bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A critical evaluation of physical and manufacturing properties of genuine and counterfeit rotary nickel–titanium endodontic instruments
Authors: Madytianos B , Liu E , Marshall A , Mahony E , Liu K , Manogaran J , Liu HH , Parashos P , Evans M 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundRotary nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments are made to exacting standards and are costly to manufacture, and quality control is paramount. Consequently, unauthorized factories make counterfeit instruments that are less expensive and may therefore be attractive to dentists. Little information exists about the metallurgy and manufacturing quality of such instruments. There is the potential for counterfeit instruments to be at higher risk of fracture during treatment, thereby compromising clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate physical and manufacturing properties of genuine and counterfeit ProTaper Next™ and Mtwo® rotary NiTi instruments.MethodsThis study investigated the metallurgical properties, manufacturing quality, microhardness and number of cycles to failure of two commonly used rotary NiTi systems and compared them with counterfeit products purporting to be genuine articles.ResultsCounterfeit instruments were found to be inferior in manufacturing standards and were less resistant to cyclic fatigue when compared to genuine instruments.ConclusionsCounterfeit rotary NiTi instruments may be less efficient at preparing root canals and may be at higher risk of fracture during endodontic treatment. Dentists must be aware that, although less expensive, counterfeit instruments may be of dubious manufacturing quality and at higher risk of fracture if used in patients. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.
Incidence and management of gallbladder cancer in cholecystectomy specimens: a 5‐year tertiary centre experience
Authors: Malik Hassan , Izwan Sara , Ng Justin , Teng Roy , Chan Erick , Damodaran Prabha Ramesh , Puhalla Harald 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundGallbladder cancer (GBC) is an uncommon, but highly aggressive cancer. Half of these cases are diagnosed pre‐operatively, and the remaining cases are discovered incidentally on post‐cholecystectomy specimens. There is a significant geographical variability in GBC incidence, with increasing age, female sex, and prolonged duration of cholelithiasis being risk factors for GBC. The primary aim was to define the overall local incidence of GBC incidental GBC and management of these cases. The secondary aim was to determine any pertinent risk factors in our case population.MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed on all the cholecystectomy specimens at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service from 1 January 2016 to 2 December 2021. Data was collected via the electronic medical record. The incidence and management of gallbladder cancers was calculated, and association with body mass index (BMI), smoking status, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was identified.Results3904 cholecystectomy specimens were reviewed. GBC was identified in 0.46% of cholecystectomies. 50% of these cases were found incidentally. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint (94.4%). GBC was associated with increased age and BMI and female sex. There was no association between smoking status, diabetes or IBD with an increased incidence of cancer. Tumour staging guided surgical and/or adjuvant chemotherapy.ConclusionGBC is rare. Patients with symptoms are associated with a poor prognosis. Incidental cancers are common, and negative margin resection based on the T stage of the cancer is the most reliable curative option.
Neurobiological perspective on the development of executive functions
Authors: Horowitz‐Kraus Tzipi , Randell Kathy , Morag Iris 
Published: June 2023

AbstractExecutive functions are a set of top‐down cognitive processes necessary for emotional self‐regulation and goal‐directed behaviour supporting, among others, academic abilities. Premature infants are at high risk for subsequent cognitive, psychosocial, or behavioural problems even in the absence of medical complications and in spite of normal brain imaging. Given that this is a sensitive period of brain growth and maturation, these factors may place preterm infants at high risk for executive function dysfunction, disrupted long‐term development, and lower academic achievements. Therefore, careful attention to interventions at this age is essential for intact executive functions and academic development.
A homozygous frameshift variant in SYCP2 caused meiotic arrest and non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Xu Junwei , Sun Yifan , Zhang Yuxiang , Ou Ningjing , Bai Haowei , Zhao Jingpeng , Xu Shuai , Luo Jiaqiang , Han Sha , Li Peng , Tian Ruhui , Zhi Erlei , Huang Yuhua , Zhang Jing , Liu Gang , Li Zheng , Yao Chencheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGenetic causation for the majority of non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains unclear. Mutations in synaptonemal complex (SC)‐associated genes could cause meiotic arrest and NOA. Previous studies showed that heterozygous truncating variants in SYCP2 encoding a protein essential for SC formation, are associated with non‐obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. Herein, we showed a homozygous loss‐of‐function variant in SYCP2 (c.2689_2690insT) in an NOA‐affected patient. And this variant was inherited from heterozygous parental carriers by natural reproduction. HE, IF, and meiotic chromosomal spread analyses demonstrated that spermatogenesis was arrested at the zygotene stage in the proband with NOA. Thus, this study revealed that SYCP2 associated with NOA segregates in an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, rather than an autosomal dominant pattern. Furthermore, our study expanded the knowledge of variants in SYCP2 and provided new insight into understanding the genetic etiology of NOA.
Einfluss von Adipositas auf die Hämodynamik der Beinvenen
Authors: Langan Ewan A. , Wienandt Malte , Bayer Andreas , Ellebrecht Lena , Kahle Birgit 
Published: June 2023

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleObwohl Adipositas ein anerkannter Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung von Venenerkrankungen der unteren Gliedmaßen ist, wurde der objektiven Messung der Auswirkung der Stammfettsucht auf den Blutfluss in den unteren Gliedmaßen bisher wenig Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt.Patienten und MethodikDer Durchmesser der Venen der unteren Gliedmaßen und der venöse Blutfluss wurden bei 44 Patienten (65,6 ± 12,5 Jahre, 25 Frauen, 19 Männer) mit zentripetaler Adipositas und chronischer Venenerkrankung gemessen.ErgebnisseDer mittlere Durchmesser der Vena femoralis communis (VFC) nahm im Liegen nach Anhebung des Bauchs (Pannikulus) signifikant zu (rechts: ∆0,73 ± 1,21 mm; p ≤ 0,001, links: ∆1,16 ± 1,42 mm; p ≤ 0,001). Außerdem gab es einen signifikanten Anstieg des venösen Flussvolumens in der linken VFC (∆62,96 ± 117,85 ml/min; p = 0,001). Ebenso nahm der Durchmesser der linken Vena saphena magna (∆0,24 ± 0,41 mm; p = 0,002), gemessen in der Mitte des Oberschenkels, zu, wenn der Patient seinen Bauch anhob. Schließlich korrelierte der Grad der Fettleibigkeit mit dem Ausmaß der Venenerkrankung.SchlussfolgerungenDiese Daten liefern vorläufige Beweise dafür, dass zentripetale Adipositas sowohl strukturelle als auch hämodynamische Veränderungen in den Venen der unteren Extremitäten zur Folge hat, selbst wenn kein klassischer Reflux vorliegt.
Vergleichende Wirksamkeit der Behandlungen von Molluscum contagiosum: Eine systematische Übersicht und Netzwerk‐Metaanalyse
Authors: Chao Yuan‐Chen , Ko Mei‐Ju , Tsai Wan‐Chuan , Hsu Le‐Yin , Wu Hon‐Yen 
Published: June 2023

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleObwohl verschiedene Interventionen zur Behandlung von Molluscum contagiosum eingesetzt wurden, sind Nutzen und Wirksamkeit nach wie vor unklar. Um die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der Interventionen gegen Molluscum contagiosum vergleichend zu beurteilen, wurde eine Netzwerk‐Metaanalyse durchgeführt.Patienten und MethodikEmbase, PubMed und Cochrane Library wurden nach Artikeln durchsucht, die zwischen dem 1. Januar 1990 und dem 30. November 2020 veröffentlicht wurden. Geeignet waren randomisierte klinische Studien (randomized clinical trials, RCT) von Interventionen bei immunkompetenten Kindern und Erwachsenen mit genitalen/nichtgenitalen Molluscum contagiosum‐Läsionen.ErgebnisseZwölf Interventionen aus 25 RCT mit 2123 Teilnehmern wurden beurteilt. Im Vergleich mit Placebo hatte Ingenolmebutat den deutlichsten Effekt auf die vollständige Abheilung (Odds Ratio [OR] 117,42, 95%‐Konfidenzintervall [KI] 6,37–2164,88), gefolgt von Kryotherapie (OR 16,81, 95%‐KI 4,13–68,54), Podophyllotoxin (OR 10,24, 95%‐KI 3,36–31,21) und Kaliumhydroxid (KOH) (OR 10,02, 95%‐KI 4,64–21,64). Aufgrund der dürftigen Datenlage konnte keine quantitative Synthese zu unerwünschten Wirkungen durchgeführt werden.SchlussfolgerungenIngenolmebutat, Kryotherapie, Podophyllotoxin und KOH waren hinsichtlich einer vollständigen Abheilung wirksamer als die anderen Interventionen. Allerdings wurden vor kurzem Sicherheitsbedenken hinsichtlich Ingenolmebutat geäußert. Aufgrund der Möglichkeit einer spontanen Abheilung ist bei asymptomatischen Infektionen auch nur deren Beobachtung gerechtfertigt. Faktoren wie unerwünschte Wirkungen, Kosten, Patientenwunsch und medizinische Verfügbarkeit sollten berücksichtigt werden.
Liposuktion beim Lipödem – Doch besser als ihr Ruf?
Authors: Seefeldt Tobias , Aitzetmüller‐Klietz Marie‐Luise , Kückelhaus Maximilian , Wiebringhaus Philipp , Hirsch Tobias , Harati Kamran , Aitzetmüller-Klietz Matthias M. 
Published: June 2023

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDas Lipödem ist eine häufige chronische Fettverteilungsstörung, die oft mit Schmerzen und eingeschränkter Lebensqualität einhergeht und 6% bis 10% der weiblichen Bevölkerung betrifft. Obwohl das Lipödem in den letzten zehn Jahren mehr wissenschaftliche Aufmerksamkeit erhalten hat, bleiben validierte Diagnose und Behandlung für Spezialisten eine Herausforderung.Patienten und MethodikIn diesem Artikel werden die Auswirkungen der Fettabsaugung auf Aussehen, Schmerzen und Begleiterkrankungen von 860 Patienten mit Lipödemen untersucht. Die Symptome von Patienten mit unterschiedlichen Stadien des Lipödems wurden mittels t‐Tests für unabhängige Stichproben und Kruskal‐Wallis‐Tests vor und nach der Liposuktion verglichen.ErgebnisseUnsere Studie belegt den positiven Effekt auf die Schmerzreduktion bei Patienten mit Lipödem nach der Liposuktion (NRS 2,24) im Vergleich zum Schmerzempfinden vor der Liposuktion (NRS 6,99) und zum Schmerzempfinden von Patienten mit konservativer Behandlung (NRS 6,26). Es zeigten sich signifikante Unterschiede in der Wahrnehmung zwischen den Stadien des Lipödems sowie signifikante Verringerung des Schmerzempfindens durch die Liposuktion. Außerdem zeigten Patienten mit Lipödem Begleiterkrankungen wie Menstruationsbeschwerden (43%), Schlaflosigkeit (36%) und Migräne (35%).SchlussfolgerungenEin Fortschreiten des Lipödems führt nicht nur zu Veränderungen des Aussehens und der Proportionen, sondern auch zur progressiven Zunahme der Schmerzen. Die Liposuktion zeigt als einzige Therapieoption einen signifikanten Effekt auf die Schmerzreduktion ‐ unabhängig vom Stadium des Lipödems der Patienten.
Role of PERK‐mediated pathway in the effect of mild hypothermia after cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion
Authors: Zhao Jie , Xia Chenzhong , Tang Yingying , Wan Haifang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundHypothermia is an effective method of reducing brain injury caused by a variety of neurological insults. It is aimed to elucidate whether a change in the expression of PERK‐mediated pathway proteins is an indicator of the neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia after cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion.MethodsOne hundred and ninety‐two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: a sham group, a cerebral normothermic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) group and a cerebral hypothermic I/R group. A cerebral ischaemia model was established by ligating the bilateral common carotid artery for 15 min. Mice in the hypothermia group stayed in a cage that was set at 33°C, sprayed with a spray of 70% ethanol, and blown with two high‐speed fans. The state of neurons was assessed on micropreparations stained with haematoxylin–eosin and TUNEL. The expressions of GRP78, p‐perk, p‐eif2α, ATF4 and CHOP were measured by western blot analysis 6, 12, 24 and 72 h after reperfusion.ResultsThe number of surviving cells was significantly higher in the hypothermia group than in the group without hypothermia (p < .05). The GRP78 expression in the hypothermia group was statistically higher (p < .05) than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group. Optical densities of p‐perk, p‐eif2α and ATF4 in hippocampus CA1 neurons ischaemia were statistically significantly lower in the hypothermia group than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group (p < .05). The CHOP expression in the hypothermia group was statistically lower (p < .05) than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group.ConclusionMild hypothermia for 6 h promoted moderate neuroprotection by mediating the expression of GRP78, p‐PERK, p‐eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP.
Soil moisture, stressed vegetation and the spatial structure of soil erosion in a high latitude rangeland
Authors: Cutler N. A. , Kodl G. , Streeter R. T. , Thompson P. I. J. , Dugmore A. J. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSoil erosion has been a persistent problem in high‐latitude regions and may worsen as climate change unfolds and encourages increased anthropogenic exploitation. We propose that soil moisture is likely to shape future erosion trends, as moisture stress reduces the capacity of vegetation cover to retard erosive processes. However, the spatial variability of soil moisture in high‐latitude soils—and the ways in which this variability drives the spatial distribution of erosion features—is poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap with a study of andosol erosion in southern Iceland. Our study used a combination of high‐resolution (<3 cm) remote sensing data (using normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalised difference red edge as metrics of plant vitality) and long‐term, in situ measurements of soil moisture to unpick the relationship between moisture stress, vegetation vitality and patchy soil erosion. Mean NDVI increased with distance from eroded areas, varying from ~0.6 in vegetated areas on the margins of erosion patches to ~0.8 in areas >10 m from eroded terrain. We found lower moisture availability close to existing erosion features: mean volumetric soil moisture content varied from 17% (proximal to erosion patch) to 36% (distal to erosion patch). We also found that variability in soil moisture decreased with distance from eroded areas: the coefficient of variation (CV) in soil moisture varied from 0.33 (proximal to erosion patch) to 0.13 (distal to erosion). Our findings indicate that the margins of erosion patches have a stressful soil environment due to exposure to the atmosphere. The vegetation in these locations grows less vigorously, and the exposed soil becomes more vulnerable to erosion, leading to erosion patch expansion and coalescence. If these conditions hold more generally, they may represent a feedback mechanism that facilitates the lateral propagation of soil erosion in high‐latitude regions.
Protective function of maternal care against egg predators in the shield bug Sastragala esakii (Hemiptera: Acanthosomatidae)
Authors: Nishimura Kou , Kudo Shin‐ichi , Hosokawa Takahiro 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFemales of many acanthosomatid shield bugs attend eggs and young nymphs by covering them with their bodies. Although such form of maternal care has been suggested to have evolved independently in four genera, Elasmucha, Sastragala, Acanthosoma and Sinopla, previous studies exploring its adaptive function have solely focused on species of Elasmucha. This study pioneered an experimental examination of maternal care in the Japanese species Sastragala esakii. Field experiments demonstrated that unattended egg masses suffered intense predation, whereas egg masses attended by their mothers were rarely preyed upon. The ant Crematogaster sp. was the most common egg predator, while two other insect species were also observed to prey on eggs. The exclusion of ant workers and other walking predators from accessing egg masses through the utilization of a sticky trap resulted in a remarkably improved egg survival rate in orphaned egg masses, suggesting that, at least in our study site, maternal care of S. esakii primarily functions to protect eggs from walking predators. Laboratory observations revealed that egg protection against predators was achieved through at least two distinctive defensive behaviors shown by egg‐tending females: (i) tilting their bodies when approached by predators; and (ii) fanning their wings when in contact with predators. However, females displayed a limited response to predators approaching from the posterior direction, suggesting that visual cues play a significant role in predator recognition. These results indicate a similarity in the maternal care functions between Elasmucha and Sastragala, and suggest the parallel evolution of female defensive behaviors.
Nematode biomass changes along an elevational gradient are trophic group dependent but independent of body size
Authors: Li Guixin , Wilschut Rutger A. , Luo Shuaiwei , Chen Han , Wang Xiangtai , Du Guozhen , Geisen Stefan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAboveground, large and higher trophic‐level organisms often respond more strongly to environmental changes than small and lower trophic‐level organisms. However, whether this trophic or size‐dependent sensitivity also applies to the most abundant animals, microscopic soil‐borne nematodes, remains largely unknown. Here, we sampled an altitudinal transect across the Tibetan Plateau and applied a community‐weighted mean (CWM) approach to test how differences in climatic and edaphic properties affect nematode CWM biomass at the level of community, trophic group and taxon mean biomass within trophic groups. We found that climatic and edaphic properties, particularly soil water‐related properties, positively affected nematode CWM biomass, with no overall impact of altitude on nematode CWM biomass. Higher trophic‐level omnivorous and predatory nematodes responded more strongly to climatic and edaphic properties, particularly to temperature, soil pH, and soil water content than lower trophic‐level bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes. However, these differences were likely not (only) driven by size, as we did not observe significant interactions between climatic and edaphic properties and mean biomasses within trophic groups. Together, our research implies a stronger, size‐independent trophic sensitivity of higher trophic‐level nematodes compared with lower trophic‐level ones. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying nematode body size structure in alpine grasslands and highlight that traits independent of size need to be found to explain increased sensitivity of higher trophic‐level nematodes to climatic and edaphic properties, which might affect soil functioning.
Unintentional designs in ecology: The case of river Periyar in Kerala
Authors: Varghese Mathew A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper moves across the ecological assemblages of the Periyar basin in Kerala. It argues that the connectivities and unintentional designs that emerge bespeak the Anthropocene in its regional and political peculiarities. The river has never been a conduit of water alone. The narrative builds broadly on ecological relations entrenched in history, most visibly as hydrological regimes. Such regimes are significant because of the riparian densities that articulate the geo‐morphology. The different entanglements in ecology, as well as the successive productions of natures, gain significance as ‘recognitions’ during rupture events like the large floods. In contemporary contexts, the versatile flows of capital dissolve markers and boundaries and reconfigure regions in terms of capital. Vikasanam or new urban reforms, apart from political policies, are also ecological designs that normalise exceptions, otherwise reserved for special economic zones. The frictions with new materiality, post dam floods and hydrological controls, during developmental and neoliberal post developmental phases, become moments of recognition, making and unmaking sense of place.
A plague passing over: Clinical features of the 2022 mpox outbreak in patients of color living with HIV
Authors: Momin Zoha K. , Lee Aleuna , Vandergriff Travis W. , Bowling Jason E. , Chamseddin Bahir , Dominguez Arturo , Hosler Gregory A. , Wang Richard C. , Kitchell Ellen 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionCompared with previous geographically localized outbreaks of monkeypox (MPOX), the scale of the 2022 global mpox outbreak has been unprecedented, yet the clinical features of this outbreak remain incompletely characterized.MethodsWe identified patients diagnosed with mpox by polymerase chain reaction (PCR;n = 36) from July to September 2022 at a single, tertiary care institution in the USA. Demographics, clinical presentation, infection course, and histopathologic features were reviewed.Results and ConclusionMen who have sex with men (89%) and people living with HIV (97%) were disproportionately affected. While fever and chills (56%) were common, some patients (23%) denied any prodromal symptoms. Skin lesions showed a wide range of morphologies, including papules and pustules, and lesions showed localized, not generalized, spread. Erythema was also less appreciable in skin of colour patients (74%). Atypical clinical features and intercurrent skin diseases masked the clinical recognition of several cases, which were ultimately diagnosed by PCR. Biopsies showed viral cytopathic changes consistent with Orthopoxvirus infections. All patients in this case series recovered without complications, although six patients (17%) with severe symptoms were treated with tecovirimat without complication.
Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cells: Properties, production, and quality control
Authors: Ramesh Pooja , Hui Henry Y. L. , Brownrigg Leon M. , Fuller Kathy A. , Erber Wendy N. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy is a novel adoptive T‐cell immunotherapy for haematological malignancies. First introduced into clinical practice in 2017, CAR T‐cell therapy is now finding its place in the management of lymphoid malignancies, primarily of B‐cell lineage, including lymphoblastic leukaemia, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and plasma cell myeloma, with remarkable therapeutic outcomes. CAR T‐cells are a customised therapeutic product for each patient. Manufacture commences with collection of autologous T‐cells, which are then genetically engineered ex vivo to express transmembrane CARs. These chimeric proteins consist of an antibody‐like extracellular antigen‐binding domain, to recognise specific antigens on the surface of tumour cells (e.g. CD19), linked to the intracellular co‐stimulatory signalling domains of a T‐cell receptor (e.g. CD137). The latter is required for in vivo CAR T‐cell proliferation, survival, and durable efficacy. Following reinfusion, CAR T‐cells harness the cytotoxic capacity of a patient's immune system. They overcome major mechanisms of tumour immuno‐evasion and have potential to generate robust cytotoxic anti‐tumour responses. This review discusses the background to CAR T‐cell therapies, including their molecular design, mechanisms of action, methods of production, clinical applications and established and emerging technologies for CAR T‐cell evaluation. It highlights the need for standardisation, quality control and monitoring of CAR T‐cell therapies, to ensure their safety and efficacy in clinical management.