bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mind the gap: Nodes of Ranvier are remodeled by chronic psychosocial stress and neuronal activity
Authors: Hovatta Iiris , Koskinen Maija-Kreetta , Laine Mikaela , Abdollahzadeh Ali , Gigliotta Adrien , Mazzini Giulia , Journée Sarah , Alenius Varpu , Trontti Kalevi , Tohka Jussi , Hyytia Petri , Sierra Alejandra 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Differential expression of myelin-related genes and changes in myelin thickness have been demonstrated in mice after chronic psychosocial stress, a risk factor for anxiety disorders. To determine whether and how stress affects structural remodeling of nodes of Ranvier, another form of myelin plasticity, we developed a 3D reconstruction analysis of node morphology in C57BL/6NCrl and DBA/2NCrl mice. We identified strain-dependent effects of chronic stress on node morphology, including elongation of paranodes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in DBA/2NCrl mice. Furthermore, chronic chemogenetic activation of the ventral hippocampus-to-mPFC pathway resulted in increased risk assessment behavior and shortened paranodes specifically in stimulated axons, providing a direct link between anxiety-like behavior and pathway-specific remodeling of the nodes. Altogether, our data demonstrate 1) genetic regulation of nodal remodeling in stress and 2) axon-specific regulation of paranodes in response to neuronal activity in an anxiety-associated pathway. Nodal remodeling may thus contribute to aberrant circuit function associated with anxiety disorders.
Quantitative EEG Features and Machine Learning Classifiers for Eye-Blink Artifact Detection: A Comparative Study
Authors: Rashida Maliha , Habib Mohammad Ashfak 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Ocular artifact, namely eye-blink artifact, is an inevitable and one of the most destructive noises of EEG signals. Many solutions of detecting the eye-blink artifact were proposed. Different subsets of EEG features and Machine Learning (ML) classifiers were used for this purpose. But no comprehensive comparison of these features and ML classifiers was presented. This paper presents the comparison of twelve EEG features and five ML classifiers, commonly used in existing studies for the detection of eye-blink artifacts. An EEG dataset, containing 2958 epochs of eye-blink, non-eye-blink, and eye-blink-like (non-eye-blink) EEG activities, is used in this study. The performance of each feature and classifier has been measured using accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score. Experimental results reveal that scalp topography is the most potential among the selected features in detecting eye-blink artifacts. The best performing classifier is Artificial Neural Network (ANN) among the five classifiers. The combination of scalp topography and ANN classifier performed as the most powerful feature-classifier combination. However, it is expected that the findings of this study will help the future researchers to select appropriate features and classifiers in building eye-blink artifact detection models.
Iopofosine I-131 treatment in late line patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma post anti-BCMA immunotherapy
Authors: Lngcor Jarrod , Callander Natalie , Oliver Kate , Chanan-Khan Asher , Ailawadhi Sikander 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Over the past decade, significant improvements in survival outcomes have been experienced by multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, MM remains an incurable disease and patients with triple-class refractory MM have limited treatment options and a dismal prognosis. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) has transformed the treatment algorithm of relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM), with high overall response rates. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of patients ultimately relapse despite achieving deep remission and show poor outcomes with subsequent treatment post anti-BCMA immunotherapies.1 Iopofosine I-131 (iopofosine) is a first-in-class phospholipid ether radio-conjugate that targets lipid raft microdomains on tumor cells and is internalized. Here we present seven cases of triple class refractory MM patients that relapsed or were refractory to anti-BCMA immunotherapy and treated with iopofosine plus low dose dexamethasone (LoDEX). Patient received a single fractionated cycle of 30mCi/m2 of iopofosine (15 mg/m2 dosed day 1 and day 15) and received LoDEX (40 mg/week for 12 weeks) with an optional second cycle of iopofosine approximately 60 days later. Six of the seven patients achieved the minimum required total administered dose of 60 millicuries (mCi) to be in the evaluable population and 50% achieved a partial response (PR) or better.
Influence of the Electrolyte concentration and amount on the Performance of Textile Electrodes in Electrostimulation: a systematic study
Authors: Euler Luisa , Guo Li , Persson Nils-Krister 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Textile-based stimulation electrodes are a fast-growing research area. With their advantages including reusability and the possibility for integration into garments, textile electrodes open up new possibilities that are not yet feasible today, e.g. various self-administrated treatments and rehabilitation based on neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). So far, most research has shown that textile-based stimulation electrodes perform more reliable when wetted with an electrolyte. However, there is no systematic investigation about which type and amount of electrolyte to use.
Methods
In this study, double-layered textile electrodes have been produced by machine knitting with a size of 3x3 cm2. The electrodes were wetted step-wise with a liquid amount from 5 µL up to 320 µL; four levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations, i.e. 0.9%, 1.5%, 5% and 35%, plus pure deionized water as a reference liquid were chosen. The study analyzed the behavior of the skin-electrode impedance when changing the moisture content and NaCl concentration. In addition, equivalent circuits were modelled for deeper insights into the mechanisms causing an impedance change.
Results
Results showed that the impedance was greatly influenced by the liquid amount with amounts of 5 µL already significantly reducing the impedance compared to dry electrodes, caused by a substantial reduction in resistance. The reactance, on the other hand, was only partly influenced by the liquid amount showing a reduction upon higher liquid amounts only within a range of 5–40 µL. Further, a significant influence on the impedance by the presence of ions was found where the skin-electrode system wetted with saline NaCl solution were showing generally lower impedances than systems wetted with deionized water. However, within this, no remarkable influence of the NaCl concentration could be observed.
Conclusion
Impedance was found to be very sensitive to the moisture content in the system, it is recommended to introduce standardizations for impedance testing of wet textile electrodes with precisely controlled electrolyte volumes and liquid migration properties to make independent studies of textile electrodes more comparable.
Hierarchical Classification of Analog and Digital Modulation Schemes using Higher-Order Statistics and Support Vector Machines
Authors: GOKDOGAN Bengisu YALCINKAYA , CORUK Remziye Busra , KARA Ali , TORA Hakan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Automatic Modulation Classification (AMC) algorithms play an important role in various military and civilian applications. There have been numerous AMC algorithms reported in the literature, most of which focus on synthetic signals with a limited number of modulation types having distinctive constellations. The efficient classification of high-order modulation schemes under real propagation effects using models with low complexity is still a challenge. In this paper, employing quadratic SVM, a feature-based (FB) hierarchical classification method is proposed to accurately classify especially higher-order modulation schemes and its performance is investigated using over the air (OTA) collected data. Statistical features, higher-order moments, and higher-order cumulants are employed as features. Then, the performances of some well-known classifiers are evaluated, and the classifier presenting the best performance is employed in the proposed hierarchical classification model. An OTA dataset containing 17 analog and digital modulation schemes is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed classification model. With the proposed hierarchical classification algorithm, a significant improvement has been achieved, especially in higher-order modulation schemes. The overall accuracy with the proposed hierarchical structure is 96% after 5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value, approximately a 10% increase is achieved compared to the traditional classification algorithm.
Detailed statistical analysis plan for the Neurological complications in Endoscopic versus Open radial artery harvest (NEO) randomised clinical trial
Authors: Carranza Christian Lildal , Ballegaard Martin , Werner Mads , Hasbak Philip , Kjær Andreas , Kofoed Klaus Fuglsang , Olsen Markus Harboe , Gluud Christian , Jakobsen Janus 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
IntroductionCoronary artery bypass grafting can be conducted using the radial artery as a bypass graft. However, it remains unclear, which harvesting method is superior, i.e. endoscopic or open radial artery, and which site for proximal anastomosis of the radial artery has the greatest benefits?MethodsThe NEO Trial is a single site randomised clinical trial with a 2x2 factorial design. The first comparison assesses endoscopic versus open radial artery harvest with a primary outcome of hand function and secondary outcomes of neurological deficits through clinical exams and neurophysiological studies. The primary outcome is postoperatively hand function at three months. We anticipate a mean difference of 3 points with a standard deviation of 8 points, a power of 90%, and a type I error of 5%, resulting in a required sample size of 300 participants randomised 1:1. Secondary outcomes are neurological deficits (based on nerve conduction measurements, algometry test, von Frey hair test), clinical neurological examination of cutaneous sensibility, and registration of complications in the donor arm (haematoma formation, wound dehiscence, and/or infection). The second comparison assesses two different proximal anastomotic sites, i.e. aorto-radial anastomosis versus mammario-radial anastomosis. The primary outcome is a composite of cerebrovascular events and the secondary outcome is graft patency evaluation by multi-slice computer tomography-scan. These outcomes will be assessed at 1 year postoperatively and the results of this comparison will be exploratory only. Two independent statisticians will follow the present plan and conduct the analyses which will hereafter be fused into a final analysis based on consensus.ConclusionThis detailed analysis plan will increase the validity of the NEO trial results by predefining the statistical analysis in detail. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01848886. Registered 25th of February 2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01848886Danish Ethics committee number: H-3-2012-116Danish Data Protection Agency: 2007-58-0015/jr. n:30-0838
Food-grade Secretory Expression of β-mannanase Mutant in Bacillus subtilis and Its Application for Manoligosaccharides Preparation
Authors: Chen Yun , Gao Weiqiang , Liang Qi , Zhou Xiaolei , Yang Xu , Wu Tianning , Wang Lili , Yang Xiaorui , Zhang Chunxiao 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
β-mannanase is in great demand and has wide application in industrial fields. In order to improve β-mannanase activity, the directed evolution of β-mannanase gene from Bacillus licheniformis KD-1 was carried out by error-prone PCR and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. For the biosafety of β -mannanase application, the B. subtilis food-grade expression system was constructed. Firstly, the d-alanine racemase (dal) gene of the host cell was deleted by CRISPR/CpfⅠ genome editing without scars. Secondly, the corresponding expression vector was constructed by deleting the antibiotics marker genes replaced with dal gene to realize auxotrophic complementation screening. Among mutants, ManBl (I91N/L211I) had the highest enzyme activity of 17601.3 U/mL, and the specific activity was 15554.7 U/mg, which was 3.2 times than that of the wild-type ManBl. Two loci (I91N and L211I) located at outside of the β-mannanase catalytic center influence the enzyme activity at a great degree. The food-grade expressed β-mannanase was applied to degrade konjac glucomannan (KGM) for preparing manoligosaccharides (MOS). The hydrolysis products mainly consisted of mannohexaose, mannotriose, and mannobiose.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium exerts anti-tumor effects on KGN cells in a cell density-dependent manner through activation of the Hippo pathway
Authors: Wan Wenjing , Miao Yuyang , Niu Yuwei , Zhu Kunyuan , Ma Yingwan , Pan Menghao , Ma Baohua , Wei Qiang 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Objectives The conditioned medium from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs-CM) provides a new cell-free therapy for tumors due to its unique secretome. However, there are many contradictory reports about the effect of UCMSCs-CM on tumor cells. The loss of contact inhibition is a common characteristic of tumor cells. A relationship between the effect of UCMSCs-CM on tumor cells and contact inhibition in tumor cells is rarely concerned. Whether the effect of UCMSCs-CM on tumor cells is affected by cell density? Here, we explored the effect of UCMSCs-CM on KGN cell, which is an ovarian granulosa cell tumors cell line, at low or high density. Materials and Methods Growth curve and CCK8 assay were used to assess cell proliferation and viability. Scratch wound and matrigel invasion assay were implicated to detect cell motility of KGN cells. UCMSCs-CM effects on cell cycle, apoptosis and pathway-related proteins were investigated by flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, western blot and immunofluorescence analysis respectively. Results In growth curve analysis, before KGN cells proliferated into confluence, UCMSCs-CM had no effect on cell proliferation, but once the cells proliferate to contact each other, UCMSCs-CM significantly inhibited proliferation. Meanwhile, when KGN cells were implanted at high density, UCMSCs-CM could induce cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, inhibit cell migration, invasion and promote apoptosis. However, it had no similar effect on KGN cells implanted at low density. In mechanism, the UCMSCs-CM treatment activated the Hippo pathway when KGN cells were implanted at high density. Consistently, the MST1/2 inhibitor, XMU-MP-1, inhibited the activation of the Hippo pathway induced by UCMSCs-CM treatment and accordingly declined the anti-tumor effect of UCMSC-CM on KGN cells. Conclusion The effect of UCMSCs-CM on tumor cells is affected by cell density. UCMSCs-CM exerted anti-tumor effect on KGN cells by activating Hippo pathway to restore contact inhibition. Our results suggest that UCMSCs-CM is a promising therapeutic candidate for GCTs treatment.
Experience of Research Ethics Committees in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Woldeamanuel Yimtubezinash , Abay Solomon M. , Ashuro Akililu Alemu , Berhe Derbew Fikadu , Degafa Tseday Tilahun , Munung Nchangwi Syntia , Tangwa Godfrey B. , Karbwang Juntra , Abdissa Alemseged 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and objective
: Globally, COVID-19 has caused a number of challenges including the functioning of research ethics committees (RECs) with the impact being expected to be more pronounced in resource-limited countries. The objective of this study was to describe RECs' functions and challenges experienced during the pandemic in Africa.
Method
A cross-sectional study covering Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa was done. Data was collected using an online Google form questionnaire. The link to the form was sent to REC chairs and secretaries to fill in online. Descriptive data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 25.
Result
A total of 98 study participants (50 members and 48 chairs) responded from 16 African countries. The mean (standard deviation) age of REC members was 47 (12) and over half of them, 27 (54%) were female. Most REC members and chairs were physicians, while 48% of RECs were affiliated with academic institutes. Ninety percent of REC chairs reported that their REC was accredited; however, only three had recognition by Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethics Review (SIDCER). RECs reported reviewing COVID-19 related protocols. In 2019, chairs reported RECs reviewing 5,860 protocols with a 13% increment in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increment in protocol amendment (79%), deviation (29%), and early protocol termination (25%). Most (96%) RECs followed COVID-19 prevention institutional policies including limiting face-to-face meetings and shifting to virtual platforms. RECs challenges in reviewing COVID-19 related proposals were issues related to risk/benefit, scientific design, and informed consent.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the functions of RECs in Africa, both in the increase in the volume of proposals for review and presenting new ethical challenges including in risk-benefit analysis. There is a need to strengthen RECs in the region through different mechanisms, by building their capacity through initiatives like the SIDCER recognition program. To strengthen African RECs in a sustainable manner, some of the interventions could be establishing National and regional REC databases, and putting in place continuous training opportunities preferably through an online platform.
The Efficiency of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma in Pediatric Patients with Blunt Torso Trauma
Authors: inci Ozlem , Altuncı Yusuf Ali , Can Ozge , Akarca Funda Karbek , Ersel Murat 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and importanceFocused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has attracted attention for its use in the detection of intraabdominal pathology. However, Computed Tomography (CT) remains the gold standard for the assessment of blunt torso trauma. ObjectiveThe study examines the effectiveness of FAST both in the detection of intraabdominal pathology in pediatric patients (< 19 years) and in the assessment of the need for CT for further examination. DesignThe study was designed as a retrospective observational investigation of diagnostic value.SettingThe pediatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department with blunt torso trauma between January 2013 and October 2016 were included in the study. The sample of the study comprised 255 patients who met the inclusion criteria.Outcome measures and analysisThe demographic data, vital findings, trauma mechanism, physical examination findings, the presence of a concomitant trauma, laboratory findings, CT scans of the thorax and abdomen, FAST findings, and patient outcomes were recorded. The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used for comparisons. A logistic regression model was developed to determine the variables that independently affect the agreement between FAST and CT.Main resultsThe comparison of FAST and CT revealed a poor agreement in pediatric patients with blunt torso trauma. The agreement was negatively affected by the severity of trauma and the presence of concomitant trauma. The error rate of FAST increased by five-fold especially in the presence of concomitant thorax trauma. However, FAST had a good negative likelihood ratio.ConclusionFAST was determined to yield accurate results when used in stable patients, thus revealing it as an appropriate tool for the initial examination of stable pediatric patients with blunt torso trauma. For unstable patients, however, a negative or positive FAST examination should not guide the decision to use CT and CT should remain a standard tool for further examination. FAST should not be regarded as an equivalent or complementary tool to CT. It is, instead, a noteworthy negative predictor in pediatric patients. A positive FAST result can serve as a predictor of the need for operation and hospitalization in multiple trauma patients.
Current incident reporting and learning systems yield unreliable information on patient safetyIncident reporting reliability
Authors: Plukka Mari , Rauhala Auvo , Fagerström Lisbeth , Ikonen Tuija 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
BackgroundIncident reporting systems are being implemented throughout the world to record safety incidents in healthcare. The quality of the recording and analysis of reporting systems is important for the development of safety promotion measures. MethodsTo assess the reliability of incident reporting ratings collected in a hospital setting, a three-level interrater comparison was undertaken. The routine ratings of the frontline event handlers responsible for evaluating safety incident reports (n=495) were compared with the parallel ratings of two trained patient safety coordinators. The two patient safety coordinators then each separately reviewed about half of the 495 reports, followed by reclassification of a random sample (a random data subset of 60 reports) previously reclassified by the other coordinator during the first reclassification. The following seven patient safety variables were included: nature of the incident, type of incident, patient impact, treating unit impact, circumstances and contributory factors, immediate actions taken, risk category. Interrater agreement was tested with kappa, weighted kappa or iota.ResultsFor the seven variables examined, event handlers had an average of 1.36 missing answers, patient safety coordinators 0.32. For the first interrater comparison, the average change between the three ordinal scale variables for all variables together was towards more serious in 29 % (95%CI: 27%, 32%) and towards less serious in 2 % (95%CI: 0%, 5%) of incidents. The net change for the first interrater comparison was 27% (95%CI: 25%, 30%) towards a more serious incident. The average selection of several categories, when allowed, increased from 7 % (95%CI: 6%, 8%) to 33% (95%CI: 31%, 35%). For all three paired interrater comparisons, the average interrater agreements were in the range of 0.44 to 0.53 and considered moderate. While patient safety coordinators should in theory represent a ‘golden standard’, the coordinator interrater agreement seen in this study was moderate. ConclusionConsensus at national level on how to classify high-risk incidents is needed to develop incident reporting reliability. Also, continuous training in common practices, terminology and rating systems should be given more attention. Having a patient safety coordinator reclassify incident reports can improve reporting accuracy and thereby corrective actions and learning.