bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Audiovisual Breathing Guidance for Improved Image Quality and Scan Efficiency of T2- and Diffusion-Weighted Liver MRI
Authors: Mesropyan Narine , Katemann Christoph , Heuvelink-Marck Annerieke , Yüksel Can , Isaak Alexander , Lakghomi Asadeh , Bischoff Leon , Dell Tatjana , Kravchenko Dmitrij , Kuetting Daniel , Pieper Claus C. , Luetkens Julian A. 
Published: January 2025

Objectives
Impaired image quality and long scan times frequently occur in respiratory-triggered sequences in liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated the impact of an in-bore active breathing guidance (BG) application on image quality and scan time of respiratory-triggered T2-weighted (T2) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) by comparing sequences with standard triggering (T2S and DWIS) and with BG (T2BG and DWIBG).

Materials and Methods
In this prospective study, random patients with clinical indications for liver MRI underwent 3 T MRI with standard and BG acquisitions. The audiovisual BG application received the respiratory signal from the scanner, and animated breathing instructions were displayed using a mirror and screen behind the MRI bore. Prior to the DWIBG and T2BG acquisition, patients received a short video instruction about MRI with BG. Suitable parameters for desired breathing pattern for T2BG and DWIBG were set individually for each patient based on the patient's physical respiratory ability (ie, 4 seconds breathing followed by 4.5 seconds breath holding). Artifacts, sharpness, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality were assessed using a Likert scale from 1 (nondiagnostic) to 5 (excellent). Scan time, apparent contrast-to-noise ratio, and apparent signal-to-noise ratio (aSNR) for all sequences were analyzed. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis.

Results
Thirty-two patients (mean age: 55 ± 13 years, 13 female) were included. T2BG showed less artifacts (4.5 ± 0.7 vs 4.1 ± 0.8, P < 0.001) and better sharpness, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality (eg, overall image quality 4.6 ± 0.7 vs 4.4 ± 0.7, P = 0.004) compared with T2S. DWIBG demonstrated improved image quality in all categories compared with DWIS (eg, overall image quality 4.5 ± 0.5 vs 4.3 ± 0.5, P = 0.005) and less artifacts (4.1 ± 0.5 vs 3.8 ± 0.7, P = 0.007). Scan times of T2BG (286 ± 23 vs 345 ± 68 seconds, P < 0.001) and DWIBG (160 ± 4 vs 252 ± 70 seconds, P < 0.001) were reduced by 17% and 37%, respectively. aSNR and apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (eg, aSNR: 23.45 ± 11.31 [T2BG] vs 25.84 ± 10.76 [T2S]; P = 0.079) were similar for both sequences for both approaches.

Conclusions
Active BG for respiratory-triggered liver T2w and DWI sequences led to significant reduction of breathing artifacts, improved image quality, and shorter scan time compared with standard acquisitions.
Optimal Timing and Approaches for First Tangential Excision in Patients with ≥70% TBSA Burns
Authors: Huang Runzhi , Yao Yuntao , Xie Sujie , Li Junqiang , Zhang Wei , Liu Yifan , Xian Shuyuan , Sun Hanlin , Wu Guosheng , He Heng , Li Linhui , Wu Xinru , Li Yuanan , Zhang Haoyu , Lu Bingnan , Zhou Jiajie , Zhou Yibin , Xu Dayuan , Xia Zhaofan , Ji Shizhao 
Published: January 2025

Objective:
We aim to determine the optimal timing and approaches for first tangential excision of severely burned patients ≥70% total body surface area (TBSA).

Background:
Early tangential excision is the gold-standard surgical therapy for full-thickness burns. However, there are debates about its optimal timing and approaches for severely burned patients ≥70%TBSA.

Materials and Methods:
This study included 185 patients in the Kunshan factory explosion. We focused on surgical timing, surgical area, and main wound covering method for first tangential excision. We determined the optimal cut-off values for surgical timing and area using R language “surv_cutpoint” and “surv_categorize” functions, and utilized the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to investigate their influences on patients’ overall survival. Then, we utilized multi-variate Cox regression analysis to identify independent factors, and performed subgroup analyses to find confounding factors. Finally, we employed a 10-year single-center cohort of 144 patients with burn injury ≥70% TBSA for external validation.

Results:
Performing first tangential excision in >3 days (hazard ratio=2.37, 95% confidence interval=1.05-5.40, P=0.039) and surgical area > 48% TBSA (hazard ratio=2.41, 95% confidence interval=1.46-4.00, P<0.001) were independent risk factors in the Kunshan cohort for overall survival of patients ≥70% TBSA, and were associated with higher rate of complications. Subgroup analysis revealed that the timing and TBSA of first tangential excision were influenced by several treatment and complications factors (hemodynamic status and types of hospitals). Main wound covering methods was a significant confounding factor. Patients with more autograft showed better overall survival than those with more extensive use of temporary skin substitutes in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P<0.001). However, main wound covering methods influenced by the severity of injury, availability of autologous skin source, as well as the medical resources. Additionally, external validation demonstrated consistent results and acceptable calibration.

Conclusion:
This study identified the optimal timing and approaches for first tangential excision, validating them as independent prognostic factors for patients with ≥70% TBSA. However, considering the various confounding factors, treatment for each patient should be tailored.
Textbook Neoadjuvant Experience: Defining a Novel Composite Outcomes Measure for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Underwood Patrick W , Leuschner Thomas , Ejaz Aslam , Dillhoff Mary , Tsai Susan , Pawlik Timothy M , Manne Ashish , Krishna Somashekar G , Miller Eric D , Ahmad Syed , Cloyd Jordan M 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly utilized for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Disease progression, toxicity, and failure to undergo surgical resection are common during NT, yet little research has focused on efforts to optimize care delivery. We sought to define and validate a novel composite outcomes metric that characterizes the successful delivery of NT.

Study Design:
All patients with localized PDAC receiving NT in intention-to-treat fashion between 2018-2023 were retrospectively evaluated. A textbook neoadjuvant experience (TNE) was defined as the absence of mortality, disease progression, or hospital admission during NT as well as the completion of all intended NT and successful surgical resection.

Results:
Among 306 patients with localized PDAC, median age was 66 and 58.5% were male. Overall, only 85 (28%) experienced a TNE which was more common among patients with potentially resectable (45/96, 47%) than borderline resectable (33/112, 29%) or locally advanced (7/98, 7%) disease. Patients with a TNE experienced greater overall survival (OS) than those individuals without a TNE (median not reached vs 16.4 months (95%CI: 14.9-17.9 months), p<0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, a TNE was the strongest predictor of improved OS (HR 0.33; 95%CI: 0.20-0.54, p<0.001).

Conclusion:
A TNE is infrequently achieved among patients with PDAC undergoing NT but is significantly associated with improved long-term outcomes. Future research aimed at optimizing outcomes of NT delivery should incorporate this novel composite metric that may more accurately reflect patient and provider expectations of treatment.
Time to standardize educational competencies on EBP: the benefits of a common core framework
Authors: Cardoso Ana Filipa , Lockwood Craig 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
Principles, theories, and models of education for health professionals have not evolved in parallel with advanced requirements for evidence-based practice (EBP). We propose that groups such as JBI, with a global network of clinical and academic centers, are well placed to reignite the debate and advance evidence-based curriculum development. This can be achieved by operationalizing the JBI Model for Evidence-Based Healthcare within the Sicily statement's pedagogical framework. We propose that JBI establish a global methodological group to advance this work, including the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based curriculum for cross-professional teaching of evidence-based health care principles and practices, as well as facilitating resource-sharing capability.
Monte Carlo simulations predict distinct real EEG patterns in individuals with high and low IQs
Authors: Tozzi Arturo 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in intelligence are a central focus in neuroscience. We investigated the effectiveness of Monte Carlo simulations in predicting real EEG patterns and uncovering potential neural differences between individuals with high and low intelligence. EEG data were collected from two groups of volunteers categorized by IQ, namely, a high-IQ group and a low-IQ group. A univariate normal distribution was fitted to each EEG channel using Maximum Likelihood Estimation, after which synthetic datasets were generated based on the estimated parameters. Statistical analyses including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) calculations assessed the alignment between real and simulated data. We showed that Monte Carlo simulations effectively replicated the statistical properties of the EEG data from both the groups, closely matching the real central tendencies, variability and overall distribution shapes. Specific EEG channels, particularly in the frontal and temporal bilateral regions, exhibited significant differences between the two groups, pointing to potential neural markers of cognitive abilities. Further, the low-IQ group exhibited higher predictability and more consistent neural patterns, reflected by lower RMSE values and smaller standard deviations across several EEG channels. Conversely, the high-IQ group displayed greater variability and larger RMSE values, reflecting complex neural dynamics that are less predictable by Monte Carlo simulations. Our findings underscore the utility of Monte Carlo simulations as a robust tool for replicating EEG patterns, identifying cognitive differences and predicting EEG activity associated with intelligence levels. These insights can inform predictive modeling, neurocognitive research, educational strategies and clinical interventions of targeted cognitive enhancement.
Integration of mathematical modeling and economics approaches to evaluate strategies for control ofSalmonellaDublin in a heifer-raising operation
Authors: Llanos-Soto Sebastian , Wiedmann Martin , Adalja Aaron , Henry Christopher , Moroni Paolo , Frye Elisha , Yepes Francisco A. Leal , Ivanek Renata 
Published: January 2025

AbstractSalmonellaDublin infections in heifer-raising operations (HROs) cause animal health and economic losses for these operations and represent a pathogen source for dairy farms obtaining replacement heifers from HROs. To improve control ofS. Dublin, we (i) developed a mathematical model ofS.Dublin transmission on a HRO, (ii) evaluated the vaccine effectiveness and cleaning improvements for controlling the infection, and (iii) evaluated the influence of infection and control strategies on the HRO’s operating income. We developed a modified Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible model ofS.Dublin spread in a batch-stocking HRO post-introduction of an index case, with stochasticity introduced through Monte Carlo simulations. Epidemiological outcomes (S.Dublin-induced deaths and abortions during raising andS.Dublin carriers and asymptomatic infections among raised replacement heifers) and operating income per 100-head raised on a HRO over a 2-year simulation were compared between control scenarios. We validated our model againstS.Dublin infection data in cattle. Partial rank correlation coefficient and classification trees were used to determine parameter influence on model outcomes. Our model predicts a median of 37 carriers and 92 asymptomatic infections among raised replacement heifers out of 2,330 heifers that departed the operation by the end of the 2-year simulation period, highlighting the critical role of HROs in spreadingS. Dublin. Increasing barn floor cleaning frequency (to a maximum of 12x per day) meaningfully reduced theS.Dublin epidemiological outcomes and improved the HRO’s operating income. Depending on the cost of cleaning, the median operating income increased between 1.2% to 10.6% in the first year when cleaning 12x per day compared to baseline (cleaning 1x per week). In most cost scenarios, predictions do not support the use of vaccination, even when paired with stringent cleaning measures. The developed model is expected to aid efforts to controlS.Dublin in HROs.
A new skin supplement Purasomes XCELL: an integrative approach in regenerative aesthetics
Authors: Salvaggio Antonio , Coppa Federica , Brundo Maria Violetta 
Published: January 2025

AbstractFood supplements are taking on an increasingly important role as potential support tools for well-being and health. Supplements that offer essential nutrients and bioactive compounds can help fill nutritional gaps and provide specific benefits to complement health and wellness promotion strategies. Many supplements contain bioactive compounds used to enhance skin health and appearance, but only few biomolecules influence telomere lengths. Aims of this study was evaluatedin vitroeffectiveness of a new supplement Purasomes XCELL that contains natural compounds extracted from bovine colostrum andAstragalus, on skin aging using telomere length as an aging biomarker. Our results suggest that Purasomes XCELL has protective effect that is manifested already 4 weeks of treatment, but the telomere shortening rates on human fibroblasts were even more pronounced at 8 weeks. This new supplement could be highly effective on skin aging.
Treg cell epitopes fromα-tubulin: discovery and immunomodulatory features
Authors: Fiyouzi Tara , Subiza Jose L. , Lafuente Esther M. , Reche Pedro A 
Published: January 2025

AbstractRegulatory T (Treg) cells are pivotal in maintaining self-tolerance and controlling immune responses. In this study, we investigated potential Treg cell epitopes in human α-tubulin that were selectedin silicofor their promiscuous binding to class II human leukocyte antigens and full identity with antigens from enteric nematodes present in excretory-secretory products. We identified five Treg cell epitopes in α-tubulin that were capable of stimulating and expanding IL-10 and TGF-β-producing Foxp3+Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We also proved that a peptide pool containing the identified Treg cell epitopes (αTBL pool) suppressed the T cell responses elicited by different stimuli, including LPS, and class I and class II restricted T cell epitopes, as determined by intracellular cytokine staining assays. Similarly, this same peptide pool was able to suppress T cell responses in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Finally, we found that stimulation of naive CD4+T cells with autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells in the presence of the αTBL pool promoted the differentiation of functional CD4+CD25highFoxP3+T cells capable of suppressing the proliferation of CD3/CD28-activated T cells. α-tubulin Treg cell epitopes could be useful for treating autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases by inducing Treg cells and, given the ubiquitous and copious expression of α-tubulin, enable a general mechanism of immune homeostasis.
SELECTION OF ANTI-NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (ANA) REACTIVE B CELLS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
Authors: Atisha-Fregoso Yemil , Meng Wenzhao , Rosenfeld Aaron M. , Liu Fang , MacCarthy Thomas , Feltman Scott , Aranow Cynthia , Mackay Meggan , Terestchenko Chloe , Dunn Moriah , Scharff Matthew , Luning Prak Eline T. , Diamond Betty 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveAutoreactive B cells that recognize nuclear antigens are normally present in healthy individuals and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet their activation and the production of IgG autoantibodies is a hallmark of SLE. The selection process and regulation of these cells in patients with SLE has not been completely understood. To gain insights into tolerance checkpoints and the developmental trajectories of autoreactive clones, we studied the BCR sequences from thousands of anti-nuclear antigen binding (ANA)+ and ANA-B cells from patients with SLE.MethodsFrom a cohort of 13 patients with SLE, we identified and isolated ANA+ and ANA-B cells by flow cytometry using a method based on their binding to nuclear extracts. We sequenced B cell receptor (BCR) heavy chain variable regions and investigated the features of the IgH repertoire of ANA+ and ANA-B cells from naïve, memory and age-associated B cells (ABCs), and from total plasmablasts.ResultsThe frequency of ANA+ B cells was similar in ABCs and naive B cells and higher in both than in memory B cells. We observed preferential usage of some VH (IGHV1-18, IGHV3-21, IGHV3-23|3-23D, IGHV4-34, IGHV4-39 and IGHV4-59) and VJ genes (IGHJ4 and IGHJ6) in B cells from these patients. ANA+ naïve and ANA+ ABCs used different gene segments and have longer CDR3 sequences than ANA+ memory B cells and ANA-subsets. ANA+ ABCs and memory B cells have a lower frequency of somatic hypermutation (SHM) and less activation induced deaminase (AID) targeting to WRC hotspots compared with their ANA-counterparts. Patients with active disease have a lower frequency of SHM in ANA+ ABCs and memory B cells and in ANA-ABCs.ConclusionCompared to memory B cells, ABCs are enriched in autoreactivity. Our results suggest that there is an immune checkpoint that restricts the differentiation of ANA+ naïve B cells into memory B cells and that ANA+ ABCs originate from ANA+ naïve B cells. Lower frequencies of SHM in antigen experienced ANA+ B cells, and particularly ANA+ ABCs, suggest that these cells might be generated through an extrafollicular (EF) pathway, and that in patients with active SLE there is more EF activation.
Mitochondria transported by Kinesin 3 prevent localized calcium spiking to inhibit caspase-dependent specialized cell death
Authors: Sharmin Rashna , Elkhalil Aladin , Pena Sara , Gaddipati Pranya , Clark Ginger , Shah Pavak K. , Pellegrino Mark W. , Shaham Shai , Ghose Piya 
Published: January 2025

SummaryPolarized cells (such as neurons), defined by distinct compartments are, like many cell types, subject to developmental elimination, as in neurite pruning. The molecular mechanism behind specialized elimination remains a largely open question. We previously introduced the “tri-partite” embryonic cell death program Compartmentalized Cell Elimination (CCE) in the scaffolding tail-spike epithelial cell and sex-specific CEM neurons ofC. elegans. CCE is stereotyped and ordered, with three distinct programs eliminating three cell compartments, and bearing morphological hallmarks reminiscent of neurite pruning. Here we report first, that, prior to CCE onset, mitochondria undergo UNC-116/Kinesin 1-dependent irreversible retrograde transport; and second, that the caspase protease CED-3 promotes the completion of the proximal nicking event of CCE by helping inhibit the kinesin 3 homolog UNC-104. While known canonically to carry only synaptic vesicles, UNC-104/Kinesin 3, in the CCE context, and in the absence of CED-3/Caspase, can transport mitochondria anterogradely to the severing site. We observe both caspase activity and Ca2+spiking at this site prior to nicking. Mitochondria appear to protect against nicking in the absence of CED-3 via their MCU-1 uniporter-dependent Ca2+uptake capacity. Our study sheds light on the molecular machinery of specialized cell elimination and pruning, highlighting involvement of region-specific Ca2+signaling, an anti-death function of mitochondria via local Ca2+uptake, mitochondrial transport as a regulatory strategy, with UNC-116/kinesin 1-mediated retrograde transport important for cell elimination priming and UNC-104/kinesin 3 in a previously undescribed role as a non-canonical anterograde mitochondrial motor.
Pillar arrays as tunable interfacial barriers for microphysiological systems
Authors: Goswami Ishan , Kim Yongdeok , Neiman Gabriel , Siemons Brian , Velazquez Jazmin I. , Yazgan Kerem , Ng Tammy , Healy Kevin E. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTWe report on the design and fabrication of a novel circular pillar array as an interfacial barrier for microfluidic microphysiological systems (MPS). Traditional barrier interfaces, such as porous membranes and microchannel arrays, present limitations due to inconsistent pore size, complex fabrication and device assembly, and lack of tunability using a scalable design. Our pillar array overcomes these limitations by providing precise control over pore size, porosity, and hydraulic resistance through simple modifications of pillar dimensions. Serving as an interface between microfluidic compartments, it facilitates cell aggregation for tissue formation and acts as a tunable diffusion barrier that mimics diffusion in vivo. We demonstrate the utility of barrier design to engineer physiologically relevant cardiac microtissues and a heterotypic model with vasculature within the device. Its tunable properties offer significant potential for drug screening/testing and disease modeling, enabling comparisons of drug permeability and cell migration in MPS tissue with or without vasculature.
The Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions in the Leaf Photosynthesis-Transpiration-Stomatal Conductance Model
Authors: Masutomi Yuji , Kobayashi Kazuhiko 
Published: January 2025

AbstractTheAn-E-gsmodel, which consistently describes leaf photosynthesis (An), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs), is widely recognized and utilized as a “standard model” for quantifying these processes in terrestrial plants. However, since its proposal over 30 years ago, the model has faced a longstanding challenge: the “solution selection” problem, arising from the existence of multiple solutions with no guarantee that the obtained solution is correct.In this study, we mathematically proved that theAn-E-gsmodel always has a unique solution satisfying the criteriags>0andCi>0, whereCirepresents the CO2concentration inside the leaf. This result establishes a rigorous mathematical theorem on the existence and uniqueness of solutions in the model. The theorem resolves the longstanding “solution selection” problem by enabling the unambiguous identification of the correct solution through selecting the unique solution that satisfies these criteria. Furthermore, the theorem ensures the validity of past estimations that satisfy these criteria and guarantees that future studies applying these criteria will yield correct estimations. These findings provide a robust mathematical foundation for theAn-E-gsmodel, reinforcing its role as the standard model for estimating leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance across diverse disciplines, from plant biology to climate science and beyond.