bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Performance in Alzheimer’s Disease versus Late-Life Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Barlet Brianna D , Hauson Alexander O , Pollard Anna A , Zhang Emily Z , Nemanim Natasha M , Sarkissians Sharis , Lackey Nick S , Stelmach Nicholas P , Walker Alyssa D , Carson Bryce T , Flora-Tostado Christopher , Reszegi Katalin , Allen Kenneth E , Viglione Donald J 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Despite decades of research, neuropsychological tests (NPTs) that clearly differentiate between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and late-life depression (LLD) have yet to be agreed upon. Given this gap in knowledge and the rapid deployment of disease-modifying drugs for the two disorders, accurate clinical diagnosis using evidence-based assessment is essential. This study aims to systematically examine the literature to identify NPTs that would be able to differentiate AD and LLD.

Method
Databases and bibliographies were searched to identify articles for analysis. Two major inclusion criteria were that the studies compared neuropsychological functioning of AD versus LLD using normed NPTs and provided data for effect size calculation. Risk of bias was minimized by having independent coders for all steps in the review.

Results
Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria (N = 2,797) and provided effect sizes for tests that were classified as belonging to 15 domains of functioning. The two groups were well differentiated by tasks of delayed contextual verbal memory as compared to immediate or non-contextual memory, recognition cueing, confrontation naming, visuospatial construction, and conceptualization. Specific NPTs that appear to be useful for differential diagnosis include the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test–Delayed Recognition; Boston Naming Test; the Dementia Rating Scale’s memory, conceptualization, and construction subscales; and the CERAD Constructional Praxis.

Conclusions
The NPTs highlighted in this systematic review could be used as a relatively simple and cost-effective method to differentiate between patients with cognitive dysfunction due to AD versus LLD.
Participant retention in a continental-scale citizen science project increases with the diversity of species detected
Authors: Bonter David N , Martin Victoria Y , Greig Emma I , Phillips Tina B 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSustaining the efforts of volunteers is a challenge facing citizen science programs. Research on volunteer management shows that a diversity of factors may be correlated with sustained volunteerism. In the present article, we explore retention of participants in a large-scale citizen science project. We focus on Project FeederWatch, a bird-monitoring program. Using data from 17,991 participants, we found that the probability of retention increased with the diversity of species (species richness) reported by a participant, but retention was unrelated to the overall abundance of birds reported. Participants who successfully submitted an observation were more likely to remain in the project the following year (82.0% interannual retention) than people who registered but never submitted an observation (39.7%). Two measures of effort were positively correlated with retention. This work provides a case study for examining how demographic information and scientific data collected by participants can be mined to understand volunteer retention in environmental monitoring projects.
Effects of oral nutritional supplements on the nutritional status and inflammatory markers in patients on maintenance dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Liu Peng Ju , Guo Jiayu , Zhang Yu , Wang Fang , Yu Kang 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Background and aims
Patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) often have insufficient energy and protein intake, resulting in poor nutritional status and adverse outcomes. Oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) are the most commonly used to increase such patients’ energy and protein intakes.

Methods
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we analyzed studies on nutritional status, inflammatory markers, and electrolyte levels in patients on dialysis receiving ONSs. We searched four electronic databases from inception until 31 December 2022, for randomized controlled trials comparing ONS treatment versus placebo or routine care.

Results
22 studies with 1185 patients on dialysis were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the ONS group exhibited significantly increased serum albumin levels [1.26 g/l (95%CI, 0.50–2.02, P &lt; 0.0001; I2 = 80.4%)], body mass indexes (BMIs) [0.30 kg/m2 (95%CI, 0.09–0.52, P = 0.005; I2 = 41.4%)], and handgrip strength (HGS) [0.96 kg (95%CI, 0.07–1.84, P = 0.034; I2 = 41.4%)] from baseline to the end of intervention. No significant differences were observed between the groups in lean body mass, phase angle, C-reactive protein, and serum phosphorus and potassium levels. In terms of improving albumin, the subgroup analyses show that ONS use seems to be more inclined to three variations: HD patients, short-term use, and non-intradialytic supplementation.

Conclusion
In conclusion, ONS use can improve the nutritional status of patients on dialysis in terms of their serum albumin, BMI, and HGS without significant effects on serum phosphorus, potassium, and C-reactive protein levels. However, it remains uncertain whether these results translate to improvement in clinically relevant outcomes. Large-scale high-quality studies are still required in this population.
Prediction of mortality by a 2-steps systolic and diastolic exercise echocardigraphy protocol in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function
Authors: Peteiro J , Bouzas-Mosquera A , De Andres F , Vazquez-Rodriguez J 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Exercise echocardiography (ExE) may evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. We sought to assess the combined prognostic value of systolic and diastolic function by a 2-steps protocol in patients referred for a clinically indicated ExE.

Methods
LV systolic and DF according to ASE/EACVI guidelines, and mitral regurgitation (MR) were evaluated at rest in 772 patients (age 67±12 years) with preserved LV ejection fraction (≥50). Afterwards, we assessed regional/global LV systolic function at peak exercise on a treadmill (step 1), and MR and E/e’ in the immediate post-exercise period (step 2). Abnormal ExE was defined as ischemia or fixed wall motion abnormalities, and raised E/e´values as &gt;15 at rest and at exercise (e´ at the septal level). The patients were followed for a median of 1.7 years (25th–75th percentiles 1.07–2.59) for the occurrence of overall mortality.

Results
Ischemia was reported in 161 patients (21%) and abnormal ExE in 192 (25%). DF at rest was abnormal in 221 patients (29%) and indeterminate in 77 (10%). E/e´ &gt;15 was found in 148 patients at rest (19%) and in 125 at exercise (16%). Mean achieved metabolic equivalents were 8.4±3.0 and 78% of the tests were maximal. There were 36 deaths (4.7%). Independent predictors were: age (HR= 1.07, 95% CI=1.03–1.11; p = 0.002), male gender (HR= 4.09, 95% CI=1.83–9.14; p = 0.001), peak double product (HR= 0.91, 95% CI=0.85–0.97; p = 0.002), peak wall motion score index (HR= 7.99, 95% CI=2.98–21.48; p&lt;0.001) and post-exercise E/e´ value (HR= 1.08, 95% CI=1.02–1.15; p = 0.013). Neither resting E/e´ values nor resting abnormal DF resulted independent predictors. Annualized mortality-rates were 10.9 % in patients with (+) ExE plus (+) exercise E/e´, 3.7% in (-) ExE and (+) exercise E/e, 3.6% in those with (+) ExE and (-) exercise E/e´, and 1.2% with both variables normal.

Conclusions
A two-steps protocol for systolic and diastolic ExE assessment is able to predict mortality in patients with normal resting LV function. Mortality was 10-times higher when the 2 assessments were abnormal in comparison with both normal.
Sex and age-specific interactions of coronary atherosclerotic plaque onset and prognosis from coronary CT
Authors: Van Rosendael S , Bax A M , Lin F , Van Rosendael A R 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The totality of atherosclerotic plaque derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) – atherosclerotic plaque burden - emerges as a comprehensive measure to assess the intensity of medical treatment that patients need. This study examines the differences in age onset and prognostic significance of atherosclerotic plaque burden between women and men.

Methods
From a large multi-center CCTA registry the Leiden CCTA score was calculated in 24,950 men and women. This score incorporates plaque extent, severity, location and composition into a single value, and was divided into 3 risk groups as described previously. Median Leiden CCTA score values were modeled per increasing age to assess the delay in onset of plaque in women. Further, sex-differences in the prognostic value for major adverse cardiac events (MACE, myocardial infarction or all-cause death) were investigated using multivariable cox regression analysis, adjusted for age and cardiovascular risk factors. Sex specific differences in prognostic importance are evaluated with interactions, including a pre-defined age threshold of ≥55 years indicating menopause.

Results
A total of 11,678 women (age 58.5 ± 12.4 years) and 13,272 men (age 55.6 ± 12.5 years) were followed for 3.7 years. The age where the median Leiden CCTA risk score was above zero was 12 years higher in women versus men (64–68 yr in women vs 52–56 yr in men, p&lt;0.001). The Leiden CCTA risk score was independently associated with MACE: score 6–20: HR 2.29 (1.69–3.10); score &gt;20: HR 6.71 (4.36–10.32) in women, and score 6–20: HR 1.64 (1.29–2.08); score &gt;20: HR 2.38 (1.73–3.29) in men. The risk was significantly higher for women within the highest risk group (adjusted p-interaction = 0.003). In pre-menopausal women, the Leiden CCTA risk score was equally predictive comparable with men. In postmenopausal women, the prognostic value was higher for women, especially in the highest Leiden CCTA risk score (score 6–20: HR 2.21 [1.57–3.11]; score &gt;20: HR 6.11 [3.84–9.70] in women; score 6–20: HR 1.57 [1.19–2.09]; score &gt;20: HR 2.25 [1.58–3.22] in men), with a significant interaction for the highest risk group (adjusted p-interaction=0.004).

Conclusion
Women developed coronary atherosclerosis approximately 12 years later than men. Post-menopausal women within the highest atherosclerotic burden group were at significantly higher risk for MACE than their male counterparts, which may have implications of the medical treatment intensity.
Usefulness of contrast echocardiography for detection of left ventricular thrombus in a real-world population with acute anterior myocardial infarction
Authors: Moschovidis V , Papadopoulou S L , Gogos C , Kantartzi V , Styliadis I , Sachpekidis V 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction
The treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has considerably changed in recent years, with early, mainly transcatheter reperfusion therapy improving survival. However, left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is still reported as a relatively common complication especially in anterior STEMI. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the most commonly used diagnostic modality in this setting due to its wide availability and low cost but can lead to misdiagnoses. The use of ultrasound contrast agents has dramatically improved the visualization of cardiac chambers and thus detection of LVT.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the value of contrast echocardiography (CE) for the detection of apical LVT in a real-world population of patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) in the modern era.

Methods
The population of this prospective study consisted of consecutive patients presenting within a year with acute anterior MI in a tertiary hospital with capability of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and/or current use of anticoagulant medication were excluded from the study. All patients underwent TTE without and with contrast within 7 days post-MI by an experienced cardiologist. CE was considered the reference standard.

Results
A total of 102 patients (mean age 61±13 years, 19% female) with anterior STEMI were prospectively recruited in our study. Ninety-eight patients underwent primary PCI, 3 patients underwent rescue PCI after unsuccessful thrombolysis, 1 patient underwent surgical revascularization. Two patients did not receive contrast agent (1 due to known hypersensitivity to contrast agent and 1 due to cardiogenic shock). Mean ejection fraction (EF) was 46% ± 10% in total population and was significantly lower in patients with LVT (42% ± 7% vs 47% ± 10%, p = 0.025). The incidence of confirmed LVT by CE was 28% (28/100) within 7 days post-MI. In total, 8 out of 28 LVT cases (28.5%) would have been missed using TTE without contrast within 7 days post-MI (sensitivity 71%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 90%). Example of missed LVT on TTE without and with contrast (left and right panel respectively) is shown in Figure 1.

Conclusions
LVT is not uncommon after anterior STEMI in the modern era of primary PCI. LVT would have been missed in a significant proportion of patients with anterior STEMI if CE was not used, depriving these patients from the option of early anticoagulation treatment.
Evaluation of myocardial work index in predicting in-hospital complication in patients with Takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Serena Migliarino S M , Giuseppe Iuliano G I , Mario Cristiano M C , Michele Bellino M B , Noemi Lionetti N L , Francesco Loria F L , Rossana Palumbo R P , Rosanna Di Fonzo R D F , Germano Junior Ferruzzi G J F , Angelo Silverio A S , Gennaro Provenza G P , Michele Ciccarelli M C , Gennaro Galasso G G , Carmine Vecchione C V , Citro R 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Backgrounds
Tako-tsubo syndrome (TTS) is a reversible heart failure pathology characterized by transient myocardial left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Although traditionally considered a benign condition, in-hospital complications are frequent in this cohort of patients. Non-invasive myocardial work (MW) parameters are considered as emerging indexes in evaluating global and regional myocardial systolic function.

Aim
The aim of this TTS study was to investigate the potential association of MW with in-hospital complications, and to compare MW with standard (LVEF) and advanced (GLS) echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic function

Methods
thirty-eight patients (mean age, 68 ± 12 years, 35 women) with TTS diagnosed with Takotsubo Italian Network criteria were prospectively enrolled and underwent a transthoracic Doppler echocardiography within 24 hours from hospital admission. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics during the index event were reported in table 1. MW is derived from the non-invasive strain-pressure loop obtained from the 2D strain data, integrating into its calculation the non-invasive brachial arterial pressure. Constructive MW (CMW), MW index (MWI), MW efficiency (MWE), and wasted myocardial work (WMW) were measured. LV GLS and LV EF were also measured.
In hospital complications were defined as a composite of apical LV thrombosis, hypokinetic arrhythmias (HA), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), acute heart failure (AHF), ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), cardiogenic shock (CS), respiratory arrest (RA), stroke and cardiac death (CD).

Results
Hospital complications occurred in 16 TTS patients (26% with AHF; 10% with SVT; 8% with CS; 5% with apical LV thrombosis; 5% with HA; 2,6 % with RA; 2,6% with stroke; 2% with VT/VF). The WMW parameter appear to have the best performance in predicting in-hospital complications (odds ratio for having HC: 8.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 46.1), figure 2).

Conclusion
global and regional myocardial performance is transiently impaired in TTS and significantly associated with hospital complication. Although limited by the low number of patients, these results suggest that myocardial work parameters may have a better performance than the EF value in predicting intra-hospital complications. Larger studies will be necessary to confirm these preliminary results.
SIRT3 Activator Honokiol Inhibits Th17 Cell Differentiation and Alleviates Colitis
Authors: Chen Xiaotian , Zhang Mingming , Zhou Fan , Gu Zhengrong , Li Yuan , Yu Ting , Peng Chunyan , Zhou Lixing , Li Xiangrui , Zhu Dandan , Zhang Xiaoqi , Yu Chenggong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Honokiol (HKL), a natural extract of the bark of the magnolia tree and an activator of the mitochondrial protein sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), has been proposed to possess anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of HKL on T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation in colitis.

Methods
Serum and biopsies from 20 participants with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 18 healthy volunteers were collected for the test of serum cytokines, flow cytometry analysis (FACS), and relative messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of T cell subsets, as well as the expression of SIRT3 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription/retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (p-STAT3/RORγt) signal pathway in colon tissues. In vitro, naïve clusters of differentiation (CD) 4 + T cells isolated from the mouse spleen differentiated to subsets including Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers were induced to the polarization of Th17 cells. After HKL treatment, changes in T cell subsets, related cytokines, and transcription factors were measured. The dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and interleukin (IL)-10-deficient mice were intraperitoneally injected with HKL. These experiments were conducted to study the effect of HKL on the development, cytokines, and expression of signaling pathway proteins in colitis.

Results
Patients with UC had higher serum IL-17 and a higher proportion of Th17 differentiation in blood compared with healthy participants; while IL-10 level and the proportion of Treg cells were lower. Higher relative mRNA levels of RORγt and a lower SIRT3 expression in colon tissues were observed. In vitro, HKL had little effect on the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells to Th1, Th2, or Treg cells, but it downregulated IL-17 levels and the Th17 cell ratio in CD4+ T cells from the mouse spleen and human PBMCs under Th17 polarization. Even with a STAT3 activator, HKL still significantly inhibited IL-17 levels. In DSS–induced colitis mice and IL-10 deficient mice treated with HKL, the length of the colon, weight loss, disease activity index, and histopathological scores were improved, IL-17 and IL-21 levels, and the proportion of Th17 cells were decreased. Sirtuin-3 expression was increased, whereas STAT3 phosphorylation and RORγt expression were inhibited in the colon tissue of mice after HKL treatment.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that HKL could partially protect against colitis by regulating Th17 differentiation through activating SIRT3, leading to inhibition of the STAT3/RORγt signaling pathway. These results provide new insights into the protective effects of HKL against colitis and may facilitate the research of new drugs for inflammatory bowel disease.
Mining previous acoustic surveys to improve walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) target strength estimates
Authors: Lauffenburger N , De Robertis A , Williams K 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Acoustic-trawl surveys are widely used to measure the abundance and distribution of pelagic fish. The echo integration method used in these surveys requires estimates of the target strength (TS, dB re 1 m2) of acoustic scatterers. Here, we present a new automated method to estimate TS from a large volume of previously collected acoustic survey data recorded near trawl sites. By applying a series of selection and filtering methods to echosounder data, single echo measurements representative of fish encountered during surveys can be objectively and reliably isolated from existing survey data. We applied this method to 30 surveys of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) conducted in Alaska from 2007 to 2019 and estimated a new length-to-TS relationship. The resulting relationship ($TS = 20.0 \cdot {\log _{10}}\,L - 66.0$) was largely consistent with previous in situ estimates made during dedicated, mostly nighttime TS collection events. Analysis of this sizeable data set (n = 142) indicates that increased fish depth, lower ambient temperature, and summer months may increase pollock TS. The application of a new TS model incorporating these environmental covariates to historic surveys resulted in -16 to +21% changes in abundance relative to the model without environmental covariates. This study indicates that useful TS measurements can be uncovered from existing datasets.
A simulation study on the bias and wavelength dependence of luminescent coupling in top-limited multi-junction solar cells
Authors: He Wan , Chen Benyuan , Lv Qinghua , Lv Hui 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Luminescent coupling in a top-limited multi-junction solar cell was investigated by employing a 3D circuit model and semiconductor physics. The calculation methods for computing both electro-luminescent and photo-luminescent coupling efficiencies were introduced. Since the calculation processes were circuit independent, they can be applied directly to any form of an equivalent circuit model of a solar cell. Moreover, an external approach to counteract the luminescent coupling effect was provided, and the luminescent coupling process in a top-limited solar cell was illustrated. Finally, the bias and wavelength dependence of luminescent coupling efficiency was applied to the 3D circuit model, and the simulation results were consistent with the measured data.
Adverbs Related to ‘Year’ in Semitic
Authors: Rubin Aaron D 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In addition to the various nouns meaning ‘year’ attested in the Semitic languages, there exist numerous unique adverbs with reference to years past, present and future. That is to say, besides transparent noun phrases with an adverbial function—phrases that are parallel or similar to English ‘this year’, ‘last year’ and ‘next year’—we also find a number of lexical adverbs with these meanings. This article examines these various adverbs or adverbial phrases in the diverse Semitic languages, both ancient and modern, coming from a variety of semantic developments, some of which are typologically unusual.
An Enigmatic Aramaic-Hebrew-Greek Glossary of The Jerusalem Talmud
Authors: Cherlow Elyashiv 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
This article deals with one manuscript of the Jerusalem Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, discovered in the Cairo Genizah (שבתא in Ginzei Yerushlami). About 30 notes were identified in the margins of this volume, written in Hebrew and Greek. Researchers have considered these notes but have not yet understand their content. This is largely because of their unusual form of writing: the Hebrew notes were written from left to right, while the Greek ones—in most cases—were written from right to left. This paper shows that the notes are interpretive glosses that translate rare words written in the Talmudic text.