bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executive Function Strengths in Athletes: a Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Ren Shuangquan , Shi Peng , Feng Xioasu , Zhang Kai , Wang Wenchao
Published: January 2025

Objective

Whether athletes possess superior executive functions still needs further examination. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the executive function advantages of athletes and the differences in these advantages between open‐ and closed‐skill sports through systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

Computer searches of CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus databases were conducted. After document selection, data extraction, and quality assessment by two researchers, data processing, statistical analysis, and visual presentation were performed using SPSS 25.0, Stata 16.0, and GraphPad Prism 8 software.

Results

A total of 41 articles were included, including 3845 athletes with a mean age of 9.6–42.8 years. Athletes showed more positive inhibitory control (Z = 5.18, standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.631, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = −0.869 to −0.392, p = 0.000) and working memory (Z = 3.42, SMD = −0.382, 95%CI = −0.601 to −0.163, p = 0.001) compared to the general group with no sports experience. Elite and sub‐elite, and sub‐elite and amateur athletes all showed more positive performance on the cognitive flexibility task compared to the latter. In addition, open‐skilled athletes performed more positively on working memory and cognitive flexibility tasks compared to closed‐skilled athletes. Egger linear regression analysis revealed a possible publication bias for inhibitory control, whereas there was no publication bias for working memory and cognitive flexibility. Univariate meta‐regression analysis revealed that date of publication (β = 0.145) and sample size (β = −0.002) were sources of heterogeneity between studies for the inclusion of cognitive flexibility (p < 0.05). The sensitivity analysis of the one‐by‐one elimination method and the cut‐and‐patch method found the results to be relatively robust and reliable.

Conclusion

Athletes have superior executive function performance that increases with sports experience. In addition, open‐skilled athletes showed more positive executive function. The result has guiding significance for the selection and training of athletes in the future.
Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Strength‐Based Parenting Scale in an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Asgarizadeh Ahmad , Shokri Omid
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Despite the increasing interest in positive psychology and the functional characteristics of one of its practical derivations, strength‐based parenting, there is a paucity of information regarding the assessment tools for strength‐based parenting and their psychometric properties. Thus, this study aimed to translate the Strength‐Based Parenting Scale (SBPS) into Persian and investigate its validity and reliability among Iranian adolescents.

Method

Of the 645 adolescents who completed the Persian translation of the SBPS (349 females, Mage = 14.01 years, SDage = 0.82, range = 13–15), 300 also answered the Mental Toughness Scale for Adolescents and the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale.

Finding

Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two‐factor structure comprising dimensions of “knowledge of strengths” and “use of strengths,” the measurement invariance of which was established across sexes and school grades. The two dimensions were significantly and strongly correlated with the constructs of mental toughness and psychological resilience (r = 0.36–0.65, p < 0.01), corroborating the criterion‐related validity of the SBPS. Furthermore, excellent internal consistency coefficients were observed for both subscales (0.96–0.97).

Conclusion

Our findings substantiate the positions derived from positive psychology, upon which the conceptual foundation of strength‐based parenting is built, and provide preliminary support for the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the SBPS.
The Effect of Digital Era on Human Visual Working Memory
Authors: Tang Dandan , Chen Jiangtao , Xu Ping
Published: January 2025

Background

The digital age has had a profound impact on our lives and cognitive abilities, such as working memory. Typically, visual working memory (VWM) is an important aspect of our working memory. As a crucial cognitive function for individuals, VWM has been extensively studied in the context of the digital age and may be affected by the digital age.

Objective

This review aims to provide a summary of the impact of the digital age on VWM and cover various aspects and novel methods for investigating its effects on our VWM.

Methods

Qualitative review of the VWM in the context of the digital age.

Results

This paper reviews the research on VWM in the context of the digital era, expounds the influence of both the digital content usage and the active video games on the VWM, introduces the application of the virtual technology in the research of VWM, and puts forward the future research direction of VWM in the context of the digital era.

Conclusion

By synthesizing the existing research, this review sheds light on the complex relationship between the digital age and VWM, as well as identifies potential avenues for future research on VWM.
Effects of Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis in Alertness, Associative Learning, and Astrocyte Density
Authors: Higarza Sara G. , De Antón‐Cosío Marina , Zorzo Candela , Arias Jorge L. , Arias Natalia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a prevalent disease caused by high fat and high cholesterol intake, which leads to systemic deterioration. The aim of this research is to conduct a psychobiological exploration of MASH in adult male rats.

Methods

Subjects who were administered a high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet for 14 weeks. Then, we assessed the acoustic startle response and alertness through the prepulse inhibition paradigm as well as the associative learning by the use of the passive avoidance test. Also, we explored the astrocyte density in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

Results

Our results showed that, whereas the MASH group did not display an impaired associative learning, a lower exploration rate was found in this group. Moreover, a reduced prepulse inhibition was found in these subjects in the case of the weaker and closer‐to‐the‐stimulus prepulse, which indicates a mild alteration in this process. No differences were found in astrocyte density in the MASH group in comparison with controls.

Conclusion

MASH seems to be linked with cognitive dysfunction. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathway involved in this disease and its underlying mechanism, as well as the potential implication in human health.
High Body Roundness Index Is Associated With Unhealthy Sleep Patterns: Insights From NHANES (2007–2014)
Authors: Liu Pingchuan , Luo Yuding , He Xing , Zhang Jiali , Ren Fanzhou , Zhang Bingyang , Zheng Bo , Wang Jian
Published: January 2025

Background

Substantial evidence suggests an association between obesity and sleep. However, research investigating sleep patterns in relation to novel anthropometric indices is limited. Therefore, we conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2014 to examine the relationship between the body roundness index (BRI) and unhealthy sleep patterns.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association between the BRI and unhealthy sleep patterns among US adults.

Methods

Data were sourced from NHANES (2007–2014), including respondents aged 20 years and older. Participants were categorized into two groups based on the healthiness of their sleep patterns. The data were weighted, and multiple potential covariates were included in the analysis to provide national estimates and account for the comprehensive sampling design. A multivariable weighted logistic regression model was used, employing restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves to examine potential associations, and subgroup analyses were conducted to determine the stability of the results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the diagnostic performance of BRI and body mass index (BMI) in identifying unhealthy sleep patterns.

Results

In the fully adjusted multivariable logistic regression model, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) for the association between BRI and unhealthy sleep patterns was 1.09, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.07–1.10. The RCS analysis found that the nonlinear association between BRI and unhealthy sleep patterns was not significant. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses indicated a consistently positive association between high BRI and unhealthy sleep patterns across most subgroups. ROC diagnostic tests showed that BRI's effectiveness in diagnosing unhealthy sleep patterns was comparable to that of BMI, and it was not inferior to BMI in assessing certain components of sleep patterns.

Conclusion

High BRI is positively associated with unhealthy sleep patterns significantly, indicating that BRI could be a promising metric for evaluating sleep health.
Research Progress on the Potential Pathogenesis of Persistent Postural–Perceptual Dizziness
Authors: Qin Chen , Zhang Ruyi , Yan Zhihui
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Persistent postural–perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is the most prevalent chronic functional dizziness in the clinic. Unsteadiness, dizziness, or non‐spinning vertigo are the main symptoms of PPPD, and they are typically aggravated by upright posture, active or passive movement, and visual stimulation. The pathogenesis of PPPD remains incompletely understood, and it cannot be attributed to any specific anatomical defect within the vestibular system. Consequently, there is no objective examination method for the disease, and the diagnosis primarily depends on the symptoms of the patient, which lack specificity.

Methods

To better understand the pathogenesis of PPPD and to aid in the development of novel diagnostic strategies and therapies, we conducted a comprehensive narrative review of the relevant literature. We performed a search for literature in PubMed using the following search phrases: “persistent postural–perceptual dizziness” OR “PPPD” OR “chronic subjective dizziness” OR “functional dizziness” OR “space‐motion discomfort” OR “visual vertigo” OR “phobic postural vertigo.” The reference list of relevant studies was also screened. The search was limited to publications in English, and the final references were selected based on their relevance to the scope of this review.

Results

This review summarizes recent studies that have investigated the pathogenesis of PPPD. It is traditionally assumed that PPPD may result from altered postural control strategies, cortical integration of threat assessment and spatial orientation, or abnormal integration of multi‐sensory information. Recent studies have shown that the brain structure, activity, structural connectivity, and even cerebral perfusion of patients with PPPD differ from those of healthy individuals. Furthermore, PPPD patients are different from healthy individuals in spatial navigation ability, vestibular perception thresholds, central sensitization, and oxidative stress. These findings provide additional anatomical and behavioral insights into the pathogenesis of PPPD, suggesting that PPPD may arise from shifts in the interactions among emotional, visuo‐vestibular, and sensorimotor networks.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex pathogenesis of PPPD is crucial for the development of novel therapeutics against PPPD. Following the existing findings, our review suggests directions for future research.
Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Comorbidities Among Elderly Diabetic Individuals in China
Authors: Qiao Luyao , Pan Xin , Li Tianpei , Yi Shouqin , Tang Zhenyu
Published: January 2025

Background

Diabetic individuals are at an increased risk of mental illness and comorbidities. However, the precise association between depressive symptoms and comorbidity remains uncertain. Our study aimed to investigate this relationship among elderly Chinese diabetic patients.

Methods

Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2020 were utilized for the cross‐sectional analysis. Depressive status was defined as the dependent variable, while the presence, number, and type of comorbidities served as independent variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for potential demographic factors, and health status and functioning factors.

Results

Our findings indicate that diabetic patients with complications are more likely to experience depression. With the exception for dyslipidemia (OR = 1.195, 95% CI: 0.969, 1.475), individuals with hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, memory‐related disease, or arthritis/rheumatism were prone to develop depressive status in the fully adjusted model. After adjusting for covariates, diabetic patients with memory‐related diseases exhibited the most pronounced association with depressive symptoms (OR = 2.673, 95% CI: 1.882, 3.797). Furthermore, an increasing number of depression‐related comorbidities strengthened the association (p < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis revealed that there were no significant differences stratified by gender or marital status (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In the elderly diabetic population in China, the presence, number, and type of comorbidities were independently associated with depressive symptoms. Diabetic patients with memory‐related diseases displayed the highest likelihood of experiencing depressive status. These findings underscore the importance of implementing effective strategies for multimorbidity management in diabetic patients.
Endovascular Treatment of Mirror Aneurysms in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: Single Stage or Multiple Stage?
Authors: Song Yunfei , Song Guoqiang , Liu Guijing , Mao Limei , An Xiuhu , Peng Chao , Li Jian , Chen Yan , Li Hongwen , Hou Changkai , Wang Bangyue , Zhao Yan , Wang Xiangdong , Yin Gangfeng , Yang Xinyu
Published: January 2025

Objective

The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of single‐stage versus multistage endovascular treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with Mirror Aneurysms.

Materials and Methods

Our research team performed a prospective study, focusing on the radiographic and clinical data of patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage, specifically those who presented with Mirror Aneurysms upon admission to our institutions. According to the different endovascular treatment stages, these patients were grouped into the multistage cohort and the single‐stage cohort.

Result

A total of 216 aneurysms were identified among the 108 patients, with every patient having one ruptured aneurysm. The duration of follow‐up was 2 years in both groups. In the single‐stage cohort, all 114 aneurysms in 57 patients were managed during a single session. During the 2‐year follow‐up, it was observed that 49 patients achieved a modified Rankin Scale score ≤2. Five complications were encountered, including cerebral vasospasm in three patients, cerebral hemorrhage in one patient, and thromboembolism in one patient. In the multistage cohort, only the ruptured aneurysm (amounting to 51 in total) received treatment at the initial occurrence, while the remaining 51 aneurysms were addressed subsequently. Throughout the 2‐year follow‐up period, 46 subjects exhibited a modified Rankin scale score ≤2. Overall, four complications were documented, including cerebral vasospasm in two patients, a subarachnoid hemorrhage in one patient, and thromboembolism in one patient.

Conclusion

The safety and effectiveness of both endovascular treatment groups have been verified for patients with Mirror Aneurysms suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage. If feasible, single‐stage embolization should be considered a viable treatment option for these patients.
Age‐Specific Effect and Pathways of Risk Factors on the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A 13‐Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tian Xue , Chen Shuohua , Zhang Yijun , Xu Qin , Xia Xue , Wu Shouling , Wang Anxin
Published: January 2025

Aim

To assess risk profiles and pathways for incident type 2 diabetes by age at onset.

Materials and Methods

Based on the Kailaun study, 92,020 participants without type 2 diabetes were enrolled and classified into four age‐onset groups as < 55, 55 to < 65, 65 to < 75, and ≥ 75 years. Clinical risk factors and serum biomarkers were examined. Cox regression and Bayesian network analysis were performed.

Results

Of the clinical risk factors, metabolic syndrome had the highest hazard ratio [HR] for type 2 diabetes onset at any age, ranging from 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.89–4.06) at onset in those < 55 years to 2.97 (95% CI, 2.57–3.44) at onset in those ≥ 75 years. Among biomarkers, insulin resistance evaluated by triglyceride‐glucose index had the highest HR (1.66; 95% CI, 1.61–1.70) for onset < 55 years. In comparison, weaker but significant associations with diabetes in onset < 55 years were noted for most lipids, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers. Most risk factors had attenuated relative rates at older ages. Bayesian network showed that the most important pathway to incident diabetes was through insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, with conditional probabilities ranging from 62.1% in onset < 55 years, and attenuated to 16.3% for onset ≥ 75 years.

Conclusions

Most risk factors for diabetes had attenuated relative rates at older ages. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, in addition to prediabetes, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, tended to be stronger risk factors.
Investigating the Effect of Capric Acid on Antibiotic‐Induced Autism‐Like Behavior in Rodents
Authors: Shekhar Nikhila , Thakur Ajit Kumar
Published: January 2025

Owing to the high prevalence of gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients, the gut–brain axis is considered to play a vital role in neurodevelopment diseases. Recent pieces of evidence have pointed to the usage of antibiotics at an early developmental stage to be a causative factor in autism due to its ability to induce critical changes in the gut microbiota. The purpose of the study is to determine the neuroprotective effect of capric acid (CA) on autism in antibiotic‐induced gut dysbiosis in rodents. In this study, the effect of CA was observed in penicillin V (31 mg/kg, p.o.) exposed animals by evaluating their autism‐like behavioral and biochemical parameters. The establishment of gut dysbiosis was confirmed by 16 RNA sequencing, and behavioral tests were performed. Subsequently, oxidative stress, cytokine levels, and mitochondrial complex activities in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were analyzed. It was observed that the administration of penicillin V during the perinatal period produced gut dysbiosis and long‐lasting changes in social behavior with symptoms of anxiety and depression and impaired learning and memory. Treatment with penicillin V also produced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Treatment with CA produced a positive effect on the alterations with maximum effects evident at 400 mg/kg, p.o. through amelioration of behavioral as well as biochemical changes. The current study concluded that CA could act as a likely candidate for the treatment and management of autism via modulation of gut dysbiosis‐induced neurobehavioral parameters, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory markers.
Chemical profiling of coriander, garlic and their combination to highlight the synergistic effect of the profiled compounds through in vitro and in vivo bioassays
Authors: Boujbiha Mohamed Ali , Chahdoura Hassiba , Ziani Borhane Eddine Cherif , Hsouna Anis Ben , Snoussi Mejdi , M'hadheb Manel Ben , Bachari Khaldoun , Selmi Boulbaba , Kačániová Miroslava , Mnif Wissem , Flamini Guido , Mosbah Habib
Published: January 2025

Hydroethanolic extracts of coriander seeds (CE), garlic bulbs (GE), and their combination (CGE), were chemically profiled using HS‐SPME/GC–MS and LC‐Q‐TOF/MS–MS to assess volatile composition and to study phenolic molecules, respectively. Biological assays were conducted through in vitro and in vivo experiments to measure the EC50 of the antioxidant assays and the MIC/MBC/MFC values of the antibacterial/antifungal activities. Antioxidant combination Index (CI) and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values were further recorded. The acute oral toxicity, analgesic, and gastroprotective activities were evaluated in vivo on Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice. Caffeoyl quinic acid, feruloyl‐quinic acid, and caffeic acid derivatives (quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin‐O‐glycoside) together with monoterpene linalool, α‐pinene, and γ‐terpinene were found to be highly present in CE. Organosulfur compounds (allicin, S‐allyl‐l‐cysteine, allin, γ‐Glutamyl‐S‐allylcysteine, and allyl sulfide) were predominant in GE. All the profiled compounds were co‐present in CGE. In vivo assays responded in a dose‐dependent showing better activity mainly at 200 mg kg−1. Chromatographic analysis profiled various phenolic acids, flavonols and derivatives, monoterpene, and organosulfur compounds in the assessed extracts and their combinations. Bioassays' responses were found to be dose‐dependent with better scores recorded with CGE. Thus, a synergetic effect was significantly highlighted.
Clostridium difficile and gut health: Bacteria, the gut microbiome, and diet
Authors: Yang Hao , Wang Lamei , Villafuerte Gálvez Javier A. , Ma Xinru , Xu Hua , Wu Shengru , Yao Junhu , Chen Xinhua , Cao Yangchun
Published: January 2025

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a growing global health threat, presenting significant challenges to public health. Advances in metabolomics and proteomics have enhanced our understanding of human physiology, particularly the influence of gut microbiota and dietary components on diseases like CDI. This review explores recent insights into CDI pathogenesis, including the infection cycle, toxin mechanisms, spore structure, germination, and therapeutic strategies targeting spore formation and germination. We also examine the role of gut microbiota and metabolites in CDI progression, along with the impact of diet on disease pathology through microbiota modulation and immune regulation. We aim to guide the development of precise, individualized dietary strategies to regulate gut microbiota and immune responses, offering innovative therapeutic options for CDI prevention.
Prevalence of burnout and impact of workload on physician wellness: A cross‐sectional survey of hospitalists in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Yousefi Vandad
Published: January 2025

Background

Hospitalists in British Columbia care for a large percentage of hospitalized patients across 21 acute care facilities.

Objective

We aimed to characterize the demographic and work attributes of the workforce and to understand levels of burnout and the relationship between workload and job satisfaction.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of individuals participating in hospitalist programs in BC.

Results

Almost all individuals (96%) were involved in the care of patients with COVID‐19 in 2021, the height of the pandemic. High rates of burnout were demonstrated among hospitalists, with a large number of providers planning to significantly reduce or stop their involvement in acute care. Regression analysis identified workload as an important factor associated with burnout. Older physicians, those who had been practising for longer, and those with moderate to high number of shifts were more likely to consider reducing their involvement with their programs.

Conclusions

High levels of burnout are associated with a desire to reduce work involvement among BC hospitalists. Health system leaders need to consider factors contributing to burnout as a key aspect of broader health human resource planning efforts.
脳梗塞と壊死性好酸球性心筋炎を合併した好酸球性多発血管炎性肉芽腫症の1救命例(Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by cerebral infarction and necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis: a case report)
Authors: 澄子 佐々木 , 一暢 宇根 , 一輝 武市 , 弘喜 木下 , 雄 中西 , 龍一 中布
Published: January 2025

症例は40歳台の女性，来院5年前に気管支喘息と診断され吸入ステロイドで加療されていた。1か月前から喘息症状が悪化し，1週間前から両下肢のしびれが出現した。近医の血液検査で末梢血の好酸球数の増加を認め，当院へ紹介受診された。来院時，好酸球3万/μLの著明な増加と心筋逸脱酵素上昇を認め，好酸球性心筋炎を，背景疾患として好酸球性多発血管炎性肉芽腫症の存在を疑った。循環動態は安定しており入院翌日に心筋生検を行い，検査後からプレドニゾロン1mg/kg/dayでの加療を開始した。入院してからも呼吸循環動態の悪化はみられなかったが，第3病日早朝に突然心停止した。速やかに一時的ペースメーカー挿入と体外循環式心肺蘇生法を実施し，自己心拍は再開した。劇症型心筋炎として同日よりステロイドパルス療法を開始，以後は経過良好で第10病日にICUを退室した。リハビリ開始後，左下肢のしびれが出現した。頭部MRI検査で右前頭葉に新鮮脳梗塞巣を認め，心臓超音波検査では新たに左室心尖部の無収縮と左室内血栓を認めたため，心原性脳塞栓症と診断した。本症例の心筋障害の原因は組織への好酸球浸潤が主体であったが，心筋シンチグラフィーから好酸球増多に伴う二次性凝固異常の関与も考えられた。予後良好といわれる好酸球性心筋炎においても，急変や合併症発症の可能性を念頭に背景疾患や重症度を評価し，迅速かつ適切に診療を行うことが重要であると思われる。
Partial REBOA併用下でdamage control IVRを行い救命した膵十二指腸動脈瘤破裂の1例(Partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta with damage control interventional radiology for ruptured visceral artery aneurysm)
Authors: 幸詩 馬庭 , 千佳 鷹尾 , 稔 甲村 , 健一 野中 , 光彦 日下部
Published: January 2025

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta（REBOA）は外傷や産科出血などでの使用経験が多いが，腹部内臓動脈瘤破裂に対して使用された症例報告，さらに大動脈遮断時間，遮断強度を工夫するpartial REBOA（P–REBOA）の報告例は未だ少ない。症例は65歳の男性。突然の腹痛，嘔吐を主訴に救急搬送され，来院時よりショック状態であり造影CTで正中弓状靭帯圧迫症候群に起因する膵十二指腸動脈瘤破裂と診断した。REBOAによるpartial occlusionで出血コントロールした状態でdamage control interventional radiology（DCIR）として前下膵十二指腸動脈を上腸間膜動脈から近位塞栓した。遮断時間は95分と長時間であったが，遮断による虚血再灌流などの合併症なく経過し自宅退院した。腹腔内出血に対して確実な止血術まで時間を要する場合，P–REBOAによる出血コントロールは有用であり，DCIRを併用することで侵襲や合併症を最小限にした治療戦略となる。
Lemierre症候群の呼吸不全増悪に寄与する因子の検討：症例報告(Factors contributing to exacerbation of respiratory failure in Lemierre’s syndrome: A case series)
Authors: 佐衣子 小原 , 和茂 井上 , 浩明 高田 , 聡志 関 , 栄寿 長谷川
Published: January 2025

Lemierre症候群は，咽頭感染から内頸静脈の血栓症を引き起こし，他臓器に敗血症性塞栓を来す症候群である。遠隔臓器病変としては肺病変が最も多く90%以上の症例に合併し，呼吸不全に至る症例も認める。当院で経験した膿胸を合併したLemierre症候群の2例に関して，呼吸不全が増悪しうる要因について検討した。2例のうち，1例では急激な呼吸不全の増悪を認めた。症例は30代の男性であり，主訴は発熱，咽頭痛，胸痛，呼吸苦であった。来院時，低酸素血症を認め，high flow nasal cannulaを使用した。第3病日に急激な胸水の増加，呼吸状態の悪化を認め，CTガイド下に両側肺底部の胸腔ドレナージを施行した。胸水からも口腔内常在菌が検出された。第8病日に右肺尖部の増加した胸水に対し，再度CTガイド下胸腔ドレナージを追加した。徐々に呼吸状態は改善し，第36病日に退院となった。Lemierre症候群では，敗血症性肺塞栓症や肺膿瘍が胸腔内に穿破し膿胸を生じることがある。急速に胸水が増加するときは膿胸の合併を考慮し，より早期から積極的なドレナージが必要である。
Electrophoretic Deposition of Gentamicin Into Titania Nanotubes Prevents Evidence of Infection in a Mouse Model of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Hamilton John L. , Gianotti Sofia , Fischer Julia , Della Fara Greta , Impergre Amandine , De Vecchi Francesca , AbuAlia Mohammed , Fischer Alfons , Markovics Adrienn , Wimmer Markus A.
Published: January 2025

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a leading cause and major complication of joint replacement failure. As opposed to standard‐of‐care systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for PJI, we developed and tested titanium femoral intramedullary implants with titania nanotubes (TNTs) coated with the antibiotic gentamicin and slow‐release agent chitosan through electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in a mouse model of PJI. We hypothesized that these implants would enable local gentamicin delivery to the implant surface and surgical site, effectively preventing bacterial colonization. In the mouse PJI model, C57BL/6 mice received implants with TNTs coated with chitosan (chitosan group; control group) or with TNTs coated with chitosan and gentamicin (chitosan + gentamicin group; experimental group). Following implant placement, the surgical site was inoculated with 1 × 103 CFUs of Xen36 bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus. All the mice in the chitosan group and none in the chitosan + gentamicin group had evidence of infection based on CFU analysis and bioluminescence imaging through the 14‐day assessment postsurgery. Correspondingly, scanning electron microscopy analysis at the implant surface demonstrated bacterial biofilm only in the chitosan group. Furthermore, periosteal reaction and peri‐implant bone loss at the femur were significantly reduced in the chitosan + gentamicin group. The chitosan + gentamicin group had reduced pain behavior, improved weight‐bearing, and increased weight compared to the chitosan‐control group. This study provides preclinical evidence supporting the efficacy of implants with TNTs coated with chitosan and gentamicin through EPD for preventing bacterial colonization and biofilm formation in a mouse model of PJI.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency Associated With Noninfectious Pulmonary Complications and Its Treatment: Beyond Immunoglobulin Therapy
Authors: Parsons Austin J. , Franco‐Palacios Domingo , Kelly Bryan , Grafton Gillian , McIntosh Javardo , Coleman David , Abdul Hameed Asif M. , Sayf Alaa Abu
Published: January 2025

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a type of primary immunodeficiency that presents as a heterogenous disorder characterized by hypogammaglobinemia, poor response to vaccines, recurrent sinopulmonary infections, and can have noninfectious systemic manifestations. We performed a single‐center, retrospective, observational study of five patients with noninfectious complications of CVID. All patients had CVID as defined by the European Society of Immunodeficiencies criteria and had received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. There were multiple pulmonary manifestations of CVID including frequent pneumonias, bronchiectasis, granulomatous lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. All our patients were treated with pulmonary vasodilators for severe precapillary pulmonary hypertension along with individualized immunosuppression regimen for interstitial lung disease. Despite treatment for interstitial lung disease and PH, their conditions worsened over 2–3 years with all patients progressing toward organ transplant evaluation. Idiopathic thrombocytopenia and non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension were common, with three patients probably suffering from nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Noninfectious complications of CVID can affect different organs and progress despite advanced therapies. Single or multiorgan transplantation is a treatment option for patients with end‐stage organ involvement refractory to medical therapy.
Effects of Climate-Driven Salinity Regimes on Disease Dynamics of the Eastern Oyster, a Key Estuarine Resource and Bioindicator
Authors: Savage Kelley B. , Palmer Terence A. , Montagna Paul A. , Beseres Pollack Jennifer
Published: January 2025

This chapter addresses the connections between long-term trends in climate variability, freshwater inflow dynamics, and salinity patterns and their effects on Perkinsus marinus infection of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) at local and regional scales in Texas estuaries. Salinities were highest during droughts compared to normal and wet climatic conditions. At the local, within-estuary scale, salinities increased longitudinally from reefs closest to the freshwater inflow source to reefs closest to the Gulf of Mexico inlet. At the regional scale, salinities increased latitudinally moving from estuaries in the northeast to the southwest. Relationships between salinity and P. marinus infection levels were strongest for market size (≥76 mm) oysters. At the local scale, mean salinity had positive relationships with infection prevalence and severity of infection (= weighted prevalence) for market-sized oysters; salinity explained 94% of the variance in infection prevalence and 82% of the variance in severity of infection. Relationships at the regional scale were less strong; salinity was positively correlated with infection severity but not infection prevalence in market-sized oysters; salinity explained 64% of the variation in infection prevalence and 71% of variation in infection severity. Results were used to develop salinity recommendations of between 21.0 and 24.9 for maintaining low (≤50%) prevalence of P. marinus-infected oysters and low severity of infection (≤1.0) in order to support development of water resource management plans that account for variability in climate patterns.
High-affinity ssDNA aptamer and chemiluminescent aptasensor for TIMP-1 detection in human serum
Authors: Wang Qin , Li Yanli , Yao Lige , Li Huiqin , Zhang Liuyan , Wang Yingjie , Li Jiayin , Chen Tian , Chai Kun , Gao Junli , Gao Junshun , Su Li , Li Xueming
Published: January 2025

TIMP-1 (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1) is a protein involved in regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. It is recognized as a significant biomarker for cancer diagnosis. This study aimed to develop and characterize a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer targeting human TIMP-1 protein with high affinity and specificity. A magnetic beads-based SELEX process combined with qPCR was used to select aptamers over seven rounds. The enriched ssDNA library was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing to identify candidate sequences, and these sequences were characterized using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and binding assays to evaluate their affinity and specificity. The selected ssDNA aptamer demonstrated a dissociation equilibrium constant (K
D) of 0.41 nM and a very slow off-rate, enabling effective capture of TIMP-1 in serum samples. Furthermore, a chemiluminescent aptasensor was developed for TIMP-1 detection, which exhibited high specificity and a broad linear detection range from 1 to 500 ng/mL in human serum. The developed ssDNA aptamer targeting TIMP-1 shows high affinity and specificity, and the chemiluminescent aptasensor demonstrates promising potential for clinical diagnosis of TIMP-1 levels in human serum.

Graphical abstract
MT-100, a human Tie2-agonistic antibody, improves penile neurovasculature in diabetic mice via the novel target Srpx2
Authors: Liu Fang-Yuan , Cho Young-Lai , Fridayana Fitri Rahma , Niloofar Lashkari , Vo Minh Nhat , Huang Yan , Limanjaya Anita , Kwon Mi-Hye , Ock Jiyeon , Lee Seon-Jin , Yin Guo Nan , Lee Nam-Kyung , Ryu Ji-Kan
Published: January 2025

Diabetes is an incurable, chronic disease that can lead to many complications, including angiopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED). The angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling pathway plays a critical role in blood vessel development, formation, remodeling, and peripheral nerve regeneration. Therefore, strategies for activating the Tie2 signaling pathway have been developed as potential therapies for neurovascular diseases. Here, we developed a human Tie2-agonistic antibody (MT-100) that not only resists Ang-2 antagonism and activates Tie2 signaling but also regulates a novel target, sushi repeat-containing protein X-linked 2 (Srpx2). This regulation led to the survival of vascular and neuronal cells, a reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway, increased expression of neurotrophic factors, and ultimately alleviation of ED in diabetic mice. Our findings not only provide conclusive evidence that MT-100 is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetic ED but also suggest it has substantial clinical applications for other complications associated with diabetes.
Loss of YTHDC1 m6A reading function promotes invasiveness in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Xu Jinyun , Koch Jonas , Schmidt Claudia , Nientiedt Malin , Neuberger Manuel , Erben Philipp , Michel Maurice Stephan , Rodríguez-Paredes Manuel , Lyko Frank
Published: January 2025

Bladder cancer poses significant clinical challenges due to its high metastatic potential and poor prognosis, especially when it progresses to muscle-invasive stages. Here, we show that the m6A reader YTHDC1 is downregulated in muscle-invasive bladder cancer and is negatively correlated with the expression of epithelial‒mesenchymal transition genes. The functional inhibition or depletion of YTHDC1 increased the migration and invasion of urothelial cells. Integrative analysis of multimodal sequencing datasets provided detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating YTHDC1-dependent phenotypes and identified SMAD6 as a key transcript involved in the invasiveness of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Notably, SMAD6 mRNA colocalized less with YTHDC1 in tumoral tissues than in paratumoral tissues, indicating disrupted binding during cancer progression. Our findings establish YTHDC1-dependent m6A reading as a critical epitranscriptomic mechanism regulating bladder cancer invasiveness and provide a paradigm for the epitranscriptomic deregulation of cancer-associated networks.
SPOCK2 controls the proliferation and function of immature pancreatic β-cells through MMP2
Authors: Blaszczyk Katarzyna , Jedrzejak Anna P. , Ziojla Natalia , Shcheglova Ekaterina , Szarafin Karolina , Jankowski Artur , Beamish Christine A. , Chmielowiec Jolanta , Sabek Omaima M. , Balasubramanyam Ashok , Patel Sanjeet , Borowiak Malgorzata
Published: January 2025

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived β-cells (SC-β-cells) represent an alternative cell source for transplantation in diabetic patients. Although mitogens could in theory be used to expand β-cells, adult β-cells very rarely replicate. In contrast, newly formed β-cells, including SC-β-cells, display higher proliferative capacity and distinct transcriptional and functional profiles. Through bidirectional expression modulation and single-cell RNA-seq, we identified SPOCK2, an ECM protein, as an inhibitor of immature β-cell proliferation. Human β-cells lacking SPOCK2 presented elevated MMP2 expression and activity, leading to β-integrin-FAK-c-JUN pathway activation. Treatment with the MMP2 protein resulted in pronounced short- and long-term SC-β-cell expansion, significantly increasing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that SPOCK2 mediates fetal β-cell proliferation and maturation. In summary, we identified a molecular mechanism that specifically regulates SC-β-cell proliferation and function, highlighting a unique signaling milieu of SC-β-cells with promise for the robust derivation of fully functional cells for transplantation.
Disruption of the β-catenin destruction complex via Ephexin1-Axin1 interaction promotes colorectal cancer proliferation
Authors: Kim Jeeho , Jeon Young Jin , Chang In-Youb , Lee Jung-Hee , You Ho Jin
Published: January 2025

Wnt signaling is essential for cell growth and tumor formation and is abnormally activated in colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor progression; however, the specific role and regulatory mechanisms involved in tumor development remain unclear. Here, we show that Ephexin1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is significantly overexpressed in CRC and is correlated with increased Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. Through comprehensive analysis, including RNA sequencing data from TCGA and functional assays, we observed that Ephexin1 promotes tumor proliferation and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This effect was mediated by the interaction of Ephexin1 with Axin1, a critical component of the β-catenin destruction complex, which in turn enhanced the stability and activity of β-catenin in signaling pathways critical for tumor development. Importantly, our findings also suggest that targeting Ephexin1 may increase the efficacy of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors in CRC treatment. These findings highlight the potential of targeting Ephexin1 as a strategy for developing effective treatments for CRC, suggesting a novel and promising approach to therapy aimed at inhibiting cancer progression.
Sub-terahertz transmissive reconfigurable intelligent surface for integrated beam steering and self-OOK-modulation
Authors: Shen Dongfang , Lan Feng , Wang Luyang , Song Tianyang , Yang Munan , Hu Tianyu , Li Yueting , Nie Xiaolei , Yang Jiayao , Liang Shixiong , Zeng Hongxin , Zhang Hui-Fang , Mazumder Pinaki , Yang Ziqiang , Zhang Yaxin , Cui Tie Jun
Published: January 2025

Boasting superior flexibility in beam manipulation and a simpler framework than traditional phased arrays, terahertz metasurface-based phased arrays show great promise for 5G-A/6G communication networks. Compared with the reflective reconfigurable intelligent surface (reflective RIS), the transmissive RIS (TRIS) offers more feasibility for transceiver multiplexing systems to meet the growing demand for high-performance beam tracking in terahertz communication and radar systems. However, the terahertz TRIS encounters greater challenges in phase shift, beam efficiency, and complex circuitry. Here, we propose a sub-terahertz TRIS based on the phase shift via Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) metasurface and self-on-off keying (OOK) modulation via Schottky diodes. The electrically reconfigurable unit cell consists of a column-wise phase resonator and a rectangular slot. An experimental retrieved equivalent lumped-element circuit model is implemented in joint field-circuit simulations and is validated by experiments. A fabricated prototype demonstrates excellent performance of TRIS with the minimum insertion loss of 2.8 dB for operational states, large bandwidth nearly covering the entire W-band for 1-bit phase shift, deep OOK amplitude modulation of 12 dB, and wide scanning range of ±60° with low specular transmission. We further implement an integrated platform combining high-speed beam steering and spatial-light modulation, verifying the point-to-point signal transmissions in different directions using the TRIS platform. The proposed TRIS with high-performance and cost-effective fabrication makes it a promising solution to terahertz minimalist communication systems, radar, and satellite communication systems.
High-resolution genomic history of early medieval Europe
Authors: Speidel Leo , Silva Marina , Booth Thomas , Raffield Ben , Anastasiadou Kyriaki , Barrington Christopher , Götherström Anders , Heather Peter , Skoglund Pontus
Published: January 2025

Many known and unknown historical events have remained below detection thresholds of genetic studies because subtle ancestry changes are challenging to reconstruct. Methods based on shared haplotypes1,2 and rare variants3,4 improve power but are not explicitly temporal and have not been possible to adopt in unbiased ancestry models. Here we develop Twigstats, an approach of time-stratified ancestry analysis that can improve statistical power by an order of magnitude by focusing on coalescences in recent times, while remaining unbiased by population-specific drift. We apply this framework to 1,556 available ancient whole genomes from Europe in the historical period. We are able to model individual-level ancestry using preceding genomes to provide high resolution. During the first half of the first millennium ce, we observe at least two different streams of Scandinavian-related ancestry expanding across western, central and eastern Europe. By contrast, during the second half of the first millennium ce, ancestry patterns suggest the regional disappearance or substantial admixture of these ancestries. In Scandinavia, we document a major ancestry influx by approximately 800 ce, when a large proportion of Viking Age individuals carried ancestry from groups related to central Europe not seen in individuals from the early Iron Age. Our findings suggest that time-stratified ancestry analysis can provide a higher-resolution lens for genetic history.
Learning the fitness dynamics of pathogens from phylogenies
Authors: Lefrancq Noémie , Duret Loréna , Bouchez Valérie , Brisse Sylvain , Parkhill Julian , Salje Henrik
Published: January 2025

The dynamics of the genetic diversity of pathogens, including the emergence of lineages with increased fitness, is a foundational concept of disease ecology with key public-health implications. However, the identification of such lineages and estimation of associated fitness remain challenging, and is rarely done outside densely sampled systems1,2. Here we present phylowave, a scalable approach that summarizes changes in population composition in phylogenetic trees, enabling the automatic detection of lineages based on shared fitness and evolutionary relationships. We use our approach on a broad set of viruses and bacteria (SARS-CoV-2, influenza A subtype H3N2, Bordetella pertussis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis), which include both well-studied and understudied threats to human health. We show that phylowave recovers the main known circulating lineages for each pathogen and that it can detect specific amino acid changes linked to fitness changes. Furthermore, phylowave identifies previously undetected lineages with increased fitness, including three co-circulating B. pertussis lineages. Inference using phylowave is robust to uneven and limited observations. This widely applicable approach provides an avenue to monitor evolution in real time to support public-health action and explore fundamental drivers of pathogen fitness.
Towards a long-term stable MAPbBr3 single crystal-based photoconductor with a high on/off ratio and detectivity
Authors: Anilkumar Vishnu , Mahapatra Apurba , Kruszyńska Joanna , Mandal Manoranjan , Akin Seckin , Yadav Pankaj , Prochowicz Daniel
Published: January 2025

A lead-sulphate passivated MAPbBr3 single crystal based photodetector showcases long-term stable detectivity and a high on–off ratio.
Exploration of degrons and their ability to mediate targeted protein degradation
Authors: Harris Jr. Timothy J. , Trader Darci J.
Published: January 2025

Degrons are regions of a protein that are required to initiate their degradation by cellular machinery.
Synergistic dual-defect band engineering for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of microplastics via Nb-induced oxygen vacancies in SnO2 quantum dots
Authors: Liu Jianqiao , Zhao Dan , Wu Xian , Wu Di , Su Ningning , Wang Yang , Chen Fang , Fu Ce , Wang Junsheng , Zhang Qianru
Published: January 2025

Synergistic dual-defect engineering in Nb-doped SnO2 QDs boosts visible-light photocatalysis by creating oxygen vacancies, narrowing bandgaps, and extending carrier lifetimes, enabling efficient degradation of PE microplastics in real-world water.
Prevention of Stroke in Intracerebral Haemorrhage Survivors with Atrial Fibrillation: Rationale and Design for PRESTIGE-AF Trial
Authors: Korompoki Eleni , Heuschmann Peter , Harvey Kirsten H. , Fiessler Cornelia , Malzahn Uwe , Hügen Klemens , Ullmann Sabine , Todd Gabriele Putz , Schuhmann Carolin , Montaner Joan , Sibon Igor , Debette Stephanie , Enzinger Christian , Ropele Stefan , Rücker Viktoria , Haas Kirsten , Harvey Emily , Wolfe Charles , Wang Yanzhong , Nielsen Peter B. , Caso Valeria , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Lane Deirdre A. , Halse Omid , Ringleb Peter , Haefeli Walter E. , Foerster Kathrin I. , Wurmbach Viktoria S. , Veltkamp Roland ,   on behalf of PRESTIGE-AF investigators
Published: January 2025

Adequate secondary prevention in survivors of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who also have atrial fibrillation (AF) is a long-standing clinical dilemma because these patients are at increased risk of recurrent ICH as well as of ischemic stroke. The efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation, the standard preventive medication for ischemic stroke patients with AF, in ICH patients with AF are uncertain. PRESTIGE-AF is an international, phase 3b, multi-center, randomized, open, blinded end-point assessment (PROBE) clinical trial that compared the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with no DOAC (either no antithrombotic treatment or any antiplatelet drug). Randomization occurred in a 1:1 ratio and stratification was based on ICH location and sex. The two co-primary binary endpoints included ischemic stroke and recurrent ICH which will be analyzed hierarchically according to the intention-to-treat principle. Secondary efficacy endpoints encompassed all-stroke and systemic embolism, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major adverse cardiac events, and net clinical benefit. Secondary safety endpoints included any major hemorrhage and intracranial hemorrhage. All outcome events were adjudicated by an independent committee. Results of PRESTIGE-AF are expected to support risk-adjusted secondary prevention in ICH survivors with AF and to inform clinical guideline recommendations.