bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrathoracic negative pressure therapy for pleural empyema using an open-pore drainage film
Authors: Betz V. , van Ackeren V. , Scharsack E. , Stark B. , Müller C. T. , Loske G. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
We report our initial experience with intrathoracic negative pressure therapy (ITNPT) in the stage-adjusted treatment of pleural empyema (PE) based on a case series.

Materials and methods
ITNPT represents a further development for intrathoracic use. After thoracic surgical open debridement, an intrathoracic negative pressure dressing was inserted. The drainage elements were a thin open-pore double-layer drainage film (OF) with open-pore polyurethane foams (PUF). Only the OF was placed in direct contact with the lung parenchyma. Negative pressure was generated using an electronic pump (continuous suction, −75 mm Hg). In revision thoracotomies, ITNPT was stopped or continued depending on local findings.

Results
In total, 31 patients with stage II and III pleural empyema underwent ITNPT, which was administered during the primary procedure (n = 17) or at revision (n = 14). Treatment duration was a mean of 10 days (2–18 days) with a mean change interval of 4 days (2–6 days). Intrathoracic negative pressure dressings were applied a mean of 3.5 (1–6) times. The empyema cavity continuously reduced in size and was cleansed by the suction. The OF has a minimum intrinsic volume with maximum absorption surface. Once negative pressure is established, there is no intrathoracic dead volume and the parenchyma can expand. The protective material properties of OF make ITNPT suitable for the treatment of pleural empyema. Targeted local intrathoracic drainage of the septic focus is a possible adjunct to surgery. The surgical dressings must be changed repeatedly. The method is suitable for the treatment of complex stage II and III pleural empyemas.

Conclusion
The OF can be used as an intrathoracic drainage element for ITNPT in pleural empyema. This new application option expands the range of indications for negative pressure therapy.
Eine unerwartete Entdeckung bei einer Patientin mit chronischer Prurigo
Authors: Steffens Elisabeth , Kaplan Mustafa , Weisshaar Elke 
Published: March 2023

ZusammenfassungWir berichten über eine 61-jährige Patientin, die seit 1 Jahr an plötzlich aufgetretenem, starkem Pruritus und Knoten auf der Haut des gesamten Integuments litt. Es wurde die Diagnose einer chronischen Prurigo (CPG) gestellt. Im Rahmen einer umfassenden und interdisziplinären Durchuntersuchung wurde ein metastasiertes Ovarialkarzinom festgestellt. Nach radikaler operativer Therapie und Chemotherapie heilte die CPG ab und ist bis heute nicht rezidiviert. Es ist nicht auszuschließen, dass es sich hier um eine paraneoplastische CPG handelt. Dieser Fall demonstriert auch, dass bei CPG eine Ursache gefunden werden kann und daher eine gründliche Abklärung einer CPG sehr wichtig ist und auch lebensrettend sein kann.
QTL mapping and transcriptome analysis identify novel QTLs and candidate genes in Brassica villosa for quantitative resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Bergmann Thomas , Menkhaus Jan , Ye Wanzhi , Schemmel Markus , Hasler Mario , Rietz Steffen , Leckband Gunhild , Cai Daguang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Key message
Novel QTLs and candidate genes for Sclerotinia-resistance were identified in B. villosa, a wild Brassica species, which represents a new genetic source for improving oilseed rape resistance to SSR.

Abstract
Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most destructive diseases in oilseed rape growing regions. To date, there is no effective genetic resistance against S. sclerotiorum in the B. napus germplasm and knowledge of the molecular plant–fungal interaction is also limited. To identify new resistance resources, we screened a set of wild Brassica species and identified B. villosa (BRA1896) with a high level of Sclerotinia-resistance. Two segregating F2 populations for Sclerotinia-resistance, generated by interspecific crosses between the resistant B. villosa (BRA1896) and the wild susceptible B. oleracea (BRA1909) were assessed for Sclerotinia-resistance. Genetic mapping using a 15-k Illumina Infinium SNP-array resulted in a high-density genetic map containing 1,118 SNP markers and spanning a total genetic length of 792.2 cM. QTL analysis revealed seven QTLs explaining 3.8% to 16.5% of phenotypic variance. Intriguingly, RNAseq-based transcriptome analysis identified genes and pathways specific to B. villosa, of which a cluster of five genes encoding putative receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and two pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are co-localized within a QTL on chromosome C07. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed enhanced ethylene (ET)-activated signaling in the resistant B. villosa, which is associated with a stronger plant immune response, depressed cell death, and enhanced phytoalexin biosynthesis compared to the susceptible B. oleracea. Our data demonstrates that B. villosa represents a novel and unique genetic source for improving oilseed rape resistance against SSR.
The prediabetes conundrum: striking the balance between risk and resources
Authors: Blond Martin B. , Færch Kristine , Herder Christian , Ziegler Dan , Stehouwer Coen D. A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe current definition of prediabetes is controversial and subject to continuous debate. Nonetheless, prediabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, is highly prevalent and is associated with diabetic complications and mortality. Thereby, it has the potential to become a huge strain on healthcare systems in the future, necessitating action from legislators and healthcare providers. But how do we best reduce its associated burden on health? As a compromise between differing opinions in the literature and among the authors of this article, we suggest stratifying individuals with prediabetes according to estimated risk and only offering individual-level preventive interventions to those at high risk. At the same time, we argue to identify those with prediabetes and already established diabetes-related complications and treat them as we would treat individuals with established type 2 diabetes.
Graphical abstract
Exploring spirituality and quality of life in individuals who are deaf and have intellectual disabilities
Authors: Fellinger Maria , Holzinger Daniel , Fogler Jason , Fellinger Johannes 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
While positive contributions of religion and spirituality (R/S) to quality of life (QOL) are confirmed by a growing body of evidence, only limited research has involved people with intellectual disabilities and so far, no studies included prelingually deaf individuals with intellectual disabilities. This study explores the role of R/S in people with intellectual disabilities and deafness living in three therapeutic living communities specifically adapted to their needs.

Methods
Forty-one individuals (mean age: 46.93 years, 43.9% female) with prelingual deafness and mild to moderate intellectual disability participated in structured sign language interviews adapted to their cognitive–developmental level, regarding their QOL, individual spirituality and participation in spiritual practices in the community. Participants’ QOL was assessed with an established short measure for QOL (EUROHIS–QOL) adapted to easy-to-understand sign language. With 21 participants, qualitative interviews were conducted. In addition, proxy ratings from caregivers were obtained.

Results
The participants’ ratings of their individual spirituality (r = 0.334; p = 0.03) and spiritual practices-in-community (r = 0.514; p = 0.00) correlated positively with their self-reported QOL. Qualitative findings illustrate the importance of R/S and give insights into R/S concepts and practices.

Conclusions
Personal spirituality and participating in spiritual practices are positively related to self-reported quality of life in deaf individuals with intellectual disability (ID). As a consequence, access to spiritual and religious services should be included in comprehensive programs and society at large.
Engineering complexity beyond the surface: discerning the viewpoints, the drivers, and the challenges
Authors: Garza Morales Gisela A. , Nizamis Kostas , Bonnema G. Maarten 
Published: March 2023

AbstractComplexity is often regarded as a “problem” to solve. Instead of attempting to solve complexity, we follow systems engineering practices and switch back to the problem domain, where a major obstacle is the impossibility to universally define complexity. As a workaround, we explored complexity characterization and its existing shortcomings, including: lack of standardization, inconsistent semantics, system-centricity, insufficiently transparent reasoning, and lack of validation. To address these shortcomings, we proposed a compilatory framework to characterize complexity using the Five Ws information-gathering method. The answer to the WHO question proposed four complexity viewpoints; the answer to the WHY question proposed a two-dimensional structure for complexity drivers; and the answer to the WHAT question derived generalized complexity challenges. As a preliminary step to show the potential of the framework to characterize complexity, we used and validated it as a tool to structure general literature related to complexity. In general, our findings suggest that papers with complexity solutions do not frame their research within the complexity problem domain, hindering the contribution evaluation. Through the viewpoints, we identified general research gaps of six solution directions. From the drivers, we noted three observations in the discourse of complexity origins: (1) a system-driven tendency, (2) a preference for concreteness vs. abstraction, and (3) an unclear distinction between origins and effects. Through the challenges’ findings we explored two hypotheses: (1) a system-centric preference; and (2) a solution-oriented vision, both of which were supported by the results (most challenges relate to the system viewpoint and challenges are defined based on solution directions).
Compressive response versus power consumption of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene in material extrusion additive manufacturing: the impact of seven critical control parameters
Authors: Petousis Markos , Vidakis Nectarios , Mountakis Nikolaos , Karapidakis Emmanuel , Moutsopoulou Amalia 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a multipurpose thermoplastic and the second most popular material in material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing (AM). It is widely used in various types of industrial applications in the automotive sector, housing, and food processing, among others. This work investigates the effect of seven generic control parameters (orientation angle, raster deposition angle, infill density, layer thickness, nozzle temperature, printing speed, and bed temperature) on the performance and the energy consumption of 3D-printed ABS parts in compression loading. Raw material with melt extrusion was formed in a filament form for MEX 3D printing. Samples after the ASTM D695-02a standard were 3D printed, with the seven control parameters, three levels, and five replicas each (135 experiments in total). Results were analyzed with statistical modeling tools regarding the compressive and the energy consumption metrics (printing time, weight, energy printing consumption/EPC, specific printing energy/SPE, specific printing power/SPP, compression strength, compression modulus of elasticity, and toughness). The layer thickness was the most critical control parameter. Nozzle temperature and raster deposition angle were the less critical parameters. This work provides reliable information with great technological and industrial impact.
Graphical Abstract
Predictive stability criteria for penalty selection in linear models
Authors: Dustin Dean , Clarke Bertrand , Clarke Jennifer 
Published: March 2023

AbstractChoosing a shrinkage method can be done by selecting a penalty from a list of pre-specified penalties or by constructing a penalty based on the data. If a list of penalties for a class of linear models is given, we introduce a predictive stability criterion based on data perturbation to select a shrinkage method from the list. Simulation studies show that our predictive method identifies shrinkage methods that usually agree with existing literature and help explain heuristically when a given shrinkage method can be expected to perform well. If the preference is to construct a penalty customized for a given problem, then we propose a technique based on genetic algorithms, again using a predictive criterion. We find that, in general, a custom penalty never performs worse than any commonly used penalties and there are cases the custom penalty reduces to a recognizable penalty. Since penalty selection is mathematically equivalent to prior selection, our method also constructs priors. Our methodology allows us to observe that the oracle property typically holds for penalties that satisfy basic regularity conditions and therefore is not restrictive enough to play a direct role in penalty selection. In addition, our methodology, can be immediately applied to real data problems, and permits us to take model mis-specification into account.
Metabolic stone workup abnormalities are not as important as stone culture in patients with recurrent stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Ahmed Asmaa E. , Abol-Enein Hassan , Awadalla Amira , Shokeir Ahmed A. , El-Shehaby Omar A. , Harraz Ahmed M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTo investigate the association between metabolic urinary abnormalities and urinary tract infection (UTI) and the stone recurrence status in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). A prospective evaluation was performed for patients who underwent PCNL between November 2019 and November 2021 and met the inclusion criteria. Patients with previous stone interventions were classified as recurrent stone formers. Before PCNL, a 24 h metabolic stone workup and midstream urine culture (MSU-C) were done. Renal pelvis (RP-C) and stones (S-C) cultures were collected during the procedure. The association between the metabolic workup and UTI results with stone recurrence was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. The study included 210 patients. UTI factors that showed significant association with stone recurrence included positive S-C [51 (60.7%) vs 23 (18.2%), p < 0.001], positive MSU-C [37 (44.1%) vs 30 (23.8%), p = 0.002], and positive RP-C [17 (20.2%) vs 12 (9.5%), p = 0.03]. Other factors were mean ± SD GFR (ml/min) (65 ± 13.1 vs 59.5 ± 13.1, p = 0.003), calcium-containing stones [47 (55.9%) vs 48 (38.1%), p = 0.01], median (IQR) urinary citrate levels (mg/day) [333 (123–512.5) vs 221.5 (120.3–412), p = 0.04], and mean ± SD urinary pH (6.1 ± 1 vs 5.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only positive S-C was the significant predictor of stone recurrence (odds ratio: 9.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] (3.8–28.6), p < 0.001). Positive S-C, and not metabolic abnormalities, was the only independent factor associated with stone recurrence. A focus on preventing UTI might prevent further stone recurrence.
Overhang Penalization in Additive Manufacturing via Phase Field Structural Topology Optimization with Anisotropic Energies
Authors: Garcke Harald , Lam Kei Fong , Nürnberg Robert , Signori Andrea 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA phase field approach for structural topology optimization with application to additive manufacturing is analyzed. The main novelty is the penalization ofoverhangs(regions of the design that require underlying support structures during construction) with anisotropic energy functionals. Convex and non-convex examples are provided, with the latter showcasing oscillatory behavior along the object boundary termed thedripping effectin the literature. We provide a rigorous mathematical analysis for the structural topology optimization problem with convex and non-continuously-differentiable anisotropies, deriving the first order necessary optimality condition using subdifferential calculus. Via formally matched asymptotic expansions we connect our approach with previous works in the literature based on a sharp interface shape optimization description. Finally, we present several numerical results to demonstrate the advantages of our proposed approach in penalizing overhang developments.
A Zero-Sum Poisson Stopping Game with Asymmetric Signal Rates
Authors: Lempa Jukka , Saarinen Harto 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to study a class of zero-sum optimal stopping games of diffusions under a so-called Poisson constraint: the players are allowed to stop only at the arrival times of their respective Poissonian signal processes. These processes can have different intensities, which makes the game setting asymmetric. We give a weak and easily verifiable set of sufficient condition under which we derive a semi-explicit solution to the game in terms of the minimal r-excessive functions of the diffusion. We also study limiting properties of the solutions with respect to the signal intensities and illustrate our main findings with explicit examples.
Polyak–Łojasiewicz inequality on the space of measures and convergence of mean-field birth-death processes
Authors: Liu Linshan , Majka Mateusz B. , Szpruch Łukasz 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe Polyak–Łojasiewicz inequality (PŁI) in$$\mathbb {R}^d$$Rdis a natural condition for proving convergence of gradient descent algorithms (Karimi et al. in: Frasconi et al. (eds) Machine learning and knowledge discovery in databases, Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 795–811, 2016). In the present paper, we study an analogue of PŁI on the space of probability measures$$\mathcal {P}(\mathbb {R}^d)$$P(Rd)and show that it is a natural condition for showing exponential convergence of a class of birth-death processes related to certain mean-field optimization problems. We verify PŁI for a broad class of such problems for energy functions regularised by the KL-divergence.
Reprocessing of side-streams towards obtaining valuable bacterial metabolites
Authors: Piwowarek Kamil , Lipińska Edyta , Kieliszek Marek 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Every year, all over the world, the industry generates huge amounts of residues. Side-streams are most often used as feed, landfilled, incinerated, or discharged into sewage. These disposal methods are far from perfect. Taking into account the composition of the side-streams, it seems that they should be used as raw materials for further processing, in accordance with the zero-waste policy and sustainable development. The article describes the latest achievements in biotechnology in the context of bacterial reprocessing of residues with the simultaneous acquisition of their metabolites. The article focuses on four metabolites — bacterial cellulose, propionic acid, vitamin B12 and PHAs. Taking into account global trends (e.g. food, packaging, medicine), it seems that in the near future there will be a sharp increase in demand for this type of compounds. In order for their production to be profitable and commercialised, cheap methods of its obtaining must be developed. The article, in addition to obtaining these bacterial metabolites from side-streams, also discusses e.g. factors affecting their production, metabolic pathways and potential and current applications. The presented chapters provide a complete overview of the current knowledge on above metabolites, which can be helpful for the academic and scientific communities and the several industries.

Key points
• The industry generates millions of tons of organic side-streams each year.
• Generated residues burden the natural environment.
• A good and cost-effective method of side-streams management seems to be biotechnology – reprocessing with the use of bacteria.
• Biotechnological disposal of side-streams gives the opportunity to obtain valuable compounds in cheaper ways: BC, PA, vitmain B12, PHAs.
Tumour microenvironment as a predictive factor for immunotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Semeniuk-Wojtaś Aleksandra , Poddębniak-Strama Karolina , Modzelewska Magdalena , Baryła Maksymilian , Dziąg-Dudek Ewelina , Syryło Tomasz , Górnicka Barbara , Jakieła Anna , Stec Rafał 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBladder cancer (BC) can be divided into two subgroups depending on invasion of the muscular layer: non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Its aggressiveness is associated, inter alia, with genetic aberrations like losses of 1p, 6q, 9p, 9q and 13q; gain of 5p; or alterations in the p53 and p16 pathways. Moreover, there are reported metabolic disturbances connected with poor diagnosis—for example, enhanced aerobic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis or haem catabolism.Currently, the primary way of treatment method is transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) with adjuvant Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) therapy for NMIBC or radical cystectomy for MIBC combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. However, intravesical BCG immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are not efficient in every case, so appropriate biomarkers are needed in order to select the proper treatment options. It seems that the success of immunotherapy depends mainly on the tumour microenvironment (TME), which reflects the molecular disturbances in the tumour. TME consists of specific conditions like hypoxia or local acidosis and different populations of immune cells including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, natural killer cells, neutrophils and B lymphocytes, which are responsible for shaping the response against tumour neoantigens and crucial pathways like the PD-L1/PD-1 axis.In this review, we summarise holistically the impact of the immune system, genetic alterations and metabolic changes that are key factors in immunotherapy success. These findings should enable better understanding of the TME complexity in case of NMIBC and causes of failures of current therapies.
The outcomes of total hip replacement in osteonecrosis versus osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Salman Loay A. , Hantouly Ashraf T. , Khatkar Harman , Al-Ani Abdallah , Abudalou Abedallah , Al-Juboori Mohammed , Ahmed Ghalib 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Purpose
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the outcomes of THA in patients with osteonecrosis (ON) and those with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods
Four databases were searched from inception till December 2022 for original studies that compared the outcomes of THA in ON and OA. The primary outcome was the revision rate; the secondary outcomes were dislocation and Harris hip score. This review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.

Results
A total of 14 observational studies with 2,111,102 hips were included, with a mean age of 50.83 ± 9.32 and 55.51 ± 8.95 for ON and OA groups, respectively. The average follow-up was 7.25 ± 4.6 years. There was a statistically significant difference in revision rate between ON and OA patients in favour of OA (OR: 1.576; 95%CI: 1.24–2.00; p-value: 0.0015). However, dislocation rate (OR: 1.5004; 95%CI: 0.92–2.43; p-value: 0.0916) and Haris hip score (HHS) (SMD: − 0.0486; 95%CI: − 0.35–0.25; p-value: 0.6987) were comparable across both groups. Further sub-analysis adjusting for registry data also showed similar results between both groups.

Conclusion
A higher revision rate, periprosthetic fracture and periprosthetic joint infection following total hip arthroplasty were associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head compared with osteoarthritis. However, both groups had similar dislocation rates and functional outcome measures. This finding should be applied in context due to potential confounding factors, including patient’s age and activity level.