bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing post-traumatic stress among post-myocardial infarction patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chew Tan Rouge , Yeo Tin Mei , Teo Jun Yi Claire , Seah Chuen Wei Alvin , Soh Cheers Shun Qin , Meng Jingjing , Wang Wenru
Published: January 2025

Aims

Myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which frequently occurs with anxiety and depression, impairing daily functioning and increasing the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. While psychological interventions have shown promise in reducing anxiety and depression, their effectiveness for PTSD in post-MI patients remains unexplored. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions on PTSD, anxiety, and depression in post-MI patients.

Methods and results

A comprehensive search of databases (Cochrane, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, CBM, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted until June 2024, identifying randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies assessing psychological interventions in post-MI patients. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias and ROBINS-I tools. Post-traumatic stress disorder outcomes were pooled using meta-analysis in RevMan 5.4. Narrative synthesis was conducted where meta-analysis was not feasible. Nine studies involving 1065 participants were included. Psychological interventions significantly reduced PTSD symptoms {standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.70 to −0.16, P = 0.002]}, anxiety, and depression post-intervention. Subgroup analyses found that intervention components influenced effectiveness, with first-line treatments [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)] demonstrating a medium effect (SMD = −0.40; 95% CI: −0.74 to −0.07; P = 0.02). No significant subgroup differences were found based on the control condition or geographical location of studies.

Conclusion

Psychological interventions, particularly CBT and EMDR, were effective in alleviating PTSD, anxiety, and depression in post-MI patients. Future high-quality research is needed to identify active components and optimize these psychological interventions.

Registration

Prospero CRD42024528138.
Life’s Essential 8 and cardiovascular disease in women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Chen Haozhang , Li Ruyi , Liu Sen , Zhao Shiyu , Guo Tianyu , Tian Shufan , Zhong Jiale , Tang Zijun , Ge Zhenghao , Xia Jiawei , Geng Tingting , Pan Xiongfei , Pan An , Qian Frank , Liu Gang
Published: January 2025

Aims

To assess whether better cardiovascular health (CVH) is associated with a lower long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Methods and results

Using data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort, we included 2263 participants with prior APOs and 107 260 participants without prior APOs. Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score was assessed at baseline. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to estimate the associations between LE8 score and CVD events. Over a median 13.5 years of follow-up, 11 134 incident CVD events were documented. Among women with prior APOs, the incidence of total CVD was significantly lower in the top tertile compared with the bottom tertile, with a hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.43 (0.29, 0.65). A similar trend was observed in women without APOs, with an HR (95% CI) of 0.55 (0.53, 0.58). With respect to the individual CVD outcomes, among women with APOs, only the associations with coronary heart disease (CHD), HR (95% CI) for T3 vs. T1: 0.30 (0.17, 0.55), and atrial fibrillation (AF): 0.47 (0.24, 0.91) achieved statistical significance. Women with high LE8 score and prior APOs had a similar long-term cardiovascular risk compared with women with high LE8 score and no prior APOs [0.95 (0.63, 1.44)].

Conclusion

Among women with a history of APOs, better CVH as assessed using LE8 was associated with a significantly lower incidence of CVD, particularly CHD and AF. The excess risk associated with APOs appears to be attenuated among those with a high LE8 score.
Operadic Kazhdan–Lusztig–Stanley Theory
Authors: Coron Basile
Published: January 2025

We introduce a new type of operad-like structure called a ${\mathcal{P}}$-operad, which depends on the choice of some collection of posets ${\mathcal{P}}$, and which is governed by chains in posets of ${\mathcal{P}}$. We introduce several examples of such structures that are related to classical poset theoretic notions such as poset homology, Cohen–Macaulayness, and lexicographic shellability. We then show that ${\mathcal{P}}$-operads form a satisfactory framework to categorify Kazhdan–Lusztig polynomials of geometric lattices and their $P$-kernel. In particular, this leads to a new proof of the positivity of the coefficients of Kazhdan–Lusztig polynomials of geometric lattices.
Increased discoverability of rare disease datasets through knowledge graph integration
Authors: Braun Ian , Hartley Emily , Olson Daniel , Matentzoglu Nicolas , Schaper Kevin , Walls Ramona , Vasilevsky Nicole
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Demonstrate a methodology for improving discoverability of rare disease datasets by enriching source data with biological associations.

Materials and Methods

We developed an extension of the Biolink semantic model to incorporate patient data and generated a knowledge graph (KG) comprising patient data and associations between biological entities in an existing KG, leveraging existing mappings and mapping standards.

Results

The enriched model of patient data can support a search application that is aware of biological associations and provides a semantic search interface to discover and summarize patient datasets within the broader biological context.

Discussion and Conclusion

Our methodology enriches datasets with a wealth of additional biological knowledge, improving discoverability. Using condition concepts, we illustrate techniques that could be applied to other entities within source data such as measurements and observations. This work provides a foundational framework for how source data can be modeled to improve accuracy of upstream language models for natural language querying.
Leveraging deep learning to detect stance in Spanish tweets on COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Blanco Guillermo , Yáñez Martínez Rubén , Lourenço Anália
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The automatic detection of stance on social media is an important task for public health applications, especially in the context of health crises. Unfortunately, existing models are typically trained on English corpora. Considering the benefits of extending research to other widely spoken languages, the goal of this study is to develop stance detection models for social media posts in Spanish.

Materials and Methods

A corpus of 6170 tweets about COVID-19 vaccination, posted between March 1, 2020 and January 4, 2022, was manually annotated by native speakers. Traditional predictive models were compared with deep learning models to ascertain a baseline performance for the detection of stance in Spanish tweets. The evaluation focused on the ability of multilingual and language-specific embeddings to contextualize the topic of those short texts adequately.

Results

The BERT-Multi+BiLSTM combination yielded the best results (macroaveraged F1 and Matthews correlation coefficient scores of 0.86 and 0.79, respectively; interpolated area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] of 0.95 for tweets against vaccination and 0.85 in favor of vaccination and a score of 0.97 for tweets containing no stance information), closely followed by the BETO+BiLSTM and RoBERTa BNE-LSTM Spanish models and the term frequency-inverse document frequency+SVM model (average AUC decrease of 0.01). The main differentiating factor among these models was the ability to predict tweets against vaccination.

Discussion

The BERT Multi+BILSTM model outperformed the other models in terms of per class prediction capacity. The main assumption is that language-specific embeddings do not outperform multilingual embeddings or TF-IDF features because of the context of the topic. The inherent context of BERT or RoBERTa embeddings is general. So, these embeddings are not familiar with the slang commonly used on Twitter and, more specifically, during the pandemic.

Conclusion

The best performing model detects tweet stance with performance high enough to ensure its usefulness for public health applications, namely awareness campaigns, misinformation detection and other early intervention and prevention actions seeking to improve an individual’s well-being based on autoreported experiences and opinions. The dataset and code of the study are available on GitHub.
Association between urinary catecholamines and glucocorticoids and bone mineral density and osteoporosis in Puerto Rican adults
Authors: Fouhy Liam E , Mangano Kelsey M , Zhang Xiyuan , Hughes Bess Dawson , Cornell David J , Tucker Katherine L , Noel Sabrina E
Published: January 2025

Background

Chronic stress leads to elevated stress hormones, which may be linked to bone breakdown. Puerto Rican adults living on the US mainland have higher prevalence of stress than the general population, and higher and/or similar prevalence of osteoporosis compared with non-Hispanic Whites. The role of stress on bone remains unclear and may be modified by diet. A Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) pattern, as a measure of dietary quality, was most protective for bone outcomes among Puerto Ricans.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 958 Boston Puerto Rican Health Study participants were included (aged: 59.9 ± 7.6 y). Stress markers (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol) were collected via 12-hr urine samples and elevated concentrations were categorized using sex-specific cut-offs. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Analysis of covariance models with least squares means were used to test differences in mean BMD between participants with elevated and non-elevated stress markers. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between stress markers and osteoporosis in post-menopausal females and males. Models were adjusted for age, height, smoking, alcohol use, education, glucocorticoid use, and diabetes.

Results

Higher urinary epinephrine was associated with lower BMD at the lumbar spine (P=.012), femoral neck (P=.005), trochanter (P<.001), and total hip (P<.001) in Puerto Rican adults, and with higher odds of osteoporosis among males (OR = 4.01 [95%CI: 1.11, 14.5], P=.03). An interaction between DASH and norepinephrine was noted for post-menopausal females at the lumbar spine. No associations were noted for norepinephrine or cortisol (P>.11), although higher urinary norepinephrine was associated with lower lumbar spine BMD in post-menopausal females not taking estrogen, with lower adherence to DASH (P=.03).

Conclusion

Higher urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine were associated with poorer bone outcomes in Puerto Rican adults, in a sex-specific manner, warranting future longitudinal studies to clarify associations. Dietary quality may moderate these associations.
Pea aphid wing plasticity variation has a multigenic basis
Authors: Driscoll Rose M H , Liu Xiaomi , McDonough Julia , Schmidt James , Brisson Jennifer A
Published: January 2025

Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a single genotype to produce a range of phenotypes in response to environmental cues, can exhibit genetic variation like any trait. Discovering the genetic basis of plasticity and plasticity variation is critical to understand how populations will respond to the ongoing environmental challenges brought about by, for example, climate change. Here, we investigate the genetic basis of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) wing plasticity variation. In this species, genetically identical, highly fecund wingless and dispersive winged individuals are produced by pea aphid mothers in uncrowded versus crowded environments, respectively. We focus specifically on the genetic basis of the propensity to produce winged individuals in response to crowding. We crossed a low to a high plasticity line and examined plasticity variation in backcross progeny (F1 x low parent), finding that differences between lines had a strong genetic component and that multiple loci likely to contribute to this variation. Transcriptional profiling revealed a candidate gene, yellow-h, which was found within a genomic locus contributing to plasticity variation. Overall, we provide novel information about the genetic basis of an ecologically-relevant trait and contribute to the growing literature recognizing the importance of understanding the genetic basis of plasticity variation.
Early expansion of TIGIT+PD1+ effector memory CD4 T cells via agonistic effect of alefacept in new-onset type 1 diabetes
Authors: Higdon Lauren E , Cooney Laura A , Serti Elisavet , Suwannasaen Duangchan , Muir Virginia S , Wiedeman Alice E , Harris Kristina M , Pardo Jorge , Anderson Mark S , Speake Cate , Nepom Gerald T , Linsley Peter S , Sanda Srinath , Long S Alice
Published: January 2025

The CD2-depleting drug alefacept (LFA3-Ig) preserved beta cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. The most promising biomarkers of response were late expansion of exhausted CD8 T cells and rare baseline inflammatory islet-reactive CD4 T cells, neither of which can be used to measure responses to drug in the weeks after treatment. Thus, we investigated whether early changes in T cell immunophenotypes could serve as biomarkers of drug activity. We characterized T cell responses by flow cytometry and identified an exhausted-like population of CD2low CD4 effector memory T cells coexpressing TIGIT and PD1 that expanded by 11 wk after the start of treatment. This population was not entirely spared from alefacept-mediated depletion in vivo or in vitro but recovered through homeostatic proliferation of CD2low cells in vivo. Proliferation of TIGIT+PD1+ effector memory CD4 T cells increased with treatment, with a concomitant reduction of proinflammatory cytokine production. The persistent increase of TIGIT+PD1+ effector memory CD4 T cells was specific to alefacept treatment; 2 other T cell depleting therapies, teplizumab and anti-thymocyte globulin, induced only a transient increase in this CD4 population. Our data suggest that the expanding TIGIT+PD1+ effector memory CD4 T cell population represents a promising biomarker of early treatment effects of alefacept. The nondepleting effects on proliferation and cytokine production also suggest agonistic activity by this CD2 targeted therapy.
Severe periocular ecchymosis following acupuncture therapy for dry eye: a report of two cases
Authors: Tsai Jarryl H J , Au Eong Jonathan T W , Au Eong Kah-Guan
Published: January 2025

Acupuncture is a complementary therapy used in many parts of the world to treat a variety of disorders. Two women aged 61 and 86 years old presented with painless bruising around their right eye for 3 and 10 days, respectively, following acupuncture therapy for dry eye. The younger woman was on oral acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg daily and it was her second episode of ocular bruising from a total of 20 therapy sessions. Clinical examination disclosed severe periocular ecchymosis in their right eye. There was no proptosis or globe perforation. The ecchymosis gradually resolved over a few weeks without any visual sequelae in both cases. Periocular acupuncture can cause severe periocular ecchymoses. Patients should be informed of this and other potentially sight-threatening complications associated with this form of treatment, and both acupuncture practitioners and ophthalmologists should be alert to recognize such complications early so that they can be appropriately managed.
Cecal volvulus after open right hepatectomy
Authors: Jensen Lasse R , Dohrn Niclas , Penninga Luit
Published: January 2025

Cecal volvulus, a rare cause of postoperative bowel obstruction, involves the twisting of the cecum and its mesentery, leading to the risk of ischemia. We present a case of cecal volvulus following open right hepatectomy in a patient in her 70s with no prior abdominal surgeries. On postoperative day six, after developing abdominal distension and pain, a CT scan revealed bowel obstruction and a cecal volvulus was suspected. Emergency laparotomy confirmed cecal volvulus with a highly mobile cecum, necessitating right hemicolectomy with end-ileostomy due to sepsis. The patient’s recovery was prolonged due to complications, including postoperative paralysis and fascial dehiscence. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of cecal volvulus following right hepatectomy, likely due to altered anatomy and postoperative paralysis. This case underscores the importance of considering cecal volvulus in postoperative obstruction cases, especially following surgeries affecting right-sided visceral structures.
Isolation and anti-Xanthomonas citri activity of unguinol produced by Aspergillus unguis CBMAI 2140
Authors: dos Santos Eduarda Araujo , Marin Vítor Rodrigues , de Angelis Derlene Atilli , Ferreira Henrique , Sass Daiane Cristina
Published: January 2025

This research investigated active biomolecules from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus unguis (CBMAI 2140), isolated from Passiflora incarnata leaves, as potential antibacterial agents against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the causative agent of citrus canker. The fungal extract was obtained via liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the Resazurin Microtiter Assay Plate, determining inhibitory concentrations (IC90) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The extract displayed microbicidal activity at 1050 µg ml−¹ and inhibited bacterial growth at 350 µg ml−¹. Fractionation of the extract via normal-phase column chromatography yielded six fractions, with fraction F11 showing the highest antibacterial potential (MBC: 200 µg ml−¹). Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis identified Unguinol as the main compound in F11. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated rapid permeabilization of the X. citri cell membrane upon exposure to the compound, with significant effects observed after 15–30 min. Although no notable anti-biofilm activity was detected, this study represents the first report of Unguinol’s antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas species. These findings highlight its potential for agricultural applications, contributing to sustainable development goal 2.
IRS2 as a driver of brain metastasis in colorectal cancer: a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies
Authors: Greenberg Inbal , Khair Fayhaa , Merenbakh-Lamin Keren , Sokol Ethan , Goldberg Anat Klein , Simkin Dor , Spitzer Avishay , Benhamou Moshe , Bar-Shira Shai , Raz Michal , Grossman Rachel , Yeini Eilam , Ofek Paula , Meirson Tomer , Satchi-Fainaro Ronit , Reuveni Hadas , Rubinek Tami , Wolf Ido
Published: January 2025

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the fourth most common cause of brain metastasis (BM), with its incidence on the rise. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of these lesions from CRC remain unclear.

Methods

We analyzed the FoundationOne genomic database, which includes over 35,000 CRC samples from both local and metastatic sites. The role of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) in CRC brain tropism was investigated using various in vitro (co-culture systems and 3D sphere formation assays), in vivo (intracranial and subcutaneous mouse models), and ex vivo (CRC Patient-Derived Explants (PDE)) models. The molecular and metabolic effects of IRS2 were examined through RNA sequencing and Seahorse analysis. The therapeutic potential of a combined treatment with NT219, an IRS2 inhibitor, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was assessed using our CRC BM mouse model.

Results

Our research reveals a distinctive genomic profile of CRC BM and highlights the role of IRS2 in promoting CRC BM. IRS2 mediates its effect by modulating the β-catenin and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways. We developed a mouse model of BM from CRC and demonstrated that treatment with the IRS2 inhibitor NT219, in combination with 5-FU, significantly suppresses BM development and prolongs survival.

Conclusions

Our work underscores the unique role of IRS2 in facilitating CRC brain adaptation and suggests a novel therapeutic strategy for CRC patients with BM.
Brief Report: Association Between Inpatient Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and Reduced One-Year All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Invasive Bacterial Infections
Authors: Blair Nicholas J , Kopp Adam , Kubin Christine , Cotton Jesse , Yin Michael T , Scherer Matthew
Published: January 2025

Invasive bacterial infections are frequent causes of hospitalization among people who use opioids. We evaluated the association between inpatient administration of medication for opioid use disorder with one-year all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with invasive bacterial infections.
Dams and the Deep Earth: The 1967 Koyna Earthquake and Human Agency in the Anthropocene
Authors: Chatterjee Elizabeth , Pandey-Geeta Mantraraj Sachaet
Published: January 2025

On 11 December 1967, a large earthquake devastated the village of Koynanagar in Maharashtra, western India. Many blamed the new Koyna hydroelectric dam nearby. Prompting international inquests, Koyna became perhaps the world’s most famous case of reservoir-induced seismicity, a novel type of earthquake triggered by human activities. We use the dam’s history to explore the emergent consciousness of human geophysical agency that characterizes the Anthropocene, the putative new epoch when humans have become a planetary-scale ‘force of Nature’. The dam was explicitly designed as a geotechnical assemblage, a blending of technology, mountain topography, monsoon waters and rock. Striking a supposedly stable region, the 1967 earthquake revealed the more-than-human unpredictability of this composite. Scientists began to trace a radically new form of human agency at work, which owed its effects to complex chains of causality that extended deep underground and backward into deep history. Yet there was remarkably little policy fallout. Dam construction only accelerated in seismically active areas. The debates over reservoir-induced seismicity showed that human geotechnical agency could be read in diametrically opposed ways: as a source of anxiety or hubris, or simply irrelevant to practical policy making, thereby presaging today’s debates over human planetary stewardship in the Anthropocene.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospitalized children at a tertiary care center in North-East India
Authors: Smilie Chabungbam , Nandeibam Sareet Kumari , Singh Chongtham Shyamsunder , Devi Khuraijam Ranjana , Devi Yendrembam Bidyalakshmi , Devi Yumlembam Bishwabati , Akham Ngamba , Nandeibam Sareet Laxmi
Published: January 2025

To estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hospitalized children aged between 1 and 12 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among hospitalized children at a tertiary care hospital in the North-East region of India for a period of 13 months (October 2022–November 2023). The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical profile of the participants were analyzed. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospitalized children aged between 1 and 12 years was estimated to be 98.4%. This was comparable for children between the age groups 1–5 years (97.9%) and 6–12 years (99.1%) (P-value = .478). The most commonly reported symptoms among the seropositive children were fever (76.8%), nasal stuffiness (69.5%), cough (67.8%), diarrhea (23.6%), and nausea/vomiting (23.2%). None of the study participants had a prior history of laboratory confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in the past and none were vaccinated against COVID-19. Results of the univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the seropositive and seronegative children in the distribution of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical profile, and laboratory findings. Our study observed a remarkably high anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate of 98.4%, suggesting a significant under-recognized burden of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. The findings highlight the need for continued preventive measures and the development of age-appropriate vaccination strategies, particularly in tropical settings.
Exploration of the Interactions Between Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri-Agrobacterium-Citrus to Improve Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Expression in Plants
Authors: Lamichhane Tirtha , Su Hang , Huang Xiaoen , Wang Nian
Published: January 2025

Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression (AMTE) is an important tool in plant genetics study and biotechnology. AMTE remains problematic in citrus and many plant species. Previous study has shown that pretreatment of citrus leaves with Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), which causes citrus canker, significantly improves the AMTE efficacy. Here we have shown that Xcc promotes AMTE mainly through triggering cell division and upregulating plant cell wall degrading enzymes. We demonstrate that Xcc improves AMTE via PthA, a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) known to trigger cell division in citrus, and mutation of pthA4 abolished the promoting effect of Xcc. Mutation of the effector (PthA4) binding element (EBE) in the promoter region and coding region of CsLOB1, which is known to be directly activated by PthA4, significantly reduced Xcc promotion of AMTE. Mutation of PthA4 significantly reduced expression of cell division related genes (CDKA, CDKB1-2 and CDKB2-2) compared to wild type Xcc and the complemented strain. Cell division inhibitor mimosine but not colchicine also significantly decreased Xcc promoting of AMTE. In addition, PthA4 is known to upregulate plant growth hormones auxin (IAA), gibberellin and cytokinin, as well as cell wall degrading enzymes (e.g., cellulase). Exogenous application of IAA, cytokinin, and cellulase but not gibberellin significantly improved AMTE in leaves of sweet orange, pummelo, Meiwa kumquat, lucky bamboo and rose mallow. Our study provides a mechanistic understanding regarding how Xcc promotes AMTE and develops practical measures to improve AMTE via pretreatment with plant hormones (i.e., auxin and cytokinin) and cellulase.
A Naturalistic Study of Individuals Involved in the Justice System Who Experienced Both Formulations of Extended-release Buprenorphine
Authors: Blue Thomas R. , Gordon Michael S. , Vocci Frank J. , Fishman Marc J. , Gwin Mitchell Shannon , Wenzel Kevin
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to compare participants' experiences on two different formulations of extended-release buprenorphine.

Methods

Participants were part of a larger parent study comparing Brixadi™ (extended-release buprenorphine), hereafter called Brixadi, to extended-release naltrexone. At the time, Brixadi, was not fully FDA approved, and because of medication supply issues, 12 individuals were switched to Sublocade™ (a different formulation of extended-release buprenorphine), hereafter called Sublocade, for one dose and then back to Brixadi. Ten of those individuals completed semistructured interviews regarding their experiences with each medication.

Results

In general, most participants preferred Brixadi, and most found Sublocade to cause more injection site pain/discomfort. Participants' experiences with respect to cravings, medication wearing off too soon, withdrawal symptoms, and perceived helpfulness with recovery are also discussed.

Conclusions

Patients may prefer Brixadi to Sublocade because of injection site pain/discomfort. This could be mitigated with topical or subcutaneous anesthetics. Findings are mixed with respect to the effect of the medications on cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the medication wearing off too soon. To address feelings of the medication wearing off too soon, patients could be given additional weekly doses of Brixadi (for patients on monthly doses of Brixadi) or supplemental sublingual buprenorphine (for patients on either Brixadi or Sublocade).
Quantifying the Relationship Between Clinician-Administered Measures of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Oculomotor Function and Patient-Reported Outcome After Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Crampton Adrienne , Langevin Pierre , Schneider Kathryn J. , Grilli Lisa , Chevignard Mathilde , Katz-Leurer Michal , Beauchamp Miriam H. , Debert Chantel , Gagnon Isabelle J.
Published: January 2025

Background:

In pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), high rates of abnormalities are observed in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and oculomotor (OM) function, but there is a lack of understanding of how these impairments may affect daily functioning.

Objectives:

To determine the extent to which clinician-administered measures of VOR and OM function are associated with patient-reported levels of activity limitations and participation restriction in children and adolescents within 31 days post-mTBI.

Design:

Cross-sectional design.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Participants:

Participants with mTBI aged 7 to 17.99 years.

Procedures:

Participants were assessed on a battery of VOR and OM tests within 31 days of injury.

Outcome Measures:

The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Cardiff Visual Ability Questionnaire (CVAQ) measured patient-reported dizziness and visual disability. The vestibular/ocular motor screening tool (VOMS), Head Thrust Test, computerized Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) Test, and video Head Impulse Test were administered to assess VOR and OM function.

Analysis:

Linear regression examined the associations between clinician-administered measures of VOR and OM function and patient-reported functional outcomes.

Results:

The sample consisted of 100 youth (54.4% female; mean age 13.92 [2.63]; mean time since injury: 18.26 [6.16] days). Associations were found between (1) DHI score and age (1.773 [0.473-3.073], P = .01), VOR symptom provocation (18.499 [11.312-25.686], P ≤ .001), and DVA (−29.433 [−59.206 to −2.60], P = .03); and (2) CVAQ score and version symptom provocation (0.796 [0.185-1.406], P = .01). High abnormal proportions (up to 56.7%) were found in VOMS performance.

Discussion:

The symptom provocation induced by VOR and OM tasks was associated with patient-reported dizziness and visual disability outcomes, highlighting the detrimental impact of symptoms on daily functioning.

Implications:

The findings of this study will assist clinicians when interpreting patient-reported measures of activity limitation and participation restriction.
Posterior Lamellar Augmentation With Auricular Cartilage Grafting for Severe Cicatricial Entropion Correction in Cicatricial Ocular Surface Disease
Authors: Rehman Obaidur , Gokharu Shirali , Sangwan Virender , Das Sima
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Description of clinical profile, surgical technique, and outcomes in patients having severe entropion secondary to cicatricial ocular surface disorders, who underwent entropion repair and posterior lamellar augmentation using auricular cartilage graft.

Methods:

A retrospective review of electronic medical records was performed over a 4-year period (August 2019–August 2023) to identify cases with entropion and cicatrizing ocular surface disorders that had undergone entropion repair with auricular cartilage grafting.

Results:

Seventeen eyelids of 15 patients were included. The average age of the study population was 33.17 ± 16.8 years, with an almost equal male to female ratio (8 male, 7 females). Lower eyelid was more commonly involved (n = 11, 64.7%) than the upper eyelid (n = 6). Steven–Johnson syndrome (n = 11, 64.7%) was the most frequent etiology. Two patients (13.3%) underwent bilateral surgical repair, whereas in 5 eyelids (29.4%), the procedure was combined with lid margin mucous membrane grafting at the same sitting. Cartilage graft was harvested through posterior auricular approach in all cases. Postoperatively, entropion correction was achieved in 16 eyelids (94.1%), and postoperative improvement in ocular surface scoring was noted in 11 eyelids (64.7%). Improvement in visual acuity postoperatively was noted in 52.9% eyes. Over an average follow-up of 16.64 months, 1 eyelid (5.8%) required additional everting sutures and 1 eyelid (5.8%) needed trimming of the graft.

Conclusions:

Cartilage graft-aided entropion surgery is a viable and satisfactory management option in severe cicatricial entropion in ocular surface disorders and can be combined with lid margin mucous membrane grafting for simultaneous correction of lid margin keratinization. Auricular cartilage is a versatile graft with easy harvesting and minimal donor-site morbidity.
Efficacy and safety of rifaximin for the prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy: A meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ji , Cheng Cong , Li Yong , Liu Yongqi , Liu Youshun
Published: January 2025

Background and aim:

The efficacy of rifaximin in the prevention of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has not been established. The aim of this study was to access the efficacy and safety of rifaximin in the prophylaxis of HE.

Methods:

We conducted a meta-analysis search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, and EMBASE as of March 2022. We pooled data by random-effects DerSimonian–Laird models to calculate hazard ratios (relative risks, RRs) for mortality, incidence of HE, and adverse events.

Results:

Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included in the study. Rifaximin helped prevent HE (RR = −0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.68 to −0.26) in patients with cirrhosis, but did not reduce mortality (RR = 0.03, 95% CI: −0.32 to 0.39) or increase the occurrence of adverse events (RR = −0.08, 95% CI: 0.22–0.07). Subgroup analysis showed that rifaximin was effective in both the primary (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06–1.29) and secondary (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06–1.29) prevention of HE. Moreover, subgroup analysis found that rifaximin helped prevent HE in alcohol-related (RR = −0.59, 95% CI: −0.87 to −0.32) or virus-associated (RR = −0.41, 95% CI: −0.71 to −0.11), and underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (RR = −0.51, 95% CI: −0.76 to −0.27) or non–transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (RR = −0.35, 95% CI: −0.66 to −0.05) cirrhotic patients. Subgroup analyzed by the intervention, rifaximin versus placebo (RR = −0.43, 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.14) and rifaximin+lactulose versus lactulose (RR = −0.57, 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.26) were statistically significant prevention of HE, rather than rifaximin versus lactulose (RR = −0.44, 95% CI: −1.0 to 0.11).

Conclusions:

Rifaximin is beneficial for primary and secondary prevention of HE, but it does not reduce mortality or increase the incidence of adverse events in patients with end-stage cirrhosis caused by virus or alcohol.
Effect of weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xue Jiaming , Chen Shuai , Wang Yu , Jiao Yuwen , Wang Dongmei , Zhao Jie , Zhou Yan , Tang Liming
Published: January 2025

Cancer incidence and development are strongly correlated with obesity, however there is insufficient data to support a causal relationship between intentional weight loss and the prevention or promotion of cancer. We investigated the causal relationship between weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the incidence of 18 cancers using Mendelian randomization (MR). A genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data related to weight loss following RYGB from the GWAS catalog database were used as exposure, and GWAS data related to 18 cancers from the Medical Research Council integrative epidemiology unit open GWAS project were used as outcomes. In order to investigate the causal relationship between exposure and results, we used a two-sample MR approach. The primary analysis technique was inverse variance weighting, with weighted median, and MR-Egger regression utilized as supplemental techniques to confirm the findings. Heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were investigated using a variety of sensitivity studies, including the Cochran Q test, MR-Egger regression pleiotropy test, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, and leave-one-out analysis. We included a total of 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables through rigorous quality control screening. Under the limitations of Bonferroni correction threshold (P < 2.78 × 10−3), our results suggest that the weight loss following RYGB has a significant causal relationship with a reduced risk of breast (odds ratio [OR]: 0.784; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.762–0.808; P = 2.167e-58) and lung cancer (OR: 0.992; 95% CI: 0.987–0.997; P = .0023), and a potential causal relationship with a decreased risk of hematological cancer (OR: 0.9998462; 95% CI: 0.9997088–0.9999836; P = .028) and an increased risk of cervical cancer (OR: 1.000123; 95% CI: 1.0000313–1.000215; P = .009). Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of our analysis results. Genetically predicted weight loss following RYGB has significant causal effects in reducing the risk of breast and lung cancer. It also has potential benefits in lowering the risk of hemotological cancers and increasing the risk of cervical cancer. Considering the limitations of our study, the reliability of its results and the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.
Identification of DNA damage repair-related genes in sepsis using bioinformatics and machine learning: An observational study
Authors: Gu Jin , Wang Dong-Fang , Lou Jian-Ying
Published: January 2025

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate, for which the pathogenetic mechanism still unclear. DNA damage repair (DDR) is essential for maintaining genome integrity. This study aimed to explore the role of DDR-related genes in the development of sepsis and further investigated their molecular subtypes to enrich potential diagnostic biomarkers. Two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (GSE65682 and GSE95233) were implemented to investigate the underlying role of DDR-related genes in sepsis. Three machine learning algorithms were utilized to identify the optimal feature genes. The diagnostic value of the selected genes was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curves. A nomogram was built to assess the diagnostic ability of the selected genes via “rms” package. Consensus clustering was subsequently performed to identify the molecular subtypes for sepsis. Furthermore, CIBERSORT was used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration of samples. Three different expressed DDR-related genes (GADD45A, HMGB2, and RPS27L) were identified as sepsis biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that all 3 genes showed good diagnostic value. The nomogram including these 3 genes also exhibited good diagnostic efficiency. A notable difference in the immune microenvironment landscape was discovered between sepsis patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, all 3 genes were significantly associated with various immune cells. Our findings identify potential new diagnostic markers for sepsis that shed light on novel pathogenetic mechanism of sepsis and, therefore, may offer opportunities for potential intervention and treatment strategies.
Causal effects of circulating immune cells on coronary atherosclerosis: Evidence from Mendelian randomization
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Yu Yunfeng , Hu Gang , Bai Siyang , Wu Jingyi , Guo Chenlu
Published: January 2025

The role of circulating immune cells in coronary atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the causal effects of various immune cells on coronary atherosclerosis using Mendelian randomization (MR). Circulating immune cell datasets were obtained from genome-wide association studies, and coronary atherosclerosis datasets were obtained from FinnGen. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms satisfying the assumptions of association, independence, and exclusivity were screened in the datasets and analyzed using MR, with inverse-variance weighted as the main method. Horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses were performed using the MR-Egger, Cochran Q, and leave-one-out analyses, respectively. The MR analysis showed that effector memory double negative (DN) (cluster of differentiation [CD]4−CD8−) %DN (odds ratio [OR]: 1.042, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.008–1.077, P = .014), CD4 on CD39+ CD4+ (OR: 1.027, 95% CI: 1.001–1.054, P = .040), C–X3–C motif chemokine receptor 1 on CD14+ CD16− monocytes (OR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.010–1.060, P = .006), C–C chemokine receptor 7 on naive CD4+ (OR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.006–1.076, P = .023), and immunoglobulin D− CD38− %lymphocytes (OR: 1.098, 95% CI: 1.016–1.187, P = .019) were associated with an increased genetic susceptibility to coronary atherosclerosis, with no horizontal pleiotropy (P ≥ .05). Cochran Q showed no heterogeneity (P ≥ .05), and the sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust. The MR analysis revealed various markers and immune cell subsets, including effector memory DN (CD4−CD8−) %DN, CD4 on CD39+ CD4+, C–X3–C motif chemokine receptor on CD14+ CD16− monocytes, C–C chemokine receptor 7 on naive CD4+, and IgD− CD38− %lymphocytes, associated with increased genetic susceptibility to coronary atherosclerosis. This provides a genetic explanation for the role of specific immune cells in inducing and exacerbating coronary artery disease and offers new ideas for the exploration of immune markers and immune-targeted drugs.
The causal effect of matrix metalloproteinase-3 on ankylosing spondylitis: Evidence from Mendelian randomization
Authors: Liu Wenkai , Guo Licheng , Zhang Yongfa , He Wubing
Published: January 2025

Previous investigations through observation have found that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) has benefits for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) but it is uncertain whether there is a true positive causal connection. Our goal was to demonstrate the relationship between AS and MMP-3. We executed Mendelian randomization (MR) research utilizing genome-wide association studies genetic data (n = 21,758) for MMP-3 publicly available from IEU Open and genome-wide association studies data for AS (n = 297,932) from FinnGen Biobank. The specific MR protocols were weighted median, weighted mode, MR-Egger, and inverse-variance weighted (IVW). Subsequently, the Cochran Q evaluate, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, and MR-Egger intercept were used to evaluate the heterogeneity and multiplicative effects of instrumental variables. The IVW method demonstrated that MMP-3 had a causal effect on AS (odds ratio, 0.9047 [95% confidence interval, 0.8080–1.0129]; P = .0823). Certainly, other MR techniques were in accordance with the tendency of the IVW method (P < .05), and sensitivity testing verified the reliability of this MR result. This MR study substantiates the causal role of MMP-3 in the development of AS, offering valuable insights into the disease mechanism and potential therapeutic targets.
Meta-analysis on the primary approach: Aspiration versus stent retrieval for internal carotid artery occlusion
Authors: Li Jia , Sun Lixue , Zhenling Jia , Song Chaoyan , Shan Yuchao
Published: January 2025

Background:

Previous studies have not provided consistent findings regarding the efficacy of aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy in patients with acute internal carotid artery occlusion. This study aimed to evaluate the preferable endovascular technique (aspiration or stent retriever) and the impact of stent retriever utilization on both clinical and angiographic outcomes.

Methods:

We collected potential scholarly articles from a variety of databases including the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. The search spanned from the establishment of electronic databases up to March 2024. Additionally, gray literature was sourced from the references cited in the included literature reports. Statistical analysis of the combined data was performed using STATA version 11.0 (Stata Corporation, TX).

Results:

Our analysis comprises a total of 4 studies, involving 759 participants in total. Among these individuals diagnosed with internal carotid artery occlusion, 435 were assigned to the aspiration group, while 324 were designated to the stent retriever group. The findings indicated a significant increase in the rate of successful reperfusion in the stent retriever group compared to the aspiration group. Furthermore, it was observed that the incidence of overall complications, intracerebral hemorrhage, embolization formation, puncture to reperfusion time, and onset to reperfusion time in the stent retriever group did not significantly exceed that in the aspiration group.

Conclusion:

In our review on intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion, stent retrievers outperformed direct aspiration in achieving successful reperfusion. However, further studies evaluating the effects of different approaches to internal carotid artery clot removal are required to confirm these results.
Adverse events of Capmatinib: A real-world drug safety surveillance study based on the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhao Panli , Huang Hua
Published: January 2025

The present study aims to evaluate the adverse events associated with Capmatinib using real-world data, providing a reference basis for its rational use in clinical practice. Relevant data from the Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system database was mined. Next, reporting odds ratio and Bayesian confidence propagation neural network method were used to analyze real-world adverse events associated with Capmatinib. The study revealed significant adverse event signals of Capmatinib, primarily involving general disorders and administration site conditions, cardiac disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders, neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps) and investigations, among others. A total of 79 signals were identified, with 13 of them not mentioned in the drug’s specifications. Taken together, our comprehensive analysis of the Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system database enhances the understanding of Capmatinib’s safety profile, thereby contributing to informed decision-making in its clinical application and facilitating the timely management of associated adverse reactions.