bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical clocks and their time zones: understanding the [s/Mg]–age relation with birth radii
Authors: Ratcliffe Bridget , Minchev Ivan , Cescutti Gabriele , Spitoni Emanuele , Jönsson Henrik , Anders Friedrich , Queiroz Anna , Steinmetz Matthias
Published: January 2024

The relative enrichment of s-process to α-elements ([s/α]) has been linked with age, providing a potentially useful avenue in exploring the Milky Way’s chemical evolution. However, the age–[s/α] relationship is non-universal, with dependencies on metallicity and current location in the Galaxy. In this work, we examine these chemical clock tracers across birth radii (${R}_\text{birth}$), recovering the inherent trends between the variables. We derive ${R}_\text{birth}$ and explore the [s/α]–age–${R}_\text{birth}$ relationship for 36 652 APOGEE DR17 red giant and 24 467 GALAH DR3 main-sequence turn-off and subgiant branch disc stars using [Ce/Mg], [Ba/Mg], and [Y/Mg]. We discover that the age–$\rm [{\it s}/Mg]$ relation is strongly dependent on birth location in the Milky Way, with stars born in the inner disc having the weakest correlation. This is congruent with the Galaxy’s initially weak, negative $\rm [{\it s}/Mg]$ radial gradient, which becomes positive and steep with time. We show that the non-universal relations of chemical clocks is caused by their fundamental trends with ${R}_\text{birth}$ over time, and suggest that the tight age–$\rm [{\it s}/Mg]$ relation obtained with solar-like stars is due to similar ${R}_\text{birth}$ for a given age. Our results are put into context with a Galactic chemical evolution model, where we demonstrate the need for data-driven nucleosynthetic yields.
Community awareness of childhood arthritis in the UK
Authors: Beesley Richard P , Beesley Rebecca M
Published: January 2024

Objective

The aim was to measure the level of community awareness in the UK that children and young people can develop arthritis.

Methods

An online survey of a representative quota sample of 2044 adults aged 16–75 years in the UK was conducted between 10 and 13 February 2023 by Ipsos UK, a leading social and market research organization, with participants giving informed consent before taking part. Participants were asked which age band they thought is the earliest that someone can get arthritis. They were also asked whether a series of statements about arthritis were true or false, in addition to a series of demographic questions. Data were weighted to the known population proportions for adults aged 16–75 years in the UK.

Results

Overall, 40% of respondents indicated they believed the earliest that someone could get arthritis was <16 years of age. This was higher amongst respondents with arthritis themselves or if they knew someone with arthritis. Only 19% of respondents were aware that children <5 years of age can get arthritis. This varied by gender and ethnicity (males and minority ethnic groups were less likely to be aware). Minority ethnic groups were also more likely to believe a series of incorrect assumptions to be true.

Conclusion

Awareness that children and young people can get arthritis is low, and it is lower amongst minority ethnic groups. Further research to understand this is important, to enable targeted interventions and awareness-raising resources to be developed and applied as appropriate.
Validation of the Italian version of the ANCA-associated vasculitis patient-reported outcome (AAV-PRO) questionnaire
Authors: Treppo Elena , Isola Miriam , De Martino Maria , Padoan Roberto , Giollo Alessandro , Urban Maria Letizia , Monti Sara , Sartorelli Silvia , Fassio Angelo , Argolini Lorenza Maria , Marvisi Chiara , Gattamelata Angelica , Regola Francesca , Ferro Francesco , Cassone Giulia , Motta Francesca , Berti Alvise , Conticini Edoardo , Guiducci Serena , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Lo Gullo Alberto , Manfredi Andreina , Frediani Bruno , Bortolotti Roberto , Selmi Carlo , Baldini Chiara , Franceschini Franco , Conti Fabrizio , Caporali Roberto , Rossini Maurizio , Dagna Lorenzo , Montecucco Carlomaurizio , Emmi Giacomo , Schiavon Franco , Salvarani Carlo , Quartuccio Luca
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was the translation and validation of the ANCA-associated vasculitis patient-reported outcome (AAV-PRO) questionnaire into Italian, denoted as AAV-PRO_ita. The secondary objective was to evaluate the impact of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) on quality of life (QoL) and work impairment in a large cohort of Italian patients.

Methods

The study design took a prospective cohort study approach. First, the AAV-PRO was translated into Italian following the step guidelines for translations. The new AAV-PRO_ita questionnaire covered three disease domains: organ-specific and systemic symptoms and signs; physical function; and social and emotional impact. Second, Italian-speaking AAV patients were recruited from 17 Italian centres belonging to the Italian Vasculitis Study Group. Participants completed the AAV-PRO_ita questionnaire at three time points. Participants were also requested to complete the work productivity and activity impairment: general health questionnaire.

Results

A total of 276 AAV patients (56.5% women) completed the questionnaires. The AAV-PRO_ita questionnaire demonstrated a good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Female AAV patients scored higher (i.e. worse) in all thee domains, especially in the social and emotional impact domain (P < 0.001). Patients on glucocorticoid therapy (n = 199) had higher scores in all domains, especially in the physical function domain (P < 0.001), compared with patients not on glucocorticoid therapy (n = 77). Furthermore, patients who had at least one relapse of disease (n = 114) had higher scores compared with those who had never had one (n = 161) in any domain (P < 0.05). Finally, nearly 30% of the patients reported work impairment.

Conclusion

The AAV-PRO_ita questionnaire is a new 29-item, disease-specific patient-reported outcome measuring tool that can be used in AAV research in the Italian language. Sex, glucocorticoids and relapsing disease showed the greatest impact on QoL.
Effects of housing systems and laying phases on external and internal egg quality characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl hens
Authors: Idowu Olubukola P A , Kareem Damilola U , Oke Oyegunle E , Adeyeye Emmanuel A , Sogunle Olajide M , Idowu Olusegun M O
Published: January 2024

The study investigated the effect of housing system and laying phases on the internal and external qualities of guinea fowl eggs laid in three different housing systems. The trial involved the use of 117, 34-wk-old guinea fowl hens which were assigned to three housing types, which were battery cages, deep litter, and deep litter housing systems with free runs, which had the same dimensions as deep litter houses but with free run and open-air space to allow the birds to have free access to soil and exhibit natural behavior. The laying phases of the birds were partitioned into three (36 to 40, 41 to 45, and 46 to 50 wk of age). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a 2 × 3 factorial design. The findings demonstrated that both housing type and laying period significantly influenced egg quality parameters, with deep litter housing exhibiting higher egg weight, egg breadth, and shell surface area. Battery cage housing had thicker shells and a higher percentage of shell weight than total egg weight. As the birds aged, most parameters increased, while shell thickness decreased. The interaction between housing type and laying period played a crucial role, with egg weight, breadth, and egg shape index increasing as the birds aged. The shell thickness decreased as the laying period progressed across all housing systems. During the 40 to 45 wk period of lay, they exhibited the highest albumen height, haugh unit, and % yolk weight. The study’s findings highlight how the interaction between the housing system and the laying period impacted the internal quality of guinea fowl eggs.
The impact of smoking on hospital course and postoperative outcomes in patients with fracture-related infections
Authors: Gross Evan G. , Mohammed Zuhair , Carter Karen J. , Benson Elizabeth M. , McGwin Gerald , Mihas Alexander , Atkins Austin C. , Spitler Clay A. , Johnson Joey P.
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the relationship between patient smoking status and fracture-related infection (FRI) characteristics including patient symptoms at FRI presentation, bacterial species of FRI, and rates of fracture union.

METHODS:

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Urban level 1 trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria:

All patients undergoing reoperation for FRI from January 2013 to April 2021 were identified via manual review of an institutional database.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons: Data including patient demographics, fracture characteristics, infection presentation, and hospital course were collected via review of the electronic medical record. Patients were grouped based on current smoker versus non-smoker status. Hospital course and postoperative outcomes of these groups were then compared. Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, Staphylococcus epidermidis infection, and sinus tract development were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS:

A total of 301 patients, comprised of 155 (51%) smokers and 146 (49%) non-smokers, undergoing FRI reoperation were included. Compared to non-smokers, smokers were more likely male (69% vs. 56%, p = 0.024), were younger at the time of FRI reoperation (41.7 years vs. 49.5 years, p < 0.001), and had lower mean BMI (27.2 vs. 32.0, p < 0.001). Smokers also had lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (13% vs. 25%, p = 0.008) and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index 10-year estimated survival (93% vs. 81%, p < 0.001). Smokers had a lower proportion of S. epidermidis infections (11% vs. 20%, p = 0.037), higher risk of nonunion following index fracture surgery (74% vs. 61%, p = 0.018), and higher risk of sinus tracts at FRI presentation (38% vs. 23%, p = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, smoking was not found to be associated with increased odds of MRSA infection.

CONCLUSION:

Among patients who develop a fracture related infection, smokers appeared to have better baseline health in terms of age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and Charlson Comorbidity Index 10-year estimated survival compared to non-smokers. Smoking status was not significantly associated with odds of MRSA infection. However, smoking status was associated with increased risk of sinus tract development and nonunion as well as lower rates of S. epidermidis infection at the time of FRI reoperation.
Autoinoculation Therapy for the Treatment of Widespread Cutaneous Warts
Authors: Mousa Haider Abdul-Lateef
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous warts are common lesions that are often unresponsive to various therapeutic modalities.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of autoinoculation therapy in the treatment of widespread cutaneous warts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This interventional study included patients with widespread skin warts who did not respond to conventional treatments. Two methods were used to perform the autoinoculation therapy. The first procedure was performed by obtaining a small piece of the wart and inoculating it into a subcutaneous pocket. The second method was developed by the investigator and was performed by inserting a needle into the center of the wart toward the nearby subcutaneous tissue, with multiple forward and backward movements in several directions around the lesion.

RESULTS

The prospective study included 23 patients. The illness duration ranged from 3 months to 5 years. Autoinoculation interventions revealed full recovery of all warts in 20 cases (87%) within 20 to 90 days (mean: 40.7 days).

CONCLUSION

Autoinoculation procedures demonstrated effectiveness, less cost, lesser pain, less invasiveness, without leaving skin scars in comparison with other conventional therapies.
Bacterial Organisms Colonizing Mohs Surgical Wounds Healing by Second Intention on the Lower Extremities: A Prospective, Controlled Study
Authors: Renzi Michael A. , Jennings Tara , Lawrence Naomi , Decker Ashley
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Based on recent research, second intention wounds may be at greater risk for postoperative infection compared with sutured wounds. Accurate diagnosis of postoperative wound infections on the lower leg can be challenging and result in unnecessary antibiotic administration.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify bacterial organisms that commonly colonize second intention surgical wounds after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and isolate pathogenic organisms.

METHODS

Patients with second intention surgical wounds on the lower leg were evaluated 2 weeks after MMS. Wounds were swabbed for bacteria and categorized as infected or not infected based on clinical appearance. Any colonizing bacteria were recorded once the culture results were reported.

RESULTS

Twenty-five clinically infected wounds and 26 control wounds were cultured. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria, colonizing 8 infected wounds (15.7%) and 5 control wounds (9.8%). Eight cultures (32%) from clinically infected wounds grew normal skin flora alone.

CONCLUSION

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria colonizing wounds healing by second intention on the lower extremity. Thirty-two percent of clinically infected wounds grew normal skin flora, demonstrating the challenge of accurately diagnosing infection in lower extremity second intention wounds.
Sensing behavior change in chronic pain: A scoping review of sensor technology for use in daily life
Authors: Vitali Diego , Olugbade Temitayo , Eccleston Christoper , Keogh Edmund , Bianchi-Berthouze Nadia , de C Williams Amanda C.
Published: January 2024

Technology offers possibilities for quantification of behaviors and physiological changes of relevance to chronic pain, using wearable sensors and devices suitable for data collection in daily life contexts. We conducted a scoping review of wearable and passive sensor technologies that sample data of psychological interest in chronic pain, including in social situations. Sixty articles met our criteria from the 2783 citations retrieved from searching. Three-quarters of recruited people were with chronic pain, mostly musculoskeletal, and the remainder with acute or episodic pain; those with chronic pain had a mean age of 43 (few studies sampled adolescents or children) and 60% were women. Thirty-seven studies were performed in laboratory or clinical settings and the remainder in daily life settings. Most used only 1 type of technology, with 76 sensor types overall. The commonest was accelerometry (mainly used in daily life contexts), followed by motion capture (mainly in laboratory settings), with a smaller number collecting autonomic activity, vocal signals, or brain activity. Subjective self-report provided “ground truth” for pain, mood, and other variables, but often at a different timescale from the automatically collected data, and many studies reported weak relationships between technological data and relevant psychological constructs, for instance, between fear of movement and muscle activity. There was relatively little discussion of practical issues: frequency of sampling, missing data for human or technological reasons, and the users' experience, particularly when users did not receive data in any form. We conclude the review with some suggestions for content and process of future studies in this field.
A Qualitative Study of the Social Relationship Experiences Across the Life Course Among Black/African American Women Aging With HIV in the South
Authors: Moore Elizabeth D. , Caiola Courtney , Cary Michael , Humphreys Janice
Published: January 2024

Black/African American women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, facing multiple intersecting challenges that influence how they age and effectively manage their health. Supportive social relationships have been shown to help mitigate challenges and improve health in women with HIV, but little is known about Black/African American women's perceptions of social relationships. Guided by Life Course Theory, in-depth life history interviews were conducted with 18 Black/African American women aged 50+ years. In older adulthood, most important relationships among Black/African American women were with their adult children and grandchildren, intimate partners, God, and friends from the community. Factors that influenced relationships over time included: (a) a desire to build a community; (b) a need to empower oneself and give back; (c) yearning to engage the younger generation; and (d) battling HIV stigma. Older Black/African American women with HIV played a critical role in the education of the younger generation.
An Interview with Peter Deadman—Acupuncture Pioneer and Founder of The Journal of Chinese Medicine
Authors: Solos Ioannis , Buck Charles , Deadman Peter
Published: January 2024

This interview was conducted on August 21st, 2022 by Charles Buck and Ioannis Solos. Peter Deadman has worked in the field of health promotion for 50 years. He co-founded Infinity Foods (an organic and natural foods workers co-op) in 1971, followed by the Brighton Natural Health Centre—a charity dedicated to teaching ways to improve personal, community and planetary health and wellbeing. He qualified as an acupuncturist in 1978 and in Chinese herbal medicine in 1990. He founded The Journal of Chinese Medicine (UK) in 1979 (Fig. 1), and co-authored A Manual of Acupuncture (published in 1998). He is the author of Live Well Live Long: Teachings from the Chinese Nourishment of Life Tradition. He has taught Chinese medicine and health promotion internationally for decades and is a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Qi Gong (气功).
Preoperative asymptomatic gallstone surgery might reduce the occurrence of cholangitis and cholecystitis after joint replacement surgeries – case series
Authors: Sobajima Atsushi , Nakamura Yukio , Nakano Masaki , Maeda Takashi , Momose Takashige , Ohyama Shigekazu , Yamamoto Kaori , Nawata Masashi
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have nowadays had good outcomes, there remain some concerns, such as complications, during and/or after surgeries. There have been some reports on the postoperative complications of joint arthroplasty. However, to the best of our knowledge, none exist on cholangitis after THA or TKA.

Patient concerns:

This patients’ agreement was obtained.

Diagnosis and interventions:

Here is the first kind of case series to show nine cases of cholangitis which required urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after THA or TKA in the absence of preoperative abdominal ultrasound between June 2019 and May 2021.

Outcomes:

One case among 9 cases required open laparotomy for acute cholecystitis.

Conclusion:

Even 1 case of 9 cases, this study showed the importance of preoperative screening for gallbladder stones in order to evaluate the risk of cholangitis development after joint arthroplasty.
Adverse Impact of Sodium Bicarbonate Administration on Multiple Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis Patients With Hyperlactatemia
Authors: Yan Tianao , Zhang Chun , Ma Yifei , Xu KeDong , Wu Shuai , Xu Fengshuo , Han Yimin , Wei Wanzhen , Lyu Jun , Wang Zheng
Published: January 2024

Objective

Hyperlactatemia is likely to occur among patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Sodium bicarbonate (SB) therapy could be applied to correct potential detrimental acidic disturbances, but the exact impact of SB treatment is unknown. This study aims to investigate the impact of SB on AP patients complicated with hyperlactatemia.

Methods

The study was conducted based on the database named Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV). Propensity matching (PSM) and inverse probability weighting (IPTW) were used to balance the baseline differences. Multivariate regression and marginal structural Cox models were performed to investigate the association between SB and multiple outcomes.

Results

Three hundred fifty-three AP patients with hyperlactatemia (initial serum lactate, >2.0 mmol/L) were extracted from the MIMIC-IV database. We found that SB treatment was significantly associated with worse multi-outcomes of AP patients with hyperlactatemia (in-hospital mortality: hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.38–4.39; P < 0.01). Further analysis through marginal structural Cox models showed that SB had adverse impact on in-hospital prognosis of patients with severe lactic acidosis (pH < 7.15,lactate > 2.0 mmol/L).

Conclusion

Sodium bicarbonate might not be an appropriate treatment for AP patients with hyperlactatemia (lactate > 2.0 mmol/L) or with severe lactic acidosis (pH < 7.15, lactate > 2.0 mmol/L).
The Effects of an App-Based Physical Activity Program on Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Authors: Hwang Yun Jeong , Kim Ik Yong , Hur Hea Kung , Lee Ji Yong , Park SoMi
Published: January 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Oxaliplatin, which is used as adjuvant chemotherapy, affects quality of life by causing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients.

Objectives

This study examined the effects of an application (app)–based physical activity program for alleviating peripheral neuropathy symptoms in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled study that included 34 patients undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Outcomes were compared between patients who participated in a 6-week app-based physical activity program (experimental group; n = 17) and who received standard booklet education (control group; n = 17). Data were collected using questionnaires, and exercise time was recorded to evaluate intervention adherence.

Results

Significant differences were observed between the groups in peripheral neuropathy symptoms (F = 8.93, P = .002), interference with activities (Z = −2.55, P = .011), and quality of life (F = 7.65, P = .003). The experimental group showed significantly higher average exercise times at 1 to 4 weeks (Z = −2.10, P = .026), 5 to 6 weeks (Z = −4.02, P < .001), and 1 to 6 weeks (Z = −3.40, P = .001) than the control group.

Conclusions

The app-based physical activity program had a positive effect on participants’ exercise adherence and reduced peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Thus, we propose the adoption of a mobile health app that can be used at any time or place as an intervention for preventing or alleviating adverse effects during the treatment of cancer patients.

Implications for Practice

An app-based physical activity program using the mobile health app can be used as a nursing intervention to manage symptoms and increase the health behavior adherence in cancer patients.
Building an Evidence-Based Foundation for Virtual Nursing
Authors: Boston-Fleischhauer Carol
Published: January 2024

Virtual nursing is viewed as a key strategy to support safe, effective staffing in acute care amid continued RN workforce challenges. Consensus has not been reached on the optimal model that can drive highly impactful results for virtual nursing. Research is needed on the most effective strategies to optimize the role of the virtual nurse. In addition, nurse leaders need evidence to confirm which virtual models are the most strongly positioned to impact staff and patient satisfaction, quality, labor costs, and length of stay.
Alteration in Resting-State Brain Activity in Stroke Survivors After Repetitive Finger Stimulation
Authors: He Dorothy , Sikora William A. , James Shirley A. , Williamson Jordan N. , Lepak Louis V. , Cheema Carolyn F. , Sidorov Evgeny , Li Sheng , Yang Yuan
Published: January 2024

Objective

This quasi-experimental study examined the effect of repetitive finger stimulation on brain activation in eight stroke and seven control subjects, measured by quantitative electroencephalogram.

Methods

We applied 5 mins of 2-Hz repetitive bilateral index finger transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and compared differences pre– and post–transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation using quantitative electroencephalogram metrics delta/alpha ratio and delta-theta/alpha-beta ratio.

Results

Between-group differences before and after stimulation were significantly different in the delta/alpha ratio (z = −2.88, P = 0.0040) and the delta-theta/alpha-beta ratio variables (z = −3.90 with P < 0.0001). Significant decrease in the delta/alpha ratio and delta-theta/alpha-beta ratio variables after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was detected only in the stroke group (delta/alpha ratio diff = 3.87, P = 0.0211) (delta-theta/alpha-beta ratio diff = 1.19, P = 0.0074).

Conclusions

The decrease in quantitative electroencephalogram metrics in the stroke group may indicate improved brain activity after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This finding may pave the way for a future novel therapy based on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and quantitative electroencephalogram measures to improve brain recovery after stroke.
Nonpharmacological Therapies for the Management of the Cognitive Dysfunctions in Poststroke Patients
Authors: Liu Yali , Liang Yue , Gao Wei , Dai Tianjiao , Wang Lezheng , Ji Xiaoqi , Chen Meng , Zhou Supo , Zou Ying , Sun Xiaofei , Wu Bao
Published: January 2024

Objective

The aim of the study is to investigate the comparative effects of nonpharmacological therapies for managing global, attention, memory, and execution cognitive functions in stroke patients.

Design

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PEDro, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of nonpharmacological therapies for treating stroke cognitive dysfunctions. We performed a network meta-analysis to estimate the mean treatment effect of 95% credible interval.

Results

Seventy-three randomized controlled trials were included in the network meta-analysis for evidence syntheses. All therapies had significant effects than control on global cognition in stroke patients. Combined therapy was superior to other therapies for global cognition of all patients (vs. cognitive task therapy: 0.71, 95% credible interval = 0.14 to 1.29; vs. exercise: 0.88, 95% credible interval = 0.31 to 1.45, vs. physical modality therapy: 0.77, 95% credible interval = 0.16 to 1.40). Different therapies have effects on specific cognitive domains in stroke patients.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that nonpharmacological therapies are effective in improving global cognitive function in stroke patients, with cognitive task therapy, exercise therapy, physical modality therapy, and combined therapy being viable options (most optimal approach: combined therapy). Precise selection of therapies based on the time since stroke onset and specific cognitive domains can further enhance treatment outcomes.
Elective Cholecystectomy After Endoscopic Gallbladder Stenting for Acute Cholecystitis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Kobayashi Shinjiro , Nakahara Kazunari , Umezawa Saori , Ida Keisuke , Tsuchihashi Atsuhito , Koizumi Satoshi , Sato Junya , Tateishi Keisuke , Otsubo Takehito
Published: January 2024

Objective:

To investigate the influence of endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) on subsequent cholecystectomy. We retrospectively compared the surgical outcomes of EGBS, followed by elective cholecystectomy with those of immediate cholecystectomy (IC).

Patients and Methods:

A total of 503 patients were included in this study. Patients who underwent EGBS as initial treatment for acute cholecystitis, followed by elective cholecystectomy, were included in the EGBS group and patients who underwent IC during hospitalization were included in the IC group. Propensity score matching analysis was used to compare the surgical outcomes. In addition, the factors that increased the amount of bleeding were examined by multivariate analysis after matching.

Results:

Fifty-seven matched pairs were obtained after propensity matching the EGBS group and the IC group. The rate of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the EGBS versus IC groups was 91.2% versus 49.1% (P < 0.001). The amount of bleeding was 5 mL in the EGBS versus 188 mL in the IC group (P < 0.001). In the EGBS and IC groups, multivariate analysis of factors associated with more blood loss revealed IC (odds ratio: 4.76, 95% CI: 1.25-20.76, P = 0.022) as an independent risk factor.

Conclusion:

EGBS as the initial treatment for acute cholecystitis and subsequent elective cholecystectomy after the inflammation has disappeared can be performed in minimally invasive procedures and safely.
PD-1 Targeted Antibody Discovery Using AI Protein Diffusion
Authors: Ford Colby T.
Published: January 2024

The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1, CD279) is an important therapeutic target in many oncological diseases. This checkpoint protein inhibits T lymphocytes from attacking other cells in the body and thus blocking it improves the clearance of tumor cells by the immune system. While there are already multiple FDA-approved anti-PD-1 antibodies, including nivolumab (Opdivo® from Bristol-Myers Squibb) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda® from Merck), there are ongoing efforts to discover new and improved checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics. In this study, we present multiple anti-PD-1 antibody fragments that were derived computationally using protein diffusion and evaluated through our scalable,in silicopipeline. Here we present nine synthetic Fv structures that are suitable for further empirical testing of their anti-PD-1 activity due to desirable predicted binding performance.
Non-invasive multi-cancer detection using DNA hypomethylation of LINE-1 retrotransposons
Authors: Michel Marc , Heidary Maryam , Mechri Anissa , Da Silva Kévin , Gorse Marine , Dixon Victoria , von Grafenstein Klaus , Bianchi Charline , Hego Caroline , Rampanou Aurore , Lamy Constance , Kamal Maud , Le Tourneau Christophe , Séné Mathieu , Bièche Ivan , Reyes Cecile , Gentien David , Stern Marc-Henri , Lantz Olivier , Cabel Luc , Pierga Jean-Yves , Bidard François-Clément , Azencott Chloé-Agathe , Proudhon Charlotte
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The detection of circulating tumor DNA, which allows non-invasive tumor molecular profiling and disease follow-up, promises optimal and individualized management of patients with cancer. However, detecting small fractions of tumor DNA released when the tumor burden is reduced remains a challenge.

Experimental Design

We implemented a new highly sensitive strategy to detect base-pair resolution methylation patterns from plasma DNA and assessed the potential of hypomethylation of LINE-1 retrotransposons as a non-invasive multi-cancer detection biomarker. The DIAMOND (Detection of Long Interspersed Nuclear Element Altered Methylation ON plasma DNA) method targets 30-40,000 young L1 scattered throughout the genome, covering about 100,000 CpG sites and is based on a reference-free analysis pipeline.

Results

Resulting machine learning-based classifiers showed powerful correct classification rates discriminating healthy and tumor plasmas from 6 types of cancers (colorectal, breast, lung, ovarian, gastric cancers and uveal melanoma including localized stages) in two independent cohorts (AUC = 88% to 100%, N = 747). DIAMOND can also be used to perform copy number alterations (CNA) analysis which improves cancer detection.

Conclusions

This should lead to the development of more efficient non-invasive diagnostic tests adapted to all cancer patients, based on the universality of these factors.

Statement of significance

The DIAMOND assay is a new highly sensitive strategy to detect base-pair resolution methylation patterns of LINE-1 retrotransposons (L1) from plasma DNA. It targets 30-40,000 young L1 scattered throughout the genome, covering about 100,000 CpG sites and is based on a reference-free analysis pipeline. This provided high coverage data using affordable sequencing depth, which is instrumental to achieve high sensitivity and work with minute amounts of cell-free DNA. Resulting machine learning-based classifiers showed powerful discrimination between healthy and tumor plasmas from 6 types of cancers (colorectal, breast, lung, ovarian, gastric cancers and uveal melanoma including localized stages) in two independent cohorts (AUC = 88% to 100%, N = 747). DIAMOND data can also be used to perform copy number alterations (CNA) analysis which improves cancer detection.
Synchronization of Human Circadian Genes Betweenin vivoand Cultured Blood Samples
Authors: Pritt Jacob , Counts Julie , Campbell Milton , Reed David , Kraus William
Published: January 2024

Transcriptomic studies of human circadian rhythm are limited in efficacy by the invasiveness of sampling. Studies of circadian dynamics should ideally use multiple blood samples drawn at regular intervals over the course of a day. This is difficult to achieve, particularly at night, without disrupting the very circadian rhythm that is being studied. We propose a method by which blood is drawn at a single initial timepoint, then cultured and repeatedly sampled over the course of a day. This method is minimally invasive to the subject. Our results demonstrate that the expression levels of circadian genes are more closely correlated between the cultured (ex vivo) cells and live (in vivo) samples than non-circadian genes, suggesting that this method can be used for effective circadian analysis.
Self-organization of PIP3 signaling is controlled by the confinement, topology, and curvature of the cell membrane
Authors: Erisis Sema , Hörning Marcel
Published: January 2024

PIP3 is a signaling lipid on the plasma membrane that plays a fundamental role in cell signaling with a strong impact on cell physiology and diseases. It is responsible for the protruding edge formation, cell polarization, macropinocytosis and other membrane remodeling dynamics in cells. It has been shown that the membrane confinement and curvature affects the wave formation of PIP3 and Factin. But even in the absence of F-actin, a complex self-organization of the spatiotemporal PIP3 waves is observed. In recent findings, we have shown that these waves can be guided and pinned on strongly bendedDictyosteliummembranes caused by molecular crowding and curvature limited diffusion. Based on these experimental findings, we investigate the spatiotemporal PIP3 wave dynamics on realist 3D cell-like membranes to explore the effect of curvature limited diffusion, as observed experimentally. We use an established stochastic reaction-diffusion model with enzymatic MichaelisMenten type reactions that mimics the dynamics ofDictyosteliumcells. As these cells mimic the 3D shape and size observed experimentally, we found that the PIP3 wave directionality can be explained by a Hopf-like and a reverse periodic-doubling bifurcation for uniform diffusion and curvature limited diffusion properties. Finally, we compare the results with recent experimental findings and discuss the discrepancy between the biological and numerical results.
First-night effect reduces the beneficial effects of sleep on visual plasticity and modifies the underlying neurochemical processes
Authors: Tamaki Masako , Yamada Takashi , Barnes-Diana Tyler , Wang Zhiyan , Watanabe Takeo , Sasaki Yuka
Published: January 2024

Individuals experience difficulty falling asleep in a new environment, termed the first night effect (FNE). However, the impact of the FNE on sleep-induced brain plasticity remains unclear. Here, using a within-subject design, we found that the FNE significantly reduces visual plasticity during sleep in young adults. Sleep-onset latency (SOL), an indicator of the FNE, was significantly longer during the first sleep session than the second session, confirming the FNE. We assessed performance gains in visual perceptual learning after sleep and increases in the excitatory-to-inhibitory neurotransmitter (E/I) ratio in early visual areas during sleep using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and polysomnography. These parameters were significantly smaller in sleep with the FNE than in sleep without the FNE; however, these parameters were not correlated with SOL. These results suggest that while the neural mechanisms of the FNE and brain plasticity are independent, sleep disturbances temporarily block the neurochemical process fundamental for brain plasticity.
Alpha phase-coding supports feature binding during working memory maintenance
Authors: Pagnotta Mattia F. , Santo-Angles Aniol , Temudo Ainsley , Barbosa Joao , Compte Albert , D’Esposito Mark , Sreenivasan Kartik K.
Published: January 2024

The ability to successfully retain and manipulate information in working memory (WM) requires that objects’ individual features are bound into cohesive representations; yet, the mechanisms supporting feature binding remain unclear. Binding (or swap) errors, where memorized features are erroneously associated with the wrong object, can provide a window into the intrinsic limits in capacity of WM that represent a key bottleneck in our cognitive ability. We tested the hypothesis that binding in WM is accomplished via neural phase synchrony and that swap errors result from perturbations in this synchrony. Using magnetoencephalography data collected from human subjects in a task designed to induce swap errors, we showed that swaps are characterized by reduced phase-locked oscillatory activity during memory retention, as predicted by an attractor model of spiking neural networks. Further, we found that this reduction arises from increased phase-coding variability in the alpha-band over a distributed network of sensorimotor areas. Our findings demonstrate that feature binding in WM is accomplished through phase-coding dynamics that emerge from the competition between different memories.
The choroid plexus maintains ventricle volume and adult subventricular zone neuroblast pool, which facilitates post-stroke neurogenesis
Authors: Taranov Aleksandr , Bedolla Alicia , Iwasawa Eri , Brown Farrah N. , Baumgartner Sarah , Fugate Elizabeth M. , Levoy Joel , Crone Steven A. , Goto June , Luo Yu
Published: January 2024

The brain’s neuroreparative capacity after injuries such as ischemic stroke is contained in the brain’s neurogenic niches, primarily the subventricular zone (SVZ), which lies in close contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced by the choroid plexus (ChP). Despite the wide range of their proposed functions, the ChP/CSF remain among the most understudied compartments of the central nervous system (CNS). Here we report a mouse genetic tool (the ROSA26iDTR mouse line) for non-invasive, specific, and temporally controllable ablation of CSF-producing ChP epithelial cells to assess the roles of the ChP and CSF in brain homeostasis and injury. Using this model, we demonstrate that ChP ablation causes rapid and permanent CSF volume loss accompanied by disruption of ependymal cilia bundles. Surprisingly, ChP ablation did not result in overt neurological deficits at one-month post-ablation. However, we observed a pronounced decrease in the pool of SVZ neuroblasts following ChP ablation, which occurs due to their enhanced migration into the olfactory bulb. In the MCAo model of ischemic stroke, neuroblast migration into the lesion site was also reduced in the CSF-depleted mice. Thus, our study establishes an important and novel role of ChP/CSF in regulating the regenerative capacity of the adult brain under normal conditions and after ischemic stroke.
CD8+T cell response promotes viral clearance and reduces chances of severe testicular damage in mouse models of long-term Zika virus infection of the testes
Authors: Campos Rafael K. , Liang Yuejin , Azar Sasha R. , Ly Judy , Camargos Vidyleison Neves , Hager-Soto E. Eldridge , Eyzaguirre Eduardo , Sun Jiaren , Rossi Shannan L.
Published: January 2024

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes human testicular inflammation and alterations in sperm parameters and causes testicular damage in mouse models. The involvement of individual immune cells in testicular damage is not fully understood. We detected virus in the testes of the interferon (IFN) α/β receptor-/-A129 mice three weeks post-infection and found elevated chemokines in the testes, suggesting chronic inflammation and long-term infection play a role in testicular damage. In the testes, myeloid cells and CD4+T cells were absent at 7 dpi but were present at 23 days post-infection (dpi), and CD8+T cell infiltration started at 7 dpi. CD8-/-mice with an antibody-depleted IFN response had a significant reduction in spermatogenesis, indicating that CD8+T cells are essential to prevent testicular damage during long-term ZIKV infections. Our findings on the dynamics of testicular immune cells and importance of CD8+T cells functions as a framework to understand mechanisms underlying observed inflammation and sperm alterations in humans.
More social species live longer, have higher generation times, and longer reproductive windows
Authors: Salguero-Gómez Roberto
Published: January 2024

The role of sociality in the demography of animals has become an intense focus of research in recent decades. However, efforts to understand the sociality-demography nexus have focused on single species or isolated taxonomic groups. Consequently, we lack generality regarding how sociality associates with demographic traits within the Animal Kingdom. Here, I propose a continuum of sociality, from solitary to tightly social, and test whether this continuum correlates with the key demographic properties of 152 species, from jellyfish to humans. After correction for body mass and phylogenetic relationships, I show that the sociality continuum is associated with key life history traits: more social species live longer, postpone maturity, have greater generation time, and greater probability of achieving reproduction than solitary, gregarious, communal, or colonial species. Contrary to the social buffering hypothesis, sociality does not result in more buffered populations. While more social species have a lower ability to benefit from disturbances, they display greater resistance than more solitary species. Finally, I also show that sociality does not shape reproductive or actuarial senescence rates. This cross-taxonomic examination of sociality across the demography of 13 taxonomic classes highlights keyways in which individual interactions shape most aspects of animal demography.
MTMR regulates KRAS function by controlling plasma membrane levels of phospholipids
Authors: Lange Taylor E. , Naji Ali , van der Hoeven Ransome , Liang Hong , Zhou Yong , Hammond Gerald R.V. , Hancock John F. , Cho Kwang-jin
Published: January 2024

KRAS, a small GTPase involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, frequently gains activating mutations in human cancers. For KRAS to function, it must bind the plasma membrane (PM) via interactions between its membrane anchor and phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). Therefore, depleting PM PtdSer abrogates KRAS PM binding and activity. From a genome-wide siRNA screen to identify genes regulating KRAS PM localization, we identified a set of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-phosphatases: myotubularin-related proteins (MTMR) 2, 3, 4, and 7. Here, we show that silencingMTMR 2/3/4/7disrupts KRAS PM interactions by reducing PM PI 4-phosphate (PI4P) levels, thereby disrupting the localization and operation of ORP5, a lipid transfer protein maintaining PM PtdSer enrichment. Concomitantly, silencingMTMR 2/3/4/7elevates PM PI3P levels while reducing PM and total PtdSer levels. We also observed MTMR 2/3/4/7 expression is interdependent. We propose that the PI 3-phosphatase activity of MTMR is required for generating PM PI, necessary for PM PI4P synthesis, promoting the PM localization of PtdSer and KRAS.

eTOC summary

We discovered that silencing the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-phosphatase,MTMR, disrupts the PM localization of PtdSer and KRAS. We propose a model, whereMTMRloss depletes PM PI needed for PM PI4P synthesis, an essential phospholipid for PM PtdSer enrichment, thereby impairing KRAS PM localization.
Specificities and commonalities of the Planctomycetes plasmidome
Authors: Coronel María del Mar Quiñonero , Devos Damien Paul , Garcillán-Barcia M. Pilar
Published: January 2024

Although plasmids play a crucial role in antibiotic resistance and contemporary biotechnology, our comprehension of their natural ecological dynamics remains restricted to a few bacterial groups. Planctomycetes is a bacterial phylum with unusual molecular and cellular biology for which little is known about its plasmidome. This study provides the first comprehensive description of the diversity of the endogenous plasmids found in Planctomycetes, which may be used as starting points to generate different genetic tools for research on this phylum. Plasmids from Planctomycetes encode a wide variety of biological functions, although for a large portion of the encoded genes a function cannot be assigned, which is usual in Planctomycetes. They seemed to have largely coevolved with the genome of their hosts, with which they share many homologs. We also detected recent transfer events of insertion sequences between co-habiting chromosomes and plasmids. 60% of the plasmid genes are distantly related to chromosomally-encoded genes and 40% have homologs in plasmids from other bacterial groups, while 36% of the proteins composing the planctomycetal plasmidome are exclusive. Most planctomycetal plasmids encode a replication initiation protein of the RPA family in the proximity of a putative iteron-containing replication origin, as well as active type I partition systems. One conjugative and three mobilizable plasmids were identified, suggesting horizontal gene transfer via conjugation in this phylum.
Topological regulation of the estrogen transcriptional response by ZATT-mediated inhibition of TOP2B activity
Authors: Terrón-Bautista José , Martínez-Sánchez María del Mar , López-Hernández Laura , Vadusevan Ananda Ayyappan , García-Domínguez Mario , Williams R. Scott , Aguilera Andrés , Millán-Zambrano Gonzalo , Cortés-Ledesma Felipe
Published: January 2024

Human type-II topoisomerases, TOP2A and TOP2B, remove transcription associated DNA supercoiling, thereby affecting gene-expression programs, and have recently been associated with 3D genome architecture. Here, we study the regulatory roles of TOP2 paralogs in response to estrogen, which triggers an acute transcriptional induction that involves rewiring of genome organization. We find that, whereas TOP2A facilitates transcription, as expected for a topoisomerase, TOP2B limits the estrogen response. Consistent with this, TOP2B activity is locally downregulated upon estrogen treatment to favor the establishment and stabilization of regulatory chromatin contacts, likely through an accumulation of DNA supercoiling. We show that estrogen-mediated inhibition of TOP2B requires estrogen receptor α (ERα), a non-catalytic function of TOP2A, and the action of the atypical SUMO-ligase ZATT. This mechanism of topological transcriptional-control, which may be shared by additional gene-expression circuits, highlights the relevance of DNA topoisomerases as central actors of genome dynamics.