bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact on quality of life with affirmative feedback on weight loss after gastrectomy
Authors: Lee Seung Soo , Chung Ho Young , Kwon Oh Kyoung 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the feasibility of improving post-gastrectomy satisfaction/quality of life (QoL) of gastric cancer survivors by readjusting their expectations through patient interviews. Weight loss after gastric cancer surgery is common, and a change in the departmental policy helped in providing cancer survivors with an alternative interpretation of lost weight. Under the new policy, a group of patients who were preoperatively overweight or obese were provided with affirmative feedback, despite their postoperative weight loss. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 and -STO22 were used to assess the QoL. The postoperative 1-year QoL was compared before (control) and after policy changes (affirmative-feedback group) in preoperatively overweight (or obese) patients who lost weight. Despite the weight loss, the affirmative-feedback group exhibited a higher percentage of “less worried” responses (90.4%) on low body weight concerns as compared to the control group (76.5%; P = 0.037). Significant QoL advantages were also observed in the affirmative-feedback group on multiple scales (global health status/QoL, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, dry mouth, and body image). Patient interviews with affirmative feedback on weight loss improved weight satisfaction and QoL in gastric cancer survivors who lost weight.
Environmental and geographical conditions influence color, physical properties, and physiochemical composition of pomegranate fruits
Authors: Ghasemi-Soloklui Ali Akbar , Kordrostami Mojtaba , Gharaghani Ali 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe highest quality pomegranate necessitates a tropical or subtropical environment for proper growth and development. This study evaluated two pomegranate cultivars including Rabab Poost Ghermez Neyriz (RPGN) and Makhmal Malas Shahreza (MMS) for physical traits, biochemical properties, and juice quality in their native locations as well as other warm and arid regions during two growing seasons (2019–2020 and 2020–2021) in Iran. The results showed that cultivars with the maximum redness (a*) were more likely to originate in cooler climates, and the cultivar’s responses to changing climates were also different. According to pomegranate characteristics, cultivars in different regions had different fruit, aril, and skin weights. According to these findings, pomegranate fruits cultivated in other climates than the origin climate have a smaller edible fraction. The findings also demonstrate that pomegranate fruits cultivated in mountain climates have more significant biochemical parameters such as total phenol, anthocyanin content, antioxidant capacity, and vitamin C than those produced in desert environment settings. The increased titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and pH values of pomegranates produced in origin climate than the warm environment; thus, suggest that changes in pomegranate cultivar origin had a clear impact on fruit juice quality. Environmental factors, such as wind speed, altitude, and annual precipitation, had a significant correlation with a* skin, TSS, fruit weight, aril weight, edible portion, pH, TA, phenol, antioxidants, and anthocyanin content.
PD-1 instructs a tumor-suppressive metabolic program that restricts glycolysis and restrains AP-1 activity in T cell lymphoma
Authors: Wartewig Tim , Daniels Jay , Schulz Miriam , Hameister Erik , Joshi Abhinav , Park Joonhee , Morrish Emma , Venkatasubramani Anuroop V. , Cernilogar Filippo M. , van Heijster Frits H. A. , Hundshammer Christian , Schneider Heike , Konstantinidis Filippos , Gabler Judith V. , Klement Christine , Kurniawan Henry , Law Calvin , Lee Yujin , Choi Sara , Guitart Joan , Forne Ignasi , Giustinani Jérôme , Müschen Markus , Jain Salvia , Weinstock David M. , Rad Roland , Ortonne Nicolas , Schilling Franz , Schotta Gunnar , Imhof Axel , Brenner Dirk , Choi Jaehyuk , Ruland Jürgen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe PDCD1-encoded immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 is a key tumor suppressor in T cells that is recurrently inactivated in T cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (T-NHLs). The highest frequencies of PDCD1 deletions are detected in advanced disease, predicting inferior prognosis. However, the tumor-suppressive mechanisms of PD-1 signaling remain unknown. Here, using tractable mouse models for T-NHL and primary patient samples, we demonstrate that PD-1 signaling suppresses T cell malignancy by restricting glycolytic energy and acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) production. In addition, PD-1 inactivation enforces ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) activity, which generates extramitochondrial acetyl-CoA for histone acetylation to enable hyperactivity of activating protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors. Conversely, pharmacological ACLY inhibition impedes aberrant AP-1 signaling in PD-1-deficient T-NHLs and is toxic to these cancers. Our data uncover genotype-specific vulnerabilities in PDCD1-mutated T-NHL and identify PD-1 as regulator of AP-1 activity.
Ecogenomics and cultivation reveal distinctive viral-bacterial communities in the surface microlayer of a Baltic Sea slick
Authors: Rahlff Janina , Wietz Matthias , Giebel Helge-Ansgar , Bayfield Oliver , Nilsson Emelie , Bergström Kristofer , Kieft Kristopher , Anantharaman Karthik , Ribas-Ribas Mariana , Schweitzer Hannah D , Wurl Oliver , Hoetzinger Matthias , Antson Alfred , Holmfeldt Karin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Visible surface films, termed slicks, can extensively cover freshwater and marine ecosystems, with coastal regions being particularly susceptible to their presence. The sea-surface microlayer (SML), the upper 1-mm at the air-water interface in slicks (herein slick SML) harbors a distinctive bacterial community, but generally little is known about SML viruses. Using flow cytometry, metagenomics, and cultivation, we characterized viruses and bacteria in a brackish slick SML in comparison to non-slick SML as well as seawater below slick and non-slick areas (subsurface water = SSW). Size-fractionated filtration of all samples distinguished viral attachment to hosts and particles. The slick SML contained higher abundances of virus-like particles, prokaryotic cells, and dissolved organic carbon compared to non-slick SML and SSW. The community of 428 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), 426 predicted as lytic, distinctly differed across all size fractions in the slick SML compared to non-slick SML and SSW. Specific metabolic profiles of bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes and isolates in the slick SML included a prevalence of genes encoding motility and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Several vOTUs were enriched in slick SML, and many virus variants were associated with particles. Nine vOTUs were only found in slick SML, six of them being targeted by slick SML-specific clustered-regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) spacers likely originating from Gammaproteobacteria. Moreover, isolation of three previously unknown lytic phages for Alishewanella sp. and Pseudoalteromonas tunicata, abundant and actively replicating slick SML bacteria, suggests that viral activity in slicks contributes to biogeochemical cycling in coastal ecosystems.
Telechelic block copolymer L-PPI-b-poly(epoxide-alt-PA) obtained via desulfonation of poly(o-nitrophenylsulfonyl-activated aziridines)
Authors: Liang Zhuangzhuang , Ren Feng , Hu Chenyang , Gao Zan , Pang Xuan , Chen Xuesi 
Published: September 2023

We present the “two-step in one pot” copolymerization of NsMAz with epoxides and PA to obtain telechelic block copolymer L-PPI-b-Poly(PO-alt-PA) after desulfonation.
A Novel Adjunct for Treatment of Orofacial Contractures After a Facial Burn Injury
Authors: Arguello Lori Ann , Pine Harold S. , Beckett Carli Rose , Kerr Kathleen Mary 
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
Surgical management of scar tissue and contractures from facial burns has systematic approaches, yet nonsurgical management continues to lack consensus regarding therapeutic approaches capable of providing stretching of the facial skin and muscles for both treating and preventing microstomia and orofacial contractures. This exploratory study introduces an intraoral splinting system designed to provide low-load, prolonged stretching of orofacial skin and musculature to treat contractures following a facial burn injury. The treatment adjunct described here has potential application across disciplines treating microstomia and orofacial contractures.

Method:
An 18-year-old man with full-thickness head and neck burns participated in a 5-week trial using intraoral splints to provide stretch to areas of contracture in the mid and lower face. The trial commenced 4 and a half months after his burn injury. Prescriptive placement, sizing, and time for use of the splints were provided. Changes in distance between facial landmarks were identified for 13 measurements taken for nine facial expressions.

Results:
Lengthening or shortening of the distances between two landmarks indicated the potential benefit from intraoral splints. For the expression “open mouth wide,” increased distance between two end points was noted in 11 of 13 measurements, ranging from 1.6 to 10.8 mm. This represents a lengthening of tissue, allowing for wider oral opening. Negative measurements between two end points occurred in two of 13 measurements, demonstrating elevation of the left and right nostrils. Visual data also demonstrated the appearance of change.

Conclusions:
When treating microstomia and orofacial contractures, consideration should be given to the use and further exploration of a more targeted intraoral methodology that uses a low-load, prolonged stretch to improve functional and aesthetic deficits. Oral splinting using an intraoral methodology is underutilized in the burn patient population and has application in both the acute care and chronic phases of recovery.
TranSpeckle: An edge‐protected transformer for medical ultrasound image despeckling
Authors: Chen Yuqing , Guo Zhitao 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe transformer, a type of neural architecture, has demonstrated exceptional performance improvements in vision and natural language tasks. While overcoming the disadvantages of limited perceptual field and non‐adaptive input content exhibited in CNNs, the computational complexity of the Transformer model increases quadratically with spatial resolution. As such, this model is not frequently employed in image processing tasks such as image denoising, and there is a shortage of studies that investigate ultrasonic image multiplication speckle removal. In light of this, we present TranSpeckle, an effective and efficient despeckle architecture that employs Multi‐Dconv Head Transposed Attention and Dconv Feed‐Forward Network as the core components of its Transformer block. Multiple Transformer blocks are then utilized to implement a hierarchical encoder‐decoder network. TranSpeckle architecture considerably reduces the computational complexity of feature maps while also effectively capturing long‐range pixel interactions and local context information. In this study, an edge protection module is combined to augment the edges of ultrasound images. The module incorporates extracted image edge features into the TranSpeckle architecture, which ameliorates the issue of edge information loss engendered by the image despeckling process. Extensive experimental results clearly show that our proposed network outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of quantitative metrics and visual quality.
Closed‐form solution for scaling a wireless acoustic sensor network
Authors: Patel Kashyap , Kovalyov Anton , Panahi Issa 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA closed‐form solution for localising and synchronising an acoustic sensor node with respect to a Wireless Acoustic Sensor Network (WASN) is presented. The aim is to allow efficient scaling of a WASN by individually calibrating newly joined sensor nodes instead of recalibrating the entire array. A key contribution is that the sensor to be calibrated does not need to include a built‐in emitter. The proposed method uses signals emitted from spatially distributed sources to compute time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements between the existing WASN and a new sensor. The problem is then modelled as a set of multivariate non‐linear TDOA equations. Through a simple transformation, the non‐linear TDOA equations are converted into a system of linear equations. Then, weighted least squares is applied to find an accurate estimate of the calibration parameters. Signal sources can either be known emitters within the existing WASN or arbitrary sources in the environment, thus allowing for flexible applicability in both active and passive calibration scenarios. Simulation results under various conditions show high joint localisation and synchronisation performance, often compared to the Cramér‐Rao lower bound.
PACOME: Optimal multi-epoch combination of direct imaging observations for joint exoplanet detection and orbit estimation
Authors: Dallant Jules , Langlois Maud , Flasseur Olivier , Thiébaut Éric 
Published: September 2023

Context.Exoplanet detections and characterizations via direct imaging require high contrast and high angular resolution. These requirements are typically pursued by combining (i) cutting-edge instrumental facilities equipped with extreme adaptive optics and coronagraphic systems, (ii) optimized differential imaging to introduce a diversity between the signals of the sought-for objects and that of the star, and (iii) dedicated (post-)processing algorithms to further eliminate the residual stellar leakages.Aims.With respect to the third technique, substantial efforts have been undertaken over this last decade on the design of more efficient post-processing algorithms. The whole data collection and retrieval processes currently allow to detect massive exoplanets at angular separations greater than a few tenths of au. The performance remains upper-bounded at shorter angular separations due to the lack of diversity induced by the processing of each epoch of observations individually. We aim to propose a new algorithm that is able to combine several observations of the same star by accounting for the Keplerian orbital motion across epochs of the sought-for exoplanets in order to constructively co-add their weak signals.Methods.The proposed algorithm,PACOME, integrates an exploration of the plausible orbits of the sought-for objects within an end-to-end statistical detection and estimation formalism. The latter is extended to a multi-epoch combination of the maximum likelihood framework ofPACO, which is a post-processing algorithm of single-epoch observations. From this, we derived a reliable multi-epoch detection criterion, interpretable both in terms of probability of detection and of false alarm. In addition,PACOMEis able to produce a few plausible estimates of the orbital elements of the detected sources and provide their local error bars.Results.We tested the proposed algorithm on several datasets obtained from the VLT/SPHERE instrument with IRDIS and IFS using the pupil tracking mode of the telescope. By resorting to injections of synthetic exoplanets, we show thatPACOMEis able to detect sources remaining undetectable by the most advanced post-processing of each individual epoch. The gain in detection sensitivity scales as high as the square root of the number of epochs. We also appliedPACOMEon a set of observations from the HR 8799 star hosting four known exoplanets, which can be detected by our algorithm with very high signal-to-noise ratios.Conclusions.PACOMEis an algorithm for combining multi-epoch high-contrast observations of a given star. Its sensitivity and the reliability of its astrophysical outputs permits the detection of new candidate companions at a statistically grounded confidence level. In addition, its implementation is efficient, fast, and fully automatized.
The Immediate Hemodynamic and Metabolic Effects of Bolus Injections of Pharmacologic Agents During Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Riley Jeffrey B. , Zaidan James R. 
Published: September 2023

The cardiovascular and arterial reservoir level responses to injections of phenylephrine (1.2 micrograms/kilogram (ugm/kg)), chlorpromazine (.01 milligram/kilogram (mg/kg)), phentolamine (.01 mg/kg), pancuronium (.045 mg/kg), diazepam (.11 mg/kg), fentanyl citrate (5.2 ugm/kg) and morphine sulfate (.12 mg/kg) into the defoamer of a bubble oxygenator were observed.
The arteriolar geometric component (GC) was isolated by dividing the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) by the blood viscosity estimated with hematocrit and temperature. The patient’s venous capacitance change was measured by observing the change in the oxygenator arterial reservoir volume (RV). Direct measurement of arterial and venous oxygen saturation, blood flow, and hemoglobin concentration were employed to calculate the patient’s actual oxygen transfer (VO2). The percent of ideal VO2 (%VO2,i) then was calculated by dividing the actual VO2 by the VO2 expected for the patient’s age, body surface area and temperature. Percent change from baseline value in the three indices was reported for three consecutive forty second intervals. Average baseline SVR index, cardiac index, temperature, drug amount and number of circulations are reported in a two-minute graphic profile.
Phenylephrine decreased % VO2,i and increased R V, while chlorpromazine, diazepam, and fentanyl citrate increased % VO2,i and decreased RV to varying degrees. Pancuronium and morphine sulfate did not affect GC. However, they caused transient increases in % VO2,i. Phentolamine concurrently decreased % VO2,i and GC.
The hemodynamic-oxygen consumption profile is a useful clinical tool in determining adequacy of the total body O2 delivery in patients of extreme weight and body surface area or in patients receiving vasoactive drugs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Air-Eliminating Characteristics of Five Cardiotomy Reservoirs
Authors: Bobby James E. 
Published: September 2023

Five unfiltered cardiotomy reservoirs were bench-tested to determine their effectiveness at producing air-free blood. The test circuit closely resembled our clinical setup.
Pump blood with a hematocrit of 22 - 25% and ACT greater than 400 seconds was pumped through the test reservoirs at flows of .3, .5, . 7, 1.0, and 1.3 liters per minute, and at reservoir levels of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 mi. Thirty-five separate runs were done on each of five reservoirs. Blood was filtered through a 20 micron filter before being recycled. The number of gaseous emboli emanating from the reservoirs was estimated using a Technique Labs bubble activity monitor. Gross air production and transmission were measured by aspiration of the accumulated air from a 20 micron cardiotomy filter.
The reservoirs were ranked at the 35 flow-level combinations as follows: lowest bubble count = 1, highest count = 5. The average ranks were: Intersept HRI8900- 10, 1.1; Harvey H500, 2.4; Shiley CARD, 2. 7; Bentley BCR 3000, 4. 1; and Dideco D 640, 4.7. Total air accumulated for all 35 runs for each reservoir was: Intersept HRI 8900- 10, 10cc.; Bentley BCR 3000, 56 cc.; Harvey H 500, 544 cc.; Shiley CARD, 918 cc.; and Dideco D 640, 2036 cc. In both tests. the Intersept was the most effective and the Dideco proved the least effective.
Bleeding Diathesis Secondary to a Heparin-Like Anticoagulant in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma—A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Desai Nihar , Biswas Seema , Chandra Dinesh , Gupta Ruchi , Gupta Anshul , Kashyap Rajesh 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell disorder that commonly presents with anemia, renal failure, hypercalcemia, and lytic bone lesions. MM is also frequently associated with thrombotic complications; however, it may rarely present with bleeding diathesis. We report a case of a 42-year-old gentleman with relapsed immunoglobulin G lambda MM who presented with epistaxis, gingival bleeding, and oozing at the venepuncture site. Routine tests of coagulation revealed a prolonged prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time. The PT and aPTT failed to correct with pooled normal plasma and the patient was thus diagnosed to have an acquired heparin-like anticoagulant (HLAC). The source of this HLAC has long been debated, but recent data have demonstrated that this HLAC may be the paraproteins produced by the malignant plasma cells. The patient was treated with intravenous protamine sulfate, repeated cycles of plasma exchange, and a daratumumab-based quadruplet regimen but eventually succumbed to an intracranial hemorrhage. HLAC is a rare but potentially fatal complication of MM that must be considered when patients with MM present with bleeding diathesis.
Utility of Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography for Differentiating Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma from Inflammatory Mass in Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis
Authors: Pratap Thara , Jacob Dhanya , Venkatesh Sudhakar K. , Jalal Muhammed Jasim Abdul , K. Vishnu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to identify the most useful contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) features for differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP) in chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP).
Methods In total, 101 patients with CCP and focal pancreatic mass formed the study group. Sixteen qualitative and four quantitative parameters were analyzed. Qualitative parameters included size, site, margin, intralesional hypodensity, collateral duct sign, abrupt pancreatic duct (PD) cutoff, upstream PD dilatation, distal pancreatic atrophy, double duct sign, enhancement pattern, contrast attenuation, peripancreatic inflammation, vascular involvement, regional nodes, and metastasis. Quantitative parameters included duct-to-body ratio, common bile duct (CBD) diameter, main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, and carcinoembryonic antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated for prediction of PDAC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and the area under ROC curve (AUROC) was calculated to determine diagnostic accuracy to assess the optimal cutoff.
Results PDAC was confirmed in 48 patients and MFCP in 53 patients. A duct-to-body ratio greater than 0.48 had 95.5% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity, 80.8% PPV, 96.2% NPV, and 88.5% accuracy for predicting PDAC. A CBD diameter cutoff ≥9.5 mm had an accuracy of 75% (p < 0.019) and an MPD cutoff ≥6.25 mm had an accuracy of 67.8% (p = 0.008) for predicting PDAC. On binary logistic regression, the duct-to-body ratio was found to be the significant independent factor associated with malignancy.
Conclusion A duct-to-body ratio greater than 0.48, intralesional hypodensity, and abrupt duct cutoff are the most helpful computed tomography (CT) features for distinguishing PDAC from MFCP in CCP. On binary logistic regression, the duct-to-body ratio was found to be a significant independent factor. Interspersed normal parenchyma was observed as a very specific sign of MFCP. Intraparenchymal hypodensity has high specificity, but further validation is needed.