bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-Based Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Declining Human Papillomavirus Prevalence
Authors: Gray Penelope , Wang Jiangrong , Nordqvist Kleppe Sara , Elfström K Miriam , Dillner Joakim
Published: January 2025

Background

Most countries in the world have launched human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs, and declining HPV prevalences are reported. We aimed to disentangle the influences of calendar time, birth cohort, and age by analyzing HPV prevalences in the population-based cervical screening program using age-period-cohort modeling.

Methods

All 813 882 primary HPV-based cervical screening tests from women aged 23–64 years between 2014 and 2023 in the capital region of Sweden were identified in the Swedish National Cervical Screening Registry. The odds ratio (OR) of HPV-16/18 infection was estimated comparing birth cohorts to the unvaccinated 1984-born using an age-period-cohort model. The impact of changing HPV prevalences on the number needed to screen (NNS) to detect and prevent 1 cervical cancer case was calculated.

Results

HPV vaccination coverage was 82%–83% among women born in 1999–2000. Before 2019, the HPV-16/18 prevalence was highest among the youngest women. During 2020–2023 the prevalence consistently decreased among the birth cohorts offered organized school-based vaccination. There was a 98% decline in HPV-16 prevalence (OR, 0.02 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .01–.04]) and a 99% decline in HPV-18 prevalence (OR, 0.01 [95% CI, .00–.04]) among the 2000-born compared to the 1984-born. The declining HPV-16/18 prevalences resulted in major increases in the NNS to detect and to prevent 1 case of cervical cancer.

Conclusions

The declines of HPV-16/18 were considerably larger than the vaccination coverage, suggesting herd immunity. The changing epidemiology of HPV types impacts screening needs, necessitating updated screening programs.
Estimating the herd effects of antimicrobial prevention interventions on ventilator-associated pneumonia within ICU populations: a cluster randomized trial emulation using data from Cochrane reviews
Authors: Hurley James C
Published: January 2025

Background

The herd effects of antimicrobial interventions used to prevent ICU-acquired infections are unknown. The objective here was to estimate these herd effects within a single three-tiered cluster randomized trial (CRT) emulated using ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) data from randomized concurrent control trials (RCCTs) abstracted within Cochrane reviews.

Methods

Control and intervention group data derived from 13 Cochrane reviews of 72 RCCTs of antibiotic (Tier 3) and antiseptic (Tier 2) decontamination versus 109 RCCTs of various non-decontamination (Tier 1, serving as benchmark) VAP prevention interventions were arranged as a three-tiered CRT. The direct and indirect (herd) effects of Tiers 2 and 3 each versus Tier 1 interventions were obtained using estimators derived in meta-regression models.

Results

Benchmark (Tier 1) VAP incidences derived for control and intervention groups from non-decontamination RCCTs were 23.3 (95% CI: 20.6–26.1; n = 111) and 19.2 (95% CI: 16.8–21.8; n = 112), respectively. The mean VAP incidences for antibiotic and antiseptic decontamination control groups were 5% to 15% higher than the control group benchmark. The direct effects of antibiotic and antiseptic interventions versus Tier 1 benchmarks (ORs) were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.55–1.09) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.71–1.33) whereas the indirect effects were 2.17 (95% CI: 1.56–3.03) and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.0–1.91), respectively.

Conclusions

Indirect (herd) effects from antimicrobial interventions, although inapparent within individual RCCTs, are strong. These effects on control group VAP incidences, which spuriously conflate the appearance of benefit, constitute herd peril.
Towards human-AI collaboration in radiology: a multidimensional evaluation of the acceptability of AI for chest radiograph analysis in supporting pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis
Authors: Hua David , Petrina Neysa , Sacks Alan J , Young Noel , Cho Jin-Gun , Smith Ross , Poon Simon K
Published: January 2025

Objective

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology promises to be a powerful tool in addressing the global health challenges posed by tuberculosis (TB). However, evidence for its real-world impact is lacking, which may hinder safe, responsible adoption. This case study addresses this gap by assessing the technical performance, usability and workflow aspects, and health impact of implementing a commercial AI system (qXR by Qure.ai) to support Australian radiologists in diagnosing pulmonary TB.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective diagnostic accuracy evaluation was conducted to establish the technical performance of qXR in detecting TB compared to a human radiologist and microbiological reference standard. A qualitative human factors assessment was performed to investigate the user experience and clinical decision-making process of radiologists using qXR. A task productivity analysis was completed to quantify how the radiological screening turnaround time is impacted.

Results

qXR displays near-human performance satisfying the World Health Organization’s suggested accuracy profile. Radiologists reported high satisfaction with using qXR based on minimal workflow disruptions, respect for their professional autonomy, and limited increases in workload burden despite poor algorithm explainability. qXR delivers considerable productivity gains for normal cases and optimizes resource allocation through redistributing time from normal to abnormal cases.

Discussion and Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence of how an AI system with reasonable diagnostic accuracy and a human-centered user experience can meaningfully augment the TB diagnostic workflow. Future research needs to investigate the impact of AI on clinician accuracy, its relationship with efficiency, and best practices for optimizing the impact of clinician-AI collaboration.
Fashioning Authenticity: How Digital Product Passports could shape the future of trade mark law
Authors: Gösken Christophe
Published: January 2025

In the evolving landscape of the fashion industry, the interplay between emerging regulatory frameworks, such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP) Regulation, trademarks and narratives about authenticity, is critical in shaping consumer purchasing decisions. This article investigates how marketing, legal and technology might shape consumer behaviour in the future and highlights what legal issues might arise. Through a literature review, an analysis of the current DPP framework, the examination of recent market initiatives, and a case study, this article suggests that DPPs could reduce the importance of trademarks in the marketplace. Indeed, by providing consumers with verifiable digital reference points tied to authenticity narratives, DPPs would lessen the importance of trademarks for reducing consumers’ search costs, thus challenging its economic foundations. Findings underscore the growing influence of technology on consumer choices, the need for trade mark experts to reassess their roles in crafting brand narratives, and the growing need to redefine the foundations of trade mark law. Ultimately, this article aims to provide actionable insights for recalibrating trade mark protections to foster a more innovative fashion industry.
Reviving diversity: cryoprotectants and culturing methods enhance recovery of mammalian gut microbes from field samples
Authors: Peralta Martínez Karen Y , Goyco-Blas José , Reilly Sarah M , Ahn Young , Hedayati Stefanie , Kohl Kevin D
Published: January 2025

The field of microbial ecology is increasingly recognizing the need for methods to isolate and culture gut microbes to better understand how these microorganisms impact animal physiology, especially in mammalian hosts. Currently, there is a lack of clear methods to store microbial samples for cultivability, especially when samples are collected from the field, transported to the laboratory, and preserved under long-term storage for weeks to months compared to mere days in the biomedical field. Here, the cecal contents of groundhogs (Marmota monax) were processed and stored with or without various preservation solutions at −80 °C for at least 2 months. All microbial samples were then grown in distinct nutrient media in liquid and plate conditions and were incubated under anaerobic and aerobic environments. Treatment comparisons revealed that the samples stored in preservation solutions containing 1 or more cryoprotectants provided the greatest and most consistent bacterial densities. To test the long-term storage efficacy of the preservation solutions, we inventoried taxonomic identities and abundances of these cultures using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Our findings highlight that: (1) preserved samples containing cryoprotectants exhibited the highest microbial richness and diversity and resembled the original cecal samples the most when grown under anaerobic conditions; and (2) the effect of individual animal identity was detectable in the membership of cultured communities, irrespective of preservation solutions. Our study is the first to demonstrate the importance of preservation solutions containing multiple cryoprotectants for long-term storage and further microbial culturing and novel isolation. Understanding and improving storage methods that preserve microbial physiology and conserve their compositional diversity is essential for field-collected samples useful in mammalian microbiome and culturomics studies, promoting a better comprehension of the identity and function of wild host-associated microbiomes.
Bleeding pseudoaneurysms in postoperative upper gastrointestinal surgery patients: a single -center experience
Authors: Sah Raju , Rawal Sushil Bahadur , Malla Srijan , Rayamajhi Jyoti , Bhat Pawan Singh
Published: January 2025

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but life-threatening complications following upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. This case series reviews six patients (male-to-female ratio 3:3) who developed pseudoaneurysms, presenting with diverse clinical manifestations. Four patients (66.6%) experienced bleeding, including hemoperitoneum and upper GI bleeding, with one also reporting nausea and vomiting. Two patients (33.3%) developed anastomotic site leakage, leading to hemoperitoneum in one and bile-induced intra-abdominal infection in the other. The pseudoaneurysms involved the proper hepatic artery (n = 3), common hepatic artery (n = 2), right hepatic artery (n = 1), jejunal artery (n = 1), and splenic artery (n = 1). All patients underwent interventional radiology procedures, with angioembolization performed in each case. Recurrent bleeding required re-embolization in three cases: two from previously treated sites and one from a new pseudoaneurysm. Bleeding occurred between the 5th and 27th postoperative days, and one patient succumbed. Early diagnosis and timely endovascular management are critical for improved outcomes in these patients.
The impact of classical bulges on stellar bars and boxy–peanut–X features in disc galaxies
Authors: McClure Rachel Lee , Beane Angus , D’Onghia Elena , Filion Carrie , Daniel Kathryne J
Published: January 2025

Galactic bars and their associated resonances play a significant role in shaping galaxy evolution. Resulting resonance-driven structures, like the vertically extended boxy–peanut–X (BPX) feature, then serve as a useful probe of the host galaxy’s history. In this study, we quantify the impact of a classical bulge on the evolution of the bar and the growth of bar-resonance structures. This is accomplished with a suite of isolated N-body disc galaxy simulations with bulge mass fractions ranging from 0 per cent to 16 per cent of the disc mass. We apply frequency analysis to the stellar orbits to analyse the variations in resonance structure evolution. Our findings indicate that a more massive initial bulge leads to the formation of a stronger and more extended bar and that each bar drives the formation of a prominent associated BPX through resonance passage. In this work, we present evidence that the formation of a BPX is driven by planar, bar-supporting orbits evolving through interaction with horizontal and vertical bar resonances. More orbits become vertically extended when these resonances intersect, and the rate of the orbits passing through resonance is moderated by the overall fraction of vertically extended orbits. A significant bulge stabilizes the fraction of vertically extended orbits, preventing sudden resonance-induced changes. Crucially, neither sudden resonance intersection nor prolonged resonance trapping is required for BPX formation.
I Zw 1 and H0557-385: the dusty tori of two high Eddington AGNs observed in the MATISSE LM bands
Authors: Drewes Farin , Leftley James H , Hönig Sebastian F , Tristram Konrad R W , Kishimoto Makoto
Published: January 2025

The torus in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is a complex dynamical structure of gas and dust. It is thought to be composed of an equatorial dusty disc and a polar dusty wind launched by radiation pressure. However, this picture is based on studies of moderately accreting AGN. Models suggest that the disc/wind structure will change with specific accretion rate. Here we examine the wind launching region in two high accretion rate objects, I Zw 1 (super-Eddington) and H0557-385 (high-Eddington), using high spatial resolution interferometric observations in the K-band from VLTI/GRAVITY and $LM$ bands from VLTI/MATISSE. We recover wavelength-dependent sizes of the dust emission using a Gaussian and power-law fit to the visibilities. Both objects are partially resolved and have radial sizes in the $KLM$ bands between 0.3 and 1.5 mas, with no signs of elongation. Combining our measurements with VLTI/MIDI N-band data gives a full multiwavelength picture of the dust structure. We find that in H0557-385, the dust sizes between 3.5 and 8 $\mu\rm m$ are independent of the wavelength, roughly constant at $3-10$ sublimation radii. We argue that this indicates a direct view of the wind launching region and, together with an absence of polar elongation, this implies that any wind would be launched in a preferentially equatorial direction or blown out by strong radiation pressure. The size–wavelength relation for both objects shows a preferentially discy equatorial dust distribution. We conclude that there is strong evidence that the Eddington ratio shapes the inner dust structure, most notably the wind-launching region and wind direction.
A dusty dawn: galactic dust buildup at z ≳ 5
Authors: Choban Caleb R , Salim Samir , Kereš Dušan , Hayward Christopher C , Sandstrom Karin M
Published: January 2025

Over the last decade, the Atacama large millimeter array has revealed massive, dusty star-forming galaxies at $z\gtrsim 5$, and the JWST is primed to uncover even more information about them. These observations need dust evolution theory to provide context and are excellent benchmarks to test this theory. Here, we investigate the evolution of galactic dust budget at cosmic dawn using a suite of cosmological zoom-in simulations of moderately massive, high-redshift ($M_{*}\gtrsim 10^9\, \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$; $z\gtrsim 5$) galaxies from the Feedback in Realistic Environments project, the highest resolution ($m_{\rm b} \approx 7100\, \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$) of such simulations to date. Our simulations incorporate a dust evolution model that accounts for the dominant sources of dust production, growth and destruction and follows the evolution of specific dust species, allowing it to replicate a wide range of present-day observations. We find, similar to other theoretical works, that dust growth via gas-dust accretion is the dominant producer of dust mass for these massive, $z\gtrsim 5$ galaxies. However, our fiducial model produces $M_{\rm dust}$ that fall ${\gtrsim }1$ dex below observations at any given $M_{*}$ (typical uncertainties are ${\sim }1$ dex), which we attribute to reduced accretion efficiencies caused by a combination of low galactic metallicities and extremely bursty star formation. Modest enhancements (i.e. within observational/theoretical uncertainties) to accretion and SNe ii dust creation raise $M_{\rm dust}$ by ${\lesssim }1$ dex, but this still falls below observations which assume $T_{\rm dust}\sim 25$ K. One possibility is that inferred dust masses for $z\gtrsim 4$ galaxies are overestimated, and recent observational/analytical works that find $T_{\rm dust}\sim 50$ K along with metallicity constraints tentatively support this.
Spectroscopic study of the quiescent stages in between the 2006 and 2021 outbursts of RS Ophiuchi
Authors: Habtie Gesesew R , Das Ramkrishna
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive spectroscopic analysis of the quiescent stage of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi between its 2006 and 2021 outbursts. The spectra shows prominent low-ionization emission features, including hydrogen, helium, iron emissions, and TiO absorption features. The H $\alpha$ and H $\beta$ lines showed double-peaked emission profiles, indicating that both originate from the accretion disc. The central peaks of the H $\alpha$ and H $\beta$ emission profiles exhibited subtle shifts towards the blue or red side, attributed to orbital motion and fluctuations in the accretion rate. Using the double-peak features observed in the H $\alpha$ and H $\beta$ lines, we have estimated the accretion disc size to be $R_{\mathrm{AD}} = 3.10 \pm 0.04 \times 10^{12} \, \text{cm}$. The cloudy photoionization code is employed to model the quiescent phase spectra, allowing us to study the evolution of various physical parameters such as temperature, luminosity, hydrogen density, elemental abundances, accreted mass, and accretion rate. The central ionizing sources exhibit temperatures in the range of $1.05\!-\!1.80~\times 10^4$ K and luminosities between $0.10\!-\!7.94~\times 10^{30}$  erg s$^{-1}$. The mean accretion rate, calculated from the model, is $\sim$$1.25 \times 10^{-8} \,{\rm M}_{\odot }$ yr$^{-1}$. The model results reveal that the accretion rate rose substantially in the later phase. The accreted mass in the 16 months, preceding the 2021 outburst exceeds 47 per cent of the critical mass, and more than 88 per cent of the critical mass was accreted in the last 3 yr.
Efficacy and safety of non-focused low-intensity ultrasound technology for subcutaneous lipolysis in the lower abdomen: a clinical study
Authors: Tang Jieying , Chen Lujia , Zhang Shihong , Shao Hui , Wang Lu , Wang Chuan , Chen Qiang , Hou Yikang , Liao Xueyin , Song Meina , Zhang Cuicui , Zhang Xuemei , Yang Jianmin , Li Weiwei
Published: January 2025

Background

With rising demand for non-invasive body contouring, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-focused, low-intensity ultrasound for lower abdominal lipolysis.

Methods

The enrolled subjects prospectively received 6 weekly sessions of well-setting ultrasound treatment with frequency of 1 MHz and an intensity of 2.2 W/cm2, to target the subcutaneous fat of lower abdomen with three regions (left, middle, and right). Evaluations included ultrasound measurements and blood biochemical analyses at the baseline, pre-4th session, and at 1 and 2-month post-treatment points to confirm the efficacy and safety.

Results

A total of 17 subjects completed the whole treatment. Significant reductions in superficial abdominal fat layer thickness of all three regions were observed (all P-values of ANOVA <0.001), without severe adverse events reported. Post-hoc analysis showed the superficial fat layers of all the three regions at 1-month post-treatment significant reductions comparing the baseline (all adjusted P < 0.05). The reduction effects for superficial fat layers were still available at the 2-month post-treatment follow-up at the left and middle regions. Conversely, there was no significant improvements among the deep fat layers at the three regions.

Conclusion

Non-focused, low-intensity ultrasound demonstrate its potential of efficacy and safety for reducing superficial abdominal fat, and may maintain the capability for at least two months. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and optimize treatment parameters.

  What is already known on this topic? Non-focused ultrasound with low-intensity is recognized for its potential in non-invasive body contouring, but detailed efficacy and safety data were limited, especially for lower abdominal lipolysis. What this study adds? Our research demonstrated the efficacy and safety of non-focused ultrasound with low-intensity in reducing superficial abdominal fat, with sustained effects for at least two months. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy? This study could guide future researches toward long-term effects and optimization of ultrasound treatments, and influence clinical practice by providing a validated method for non-invasive fat reduction.
Comparison of one-handed face mask ventilation techniques on the simulation model: EO technique and EC technique
Authors: Xiao Lan , Fang Weijun , Jiang Cheng , Ke Hang , Zhang Zongze , Zou Hao
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of two one-handed face mask ventilation techniques. Secondarily, we also assessed the effect of hand size on the performance of both these techniques.

Methods

Eighty subjects were randomized into the EO group and the EC group. After receiving face mask ventilation training, they carried out one-handed mask ventilation on a simulation model according to the order of EO technique-EC technique or EC technique-EO technique, and they performed each face mask ventilation technique for five consecutive ventilations. The primary outcomes were the time of the first chest undulation and the total number of chest undulations in the five operations. A questionnaire evaluated the subjects’ feelings of simplicity and comfort regarding the two techniques.

Results

Compared with the EC technique, the first success time was significantly shorter with the EO technique (17.69 ± 11.32 seconds vs 8.39 ± 8.08 seconds, P < 0.001), and the EO technique produced an improved successful ventilation rate (50.00% ± 33.89% vs 77.00% ± 28.84%, P < 0.001). For the EC technique, the first success time and successful ventilation rate of male subjects were better than those of female subjects (P < 0.05), whereas the first success time and successful ventilation rate in males and females did not significantly differ from each other for the EO technique (P > 0.5). Most subjects reported that the EO technique was simpler and more comfortable than the EC technique.

Conclusion

On the simulation model, compared to the one-handed EC face mask ventilation technique, the EO technique is more conducive to the learning and mastery of novices and small-handed operators.
Degenerate Scalar Scenario of Two Higgs Doublet Model with a Complex Singlet Scalar
Authors: Cho Gi-Chol , Idegawa Chikako
Published: January 2025

We study the two Higgs doublet model with a complex singlet scalar whose imaginary part acts as dark matter (DM). The scattering of DM and quarks, mediated by three CP-even scalars in this model, is suppressed when masses of CP-even scalars are degenerate; that is called the “degenerate scalar scenario.” Based on this scenario, we show that the strong first-order electroweak phase transition can be achieved without conflicting with constraints from the DM relic density and the direct detection experiments. We also discuss a shift of scalar trilinear coupling from the Standard Model prediction, which could be a test of this model in collider experiments.
Cytokine Hemoadsorption versus Standard Care in Cardiac Surgery Using the Oxiris® Membrane: the OXICARD single center randomized trial
Authors: Abou-Arab Osama , Huette Pierre , Ibrahima Azrat , Beyls Christophe , Bayart Guillaume , Guilbart Mathieu , Coupez Adrien , Bennis Youssef , Navarre Aurélie , Lenglet Gaelle , Béal Roman , Touati Gilles , Caus Thierry , Bar Stéphane , Josse Estelle , Nguyen Maxime , Dupont Hervé , Gubler Brigitte , Kamel Saïd , Diouf Momar , Mahjoub Yazine
Published: January 2025

Background:

Cardiac surgery can lead to dysregulation with a pro-inflammatory state, resulting in adverse outcomes. Hemadsorption using the AN69 membrane (Oxiris membrane) has the properties to chelate inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that in patients at high risk of inflammation, the use of the Oxiris membrane could decrease inflammation, preserve endothelial function, and improve postoperative outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a randomized single-center study at Amiens University Hospital. The study population consisted of adult patients admitted for scheduled cardiac surgery with an expected cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time over 90 minutes. The patients were allocated to either the standard group or the Oxiris group. The intervention consisted of using the Oxiris membrane on a Prismaflex device at a blood flow rate of 450 ml/min during CPB. The primary outcome was the assessment of microcirculation on day 1 after surgery by measuring sublingual microcirculation using the microvascular flow index (MFI). MFI reflects the microcirculation flow type and is graded from 0 to 3 as follows: 0: no flow; 1: intermittent flow; 2: sluggish flow; 3: continuous flow. The secondary outcome was a composite adverse outcome within 30 days after surgery. Cytokines and endothelial biomarkers were measured in all patients at different time points. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Results:

From October 2019 to November 2022, we included 70 patients. Two patients were excluded from the Oxiris group: one patient did not undergo surgery and one procedure was performed under deep hypothermia. The MFI did not differ between groups on day 1 from baseline: difference Oxiris-standard at -0.17 [-0.44; 0.10]; P=0.2. The occurrence of a composite adverse outcome did not significantly differ between groups (14 [42%] for the Oxiris group vs 12 [35%] for the standard group; P=0.7). The overall variation in cytokines and angiopoietins did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions:

In patients scheduled for a cardiac surgery with prolonged CPB, we could not demonstrate the benefit on microcirculation and major cardiovascular events.

Registration:

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04201119. Identifier: NCT04201119
SARS-COV-2 treated with oral nirmatrelvir–ritonavir in children: A case report
Authors: Li Zhongjie , Xu Yao , Chen Guifeng , Mao Siyu , Gu Ermin , Xu Weifeng , Xiang Yujian
Published: January 2025

Rationale:

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is an effective drug for preventing the 2019 coronavirus disease epidemic from becoming a serious disease in adults. However, its efficacy in pediatric cases remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of nirmatrelvir ritonavir in the treatment of 6 to 14 year old children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Patient concerns:

A child was admitted to the hospital for treatment of 2019 coronavirus disease, and his disease worsened. Based on oxygen inhalation and supportive treatment, the patients were treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and improvements in clinical symptoms and negative nucleic acid conversion were observed to evaluate their safety and efficacy.

Diagnosis:

Phayngeal swab tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses type 2 nucleic acids and chest computed tomography access for diagnosis: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses type 2.

Interventions:

The patient started taking nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets within 6 days of symptom onset. No adverse reactions were noted. On the third day of oral treatment, the nuclear conversion was negative.

Outcomes:

Based on the current single-sample studies, nimatrelvir and ritonavir are feasible options for treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 infections in children aged 6 to 14. That the safety and efficacy. Simultaneously, attention should be paid to comprehensive treatment of the disease. Further large-scale studies are required.

Lessons:

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 can cause severe in children, and the treatment regimen of nimatrelvir/ritonavir can be chosen. Early treatment may be effective. It is very important to closely observe clinical symptoms, detect serious symptoms, and prevent disease aggravation.
Comparison between hybrid cardiac rehabilitation and center-based cardiac rehabilitation: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial
Authors: Racodon Michaël , Vanhove Pierre , Fabre Claudine , Malanda Félicité , Secq Amandine
Published: January 2025

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a cornerstone of heart disease (HD) management, enhancing functional capacity and quality of life. Hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (hCR), combining supervised center-based sessions with synchronous, real-time telerehabilitation at home, offers an alternative to conventional CR to overcome logistical barriers such as facility limitations, distance, and pandemic-related disruptions. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the noninferiority of hCR compared to standard CR in improving functional capacity in patients with chronic heart disease, including those with stable coronary artery disease. Seventy-five participants were randomized into two groups: the CR group, with exclusively center-based sessions, and the hCR group, with synchronous tele-rehabilitation sessions at home complemented by center-based sessions. Functional capacity was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the six-minute walk test, and the wall squat test. Both groups showed significant improvements in functional outcomes, including walking distance (six-minute walk test), strength capacity (wall squat test), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing performance (P < 0.001). The improvements in the hCR group were statistically noninferior to those in the CR group. These findings demonstrate that hCR provides an effective alternative to conventional CR while addressing practical challenges in access to care. The hCR protocol represents a viable solution for expanding rehabilitation options without compromising outcomes, particularly for patients facing logistical constraints or during emergencies such as pandemics.
Management of Low-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Diaz Maria , Pan Peter C.
Published: January 2025

The term “low-grade glioma” historically refers to adult diffuse gliomas that exhibit a less aggressive course than the more common high-grade gliomas. In the current molecular era, “low-grade” refers to World Health Organization central nervous system grade 2 gliomas almost always with an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas). The term “lower-grade gliomas” has emerged encompassing grades 2 and 3 IDH-mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, to acknowledge that histological grade is not as important a prognostic factor as molecular features, and distinguishing them from grade 4 glioblastomas, which lack an IDH mutation. These grades 2 and 3 IDH-mutant tumors are characterized by indolent growth but are ultimately incurable in most cases, presenting significant management challenges. Physicians must carefully weigh all available evidence to balance improvements in survival from new treatments against treatment toxicities. This review summarizes the evidence guiding the treatment of these patients.
An open-source, user-friendly, machine-learning method for automated segmentation and analysis of peripheral nerve cross-sections
Authors: Suchyta Marissa , Dohrmann Beth , Mardini Samir
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Quantitative neuromorphometry analysis of the peripheral nerve is paramount to nerve regeneration research. However, this technique relies upon accurate segmentation and determination of myelin and axonal area. Manual histological analysis methods are time- consuming, and subject to error and bias. We demonstrate and validate a user-friendly method relying on opensource machine-learning software and no coding knowledge.

Materials & Methods:

19 rat facial nerve segments were fixed, osmicated, embedded in epoxy, sectioned, and stained with toluidine blue. Whole nerve cross-sections were scanned at 20x. Images were pre-processed in ImageJ to measure fascicular area and remove background. Images were imported into Ilastik and the pixel classification module used to segment myelin and axons. A novel CellProfiler pipeline was used with Otsu 2-threshold processing to segment and quantify individual axon and myelin objects from segmentations. Axon counts and g-ratio of nerve samples were acquired manually and using this technique to compare between methods.

Results:

Analysis of an entire nerve cross-section can be completed with this method in less than 5 minutes. Bland-Altman plot and intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated reliability between axon counts performed manually and with this protocol. There was also no statistically significant difference in accuracy in determining g-ratio compared to manual techniques (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

The protocol presented here demonstrates a novel and accurate means of segmenting and analyzing histological nerve cross-sections. This method decreases both user time and potential bias. It enables analysis of an entire nerve versus random sampling. Lastly, this protocol utilizes only opensource software freely accessible to researchers.
Outcomes for Gastrectomy During Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Non-Gastric Primaries: A 30-Year Experience
Authors: Cos Heidy , Russell Greg , Perry Kathleen , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I , Levine Edward A , Shen Perry
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) can improve survival for patients with peritoneal surface malignancy. Completeness of cytoreduction correlates with prognosis. The role of gastrectomy in these patients is not well described.

Methods:

1868 patients who underwent CRS+HIPEC for non-gastric primary between 1991-2024 were analyzed from a prospective database. Patients were stratified by gastrectomy extent and their outcomes compared with no-gastrectomy patients. Continuous variables are presented as mean (SD), categorical variables as N (%) and values considered statistically significant at < 0.05.

Results:

There were no differences in baseline demographics between the gastrectomy and no-gastrectomy groups. There were 23 major, 45 distal, and 77 wedge gastrectomies (n=145, 7.76%). Appendiceal was the most common neoplasm in the gastrectomy groups (major: 96%, distal: 91%, wedge: 68%, no gastrectomy: 53%). Gastrectomy patients had higher median PCI [major: 27(7.0), distal: 24(7.0), wedge: 19(10.3), no-gastrectomy: 14(9.5); p<0.001], R2 resection (major: 96%, distal: 89%, wedge: 60%, no-gastrectomy: 45%; p<0.001), severe complications (major: 30%, distal: 27%, wedge: 19%, no-gastrectomy: 12%; p<0.001), LOS [major: 24(15.2) , distal: 23(25.7), wedge: 18(22.2), no-gastrectomy: 12 (12.5) days; p<0.001], and 30-day mortality (major: 17%, distal: 11%, wedge: 10%, no-gastrectomy: 5%; p<0.001). There was no difference in 30-day readmission or recurrence. On multivariate analysis, gastrectomy was not independently associated with overall survival (OS) (p=0.18).

Conclusion:

8% of patients who underwent CRS+HIPEC for non-gastric primaries underwent gastrectomy. Gastrectomy patients were more likely to have higher PCI and incomplete resections with increased complications and mortality. PCI, resection status, LN’s, tumor grade, and primary site, but not gastrectomy type, are significantly associated with OS.
Genetic variation in age-dependent attractiveness in a fish with a mixed mating system
Authors: Guerra Jefferson O. , Newton Merrit C. , Nicotera Cassandra S. , McGhee Katie E.
Published: January 2025

Reproductive senescence is common across taxa and females often show a predictable decline in fecundity after maturity. Attending to these age-dependent cues could help males make optimal mate choice decisions. Here, we examined reproductive senescence and male mate choice in the androdioecious mangrove rivulus (
Kryptolebias marmoratus
), where self-fertilizing hermaphrodites exist with rare males. Hermaphrodites showed a strong decline in fecundity as they aged and genetic lineages varied in their fecundity at both young and old ages. Surprisingly, when given a simultaneous choice between genetically identical old and young hermaphrodites, males did not simply prefer younger hermaphrodites. Instead, male preference for younger versus older partners depended on the genetic lineage of the partners, resulting in a strong genotype × age interaction. For some genetic lineages, hermaphrodites were more attractive to males when younger, but for other genetic lineages, hermaphrodites were more attractive when older. Our results suggest that the genetic identity of the partner is key to how males weigh age-dependent changes in fecundity and that males are able to assess genetic variation in attractiveness over a partner’s reproductive lifespan. Exploring how gamete viability and outcrossing are affected by age across genetic lineages could help us further understand these male preferences.
Broad geographic dispersal is not a diversification driver for Emberizoidea
Authors: Arango Axel , Pinto-Ledezma Jesús , Rojas-Soto Octavio , Villalobos Fabricio
Published: January 2025

The movement of species to new geographical areas has been proposed to be crucial for speciation. As such, dispersal has been regarded as a likely explanation for the variation in species richness among clades. The Emberizoidea are a highly diverse Oscine bird clade native to the New World that has been characterized for their ubiquitous distribution both ecologically and geographically, making this group ideal to test how biogeographical dispersal could promote speciation. To do so, we relate dispersal rates with speciation rates of Emberizoidea families using a combination of bioregionalization analysis, ancestral area reconstruction and speciation rate estimation methods. We found that the Emberizoidea superfamily likely arose from a widespread ancestor distributed over the New World, with its range evolution being primarily driven by range contraction and the main cladogenetic events for the clade occurring within bioregions. Moreover, we demonstrate that dispersal rates between bioregions showed no relationship with speciation rates, suggesting that the movement to new geographical spaces is not a driver of speciation in this group. Instead, cladogenetic events within individual bioregions promoted by range stability prove to be an important driver for speciation at broad spatial scales for Emberizoidea families.
Filter feeding in devil rays is highly sensitive to morphology
Authors: Kahane-Rapport Shirel R. , Teeple Julia , Liao James C. , Paig-Tran E. W. M. , Strother James A.
Published: January 2025

Mobulid rays (manta and devil rays) use a highly specialized filtering apparatus to separate plankton food particles from seawater. Recent studies have indicated that captive vortices form within the microscale pores of the filter, which enhance filtration efficiency through a novel mechanism referred to as ricochet separation. The high throughput and clog resistance of this filtration process have led to the development of several bioinspired engineered filtration systems. However, it is still unclear how changes to the filter morphology influence the surrounding flow patterns and filtration efficiency. We address this question by examining the flow fields around and filtering properties of mobulid filters with systematically varied morphologies, using a combination of computational fluid dynamics and experiments on physical models. While the pore size is the principal determinant of filtration efficiency in a sieve filter, we found that the captive vortices in a mobulid filter grow or shrink to fill the pore, and changes in the pore size have modest effects. By contrast, the filtration efficiency appears to be highly sensitive to the orientation of the filter lobes (microscale plate-like structures). These results provide a foundation for interpreting the morphological differences between species and also for generating optimized bioinspired designs.
Punctuational evolution is pervasive in distal site metastatic colonization
Authors: Butler George , Amend Sarah R. , Venditti Chris , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: January 2025

The evolution of metastasis, the spread of cancer to distal sites within the body, represents a lethal stage of cancer progression. Yet, the evolutionary dynamics that shape the emergence of metastatic disease remain unresolved. Here, using single-cell lineage tracing data in combination with phylogenetic statistical methods, we show that the evolutionary trajectory of metastatic disease is littered with bursts of rapid molecular change as new cellular subpopulations appear, a pattern known as punctuational evolution. Next, by measuring punctuational evolution across the metastatic cascade, we show that punctuational effects are concentrated within the formation of secondary tumours at distal metastatic sites, suggesting that qualitatively different modes of evolution may drive primary and metastatic tumour progression. Taken as a whole, our findings provide empirical evidence for distinct patterns of molecular evolution at early and late stages of metastatic disease and our approach provides a framework to study the evolution of metastasis at a more nuanced level than has been previously possible.
Static Three-Dimensional Structures Determine Fast Dynamics Between Distal Loci Pairs in Interphase Chromosomes
Authors: Shi Guang , Shin Sucheol , Thirumalai D.
Published: January 2025

Live cell imaging experiments have shown that, although eukaryotic chromosomes are compact, the distal dynamics between enhancers and promoters are unexpectedly rapid and cannot be explained by standard polymer models. The discordance between the compact static chromatin organization (structure) and the relaxation times (dynamics) is a conundrum that violates the expected structure-function relationship. To resolve the puzzle, we developed a theory to predict chromatin dynamics by first calculating the accurate three-dimensional (3D) structure using static Hi-C contact maps or fixed-cell imaging data. The calculated 3D coordinates are used to accurately forecast the two-point dynamics reported in recent experiments that simultaneously monitor chromatin dynamics and transcription. Strikingly, the theory not only predicts the observed fast enhancer-promoter dynamics but also reveals a novel scaling relationship between two-point relaxation time and genomic separation that is in near quantitative agreement with recent experiments. The theory also predicts that cohesin depletion speeds up the dynamics between distal loci. Both the rapid dynamics between distal loci pairs in interphase chromosomes and the acceleration of chromatin loci diffusion upon cohesin depletion are explained in terms of structure-based centrality measure used in graph theory. Our framework shows that chromatin dynamics can be predicted based solely on static experimental data, reinforcing the concept that the three-dimensional structure determines their dynamic behavior. The generality of the theory opens new avenues for exploring chromatin dynamics, especially transcriptional dynamics, across different biological contexts.
Wavelet-Based Compression Method for Scale-Preserving SWIR Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Biswas Hridoy , Tang Rui , Mollah Shamim , Berezin Mikhail Y.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) collects detailed spectral information across hundreds of narrow bands, providing valuable datasets for applications such as medical diagnostics. However, the large size of HSI datasets, often exceeding several gigabytes, creates significant challenges in data transmission, storage, and processing. This study aims to develop a wavelet-based compression method that addresses these challenges while preserving the integrity and quality of spectral information.

Approach

The proposed method applies wavelet transforms to the spectral dimension of hyperspectral data in three steps: 1) wavelet transformation for dimensionality reduction, 2) spectral cropping to eliminate low-intensity bands, and 3) scale matching to maintain accurate wavelength mapping. Daubechies wavelets were used to achieve up to 32x compression while ensuring spectral fidelity and spatial feature retention.

Results

The wavelet-based method achieved up to 32x compression, corresponding to a 96.88% reduction in data size without significant loss of important data. Unlike PCA and ICA, the method preserved the original wavelength scale, enabling straightforward spectral interpretation. Additionally, the compressed data exhibited minimal loss in spatial features, with improvements in contrast and noise reduction compared to spectral binning.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that wavelet-based compression is an effective solution for managing large HSI datasets in medical imaging. The method preserves critical spectral and spatial information, and therefore facilitates efficient data storage and processing, providing the way for practical integration of HSI technology in clinical applications.
Shining light on the dark matter of pertussis: evidence for an asymptomatic carriage state from a longitudinal cohort of mother/infant dyads
Authors: Gunning Christian E , Gill Christopher , Rohani Pejman
Published: January 2025

Pertussis remains an enigma partly due to the uncertain impact of asymptomatic cases on transmission. Contributing to this knowledge gap is a lack of high-quality disease surveillance, particularly in those low- and middle-income countries that experience high disease burdens. Here we present analyses based on our prospective longitudinal surveillance of a rolling cohort of 1,315 mothers and their newborn infants in Lusaka, Zambia across 2015 (8,704 unique study visits). We detail the timing, duration, and intensity of qPCR-based IS481 signals in individual subjects and within mother/infant dyads. We find that IS481 signal strength: A) in mothers predicts contemporaneous and future IS481 detections in infants, B) in infants predicts, to a lesser extent, detections in mothers, and C) predicts respiratory symptoms in infants but not mothers. We profile a subgroup of 50 infants and 54 mothers who displayed evidence of persistent colonization (median duration 8 weeks) wherein most mothers were entirely asymptomatic. We also include a critical assessment of qPCR test reliability across IS481 signal strengths. Our results indicate that pertussis transmission routinely occurs between minimally symptomatic mothers and their newborn infants, and demonstrate the routine occurrence of long-duration, mild and minimally symptomatic pertussis infections.