bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of transcriptome changes to investigate the role of glucocorticoid receptor-RNA binding during dexamethasone treatment
Authors: Lammer Nickolaus C. , Allen Mary A. , Batey Robert T. , Wuttke Deborah S.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a well-studied, ligand-activated transcription factor and a common target of anti-inflammatory treatments. Recently, several studies have drawn attention the effects of binding of GR to RNA rather than DNA and the potential implications of this activity for GR function. The objective of our study was to further characterize the relationship between GR function and RNA binding by measuring changes in the glucocorticoid-driven transcriptome in the presence of a GR mutant that exhibited reduced RNA affinity.

Data description

GR was activated in three cell lines containing GR constructs (GR-HaloTag). One of the cell lines contained a wild-type GR-HaloTag. Another contained GR-HaloTag with a mutation that reduced RNA affinity and slightly reduced DNA affinity. The third cell line contained GR-HaloTag with a mutation that only slightly reduced DNA affinity. All three cell lines were treated with dexamethasone, a GR agonist. RNA-seq samples were collected every hour for 3 h. Moreover, transcriptome quantification was accomplished via labeling of RNAs transcribed in the final hour of dexamethasone treatment using 4-thiouridine. These labeled RNAs were then purified and sequenced. This data set is the first of its kind for GR and contains valuable insights into the function of RNA binding by GR.
Weissella confusa F213 ameliorated inflammation and maintained intestinal mucosa integrity in chemically induced colitis rats
Authors: Sujaya I Nengah , Dharmika Ida Ayu Gde Wahyudevi , Suwardana Gede Ngurah Rsi , Mariadi I Ketut , Arijana I Gusti Kamasan Nyoman , Winaya Ida Bagus Oka , Nocianitri Komang Ayu , Ramona Yan , Fatmawati Ni Nengah Dwi
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the potential effects of Weissella confusa F213 (WCF213) on chemically-induced colitis rats. Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: T1 (saline sterile), T2 (2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- for 7 days), and T3 (WCF213 for 14 days, continued with 2.5% DSS for 7 days). The disease activity index (DAI) was monitored. After sacrificing the rats, the colon was collected for length measurement, local TNF-α level, HE staining for histology, and ZO-1 expression by using immunohistochemistry.

Results

WCF213 administration prevented weight loss and haematochezia, maintained average colon length and alleviated the clinical symptom of colitis, such as diarrhoea, albeit statistically non-significant (p < 0.05) compared with the T2 group. The histopathology of WCF213-treated colitis rats showed better architecture and less inflammatory cell infiltration into colon tissue. WCF213 significantly maintained the expression of ZO-1 in the mucosa (p < 0.001) and markedly reduced mucosal TNF-α concentration (p < 0.001) compared with the DSS group. Hence, these findings suggested that WCF213 attenuated clinical symptoms and inflammation and maintained mucosal integrity in DSS-induced colitis in vivo.
A metagenomic study of gut viral markers in amyloid-positive Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Ghorbani Mahin , Ferreira Daniel , Maioli Silvia
Published: August 2023

Background

Mounting evidence suggests the involvement of viruses in the development and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there remains a significant research gap in metagenomic studies investigating the gut virome of AD patients, leaving gut viral dysbiosis in AD unexplored. This study aimed to fill this gap by conducting a metagenomics analysis of the gut virome in both amyloid-positive AD patients (Aβ + ADs) and healthy controls (HCs), with the objective of identifying viral signatures linked with AD.

Method

Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data from 65 human participants, including 30 Aβ + ADs and 35 HCs, was obtained from the database NCBI SRA (Bio Project: PRJEB47976). The Metaphlan3 pipeline and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis were utilized for the bioinformatics process and the detection of viral signatures, respectively. In addition, the Benjamini–Hochberg method was applied with a significance cutoff of 0.05 to evaluate the false discovery rate for all biomarkers identified by LEfSe. The CombiROC model was employed to determine the discriminatory power of the viral signatures identified by LEfSe.

Results

Compared to HCs, the gut virome profiles of Aβ + ADs showed lower alpha diversity, indicating a lower bacteriophage richness. The Siphoviridae family was decreased in Aβ + ADs. Significant decreases of Lactococcus phages were found in Aβ + ADs, including bIL285, Lactococcus phage bIL286, Lactococcus phage bIL309, and Lactococcus phage BK5 T, Lactococcus phage BM13, Lactococcus phage P335 sensu lato, Lactococcus phage phiLC3, Lactococcus phage r1t, Lactococcus phage Tuc2009, Lactococcus phage ul36, and Lactococcus virus bIL67. The predictive combined model of these viral signatures obtained an area under the curve of 0.958 when discriminating Aβ + ADs from HCs.

Conclusion

This is the first study to identify distinct viral signatures in the intestine that can be used to effectively distinguish individuals with AD from HCs.
Diagnostic performance of prediction models for extraprostatic extension in prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu MeiLin , Gao JiaHao , Han Fang , Yin LongLin , Zhang LuShun , Yang Yong , Zhang JiaWen
Published: August 2023

Purpose

In recent decades, diverse nomograms have been proposed to predict extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to systematically evaluate the accuracy of MRI-inclusive nomograms and traditional clinical nomograms in predicting EPE in PCa. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to provide baseline summative and comparative estimates for future study designs.

Materials and methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched up to May 17, 2023, to identify studies on prediction nomograms for EPE of PCa. The risk of bias in studies was assessed by using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST). Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were obtained with bivariate random-effects model. Heterogeneity was investigated through meta-regression and subgroup analysis.

Results

Forty-eight studies with a total of 57 contingency tables and 20,395 patients were included. No significant publication bias was observed for either the MRI-inclusive nomograms or clinical nomograms. For MRI-inclusive nomograms predicting EPE, the pooled AUC of validation cohorts was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.83). For traditional clinical nomograms predicting EPE, the pooled AUCs of the Partin table and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomogram were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.76) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.82), respectively.

Conclusion

Preoperative risk stratification is essential for PCa patients; both MRI-inclusive nomograms and traditional clinical nomograms had moderate diagnostic performance for predicting EPE in PCa. This study provides baseline comparative values for EPE prediction for future studies which is useful for evaluating preoperative risk stratification in PCa patients.

Critical relevance statement

This meta-analysis firstly evaluated the diagnostic performance of preoperative MRI-inclusive nomograms and clinical nomograms for predicting extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer (PCa) (moderate AUCs: 0.72–0.80). We provide baseline estimates for EPE prediction, these findings will be useful in assessing preoperative risk stratification of PCa patients.

Key points

• MRI-inclusive nomograms and traditional clinical nomograms had moderate AUCs (0.72–0.80) for predicting EPE.

• MRI combined clinical nomogram may improve diagnostic accuracy of MRI alone for EPE prediction.

• MSKCC nomogram had a higher specificity than Partin table for predicting EPE.

• This meta-analysis provided baseline and comparative estimates of nomograms for EPE prediction for future studies.

Graphical Abstract
Unhealthy food availability, prominence and promotion in a representative sample of supermarkets in Flanders (Belgium): a detailed assessment
Authors: Vandevijvere Stefanie , Van Dam Iris , Inaç Yasemin , Smets Vincent
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The supermarket food environment is a key setting for potential public health interventions. This study assessed food availability, prominence and promotion in a representative sample of supermarkets in Flanders (Belgium).

Methods

A sample of 55 supermarkets across five chains and 16 Flemish municipalities was selected in 2022, about 64% in the most deprived socioeconomic areas. Healthiness indicators related to food availability (ratio of cumulative linear shelf length for healthy versus unhealthy foods), prominence (proportion of unhealthy foods at check-outs and end-of-aisle endcaps), and promotion (food marketing on food packages) were measured.

Results

Overall, the average ratio of healthy/unhealthy foods in supermarkets in Flanders was 0.36, meaning that for every 10m of shelf length of unhealthy foods there was 3.6m of healthy foods. There was a large variation in ratio’s across supermarket chains. Of all foods available, 97.5% were ultra-processed at the check outs, while 72.2% and 58.5% were ultra-processed at the front and back end-of-aisle end-caps, respectively. Confectionery and sweet biscuits were the food categories with on average the highest number of marketing messages on pack per 10m of shelf length.

Conclusion

Supermarket in-store food environments in Flanders were found generally unhealthy, with those located in low income areas having unhealthier in-store food environments than supermarkets located in medium and high income areas. Despite commitments of all large supermarket chains in Flanders to promote and create healthier in-store food environments, our findings indicate that currently consumers are incentivized to buy unhealthy rather than healthy food products.
Hospital cleaning: past, present, and future
Authors: Dancer Stephanie J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The importance of hospital cleaning for controlling healthcare-associated infection (HAI) has taken years to acknowledge. This is mainly because the removal of dirt is inextricably entwined with gender and social status, along with lack of evidence and confusion over HAI definitions. Reducing so-called endogenous infection due to human carriage entails patient screening, decolonisation and/or prophylaxis, whereas adequate ventilation, plumbing and cleaning are needed to reduce exogenous infection. These infection types remain difficult to separate and quantitate. Patients themselves demonstrate wide-ranging vulnerability to infection, which further complicates attempted ranking of control interventions, including cleaning. There has been disproportionate attention towards endogenous infection with less interest in managing environmental reservoirs.

Quantifying cleaning and cleanliness

Finding evidence for cleaning is compromised by the fact that modelling HAI rates against arbitrary measurements of cleaning/cleanliness requires universal standards and these are not yet established. Furthermore, the distinction between cleaning (soil removal) and cleanliness (soil remaining) is usually overlooked. Tangible bench marking for both cleaning methods and all surface types within different units, with modification according to patient status, would be invaluable for domestic planning, monitoring and specification.

Aims and objectives

This narrative review will focus on recent history and current status of cleaning in hospitals. While its importance is now generally accepted, cleaning practices still need attention in order to determine how, when and where to clean. Renewed interest in removal and monitoring of surface bioburden would help to embed risk-based practice in hospitals across the world.
Antifungal effects of seven plant essential oils against Penicillium digitatum
Authors: Zulu Lovemore , Gao Hongshan , Zhu Yijing , Wu Huiming , Xie Yongjian , Liu Xunyue , Yao Haifeng , Rao Qiong
Published: August 2023

Background

Research interest in plant essential oils has increased significantly due to their natural properties and consumer demand for safer methods of food preservation. Plants produce large amounts of secondary metabolites, which have potential activity against fungal pathogens. This study aimed at screening essential oils for their antifungal effects on citrus against Penicillium digitatum, morphological effect and finally determine which essential oils are the most effective.

Results

The EC50 of seven selected cinnamon (0.424 μL/mL), patchouli (0.513 μL/mL), vetiver (0.612 μL/mL), dill (1.597 μL/mL), origanum (1.971 μL/mL) and ylang (2.214 μL/mL) was determined. In addition, cinnamon substantially reduced sporulation (100%) followed by patchouli (86.02%), vetiver (82.73%), and chamomile (79.04%), respectively. Our GC–MS result determined variance in concentration of essential oils compound composition. The total compound composition in all seven essential oils > 1% was found to be 3 in cinnamon, 5 in dill, 10 in origanum, 13 in ylang, 11 in patchouli, 9 in chamomile and 16 in vetiver. Addition of essential oils significantly altered fungal morphology by scanning electron cryomicroscopy. Patchouli and origanum showed broken hyphae while there was an indication of severe deformation and collapse of spores in cinnamon and chamomile.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we report that these essential oils could potentially be applicable in controlling P. digitatum with reduced concern for human health, environmental contamination and possibly replacement of synthetic treatments.

Graphical abstract
FAP-targeted PET imaging in gastrointestinal malignancies: a comprehensive review
Authors: Arçay Öztürk Ayça , Flamen Patrick
Published: August 2023

F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) plays a crucial role in tumour diagnosis, staging, and therapy response evaluation of various cancer types and has been a standard imaging modality used in clinical oncology practice for many years. However, it has certain limitations in evaluating some particular gastrointestinal cancer types due to low FDG-avidity or interphering physiological background activity. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a protein of the tumour microenvironment, is overexpressed in a wide range of cancers which makes it an attractive target for both tumour imaging and therapy. Recently, FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals are widely used in clinical research and achieved great results in tumour imaging. Considering the limitations of FDG PET/CT and the lack of physiological FAP-targeted tracer uptake in liver and intestinal loops, gastrointestinal cancers are among the most promising indications of FAP-targeted imaging. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of FAP-targeted imaging in gastrointestinal cancers in order to clarify the current and potential future role of this class of molecules in gastrointestinal oncology.
The nature of the Pacific plate as subduction inputs to the northeastern Japan arc and its implication for subduction zone processes
Authors: Fujie Gou , Kodaira Shuichi , Obana Koichiro , Yamamoto Yojiro , Isse Takehi , Yamada Tomoaki , No Tetsuo , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Miura Seiichi
Published: August 2023

Devastating megathrust earthquakes and slow earthquakes both occur along subducting plate interfaces. These interplate seismic activities are strongly dependent on the nature of the plate interface, such as the shape of the plate interface and the materials and physical conditions along the plate interface. The oceanic plate, which is the input to the subduction zone, is the first order control on the nature of the plate interface. To reveal the nature of the subduction inputs to the northeastern Japan arc, we have conducted large-scale controlled-source seismic surveys of the northwestern part of the oceanic Pacific plate. The obtained seismic data have revealed (1) oceanic plate structural evolution caused by plate bending prior to subduction, suggesting the promotion of the oceanic plate hydration; (2) spatial variation of the oceanic plate structure, such as variations in the thickness of sediment and crust; (3) that the spatial variations are caused by both ancient plate formation processes and more recent volcanic activities; and (4) that spatial variations of the nature of the subduction inputs show good correlation with the along-strike variations in the seismic structure and seismic activities after subduction, including the coseismic slip distribution of the 2011 Tohoku earthquakes and the structural differences between the northern and the southern Japan Trench. These observations indicate that the incoming oceanic plate structure is much more spatially variable than previously thought and also imply that the spatial variation of the subduction inputs is a key controlling factor of the spatial variation of various processes in subduction zones, including interplate seismic activities and evolution of the forearc structure.
Research advances in smart responsive-hydrogel dressings with potential clinical diabetic wound healing properties
Authors: Chen Ying , Wang Xing , Tao Sheng , Wang Qi , Ma Pan-Qin , Li Zi-Biao , Wu Yun-Long , Li Da-Wei
Published: August 2023

The treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds in diabetic patients remains a major medical problem. Recent reports have shown that hydrogel wound dressings might be an effective strategy for treating diabetic wounds due to their excellent hydrophilicity, good drug-loading ability and sustained drug release properties. As a typical example, hyaluronic acid dressing (Healoderm) has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve wound-healing efficiency and healing rates for diabetic foot ulcers. However, the drug release and degradation behavior of clinically-used hydrogel wound dressings cannot be adjusted according to the wound microenvironment. Due to the intricacy of diabetic wounds, antibiotics and other medications are frequently combined with hydrogel dressings in clinical practice, although these medications are easily hindered by the hostile environment. In this case, scientists have created responsive-hydrogel dressings based on the microenvironment features of diabetic wounds (such as high glucose and low pH) or combined with external stimuli (such as light or magnetic field) to achieve controllable drug release, gel degradation, and microenvironment improvements in order to overcome these clinical issues. These responsive-hydrogel dressings are anticipated to play a significant role in diabetic therapeutic wound dressings. Here, we review recent advances on responsive-hydrogel dressings towards diabetic wound healing, with focus on hydrogel structure design, the principle of responsiveness, and the behavior of degradation. Last but not least, the advantages and limitations of these responsive-hydrogels in clinical applications will also be discussed. We hope that this review will contribute to furthering progress on hydrogels as an improved dressing for diabetic wound healing and practical clinical application.
Bioengineered skin organoids: from development to applications
Authors: Hong Zi-Xuan , Zhu Shun-Tian , Li Hao , Luo Jing-Zhi , Yang Yu , An Yang , Wang Xi , Wang Kai
Published: August 2023

Significant advancements have been made in recent years in the development of highly sophisticated skin organoids. Serving as three-dimensional models that mimic human skin, these organoids have evolved into complex structures and are increasingly recognized as effective alternatives to traditional culture models and human skin due to their ability to overcome the limitations of two-dimensional systems and ethical concerns. The inherent plasticity of skin organoids allows for their construction into physiological and pathological models, enabling the study of skin development and dynamic changes. This review provides an overview of the pivotal work in the progression from 3D layered epidermis to cyst-like skin organoids with appendages. Furthermore, it highlights the latest advancements in organoid construction facilitated by state-of-the-art engineering techniques, such as 3D printing and microfluidic devices. The review also summarizes and discusses the diverse applications of skin organoids in developmental biology, disease modelling, regenerative medicine, and personalized medicine, while considering their prospects and limitations.
Using remotely delivered Spring Forest Qigong™ to reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury: protocol of a quasi-experimental feasibility clinical trial
Authors: Van de Winckel Ann , Carpentier Sydney , Deng Wei , Zhang Lin , Battaglino Ricardo , Morse Leslie
Published: August 2023

Background

About 69% of Americans living with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from long-term debilitating neuropathic pain, interfering with the quality of daily life. Neuropathic pain is refractory to many available treatments—some carrying a risk for opioid addiction—highlighting an urgent need for new treatments. In this study, we will test our hypothesis that Spring Forest Qigong™ will reduce SCI-related neuropathic pain by improving body awareness. We will determine whether remotely delivered Qigong is feasible and we will collect data on neuropathic pain, and other reported associations with pain such as spasms frequency and/or severity, functional performance, mood, and body awareness.

Methods

In this quasi-experimental pilot clinical trial study, adults with SCI will practice Qigong at home with a 45-min video, at least 3 × /week for 12 weeks. The Qigong practice includes movements with guided breathing and is individualized based on functional abilities, i.e., the participants follow along with the Qigong movements to the level of their ability, with guided breathing, and perform kinesthetic imagery by focusing on the feeling in the whole body as if doing the whole-body Qigong movement while standing. The highest, average, and lowest neuropathic pain ratings perceived in the prior week will be recorded weekly until the 6-week follow-up. The other outcomes will be collected at 5 time points: at baseline, midway during the Qigong intervention (6 weeks), after the Qigong intervention (12 weeks), after a 6-week and 1-year follow-up. Rate parameters for the feasibility markers will be estimated based on the participants who achieved each benchmark.

Discussion

The University of Minnesota (UMN)’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the study (IRB #STUDY00011997). All participants will sign electronic informed consent on the secure UMN REDCap platform. The results will be presented at academic conferences and published in peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT04917107, (this protocol paper refers to the substudy), first registered 6/8/2021.
3D biofabrication of diseased human skin models in vitro
Authors: Ahn Minjun , Cho Won-Woo , Park Wonbin , Lee Jae-Seong , Choi Min-Ju , Gao Qiqi , Gao Ge , Cho Dong-Woo , Kim Byoung Soo
Published: August 2023

Human skin is an organ located in the outermost part of the body; thus, it frequently exhibits visible signs of physiological health. Ethical concerns and genetic differences in conventional animal studies have increased the need for alternative in vitro platforms that mimic the structural and functional hallmarks of natural skin. Despite significant advances in in vitro skin modeling over the past few decades, different reproducible biofabrication strategies are required to reproduce the pathological features of diseased human skin compared to those used for healthy-skin models. To explain human skin modeling with pathological hallmarks, we first summarize the structural and functional characteristics of healthy human skin. We then provide an extensive overview of how to recreate diseased human skin models in vitro
,
including models for wounded, diabetic, skin-cancer, atopic, and other pathological skin types. We conclude with an outlook on diseased-skin modeling and its technical perspective for the further development of skin engineering.
ARGONAUTE 1: a node coordinating plant disease resistance with growth and development
Authors: Zhao Zhi‑Xue , Yang Si-Jia , Yin Xiao-Xiao , Yan Xiu-Lian , Hassan Beenish , Fan Jing , Li Yan , Wang Wen-Ming
Published: August 2023

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are highly conserved and widely distributed across various organisms. They mainly associate with small RNAs (sRNAs) and act as integral players of the RNA-induced silencing complex in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, regulating gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, thereby mounting diverse fine-tuning functions in a variety of biological processes. Since the discovery and functional characterization of the first AGO in Arabidopsis, our understanding of the functions of AGO proteins has grown rapidly throughout the plant kingdom. AGO1 attracts investigators’ attention because it forms an autoregulatory loop with miR168 and associates with other endogenous sRNAs and cross-kingdom exogenous sRNAs to relay all-round functions. AGO1 associates with endogenous sRNAs that form a complicated regulatory network via targeting a large body of downstream genes involved in growth, development, and stress-induced responses. Host AGO1 may also be exploited by cross-kingdom exogenous sRNAs generated by parasitic organisms to facilitate their colonization via suppressing host defense genes. Moreover, many pathogenic microbes directly target host AGO1 to facilitate their infection via suppression of the host RNAi pathway. Thus, we focus on plant AGO1 and provide an overview of our current understanding of the roles of AGO1 in the coordination of plant disease resistance with growth and development. We also discuss the perspectives in the dissection of the AGO1-mediated signal transduction pathway.
Static aeroelasticity analysis of a rotor blade using a Gauss-Seidel fluid-structure interaction method
Authors: Li Jiaxing , Luo Jiaqi , Liu Yaolong , Han Zhonghua
Published: August 2023

The present study introduces a Gauss-Seidel fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method including the flow solver, structural statics solver and a fast data transfer technique, for the research of structural deformation and flow field variation of rotor blades under the combined influence of steady aerodynamic and centrifugal forces. The FSI method is illustrated and validated by the static aeroelasticity analysis of a transonic compressor rotor blade, NASA Rotor 37. An improved local interpolation with data reduction (LIWDR) algorithm is introduced for fast data transfer on the fluid-solid interface of blade. The results of FSI calculation of NASA Rotor 37 show that when compared with the radial basis function (RBF) based interpolation algorithm, LIWDR meets the interpolation accuracy requirements, while the calculation cost can be greatly improved. The data transmission time is only about 1% of that of RBF. Moreover, the iteration step of steady flow computation within one single FSI has little impact on the converged aerodynamic and structural results. The aerodynamic load-caused deformation accounts for nearly 50% of the total. The effects of blade deformation on the variations of aerodynamic performance are given, demonstrating that when static aeroelasticity is taken into account, the choke mass flow rate increases and the peak adiabatic efficiency slightly decreases. The impact mechanisms on performance variations are presented in detail.
Management of a rare isolated left main coronary artery ostial stenosis in a young patient: a case report
Authors: Buck Johanna M. , Schramm René , Renner André , Gummert Jan F. , Guenther Sabina P. W.
Published: August 2023

Background

Isolated congenital ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery (LCA) is extremely rare, and available literature is limited. Long-term treatment success is key in the choice of treatment strategy due to the mostly young age of the patients. Here, we present a clinical case and shed light on the surgical treatment strategies including their pitfalls.

Case presentation

We describe a 20-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with recurrent typical angina pectoris symptoms (CCS class II). Computed tomography and coronary angiography revealed isolated ostial stenosis of the LCA, with prominent collaterals from the right coronary artery. The patient was operated on and intra-operative findings showed a severely narrowed LCA ostium that appeared to be fibrotic, and to originate from a similarly fibrotic left coronary sinus of the aortic root. The LCA was excised from the left coronary sinus, and trimmed until the coronary artery lumen appeared macroscopically normal. The fibrotic left coronary sinus was resected and replaced with a bovine pericardial patch, into which the coronary artery was re-inserted. During weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, we faced a diminished left ventricular function. We attributed this to insufficient myocardial protection. Isolated antegrade cardioplegia had been used, which, for technical reasons, had to be administered separately to the right and left coronary artery after aortotomy. In the setting of huge collaterals from the right to the left coronary artery, a steal-effect likely occurred. After prolonged reperfusion, the left ventricular function recovered, and the further post-operative course was unremarkable.

Conclusions

For the surgical treatment of congenital ostial stenosis of the LCA, both ostium reconstruction and coronary artery bypass grafting have been described. The advantage of ostium reconstruction as chosen here is to create a physiological flow and supply situation to the affected myocardial areas. Furthermore, in case of other downstream events, such as the development of coronary artery disease, all further therapeutic options are preserved.

Special attention should be paid to the administration of cardioplegia in these patients. Combined ante and retrograde cardioplegia administration probably would have achieved more extensive myocardial protection in our case.
Comparison of the outcomes of endoscopic versus microscopic approach in cholesteatoma surgery: a randomized clinical study
Authors: Hamela Mo’men Ali Ameen , Abd-Elnaseer Osama , El-Dars Mohamed Monir , El-Antably Adel
Published: August 2023

Background

Endoscopic ear surgery is a new, less invasive otologic procedure. Since 1990s, it has been grown in prominence because of anatomical and physiological theories. It offers a view of hidden places, avoids mastoidectomies and endaural vertical and postauricular incisions, and has many other benefits over microscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to distinguish the difference between the outcomes of microscopic and endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery.

Methods

Eighty individuals who were diagnosed with cholesteatoma participated in this randomized clinical research. Patients were randomly allocated into two equivalent treatment groups. One group submitted to tympanoplasty via microscopic ear surgery and the other group had exclusive trans-canal endoscopic ear surgery. All patients had preoperative otomicroscopic and radiologic assessment to ensure cholesteatoma diagnosis. Audiological evaluations were also obtained.

Results

There was no discernible difference in the tested groups’ operational times, air-bone gaps, or air conduction. The endoscopic surgery group healed significantly more quickly than the microscopic surgery group (5.4 0.5 vs 7.7 0.5 weeks, p > 0.001). The frequency of residual lesions (5.0% vs 22.5%, p = 0.023) and recurrence (7.5% vs 27.5%, p = 0.019) was significantly lower in the endoscopic group of patients.

Conclusions

When comparing healing times, rates of residual disease and rates of recurrence, endoscopic surgery clearly outperforms microscopic surgery. The endoscope encourages visualization and magnification of anatomy while being less invasive thanks to its improved picture quality, lighting, and capacity to “see around the corner.” Additionally, a significant portion of viable mastoid tissues and healthy mucosa were preserved.
Central auditory processing abilities in individuals with tinnitus and normal hearing sensitivity: a systematic review
Authors: S. Sanjay , Vinod Vibha , Jain Chandni
Published: August 2023

Background

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external sound stimulus. Individuals with tinnitus may have altered neurological system corresponding to the auditory pathway. Therefore, central auditory processing abilities, which rely on the central auditory pathway, may be affected. This study reviewed the published studies regarding the impact of tinnitus on central auditory processing abilities.

Main text

A total of 3087 studies were identified, of which 18 fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The included studies scored good or fair in the quality assessment checklist. The review showed that individuals who had tinnitus with normal hearing sensitivity performed poorly on temporal resolution tests, speech perception in noise, localization, and auditory memory. However, temporal patterning and dichotic tests were not shown to be affected by tinnitus.

Conclusion

The audiologists involved in tinnitus assessment are recommended to include central auditory processing tests in routine evaluation for the early diagnosis and intervention for subjects with tinnitus.
Laser drilling: reviewing the effect of purging system and formation parameters
Authors: ElNeiri Mohamed Hosin , Dahab Abdel Sattar Abdel Hamid , Abdulaziz Abdulaziz Mohamed , Abdelghany Khalid Mahmoud
Published: August 2023

Laser drilling is capable of reducing drilling costs and time. In laser drilling, a high rate of penetration (ROP) can be achieved, and the hole is cased due to laser interaction once it is drilled. In addition, laser technology can substitute conventional perforation techniques with no formation damage. Rock cutting with a laser beam is affected by various variables that fall within three categories; the rock parameters, purging system and experimental setup, and laser parameters. Each set of these categories affects the rock lasing process. Formation parameters include rock type, sample size, orientation, and the type of fluids saturating the rock sample. The purging system parameters include the type of purging system, application parameters, and the purging medium. Laser parameters involve laser type, laser application mode, beam power, duration, intensity, and frequency.

This paper reviews several experimental works performed by institutes, researchers, and entities to provide the reader with a comprehensive knowledge base for further experimental work, modeling for laser drilling, and studies. Because performed laser drilling experimental work is huge and covers tremendous aspects, only the purging system and effect of formation parameters were considered in this review, while laser parameters will be presented in a later paper. Results showed that the laser can drill swiftly through all rock types in conventional vertical, directional, or horizontal drilling. For optimum laser drilling, the purging system and its parameters must be carefully chosen, including the type of system, purging gas, gas pressure, distance to the lased sample surface, and the purging angle. The optimum purging system uses nitrogen as a purging fluid.
Adding Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen for Premenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer After Chemotherapy: An 8-Year Follow-Up of the ASTRRA Trial
Authors: Baek Soo Yeon , Noh Woo Chul , Ahn Sei-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Ah , Ryu Jai Min , Kim Seung Il , Lee Eun-Gyeong , Im Seock-Ah , Jung Yongsik , Park Min Ho , Park Kyong Hwa , Kang Su Hwan , Jeong Joon , Park Eunhwa , Kim Sung Yong , Lee Min Hyuk , Kim Lee Su , Lim Woosung , Kim Seonok , Kim Hee Jeong
Published: August 2023

PURPOSE

To determine the updated long-term outcomes of the Addition of Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen in Young Women With Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer Who Remain Premenopausal or Regain Vaginal Bleeding After Chemotherapy (ASTRRA) trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study is a post-trial follow-up of the ASTRRA trial, involving 1,483 premenopausal women younger than 45 years treated with definitive surgery after completing adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to complete 5 years of tamoxifen (TAM) alone (TAM-only) or 5 years of TAM with ovarian function suppression (OFS) for 2 years (TAM + OFS). The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS), and the secondary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

At 106.4 months of median follow-up, there was a continuous significant reduction in the DFS event rate in the TAM + OFS group. The 8-year DFS rate was 85.4% in the TAM + OFS group and 80.2% in the TAM-only group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.87). There were no significant differences in OS between the two groups. The OS rate was 96.5% in the TAM + OFS group and 95.3% in the TAM-only group (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.25).

CONCLUSION

Adding OFS for 2 years to adjuvant TAM with a longer follow-up resulted in consistent DFS benefits, suggesting that adding OFS to TAM should be considered for patients who remain in a premenopausal state or resume ovarian function after chemotherapy.
Genomic Profiling Reveals Germline Predisposition and Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mandelker Diana , Marra Antonio , Zheng-Lin Binbin , Selenica Pier , Blanco-Heredia Juan , Zhu Yingjie , Gazzo Andrea , Wong Donna , Yelskaya Zarina , Rai Vikas , Somar Joshua , Ostafi Silvana , Mehta Nikita , Yang Ciyu , Li Yirong , Brown David N. , da Silva Edaise M. , Pei Xin , Linkov Irina , Terraf Panieh , Misyura Maksym , Ceyhan-Birsoy Ozge , Ladanyi Marc , Berger Michael , Pareja Fresia , Stadler Zsofia , Offit Kenneth , Riaz Nadeem , Park Wungki , Chou Joanne , Capanu Marinela , Koehler Maria , Rosen Ezra , O'Reilly Eileen M. , Reis-Filho Jorge S.
Published: August 2023

PURPOSE

To determine the genetic predisposition underlying pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) and characterize its genomic features.

METHODS

Both somatic and germline analyses were performed using an Food and Drug Administration–authorized matched tumor/normal sequencing assay on a clinical cohort of 28,780 patients with cancer, 49 of whom were diagnosed with PACC. For a subset of PACCs, whole-genome sequencing (WGS; n = 12) and RNA sequencing (n = 6) were performed.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 49 (36.7%) PACCs harbored germline pathogenic variants in homologous recombination (HR) and DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including BRCA1 (n = 1), BRCA2 (n = 12), PALB2 (n = 2), ATM (n = 2), and CHEK2 (n = 1). Thirty-one PACCs displayed pure, and 18 PACCs harbored mixed acinar cell histology. Fifteen of 31 (48%) pure PACCs harbored a germline pathogenic variant affecting HR-/DDR-related genes. BRCA2 germline pathogenic variants (11 of 31, 35%) were significantly more frequent in pure PACCs than in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (86 of 2,739, 3.1%; P < .001), high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (67 of 1,318, 5.1%; P < .001), prostate cancer (116 of 3,401, 3.4%; P < .001), and breast cancer (79 of 3,196, 2.5%; P < .001). Genomic features of HR deficiency (HRD) were detected in 7 of 12 PACCs undergoing WGS, including 100% (n = 6) of PACCs with germline HR-related pathogenic mutations and 1 of 6 PACCs lacking known pathogenic alterations in HR-related genes. Exploratory analyses revealed that in PACCs, the repertoire of somatic driver genetic alterations and the load of neoantigens with high binding affinity varied according to the presence of germline pathogenic alterations affecting HR-/DDR-related genes and/or HRD.

CONCLUSION

In a large pan-cancer cohort, PACC was identified as the cancer type with the highest prevalence of both BRCA2 germline pathogenic variants and genomic features of HRD, suggesting that PACC should be considered as part of the spectrum of BRCA-related malignancies.
De Novo Oligometastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Pusztai Lajos , Rozenblit Mariya , Dubsky Peter , Bachelot Thomas , Kirby Anna M. , Linderholm Barbro K. , White Julia R. , Chmura Steven J. , Carey Lisa A. , Chua Boon H. , Miller Kathy D.
Published: August 2023

De novo oligometastatic breast cancer, a unique disease needing new treatment paradigms.
The road to success: drawing parallels between 'road' and 'research data' infrastructures to foster understanding between service providers, funders and policymakers
Authors: Hooft Rob W.W. , Harrison Elaine , Martin Corinne S.
Published: August 2023

Background: The work of data research infrastructure operators is poorly understood, yet the services they provide are used by millions of scientists across the planet.

Policy and implications: As the data services and the underlying infrastructure are typically funded through the public purse, it is essential that policymakers, research funders, experts reviewing funding proposals, and possibly even end-users are equipped with a good understanding of the daily tasks of service providers.

Recommendations: We suggest drawing parallels between research data infrastructure and road infrastructure. To trigger the imagination and foster understanding, this policy brief contains a table of corresponding aspects of the two classes of infrastructure, and a table of policy implications.

Conclusions: Just as economists and specialist evaluators are typically brought in to inform policies and funding decisions for road infrastructure, we encourage this to also be done for research infrastructures
“The person was like the glue in the cracked pot which was no longer there”: Family-focused support for bereavement via co-production of a web-based intervention
Authors: Campling Natasha , Lund Susi , Allam Alison , Precious Gail , Myall Michelle
Published: August 2023

Background: Families, friends and support networks are key to managing bereavement.  COVID-19 social restrictions prevented families and friends from being with the dying and participating in usual rituals to honour the dead.  This resulted in social disconnection, feelings of guilt, and difficulty in making sense of the death and reconstructing relationships.  In response to this context a theoretically informed, co-produced web-resource to facilitate meaning-making, which situates bereavement in the context of family and friends, was developed.  This paper describes the development of the web-based intervention.  

Study aims: To co-produce a web-based intervention theoretically informed by the family level extension Dual Process Model and Family Sense of Coherence, and pilot the intervention gaining user feedback to inform refinements in readiness for adoption and implementation.

Methods: Following a scoping review, a mixed methods study was undertaken using an online survey via questionnaire and virtual co-production workshop with bereaved people and bereavement professionals.   

Results: Survey respondents reported the pandemic negatively affected bereavement (guilt, isolation, inability to bear witness) but also presented new opportunities to celebrate the deceased and support the bereaved (new funeral rituals, technology, remote contact, social acknowledgement of grief). Sense-making and managing bereavement were helped through information-giving, support networks, and relocating the person within the family context.  A web-resource to facilitate collective grief was viewed positively and endorsed.  Key content including family activities to stimulate support, information regarding the range of grief experience and dealing with the practicalities, along with other sources of support was agreed by workshop participants to form the basis of the intervention.   

Conclusion: The Families in Bereavement intervention encourages consideration of bereavement in the context of close social networks.  It enables grief to be understood and managed within a shared experience by promoting communication and meaning-making.
The genome sequence of a drosophilid fruit fly, Hirtodrosophila cameraria (Haliday, 1833)
Authors: Obbard Darren J. ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Hirtodrosophila cameraria (a drosophilid fruit fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Drosophilidae). The genome sequence is 214.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 4 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.94 kilobases in length.
Solving Strong-Substitutes Product-Mix Auctions
Authors: Baldwin Elizabeth , Goldberg Paul W. , Klemperer Paul , Lock Edwin
Published: August 2023

This paper develops algorithms to solve strong-substitutes product-mix auctions: it finds competitive equilibrium prices and quantities for agents who use this auction’s bidding language to truthfully express their strong-substitutes preferences over an arbitrary number of goods, each of which is available in multiple discrete units. Our use of the bidding language and the information it provides contrasts with existing algorithms that rely on access to a valuation or demand oracle. We compute market-clearing prices using algorithms that apply existing submodular minimization methods. Allocating the supply among the bidders at these prices then requires solving a novel constrained matching problem. Our algorithm iteratively simplifies the allocation problem, perturbing bids and prices in a way that resolves tie-breaking choices created by bids that can be accepted on more than one good. We provide practical running time bounds on both price finding and allocation and illustrate experimentally that our allocation mechanism is practical.

Funding: E. Baldwin and P. Klemperer were supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [Grant ES/L003058/1]. P. W. Goldberg and E. Lock were supported by a JP Morgan faculty fellowship during the work on the final version of the paper.

Supplemental Material: The online companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/moor.2019.0248 .