bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Dual-Task Gait Cost and White Matter Hyperintensity Burden Poststroke: Results From the ONDRI
Authors: Pieruccini-Faria Frederico , Cornish Benjamin , Binns Malcolm , Fraser Julia , Haddad Seyyed M. H. , Sunderland Kelly , Ramirez Joel , Beaton Derek , Kwan Donna , Dilliott Allison A. , Scott Christopher , Sarquis-Adamson Yanina , Black Alanna , Van Ooteghem Karen , Casaubon Leanne , Dowlatshahi Dar , Hassan Ayman , Mandzia Jennifer , Sahlas Demetrios , Saposnik Gustavo , Tan Brian , Hegele Robert , Bulman Dennis , Ghani Mahdi , Robinson John , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Farhan Sali , Symons Sean , Nanayakkara Nuwan , Arnott Stephen R. , Berezuk Courtney , Holmes Melissa , Adamo Sabrina , Ozzoude Miracle , Zamyadi Mojdeh , Lou Wendy , Sujanthan Sujeevini , Bartha Robert , Black Sandra E. , Swartz Richard H. , McIlroy William , Montero-Odasso Manuel 
Published: June 2023

Background Acute change in gait speed while performing a mental task [dual-task gait cost (DTC)], and hyperintensity magnetic resonance imaging signals in white matter are both important disability predictors in older individuals with history of stroke (poststroke). It is still unclear, however, whether DTC is associated with overall hyperintensity volume from specific major brain regions in poststroke. Methods This is a cohort study with a total of 123 older (69 ± 7 years of age) participants with history of stroke were included from the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative. Participants were clinically assessed and had gait performance assessed under single- and dual-task conditions. Structural neuroimaging data were analyzed to measure both, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and normal appearing volumes. Percentage of WMH volume in frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes as well as subcortical hyperintensities in basal ganglia + thalamus were the main outcomes. Multivariate models investigated associations between DTC and hyperintensity volumes, adjusted for age, sex, years of education, global cognition, vascular risk factors, APOE4 genotype, residual sensorimotor symptoms from previous stroke and brain volume. Results There was a significant positive global linear association between DTC and hyperintensity burden (adjusted Wilks’ λ = .87, P = .01). Amongst all WMH volumes, hyperintensity burden from basal ganglia + thalamus provided the most significant contribution to the global association (adjusted β = .008, η2 = .03; P = .04), independently of brain atrophy. Conclusions In poststroke, increased DTC may be an indicator of larger white matter damages, specifically in subcortical regions, which can potentially affect the overall cognitive processing and decrease gait automaticity by increasing the cortical control over patients’ locomotion.
A Diagnostic Dilemma “Cured” by Dialysis: An Educational Case Report
Authors: Chan Ryan J. , McCudden Christopher , McCormick Brendan , Zimmerman Deborah 
Published: June 2023

Rationale: The differential diagnosis for a patient with high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) is broad; lactic acidosis is an important entity to screen for and treat. An elevated serum lactate is often used as a marker of inadequate tissue perfusion in critically ill patients but can also be indicative of decreased lactate utilization or poor hepatic clearance. Investigating for the underlying cause such as diabetic ketoacidosis, malignancy, or culprit medications is essential to establish the diagnosis and treatment plan. Presenting concerns of the patient: A 60-year-old man with a history of substance use and end-stage kidney disease treated with hemodialysis presented to hospital with confusion, altered level of consciousness, and hypothermia. Initial laboratory investigations were significant for a severe HAGMA with elevated serum lactate and β-hydroxybutyrate levels, but toxicology screen was negative, and there was no clear underlying precipitant. Urgent hemodialysis was arranged to mitigate his severe acidosis. Diagnoses: He had an initial single dialysis treatment for 4 hours, with posthemodialysis labs showing significant improvement in his acidosis, serum lactate level, and clinical status (cognition, hypothermia). Given this rapid resolution, a sample from his predialysis blood work was sent for analysis of plasma metformin and returned significantly elevated at 60 mcg/mL (therapeutic range 1-2 mcg/mL). Interventions and outcomes: On careful medication reconciliation in the dialysis unit, the patient stated he had never heard of the medication metformin, and there was no record of a filled prescription at his pharmacy. Given his living situation with shared accommodations, it was presumed that he had taken medications that were prescribed to a roommate. Several of his other medications including his antihypertensives were subsequently given after dialysis on dialysis days to improve adherence. Teaching points: Maintain a broad differential diagnosis for patients presenting with a clinical syndrome consistent with an acute toxicity even if no culprit medications are identifiable on history, especially in patients with a suggestive social history. Anion-gap metabolic acidosis (AGMA) is common in hospitalized patients but sometimes requires further history and/or confirmatory testing to elucidate the root cause underlying typical causes of AGMA such as lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis. The main treatment of metformin toxicity is resuscitation and supportive care; however, metformin’s biochemical properties make it readily dialyzable via either diffusion or convection. The Extracorporeal Treatments In Poisoning group recommends hemodialysis for metformin toxicity when there is a serum lactate >20 mmol/L, a blood pH <7.0, a failure of standard therapy, end-organ damage (hepatic or renal insufficiency), or a decreased level of consciousness.
Fiscal Policy and Economic Stabilization Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: A New Evidence from Panel VEC Model and Hodrick-Prescott Filter Cyclical Decomposition
Authors: Nkalu Chigozie Nelson , Agu Chike Cletus 
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the dynamics of fiscal policy and economic stabilization using a panel dataset from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) between 1985 and 2019. The study utilized a panel vector error correction model (VECM) rather than panel vector autoregression (PVAR) after ascertaining the presence of cointegrating equations (existence of long-run relationships). Also, both homogenous and heterogeneous panel unit root processes were utilized to test the panel data’s stationarity before estimating the panel VECM. Again, the cyclical decomposition (Hodrick-Prescott Filter) is adopted in examining the effect of fiscal policy on economic stabilization across countries in SSA. Essentially, the VECM estimation result reveals that both government expenditure (GEX) and total reserves (TRS) have significant long-run relationships but are not substantial enough to stimulate economic growth and stability in the short run. Simultaneously, the Hodrick-Prescott Filter’s (HP-filter) cyclical decomposition confirms the non-stability of economic growth and stabilization in SSA over time. In line with other numerous policy recommendations, the SSA countries’ governments should improve on the policies targeted toward controlling the financial (fiscal) leakages to ensure more robust economic stabilization in the region through increases in total revenue and reserves both in the short and long-run. JEL Classification Codes: E62, E63, F38, F41, H50.
Improvement in near-infrared absorbance attenuation by using nanometer black silicon composited with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Mi Guanyu , Lv Jian , Que Longcheng , Tan Cheng , Huang Jian , Liu Zhongyuan , Zhao Lintong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn order to solve the problem of near-infrared (NIR) absorbance attenuation of silicon, a method of preparing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the micro–nano-structured black silicon (B-Si) is proposed. In this study, the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AuNPs excited by a light field is used to achieve B-Si materials with broad spectrum and high absorption. The results show that nanometer B-Si composited with 25-nm AuNPs has an average absorption of 98.6% in the spectral range of 400–1100 nm and 97.8% in the spectral range of 1100–2500 nm. Compared with ordinary B-Si, the absorption spectrum is broadened from 400–1100 nm to 400–2500 nm, and the absorption is increased from 90.1 to 97.8% at 1100–2500 nm. It is possible to use the B-Si materials in the field of NIR-enhanced photoelectric detection and micro-optical night vision imaging due to the low cost, high compatibility, and reliability.
HB5 aptamer-tagged graphene oxide for co-delivery of doxorubicin and silibinin, and highly effective combination therapy in breast cancer
Authors: Shahidi Maryamsadat , Haghiralsadat Bibi Fatemeh , Abazari Omid , Hemati Mahdie , Dayati Parisa , Jaliani Hossein Zarei , Motlagh Najmeh Sadat Hosseini , Naghib Seyed Morteza , Moradi Ali 
Published: June 2023

AbstractUsing a chemotherapeutic agent, such as doxorubicin (DOX), with a natural agent, such as silibinin (Sili), is highly valuable to minimize systemic toxicity. However, Sili and DOX face disadvantages, such as low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability. Here, we have engineered a drug delivery cargo by decorating carboxylated graphene oxide (cGO) with an aptamer, HB5, for simultaneous delivery of DOX and Sili as a combination therapy against MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. The resulting Apt-cGO displayed a typical sheet-like nanostructure with a broad surface. The maximum entrapment efficiency was 70.42% and 84.22% for Sili and DOX, respectively. When the Apt-cGO-DOX-Sili nanocomposites were selectively taken up by breast cancer cells, the interaction between cGO and drugs was cleaved, causing releasing both Sili and DOX into the tumor cells, respectively. Compared to free drugs, Apt-cGO-DOX-Sili nanocomposites displayed higher cytotoxicity in vitro. Apt-cGO-DOX-Sili nanocomposites potentially suppressed some cancer cell survival signals. They accelerated cell apoptosis and increased Rb levels as well as reduced Akt, mTOR, NF-κB, and CDK2 levels. In conclusion, the developed Apt-cGO-DOX-Sili can be suggested as a simple and efficient drug delivery approach for breast chemotherapy.
Probiotic and technological characterization of selected Lactobacillus strains isolated from different egyptian cheeses
Authors: Zommara Mohsen , El-Ghaish Shady , Haertle Thomas , Chobert Jean-Marc , Ghanimah Mohamed 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundFresh milk and natural environmental conditions are used to produce traditional cheeses. Such cheeses are produced by dozens of different types of microbes. Non-starter lactobacilli are the most responsible genus of lactic acid bacteria exhibiting key technological and health promoting traits. The purpose of this study is to isolateLactobacillusbacteria from conventional Egyptian cheeses and analyse their probiotic potential and technological properties.ResultsLactobacillusisolates (33 isolates) were isolated from different Egyptian cheeses. Our results revealed that 18.18% of the isolates were fast-acidifying, 30.3% were medium-acidifying and 51.5% were slow-acidifying isolates. The results of autolytic activity showed that 24.3% of the isolates were good autolysis, 33.3% were fair autolysis, while 42.4% were poor autolysis. Fifteen isolates produced exopolysaccharides, while 9 isolates exhibited antimicrobial activities againstLactobacillus bulgaricus340. All the isolates were resistant to pH 3 for 3 h except isolate No. 15 (MR4). The growth rate of the isolates ranged from 42.25 to 85.25% at 0.3% bile salts after 3 h of incubation. The surviving percentage of theLactobacillusisolates decreased with increasing incubation time or the percentage of bile salts greater than 0.3%. All the isolates grew after incubation in artificial gastric and intestinal fluids. The auto-aggregation of 15 isolates ranged from 43.13 to 72.77%.Lacticaseibacillus paracaseiBD3,Lactiplantibacillus plantarumBR4 andLimosilactobacillus fermentumMR2 were sensitive to the majority of the tested antibiotics and showed good bile salt hydrolase activity.ConclusionL. paracaseiBD3,L. plantarumBR4 andL. fermentumMR2 were isolated from Egyptian cheeses and showed probiotic and technological characterization, which are valuable for their practical application as starters, adjunct and protective cultures in cheese making.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the polygalacturonase gene family in sweetpotato
Authors: He Peiwen , Zhang Jingzhen , Lv Zunfu , Cui Peng , Xu Ximing , George Melvin Sidikie , Lu Guoquan 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Polygalacturonase (PG), a crucial enzyme involved in pectin degradation, is associated with various plants’ developmental and physiological processes such as seed germination, fruit ripening, fruit softening and plant organ abscission. However, the members of PG gene family in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) have not been extensively identified.

Results
In this study, there were 103 PG genes identified in sweetpotato genome, which were phylogenetically clustered into divergent six clades. The gene structure characteristics of each clade were basically conserved. Subsequently, we renamed these PGs according to their locations of the chromosomes. The investigation of collinearity between the PGs in sweetpotato and other four species, contained Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum lycopersicum, Malus domestica and Ziziphus jujuba, revealed important clues about the potential evolution of the PG family in sweetpotato. Gene duplication analysis showed that IbPGs with collinearity relationships were all derived from segmental duplications, and these genes were under purifying selection. In addition, each promoter region of IbPG proteins contained cis-acting elements related to plant growth and development processes, environmental stress responses and hormone responses. Furthermore, the 103 IbPGs were differentially expressed in various tissues (leaf, stem, proximal end, distal end, root body, root stalk, initiative storage root and fibrous root) and under different abiotic stresses (salt, drought, cold, SA, MeJa and ABA treatment). IbPG038 and IbPG039 were down-regulated with salt, SA and MeJa treatment. According to the further investigation, we found that IbPG006, IbPG034 and IbPG099 had different patterns under the drought and salt stress in fibrous root of sweetpotato, which provided insights into functional differences among these genes.

Conclusion
A total of 103 IbPGs were identified and classified into six clades from sweetpotato genome. The results of RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR suggested that IbPG006, IbPG034 and IbPG099 might play a significant role in tissue specificity as well as drought and salt stress responses, which showed valuable information for further functional characterization and application of the IbPGs.
Functional characterization of nine critical genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes in the flavonoid biosynthesis of the medicinal herb Grona styracifolia
Authors: Xie Chunzhu , Zhan Ting , Huang Jinqin , Lan Jun , Shen Lingling , Wang Hongbin , Zheng Xiasheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGrona styracifolia is a photophilous legume that contains abundant flavonoids with multiple pharmacological activities, which is used to cure urethral and biliary calculus in China for thousands of years. The authentication of the rate-limiting enzymes involved in the flavonoids biosynthesis pathway enabled a better understanding of the molecular aspect of quality formation and modulation of this medicinal herb. In this study, the chemical distribution characteristics and content of flavonoids in different tissues of Grona styracifolia were analyzed using ultraperormance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF mass spectrometry and showed that active flavonoids were primarily synthesized and stored in the leaves. Subsequently, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptome profiling of the different tissues revealed that the flavonoids biosynthesis in the leaves was the most active. Meanwhile, 27 full-length transcripts inferred encoding vital enzymes involved in the flavonoids biosynthesis were preliminarily excavated. Finally, four CHSs, four CHIs, and one FNSII were successfully characterized by heterologous expression, which involved in three rate-limiting steps of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. In conclusion, these results laid a foundation for further investigation of the molecular mechanism of the biosynthesis and modulation of active flavonoids in Grona styracifolia.
Young adults with colon cancer: clinical features and surgical outcomes
Authors: Wang Chao , Gan Lin , Gao Zhidong , Shen Zhanlong , Jiang Kewei , Ye Yingjiang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
The clinicopathological features, surgical outcomes, and long-term survival of patients with young-onset colon cancer (≤ 40 years old) remain controversial.

Methods
The clinicopathologic and follow-up data of patients aged < 40 years with colon cancer between January 2014 and January 2022 were reviewed. The primary objectives were clinical features and surgical outcomes. Long-term survival was investigated as a secondary objective.

Results
Seventy patients were included in the study, and no significant rising trend (Z=0, P=1) of these patients was observed over the 8-year study period. Stage IV disease was accompanied by more ulcerative or infiltrating type (84.2% vs. 52.9%, P=0.017) and lymphovascular or perineural invasion (64.7% vs. 25.5%, P=0.003) than stage I–III disease. After a median follow-up time of 41 months (range 8–99 months), the 1-, 3-, and 5-year estimated overall survival (OS) rates were 92.6%, 79.5%, and 76.4%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 79.6%, 71.7%, and 71.7%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that M+ stage (hazard ratio [HR], 3.942; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.176–13.220, P=0.026) was the only independent risk factor affecting OS. Meanwhile, tumor deposits (HR, 4.807; 95% CI, 1.942–15.488, P=0.009), poor differentiation (HR, 2.925; 95% CI, 1.012–8.454, P=0.047), and M+ stage (HR, 3.540; 95% CI, 1.118–11.202, P=0.032) independently affected PFS.

Conclusions
The differences in the clinical features, surgical outcomes, and long-term survival between young adults and elderly colon cancer patients need further investigation.
The impact of HIV and ART exposure during pregnancy on fetal growth: a prospective study in a South African cohort
Authors: Mtintsilana Asanda , Norris Shane A. , Dlamini Siphiwe N. , Nyati Lukhanyo H. , Aronoff David M. , Koethe John R. , Goldstein Jeffrey A. , Prioreschi Alessandra 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
In utero exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antiretroviral (ART) is associated with adverse birth outcomes, which are often attributed to alterations in placental morphology. This study used structural equation models (SEMs) to examine the impact of HIV and ART exposure on fetal growth outcomes and whether these associations are mediated by placental morphology in urban-dwelling Black South African women.

Methods
This prospective cohort study included pregnant women living with HIV (WLWH, n = 122) and not living with HIV (WNLWH, n = 250) that underwent repeated ultrasonography during pregnancy, and at delivery, to determine fetal growth parameters in Soweto, South Africa. The size and the velocity of fetal growth measures (i.e., head and abdominal circumference, biparietal diameter, and femur length) were calculated using the Superimposition by Translation and Rotation. Placenta digital photographs taken at delivery were used to estimate morphometric parameters and trimmed placental weight was measured. All WLWH were receiving ART for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV.

Results
A trend towards a lower placental weight and significantly shorter umbilical cord length was reported in WLWH compared to their counterparts. After sex stratification, umbilical cord length was significantly shorter in males born to WLWH than in male fetuses born to WNLWH (27.3 (21.6–32.8) vs. 31.4 (25.0–37.0) cm, p = 0.015). In contrast, female fetuses born to WLWH had lower placental weight, birth weight (2.9 (2.3–3.1) vs. 3.0 (2.7–3.2) kg), and head circumference (33 (32–34) vs. 34 (33–35) cm) than their counterparts (all p ≤ 0.05). The SEM models showed an inverse association between HIV and head circumference size and velocity in female fetuses. In contrast, HIV and ART exposure was positively associated with femur length growth (both size and velocity) and abdominal circumference velocity in male fetuses. None of these associations appeared to be mediated via placental morphology.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that HIV and ART exposure directly affects head circumference growth in females and abdominal circumference velocity in male fetuses; but may improve femur length growth in male fetuses only.
Development and validation of the attitude towards Surrogacy Scale in a polish sample
Authors: Lutkiewicz Karolina , Bieleninik Łucja , Jurek Paweł , Bidzan Mariola 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Surrogacy is one of the options in reproductive medicine that raises a lot of ethical, legal and psychological controversy. Surveying attitudes toward surrogacy plays an important role in building awareness of this phenomenon in the society, which may help eliminate its stigma. In this study authors aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess the attitudes towards surrogacy.

Methods
In this study cross-sectional design was implemented. Development process of the Attitude towards Surrogacy Scale (ATSS) included items development based on literature reviews, other existing questionnaires, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability analysis using internal consistence coefficients. A pilot study using adult members of the public was conducted after consultation with the Expert Advisory Panel Board. The final survey, which was used in this study, consisted of 24 items, which were organized into the four subscales: general opinion on surrogacy and its social context (7 items), financing and legalizing surrogacy (8 items), the acceptance of surrogacy (4 items), and attitudes towards the intended parents and children born through surrogacy (5 items). 442 individuals participated in this study.

Results
The final version of Attitude towards Surrogacy Scale (ATSS) consists of 15 items, grouped in three subscales. Final version of the ATSS showed that the three-factor model indicated an acceptable model fit: Chi-square = 320.46, p < 0.01, df = 87, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.078 (90% C.I.: 0.070–0.086), SRMR = 0.040 Reliability was assessed by calculating the McDonald's omega that ranged from 0.74 for the Surrogacy ethical context subscale to 0.94 for the overall ATSS score.

Conclusion
ATSS was developed to measure general attitude toward surrogacy with satisfying psychometric properties. The analysis of socio-demographic variables with ATSS showed that the most significant predictor of the general attitude towards surrogacy, and three aspects of surrogacy was being a religious person (profess a Catholic religion or profess another religion).