bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrified tears: Joy Harjo’s “Exile of Memory” and the story of Lot’s Wife
Authors: Petrolle Jeanne
Published: December 2024

This article examines how Mvskoke poet Joy Harjo’s poem “Exile of Memory” uses the image of Lot’s Wife from Genesis 19:26 to portray the aftereffects of historical trauma and to investigate the dangers of bearing witness to trauma. “Exile of Memory,” the second poem in Harjo’s 2019 collection An American Sunrise, uses Jewish and Christian scripture to interrogate the role of Christianity and the Bible in colonial violence against the Mvskoke. Commemorating the Trail of Tears period in American history, when President Andrew Jackson unlawfully ordered the forced march of numerous Native communities from the southeastern United States to Oklahoma, “Exile of Memory” deploys biblical imagery to decry atrocities by Christian settlers and to activate the healing power attributed to storytelling in Mvskoke theological and religious tradition.
Phenotype prediction in plants is improved by integrating large-scale transcriptomic datasets
Authors: Wu Zefeng , Sun Yali , Zhao Xiaoqiang , Liu Zigang , Zhou Wenqi , Niu Yining
Published: December 2024

Research on the dynamic expression of genes in plants is important for understanding different biological processes. We used the large amounts of transcriptomic data from various plant sample sources that are publicly available to investigate whether the expression levels of a subset of highly variable genes (HVGs) can be used to accurately identify the phenotypes of plants. Using maize (Zea mays L.) as an example, we built machine learning (ML) models to predict phenotypes using a gene expression dataset of 21 612 bulk RNA sequencing samples. We showed that the ML models achieved excellent prediction accuracy using only the HVGs to identify different phenotypes, including tissue types, developmental stages, cultivars and stress conditions. By ML models, several important functional genes were found to be associated with different phenotypes. We performed a similar analysis in rice (Orzya sativa L.) and found that the ML models could be generalized across species. However, the models trained from maize did not perform well in rice, probably because of the expression divergence of the conserved HVGs between the two species. Overall, our results provide an ML framework for phenotype prediction using gene expression profiles, which may contribute to precision management of crops in agricultural practices.
Lattice atom-bridged chemical bond interface facilitates charge transfer for boosted photoelectric response
Authors: Liu Mingwang , Yang Wenhong , Xiao Runshi , Li Jinli , Tan Rong , Qin Ying , Bai Yuxuan , Zheng Lirong , Hu Liuyong , Gu Wenling , Zhu Chengzhou
Published: December 2024

The construction of chemical bonds at heterojunction interfaces currently presents a promising avenue for enhancing photogenerated carrier interfacial transfer. However, the deliberate modulation of these interfacial chemical bonds remains a significant challenge. In this study, we successfully established a p-n junction composed of atomic-level Pt-doped CeO2 and 2D metalloporphyrins metal-organic framework nanosheets (Pt-CeO2/CuTCPP(Fe)), which enables the realization of photoelectric enhancement by regulating the interfacial Fe–O bond and optimizing the built-in electric field. Atomic-level Pt doping in CeO2 leads to an increased density of oxygen vacancies and lattice mutation, which induces a transition in interfacial Fe–O bonds from adsorbed oxygen (Fe–OA) to lattice oxygen (Fe–OL). This transition changes the interfacial charge flow pathway from Fe–OA–Ce to Fe–OL, effectively reducing the carrier transport distance along the atomic-level charge transport highway. This results in a 2.5-fold enhancement in photoelectric performance compared with the CeO2/CuTCPP(Fe). Furthermore, leveraging the peroxidase-like activity of the p-n junction, we employed this functional heterojunction interface to develop a photoelectrochemical immunoassay for the sensitive detection of prostate-specific antigens.
Abortion in evolution, caesarean scar pregnancy, and cervical ectopic: discerning the triplets on ultrasound
Authors: Ubom Akaninyene Eseme , Hanzal Engelbert , Kohlberger Petra
Published: December 2024

Background

On the second day of my clinical observership in the Obgyn Department of the Vienna University Hospital, I saw a suspected case of caesarean scar pregnancy on follow-up, with one of my very senior professors, in the gynaecology outpatient clinic.

Methods

The 29-year-old multigravida with a previous caesarean section had earlier presented to the emergency room with vaginal bleeding at 7 weeks of gestation.

Results

Ultrasound scan revealed a non-viable low-lying gestational sac located near the caesarean section scar, with a myometrial thickness of 0.96 cm. There was minimal vascular flow during the Doppler interrogation. Her quantitative serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin was 687 IU/l at presentation. This had dropped to 344 IU/l after 48 h, with a further drop to 39 IU/l after a week. Repeat ultrasound scan 1 week after revealed an empty uterus with no visible gestational sac, and vaginal bleeding had resolved. My professor made a final diagnosis of a spontaneous complete abortion.

Conclusions

On reflection, this experience further reinforced the diagnostic dilemma that many clinical conditions can present, the need for a high index of suspicion in diagnosing and differentiating clinical conditions that present similar features, as well as the need for younger clinicians to leverage the better knowledge and experience of more senior colleagues to unknot knotty clinical dilemmas.
QED Five-Loop on the Lattice
Authors: Kitano Ryuichiro
Published: December 2024

We report the result of the numerical lattice computation of the lepton anomalous magnetic moment in quantum electrodynamics up to five loops. We concentrate on the contributions from diagrams without lepton loops, which are the most difficult part of the calculation in the Feynman diagram method, while the lattice formulation is the easiest. Good agreement with the results of the Feynman diagram method is observed.
Read this somewhere before? A critical perspective on mobilizing evidence for improvement via communities of practice in urgent contexts
Authors: Turner Simon
Published: December 2024

The pandemic represented a context where rapid changes to planning, organization and service delivery were undertaken to respond to an urgent and life-threatening health system problem. There was intense interest in knowledge mobilization—mechanisms that allow the timely sharing of evidence with the aim of supporting improvement—to mitigate the pandemic’s threat to public health and service delivery. In previous literature, one suggested vehicle for rapid knowledge sharing and health service innovation during the pandemic was communities of practice. The concept is that these informal networks sparked knowledge sharing in response to a novel problem; they were later joined by institutional or formal networks that were aligned with the communities of practice model. While sympathetic to this communitarian reading of the response to Covid-19, it jars with my personal experiences of rapid knowledge mobilization during the pandemic (including an experience of plagiarism of Covid-19 related research which stimulated this intervention), and it neglects more critical thinking on the topic of communities of practice. The experience of plagiarism is presented as an introductory vignette, a discursive method used in the communities of practice literature to enable links to be drawn between specific empirical cases and broader conceptual themes. In this article, three mechanisms for knowledge mobilization that have been suggested as important during the pandemic (urgency, engagement, technology) are reinterpreted from a critical communities of practice perspective. It is argued that learning driven by research communities in urgent contexts is moderated by institutional tensions, stakeholder power, and technostress.
Worker Mobility in Production Networks
Authors: Cardoza Marvin , Grigoliy Francesco , Pierriy Nicola , Ruane Cian
Published: December 2024

This paper documents that production networks play an essential role in the job search and matching process. We document five facts about worker mobility in production networks using employer-employee data matched with the universe of firm-to-firm transactions for the Dominican Republic: 1) workers move between buyers and suppliers almost twice as much as predicted by standard labor market characteristics, 2) movers between buyers and suppliers experience larger earnings increases than other movers, 3) incumbent workers earnings increase when their firm hires from its buyers or suppliers, 4) firm-to-firm trade increases following supply chain hires, and 5) hiring from buyers or suppliers is associated with stronger firm growth. Survey evidence points to supply chain-specific human capital and better information about job applicants as the main reasons for hiring within the supply chain. These results reveal a new channel through which factors affecting the supply chain, such as international outsourcing or contracting frictions, impact labor markets.
Estimation radon exposure in underground gold mines in Colombia
Authors: Peña Vanessa , Puerta Jorge A
Published: December 2024

Environmental measurements of Radon and its progeny were carried out in a gold mining area in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. Radon concentration measurements were carried out during 2 y in seven different measurement points in three types of geological zones, by using EPERM electret chambers and DOSEman Pro detectors at each point. Radon concentration values between 858 ± 59 Bq m-3 and 2469 ± 158 Bq m-3 and an equilibrium factor between 0.15 and 0.27 were found. The annual effective dose, taking into account the radon concentration, was determined under two calculation methodologies ([1] and International Commission of Radiological Protection 137), obtaining values of up to 7.7 mSv, and 13.5 mSv, respectively, for 2000 annual working hours, which shows the importance of the dosimetric data and epidemiological studies carried out year after year to reduce the uncertainties regarding estimates of radon exposure and the need to carry out individual monitoring of miners.
In vivo bioengineered tooth formation using decellularized tooth bud extracellular matrix scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Weibo , Yelick Pamela C
Published: December 2024

The use of dental implants to replace lost or damaged teeth has become increasingly widespread due to their reported high survival and success rates. In reality, the long-term survival of dental implants remains a health concern, based on their short-term predicted survival of ~15 years, significant potential for jawbone resorption, and risk of peri-implantitis. The ability to create functional bioengineered teeth, composed of living tissues with properties similar to those of natural teeth, would be a significant improvement over currently used synthetic titanium implants. To address this possibility, our research has focused on creating biological tooth substitutes. The study presented here validates a potentially clinically relevant bioengineered tooth replacement therapy for eventual use in humans. We created bioengineered tooth buds by seeding decellularized tooth bud (dTB) extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds with human dental pulp cells, porcine tooth bud-derived dental epithelial cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The resulting bioengineered tooth bud constructs were implanted in the mandibles of adult Yucatan minipigs and grown for 2 or 4 months. We observed the formation of tooth-like tissues, including tooth-supporting periodontal ligament tissues, in cell-seeded dTB ECM constructs. This preclinical translational study validates this approach as a potential clinically relevant alternative to currently used dental implants.
Leaf traits and insect herbivory levels in two Mediterranean oaks and their hybrids through contrasting environmental gradients
Authors: González-Carrera Santiago , Fernández-Fuentes Alejandro , Escudero Alfonso , García-Estévez Ignacio , Martínez-Ortega Montserrat , Mediavilla Sonia
Published: December 2024

Insect herbivory has attracted enormous attention from researchers due to its effects on plant fitness. However, there remain questions such as what are the most important leaf traits that determine consumption levels, whether there are latitudinal gradients in herbivore pressure, or whether there are differences in susceptibility between hybrids and their parental species. In this work, we address all these issues in two species of Mediterranean Quercus (Quercus faginea subsp. faginea Lam. and Quercus pyrenaica Wild.) and their hybrids. Over 2 years, we analyzed leaf emergence and 11 leaf traits (biomechanical, chemical and morphological), as well as the levels of herbivory by insects in leaves of the three genetic groups in different locations distributed along a climatic gradient. The hybrids showed intermediate values between both species in leaf emergence, chemical traits and structural reinforcement. By contrast, they were more similar to Q. faginea in leaf size and shape. Despite their intermediate leaf traits, hybrids always showed lower losses by consumption than both parental species, which suggests that they possess inherent higher resistance to herbivores, which cannot be explained by their dissimilarities in leaf traits. Within each genetic group, differences in leaf size were the most important determinant of differences in herbivory losses, which increased with leaf size. In turn, leaf size increased significantly with the increase in mean annual temperatures across the climatic gradient, in parallel with herbivory losses. In conclusion, contrary to our expectations, hybrids maintained lower levels of herbivory than their parent species. Given the potential negative effect of leaf herbivory on carbon fixation, this advantage of the hybrids would imply a threat to the persistence of both pure species. More research is needed to elucidate possible alternative mechanisms that allow for maintaining species integrity in the absence of reproductive barriers.
Mass drug administration coverage evaluation for lymphatic filariasis in selected endemic districts of Jharkhand, India
Authors: Biswas Bijit , Gupta Pratima , Jahnavi G , Ranjan Nishit , Patra Satya Ranjan , Varshney Saurabh
Published: December 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate mass drug administration (MDA) coverage for lymphatic filariasis (LF) in selected endemic districts of Jharkhand, India, and to identify household-level determinants of drug consumption.

Methods

A cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey was conducted in the Deoghar, Giridih and Godda districts of Jharkhand in 2023 within 6 wk of the completion of the MDA campaign. The survey included 9039 individuals from 1680 households across 56 randomly selected clusters (three urban, eight tribal and 45 rural).

Results

Approximately 78.5% of households reported that at least one member consumed MDA drugs, with 54.5% reaching ‘complete epidemiological drug coverage’. Factors positively associated with achieving ‘complete epidemiological drug coverage’ included higher education levels (adjusted OR [AOR] 1.02), awareness of LF (AOR 2.32), prior communication about MDA (AOR 1.38) and previous MDA participation (AOR 4.42). By contrast, larger family sizes were associated with a lower likelihood of achieving complete coverage (AOR 0.78). Adverse events were experienced by 14.9% of participants, primarily when MDA drugs were consumed on an empty stomach. Key reasons for non-compliance included perceived absence of disease (25.5%), fear of side effects (22.4%) and absence during the campaign (20.9%).

Conclusions

MDA coverage was suboptimal, with only one-half of households achieving ‘complete epidemiological drug coverage’. Enhancing MDA coverage and compliance requires intensified Information, Education, and Communication efforts, especially among marginalized communities, both during campaigns and all year round.
The role of working in creative tourism on the quality of life of older artisans: evidence from Algarve, Portugal
Authors: Akdemir Hilal , de São José José Manuel Sousa , Gonçalves Maria Alexandra Patrocínio Rodrigues
Published: December 2024

Creative tourism has emerged as a transformative force in the realm of tourism, promising to enhance not only economic outcomes but also the quality of life (QoL) of destination communities. However, the specific impact of creative tourism on the QoL of its workforce, specifically in older artisans, remains understudied. This research aims to fill this gap by investigating whether, and how, working in creative tourism affects older artisans’ QoL. Through qualitative research methods, including semistructured interviews and direct observations, the findings reveal that working in creative tourism positively contributes to the older artisans’ QoL, especially for some of its dimensions. This occurs through several mechanisms/processes, among which the sense of value stands out. These results underscore the transformative potential of creative tourism in promoting the QoL of its workforce, particularly older artisans, making contributions for theory and social intervention to 2 distinct scientific fields: creative tourism and social gerontology. By recognizing the multifaceted impacts of creative tourism, policymakers and practitioners can harness its potential to promote the QoL of its workforce and the sustainable development of local destinations.
Association of Occupational Noise Exposure and Extended High-Frequency Hearing Loss in Young Workers With Normal Hearing
Authors: Xue Panqi , Zhao Wulan , Gao Xiangjing , Wei Fang , Xu Fei , Xie Hongwei , Mao Hangze , Zou Hua , Qiu Wei
Published: December 2024

Objectives:

Studies on the relationship between occupational noise exposure and extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing loss are limited. This study investigated the relationship between occupational noise exposure and EHF hearing loss in workers exposed to noise as measured by sound pressure level, exposure duration, and kurtosis to help provide a basis for early detection and prevention of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 602 participants with 472 noise-exposed workers and 130 non-noise-exposed controls. General demographic characteristics, noise exposure data, and hearing thresholds at conventional frequencies (0.25 to 8 kHz) and EHF (9 to 16 kHz) were collected and analyzed. Linear mixed-effects model analyses between hearing thresholds of EHF and noise exposure indicators including the 8-h equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L
Aeq,8h), cumulative noise exposure (CNE), and kurtosis-adjusted CNE (CNE-K) were conducted.

Results:

Among the 602 participants included in the analysis, 472 individuals (78.4%) were occupationally exposed to noise exposures ≥75 dBA. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in sex, exposure duration, L
Aeq,8h, CNE, and CNE-K between the noise-exposed group and the nonexposed group. The mean hearing thresholds for all tested extended high frequencies ranging from 9 to 16 kHz were significantly higher in the noise-exposed group than in the nonexposed group (p < 0.05). The mean hearing thresholds of subjects in different groups of L
Aeq,8h exposures were generally stable with little variance in the conventional frequencies (0.25 to 8 kHz) but differed in the EHF range. Moreover, EHF hearing loss appeared to be most prominent in the subjects exposed to noise with 80 dBA < L
Aeq,8h ≤ 85 dBA. After the combination of the sound pressure level, exposure duration, and kurtosis by using the noise exposure indicators CNE and CNE-K, the subjects at the different noise exposures showed significant differences in hearing thresholds at EHF (p < 0.05). Linear mixed-effected model analyses showed that the CNE-K was the best to indicate noise-induced hearing loss among the three noise exposure indicators at EHF.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that the EHF hearing threshold testing is more sensitive to identifying early occupational noise-induced hearing loss than conventional audiometry. The CNE-K, an indicator combining noise energy, exposure duration, and kurtosis, is a more comprehensive and effective method for assessing the risk of EHF hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure.
Comparison of Antitumor Effects of Combinations of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With Dendritic Cells Intratumorally Injected into Irradiated Mouse Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Park Ga-Young , Son Woo-Chang , Lee Hong-Rae , Koh Eun-Kyoung , Kang Hyun Bon , Song Jin Hoo , Kim Dong Won , Kim YoungHee , Park You-Soo
Published: December 2024

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized immune cells that play a crucial role in presenting antigens and activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes to combat tumors. The immune checkpoint receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) can bind to its ligand programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on the surface of cancer cells. This interaction suppresses T-cell activation and promotes immune tolerance. Radiation therapy can increase the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells, which can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment, and detailed studies are needed to understand the mechanisms. As many patients develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy—either through lack of response or cancer recurrence—there is a critical need to maximize synergistic effects by selecting combination treatments that offer improved therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects. In the present study, immature DCs (iDCs) were introduced directly into irradiated tumor sites (referred as IR/iDCs), and immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) were administered intraperitoneally. We confirmed the antitumor effect of combining IR/iDCs and ICBs by examining tumor growth and mouse survival. The proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in splenocytes increased in the IR/iDCs-treated groups. Combining IR/iDCs with an anti-PD-L1 antibody led to a significant reduction in distant tumor growth and improved mouse survival rates compared with IR/iDCs alone or IR/iDCs + anti-PD-1 antibody. These findings suggest that integrating radiotherapy, DC-based immunotherapy, and ICB, specifically targeting PD-L1, may be an effective cancer treatment strategy.
Priorities for Research, Education, Clinical Practice, and Policy From the Long COVID Physio International Forum
Authors: McDuff Kiera , Brown Darren A. , Gross Douglas P. , Faghy Mark A. , Davenport Todd E. , Audette Jennifer , Bassi Laura , Bull Michelle , Cobbing Saul E. , Décary Simon , Flynn Alison , Jeyes Flic , Kaup Cara , Martin Malissa , Ngeh Etienne , Putrino David , Saravia André , Shiloff-Rogers Asya , Skiffington Helen , Skipper Lindsay , Vogel Julia M. , O'Brien Kelly K.
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

Long COVID Physio (LCP) is an international peer support, education and advocacy, patient-led association of physiotherapists living with long COVID and allies. In 2022, LCP hosted an international forum. One of the aims of the forum was to identify priorities in long COVID and rehabilitation.

Methods:

We conducted an international consultation on priorities for long COVID and rehabilitation with people living with long COVID, clinicians, researchers, and other key interest-holders (referred to collectively as “consultants”) who registered for and attended the LCP International Forum. We collected feedback from consultants using web-based questionnaires, the Zoom chat from the forum, and posts on an online platform during the forum. We analyzed data using group-based content analytical techniques. Priorities were organized into 4 categories: research, practice, education, and policy.

Results:

There were 794 respondents for the consultation representing 34 countries, including 47% (n = 376) living with long COVID. Seventeen priorities for long COVID overlapped and spanned research (epidemiology, socioeconomics, pathophysiology, characterizing disability, health equity, establishing diagnostic criteria, intervention studies), education (for people living with long COVID, employers, policy makers, and health care professional students), clinical practice (safety, person-centered approaches), and policy (accessibility of care, supports for people living with long COVID and caregivers, public health messaging). Priorities were focused on long COVID and rehabilitation, but some extended beyond the scope of rehabilitation (eg, pharmacological interventions).

Conclusions:

These priorities can help to guide research, clinical practice, education, and policy, to advance health outcomes for people living with long COVID.
Transconjunctival Orbital Decompression in Cherubism
Authors: Feltrini Talissa , Akaishi Patricia , Cruz Antonio Augusto V.
Published: December 2024

Cherubism is a rare fibro-osseous disease characterized by the progressive expansion of the mandible and maxilla during childhood. Orbital involvement occurs in a subset of patients and is clinically manifested as upward displacement of the affected eye. The bony changes tend to spontaneously diminish or even regress after puberty. The authors report a case of a young adult female who underwent craniofacial correction of the maxilla and mandible changes but continued to have unilateral scleral show. CT scans of the orbits revealed a residual mass in the right orbit, associated with superior displacement of the inferior orbital rim. The abnormal relationship between the eye and eyelid margin was fully corrected through mass debulking combined with inferomedial orbital decompression.
Dacryoscintillography in Patients With Symptomatic, but Patent, Lacrimal Drainage Systems
Authors: Rose Geoffrey E. , Vahdani Kaveh
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

To relate dacryoscintillographic features to presenting symptoms and signs for watery-eyed patients with patent drainage systems.

Methods:

Retrospective case note and imaging review for patients with watering eye(s) and clinical evidence of impaired tear drainage who underwent dacryoscintillography (DSG). Three DSG features were graded, along with 4 symptoms, 7 signs, and the degree of fluid reflux and nasal fluid passage on gentle syringing. For symptomatic systems, the DSG characteristics were compared with the presenting symptoms and signs, and a side-to-side comparison was made for unilateral cases.

Results:

DSGs were reviewed for 65 patients (43% males), presenting at a mean age of 62.8 years, and 57/65 (88%) having bilateral symptoms. The objective increase in tear lake was inversely related to all 3 DSG measures in 122 symptomatic drainage systems, whereas fluorescein disappearance correlated directly with tracer entry into the lacrimal sac (p < 0.05). Tracer entry into the nasolacrimal duct mirrored nasal fluid passage on lacrimal irrigation (p = 0.00055) and was inversely related to ocular fluid reflux (p = 0.0086). In 8 patients with unilateral symptoms, some DSG parameters on the symptomatic side were related to clinical signs; in contrast, on the asymptomatic side, only the nasal entry of tracer was (inversely) related to an objective increase in the tear lake (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Abnormal DSG tracer clearance occurs at various levels in watery-eyed patients with patent lacrimal systems, but the findings do not add significantly to the results of a thorough clinical examination. Abnormalities of clearance were also often present in asymptomatic fellow eyes.
Dacryoendoscopic Confirmation of Supernumerary Punctum in the Medial Canthus Connecting to the Upper Lacrimal Canaliculus
Authors: Habaluyas Chrisha Faye , Ito Mayari , Takahashi Yasuhiro
Published: December 2024

A 55-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 2-year history of right-sided epiphora and mucoid discharge. Slit-lamp examination revealed the presence of an additional punctum in the medial canthus. Dacryoendoscopic examination was performed to assess the connectivity of the supernumerary punctum, confirming its direct communication with the upper lacrimal canaliculus. Fistulectomy was subsequently performed under local anesthesia with complete excision of the supernumerary punctum. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen revealed a fistula lined with stratified squamous epithelium, similar to the normal lacrimal canaliculus. At 6-month follow-up, symptoms resolved, and the supernumerary punctum was completely closed.
Effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Mon Hsien-Chen , Lee Pei-Chang , Chi Chen-Ta , Huang Yi-Hsiang
Published: December 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is regarded as a major health concern worldwide. In patients with chronic HBV infection, exhausted virus-specific CD8+ T cells, resulting from the activation of the programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1 axis, play a key role in the chronicity of infection. Functional cure for HBV, defined as the seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is viewed as the optimal goal of chronic HBV infection treatment because HBsAg loss is associated with a low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and a relatively favorable prognosis. Both interferon treatment and finite antiviral therapy are associated with positive HBV outcomes. Overall, combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with nucleos(t)ide analogs appears to be a promising approach for achieving HBsAg loss, particularly in patients with low HBsAg levels.
Oral microbiota as a biomarker for predicting the risk of malignancy in indeterminate pulmonary nodules: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Ma Qiong , Huang Chun-Xia , He Jia-Wei , Zeng Xiao , Qu Yu-Li , Xiang Hong-Xia , Zhong Yang , Lei Mao , Zheng Ru-Yi , Xiao Jun-Jie , Jiang Yu-Ling , Tan Shi-Yan , Xiao Ping , Zhuang Xiang , You Li-Ting , Fu Xi , Ren Yi-Feng , Zheng Chuan , You Feng-Ming
Published: December 2024

Background:

Determining the benign or malignant status of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) with intermediate malignancy risk is a significant clinical challenge. Oral microbiota-lung cancer (LC) interactions have qualified oral microbiota as a promising non-invasive predictive biomarker in IPN.

Materials and methods:

Prospectively collected saliva, throat swabs, and tongue coating samples from 1040 IPN patients and 70 healthy controls across three hospitals. Following up, the IPNs were diagnosed as benign (BPN) or malignant pulmonary nodules (MPN). Through 16S rRNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and seven machine learning algorithms (support vector machine, logistic regression, naïve Bayes, multi-layer perceptron, random forest, gradient-boosting decision tree, and LightGBM), we revealed the oral microbiota characteristics at different stages of HC-BPN-MPN, identified the sample types with the highest predictive potential, constructed and evaluated the optimal MPN prediction model for predictive efficacy, and determined microbial biomarkers. Additionally, based on the SHAP algorithm interpretation of the ML model’s output, we have developed a visualized IPN risk prediction system on the web.

Results:

Saliva, tongue coating, and throat swab microbiotas exhibit site-specific characteristics, with saliva microbiota being the optimal sample type for disease prediction. The saliva-LightGBM model demonstrated the best predictive performance (AUC = 0.887, 95%CI: 0.865–0.918), and identified Actinomyces, Rothia, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Veillonella as biomarkers for predicting MPN. FISH was used to confirm the presence of a microbiota within tumors, and external data from a LC cohort, along with three non-IPN disease cohorts, were employed to validate the specificity of the microbial biomarkers. Notably, coabundance analysis of the ecological network revealed that microbial biomarkers exhibit richer interspecies connections within the MPN, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of MPN.

Conclusion:

This study presents a new predictive strategy for the clinic to determine MPNs from BPNs, which aids in the surgical decision-making for IPN.
Vacuum suction catheter semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for impacted upper ureteral stones: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Xing-Huan , Wu Zhong-Hua , Liu Tong-Zu , Li Bing , Li Sheng , Wang Yong-Zhi , Chen Ping
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an upgraded integrated vacuum suction catheter in semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (VC-URSL) compared to traditional methods for treating impacted upper ureteral stones.

Patients and methods:

This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2022 to March 2024 at a single center, enrolling 95 patients aged 18–70 years with a single radiopaque impacted upper ureteral stone. Participants were randomized into two groups: the VC-URSL group used an integrated vacuum suction catheter featuring a stainless steel stabilizing tube and a narrowed distal end to prevent obstruction, while the T-URSL group underwent standard ureteroscopic lithotripsy without vacuum assistance. Both groups utilized a holmium-YAG laser under general anesthesia. Primary outcomes included operative time, stone-free rates on the first postoperative day and after one month, and complication rates, specifically fever and stone retropulsion.

Results:

The VC-URSL group achieved significantly shorter operative times (37.60 ± 3.87 min vs. 46.21 ± 7.54 min, P < 0.001) and higher initial stone-free rates (91.7% vs. 74.5%, P = 0.025) compared to T-URSL. Additionally, the VC-URSL group had fewer complications, with lower rates of fever (2.1% vs. 17.0%, P = 0.015) and stone retropulsion (6.3% vs. 21.3%, P = 0.033).

Conclusions:

VC-URSL offers a more effective, safer, and efficient alternative to T-URSL, enhancing outcomes while reducing complications. Further multicenter trials with larger populations are recommended for broader validation.
Bridging the gap: the need to integrate psychosocial oncology services into cancer genetics
Authors: Esplen Mary Jane , Kohut Kelly
Published: December 2024

Cancer susceptibility genes were first cloned over 25 years ago, prompting the initiation of cancer genetics services. Individuals with a strong family history suggesting inherited cancer susceptibility were referred for pretest genetic counseling, with specialist services typically based in academic centers. However, genetic information is now being used to inform personalized medicine approaches to oncology care, ranging from surgical decision making to selection of therapeutic agents for precision treatment. Receiving genetic information is life altering, with relevance for mortality and health practices. The psychosocial impacts of genetic information on individuals and their family have been well documented. Adverse psychological reactions are less common within an applied framework, including clear information and emotional support. Genetics services often occur separate from oncology teams and would benefit from further integration with psychosocial care. Psycho-oncology team members are primed to bring the relevant expertise. Recommendations are offered to help bridge the current gap in psychosocial care.
Designing Brain-Friendly Ultrasound Presentations
Authors: Twist Katherine E. , Platt Kristen M. , Shikoh Fara Y. , Ayoob Andres R.
Published: December 2024

Effective presentations are crucial for disseminating knowledge and cultivating skilled learners. Cognitive load theory (CLT) offers a framework for optimizing instructional design by managing the mental effort required for learning. This article explores principles from CLT with practical suggestions to create brain-friendly presentations, focusing on intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads. Intrinsic load can be managed through pretraining, organizing topics from simple to complex, and segmenting topics. Extraneous load should be minimized through coherence, signaling, redundancy, and spatial/temporal contiguity principles to eliminate unnecessary cognitive burden. Germane load can be enhanced by incorporating personalization, contextualization, relevance, interactive elements, and variability to promote deeper engagement and schema construction. This article emphasizes applying CLT principles to aid the reader in translating theory into practice.
Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis for Craniosynostosis—Surgical Outcomes Over 12 Years
Authors: El-Nemr Mohamed , Richardson David , Duncan Christian , England Jane , Russell Luci , Parks Christopher , Sinha Ajay , Ellenbogen Jonathan , Vakharia Vejay , Hennedige Anusha Adeline
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) allows significant increase in intracranial volume but is associated with complications including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, infection and device failure. The authors outline their outcomes over 12 years and the impact of PVDO on pre-existing Chiari malformation type 1 (CM).

Method:

Retrospective review of all PVDOs in our unit over a period of 12 years from 2011 to 2023. Results: 51 patients. The mean age of surgery 9 months. The mean length of follow-up 72 months. 82% no complications, 12% dural tear with 2% CSF leak; 4% infection, 2% device failure, 10% blood transfusion. CM in 20% of patients—all are multisuture with 90% lambdoid synostosis involvement. CM is unchanged in the majority of patients post-PVDO.

Conclusion:

PVDO safe and effective with no re-do posterior vault expansions over 12 years. CM does not tend to resolve after PVDO and high-risk groups include multisuture and Crouzons.
The Preliminary Results of a Modified Von Langenbeck Cleft Palate Repair With Tension-free Mucoperiosteal Flap Near Nasal Cavity Without Relaxation Incision
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Li Haidong , Gao Shikang
Published: December 2024

To explore the application of modified Von Langenbeck cleft palate repair with tension-free mucoperiosteal flap near the nasal cavity and without relaxation incision, and the cleft palate defect was repaired by covering both sides of the edge of the in situ mucoperiosteal flap. This treatment method provides a good aesthetic restoration effect. Modified Von Langenbeck cleft palate repair with mucoperiosteal flap near the nasal cavity without tension and relaxation incision was used to repair the cleft palate. At the same time, the affected side nasal malformation was corrected. The modified Von Langenbeck cleft palate repair with mucoperiosteal flap near the nasal cavity without tension and relaxation incision is a good choice, without additional relaxation incision near the gingiva, which is closest to the physiological state of anatomic repair. The mucosa and gingival side palatal mucosa return to where they should be. There was no limited mouth opening and scar contracture of loose incision near the gingiva. The modified Von Langenbeck cleft palate repair with mucoperiosteal flap near the nasal cavity without tension and relaxation incision is a safe and reliable method with a high success rate and simple operation for various types of cleft palate. Even if the cleft palate recurs, this mucosal flap can be used again to repair it.
Bone Resorption of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Injection Induced in Chin Augmentation: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Shu Kai-Yi , Feng Wan-Ru , Zhao Jiu-Li
Published: December 2024

Background:

Among several skin fillers developed in recent decades, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a widely used filler for face contouring and is generally believed to be safe, long-lasting, not immunogenic, and cost-effective. However, early and delayed complications can also occur following HA filler injection. Unfortunately, there have been reports of HA-related bone erosion in the chin area without clear scientific data regarding its existence and incidence. Herein, we described the clinical characteristics of HA injection-induced bone resorption in chin augmentation in the south of China.

Methods:

A total of 8 patients consisting of males and females who received hyaluronic acid injection for chin augmentation and rejuvenation were enrolled in the study. The authors retrospectively compared the CT scans of patients with mentum augmentation using HA. The bone resorption area was measured as the average length, width, and depth. Injection volume, the number of injections, complications and the measurement data of bone resorption were also recorded.

Results:

From January 2023 to January 2024, 8 patients were recruited. The postoperative CT scan revealed pronounced deep concavities in the incisive fossa, with no evidence of periapical lesions. No patients complained of any instances of infection or hematoma following the injection, and no clinical symptoms were observed.

Conclusions:

Bone resorption from the chin after HA filler injection can occur. To draw a clear conclusion, more adapted and well-designed clinical trials are needed to assess the emergence of this phenomenon.
Assessing the Risk of Kidney Stone Development in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treated With Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Muayad Jawad , Alryalat Saif Aldeen , Al Deyabat Osama , Loya Asad , Lee Andrew G.
Published: December 2024

Background:

The prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is rising with the global obesity epidemic. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs), such as acetazolamide, have been shown to be effective in IIH but can also lead to kidney stone formation. This study evaluates the risk of kidney stone development in patients with IIH treated with CAIs.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX database was performed to compare patients with IIH treated with CAIs vs. untreated controls. Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced demographic and clinical variables. The primary outcome was kidney stone incidence for 3 time intervals: 1 year, 1–2 years, and 2–3 years, identified using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) assessed the association between CAI treatment and kidney stone formation.

Results:

The study evaluated 23,182 patients with IIH treated with CAIs compared with 50,080 untreated controls. After applying PSM, each group was balanced to include 22,464 patients. The treated group had a significantly higher risk of developing kidney stones than the control group, with an RR of 1.49 (95% CI: 1.22–1.84) at 1 year, 2.24 (95% CI: 1.61–3.12) at 1–2 years, and 1.51 (95% CI: 1.05–2.18) at 2–3 years. Sensitivity analysis of patients treated with at least 500 mg of acetazolamide shared this elevated trend, and the risk remained persistently high at 2–3 years (RR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.13–4.20). Subgroup analysis revealed higher risks in males, while Black or African American patients had a lower risk.

Conclusions:

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor use in patients with IIH may increase kidney stone risk, particularly in certain populations. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this risk and to optimize treatment strategies.
Phased genome assemblies and pangenome graphs of human populations of Japan and Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kulmanov Maxat , Ashouri Saeideh , Liu Yang , Abdelhakim Marwa , Alsolme Ebtehal , Nagasaki Masao , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Suzuki Yutaka , Tawfiq Rund , Tokunaga Katsushi , Katayama Toshiaki , Abedalthagafi Malak S , Hoehndorf Robert , Kawai Yosuke
Published: December 2024

The selection of a reference sequence in genome analysis is critical, as it serves as the foundation for all downstream analyses. Recently, the pangenome graph has been proposed as a data model that incorporates haplotypes from multiple individuals. Here we present JaSaPaGe, a pangenome graph reference for Saudi Arabian and Japanese populations, both of which have been significantly underrepresented in previous genomic studies. We constructed JaSaPaGe from high-quality phased diploid assemblies which were made utilizing PacBio high-fidelity long reads, Nanopore long reads, and Hi-C short reads of 9 Saudi and 10 Japanese individuals. Quality evaluation of the pangenome graph by variant calling showed that our pangenome outperformed earlier linear reference genomes (GRCh38 and T2T-CHM13) and showed comparable performance to the pangenome graph provided by the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC), with more variants found in Japanese and Saudi samples using their population-specific pangenomes. This pangenome reference will serve as a valuable resource for both the research and clinical communities in Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Comparative genomics of the sexually transmitted parasiteTrichomonas vaginalisreveals relaxed and convergent evolution and genes involved in spillover from birds to humans
Authors: Sullivan Steven A. , Orosco Jordan C. , Callejas-Hernández Francisco , Blow Frances , Lee Hayan , Ranallo-Benavidez Timothy , Peters Andrew , Raidal Shane , Girard Yvette A. , Johnson Christine K. , Rogers Krysta , Gerhold Richard , Mangelson Hayley , Liachko Ivan , Srivastava Harsh , Chandler Chris , Berenberg Daniel , Bonneau Richard A. , Huang Po-Jung , Yeh Yuan-Ming , Lee Chi-Ching , Liu Hsuan , Tang Petrus , Chen Ting-Wen , Schatz Michael C. , Carlton Jane M.
Published: December 2024

Trichomonas vaginalisis the causative agent of the venereal disease trichomoniasis which infects men and women globally and is associated with serious outcomes during pregnancy and cancers of the human reproductive tract. Trichomonads parasitize a range of hosts in addition to humans including birds, livestock, and domesticated animals. Recent genetic analysis of trichomonads recovered from columbid birds has provided evidence that these parasite species undergo frequent host-switching, and that a current epoch spillover event from columbids likely gave rise toT. vaginalisin humans. We undertook a comparative evolutionary genomics study of seven trichomonad species, generating chromosome-scale reference genomes forT. vaginalisand its avian sister speciesTrichomonas stableri, and assemblies of five other species that infect birds and mammals. Human-infecting trichomonad lineages have undergone recent and convergent genome size expansions compared to their avian sister species, and the major contributor to their increased genome size is increased repeat expansions, especially multicopy gene families and transposable elements, with genetic drift likely a driver due to relaxed selection. Trichomonads have independently host-switched twice from birds to humans, and genes implicated in the transition to the human host include those associated with host tissue adherence and phagocytosis, extracellular vesicles, and CAZyme virulence factors.
Characterizing postoperative T and B cell dysfunction in cancer surgery patients, using COVID-19 as a model antigen
Authors: Olanubi Oladunni , Dion Taylor , Macdonald Regan , Alam Rafeah , De Souza Christiano Tanese , Hu Richard , Crawley Angela , Auer Rebecca C
Published: December 2024

For most cancers, surgery is an effective intervention method for cure but, despite the benefits, many patients recur with metastatic disease. Surgery has been shown to impair immune function by causing suppression of immune cells. In this study, we used a COVID-19 immunological toolkit to answer questions regarding the effects of surgery on antigen specific CD8+T cells and B cells by exploiting the responses to the spike protein in vaccinated cancer patients. We demonstrate that surgical stress results in a reduction in the number of CD8+T cell that produce cytokines and B cells that secrete antibodies in response to antigen. This study will improve our understanding of surgery-induced T cell and B cell dysfunction