bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic antibacterial effect of chitosan/silver nanoparticles modified glass ionomer cement (an in vitro study)
Authors: Hussein Rangin Mohammed , Kareem Fadil Abdulla
Published: November 2024

An important dental filling called Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) is widely used because it is biocompatible, releases fluoride, and can chemically connect with tooth structure. However, the limited antibacterial activity and mechanical weaknesses of GIC, such as high water sorption and low wear resistance, compromise their long-term effectiveness. This study investigated the synergistic antibacterial activity of chitosan (Ch) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) used to modify glass ionomer cement (GIC) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) growth. This was an in vitro experimental study. Chitosan (10% and 5%), a biocompatible natural polymer, and AgNPs (0.2% and 0.5%) known for their potent antibacterial activity, were combined with GIC to create a modified version. The antibacterial efficacy of these modified GICs against S. mutans was tested using disc agar diffusion and biofilm inhibition methods. A notable enhancement in biofilm inhibition was detected in the modified GICs, including both Ch and AgNPs. The synergistic effect of modified GICs with 0.5% AgNPs and 10% Ch yielded higher antibiofilm activity than the other modified and Unmodified GICs to prevent secondary caries. The fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the incorporation of Ch/Ag nanoparticles into the glass ionomer cement (GIC) matrix led to molecular interactions that could enhance antibacterial characteristics. Integrating 0.5% AgNPs and 10% Ch into GIC can improved its antibacterial efficacy, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in inhibiting the formation of biofilm.
Flare from the secondary star of an extreme period binary
Authors: Shuang Wang , Raúl Michel , Huiyu Yuan , Yuangui Yang
Published: November 2024

Photometric observations were conducted on the short-period and highly active M dwarf BX Tri from 2016 to 2023. From ground-based observations and data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a total of 196 sets of light curves were analyzed using Wilson–Devinney (W-D) method. The photometric analyses of BX Tri reveal a semidetached configuration, where the primary star accounts for a minimum of $80\%$ of the total luminosity in this binary system. The magnetic activity cycle of BX Tri was determined to be $9.4\:$yr, as indicated by the variability in spot longitudes. Three flares were detected by TESS. The long-lasting flare$_{1797}$ could originate from a polar region on the secondary star. Given the ongoing flare eruptions, BX Tri has the potential to merge into a single star through mergebursts.
Depths in a Day—a New Era of Rapid-Response Raman-Based Barometry Using Fluid Inclusions
Authors: DeVitre Charlotte L , Wieser Penny E , Bearden Alexander T , Richie Araela , Rangel Berenise , Gleeson Matthew L M , Grimsich John , Lynn Kendra J , Downs Drew T , Deligne Natalia I , Mulliken Katherine M
Published: November 2024

Rapid-response petrological monitoring is a major advance for volcano observatories, allowing them to build and validate models of plumbing systems that supply eruptions in near-real time. The depth of magma storage has recently been identified as high-priority information for volcanic observatories, yet this information is not currently obtainable via petrological monitoring methods on timescales relevant to eruption response. Fluid inclusion barometry (using micro-thermometry or Raman spectroscopy) is a well-established petrological method to estimate magma storage depths and has been proposed to have potential as a rapid-response monitoring tool, although this has not been formally demonstrated. To address this deficiency, we performed a near-real-time rapid-response simulation for the September 2023 eruption of Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi. We show that Raman-based fluid inclusion barometry can robustly determine reservoir depths within a day of receiving samples—a transformative timescale that has not previously been achieved by petrological methods. Fluid inclusion barometry using micro-thermometric techniques has typically been limited to systems with relatively deep magma storage (>0.4 g/cm3 i.e.  > 7 km) where measurements of CO2 density are easy and accurate because the CO2 fluid homogenizes into the liquid phase. Improvements of the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy measurements of fluids with low CO2 density over the past couple of decades has enabled measurements of fluid inclusions from shallower magmatic systems. However, one caveat of examining shallower systems is that the fraction of H2O in the fluid may be too high to reliably convert CO2 density to pressure. To test the global applicability of rapid response fluid inclusion barometry, we compiled a global melt inclusion dataset (>4000 samples) and calculate the fluid composition at the point of vapor saturation (${\mathrm{X}}_{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}$). We show that fluid inclusions in crystal hosts from mafic compositions (<57 wt. % SiO2)—likely representative of magmas recharging many volcanic systems worldwide—trap fluids with ${\mathrm{X}}_{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}$ low enough to make fluid inclusion barometry useful at many of the world’s most active and hazardous mafic volcanic systems (e.g. Iceland, Hawaiʻi, Galápagos Islands, East African Rift, Réunion, Canary Islands, Azores, Cabo Verde).
Go With the Flow? Considerations for Blood Flow Restriction Training in People With Neurologic Conditions
Authors: Mañago Mark M , Dunkle Zachary , Cohen Evan T , Bade Michael
Published: November 2024

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) with low intensity resistance or aerobic exercise can improve muscle strength and aerobic capacity, respectively. Furthermore, low intensity BFRT with resistance or aerobic exercise can be as effective as training at higher intensities without BFR in healthy adult populations. The clinical use of BFRT is therefore becoming increasingly common, particularly in otherwise healthy adults recovering from musculoskeletal injury or orthopedic surgery, for whom training at high intensities is not indicated. People with neurologic conditions may also benefit from training at lower intensities, as many individuals with neurologic conditions may not tolerate higher intensities for a variety of reasons, including advanced mobility restrictions, extreme weakness, severe fatigue, and/or pain. Indeed, more and more rehabilitation clinicians are beginning to use BFRT with their patients who have neurologic conditions even though there is very little evidence to support its safety, feasibility, or efficacy in those populations. In this perspective, we propose that BFRT can be an important alternative to conventional exercise training approaches for some individuals with neurologic conditions, and in the right circumstances can be delivered both safely and effectively. This perspective will also provide considerations and decision-making strategies that can help inform clinical decisions for rehabilitation practitioners considering the use of BFRT in their patients with neurologic conditions.
Serum levels of free light chains and syndecan-1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Carnazzo Valeria , Gulli Francesca , Basile Valerio , Di Santo Riccardo , Niccolini Benedetta , Redi Serena , Vinante Ilaria , Napodano Cecilia , Pocino Krizia , Rapaccini Gian Ludovico , Lizzio Marco Maria , Marino Mariapaola , Ciasca Gabriele , Basile Umberto
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are characterized by chronic inflammation. Reliable biomarkers are crucial for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and therapeutic responses. This study explores serum syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a biomarker for these conditions and its relationship with free light chain (FLC) levels.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on sera from 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from 60 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), alongside 50 healthy donors (HD). Κ- and λ- FLCs were determined by turbidimetric assay, while SDC-1 levels were determined by ELISA. Kruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney U test, multivariable linear regression and Spearman’s correlation were employed to compare biomarker levels across groups and to explore correlations.

Results

SDC-1, κ-FLC and λ-FLC were significantly increased in RA and SLE patients compared with HD (P < 0.001), while no significant differences in the κ/λ ratio were observed among the groups (P = 0.4). A significant difference in subject age was also identified. However, multivariate regression analysis indicated that RA and SLE are significantly associated with the levels of these markers, with minimal confounding by age. A significant correlation was observed separately in all groups between the FLC markers. Conversely, no correlation was detected between SDC-1 and FLCs, nor between these markers and age or disease activity indices.

Conclusion

Elevated serum levels of FLCs and SDC-1 in RA and SLE patients compared with HD underscore their potential as biomarkers for SARDs. The findings also suggest sustained plasma cell activation, supporting the multifaceted role of SDC-1 in the pathogenesis of SARDs.
Pain modulates brain potentials and behavioral responses to unfairness
Authors: Hu Chunling , Wu Ruoxi , Wang Chenbo
Published: November 2024

Pain may initially contribute to the evolution of moral decision-making as it elicits avoidance behavior. The current study aims to support this perspective by conducting a behavioral study to investigate whether pain leads to a self-oriented tendency and an exploratory electroencephalogram (EEG) study to examine how pain affects moral decision-making. In Experiment 1, 34 participants were recruited and treated with both capsaicin (pain condition) and hand cream (control condition) in separate days. After treatment, they were asked to complete a third-party punishment task. Results showed that pain increased punishment and decreased compensation towards unfair allocations in the task. In Experiment 2, 68 participants with either pain or control treatment participated in an EEG experiment. It revealed that pain enlarged the disparity of late positive potential (LPP) between fair and unfair situations, suggesting that individuals in pain may exert more cognitive effort when facing unfair allocations. Meanwhile, pain did not affect the early components P2 and the medial frontal negativity, indicating unaffected attentional or anticipatory responses toward unfairness. It demonstrates that pain can effectively modulate responses to unfairness, manifesting as a self-oriented approach with negative consequences for others. It suggests a potential evolutionary impact of pain on moral decisions.
How to Validate a Bayesian Evolutionary Model
Authors: Mendes Fábio K , Bouckaert Remco , Carvalho Luiz M , Drummond Alexei J
Published: November 2024

Biology has become a highly mathematical discipline in which probabilistic models play a central role. As a result, research in the biological sciences is now dependent on computational tools capable of carrying out complex analyses. These tools must be validated before they can be used, but what is understood as validation varies widely among methodological contributions. This may be a consequence of the still embryonic stage of the literature on statistical software validation for computational biology. Our manuscript aims to advance this literature. Here, we describe, illustrate, and introduce new good practices for assessing the correctness of a model implementation with an emphasis on Bayesian methods. We also introduce a suite of functionalities for automating validation protocols. It is our hope that the guidelines presented here help sharpen the focus of discussions on (as well as elevate) expected standards of statistical software for biology.
Minimally invasive treatments for chronic low back pain
Authors: Hoffmann Chelsey M. , Mattie Ryan , Sheth Samir J. , D'Souza Ryan S.
Published: November 2024

This article describes minimally invasive treatments for managing chronic low back pain (LBP) related to lumbar spinal stenosis, facetogenic LBP, vertebrogenic LBP, or discogenic LBP. We also propose a clinical decision-making tool to guide clinicians in appropriate patient selection for various treatments.
Delivery-Related Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients With Cardiac Disease
Authors: Toledo Isabella , Czarny Heather , DeFranco Emily , Warshak Carri , Rossi Robert
Published: November 2024

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and mortality among pregnant patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of U.S. delivery hospitalizations from 2010 to 2020 using weighted population estimates from the National Inpatient Sample database. The primary objective was to evaluate the risk of SMM and maternal mortality among patients with CVD at delivery hospitalization. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify delivery hospitalizations, CVD, and SMM events. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to compare SMM and mortality risk among patients with CVD and those without CVD. Given the substantial racial and ethnic disparities in SMM, mortality, and CVD burden, secondary objectives included evaluating SMM and mortality across racial and ethnic groups and assessing the population attributable fraction within each group. Lastly, subgroup analyses of SMM by underlying CVD diagnoses (eg, congenital heart disease, chronic heart failure) were performed. Variables used in the regression models included socioeconomic and demographic maternal characteristics, maternal comorbidities, and pregnancy-specific complications.

RESULTS:

Among 38,374,326 individuals with delivery hospitalizations, 203,448 (0.5%) had CVD. Patients with CVD had an increased risk of SMM (11.6 vs 0.7%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 12.5, 95% CI, 12.0–13.1) and maternal death (538 vs 5 per 100,000 delivery hospitalizations, aOR 44.1, 95% CI, 35.4–55.0) compared with those without CVD. Patients with chronic heart failure had the highest SMM risk (aOR 354.4, 95% CI, 301.0–417.3) among CVD categories. Black patients with CVD had a higher risk of SMM (aOR 15.9, 95% CI, 14.7–17.1) than those without CVD with an adjusted population attributable fraction of 10.5% (95% CI, 10.0–11.0%).

CONCLUSION:

CVD in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of SMM and mortality, with the highest risk of SMM among patients with chronic heart failure. Although CVD affects less than 1% of the pregnant population, it contributes to nearly 1 in 10 SMM events in the United States.
Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.): dual therapeutic and nutritional potential in food and medicine
Authors: Zhu Lin , Luo Yu , Xiao Jian , Hao Erwei , Wei Jinchao , Zhao Jinmin , Yao Chun , Wang Yitao , Luo Hua
Published: November 2024

Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f., SA) is a well-known culinary seasoning in China and Vietnam. Actually, SA also has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine in China with a long history. Phytochemical analysis has revealed that SA contains a high concentration of essential oils, phenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to its diverse pharmacological properties. These properties include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-oxidation, antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, antidiarrheal, and promoting hair growth. Various preclinical studies have shown that SA extracts and their active constituents may have potential therapeutic applications in preventing and treating various diseases. However, a comprehensive report on the relationship between the active ingredient, biological activity, and food characteristics of SA is rare. The medicinal value of SA has not been well valued and developed. This review provides an overview of the botanical chemistry and pharmacological properties of SA, as well as its potential innovative applications in food and personal care products, aiming to provide theoretical support for its further development and utilization.
Diagnosing glaucoma progression with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Palmer Laura D. , Thompson Atalie C. , Asrani Sanjay
Published: November 2024

Purpose of review

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a widely used tool to diagnose and monitor glaucoma by objectively measuring the ganglion cell layer and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The presence of RNFL thinning raises suspicion for glaucoma progression. Therefore, this review aims to discuss current approaches to using OCT for detecting glaucomatous change, limitations, and recent advancements.

Recent findings

Previously established approaches to determining glaucomatous progression on OCT include quantitative and qualitative methods. The most common quantitative methods include event-based and trend-based analysis. Decreasing RNFL thickness or loss of the ganglion cell layer are indicative of glaucomatous changes. However, interpretation of OCT scans is strongly impacted by artifacts, which can be because of epiretinal membrane or posterior vitreous detachment. Race and aging also may impact interpretation of RNFL progression. More recent research focuses on loss of the RNFL because of the effects of systemic conditions. Given the limitations in the current approaches, recent advancements indicate a promising role for artificial intelligence in determining true glaucomatous progression.

This review highlights current approaches to identifying glaucoma progression on OCT, limitations to these approaches, and the potential role for artificial intelligence.
Do new quality measures for social risk screening ‘measure up’?
Authors: Potharaju Kameswari , Gottlieb Laura M. , Pantell Matthew , Jones Danielle Hessler
Published: November 2024

Purpose of review

New social risk screening standards and quality metrics reward or penalize healthcare delivery organizations for social risk screening. After summarizing the recent literature on social risk screening in pediatric healthcare settings we consider how this evidence – and persistent evidence gaps – might inform future standards development.

Recent findings

Reported social risk screening rates, measures, and modality differ greatly across recent work. Although many caregivers report acceptability of screening, experiences and expectations around effective follow-up vary. Likewise, although most frontline clinical providers find screening acceptable, they report significant implementation challenges related to time constraints, insufficient workforce, and availability of social services. Qualitative findings suggest opportunities to improve screening implementation. Literature examining the impacts of screening continues to focus on immediate posited impacts of assistance programs; few studies assess health outcomes.

The existing literature does not clearly indicate whether, when, how, or for whom social risk screening standards focused on screening quantity will contribute to child health or health equity. Informed by studies on patient experience, quality measures focused on screening quantity (e.g. how many individuals are screened) should be paired with efforts to improve screening quality (i.e. patient/caregiver screening experience) as well as social and health outcomes.
Linking household members and defining relational networks using routine health data
Authors: Campbell Jeffrey I. , Poblacion Ana , Sheward Richard
Published: November 2024

Purpose of review

The growth of rich electronic health record (EHR) data and large health databases has introduced new opportunities to link individuals together into households and relational networks. These ‘linked relational networks’ hold promise for providing family-level care and studying intergenerational epidemiology and clinical outcomes. However, as linked relational networks become more commonly available in EHRs and research databases, it is critical to understand their challenges and limitations.

Recent findings

Matching algorithms are being used to create linked relational networks in EHR and health databases. Clinically, these algorithms have been most useful to provide dyadic maternal–newborn care. In research, studies using these algorithms investigate topics ranging from the pharmacoepidemiology of parental drug exposure on childhood health outcomes, to heritability of chronic conditions, to associations between parental and child healthcare access and service delivery. However, ethical and technical challenges continue to limit use of these algorithms. There is also a critical research gap in the external validity of these matching algorithms.

Linked relational networks are in widespread use in pediatric clinical care and research. More research is needed to understand the scope, limitations, and biases inherent in existing matching strategies.
Exploring ChatGPT in clinical inquiry: a scoping review of characteristics, applications, challenges, and evaluation
Authors: Abhari Shahabeddin , Afshari Yasna , Fatehi Farhad , Salmani Hosna , Garavand Ali , Chumachenko Dmytro , Zakerabasali Somayyeh , Morita Plinio P.
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

Recent advancements in generative AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, hold promise for healthcare applications such as decision-making support, education, and patient engagement. However, rigorous evaluation is crucial to ensure reliability and safety in clinical contexts. This scoping review explores ChatGPT’s role in clinical inquiry, focusing on its characteristics, applications, challenges, and evaluation.

Methods:

This review, conducted in 2023, followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/MS9/A636). Searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, IEEE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. The review explored ChatGPT’s effectiveness in various medical domains, evaluation methods, target users, and comparisons with other AI models. Data synthesis and analysis incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Results:

Analysis of 41 academic studies highlights ChatGPT’s potential in medical education, patient care, and decision support, though performance varies by medical specialty and linguistic context. GPT-3.5, frequently referenced in 26 studies, demonstrated adaptability across diverse scenarios. Challenges include limited access to official answer keys and inconsistent performance, underscoring the need for ongoing refinement. Evaluation methods, including expert comparisons and statistical analyses, provided significant insights into ChatGPT’s efficacy. The identification of target users, such as medical educators and nonexpert clinicians, illustrates its broad applicability.

Conclusion:

ChatGPT shows significant potential in enhancing clinical practice and medical education. Nevertheless, continuous refinement is essential for its successful integration into healthcare, aiming to improve patient care outcomes, and address the evolving needs of the medical community.
Positivity and Follow-Up Testing of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in Universally Screened Female Basic Military Trainees
Authors: Townsend Lisa C. , Stahlman Shauna L. , Escobar James D. , Osuna Angela B. , Casey Theresa M. , Winkler Erin L. , Kieffer John W. , Okulicz Jason F. , Yun Heather C. , Marcus Joseph E.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Follow-up testing is recommended 3 months after patients initially test positive with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC). Follow-up testing adherence in the United States has been reported below one-third of women, even in universally insured populations. We assessed both the positivity of CT and GC infections in female basic military trainees and the rates of follow-up testing for those who tested positive.

Methods

Between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2021, female Air Force Basic Military Trainees were universally screened with urinary nucleic acid amplification testing for CT and GC. Those who tested positive were evaluated to determine demographic information as well as follow-up testing rates. Patients who were evaluated with a repeat CT/GC nucleic acid amplification test within 12 months after a positive CT/GC test result were considered to have received appropriate follow-up.

Results

A total of 5022 (5.2%) of 97,168 trainees tested positive for only CT (4749 [4.8%]), only GC (138 [0.1%]), or both CT/GC (135 [0.1%]) during the study period. Those at increased risk of infection were those <24 years of age, Hispanic and Black individuals, those with high school education level, and single women. Of the 4687 still in the military at 3 months after diagnosis, 3268 (69.7%) had repeat testing within 12 months. There was no significant difference in follow-up testing by age, race, educational level, marital status, or organism causing original infection.

Conclusions

Follow-up testing among female United States Air Force basic military trainees is higher than in other universally insured populations. This study demonstrates remaining barriers to adherence to recommended guidelines.
Non-liver Malignancies as Main Cause of Mortality After HCV Eradication Among People Living With HIV
Authors: Alessia Siribelli , Sara Diotallevi , Laura Galli , Camilla Muccini , Giulia Morsica , Riccardo Lolatto , Costanza Bertoni , Emanuela Messina , Simona Bossolasco , Benedetta Trentacapilli , Caterina Uberti-Foppa , Antonella Castagna , Hamid Hasson
Published: November 2024

Background:

In people living with HIV (PLWH) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver and nonliver-related mortality significantly decreased after receiving direct acting antivirals (DAAs). We aimed to assess main causes and predictors of mortality after sustained virologic response induced by DAAs.

Methods:

Retrospective study in antiretroviral treatment-experienced PLWH with HCV infection, followed at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy, who achieved sustained virologic response after DAAs. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to estimate cumulative probability of death for any cause. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of death and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI); baseline variables included in the model were age, diabetes, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), α-fetoprotein (AFP), and albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade.

Results:

Among 663 people included with a median follow-up of 4.4 years (interquartile range = 3.5–5.5), 49 died. Overall 5-year cumulative probability of death was 8.0% (95% CI: 5.5% to 0.4%); 63.2% (n = 31/49) died from nonliver-related events [mainly nonliver malignancies (18/49) and cardiovascular events (7/49)]. At multivariate analysis, death was more likely in older people [aHR (5-year older) = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.83, P = 0.0009], and in people with diabetes (aHR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.55 to 5.71, P = 0.001), ALBI grade ≥2 (aHR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.90, P = 0.014), and AFP ≥3.4 ng/mL (aHR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.01; 3.84, P = 0.049).

Conclusions:

In our cohort, nonliver-related events and malignancies were the most common cause of death after HCV eradication. Diabetes, ALBI grade ≥2, and AFP ≥3.4 ng/L were associated with higher risk of death. In PLWH after HCV eradication, regardless of liver disease stage, surveillance of nonliver events, particularly malignancies, should be recommended.
Simultaneous Implantation of Maxillary Fibroskeletal Lesions: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Duo , Shen Yufeng , Qian Yi , Chen Shiman , Li Luoxin , Zhou Zheng
Published: November 2024

Objective:

To investigate a clinical case of simultaneous implantation therapy for a patient with fibroskeletal disease of the jaw, and to provide a clinical basis for the treatment of such patients by clinical prosthetists.

Methods:

The clinical data of a patient with fibroskeletal disease of the jaw undergoing implant treatment were collected, and the clinical repair plan for this patient was discussed by reviewing the literature.

Results:

The patient, a female, 49 years old, right upper posterior tooth missing for 1 year, through the maxillofacial surgery consultation, according to the imaging data, the maxillary fibroskeletal lesions were considered. The tumor was removed, bone regeneration was guided, and microimplants were implanted at the same time. Cone Beam Computed Tomography was performed at 3, 9, and 20 months postoperatively, and according to clinical evaluation, the patient did not show any signs of recurrence. At the same time, a literature search was conducted to summarize the data on simultaneous implantation therapy for fibroskeletal lesions of the jaw.

Conclusion:

The treatment plan of tumor removal → guided bone regeneration → simultaneous implantation of microimplants can effectively achieve implant repair and reduce the failure rate of implants in patients with jaw fibroskeletal lesions.
The MangLE score: A novel simple tool to identify patients who are unlikely to require amputation following severe lower extremity injury
Authors: Forssten Maximilian Peter , Coimbra Bruno , Matecki Mary , Godshall Saundra , Cao Yang , Mohseni Shahin , Sarani Babak
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

There are no validated and sensitive models that can guide the decision regarding amputation in patients with mangled lower extremities. We sought to describe a simple scoring model, the Mangled Lower Extremity (MangLE) score, which can predict those who are highly unlikely to need an amputation as a means to direct resources to this cohort.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study using the 2013–2021 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program data set. Adult patients with a mangled lower extremity, defined as a crush injury or a fracture of the femur or tibia combined with severe soft tissue injury, arterial injury, or nerve injury, were included. Patients who suffered a traumatic lower extremity amputation, underwent amputation within 24 hours of admission, or who died within 24 hours of admission were excluded. Patients were divided into those who did/did not undergo amputation during their hospital stay. Demographics, injury mechanism, Injury Severity Score, and Abbreviated Injury Scale score, initial vital signs, and comorbid conditions were abstracted. A logistic regression model was constructed and the top five most important variables were used to create the score.

RESULTS

The study includes 107,620 patients, of whom 2,711 (2.5%) underwent amputation. The five variables with the highest predictive value for amputation were arterial injury, lower-extremity Abbreviated Injury Scale score of ≥3, crush injury, blunt mechanism, and shock index. The lowest possible MangLE score was 0, and the highest was 15. The model demonstrated an excellent predictive ability for lower extremity amputation in both the development and validation data set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.82) and 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.84), respectively. The negative predictive value for a score of <8 is 99%.

CONCLUSION

The MangLE score is able to identify patients who are unlikely to require amputation. Resources for limb salvage can be directed to this cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.
Current trend in air pollution exposure and stroke
Authors: Gabet Stephan , Puy Laurent
Published: November 2024

Purpose of review

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and exposure to particulate air pollution is now recognized as one of the major modifiable risk factors. However, air pollution can vary in terms of physicochemical composition and exposition specificities. Therefore, its relationships with stroke outcomes remain under intense investigation.

Recent findings

This review highlights, alongside particles, that short-term and long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone is likely to be also linked to stroke-related morbidity and mortality. Moreover, air pollution may increase the risk of transitioning from a healthy status to incident stroke and morbimortality after stroke. Additionally, relationships may vary depending on the air pollution mixture (e.g., particle-related components, pollutant interactions), pollutant sources (e.g., traffic-related or not), stroke etiology (ischemic or hemorrhagic), or exposed individual's characteristics (e.g., age, sex, genetic predisposition, weight status). Nonlinear dose-response functions and short-term effect lags have been reported, but these features need further refinement.

The relationship between stroke and air pollution is now well established. Nonetheless, future research should further consider the physicochemical properties of air pollutants, multiple exposures, and individual vulnerabilities. Moreover, advanced statistical methods should be more commonly used to better describe the relationship shapes.
Lymphopenia drives T cell exhaustion in immunodeficient STING gain-of-function mice
Authors: Freytag Damien , Giorgiutti Stéphane , Wadier Nadège , Depauw Sabine , Hopsomer Grégoire , Mertz Philippe , Augé Fabrice , Carapito Raphaël , Couillin Isabelle , Korganow Anne-Sophie , Pala Francesca , Bosticardo Marita , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Rieux-Laucat Frédéric , Riteau Nicolas , Kirstetter Peggy , Soulas-Sprauel Pauline
Published: November 2024

STING gain-of-function (GOF) mutations are associated with the severe autoinflammatory disease designated STING Associated Vasculopathy with onset in Infancy (SAVI). Mice with the STING GOF V154M mutation develop profound T cell lymphopenia, partly due to a blockage of T cell development in the thymus. To better characterize the mechanisms of peripheral T cell dysfunctions, we conducted a transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis on sorted splenic CD4+ and CD8+ mature T cells from STING GOF V154M mice. We identify a T cell exhaustion phenotype that manifests at a terminal stage, acquired early in life but only after reaching the peripheral environment. This phenotype is independent of type I interferons and does not rely on intrinsic STING activation in either T cells or stromal cells. Mechanistically, the limited number of mature T cells that reach the periphery appear to be quickly impacted by the lymphopenic environment, experiencing heightened stimulation of the IL-7 receptor and TCR pathways, including the NFAT pathway, a key factor in T cell exhaustion. By performing transplantation experiments with STING GOF long term-hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) along with supportive wild-type bone marrow (BM) cells, we were able to prevent the T cell exhaustion of STING GOF T cells in the resulting non-lymphopenic context, demonstrating that lymphopenia is a major driver of T cell exhaustion in STING GOF mice. T cell exhaustion, although less severe, was also observed in lymphopenic mice carryingRag1hypomorphic mutations. In conclusion, our results, which highlight T cell exhaustion induced by lymphopenia, could have important implications for the management of patients with severe immune deficiencies.

Highlights

We describe a phenotype of T cell exhaustion in STING GOF V154M mice, which is acquired early in life and in the periphery.

STING GOF-associated T cell exhaustion is independent of type I IFNs, and STING GOF/activation in T cells or in stromal cells is not sufficient for T cell exhaustion.

Lymphopenia is a major driver of T cell exhaustion in STING GOF mice, and increased antigenic/IL-7 stimulation of T cells in the lymphopenic context of STING GOF mice could be implicated in the induction of T cell exhaustion.
Visual Field Progression Rate and Laminar Depth and Curvature in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES)
Authors: Murillo Karla , Jiravarnsirikul Anuwat , Walker Evan , Fazio Massimo A. , Gardiner Stuart , Weinreb Robert N , Liebmann Jeffrey M , Zangwill Linda M. , Girkin Christopher A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To determine if lamina cribrosa (LC) depth and curvature predict visual field (VF) progression rate in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES) cohort in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Subjects

Participants, and/or Controls. Three eyes from three research-consented brain-dead organ donors.

Methods

Anterior laminar cribrosa surface depth (ALCSD) and LC curvature index (LCCI) were defined from 24 radial B-scan spectral domain optic coherence tomographic (SDOCT) images of each image. All scans were processed using a deep learning software to perform the segmentation and optic nerve health (ONH) layers. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed effects models were used to test associations between VF progression rate, ALCSD, and other demographic and clinical characteristics and known risk factors for progressive POAG. Additionally, the variable selection in the final multivariable model was reached using the Akaike information criterion index (AICc) and clinical utility.

Measures

IOP change with exposure to NP.

MainOutcome

The associations between ALCSD and LCCI with the rate of VF progression.

Results

There was a statistically significant relationship between faster VF progression rates, and a deeper ALCSD (−0.02 dB/year/50 microns, p<0.001) and LCCI (−0.01unit/dB/year, p<0.001). There was also increasing progression seen in both models for with increasing age (−0.025dB/year/10 years, p<0.007), intraocular pressure (IOP) (−0.011dB/year per 2 mmHg, p=0.021), and disease severity (0.017dB/year per dB, p<0.001). The rate of progression was faster in the ED cohort (−0.056 dB/year, p=0.006) following propensity matching for disease severity and age.

Conclusions

In the ADAGES cohort, there is a statistically significant association between VF progression rate and ALCSD and curvature (LCCI). A 50 um deeper LC at baseline had a similar effect of VF progression as being 10 years of age older. These data suggest that morphologic change in the ONH due to glaucomatous and age-related remodeling may induce greater vulnerability to develop progressive disease. Thus, LC depth and curvature may inform the likelihood and rate of glaucoma progression and are promising candidates for mechanistic biomarkers.
Prediction of new candidate proteins and analysis of sub-modules and protein hubs associated with seed development in rice (Oryza sativa) using an ensemble network-based systems biology approach
Authors: De Silva M.R.P. , Weeraman J.W.J.K. , Fernando P.C.
Published: November 2024

Background

Rice is a critical global food source, but it faces challenges due to nutritional deficiencies and the pressures of a growing population. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and protein functions in rice seed development is essential to improve yield and grain quality. However, there is still a significant knowledge gap regarding the key proteins and their interactions that govern rice seed development. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis is a powerful tool for studying developmental processes like seed development, though its potential in rice research is yet to be fully realized. With the aim of unravelling the protein interaction landscape associated with rice seed development, this systems biology study conducted a PPI network-based analysis. Using a list of known seed development proteins from the Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase and literature, novel candidate proteins for seed development were predicted using an ensemble of network-based algorithms, including majority voting (MV), Hishigaki, Functional flow, and Random Walk with Restart (RWR). The predictions were validated using enrichment analysis, and the rice seed development subnetwork was further analyzed for community and hub detection.

Results

The study predicted 196 new proteins linked to rice seed development and identified 14 sub-modules within the network, each representing different developmental pathways such as endosperm development and seed growth regulation. Of these, 17 proteins were identified as intra-modular hubs and 6 as inter-modular hubs. Notably, the protein SDH1 emerged as a dual hub, acting as both an intra-modular and inter-modular hub, highlighting its crucial role in coordinating interactions during rice seed development.

Conclusions

These findings, including the identified hub proteins and sub-modules, provide a better understanding of the PPI interaction landscape governing seed development in rice. This information is useful for improving rice cultivars for better yield and quality through genetic engineering and breeding. This study implements an ensemble of algorithms for the analysis and showcases how systems biology techniques can be applied in developmental biology.
Benchmarking Self-Supervised Learning for Single-Cell Data
Authors: Toma Philip , Ovcharenko Olga , Daunhawer Imant , Vogt Julia , Barkmann Florian , Boeva Valentina
Published: November 2024

Self-supervised learning (SSL) has emerged as a powerful approach for learning biologically meaningful representations of single-cell data. To establish best practices in this domain, we present a comprehensive benchmark evaluating eight SSL methods across three downstream tasks and eight datasets, with various data augmentation strategies. Our results demonstrate that SimCLR and VICReg consistently outperform other methods across different tasks. Furthermore, we identify random masking as the most effective augmentation technique. This benchmark provides valuable insights into the application of SSL to single-cell data analysis, bridging the gap between SSL and single-cell biology.
Automated cell tracking using 3D nnUnet and Light Sheet Microscopy to quantify regional deformation in zebrafish
Authors: Teranikar Tanveer , Saeed Saad , Le The Van , Kang Yoonsuk , Hernandez Gilberto , Nguyen Phuc , iing Yichen , Chuong Cheng-Jen , Lee Jin Young , Ko Hyunsuk , Lee Juhyun
Published: November 2024

Light Sheet Microscopy (LSM) in conjunction with embryonic zebrafish, is rapidly advancing three-dimensional,in vivocharacterization of myocardial contractility. Preclinical cardiac deformation imaging is predominantly restricted to a low-order dimensionality image space (2i) or suffers from poor reproducibility. In this regard, LSM has enabled high throughput, non-invasive 4i (3d+time) characterization of dynamic organogenesis within the transparent zebrafish model. More importantly, LSM offers cellular resolution across large imaging Field-of-Views at millisecond camera frame rates, enabling single cell localization for global cardiac deformation analysis. However, manual labeling of cells within multilayered tissue is a time-consuming task and requires substantial expertise. In this study, we applied the 3i nnU-Net with Linear Assignment Problem (LAP) framework for automated segmentation and tracking of myocardial cells. Using binarized labels from the neural network, we quantified myocardial deformation of the zebrafish ventricle across 4-6 days post fertilization (dpf). Our study offers tremendous promise for developing highly scalable and disease-specific biomechanical quantification of myocardial microstructures.
Protein Dynamics Underlies Strong Temperature Dependence of Heat Receptors
Authors: Mugo Andrew Njagi , Chou Ryan , Qin Feng
Published: November 2024

Ion channels are generally allosteric proteins, involving specialized stimulus sensor domains conformationally linked to the gate to drive channel opening. Temperature receptors are a group of ion channels from the transient receptor potential (TRP) family. They exhibit an unprecedentedly strong temperature dependence and are responsible for temperature sensing in mammals. Despite intensive studies, however, the nature of the temperature sensor domain in these channels remains elusive. By direct calorimetry of TRPV1 proteins, we have recently provided a proof of principle that temperature sensing by ion channels may diverge from the conventional allosterity theory; rather it is intimately linked to inherent thermal instability of channel proteins. Here we tackle the generality of the hypothesis and provide key molecular evidences on the coupling of thermal transitions in the channels. We show that while wild-type channels possess a single concerted thermal transition peak, the chimera, in which strong temperature dependence becomes disrupted, results in multi-transition peaks, and the activation enthalpies are accordingly reduced. The data show that the coupling with protein unfolding drives up the energy barrier of activation, leading to a strong temperature dependence of opening. Furthermore, we pinpoint the proximal N-terminus of the channels as a linchpin in coalescing different parts of the channels into concerted activation. Thus, we suggest that coupled interaction networks in proteins underlie the strong temperature dependence of temperature receptors.

Significance

Decoding receptor mechanisms requires understanding receptor activation at molecular levels. Whereas structural studies can unravel critical residues participating in activation, functional measurements are ultimately needed to pinpoint their mechanistic roles. Temperature receptors are gateways to thermosensation and pain. Despite intensive studies, how they detect temperature remains elusive. Here, by directly measuring heat flow in the most temperature-sensitive, high-threshold noxious heat receptor TRPV2, we show that channel activation is accompanied with a heat uptake sufficient to induce protein unfolding. We present molecular evidence that heat activation and unfolding are coupled, and propose a new mechanism based on concerted activation of different parts of channels to drive up temperature sensitivity. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for understanding thermal biological processes.
Unified Analysis of Multi-order Tensors for Integrative Molecular Profiling
Authors: De Azevedo Kevin , Buettner Florian
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the exponential growth of high-dimensional, multi-modal molecular data has created both opportunities and challenges in personalized medicine. While existing approaches like matrix decomposition and neural network-based embeddings have been used to analyze such data, they have limitations in interpretability, handling missing values, and treating features across modalities as unrelated. To address these challenges, we present MUSIC (MUltiview BayeSIan Tensor DeComposition), a novel framework for probabilistic multi-view tensor decomposition that can integrate collections of tensors of different orders. MUSIC combines the strengths of group factor analysis and tensor decomposition through a Bayesian approach with structured sparsity priors. The framework offers several key advantages: (1) fast model training using variational inference, (2) inference of interpretable embeddings via structured sparsity, (3) efficient handling of missing values, and (4) flexible combination of tensors of different orders. We demonstrate MUSIC’s effectiveness on both simulated data and real-world applications, including drug response analysis in CLL patients and multi-modal single-cell data analysis in leukemia patients. Our results show that MUSIC can reveal interpretable multi-modal patterns capturing structured variation across patients, cell types, and modalities that are associated with disease states and can be explained through cell type- and modality-specific pathway activities.