bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Crop Insurance Promote Nutrition and Good Health Among Women and Children in the Agrarian Households of India?
Authors: Sengupta Reshmi , Rooj Debasis 
Published: September 2023

AbstractImproving maternal and child health is one of the top objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The use of maternal services can help improve both maternal and child health. However, the factors influencing such utilizations are complex and can be determined by several factors. This paper aims to examine the role of crop insurance on health-seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age. We also examine the nutritional outcome of children below 5 years. We use two nationally representative data sets and combine them using district as the common identification level. To capture the health-seeking behaviour, we use several measures of antenatal care use, safe delivery, and postnatal care as outcome variables. We use multilevel regression to find that women in districts with higher crop insurance adoption seek more antenatal care than their counterparts with lower crop insurance adoption. Further, we observe that these groups of women are more likely to opt for institutional delivery and receive postnatal care in a private facility. Apart from secondary data analysis, we also conduct a pilot survey in the two districts of Bihar. Using a sample size of 400 households, we find that households who are beneficiaries of the Government of India’s recently launched income support programme (PM-Kisan Samman Niddhi Yojna) report a greater level of food security. Women from these households seek higher early antenatal care. Finally, children from the benefited households received higher immediate postnatal care. Therefore our finding suggests that crop insurance and income support programmes for the farmers not only provide a hedge against crop loss by ensuring some degree of certainty and ensuring income smoothing but also positively impact food security for the households, improve healthcare-seeking practices by women in their reproductive age and improves child nutritional outcomes.
Perils of towers in the swamp: dark dimensions and the robustness of EFTs
Authors: Burgess C. P. , Quevedo F. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Recently there has been an interesting revival of the idea to use large extra dimensions to address the dark energy problem, exploiting the (true) observation that towers of states with masses split, by $$ {M}_N^2 $$

M
N
2

= f(N)m2, with f an unbounded function of the integer N, sometimes contribute to the vacuum energy only an amount of order mD in D dimensions. It has been argued that this fact is a consequence of swampland conjectures and may require a departure from Effective Field Theory (EFT) reasoning. We test this claim with calculations for Casimir energies in extra dimensions. We show why the domain of validity for EFTs ensures that the tower spacing scale m is always an upper bound on the UV scale for the lower-energy effective theory; use of an EFT with a cutoff part way up a tower is not a controlled approximation. We highlight the role played by the sometimes-suppressed contributions from towers in extra-dimensional approaches to the cosmological constant problem, old and new, and point out difficulties encountered in exploiting it. We compare recent swampland realizations of these arguments with earlier approaches using standard EFT examples, discussing successes and limitations of both.
Setting the distal and posterior condyle of the femoral component to restore the medial pre‐arthritic femoral articular surface results in better outcomes after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Rak Dominik , Rügamer Thorsten , Klann Lukas , Nedopil Alexander J. , Rudert Maximilian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPurposeThe present study of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) describes an intra‐operative method that determines the direction and quantifies the magnitude of deviation of the distal and the posterior medial and lateral (DM, PM, DL, and PL) condyle of the femoral component relative to the pre‐arthritic femoral articular surface. For each femoral condyle, the deviations were categorized, and an analysis determined which had better or worse Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and WOMAC scores at 1‐year follow‐up.MethodsFour academic arthroplasty surgeons supervised a cemented primary CR TKA (Triathlon, Stryker) on 120 consecutive patients. 103 that completed patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed. The surgeon determined the direction and the magnitude of deviation of the condyle of the femoral component by intraoperatively measuring the thickness of the femoral resection, adding compensations of 1 mm for the saw kerf and 2 mm for worn cartilage, and then subtracting the thickness of the femoral component’s condyle. For each femoral condyle, a Kruskal–Wallis test determined the categories of deviation with clinically important and significantly different 1‐year PROMs.ResultsA 1 to 2.5 mm and 3 mm or more proximal deviation of the DM condyle of the femoral component worsened the median FJS by 35 and 40 points, OKS by 9 and 14 points, and WOMAC score by 9 and 17 points, respectively, relative to those with a –0.5 to 0.5 mm deviation (p < 0.01). A 1 to 2.5 mm and 3 mm or more anterior deviation of the PM condyle of the femoral component worsened the FJS by 34 and 48 points, OKS by 7 and 13 points, and WOMAC scores by 8 and 16 points, respectively (p < 0.01). Deviations of the DL and PL condyle of the femoral component did not affect PROMs (p ≥ 0.13).ConclusionsAlthough many factors can affect PROM, such as patient expectations, the surgeon should understand that setting the DM and the PM condyles of the femoral component within 1 mm of the patient’s pre‐arthritic femoral articular surface can potentially result in better FJS, OKS, and WOMAC scores at 1 year.Level of evidenceII, Prospective cohort study
Tankyrase inhibition interferes with junction remodeling, induces leakiness, and disturbs YAP1/TAZ signaling in the endothelium
Authors: Ma Nan , Wibowo Yohanes Cakrapradipta , Wirtz Phillip , Baltus Doris , Wieland Thomas , Jansen Sepp 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTankyrase inhibitors are increasingly considered for therapeutic use in malignancies that are characterized by high intrinsic β-catenin activity. However, how tankyrase inhibition affects the endothelium after systemic application remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the tankyrase inhibitor XAV939 affects endothelial cell function and the underlying mechanism involved. Endothelial cell function was analyzed using sprouting angiogenesis, endothelial cell migration, junctional dynamics, and permeability using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and explanted mouse retina. Underlying signaling was studied using western blot, immunofluorescence, and qPCR in HUVEC in addition to luciferase reporter gene assays in human embryonic kidney cells. XAV939 treatment leads to altered junctional dynamics and permeability as well as impaired endothelial migration. Mechanistically, XAV939 increased stability of the angiomotin-like proteins 1 and 2, which impedes the nuclear translocation of YAP1/TAZ and consequently suppresses TEAD-mediated transcription. Intriguingly, XAV939 disrupts adherens junctions by inducing RhoA-Rho dependent kinase (ROCK)-mediated F-actin bundling, whereas disruption of F-actin bundling through the ROCK inhibitor H1152 restores endothelial cell function. Unexpectedly, this was accompanied by an increase in nuclear TAZ and TEAD-mediated transcription, suggesting differential regulation of YAP1 and TAZ by the actin cytoskeleton in endothelial cells. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the complex relationship between the actin cytoskeleton, YAP1/TAZ signaling, and endothelial cell function and how tankyrase inhibition disturbs this well-balanced signaling.
In vitro and in silico evaluation of the serrapeptase effect on biofilm and amyloids of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Katsipis Georgios , Avgoulas Dimitrios I. , Geromichalos George D. , Petala Maria , Pantazaki Anastasia A. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an emerging threat for hospitalized and cystic fibrosis patients. Biofilm, a microbial community embedded in extracellular polymeric substance, fortifies bacteria against the immune system. In biofilms, the expression of functional amyloids is linked with highly aggregative, multi-resistant strains, and chronic infections. Serrapeptase (SPT), a protease possessing similar or superior anti-microbial properties with many antibiotics, presents anti-amyloid potential. However, studies on the employment of SPT against Pseudomonas biofilms and Fap amyloid, or the possible mechanisms of action are scarce. Here, SPT inhibited biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 on both plastic and glass surfaces, with an IC50 of 11.26 µg/mL and 0.27 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory effect of SPT on biofilm was also verified with optical microscopy of crystal violet-stained biofilms and with confocal microscopy. Additionally, SPT caused a dose-dependent decrease of bacterial viability (IC50 of 3.07 µg/mL) as demonstrated by MTT assay. Reduction of bacterial functional amyloids was also demonstrated, employing both fluorescence microscopy with thioflavin T and photometrical determination of Congo-red-positive compounds. Both viability and functional amyloids correlated significantly with biofilm inhibition. Finally, in silico molecular docking studies provided a mechanistic insight into the interaction of SPT with FapC or FapD, proving that both peptides are possible targets of SPT. These results offer new insights into the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa and potentiate the involvement of SPT in the prevention and eradication of Pseudomonas biofilms.

Graphical abstract

Key points
• Serrapeptase inhibits biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa on plastic and glass.
• Biofilm inhibition correlated with reduced viability and functional amyloid levels.
• In silico studies indicated that serrapeptase may target FapC and FapD peptides.
High-cell-density cultivation of Vibrio natriegens in a low-chloride chemically defined medium
Authors: Biener Richard , Horn Thomas , Komitakis Alexander , Schendel Ines , König Leon , Hauenstein Anna , Ludl Alina , Speidel Andrea , Schmid Svenja , Weißer Julian , Broßmann Max , Kern Sofia , Kronmüller Max , Vierkorn Sonja , Suckow Lennart , Braun Arthur 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Vibrio natriegens is a halophilic bacterium with the fastest generation time of non-pathogenic bacteria reported so far. It therefore has high potential as a production strain for biotechnological production processes or other applications in biotechnology. Culture media for V. natriegens typically contain high sodium chloride concentrations. The corresponding high chloride concentrations can lead to corrosion processes on metal surfaces in bioreactors. Here we report the development of a low-chloride chemically defined medium for V. natriegens. Sodium chloride was completely replaced by the sodium salts disodium hydrogen phosphate, disodium sulfate, and sodium citrate, while keeping the total concentration of sodium ions constant. The use of citrate prevents the occurrence of precipitates, especially of ammonium magnesium phosphate. With this defined medium, high-cell-density fed-batch cultivations in laboratory-scale bioreactors using exponential feeding yielded biomass concentrations of more than 60 g L−1.

Key points

A defined medium for V. natriegens that only contains traces of chloride was developed

Corrosion processes on metal surfaces in industrial bioreactors can thus be prevented

High yields of biomass can be achieved in fed-batch cultivation with this medium
Co-Producing Narratives and Indicators as Catalysts for Adaptive Governance of a Common-Pool Resource within a Protected Area
Authors: Roux Dirk J. , Taplin Megan , Smit Izak P. J. , Novellie Peter , Russell Ian , Nel Jeanne L. , Freitag Stefanie , Rosenberg Eureta 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe theory and practice of adaptive management and adaptive governance have been widely studied in the complex social contexts that mediate how humans interact with ecosystems. Adaptive governance is thought to enable adaptive management in such contexts. In this study, we examine four often-used principles of adaptive governance (polycentric institutions, collaboration, social learning and complexity thinking) to develop a framework for reflecting on adaptive governance of a social-ecological system—the Knysna Estuary in South Africa. This estuary is a priority for biodiversity conservation, as well as a common-pool resource central to livelihoods. We used the framework to structure dialogue on the extent to which the four principles of adaptive governance were being applied in the management of the Knysna Estuary. The dialogue included diverse stakeholders, from those who have the power to influence adaptive management to those most dependent on the resource for their livelihoods. Based on a combination of theory and current reality we then identified eight indicators that could be used to guide a transition towards improved adaptive governance of the estuary. These indicators were assessed and supported by most stakeholders. The main contributions of our research are (a) a process for combining theory and stakeholder dialogue to reflect on adaptive governance of a social-ecological system; (b) a set of indicators or conditions that emerged from our participatory process that can be used for reflexive monitoring and adaptation of adaptive governance of Knysna Estuary; and (c) a real-world example of seeking complementary links between adaptive governance and adaptive management to promote effective management of complex social-ecological systems.
Modified Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol Versus Non‐ERAS Protocol in Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy for Acute Intestinal Obstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aggarwal Ankit , Irrinki Santosh , Kurdia Kailash C. , Khare Siddhant , Naik Naveen , Tandup Cherring , Savlania Ajay , Dahiya Divya , Kaman Lileswar , Sakaray Yashwant 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundEnhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal approach with promising results in improving patient outcome. Only recently, is evidence emerging highlighting how similar principles of care can be applied to patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 at PGIMER Chandigarh, which is a leading tertiary care hospital in northern India. 60 patients with acute intestinal obstruction requiring emergency laparotomy were randomized and assigned to ERAS or Non‐ERAS group. ERAS protocol with some modifications was applied. Primary endpoints were post‐operative hospital stay. Secondary end points were morbidity, 30‐day readmission and mortality rate. Data analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. Independent t test or Mann–Whitney test and Chi‐square or Fisher‐exact test were used for analysis.ResultsA significant 3‐day reduction in hospital stay was observed in ERAS compared to non‐ERAS group (median (interquartile range) 5.50 (4.75–8.25) vs 8.0 (6.0–11.0) p = 0.003) with no difference in 30‐day readmission rate, mortality rate and complication rate (according to Clavien–Dindo classification). ERAS group was associated with early recovery of gastrointestinal functions including time to first passage of flatus (p < 0.001), stools (p = 0.014), early ambulation (p < 0.001), time to first fluid diet (p < 0.001), solid diet (p = 0.001) and reduced nasogastric tube reinsertion rates (p = 0.01) despite its early removal.ConclusionERAS with some modifications can be applied in patients with intestinal obstruction. Thus, we can expedite post‐operative recovery and early regain of gastrointestinal function with decreased hospital stay, comparable morbidity and mortality. Further studies are needed to assess ERAS role in emergency gastrointestinal surgeries.Trial registration Ctri.gov Identifier: CTRI/2022/04/042156.
Impact of preoperative statin medication on long-term outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma: an international multicentric cross-sectional study
Authors: Joliat Gaëtan-Romain , Gaspar-Figueiredo Sérgio , Labgaa Ismail , Vrochides Dionisios , Perinel Julie , Adham Mustapha , Demartines Nicolas , Schäfer Markus 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Statin treatment has been shown in certain population studies and meta-analyses to improve survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study assessed if patients with statin treatment had better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after upfront pancreatoduodenectomy for PDAC.

Methods
Consecutive PDAC patients were retrospectively collected from three centers in Europe and USA (study period: 2000–2017). Adult patients who underwent upfront pancreatoduodenectomy and survived the first 90 postoperative days were included. Patients with metastasis at diagnosis or with macroscopic incomplete resection were excluded. Patients were considered under statin if started at least one month before pancreatoduodenectomy. Survival rates were calculated using Kaplan–Meier method and compared with log-rank test.

Results
A total of 496 patients were included. Median age was 67 years (IQR 59–75), 48% (n = 236) were women, and 141 patients (28%) received statin treatment already preoperatively. Patients with and without statin treatment were comparable in terms of demographics and pre-/intraoperative characteristics, except for age and pre-existing diabetes. Median OS and DFS were similar in patients with and without statin treatment (OS: 29, 95% CI 22–36 vs. 27 months, 95% CI 22–32, p = 0.370, DFS: 18, 95% CI 14–22 vs. 16 months, 95% CI 14–18, p = 0.430). On multivariable Cox regression, lymph node involvement (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.6–2.2, p < 0.001), tumor differentiation (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6, p = 0.003), and postoperative chemotherapy (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.7, p < 0.001) were predictors of OS, whereas statin treatment was not a prognostic factor (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7–1.2, p = 0.376).

Conclusion
In this international cohort of PDAC patients, statin treatment did not influence survival after upfront pancreatoduodenectomy. Nodal involvement, tumor differentiation, and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of OS.
Statistical inference on quantiles of two independent populations under uncertainty
Authors: Hesamian Gholamreza , Chukhrova Nataliya , Johannssen Arne 
Published: September 2023

AbstractStatistical inference is the process of drawing conclusions about underlying population(s) using sample data to either confirm or falsify hypotheses. However, the complexity of real-life problems often makes the underlying statistical models inadequate, as information is often imprecise in many respects. To address this common problem, some papers have been published on modifications and extensions of test concepts by employing tools of fuzzy statistics. In this paper, we present a non-parametric test for the difference between quantiles of two independent populations based on fuzzy random variables. For this purpose, we consider the fuzzy quantile function and its estimation based on $$\alpha $$
α
-values of fuzzy random variables. We then provide a fuzzy test based on the fuzzy empirical distribution function for the difference of fuzzy order statistics from these independent populations. We also suggest a specific degree-based criterion to compare the fuzzy test statistics at a specific significance level to decide whether the underlying fuzzy null hypothesis can be rejected or not. The effectiveness of the proposed two-sample test on quantiles is investigated via numerical examples.
The efficacy and safety of opioid-free anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block vs. opioid-based anesthesia in thyroid surgery—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Zhi , Bi Congjie , Li Xingguo , Song Ruonan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In the context of the current comfort medicine and enhanced recovery after surgery, there is a demand for a new anesthesia method to reduce adverse reactions and accelerate recovery after surgery. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) combined with ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) and opioid-based anesthesia in patients after thyroid surgery.

Methods
In this study, 75 patients scheduled for thyroid surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. The primary outcome included the incidence of nausea within 24 h after surgery. The main secondary outcomes included the incidence of vomiting and the visual analog score (VAS) scores within 24 h after surgery as well as the quality of recovery 40 questionnaires (QoR-40) scores 24 h after surgery.

Results
In the OFA group, the incidence of postoperative nausea was 6.1%, compared to 39.4% in the control group (p = 0.001). No patient presented with postoperative vomiting in the OFA group, while 15.2% of patients suffered from postoperative vomiting in the control group (p = 0.063). The VAS scores of patients in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) and 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after surgery were lower in the OFA group, and the difference is statistically significant. Besides, the VAS scores of patients at rest (p = 1.000) and during swallowing (p = 1.000) 24 h after surgery were comparable.

Conclusion
Compared with opioid-based anesthesia, the OFA combined with the ultrasound-guided ICPB can better improve patients' postoperative recovery, reduce nausea, and decrease pain scores.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Regisrty, ChiCTR2200056344, https://www.chictr.org.cn
The correlation between osteoporotic vertebrae fracture risk and bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Lin , Wu Xin-yi , Jin Qi , Chen Guang-yao , Ma Xiao 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Summary
This paper presents a comparison of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in osteoporosis with vertebral fracture and osteoporosis without fracture. It has been proved that the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measured by QCT exhibits a stronger correlation with fracture risk than areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured by DXA.

Purpose
This study aims to systematically evaluate the ability of QCT and DXA to distinguish between osteoporosis with vertebral fracture and osteoporosis without fracture according to vBMD and aBMD.

Methods
We conducted a primary literature search of the online databases up to 3 July, 2022, in both English and Chinese publications, combining synonyms for “QCT”, “DXA” and “osteoporosis”. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) was employed to evaluate the quality of the selected articles. vBMD obtained through QCT and aBMD obtained through DXA were extracted, and were analyzed by Review Manager 5.4 and RStudio.

Results
Six studies with 610 individuals aged 45 to 90, of which 179 had vertebral fractures, were included in the final analysis. The weighted mean difference (WMD) between osteoporosis with vertebral fracture and osteoporosis without fracture for vBMD was − 27.08 (95% CI  − 31.24 to  − 22.92), while for aBMD was − 0.05 (95% CI − 0.08 to − 0.03).

Conclusions
Both vBMD detected by QCT and aBMD detected by DXA could discriminate fracture status in the spine, and vBMD performed a stronger correlation with fracture risk.
Trial registration: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022349185.