bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional interactions among H2O2, NO, H2S, and melatonin in the physiology, metabolism, and quality of horticultural Solanaceae
Authors: Corpas Francisco J , Rivero Rosa M , Freschi Luciano , Palma José M
Published: December 2024

Cellular signaling is a key component of both intra- and intercellular communication, playing a crucial role in the development of higher plants as well as in their responses to environmental conditions of both abiotic and biotic origin. In recent decades, molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and melatonin have gained significant relevance in plant physiology and biochemistry due to their signaling functions and their interactions, forming a comprehensive cellular communication network. The Solanaceae family of plants includes a group of horticultural crops of great global importance, for instance, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, which are of major agroeconomic significance due to their widespread cultivation and consumption. The primary objective of this work is to analyze the functions of this group of signaling molecules, particularly in these crops, and to explore how their exogenous application or the genetic manipulation of their endogenous concentration could serve as a promising biotechnological tool in the horticultural agroindustry. This approach could help mitigate the negative effects of various external stress factors and even preserve the organoleptic quality of these fruits during postharvest storage.
The Remedy of Loue (1584): An Unattested Printed Text Found in the Binding of a Chester Court-Book
Authors: Durrant Michael
Published: December 2024

This article introduces the fragments of an unattested and unstudied Elizabethan printed text, The Remedy of Loue (1584), a prose adaptation of Ovid’s Remedia Amoris, which survives within the binding of MS EDC 1/27 (1590-1593), a folio-sized court-book produced for the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Chester. The article begins by considering what kind of literary text has surfaced here and why its recovery matters; it then moves on to offer some provisional scenarios to account for The Remedy becoming available as binding materials in Chester, as well as suggesting some connections between Chester stationers and London.
Graham Pollard and ‘Oxford Peciae’: False Starts and Discoveries
Authors: Hanna Ralph
Published: December 2024

Graham Pollard, who had begun life as a book-seller, spent many years researching the Oxford book-trade, extensive materials that remain unpublished but available among the Bodleian Library’s Pollard MSS. To determine how students had been able to acquire standard text-books, he investigated the possibility of local book-production through pecia, four-leaf-quires to be rented out for copying. This study ultimately proved a dead-end, but in the process, Pollard discovered an interesting local practice: the preparation of books for indexing through the provision of arabic column- and line-numbering. The essay examines this practice and offers a preliminary list of more than eighty examples of the procedure.
Testing colour–magnitude pattern as a method in the search for changing-look AGNs
Authors: Zhu Li-Tao , Wang Zhongxiang , Devanand P U , Gupta Alok C , Dogra Karan , Li Jie , Zhang Ju-Jia , Ji Shun-Hao , Sun Si-Si
Published: December 2024

We develop a simple method to search for changing-look (CL) active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates, and conduct a test run. In this method, optical variations of AGNs are monitored and CL-AGNs may appear to have a pattern of being bluer when in brightening flare-like events. Applying this method, previously classified type 2 AGNs that show the bluer-when-brighter (BWB) pattern are selected. Among more than ten thousands type 2 AGNs classified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we find 73 candidates with possibly the strongest BWB pattern. We note that 13 of them have previously been reported as CL-AGNs. We have observed nine candidates, and found that five among them showed the CL transition from type 2 to type 1. In addition, we also test extending the selection to previously classified type 1 AGNs in the SDSS by finding sources with a possible redder-when-brighter pattern, but none of the three sources observed by us is found to show the transition from type 1 to type 2. We discuss the variation properties in both the success and failure cases, and plan to observe more candidates selected with the method. From the observational results, a detailed comparison between the CL-AGNs and none CL-AGNs will help quantitatively refine the selection criteria and in turn allow us to configure the general properties of CLAGNs.
The uncommon intracluster medium features of the first massive clusters selected independently of their baryon content
Authors: Andreon S , Radovich M , Moretti A , Desert F -X , Hamana T , Pizzardo M , Romero C , Roussel H , Trinchieri G
Published: December 2024

Our current knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of galaxy clusters comes primarily from detailed studies of clusters selected by their minority components: hot baryons. Most of these studies select the clusters using the component that is being investigated, the intracluster medium (ICM), making the sample choice prone to selection effects. Weak-gravitational lensing allows us to select clusters by the total mass component and, being independent of the type of matter, makes the sample choice unbiased with respect to the baryon content. In this paper, we study four galaxy clusters at intermediate redshift ($0.25\lt z\lt 0.61$), selected from the weak-lensing survey of Miyazaki et al.. We derive core-excised X-ray luminosities, richness-based masses, Compton parameters, and profiles of mass, pressure, and electron densities. These quantities are derived from shear data, Compton maps, and our own X-ray and SZ follow-up. When compared to ICM-selected clusters of the same mass, in the range 2 to $5 \ 10^{14}$ M$_\odot$, our small sample of four clusters is expected to have on average 0.2 rare ($\gt 2\sigma$) features, while we observed on average two rare features in each one of the seven explored properties: richness, core-excised luminosity, Compton parameter, pressure, and electron pressure profiles, and central values of them. The abundance of rare and unique features in such a small sample indicates a fundamental bias in our knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of clusters when derived from ICM-selected samples.
Rapid degradation of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) reveals essential roles in both gene repression and active transcription
Authors: English David M , Lee Samuel N , Sabat Khadija A , Baker India M , Pham Trong Khoa , Collins Mark O , Cowley Shaun M
Published: December 2024

Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) removes acetyl groups from lysine residues on core histones, a critical step in regulating chromatin accessibility. Despite histone deacetylation being an apparently repressive activity, suppression of HDACs causes both up- and downregulation of gene expression. Here we exploited the degradation tag (dTAG) system to rapidly degrade HDAC1 in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) lacking its paralog, HDAC2. The dTAG system allowed specific degradation and removal of HDAC1 in <1 h (100x faster than genetic knockouts). This rapid degradation caused increased histone acetylation in as little as 2 h, with H2BK5 and H2BK11 being the most sensitive. The majority of differentially expressed genes following 2 h of HDAC1 degradation were upregulated (275 genes up versus 15 down) with increased proportions of downregulated genes observed at 6 h (1153 up versus 443 down) and 24 h (1146 up versus 967 down), respectively. Upregulated genes showed increased H2BK5ac and H3K27ac around their transcriptional start site (TSS). In contrast, decreased acetylation and chromatin accessibility of super-enhancers was linked to the most strongly downregulated genes. These findings suggest a paradoxical role for HDAC1 in the maintenance of histone acetylation levels at critical enhancer regions required for the pluripotency-associated gene network.
A tunable and reversible thermo-inducible bio-switch for streptomycetes
Authors: Lv Lanxin , Liu Shuo , Fu Yudie , Zhang Yuxin , Wang Meiyan , Sun Jiahe , Wang Yi , Lu Yinhua , Niu Guoqing
Published: December 2024

Programmable control of bacterial gene expression holds great significance for both applied and academic research. This is particularly true for Streptomyces, a genus of Gram-positive bacteria and major producers of prodigious natural products. Despite that a few inducible regulatory systems have been developed for use in Streptomyces, there is an increasing pursuit to augment the toolkit of high-performance induction systems. We herein report a robust and reversible thermo-inducible bio-switch, designated as StrepT-switch. This bio-switch enables tunable and reversible control of gene expression using physiological temperatures as stimulation inputs. It has been proven successful in highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering, as well as programmable control of antibiotic production and morphological differentiation. The versatility of the device is also demonstrated by thermal induction of a site-specific relaxase ZouA for overproduction of actinorhodin, a blue pigmented polyketide antibiotic. This study showcases the exploration a temperature-sensing module and exemplifies its versatility for programmable control of various target genes in Streptomyces species.
5′ terminal nucleotide determines the immunogenicity of IVT RNAs
Authors: Wolczyk Magdalena , Szymanski Jacek , Trus Ivan , Naz Zara , Tame Tola , Bolembach Agnieszka , Choudhury Nila Roy , Kasztelan Karolina , Rappsilber Juri , Dziembowski Andrzej , Michlewski Gracjan
Published: December 2024

In vitro transcription (IVT) is a technology of vital importance that facilitated the production of mRNA therapeutics and drove numerous breakthroughs in RNA biology. T7 polymerase-produced RNAs can begin with either 5′-triphosphate guanosine (5′-pppG) or 5′-triphosphate adenosine (5′-pppA), generating potential agonists for the RIG-I/type I interferon response. While it is established that IVT can yield highly immunogenic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) via promoterless transcription, the specific contribution of initiating nucleosides to this process has not been previously reported. Our study shows that IVT-derived RNAs containing 5′-pppA are significantly more immunogenic compared with their 5′-pppG counterparts. We observed heightened levels of dsRNAs triggered by IVT with 5′-pppA RNA, activating the RIG-I signaling pathway in cultured cells, as well as in ex vivo and in vivo mouse models, where the IFN-β gene was substituted with the mKate2 fluorescent reporter. Elevated levels of dsRNA were found in both short and long 5′-pppA RNAs, including those of COVID-19 vaccines. These findings reveal the unexpected source of IVT RNA immunogenicity, offering valuable insights for both academic research and future medical applications of this technology.
Mlh1-Pms1 ATPase activity is regulated distinctly by self-generated nicks and strand discrimination signals in mismatch repair
Authors: Piscitelli Jonathan M , Witte Scott J , Sakinejad Yasmine S , Manhart Carol M
Published: December 2024

In eukaryotic post-replicative mismatch repair, MutS homolog complexes detect mismatches and in the major eukaryotic pathway, recruit Mlh1-Pms1/MLH1-PMS2 (yeast/human) complexes, which nick the newly replicated DNA strand upon activation by the replication processivity clamp, PCNA. This incision enables mismatch removal and DNA repair. Beyond its endonuclease role, Mlh1-Pms1/MLH1-PMS2 also has ATPase activity, which genetic studies suggest is essential for mismatch repair, although its precise regulatory role on DNA remains unclear. Here, we use an ATP-binding and hydrolysis-deficient yeast Mlh1-Pms1 variant to show that ATP hydrolysis promotes disengagement from Mlh1-Pms1-generated nicks, with hydrolysis in the Mlh1 subunit driving this activity. Our data suggest that the ATPase-deficient variant becomes trapped on its own endonuclease product, suggesting a mechanistic explanation for observations in genetic experiments. Additionally, we observed that Mlh1-Pms1 selectively protects DNA from exonuclease degradation at pre-existing nicks, which may act as strand discrimination signals in mismatch repair. Together, our findings suggest that Mlh1-Pms1 exhibits distinct behaviors on its own endonuclease products versus substrates with pre-existing nicks, supporting two distinct modes of action during DNA mismatch repair.
Modeling heterogeneity in the progression of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Butz Elena , Schultheiss Ulla T , Sekula Peggy
Published: December 2024

Cohort studies with comprehensive follow-up periods that track patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and gather extensive health data are important for understanding the diverse progression patterns of CKD. This review explores the potential of emerging analytical techniques that can be applied in addition to conventional analysis approaches to enhance CKD research, by offering more detailed insights into disease progression.

To maximize the insights available from CKD cohort data with extended follow-up, we examined two advanced approaches: analysis of disease trajectories and of recurrent events. The analysis of trajectories examines the timing and relationships between events, uncovering progression patterns and identifying key events that could signal future outcomes. In contrast, the application of recurrent event analysis facilitates the examination of repeated occurrences of significant events, thereby providing a more nuanced understanding of the evolution of risk over time.

Using data from the German Chronic Kidney Disease study, this review illustrates how these approaches can enhance conventional analyses. The application of these supplementary methodologies to CKD research has the potential to facilitate a transition towards a more personalized approach to patient care. The insights gained may inform the development of tailored treatment strategies and contribute to enhanced overall patient outcomes.
A rash not to miss: Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Cormier Faith , Sibbald Cathryn
Published: December 2024

A 12-month-old patient presented with persistent seborrheic dermatitis and a diaper rash, unresponsive to topical medications. She was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
SHORT AND CROOKED AWN, encoding the epigenetic regulator EMF1, promotes barley awn development
Authors: Nakamura Koki , Kikuchi Yuichi , Shiraga Mizuho , Kotake Toshihisa , Hyodo Kiwamu , Taketa Shin , Ikeda Yoko
Published: December 2024

The awn is a bristle-like extension from the tip of the lemma in grasses. In barley, the predominant cultivars possess long awns that contribute to grain yield and quality through photosynthesis. In addition, various awn morphological mutants are available in barley, rendering it a useful cereal crop to investigate the mechanims of awn development. Here, we identified the gene causative of the short and crooked awn (sca) mutant, which exhibits a short and curved awn phenotype. Intercrossing experiments revealed that the sca mutant induced in the Japanese cultivar (cv.) “Akashinriki” is allelic to the independently isolated moderately short-awn mutant breviaristatum-a (ari-a). Map-based cloning and sequencing revealed that SCA encodes the Polycomb group–associated protein EMBRYONIC FLOWER 1. We found that SCA affects awn development through the promotion of cell proliferation, elongation, and cell wall synthesis. RNA sequencing of cv. Bowman backcross-derived near-isogenic lines of sca and ari-a6 alleles showed that SCA is directly or indirectly involved in promoting the expression of genes related to awn development. Additionally, SCA represses various transcription factors essential for floral organ development and plant architecture, such as MADS-box and Knotted1-like homeobox genes. Notably, the repression of the C-class MADS-box gene HvMADS58 by SCA in awns is associated with the accumulation of the repressive histone modification H3K27me3. These findings highlight the potential role of SCA-mediated gene regulation, including histone modification, as a novel pathway in barley awn development.
A linker histone acts as a transcription factor to orchestrate malic acid accumulation in apple in response to sorbitol
Authors: Hu Da-Gang , Zhang Mengxia , Li Chunlong , Zhao Ting-Ting , Du Lian-Da , Sun Quan , Wang Chu-Kun , Meng Dong , Sun Cui-Hui , Fei Zhangjun , Dandekar Abhaya M , Cheng Lailiang
Published: December 2024

High carbohydrate availability promotes malic acid accumulation in fleshy fruits, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, we show that antisense repression of ALDOSE-6-PHOSPHATE REDUCTASE in apple (Malus domestica) decreases the concentrations of sorbitol and malate and the transcript levels of several genes involved in vacuolar malate transport, including the aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) gene MdALMT9 (Ma1), the P-ATPase gene MdPH5, the MYB transcription factor gene MdMYB73, and the cold-induced basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor gene MdCIbHLH1, in fruit and leaves. We identified a linker histone H1 variant, MdH1.1, which complements the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) H1 deficient mutant and functions as a transcription factor. MdH1.1 activates MdMYB73, MdCIbHLH1, and MdPH5 expression by directly binding to their promoters. MdMYB73, in return, binds to the promoter of MdH1.1 to enhance its transcription. This MdH1.1-MdMYB73 feedback loop responds to sorbitol, regulating Ma1 expression. Antisense suppression of either MdH1.1 or MdMYB73 expression significantly decreases whereas overexpression increases Ma1 expression and malate accumulation. These findings demonstrate that MdH1.1, in addition to being an architectural protein for chromatin structure, operates as a transcription factor orchestrating malic acid accumulation in response to sorbitol, revealing how sugar signaling modulates vacuolar malate transport via a linker histone in plants.
The brassinosteroid signaling-related ILI–OsAIF–OsbHLH92 transcription factor module antagonistically controls leaf angle and grain size in rice
Authors: Lu Mingmin , Liu Mingqian , Luo Qin , He Yubing , Tian Yanan , Zhan Huadong
Published: December 2024

Atypical basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors, which lack the basic region for DNA binding, are important elements of brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Recently, our systematic characterization of the rice (Oryza sativa) INCREASED LEAF INCLINATION (ILI) subfamily of atypical bHLHs revealed their indispensable roles in BR-mediated growth and development. Here, we reported the isolation of two additional rice ILI-interacting atypical bHLHs, ATBS1-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (OsAIF1)/OsbHLH176 and OsAIF2/OsbHLH178. Genetic and cytological analyses of the OsAIFs knockout mutants and overexpression lines revealed that OsAIF1 and OsAIF2 negatively regulate rice leaf inclination and grain size in a synergistic and redundant manner. Compared to the wild-type, osaif knockout mutants exhibited hypersensitivity to BR, while OsAIF1 and OsAIF2 overexpression lines showed greatly reduced sensitivity or complete insensitivity to BR, indicating that these two OsAIFs act as major negative regulators of rice BR signaling. As ILI-interacting negative atypical HLHs, OsAIF1 and OsAIF2 genetically counteracted the positive ILI subfamily of atypical HLHs. Moreover, OsAIF1 and OsAIF2 physically interacted with and antagonized OsbHLH92, a positive regulator of BR signaling, thereby modulating rice development and gene transcription. These findings suggested that the atypical HLHs (ILIs and OsAIF1/OsAIF2) and the bHLH (OsbHLH92) transcription factors form a triantagonistic cascade in rice, counteracting each other to fine-tune leaf angle and grain size through BR signaling. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms balancing BR signaling and growth in rice.
Effectiveness of pharmacological therapies for fibromyalgia syndrome in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews
Authors: Moore Andrew , Bidonde Julia , Fisher Emma , Häuser Winfried , Bell Rae Frances , Perrot Serge , Makri Souzi , Straube Sebastian
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To summarize and evaluate Cochrane reviews of pharmacological therapies for adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) pain.

Methods

Systematic search of Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to May 2024. Generic quality assessment used AMSTAR-2 criteria, validity checks of potentially critical factors in evaluation of analgesic efficacy and assessment of susceptibility of results to publication bias. Pain outcomes were participant-reported pain relief of ≥30% or ≥50%, or PGIC much or very much improved.

Results

Twenty-one reviews (87 trials, 17 631 patients) were included. All rated moderate (15) or high-quality (6) using AMSTAR-2 and at least seven of eight critical pain criteria were met by 13 of 21 reviews. Diagnosis of FMS used recognized criteria. Seven reviews found no trials (carbamazepine, clonazepam, lamotrigine, phenytoin, oxycodone, topiramate or valproate), seven had limited and inadequate data (antipsychotics, cannabinoids, combination therapy, gabapentin, lacosamide, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, NSAIDs) and two were subject to publication bias (amitriptyline, SSRI). Mirtazapine had moderate evidence of no effect. Duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin had moderate/good evidence of substantial pain relief for 4–12 weeks in around 1 in 10 adults with moderate or severe FMS pain, without evidence of efficacy beyond six months. Serious adverse events were no more common than with placebo. There was no evidence about who might benefit or experience adverse events. There was no substantial efficacy evidence for other medicines.

Conclusions

Duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin had good evidence that about 1 person in 10 with moderate or severe pain experienced pain intensity reduction by at least 50%.
Changes in iPSC-Astrocyte morphology reflect Alzheimer’s disease patient clinical markers
Authors: Rowland Helen A , Miller Georgina , Liu Qiang , Li Shuhan , Sharp Nicola R , Ng Bryan , Wei Tina , Arunasalam Kanisa , Koychev Ivan , Hedegaard Anne , Ribe Elena M , Chan Dennis , Chessell Tharani , Kocagoncu Ece , Lawson Jennifer , Malhotra Paresh , Ridha Basil H , Rowe James B , Thomas Alan J , Zamboni Giovanna , Zetterberg Henrik , Cader M Zameel , Wade-Martins Richard , Lovestone Simon , Nevado-Holgado Alejo , Kormilitzin Andrey , Buckley Noel J
Published: December 2024

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide powerful cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and offer many advantages over non-human models, including the potential to reflect variation in individual-specific pathophysiology and clinical symptoms. Previous studies have demonstrated that iPSC-neurons from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) reflect clinical markers, including β-amyloid (Aβ) levels and synaptic vulnerability. However, despite neuronal loss being a key hallmark of AD pathology, many risk genes are predominantly expressed in glia, highlighting them as potential therapeutic targets. In this work iPSC-derived astrocytes were generated from a cohort of individuals with high versus low levels of the inflammatory marker YKL-40, in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). iPSC-derived astrocytes were treated with exogenous Aβ oligomers and high content imaging demonstrated a correlation between astrocytes that underwent the greatest morphology change from patients with low levels of CSF-YKL-40 and more protective APOE genotypes. This finding was subsequently verified using similarity learning as an unbiased approach. This study shows that iPSC-derived astrocytes from AD patients reflect key aspects of the pathophysiological phenotype of those same patients, thereby offering a novel means of modelling AD, stratifying AD patients and conducting therapeutic screens.
Fine particulate matter and nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality: Do associations vary by exposure assessment method?
Authors: Klompmaker Jochem O. , James Peter , Kaufman Joel D. , Schwartz Joel , Yanosky Jeff D. , Hart Jaime E. , Laden Francine
Published: December 2024

Background:

There is considerable heterogeneity in fine particulate matter (PM2.5)–mortality associations between studies, potentially due to differences in exposure assessment methods. Our aim was to evaluate associations of PM2.5 predicted from different models with nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality.

Methods:

We followed 107,906 participants of the Nurses’ Health Study cohort from 2001 to 2016. PM2.5 concentrations were estimated from spatiotemporal models developed by researchers at the University of Washington (UW), Pennsylvania State University (PSU), and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health (HSPH). We calculated 12-month moving average concentrations and we used time-varying Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs).

Results:

There were 30,242 nonaccidental deaths in 1,435,098 person-years. We observed high correlations and similar temporal trends between the PM2.5 predictions. We found no associations of UW, PSU, or HSPH PM2.5 with nonaccidental mortality, but suggestive positive associations with cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease mortality. There were small differences in HRs between the PM2.5 predictions. All three predictions showed the strongest associations with cancer mortality: HRs (95% confidence interval, expressed per 5 µg/m3 increase) were 1.06 (1.01, 1.12) for UW, 1.08 (1.03, 1.13) for PSU, and 1.05 (1.00, 1.10) for HSPH. In a subset restricted to participants who were always exposed to PM2.5 below 12 µg/m3, we observed positive associations with nonaccidental mortality.

Conclusion:

We found that differences between PM2.5 exposure assessment methods could lead to minor differences in strengths of associations between PM2.5 and cause-specific mortality in a population of US female nurses.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Symptomatic Nasolacrimal Duct Stenosis
Authors: Rose Geoffrey E. , Vahdani Kaveh
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

To characterize symptoms and signs for patients with tearing eye(s) and ipsilateral nasolacrimal duct stenosis (NLDS), as defined by delayed fluorescein disappearance test and ocular reflux of saline during gentle irrigation of a patent drainage system.

Methods:

Retrospective case-note review of a consistent grading of 4 symptoms and 7 signs, together with estimates of the degree of fluid reflux and nasal fluid passage on gentle saline syringing. Characteristics, including gender differences, were compared for unilateral or bilateral symptoms. A side-to-side comparison was performed in unilateral cases, and assessed for concordance of signs and/or symptoms.

Results:

The average age of presentation was 62.4 years in 386 patients (37% male), with a third having unilateral symptoms. Systemic atopy (22%) and chronic nasal disease (27%) were frequent. Patients with unilateral symptoms were significantly younger (males 9.5, females 5.5 years; p < 0.000001) and had shorter symptom duration (p = 0.0025). Three-quarters of asymptomatic sides had objective evidence of nasolacrimal duct stenosis, and there was significant side-to-side concordance for 7/9 clinical signs. Among 640 symptomatic systems, many of the presenting (subjective) symptoms and/or objective signs showed a significant direct or inverse correlation.

Conclusion:

The lack of laterality- or gender bias for symptoms and signs suggests that patients with nasolacrimal duct stenosis might seek treatment for the epiphora per se, rather than for issues with ocular dominance or visual requirements. The close correlation between subjective symptom-severity and objective estimates of signs suggests that thorough clinical assessment can be very reliable, and that several factors probably contribute to symptoms in these patients.
Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized With Methamphetamine-Associated Heart Failure
Authors: Hiatt Shirin O. , Camacho S. Albert , Lee Christopher S. , Dieckmann Nathan F. , Mitchell Jayne , Robles Yasmine , Shalen Evan F. , Habecker Beth A. , Denfeld Quin E.
Published: December 2024

Background

Methamphetamine-associated heart failure (MethHF) carries devastating individual and societal consequences; however, our understanding of this condition is limited.

Objective

The objective of this study is to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with MethHF with patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) not associated with methamphetamine (non-MethHF).

Methods

This was an analysis of screening data from MethHF patients who screened out of the Biological and Physiological Mechanisms of Symptom Clusters in Heart Failure study and a subset of non-MethHF patients enrolled in the study. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used.

Results

Patients hospitalized with MethHF (n = 99), compared with non-MethHF (n = 87), were significantly younger, more often male, more likely from urban areas, and had higher rates of prior emergency room usage. Patients with MethHF also had more nonischemic etiologies and reduced ejection fraction. Nearly a third of patients with MethHF also had a new diagnosis of HF.

Conclusions

There are a few notable differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between patients hospitalized with MethHF versus non-MethHF.
Comparison of oral zinc supplement and placebo effect in improving the T-cells regeneration in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Clinical trial study
Authors: Nikoonezhad Maryam , Zavaran Hosseini Ahmad , Hajifathali Abbas , Parkhideh Sayeh , Shadnoush Mahdi , Shakiba Yadollah , Zahedi Hoda
Published: December 2024

Background:

Immune reconstitution is a significant factor in the success of “hematopoietic stem cell transplantation” (HSCT). Delaying the immune reconstitution increases the risk of infections and relapse after transplantation. T-cell recovery after HSCT is mainly thymus-dependent, and thymic atrophy is associated with various clinical conditions that correlate with HSCT outcomes. Thymus rejuvenation can improve immune reconstitution after transplantation.

Zinc (Zn) plays a pivotal role in thymus rejuvenation. Zn deficiency can lead to thymic atrophy, which increases susceptibility to infections. Zn supplementation restores the immune system by increasing thymus output and T-cell repertoire production.

We designed this protocol to investigate the effect of oral Zn supplementation on T-cell recovery in patients undergoing HSCT.

Methods:

Forty eligible candidates for autologous-HSCT will be selected. They will be randomly divided into Zn and placebo groups. Subsequently, they will receive 3 Zn or placebo tablets for the first 30 days post-HSCT (+1 to +30), followed by 1 pill or placebo for days (+31 to +90). The copy numbers of “recent thymic emigrants” T cells and “T cell Receptor Excision Circles” (TREC) will be assessed before and after the intervention in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). All patients will be followed up 365 days post-HSCT for relapse and infection.

Conclusion:

This clinical trial is the first to determine the efficiency of “Zn gluconate” as daily Supplementation in T cell recovery post-HSCT.

If successful, an available and inexpensive drug will improve immune system reconstruction after HSCT, reduce the risk of infection, particularly viral infections, and increase patient survival.
The necessity of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in surgical decision-making for thyroid nodules larger than 3 cm
Authors: Erkan Serkan , Yabanoğlu Hakan , Avci Tevfik , Gündoğdu Ramazan , Kuş Murat , Erkent Murathan , İncekaş Caner
Published: December 2024

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an essential diagnostic tool for detecting malignancy in thyroid nodules. The objective of this study was to evaluate the necessity of FNAB in the treatment decision-making process for thyroid nodules exceeding 3 cm in size. The records of patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our center between 2018 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The study included patients with an index nodule size exceeding 3 cm. Exclusion criteria were missing data, treatment for a different oncological condition, recurrent disease, and purely cystic nodule. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the size of the index nodule: Group 1 included nodules measuring between 3 to 4 cm, and Group 2 included nodules 4 cm and larger. Demographic data, FNAB results, and histopathological findings were recorded. The specificity, sensitivity, false negative, and false positive rates of FNAB were calculated. There were 1935 patients who underwent thyroidectomy within the specified date range. In 359 of these patients, the index nodule size was 3 cm or more. There were 188 patients with nodule size between 3 and 4 cm. The mean age was 50.42 ± 13.34 years, and 257 patients were female (F/M ratio = 2.5/1). Fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed on 237 patients, resulting in 65 false negatives. Both the incidence of malignancy and the rate of FNAB false negatives were higher in nodules measuring 4 cm or larger. This study identified a high malignancy rate and a significant rate of false negatives in FNAB of thyroid nodules larger than 3 cm. These findings highlight the importance of carefully considering these factors in the surgical planning of such nodules.
Research on the correlation between inflammatory bowel disease and depression: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Liu Pengliang , Zhang Yongchuang , Huang Huang , Li Yucheng
Published: December 2024

Background:

The aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of published studies on the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depression. The study also aims to identify the major researchers, institutions, and countries and regions in this field to identify current research hotspots.

Methods:

The Web of Science Core Database in the Science Citation Index Expanded database was selected as the data source and was searched to obtain relevant literature on IBD and depression. Bibliometric analysis of relevant publications was performed by utilizing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, bibliometrix, and Microsoft Excel 2019.

Results:

A total of 393 papers were included from January 1, 2014, to December 25, 2023, showing a general upward trend in the number of publications. There were 48 countries and 743 institutions, of which the United States had the largest number of publications. There were 2250 authors involved in research in the field, with clear collaborations between authors. There were currently 163 journals that have published research on this topic, with IBDs being the most cited journal. IBD and depression-related studies are gradually gaining attention from researchers, and the research direction is gradually expanding to epidemiology, gut microbiota, and other related topics.

Conclusion:

This study comprehensively summarizes the research trends and developments of IBD and depression through bibliometrics. This information points out the research frontiers and hot directions in recent years, which will serve as a reference for researchers in this field.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine Cang-Er-Zi-San in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Zeng Qiaoqiao , Li Jingnan , Wu Qin , Li Xiaojie , Yan Huixin , Bi Yunpeng , Gao Yixin , Zhuo Yue
Published: December 2024

Background:

More and more studies have shown that Chinese medicine can effectively and safely treat allergic rhinitis (AR) in children. This meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy and safety differences between conventional therapy and the Chinese herbal medicine Cang-Er-Zi-San (CEZS) from an evidence-based perspective, and guide the clinical treatment of pediatric AR.

Methods:

This study aims to compare the effects of intervention with traditional Chinese medicine formula CEZS on the clinical symptoms of pediatric AR, determine the effectiveness and safety of CEZS in treating pediatric AR, and obtain high-quality clinical evidence. Research method: based on the preferred reporting item (PRISMA) statement of systematic review and meta-analysis, inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. Retrieve 7 mainstream medical databases to obtain randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine CEZS for the treatment of pediatric AR. Include RCTs that meet research requirements. Then extract the data information and evaluate the quality using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software on the effective rate, clinical symptom relief time, recurrence rate, and adverse event indicators. Calculate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), test heterogeneity identify its source, evaluate publication bias through funnel plots.

Results:

15 RCTs and 1361 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of Chinese herbal compound CEZS in the treatment of children with AR was significantly superior to other therapies. Effective rate (RR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.15, 1.26) The difference was statistically significant, and the symptom relief time, Recurrence rate, adverse event, the time of symptom relief in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group. It is suggested that CEZS therapy is more suitable for the clinical treatment of children with AR.

Conclusion:

CEZS has a definite therapeutic effect on children with AR and is an effective method for treating it. However, due to biased results and limited research, a large number of high-quality studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of CEZS and provide new treatments for clinical reference.
Survival analysis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on radiomics and deep learning features from CT images
Authors: Lu Zhennan , Wu Sijia , Ni Dan , Zhou Meng , Wang Tao , Zhou Xiaobo , Huang Liyu , Yan Yu
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

To create a nomogram for accurate prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on computed tomography images.

Methods:

Eight hundred twenty-two ccRCC patients with contrast-enhanced computed tomography images involved in this study were collected. A rectangular region of interest surrounding the tumor was used to extract quantitative radiomics and deep-learning features, which were filtered by Cox proportional hazard regression model and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Then the selected features formed a fusion signature, which was assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression model method, Kaplan–Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, and concordance index (C-index) in different clinical subgroups. Finally, a nomogram constructed with this signature and clinicopathologic risk factors was assessed by C-index and survival calibration curves.

Results:

The fusion signature performed better than the radiomics signature. Then we combined this signature and 2 clinicopathologic risk factors. This nomogram showed an increase of about 20% in C-index values when compared to clinical nomogram in both datasets. Its prediction probability was also in good agreement with the actual ratio.

Conclusion:

The proposed fusion nomogram provided a noninvasive and easy-to-use model for survival prognosis of ccRCC patients in future clinical use, without the requirement to perform a detailed segmentation for radiologists.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for cyclic vomiting syndrome with tachygastria in an adult: A case report
Authors: Ha Na-Yeon , Kim Jinsung
Published: December 2024

Rationale:

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of acute vomiting lasting <1 week, occurring independently and chronically. Management typically involves lifestyle interventions, supportive care, and preventative medication. In rare cases, CVS persists for decades in adults, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Patient concerns:

A 30-year-old male patient presented with a 7-year history of recurrent nausea and vomiting, which initially began in 2017. The episodes occurred without identifiable triggers such as alcohol or overeating, increasing in frequency from once every 4 months to 2 months. He expressed fear of severe deterioration, impacting his ability to eat freely, work, and enjoy his hobbies.

Diagnoses:

He was diagnosed with CVS based on the Rome criteria. Cutaneous electrogastrography showed postprandial power decrease and tachygastria.

Interventions:

Regular acupuncture treatments, including electroacupuncture at ST36 with 3 Hz, were administered twice a week for 3 weeks, followed by weekly sessions for 5 additional weeks.

Outcomes:

Over 11 treatment sessions across 8 weeks, no nausea or vomiting was observed. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for subjective gastrointestinal discomfort decreased from 67 to 0 after 4 weeks. The Nausea Severity Scale (NSS) score dropped from 14 to 0 after 4 weeks. The Functional Dyspepsia-related QoL score decreased from 16 to 0 after 8 weeks. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version decreased from 80 to 8 after 8 weeks. Furthermore, the patient expressed high satisfaction with the treatment, and no adverse events were observed.

Lessons:

Acupuncture offers a significant and safe approach to relieving symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for patients with nausea and vomiting. Although this is a single case report, the findings suggest that acupuncture can improve treatment compliance and manage symptoms in adults with CVS. Further research, including clinical trials, is required to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.
Risk prediction of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for diabetes retinopathy based on optimized gradient boosting classifier model
Authors: Xiao Li , Tang Lixuan , Kuang Wenxuan , Yang Yijing , Deng Ying , Lu Jing , Peng Qinghua , Yan Junfeng
Published: December 2024

In order to take full advantage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine, combined with machine learning technology, to study the risk factors and better risk prediction model of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and provide basis for the screening and treatment of it. Through a retrospective study of DR cases in the real world, the electronic medical records of patients who met screening criteria were collected. Moreover, Recursive Feature Elimination with Cross-Validation (RFECV) was used for feature selection. Then, the prediction model was built based on Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) and it was compared with 4 other popular machine learning techniques, including Logistic Regression (LR), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The models were evaluated with accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and area under the curve (AUC) value as indicators. In addition, grid search was used to optimize the model. To explain the results of the model more intuitively, the Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was used. A total of 9034 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients meeting the screening criteria were included in this study, including 1118 patients with DR. 19 features were selected using RFECV in the model construction. We constructed 5 commonly used models, including GBM, LR, KNN, Random Forest, and SVM. By comparing model performance, GBM has the highest accuracy (0.85) and AUC value (0.934), which is the best prediction model. We also carried out hyperparameter optimization of grid search for this model, and the model accuracy reached 0.88, and the AUC value increased to 0.958. Through SHAP analysis, it was found that TCM syndrome types, albumin, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total protein, glycosylated hemoglobin were closely related to the increased risk of DR. It can be concluded that TCM syndrome type is the risk factor of DR. The GBM classifier based on grid search optimization, with relevant risk factors of TCM and western medicine as variables, can better predict the risk of DR.
The impact of multidisciplinary collaborative bundled care on analgesia and sedation in ICU patients with endotracheal intubation
Authors: Wu Xiaohui , Yu Longping
Published: December 2024

Background:

Effective analgesia and sedation management play a crucial role in reducing the intensity of coughing in patients with endotracheal intubation and improving clinical outcomes. However, current approaches are predominantly singular and lack comprehensive management strategies based on multidisciplinary collaboration. This study aims to evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary collaborative bundled care on analgesia and sedation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with endotracheal intubation, providing evidence to inform clinical practice.

Methods:

Seventy ICU patients were enrolled with endotracheal intubation, admitted between January and August 2024. They were divided into a control group (n = 35) receiving routine care (admitted from January to April) and an intervention group (n = 35) receiving multidisciplinary collaborative bundled care (admitted from May to August). Outcomes measured included physical restraint use, analgesic dosage, cough strength, delirium incidence, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results:

The intervention group had significantly lower doses of remifentanil (8.37 ± 1.50 mg) and midazolam (21.43 ± 3.74 mg) compared to the control group (9.92 ± 1.58 and 31.12 ± 7.89 mg; P < .05). The incidence of delirium was also lower in the intervention group (11.4%) than in the control group (31.4%; P < .05). Delirium onset was delayed in the intervention group (3.02 ± 1.05 days) compared to the control group (2.58 ± 0.79 days), and its duration was shorter (3.43 ± 1.74 vs 5.12 ± 1.89 days; P < .05). Additionally, physical restraints were significantly lower in the intervention group (22.9% vs 45.7%; P < .05). Cough strength was notably higher in the intervention group (4.74 ± 0.82 vs 3.36 ± 0.76; P < .05), and the duration of mechanical ventilation was reduced (4.77 ± 1.42 vs 5.92 ± 1.66 days; P < .05).

Conclusion:

Multidisciplinary collaborative bundled care improves sedation and analgesia outcomes in ICU patients with endotracheal intubation, reducing medication dosage, incidence of delirium, physical restraint use, and duration of mechanical ventilation while enhancing cough strength.