bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First school year tapping predicts children's third-grade literacy skills
Authors: Kertész Csaba , Honbolygó Ferenc 
Published: February 2023

AbstractRhythmic skills have been repeatedly found to relate to children’s early literacy skills. Using rhythmic tasks to predict language and reading performance seems a promising direction as they can be easily administered early as a screening test to identify at-risk children. In the present study, we measured Hungarian children’s (N = 37) general cognitive abilities (working memory, non-verbal reasoning and rapid automatized naming), language and literacy skills (vocabulary, word reading, phonological awareness and spelling) and finger tapping performance in a longitudinal design in the first and third grades. We applied metronome stimuli in three tempi (80, 120, 150 bpm) using a synchronization-continuation paradigm and also measured participants’ spontaneous motor tempo. While children’s synchronization asynchrony was lower in third than in the first grade, with the exception of the slow-tempo trials, tapping consistency and continuation tapping success showed no development in this period. First-year tapping consistency in the slow-tempo tasks was associated with third-year reading and spelling outcomes. Our results show that the relation between tapping performance and literacy skills persists throughout the third school year, making the sensorimotor synchronization task a potentially effective instrument for predicting literacy outcomes, and a useful tool for early screening of reading difficulties.
Optimal placement criteria of hybrid mounting system for chassis in future mobility based on beam-type continuous smart structures
Authors: Qiu Yang , Hong Dongwoo , Kim Byeongil 
Published: February 2023

AbstractRecently, research into the development of hybrid and electric vehicles has been vigorously undertaken, indicating a trend toward the replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles. However, while high efficiency and light weight are crucial in the development of vehicles, they increase the excitation force of the engine. In addition, sensor placement in future mobility is very important since it causes malfunctioning of autonomous driving systems when the location and orientation of sensors are changed due to excessive vehicle vibration. To reduce the structure-borne noise and vibration caused by engine excitation, an active engine mounting system must be installed in an optimal location. Thus, in this study, to determine the optimal location for an active engine mounting system applied to a beam structure, a series of simulations with two different methodologies are performed. The overall beam structure with two active mounting systems is modeled based on the lumped parameter model. To determine the optimal position of the active mounting system, it is moved to equal intervals, and the force and phase of the active mounts at each location combination are calculated based on static and dynamic methods. The optimal position is suggested such that the vibration reduction is maximized, while the applied force is minimized. Additionally, a feasibility experiment is conducted to validate the proposed criteria and confirm the simulation results. The results demonstrate that the optimal location of the active engine mounting system with a minimized force requirement and maximized vibration reduction can be identified.
Diagnostic accuracy of novel mRNA blood biomarkers of infection to predict outcomes in emergency department patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain
Authors: Meltzer Andrew C. , Wargowsky Richard S. , Moran Seamus , Jordan Tristan , Toma Ian , Jepson Tisha , Shu Shiyu , Ma Yan , McCaffrey Timothy A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAbdominal pain represents greater than 20% of US Emergency Department (ED) visits due to a wide range of illnesses. There are currently no reliable blood biomarkers to predict serious outcomes in patients with abdominal pain. Our previous studies have identified three mRNA transcripts related to innate immune activation: alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), interleukin-8 receptor-β (IL8RB), and defensin-1 (DEFA1) as promising candidates to detect an intra-abdominal infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of these mRNA biomarkers to predict likely infection, hospitalization and surgery in Emergency Department patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain. We prospectively enrolled Emergency Department patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain who received an abdominal CT scan as part of their evaluation. Clinical outcomes were abstracted from the CT scan and medical records. mRNA biomarker levels were calculated independent of the clinical outcomes and their accuracy was assessed to predict infectious diagnoses, surgery and hospital admission. 89 patients were enrolled; 21 underwent surgery; 47 underwent hospital admission; and, no deaths were observed within 30 days. In identifying which cases were likely infectious, mRNA biomarkers’ AUC values were: ALPL, 0.83; DEFA1 0.51; IL8RB, 0.74; and ALPL + IL8RB, 0.79. In predicting which Emergency Department patients would receive surgery, the AUC values were: ALPL, 0.75; DEFA1, 0.58; IL8RB, 0.75; and ALPL + IL8RB, 0.76. In predicting hospital admission, the AUC values were: ALPL, 0.78; DEFA1, 0.52; IL8RB, 0.74; and, ALPL + IL8RB, 0.77. For predicting surgery, ALPL + IL8RB’s positive likelihood ratio (LR) was 3.97; negative LR (NLR) was 0.70. For predicting hospital admission, the same marker’s positive LR was 2.80 with an NLR of 0.45. Where the primary cause for admission was a potentially infectious disorder, 33 of 34 cases (97%) had positive RNA scores. In a pragmatic, prospective diagnostic accuracy trial in Emergency Department patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain, mRNA biomarkers showed good accuracy to identify patients with potential infection, as well as those needing surgery or hospital admission.
CD36 neutralisation blunts TLR2-IRF7 but not IRF3 pathway in neonatal mouse brain and immature human microglia following innate immune challenge
Authors: Gadagkar Shruti Gururaj , Lalancette-Hébert Melanie , Thammisetty Sai Sampath , Vexler Zinaida S. , Kriz Jasna 
Published: February 2023

AbstractInnate immune response in neonatal brain is associated with a robust microglial activation and induction of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs). To date, the role of the scavenger receptor CD36 in TLRs modulation, particularly TLR2 signaling, has been well established in adult brain. However, the crosstalk between TLR4, TLR2 and CD36 and its immunogenic influence in the neonatal brain remains unclear. In this study, using a CD36 blocking antibody (anti-CD36) at post-natal day 8, we evaluated the response of neonates to systemic endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) challenge. We visualized the TLR2 response by bioluminescence imaging using the transgenic mouse model bearing the dual reporter system luciferase/green fluorescent protein under transcriptional control of a murine TLR2 promoter. The anti-CD36 treatment modified the LPS induced inflammatory profile in neonatal brains, causing a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokine levels and the TLR2 and TLR3 mediated signalling.The interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) pathway remained unaffected. Treatment of the LPS-challenged human immature microglia with anti-CD36 induced a marked decrease in TLR2/TLR3 expression levels while TLR4 and IRF3 expression was not affected, suggesting the shared CD36 regulatory mechanisms in human and mouse microglia. Collectively, our results indicate that blocking CD36 alters LPS-induced inflammatory profile of mouse and human microglia, suggesting its role in fine-tuning of neuroinflammation.
Lycopene: an antioxidant product reducing dithane toxicity in Allium cepa L.
Authors: Macar Oksal , Kalefetoğlu Macar Tuğçe , Çavuşoğlu Kültiğin , Yalçın Emine , Yapar Kürşad 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe current study was undertaken to assess the attenuating potential of lycopene against Dithane toxicity in Alliumcepa L. roots. A.cepa bulbs were arranged in 6 groups. The control group was treated with tap water while the other groups were treated with 215 mg/L lycopene, 430 mg/L lycopene, 500 mg/L Dithane, 500 mg/L Dithane + 215 mg/L lycopene and 500 mg/L Dithane + 430 mg/L lycopene, respectively. When the treatments were completed, growth inhibition, biochemical, genotoxicity and meristematic cell injury analyses were performed. Lycopene did not cause any toxic effect when applied alone. While rooting percentage, root elongation, weight gain and mitotic index (MI) decreased in response to Dithane exposure, the frequency of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) in addition to malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the catalytic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased. Dithane promoted fragment, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, bridge, nucleus bud and reverse polarization formation in meristem cells. Dithane also provoked meristematic cell injuries, including indistinct appearance of vascular tissue, epidermis cell damage and flattened cell nucleus. Lycopene mitigated all damage types, depending on the lycopene dose applied with Dithane. Hence, the data analysis revealed that lycopene provides exceptional antioxidant protection against the fungicide Dithane, which has devastating toxic potential.
Blood lead level evaluation in children presenting with chronic constipation in Tehran-Iran: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zamani Nasim , Hosseini Amirhossein , Farnaghi Fariba , Sayyari Aliakbar , Gholami Narges , Imanzadeh Farid , Hadeiy Seyed Kaveh , Hajipour Mahmoud , Salimi Amir , Philips Scott , Hassanian-Moghaddam Hossein 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConstipation is a common reason for children seeking medical care worldwide. Abdominal complaints and constipation are also common in lead-poisoned children. This study evaluates the prevalence of abnormal blood lead levels (BLL) among pediatric and adolescent patients and examines the association of constipation with elevated BLL. This was a prospective data collection of patients younger than 18 years old with the chief complaint of constipation seen in the Mofid Children’s Hospital gastroenterology clinic and Loghman Hakim pediatric and pediatric gastroenterology clinics were eligible for enrollment in this study. Constipation was defined as infrequent or difficult defecation according to ROME IV criteria lasting 2 months or more. BLL was measured with a fresh capillary whole blood capillary sample. The LeadCare II device assays BLL using an electrochemical technique (anodic stripping voltammetry). A total of 237 patients were enrolled in the study. 122 (51.48%) were female and 115 (48.52%) were male. About one fifth of patients (49; 20.67%) had BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL. The mean BLL in the sample was 3.51 µg/dL. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom accompanying constipation (134; 56%). Multivariate analysis found endoscopic evaluation (P values 0.024, OR 3.646, 95% CI 1.189–11.178), muscle pain (P values 0.020, OR 24.74, 95% CI 1.67–365.83), and maternal education (P values 0.02, OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.27–15.57) with significant differences in groups of patients with normal and elevated BLL. Elevated BLL necessitates an assessment and plans to reduce childhood lead exposure. BLL screening in childhood constipation with refractory chronic abdominal pain may also eradicate the need for invasive procedures like endoscopic evaluation.
Sustainable and energy-efficient photocatalytic degradation of textile dye assisted by ecofriendly synthesized silver nanoparticles
Authors: Elbadawy Hemmat A. , Elhusseiny Amel F. , Hussein Seham M. , Sadik Wagih A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this study, we have touched on two goals of sustainable development, namely, the provision of clean water and sanitation and clean energy at acceptable prices, hoping for good health for all ages. A green economical method was used to prepare silver nanoparticles from chitosan biopolymer. AgNPs were fully characterized using UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, HR-TEM, and EDX analysis. Different concentrations (0.02–0.18 g/L) of the nanoparticles were integrated into a mixture of heterogeneous nano photocatalysts TiO2 and ZnO (1:1 weight ratio) under UV irradiation for the photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 37 textile dye to obtain clean water. The kinetic description of the performed photocatalytic process was presented assuming a pseudo-first-order reaction. The data revealed that increasing the concentration of AgNPs in the catalytic mixture showed a high apparent rate constant (kapp) accompanied by an increase in the apparent quantum yield (%Qapp), followed by dye destruction after a very short time (t0.5 = 3 min). Since the photocatalytic degradation process consumes electrical energy, the electrical energy per order (EE/O) was calculated, showing a low value of 20 kWh/m3/order, using 0.18 g/L AgNPs, indicating that the elicited photocatalytic degradation method is a sustainable one for the mineralization of the targeted dye.
Transcriptome profiling for precision cancer medicine using shallow nanopore cDNA sequencing
Authors: Mock Andreas , Braun Melissa , Scholl Claudia , Fröhling Stefan , Erkut Cihan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTranscriptome profiling is a mainstay of translational cancer research and is increasingly finding its way into precision oncology. While bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is widely available, high investment costs and long data return time are limiting factors for clinical applications. We investigated a portable nanopore long-read sequencing device (MinION, Oxford Nanopore Technologies) for transcriptome profiling of tumors. In particular, we investigated the impact of lower coverage than that of larger sequencing devices by comparing shallow nanopore RNA-seq data with short-read RNA-seq data generated using reversible dye terminator technology (Illumina) for ten samples representing four cancer types. Coupled with ShaNTi (Shallow Nanopore sequencing for Transcriptomics), a newly developed data processing pipeline, a turnaround time of five days was achieved. The correlation of normalized gene-level counts between nanopore and Illumina RNA-seq was high for MinION but not for very low-throughput Flongle flow cells (r = 0.89 and r = 0.24, respectively). A cost-saving approach based on multiplexing of four samples per MinION flow cell maintained a high correlation with Illumina data (r = 0.56–0.86). In addition, we compared the utility of nanopore and Illumina RNA-seq data for analysis tools commonly applied in translational oncology: (1) Shallow nanopore and Illumina RNA-seq were equally useful for inferring signaling pathway activities with PROGENy. (2) Highly expressed genes encoding kinases targeted by clinically approved small-molecule inhibitors were reliably identified by shallow nanopore RNA-seq. (3) In tumor microenvironment composition analysis, quanTIseq performed better than CIBERSORT, likely due to higher average expression of the gene set used for deconvolution. (4) Shallow nanopore RNA-seq was successfully applied to detect fusion genes using the JAFFAL pipeline. These findings suggest that shallow nanopore RNA-seq enables rapid and biologically meaningful transcriptome profiling of tumors, and warrants further exploration in precision cancer medicine studies.
Electrochemical and biological characterization of Ti–Nb–Zr–Si alloy for orthopedic applications
Authors: Bordbar-Khiabani Aydin , Gasik Michael 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe performance of current biomedical titanium alloys is limited by inflammatory and severe inflammatory conditions after implantation. In this study, a novel Ti–Nb–Zr–Si (TNZS) alloy was developed and compared with commercially pure titanium, and Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Electrochemical parameters of specimens were monitored during 1 h and 12 h immersion in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as a normal, PBS/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an inflammatory, and PBS/H2O2/albumin/lactate as a severe inflammatory media. The results showed an effect of the H2O2 in inflammatory condition and the synergistic behavior of H2O2, albumin, and lactate in severe inflammatory condition towards decreasing the corrosion resistance of titanium biomaterials. Electrochemical tests revealed a superior corrosion resistance of the TNZS in all conditions due to the presence of silicide phases. The developed TNZS was tested for subsequent cell culture investigation to understand its biocompatibility nature. It exhibited favorable cell-materials interactions in vitro compared with Ti–6Al–4V. The results suggest that TNZS alloy might be a competitive biomaterial for orthopedic applications.
Social network analysis of nationwide interhospital emergency department transfers in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Chu-Lin , Cheng Ming-Tai , Hsu Shu-Hsien , Lu Tsung-Chien , Huang Chien-Hua , Liu Yueh-Ping , Shih Chung-Liang , Fang Cheng-Chung 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTransferring patients between emergency departments (EDs) is a complex but important issue in emergency care regionalization. Social network analysis (SNA) is well-suited to characterize the ED transfer pattern. We aimed to unravel the underlying transfer network structure and to identify key network metrics for monitoring network functions. This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Electronic Referral System (NERS) database in Taiwan. All interhospital ED transfers from 2014 to 2016 were included and transfer characteristics were retrieved. Descriptive statistics and social network analysis were used to analyze the data. There were a total of 218,760 ED transfers during the 3-year study period. In the network analysis, there were a total of 199 EDs with 9516 transfer ties between EDs. The network demonstrated a multiple hub-and-spoke, regionalized pattern, with low global density (0.24), moderate centralization (0.57), and moderately high clustering of EDs (0.63). At the ED level, most transfers were one-way, with low reciprocity (0.21). Sending hospitals had a median of 5 transfer-out partners [interquartile range (IQR) 3–7), while receiving hospitals a median of 2 (IQR 1–6) transfer-in partners. A total of 16 receiving hospitals, all of which were designated base or co-base hospitals, had 15 or more transfer-in partners. Social network analysis of transfer patterns between hospitals confirmed that the network structure largely aligned with the planned regionalized transfer network in Taiwan. Understanding the network metrics helps track the structure and process aspects of regionalized care.
Somatostatin slows Aβ plaque deposition in aged APPNL-F/NL-F mice by blocking Aβ aggregation
Authors: Williams Declan , Yan Bei Qi , Wang Hansen , Negm Logine , Sackmann Christopher , Verkuyl Claire , Rezai-Stevens Vanessa , Eid Shehab , Vediya Nimit , Sato Christine , Watts Joel C. , Wille Holger , Schmitt-Ulms Gerold 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe neuroendocrine peptide somatostatin (SST) has long been thought of as influencing the deposition of the amyloid β peptide (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Missing have been in vivo data in a relevant Aβ amyloidosis model. Here we crossed AppNL-F/NL-F mice with Sst-deficient mice to assess if and how the presence of Sst influences pathological hallmarks of Aβ amyloidosis. We found that Sst had no influence on whole brain neprilysin transcript, protein or activity levels, an observation that cannot be accounted for by a compensatory upregulation of the Sst paralog, cortistatin (Cort), that we observed in 15-month-old Sst-deficient mice. Sst-deficiency led to a subtle but significant increase in the density of cortical Aβ amyloid plaques. Follow-on western blot analyses of whole brain extracts indicated that Sst interferes with early steps of Aβ assembly that manifest in the appearance of SDS-stable smears of 55–150 kDa in Sst null brain samples. As expected, no effect of Sst on tau steady-state levels or its phosphorylation were observed. Results from this study are easier reconciled with an emerging body of data that point toward Sst affecting Aβ amyloid plaque formation through direct interference with Aβ aggregation rather than through its effects on neprilysin expression.
The trajectory of osteoblast progenitor cells in patients with type 2 diabetes and the predictive model for their osteogenic differentiation ability
Authors: Phimphilai Mattabhorn , Pothacharoen Peraphan , Chattipakorn Nipon , Kongtawelert Prachya 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe fate of osteoprogenitor cells along with the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and factors determining the fate of those cells remains to be elucidated. This cross-sectional study included 18 normoglycemic, 27 prediabetic, and 73 T2DM to determine osteogenic differentiation across the continuum of dysglycemia and to construct a model to predict the fate of osteoprogenitor cells. This study demonstrated a preserved osteogenic differentiation ability of peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from normoglycemic and prediabetic but a progressive decline in their osteogenic differentiation during the progression of T2DM. The rate of osteogenic differentiation rapidly declined by 4–7% annually during the first 10 years of diabetes and then slowed down. A predictive model composed of three independent risk factors, including age, duration of diabetes, and glomerular filtration rate, demonstrated an AuROC of 0.834. With a proposed cut-off of 21.25, this model had 72.0% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity, and 78.9% accuracy in predicting the fate of osteoprogenitor cells. In conclusion, this study provided a perspective on the osteogenic differentiation ability of the osteoprogenitor cells across a continuum of dysglycemia and a predictive model with good diagnostic performance for the prediction of the fate of osteoprogenitor cells in patients with T2DM.
Effect of soluble oat fiber on intestinal microenvironment and TNBS-induced colitis
Authors: Chudan Seita , Ishibashi Riko , Nishikawa Miyu , Tabuchi Yoshiaki , Nagai Yoshinori , Ikushiro Shinichi , Furusawa Yukihiro 
Published: February 2023

Soluble oat fiber increased colonic butyrate, peripherally-induced Treg cells and thus alleviated TNBS-induced colitis, which coincided with overrepresentation of F. rodentium (a human analog of H. biformis) possessing butyrate-producing metagenomes.
When Particle Repositioning Maneuvers Just Will Not Stick: Clinical Considerations for Persistent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Behr Evalena , Honaker Julie A. 
Published: February 2023

Purpose:
Although benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is often considered benign and easily treatable, aberrant cases of persistent BPPV can be challenging to manage. Detailed differential diagnosis is essential as central-, vascular-, and cervical-related etiologies may mirror the presentation of persistent BPPV. In addition, an understanding of alternative noninvasive treatment options is important as persistent BPPV is often refractory to traditional particle repositioning maneuvers (PRMs). This article reviews clinical considerations for persistent BPPV.

Method:
A case of a 68-year-old male diagnosed with posterior semicircular canal BPPV (PC-BPPV) and received various unsuccessful PRMs treatments is described. His clinical presentation is referenced alongside various possible etiologies to discern the most likely diagnosis. Nonsurgical treatment options for intractable PC-BPPV will also be reviewed.

Conclusions:
BPPV recalcitrant to PRM treatment warrants investigation of other etiologies; however, key elements of the case history and objective examination are helpful for differential diagnosis. Brandt-Daroff exercises may facilitate habituation of symptoms secondary to persistent BPPV. More research is needed to understand the use of multiaxial repositioning chairs for the treatment of intractable BPPV.