bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site-discordant expression of myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Authors: Bulterys Philip L , Saleem Atif , Brown Ryanne A , Novoa Roberto A , Rieger Kerri E , Natkunam Yasodha , Fernandez-Pol Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic neoplasm that can show clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic overlap with acute myeloid leukemia. Myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) is a nuclear protein expressed by myelomonocytic cells previously reported to be reliably absent in BPDCN and proposed as a useful adjunct for the distinction of BPDCN and acute myeloid leukemia. We encountered a case of BPDCN that showed strong nuclear expression of MNDA in bone marrow and breast samples and weak to absent expression in skin samples, prompting us to reevaluate the expression of MNDA in BPDCN.

Methods

We collected all available BPDCN cases from the Stanford University archives collected in the past 10 years and subjected them to MNDA immunohistochemistry. In select cases, molecular profiling by next-generation sequencing was performed.

Results

We found 4 cases (of 8 total examined [50%]) with convincing site-discordant MNDA expression. This expression was seen in 3 of 6 (50%) bone marrow samples, 1 of 2 (50%) breast soft tissue samples, and 3 of 14 (up to 21%) skin samples and was not obviously predicted by age, sex, history of myeloid neoplasm, or treatment history. In 2 cases, MNDA was strongly expressed in 2 distinct sites (breast/bone marrow, skin/bone marrow) and negative in subsequent samples.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that MNDA expression in BPDCN is anatomic site dependent and transient, with noncutaneous infiltrates showing more frequent expression than cutaneous infiltrates. These results caution against the use of MNDA to exclude BPDCN when considering the differential diagnosis of a blastic extramedullary infiltrate.
VCAb: a web-tool for structure-guided exploration of antibodies
Authors: Guo Dongjun , Ng Joseph Chi-Fung , Dunn-Walters Deborah K , Fraternali Franca
Published: September 2024

Motivation

Effective responses against immune challenges require antibodies of different isotypes performing specific effector functions. Structural information on these isotypes is essential to engineer antibodies with desired physico-chemical features of their antigen-binding properties, and optimal developability as potential therapeutics. In silico mutational scanning profiles on antibody structures would further pinpoint candidate mutations for enhancing antibody stability and function. Current antibody structure databases lack consistent annotations of isotypes and structural coverage of 3D antibody structures, as well as computed deep mutation profiles.

Results

The V and C region bearing antibody (VCAb) web-tool is established to clarify these annotations and provides an accessible resource to facilitate antibody engineering and design. VCAb currently provides data on 7,166 experimentally determined antibody structures including both V and C regions from different species. Additionally, VCAb provides annotations of species and isotypes with numbering schemes applied. These information can be interactively queried or downloaded in batch.

Availability and implementation

VCAb is implemented as a R shiny application to enable interactive data interrogation. The online application is freely accessible https://fraternalilab.cs.ucl.ac.uk/VCAb/. The source code to generate the database and the online application is available open-source at https://github.com/Fraternalilab/VCAb.
HunFlair2 in a cross-corpus evaluation of biomedical named entity recognition and normalization tools
Authors: Sänger Mario , Garda Samuele , Wang Xing David , Weber-Genzel Leon , Droop Pia , Fuchs Benedikt , Akbik Alan , Leser Ulf
Published: September 2024

Motivation

With the exponential growth of the life sciences literature, biomedical text mining (BTM) has become an essential technology for accelerating the extraction of insights from publications. The identification of entities in texts, such as diseases or genes, and their normalization, i.e. grounding them in knowledge base, are crucial steps in any BTM pipeline to enable information aggregation from multiple documents. However, tools for these two steps are rarely applied in the same context in which they were developed. Instead, they are applied “in the wild,” i.e. on application-dependent text collections from moderately to extremely different from those used for training, varying, e.g. in focus, genre or text type. This raises the question whether the reported performance, usually obtained by training and evaluating on different partitions of the same corpus, can be trusted for downstream applications.

Results

Here, we report on the results of a carefully designed cross-corpus benchmark for entity recognition and normalization, where tools were applied systematically to corpora not used during their training. Based on a survey of 28 published systems, we selected five, based on predefined criteria like feature richness and availability, for an in-depth analysis on three publicly available corpora covering four entity types. Our results present a mixed picture and show that cross-corpus performance is significantly lower than the in-corpus performance. HunFlair2, the redesigned and extended successor of the HunFlair tool, showed the best performance on average, being closely followed by PubTator Central. Our results indicate that users of BTM tools should expect a lower performance than the original published one when applying tools in “the wild” and show that further research is necessary for more robust BTM tools.

Availability and implementation

All our models are integrated into the Natural Language Processing (NLP) framework flair: https://github.com/flairNLP/flair. Code to reproduce our results is available at: https://github.com/hu-ner/hunflair2-experiments.
The loss of dNK1/2 and EVT1 cells at the maternal–fetal interface is associated with recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Yang Yijun , Qiu Jiangnan , Xu Qiaoqiao , Fan Yun , Wang Hui , Qian Hong , Wu Zhu , Zhang Yuchen , Gao Yingchun , Shi Can , Lu Chuncheng , Xia Yankai , Cheng Wenjun
Published: September 2024

Recurrent miscarriage is a chronic and heterogeneous pregnancy disorder lacking effective treatment. Alterations at the maternal–fetal interface are commonly observed in recurrent miscarriage, with the loss of certain cell subpopulations believed to be a key cause. Through single-cell sequencing of recurrent miscarriage patients and healthy donors, we aim to identify aberrancy of cellular features in recurrent miscarriage tissues, providing new insights into the research. Natural killer cells, the most abundant immune cells in the decidua, are traditionally classified into dNK1, dNK2, and dNK3. In this study, we identified a new subset, dNK1/2, absent in recurrent miscarriage tissues. This subset was named because it expresses biomarkers of both dNK1 and dNK2. With further analysis, we discovered that dNK1/2 cells play roles in immunoregulation and cytokine secretion. On the villous side of the interface, a notable decrease of extravillous trophoblast cells was identified in recurrent miscarriage tissues. We clustered extravillous trophoblasts into EVT1 (absent in recurrent miscarriage) and EVT2 (retained in recurrent miscarriage). Pseudotime analysis revealed distinct differentiation paths, identifying CCNB1, HMGB1, and NPM1 as EVT1 biomarkers. Additionally, we found that EVT1 is involved in the regulation of cell death, while EVT2 exhibited more angiogenic activity. Cell communication analysis revealed that interaction between EVT1 and dNK1/2 mediates chemotaxis and endothelial cell regulation, crucial for spiral artery remodeling. The loss of this interaction may impair decidualization, which is associated with recurrent miscarriage. In summary, we propose that the loss of dNK1/2 and EVT1 cells is a significant pathological feature of recurrent miscarriage.

Summary Sentence

The communication between EVT1 and dNK1/2 mediated the chemotaxis of EVT1 and facilitated regulation of endothelial cell death, initiating spiral artery remodeling. The loss of this specific cellular interaction may result in impaired decidualization, leading to recurrent miscarriage.
Designing cancer screening trials for reduction in late-stage cancer incidence
Authors: Zhu Kehao , Zhao Ying-Qi , Zheng Yingye
Published: September 2024

Before implementing a biomarker test for early cancer detection into routine clinical care, the test must demonstrate clinical utility, that is, the test results should lead to clinical actions that positively affect patient-relevant outcomes. Unlike therapeutical trials for patients diagnosed with cancer, designing a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to demonstrate the clinical utility of an early detection biomarker with mortality and related endpoints poses unique challenges. The hurdles stem from the prolonged natural progression of the disease and the lack of information regarding the time-varying screening effect on the target asymptomatic population. To facilitate the study design of screening trials, we propose using a generic multistate disease history model and derive model-based effect sizes. The model links key performance metrics of the test, such as sensitivity, to primary endpoints like the incidence of late-stage cancer. It also incorporates the practical implementation of the biomarker-testing program in real-world scenarios. Based on the chronological time scale aligned with RCT, our method allows the assessment of study powers based on key features of the new program, including the test sensitivity, the length of follow-up, and the number and frequency of repeated tests. The calculation tool from the proposed method will enable practitioners to perform realistic and quick evaluations when strategizing screening trials for specific diseases. We use numerical examples based on the National Lung Screening Trial to demonstrate the method.
Compensation patterns and altered functional connectivity in alcohol use disorder with and without Korsakoff's syndrome
Authors: Morand Alexandrine , Laniepce Alice , Cabé Nicolas , Boudehent Céline , Segobin Shailendra , Pitel Anne-Lise
Published: September 2024

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disease characterized by an inappropriate pattern of drinking, resulting in negative consequences for the individual's physical, mental and social health. Korsakoff's syndrome is a complication of alcohol use disorder and is characterized by severe memory and executive deficits. The fronto-cerebellar and Papez circuits are structurally affected in patients with alcohol use disorder with and without Korsakoff’s syndrome. The first objective of the present study was to measure the effect of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption on resting-state functional connectivity of these two functional brain networks. The second objective was to identify, for the first time, resting-state functional connectivity abnormalities specific to amnesic patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome. In the present study, a neuropsychological assessment and a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging examination were conducted in 31 healthy controls (43.6 ± 6.1 years) and 46 patients (46.6 ± 9.1 years) with alcohol use disorder including 14 patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome (55.5 ± 5.3 years) to examine the effect of chronic and heavy alcohol consumption on functional connectivity of the fronto-cerebellar and the Papez circuits at rest and the specificity of functional connectivity changes in Korsakoff’s syndrome compared to alcohol use disorder without Korsakoff’s syndrome. The resting-state functional connectivity analyses focused on the nodes of the fronto-cerebellar and Papez circuits and combined region of interest and graph theory approaches, and whether these alterations are associated with the neuropsychological profile. In patients pooled together compared to controls, lower global efficiency was observed in the fronto-cerebellar circuit. In addition, certain regions of the fronto-cerebellar and Papez circuits were functionally hyperconnected at rest, which positively correlated with executive functions. Patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome showed lower resting-state functional connectivity, lower local and global efficiency within the Papez circuit compared to those without Korsakoff’s syndrome. Resting-state functional connectivity positively correlated with several cognitive scores in patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome. The fronto-cerebellar and Papez circuits, two normally well-segregated networks, are functionally altered by alcohol use disorder. The Papez circuit attempts to compensate for deficits in the fronto-cerebellar circuit, albeit insufficiently as evidenced by patients’ overall lower cognitive performance. Korsakoff’s syndrome is characterized by altered functional connectivity in the Papez circuit known to be centrally involved in memory.
Volume-based structural connectome of epilepsy partialis continua in Rasmussen’s encephalitis
Authors: Fu Cong , Yang Xue , Wang Mengyang , Wang Xiongfei , Tang Chongyang , Luan Guoming
Published: September 2024

Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare, progressive neurological inflammatory with hemispheric brain atrophy. Epilepsy partialis continua (EPC) is a diagnostic clinical condition in patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis. However, the incidence of EPC in the natural course of Rasmussen's encephalitis is only about 50%. The majority of experts hold the belief that EPC is associated with dysfunction in the motor cortex, yet the whole pathogenesis remains unclear. We hypothesize that there is a characteristic topological discrepancy between groups with EPC and without EPC from the perspective of structural connectome. To this end, we described the structural MRI findings of 20 Rasmussen's encephalitis cases, 11 of which had EPC, and 9 of which did not have EPC (NEPC), and 20 healthy controls. We performed voxel-based morphometry to evaluate the alterations of grey matter volume. Using a volume-based structural covariant network, the hub distribution and modularity were studied at the group level. Based on the radiomic features, an individual radiomics structural similarity network was constructed for global topological properties, such as small-world index, higher path length, and clustering coefficient. And then, the Pearson correlation was used to delineate the association between duration and topology properties. In the both EPC and NEPC groups, the volume of the motor cortex on the affected side was significantly decreased, but putamen atrophy was most pronounced in the EPC group. Hubs in the EPC group consisted of the executive network, and the contralateral putamen was the hub in the NEPC group with the highest betweenness centrality. Compared to the NEPC, the EPC showed a higher path length and clustering coefficient in the structural similarity network. Moreover, the function of morphological network integration in EPC patients was diminished as the duration of Rasmussen's encephalitis increased. Our study indicates that motor cortex atrophy may not be directly related to EPC patients. Whereas atrophy of the putamen, and a more regularized configuration may contribute to the generation of EPC. The findings further suggest that the putamen could potentially serve as a viable target for controlling EPC in patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis.
Cortisol in fish scales remains stable during extended periods of storage
Authors: O’Toole Christina , White Philip , Graham Conor T , Conroy Caitlin , Brophy Deirdre
Published: September 2024

Measurement of cortisol in fish scales is attracting considerable attention as a non-invasive indicator of chronic stress in wild populations. For many fish species of management and conservation interest, extensive scale collections exist that could provide extended records of individual stress responses, by combining cortisol measurements with life history information. However, it is not yet known how well cortisol is preserved in the scale during storage. To investigate the stability of scale cortisol, we accelerated potential degradation by storing scales from an individual farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in an oven at 50°C for between 2 and 12 weeks. We found no significant relationship between scale cortisol concentration and either storage time or storage temperature. Cortisol concentrations in scales from the same fish were consistent (18.54–21.82 ng. g−1; coefficient of variation (CV) = 3.6%), indicating that scale cortisol can be reliably quantified, even in scales stored for varying periods of time or under different conditions. We also examined the effects of storage in real time using Atlantic salmon scales that were stored in paper envelopes at room temperature for between 3 and 32 years and found no significant relationship between scale cortisol concentration and storage time. Scale cortisol concentrations ranged from 4.05 to 135.37 ng.g−1 and levels of between-individual variability were high (CV = 61%). Given that scale cortisol does not degrade during long-term storage, historical scale collections and associated data describing fish life histories could potentially be used to develop bioindicators of physiological responses in fish populations. Further research is needed to understand scale cortisol variability and its biological relevance.
A shrapnel migration from a peripheral vein to the right ventricle: case report
Authors: Sharony Ram , Statlender Liran , Shapira Yaron , Vaturi Mordehay , Tamir Shlomit
Published: September 2024

Background

Foreign bodies that migrate into the heart may include medical devices dislodged from their original location or, rarely, external particles (shrapnel and other foreign bodies) that penetrate the vein, remain intraluminal, and migrate via the venous blood flow to the right heart. Most reported entry sites of these external foreign bodies were in the torso, thigh, or neck; none of them penetrated through a distal extremity of the body. We report a case where shrapnel was found in the right ventricle (RV) following penetrating injury to the hand.

Case summary

An otherwise healthy 24-year-old man presented with an isolated shrapnel injury to his right hand and forearm from an explosion trauma. Computed tomography demonstrated multiple small metal objects in the forearm, hand, and wrist. Additionally, a 3 × 3.5 mm metal object was found in the RV, consistent with a metal shrapnel embolus from the forearm. Echocardiography indicated the fragment to be in a fixed position within the RV, without any additional pathology.

Discussion

Even shrapnel that penetrates through the hand or forearm may migrate to the heart. In this case, following a multidisciplinary discussion, a conservative approach was recommended based on the following condition: lack of symptoms, small size of the foreign body, no obstruction of venous effluent, low risk of significant embolization to the pulmonary vasculature, absence of fever or endocarditis, no current evidence or risk of valve dysfunction, and no myocardial irritation indicated by arrhythmia. The patient was instructed to avoid magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Performance of D-dimer, cardiac troponin T, C-reactive protein, and NT-proBNP in prediction of long-term mortality in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism
Authors: Kauppi Juha , Airaksinen K E Juhani , Lehto Joonas , Pouru Jussi-Pekka , Saha Juuso , Purola Petra , Jaakkola Samuli , Lehtonen Jarmo , Vasankari Tuija , Juonala Markus , Kiviniemi Tuomas
Published: September 2024

Aims

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially life-threatening condition requiring emergent diagnostic work-up. Despite wide use of biomarkers, little is known how they predict long-term prognosis of patients evaluated for suspected PE.

Methods and results

We sought to assess the predictive performance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein, fibrin D-dimer (FIDD), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients who underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for clinical suspicion of PE. The analysis involved 1001 patients, with 222 (22.2%) receiving a PE diagnosis at index imaging. Mean ages of patients with and without PE were 65.0 ± 17.1 and 64.5 ± 17.7 years, respectively. Median follow-up time was 3.9 years (interquartile range 2.9–4.9). Mortality was relatively high among both patients with and without documented PE (24.8% vs. 31.7%, P = 0.047). In patients with PE, only elevated NT-proBNP > 1000 ng/L and C-reactive protein > 50 mg/L levels at hospital admission were associated with higher mortality in an adjusted Cox regression model, but receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed no improved prediction compared to clinical variables. Among patients without PE, elevated NT-proBNP > 1000 ng/L, C-reactive protein > 10 mg/L, cTnT > 50 ng/L, and FIDD > 1.0 mg/L all predicted mortality. In an ROC analysis among patients without PE, models including NT-proBNP, cTnT, or C-reactive protein provided improved predictive performance.

Conclusion

Patients evaluated for clinical suspicion of PE have high long-term mortality. Commonly used biomarkers provide long-term prognostic value in patients without PE. Given the relatively young age, it is vital to identify these high-risk patients and perform differential diagnosis work-up for alternative life-threatening conditions, and manage them as appropriate.
Simple endoscopic estimation to predict anastomotic complications after bronchoplastic procedures
Authors: Fukui Mariko , Suzuki Kenji , Imashimizu Kota , Ichikawa Tomohiro , Matsunaga Takeshi , Hattori Aritoshi , Tomita Hisashi , Takamochi Kazuya
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic evaluation of anastomosis is effective for the early detection of anastomotic complications after a bronchoplastic procedure. Herein, we aimed to clarify important findings for predicting anastomotic complications.

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective study included patients who underwent bronchoplastic surgery between April 2013 and September 2023. Only cases in which bronchoscopy was performed both 1 and 2 weeks after surgery were included. Endoscopic findings (classification by Ludwig and Stoelben, mucosa colour, oedema, slough area and colour and depression) were reviewed for all cases. The accuracy of these findings for predicting anastomotic complications was evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 190 patients included in this study, 14 (7.4%) experienced anastomotic abnormalities, 11 had fistulas (5.8%) and 7 had stenosis (3.7%). The onsets of fistula and stenosis were 20–28 and 20–44 days after surgery, respectively. In 102 patients (53.7%), the slough worsened from the first to the second week postsurgery. Therefore, it was easier to evaluate slough 2 weeks postsurgery rather than 1-week postsurgery. The positive/negative predicted values of anastomotic complications in endoscopic findings 2 weeks postsurgery were circular slough, 34.2%/99.3%; slough with dark colour, 39.3%/98.1%; and depression, 54.2%/99.4%. The incidence of anastomotic abnormalities was 0% in cases without the 3 findings, 10% in cases with at least 1 finding and 67% in cases with all 3 findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic findings of slough on the anastomosis 2 weeks after bronchoplasty can be easily evaluated and accurately predict complications. Three important endoscopic findings were circular slough, dark colour and depression.
How learning about harms impacts the optimal rate of artificial intelligence adoption
Authors: Gans Joshua S
Published: September 2024

This paper examines recent proposals and research suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption should be delayed until its potential harms are fully understood. Conclusions on the social optimality of delayed AI adoption are shown to be sensitive to assumptions about the process by which regulators learn about the salience of particular harms. When such learning is by doing – based on the real-world adoption of AI – this generally favours acceleration of AI adoption to surface and react to potential harms more quickly. This case is strengthened when AI adoption is potentially reversible. This paper examines how different conclusions regarding the optimality of accelerated or delayed AI adoption influence and are influenced by other policies that may moderate AI harm.
Prognostic value of ventricular arrhythmia in early post-infarction left ventricular dysfunction: the French nationwide WICD-MI study
Authors: Echivard Mathieu , Sellal Jean-Marc , Ziliox Chloé , Marijon Eloi , Bordachar Pierre , Ploux Sylvain , Benali Karim , Marquié Christelle , Docq Clémence , Klug Didier , Eschalier Romain , Maille Baptiste , Deharo Jean-Claude , Babuty Dominique , Genet Thibaud , Gandjbakhch Estelle , Da Costa Antoine , Piot Olivier , Minois Damien , Gourraud Jean-Baptiste , Mondoly Pierre , Maury Philippe , Boveda Serge , Pasquié Jean-Luc , Martins Raphaël , Leclercq Christophe , Guenancia Charles , Laurent Gabriel , Becker Mathieu , Bertrand Julien , Chevalier Philippe , Manenti Vladimir , Kubala Maciej , Defaye Pascal , Jacon Peggy , Desbiolles Antoine , Badoz Marc , Jesel Laurence , Lellouche Nicolas , Milliez Paul-Ursmar , Ollitrault Pierre , Fareh Samir , Bercker Matthieu , Mansourati Jacques , Guy-Moyat Benoît , Chabert Jean-Pierre , Luconi Nicolas , Winum Pierre-François , Anselme Frédéric , Extramiana Fabrice , Delahaye Camille , Jourda François , Bizeau Olivier , Nasarre Mathieu , Olivier Arnaud , Fromentin Stéphane , Villemin Thibault , Levavasseur Olivier , Hammache Néfissa , Magnin-Poull Isabelle , Blangy Hugues , Sadoul Nicolas , Duarte Kevin , Girerd Nicolas , de Chillou Christian
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

Prophylactic implantable cardioverter–defibrillators (ICDs) are not recommended until left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been reassessed 40 to 90 days after an acute myocardial infarction. In the current therapeutic era, the prognosis of sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) occurring during this early post-infarction phase (i.e. within 3 months of hospital discharge) has not yet been specifically evaluated in post-myocardial infarction patients with impaired LVEF. Such was the aim of this retrospective study.

Methods

Data analysis was based on a nationwide registry of 1032 consecutive patients with LVEF ≤ 35% after acute myocardial infarction who were implanted with an ICD after being prescribed a wearable cardioverter–defibrillator (WCD) for a period of 3 months upon discharge from hospital after the index infarction.

Results

ICDs were implanted either because a sustained VA occurred while on WCD (VA+/WCD, n = 72) or because LVEF remained ≤35% at the end of the early post-infarction phase (VA−/WCD, n = 960). The median follow-up was 30.9 months. Sustained VAs occurred within 1 year after ICD implantation in 22.2% and 3.5% of VA+/WCD and VA−/WCD patients, respectively (P < .0001). The adjusted multivariable analysis showed that sustained VAs while on WCD independently predicted recurrence of sustained VAs at 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 6.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.73–12.81; P < .0001) and at the end of follow-up (adjusted HR 3.86; 95% CI 2.37–6.30; P < .0001) as well as 1-year mortality (adjusted HR 2.86; 95% CI 1.28–6.39; P = .012).

Conclusions

In patients with LVEF ≤ 35%, sustained VA during the early post-infarction phase is predictive of recurrent sustained VAs and 1-year mortality.
Oral Health Problems Among Flemish and Dutch Nursing Home Residents Assessed by Nondental Caregivers Using the Novel Oral Health Section for Inclusion in interRAI
Authors: Schoebrechts Emilie , de Almeida Mello Johanna , Vandenbulcke Patricia A I , Palmers Ellen E , van Hout Hein P J , De Lepeleire Jan , Declercq Anja , Declerck Dominique , Duyck Joke
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

Oral health of older adults in nursing homes is poor, which can negatively affect general health and well-being. Most oral health problems are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. Caregivers can help improve residents’ oral health through regular oral health assessments. The interRAI instrument used in Long-Term Care Facilities to evaluate older adults’ health and well-being, has the potential to integrate oral care into general care planning. The recently optimized Oral Health Section for inclusion in the interRAI instruments (OHS-interRAI) enables nondental caregivers to identify residents requiring help with oral hygiene and/or a dental referral. This study reports the first data obtained using the OHS-interRAI, describing the oral health situation of older adults in Flemish and Dutch nursing homes.

Research Design and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities data, including OHS-interRAI data, were collected from October 2020 to January 2023 and analyzed from 417 and 795 persons aged 65 years or older in Flemish and Dutch nursing homes, respectively.

Results

Most common oral health problems were poor oral hygiene and compromised teeth. Differences in oral health were found between Flemish and Dutch residents. Flemish residents had significantly more problems with chewing, dry mouth, oral and denture hygiene, and tongue condition than their Dutch counterparts. They also had a higher need for help with oral hygiene (19.4% vs 14.0%), and a dental referral (36.8% vs 20.9%). Older adults in Flemish nursing homes (20.3%) had significantly fewer dental check-ups than those in Dutch nursing homes (73.5%).

Discussion and Implications

The use of the OHS-interRAI by nondental caregivers identified at least one-third of the residents requiring help with oral hygiene and/or a dental referral. By means of trigger algorithms (Collaborative Action Points), the OHS-interRAI enables the integration of oral care into general care planning.
Safety of Rotavirus Vaccination in Infants That Were Exposed to Biologics In Utero: A Systematic Review
Authors: Schell Trevor L , Fass Lucas , Hitchcock Mary E , Farraye Francis A , Hayney Mary S , Saha Sumona , Caldera Freddy
Published: September 2024

Background

In infants that were exposed to biologics in utero, gastroenterology societal guidelines have either recommended against administration of the live rotavirus vaccine until 6-12 months of age or until serum biologic levels are undetectable. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the safety of rotavirus vaccination in biologic-exposed infants.

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched from 2006 to 2024 for original data reporting on the safety of rotavirus vaccination in infants that were exposed to anti-tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) (ie, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab) and non-TNF biologics (ie, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, rizankizumab, mirikizumab) in utero.

Results

A database search yielded 7185 screening results of which 10 studies met inclusion criteria. There were over 300 instances of rotavirus vaccination in biologic-exposed infants (n = 162 exposed to anti-TNFs, n = 142 exposed to non-TNF biologics). Biologic-exposed infants were not at an increased risk of severe adverse events or adverse events of any severity related to rotavirus vaccination.

Conclusions

Administration of the live rotavirus vaccine appears to be safe in biologic-exposed infants. As such, with careful examination of the risks and benefits, there may be a role for rotavirus vaccination in this population.
A Geometric Approach to Feigin–Loktev Fusion Product and Cluster Relations in Coherent Satake Category
Authors: Dumanski Ilya
Published: September 2024

We propose a geometric realization of the Feigin–Loktev fusion product of graded cyclic modules over the current algebra. This allows us to compute it in several new cases. We also relate the Feigin–Loktev fusion product to the convolution of perverse coherent sheaves on the affine Grassmannian of the adjoint group. This relation allows us to establish the existence of exact triples, conjecturally corresponding to cluster relations in the Grothendieck ring of coherent Satake category.
The Chilean Constitutional Convention: An Exercise for the Pluriverse
Authors: Delucchi Adriana Suárez
Published: September 2024

Neoliberal principles were codified in a constitution and implemented during a right-wing military dictatorship (1973–1990) in Chile producing important social inequalities, as well as cultural and ecological destruction. Resistance against the arrangements inherited from that period and deepened thereafter has been paramount to recent politics. In October 2019, considerable street protests were institutionally channeled into a constitutional process where a referendum was mandated to replace the dictatorship’s constitution. There were two attempts to write a new charter: one under a Constitutional Convention that took a decolonial character, and a second one dominated by a far-right council. Drawing on Loughlin’s “constitutional imagination,” the article poses that the Convention was a world-making exercise where social movements, independent candidates, Indigenous representatives, and their allies engaged in efforts for designing a pluriverse where many worlds could fit. I claim the Convention was a space where utopia and ideology met allowing for different worlds to work together for the first time in the political arena creating an incipient intercultural politics. As a text with world-making capacity, the draft from the Convention, although rejected in 2022, materializes a process from which stronger intersectional solidarity among feminist, Indigenous, and ecological movements should be forged.
Deciphering the spatial distribution of Gli1-lineage cells in dental, oral, and craniofacial regions
Authors: Li Bo , Ding Zhangfan , Ouchi Takehito , Liao Yueqi , Li Bingzhi , Gong Jiajing , Xie Yuhang , Zhao Zhihe , Li Longjiang
Published: September 2024

The craniofacial bone, crucial for protecting brain tissue and supporting facial structure, undergoes continuous remodeling through mesenchymal (MSCs) or skeletal stem cells in their niches. Gli1 is an ideal marker for labeling MSCs and osteoprogenitors in this region, and Gli1-lineage cells are identified as pivotal for bone growth, development, repair, and regeneration. Despite its significance, the distribution of Gli1-lineage cells across the dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) regions remains to be systematically explored. Utilizing tissue-clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy with a Gli1CreER; tdTomatoAi14 mouse model, we mapped the spatial distribution of Gli1-lineage cells throughout the skull, focusing on calvarial bones, sutures, bone marrow, teeth, periodontium, jaw bones, and the temporomandibular joint. We found Gli1-lineage cells widespread in these areas, underscoring their significance in DOC regions. Additionally, we observed their role in repairing calvarial bone defects, providing novel insights into craniofacial biology and stem cell niches and enhancing our understanding of stem cells and their progeny’s behavior in vivo.
Interferon-gamma induces epithelial reprogramming driving CXCL11-mediated T-cell migration
Authors: Cutilli Alessandro , Jansen Suze A , Paolucci Francesca , van Hoesel Marliek , Frederiks Cynthia L , Mulder Tessa A M , Chalkiadakis Theofilos , Mokry Michal , Prekovic Stefan , Mocholi Enric , Lindemans Caroline A , Coffer Paul J
Published: September 2024

The cytokine interferon-gamma plays a multifaceted role in intestinal immune responses ranging from anti- to proinflammatory depending on the setting. Here, using a 3D co-culture system based on human intestinal epithelial organoids, we explore the capacity of interferon-gamma exposure to reprogram intestinal epithelia and thereby directly modulate lymphocyte responses. Interferon-gamma treatment of organoids led to transcriptional reprogramming, marked by a switch to a proinflammatory gene expression profile, including transcriptional upregulation of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. Proteomic analysis of organoid-conditioned medium posttreatment confirmed chemokine secretion. Interferon-gamma treatment of organoids led to enhanced T-cell migration in a CXCL11-dependent manner without affecting T-cell activation status. Taken together, our results suggest a specific role for CXCL11 in T-cell recruitment that could be targeted to prevent T-cell trafficking to the inflamed intestine.
Temsirolimus inhibits FSP1 enzyme activity to induce ferroptosis and restrain liver cancer progression
Authors: Tian Rui-Lin , Wang Tian-Xiang , Huang Zi-Xuan , Yang Zhen , Guan Kun-Liang , Xiong Yue , Wang Pu , Ye Dan
Published: September 2024

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic mode of cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation. While lipid radical elimination reaction catalyzed by glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a major anti-ferroptosis mechanism, inhibiting this pathway pharmaceutically shows promise as an anti-tumor strategy. However, certain tumor cells exhibit redundancy in lipid radical elimination pathways, rendering them unresponsive to GPX4 inhibitors. In this study, we conducted screens across different cancer cell lines and FDA-approved drugs, leading to the identification of temsirolimus in combination with the GPX4 inhibitor RSL3 as a potent inducer of ferroptosis in liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, temsirolimus sensitized liver cancer cells to ferroptosis by directly binding to and inhibiting ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) enzyme. Notably, while temsirolimus is recognized as a potent mTOR inhibitor, its ferroptosis-inducing effect is primarily attributed to its inhibition of FSP1 rather than mTOR activity. By performing in vitro colony formation assays and in vivo tumor xenograft models, we demonstrated that the combination of temsirolimus and RSL3 effectively suppressed liver tumor progression. This tumoricidal effect was associated with increased lipid peroxidation and induction of ferroptosis. In conclusion, our findings underscore the potential of combining multi-target ferroptosis-inducing agents to circumvent resistance to ferroptosis in liver cancer cells and highlight temsirolimus as a promising FSP1 inhibitor and ferroptosis inducer, which also deserves further investigation in translational medicine.
Phase separation of hnRNPA1 and TERRA regulates telomeric stability
Authors: Xu Ziyan , Liu Yongrui , Li Fudong , Yang Yi , Zhang Hong , Liu Xing , Xie Xin , Chen Xianjun , Shi Yunyu , Zhang Liang
Published: September 2024

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences and associated protein complexes located at the end of chromatin. As a result of the DNA replication ending issue, telomeric DNA shortens during each cell cycle. The shelterin protein complex caps telomeric ends and forms a high-order protein–DNA structure to protect telomeric DNA. The stability of telomeres is critical for cellular function and is related to the progression of many human diseases. Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) is a noncoding RNA transcribed from telomeric DNA regions. TERRA plays an essential role in regulating and maintaining the stability of telomeres. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are RNA-binding proteins associated with complex and diverse biological processes. HnRNPA1 can recognize both TERRA and telomeric DNA. Previous research reported that hnRNPA1, TERRA, and POT1, a component of the shelterin complex, worked coordinately and displaced replication protein A from telomeric ssDNA after DNA replication, promoting telomere capping to preserve genomic integrity. However, the detailed molecular mechanism has remained unclear for over twenty years. Our study revealed the molecular structure through which the hnRNPA1 UP1 domain interacts with TERRA. Through structural analysis, we identified critical residues on the interacting surface between UP1 and TERRA. Furthermore, we proved that nucleic acids significantly increase the phase separation ability of hnRNPA1 and disrupting the UP1–TERRA interaction extraordinarily affects hnRNPA1 droplet formation both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these data revealed the molecular mechanism of the droplet formation of hnRNPA1 and TERRA and the possible function of the droplets for maintaining genomic stability.
Surface sensitivity of atomic-resolution secondary electron imaging
Authors: Saitoh Koh , Oyobe Teppei , Igarashi Keisuke , Sato Takeshi , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Inada Hiromi , Endo Takahiko , Miyata Yasumitsu , Usami Rei , Takenobu Taishi
Published: September 2024

The surface sensitivity of high-resolution secondary electron (SE) imaging is examined using twisted bilayers of MoS2 stacked at an angle of 30°. High-resolution SE images of the twisted bilayer MoS2 show a honeycomb structure composed of Mo and S atoms, elucidating the monolayer structure of MoS2. Simultaneously captured annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope images from the same region show the projected structure of the two layers. That is, the SE images from the bilayer MoS2 selectively visualize the surface monolayer. It is noted that the SE yields from the surface monolayer are approximately three times higher than those from the second monolayer, likely attributable to attenuation when SEs emitted from the second layer traverse the surface layer. The surface sensitivity of high-resolution SE imaging is examined using twisted bilayers of MoS2 stacked at an angle of 30°. It was found that the SE images of the MoS2 bilayer visualize the surface monolayer approximately three times more intensely than the second monolayer.
Effect of chemotherapy and surgery timing on mortality in upper and lower extremity osteosarcoma
Authors: Danese Mark D , Groundland John S
Published: September 2024

Background

Surgery with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy represents the standard of care for extremity osteosarcoma despite a lack of high-quality evidence for its use, and trial evidence that suggests upfront surgery may result in better outcomes. This study estimated the difference in overall survival for the standard of care (neoadjuvant first) vs upfront surgery first followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (surgery first).

Methods

Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data, we identified patients aged 5-29 years diagnosed with a primary cancer of upper or lower extremity osteosarcoma between 2007 and 2019 who received surgery and chemotherapy. Our primary endpoint was the 5-year survival difference between the surgery first and neoadjuvant first groups.

Results

Adjusted 5-year survival was 74% for surgery first patients and 67% for neoadjuvant first patients, with a survival difference of 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = −4.2% to 16.1%). In sensitivity analyses of 5-year survival, the results were consistent, showing a 6.8%-13.7% higher 5-year survival in surgery first patients. Statistically significant mortality risk factors included older age, larger tumor size, the type of resection (salvage vs amputation), and stage III-IV disease (vs stage I-II disease).

Conclusion

The evidence supporting neoadjuvant therapy in osteosarcoma care is weak. However, there is evidence that pausing chemotherapy in the perisurgical period might affect outcomes. Consequently, this study, and its consistency with the results from the only randomized trial to address this question, suggests that there is reason to revisit a prospective, randomized trial of osteosarcoma treatment regarding the timing of surgery and chemotherapy.
Influence of chronotype on sleep quality and menstrual regularity in nurses on monthly shift rotations
Authors: Peng Yu-Xuan , Chang Wen-Pei
Published: September 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors that influence the sleep quality and menstrual cycles of female rotating-shift nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 213 female rotating-shift nurses between the ages of 20 and 45 were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan from November 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed with regard to sleep quality or menstrual cycle.

Results: Female rotating-shift nurses who perceived a higher level of stress (P < .001), were late chronotypes (P = .020), or were working the night shift (P = .006) were more likely to have poor sleep quality. Late-type nurses working the day shift were more likely to have poor sleep quality than were early- and intermediate-type nurses (P < .001). With regard to menstrual cycles, female rotating-shift nurses who perceived a higher level of stress (P = .008), were working the night shift (P < .001), or had poor sleep quality (P = .001) were more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles. Late-type nurses working the day shift were more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles than were early- and intermediate-type nurses (P = .013).

Conclusions: A higher likelihood of poor sleep quality was found in female rotating-shift nurses when they perceived high levels of stress, and the interactions between chronotype and shift type could influence sleep quality. Shift type and the interactions between chronotype and shift type could also influence menstrual regularity.
Divide and Save: A Critical Care Air Transport Team Case With Prolonged Field Care
Authors: Brown Daniel J , Jeffries Jonathan , Broderick Joseph , Trager Jonathan , Cheney Mark , Clemons Melissa , Davis William T
Published: September 2024

Critical care air transport teams (CCATTs) specialize in providing intensive medical and postoperative resuscitative care during air evacuations. In a 2014 mission, a seasoned CCATT was urgently deployed to evacuate 6 American service members with gunshot wounds. Despite only having 2 hours of premission preparation and no further injury or treatment details, CCATT secured additional equipment, medications, and blood supply. Upon arrival to a foreign nonmilitary hospital, they discovered that American ground commanders had lost trust in local medical capabilities. One patient experienced prolonged extremity tourniquet time and surgical delay. This led to acute renal failure, preventing immediate evacuation without continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Deviating from the standard procedure, the CCATT obtained permission to split their team. The CCATT nurse attended 5 stabilized patients during unregulated critical care air transport with plans to swiftly return with CRRT equipment for the critical sixth patient. The physician and respiratory therapist remained at the foreign hospital for 2 days to provide prolonged field care. This case demonstrates the evolving mission scope of CCATT, which may encompass ground triage, prolonged field care, unregulated movement, and atypical CCATT equipment such as CRRT, occasionally necessitating a split team construct. To adapt to these evolving needs, updated policies and training now incorporate these diverse CCATT concepts, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in en route critical care missions.