bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast Identification Method for Screening Bacteria from Faecal Samples Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION Sequencing
Authors: Borges Ana Sofia G. , Basu Meghna , Brinks Erik , Bang Corinna , Cho Gyu-Sung , Baines John F. , Franke Andre , Franz Charles M. A. P. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMost bacterial identification methods require extensive culturing, strain purification and DNA extraction protocols. This leads to additional expenses and time lags when isolating specific bacteria from complex microbiological ecosystems. This study aimed to develop a fast and robust method for identification of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Bacteroides in human faecal samples. Bacteria from faecal samples were cultured anaerobically on selective media. Sonication-based DNA extraction was performed, followed by almost complete 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction amplification and MinION sequencing with the Flongle adapter. Sequence analysis was performed using NanoCLUST, while RStudio was used for graphics. For 110 of the 125 colonies investigated, 100% of reads were attributed to a single species, while the remaining 15 colonies consisted of mixtures of up to three different species. The proposed bacterial identification method is advantageous for isolating particular bacteria for which there are no exclusively selective media, as it avoids lengthy colony purification and DNA purification methods, and yields a quick colony identification with high accuracy. Therefore, this method can be used for directly screening for pure cultures of target microorganisms and is suitable for the identification of bacteria in culturomics studies.
Pilot study investigating BP-180 in extracellular vesicles derived from blister fluid of bullous pemphigoid patients
Authors: Gasparini Giulia , Tasso Roberta , Palamà Maria Elisabetta Federica , Ciferri Maria Chiara , Gentili Chiara , Di Zenzo Giovanni , Provini Alessia , Salemme Adele , Quarto Rodolfo , Parodi Aurora , Cozzani Emanuele 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease that targets the haemidesmosomal proteins, mainly BP180. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to carry tissue-specific autoantigens in the setting of autoimmune diseases and transplant organ rejection; this phenomenon was demonstrated to have pathogenic implications in autoimmune diseases and to correlate with transplant rejection severity. The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of BP targeted autoantigens in blister fluid derived EVs. We isolated, by size exclusion chromatography, EVs derived from blisters of BP-patients and from suction blisters of healthy donors. EV characterization was performed by flow cytometry and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the presence of autoantigens. A suspension enriched in EVs was efficiently obtained from blister fluid from patients and healthy donors. EV-enriched fractions were enriched in particles with a size distribution characterizing small-EVs (main peak was present at 94.5 nm). BP180 was found, by western blot analysis, in EVs derived from blister fluid of 3 out 6 BP patients and in none of EVs isolated from suction blister fluid of healthy donors. BP230 and Dsg1 were not detectable in EVs of any of the samples. No specific clinical characteristics seemed to correlate to the presence of BP180 in EVs. The discovery of BP180 in EVs derived from blister fluid might help understanding BP pathogenesis.
Evaluation of right ventricular myocardial deformation properties in fetal hypoplastic left heart by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Enzensberger Christian , Graupner Oliver , Fischer Stefanie , Meister Markus , Reitz Maleen , Götte Malena , Müller Vera , Wolter Aline , Herrmann Johannes , Axt-Fliedner Roland 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Right ventricular (RV) function influences the outcome of hypoplastic left heart (HLH) patients. This study aimed to confirm the assumption of prenatal RV remodeling and possible influencing factors of myocardial restructuring using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE).

Methods
This is a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study including HLH fetuses and gestational age-matched controls. Based on a four-chamber view, cine loops were stored with 60 frames per second. Global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) of the RV was retrospectively determined and compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, HLH subgroups were built according to the presence of left ventricular endocardial fibroelastosis (LV-EFE) and restrictive foramen ovale (FO) to investigate the effect of these compromising factors on myocardial deformation.

Results
A total of 41 HLH fetuses and 101 controls were included. Gestational age at fetal assessment was similarly distributed in both groups (controls: 26.0 ± 5.6 weeks vs. HLH: 29.1 ± 5.6 weeks). Relating to RV-GLPSS values, fetuses with HLH demonstrated lower mean values than healthy control fetuses (− 15.65% vs. − 16.80%, p = 0.065). Cases with LV-EFE (n = 11) showed significantly lower mean values compared to such without LV-EFE (n = 30) (RV-GLPSS: − 12.12% vs. − 16.52%, p = 0.003). No significant differences were observed for cases with FO restriction (n = 10).

Conclusions
In HLH the RV undergoes prenatal remodeling, leading to an adaptation of myocardial function to LV conditions. Further explorations by STE should expand knowledge about RV contraction properties in HLH and its impact on surgical outcome.
A systematic review of validated assessments methods for head and neck lymphedema
Authors: Arends Coralie R. , Lindhout Josephine E. , van der Molen Lisette , Wilthagen Erica A. , van den Brekel Michiel W. M. , Stuiver Martijn M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the validity and reliability of existing measurement instruments for quantifying head and neck lymphedema.

Methods
Four databases were searched on January 31st, 2022. The COnsensus-based Standards for selecting health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklists were used for the risk of bias (ROB) assessment.

Results
Out of 3362 unique records, eight studies examined the reliability and validity of five measurement instruments of which one patient reported outcome. The Patterson scale for internal lymphedema and the patient reported head and neck external lymphedema and fibrosis (LIDS-H&N) demonstrated validity and reliability. For external lymphedema, none of the instruments had good reliability for all measuring points.

Conclusion
There is a lack of sufficiently reliable and valid measurement instruments for external head and neck lymphedema. The Patterson scale and the patient reported LIDS-H&N seem reliable for clinical practice and research.
High-multiplex tissue imaging in routine pathology—are we there yet?
Authors: Einhaus Jakob , Rochwarger Alexander , Mattern Sven , Gaudillière Brice , Schürch Christian M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

High-multiplex tissue imaging (HMTI) approaches comprise several novel immunohistological methods that enable in-depth, spatial single-cell analysis. Over recent years, studies in tumor biology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions have demonstrated the information gain accessible when mapping complex tissues with HMTI. Tumor biology has been a focus of innovative multiparametric approaches, as the tumor microenvironment (TME) contains great informative value for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapeutic approaches: unraveling the cellular composition and structural organization of the TME using sophisticated computational tools for spatial analysis has produced histopathologic biomarkers for outcomes in breast cancer, predictors of positive immunotherapy response in melanoma, and histological subgroups of colorectal carcinoma. Integration of HMTI technologies into existing clinical workflows such as molecular tumor boards will contribute to improve patient outcomes through personalized treatments tailored to the specific heterogeneous pathological fingerprint of cancer, autoimmunity, or infection. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of existing HMTI technologies and outline how spatial single-cell data can improve our understanding of pathological disease mechanisms and determinants of treatment success. We provide an overview of the analytic processing and interpretation and discuss how HMTI can improve future routine clinical diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection for advanced lower rectal cancer: a retrospective study at two institutions
Authors: Zhang Lei , Shi Feiyu , Hu Chenhao , Zhang Zhe , Liu Junguang , Liu Ruihan , Wang Guanghui , Tang Jianqiang , She Junjun 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) represents a technically challenging procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative, genitourinary functional and mid-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLLND) and robotic lateral lymph node dissection (RLLND) for advanced lower rectal cancer (ALRC).

Methods
Between January 2015 and April 2021, consecutive patients who underwent RLLND and LLLND at two high-volume centres were enrolled. The perioperative outcomes, genitourinary function recovery and mid-term oncological outcomes of the patients were compared. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) was performed.

Results
A total of 205 patients were included in the analysis, with 95 in the RLLND group and 110 in the LLLND group. The patients in the RLLND group had a longer operative time, less blood loss, and more harvested internal iliac lymph nodes than did those in the LLLND group. In postoperative complication, urinary retention was less frequent in the RLLND group than in the LLLND group. Additionally, the RLLND group had better genitourinary function recovery. Similar results were also observed from the nCRT subgroup analysis. Moreover, there was no significant difference in mid-term oncological outcomes between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis indicated that the patients who underwent nCRT + LLLND/RLLND had better local control than those who underwent only LLLND/RLLND.

Conclusions
RLLND is safe and feasible for ALRC and is associated with more harvested internal iliac lymph nodes and better genitourinary function recovery. NCRT combined with minimally invasive LLND could constitute an improved strategy for ALRC.
Quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of a web-based dietary intervention with text messages
Authors: Wang Lufan , Langlais Crystal , Kenfield Stacey A. , Van Loon Katherine , Laffan Angela , Atreya Chloe E. , Chan June M. , Zhang Li , Allen Isabel E. , Miaskowski Christine , Fukuoka Yoshimi , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Venook Alan P. , Van Blarigan Erin L. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeWe aimed to estimate the effect of a 12-week web-based dietary intervention with text messages on quality of life (QoL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.MethodsBetween 2017 and 2018, 50 CRC survivors were randomized (1:1) to receive a 12-week web-based dietary intervention with daily text messages or wait-list control. Health-related QoL was assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire–Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and colorectal quality of life module (QLQ-CR29) at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Within- and between-group mean changes in health-related QoL with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for both arms.ResultsCompared to the controls, participants receiving the intervention had an improvement in emotional functioning (mean change: 14.3; 95% CI: 3.0, 25.6) at 12 weeks and social functioning (mean change: 13.8; 95% CI: 2.1, 25.5) at 24 weeks. A decrease of fatigue from baseline was also observed in the intervention arm (mean change: − 9.1; 95% CI: − 17.1, − 1.1) at 24 weeks. No other changes in QoL scores were associated with the intervention.ConclusionCRC survivors randomized to receive a web-based dietary intervention with text messages experienced higher emotional and social functioning. Further study with a larger population may be warranted.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, NCT02965521. Registered 16 November 2016,https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/keydates/NCT02965521
Graph learning-based generation of abstractions for reinforcement learning
Authors: Xue Yuan , Kudenko Daniel , Khosla Megha 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe application of reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms is often hindered by the combinatorial explosion of the state space. Previous works have leveraged abstractions which condense large state spaces to find tractable solutions. However, they assumed that the abstractions are provided by a domain expert. In this work, we propose a new approach to automatically construct abstract Markov decision processes (AMDPs) for potential-based reward shaping to improve the sample efficiency of RL algorithms. Our approach to constructing abstract states is inspired by graph representation learning methods, it effectively encodes the topological and reward structure of the ground-level MDP. We perform large-scale quantitative experiments on a range of navigation and gathering tasks under both stationary and stochastic settings. Our approach shows improvements of up to 8.5 times in sample efficiency and up to 3 times in run time over the baseline approach. Besides, with our qualitative analyses of the generated AMDPs, we are able to visually demonstrate the capability of our approach to preserve the topological and reward structure of the ground-level MDP.
Small amount of alcohol did not deteriorate microsurgical dexterity: a prospective laboratory study
Authors: Vasankari Ville , Eisenring Christian , Rossmann Tobias , Veldeman Michael , Nurminen Ville , Hafez Ahmad , Raj Rahul , Niemelä Mika , Lehecka Martin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Alcohol consumption has been reported to deteriorate surgical performance both immediately after consumption as well as on the next day. We studied the early effects of alcohol consumption on microsurgical manual dexterity in a laboratory setting.

Method
Six neurosurgeons or neurosurgical residents (all male) performed micro- and macro suturing tasks after consuming variable amounts of alcohol. Each participant drank 0–4 doses of alcohol (14 g ethanol). After a delay of 60–157 min, he performed a macrosurgical and microsurgical task (with a surgical microscope). The tasks consisted of cutting and re-attaching a circular latex flap (diameter: 50 mm macrosuturing, 4 mm microsuturing) with eight interrupted sutures (4–0 multifilament macrosutures, 9–0 monofilament microsutures). We measured the time required to complete the sutures, and the amplitude and the frequency of physiological tremor during the suturing. In addition, we used a four-point ordinal scale to rank the quality of the sutures for each task. Each participant repeated the tasks several times on separate days varying the pre-task alcohol consumption (including one sober task at the end of the data collection).

Results
A total of 93 surgical tasks (47 macrosurgical, 46 microsurgical) were performed. The fastest microsurgical suturing (median 11 min 49 s, [interquartile range (IQR) 654 to 761 s]) was recorded after three doses of alcohol (median blood alcohol level 0.32‰). The slowest microsurgical suturing (median 15 min 19 s, [IQR 666 to 1121 s]) was observed after one dose (median blood alcohol level 0‰). The quality of sutures was the worst (mean 0.70 [standard deviation (SD) 0.48] quality points lost) after three doses of alcohol and the best (mean 0.33 [SD 0.52] quality points lost) after four doses (median blood alcohol level 0.44‰).

Conclusions
Consuming small amount of alcohol did not deteriorate microsurgical performance in our study. An observed reduction in physiological tremor may partially explain this.
Temperature interference in improved FBG pressure sensor for towing tank test
Authors: Suzuki Kantaro , Iwashita Hidetsugu , Kashiwagi Masashi , Wakahara Masahito , Iida Takahito , Minoura Munehiko 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBecause of EEDI regulations for ships and SDGs, it is of vital importance to develop ships with good propulsion performance, not only in still water, but also in waves. To predict the propulsion and seakeeping performance in waves, and in particular ship motions and added resistance, various theoretical calculation methods and CFD codes have been developed. To validate these estimation methods, experimental data on details of the flow induced by the ship disturbance are required. To meet this demand, the authors developed an innovative method for measuring and analyzing the spatial pressure distribution over the ship-hull surface using a large number of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) pressure sensors. However, pressure measurements with the conventional FBG pressure sensors are largely influenced by the difference in the temperature between water and air, referred to as the temperature interference. To resolve this issue, the authors developed a new FBG pressure sensor that incorporates three improvements and is significantly less influenced by temperature interference. Its performance was confirmed through comparisons with measured pressures obtained using existing strain-type and conventional FBG pressure sensors. Furthermore, the effects of different materials used for manufacturing ship models on the pressure measurement were investigated experimentally in towing tank tests. Finally, an experimental study was conducted to determine which of the three improvements in the latest FBG pressure sensor is essential for reducing the temperature interference.
Emerging advances of blockchain technology in finance: a content analysis
Authors: Weerawarna Rashikala , Miah Shah J. , Shao Xuefeng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBlockchain has become a widely used information system technology recently because of its effectiveness as an intermediary-free platform. While the use of blockchain in various fields, such as finance, supply chains, healthcare, education, and energy consumption, is increasingly enabling the development of Internet-enabled “distributed databases,” there are not many exploratory studies available to provide an understanding of how the field is progressing. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the status quo of blockchain technology in the finance sector, particularly highlighting how blockchain architectures can aid the finance sector to gain competitive advantage. This systematic literature review analyzes the content of the 50 most relevant articles and professional industry reports through peer-reviewed relevant academic literature in the finance sector from 2008 to 2022 to identify several possible features of blockchain research in the financial sector. This study highlighted the dimensions of blockchain technology, blockchain in finance, its competitive advantages, the current status of finance, and various challenges that keep the implementation of blockchain-based financial information systems at the initial stage. We identified three main areas that require research attention in order for blockchain technology to become the “next-generation networks” that will revolutionize the financial sector.
How deeply should we analyze non-covalent interactions?
Authors: Clark Timothy 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Context
Just how much effort and detail should we invest in analyzing interactions of the order of 5 kcal mol−1? This comment attempts to provide a conciliatory overview of what is often a contentious field and to pose some questions that I hope will eventually lead at least to some consensus.

Methods
This is an opinion article without calculations or data.
Prevention of well clogging during aquifer storage of turbid tile drainage water rich in dissolved organic carbon and nutrients
Authors: Kruisdijk Emiel , Ros Julian F. , Ghosh Devanita , Brehme Maren , Stuyfzand Pieter J. , van Breukelen Boris M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWell clogging was studied at an aquifer storage transfer and recovery (ASTR) site used to secure freshwater supply for a flower bulb farm. Tile drainage water (TDW) was collected from a 10-ha parcel, stored in a sandy brackish coastal aquifer via well injection in wet periods, and reused during dry periods. This ASTR application has been susceptible to clogging, as the TDW composition largely exceeded most clogging mitigation guidelines. TDW pretreatment by sand filtration did not cause substantial clogging at a smaller ASR site (2 ha) at the same farm. In the current (10 ha) system, sand filtration was substituted by 40-μm disc filters to lower costs (by 10,000–30,000 Euro) and reduce space (by 50–100 m2). This measure treated TDW insufficiently and injection wells rapidly clogged. Chemical, biological, and physical clogging occurred, as observed from elemental, organic carbon, 16S rRNA, and grain-size distribution analyses of the clogging material. Physical clogging by particles was the main cause, based on the strong relation between injected turbidity load and normalized well injectivity. Periodical backflushing of injection wells improved operation, although the disc filters clogged when the turbidity increased (up to 165 NTU) during a severe rainfall event (44 mm in 3 days). Automated periodical backflushing, together with regulating the maximum turbidity (<20 NTU) of the TDW, protected ASTR operation, but reduced the injected TDW volume by ~20–25%. The studied clogging-prevention measures collectively are only viable as an alternative for sand filtration when the injected volume remains sufficient to secure the farmer’s needs for irrigation.
Vulnerability and loss and damage following the COP27 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Authors: Naylor Angus William , Ford James 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe creation of a Transitional Committee to operationalise funding for loss and damage at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) could prove a seminal moment for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Yet, in the context of loss and damage and wider climate financing, discourses of vulnerability and mechanisms and indices for appraising the impacts of climate change remain unfit for purpose. Establishing which Parties are the most vulnerable (and thus eligible for funding), accounting for intangible non-economic losses and making progress toward climate justice and disaster risk reduction while avoiding the issue of sociopolitical ‘root causes’ remains a monumental challenge.