bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarkers for predicting immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor‐associated bullous pemphigoid: A retrospective observational study with a case series
Authors: Sugiyama Seiko , Yamamoto Takenobu , Aoyama Yumi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor‐associated bullous pemphigoid (DPP‐4i‐BP) is variable, with some cases showing spontaneous remission after drug cessation and others showing worsening BP or developing infectious complications, termed infectious immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), after DPP‐4i cessation. We recently demonstrated that the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio measured at baseline and during treatment predicts the eventual development of infectious IRIS.ObjectivesTo identify key molecular immune parameters that correlate with, and potentially shape, subsequent immune responses after DPP‐4i cessation.MethodsThis retrospective observational study examined DPP‐4i‐BP patients who were treated at our hospital for 4 years. Patients selected for this study were those who developed BP after initiation of DPP‐4i and were followed up at least 90 days after DPP‐4i cessation, if information and the relevant parameters were available from the medical records. The patients were divided into two cohorts: a spontaneous remission group and an exacerbation group showing worsening BP or developing infectious IRIS. Serum cytokine/chemokine levels were determined using a multiplex biometric immunoassay.ResultsSerum levels of eotaxin and interferon (IFN)‐α/γ before DPP‐4i cessation were significantly higher in the remission group (161.6 [standard error 21.9] pg/mL and 14.4 [4.8]/9.2 [4.6] pg/mL, respectively) than in the exacerbation group (51.1 [standard error 9.8] pg/mL and 1.6 [1.6]/1.0 [0.5] pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.005). Importantly, regarding changes in cytokine/chemokine levels before and after cessation of DPP‐4i, increasing levels of IFN‐α/γ, interleukin‐10, and interleukin‐1RA following drug cessation were associated with the subsequent development of infectious IRIS.ConclusionsAs observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019, if the production of IFN‐α/γ and eotaxin occurs early and intense enough before DPP‐4i cessation, virus reactivation as a manifestation of infectious IRIS can be prevented. If not, exuberant virus‐related inflammatory reactions would ensue, as observed in a cytokine storm.
Effects of Short‐term Electronic(e)‐Cigarette Aerosol Exposure in the Mouse Larynx
Authors: Easwaran Meena , Maria Chloe Santa , Martinez Joshua D. , Hung Barbara , Yu Xuan , Soo Joanne , Kimura Akari , Gross Eric R. , Erickson‐DiRenzo Elizabeth 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesThe effects of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) on the larynx are relatively unknown. This study examined the short‐term effects of e‐cigarette inhalation on cellular and inflammatory responses within the mouse laryngeal glottic and subglottic regions after exposure to pod‐based devices (JUUL).MethodsMale C57BL6/J mice (8–9 weeks) were assigned to control (n = 9), JUUL flavors Mint (JMi; n = 10) or Mango (JMa; n = 10). JUUL mice were exposed to 2 h/day for 1, 5, and 10 days using the inExpose inhalation system. Control mice were in room air. Vocal fold (VF) epithelial thickness, cell proliferation, subglandular area and composition, inflammatory cell infiltration, and surface topography were evaluated in the harvested larynges. Mouse body weight and urinary nicotine biomarkers were also measured. Chemical analysis of JUUL aerosols was conducted using selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry.ResultsJUUL‐exposed mice had reduced body weight after day 5. Urinary nicotine biomarker levels indicated successful JUUL exposure and metabolism. Quantitative analysis of JUUL aerosol indicated that chemical constituents differ between JMi and JMa flavors. VF epithelial thickness, cellular proliferation, glandular area, and surface topography remained unchanged after JUUL exposures. Acidic mucus content increased after 1 day of JMi exposure. VF macrophage and T‐cell levels slightly increased after 10 days of JMi exposures.ConclusionsShort‐term e‐cigarette exposures cause minimal flavor‐ and region‐specific cellular and inflammatory changes in the mouse larynx. This work provides a foundation for long‐term studies to determine if these responses are altered with multiple e‐cigarette components and concentrations.Level of EvidenceN/A Laryngoscope, 134:1316–1326, 2024
Disparities in the Presentation and Management of Pediatric Retropharyngeal Abscess
Authors: Nicotera Dante J. , Islam Aseeyah A. , Liu Yupeng , Dunsky Kate , Lieu Judith E. C. 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesDifferences in management and outcomes of otolaryngologic diseases may reflect inequities driven by social determinants of health. This study aimed to investigate disparities in presentation and outcomes of retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) among 231 pediatric patients.MethodsMedical records were searched for pediatric patients with RPA from 2010 to 2021. Charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical features, and treatment decisions. Area deprivation index (ADI) scores for patient zip codes were determined. Chi‐square analysis independent samples t‐test, and regression analyses were used to investigate associations between variables.ResultsAmong patients presenting for RPA, Black patients were less likely to undergo surgical management than non‐Black patients (53.2% vs. 71.6%, p = 0.009). Black patients had a lower rate of treatment with antibiotics prior to hospital admission (19.4% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.001). Among patients who received surgery, Black patients had higher cross‐sectional abscess area on CT (6.4 ± 8.4 cm2 > vs. 3.8 ± 3.3 cm2, p = 0.014), longer length of stay (5.4 ± 3.3 days vs. 3.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.001), and longer time between admission and surgery (2.3 ± 2.1 vs. 0.83 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Increased ADI was correlated with increased rate of trismus.ConclusionsLower rates of pre‐admission antibiotics and larger abscess area on CT imaging among Black patients may suggest disparities in access to primary care, resulting in presentation to tertiary care at later stages of disease and higher rates of medical management trial prior to surgical intervention.Level of Evidence3 (retrospective cohort study) Laryngoscope, 134:1907–1912, 2024
ROAD2H: Development and evaluation of an open‐source explainable artificial intelligence approach for managing co‐morbidity and clinical guidelines
Authors: Domínguez Jesús , Prociuk Denys , Marović Branko , Čyras Kristijonas , Cocarascu Oana , Ruiz Francis , Mi Ella , Mi Emma , Ramtale Christian , Rago Antonio , Darzi Ara , Toni Francesca , Curcin Vasa , Delaney Brendan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntroductionClinical decision support (CDS) systems (CDSSs) that integrate clinical guidelines need to reflect real‐world co‐morbidity. In patient‐specific clinical contexts, transparent recommendations that allow for contraindications and other conflicts arising from co‐morbidity are a requirement. In this work, we develop and evaluate a non‐proprietary, standards‐based approach to the deployment of computable guidelines with explainable argumentation, integrated with a commercial electronic health record (EHR) system in Serbia, a middle‐income country in West Balkans.MethodsWe used an ontological framework, the Transition‐based Medical Recommendation (TMR) model, to represent, and reason about, guideline concepts, and chose the 2017 International global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) guideline and a Serbian hospital as the deployment and evaluation site, respectively. To mitigate potential guideline conflicts, we used a TMR‐based implementation of the Assumptions‐Based Argumentation framework extended with preferences and Goals (ABA+G). Remote EHR integration of computable guidelines was via a microservice architecture based on HL7 FHIR and CDS Hooks. A prototype integration was developed to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comorbid cardiovascular or chronic kidney diseases, and a mixed‐methods evaluation was conducted with 20 simulated cases and five pulmonologists.ResultsPulmonologists agreed 97% of the time with the GOLD‐based COPD symptom severity assessment assigned to each patient by the CDSS, and 98% of the time with one of the proposed COPD care plans. Comments were favourable on the principles of explainable argumentation; inclusion of additional co‐morbidities was suggested in the future along with customisation of the level of explanation with expertise.ConclusionAn ontological model provided a flexible means of providing argumentation and explainable artificial intelligence for a long‐term condition. Extension to other guidelines and multiple co‐morbidities is needed to test the approach further.
Climate zones in Iran
Authors: Najafi Mohammad Saeed , Alizadeh Omid 
Published: September 2023

AbstractClimate classification provides a framework for a better understanding of the dominant weather patterns in different regions of the Earth. This study aims at identifying climate zones in Iran based on the analysis of monthly temperature and precipitation over 139 synoptic stations across Iran during the period 1991–2020. Based on the application of the principal component analysis, we identified six distinct climate zones in Iran: mild and humid, cool and sub‐humid, cold and temperate semi‐arid, warm and semi‐arid, cool and arid, and warm and hyperarid. The highest precipitation occurs in the southern coastal plains of the Caspian Sea, characterized by a mild and humid climate. The climate of western Iran is identified as cool and sub‐humid, while northwestern Iran is characterized by a cold and temperate semi‐arid climate. Southwestern Iran is identified as a region with a warm and semi‐arid climate, while northeastern Iran has a cool and arid climate. Southeastern and central Iran are both characterized by a warm and hyperarid climate. The highest monthly and seasonal precipitation values over Iran occur in March (48.6 mm) and winter (134.2 mm), respectively, while the highest monthly and seasonal mean temperature values occur in July (29.1°C) and summer (28.0°C), respectively. In terms of seasonal variation, the maximum precipitation occurs in the southern coastal plains of the Caspian Sea in autumn, while the minimum occurs in southwestern Iran in summer. Our results have important implications for better understanding and analysing the climatic characteristics across Iran.
Informal regulation by nongovernmental organizations enhances corporate compliance: Evidence from a nationwide randomized controlled trial in China
Authors: Tang Yaru , Liu Mengdi , Xia Fan , Zhang Bing 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs a key component of informal regulation, nongovernmental organization (NGO) monitoring reduces the cost of government oversight and increases the visibility of corporate performance to stakeholders, thereby promoting corporate compliance. We conduct a nationwide randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the causal effect of NGO monitoring on corporate compliance as measured by the environmental information disclosure (EID) of China's highly polluting listed companies. We find that companies improve their EID after being alerted to NGO monitoring, especially private companies and companies with poor baseline performance. Both the threat of being reported to regulators and that of being reported to the market are effective ways of NGO monitoring, while companies with strong political connections show no response to regulatory threats. Our findings indicate the efficacy of informal regulations and the significance of NGOs in the promotion of corporate compliance.
Scattering transform in microstructure reconstruction
Authors: Reck Paul , Seibert Paul , Raßloff Alexander , Kästner Markus , Peterseim Daniel 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDescriptor‐based microstructure characterization plays a crucial role in the field of reversed material engineering for random heterogeneous media. With the advent of differentiable microstructure characterization and reconstruction, there has been a growing interest in the development of differentiable formulations of descriptors. The search for effective descriptors becomes indispensable to adequately characterize a wide range of microstructures. This work proposes a novel approach to construct a descriptor by utilizing a wavelet‐based transformation called the scattering transformation on microstructure images. The characterization and reconstruction capabilities of this newly developed descriptor are compared to a benchmark descriptor based on spatial correlation functions using various 2D microstructure images. The comparative analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and potential advantages of the proposed wavelet‐based descriptor.
An overview of reproductive carrier screening panels for autosomal recessive and/or X‐linked conditions: How much do we know?
Authors: Wang Tianjiao , Scuffham Paul , Byrnes Joshua , Delatycki Martin B. , Downes Martin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackground & AimReproductive carrier screening seeks to identify couples at a high risk of having offspring affected by autosomal recessive and X‐linked (XL) conditions. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of existing carrier screening panels by examining their gene content and characteristics, identifying the most common genes/conditions included in these panels, and analyzing their listed prices.MethodsA comprehensive evaluation of existing carrier screening panels was conducted by searching for web‐based content, reviewing information brochures, and establishing direct contact with the providers via email or phone.ResultsTwenty‐two panels and their providers were identified with a cumulative total of 2205 unique genes. The number of genes included in these panels varied from 44 to 2054. Only 15 genes (0.7%) were included in all the panels. The carrier frequency of these 15 common genes and their associated conditions varied greatly, but the conditions associated with the genes are “severe”. The price of these 22 panels ranged from $349 to $4320 per couple (USD in 2023). The correlation between the listed price and the number of selected genes among these panels was small and not statistically significant (r = 0.1023, p = 0.6959).ConclusionConsiderable discrepancies exist among carrier screening panels. Ongoing research and monitoring are necessary to capture the dynamic nature of the carrier screening landscape, providing up‐to‐date information for clinical practice and informed decision‐making.
Synthesis of styrene–acrylate emulsion by glow discharge electrolysis plasma and its application for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals in Dunhuang Mogao grottoes
Authors: Yu Jie , Ma Qingying , Fang Xiaoyun , Li Yanfei , Zhao Linyi , Lu Quanfang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this work, a styrene (ST)–acrylate emulsion was synthesized via glow discharge electrolysis (GDE) plasma technique. A possible forming mechanism was proposed. Moreover, the adhesion property of the emulsion was evaluated for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals. The results showed that under optimum conditions, the solid content, emulsion conversion, and gel rate are 29.0%, 85.6%, and 1.04%, respectively. The obtained ST–acrylate emulsion is spherical in shape, with a particle size of about 100 nm. The property of ST–acrylate emulsion prepared by GDE is superior to that of the commercial ST–acrylate emulsion for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals. Compared with other methods, GDE has the advantages of simple steps, controllable reaction, environmental friendliness, no chemical initiator, and no N2 atmosphere.
Immersion infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopy studies on diamond‐like carbon surfaces. I. Formation of electrophilic groups on surfaces of amorphous carbon films aging in ambient air
Authors: Klages Claus‐Peter , Bandorf Ralf , Gerdes Holger , Jung Antje , Raev Vitaly 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo study chemical functional groups on surfaces of diamond‐like carbon (DLC) films, a highly sensitive infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopic technique, immersion infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), is applied in the present study. The method employs (i) a conventional attenuated total reflection (ATR) accessory with a Ge crystal as an immersion medium and (ii) an aluminum underlayer beneath the 50–70 nm thick DLC film. Sensitivity, selectivity, and quantifiability of the method can be enhanced by chemical derivatization (CD), coupling chemical moieties with strong characteristic vibrational bands to specific functional groups on the DLC surface. The method is applied to amorphous sputtered carbon films (a‐C) to demonstrate that electrophilic groups, most probably epoxy groups, are formed during aging under ambient conditions.
Phenotyping agronomic and physiological traits in peanut under mid‐season drought stress using UAV‐based hyperspectral imaging and machine learning
Authors: Bagherian Kamand , Bidese‐Puhl Rafael , Bao Yin , Zhang Qiong , Sanz‐Saez Alvaro , Dang Phat M. , Lamb Marshall C. , Chen Charles 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAgronomic and physiological traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) are important to breeders for selecting high‐yielding and resilient genotypes. However, direct measurement of these traits is labor‐intensive and time‐consuming. This study assessed the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)‐based hyperspectral imaging and machine learning (ML) techniques to predict three agronomic traits (biomass, pod count, and yield) and two physiological traits (photosynthesis and stomatal conductance) in peanut under drought stress. Two different approaches were evaluated. The first approach employed eighty narrowband vegetation indices as input features for an ensemble model that included K‐nearest neighbors, support vector regression, random forest, and multi‐layer perceptron (MLP). The second approach utilized mean and standard deviation of canopy spectral reflectance per band. The resultant 400 features were used to train a deep learning (DL) model consisting of one‐dimensional convolutional layers followed by an MLP regressor. Predictions of the agronomic traits obtained using feature learning and DL (R2 = 0.45–0.73; symmetric mean absolute percentage error [sMAPE] = 24%–51%) outperformed those obtained using feature engineering and conventional ML models (R2 = 0.44–0.61, sMAPE = 27%–59%). In contrast, the ensemble model had a slightly better performance in predicting physiological traits (R2 = 0.35–0.57; sMAPE = 37%–70%) compared to the results obtained from the DL model (R2 = 0.36–0.52; sMAPE = 47%–64%). The results showed that the combination of UAV‐based hyperspectral imaging and ML techniques have the potential to assist breeders in rapid screening of genotypes for improved yield and drought tolerance in peanut.
Impact of malnutrition on prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Nakashima Mitsutaka , Akagi Satoshi , Ejiri Kentaro , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension is a life‐threatening disease that coexists with right heart failure. We evaluated the relationship between malnutrition and prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, as malnutrition is known as a prognosis determinant in chronic heart failure. We retrospectively reviewed data of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension before treatment. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and Controlling Nutritional Status scores on the day of diagnosis were calculated to assess the nutritional status. Clinical endpoints were defined as composite outcomes of all‐cause death or lung transplantation. Eighty patients were enrolled (mean age, 50 years; 23 men). The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 47 ± 19 mmHg, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index was 99.9 ± 12.0, and Prognostic Nutritional Index was 46.3 ± 10.0. The median Controlling Nutritional Status score was 2 (1–4). During the median 5.5‐year follow‐up period, 28 composite events occurred. Kaplan‐Meier analysis demonstrated significant differences in the incidence of clinical endpoints between groups divided by each median Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and Controlling Nutritional Status score (p = 0.007, 0.039, and 0.010, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, clinical endpoints were significantly associated with Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (hazard ratio: 0.953, 95% confidence interval: 0.918–0.990), Prognostic Nutritional Index (hazard ratio: 0.942, 95% confidence interval: 0.892–0.996), and Controlling Nutritional Status score (hazard ratio: 1.230, 95% confidence interval: 1.056–1.433) after adjustment for factors associated in univariate Cox regression analysis. Malnutrition at diagnosis is a useful prognostic predictor for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Windows versus waves of opportunity: How reputation alters venture capital firms' resource mobilization
Authors: DeSantola Alicia , Zhelyazkov Pavel I. , Hallen Benjamin L. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractResearch SummaryThis paper investigates how reputation affects firm responses to resource mobilization opportunities. We theorize that lower‐reputation firms are likely to be particularly responsive to resource mobilization opportunities because they are otherwise constrained. By contrast, higher‐reputation firms have access to greater resource supply and may self‐restrain demand. We test these arguments in the context of venture capital (VC) firms raising investment funds. We indeed find that lower‐reputation VCs are more responsive to opportunities presented by recent successes. Unexpectedly, we find that high‐reputation VCs are more responsive to market‐wide heat. Through multi‐method follow‐on analyses, we propose that while recent successes constitute “windows of opportunity” upon which firms act with individual discretion, hot market conditions serve as “waves of opportunity,” exerting a push on the resource mobilization of all firms and influencing their propensity toward scaling up.Managerial SummaryWe explore how low‐ and high‐reputation venture capital (VC) firms respond to fundraising opportunities such as recent successes or hot market conditions. We show that low‐reputation VCs are more likely to fundraise from limited partners in response to firm‐specific “windows of opportunity” (such as after a portfolio company IPO) because it is a rare chance to attract resource provider attention. By contrast, high‐reputation firms are more likely to fundraise at their own pace, regardless of short‐term successes. However, we unexpectedly find that high‐reputation firms are more likely than low‐reputation ones to take advantage of market‐wide “waves of opportunity” (i.e., hot markets), likely because they benefit from increased fundraising process efficiency. Our study illustrates how hot market periods may be unusually advantageous fundraising opportunities for high‐reputation firms and may be a key driver of when such firms scale up.