bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the impact and utility of single-exomoon modelling for multimoon systems
Authors: Teachey Alex , Agarwal Garvit
Published: March 2024

The search for exomoons in time-domain photometric data has to-date generally consisted of fitting transit models that are comprised of a planet hosting a single moon. This simple model has its advantages, but it may not be particularly representative, as most of the major moons in our Solar system are found in multimoon satellite systems. It is critical that we investigate, then, the impact of applying a single-moon model to systems containing multiple moons, as there is the possibility that utilizing an inaccurate or incomplete model could lead to erroneous conclusions about the system. To that end, in this work we produce a variety of realistic multimoon light curves, perform standard single-moon model selection, and analyse the impacts that this model choice may have on the search for exomoons. We find that the number of moons in a system fit with a single-moon model generally has little impact on whether we find evidence for a moon in that system, and other system attributes are individually not especially predictive. However, the model parameter solutions for the moon frequently do not match any real moon in the system, instead painting a picture of a ‘phantom’ moon. We find no evidence that multimoon systems yield corresponding multimodal posteriors. We also find a systematic tendency to overestimate planetary impact parameter and eccentricity, to derive unphysical moon densities, and to infer potentially unphysical limb darkening coefficients. These results will be important to keep in mind in future exomoon search programmes.
Combining Cn2 models to forecast the optical turbulence at Paranal
Authors: Cuevas Omar , Marín J C , Blázquez J , Meyer C
Published: March 2024

We applied a combination of models to improve the forecasts of refractive index structure coefficient ($C^{2}_{n}$) profiles and seeing at Paranal using high-temporal and spatial resolution simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting model. We assessed our method with Stereo−SCIntillation Detection And Ranging observations from several nights between 2016 and 2018. The combined approach consists of the turbulent kinetic energy-based model to estimate the $C^{2}_{n}$ profile within the boundary layer and another model for the free atmosphere. We tested the Dewan, Jackson−Dewan, and Gladstone models. The implementation of the combined method gives better results than those obtained using each model separately for the whole atmospheric column. However, a much better agreement with observations is obtained when we use a calibration method to improve the results. Calibrated seeing forecasts at Paranal showed a root mean squared error of 0.30 arcsec and a bias around −0.1 arcsec for all the nights of 2017 and 2018, which are similar to previous results obtained at Paranal during the same nights. Due to its performance and rapid execution, the proposed methodology could be implemented as an operational tool to forecast the $C^{2}_{n}$ profiles and the seeing at Paranal and potentially over other astronomical sites around the world.
Short-term efficacy and limitations of foot care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yano Koichiro , Ikari Katsunori , Shiraki Emiko , Midorikawa Mitsuki , Maeda Masami , Kubo Kazuya , Kuwahara Yasushi , Okazaki Ken
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Foot and ankle impairments are major issues in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Foot deformities often lead to skin disorders, such as callosities, ingrown toenails, and interdigital tinea pedis. This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy and limitations of foot care by experts in patients with RA.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with RA who began receiving foot care from nurses at our institution between September 2020 and February 2023 were included. Responses to a survey using the self-administered foot evaluation questionnaire (SAFE-Q) for patient-reported outcome measures were compared at baseline, the second visit (1.3 ± 0.5 months after baseline), and the third visit (3.6 ± 1.6 months after baseline).

Results

Scores for ‘Pain and pain-related’ and ‘General health and well-being’ components of SAFE-Q markedly improved after foot care. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the scores for ‘Physical functioning and daily living’, ‘Social functioning’, and ‘Shoe-related’ components during observation periods.

Conclusions

Foot care for rheumatoid feet is effective in providing pain relief and improving general health and well-being. However, physical and social functioning and footwear issues did not improve. Clinicians must understand the effects and limitations of foot care in patients with RA.
Correction of non-random mutational biases along a linear bacterial chromosome by the mismatch repair endonuclease NucS
Authors: Dagva Oyut , Thibessard Annabelle , Lorenzi Jean-Noël , Labat Victor , Piotrowski Emilie , Rouhier Nicolas , Myllykallio Hannu , Leblond Pierre , Bertrand Claire
Published: March 2024

The linear chromosome of Streptomyces exhibits a highly compartmentalized structure with a conserved central region flanked by variable arms. As double strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms play a crucial role in shaping the genome plasticity of Streptomyces, we investigated the role of EndoMS/NucS, a recently characterized endonuclease involved in a non-canonical mismatch repair (MMR) mechanism in archaea and actinobacteria, that singularly corrects mismatches by creating a DSB. We showed that Streptomyces mutants lacking NucS display a marked colonial phenotype and a drastic increase in spontaneous mutation rate. In vitro biochemical assays revealed that NucS cooperates with the replication clamp to efficiently cleave G/T, G/G and T/T mismatched DNA by producing DSBs. These findings are consistent with the transition-shifted mutational spectrum observed in the mutant strains and reveal that NucS-dependent MMR specific task is to eliminate G/T mismatches generated by the DNA polymerase during replication. Interestingly, our data unveil a crescent-shaped distribution of the transition frequency from the replication origin towards the chromosomal ends, shedding light on a possible link between NucS-mediated DSBs and Streptomyces genome evolution.
Imitating and exploring the human brain's resting and task-performing states via brain computing: scaling and architecture
Authors: Lu Wenlian , Zeng Longbin , Wang Jiexiang , Xiang Shitong , Qi Yang , Zheng Qibao , Xu Ningsheng , Feng Jianfeng
Published: March 2024

A computational human brain model with the voxel-wise assimilation method was established based on individual structural and functional imaging data. We found that the more similar the brain model is to the biological counterpart in both scale and architecture, the more similarity was found between the assimilated model and the biological brain both in resting states and during tasks by quantitative metrics. The hypothesis that resting state activity reflects internal body states was validated by the interoceptive circuit's capability to enhance the similarity between the simulation model and the biological brain. We identified that the removal of connections from the primary visual cortex (V1) to downstream visual pathways significantly decreased the similarity at the hippocampus between the model and its biological counterpart, despite a slight influence on the whole brain. In conclusion, the model and methodology present a solid quantitative framework for a digital twin brain for discovering the relationship between brain architecture and functions, and for digitally trying and testing diverse cognitive, medical and lesioning approaches that would otherwise be unfeasible in real subjects.
Textures and Chemistry of Crystal Cargo of the Pleiades Volcanic Field, Antarctica: Potential Influence of Ice Load in Modulating the Plumbing System
Authors: Rocchi Irene , Tomassini Alice , Masotta Matteo , Petrelli Maurizio , Ágreda López Mónica , Rocchi Sergio
Published: March 2024

The Pleiades Volcanic Field (PVF) of northern Victoria Land (Antarctica) is made up of a dozen scoria cones whose erupted products present an unusually complete evolutionary trend from alkali-basalt to trachyte. With the aim of reconstructing the evolution of the PVF plumbing system, we have investigated the petrography and chemistry of main mineral phases using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) coupled with major element analyses using an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA-WDS). We further focussed on clinopyroxene phenocrysts obtaining a more detailed characterization by means of trace laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) element analyses coupled with machine learning thermobarometry. The results indicate that fractional crystallization and magma mixing are the major processes determining the development of the complete evolution trend. While fractional crystallization is a persistently active process in all parts of the plumbing system, mixing among differently evolved magma batches pertaining to the same association is responsible for the formation of intermediate compositions in the differentiation lineage at a specific pressure range (0.4–0.5 GPa). These processes are compatible with significant residence time of magmas at depth, resulting in multiple episodes of magma mixing, as testified by resorption and overgrowth textures in phenocryst assemblage occurring under isobaric conditions. The prolonged residence time likely increased the efficiency of the mixing process, leading to the formation of magmas with intermediate composition. In turn, the build-up of volatiles during the magma differentiation at depth could have favoured the eruption of these (variably differentiated) magmas. Considering that the PVF is situated in a glacial region, a process forcing long magma residence time can be envisaged associated with increased ice loading during glacial stages. This study specifically considers the ice fluctuations in the last 100 ka, theorizing the possibility of a climate-controlled volcano plumbing system.
Psychedelics in PERIL: The Commercial Determinants of Health, Financial Entanglements and Population Health Ethics
Authors: Buchman Daniel , Rosenbaum Daniel
Published: March 2024

The nascent for-profit psychedelic industry has begun to engage in corporate practices like funding scientific research and research programs. There is substantial evidence that such practices from other industries like tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals and food create conflicts of interest and can negatively influence population health. However, in a context of funding pressures, low publicly funded success rates and precarious academic labor, there is limited ethics guidance for researchers working at the intersection of clinical practice and population health as to how they should approach potential financial sponsorship from for-profit entities, such as the psychedelic industry. This article reports on a reflective exercise among a group of clinician scientists working in psychedelic science, where we applied Adams’ (2016) PERIL (Purpose, Extent, Relevant harm, Identifiers, Link) ethical decision-making framework to a fictionalized case of corporate psychedelic financial sponsorship. Our analysis suggests financial relationships with the corporate psychedelic sector may create varying degrees of risk to a research program’s purpose, autonomy and integrity. We argue that the commercial determinants of health provide a useful framework for understanding the ethics of industry-healthcare entanglements and can provide an important population health ethics lens to examine nascent industries such as psychedelics, and work toward potential solutions.
Rapid depletion of target proteins in plants by an inducible protein degradation system
Authors: Huang Linzhou , Rojas-Pierce Marcela
Published: March 2024

Inducible protein knockdowns are excellent tools to test the function of essential proteins in short time scales and to capture the role of proteins in dynamic events. Current approaches destroy or sequester proteins by exploiting plant biological mechanisms such as the activity of photoreceptors for optogenetics or auxin-mediated ubiquitination in auxin degrons. It follows that these are not applicable for plants as light and auxin are strong signals for plant cells. We describe here an inducible protein degradation system in plants named E3-DART for E3-targeted Degradation of Plant Proteins. The E3-DART system is based on the specific and well-characterized interaction between the Salmonella-secreted protein H1 (SspH1) and its human target protein kinase N1 (PKN1). This system harnesses the E3 catalytic activity of SspH1 and the SspH1-binding activity of the homology region 1b (HR1b) domain from PKN1. Using Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we show that a chimeric protein containing the leucine-rich repeat and novel E3 ligase domains of SspH1 efficiently targets protein fusions of varying sizes containing HR1b for degradation. Target protein degradation was induced by transcriptional control of the chimeric E3 ligase using a glucocorticoid transactivation system, and target protein depletion was detected as early as 3 h after induction. This system could be used to study the loss of any plant protein with high-temporal resolution and may become an important tool in plant cell biology.
Cell wall invertase 3 plays critical roles in providing sugars during pollination and fertilization in cucumber
Authors: Liu Huan , Yao Xuehui , Fan Jingwei , Lv Lijun , Zhao Yalong , Nie Jing , Guo Yicong , Zhang Lidong , Huang Hongyu , Shi Yuzi , Zhang Qian , Li Jiawang , Sui Xiaolei
Published: March 2024

In plants, pollen–pistil interactions during pollination and fertilization mediate pollen hydration and germination, pollen tube growth, and seed set and development. Cell wall invertases (CWINs) help provide the carbohydrates for pollen development; however, their roles in pollination and fertilization have not been well established. In cucumber (Cucumis sativus), CsCWIN3 showed the highest expression in flowers, and we further examined CsCWIN3 for functions during pollination to seed set. Both CsCWIN3 transcript and CsCWIN3 protein exhibited similar expression patterns in the sepals, petals, stamen filaments, anther tapetum, and pollen of male flowers, as well as in the stigma, style, transmitting tract, and ovule funiculus of female flowers. Notably, repression of CsCWIN3 in cucumber did not affect the formation of parthenocarpic fruit but resulted in an arrested growth of stigma integuments in female flowers and a partially delayed dehiscence of anthers with decreased pollen viability in male flowers. Consequently, the pollen tube grew poorly in the gynoecia after pollination. In addition, CsCWIN3-RNA interference plants also showed affected seed development. Considering that sugar transporters could function in cucumber fecundity, we highlight the role of CsCWIN3 and a potential close collaboration between CWIN and sugar transporters in these processes. Overall, we used molecular and physiological analyses to determine the CsCWIN3-mediated metabolism during pollen formation, pollen tube growth, and plant fecundity. CsCWIN3 has essential roles from pollination and fertilization to seed set but not parthenocarpic fruit development in cucumber.
PEA-m6A: an ensemble learning framework for accurately predicting N6-methyladenosine modifications in plants
Authors: Song Minggui , Zhao Jiawen , Zhang Chujun , Jia Chengchao , Yang Jing , Zhao Haonan , Zhai Jingjing , Lei Beilei , Tao Shiheng , Chen Siqi , Su Ran , Ma Chuang
Published: March 2024

N 6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is the mostly prevalent modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, is involved in gene expression regulation and many RNA metabolism processes. Accurate prediction of m6A modification is important for understanding its molecular mechanisms in different biological contexts. However, most existing models have limited range of application and are species-centric. Here we present PEA-m6A, a unified, modularized and parameterized framework that can streamline m6A-Seq data analysis for predicting m6A-modified regions in plant genomes. The PEA-m6A framework builds ensemble learning-based m6A prediction models with statistic-based and deep learning-driven features, achieving superior performance with an improvement of 6.7% to 23.3% in the area under precision-recall curve compared with state-of-the-art regional-scale m6A predictor WeakRM in 12 plant species. Especially, PEA-m6A is capable of leveraging knowledge from pretrained models via transfer learning, representing an innovation in that it can improve prediction accuracy of m6A modifications under small-sample training tasks. PEA-m6A also has a strong capability for generalization, making it suitable for application in within- and cross-species m6A prediction. Overall, this study presents a promising m6A prediction tool, PEA-m6A, with outstanding performance in terms of its accuracy, flexibility, transferability, and generalization ability. PEA-m6A has been packaged using Galaxy and Docker technologies for ease of use and is publicly available at https://github.com/cma2015/PEA-m6A.
Transcription factor CsMYB36 regulates fruit neck length via mediating cell expansion in cucumber
Authors: Wang Chunhua , Yao Hongxin , Wang Chen , Gao Luyao , Chai Xingwen , Fang Kai , Du Yalin , Hao Ning , Cao Jiajian , Wu Tao
Published: March 2024

The fruit neck is an important agronomic trait of cucumber (Cucumis sativus). However, the underlying genes and regulatory mechanisms involved in fruit neck development are poorly understood. We previously identified a cucumber yellow-green peel (ygp) mutant, whose causal gene is MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN 36 (CsMYB36). This study showed that the ygp mutant exhibited a shortened fruit neck and repressed cell expansion in the fruit neck. Further functional analysis showed that CsMYB36 was also a target gene, and its expression was enriched in the fruit neck. Overexpression of CsMYB36 in the ygp mutant rescued shortened fruit necks. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays revealed that CsMYB36 positively regulates the expression of an expansin-like A3 (CsEXLA3) in the fruit neck, which is essential for cell expansion. Yeast 1-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays revealed that CsMYB36 regulates fruit neck elongation by directly binding to the promoter of CsEXLA3. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CsMYB36 is an important gene in the regulation of fruit neck length in cucumber plants.
The effect of conventional radiofrequency thermocoagulation of femoral and obturator nerves’ articular branches on chronic hip pain: a prospective clinical study
Authors: Karaoğlu Sevilay Şimşek , Sari Sinem , Ekin Yusufcan , Özkan Yasemin , Aydin Osman Nuri
Published: March 2024

Background

Chronic hip pain is one of the most common and difficult-to-treat causes of disability. Our study’s primary aim was to investigate the effects of ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the femoral and obturator nerve articular branches on chronic hip pain, and the secondary aim was to determine its effects on hip function and quality of life.

Methods

Fifty-three patients with hip pain lasting more than three months were enrolled in the study. VPS scale and WOMAC, SF-12 questionnaires were applied to the patients before and in the first, third, and sixth months following the procedure.

Results

Of the patients, 60.4% were female, and 39.6% were male. Hip pain was caused by osteoarthritis in 77.1%, postoperative hip pain in 12.5%, malignancy in 8.3%, and avascular necrosis in 2.1%. The VPS scores were 8.9 ± 1.1 (mean±SD) in the baseline period, 2.4 ± 2.5 in the first postoperative week, 3.8 ± 2.5 in the first month, 5.1 ± 2.8 in the third month, and 5.8 ± 2.7 in the sixth month, with a significant decrease in VPS score (P < .001). One patient developed a motor deficit that improved spontaneously.

Conclusions

We concluded that radiofrequency thermocoagulation application to the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves provides pain relief, hip function improvement, and better quality of life (better physical component scores but no improvement in mental component scores in SF-12) for up to 6 months in chronic hip pain.
Decays of Standard Model–Like Higgs Boson h → γγ, Zγ in a Minimal Left-Right Symmetric Model
Authors: Hong T T , Le V K , Phuong L T T , Hoi N C , Ngan N T K , Nha N H T
Published: March 2024

Two decay channels h → γγ, Zγ of the Standard Model–like Higgs in a left-right symmetry model are investigated using recent experimental data. We show that there exist one-loop contributions that affect the h → Zγ amplitude, but not the h → γγ amplitude. From numerical investigations, we show that the signal strength μZγ of the decay h → Zγ is still constrained strictly by that of h → γγ, namely |Δμγγ| < 38% results in maximum |ΔμZγ| < 46%. On the other hand, the future experimental sensitivity |Δμγγ| = 4% still allows |ΔμZγ| to reach values larger than the expected sensitivity of |ΔμZγ| = 23%.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Cognitive Remediation on Recovery in People With Early Psychosis: A Mediation and Moderation Analysis
Authors: Tinch-Taylor Rose , Pickles Andrew , Stringer Dominic , Csipke Emese , Cella Matteo , McCrone Paul , Reeder Clare , Birchwood Max , Fowler David , Greenwood Kathryn , Johnson Sonia , Perez Jesus , Ritunnano Rosa , Thompson Andrew , Upthegrove Rachel , Wilson Jon , Kenny Alex , Isok Iris , Joyce Eileen M , Wykes Til
Published: March 2024

Background

To provide precision cognitive remediation therapy (CR) for schizophrenia, we need to understand whether the mechanism for improved functioning is via cognition improvements. This mechanism has not been rigorously tested for potential moderator effects.

Study Design

We used data (n = 377) from a randomized controlled trial using CIRCuiTS, a therapist-supported CR, with participants from first-episode psychosis services. We applied structured equation modeling to test whether: (1) CR hours explain the goal attainment functional outcome (GAS) at posttreatment, (2) global cognitive improvement mediates GAS, and if (3) total symptoms moderate the CR hours to cognitive improvement pathway, and/or negative symptoms moderate the cognition to functioning pathway, testing moderator effects via the mediator or directly on CR hours to functioning path.

Study Results

CR produced significant functioning benefit for each therapy hour (Coeff = 0.203, 95% CI 0.101–0.304, P < .001). The mediated path from CR hours to cognition and cognition to functioning was small and nonsignificant (Coeff = 0.014, 95% CI = −0.010, 0.037, P = .256). Total symptoms did not moderate the path to cognition (P = .211) or the direct path to outcome (P = .896). However, negative symptoms significantly moderated the effect of cognitive improvements on functioning (P = .015) with high negative symptoms reducing the functional gains of improved cognition.

Conclusions

Although cognitive improvements were correlated with functioning benefit, they did not fully explain the positive effect of increased therapy hours on functioning, suggesting additional CR factors also contribute to therapy benefit. Negative symptoms interfere with the translation of cognitive improvements into functional gains so need consideration.
Psychiatric comorbidities and prescribing tendencies of sleep medications and related medications in young people with insomnia: a United States commercial claims-based analysis
Authors: Bushnell Greta , Ivanenko Anna , Horton Daniel B , Lunsford-Avery Jessica R , Posner Jonathan , Gerhard Tobias , Suarez Elizabeth , Olfson Mark
Published: March 2024

Study Objectives

To characterize children and youth newly diagnosed with insomnia and to describe their use of sleep and other related prescription medications.

Methods

Within a commercial claims database (January 1, 2016–December 31, 2021), we identified children and youth (2–24 years) with a newly recorded insomnia diagnosis (G47.0x; F51.0x) and examined psychiatric diagnoses in the prior 6 months. We evaluated sleep and related prescription medications dispensed in the week after new insomnia diagnoses (i.e. trazodone, other antidepressants, hydroxyzine, alpha-agonists, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics “z-drugs,” antipsychotics, and others). Analyses were stratified by age and psychiatric comorbidities.

Results

Among 68 698 children and 108 118 older youth (18–24 years) with a new insomnia diagnosis, three-quarters had a diagnosed comorbid psychiatric condition; anxiety disorders, depression, and ADHD were the most common. Among those without comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, 20.2% of children and 37.4% of older youth had a sleep or related medication dispensed in the following week. In children without a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, alpha-agonists, hydroxyzine, and trazodone were the most common medications; in older youth, trazodone was the most common medication followed by hydroxyzine, z-drugs, and SSRIs. Sleep and related prescription medications were more commonly dispensed to those with psychiatric comorbidities. From 2017 to 2021, there was an increase in hydroxyzine prescriptions following a new insomnia diagnosis and decline in z-drug and benzodiazepine prescriptions.

Conclusions

Our findings from a nationwide sample of young people with insomnia highlight the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities and variety of sleep and related medications they receive. Characterizing prescribing tendencies informs guideline development and future research.
FTO‐mediated m6A mRNA demethylation aggravates renal fibrosis by targeting RUNX1 and further enhancing PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Wang Da‐Xi , Bao Si‐Yu , Song Na‐Na , Chen Wei‐Ze , Ding Xiao‐Qiang , Walker Robert J. , Fang Yi
Published: March 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, with ineffective therapies leading to increasing morbidity and mortality. Renal interstitial fibrosis is a common pathway in advanced CKD, resulting in kidney function and structure deterioration. In this study, we investigate the role of FTO‐mediated N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) and its downstream targets in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. M6A modification, a prevalent mRNA internal modification, has been implicated in various organ fibrosis processes. We use a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) as an in vivo model and treated tubular epithelial cells (TECs) with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 as in vitro models. Our findings revealed increased FTO expression in UUO mouse model and TGF‐β1‐treated TECs. By modulating FTO expression through FTO heterozygous mutation mice (FTO+/−) in vivo and small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro, we observed attenuation of UUO and TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by decreased fibronectin and N‐cadherin accumulation and increased E‐cadherin levels. Silencing FTO significantly improved UUO and TGF‐β1‐induced inflammation, apoptosis, and inhibition of autophagy. Further transcriptomic assays identified RUNX1 as a downstream candidate target of FTO. Inhibiting FTO was shown to counteract UUO/TGF‐β1‐induced RUNX1 elevation in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrated that FTO signaling contributes to the elevation of RUNX1 by demethylating RUNX1 mRNA and improving its stability. Finally, we revealed that the PI3K/AKT pathway may be activated downstream of the FTO/RUNX1 axis in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. In conclusion, identifying small‐molecule compounds that target this axis could offer promising therapeutic strategies for treating renal fibrosis.
Podocan promoting skeletal muscle post‐injury regeneration by inhibiting TGF‐β signaling pathway
Authors: Teng Huaixin , Zheng Jingxian , Liang Yanyan , Zhao Jingwen , Yan Yunqin , Li Shufeng , Li Shuang , Tong Huili
Published: March 2024

Podocan, the fifth member of Small Leucine‐Rich Proteoglycan (SLRP) family of extracellular matrix components, is poorly known in muscle development. Previous studies have shown that Podocan promotes C2C12 differentiation in mice. In this study, we elucidated the effect of Podocan on skeletal muscle post‐injury regeneration and its underlying mechanism. Injection of Podocan protein promoted the process of mice skeletal muscle post‐injury regeneration. This effect seemed to be from the acceleration of muscle satellite cell differentiation in vivo. Meanwhile, Podocan promoted myogenic differentiation in vitro by binding with TGF‐β1 to inhibit the activity of the TGF‐β signaling pathway. These results indicated that Podocan had the potential roles to enhance skeletal muscle post‐injury regeneration. Its mechanism is likely the regulation of the expression of p‐Smad2 and p‐Smad4 related to the TGF‐β signaling pathway by interacting with TGF‐β1.
Impact of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Sampling on Cessation-Related Processes
Authors: Sisson Michelle L. , Gajos Jamie M. , Wolford-Clevenger Caitlin , Chichester Keith R. , Hawes Elizabeth S. , Hill Samantha V. , Shelton Richard C. , Hendricks Peter S. , Businelle Michael S. , Carpenter Matthew J. , Cropsey Karen L.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Smoking prevalence remains high among low-income smokers. Understanding processes (eg, withdrawal, craving, motivation) in early smoking cessation is crucially important for designing effective interventions for this population.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a novel, in-session sampling intervention (ie, In Vivo) as compared with standard care behavioral smoking cessation counseling (SC) among community-dwelling low-income smokers (n = 83). This analysis examined the effect of 5 in-session sampling interventions on cessation-related processes and perceived advantages or disadvantages of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products over time using daily diaries.

Results

The In Vivo treatment had an early positive impact in terms of decreasing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and increasing perceived advantages to NRT, with moderate to large effect sizes. Results also showed that the treatment effectively reduced withdrawal symptoms and cravings in-session, with small-to-medium and medium-to-large effect sizes, respectively. In-session reduction of withdrawal symptoms and cravings did not occur for the SC group, with the exception of decreased withdrawal symptoms occurring during week 4. The In Vivo treatment did not impact quit goal, desire to quit, abstinence self-efficacy, perceived difficulty in quitting, motivational engagement, or perceived disadvantages to NRT. The In Vivo group reported less daily cigarette use relative to the SC group, in addition to reporting less cigarette use on days they reported greater combination NRT use.

Conclusions

There is preliminary support for this In Vivo treatment over SC in reducing withdrawal, craving, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, as well as promoting perceived advantages of NRT among low-income smokers.
Factors associated with outcomes of suprachoroidal hemorrhage: an individual participant data systematic review
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Elnahry Ayman G. , Tauqeer Zujaja , Yu Yinxi , Ying Gui-shuang , Kim Benjamin J.
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

To determine factors associated with visual and anatomic outcomes of suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) in studies published between 1990 and 2022.

Methods:

Individual participant data (IPD) systematic review. The protocol was prospectively registered on Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/69v3q/). PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies of SCH with ≥3 patients published between January 1, 1990, and September 1, 2022. The primary outcome was the change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) from the time of SCH diagnosis to last follow-up.

Results:

413 eyes from 49 studies were included, with mean (SD) age 60.8 (22.4) years and mean (SD) follow-up of 13.8 (12.6) months. Among 145 eyes with at least 6 months of follow-up, the mean (SD) gain in VA was -0.98 (0.89) logMAR. In multivariable regression, treatment with systemic steroids was associated with greater improvement in logMAR VA (adjusted mean (SE) -1.29 (0.09) versus -0.16 (0.30) for no systemic steroids; P < 0.001) and greater odds of achieving anatomic success (adjusted OR 10.59, 95% CI 2.59 to 43.3; P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

The use of systemic steroids was associated with better visual and anatomic outcomes for SCH.
Optimal Timing of Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome–Associated Toxoplasmic Encephalitis: A Prospective Observational Multicenter Study in China
Authors: Li Yao , Jiang Haidong , Zeng Yanming , Lu Yanqiu , Chen Siyuan , Zhang Yulin , Jiang Zhongsheng , Yang Tongtong , Liu Shuiqing , Chen Yaokai
Published: March 2024

Background

Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is the most frequent cause of expansive brain lesions among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, the optimal timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in these patients remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the differences in outcomes of ART initiation at different times, in order to help clarify the treatment timing of AIDS-associated TE.

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study included 87 patients recruited from 11 research centers in China (from March 2019 to December 2022). Of the patients, 38 were assigned to the early ART group (initiating ART within 2 weeks after anti-Toxoplasma treatment initiation), and the remaining 49 patients received deferred ART (initiating ART at least 2 weeks after anti-Toxoplasma treatment initiation). The main outcomes included mortality and emergence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 viral load and CD4+ T-cell counts at weeks 24 and 48 were observed.

Results

The number of deaths (1 vs. 5, P = 0.225) and incidence of IRIS (2.6% vs. 0, P = 0.437) were not significantly different between the early and deferred ART groups at week 48. Early ART initiation did not contribute significantly to HIV-1 viral load control (<50 copies/mL, n = 8 vs. n = 3 at week 24, P = 0.142; n = 7 vs. n = 7 at week 48, P = 1.000). The median CD4+ T-cell counts between the two groups were not significantly different, either at week 24 (155 vs. 91 cells/mm3, P = 0.837) or at week 48 (181 vs. 146 cells/mm3, P = 0.219).

Conclusion

In patients with AIDS-associated TE, early ART initiation was not significantly different from deferred ART initiation in terms of incidence of mortality, IRIS, and HIV virological and immunological outcomes.

Trial registration: This study was registered (registration number: ChiCTR1900021195) as one of 12 clinical trials under the title of a general project at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (chictr.gov) on February 1, 2019. Enrollment for this study began in March 2019.
SIRT1-Rab7 axis attenuates NLRP3 and STING activation through late endosomal-dependent mitophagy during sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Jiang Tao , Liu Enran , Li Zhiyuan , Yan Congmin , Zhang Xiaoyun , Guan Jingting , Zhan Yuanbo , Zhao Bo , Ding Wengang
Published: March 2024

Background:

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with sepsis due to proinflammatory endothelial changes and endothelial permeability defects. Mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a critical mediator in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced ALI. Although mitophagy regulation of mitochondrial quality is well recognized, little is known about its role in lung ECs during sepsis-induced ALI. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a histone protein deacetylase involved in inflammation, mitophagy, and cellular senescence. Here, the authors show a type of late endosome-dependent mitophagy that inhibits NLRP3 and STING activation through SIRT1 signaling during sepsis-induced ALI.

Methods:

C57BL/6J male mice with or without administration of the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 in the CLP model and lung ECs in vitro were developed to identify mitophagy mechanisms that underlie the cross-talk between SIRT1 signaling and sepsis-induced ALI.

Results:

SIRT1 deficient mice exhibited exacerbated sepsis-induced ALI. Knockdown of SIRT1 interfered with mitophagy through late endosome Rab7, leading to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and inducing excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation and cytosolic release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which triggered NLRP3 inflammasome and the cytosolic nucleotide sensing pathways (STING) over-activation. Pharmacological inhibition of STING and NLRP3 in vivo or genetic knockdown in vitro reversed SIRT1 deficiency mediated endothelial permeability defects and endothelial inflammation in sepsis-induced ALI. Moreover, activation of SIRT1 with SRT1720 in vivo or overexpression of SIRT1 in vitro protected against sepsis-induced ALI.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that SIRT1 signaling is essential for restricting STING and NLRP3 hyperactivation by promoting endosomal-mediated mitophagy in lung ECs, providing potential therapeutic targets for treating sepsis-induced ALI.
Enduring Consensus Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management: Introduction to the Scope and Process
Authors: Wentzensen Nicolas , Garcia Francisco , Clarke Megan A. , Massad L. Stewart , Cheung Li C. , Egemen Didem , Guido Richard , Huh Warner , Saslow Debbie , Smith Robert A. , Unger Elizabeth R. , Perkins Rebecca B. ,   for the Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines (Enduring Guidelines) effort is a standing committee to continuously evaluate new technologies and approaches to cervical cancer screening, management, and surveillance.

Methods and Results

The Enduring Guidelines process will selectively incorporate new technologies and approaches with adequate supportive data to more effectively improve cancer prevention for high-risk individuals and decrease unnecessary procedures in low-risk individuals. This manuscript describes the structure, process, and methods of the Enduring Guidelines effort. Using systematic literature reviews and primary data sources, risk of precancer will be estimated and recommendations will be made based on risk estimates in the context of established risk-based clinical action thresholds. The Enduring Guidelines process will consider health equity and health disparities by assuring inclusion of diverse populations in the evidence review and risk assessment and by developing recommendations that provide a choice of well-validated strategies that can be adapted to different settings.

Conclusions

The Enduring Guidelines process will allow updating existing cervical cancer screening and management guidelines rapidly when new technologies are approved or new scientific evidence becomes available.
Percutaneous Venopulmonary Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as Bridge to Lung Transplantation
Authors: Usman Asad Ali , Spelde Audrey Elizabeth , Lutfi Wasim , Gutsche Jacob T. , Vernick William J. , Toubat Omar , Olia Salim E. , Cantu Edward , Courtright Andrew , Crespo Maria M. , Diamond Joshua , Biscotti Mauer , Bermudez Christian A.
Published: March 2024

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to lung transplant is an infrequent but accepted pathway in patients who have refractory end-stage pulmonary failure. The American Association of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Guidelines, published in 2023, recommends venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as the initial configuration for those patients who have failed conventional medical therapy, including mechanical ventilation, while waiting for lung transplantation and needing MCS. Alternatively, venoarterial (VA) ECMO can be used in patients with acute right ventricular failure, hemodynamic instability, or refractory respiratory failure. With the advancement in percutaneous venopulmonary (VP) ECMO cannulation techniques, this option is becoming an attractive configuration as bridge to lung transplantation. This configuration enhances stability of the right ventricle, prevents recirculation with direct introduction of pulmonary artery oxygenation, and promotes hemodynamic stability during mobility, rehabilitation, and sedation-weaning trials before lung transplantation. Here, we present a case series of eight percutaneous VP ECMO as bridge to lung transplant with all patients mobilized, awake, and successfully transplanted with survival to hospital discharge.
The Longest Living Patient Supported With Left Ventricular Assist Device (14 Years)
Authors: Hallberg Kristensen Ann , Svenarud Peter , Lund Lars H. , Najjar Emil
Published: March 2024

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival and reduce symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure; however, the longer-term durability of LVADs remains uncertain especially with older-generation devices. In this case report, we describe the clinical course of a patient who has been successfully treated with the same HeartMate II LVAD for 14 years, the longest published and still ongoing LVAD support with the same originally implanted device.
Effect of psychological intervention in cushioning work-induced stress among secondary school home economics teachers: Implications for policy and administration
Authors: Nwakpadolu Glory Mmachukwu , Ede Moses Onyemaechi , Okoro Joy Oluchukwu , Nwadi Calister Lebechukwu , Akudo Florence Ukamaka , Anigbogu Grace N. , Ezeanwu Amaka Bibian , Edikpa Edith C. , Nwadinobi Vera Nkiru , Oneli Joy Obiageli
Published: March 2024

Background/Objective:

Work demands in the contemporary Nigerian work environment are a critical concern to many including occupational stress researchers. This informed the current study to investigate the effect of psychological intervention in cushioning teachers’ stress in public secondary schools in Nigeria.

Methods:

A randomized control design was applied. The participants were 80 secondary school home economics teachers. They were randomized into 2 groups, that is, treatment and waitlisted arms. The former was designed as a 12-session cognitive behavior intervention while the latter was waitlisted and the members received theirs at the end of the study. Both group members were evaluated at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up test to understand the baseline of the problem, treatment outcome, and sustainability respectively. Perceived Stress Scale and Teacher irrational belief scale were used as test tools. Data from the 3-time tests were analyzed using multivariate statistic.

Results:

The main effect results showed a significant reduction in teachers’ stress and irrational beliefs due to cognitive behavior intervention. The follow-up test results also indicate that the impactful benefit of cognitive behavioral intervention on job stress reduction was significantly sustained over time. Regarding the influence of gender, the result shows no significant influence of gender on teachers’ job stress in schools.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that cognitive behavior intervention can decrease work-induced stress among secondary school home economics teachers. Therefore, the management of schools is enjoined to deploy the services of cognitive behavior therapists to monitor the mood and mental health of teachers.
Multifidus lesions: A possible pathological component in patients with low back pain after posterior lumbar surgery
Authors: Pan Dan , Liu Ke , Huang Meiyuan , Sun Tiansheng , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: March 2024

There are few histological studies on multifidus after lumbar surgery, and it is not clear whether multifidus changes affect the clinical outcome after lumbar surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between multifidus changes and clinical outcomes after lumbar surgery. Patients underwent internal fixation removal after lumbar posterior surgery were enrolled. Patients were divided into a low back pain (LBP) group (n = 15) and a non-low back pain (non-LBP) group (n = 10).The Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) were completed. 18 patients with lumbar fracture surgery were included as the control group. Multifidus morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. The expression of TGF-β1 was observed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blot. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus in the non-LBP group and the control group were greater than those in the LBP group. TGF-β1 expression and gray value ratio in the non-LBP group and the control group were lower than those in the LBP group. The multifidus CSA and TGF-β1 expression in multifidus were strongly correlated with ODI and VAS. Patients with LBP after posterior lumbar surgery suffered from atrophy and fibrosis lesions in the multifidus, and the degree of multifidus lesions was closely related to dysfunction and pain, which might be one of the causes of LBP after posterior lumbar surgery.
Impact of habitual intake of glucosamine, fresh fruit, and tea on the risk of urolithiasis: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Pan Yongdong , Su Jingyi , Qian Subo , Xu Guofeng
Published: March 2024

Dietary patterns have a significant impact on the occurrence of urolithiasis. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationships between the consumption of glucosamine, fresh fruits, and tea, and the predisposition to urinary stones using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Genetic proxies for these dietary factors were obtained from the UK Biobank, while the summary data for urolithiasis genome-wide association analyses were sourced from the FinnGen consortium. Five MR methodologies, namely inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode, were employed in the analysis. To validate the findings, sensitivity evaluations such as the MR-PRESSO disruption test and Cochran Q test for heterogeneity were performed. The IVW method showed that glucosamine consumption had a strong inverse association with urolithiasis risk (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.006, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.0001–0.287, P = .009), surpassing the associations of fresh fruits (OR = 0.464, 95% CI 0.219–0.983, P = .045) and tea (OR = 0.550, 95% CI 0.345–0.878, P = .012). These findings were consistent when verified using alternative MR techniques, and the sensitivity analyses further supported their credibility. The results of this MR analysis demonstrate that regular consumption of glucosamine, fresh fruits, and tea is inversely correlated with the risk of developing urolithiasis.