bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection of cervical nerve roots for cervical radicular pain in patients with mild and moderate to severe stenosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Chang-Hao , Yen Yun-Shan , Wu Cheng-Yi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBecause fascial entrapment neuropathy can occur in multiple locations, ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection has become a key component of the treatment of cervical radicular pain. In this paper, we propose a combination of injectates used for nerve hydrodissection of the cervical nerve roots and compare the clinical outcomes of this treatment among patients with different severities of stenosis. This is a retrospective cohort study designed to compare outcomes between patients with mild stenosis and moderate to severe stenosis. Forty-four patients with mild cervical stenosis and 30 patients with moderate to severe cervical stenosis were consecutively enrolled into two groups. A 10-mL mixture in a single level consisting of 5% in Dextrose, 0.2% lidocaine (Xylocaine), and 4 mg betamethasone (Rinderon) was used for nerve roots hydrodissection. The two groups were compared with regard to their numeric rating scales (NRS) of pain, proportion of patients who exhibited a favorable outcome (a reduction of pain ≥ 50%), duration of patient exhibited a favorable outcome, and occurrence of serious complications and minor side effects. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 20 months. The NRS of both groups improved significantly by 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and final follow-up after the initial injection. Differences in the groups’ NRS, proportion of patients who exhibited a favorable outcome, duration of patient exhibited a favorable outcome, and occurrence of serious complications and minor side effects were nonsignificant. There were 4 patients (5.4%) experienced dizziness in that resolved without further treatment. Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection of cervical nerve roots is a safe procedure that reduces pain associated with cervical radicular pain, even in patients with moderate to severe stenosis.
Trends and projection of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years of HIV in the Middle East and North Africa (1990–2030)
Authors: Khorrami Zahra , Balooch Hasankhani Mohammadreza , Khezri Mehrdad , Jafari-Khounigh Ali , Jahani Yones , Sharifi Hamid 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEvidence shows a growing trend of the HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We aimed to project the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in the region from 1990 to 2019 and assess its trend by 2025, and 2030. We extracted the HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and UNAIDS databases. The joinpoint regression model was used to examine changes in HIV trends. The trend changes were estimated by average annual percent change (AAPC). In most countries, an increasing trend was observed in HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY. Specifically, the highest growth in the annual incidence rate was related to Egypt (AAPC = 14.4, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 9.6, UNAIDS). Notably, Qatar (AAPC = − 5.6, GBD), Bahrain (AAPC = − 3.3, GBD), and Somalia (AAPC = − 4.2, UNAIDS) demonstrated a significant reduction in incidence. Regarding mortality rates, Djibouti (AAPC = 24.2, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 16.2, UNAIDS) exhibited a significant increasing pattern. Furthermore, the estimated increase in incidence by 2030 was most marked in Djibouti (985%) and Iran (174%). Iran (422%) and Egypt (339%) showed a prominent rise in mortality rates. GBD data showed 16 countries had an increasing pattern in DALY in both genders. According to age and period effects, there was a significant upward trend in incidence, mortality rates, and DALY. Findings highlighted the urgent need for improved prevention and treatment services, including expanding access to HIV testing, promoting safe practices, increasing antiretroviral therapy coverage, and supporting targeted interventions for high-risk populations.
A new method for the calculation of functional and path integrals
Authors: Hari Amos A. , Givli Sefi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper addresses a disconnect between the pivotal role of functional (path) integrals in modern theories, such as quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics, and the currently limited ability to perform the actual calculation. We present a new method for calculating functional integrals, based on a finite-element formulation, which solves all limitations of existing methods. This approach is far more robust, versatile, and powerful than the prevailing methods, thus allowing for more sophisticated computations and the study of problems that could not previously be tackled. Importantly, existing procedures, element libraries and shape functions, which have been developed throughout the years in the context of engineering analysis and partial differential equations, may be directly employed for this purpose.
Racially fair pupillometry measurements for RGB smartphone cameras using the far red spectrum
Authors: Barry Colin , Wang Edward 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPupillometry is a measurement of pupil dilation commonly performed as part of neurological assessments. Prior work have demonstrated the potential for pupillometry in screening or diagnosing a number of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease, Schizophrenia, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Unfortunately, the expense and inaccessibility of specialized pupilometers that image in the near infrared spectrum limit the measurement to high resource clinics or institutions. Ideally, this measurement could be available via ubiquitous devices like smartphones or tablets with integrated visible spectrum imaging systems. In the visible spectrum of RGB cameras, the melanin in the iris absorbs light such that it is difficult to distinguish the pupil aperature that appears black. In this paper, we propose a novel pupillometry technique to enable smartphone RGB cameras to effectively differentiate the pupil from the iris. The proposed system utilizes a 630 nm long-pass filter to image in the far red (630–700 nm) spectrum, where the melanin in the iris reflects light to appear brighter in constrast to the dark pupil. Using a convolutional neural network, the proposed system measures pupil diameter as it dynamically changes in a frame by frame video. Comparing across 4 different smartphone models, the pupil-iris contrast of N = 12 participants increases by an average of 451% with the proposed system. In a validation study of N = 11 participants comparing the relative pupil change in the proposed system to a Neuroptics PLR-3000 Pupillometer during a pupillary light response test, the prototype system acheived a mean absolute error of 2.4%.
The morphology, morphometry and functionality of fresh and cryopreserved wisent (Bison bonasus) epididymal spermatozoa
Authors: Eberhardt Maria , Prochowska Sylwia , Partyka Agnieszka , Bielas Wiesław , Van Soom Ann , Olech Wanda , Niżański Wojciech 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEpididymal spermatozoa obtained post mortem are considered a valuable source of genetic material which is often irrevocably lost. This makes these gametes constitute a key element in protection and restitution programs. The wisent (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758) is a species that survived in zoos after extinction from its natural habitat. This resulted in a narrowing of the genetic pool of the whole population, which is at present derived from only 12 ancestors. Currently, wisent protection programs are aimed at preserving the genetic diversity by establishing a germplasm bank. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the morphology, morphometry and functionality of wisent epididymal spermatozoa and evaluate the effectiveness of their cryopreservation in extender based on Tris buffer and chicken egg yolk. The median total number of spermatozoa obtained from one individual was 1985.0 × 106 (62.5 × 106–7452.0 × 106). These gametes were characterized by median: 40.0% (0.5–70.0%) subjective motility, 69.8% (32.5–90.0%) viability and 54.3% (10.5–83.3%) normal morphology. The sperm head had a median size of 5.0 μm (3.5–6.7 μm) width, 8.5 μm (6.4–11.3 μm) length and 36.9 μm2 (23.7–48.6 μm2) surface area. The viable population of the obtained gametes was characterized by median values 53.2% (4.5–80.3%) of intact sperm membrane, 50.8 (26.0–76.6%) of intact acrosome, 0.4% (0–98.7%) of fragmented chromatin, 5.9% (0.0–88.8%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 42.1% (8.3–63.7%) without lipid peroxidation. The viable population of the frozen/thawed gametes was characterized by median values: 18.4% (2.4–57.9%) of intact sperm membrane, 35.1 (11.9–56.7%) of intact acrosome, 0.07% (0–89.2%) of fragmented chromatin, 12.8% (0.0–49.7%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 16.3% (2.2–53.6%) without lipid peroxidation. Due to the material originating from a relatively large number of wild individuals, the research presented here contributed to the description of certain species standards for the assessment of wisent epididymal spermatozoa. The presented effect of cryopreservation on these gametes justifies the use of an extender based on Tris buffer with the addition of chicken egg yolk. The obtained effects are satisfactory from the point of view of preserving valuable genetic material and their use in ART.
Design, synthesis, and performance evaluation of TiO2-dye sensitized solar cells using 2,2′-bithiophene-based co-sensitizers
Authors: Elmorsy Mohamed R. , Abdelhamed Fatma H. , Badawy Safa A. , Abdel-Latif Ehab , Abdel-Shafi Ayman A. , Ismail Mohamed A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe report on the synthesis and characterization of six novel 2,2′-bithiophene-based organic compounds (3a–c and 5a–c) that are designed to serve as co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2. The compounds are linked to various donor and acceptor groups, and we confirm their chemical structures through spectral analyses. Our focus is on enhancing the performance of metal based N3, and the compounds were designed to operate at the nanoscale. We performed absorption and fluorescence emission measurements in dimethylformamide (DMF), where one of our compounds 5a exhibited the longest maximum absorption and maximum emission wavelengths, indicating the significant impact of the para methoxy group as a strong electron-donating group. Our dyes 5a + N3 (η = 7.42%) and 5c + N3 (η = 6.57%) outperformed N3 (η = 6.16%) alone, where the values of short current density (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) for these two systems also improved. We also investigated the charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is important in the context of nanotechnology. According to the Nyquist plot, the 5a + N3 cocktail exhibited the lowest recombination rate, resulting in the highest VOC. Our theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are also in agreement with the experimental process. These findings suggest that our compounds have great potential as efficient DSSC co-sensitizers. This study provides valuable insights into the design and synthesis of new organic compounds for use as co-sensitizers in DSSCs based on TiO2 and highlights the potential of these compounds for use in efficient solar energy conversion.
Efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in treatment acute severe dermatitis in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy: a phase I clinical trial
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Jia Li , Xie Peng , Yin Xiaoyan , Zhu Wanqi , Zhao Hong , Wang Xin , Meng Xiangjiao , Xing Ligang , Zhao Hanxi , Li Xiaolin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) solution treating the acute severe dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase I research enrolled patients with thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in Shandong, China. EGCG solution was sprayed to the radiation field when grade III radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) first appearance. EGCG concentration escalated from 660 to 2574 μmol/L using modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation. RID and related symptoms were followed up every day. Between March 2021 and November 2021, 19 patients were enrolled in this phase I research. The median dose of grade III RID first observation was 44 Gy (30.6–52 Gy). As the EGCG treatment was performed continuously, all these grade III RID reactions were significantly decreased to grade I or grade II RID at three days after use of EGCG (p < 0.001). Significant relief can be observed in burning sensation (p < 0.001), tractive sensation (p < 0.001), tenderness (p < 0.001), erythema (p < 0.001), itching (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) after 15 days of EGCG treatment. No radiation therapy delay or interruption for all 19 patients. No adverse events were observed and reported associated with EGCG. The highest dose of this Phase I trial (2574 μmol/L) was recommended for continuous Phase II trial for further evaluation. In this phase I clinical research, use of EGCG solution is safe and can significantly relief grade III RID in patients receiving radiotherapy. Thus, EGCG might be a new choice for acute sever RID.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580279 (Full date of first registration: 12/2014).
Transcriptome characterization of gonadal sex differentiation in Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel)
Authors: Hayashida Takao , Soma Satoshi , Nakamura Yoji , Higuchi Kentaro , Kazeto Yukinori , Gen Koichiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTunas (genus Thunnus) are one of the most ecologically and commercially important fish worldwide. To establish a biological basis for reproduction in this globally essential species, we have recently studied crucial reproductive aspects of the Pacific bluefin tuna (T. orientalis; PBT), as a model of tuna species, based on our closed-cycle aquaculture technology. In this study, we clarified the global expression profile of the genes regulating gonadal sex differentiation in PBT, as this developmental process is vital to sexual reproduction. Based on the results of our comparative (RNA-sequencing) and temporal (qRT-PCR) transcriptome analyses using the updated genome dataset, we propose the molecular mechanisms of gonadal sex differentiation in PBT. In female gonads, foxl2 and cyp19a1a (coding aromatase) are expressed at the onset of sex differentiation. Active aromatase-mediated estrogen biosynthesis, which includes positive regulation of cyp19a1a expression by Foxl2, induces ovarian differentiation. By contrast, dmrt1 and gsdf are upregulated in differentiating male gonads lacking active estrogen synthesis. Dmrt1 and Gsdf would mainly promote testicular differentiation. Furthermore, androgen biosynthesis is upregulated in differentiating male gonad. Endogenous androgens may also be vital to testicular differentiation. This study provides the first comprehensive data clarifying the molecular basis for gonadal sex differentiation in tunas.
C3H/HeNSlc mouse with low phospholipid transfer protein expression showed dyslipidemia
Authors: Kobayashi Misato , Kanbe Fumi , Ishii Reika , Tsubouchi Hiroki , Hirai Kana , Miyasaka Yuki , Ohno Tamio , Oda Hiroaki , Ikeda Saiko , Katoh Hirokazu , Ichiyanagi Kenji , Ishikawa Akira , Murai Atsushi , Horio Fumihiko 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHigh serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase the risk of coronary heart disease in humans. Herein, we first reported that the C3H/HeNSlc (C3H-S) mouse, a C3H/HeN-derived substrain, is a novel model for dyslipidemia. C3H-S showed hypertriglyceridemia and low total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, and phospholipid (PL) concentrations. To identify the gene locus causing dyslipidemia in C3H-S, we performed genetic analysis. In F2 intercrosses between C3H-S mice and strains with normal serum lipids, the locus associated with serum lipids was identified as 163–168 Mb on chromosome 2. The phospholipid transfer protein (Pltp) gene was a candidate gene within this locus. Pltp expression and serum PLTP activity were markedly lower in C3H-S mice. Pltp expression was negatively correlated with serum TG and positively correlated with serum TC and HDL-C in F2 mice. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequence called intracisternal A particle was inserted into intron 12 of Pltp in C3H-S. These results suggest that ERV insertion within Pltp causes aberrant splicing, leading to reduced Pltp expression in C3H-S. This study demonstrated the contribution of C3H-S to our understanding of the relationship between TG, TC, and PL metabolism via PLTP.
Acoustic predation in a sailfish-flying fish cloak
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Promode R. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhen a sailfish circles to corral a school of flying fish in a vortex near the ocean surface, a tiny patch of arced surface waves confined to oppositely placed 70° sectors appears dispersing coherently, but why? It is modeled that, when the fish motions stop suddenly, the corralled school compacts, the tail shed propulsion vortices touch, break and radiate the pressure released from the centrifugal vortex rotation creating an acoustic monopole. The surface-wave patch is a section of the sphere of radiation. The oppositely placed curved bodies of the sailfish and the flying fish act as concave acoustic mirrors about the monopole creating a reverberating bell-shaped cloak in between which vibrates the ear bones and bladders of the flying fish disorienting them. A cup of water firmly struck on a table induces a similar vibration of a purely radial mode. The sailfish circles around the school at a depth where the wind induced underwater toroidal motion in the vertical plane becomes negligible such that the flying fish is unable to sense the tailwind direction above, limiting the ability to swim up and emerge in the right direction to glide. Experiments confirm that the flying fish tail rigidity is too low for a quick ballistic exit, which is not called for either.
Reference LINE-1 insertion polymorphisms correlate with Parkinson’s disease progression and differential transcript expression in the PPMI cohort
Authors: Fröhlich Alexander , Pfaff Abigail L. , Bubb Vivien J. , Quinn John P. , Koks Sulev 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLong interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1/L1) retrotransposons make up 17% of the human genome. They represent one class of transposable elements with the capacity to both mobilize autonomously and in trans via the mobilization of other elements, primarily Alu and SVA elements. Reference LINE-1 elements are, by definition, found in the reference genome, however, due to the polymorphic nature of these elements, variation for presence or absence is present within the population. We used a combination of clinical and transcriptomic data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) and applied matrix expression quantitative trait loci analysis and linear mixed-effects models involving 114 clinical, biochemical and imaging data from the PPMI cohort to elucidate the role of reference LINE-1 insertion polymorphism on both gene expression genome-wide and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We demonstrate that most LINE-1 insertion polymorphisms are capable of regulating gene expression, preferentially in trans, including previously identified PD risk loci. In addition, we show that 70 LINE-1 elements were associated with longitudinal changes of at least one PD progression marker, including ipsilateral count density ratio and UPDRS scores which are indicators of degeneration and severity. In conclusion, this study highlights the effect of the polymorphic nature of LINE-1 retrotransposons on gene regulation and progression of PD which underlines the importance of analyzing transposable elements within complex diseases.
Posterior theta activity reveals an early signal of self-face recognition
Authors: Kotlewska Ilona , Panek Bartłomiej , Nowicka Anna , Asanowicz Dariusz 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSelf-related visual information, especially one’s own face and name, are processed in a specific, prioritized way. However, the spatio-temporal brain dynamics of self-prioritization have remained elusive. Moreover, it has been unclear whether this prioritization is an effect of enhancement and amplification, or rather a facilitating automatization of processing self-referential information. In this EEG study, 25 married women (who changed their surnames after marriage, so that their past and present surnames could be used as stimuli) performed a detection task with faces and names from five categories: self, self from the past, friend, famous, and unknown person. The aim was to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of early electrophysiological markers of self-referential processing. We report results of event-related component (ERP) and time–frequency analyses. In the ERPs, the earliest self-relevance effect was displayed only 300 ms after stimulus onset in the midfrontal N2, and later in the parietal P3b, independently of the stimulus type. No self-relevance effect was found on the N170 component. However, local theta power at the occipito-temporal (visual) areas and inter-regional theta phase coherence between the visual and midfrontal areas showed that self-relevance differentiation of faces began already about 100–300 ms after stimulus onset. No such early effects were found for names. The results are discussed in terms of the time-course, functional localization, stimulus-specificity, and automatization of self-prioritization.
Deep learning based on dynamic susceptibility contrast MR imaging for prediction of local progression in adult-type diffuse glioma (grade 4)
Authors: Heo Donggeon , Lee Jisoo , Yoo Roh-Eul , Choi Seung Hong , Kim Tae Min , Park Chul-Kee , Park Sung-Hye , Won Jae-Kyung , Lee Joo Ho , Lee Soon Tae , Choi Kyu Sung , Lee Ji Ye , Hwang Inpyeong , Kang Koung Mi , Yun Tae Jin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAdult-type diffuse glioma (grade 4) has infiltrating nature, and therefore local progression is likely to occur within surrounding non-enhancing T2 hyperintense areas even after gross total resection of contrast-enhancing lesions. Cerebral blood volume (CBV) obtained from dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) is a parameter that is well-known to be a surrogate marker of both histologic and angiographic vascularity in tumors. We built two nnU-Net deep learning models for prediction of early local progression in adult-type diffuse glioma (grade 4), one using conventional MRI alone and one using multiparametric MRI, including conventional MRI and DSC-PWI. Local progression areas were annotated in a non-enhancing T2 hyperintense lesion on preoperative T2 FLAIR images, using the follow-up contrast-enhanced (CE) T1-weighted (T1W) images as the reference standard. The sensitivity was doubled with the addition of nCBV (80% vs. 40%, P = 0.02) while the specificity was decreased nonsignificantly (29% vs. 48%, P = 0.39), suggesting that fewer cases of early local progression would be missed with the addition of nCBV. While the diagnostic performance of CBV model is still poor and needs improving, the multiparametric deep learning model, which presumably learned from the subtle difference in vascularity between early local progression and non-progression voxels within perilesional T2 hyperintensity, may facilitate risk-adapted radiotherapy planning in adult-type diffuse glioma (grade 4) patients.