bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observation of proton modulations in laser–solid interaction
Authors: Krishnamurthy S , Chintalwad S , Robinson A P L , Trines R M G M , Ramakrishna B 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
We report on an experimental investigation into proton acceleration from the interaction of an intense laser pulse, with an intensity of about 1020 W cm−2, with a thin foil of aluminum, titanium and gold of thickness 2 µm. Protons are accelerated via the TNSA mechanism from the rear surface of the target and, in addition, protons accelerated from the front surface are also detected on the radio chromic films. Hollow proton rings could be seen on the radio chromic films, corresponding to 1–3 MeV protons. The protons from the front surface are driven into the target and directed towards the rear side of the target by the Kilotesla magnetic fields generated from the laser plasma. 2D particle-in-cell simulations predict an increase in the flux of lower energy protons similar to experimental observations and also show strong magnetic field structures in the laser–target interaction region.
Pulse shape measurements for neutron/gamma discrimination using the TOFPET2 ASIC
Authors: Weinfurther K. , Marleau P. , Sweany M. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Many highly pixelated organic scintillator detection systems
would benefit from independent readout of each scintillator
pixel. Recent advances in Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) technology
makes this goal feasible, however the data acquisition from
potentially hundreds or thousands of channels requires a low-cost
and compact solution. For pixelated neutron detection with organic
scintillators, the capability to distinguish between neutron and
gamma interactions using Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) is
required along with pulse charge and time of arrival. The TOFPET2
ASIC from PETsys Electronics is a 64-channel readout chip providing
pulse time and charge integration measurements from SiPMs, and is
specifically designed for time-of-flight positron-emission
tomography. Using an 8 × 8 array of
6 mm × 6 mm J-series SiPMs from SensL/OnSemi
(ArrayJ-60035-64P-PCB), we have studied the energy and PSD
performance of the TOFPET2 ASIC using a 4 × 4 array of
6 mm × 6 mm × 30 mm
trans-Stilbene crystals from Inrad Optics and a custom SiPM
routing board from PETsys Electronics. Using a time-over-threshold
method, we measure a maximum PSD figure-of-merit of approximately
1.2 at 478 keV (the Compton edge of 662 keV) for a J-series SiPM
operating at an over-voltage of 3V.
Calibration of photomultiplier tubes
Authors: Kalousis L.N. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The purpose of the present article is to demonstrate the calibration of photomultipliers
with a gaussian single photoelectron response using a numerical method based on the Discrete
Fourier Transform (DFT). Conventional techniques, commonly employed in the literature, use
approximate models or brute force numerical calculations of the convolution integrals that lead to
the charge response function of the photomultiplier, SR
(x). In this publication, we explain
how a truncated gaussian model for the single photoelectron amplification can lead to rigorous
results if one leans on the DFT approach. The distinct feature of this procedure is that SR
(x)
is calculated to all orders in the Poisson mean μ that characterizes the light intensity and
no approximations are needed. This scheme was applied to the calibration of the Hamamatsu R7081
photomultiplier tube and a comparison of the DFT approach with the more standard numerical
integration method is also presented. Last, toy Monte Carlo data were analyzed for different
values of μ to understand the precision of the DFT method.
Probing the potential toxicity of trimetazidine by characterizing its interaction with human serum albumin
Authors: Barseem Aya , Belal Fathalla , Mabrouk Mokhtar , Hammad Sherin , Ahmed Hytham 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe small molecular drugs pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics could be affected by human serum albumin (HSA) transport, so we studied the interaction between HSA and the widely used anti-ischemic agent, trimetazidine (TMZ), using different approaches. As shown by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, the interaction affects the microenvironment confirmation around tyrosine residues. The site-competitive experiments showed that TMZ had an affinity toward subdomain III A (site II) of HSA. The enthalpy and entropy changes (ΔH and ΔS), which were 37.75 and 0.197 K J mol−1, respectively, showed that the predominant intermolecular interactions are hydrophobic forces. According to FTIR research, the interaction between HSA and TMZ caused polypeptide carbonyl-hydrogen bonds to rearrange. The HSA esterase enzyme activity was decreased with TMZ. Docking analysis confirmed the site-competitive experiments and thermodynamic results. This study demonstrated that TMZ interacted with HSA, and the structure and function of HSA were influenced by TMZ. This study could aid in understanding the pharmacokinetics of TMZ and provide basic data for safe use.
A computationally-inexpensive strategy in CT image data augmentation for robust deep learning classification in the early stages of an outbreak
Authors: Hou Yikun , Navarro-Cía Miguel 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally for over three years, and chest computed tomography (CT) has been used to diagnose COVID-19 and identify lung damage in COVID-19 patients. Given its widespread, CT will remain a common diagnostic tool in future pandemics, but its effectiveness at the beginning of any pandemic will depend strongly on the ability to classify CT scans quickly and correctly when only limited resources are available, as it will happen inevitably again in future pandemics. Here, we resort into the transfer learning procedure and limited hyperparameters to use as few computing resources as possible for COVID-19 CT images classification. Advanced Normalisation Tools (ANTs) are used to synthesise images as augmented/independent data and trained on EfficientNet to investigate the effect of synthetic images. On the COVID-CT dataset, classification accuracy increases from 91.15% to 95.50% and Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC) from 96.40% to 98.54%. We also customise a small dataset to simulate data collected in the early stages of the outbreak and report an improvement in accuracy from 85.95% to 94.32% and AUC from 93.21% to 98.61%. This study provides a feasible Low-Threshold, Easy-To-Deploy and Ready-To-Use solution with a relatively low computational cost for medical image classification at an early stage of an outbreak in which scarce data are available and traditional data augmentation may fail. Hence, it would be most suitable for low-resource settings.
Chemical synthesis of oligosaccharide derivatives with partial structure of β1-3/1-6 glucan, using monomeric units for the formation of β1-3 and β1-6 glucosidic linkages
Authors: Ota Tomoya , Saburi Wataru , Komba Shiro , Mori Haruhide 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT
β1-3/1-6 Glucans, known for their diverse structures, comprise a β1-3-linked main chain and β1-6-linked short branches. Laminarin, a β1-3/1-6 glucan extracted from brown seaweed, for instance, includes β1-6 linkages even in the main chain. The diverse structures provide various beneficial functions for the glucan. To investigate the relationship between structure and functionality, and to enable the characterization of β1-3/1-6 glucan-metabolizing enzymes, oligosaccharides containing the exact structures of β1-3/1-6 glucans are required. We synthesized the monomeric units for the synthesis of β1-3/1-6 mixed-linked glucooligosaccharides. 2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-β-d-glucopyranoside served as an acceptor in the formation of β1-3 linkages. Phenyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside and phenyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4,6-di-O-levulinyl-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside acted as donors, synthesizing acceptors suitable for the formation of β1-3- and β1-6-linkages, respectively. These were used to synthesize a derivative of Glcβ1-6Glcβ1-3Glcβ1-3Glc, demonstrating that the proposed route can be applied to synthesize the main chain of β-glucan, with the inclusion of both β1-3 and β1-6 linkages.
Boost of innate immunity cytokines as biomarkers of response to extracorporeal photopheresis in patients with leukaemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Tsai Yi-Chien , Schlaepfer Tanja , Ignatova Desislava , Chang Yun-Tsan , Valaperti Alan , Amarov Boyko , Blanchard Gabriela , Pehr Kevin , Vonow-Eisenring Maya , Urosevic-Maiwald Mirjana , Hoetzenecker Wolfram , Pascolo Steve , Iselin Christoph , Fassnacht Christina  , Dimitriou Florentia , Bobrowicz Malgorzata , Guenova Emmanuella 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has emerged as a systemic first-line immunomodulatory therapy in leukaemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) and is now beginning to be utilized in other T-cell-mediated diseases. Although ECP has been used for nearly 30 years, its mechanisms of action are not sufficiently understood, and biomarkers for response are scarce.

Objectives
We aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of ECP on cytokine secretion patterns in patients with L-CTCL, to help elucidate its mechanism of action.

Methods
A total of 25 patients with L-CTCL and 15 healthy donors (HDs) were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Concentrations of 22 cytokines were simultaneously quantified by using multiplex bead-based immunoassays. Neoplastic cells in patients’ blood were evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results
Firstly, we observed a distinct cytokine profile pattern difference between L-CTCLs and HDs. There was a significant loss of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and significant increase of interleukins (IL)-9, IL-12 and IL-13 in the sera of patients with L-CTCL compared with HDs. Secondly, patients with L-CTCL who received ECP were classified as treatment responders and nonresponders according to the quantitative reduction of malignant burden in their blood. We evaluated cytokine levels in culture supernatants from patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at baseline and 27 weeks after ECP initiation. Strikingly, PBMCs purified from ECP responders released statistically higher concentrations of innate immune cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and TNF-α in comparison with ECP nonresponders. In parallel, responders showed clearance of erythema, reduction of malignant clonal T cells in the blood, and a potent boost of relevant innate immune cytokines in individual patients with L-CTCL.

Conclusions
Taken together, our results demonstrate that ECP stimulates the innate immune network, and facilitates redirection of the tumour-biased immunosuppressive microenvironment towards proactive antitumour immune responses. The alterations of IL-1α, IL-1β, GM-CSF and TNF-α can be used as biomarkers of response to ECP in patients with L-CTCL.
Clinical features, therapeutic choice and response by phototype in psoriasis: analysis of the French PsoBioTeq cohort
Authors: Salle Romain , Tubach Florence , Arlegui Hugo , Curmin Raphaëlle , Viguier Manuelle , Beylot-Barry Marie , Dupuy Alain , Beneton Nathalie , Joly Pascal , De Rycke Yann , Jullien Denis , Mahé Emmanuel , Paul Carle , Richard Marie-Aleth , Bachelez Hervé , Zago Marilyn , Chosidow Olivier , Sbidian Émilie ,   PsoBioTeq
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Little is known about phototype and the response to systemic treatment in psoriasis.

Objectives
To assess the characteristics of psoriasis, the therapeutic choice and its efficacy according to phototype.

Methods
We included patients from the PsoBioTeq cohort initiating a first biologic. Patients were classified according to their phototype. The evaluation included disease characteristics, choice of the initial biologic and therapeutic response at 12 months based on 90% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1.

Results
Of the 1400 patients included, 423 (30.2%), 904 (64.6%) and 73 (5.2%) were in the phototype I–II, III–IV and V–VI groups, respectively. The V–VI group had a higher initial DLQI, and more frequently initiated ustekinumab. Patients in the V–VI group maintained the initial biologic prescribed as did the other phototype groups, even though the proportion of patients reaching PASI 90 and DLQI 0/1 at 12 months was lower in this group than the other groups.

Conclusions
Patient phototype seems associated with quality of life and choice of the initial biologic in psoriasis. The phototype V–VI group less frequently switched treatments than did the other groups when the response was not efficient.
Acute kidney injury associated with nephrotoxic drugs in critically ill patients: a multicenter cohort study using electronic health record data
Authors: Yasrebi-de Kom Izak A R , Dongelmans Dave A , Abu-Hanna Ameen , Schut Martijn C , de Lange Dylan W , van Roon Eric N , de Jonge Evert , Bouman Catherine S C , de Keizer Nicolette F , Jager Kitty J , Klopotowska Joanna E ,   the RESCUE Study Group, ten Cate J , Schutte P F , van Balen D , Hendriks S , Lau C , Vermeijden W J , Beishuizen A , Masselink J B , Spronk P E , van Kan H J M , van den Bergh W M , Renes M H , Bult W , Hoeksema M , Wesselink E , Purmer I M , Bosma B E , van Bree S H W , Wierenga P C , Bosman R J , Franssen E J F , Karakus A , Sigtermans M , Kuck E M 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Nephrotoxic drugs frequently cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, there is a lack of large pharmaco-epidemiological studies investigating the associations between drugs and AKI. Importantly, AKI risk factors may also be indications or contraindications for drugs and thereby confound the associations. Here, we aimed to estimate the associations between commonly administered (potentially) nephrotoxic drug groups and AKI in adult ICU patients whilst adjusting for confounding.

Methods
In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we included adult ICU admissions to 13 Dutch ICUs. We measured exposure to 44 predefined (potentially) nephrotoxic drug groups. The outcome was AKI during ICU admission. The association between each drug group and AKI was estimated using etiological cause-specific Cox proportional hazard models and adjusted for confounding. To facilitate an (independent) informed assessment of residual confounding, we manually identified drug group-specific confounders using a large drug knowledge database and existing literature.

Results
We included 92 616 ICU admissions, of which 13 492 developed AKI (15%). We found 14 drug groups to be associated with a higher hazard of AKI after adjustment for confounding. These groups included established (e.g. aminoglycosides), less well established (e.g. opioids) and controversial (e.g. sympathomimetics with α- and β-effect) drugs.

Conclusions
The results confirm existing insights and provide new ones regarding drug associated AKI in adult ICU patients. These insights warrant caution and extra monitoring when prescribing nephrotoxic drugs in the ICU and indicate which drug groups require further investigation.
Incidence of hypoxic hepatitis in patients with cardiogenic shock and association with mortality
Authors: Beer Benedikt N , Besch Lisa , Weimann Jessica , Surendra Kishore , Roedl Kevin , Grensemann Jörn , Sundermeyer Jonas , Dettling Angela , Kluge Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Blankenberg Stefan , Scherer Clemens , Schrage Benedikt 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aims
Shock of any cause leads to end-organ damage due to ischaemia, especially in perfusion-sensitive organs such as the liver. In septic shock, hypoxic hepatitis (S-HH) is defined as the 20-fold increase of the upper normal limit of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and is associated with a mortality of up to 60%. However, as pathophysiology, dynamics, and treatment differ between septic and cardiogenic shock (CS), the S-HH definition may not be suitable for CS. Therefore, we aim to evaluate if the S-HH definition is applicable in CS patients.

Methods and results
This analysis was based on a registry of all-comer CS patients treated between 2009 and 2019 at a tertiary care centre with exclusion of minors and patients without all necessary ASAT and ALAT values. N = 698. During in-hospital follow-up, 386 (55.3%) patients died. The S-HH was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in CS patients. To define HH among patients with CS (C-HH), optimal cut-off values were found to be ≥1.34-fold increase for ASAT and ≥1.51-fold increase for ALAT in serial measurements. The incidence of C-HH was 254/698 patients (36%) and C-HH showed a strong association with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.61, 3.49).

Conclusion
The C-HH is a frequent and relevant comorbidity in patients with CS, although its definition varies from the established definition of HH in patients with septic shock. As C-HH contributed to excess mortality risk, these findings emphasize the need for further investigation of therapies reducing the occurrence of C-HH and also improving the associated outcome.
Investigation of factors determining haemodynamic relevance of leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Soschynski Martin , Hein Manuel , Capilli Fabio , Hagar Muhammad Taha , Ruile Philipp , Breitbart Philipp , Westermann Dirk , Taron Jana , Schuppert Christopher , Schlett Christopher L , Bamberg Fabian , Krauss Tobias 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aims
To determine the conditions under which early hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) becomes haemodynamically relevant.

Methods and results
The study included 100 patients (age: 81.5 ± 5.5 years; female 63%), thereof 50 patients with HALT. After anonymization and randomization, blinded readers measured maximum thrombus thickness per prosthesis (MT_pr) and movement restriction (MR_pr) on electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated whole heart cycle computed tomography angiography. These measurements were compared with echocardiographic mean pressure gradient (mPG), its increase from baseline (ΔmPG), and Doppler velocity index (DVI). Haemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) was defined as mPG &gt; 20 mmHg. Age, body mass index, valve type, valve size, left ventricular ejection fraction, and atrial fibrillation were considered as influencing factors. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only valve size (P = 0.001) and MT_pr (P = 0.02) had a significant influence on mPG. In an interaction model, valve size moderated the effect of MT_pr on mPG significantly (P = 0.004). Sub-group analysis stratified by valve sizes showed a strong correlation between MT_pr and echocardiographic parameters for 23 mm valves (mPG: r = 0.57, ΔmPG: r = 0.68, DVI: r = 0.55, each with P &lt; 0.001), but neither for 26 nor 29 mm valves (r &lt; 0.2, P &gt; 0.2 for all correlations). Six of seven prostheses with HVD had a 23 mm valve diameter, while one had 29 mm (P = 0.02).

Conclusion
Early HALT rarely causes significant mPG increase. Our study shows that valve size is a key factor influencing the haemodynamic impact of HALT. In small valve sizes, mPG is more likely to increase. Our study is the first to offer in vivo evidence supporting previous in vitro findings on this topic.
Outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in adult congenital heart disease: a Danish nationwide study
Authors: Barcella Carlo Alberto , Christensen Daniel Mølager , Idorn Lars , Mudalige Nishan , Malmborg Morten , Folke Frederik , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar , El-Chouli Mohamad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aims
The risk, characteristics, and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain scarcely investigated.

Methods and results
An epidemiological registry-based study was conducted. Using time-dependent Cox regression models fitted with a nested case–control design, hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals of OHCA of presumed cardiac cause (2001–19) associated with simple, moderate, and severe CHD were calculated. Moreover, using multiple logistic regression, we investigated the association between pre-hospital OHCA characteristics and 30-day survival and compared 30-day survival in OHCA patients with and without CHD. Overall, 43 967 cases (105 with simple, 144 with moderate, and 53 with severe CHD) and 219 772 controls (median age 72 years, 68.2% male) were identified. Any type of CHD was found to be associated with higher rates of OHCA compared with the background population [simple CHD: HR 1.37 (1.08–1.70); moderate CHD: HR 1.64 (1.36–1.99); and severe CHD: HR 4.36 (3.01–6.30)]. Pre-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation were both associated with improved 30-day survival in patients with CHD, regardless of CHD severity. Among patients with OHCA, simple, moderate, and severe CHD had a similar likelihood of 30-day survival compared with no CHD [odds ratio 0.95 (0.53–1.69), 0.70 (0.43–1.14), and 0.68 (0.33–1.57), respectively].

Conclusion
A higher risk of OHCA was found throughout the spectrum of CHD. Patients with and without CHD showed the same 30-day survival, which relies on the pre-hospital chain of survival, namely cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation.
Unpacking the lifelong secrets of little penguins: individual quality, energy allocation, and stochasticity in defining fitness
Authors: Joly Nicolas , Chiaradia Andre , Georges Jean-Yves , Saraux Claire 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
While the heterogeneity among individuals of a population is more and more documented, questions on the paths through which it arises, particularly whether it is linked to fixed heterogeneity or chance alone, are still widely debated. Here, we tested how individual quality, energy allocation trade-offs, and environmental stochasticity define individual fitness. To do so, we simultaneously investigated the contribution of 18 life-history traits to the fitness of breeding little penguins (Eudyptula minor), using a structural equation model. Fitness was highly variable amongst the 162 birds monitored over their entire lifespan. It increased with the individual penguin’s ability to increase (a) the number of breeding events (i.e., living longer, breeding younger, breeding more often, and producing more second clutches) and (b) the breeding success per event through increased foraging performances (i.e., mass gained at sea). While all three processes (stochasticity, individual quality, and allocation trade-offs) affected fitness, interindividual variability in fitness was mainly driven by individual quality, birds consistently breeding earlier in the season and displaying higher foraging efficiency exhibiting higher fitness. Why some birds consistently can perform better at sea and breed earlier remains a question to investigate to understand how selection applies to these traits.