7%) used a technique that estimates generalized propensity scores and then creates 1:1:1 matched sets, and one study (2%) used the matching weight method.ConclusionsMany propensity score methods for multiple groups have been adopted in the literature. The TWANG method is the most commonly used method in the general medical literature.
QSP Designer: Quantitative systems pharmacology modeling with modular biological process map notation and multiple language code generation
Authors: Matthews Richard J. , Hollinshead David , Morrison Daniel , van der Graaf Piet H. , Kierzek Andrzej M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTypical Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) workflows involve discussion of biology, supported by graphical diagrams, followed by construction of large Ordinary Differential Equation models. QSP Designer facilitates this process by providing enhanced graphical notation, which enables hierarchical presentation with modules and handling of combinatorial complexity with diagram node arrays. Whereas the software includes a simulation engine, a major feature is full model code generation in MATLAB, R, C, and Julia to support multiple modeling communities.
Massive pulmonary embolism led to cardiac arrest two days after thoracoscopy in a young male with pleural tuberculosis
Authors: Kanjo Wael , Abbarh Shahem , Bougaila Amina , Sadik Nagham , Habib Mhd Baraa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTB itself is considered an independent risk factor for VTE; however, developing pulmonary embolism after medical thoracoscopy is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a 30‐year‐old previously healthy male with pleural tuberculosis developed a massive pulmonary embolism with subsequent cardiac arrest after a diagnostic medical thoracoscopy. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) showed major right pulmonary embolism (PE). Unfortunately, the patient passed away despite resuscitation and extensive organ support in the intensive care unit (ICU). This case highlights the thrombotic risk in this population group in order to avoid such devastating complications.
Forward modeling and inverse estimation for nonlinear filtering
Authors: Cui Haoran , Zhang Long , Wang Xiaoxu , Liu Mingyong , Wang Binglu 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe highly accurate state estimation of nonlinear systems is needed in many different application fields. In many existing nonlinear filters, the uncompensated nonlinear approximation error and widely used numerical sampling methods both seriously affect the estimation accuracy and numerical stability. In this paper, based on the variational Bayesian framework, a novel iterative nonlinear filter consisting of forward modeling and inverse estimation is proposed. In the forward modeling stage, a linear Gaussian regression process with distributed variational parameters (VPs) is designed to fit the whole nonlinear measurement likelihood. The distributed VPs consider both first and second moments information, so as to compensate for approximation error from the whole likelihood perspective, instead of only the nonlinear function approximation, which can further improve the accuracy of Bayesian posterior update. In the linear Gaussian regression process, the original nonlinear measurement function (NMF) is just viewed as a prior and no longer directly participates in the modeling of the measurement likelihood. Hence, in the inverse estimation stage, when maximizing the evidence lower bound to update the posteriors of the state and VPs, we can obtain closed‐form solutions without numerical sampling methods to approximate the integral of NMF required in many existing methods, which can guarantee numerical stability. Moreover, to avoid the random setting of hyperparameters and to block the propagation of the accumulated error, we propose two rules, estimation and lower bound consistencies, to conduct the hyperparameters' initialization at the beginning of iteration at each sampling time and also derive an optimization method to update hyperparameters during iteration. Finally, the performance of our proposed method is demonstrated in the nonlinear orbital estimation problems.
Optimization and evaluation of swing leg retraction for a hydraulic biped robot
Authors: Chen Guangrong , Wei Ningze , Lu HuaFeng , Yan Lei , Li Jin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTo improve the locomotion performance of legged robots, the swing leg retraction (SLR) technique is investigated in a hydraulic biped robot. First, the influence of SLR on the locomotion performance of the hydraulic biped robot is analyzed in theory and simulations based on an extended spring load inverted pendulum model. The influence contains three performance indicators: energy loss/effiency, friction/slipping, and impact/compliance. Second, by synthesizing three performance indicators, using unified objective method and particle swarm optimization algorithm, the optimal SLR rate for gait planning based on Bezier curve is addressed. Finally, experiments are implemented to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of proposed method. And, the results show that the SLR technique is useful to reduce the impact force, improve the robot's locomotion stability and make room for impedance performance improvement of compliance controller. This research provides an insight for locomotion control of hydraulic legged robots.
The Application of Nanoparticle‐Based Imaging and Phototherapy for Female Reproductive Organs Diseases
Authors: Luo Lihua , Zhou Huanli , Wang Sijie , Pang Mei , Zhang Junlei , Hu Yilong , You Jian 
Published: May 2023

AbstractVarious female reproductive disorders affect millions of women worldwide and bring many troubles to women's daily life. Let alone, gynecological cancer (such as ovarian cancer and cervical cancer) is a severe threat to most women's lives. Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other chronic diseases‐induced pain have significantly harmed women's physical and mental health. Despite recent advances in the female reproductive field, the existing challenges are still enormous such as personalization of disease, difficulty in diagnosing early cancers, antibiotic resistance in infectious diseases, etc. To confront such challenges, nanoparticle‐based imaging tools and phototherapies that offer minimally invasive detection and treatment of reproductive tract‐associated pathologies are indispensable and innovative. Of late, several clinical trials have also been conducted using nanoparticles for the early detection of female reproductive tract infections and cancers, targeted drug delivery, and cellular therapeutics. However, these nanoparticle trials are still nascent due to the body's delicate and complex female reproductive system. The present review comprehensively focuses on emerging nanoparticle‐based imaging and phototherapies applications, which hold enormous promise for improved early diagnosis and effective treatments of various female reproductive organ diseases.
Collective Control of Potential‐Constrained Oxygen Vacancies in Oxide Heterostructures for Gradual Resistive Switching
Authors: Jeon Jaeyoung , Eom Kitae , Lee Minkyung , Kim Sungkyu , Lee Hyungwoo 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFilamentary resistive switching in oxides is one of the key strategies for developing next‐generation non‐volatile memory devices. However, despite numerous advantages, their practical applications in neuromorphic computing are still limited due to non‐uniform and indeterministic switching behavior. Given the inherent stochasticity of point defect migration, the pursuit of reliable switching likely demands an innovative approach. Herein, a collective control of oxygen vacancies is introduced in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructures to achieve reliable and gradual resistive switching. By exploiting an electrostatic potential constraint in ultrathin LAO/STO heterostructures, the formation of conducting filaments is suppressed, but instead precisely control the concentration of oxygen vacancies. Since the conductance of the LAO/STO device is governed by the ensemble concentration of oxygen vacancies, not their individual probabilistic migrations, the resistive switching is more uniform and deterministic compared to conventional filamentary devices. It provides direct evidence for the collective control of oxygen vacancies by spectral noise analysis and modeling by Monte‐Carlo simulation. As a proof of concept, the significantly‐improved analog switching performance of the filament‐free LAO/STO devices is demonstrated, revealing potential for neuromorphic applications. The results establish an approach to store information by point defect concentration, akin to biological ionic channels, for enhancing switching characteristics of oxide materials.
Minimizing the Carrier Collection Loss of the Neutral‐Color Transparent Crystalline‐silicon Solar Modules via Hybrid Electrode Design
Authors: Lee Kangmin , Park Jeonghwan , Seo Kwanyong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTransparent solar cells can be used where conventional solar cells are inapplicable, such as, in glass windows of buildings; however, reports on modularization, which is essential for their commercialization, are scarce. Here, a novel modularization method has been proposed for the fabrication of transparent solar cells and a 100‐cm2neutral‐color transparent crystalline‐silicon solar module has been developed using a hybrid electrode comprising a microgrid electrode and an edge busbar electrode. The transparent solar module exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.94 and 13.14% when connected in series and in parallel, respectively, with an average visible transmittance of 20%. Additionally, the module exhibits negligible losses in PCE (lower than 0.23%) in outdoor, mechanical‐load, and damp‐heat (at 85°C/85% RH) stability tests, indicating high stability. The transparent solar module proposes here could facilitate the commercialization of transparent solar cells.
High‐Output Single‐Electrode Droplet Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Asymmetrical Distribution Electrostatic Induction Enhancement
Authors: Wang Wenqi , Zhang Liqiang , Wang Hanchao , Zhao Yongkang , Cheng Jiahui , Meng Jie , Wang Daoai , Liu Ying 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDroplet‐based triboelectric nanogenerators (D‐TENGs) have recently gained much attention due to their great potential in harvesting energy. However, the output performance of conventional single‐electrode droplet‐based TENGs is limited owing to low induced electrification efficiency. The asymmetric distribution of electric fields on both sides of the electrode edge enhances the electrostatic induction process and improves the output performance of D‐TENG. Herein, an induced electrification‐enhanced droplet‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (IED‐TENG) is developed to effectively enhance the output performance by simultaneously optimizing the electrode structure and the dynamics of the water droplet. One droplet falling from a height of 30 cm results in a −70 V output voltage and −6 µA short‐circuit current, which is 70 times and 20 times the full‐inductive‐electrode mode, respectively. The working principle and the relationship between electric signal and droplet dynamics are analyzed in detail. Moreover, the peak output voltage can reach −110 V, and the peak current can get −140 µA by using the power generation of multiple water droplets. The present protocol provides an easy and reproducibility strategy in energy harvesting and sensing areas.
Bio‐Responsive Macromolecular Drug and Small‐Molecular Drug Conjugates: Nanoparticulate Prodrugs for Tumor Microenvironment Heterogeneity Management and Therapeutic Response Enhancement
Authors: Li Yachao , Liang Xiaoyu , Shen Cheng , Deng Kefurong , Zeng Zenan , Guo Beiling , Xu Xianghui 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHow to break through the poor response of current drug therapy, which often resulted from tumor microenvironment heterogeneity (TMH), remains an enormous challenge in the treatment of critical diseases. In this work, a practical solution on bio‐responsive dual‐drug conjugates for overcoming TMH and improving antitumor treatment, which integrates the advantages of macromolecular drugs and small‐molecular drugs, is proposed. Nanoparticulate prodrugs based on small‐molecular drug and macromolecular drug conjugates are designed as a robust weapon for programmable multidrug delivery at tumor‐specific sites: the tumor microenvironment acid condition triggers delivery of macromolecular aptamer drugs (AX102) to manage TMH (including tumor stroma matrix, interstitial fluid pressure, vasculature network, blood perfusion, and oxygen distribution), and intracellular lysosomal acid condition activates rapid release of small‐molecular drugs (doxorubicin and dactolisib) to enhance curative effects. As compared with doxorubicin chemotherapy, the tumor growth inhibition rate is enhanced by 47.94% after multiple tumor heterogeneity management. This work verifies that the nanoparticulate prodrugs facilitate TMH management and therapeutic response enhancements, as well as elucidates synergetic mechanisms for drug resistance reversal and metastasis inhibition. It is hoped that the nanoparticulate prodrugs will be an excellent demonstration of the co‐delivery of small‐molecular drugs and macromolecular drugs.
Chiral Polymer Dots Show Unexpected Versatility of Highly Ordered Self‐Assembly into Chiroptical Liquid Crystals, Ultra‐Thin Films, and Long‐Ribbons
Authors: Yin Keyang , Zhang Jichao , Xing Pengyao , Li Honguang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCompared to the organic counterparts, chiral self‐assembly of nanomaterials shows persistency to kinetic factors such as solvent environments, and consequently, dynamic modulation of self‐assembly and functions remains major challenge. Here, it is shown that alkylated, chiral polymer dots (c‐PDs) give highly ordered self‐assemblies with amplified chirality adaptive to solvent environments, and one‐to‐many hierarchical aggregation can be realized. The c‐PDs tended to self‐assemble into nanohelices with cubic packing in the solid state, which, thanks to the thermo‐responsiveness, transformed into thermic liquid crystals upon heating. Cotton effects and circularly polarized luminescence evidenced the chirality transfer from central chirality to supramolecular chirality. At the air‐water interface, the c‐PDs are self‐assembled into monolayers, which further stack into multiple layers with chirality transfer and highly ordered packing. In addition, undergoing a good/poor solvent exchange, the c‐PDs afforded ultra‐long microribbons up to a length scale of millimeters, which are constituted by the bilayer lamellar stacking. The versatile chiral self‐assembly modalities with long‐range ordered packing arrays of carbonized c‐PDs via solvent strategy are realized. This feature is comparable to the organic species, although the c‐PDs have no atomic precise structures. This work would surely expand the applications of quantum dot ordered self‐assembly with adaptiveness to kinetic factors.