bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-acting, progestin-based contraceptives and risk of breast, gynecological, and other cancers
Authors: Tuesley Karen M , Spilsbury Katrina , Pearson Sallie-Anne , Donovan Peter , Obermair Andreas , Coory Michael D , Ali Sitwat , Pandeya Nirmala , Stewart Louise , Jordan Susan J , Webb Penelope M
Published: January 2025

Background

Use of long-acting, reversible contraceptives has increased over the past 20 years, but an understanding of how they could influence cancer risk is limited.

Methods

We conducted a nested case-control study among a national cohort of Australian women (n = 176 601 diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2013; 882 999 matched control individuals) to investigate the associations between the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, etonogestrel implants, depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate and cancer risk and compared these results with the oral contraceptive pill. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system and etonogestrel implant use was associated with breast cancer risk (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.21 to 1.31, and OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.32, respectively), but depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate was not, except when used for 5 or more years (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.59). Reduced risks were seen for levonorgestrel intrauterine system (≥1 years of use) in endometrial cancer (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.65 to 0.99), ovarian cancer (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.88), and cervical cancer (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.75); for etonogestrel implant in endometrial cancer (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.34) and ovarian cancer (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.02); and for depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate in endometrial cancer (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.34). Although levonorgestrel intrauterine system, etonogestrel implant and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate were all associated with increased cancer risk overall, for etonogestrel implant, the risk returned to baseline after cessation, similar to the oral contraceptive pill. We were unable to adjust for all potential confounders, but sensitivity analyses suggested that adjusting for parity, smoking, and obesity would not have materially changed our findings.

Conclusion

Long-acting, reversible contraceptives have similar cancer associations to the oral contraceptive pill (reduced endometrial and ovarian cancer risks and short-term increased breast cancer risk). This information may be helpful to women and their physicians when discussing contraception options.
Benchmarking the Efficacy of Salvage Systemic Therapies for Recurrent Meningioma: A RANO Group Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Guide Clinical Trial Design
Authors: Kotecha Rupesh , Akdemir Eyub Y , Kutuk Tugce , Ilgin Can , Ahluwalia Manmeet S , Bi Wenya L , Blakeley Jaishri , Dixit Karan S , Dunn Ian F , Galanis Evanthia , Galldiks Norbert , Huang Raymond Y , Johnson Derek R , Kaley Thomas J , Kamson David O , Kurz Sylvia C , McDermott Michael W , Odia Yazmin , Preusser Matthias , Raizer Jeffrey , Reardon David A , Rogers C Leland , Ruda Roberta , Schiff David , Vogelbaum Michael A , Weller Michael , Wen Patrick Y , Mehta Minesh P
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of meningioma progression and innovations in systemic and local treatments, recurrent meningiomas remain a substantial therapeutic challenge. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide a historical baseline, contemporary analysis, and propose a “rate of probable interest” to inform future clinical trial design and development on behalf of the RANO meningioma group.

Methods

PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ASCOpubs databases were screened for clinical trials evaluating the activity of systemic therapies for adults with recurrent meningiomas. The pooled progression-free survival at 6-months and 1-year (PFS-6 and PFS-1 year) values were calculated using the random effects technique with I-squared indices.

Results

The pooled PFS-6 and PFS-1 year rates for recurrent WHO grade 1 meningiomas were 43.6% (95% CI: 22.7-67.0%, I2=80%) and 21.7% (95% CI: 6.2-53.9%, I2=76%), and for grade 2-3 meningiomas, the PFS-6 was 38.0% (95% CI: 28.3-48.8%, I2=68%). In targeted therapy group, PFS-6 and PFS-1 year rates stood at 62.0% (I2=58%) and 49.0% (I2=63%) for grade 1, while for grade 2-3 tumors, the PFS-6 rate with targeted therapy and immunotherapy was 42.1% (I²=60%) and 46.0% (I²=0%), respectively. The benchmarks were set at 67% and 54% for PFS-6 and PFS-1 year for grade 1 tumors, and PFS-6 of 49% for grade 2-3 tumors.

Conclusions

Several studies have reported outcomes in patients with recurrent meningiomas testing a variety of agents with modest, but variable and progressively increasing activity. In this context, we recommend new benchmarks for future trials to define efficacy of future investigational therapies.
Triple Threat: How Global Fungal Rice and Wheat Pathogens Utilize Comparable Pathogenicity Mechanisms to Drive Host Colonization
Authors: Kalicharan Rachel E. , Fernadez Jessie
Published: January 2025

Plant pathogens pose significant threats to global cereal crop production, particularly for essential crops like rice and wheat, which are fundamental to global food security and provide nearly 40% of the global caloric intake. As the global population continues to rise, increasing agricultural production to meet food demands becomes even more critical. However, the production of these vital crops is constantly threatened by phytopathological diseases, especially those caused by fungal pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative agent of rice blast disease, Fusarium graminearum, responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, and Zymoseptoria tritici, the source of Septoria tritici blotch (STB). All three pathogens are hemibiotrophic, initially colonizing the host through a biotrophic, symptomless lifestyle, followed by causing cell death through the necrotrophic phase. Additionally, they deploy a diverse range of effectors, including proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous molecules, to manipulate fundamental host cellular processes, evade immune responses, and promote disease progression. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the effector biology of these three pathogens, highlighting both the shared functionalities and unique molecular mechanisms they employ to regulate conserved elements of host pathways, such as directly manipulating gene transcription in host nuclei, disrupting reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, interfering with protein stability, and undermining host structural integrity. By detailing these complex interactions, the review explores potential targets for innovative control measures and emphasizes the need for further research to develop effective strategies against these destructive pathogens in the face of evolving environmental and agricultural challenges.
Effect of Patient Age on Decisional Regret After Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
Authors: King Nathan R. , Zeccola Alison M. , Wang Li , Harris John A. , Foley Christine E.
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVE:

To compare long-term decision regret between younger (30 years or younger) and older (31–49 years) patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease.

METHODS:

We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study to analyze patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomies for benign indications from 2009 to 2016. Respondents completed surveys including two validated decision regret scales: one measuring surgical decision regret and the other measuring loss-of-fertility regret. Participant aged was dichotomized as 30 years or younger and 31–49 years. Chi square, Fisher exact, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests and logistic regression were used to compare groups.

RESULTS:

Two hundred eighty-seven participants were successfully contacted, and 241 completed the survey (84.0%). Seventy-seven respondents (32.0%) were aged 30 years or younger, and 164 (68.0%) were aged 31–49 years. The average time since surgery was 7.2 years (±2.2 years; range 3.7–12.1 years). Participants aged 30 years or younger regretted both undergoing surgery (32.5% vs 9.1%, P<.001; OR 4.8, 95% CI, 2.3–9.8) and loss of fertility (39.0% vs 13.4%, P<.001, OR 4.1, 95% CI, 2.2–7.8) at significantly higher rates than participants aged 31–49 years. Overall, 83.1% of younger participants agreed that hysterectomy was the right choice compared with 97% of older participants (P<.001). Higher rates of surgical and loss-of-fertility regret were seen in participants with self-reported pelvic pain (P=.003, P=.011), preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis (P=.037, P=.046), and postoperative complications (P=.043, P<.001). Although time since hysterectomy did not affect rate of surgical regret (P=.138), participants further from their hysterectomies had lower rates of loss-of-fertility regret (P=.003). Patient age remained significantly associated with both surgical regret (adjusted OR 2.9 (95% CI, 1.3–6.5) and loss-of-fertility regret (adjusted OR 2.8 (95% CI, 1.3–6.0) on multivariable logistic regression.

CONCLUSION:

Participants aged 30 years or younger were more likely to regret their decision to undergo hysterectomy than participants aged 31–49 years, regardless of parity, prior sterilization, or previous treatment.
Clinical efficacy of pyrotinib combined with chemotherapy for neoadjuvant treatment in HER2-positive breast cancer: a single-center study
Authors: Wei Benkai , Yan Huanhuan , Li Fan , Shen Jun
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pyrotinib, an orally administered small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in treating patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. Pyrotinib works by inhibiting the HER2 signaling pathway, thereby preventing tumor cell growth. This single-arm clinical trial aimed to assess the total pathological complete response (tpCR; ypT0/is and ypN0) rate as the primary endpoint. A total of 27 patients were enrolled, each receiving 4–8 cycles of pyrotinib in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pyrotinib combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated notable antitumor activity in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Among 26 patients, the tpCR rate was 26% (7/26), while the breast pathological complete response rate was 30% (8/26), indicating complete inhibition of the primary tumor in some cases. Notably, patients with HR-negative breast cancer demonstrated a higher tpCR rate compared with those with HR-positive breast cancer. The treatment regimen was well-tolerated. Diarrhea was the most common adverse event, occurring in 92.3% of patients, with 46.2% experiencing grade 3 or higher diarrhea. No severe adverse events or treatment-related fatalities were reported.
Using machine learning models to identify severe subjective cognitive decline and related factors in nurses during the menopause transition: a pilot study
Authors: Zhao Xiangyu , Shen Xiaona , Jia Fengcai , He Xudong , Zhao Di , Li Ping
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aims to develop and validate a machine learning model for identifying individuals within the nursing population experiencing severe subjective cognitive decline (SCD) during the menopause transition, along with their associated factors.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed using cross-sectional data from 1,264 nurses undergoing the menopause transition. The data set was randomly split into training (75%) and validation sets (25%), with the Bortua algorithm employed for feature selection. Seven machine learning models were constructed and optimized. Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score. Shapley Additive Explanations analysis was used to elucidate the weights and characteristics of various factors associated with severe SCD.

Results

The average SCD score among nurses in the menopause transition was (5.38 ± 2.43). The Bortua algorithm identified 13 significant feature factors. Among the seven models, the support vector machine exhibited the best overall performance, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.846, accuracy of 0.789, sensitivity of 0.753, specificity of 0.802, and an F1 score of 0.658. The two variables most strongly associated with SCD were menopausal symptoms and the stage of menopause.

Conclusions

The machine learning models effectively identify individuals with severe SCD and the related factors associated with severe SCD in nurses during the menopause transition. These findings offer valuable insights for the management of cognitive health in women undergoing the menopause transition.
CD44 in myEloid cells is a major driver of liver inflammation and injury in alcohol-related liver disease
Authors: Rousseau Déborah , Bonnafous Stéphanie , Soysouvanh Frédéric , Sarrail Dorian , Bourinet Manon , Strazzulla Axelle , Patouraux Stéphanie , Borderie Arnaud , Dolfi Bastien , Gallerand Alexandre , Farrugia Marwin A , Orian-rousseau Véronique , Xu Yingzheng , Williams Jesse W. , Ivanov Stoyan , Tran Albert , Anty Rodolphe , Luci Carmelo , Gual Philippe
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims:

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is one of the leading causes of severe liver disease with limited pharmacological treatments for alcohol-related steatohepatitis (ASH). CD44, a glycoprotein mainly expressed in immune cells, has been implicated in multiple inflammatory diseases but has never been studied in the ALD context. We therefore studied its contribution to ASH development in mice and its expression in ALD patients

Approach and Results:

Here, we report that liver CD44 expression is associated with liver injury and inflammation and its deficiency (Cd44
-/-) partially protected mice upon chronic plus binge ethanol feeding (CPB-EtOH). CD44 deletion in myeloid cells (Cd44

myel-KO
) recapitulated the same protective effects associated with reduced inflammatory monocyte infiltration and neutrophil activation in the liver and diminished blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). CD44-deficient neutrophils displayed reduced PMA-induced inflammatory mediator expression and increased phagocytosis of live bacteria. Cd44

myel-KO
mice were also protected against hepatic steatosis mediated by CPB-EtOH or chronic ethanol feeding, due in part to increased SIRT1 mediated fatty acid beta-oxidation. CD44 neutralization with antibodies strongly decreased liver injury and inflammation (hepatic neutrophil frequency) and blood NLR upon CPB-EtOH. In samples from ALD patients, hepatic CD44 expression increased with ALD severity, correlated with hepatic TNFα and CD11b expression, and CD44-expressing neutrophils were enriched in alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Conclusions:

Human and experimental evidence supports CD44 as a marker of hepatic inflammation in ALD. In addition, CD44 modulates neutrophil mobilization and functions and its targeting partially prevents liver inflammation and injury in the context of acute-on-chronic alcohol drinking.
Ocular Rosacea: An Updated Review
Authors: Mohamed-Noriega Karim , Loya-Garcia Denise , Vera-Duarte Guillermo Raul , Morales-Wong Fernando , Ortiz-Morales Gustavo , Navas Alejandro , Graue-Hernandez Enrique O. , Ramirez-Miranda Arturo
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the ocular surface, often associated with cutaneous rosacea. This review aims to explore its pathogenesis, treatment approaches, and future directions for management.

Methods:

A review of current literature on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment strategies of ocular rosacea in adults and children (pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis) was conducted. Emerging research on immune dysregulation, microbiome alterations, and potential therapeutic targets was analyzed.

Results:

Ocular rosacea involves dysregulation of the immune and neurovascular systems, with toll-like receptor activation and complement system involvement leading to chronic ocular surface inflammation. Alterations in the ocular microbiome have been implicated in disease progression. Treatment strategies emphasize a stepwise approach, incorporating ocular and skin hygiene, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacological interventions. Recent advancements in understanding the disease mechanisms have led to the exploration of targeted therapies, including biologics and small-molecule inhibitors.

Conclusions:

Ocular rosacea remains challenging to diagnose and treat, particularly in children (pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis), often leading to delayed intervention and poor outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, including new therapeutic options, holds promise for improving patient care. Further research into the genetic and molecular basis of ocular rosacea may enable more personalized treatments.
Topical Caspofungin 0.5% Monotherapy for Filamentous Fungal Keratitis
Authors: Atighehchian Mehrnaz , Ghassemi Hamed , Latifi Golshan , Ouano Dean , Abedinifar Zohreh , Zarei-Ghanavati Mehran
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To describe a case series of patients with 12 fungal keratitis treated with caspofungin 0.5% eye drops.

Methods:

In this study, 12 patients diagnosed with fungal keratitis were treated with topical compounded caspofungin 0.5% eye drops. The authors also reviewed the existing literature on topical caspofungin 0.5% for managing fungal keratitis.

Results:

The average age of the patients was 50.16 ± 13.74 years, and the average time to presentation was 9.66 ± 6 days from the onset of symptoms. Out of the 12 patients, 10 were males, and 2 were females. Three (25%) patients had infiltrates extending up to the mid-stromal level, whereas 9 (75%) had superficial infiltration. Topical caspofungin monotherapy successfully treated the fungal infection in 8 (66.6%) patients, whereas 4 patients required additional medication and/or surgical intervention. The average size of the infiltration was 3.44 ± 1.21 mm. The group that responded to treatment had better final visual acuity compared to the nonresponding group, with values of 0.41 ± 0.48 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and 1.39 ± 0.10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (P-value = 0.023), respectively.

Conclusions:

Topical caspofungin 0.5% is a safe and effective treatment for selected cases of fungal keratitis. However, cases with larger or deeper initial infiltrates, or those caused by Fusarium infection, may not respond adequately to topical caspofungin monotherapy.
Effects of Dexpanthenol on Corneal Neovascularization and Inflammation on Rat Model
Authors: Isleyen Busra , Acer Semra , Celik Omer , Tok Ozlem , Tok Levent
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival injection of dexpanthenol on corneal neovascularization and inflammation in rats with induced chemical burns.

Methods:

This experimental study included 40 female albino Wistar rats. Chemical burns were induced in the right eye of all rats on the first day, and the left eye was used as a control. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The no-treatment group (group 1) received no injections. Balanced salt solution injection in the sham group (group 2), dexpanthenol injection in the dexpanthenol group (group 3), bevacizumab injection in the bevacizumab group (group 4), and combined dexpanthenol and bevacizumab injection in the combined group (group 5) were administered subconjunctivally on day 7. The right corneas of all rats were photographed on days 7 and 14 to evaluate corneal neovascularization. The 2 corneal images were compared, and the differences were analyzed. All rats were euthanized, and the corneas were isolated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor-A, malondialdehyde (MDA), apoptosis, reduced glutathione (GSH), and total oxidant status were measured in rat corneas.

Results:

Dexpanthenol reduced corneal neovascularization, and the difference was significant compared with the no-treatment and sham groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference in corneal neovascularization was observed between the dexpanthenol and bevacizumab groups. Dexpanthenol had a significant positive effect on vascular endothelial growth factor-A, TNF-α, total oxidant status, MDA, and GSH levels compared with the sham group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Dexpanthenol may help control corneal neovascularization and inflammation after chemical burns.
Intracerebral hemorrhage in CADASIL
Authors: Hsu Shao-Lun , Liao Yi-Chu , Chung Chih-Ping , Ihara Masafumi , Choi Jay Chol , Tang Sung-Chun , Lee Yi-Chung
Published: January 2025

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most common hereditary cerebral small vessel disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. This review highlights the increasing recognition of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as a significant manifestation of CADASIL, often predominantly characterized by ischemic strokes and vascular dementia. Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of ICH in CADASIL patients ranges from 0.5% to 33.3%, the variability of which is mainly influenced by ethnicity. In East Asian cohorts, where specific NOTCH3 mutations like p.R544C and p.R75P are more prevalent and have been associated with a higher rate of ICH, suggesting a link between these mutations and the hemorrhagic risk. Hypertension, as with other etiologies of ICH, is a key risk factor in CADASIL patients, with 40-90% of those who experience ICH also having a history of hypertension. The presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and a high CMBs load are strongly associated with increased risk of ICH. Neuroimaging studies show that ICH in CADASIL patients predominantly occurs in the thalamus and basal ganglia. There is a notable spatial correlation between CMBs and subsequent ICH, suggesting that CMBs may serve as markers of microangiopathy in regions prone to vascular injury. CADASIL patients with ICH experience greater morbidity, higher mortality rates, and increased annual stroke recurrence risk compared to those with ischemic events. In summary, this review emphasizes the need for tailored management strategies that prioritize rigorous blood pressure control and the careful use of antithrombotic agents in CADASIL patients with a high burden of CMBs. By advancing our understanding of ICH in CADASIL, we aim to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life in this high-risk population.
Increased SOX10, p16, and Cyclin D1 Immunoreactivity Differentiates MAP Kinase-activated Low-grade Gliomas From Piloid Gliosis
Authors: Tang Vivian , Zhang Kevin Y. , Mirchia Kanish , Lu Rufei , Guney Ekin , Terry Merryl , Ligon Azra H. , Ligon Keith L. , Eberhart Charles G. , Perry Arie , Lucas Calixto-Hope G.
Published: January 2025

Low-grade gliomas and reactive piloid gliosis can present with overlapping features on conventional histology. Given the large implications for patient treatment, there is a need for effective methods to discriminate these morphologically similar but clinically distinct entities. Using routinely available stains, we hypothesize that a limited panel including SOX10, p16, and cyclin D1 may be useful in differentiating mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-activated low-grade gliomas from piloid gliosis. Reviewers blinded to clinical and pathologic data reviewed and quantified immunohistochemical expression patterns across 20 cases of piloid gliosis and 37 cases of MAP kinase-activated low-grade gliomas, including pilocytic astrocytoma and ganglioglioma. The majority of MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma cases demonstrated extensive immunoreactivity for at least 2 of the 3 immunohistochemical markers, whereas none of the gliosis cases demonstrated significant immunoreactivity for more than one individual immunohistochemical marker. SOX10 and p16 demonstrated the highest individual sensitivity whereas cyclin D1 demonstrated the highest individual specificity to discriminate neoplastic from nonneoplastic cases in this cohort. A composite panel score based on significant immunoreactivity of at least 2 of the 3 markers provided specificity and a positive predictive value of 100% in differentiating MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma from gliosis, as 0/20 (0%) of gliosis cases were scored positive compared with 24/37 (65%) of MAP kinase-activated low-grade glioma cases. We conclude that while the immunoreactivity of these markers may be suggestive of a low-grade glioma diagnosis, SOX10, p16, and cyclin D1 should be applied in combination to maximize diagnostic value.
What Happens to Weight Following Abdominoplasty: An Analysis of 188 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Bricker Jonathan , Ferenz Sarah , Moradian Simon , Termanini Kareem , Jackson Brandon , Kim John Y. S.
Published: January 2025

Background:

Abdominoplasty may be considered a procedure performed after a patient has already lost weight, but many surgeons have clinically observed that patients continue to lose weight in the postoperative period. This study sought to quantify continued weight loss after abdominoplasty procedures.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on all abdominoplasty cases performed by the senior author between 2018 and 2022. Patient demographics, surgical information, and postoperative weights were all obtained. Independent samples t-tests were used for comparisons between groups.

Results:

One-hundred eighty-eight patients were included with an average age of 42.5 years and follow-up of 26.5 months. Average preoperative weight and BMI were 167.8 lbs and 27.7, respectively. Average weight loss and percentage of body weight following surgery was –5.77 lbs (-3.15%) at 3 months, -5.28 lbs (-2.77%) at 6 months, -4.02 lbs (-2.17%) at 12 months, -4.18 lbs (-2.23%) at 2 years, -4.16 lbs (-2.20%) at 3 years, and –9.8 lbs (-5.29%) at 5 years. No patient who lost weight required revision surgery for additional skin removal.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing abdominoplasty experienced maintenance of surgical weight reduction and continued weight loss up to 5 years postoperatively. Those with higher BMIs had significantly greater weight loss that increased at later time intervals.
“Cross-Sectional Analysis of Insurance Coverage for Functional Septorhinoplasty in the United States”
Authors: Lynn Jeremy V. , Shabet Christina L. , Lee Esther C. , DuPuis Danielle T. , Gorur Roopa , Eichman Jack , Gilman Robert H. , Myers Paige L.
Published: January 2025

Background:

The benefits and cost-effectiveness of functional septorhinoplasty have been previously demonstrated. However, reimbursement for functional septorhinoplasty by health insurance companies remains inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to define the current state of insurance coverage for functional septorhinoplasty.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis of insurance reimbursement for functional septorhinoplasty in the United States was designed. The top three insurance companies per state based on market share data maintained by the Kaiser Family Foundation were included. Established medical policies were gathered from insurance company websites and phone interviews, and descriptive statistics were performed. Primary outcomes included the level of and criteria for coverage.

Results:

This study included 67 insurance companies representing 88% of the United States market share. Most insurance companies offered coverage with preauthorization for rhinoplasty (61%) and septoplasty (55%). However, some companies determined coverage on a case-by-case basis (rhinoplasty 25% and septoplasty 22%), while others had no defined policy for coverage (rhinoplasty 14% and septoplasty 23%). The most common criteria for coverage of rhinoplasty included nasal deformity secondary to trauma (98%), congenital anomaly (88%), and other disease (85%). The most common criteria for coverage of septoplasty included nasal obstruction (49%), septal deviation (46%), and recurrent sinusitis (40%).

Conclusions:

Functional septorhinoplasty offers significant improvement in nasal breathing and quality of life, yet disparate insurance coverage criteria limit patient access to care. Patient-reported outcome measures data will be essential to define an evidence-based list of standardized criteria for insurance coverage of functional septorhinoplasty moving forward.
Assessing walking speed in persons with a lower-limb amputation: Test-retest reliability of the 10-m walk test
Authors: Crozara Luciano Fernandes , LaRoche Dain Patrick , Marques Nise Ribeiro , Marques Payão Spencer Luiz
Published: January 2025

Background:

Preferred walking speed (PWS), maximal walking speed (MWS), and walking speed reserve (WSR)—the difference between MWS and PWS—can be easily obtained from the 10-m walk test (10MWT) to assess walking ability and function. However, their test-retest reliability has not been determined in persons with unilateral lower-limb amputation (LLA).

Objectives:

To determine the reliability of the PWS, MWS, and WSR obtained from the 10MWT in persons with LLA.

Study design:

Test-retest with a 48- to 120-h interval between test days.

Methods:

Test-retest relative and absolute reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the %change in mean (%CM) and coefficient of variation (CV), respectively.

Results:

Preferred walking speed showed excellent reliability between day 1 (familiarization day) and day 2 (ICC = 0.97; %CM = −1.8; CV = 7.7) and a significant speed increase from day 2 to day 3 (ICC = 0.96; %CM = 8.5, p < 0.003; CV = 7.4). Maximal walking speed showed excellent reliability between day 1 and day 2 (ICC = 0.94; %CM = 2.9; CV = 8.3) and between day 2 and day 3 (ICC = 0.94; %CM = 1.8; CV = 8.6). Overall, WSR was poorly reliable between day 1 and day 2 (ICC = 0.65; %CM = 39.2; CV = 39.2) and between day 2 and day 3 (ICC = 0.74; %CM = 30.0; CV = 30.0).

Conclusions:

Preferred walking speed obtained from a single 10MWT and MWS obtained after a 10MWT familiarization day are reliable walking speed measures for persons with LLA with similar characteristics to those of our sample. Nonetheless, it is critical that both PWS and MWS are obtained after a 10MWT familiarization to obtain a reliable WSR.
A physiotherapeutic approach to a baby with right disgenesis of thumb and left agenesis of upper extremity: A case report
Authors: Inal Habibe Serap , Reis Osman
Published: January 2025

A boy with bilateral congenital anomalies of the upper extremities with transverse absence of the left arm (agenesis) and absence of right thumb (disgenesis), fixed elbow in extension due to humeroradial synostosis thought that the humerus was intact. His wrist could move passively with 50° flexion, 0° extension, and 70° radial deviation. The other 4 fingers were intact, 4–5 metatarsal bones were in synostosis, and the fifth finger was clinodactyly. He was born by normal delivery. The physiotherapist started sensorimotor training to achieve functional movements of the right upper extremity. The exercises for the trunk muscles were emphasized to prevent the future possible thoracolumbar curve due to the absence of loading of the left arm on trunk muscles. Serial splinting was performed to position the wrist and fingers for functional purposes and abduction and internal rotation of the index finger to perform the opposition position until the pollicization surgery. At 1 and a half, his trunk was straight, and the wrist was partially corrected (15° extension; 35° radial deviation). He was able to play with toys and eat food. The mother rated his performance as 8/10 and 10/10, respectively. Both mother and father were satisfied with his performance in activities of daily living according to his age compared with his peers (9/10; 10/10, respectively). Thus, the physiotherapist's sensorimotor training and the positioning splints may be considered as feasible interventions in this case.
Pulmonary Aspiration Syndromes
Authors: Chandola Stuti , Bhalla Ashu Seith , Jana Manisha , Naranje Priyanka , Vyas Surabhi
Published: January 2025

The term “aspiration” describes lung injury that results from unintentional passage of contents other than air into the lungs and bronchial tree, commonly from the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tracts. Only a small proportion of aspiration-related events are symptomatic, especially in predisposed individuals such as patients with diminished consciousness, impaired swallowing, oesophageal motility disorders, and reflux disease. Aspiration-related syndromes can be classified based on the onset of presentation, composition of the aspirated substance, and anatomic site of injury. When considering the injury site, the aspirated material can either obstruct the airways, thereby presenting with obstructive features (eg, atelectasis on radiographs); it can alternatively affect the lung parenchyma. Lung injury due to aspiration of noxious agents such as acid or lipids is termed chemical aspiration pneumonitis. The aspirated contents can alternatively lead to lung parenchymal infection when the contents are infected, which is termed aspiration pneumonia. We have reviewed the imaging manifestations of various entities related to aspiration and have classified the abnormalities based on the site of injury and the nature of the culprit agent. Differences between “aspiration pneumonitis” and “aspiration pneumonia” are also explored. This is followed by an illustration of a few specific situations related to aspiration in pediatric and adult patients.
Unstable anthocyanin pigmentation inStreptocarpussect.Saintpaulia(African violet) is due to transcriptional selectivity of a single MYB gene
Authors: Kurata Daichi , Tsuzaki Tomohisa , Tatsuzawa Fumi , Shirasawa Kenta , Hirakawa Hideki , Hosokawa Munetaka
Published: January 2025

Saintpaulia(African violet) pigmentation is notoriously unstable, particularly following passage through tissue culture, but the instability mechanism is unknown. White-striped petals were thought to be due to epigenetics, but the genes involved are unknown. We confirmed that white stripes result from epigenetic regulation based on the flower color traits of plants obtained from tissue culture.

Gene expression in several plant lines, anthocyanin quantification, bisulfite sequencing, and methylation analyses were used to demonstrate the presence of a single MYB gene responsible for pigment variation. We identifiedSiMYB2as the cause of variations in tissue color patterning, and that two RNAs were generated fromSiMYB2.SiMYB2-Longwas expressed in colored tissues, whileSiMYB2-Shortwas expressed only in non-colored tissues. Functional analyses revealed that SiMYB2-Long is an anthocyanin biosynthesis activator and SiMYB2-Short is non-functional. Exon 3 ofSiMYB2was generated by the insertion of a transposon-like sequence. A mutant lacking the element was obtained from cultivars with non-colored tissues. Anthocyanin content andSiMYB2-Longexpression in the mutant were greatly increased compared to wild type.

Our results suggest that the white-striped petals ofSaintpauliaare not formed by periclinal chimeras but thorough the transcriptional selectivity of epigenetically regulatedSiMYB2.
Climate and regional plant richness drive diet specialization in butterfly caterpillars
Authors: Gross Collin P , Kawahara Akito Y , Daru Barnabas H
Published: January 2025

Studies of coevolution, ecosystem processes, and latitudinal diversity gradients are improved by understanding variation in resource specialization. Insect herbivory is one of the most ubiquitous terrestrial ecological associations that drives the evolution of plants and insects. However, a broad understanding of how and why herbivore diet specificity varies worldwide is lacking. Here, we use global datasets of butterfly and plant distributions to investigate patterns and drivers of butterfly larval diet breadth. Hostplant richness and phylogenetic diversity showed non-monotonic latitudinal patterns that narrowed near the equator and temperate latitudes and broadened at mid-tropical latitudes and the poles. Diet breadth showed a negative relationship with plant family richness, but we also uncovered an interaction between precipitation seasonality and temperature. Our study builds on 60 years of study of butterfly-hostplant evolution to provide valuable insights into how these processes continue to shape plant and herbivore dynamics in response to global environmental changes.
Oncodrive3D: Fast and accurate detection of structural clusters of somatic mutations under positive selection
Authors: Pellegrini Stefano , Estrella Olivia Dove , Muiños Ferran , Lopez-Bigas Nuria , Gonzalez-Perez Abel
Published: January 2025

Identifying the genes capable of driving tumorigenesis in different tissues is one of the central goals of cancer genomics. Computational methods that exploit different signals of positive selection in the pattern of mutations observed in genes across tumors have been developed to this end. One such signal of positive selection is clustering of mutations in areas of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the protein above the expectation under neutrality. Methods that exploit this signal have been hindered by the paucity in proteins with experimentally solved 3D structures covering their entire sequence. Here, we present Oncodrive3D, a computational method that by exploiting AlphaFold 2 structural models extends the identification of proteins with significant mutational 3D clusters to the entire human proteome. Oncodrive3D shows sensitivity and specificity on par with state-of-the-art cancer driver gene identification methods exploiting mutational clustering, and clearly outperforms them in computational efficiency. We demonstrate, through several examples, how significant mutational 3D clusters identified by Oncodrive3D in different known or potential cancer driver genes can reveal details about the mechanism of tumorigenesis in different cancer types and in clonal hematopoiesis.
In vivoQuantification of White Matter Pathways in the Human Hippocampus
Authors: Gumus Melisa , Bourganos Athanasios , Mack Michael L.
Published: January 2025

The hippocampus is a key structure in cognition. Although much research has focused on defining the functions of its anatomically distinct subfields, the communication among these subfields within the hippocampal circuit, supported by white matter pathways, is theoretically key to emergent cognitive function. Yet, hippocampal white matter connections in humans have not been fully exploredin vivo. By leveraging diffusion weighted imaging and a large healthy sample (N=831), we developed a processing pipeline forin vivoquantification of human hippocampal pathways. We provided evidence for monosynaptic and trisynaptic pathway-related connections in humans, supporting the described hippocampal circuit inex vivoand animal studies. In addition to hemispheric and sex differences, the individual variability in hippocampal pathways was linked to cognitive abilities. Thus,in vivocharacterization of human hippocampal pathways highlights the individual differences within these structures and paves the way for their implications in cognition, aging, and diseases.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Common and specific gene regulatory programs in zebrafish caudal fin regeneration at single-cell resolution
Authors: Chen Yujie , Hou Yiran , Zeng Qinglin , Wang Irene , Shang Meiru , Shin Kwangdeok , Hemauer Christopher , Xing Xiaoyun , Kang Junsu , Zhao Guoyan , Wang Ting
Published: January 2025

Following amputation, zebrafish regenerate their injured caudal fin through lineage-restricted reprogramming. Although previous studies have charted various genetic and epigenetic dimensions of this process, the intricate gene regulatory programs shared by, or unique to, different regenerating cell types remain underinvestigated. Here, we mapped the regulatory landscape of fin regeneration by applying paired snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq on uninjured and regenerating fins. This map delineates the regulatory dynamics of predominant cell populations at multiple stages of regeneration. We observe a marked increase in the accessibility of chromatin regions associated with regenerative and developmental processes at 1 dpa, followed by a gradual closure across major cell types at later stages. This pattern is distinct from that of transcriptomic dynamics, which is characterized by several waves of gene upregulation and downregulation. We identified and in vivo validated cell-type-specific and position-specific regeneration-responsive enhancers and constructed regulatory networks by cell type and stage. Our single-cell resolution transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility map across regenerative stages provides new insights into regeneration regulatory mechanisms and serves as a valuable resource for the community.
Accelerating quantum imaginary-time evolution with random measurements
Authors: Kolotouros Ioannis , Joseph David , Narayanan Anand Kumar
Published: January 2025

Quantum imaginary-time evolution (QITE) is a promising tool to prepare thermal or ground states of Hamiltonians, as convergence is guaranteed when the evolved state overlaps with the ground state. However, its implementation using a a hybrid quantum-classical approach, where the dynamics of the parameters of the quantum circuit are derived by McLachlan's variational principle, is impractical as the number of parameters m increases, since each step in the evolution takes Θ(m2) state preparations to calculate the quantum Fisher information matrix (QFIM). In this work, we accelerate QITE by rapid estimation of the QFIM, while conserving the convergence guarantees to the extent possible. To this end, we prove that if a parameterized state is rotated by a 2-design and measured in the computational basis, then the QFIM can be inferred from partial derivative cross correlations of the probability outcomes. One sample estimate costs only Θ(m) state preparations, leading to rapid QFIM estimation when a few samples suffice. The second family of estimators takes greater liberties and replace QFIMs with averaged classical Fisher information matrices (CFIMs). In an extreme special case optimized for rapid (over accurate) descent, just one CFIM sample is drawn. We justify the second estimator family by proving rapid descent. Guided by these results, we propose the algorithm, which we showcase and test in several molecular systems, with the goal of preparing ground states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Optical conductivity of the topologically nontrivial MXenes
Mo2HfC2O2
and
W2HfC2O2
: First-principles calculation and effective model analysis
Authors: Habe Tetsuro
Published: January 2025

The optical conductivity and the relevant electronic excitation processes are investigated in topologically nontrivial MXenes Mo2HfC2O2 and W2HfC2O2 utilizing first-principles calculation and effective model analysis. The numerical calculation based on the first-principles band structure reveals the presence of several characteristic features in the spectrum of optical conductivity as a function of photon energy. The drastic dependence on the photon polarization angle is also presented in terms of apparent features. In this paper, an effective model is also generated referring to the crystal symmetries and applied to reveal the microscopic origin of the characteristics. Then, it is shown that some features are strongly related to parity inversion between the conduction and valence bands, the key signature in electronic structures of topologically nontrivial insulators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Nonlocal chiral anomaly and generalized parton distributions
Authors: Bhattacharya Shohini , Hatta Yoshitaka , Schoenleber Jakob
Published: January 2025

We discuss the nonlocal generalization of the QCD chiral anomaly along the light cone and derive relations between twist-two, twist-three, and twist-four generalized parton distributions (GPDs) mediated by the anomaly. We further establish the connection to the “anomaly pole” in the GPD E˜ recently identified in the perturbative calculation of the Compton scattering amplitudes, and demonstrate its cancellation at the GPD level. Our work helps elucidate the previously unexplored connection between GPDs, the chiral anomaly, and the mass generation of the η′ meson.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Mass spectra of doubly charmed tetraquarks
Tcc
Authors: Lin You-You , Wang Ji-Ying , Zhang Ailin
Published: January 2025

Motivated by the first observation, to the best of our knowledge, of a doubly charmed tetraquark candidate Tcc(3875)+, we perform a systematic calculation of the masses of some constituent diquarks and the doubly charmed tetraquark states from 1S to 2P excitations in a nonrelativistic constituent quark potential model. First, the mass of the charmed spin-1 diquark is predicted with ∼3500  MeV, and the masses of the light “good” (spin-0 and isospin-0) and “bad” (spin-1 and isospin-1) antidiquark are predicted with ∼670  MeV and ∼840  MeV, respectively. The mass difference between a light good and a light bad diquark is ∼170  MeV, which is consistent with previous phenomenological analyses. The interaction between the charmed diquark and the light antidiquark is then modulated by the quark-antiquark potential in the model, and the mass spectra of doubly charmed tetraquarks from 1S to 2P excitations are calculated with the obtained masses of diquarks/antidiquarks and refitted parameters from Tcc(3875)+ and X(3872). The pattern of the mass spectra of doubly charmed tetraquarks is obtained explicitly. The 1S−1P and 1S−2S mass splittings of doubly charmed tetraquarks are about 410–430 MeV and 610–650 MeV, respectively, and this mass splittings pattern is similar to that for ordinary D mesons. The mass splittings of doubly charmed tetraquarks with a good diquark is about 10–25 MeV higher than the corresponding mass splittings of doubly charmed tetraquarks with a bad diquark from 1S to 2P excitations. When Tcc(3875)+ is assumed as a IJP=01+ ground doubly charmed tetraquark with a light good antidiquark, the next P-wave excited doubly charmed tetraquarks are predicted to have masses with an average 420–430 MeV higher. A IJP=10+ ground doubly charmed tetraquark Tcc(3834) located around 3834 MeV is also expected.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Restricting sterile neutrinos by neutrinoless double beta decay
Authors: Jana Sudip , Puetter Lucas , Smirnov Alexei Yu.
Published: January 2025

The bounds on parameters of the eV and higher scale Majorana sterile neutrinos from the 0νββ decay have been refined and updated. We present a simple and compact analytic expression for the bound in the Δm412−sin22θ14 plane, which includes all relevant parameters. Dependencies of the bound on unknown CP phases and the type of mass spectrum of light neutrinos (mass ordering and level of degeneracy) are studied in detail. We have computed the bounds using the latest and most stringent data from KamLAND-Zen. The projected constraints from future experiments are estimated. The obtained bounds are confronted with positive indications of the presence of sterile neutrinos as well as with the other existing bounds. The 0νββ decay results exclude the regions of parameters implied by BEST and Neutrino-4, and the regions indicated by LSND and MiniBooNE are in conflict with 0νββ decay results combined with νμ-disappearance bounds.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025