bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efecto del consumo de marihuana sobre los parámetros espermáticos humanos: Aproximación in vivo
Authors: Morales Angie Carolina , Morales Adriana Cruz , Vanegas Natalia A. Taborda , Maya Walter D. Cardona 
Published: December 2022

ResumenLa evidencia sugiere que la exposición a sustancias psicoactivas se relaciona con alteraciones en la espermatogénesis que afectan la calidad espermática. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar los parámetros espermáticos en consumidores habituales de cigarrillos de marihuana. Se analizaron muestras seminales de 42 consumidores activos de cigarrillos de marihuana y de 16 voluntarios no consumidores de marihuana. Mediante un análisis de semen, se determinaron los parámetros seminales convencionales (viabilidad, movilidad, morfología, y concentración de los espermatozoides) siguiendo los lineamientos establecidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Adicionalmente, se evaluó la capacidad antioxidante del plasma seminal mediante la determinación del porcentaje de inhibición del radical estable 1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidracilo. Los valores de la mediana de los consumidores respecto al grupo control fueron: volumen – 2,98 mL versus 3,95 mL (p = 0,0221); concentración total – 189 millones/mL versus 291,1 millones/mL (p = 0,0636); movilidad progresiva – 50% versus 56,5% (p = 0,0052); viabilidad – 65,3% versus 73,1% (p = 0,0732); y morfología normal – 5% versus 7% (p = 0,0167), respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio indican que el consumo de cigarrillos de marihuana afecta negativamente la movilidad progresiva, la morfología normal y la concentración total de espermatozoides; además, la concentración total de espermatozoides está afectada por la frecuencia del consumo de cigarrillos de marihuana.
Neuropathic pain in peroneal nerve entrapment at the fibular head
Authors: Öztürk İlker , Fidanci Halit , Arlier Zülfikar 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background Peroneal neuropathy at the fibular head (PNFH) is a mononeuropathy that typically presents with drop foot and sensory abnormalities over the skin area innervated by the peroneal nerve.
Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate neuropathic pain in patients with PNFH.
Methods Patients with clinical and electrodiagnostic features consistent with PNFH associated with weight loss, leg postures, or prolonged sleep were included in the present retrospective cohort study. Nerve conduction studies were performed in the bilateral lower extremities of all patients. The Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs scale (LANSS) was applied to all patients.
Results Thirty-two PNFH patients (78% males) were included in the study. The LANSS score in the majority of patients was lower than 12. There was 1 patient with a LANSS score of 12. The electrodiagnostic features of 16 patients were compatible with axonal degeneration. The mean LANSS scores of PNFH patients with and without axonal degeneration were 4.3 ± 3.7 and 5.2 ± 2.9, respectively (p = 0.255).
Conclusion The present study showed that neuropathic pain is a rare symptom in patients with PNFH associated with weight loss, leg postures, or prolonged sleep.
Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
Authors: Silva Guilherme Diogo , Guedes Bruno Fukelmann , Junqueira Ióri Rodrigues , Gomes Hélio Rodrigues , Vidal José Ernesto 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background Chronic meningitis (CM) is characterized by neurological symptoms associated with the evidence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis lasting > 4 weeks. Studies on the management of CM in Brazil are scarce.
Objective To critically review the literature on CM and propose a rational approach in the Brazilian scenario.
Methods Narrative literature review discussing the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, basic and advanced diagnostic testing, and empirical and targeted therapy for the most relevant causes of CM. The present review was contextualized with the local experience of the authors. In addition, we propose an algorithm for the management of CM in Brazil.
Results In Brazil, tuberculosis and cryptococcosis are endemic and should always be considered in CM patients. In addition to these diseases, neurosyphilis and other endemic conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis, including neurocysticercosis, Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome, and endemic mycosis. After infectious etiologies, meningeal carcinomatosis and autoimmune diseases should be considered. Unbiased and targeted methods should be used based on availability and clinical and epidemiological data.
Conclusion We propose a rational approach to CM in Brazil, considering the epidemiological scenario, systematizing the etiological investigation, and evaluating the timely use of empirical therapies.
An economic study of neuro-oncological patients in a large developing country: a cost analysis
Authors: Paiva Aline Lariessy Campos , Vitorino-Araujo João Luiz , Lovato Renan Maximilian , Costa Guilherme Henrique Ferreira da , Veiga José Carlos Esteves 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background Neuro-oncological patients require specialized medical care. However, the data on the costs incurred for such specialized care in developing countries are currently lacking. These data are relevant for international cooperation.
Objective The present study aimed to estimate the direct cost of specialized care for an adult neuro-oncological patient with meningioma or glioma during hospitalization in the largest philanthropic hospital in Latin America.
Methods The present observational economic analysis describes the direct cost of care of neuro-oncological patients in Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil. Only adult patients with a common primary brain tumor were included.
Results Due to differences in the system records, the period analyzed for cost estimation was between December 2016 and December 2019. A group of patients with meningiomas and gliomas was analyzed. The estimated mean cost of neurosurgical hospitalization was US$4,166. The cost of the operating room and intensive care unit represented the largest proportion of the total cost. A total of 17.5% of patients had some type of infection, and 66.67% of these occurred in nonelective procedures. The mortality rate was 12.7% and 92.3% of all deaths occurred in emergency procedures.
Conclusions Emergency surgeries were associated with an increased rate of infections and mortality. The findings of the present study could be used by policymakers for resource allocation and to perform economic analyses to establish the value of neurosurgery in achieving global health goals.
Les démoniaques dans l'art: Charcot and the “hysterical saints”
Authors: Coutinho Léo , Caeira Marlon Wycliff , Paola Luciano de , Walusinski Olivier , Cardoso Francisco Eduardo Costa , Lima Plinio Marcos Garcia de , Teive Hélio A. Ghizoni 
Published: December 2022

AbstractProfessor Jean-Martin Charcot was the founder of clinical neurology and one of the prominent researchers in the field of hysteria in the 19th century. His book Les démoniaques dans l'art is a representation of hysterical symptoms in religion and religious art. This paper aims to discuss Charcot's descriptions of hysteria in religion and his “hysterical saints”.
Frequency and economic burden of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in patients applying for disability benefits due to epilepsy
Authors: Peköz Mehmet Taylan , Aslan-Kara Kezban , Demir Turgay , Aktan Gulfem , Balal Mehmet , Cakmak Soner , Bozdemir Hacer 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) resemble epileptic seizures and are often misdiagnosed as epilepsy.
Objective To investigate the frequency of PNES and to calculate the economic burden of the patients who admitted to video-electroencephalographicmonitoring (VEM) to obtain a diagnosis of epilepsy in order to apply for disability retirement.
Methods The present retrospective study included 134 patients who required disability reports between 2013 and 2019 and had their definite diagnoses after VEM. Following VEM, the patients were divided into three groups: epilepsy, PNES, and epilepsy + PNES.
Results In total, 22.4% (n = 30) of the patients were diagnosed with PNES, 21.6% (n = 29) with PNES and epilepsy, and 56% (n = 75), with epilepsy. The frequency of PNES among all patients was of 44% (n = 59). In patients with PNES alone, the annual cost of using anti-seizure medication was of 160.67 ± 94.04 dollars; for psychostimulant drugs, it was of 148.3 ± 72.48 dollars a year; and the mean direct cost for diagnostic procedures was of 582.9 ± 330.0 (range: 103.52–1601.3) dollars.
Conclusions Although it is challenging to determine the qualitative and quantitative total cost in these patient groups, early diagnosis and sociopsychological support will reduce the additional financial burden on the health system and increase the quality of life of the patients.
Survey of Skull Base Surgeons' Approach to Carcinomas Involving the Cavernous Sinus
Authors: Mott Nicole M. , Ryder C. Yoonhee , Snyderman Carl H. , McKean Erin L. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Objectives Carcinomas involving the cavernous sinus are challenging to resect without compromising important neurovascular structures. Given the morbidity and mortality of these operations, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are more often utilized. Although limited to case reports and small series, radical resection of the cavernous sinus has been proposed. We aimed to study surgeons' willingness to perform cavernous sinus exenteration (CSE) under different clinical scenarios.
Design, Setting, Participants, Main Outcome Measures We conducted an online survey from April to July 2021 among members of the Skull Base Congress and the North American Skull Base Society. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the main outcome measure of willingness to perform CSE.
Results The analytic sample (n = 112) included 54% otolaryngologists and 43% neurosurgeons. Eighty-six percent practiced in an academic setting. Surgeons' willingness to perform CSE was low (6–16% under different clinical scenarios), citing a belief that they could not obtain oncologic margins and the procedure's morbidity. Forty-five percent had at least one patient undergo CSE with 72% of patients surviving no more than 2 years.Complications included chronic intractable pain, cerebrospinal fluid leak, cerebrovascular accident, and/or intraoperative/postoperative death within 30 days. Sixty percent agreed that the availability of immunotherapy and genomic sequencing has affected their willingness to offer CSE.
Conclusion Overall, most of the surgeons surveyed were unwilling to offer CSE for carcinomatous cavernous sinus invasion, whether for primary disease or recurrence. Given the rarity of these tumors and the limited data on CSE, these results may provide more information for clinicians and patients for these treatment decisions.
Elucidation of the 1-phenethylisoquinoline pathway from an endemic conifer
Cephalotaxus hainanensis
Authors: Qiao Fei , He Yuedong , Zhang Yuhao , Jiang Xuefei , Cong Hanqing , Wang Zhiming , Sun Huapeng , Xiao Yibei , Zhao Yucheng , Nick Peter 
Published: December 2022

Cephalotaxines harbor great medical potential, but their natural source, the endemic conifer
Cephalotaxus
is highly endangered, creating a conflict between biotechnological valorization and preservation of biodiversity. Here, we construct the whole biosynthetic pathway to the 1-phenethylisoquinoline scaffold, as first committed compound for phenylethylisoquinoline alkaloids (PIAs), combining metabolic modeling, and transcriptome mining of
Cephalotaxus hainanensis
to infer the biosynthesis for PIA precursor. We identify a novel protein,
Ch
PSS, driving the Pictet–Spengler condensation and show that this enzyme represents the branching point where PIA biosynthesis diverges from the concurrent benzylisoquinoline-alkaloids pathway. We also pinpoint
Ch
DBR as crucial step to form 4-hydroxydihydrocinnamaldehyde diverging from lignin biosynthesis. The elucidation of the early PIA pathway represents an important step toward microbe-based production of these pharmaceutically important alkaloids resolving the conflict between biotechnology and preservation of biodiversity.
Inhibiting androgen receptor splice variants with cysteine-selective irreversible covalent inhibitors to treat prostate cancer
Authors: Thiyagarajan Thirumagal , Ponnusamy Suriyan , Hwang Dong-Jin , He Yali , Asemota Sarah , Young Kirsten L. , Johnson Daniel L. , Bocharova Vera , Zhou Weidong , Jain Abhinav K. , Petricoin Emanuel F. , Yin Zheng , Pfeffer Lawrence M. , Miller Duane D. , Narayanan Ramesh 
Published: December 2022

Androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variants (AR-SVs) promote prostate cancer (PCa) growth by orchestrating transcriptional reprogramming. Mechanisms by which the low complexity and intrinsically disordered primary transactivation domain (AF-1) of AR and AR-SVs regulate transcriptional programming in PCa remains poorly defined. Using omics, live and fixed fluorescent microscopy of cells, and purified AF-1 and AR-V7 recombinant proteins we show here that AF-1 and the AR-V7 splice variant form molecular condensates by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) that exhibit disorder characteristics such as rapid intracellular mobility, coactivator interaction, and euchromatin induction. The LLPS and other disorder characteristics were reversed by a class of small-molecule-selective AR-irreversible covalent antagonists (SARICA) represented herein by UT-143 that covalently and selectively bind to C406 and C327 in the AF-1 region. Interfering with LLPS formation with UT-143 or mutagenesis resulted in chromatin condensation and dissociation of AR-V7 interactome, all culminating in a transcriptionally incompetent complex. Biochemical studies suggest that C327 and C406 in the AF-1 region are critical for condensate formation, AR-V7 function, and UT-143’s irreversible AR inhibition. Therapeutically, UT-143 possesses drug-like pharmacokinetics and metabolism properties and inhibits PCa cell proliferation and tumor growth. Our work provides critical information suggesting that clinically important AR-V7 forms transcriptionally competent molecular condensates and covalently engaging C327 and C406 in AF-1, dissolves the condensates, and inhibits its function. The work also identifies a library of AF-1-binding AR and AR-SV-selective covalent inhibitors for the treatment of PCa.
Spin thermoelectric effects of skyrmions in ferromagnetic topological insulators
Authors: Ye Xiyin , Xu Hengyi , Zhu Xiaoming 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The thermoelectric effects of ferromagnetic topological insulators with either two-dimensional circular or one-dimensional domain wall skyrmions are studied theoretically. It is found that the topological spin-textures play a significant role in the manipulation of spin-dependent thermoelectric properties. In the vicinity of the charge neutrality point, spin Seebeck coefficients possess finite values whose sign and magnitude can be tuned by temperature in spite of vanishing charge Seebeck coefficients. The majority of the effects of circular skyrmions occurs in the edge-state transport regime by generating Fano antiresonances. While the domain wall skyrmion primarily influences the thermoelectric behaviors near the boundary between the edge-state and bulk-state transport regimes with the resonant tunneling mechanism. Both types of skyrmions which function effectively in distinct transport regimes have potential applications in thermoelectrics.
Highly non-Gaussian tails and primordial black holes from single-field inflation
Authors: Cai Yi-Fu , Ma Xiao-Han , Sasaki Misao , Wang Dong-Gang , Zhou Zihan 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
For primordial perturbations, deviations from Gaussian statistics on the tail of the
probability distribution can be associated with non-perturbative effects of inflation. In this
paper, we present some particular examples in which the tail of the distribution becomes highly
non-Gaussian although the statistics remains almost Gaussian in the perturbative regime. We begin
with an extension of the ultra-slow-roll inflation that incorporates a transition process, where
the inflaton climbs up a tiny potential step at the end of the non-attractor stage before it
converges to the slow-roll attractor. Through this example, we identify the key role of the
off-attractor behaviour for the upward-step transition, and then extend the analysis to another
type of the transition with two slow-roll stages connected by a tiny step. We perform both the
perturbative and non-perturbative analyses of primordial fluctuations generated around the step in
detail, and show that the tiny but nontrivial transition may affect large perturbations in the
tail of the distribution, while the perturbative non-Gaussianity remains small. Our result
indicates that the non-Gaussian tails can have rich phenomenology which has been overlooked in
conventional analyses. We also study the implications of this non-Gaussian tail for the formation
of primordial black holes, and find that their mass fraction can be parametrically amplified by
several orders of magnitudes in comparison with the case of the Gaussian
distribution. Additionally, we also discuss a mechanism of primordial black holes formation for
this upward step inflation model by trapping the inflaton in the bottom of the step.
A transfer learning-based feedback training motivates the performance of SMR-BCI
Authors: Duan Xu , Xie Songyun , Lv Yanxia , Xie Xinzhou , Obermayer Klaus , Yan Hao 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Objective. Feedback training is a practical approach to brain–computer interface (BCI) end-users learning to modulate their sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs). BCI self-regulation learning has been shown to be influenced by subjective psychological factors, such as motivation. However, few studies have taken into account the users’ self-motivation as additional guidance for the cognitive process involved in BCI learning. In this study we tested a transfer learning (TL) feedback method designed to increase self-motivation by providing information about past performance. Approach. Electroencephalography (EEG) signals from the previous runs were affine transformed and displayed as points on the screen, along with the newly recorded EEG signals in the current run, giving the subjects a context for self-motivation. Subjects were asked to separate the feedback points for the current run under the display of the separability of prior training. We conducted a between-subject feedback training experiment, in which 24 healthy SMR-BCI naive subjects were trained to imagine left- and right-hand movements. The participants were provided with either TL feedback or typical cursor-bar (CB) feedback (control condition), for three sessions on separate days. Main results. The behavioral results showed an increased challenge and stable mastery confidence, suggesting that subjects’ motivation grew as the feedback training went on. The EEG results showed favorable overall training effects with TL feedback in terms of the class distinctiveness and EEG discriminancy. Performance was 28.5% higher in the third session than in the first. About 41.7% of the subjects were ‘learners’ including not only low-performance subjects, but also good-performance subjects who might be affected by the ceiling effect. Subjects were able to control BCI with TL feedback with a higher performance of 60.5% during the last session compared to CB feedback. Significance. The present study demonstrated that the proposed TL feedback method boosted psychological engagement through the self-motivated context, and further allowed subjects to modulate SMR effectively. The proposed TL feedback method also provided an alternative to typical CB feedback.
Development of single photon avalanche detectors for NIR light detection
Authors: Gautam V. , Casanova R. , Terzo S. , Grinstein S. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Near-infrared (NIR) light is used in several non-invasive biomedical techniques to measure the blood flow in deep tissues. The BIOSPAD project targets the development of SPAD arrays specifically designed for Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) in the NIR to measure deep tissue microvascular blood flow. In the first stage of the project, single SPADs with multiplication layers buried at different depths have been designed at IFAE and produced in a 150 nm CMOS technology. In this study, we present results of the characterization of SPAD devices with an area of 50 × 50 µm2 operated with an external passive quenching circuit. We compared properties, such as Dark Count Rate (DCR) and Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE) of the different SPAD designs. The PDE for 780 nm light of SPADs with a buried multiplication layer was observed to be in the range of 10–20% with a DCR of the order of 2 kHz. The results of these first prototypes are promising and are being followed up by the development of a new generation of CMOS SPADs designed to further improve the NIR light response.
Design and characterization of a cascode switching stage for high frequency radiation hardened DC/DC converters for the supply of future pixel detectors
Authors: Kampkoetter J. , Karagounis M. , Kokozinski R. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Serial powering features the upcoming phase II HL-LHC upgrade in the ATLAS and CMS experiment. The conventional voltage based powering approach with parallel placed modules results in low powering efficiency. In addition restricted space requirements, radiation tolerance and high magnetic fields make the design of a suitable DC/DC-converter challenging. To ensure that future DC/DC converters can tolerate high radiation doses at reduced space requirements, a high-frequency switching stage with up to 4 stacked core devices with a related biasing circuit for the implementation in inductive DC/DC-converters was considered and successfully verified in a first prototype.
Persistent anomalies of the North Atlantic jet stream and associated surface extremes over Europe
Authors: Galfi Vera Melinda , Messori Gabriele 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Unusual, persistent configurations of the North Atlantic jet stream affect the weather and climate over Europe. We focus on winter and on intraseasonal and seasonal time scales, and study persistent jet anomalies through the lens of large deviation theory using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) simulations of the MPI-ESM-LR model and ERA5 reanalysis data. The configurations of interest are defined as long-lasting anomalies of a few months in jet latitude, speed or zonality. Our results show that persistent temperature and precipitation extremes over large European regions are anomalously frequent during the unusual, persistent jet configurations we identify. Furthermore, the relative increase in frequency of surface extremes is larger for more intense surface extremes and/or more extreme jet anomalies. This is relevant in the context of the predictability of these extremes. The highest extreme event frequencies at the surface are observed in case of precipitation over the Mediterranean and Western Europe during anomalously zonal and/or fast jet events, pointing to these jet anomalies matching rather homogeneous large scale atmospheric configurations with a clear surface footprint. Additionally, our results emphasise the usefulness of large deviation rate functions to estimate the frequency of occurrence of persistent jet anomalies. They therefore provide a tool to statistically describe long-lasting anomalies, much like extreme value theory may be used to investigate shorter-lived extreme events.