bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin in cranial surgery: study protocol for a prospective, parallel-group, single-blinded randomized controlled non-inferiority trial {1}
Authors: Coucke Birgit , Van Hoylandt Anaïs , van Loon Johannes , Van Calenbergh Frank , Van Gerven Laura , Theys Tom 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
CSF leakage is a major complication after cranial surgery, thus, adequate dural closure must be performed. Commercially available fibrin sealants are currently considered the gold standard for dural closure, but problems have been reported regarding safety, efficacy, and costs. This trial aims to investigate autologous leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as an alternative to commercially available fibrin sealants.

Methods/design
This single-blinded, prospective randomized controlled interventional trial aims to demonstrate the non-inferiority of L-PRF compared to commercially available fibrin sealants for dural closure. This trial will include patients undergoing cranial neurosurgery (supratentorial and infratentorial) with intentional opening of the dura. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 fashion comparing L-PRF to commercially available fibrin sealants. The primary endpoint is postoperative CSF leakage within 12 weeks after surgery. Secondary endpoints are complications such as bleeding or wound infections. Additionally, a cost-effectiveness analysis is performed.

Discussion
With this trial, we will evaluate the safety and efficiency of L-PRF compared to commercially available fibrin sealants.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03812120. Registered on 22 January 2019.
Enhanced 1,3-propanediol production with high yield from glycerol through a novel Klebsiella–Shewanella co-culture
Authors: Wang Yanxia , Wan Zijian , Zhu Yueting , Hu Haibo , Jiang Yujia , Jiang Wankui , Zhang Wenming , Xin Fengxue 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is a platform compound, which has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Compared with chemical methods, the biological synthesis of 1,3-PDO has shown promising applications owing to its mild conditions and environmental friendliness. However, the biological synthesis of 1,3-PDO still has the problem of low titer and yield due to the shortage of reducing powers.

Results
In this study, Klebsiella sp. strain YT7 was successfully isolated, which can synthesize 11.30 g/L of 1,3-PDO from glycerol in flasks. The intracellular redox regulation strategy based on the addition of electron mediators can increase the 1,3-PDO titer to 28.01 g/L. Furthermore, a co-culturing system consisting of strain YT7 and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 was established, which can eliminate the supplementation of exogenous electron mediators and reduce the by-products accumulation. The 1,3-PDO yield reached 0.44 g/g and the final titer reached 62.90 g/L. The increased titer and yield were attributed to the increased redox levels and the consumption of by-products.

Conclusions
A two-bacterium co-culture system with Klebsiella sp. strain YT7 and S. oneidensis strain MR-1 was established, which realized the substitution of exogenous electron mediators and the reduction of by-product accumulation. Results provided theoretical basis for the high titer of 1,3-PDO production with low by-product concentration.
Therapeutic preference for Alzheimer’s disease treatments: a discrete choice experiment with caregivers and neurologists
Authors: Dranitsaris George , Zhang Quanwu , Mu Lin , Weyrer Christopher , Drysdale Erik , Neumann Peter , Atri Alireza , Monfared Amir Abbas Tahami 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major global health crisis in need of more effective therapies. However, difficult choices to optimize value-based care will need to be made. While identifying preferred therapeutic attributes of new AD therapies is necessary, few studies have explored how preferences may vary between the stakeholders. In this study, the trade-offs among key attributes of amyloid plaque-lowering therapies for AD were assessed using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and compared between caregivers and neurologists.

Methods
An initial pilot study was conducted to identify the potentially relevant features of a new therapy. The DCE evaluated seven drug attributes: clinical effects in terms of delay in AD progression over the standard of care (SOC), variation in clinical effects, biomarker response (achieving amyloid plaque clearance on PET scan), amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-edema (ARIA-E), duration of therapy, need for treatment titration as well as route, and frequency of drug administration. Respondents were then randomly presented with 12 choice sets of treatment options and asked to select their preferred option in each choice set. Hierarchical Bayesian regression modeling was used to estimate weighted preference attributes, which were presented as mean partial utility scores (pUS), with higher scores suggesting an increased preference.

Results
Both caregivers (n = 137) and neurologists (n = 161) considered clinical effects (mean pUS = 0.47 and 0.82) and a 5% incremental in ARIA-E (mean pUS =  − 0.26 and − 0.52) to be highly impactful determinants of therapeutic choice. In contrast, variation in clinical effects (mean pUS = 0.12 and 0.14) and treatment duration (mean pUS =  − 0.02 and − 0.13) were the least important characteristics of any new treatment. Neurologists’ also indicated that subcutaneous drug delivery (mean pUS = 0.42 vs. 0.07) and administration every 4 weeks (mean pUS = 1.0 vs. 0.20) are highly desirable therapeutic features. Respondents were willing to accept up to a 9% increment in ARIA-E for one additional year of delayed progression.

Conclusions
Caregivers and neurologists considered incremental clinical benefit over SOC and safety to be highly desirable qualities for a new drug that could clear amyloid plaques and delay clinical progression and indicated a willingness to accept incremental ARIA-E to achieve additional clinical benefits.
Some new integral inequalities for higher-order strongly exponentially convex functions
Authors: Bisht Jaya , Sharma Nidhi , Mishra Shashi Kant , Hamdi Abdelouahed 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntegral inequalities with generalized convexity play an important role in both applied and theoretical mathematics. The theory of integral inequalities is currently one of the most rapidly developing areas of mathematics due to its wide range of applications. In this paper, we study the concept of higher-order strongly exponentially convex functions and establish a new Hermite–Hadamard inequality for the class of strongly exponentially convex functions of higher order. Further, we derive some new integral inequalities for Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals via higher-order strongly exponentially convex functions. These findings include several well-known results and newly obtained results as special cases. We believe that the results presented in this paper are novel and will be beneficial in encouraging future research in this field.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a liver abscess due to hepatic actinomycosis
Authors: Masuda Tomoya , Kobashi Kenta , Sugimoto Ryoma , Ishii Hiroshi , Tsunemitsu Kensuke 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Liver tumors with liver abscesses are unusual and rarely reported. In particular, studies of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with liver abscesses due to hepatic actinomycosis have not been reported.

Case presentation
A 73-year-old woman presented with swelling of the right hypochondrium. Computed tomography revealed a mass lesion that was continuous with the abdominal wall in the right lobe of the liver, suggesting a liver tumor invading the abdominal wall. A liver biopsy revealed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a liver abscess. The histopathological specimen contained bacterial masses of actinomycosis, and the cause of the liver abscess was determined to be hepatic actinomycosis. As a result of percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy, the part of the tumor attached to the abdominal wall disappeared; therefore, we assumed that most of the lesion was not cholangiocarcinoma but a liver abscess due to hepatic actinomycosis. Radical surgery for residual intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was performed after chemotherapy. Currently, the patient is alive without recurrence 2 years and 9 months after the operation.

Conclusion
We encountered a difficult-to-diagnose case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a liver abscess due to hepatic actinomycosis. A needle biopsy allowed early diagnosis and percutaneous drainage was an effective treatment.
Automatic feedback and assessment of team-coding assignments in a DevOps context
Authors: Fernandez-Gauna Borja , Rojo Naiara , Graña Manuel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe describe an automated assessment process for team-coding assignments based on DevOps best practices. This system and methodology includes the definition of Team Performance Metrics measuring properties of the software developed by each team, and their correct use of DevOps techniques. It tracks the progress on each of metric by each group. The methodology also defines Individual Performance Metrics to measure the impact of individual student contributions to increase in Team Performance Metrics. Periodically scheduled reports using these metrics provide students valuable feedback. This process also facilitates the process of assessing the assignments. Although this method is not intended to produce the final grade of each student, it provides very valuable information to the lecturers. We have used it as the main source of information for student and team assessment in one programming course. Additionally, we use other assessment methods to calculate the final grade: written conceptual tests to check their understanding of the development processes, and cross-evaluations. Qualitative evaluation of the students filling relevant questionnaires are very positive and encouraging.
Theoretical study of attosecond laser interference on radioactive decay of cesium-137
Authors: Hu Jie , Li Xiao-Yun , Guo Jing-Shi , Tu Xing-Ming , Wen Fu-Ping , Wang Shao-Lin , Lou Hai-Lin , Tong Tong , Zou Zheng , Liu Kun 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
At present, the research on reducing radioactive contamination has special significance. Professor Sugihara found that the

fragments in the plasma could reduce cesium-137 radiation activity. In this paper, a well-established method based on direct numerical solution of the three-dimensional Schrödinger equation is applied to study the interaction between the cesium-137 nucleus and the plasma. It is found that the plasma is completely formed in the first three optical periods of 800 nm laser. From the fourth optical period, the electrons that generated from the decay of cesium-137 become the main source of electrons in the plasma. In order to maintain the stability of the plasma, cesium-137 has to accelerate its decay within a certain time. The intrinsic mechanism of the rapid reduction of the radiation activity of cesium-137 was explained by theoretical calculation for the first time.
Methemoglobinemia in the Era of COVID-19: A Potential Confounder of Glycemic Control
Authors: Ascherman Benjamin M , Smith Kolton , Fishman Sarah L 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is frequently used as a measure of glycemic control but can be inaccurate in certain clinical scenarios leading to poor estimates of insulin requirements. We present the case of a 76-year-old man with diabetes and COVID infection. HbA1c was measured at 5.7%, though the patient reported home glucose readings of 200 to 300 mg/dL (11.1-16.65 mmol/L). Pulse oximetry on presentation was 50% to 60%, which initially improved to 93% with supplemental oxygen of 15 L via nonrebreather face mask. Treatment with remdesivir and dexamethasone was initiated, but the patient was again found to have low oxygen saturations requiring bilevel positive airway pressure and transfer to the intensive care unit. The patient was started on 1.1 U/kg of insulin daily in a basal-bolus regimen. The patient developed severe hyperglycemia requiring 2.4 U/kg to achieve glycemic control. Co-oximeter analysis of an arterial blood gas sample revealed methemoglobinemia. Exchange transfusion was performed with clinical improvement. Subsequent measurement of fructosamine was 360 umol/L (360 000 µmol/L), correlating with reported home glucose measurements. Methemoglobinemia may impair glycation of hemoglobin or interfere with measurement of HbA1c, thereby compromising the use of this molecule as a marker for glycemic control in patients with this condition.
A Pilot Investigation Evaluating Relative Changes in Fronto-Occipital Alpha and Beta Spectral Power as Measurement of Anesthesia Hypnotic Depth
Authors: Fehrlin Eloy S. , Hight Darren , Kaiser Heiko A. , Luedi Markus M. , Huber Markus , Zubler Frédéric , Lersch Friedrich 
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:
Other than clinical observation of a patient’s vegetative response to nociception, monitoring the hypnotic component of general anesthesia (GA) and unconsciousness relies on electroencephalography (EEG)-based indices. These indices exclusively based on frontal EEG activity neglect an important observation. One of the main hallmarks of transitions from wakefulness to GA is a shift in alpha oscillations (7.5–12.5 Hz activity) from occipital brain regions toward anterior brain regions (“alpha anteriorization”). Monitoring the degree of this alpha anteriorization may help to guide induction and maintenance of hypnotic depth and prevent intraoperative awareness. However, the occipital region of the brain is completely disregarded and occipital alpha as characteristic of wakefulness and its posterior-to-anterior shift during induction are missed. Here, we propose an application of Narcotrend’s reduced power alpha beta (RPAB) index, originally developed to monitor differences in hemispheric perfusion, for determining the ratio of alpha and beta activity in the anterior-posterior axis.

METHODS:
Perioperative EEG data of 32 patients undergoing GA in the ophthalmic surgery department of Bern University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. EEG was recorded with the Narcotrend® monitor using a frontal (Fp1-Fp2) and a posterior (T9-Oz) bipolar derivation with reference electrode over A2. The RPAB index was computed between both bipolar signals, defining the fronto-occipital RPAB (FO-RPAB). FO-RPAB was analyzed during wakefulness, GA maintenance, and emergence, as well as before and after the intraoperative administration of a ketamine bolus. FO-RPAB was compared with a classical quantitative EEG measure—the spectral edge frequency 95% (SEF-95).

RESULTS:
A significant shift of the FO-RPAB was observed during both induction of and emergence from GA (P < .001). Interestingly, the additional administration of ketamine during GA did not lead to a significant change in FO-RPAB (P = 0.81). In contrast, a significant increase in the SEF-95 in the frontal channel was observed during the 10-minute period after ketamine administration (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
FO-RPAB appears to qualify as a marker of unconsciousness, reflecting physiological fronto-occipital activity differences during GA. In contrast to frontal SEF-95, it is not disturbed by additional administration of ketamine for analgesia.
Awake Craniotomy in Africa: A Scoping Review of Literature and Proposed Solutions to Tackle Challenges
Authors: Mofatteh Mohammad , Mashayekhi Mohammad Sadegh , Arfaie Saman , Adeleye Amos Olufemi , Jolayemi Edward Olaoluwa , Ghomsi Nathalie C. , Shlobin Nathan A. , Morsy Ahmed A. , Esene Ignatius N. , Laeke Tsegazeab , Awad Ahmed K. , Labuschagne Jason J. , Ruan Richard , Abebe Yared Nigusie , Jabang John Nute , Okunlola Abiodun Idowu , Barrie Umaru , Lekuya Hervé Monka , Idi Marcel Ehanga , Kabulo Kantenga Dieu Merci , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran , Edem Idara J. , Ikwuegbuenyi Chibuikem A. , Nguembu Stephane , Zolo Yvan , Bernstein Mark 
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:
Awake craniotomy (AC) is a common neurosurgical procedure for the resection of lesions in eloquent brain areas, which has the advantage of avoiding general anesthesia to reduce associated complications and costs. A significant resource limitation in low- and middle-income countries constrains the usage of AC.

OBJECTIVE:
To review the published literature on AC in African countries, identify challenges, and propose pragmatic solutions by practicing neurosurgeons in Africa.

METHODS:
We conducted a scoping review under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Scoping Review guidelines across 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). English articles investigating AC in Africa were included.

RESULTS:
Nineteen studies consisting of 396 patients were included. Egypt was the most represented country with 8 studies (42.1%), followed by Nigeria with 6 records (31.6%). Glioma was the most common lesion type, corresponding to 120 of 396 patients (30.3%), followed by epilepsy in 71 patients (17.9%). Awake-awake-awake was the most common protocol used in 7 studies (36.8%). Sixteen studies (84.2%) contained adult patients. The youngest reported AC patient was 11 years old, whereas the oldest one was 92. Nine studies (47.4%) reported infrastructure limitations for performing AC, including the lack of funding, intraoperative monitoring equipment, imaging, medications, and limited human resources.

CONCLUSION:
Despite many constraints, AC is being safely performed in low-resource settings. International collaborations among centers are a move forward, but adequate resources and management are essential to make AC an accessible procedure in many more African neurosurgical centers.
Neural activation patterns associated with mouthbrooding, maternal care, infanticide and fry release in an African cichlid fish
Authors: Ray Emily J. , Butler Julie M. , Maruska Karen P. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTParental care has evolved several times and is present across taxa. Parental care behaviors, such as food provisioning and protection, are critical for offspring success. However, infanticide can co-exist with parental care in the same species. The mechanisms underlying the switch from care to consumption and from offspring dependence to independence are relatively unknown, especially in fishes, the oldest and largest group of vertebrates. Mouthbrooding, an extreme example of parental care present in dozens of genera of fishes, provides an excellent opportunity to investigate the brain regions important for parental care. The maternal mouthbrooding African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni broods developing young inside the mouth for approximately 14 days, then provides post-release maternal care by protecting fry inside the mouth when threatened. Following the post-release maternal care phase, females can exhibit infanticide and consume their own offspring. We used immunohistochemistry for the neural activation marker pS6 to identify differences in neural activation among mouthbrooding, maternal-care-providing and infanticide-exhibiting females, and between pre- and post-release fry. We identified five brain regions (Dc-5, ATn, nPPa, Vd-c and Dl-g) that are differentially activated among mouthbrooding, maternal care and infanticide females as well as six regions (Dm, Vv, Vd, Vs-m, TPp, PGZ and INL of retina) differentially activated between pre- and post-release fry. This study identifies both shared and distinct circuitry that may support transitions between parental care states and from care to infanticide, as well as regions in developed fry that support the transition from pre- to post-release.
Of corpses, ghosts and mirages: biomechanical consequences of morphology depend on the environment
Authors: Koehl M. A. R. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTOrganisms are subject to the laws of physics, so comparative biomechanics is a powerful approach for identifying basic principles that apply across taxa of how morphology affects performance of mechanical functions such as locomotion, feeding or resisting damage. Journal of Experimental Biology has been a leading journal for decades in publishing studies revealing such basic biomechanical principles. However, field studies of the physical environment, ecological interactions and life-history strategies of organisms reveal which aspects of their biomechanical performance are important to their success in different types of natural habitats, and thus enable us to design ecologically relevant laboratory experiments to understand biomechanical function. Because the fitness consequences of differences in morphology are affected by the biological and physical environment, biomechanics can be used to identify how physical constraints on the performance of organisms with different body plans in variable environments can affect evolution. I illustrate these points with examples from the literature that show how the biomechanical consequences of morphology depend on the ecology of the organisms. Knowledge of the temporal patterns of interactions of organisms with their physical and biological environments is essential for understanding their functional morphology as it changes during ontogeny, and it reveals constraints on their evolution.
DEVEA: an interactive shiny application for Differential Expression analysis, data Visualization and Enrichment Analysis of transcriptomics data
Authors: Riquelme-Perez Miriam , Perez-Sanz Fernando , Deleuze Jean-François , Escartin Carole , Bonnet Eric , Brohard Solène 
Published: March 2023

We are at a time of considerable growth in transcriptomics studies and subsequent in silico analysis. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is the most widely used approach to analyse the transcriptome and is integrated in many studies. The processing of transcriptomic data typically requires a noteworthy number of steps, statistical knowledge, and coding skills, which are not accessible to all scientists. Despite the development of a plethora of software applications over the past few years to address this concern, there is still room for improvement. Here we present DEVEA, an R shiny application tool developed to perform differential expression analysis, data visualization and enrichment pathway analysis mainly from transcriptomics data, but also from simpler gene lists with or without statistical values. The intuitive and easy-to-manipulate interface facilitates gene expression exploration through numerous interactive figures and tables, and statistical comparisons of expression profile levels between groups. Further meta-analysis such as enrichment analysis is also possible, without the need for prior bioinformatics expertise. DEVEA performs a comprehensive analysis from multiple and flexible data sources representing distinct analytical steps. Consequently, it produces dynamic graphs and tables, to explore the expression levels and statistical results from differential expression analysis. Moreover, it generates a comprehensive pathway analysis to extend biological insights. Finally, a complete and customizable HTML report can be extracted to enable the scientists to explore results beyond the application. DEVEA is freely accessible at https://shiny.imib.es/devea/ and the source code is available on our GitHub repository https://github.com/MiriamRiquelmeP/DEVEA.