bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Properties of Knee Medial Collateral Ligament Compared to Palmaris Longus for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Huang Dave , Foster Lukas , Stone Michael , Kulber David , Metzger Melodie F. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUlnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is frequently performed among injured overhead-throwing athletes. One of the most common graft choices when performing a UCLR is the ipsilateral palmaris longus tendon (PL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the material properties of aseptically processed cadaveric knee collateral ligaments (kMCL) as a potential graft source for UCLR and compare them to the gold standard PL autograft. Each PL and kMCL cadaveric sample was subjected to cyclic preconditioning, stress relaxation, and load-to-failure testing, and the mechanical properties were recorded. PL samples exhibited a greater average decrease in stress compared to the kMCL samples during the stress-relaxation test (p < 0.0001). PL samples also demonstrated a greater average Young’s modulus in the linear region of the stress–strain curve compared to the kMCL samples (p < 0.01). The average yield strain and maximum strain of kMCL samples were significantly greater than the PL, p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively. Both graft materials had comparable maximum toughness and demonstrated a similar ability to deform plastically without rupture. The clinical significance of our result is that prepared knee medial collateral ligament allografts may provide a viable graft material for use in the reconstruction of elbow ligaments.
Multi-task learning for few-shot biomedical relation extraction
Authors: Moscato Vincenzo , Napolano Giuseppe , Postiglione Marco , Sperlì Giancarlo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has advanced rapidly, but it has limited impact on biomedical text understanding due to a lack of annotated datasets (a.k.a. few-shot learning). Multi-task learning, which uses data from multiple datasets and tasks with related syntax and semantics, has potential to address this issue. However, the effectiveness of this approach heavily relies on the quality of the available data and its transferability between tasks. In this paper, we propose a framework, built upon a state-of-the-art multi-task method (i.e. MT-DNN), that leverages different publicly available biomedical datasets to enhance relation extraction performance. Our model employs a transformer-based architecture with shared encoding layers across multiple tasks, and task-specific classification layers to generate task-specific representations. To further improve performance, we utilize a knowledge distillation technique. In our experiments, we assess the impact of incorporating biomedical datasets in a multi-task learning setting and demonstrate that it consistently outperforms state-of-the-art few-shot learning methods in cases of limited data. This results in significant improvement across most datasets and few-shot scenarios, particularly in terms of recall scores.
Cyclic pressure induced decellularization of porcine descending aortas
Authors: Messner Barbara , Grab Maximilian , Grefen Linda , Laufer Günther , Hagl Christian , König Fabian 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe demand for decellularized xenogeneic tissues used in reconstructive heart surgery has increased over the last decades. Complete decellularization of longer and tubular aortic sections suitable for clinical application has not been achieved so far. The present study aims at analyzing the effect of pressure application on decellularization efficacy of porcine aortas using a device specifically designed for this purpose. Fresh porcine descending aortas of 8 cm length were decellularized using detergents. To increase decellularization efficacy, detergent treatment was combined with pressure application and different treatment schemes. Quantification of penetration depth as well as histological staining, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile strength tests were used to evaluate tissue structure. In general, application of pressure to aortic tissue does neither increase the decellularization success nor the penetration depth of detergents. However, it is of importance from which side of the aorta the pressure is applied. Application of intermittent pressure from the adventitial side does significantly increase the decellularization degree at the intimal side (compared to the reference group), but had no influence on the penetration depth of SDC/SDS at both sides. Although the present setup does not significantly improve the decellularization success of aortas, it is interesting that the application of pressure from the adventitial side leads to improved decellularization of the intimal side. As no adverse effects on tissue structure nor on mechanical properties were observed, optimization of the present protocol may potentially lead to complete decellularization of larger aortic segments.
Graphical Abstract
Quantum Mechanical Study of the Dielectric Response of V2C-ZnO/PPy Ternary Nanocomposite for Energy Storage Application
Authors: Ezika Anthony Chidi , Sadiku Emmanuel Rotimi , Adekoya Gbolahan Joseph , Ray Suprakas Sinha , Hamam Yskandar 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWith the proliferation of electronic gadgets and the internet of things comes a great need for lightweight, affordable, sustainable, and long-lasting power devices to combat the depletion of fossil fuel energy and the pollution produced by chemical energy storage. The use of high-energy-density polymer/ceramic composites is generating more curiosity for future technologies, and they require a high dielectric constant and breakdown strength. Electric percolation and Interface polarization are responsible for the high dielectric constant. To create composite dielectrics, high-conductivity ceramic particles are combined with polymers to improve the dielectric constant. In this work, ternary nanocomposites with better dielectric characteristics are created using a nanohybrid filler of V2C Mxene-ZnO in a polypyrrole (PPy) matrix. Then, the bonding and the uneven charge distribution in the ceramic/ceramic contact area are investigated using quantum mechanical calculations. This non-uniform distribution of charges is intended to improve the ceramic/ceramic interface’s dipole polarization (dielectric response). The interfacial chemical bond formation can also improve the hybrid filler’s stability in terms of structure and, consequently, of the composite films. To comprehend the electron-transfer process, the density of state and electron localization function of the ceramic hybrid fillers are also studied. The polymer nanocomposite is suggested to provide a suitable dielectric response for energy storage applications.
Formal and informal venous thromboembolism risk assessment and impact on prescribing of thromboprophylaxis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kemp Megan , Chan Amy Hai Yan , Harrison Jeff , Rogers Hannah , Zhao Adele , Kaur Harleen , Tang Genevieve , Yang Esther , Beyene Kebede 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Hospital-acquired thrombosis (HAT) is a leading cause of preventable death and disability worldwide. HAT includes any venous thromboembolic (VTE) event occurring in-hospital or within 90-days of hospitalisation. Despite availability of evidence-based guidelines for HAT risk assessment and prophylaxis, guidelines are still underutilised.

Aim
To determine the proportion of patients who developed HAT that could have been potentially prevented with appropriate VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis at a large public hospital in New Zealand. Additionally, the predictors of VTE risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis were examined.

Method
VTE patients admitted under general medicine, reablement, general surgery, or orthopaedic surgery service were identified using ICD-10-AM codes. Data were collected on patient characteristics, VTE risk factors, and the thromboprophylaxis regimen prescribed. The hospital VTE guidelines were used to determine rates of VTE risk assessment and the appropriateness of thromboprophylaxis.

Results
Of 1302 VTE patients, 213 HATs were identified. Of these, 116 (54%) received VTE risk assessment, and 98 (46%) received thromboprophylaxis. Patients who received VTE risk assessment were 15 times more likely to receive thromboprophylaxis (odds ratio [OR] = 15.4; 95% CI 7.65–30.98) and 2.8 times more likely to receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis (OR = 2.79; 95% CI 1.59–4.89).

Conclusion
A large proportion of high-risk patients who were admitted to medical, general surgery and reablement services and who developed HAT did not receive VTE risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis during their index admission, demonstrating a significant gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice. Implementing mandatory VTE risk assessment and adherence to guidelines to improve thromboprophylaxis prescription in hospitalised patients may help reduce the burden of HAT.
Without Exemptions: Reconciling Equality with the Accommodation of Diversity
Authors: Bardon Aurélia 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWhen generally applicable rules clash with one’s cultural, religious or moral commitments, should exemptions be granted? The debate on exemptions raises the question both of what it means to treat people equally and of what it means to protect diversity adequately. The objective of this paper is to defend the no-exemption argument and to make it a more attractive position for liberals. I first argue that exemptions violate the principle of equal treatment because they rely on distinctions that cannot be neutrally justified. I then argue that diversity can be adequately accommodated if we use a more demanding interpretation of the justification of generally applicable rules. There should be no exemption to fully justified rules, but rules are only fully justified when the particular demands that they impose on individuals are justified, i.e. when they are either neutral or pass both a Necessity Test and a Sufficiency Test. When rules are not fully justified, they should be repealed or modified. Based on this focus on the demands of rules, equality can be reconciled with an adequate accommodation of diversity.
Fetal bovine serum contains biologically available ATP
Authors: Vultaggio-Poma Valentina , Scussel Bergamin Leticia , Falzoni Simonetta , Tarantini Mario , Giuliani Anna Lisa , Sandonà Dorianna , Polverino De Laureto Patrizia , Di Virgilio Francesco 
Published: April 2023

AbstractATP is a ubiquitous extracellular messenger released in a wide number of pathophysiological conditions. ATP is known to be present in minute amounts in the extracellular space in healthy tissues and in the blood, and to modulate a multiplicity of cell responses. Cell culture systems are widely used to explore purinergic signaling. We show here that currently used fetal bovine sera contain ATP in the 300–1300 pmol/L range. Serum ATP is associated with albumin as well as with microparticle/microvesicle fraction. Serum microparticles/microvesicles affect in vitro cell responses due to their content of miRNAs, growth factors, and other bioactive molecules. ATP is likely to be one of these bioactive factors found in a variable amount in sera of different commercial sources. ATP in serum supports ATP-dependent biochemical reactions such as the hexokinase-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to glucose 6-phosphate, and affects purinergic signaling. These findings show that cells growing in vitro in serum-supplemented media are exposed to varying levels of extracellular ATP, and thus to varying degrees of purinergic stimulation.
A ketogenic diet alters mTOR activity, systemic metabolism and potentially prevents collagen degradation associated with chronic alcohol consumption in mice
Authors: Willemse Luciano , Terburgh Karin , Louw Roan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Introduction
A ketogenic diet (KD), which is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet has been shown to inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and alter the redox state. Inhibition of the mTOR complex has been associated with the attenuation and alleviation of various metabolic and- inflammatory diseases such as neurodegeneration, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Various metabolic pathways and signalling mechanisms have been explored to assess the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibition. However, chronic alcohol consumption has also been reported to alter mTOR activity, the cellular redox- and inflammatory state. Thus, a relevant question that remains is what effect chronic alcohol consumption would have on mTOR activity and overall metabolism during a KD-based intervention.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcohol and a KD on the phosphorylation of the mTORC1 target p70S6K, systemic metabolism as well as the redox- and inflammatory state in a mouse model.

Methods
Mice were fed either a control diet with/without alcohol or a KD with/without alcohol for three weeks. After the dietary intervention, samples were collected and subjected towards western blot analysis, multi-platform metabolomics analysis and flow cytometry.

Results
Mice fed a KD exhibited significant mTOR inhibition and reduction in growth rate. Alcohol consumption alone did not markedly alter mTOR activity or growth rate but moderately increased mTOR inhibition in mice fed a KD. In addition, metabolic profiling showed alteration of several metabolic pathways as well as the redox state following consumption of a KD and alcohol. A KD was also observed to potentially prevent bone loss and collagen degradation associated with chronic alcohol consumption, as indicated by hydroxyproline metabolism.

Conclusion
This study sheds light on the influence that a KD alongside alcohol intake can exert on not just mTOR, but also their effect on metabolic reprogramming and the redox state.
Veterans Health Administration (VA) vs. Non-VA Healthcare Quality: A Systematic Review
Authors: Apaydin Eric A. , Paige Neil M. , Begashaw Meron M. , Larkin Jody , Miake-Lye Isomi M. , Shekelle Paul G. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The Veterans Health Administration (VA) serves Veterans in the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. VA seeks to provide high quality of healthcare to Veterans, but due to the VA Choice and MISSION Acts, VA increasingly pays for care outside of its system in the community. This systematic review compares care provided in VA and non-VA settings, and includes published studies from 2015 to 2023, updating 2 prior systematic reviews on this topic.

Methods
We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO from 2015 to 2023 for published literature comparing VA and non-VA care, including VA-paid community care. Records were included at the abstract or full-text level if they compared VA medical care with care provided in other healthcare systems, and included clinical quality, safety, access, patient experience, efficiency (cost), or equity outcomes. Data from included studies was abstracted by two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Results were synthesized narratively and via graphical evidence maps.

Results
Thirty-seven studies were included after screening 2415 titles. Twelve studies compared VA and VA-paid community care. Most studies assessed clinical quality and safety, and studies of access were second most common. Only six studies assessed patient experience and six assessed cost or efficiency. Clinical quality and safety of VA care was better than or equal to non-VA care in most studies. Patient experience in VA care was better than or equal to experience in non-VA care in all studies, but access and cost/efficiency outcomes were mixed.

Discussion
VA care is consistently as good as or better than non-VA care in terms of clinical quality and safety. Access, cost/efficiency, and patient experience between the two systems are not well studied. Further research is needed on these outcomes and on services widely used by Veterans in VA-paid community care, like physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Artificial Intelligence in Physical Sciences: Symbolic Regression Trends and Perspectives
Authors: Angelis Dimitrios , Sofos Filippos , Karakasidis Theodoros E. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSymbolic regression (SR) is a machine learning-based regression method based on genetic programming principles that integrates techniques and processes from heterogeneous scientific fields and is capable of providing analytical equations purely from data. This remarkable characteristic diminishes the need to incorporate prior knowledge about the investigated system. SR can spot profound and elucidate ambiguous relations that can be generalizable, applicable, explainable and span over most scientific, technological, economical, and social principles. In this review, current state of the art is documented, technical and physical characteristics of SR are presented, the available programming techniques are investigated, fields of application are explored, and future perspectives are discussed.
Pediatric Sinogenic Subdural Empyema: Case Report and Operative Technique
Authors: Raguso Giuseppe , Cornale Nicola , Rebelo Rita , Molteni Gabriele 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntracranial complications of sinusitis in the pediatric age are rare but potentially life threatening. They usually occur with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea and vomiting rather than a classic neurological presentation, but they may evolve in few hours, leading to significant morbidity with permanent brain damage and sometimes to death. For this reason, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. Our case demonstrates a sinogenic subdural empyema in an immunocompetent young boy who reached our Emergency Department due to a continuous right-sided headache, unresponsive to pain relievers. The clinical history and the diagnostic process are described: at first, laboratory exams, neurologic and otolaryngological assessment were performed, together with a cranial CT scan showing an inflammatory involvement of the right frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated. After a few hours the patient showed a sudden worsening of his clinical conditions: he was drowsy with left lower extremity hyposthenia and ipsilateral deep tendon reflexes absence. Considering the patient’s aggravated clinical presentation an emergent MRI with contrast enhancement was conducted, showing left midline shift, a widening of the liquor space on the right frontal and parietal convexity and noticeable meningeal enhancement after contrast injection. After a Neurosurgical and ENT evaluation the patient was taken to the operating room for a combined craniotomy and trans-nasal endoscopic drainage of the empyema. We present the surgical procedure with a pictorial step-by-step description. After the surgical procedure the patient’s condition gradually improved. He regained full neurological function, was accompanied by a rehabilitation team on recovering full force on the left extremities. At discharge the patient had no apparent neurological deficits. Subdural empyema is a rare but severe complication of pediatric sinusitis. Early diagnosis with combined medical and surgical therapies play a key role to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Refractory Rickets
Authors: Chinoy Amish , Padidela Raja 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNutritional rickets, caused by vitamin D and/or calcium deficiency is by far the most common cause of rickets. In resource-limited settings, it is therefore not uncommon to treat rickets with vitamin D and calcium. If rickets fails to heal and/or if there is a family history of rickets, then refractory rickets should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Chronic low serum phosphate is the pathological hallmark of all forms of rickets as its low concentration in extracellular space leads to the failure of apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes leading to defective mineralisation of the growth plate. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) control serum phosphate concentration by facilitating the excretion of phosphate in the urine through their action on the proximal renal tubules. An increase in PTH, as seen in nutritional rickets and genetic disorders of vitamin D-dependent rickets (VDDRs), leads to chronic low serum phosphate, causing rickets. Genetic conditions leading to an increase in FGF23 concentration cause chronic low serum phosphate concentration and rickets. Genetic conditions and syndromes associated with proximal renal tubulopathies can also lead to chronic low serum phosphate concentration by excess phosphate leak in urine, causing rickets.In this review, authors discuss an approach to the differential diagnosis and management of refractory rickets.
From theory to practice: a novel meditation program at a global corporation
Authors: Weisbrod Anne V. , Bohman Lisa C. , Ramdial Krystyn J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGlobal levels of stress, worry, sadness, and anger hit new highs in recent years, and employee well-being has been identified as a necessary focus in occupational health. Developed over 6 years in a large multi-national company, the Meditation Without Expectations™ 8-week course evolved from theories to practice. The intervention teaches 8 meditation techniques in a specific order and incorporates health coaching and adult learning principles that drive impact. The wellbeing program was offered using a virtual online platform to employees in more than 30 countries during 2021-22. Its effectiveness was evaluated using established standard questions and cutting-edge consumer research methods. The descriptive study uses quantitative and qualitative analyses from more than a thousand employees. Paired t-tests are used to compare pre- and post-course survey scores. The test subjects who completed the 8-week course had significant improvements (p < 0.0001) across genders, geographies, and durations of employment, and in all measured domains of stress, mindfulness, resiliency, and empathy, whereas the comparison group did not. Advanced topics analysis is used to extract common learning objectives from unstructured text submitted by enrolled employees, which helped focus the intervention on what people need or want to learn. A proprietary artificial intelligence model is used to classify subjects’ comments after completing the course, finding highly positive outcomes with potential for new habit creation due to a mental model change. A framework of characteristics that make the intervention impactful is also shared.