bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A 6-month trial of memantine for nystagmus and associated phenomena in oculopalatal tremor
Authors: Martins Ana Inês , Soares-dos-Reis Ricardo , Jorge André , Duque Cristina , Pereira Daniela Jardim , Fontes Ribeiro Carlos , Sargento-Freitas João , Matos Anabela , Negrão Luís , Lemos João 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionOculopalatal tremor (OPT) is a late manifestation of a Guillain-Mollaret triangle lesion. Memantine has been shown to improve nystagmus in OPT, but its long-term efficacy and putative distinct effects on each plane of nystagmus and on associated phenomena (e.g., gravity perception) are largely unknown.MethodsWe conducted a 6-month open-label study to evaluate the effect of memantine in OPT patients. Baseline (visit 1), 2 (visit 2), and 6 months (visit 3) assessments included video-oculography, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual function questionnaire (VFQ25), palatal tremor frequency, and subjective visual vertical (SVV). Memantine was titrated to 20 mg per day and stopped after 6 months.ResultsWe included six patients (5 females; mean age 68.5+/-9.7). At visit 2, nystagmus improved &gt;50% only along the horizontal plane in two patients, while worsening &gt;50% along the vertical and horizontal planes in 4 and 1 patients, respectively. At visit 3, previous improvement of nystagmus along the horizontal plane in two patients was not sustained, and it further worsened &gt;50% along the vertical plane in 4. The mean vertical velocity and amplitude of nystagmus in the left eye significantly worsened from visit 2 to visit 3 (p = 0.028). Throughout the study, nystagmus frequency remained unchanged (p = 0.074), BCVA improved in both eyes (p = 0.047, p = 0.017), SVV progression was unpredictable (p = 0.513), and the mean VFQ-25 score (p = 0.223) and mean palatal frequency remained unchanged.ConclusionThe long-term use of memantine 20 mg per day in OPT produced a modest and only transient improvement in nystagmus, predominantly along the horizontal plane. Visual acuity improved, albeit without relevant changes in vision-related quality of life.
Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xue Chen , Jiang Chengzhi , Zhu Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaobo , Zhong Dongling , Li Yuxi , Zhang Huiling , Tang Wenjing , She Jian , Xie Cheng , Li Juan , Feng Yue , Jin Rongjiang 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity.MethodsNine electronic databases were searched from their inception to 6 June 2022, to identify randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias. The reporting quality of interventions in controlled trials of acupuncture was evaluated using Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). The RevMan 5.4 and R 4.2.0 software were used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 88 eligible studies were included, involving 6,431 individuals. The pooled data demonstrated that acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) was superior to CR in reducing the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.73; 95% CI = −0.83 to −0.63; I2 = 65%; low certainty of evidence). The favorable results were also observed in comparisons of acupuncture vs. CR (SMD = −0.22, 95% CI = −0.36 to −0.07; I2 = 49%; moderate certainty of evidence). Subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture treatment with a frequency of once or twice a day was more effective than CR. In addition, the antispasmodic effect of acupuncture treatment increased with more sessions. Four studies explicitly reported slight acupuncture-related adverse events.ConclusionAcupuncture could be recommended as adjuvant therapy for spasticity after stroke. However, due to the high risk of bias and heterogeneity of the included studies, the effectiveness of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity remains to be confirmed.
Temporal and spatial dynamic propagation of electroencephalogram by combining power spectral and synchronization in childhood absence epilepsy
Authors: Zhong Lisha , Wan Jiangzhong , Wu Jia , He Suling , Zhong Xuefei , Huang Zhiwei , Li Zhangyong 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveDuring the transition from normal to seizure and then to termination, electroencephalography (EEG) signals have complex changes in time-frequency-spatial characteristics. The quantitative analysis of EEG characteristics and the exploration of their dynamic propagation in this paper would help to provide new biomarkers for distinguishing between pre-ictal and inter-ictal states and to better understand the seizure mechanisms.MethodsThirty-three children with absence epilepsy were investigated with EEG signals. Power spectral and synchronization were combined to provide the time-frequency-spatial characteristics of EEG and analyze the spatial distribution and propagation of EEG in the brain with topographic maps. To understand the mechanism of spatial-temporal evolution, we compared inter-ictal, pre-ictal, and ictal states in EEG power spectral and synchronization network and its rhythms in each frequency band.ResultsPower, frequency, and spatial synchronization are all enhanced during the absence seizures to jointly dominate the epilepsy process. We confirmed that a rapid diffusion at the onset accompanied by the frontal region predominance exists. The EEG power rapidly bursts in 2–4 Hz through the whole brain within a few seconds after the onset. This spatiotemporal evolution is associated with spatial diffusion and brain regions interaction, with a similar pattern, increasing first and then decreasing, in both the diffusion of the EEG power and the connectivity of the brain network during the childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) seizures. Compared with the inter-ictal group, we observed increases in power of delta and theta rhythms in the pre-ictal group (P &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, the synchronization of delta rhythm decreased while that of alpha rhythm enhanced.ConclusionThe initiation and propagation of CAE seizures are related to the abnormal discharge diffusion and the synchronization network. During the seizures, brain activity is completely changed with the main component delta rhythm. Furthermore, this article demonstrated for the first time that alpha inhibition, which is consistent with the brain’s feedback regulation mechanism, is caused by the enhancement of the network connection. Temporal and spatial evolution of EEG is of great significance for the transmission mechanism, clinical diagnosis and automatic detection of absence epilepsy seizures.
Age-dependent microstructure alterations in 5xFAD mice by high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Maharjan Surendra , Tsai Andy P. , Lin Peter B. , Ingraham Cynthia , Jewett Megan R. , Landreth Gary E. , Oblak Adrian L. , Wang Nian 
Published: August 2022

PurposeTo evaluate the age-dependent microstructure changes in 5xFAD mice using high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).MethodsThe 5xFAD mice at 4, 7.5, and 12 months and the wild-type controls at 4 months were scanned at 9.4T using a 3D echo-planar imaging (EPI) pulse sequence with the isotropic spatial resolution of 100 μm. The b-value was 3000 s/mm2 for all the diffusion MRI scans. The samples were also acquired with a gradient echo pulse sequence at 50 μm isotropic resolution. The microstructure changes were quantified with DTI metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). The conventional histology was performed to validate with MRI findings.ResultsThe FA values (p = 0.028) showed significant differences in the cortex between wild-type (WT) and 5xFAD mice at 4 months, while hippocampus, anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and fornix showed no significant differences for either FA and MD. FA values of 5xFAD mice gradually decreased in cortex (0.140 ± 0.007 at 4 months, 0.132 ± 0.008 at 7.5 months, 0.126 ± 0.013 at 12 months) and fornix (0.140 ± 0.007 at 4 months, 0.132 ± 0.008 at 7.5 months, 0.126 ± 0.013 at 12 months) with aging. Both FA (p = 0.029) and MD (p = 0.037) demonstrated significant differences in corpus callosum between 4 and 12 months age old. FA and MD were not significantly different in the hippocampus or anterior commissure. The age-dependent microstructure alterations were better captured by FA when compared to MD.ConclusionFA showed higher sensitivity to monitor amyloid deposition in 5xFAD mice. DTI may be utilized as a sensitive biomarker to monitor beta-amyloid progression for preclinical studies.
Relative validity and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess fruit and vegetable consumption in school-aged children
Authors: Ilić Ana , Rumbak Ivana , Brečić Ružica , Colić Barić Irena , Bituh Martina 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundSince the beneficial effects of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on health are well known due to the synergy of their nutrients and non-nutrients, it is crucial to have good tools to assess the FV intake. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is an adequate method to estimate FV consumption, but it is necessary to relate this dietary method to the geographic and cultural environment. Therefore, this study presented the development of a semi-quantitative FFQ to estimate the FV intake in school-aged children who usually consume cooked homemade and school meals. It also aimed to evaluate the relative validity and reproducibility of the FFQ.MethodsSchool-aged children (baseline age 8 years) from 14 primary schools in the city of Zagreb participated in the study during the 2019/2020 school year. Parents/caregivers, together with the children, completed the FFQs and 3-day dietary records (3DDRs). The FFQ was designed to assess the consumption of eight food categories. The FFQ was validated using the 3DDR of 141 children (51.4% of boys), whereas the reproducibility test included the FFQ of 161 children (53.4% of boys).ResultsOf the eight food categories, FFQ overestimates the consumption of three and underestimates the consumption of three food categories (p &lt; 0.05; Wilcoxon signed rank test) compared to the 3DDR. De-attenuated correlation coefficients estimated a significant relationship (0.217–0.384) between the FFQ and 3DDR. Cross-classification analysis revealed that overall, 28–41% of children were classified in the same quartile, whereas less than 10% of children were extremely misclassified for all food categories obtained from 3DDR and FFQ1. κw values showed fair agreement for all food categories. The Bland–Altman analysis results showed a relatively small bias for all food categories (median between -11.7 and -54.8 g), with no systematic patterns between the FFQ and 3DDR. No differences were found between food categories estimated with the FFQs on both occasions, and Spearman’s correlation coefficients ranged from 0.664 to 0.712 (p &lt; 0.01). Cronbach’s alpha values (α &gt; 0.700) indicate good internal consistency, and ICCs (range 0.724–0.826; p &lt; 0.01) indicate good reproducibility of the FFQ.ConclusionThe results indicate reasonable relative validity and acceptable reproducibility of the FFQ for estimating FV consumption among school-aged children.
Robot-assisted esophagectomy may improve perioperative outcome in patients with esophageal cancer – a single-center experience
Authors: Betzler Johanna , Elfinger Lea , Büttner Sylvia , Weiß Christel , Rahbari Nuh , Betzler Alexander , Reißfelder Christoph , Otto Mirko , Blank Susanne , Schölch Sebastian 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAlthough the introduction of minimally invasive surgical techniques has improved surgical outcomes in recent decades, esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is still associated with severe complications and a high mortality rate. Robot-assisted surgery is already established in certain fields and robot-assisted esophagectomy may be a possible alternative to the standard minimally invasive esophagectomy. The goal of this study was to investigate whether robot assistance in esophagectomy can improve patient outcome while maintaining good oncological control.Material and methodsData of all patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy between January 2018 and November 2021 at University Hospital Mannheim was collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into two cohorts according to operative technique (standard minimally invasive (MIE) vs. robot-assisted esophagectomy (RAMIE), and their outcomes compared. In a separate analysis, patients were propensity score matched according to age, gender and histological diagnosis, leading to 20 matching pairs.Results95 patients were included in this study. Of those, 71 patients underwent robot-assisted esophagectomy and 24 patients underwent standard minimally invasive esophagectomy. Robot-assisted esophagectomy showed a lower incidence of general postoperative complications (52.1% vs. 79.2%, p=0.0198), surgical complications (42.3% vs. 75.0%, p=0.0055), a lower rate of anastomotic leakage (21.1% vs. 50.0%, p=0.0067), a lower Comprehensive Complication Index (median of 20.9 vs. 38.6, p=0.0065) as well as a shorter duration of hospital stay (median of 15 vs. 26 days, p=0.0012) and stay in the intensive care unit (median of 4 vs. 7 days, p=0.028) than standard minimally invasive surgery. After additionally matching RAMIE and MIE patients according to age, gender and diagnosis, we found significant improvement in the RAMIE group compared to the MIE group regarding the Comprehensive Complication Index (median of 20.9 vs. 38.6, p=0.0276), anastomotic leakage (20% vs. 55%, p=0.0484) and severe toxicity during neoadjuvant treatment (0 patients vs. 9 patients, p=0.005).ConclusionRobot-assisted surgery can significantly improve outcomes for patients with esophageal cancer. It may lead to a shorter hospital stay as well as lower rates of complications, including anastomotic leakage.
Predictive value of hematological parameters in testicular salvage: A 12-year retrospective review
Authors: Chen Pengyu , Huang Weipeng , Liu Lei , Chen Nana , Zhou Guanglun , Sun Mengkui , Li Shoulin 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative hematological parameters for testicular salvage in patients with testicular torsion.MethodsClinical data of patients with testicular torsion treated at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The data collected included age, symptom duration, degree of spermatic cord torsion, the surgical approach adopted, hematological parameters, and ultrasound results during postoperative follow-up.ResultsThe study participants were classified into three groups as follows: the successful testicular salvage group (n = 43), failed testicular salvage group (n = 124), and control group (n = 100). Univariate analysis showed that testicular salvage was related to patient age, duration of symptoms, spermatic cord torsion degree, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. However, multivariate analysis revealed that symptom duration (OR = 0.948, P &lt; 0.001), degree of spermatic cord torsion (OR = 0.994, P &lt; 0.001), and monocyte count (OR = 0.020, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for testicular torsion salvage. The monocyte count in the failed salvage group was significantly higher than in the successful salvage and control groups (P &lt; 0.01).ConclusionMonocyte count is an independent predictor of testicular salvage. Therefore, clinicians can predict the success rate of testicular salvage in patients with testicular torsion based on the monocyte count.
Impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on voriconazole plasma concentrations: A retrospective study
Authors: Ye Qinghua , Yu Xin , Chen Wenqian , Li Min , Gu Sichao , Huang Linna , Zhan Qingyuan , Wang Chen 
Published: August 2022

Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on voriconazole exposure.Methods: Adult critically ill patients with or without ECMO support receiving intravenous voriconazole therapy were included in this retrospective study conducted in a tertiary referral intensive care unit. The first therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) results of voriconazole in ECMO patients and non-ECMO patients were collected, and the prevalence of subtherapeutic concentrations was analyzed. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of ECMO on voriconazole exposure.Results: A total of 132 patients (including 66 patients with ECMO support) were enrolled and their respective first voriconazole trough concentrations (Cmin) were recorded. The median Cmin of the ECMO group and the non-ECMO group was 1.9 (1.4–4.4) and 4.4 (3.2–6.9) mg/L, respectively (p = 0.000), and the proportion of the two groups in subtherapeutic concentrations range (&lt;2 mg/L) was 51.5% and 7.6%, respectively (p = 0.000). Multiple linear regression analysis of voriconazole Cmin identified that the use of ECMO and coadministration of glucocorticoids were associated with significantly reduced concentrations, while increasing SOFA score and increasing daily dose were associated with significantly increased concentrations. The model accounted for 32.2% of the variability of voriconazole Cmin. Furthermore, binary logistic regression demonstrated that the use of ECMO was an independent risk factor (OR = 7.78, p = 0.012) for insufficient voriconazole exposure.Conclusion: Our findings showed that, in addition to the known drug interactions, ECMO is a significant covariable affecting voriconazole exposure. In addition, SOFA score was identified as a factor associated with increased voriconazole concentration.
A vanadium dioxide-based metamaterial with quatrefoil and circle loaded structure on flexible polyamide substrate for terahertz applications
Authors: Abdulkarim Yadgar I. , Awl Halgurd N. , Muhammadsharif Fahmi F. , Bakır Mehmet , Alkurt Fatih Özkan , Altıntaş Olcay , Saeed Salah Raza , Taouzari Mohamed , Karaaslan Muharrem , Appasani Bhargav , Dong Jian 
Published: August 2022

In this study, a novel broadband metamaterial (MTM) absorber is proposed, which is based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) resonators coated onto a flexible polyamide substrate. The VO2 resonator is in the form of a quatrefoil and circle-loaded complementary square split ring resonator (CSSRR), which is fine tuned to operate in the terahertz range. The MTM design and simulation were carried out using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software, by which different layouts were investigated to achieve the optimum structure. The results showed the presence of two pronounced peaks for the proposed MTM structure at 0.88 and 1.42 THz. The absorption peaks were found to be insensitive to the wave polarization and incident angle from 0° to 90°. The absorption mechanism of the MTM was investigated considering the insulating and metallic states of VO2. The results were in a good agreement with those calculated using high frequency simulated structure (HFSS) software. The flexible nature of the proposed MTM design makes it a viable candidate for non-planar and conformal geometry applications in stealth technology, and terahertz imaging.
Design of a vacuum system for space active hydrogen maser
Authors: Que Haohui , Xu Wujiabei , Li Qi , Xiang Jie , Lu Tao , Liu Tiexin , Cai Yong , Dai Jiayu , Hou Xueling 
Published: August 2022

With the high precision and stability of its frequency signal outputs, active hydrogen maser plays an important role in such fields as timing, satellite navigation, and communication. However, it needs to be lighter so as to be applied in space. We made a research, based on the calculation of the hydrogen flow and the adsorption efficiency of the adsorption unit, on the parameters of the vacuum system and the structural requirements, and designed a combined vacuum pump for the Space Active Hydrogen Maser (SAHM). This vacuum pump consists of a getter pump and a small ion pump, the total mass of which is about 5 kg. The pumping speed will be about 474 L/s by computation, when an amount, 2.5 MPa L, of hydrogen has been adsorbed by getters. Theoretically, the total source hydrogen inflow in lifetime is not higher than 20% of the total capacity getter pump, thus the design should amply meet the requirements of the SAHM vacuum system, and is of great significance for future SAHM applications.
PEDOT: PSS promotes neurogenic commitment of neural crest-derived stem cells
Authors: Pisciotta Alessandra , Lunghi Alice , Bertani Giulia , Di Tinco Rosanna , Bertoni Laura , Orlandi Giulia , Biscarini Fabio , Bianchi Michele , Carnevale Gianluca 
Published: August 2022

Poly (3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) polystyrene sulphonate (PEDOT:PSS) is the workhorse of organic bioelectronics and is steadily gaining interest also in tissue engineering due to the opportunity to endow traditional biomaterials for scaffolds with conductive properties. Biomaterials capable of promoting neural stem cell differentiation by application of suitable electrical stimulation protocols are highly desirable in neural tissue engineering. In this study, we evaluated the adhesion, proliferation, maintenance of neural crest stemness markers and neurogenic commitment of neural crest-derived human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) cultured on PEDOT:PSS nanostructured thin films deposited either by spin coating (SC-PEDOT) or by electropolymerization (ED-PEDOT). In addition, we evaluated the immunomodulatory properties of hDPSCs on PEDOT:PSS by investigating the expression and maintenance of the Fas ligand (FasL). We found that both SC-PEDOT and ED-PEDOT thin films supported hDPSCs adhesion and proliferation; however, the number of cells on the ED-PEDOT after 1 week of culture was significantly higher than that on SC-PEDOT. To be noted, both PEDOT:PSS films did not affect the stemness phenotype of hDPSCs, as indicated by the maintenance of the neural crest markers Nestin and SOX10. Interestingly, neurogenic induction was clearly promoted on ED-PEDOT, as indicated by the strong expression of MAP-2 and β—Tubulin-III as well as evident cytoskeletal reorganisation and appreciable morphology shift towards a neuronal-like shape. In addition, strong FasL expression was detected on both undifferentiated or undergoing neurogenic commitment hDPSCs, suggesting that ED-PEDOT supports the expression and maintenance of FasL under both expansion and differentiation conditions.