bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating plasma miR222‐3P status and its potential diagnostic performance in prostate cancer
Authors: Heydari Zohreh , Moudi Emadoddin , Sadeghi Farzin , Hajiahmadi Mahmoud , Rezatabar Setareh , Neamati Nahid , Parsian Hadi 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundAlthough studies suggest that miR222‐3p is dysregulated in prostate cancer (PC) cells and tissues, the possible changes in the level of miR222‐3p in the plasma samples of PC patients remained unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the plasma miR222‐3p expression level as a potential biomarker in PC, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy people.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 100 adult males (54 patients with PC, 27 patients with BPH and 19 healthy individuals) referred to our affiliated hospital. The expression level of miR222‐3p was evaluated using a quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate miR222‐3p diagnostic accuracy for discriminating between the PC, BPH and healthy individuals.ResultsThe expression level of miR222‐3p was significantly higher in PC patients compared to healthy individuals as a fold change of 5.3 (p = 0.009), but not for BPH individuals. The diagnostic value of the plasma miR222‐3p for discrimination of the PC patients from healthy individuals was reasonable [cut‐off value (fold change relative to miR16‐5p) = 1.69, area under the curve = 0.73, sensitivity = 0.75 and specificity = 0.74].ConclusionsCirculating plasma miR‐222‐3p significantly upregulated in PC patients, but not in BPH ones. Besides these preliminary results showed that miR222‐3p has the potential to discriminate PC patients from healthy ones. Addittional studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these data.
A Robin‐Neumann scheme with quasi‐Newton acceleration for partitioned fluid‐structure interaction
Authors: Spenke Thomas , Make Michel , Hosters Norbert 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe Dirichlet–Neumann scheme is the most common partitioned algorithm for fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) and offers high flexibility concerning the solvers employed for the two subproblems. Nevertheless, it is not without shortcomings: to begin with, the inherent added‐mass effect often destabilizes the numerical solution severely. Moreover, the Dirichlet–Neumann scheme cannot be applied to FSI problems in which an incompressible fluid is fully enclosed by Dirichlet boundaries, as it is incapable of satisfying the volume constraint. In the last decade, interface quasi‐Newton methods have proven to control the added‐mass effect and substantially speed up convergence by adding a Newton‐like update step to the Dirichlet–Neumann coupling. They are, however, without effect on the incompressibility dilemma. As an alternative, the Robin‐Neumann scheme generalizes the fluid's boundary condition to a Robin condition by including the Cauchy stresses. While this modification in fact successfully tackles both drawbacks of the Dirichlet–Neumann approach, the price to be paid is a strong dependency on the Robin weighting parameter, with very limited a priori knowledge about good choices. This work proposes a strategy to merge these two ideas and benefit from their combined strengths. The resulting quasi‐Newton‐accelerated Robin‐Neumann scheme is compared to both Robin‐ and Dirichlet–Neumann variants. The numerical tests demonstrate that it does not only provide faster convergence, but also massively reduces the influence of the Robin parameter, mitigating the main drawback of the Robin‐Neumann algorithm.
Statistical considerations for design and analysis of stability, comparability and formulation tests
Authors: Coleman Daniel , Pourmohamad Tony 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis article considers designed experiments for stability, comparability, and formulation testing that are analyzed with regression models in which the degradation rate is a fixed effect. In this setting, we investigate how the number of lots, the number of time points and their locations affect the precision of the entities of interest, leverages of the time points, detection of non‐linearity and interim analyses. This investigation shows that modifying time point locations suggested by ICH for stability studies can significantly improve these objectives. In addition, we show that estimates of precision can be biased when a regression model that assumes independent measurements is used in the presence of within‐assay session correlation. This bias can lead to longer shelf life estimates in stability studies and loss of power in comparability studies. Mixed‐effect models that take into account within‐assay session correlation are shown to reduce this bias. The findings in this article are obtained from well known statistical theory but provide valuable practical advice to scientists and statisticians designing and interpreting these types of experiments.
Praxiseinsatz Elektronischer Patientenakten: Erkenntnisse aus 2 Versorgungsprojekten in Zentren für Seltene Erkrankungen
Authors: Rashid Asarnusch , Choukair Daniela , Bauer Christoph , Ullrich Melanie , Maisch Tim 
Published: October 2022

ZusammenfassungElektronische Patientenakten (EPA) bieten zahlreiche Chancen für die digitale Vernetzung der Leistungserbringer untereinander und für die digitale Kommunikation mit den Patienten. Für Menschen mit Seltenen Erkrankungen (SE) können sich dadurch verschiedene Vorteile ergeben, wie eine frühere Diagnose und eine gezieltere Behandlung z. B. auf Grundlage eines multiprofessionellen Fallmanagements. Für die Patientenversorgung und Forschung bei Seltenen Erkrankungen kann eine EPA die Daten der Patienten strukturiert erfassen und darauf aufbauend die Arbeitsabläufe von der Anmeldung über die Aufnahme bis zu Behandlung und Monitoring digital abbilden. Für das Gesundheitswesen erhofft man sich durch EPA eine Kostenersparnis, da Diagnose- und Behandlungsprozesse zielgerichteter angeboten und unnötige Untersuchungen und Termine reduziert werden können.In 2 Pilotprojekten konnten erste Erfahrungen mit EPA für Menschen mit Seltenen Erkrankungen gesammelt werden. Die Projekte „BASE-Netz“ und „TRANSLATE-NAMSE“ haben in Zusammenarbeit mit mehreren Leistungserbringern die Anforderungen an eine EPA erfasst, die technische und rechtliche Machbarkeit aufgezeigt und die Praktikabilität für Leistungserbringer und Patienten untersucht. Während die Patienten überwiegend positive Resonanz zeigten, erwies sich die Anbindung der niedergelassenen Arztpraxen als Herausforderung. Vereinfachend könnte hierbei zukünftig der Ausbau der Telematikinfrastruktur wirken. Unerlässlich sind stetige Aufklärungen und Transparenz, um insbesondere über datenschutzrechtliche Fragen zu informieren. Auch sollten Schulungen und Unterstützung angeboten werden, um die digitalen Kompetenzen der Patienten zu fördern.
Spontaneous head twitches in aged rats: behavioral and molecular study
Authors: Zakrzewska-Sito Alicja , Bieńkowski Przemysław , Kołaczkowski Marcin , Nalepa Irena , Zelek-Molik Agnieszka , Bielawski Adam , Chorążka Katarzyna , Kuczyńska Julita , Mierzejewski Paweł 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Rationale
We have discovered that rats at the age of 18 months begin to twitch their heads spontaneously (spontaneous head twitching, SHT). To date, no one has described this phenomenon.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to characterize SHT pharmacologically and to assess some possible mechanisms underlying SHT.

Methods
Wistar male rats were used in the study. Animals at the age of 18 months were qualified as HSHT (SHT ≥ 7/10 min observations) or LSHT (SHT < 7/10 min observations). Quantitative real-time PCR with TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) approach was adopted to assess the mRNA expression of selected genes in rat’s hippocampus.

Results
HSHT rats did not differ from LSHT rats in terms of survival time, general health and behavior, water intake, and spontaneous locomotor activity. 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg increased the SHT in HSHT and LSHT rats, while ketanserin dose-dependently abolished the SHT in the HSHT rats. The SHT was reduced or abolished by olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, and pimavanserin. All these drugs have strong 5-HT2A receptor–inhibiting properties. Haloperidol and amisulpride, as antipsychotic drugs with a mostly dopaminergic mechanism of action, did not influence SHT. Similarly, escitalopram did not affect SHT. An in-depth gene expression analysis did not reveal significant differences between the HSHT and the LSHT rats.

Conclusions
SHT appears in some aging rats (about 50%) and is permanent over time and specific to individuals. The 5-HT2A receptor strongly controls SHT. HSHT animals can be a useful animal model for studying 5-HT2A receptor ligands.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Impact of gervital against histopathological, ultrastructural, and biochemical alterations caused by methotrexate or azathioprine in albino rat testis
Authors: Abdul-Hamid Manal , Abdel-Reheim Eman S. , Hegazy Walaa , Allam Ahmed A. , Othman Sarah I. , ALqhtani Haifa , Abdel-Kawi Samraa H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMethotrexate (MTX) and azathioprine (AZA) are chemotherapeutic, immunosuppressive, cytotoxic drugs with reported adverse effects, including oxidative damage to testis. This study aims to evaluate the potential effect of grape seed extract (GSE; gervital) to prevent testicular damage caused by MTX and AZA. Male albino rats were separated into six groups: group I, normal control group; group II, GSE (150 mg/kg/day); group III, MTX (8 mg/kg/week); group IV, AZA (15 mg/kg/day); group V, GSE (150 mg/kg/day) + MTX (8 mg/kg/week); group VI, GSE (150 mg/kg/day) + AZA (15 mg/kg/day). All rats were sacrificed, blood samples were obtained for testosterone analysis, and testis was removed for histological and ultrastructural studies and oxidation measurements. A reduction in relative body and testis weight, along with a significant decrease in testosterone levels, was observed. Histopathological and ultrastructural alterations induced by MTX or AZA included reduced spermatozoa, sloughing, marked reduction of spermatogenic cells, and pyknosis of some nuclei. Significant oxidative stress manifested as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. GSE administration showed an ameliorative effect on testosterone levels and histopathological and ultrastructural changes. GSE treatment also suppressed the increases in MDA levels and the decreases in GSH levels and CAT and SOD activities. In conclusion, these findings confirm that GSE is an effective antioxidant that protects testis from histopathological and ultrastructural damage induced by MTX and AZA. Therefore, GSE is a promising candidate for future use to minimize and alleviate MTX and AZA risks.
Graphical abstract
Natural coastal dunes on Wadden Sea islands as a refuge for an endangered wader species
Authors: Kämpfer S. , Fartmann T. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEurope holds globally important populations of breeding waders. However, most of the species are in steep decline, including the Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata). Here, we studied the breeding-territory and nest-site preferences of a Curlew subpopulation that has, in contrast to the overall trend, been increasing, on the East Frisian Islands (Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony, N Germany). The islands are mostly free from ground predators and intensive agriculture and thus offer the opportunity to examine habitat preferences in largely undisturbed habitats. Our study revealed that Curlews preferred breeding in habitat mosaics dominated by high marshes and dune grasslands, far from areas with human disturbance. For nest-building, heterogeneous microhabitats with intermediate vegetation cover and height and some bare ground were preferred. This reflects a trade-off between (i) sufficient shelter for nests and fledglings, (ii) early recognition of predators and (iii) readily available and accessible invertebrate prey. Such heterogeneous habitats, without mammalian predators, are largely missing in the intensively used agricultural landscapes of the European mainland. Consequently, Curlew populations on the mainland are mostly declining. In contrast, those on the East-Frisian Islands are stable and, therefore, of prime importance for the protection of the species. Thus, the study highlights the importance of isolated islands providing natural habitats like coastal dunes, which are free from ground predators and extensive human disturbance for the long-term survival of Curlew populations. Based on the results of this study we make suggestions to improve future conservation measures for degraded habitats to boost curlew populations.
Social disinhibition in acquired brain injury and neurological disease: a concept analysis
Authors: Skromanis Sarah , Padgett Christine , Matthewson Mandy , Honan Cynthia A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackground:Social disinhibition is becoming increasingly recognised in the neuropsychological literature as a complex and debilitating sequalae associated with acquired frontal lobe damage. Despite this, the term has been inconsistently defined and described in both clinical and research contexts. The purpose of this paper was to explore and examine the concept of social disinhibition in the context of brain injury and other organic neurological conditions.Method:A literature search for articles published in the English language from journal inception to June 2021 was conducted using MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science. A ‘concept analysis’ was conducted on the identified literature using Walker & Avant’s (2019) framework.Results:The analysis suggested that while several terms are often used interchangeably with social disinhibition, including impulsivity and behavioural dysregulation, these terms may be differentiated and defined separately within the broader domain of ‘behaviours of concern’. Attributes, antecedents and consequences of social disinhibition were also identified and discussed.Conclusions:Clarifying the concept of social disinhibition has important implications in both clinical and research contexts, including increased understanding of the behaviours, more accurate estimates of incidence and prevalence, and the development and implementation of targeted rehabilitation programmes.
Validation of the Calgary Postoperative Pain after Spine Surgery Score for Poor Postoperative Pain Control after Spine Surgery
Authors: Yang Michael M.H. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Cunningham Jonathan , Casha Steven 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT:Objective:The Calgary Postoperative Pain after Spine Surgery (CAPPS) score was developed to identify patients at risk of experiencing poorly controlled pain after spine surgery. The goal of this study was to independently validate the CAPPS score on a prospectively collected patient sample.Methods:Poor postoperative pain control was defined as a mean numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain >4 at rest in the first 24 hours after surgery. Baseline characteristics in this study (validation cohort) were compared to those of the development cohort used to create the CAPPS score. Predictive performance of the CAPPS score was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) and percentage misclassification for discrimination. A graphical comparison between predicted probability vs. observed incidence of poorly controlled pain was performed for calibration.Results:Fifty-two percent of 201 patients experienced poorly controlled pain. The validation cohort exhibited lower depression scores and a higher proportion using daily opioid medications compared to the development cohort. The AUC was 0.74 [95%CI = 0.68–0.81] in the validation cohort compared to 0.73 [95%CI = 0.69–0.76] in the development cohort for the eight-tier CAPPS score. When stratified between the low- vs. extreme-risk and low- vs. high-risk groups, the percentage misclassification was 21.2% and 30.7% in the validation cohort, compared to 29.9% and 38.0% in the development cohort, respectively. The predicted probability closely mirrored the observed incidence of poor pain control across all scores.Conclusions:The CAPPS score, based on seven easily obtained and reliable prognostic variables, was validated using a prospectively collected, independent sample of patients.
Contesting border artificial intelligence: Applying the guidance-ethics approach as a responsible design lens
Authors: La Fors Karolina , Meissner Fran 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBorder artificial intelligence (AI)—biometrics-based AI systems used in border control contexts—proliferates as common tools in border securitization projects. Such systems classify some migrants as posing risks like identity fraud, other forms of criminality, or terrorism. From a human rights perspective, using such risk framings for algorithmically facilitated evaluations of migrants’ biometrics systematically calls into question whether these kinds of systems can be built to be trustworthy for migrants. This article provides a thought experiment; we use a bottom-up responsible design lens—the guidance-ethics approach—to evaluate if responsible, trustworthy Border AI might constitute an oxymoron. The proposed European AI Act only limits the use of Border AI systems by classifying such systems as high risk. In parallel with these AI regulatory developments, large-scale civic movements have emerged throughout Europe to ban the use of facial recognition technologies in public spaces to defend EU citizens’ privacy. The fact that such systems remain acceptable for states’ usage to evaluate migrants, we argue, insufficiently protects migrants’ lives. In part, we argue that this is due to regulations and ethical frameworks being top-down and technology driven by focusing more on the safety of AI systems than on the safety of migrants. We conclude that bordering technologies developed from a responsible design angle would entail the development of entirely different technologies. These would refrain from harmful sorting based on biometric identifications but would start from the premise that migration is not a societal problem.
Air dispersal of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Implications for hospital infection control during the fifth wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Shuk-Ching , Chan Veronica Wing-Man , Yuen Lithia Lai-Ha , AuYeung Christine Ho-Yan , Leung Jessica Oi-Yan , Li Chi-Kuen , Kwok Monica Oi-Tung , So Simon Yung-Chun , Chen Jonathan Hon-Kwan , Tam Anthony Raymond , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Lo Janice Yee-Chi , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe obtained 24 air samples in 8 general wards temporarily converted into negative-pressure wards admitting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant BA.2.2 in Hong Kong. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 19 (79.2%) of 24 samples despite enhanced indoor air dilution. It is difficult to prevent airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals.
Integrated review of stealth technology and its role in airpower
Authors: Rao G. A. , Mahulikar S. P. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis paper discusses the evolution of airpower and the ever-increasing component of stealth technology in dictating warfare, based on the need felt in the literature to integrate and place them in the right perspective. Hence, the role of stealth aircraft and the dominance of all aspects of stealth technology, especially in recent conflicts, are reviewed. The integration of the fundamental aspects of stealth technology, through its classification, types of aircraft signatures: especially radar, infrared, and visual signatures, their sources of origin, modelling techniques, and methods of signature reduction are discussed. Due to the increasing importance of infrared signatures relative to radar signatures, infrared signatures are also closely examined and analysed. Hence, the lock-on and surveillance ranges of infrared detectors are compared. Future projections in stealth technology, especially based on the role of anti-stealth technologies, are also elaborated.
Maximising the impact of CFD in the design office: ARA's role
Authors: Peace A. J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractComputational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools are an integral part of the processes within design and performance assessment offices in the aerospace industry. As timescales from initial concept to design-freeze become shorter, there is an increasing need for the CFD process to be timely and cost effective and for confidence in the predictive capability of the CFD tool to be high. Only in this way will the impact of CFD be maximised. The CFD software development and support team plays a key role in achieving this goal. This paper describes how the team at ARA has met the challenge of delivering to industry what it requires in terms of both the CFD tools and the people who supply them. The qualities needed to do this extend beyond the ability to achieve technical advancement, although prime emphasis is still placed on this aspect. In particular, the importance of developing a close relationship between CFD team and end user — an integrated team approach — is stressed. This leads to a precise and unambiguous understanding of customer needs and the delivery of the required product and its maintenance. The demonstration of recent technical achievements and the discussion of supporting team attributes exemplify these points.
Linearised identification of the longitududinal flight dynamics of the solar powered airship Lotte
Authors: Eckersley C. F. , Cook M. V. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis paper relates to a recent project in which the aim was to devise a procedure that could be used to identify the linearised transfer functions of the longitudinal motion of the solar powered airship Lotte from flight test data.Using a non-linear mathematical model of the Airship, a linearised state space model was derived numerically and this was used to derive the response transfer functions, which formed the theoretical results. A test procedure was then developed to identify the transfer functions experimentally from frequency response data obtained in simulated flight tests. Initially, the linearised model was used and the test procedure was refined until a suitable level of coherence between the experimental and theoretical results was observed. The test procedure was then applied to simulated flight test data from the non-linear model, and finally sensor noise was added in order to represent actual flight test conditions as closely as possible. Unfortunately, the results were inaccurate and in some cases, they were unacceptable. When the test procedure was applied to the non-linear model, significant errors were seen in all the results. The addition of sensor noise led to heavily distorted results and a further degradation of the resulting transfer function estimates.It was concluded that meaningful results could not be achieved unless frequency response data with a higher resolution could be obtained and the effects of sensor noise could be reduced. Presently, no test procedure has been developed that would be of any use in a practical situation. However, a number of ways of possibly improving the test procedure or otherwise improving the quality of the results were conceived near the end of the project. It is therefore the purpose of this paper to account for the shortcomings that were encountered in the project and to introduce briefly the unexplored remedies, in the hope that these may be of some benefit to future identification studies.