bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinal amyloid deposits are common among older patients undergoing spinal stenosis decompression surgery
Authors: Madhani Avni , Kotturu Navya , Fine Denise , Alreshq Rabah , Saade Aziz , Tannoury Tony , Tannoury Chadi , Ruberg Frederick L. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundRecent advances in the management of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM) have highlighted the need for early identification. Studies have demonstrated amyloid deposits in orthopedic surgical specimens, prompting a diagnosis of concurrent ATTR‐CM. We sought to determine the prevalence of spinal amyloid deposits among patients undergoing spinal stenosis decompression surgery and whether the presence of deposits was associated with ATTR‐CM.MethodsPatients >60 years of age undergoing spinal stenosis decompression surgery were enrolled as part of a prospective, single‐center, cohort study. Samples from the disc and ligamentum flavum were obtained during surgery. Patients with amyloid deposition on Congo red staining returned for standard‐of‐care clinical assessment consisting of blood testing, a transthoracic echocardiogram, nuclear pyrophosphate imaging when indicated, and an evaluation with a cardiologist.ResultsOut of 54 enrolled patients, 24 patients (44%; 95% CI, 31%–59%) were found to have spinal amyloid deposits. Amyloid‐positive patients were older than amyloid‐negative patients (70 years vs. 63 years, p < 0.01). On follow‐up testing, no amyloid‐positive patients were found to have definitive ATTR‐CM. However, 37% of amyloid‐positive patients had abnormal cardiac biomarkers, and 36% of amyloid‐positive patients had reduced global longitudinal strain on echocardiography, suggesting possible early disease.ConclusionsSpinal amyloid deposits, in both the disc and ligamentum flavum, were found in 44% of older patients undergoing spinal stenosis decompression surgery. While none of these patients tested positive for ATTR‐CM on early follow‐up, subtle abnormalities in cardiac testing suggest that further follow‐up testing is warranted to detect the advent of cardiac amyloidosis in the future.
Defining the Critical Requisites for Accurate Simulation of SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Dynamics: Patient Characteristics and Data Collection Protocol
Authors: Chua Hoong Kai , Singh Ananya , Wang Yuqian , Goh Yun Shan , Chan Conrad En Zuo , Chavatte Jean‐Marc , Lin Raymond Valentine Tzer Pin , Su Yvonne C. F. , Ajelli Marco , Chia Po Ying , Ong Sean W. X. , Lye David Chien , Young Barnaby E. , Ejima Keisuke 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMathematical models of viral dynamics are crucial in understanding infection trajectories. However, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) viral load data often includes limited sparse observations with significant heterogeneity. This study aims to: (1) understand the impact of patient characteristics in shaping the temporal viral load trajectory and (2) establish a data collection protocol (DCP) to reliably reconstruct individual viral load trajectories. We collected longitudinal viral load data for SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and Omicron variants from 243 patients in Singapore (2021–2022). A viral dynamics model was calibrated using patients' age, symptom presence, and vaccination status. We accessed associations between these patient characteristics and aspects of viral dynamics using linear regression models. We evaluated the accuracy of viral load trajectory estimation under different simulated DCPs by varying patient numbers, test frequencies, and test intervals. Older unvaccinated individuals had a longer viral shedding duration due to lower infection and cell death rates. Higher peak viral loads were found in older, symptomatic, and vaccinated individuals, with earlier peaks in younger vaccinated individuals. Symptom presence and vaccination resulted in a shorter time from infection to diagnosis. To accurately estimate viral dynamics, more frequent tests, longer test intervals, and larger patient samples are required. For 500 patients, a 21‐day follow‐up with measurements every 3 days and an 8‐day follow‐up with daily measurements was optimal for the Delta and Omicron variants, respectively. Patient characteristics significantly impacted viral dynamics. Our analytic approach and recommended DCPs can enhance preparedness and response to emerging pathogens beyond SARS‐CoV‐2.
Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid α‐Synuclein Seeding Activity Predicts Central Lewy Body Diseases
Authors: Goldstein David S. , Alam Parvez , Sullivan Patti , Holmes Courtney , Gelsomino Janna , Hughson Andrew G. , Caughey Byron 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α‐synuclein seeding activity (SSA) via a seed amplification assay might predict central Lewy body diseases (LBD) in at‐risk individuals.ObjectiveThe aim was to assess CSF SSA in a prospective, longitudinal study.MethodsParticipants self‐reported risk factors were genetics, olfactory dysfunction, dream enactment behavior, orthostatic intolerance, or hypotension; individuals who had ≥3 confirmed risk factors underwent CSF sampling and were followed for up to 7.5 years. Participants who developed a central LBD (LBD+) were compared to those who did not. Quadruplicate SSA areas under the curve (AUC) were averaged.ResultsOf 11 subjects with average AUCs above 500,000 units, 7 (64%) developed a central LBD compared to 1 of 20 (5%), with AUCs below the cutoff value (P = 0.0011 by log‐rank test). Conversely, 7 of 8 (88%) LBD+ participants had elevated initial AUCs.ConclusionsIncreased CSF SSA predicts central LBDs. Individuals who develop a central LBD have elevated initial SSA AUCs.
Citronellal Alleviates Insulin Resistance in High‐Fat Diet/Streptozocin Model: Role of Asprosin/Olfactory Receptor Axis
Authors: Abdelaziz Aya , El‐Far Yousra M. , Abdel‐Rahman Noha 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTEctopic olfactory receptors are expressed in nonolfactory tissues and perform diverse roles including regulation of glucose homeostasis. We explored the effect of citronellal treatment on olfactory receptor 4M1 subtype (OR4M1) signaling in insulin resistance and Type II diabetes in rats. We aimed to validate the anti‐diabetic effect of citronellal through Asprosin/OR4M1 modulation. Exploring new antidiabetics and pharmacological targets is important to improve quality of life and limit complications. The model was established in Sprague‐Dawley rats by a high‐fat diet for 4 weeks followed by a single low‐dose streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg/ip). One week after STZ injection, oral citronellal (100 mg/kg) was administered for 4 weeks. Citronellal lowered serum glucose and triglycerides and ameliorated OGTT and HOMA‐IR results. Docking results revealed that citronellal blocked the Asprosin binding site at OR4M1. The hepatic expression of OR4M1 and Asprosin was reduced. Citronellal lowered cAMP levels causing attenuated levels of protein kinase A and downstream gluconeogenic enzymes: glucose‐6‐phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Citronellal also inhibited the expression of hepatic TLR‐4 and inhibited JNK phosphorylation. Citronellal attenuated hepatic levels of NF‐κB, p‐NF‐κB, and downstream proteins MCP‐1 and TNF‐α. These results suggest that citronellal alleviates insulin resistance by mitigating Asprosin/OR4M1 and Asprosin/TLR4/JNK signaling.
AAPM Task Group Report 274: Fluence rate dosimetry for photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Authors: Zhu Timothy C. , Pogue Brian W. , Dimofte Andreea , Finlay Jarod C. , Lilge Lothar , Sunar Ulas , Simone Charles B. , van Veen Robert L. P. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality clinically approved for several oncologic indications, including esophageal and endobronchial cancers, precancerous conditions including Barrett's esophagus and actinic keratosis, and benign conditions like age‐related macular degeneration. While it is currently clinically underused, PDT is an area of significant research interest. Because PDT relies on the absorption of light energy by intrinsic or administered absorbers, the dosimetric quantity of interest is the absorbed energy per unit mass of tissue, proportional to the fluence rate of light in tissue. It has been demonstrated that the fluence rate at the tissue surface may differ significantly from the incident irradiance of light because of multiple scattering and absorption, both of which may vary among patients and tissue types. This report will review the current state‐of‐the‐art fluence rate dosimetry technology. It will describe the two types of detectors currently available for fluence rate measurement, scattering‐tip and fluorescence‐based detectors, and review their principles of operation. The report will recommend strategies to establish calibration and quality assurance procedures for clinical fluence rate dosimetry equipment, and it will establish guidelines for clinical implementation of fluence rate dosimetry.
Effect of Intrathecal Baclofen on Bladder Function in Patients With Severe Supraspinal Spasticity
Authors: Kofler Markus , Halbmayer Lucas‐Michael , Kiss Gusztav , Matzak Heinrich , D'Aleo Giangaetano , Saltuari Leopold , Madersbacher Helmut , Pucks‐Faes Elke 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionNeurogenic bladder dysfunction is a prevalent condition characterized by impaired bladder control resulting from neurological conditions, for example, spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Detrusor overactivity is a typical symptom of central nervous system damage. A lesion affecting the pontine neural network typically results in loss of tonic inhibition exerted by the pontine micturition center and causes involuntary detrusor contractions. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB), primarily indicated for spasticity management, holds potential in addressing the underlying mechanisms of neurogenic bladder dysfunction.MethodsUrodynamic data were extracted from clinical charts of patients with severe supraspinal spasticity who received ITB treatment. Urodynamic studies were performed before pump implantation (PRE), after surgery (POST), and when achieving an effective steady state ITB dosage (ss‐ITB), as reflected by a reduction in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score. To determine potential risk factors for a poor response to ITB with respect to bladder function, patients were post hoc categorized into good and poor responders based on post void residual volume at ss‐ITB.ResultsApart from significantly reducing MAS scores, ITB caused significant increases in reflex volume, bladder capacity, and residual volume, and significant decreases in maximal detrusor and vesical pressures. Significant differences between good and poor responders (with respect to bladder function) were noted for reflex volume, bladder capacity, and residual volume at ss‐ITB, whereas no urodynamic parameter served to differentiate the two groups at PRE.DiscussionThis study confirms a beneficial effect of ITB on bladder function in patients with severe supraspinal spasticity. However, concurring with the literature, a small subgroup of patients experienced serious deterioration in terms of increased reflex volume and residual volume, posing the risk of subsequent renal damage. Unfortunately, no urodynamic parameter predicted such a poor response to ITB before treatment initiation.
Charity Checkouts: (Potential) Downsides for Customers, Nonprofits and Businesses Involved
Authors: Faseur Tine , De Bock Tine 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTNonprofits are constantly prompted to seek alternative income sources. Charity checkouts (CCs) are a recent fundraising technique blending corporate and individual donor support. They involve a unique triadic structure between businesses, customers and nonprofits. More specifically, CCs describe an online or offline shopping situation in which companies solicit customers to donate a small amount of money while checking out. Despite their success, CCs face critical voices and concerns. This study systematically reviews academic and grey literature, with the goal to delineate (potential) downsides comprehensively. This research aids nonprofits and businesses engaged in CC triads in making informed decisions for a sustainable growth of their fundraising and CSR strategy. Beyond its practical implications, this study contributes to the limited academic literature on CCs. The reflections in the discussion, along with the extensive agenda for future research, represent a significant step forward towards advancing the field.
Recombinant Klotho administration after myocardial infarction reduces ischaemic injury and arrhythmias by blocking intracellular calcium mishandling and CaMKII activation
Authors: Vázquez‐Sánchez Sara , Blasco Ana , Fernández‐Corredoira Pablo , Cantolla Paula , Mercado‐García Elisa , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Elena , González‐Lafuente Laura , Poveda Jonay , González‐Moreno Daniel , Matutano Andrea , Peribañez Sonia , García‐Consuegra Inés , Volpe Massimo , Fernández‐Velasco María , Ruilope Luis M. , Ruiz‐Hurtado Gema 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIschaemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major cause of death and morbidity. Klotho is a well‐known anti‐ageing factor with relevant cardioprotective actions, at least when renal dysfunction is present, but its actions are much less known when renal function is preserved. This study investigated Klotho as a biomarker and potential novel treatment of IHD‐associated complications after myocardial infarction (MI) under preserved renal function. Association between circulating Klotho levels and cardiac injury was investigated in patients after ST‐elevation MI (STEMI). Biochemical, in vivo and in vitro cardiac function and histological and molecular studies were performed to determine the effect of recombinant Klotho in the failing hearts of mice after MI. We demonstrated that STEMI patients showed lower systemic Klotho levels, with the lowest Klotho tertile in those patients with higher N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels. Mice also showed a decrease in systemic Klotho levels after MI induction. Furthermore, recombinant Klotho administration in mice reduced infarct area and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. We also demonstrated that Klotho treatment prevented reduction in ejection fraction and MI‐related ECG changes, including prolonged QRS, JT, QTc, and TpeakTend intervals and premature ventricular contractions. In adult mouse cardiomyocytes, Klotho treatment restricted systolic calcium (Ca2+) release and cell shortening disturbances after MI. Klotho prevented increased diastolic Ca2+ leak and pro‐arrhythmogenic events in PMI mice by blocking activation of the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase type II (CaMKII) pathway, preventing ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) hyperphosphorylation. In conclusion, Klotho supplementation protected against functional and structural cardiac remodelling and ameliorated ventricular arrhythmic events by preventing intracardiomyocyte Ca2+ mishandling in mice following MI. These data uncover a new cardioprotective role of Klotho, emerging as a biomarker of ventricular injury and potential treatment for patients after MI. © 2025 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fast prediction of curing residual stress in polymer‐matrix composites by a deep learning method
Authors: Zhang Fan , Guo Haili , Wang Weiwei , Du Jinbo , Liu Yuchi , Wang Han 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCuring residual stress (CRS) is common in polymer‐matrix composites due to the anisotropic properties of materials. Finite element method (FEM), the most extensively used approach for curing behavior prediction, is usually complicated and time‐consuming. To achieve a fast prediction of process‐induced stresses, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is established based on the FEM. Firstly, a fully coupled methodology is built and validated through distortions of experimentally manufactured laminates. Then, it is applied to generate models with different stacking layers, and the residual stress is computed and serves as the dataset of the deep learning model. Finally, the construction and hyperparameters are determined, and the good generalization performance proves the high accuracy of the current model. Besides, the CNN method (<1 s) greatly reduces the computational time compared with the FEM (>14 min). The supervised machine learning method shows great potential in promoting efficiency in stacking sequence designing and optimization of composites.Highlights
A fully coupled model was built to predict the curing behavior of composites.
The numerical model was validated by the deformation of unsymmetrical composites.
A FEM‐CNN method was proposed for the fast prediction of curing residual stress.
Compared with FEM, this machine learning method is accurate and efficient.
Natural fiber‐reinforced light composites for the automotive industry
Authors: Volpe Valentina , Pantani Roberto 
Published: January 2025

AbstractA European Directive on End‐of‐Life Vehicles (ELVs) established minimum reuse and recovery thresholds of automotive materials based on the weight of the vehicle, to improve fuel efficiency and therefore reduce the CO2 emissions. However, to replace a virgin material, recycled materials must guarantee adequate properties. In this work, low‐density lignocellulosic materials were adopted as “green” reinforcement for recycled polypropylene. In particular, variations in density, thermal resistance, mechanical properties, moldability, and thermal conductivity of a recycled polypropylene (PP) compounded with cork, hazelnut shells, and hazelnut skins (i.e. the cuticle that wraps the fruit inside the shell) were evaluated. The experimental results showed an improvement in thermal resistance and mechanical resistance at high temperatures, without substantially altering the density and thermal conductivity of PP. Among the various fillers analyzed, hazelnut skins seem to give the best results in terms of thermal and mechanical resistance and moldability.Highlights
Cork, hazelnut skin and shell stand out as low‐density natural fillers for recycled polypropylene
All the natural fillers increase the thermal stability of polypropylene
The low‐density fillers enhance the mechanical properties of polypropylene at high temperatures
Fillers do not substantially alter the density and thermal conductivity of polypropylene
The addition of hazelnut skins allows an enhancement of the moldability of polypropylene
Impact of ocean data assimilation on the sub‐polar North Atlantic in MPI‐ESM
Authors: Brune Sebastian , Koul Vimal 
Published: January 2025

AbstractInitialisation of decadal climate predictions with Earth system models in the North Atlantic commonly relies on simultaneous data assimilation of the observed state of both the atmosphere and ocean. Under this coupled data assimilation approach, the actual contribution of oceanic data assimilation in initialising predictions remains unclear. In this study we analyse how assimilation of oceanic sub‐surface temperature and salinity adds to atmospheric assimilation in terms of impact on upper‐ocean heat content and ocean dynamics in the sub‐polar North Atlantic in the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI‐ESM). We compare two assimilation experiments, one with weakly coupled oceanic and atmospheric data assimilation using an oceanic ensemble Kalman filter and atmospheric nudging, the other with only atmospheric nudging. Our results suggest that assimilation of observed sub‐surface ocean temperature and salinity into the model not only reduces the warm bias in the sub‐polar North Atlantic heat content, but more importantly simultaneously improves the modelled ocean dynamics, in particular the variability of ocean heat transport, representing a potential major source for the increased skill in sub‐polar North Atlantic surface temperatures in the corresponding decadal prediction system. We break down the sub‐polar North Atlantic upper‐ocean heat content budget and find that oceanic data assimilation has a large impact on the ocean heat transport across 51°N, in particular on its gyre component. We show that ocean assimilation leads to a more realistic position of the North Atlantic Current and a more realistic representation of cooling and warming phases within the multi‐decadal variation of sub‐polar North Atlantic upper‐ocean heat content. Based on our results, sub‐surface oceanic observations play an important role in initialising successful decadal prediction of surface temperatures in the sub‐polar North Atlantic.
Remaining Useful Life Analysis for Two‐Stage Nonlinear Inverse Gaussian Process With Random Effects
Authors: Yan Zai‐Zai , Sun Li‐Jun , Liang Yu‐Ying 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTEvaluating the reliability of high‐reliability, long‐life products remains a central challenge in the realm of reliability engineering. The intricate internal structure of these products results in a performance degradation process that is both nonlinear and multi‐staged. Distinguished from the traditional single‐stage degradation model, the two‐stage degradation model requires consideration of the degradation state at a critical transition point. This complexity significantly complicates the task of modeling and predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) for products exhibiting two‐stage nonlinear degradation. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a novel two‐stage inverse Gaussian (IG) degradation process model. This model builds upon and extends the traditional nonlinear IG degradation process model, incorporating a two‐stage approach to account for the uncertainty at the degradation transition point and randomizing the drift coefficients to better reflect the stochastic nature of the degradation process. The analytical expressions of probability density functions (PDF) and reliability functions are derived based on the definition of first hitting time (FHT). The unknown parameters of the model are estimated using the Gibbs sampling method within the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework. The applicability and effectiveness of our proposed method are substantiated through a simulation example and by analyzing real‐world degradation data from a cabin door lock mechanism.
Object Detection and Multiple Objective Optimization Manipulation Planning for Underwater Autonomous Capture in Oceanic Natural Aquatic Farm
Authors: Hai Huang , Tao Jiang , Xinyu Bian , Hao Zhou , Xu Yang , Gang Wang , Hongde Qin , Xinyue Han 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTUnderwater autonomous capture operations offer significant potential for reducing labor and health risks in sea organism industries. This study presents a comprehensive solution for cross‐domain underwater object detection and autonomous capture. A novel unsupervised domain adaptive learning method is proposed, integrating multiscale domain adaptive modules and attention mechanisms into a Faster Region‐Convolutional Neural Network framework. This approach enhances feature alignment across diverse aquatic domains without parameter tuning. Additionally, an efficient, parameterless constrained multiobjective optimization algorithm is introduced for underwater autonomous mobile capture, integrating parameterized trajectory planning with innovative features, such as adaptive mutation strategies and constraint violation tolerance. The proposed approaches are extensively validated through simulations, tank experiments, and real‐world oceanic trials in the Natural Aquatic Farm of Zhangzidao Island. Results demonstrate the system's robustness in complex underwater environments with varying currents, with experimental outcomes validating the accuracy and reliability of detection and capture capabilities. This research significantly advances autonomous underwater systems' capabilities in object detection and capture tasks, addressing complex challenges in realistic organism capture applications across diverse aquatic environments.