bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the potential of compound–protein complex structure-free models in virtual screening using BlendNet
Authors: Seo Sangmin , Kim Hwanhee , Lee Jieun , Choi Seungyeon , Park Sanghyun
Published: January 2025

Identifying new compounds that interact with a target is a crucial time-limiting step in the initial phases of drug discovery. Compound–protein complex structure-based affinity prediction models can expedite this process; however, their dependence on high-quality three-dimensional (3D) complex structures limits their practical application. Prediction models that do not require 3D complex structures for binding-affinity estimation offer a theoretically attractive alternative; however, accurately predicting affinity without interaction information presents significant challenges. We introduce BlendNet, a framework that employs a knowledge transfer strategy to improve affinity prediction accuracy by learning the interdependent relationships between compounds and proteins without relying on 3D complex structures. Compared with state-of-the-art models for affinity prediction, BlendNet demonstrated superior performance across various cold-start cases. The ability of BlendNet to interpret compound–protein interactions without utilizing complex structure data highlights its potential to accelerate and streamline drug development.
PHIStruct: improving phage–host interaction prediction at low sequence similarity settings using structure-aware protein embeddings
Authors: Gonzales Mark Edward M , Ureta Jennifer C , Shrestha Anish M S
Published: January 2025

Motivation

Recent computational approaches for predicting phage–host interaction have explored the use of sequence-only protein language models to produce embeddings of phage proteins without manual feature engineering. However, these embeddings do not directly capture protein structure information and structure-informed signals related to host specificity.

Results

We present PHIStruct, a multilayer perceptron that takes in structure-aware embeddings of receptor-binding proteins, generated via the structure-aware protein language model SaProt, and then predicts the host from among the ESKAPEE genera. Compared against recent tools, PHIStruct exhibits the best balance of precision and recall, with the highest and most stable F1 score across a wide range of confidence thresholds and sequence similarity settings. The margin in performance is most pronounced when the sequence similarity between the training and test sets drops below 40%, wherein, at a relatively high-confidence threshold of above 50%, PHIStruct presents a 7%–9% increase in class-averaged F1 over machine learning tools that do not directly incorporate structure information, as well as a 5%–6% increase over BLASTp.

Availability and implementation

The data and source code for our experiments and analyses are available at https://github.com/bioinfodlsu/PHIStruct.
Causal inference with cross-temporal design
Authors: Cao Yi , Gozalo Pedro L , Gutman Roee
Published: January 2025

When many participants in a randomized trial do not comply with their assigned intervention, the randomized encouragement design is a possible solution. In this design, the causal effects of the intervention can be estimated among participants who would have experienced the intervention if encouraged. For many policy interventions, encouragements cannot be randomized and investigators need to rely on observational data. To address this, we propose a cross-temporal design, which uses time to mimic a randomized encouragement experiment. However, time may be confounded with temporal trends that influence the outcomes. To disentangle these trends from the intervention effects, we replace the commonly used exclusion restrictions with temporal assumptions. We develop Bayesian procedures to estimate the causal effects and compare it to instrumental variables and matching approaches in simulations. The Bayesian approach outperforms the other 2 approaches in terms of estimation accuracy, and it is relatively robust to various violations of the common trends assumption. Taking advantage of the expansion of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program between 2011 and 2017, we implement the proposed method to estimate the effects of MA enrollment on the risk of skilled nursing facility residents being re-hospitalized within 30 days after discharge from the hospital.
The impact of phenotypic heterogeneity on fungal pathogenicity and drug resistance
Authors: Kozubowski Lukasz , Berman Judith
Published: January 2025

Phenotypic heterogeneity in genetically clonal populations facilitates cellular adaptation to adverse environmental conditions while enabling a return to the basal physiological state. It also plays a crucial role in pathogenicity and the acquisition of drug resistance in unicellular organisms and cancer cells, yet the exact contributing factors remain elusive. In this review, we outline the current state of understanding concerning the contribution of phenotypic heterogeneity to fungal pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance.
Unveiling patterns in spatial transcriptomics data: a novel approach utilizing graph attention autoencoder and multiscale deep subspace clustering network
Authors: Zhou Liqian , Peng Xinhuai , Chen Min , He Xianzhi , Tian Geng , Yang Jialiang , Peng Lihong
Published: January 2025

Background

The accurate deciphering of spatial domains, along with the identification of differentially expressed genes and the inference of cellular trajectory based on spatial transcriptomic (ST) data, holds significant potential for enhancing our understanding of tissue organization and biological functions. However, most of spatial clustering methods can neither decipher complex structures in ST data nor entirely employ features embedded in different layers.

Results

This article introduces STMSGAL, a novel framework for analyzing ST data by incorporating graph attention autoencoder and multiscale deep subspace clustering. First, STMSGAL constructs ctaSNN, a cell type–aware shared nearest neighbor graph, using Louvian clustering exclusively based on gene expression profiles. Subsequently, it integrates expression profiles and ctaSNN to generate spot latent representations using a graph attention autoencoder and multiscale deep subspace clustering. Lastly, STMSGAL implements spatial clustering, differential expression analysis, and trajectory inference, providing comprehensive capabilities for thorough data exploration and interpretation. STMSGAL was evaluated against 7 methods, including SCANPY, SEDR, CCST, DeepST, GraphST, STAGATE, and SiGra, using four 10x Genomics Visium datasets, 1 mouse visual cortex STARmap dataset, and 2 Stereo-seq mouse embryo datasets. The comparison showcased STMSGAL’s remarkable performance across Davies–Bouldin, Calinski–Harabasz, S_Dbw, and ARI values. STMSGAL significantly enhanced the identification of layer structures across ST data with different spatial resolutions and accurately delineated spatial domains in 2 breast cancer tissues, adult mouse brain (FFPE), and mouse embryos.

Conclusions

STMSGAL can serve as an essential tool for bridging the analysis of cellular spatial organization and disease pathology, offering valuable insights for researchers in the field.
Unlocking the potential of palm tree starch: A review on Modification techniques and its application
Authors: Supreethee Srihari , Vashisth Rahul
Published: January 2025

Palm starch is an underutilised and unconventional resource gaining popularity globally due to its health-promoting properties. However, native starch often falls short in areas such as retrogradation during gelatinisation, instability at high temperatures, and acidic conditions, limiting its functionality in the food industry. Modifications are necessary to enhance the performance of native starch and broaden its applications across food and other industries. The technological implications of its underutilisation remain under investigation. This review offers a comprehensive summary of starch modifications across different palm varieties within the same family, utilising various techniques, including chemical, thermal, and non-thermal methods. It examines the resulting changes in physicochemical properties, granular and molecular structures, and the applications of these starches. Additionally, the impact of these modification techniques on starch-rich food systems such as Palmyra sprout, kithul starch, talipot starch, and sago starch is reviewed. The use of modified starches in developing biodegradable packaging film is also discussed. This review thoroughly explores the physicochemical, morphological, and rheological traits of both native and modified palm starch.
Lactobacillus fermentum KP101 fermentation broth improves high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in mice by modulation of liver lipid metabolism and intestinal flora dysbiosis
Authors: Wang Chao , Nan Bo , Wang Yu , Zhang Nan , Zhang Yue , Xing Xin-yue , Wei Shan-shan , Meng Xiang-hui , Li Xia , Wang Yu-hua
Published: January 2025

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a primary chronic liver ailment around the world, posing a significant threat to human health. Probiotics, living microorganisms that enhance intestinal flora equilibrium and mitigate blood lipid levels. This study aimed to identify probiotics with excellent antioxidant capacity from naturally fermented foods, and investigate their potential mechanisms in relieving high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver injury and modulating intestinal flora balance. These findings fundamentally benefit the advancement of functional probiotic foods. Lactobacillus fermentum KP101, isolated from kimchi, was evaluated for its antioxidant activity. Assessment of HFD-induced liver injury was based on the biochemical markers, protein expression levels, and liver histopathology. L. fermentum KP101 remarkably reduced mice serum and liver levels of TC, TG, LDL, ALT, and AST. L. fermentum KP101 intervention effectively modulated HFD-induced dyslipidemia and activated the AMPK signalling pathway to alleviate liver injury. Specifically, the protein expression levels of SREBP-1 and p-ACC presented an obvious reduction, while the expression of p-AMPK and PPARα was notably increased following L. fermentum KP101 treatment. Moreover, L. fermentum KP101 effectively mitigated intestinal flora dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. In summary, L. fermentum KP101 demonstrated efficacy in improving hyperlipidemia and liver metabolic disorders in mice with HFD-induced conditions.
Exploration of interprofessional collaboration for the diagnosis of infections and antibiotic prescription in nursing homes using multiple case study observational research
Authors: Gonthier Damien , Ricci Laetitia , Buzzi Marie , Birgand Gabriel , Kivits Joëlle , Agrinier Nelly
Published: January 2025

Background

Antibiotic resistance in nursing homes (NHs) is inconsistently tackled by antimicrobial stewardship programmes. The literature on individual determinants of antibiotic prescriptions (APs) in NHs is extensive. However, less is known about the structural determinants of AP in NHs.

Objectives

To examine how different organizational contexts influenced interprofessional collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of infections in NHs.

Methods

We conducted multiple case study observational research through field notes and sketches from pictures of NH layouts.

Results

We observed three NHs for 10 days (i.e. 82 h). We inductively identified four successive steps: (i) trigger by an assistant nurse, (ii) internal decision-making, (iii) calling on an external general practitioner (GP) and (iv) GP intervention. Diagnosis and treatment of infections involved various degrees of interprofessional collaboration within NHs, resulting in a range of actions, more or less directly involving AP by external GPs. In the case of onsite AP, external GPs barely relied on information about residents provided by NH professionals and did not provide any feedback regarding their decision, resulting in limited interprofessional collaboration. In contrast, remote AP (through phone calls) relied on interprofessional collaboration through mandatory exchanges between external GPs and NH nurses about the resident’s symptoms and signs.

Conclusions

Diagnosis and treatment of infections through AP involved two distinct organization types (institutional versus private practices) and often lacked interprofessional collaboration. Future antimicrobial stewardship in NHs should consider (i) improving the connection between these two organizations and (ii) developing tools to support remote interprofessional collaboration to sustain prescription.
A scoping review of the reporting quality of reviews of commercially and publicly available mobile health apps
Authors: Gasteiger Norina , Norman Gill , Grainger Rebecca , van der Veer Sabine N , McGarrigle Lisa , Jones Debra , Eost-Telling Charlotte , Vercell Amy , Ford Claire R , Ali Syed Mustafa , Law Kate , Zhao Qimeng , Byerly Matthew , Shi Chunhu , Davies Alan , Hall Alex , Dowding Dawn
Published: January 2025

Objectives

There is no guidance to support the reporting of systematic reviews of mobile health (mhealth) apps (app reviews), so authors attempt to use/modify the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). There is a need for reporting guidance, building on PRISMA where appropriate, tailored to app reviews. The objectives were to describe the reporting quality of published mHealth app reviews, identify the need for, and develop potential candidate items for a reporting guideline.

Materials and Methods

A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute and Arksey and O’Malley approaches. App reviews were identified in January 2024 from SCOPUS, CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, snowballing reference lists, and forward citation searches. Data were extracted into Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics and content synthesis, using PRISMA items as a framework.

Results

One hundred and seventy-one app reviews were identified, published from 2013 to 2024. Protocols were developed for 11% of the reviews, and only 52% reported the geographical location of the app markets. Few reported the duplicate removal process (12%), device and operating system used (30%), or made clear recommendations for the best-rated apps (18%). Nineteen PRISMA items were not reported by most (>85%) reviews, and 4 were modified by >30% of the reviews. Involvement of patient/public contributors (4%) or other stakeholders (11%) was infrequent. Overall, 34 candidate items and 10 subitems were identified to be considered for a new guideline.

Discussion and Conclusion

App reviews were inconsistently reported, and many PRISMA items were not deemed relevant. Consensus work is needed to revise and prioritize the candidate items for a reporting guideline for systematic app reviews.
The effect of calcium supplementation on bone calcium balance and calcium and bone metabolism during load carriage in women: a randomised controlled crossover trial
Authors: Coombs Charlotte V , Greeves Julie P , Young Christina D , Irving Alice S , Eisenhauer Anton , Kolevica Ana , Heuser Alexander , Tang Jonathan C Y , Fraser William D , O’Leary Thomas J
Published: January 2025

Calcium supplementation before exercise attenuates the decrease in serum calcium and increase in PTH and bone resorption. This study investigated the effect of calcium supplementation on calcium and bone metabolism during load carriage in women. Forty-eight women completed two load carriage sessions (load carriage 1 n = 48; load carriage 2 n = 40) (12.8 km in 120 min carrying 20 kg) 60 min after consuming either 1000 mg calcium (Calcium) or nothing (Control) in a randomised order. Pre- and post-exercise urine samples were analysed for calcium isotope ratio (δ44/42Ca). Fasted blood samples were taken before (pre-exercise), during (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 min), and after (+15, +30, +60, +90 min) exercise and analysed for markers of calcium and bone metabolism. There was no effect of load carriage or supplementation on urine δ44/42Ca (P≥.110). Serum δ44/42Ca did not change with load carriage in Control (P=.617) but increased in Calcium (P=.003) and was higher at 120 min in Calcium vs Control (P=.018). Ionised calcium (iCa) decreased from pre-exercise to all exercise time-points (P<.001); iCa was higher in Calcium than Control throughout (P<.001). PTH increased from pre-exercise to 120 min in Control (P<.001) but decreased from pre-exercise to all time-points in Calcium (P<.001). PTH was higher in Control than Calcium from 0 to +90 min (P<.001). βCTX decreased from pre-exercise to 20 to +15 min in Control (P≤.004); βCTX decreased from pre-exercise to 0 to +90 min in Calcium (P<.001). βCTX was lower in Calcium than Control from 20 to +90 min (P≤.036). A 1000 mg calcium supplement before load carriage promotes bone calcium balance and prevents disruptions to bone and calcium homeostasis.
Treating Opium Addiction in China: Medical Missionaries, Chinese Medicine, and the State, 1830-1910
Authors: Zheng Shihan
Published: January 2025

From the 1830s onward, Euro-American medicine began addressing opium addiction among the Chinese population. Drawing upon records from medical missionaries, medical journals, and related Chinese sources, this article examines the transformation of opium addiction treatment in late Qing China (1830-1910). Despite their pioneering efforts, medical missionaries encountered various challenges in gaining cooperation from patients and Chinese authorities. In contrast, Chinese medical practitioners, particularly elite scholar-physicians, enjoyed favor with the Qing government throughout much of the nineteenth century. By the turn of the twentieth century, the scientific knowledge introduced by the missionaries had gained greater acceptance in the country. By creatively translating this knowledge, Chinese medical practitioners began to recognize new theories for addressing the opium problem.
Physics-Based Synthetic Data Model for Automated Segmentation in Catalysis Microscopy
Authors: Vuijk Maurits , Ducci Gianmarco , Sandoval Luis , Pietsch Markus , Reuter Karsten , Lunkenbein Thomas , Scheurer Christoph
Published: January 2025

In catalysis research, the amount of microscopy data acquired when imaging dynamic processes is often too much for nonautomated quantitative analysis. Developing machine learned segmentation models is challenged by the requirement of high-quality annotated training data. We thus substitute expert-annotated data with a physics-based sequential synthetic data model. We study environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) data collected from isopropanol oxidation to acetone over cobalt oxide as an example. Upon applying a temperature program during the reaction a phase transition occurs, reducing the catalyst selectivity toward acetone. This is accompanied on the micrometer ESEM scale by the formation of cracks between the pores of the catalyst surface. We aim to generate synthetic data to train a neural network capable of semantic segmentation (pixel-wise labeling) of this ESEM data. This analysis will lead to insights into this phase transition. To generate synthetic data that approximates this transition, our algorithm composes the ESEM images of the room-temperature catalyst with dynamically evolving synthetic cracks satisfying physical construction principles, gathered from qualitative knowledge accessible in the ESEM data. We mimic the surface crack growth propagation along surface paths, avoiding close vicinity to nearby pores. This physics-based approach results in a lowered rate of false positives compared to a random approach.
Maternal exercise before and during pregnancy protects against genotoxicity and promotes offspring hippocampal health in mice prenatally exposed to high fructose
Authors: Magenis Marina Lummertz , de Oliveira Monteiro Isadora , Damiani Adriani Paganini , Dagostin Ligia Salvan , Possamai Otávio Lúcio , Medeiros Eduarda Behenck , Budni Josiane , Bittencourt João Vitor Silvano , Mendes Carolini , Silveira Paulo Cesar Lock , Garcia Ana Letícia Hilario , da Silva Juliana , de Feveri Wanessa , Langie Sabine A S , Godschalk Roger , de Andrade Vanessa Moraes
Published: January 2025

The fetal brain is susceptible to programming effects during pregnancy, potentially leading to long-term consequences for offspring’s cognitive health. Fructose (FRU) intake is thought to adversely affect fetal brain development, whereas physical exercise before and during pregnancy may be protective. Therefore, this study aimed to assess biochemical and genotoxic changes in maternal hippocampi and behavioral, genotoxic, and biochemical alterations in offspring hippocampi. Seventy female mice were exposed to FRU (20%/L) and/or voluntary physical exercise (VPE) pre-pregnancy for eight weeks, and then mated and exposure was continued until weaning. Offspring were evaluated at 60 days old using behavioral test, genotoxic, and biochemical markers. FRU-induced long-term memory impairment in male offspring, which was alleviated by VPE. VPE mitigated DNA damage from maternal FRU consumption in both maternal and offspring hippocampi in female offspring, VPE increased levels of apurine/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1, erythroid nuclear factor 2, and cAMP response element binding proteins, whereas in males, 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 levels upregulate. FRU consumption led to oxidative stress and antioxidant defense alterations in offspring, while VPE mitigated these effects. Telomere shortening was observed in male offspring from mothers who consumed FRU during pregnancy. Our findings suggest that exposure to FRU during (pre)pregnancy and lactation has adverse effects on offspring’s hippocampi later in life, and VPE has a protective effect. Overall, the study underscores the significance of maternal dietary and physical habits on long-term offspring health, with an emphasis on implications for adult cognitive function.
Musculoskeletal Pain as a Risk Factor for Poor Dizziness Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study among Patients With Persistent Vestibular Dizziness
Authors: Moen Unni , Nilsen Roy Miodini , Knapstad Mari Kalland , Wilhelmsen Kjersti Thulin , Nordahl Stein Helge Glad , Goplen Frederik Kragerud , Meldrum Dara , Magnussen Liv Heide
Published: January 2025

Objective

Musculoskeletal pain and psychological distress are prevalent comorbidities in patients with persistent dizziness. Little is known about how comorbid pain influences the outcome of persistent dizziness. This study examined the impact of pain on dizziness outcomes and the potential modifying role of psychological distress.

Methods

Longitudinal study of 150 patients with persistent dizziness. Vertigo Symptom Scale short form (VSS-SF), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), number of pain sites, pain intensity, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Linear mixed effects model for longitudinal data was used to explore the association between musculoskeletal pain and dizziness. Interaction analysis was used to assess whether psychological distress had a modifying effect on the association between pain and dizziness.

Results

VSS-SF and DHI decreased during follow-up but not to a clinically relevant level for the patients. Patients reporting comorbid psychological distress reported higher scores on VSS-SF, DHI, more pain sites and higher pain intensity. A positive association was observed between the number of pain sites and VSS-SF and between pain intensity and VSS-SF, and these associations were stronger in patients reporting psychological distress. Similar associations were found for DHI. Patients reporting ≥4 pain sites or pain intensity of ≥4 out of 10 at baseline, still reported severe dizziness and moderate disability 12 months later.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal pain is a risk factor for poor dizziness outcomes, especially when comorbid psychological distress is present. Clinicians should be attentive to musculoskeletal pain when the number of pain sites exceeds 4 or pain intensity exceeds 4 on a numeric rating scale.

Impact

A new understanding of the impact of musculoskeletal pain on persistent dizziness could be the key to successful recovery and the prevention of prolonged issues.
Competition modulates the effects of social comparison on ERP responses during face processing
Authors: Lin Huiyan , Liang Jiafeng
Published: January 2025

Little is known about the effect of prior social performance feedback on face processing. Our previous study explored how equal and unequal social comparison-related outcomes modulate event-related potential (ERP) responses to subsequently presented faces, where interests between oneself and others were independent (noncompetitive situations). Here, we aimed to extend this investigation by assessing how different unequal social comparison-related outcomes affect face processing under noncompetitive and competitive situations (i.e. a conflict of interest exists between the self and others). To address this issue, 39 participants were exposed to self-related and social comparison-related outcomes, categorized as positive or negative, after performing an attentional task with peers. Rewards and punishments depended on social comparison-related outcomes in the competition condition and on self-related outcomes in the noncompetition condition. ERP results showed that social comparison-related outcomes influenced P100 responses to faces in the self-positive condition. More notably, the effects on N170 responses observed in the noncompetition condition were absent in the competition condition. There was an effect on late positive potential responses only in the competition and self-negative condition. These findings suggest that social comparison-related outcomes influence early face processing irrespective of competition, while competition subsequently disrupts this processing but, later, enhances depending on self-related outcomes.
Constitutive chemical defense mechanism of inner bark of Sorbus commixta against Trametes versicolor
Authors: Koyama Masato , Shigetomi Kengo , Tamai Yutaka , Arakawa Keita , Sano Yuzou
Published: January 2025

Tree bark is a crucial tissue that defends tree stems from invasions by microorganisms. However, our understanding of the constitutive chemical defense mechanisms of the tree barks remains limited. Our group recently discovered that the inner bark of Sorbus commixta Hedl. exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the growth of the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (Linnaeus) Lloyd. It was hypothesized that this growth suppression was due to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) originating from cyanogenic glycosides such as amygdalin and prunasin, which are secondary metabolites in the inner bark of S. commixta. To test this hypothesis, we first quantified the amygdalin content in the inner bark of S. commixta and evaluated the antifungal activity (AFA) of HCN against T. versicolor by placing paper discs on potato dextrose agar with T. versicolor. Subsequently, we identified HCN in the inner bark of S. commixta using a picric acid paper. In the AFA tests, the amygdalin + β-glucosidase solution, the potassium cyanide (KCN) + benzaldehyde solution and the KCN solution exhibited elevated AFA against T. versicolor. Conversely, the amygdalin solution, the β-glucosidase solution and the benzaldehyde solution did not exhibit significant AFA. These findings demonstrate that HCN acts as an antifungal agent against T. versicolor. Furthermore, HCN was detected in the freeze-dried inner bark pieces and the trunks of living S. commixta. This suggests that the disruption of the cells in the inner bark of S. commixta caused the cyanogenic glycosides and β-glucosidase to interact, which resulted in the hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides and generation of HCN. From the perspective of constitutive chemical defense mechanisms, HCN plays a crucial role in the high AFA of the inner bark of S. commixta against T. versicolor, creating an unfavorable environment for the growth of white-rot fungus after injury breaches the periderm.
Systematics of minute strabomantid frogs allocated to the genus Noblella (Amphibia: Anura) with description of a new genus, seven new species, and insights into historical biogeography
Authors: Ortega Jhael A , Cisneros-Heredia Diego F , Camper Jeffrey D , Romero-Carvajal Andrés , Negrete Leonardo , Ron Santiago R
Published: January 2025

Noblella is a genus of 17 recognized nominal species of ground-dwelling, direct-developing frogs. It consists of two clades that do not form a monophyletic group: a northern clade from northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil and a southern clade from southern Peru and Bolivia. Herein, we present a systematic review of Noblella with emphasis on the northern clade, including a new phylogeny based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. We also describe the osteology of five species from the northern clade using X-ray computed tomography. Based on our results, we resurrect the genus Phyllonastes for species of the northern clade (i.e. eight described species plus six new species described herein) and restrict the genus Noblella to the southern clade. We describe a new genus of Holoadeninae, sister to Phyllonastes: Urkuphryne gen. nov., from northern Ecuador. The new genus is distinguished by unique morphological characteristics that are diagnostic of different genera in Strabomantidae. We describe seven new species diagnosable based on morphology. Phyllonastes has five morphological synapomorphies, including the absence of vomerine teeth. Phyllonastes originated in the Pacific basin, Chocó region, ~21 Mya.
Artificial Liver Support Systems in Acute Liver Failure and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Brown Robert S. , Fisher Robert A. , Subramanian Ram M. , Griesemer Adam , Fernandes Milene , Thatcher William H. , Stiede Kathryn , Curtis Michael
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVES:

To systematically review the safety and efficacy of nonbiological (NBAL) or biological artificial liver support systems (BAL) and whole-organ extracorporeal liver perfusion (W-ECLP) systems, in adults with acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

DATA SOURCES:

Eligible NBAL/BAL studies from PubMed/Embase searches were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult patients with ALF/ACLF, greater than or equal to ten patients per group, reporting outcomes related to survival, adverse events, transplantation rate, and hepatic encephalopathy, and published in English from January 2000 to July 2023. Separately, we searched for studies evaluating W-ECLP in adult patients with ALF or ACLF published between January1990 and July 2023.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Two researchers independently screened citations for eligibility and, of eligible studies, retrieved data related to study characteristics, patients and interventions, outcomes definition, and intervention effects. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and Joanna Briggs Institute checklists were used to assess individual study risk of bias. Meta-analysis of mortality at 28–30 days post-support system initiation and frequency of at least one serious adverse event (SAE) generated pooled risk ratios (RRs), based on random (mortality) or fixed (SAE) effects models.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Of 17 trials evaluating NBAL/BAL systems, 11 reported 28–30 days mortality and five reported frequency of at least one SAE. Overall, NBAL/BAL was not statistically associated with mortality at 28–30 days (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.67–1.07; p = 0.169) or frequency of at least one SAE (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.99–1.33; p = 0.059), compared with standard medical treatment. Subgroup results on ALF patients suggest possible benefit for mortality (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.44–1.03; p = 0.069). From six reports of W-ECLP (12 patients), more than half (58%) of severe patients were bridged to transplantation and survived without transmission of porcine retroviruses.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite no significant pooled effects of NBAL/BAL devices, the available evidence calls for further research and development of extracorporeal liver support systems, with larger RCTs and optimization of patient selection, perfusion durability, and treatment protocols.
Understanding ICU Nursing Knowledge, Perceived Barriers, and Facilitators of Sepsis Recognition and Management: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kissel Katherine A. , Krewulak Karla D. , Poulin Thérèse G. , Parhar Ken Kuljit S. , Niven Daniel J. , Doiron Vanessa M. , Fiest Kirsten M.
Published: January 2025

IMPORTANCE:

Nursing workforce changes, knowledge translation gaps, and environmental/organizational barriers may impact sepsis recognition and management within the ICU.

OBJECTIVES:

To: 1) evaluate current ICU nursing knowledge of sepsis recognition and management, 2) explore individual and environmental or organizational factors impacting nursing recognition and management of sepsis using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and 3) describe perceived barriers and facilitators to nursing recognition and management of patients with sepsis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

This cross-sectional survey was administered to nurses working in four general system ICUs between October 24, 2023, and January 30, 2024.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

Quantitative questions (single/multiple choice, true/false, and Likert-based questions eliciting agreement with a statement) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Open-ended questions exploring barriers and facilitators to sepsis recognition and management were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS:

A total of 101 completed survey responses were retained. Most nurses agreed early sepsis detection saves lives (n = 98, 97%, TDF domain Beliefs About Consequences) and that nursing care can improve patient outcomes (n = 97, 96%, TDF domain Optimism). Fewer nurses agreed it was easy to identify priority sepsis interventions based on order urgency (n = 53, 53%, TDF domain Memory, Attention, and Decision Processes). Reoccurring barriers and facilitators to sepsis recognition and management were commonly identified across the TDF domains of Knowledge, Skills, Environmental Context and Resources, and Social Influences, including competency deficit (with facilitators including support from colleagues), workload or staffing, and equipment or resource availability.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE:

ICU nursing sepsis recognition and management is impacted by numerous individual, environmental, and organizational factors. Recommendations include enhanced competency development or support, utilization of structured reinforcement measures (involving the interdisciplinary team and imploring the use of integrative technologies), and addressing equipment/resource-related gaps. Future research and improvement initiatives should use a theory-informed approach to overcome the pervasive, complex challenges impeding timely sepsis recognition and management.
Significant Disparities in Adolescents With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Across Trauma Center Types: Wide Variation of Tracheostomy and Gastrostomy
Authors: Katsura Morihiro , Fukuma Shingo , Miyata Shin , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi , Daggupati Sindhu , Martin Matthew J. , Inaba Kenji , Matsushima Kazuhide
Published: January 2025

Objectives:

To explore practice variations in the rate and timing of tracheostomy and gastrostomy for adolescent with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) across trauma center types.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study,

Setting:

Trauma centers participating in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2017–2021) included adult (ATC), mixed (MTC), and pediatric trauma centers (PTC).

Patients:

Adolescent 14–18 years old with severe TBI (Head Abbreviated Injury Scale: 3–5 and Glasgow Coma Scale: 3–8) requiring mechanical ventilation.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

A multilevel mixed-effect Poisson regression model assessed the association between trauma center type and tracheostomy/gastrostomy rates. Effect sizes for fixed effects were reported as adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% CI. Secondary analyses were performed to assess the association between trauma center types and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Of 6978 patients, tracheostomy and gastrostomy were performed in 22.5% and 21.3% at ATC, 20.8% and 21.3% at MTC, and 6.9% and 11.1% at PTC, respectively. The median time to tracheostomy was 10 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7–13 d) at ATC, 11 days (IQR, 7–15 d) at MTC, and 15 days (IQR, 11–23 d) at PTC, demonstrating a significantly later timing of tracheostomy at PTC. In the regression model adjusting for potential confounders, treatment at PTC was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of tracheostomy and gastrostomy placement compared with ATC (adjusted IRR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.28–0.52; p < 0.001 and adjusted IRR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44–0.75; p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the occurrence rate of VAP between ATC, MTC, and PTC.

Conclusions:

Our results offer insights into the existing current practice variations between ATC, MTC, and PTC in tracheostomy and gastrostomy placement for adolescent with severe TBI. Further research is warranted to examine the impact of these observed disparities on short- and long-term outcomes and to standardize the care process for adolescent patients.
Analysis Method of 131I Activity in Carbon Cartridge and Internal Dose Assessment for Nuclear Medicine Workers
Authors: Wang Shuo , Tuo Fei , Zhang Jian-feng , Li Xiao-liang , Yang Bao-lu , Zhou Qiang , Li Ze-shu , Kong Shu-ying , Qin Wei-hao
Published: January 2025

Inhalation of 131I is the main route for internal doses to nuclear medicine workers. This study aimed to establish a simple analysis method for determining 131I activity in carbon cartridges, explore the activity concentration of 131I in nuclear medicine departments, and evaluate the internal dose of workers. A total of 21 nuclear medicine departments in the hospital conducted air sampling using a high-volume air sampler equipped with carbon cartridges and glass fiber filters to collect gaseous 131I and aerosol 131I, respectively. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to analyze the 131I activity with inhomogeneous distribution in cartridges. Based on the 131I activity measured by the HPGe γ spectrometer, the personal annual inhalation effective dose was estimated. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the activity of gaseous 131I and aerosol 131I, with the activity ranging from 1.5±0.08 Bq m−1 to 3,944.23±197.21 Bq m−3 and ND (not detectable) to 842.11±42.11 Bq m−3, respectively. The activity of aerosol 131I is about 1% to 7% of that of gaseous 131I. The annual committed effective dose caused by inhalation of 131I for workers is 3.6 μSv to 8.23 mSv, which is lower than the dose limit of 20 mSv y−1. In general, the 131I contamination in the nuclear medicine department cannot be ignored, and the concentration of 131I should be regularly monitored to prevent and control the internal radiation to which workers may be exposed.
“Knife cut technique”. A new way for intra ocular lens (IOL) explantation.
Authors: Muraine Marc , Gueudry Julie , Lorenzi Umberto
Published: January 2025

PURPOSE:

We report a novel technique which enables to cut any kind of foldable lens and extract it using capsulorhexis forceps and a 1.2 mm single-use slit angled knife.

METHODS:

The technique consists in using the capsulorhexis forceps to mantain and stabilize the IOL in the anterior chamber, and while one hand holds the IOL in that way, the second hand introduces a 1.2 mm slit angled knife through a paracenthesis and cuts the IOL on 3/4 of his diameter. The IOL is then extracted in one or twe pieces.

RESULTS:

Since march 2021 we performed the technique in 82 eyes of 79 patients. Learning curve was very fast and the technique was easily managed by two experimented surgeons.

CONCLUSION:

Intraocular lens (IOL) explantation is not a simple surgical technique, and requires potentially dangerous surgical maneuvers hence the description of several surgical techniques, and the existence of expensive extraction kits which provide micro scissors and micro forceps to cut the lens more easily. We believe that the knife cut technique, which has never described to this day, is particularly interesting since it is cheap, easy to do, and useful for all foldable IOL explantation.
Comparison of Carbon Dioxide Laser and Surgical Excision for the Treatment of Eyelid Margin Benign Tumors: A Prospective, Randomized, and Single-blind Study
Authors: Liu Ninghua , Song Nan , Li Chunming , Zhang Jing
Published: January 2025

Objectives:

This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy between carbon dioxide (CO2) laser excision and surgical excision for the treatment of eyelid margin benign tumors.

Methods:

In this single-center, prospective, randomized, and single-blind study, 32 patients diagnosed with eyelid margin benign tumors were enrolled from February 2019 to February 2020 and randomly divided into 2 groups. The sexes, ages, tumor size (length×width), scar, procedure time, physicians’ assessment score, patients’ satisfaction score, and complications were recorded. Histologic analyses were obtained in all patients.

Results:

No significant difference in baseline data (sexes, ages, and tumor size) was found between the 2 groups. The mean scar length at 1-week post-treatment in the CO2 laser excision group was significantly shorter than surgical excision group (0.3±0.1 versus 0.5±0.1 cm, P<0.05), and procedure time in CO2 laser excision group was significantly shorter than surgical excision group (5.8±1.5 versus 26.7±6.4 min, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the physicians’ assessment score and patients’ satisfaction score between the 2 groups. During the follow-up period, no severe complications were observed.

Conclusions:

Compared with surgical excision, CO2 laser excision was a rapid procedure and associated with favorable cosmetic outcomes.
The Correlation Between Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy and Mandibular Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Authors: Qin Mengzhe , Liang Yutong , Yao Jiaqi , Su Xueshang , Zhuang Jun , Zhang Ziming , Hu Jintian
Published: January 2025

Hyaluronic acid filler treatment is increasingly prevalent in the realm of plastic surgery, serving to correct a range of facial changes resulting from aging. Nevertheless, with its expanded application, an uptick in complications has been observed. This article reported a 30-year-old female patient who received chin hyaluronic acid filler treatment 5 years ago started experiencing atrophy and progressive deterioration at the injection site a year ago. Currently, she presents with a pronounced depression beneath the left corner of her mouth, along with changes in skin tone and scarring. The patient exhibited progressive hemifacial atrophy within the region that had been injected with hyaluronic acid. Progressive hemifacial atrophy at the injection site may be a novel adverse effect associated with the injection of fillers, and it is important to be vigilant about this possibility.
Comparative Safety of Istradefylline Among Parkinson Disease Adjunctive Therapies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Torres-Yaghi Yasar , Qian Joyce , Cummings Hannah , Shimoda Hiroo , Ito Satoru , Batson Sarah , Mitchell Stephen , Pagan Fernando
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Adjunctive therapies to treat OFF episodes resulting from long-term levodopa treatment in Parkinson disease (PD) are hampered by safety and tolerability issues. Istradefylline offers an alternative mechanism (adenosine A2A receptor antagonist) and therefore potentially improved tolerability.

Methods

A systematic review of PD adjuncts published in 2011 was updated to include randomized controlled trials published from January 1, 2010–April 15, 2019. Pairwise meta-analyses were updated, and Bucher indirect comparisons were used to generate estimates of relative safety, presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for comparators versus istradefylline.

Results

Fifty-seven randomized controlled trials involving 11,517 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Relative to istradefylline, dopamine agonists and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors had statistically significant higher odds of dyskinesia and somnolence. Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors had significantly higher odds of hypotension. Amantadine extended-release (ER) had statistically significant higher odds of hallucination, orthostatic hypotension, insomnia, and withdrawals due to adverse events. All interventions combined had significantly higher odds of dyskinesia versus istradefylline 20 mg and somnolence versus istradefylline 40 mg. Considering overall incidence of adverse events, COMT inhibitors and amantadine ER had statistically significant higher odds versus both istradefylline doses (COMT versus istradefylline 40 mg, OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.75; versus istradefylline 20 mg, OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.72; amantadine ER versus istradefylline 40 mg, OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.85, 6.25; versus istradefylline 20 mg, OR: 3.33; 95% CI: 1.82, 6.25).

Conclusion

Istradefylline was associated with a generally favorable safety profile relative to other adjunct medications in this study.
Impact of Academic Medical Centers on Surgical Outcomes of Neighboring Non-Academic Medical Centers
Authors: Khalil Mujtaba , Rashid Zayed , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Altaf Abdullah , Kawashima Jun , Chatzipanagiotou Odysseas P , Tsai Susan , Pawlik Timothy M
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

We aimed to investigate the geographic variation of Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) across different healthcare markets and the impact on surgical outcomes in nearby non-AMCs.

Methods:

Patients who underwent major surgery between 2016 and 2021 were identified from the Medicare Standard Analytic Files. Healthcare markets were delineated using Dartmouth Atlas hospital referral regions. Multivariable regression was used to examine the association between the presence of market-level AMCs and surgical outcomes in neighboring non-AMCs.

Results:

A total of 388,431 Medicare beneficiaries underwent major surgery (CABG: n=97,346, 25.1%; AAA repair: n=67,000, 17.3%; pneumonectomy: n=30,500, 7.9%; pancreatectomy: n=5,341, 1.4%; colectomy: n=188,244, 48.5%) at 2,757 non-AMCs. Median age was 74 years (IQR: 70–80), and roughly one-half of patients was male (n=215,569, 55.5%). Notably, 43.1% of individuals underwent surgery in markets with low AMC presence, 48.0% in markets with moderate AMC presence, and 8.9% in markets with high AMC presence. On multivariable analysis, compared with low AMC markets, high AMC presence was associated with decreased risk of extended length-of-stay (–1.51%, 95% CI –2.03 to –1.00), postoperative complications (–1.20%, 95% CI –1.76 to –0.65), 90-day readmission (–2.39%, 95% CI –2.90 to –1.88), and mortality (–0.64% 95% CI –0.98 to –0.30) (all p<0.001). Moreover, high AMC market presence was associated with a 2.93% (–2.93%, 95% CI –3.17 to –2.68; p<0.001) decrease in expenditures for the index surgical procedure.

Conclusion:

High market presence of AMCs was associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates at nearby non-AMCs. The influence of AMCs on clinical outcomes likely extends beyond direct patient care, indicating spillover effects of AMCs on outcomes for patients in neighboring non-AMCs.