bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensuring halal food integrity: An overview of modern molecular and technological solutions
Authors: Ahmad Abdul Mueez , Sipra Hassan Mehmood , Tanveer Nimra , Aslam Nabila , Hassan Ali , Hassan Syed Ali 
Published: January 2025

AbstractFood authenticity is crucial for ensuring consumer trust, public health and market integrity with particular importance in the context of religious and cultural practices. For the global Muslim population, halal food adherence is not merely a dietary preference but a fundamental aspect of faith, necessitating rigorous verification of halal status. Traditional methods of halal food authentication such as sensory evaluation basic chemical analysis, electrophoresis and ionizing radiation often fall short in addressing the complexities of modern food production and supply chains leading to potential cross‐contamination and mislabeling. These limitations underscore the urgent need for advanced techniques in halal food authentication. This paper explores technologies such as DNA‐based methods, spectroscopy, chromatography, immunological assays, and emerging innovations like blockchain and artificial intelligence. By providing a comprehensive overview of these advanced techniques, this paper aims to highlight their potential in enhancing the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of halal food authentication thereby supporting industry stakeholders, regulators and consumers in upholding halal integrity.
Acute Extrinsic Activation of the RANKL Pathway Decreases Wound Healing and Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice
Authors: Vivinetto A. L. , Bernstein A. , Soliman M. , Cave J. W. , Hollis E. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTManipulating wound healing‐associated signaling after SCI presents a promising avenue for increasing the recovery of function after injury. This study explores the potential of targeting molecular regulators of wound healing, initially identified in nonneural tissues, to enhance outcomes after SCI. Astrocytes, pivotal in central nervous system wound healing, play a crucial role in tissue remodeling and recovery. However, the optimal manipulation of astrogliosis for beneficial outcomes remains elusive. Previous research demonstrated a transcriptional response in astrocytes resembling epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) after CNS injury. Here, we investigate the extrinsic manipulation of wound healing through the Receptor Activator of Nuclear‐factor Kappa‐Β (RANK) pathway, known for its involvement in nonneural tissue remodeling and linked to EMT pathway. Using a severe thoracic spinal cord contusion mouse model, we demonstrate that acute activation of the RANK pathway with RANK ligand (RANKL) adversely affects tissue remodeling, resulting in larger lesion volumes and delayed recovery of posture and locomotion. These findings suggest that early perturbations in the tight molecular regulation of tissue remodeling negatively impact the wound‐healing process after SCI. The study provides a proof‐of‐concept demonstration that exogenous nonneural remodeling ligands can modify astrocyte responses and functional recovery after SCI, raising questions about the optimal time frame for beneficial remodeling interventions during injury progression. These insights open new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at improving functional outcomes following SCI.
Identification of vascular hotspots and analysis of micro‐vessel flow velocity waveforms in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix
Authors: Wu Yi‐Cheng , Hsiao Ching‐Hua , Chen Ching‐Hsuan , Ko Yi‐Li , Yuan Chiou‐Chung , Huang Jack Yu‐Jen , Chen Yi‐Jen , Chu Woei‐Chyn , Wang Peng‐Hui 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectivesTo assess hotspot micro‐vessel flow velocity waveforms in human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infections using transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound (TV‐PDU) and explore associations with high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] II and III).MethodsIn all, 62 patients with confirmed HPV‐HSIL (14 CIN II, 48 CIN III) and 65 age‐ and parity‐matched women with neither HPV infection nor CIN were compared. Seven parameters by TV‐PDU were used to assess vascular classification and micro‐vessel flow velocity, including vascular grading (class I, II, III), lowest pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PS), end‐diastolic velocity (ED), time average maximum velocity (TAMV), and the vascular index (VI = PS/ED).ResultsHSIL was primarily associated with vascular class I (75.8%), followed by class II (14.5%) and class III (9.7%). PI, RI, and VI in HSIL were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.0001). Mean PI, RI, and VI values decreased progressively from the normal cervix to CIN II–III. At a PI cutoff of 1.03, sensitivity was 88.7%, specificity was 83.8%, and area under the curve (AUC) was 95.0. At an RI cutoff of 0.68, sensitivity was 96.8%, specificity 61.5%, and AUC 84.0. At a VI cutoff of 2.84, sensitivity was 85.5%, specificity 78.5%, and AUC 85.0.ConclusionBased on different patterns of hotspot vascular classification and micro‐vessel flow velocity waveforms, particularly PI between HSIL and the normal cervix, TV‐PDU may offer a potential role for aiding the planning for patients with suspicious HSIL. Further studies are needed to validate the findings.
A road map through the multi‐faceted world of female genital cosmetic surgical techniques
Authors: Buzzaccarini Giovanni , Degliuomini Rebecca Susanna , De Rosa Laura , Villa Silvia , Messina Silvia , Siesto Gabriele , Candiani Massimo , Salvatore Stefano 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe demand for female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) has significantly increased in recent years for two reasons: the advancement of surgical operations and the increased attention to women's esthetic and sexual well‐being. Three authors independently analyzed different databases up to April 1, 2024. They selected the relevant data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two team members retrieved and evaluated the full text of the articles for eligibility, extracted the data independently, and included populations, intervention type, and outcomes using a pre‐piloted standard method. Any disagreement over the eligibility of some articles was resolved through discussion with an external collaborator. Considering the growing interest in FGCS procedures, the present review aims to analyze the most up‐to‐date surgical techniques, to provide adequate evidence‐based surgical training, in order to avoid complications. Labiaplasty aims to reduce excess labial tissue. To perform this procedure, it is possible to implement several techniques, that have recently been updated to ensure the lowest rate of complications and the best esthetic result. Vaginoplasty involves strengthening the vaginal wall and repairing vaginal lesions or asymmetries. Perineoplasty, the technique of choice in all scenarios in which perineal trauma occurs, is achieved by strengthening the perineal body and restoring the rectovaginal fascia. Other procedures described are labia majora augmentation, mons pubis surgery, clitoral hood reduction, lipofilling, and hymen reconstruction. Our review emphasizes that robust, evidence‐based training is required before performing such procedures, to avoid ineffective and potentially harmful surgical practices.
Environmental Seasonality Affects the Growth, Yield and Economic Viability of Irrigated Forage Species in Dry Regions
Authors: dos Santos Agda Raiany Mota , de Morais José Edson Florentino , Salvador Kaique Renan da Silva , de Souza Carlos André Alves , Araújo Júnior George do Nascimento , Alves Cleber Pereira , Jardim Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz , da Silva Marcelo José , de Carvalho Franciê Gomes , dos Santos Ashlei Shaina Lopes , dos Santos Wilma Roberta , Campos Fleming Sena , Gois Glayciane Costa , da Silva Thieres George Freire 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIrrigation in semi‐arid regions overcomes edaphoclimatic limitations, guaranteeing livestock farming and reducing the seasonality of forage production. The objective is therefore to evaluate the influence of seasonal variations on the development and accumulation of forage species. The study was conducted in the semi‐arid region of Brazil over several harvests from 2020 to 2023 in a randomized block design with four replications, comprising pasture grasses (Brachiaria, buffel, Mombasa and Tanzania), silage crops (BRS Capiaçu, elephant grass, maize and sorghum) and protein sources (alfalfa, Gliricidia, Leucaena and Moringa) subjected to a fixed irrigation regime based on 100% reference evapotranspiration. Tanzania, BRS Capiaçu and Leucaena presented relatively high dry matter yields of 27.0, 111.3 and 36.2 Mg ha−1, respectively. The buffelgrass–sorghum–pigeonpea intercropping system was more efficient in terms of dry matter production (44.5 Mg ha−1). The economic viability varied greatly between cycles and seasons, with sorghum, BRS Capiaçu and Gliricidia standing out as having a positive benefit–cost ratio during all the cycles evaluated. This study reveals how environmental changes affect the development and yield of forage crops, providing insights for productive and economic sustainability in semi‐arid regions with the use of irrigation.
Systematic Review of the Epidemiology of Hair Relaxer Use and Hormone‐Sensitive Reproductive Outcomes Among Black Adult Women in the United States
Authors: Hernandez Ashley M. , Smith Sierra J. , Vahora Moin S. , Campbell Devan , Krevanko Callan F. , Lewis Ryan C. , Pierce Jennifer S. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTHair relaxers are predominantly used by Black women in the United States. It has been recently suggested that exposure to potential endocrine‐disrupting compounds from the use of these products may be associated with the development of gynecological and breast cancers and anatomically relevant nonmalignancies. We conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed to identify original studies reporting measures of association between hair relaxer use and relevant adverse outcomes, focusing specifically on Black women in the United States. A total of 1382 studies were initially identified, and after consideration of the exclusion and inclusion criteria, the final set of studies consisted of seven cohort studies and one case–control study. The overall findings suggest that Black women in the United States do not experience an increased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer due to hair relaxers. One study found a statistically significant association between hair relaxer use and uterine leiomyomata, but there were no other studies identified to support these findings. None of the studies characterized the chemical constituents of hair relaxers. From an epidemiologic perspective, the weight of the evidence does not support the hypothesis that the use of hair relaxers is a risk factor for gynecological and breast cancers in US Black women.
Evaluation of Cannabis Per Se Laws: A Semi‐Mechanistic Pharmacometrics Model for Quantitative Characterization of THC and Metabolites in Oral Users
Authors: Li Peizhi , An Guohua 
Published: January 2025

AbstractRecreational cannabis use has increased notably in the United States in the past decade, with a recent surge in oral consumption. This trend has raised concerns about driving under the influence. Current cannabis‐impaired driving laws lack standardization, with some states implementing blood Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per se limits (1, 2, and 5 ng/mL). However, these limits have been criticized for their inaccuracy and unreliability, highlighting the need for legal refinement. Addressing this issue requires understanding the complex pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of THC, cannabis's primary psychoactive component, which can be characterized using a population PK model. However, existing PK models mainly focus on inhalation data and do not account for the growing number of oral cannabis users. To bridge this gap, a semi‐mechanistic population PK model was developed using data from 10 published studies following intravenous or oral administration of cannabis to characterize THC and its metabolites in oral users. Simulated THC plasma concentrations for doses from 2.5 mg to 100 mg in frequent and occasional users were used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing per se limits. Results showed that the 1 ng/mL limit was least effective due to a high risk of false positives, while the 2 and 5 ng/mL limits remain inconclusive due to limited PD data linking blood THC levels to impairment. These findings suggest that the existing per se laws may not fully address the complexity of cannabis impairment, underscoring the need for further research and refinement of cannabis‐impaired driving laws.
Environmental Challenges and Co‐Infection Modulate Resistance and Tolerance Against Trypanosoma Cruzi and Trichinella Spiralis in Rats
Authors: Palavecino Cintia C. , Cuervo Pablo F. , Fantozzi María C. , Bontempi Ivan A. , Ruiz Marcelo F. , Marengo Rafael E. , Beldomenico Pablo M. , Racca Andrea L. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTTo overcome infection, hosts employ two defense strategies: resistance (which limits pathogen fitness), and tolerance (which reduces infection damage). These strategies may be influenced by environmental challenges such as food shortage, social conflict, and co‐infections. Here, our objective was to assess defense strategies in rats infected with Trichinella spiralis and/or Trypanosoma cruzi under environmental challenges. After four weeks of treatment with environmental challenges (food restriction [0/1] and/or social conflict [0/1]), rats were exposed to Tri. spiralis [0/1] and/or Try. cruzi [0/1]. Six weeks postinoculation, we measured parasite intensity and several indicators of health or pathology. Tolerance to Try. cruzi increased in the presence of social conflict and food restriction. Coinfected animals showed reduced tolerance compared to mono‐infected. However, food‐restricted mono‐infected rats had lower tolerance than other groups. No significant differences were found in resistance to Try. cruzi. Tolerance to Tri. spiralis was higher in food‐restricted rats and Coinfected rats. Moreover, we found a potential shift in defense strategy: rats that are mono‐infected and exposed to social conflict may be more resistant but less tolerant to Tri. spiralis than all other experimental groups. Overall, our findings highlight that defense strategies are context‐dependent in the nematode‐protozoan infection model studied, and provide evidence of a shift in the defense strategy to accommodate during environmental challenges. Given that rodents play a key role as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, understanding the range and variability of defense strategies in these animals is of utmost importance.
The efficacy of second‐line chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Hwang Inhwan , Han Sangah , Jeong Ji Hun , Ihm Chunhwa , Rhee Taeho Greg , Shim Sung Ryul 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThis network meta‐analysis (NMA) aims to provide evidence‐based guidance for selecting the second‐line chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer (BTC).MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE through July 2024. Inclusion criteria involved: (1) patients underwent second‐line chemotherapy following platinum‐based first‐line therapy, (2) intervention/comparator groups consisted of various chemotherapeutic agents, and (3) outcomes measured as hazard ratio (HR) of overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies.ResultsOutcomes were measured as HR of OS and PFS in RCTs and cohort studies. The eight studies consisting of 1621 patients were selected. In the NMA for OS, 5FU_plus_Plat (fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin or cisplatin; HR 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.91), nal‐IRI_5FU_LV (nano‐liposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil and LV; HR 0.54 [95% CI: 0.32–0.92]), and FOLFOX (fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin; HR 0.69 [95% CI: 0.50–0.96]) demonstrated significant benefits in OS when compared to control. For PFS, nal‐IRI_5FU_LV (HR 0.61 [95% CI: 0.44–0.85]) provided a significant advantage over 5FU.ConclusionsSecond‐line chemotherapy for BTC after the failure of gemcitabine plus platinum as first‐line therapy, nal‐IRI_5FU_LV appears to be the most promising second‐line therapy in terms of both OS and PFS.
Evaluation of Real‐Time Cardiovascular Flow MRI Using Compressed Sensing in a Phantom and in Patients With Valvular Disease or Arrhythmia
Authors: Lala Tania , Christierson Lea , Frieberg Petter , Giese Daniel , Kellman Peter , Hakacova Nina , Sjöberg Pia , Ostenfeld Ellen , Töger Johannes 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundReal‐time (RT) phase contrast (PC) flow MRI can potentially be used to measure blood flow in arrhythmic patients. Undersampled RT PC has been combined with online compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction (CS RT) enabling clinical use. However, CS RT flow has not been validated in a clinical setting.PurposeEvaluate CS RT in phantom and patients.Study TypeProspective.PopulationFlow phantom (60 cycles/min: N = 10, 120 cycles/min: N = 12), sinus rhythm patients, no regurgitation (N = 20) or suspected aortic regurgitation (N = 10), arrhythmia patients (N = 10).Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T, 2D gated PC, CS RT PC, RT cine with arrhythmia rejection.AssessmentPhantom experiments tested the accuracy of CS RT cardiac output and peak flow rate at 60 and 120 cycles/min against gated PC. For sinus rhythm patients, cardiac output, peak flow rate, and regurgitation fraction in the ascending aorta and/or pulmonary artery were evaluated against gated PC. Cardiac output in patients with arrythmia was evaluated against RT cine with arrhythmia rejection.Statistical TestsBland Altman, correlation, Mann–Whitney test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsCardiac output bias ± SD for CS RT in the phantom was −0.0 ± 0.2 L/min (0.5 ± 3%, P = 0.76) at 60 cycles/min and 0.2 ± 0.3 L/min (4 ± 4%, P = 0.0016) at 120 cycles/min. Correspondingly, peak flow rate bias was −23 ± 6 mL/s (−7 ± 2%, P < 0.0001) and −73 ± 25 mL/s (−23 ± 4%, P < 0.0001). In patients, regurgitant fraction was −4 ± 0.5% (−23 ± 4%, P = 0.0025). Cardiac output bias in patients in sinus rhythm was −0.1 ± 0.5 L/min (−2 ± 10%, P = 0.99) (with regurgitation) and −0.3 ± 0.6 L/min (−5 ± 11%, P = 0.035) (without regurgitation). Peak flow rate bias was −60 ± 31 mL/s (−13 ± 6%, P < 0.0001) (with regurgitation) and −64 ± 32 mL/s (−16 ± 8%, P < 0.0001) (without regurgitation). Cardiac output bias was −0.4 ± 0.6 L/min (−9 ± 11%, P < 0.003) in arrhythmia patients.Data ConclusionsCS RT flow could potentially serve as a clinical tool for patients with or without valvular disease or arrhythmia, with accurate cardiac output and regurgitation fraction quantification.Plain Language SummaryAccurate flow assessment is important in clinical evaluation of cardiac patients, but in the presence of irregular heart rhythm flow assessment is challenging. We have evaluated a new method using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and real‐time flow for blood flow assessment in cardiac patients. The method was tested against a reference method in a phantom flow model in low and high heart rates, and in cardiac patients with and without irregular heart rhythm and in different vessels. We found the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging real time flow method accurate and therefore promising for clinical implementation.Evidence Level1Technical EfficacyStage 1
Utilization of Staging Laparoscopy for Patients With Gastric Cancer in Ukraine
Authors: Dobrzhanskyi Oleksii , Gaskill Cameron E. , Kizub Darya , Kondratskyi Yurii , Horodetskyi Andrii , Melnitchouk Nelya , Pepenin Mykyta 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe use of advanced diagnostic methods, such as high‐resolution CT or PET‐CT scans, are limited in low and middle‐income countries (LMICs). In gastric cancer, occult peritoneal disease may be present in up to 20% of cases, limiting the benefits of surgical resection. Accurate staging of gastric cancer is essential to ensure optimal patient management and prevent undue morbidity from unnecessary surgery. Our study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of staging laparoscopy (SL) versus computed tomography (CT) in detecting peritoneal metastases for gastric cancer in Ukraine.MethodsPatients who underwent SL between October 2017 and October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. SL was performed for each newly diagnosed patient with gastric cancer without evidence of distant metastases, except when peritoneal carcinomatosis was in question. Pathological findings at SL were compared with initial CT reports, and analysis of the sensitivity and specificity for SL was performed.ResultsOf 516 patients undergoing SL, 410 had no radiological considerations for distant metastases. Among them, radiographically occult peritoneal metastatic disease was found in 134 (32.7%). Overall SL sensitivity for peritoneal metastases was 90.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85.8%–94.1%) and specificity 100.0% (95% CI: 98.8%–100.0%). Complications after SL occurred in 5 (1%) of patients. No mortality was associated with SL.ConclusionSL is a safe and effective method to evaluate the presence of peritoneal disease in patients with gastric cancer. This method may be appropriate for LMICs, where availability of advanced imaging technologies is limited.
Room‐Temperature Self‐Cavity Lasing From Organic Spintronic Materials
Authors: Zhang Minna , Wu Hao , Yao Xuri , Ma Jiyang , Oxborrow Mark , Zhao Qing 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCrystal defects in solid‐state spintronic materials play a crucial role in altering the optical properties of their hosts, enabling widespread applications in the field of quantum information processing. While the majority of the leading platforms are inorganic, they come with limitations such as the challenging material preparations and insufficient amount of active spins. Here, pentacene‐doped p‐terphenyl (Pc:Ptp), an organic spintronic material with easy preparations and tailorable functionalities normally used for microwave quantum electronics, is demonstrated for the first time its ability of self‐cavity laser emission at room temperature. The laser emission is characterized by strong polarization and anisotropy, attributed to the unique packing of the doped molecules (i.e., active spins) within the crystal. The optical coherence is found to be a figure of merit to distinguish the processes of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and lasing in Pc:Ptp. This work highlights the potential of Pc:Ptp as a compact and efficient platform for light‐matter interactions, offering significant promise for enhancing the performance of solid‐state quantum devices based on the organic spintronic material.