bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder: A Pictorial Review
Authors: Azouz Eya , Ahlem Omri , Aloui Haithem , Frikha Hatem , Hammami Rami , Chermiti Amal , Hassine Abouda Saber , Chaoufi Badis , Frikha Wassim , Mizouni Habiba
Published: December 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PASDs) because of its advanced soft-tissue contrast and spatial resolution capabilities, offering better contrast, improved spatial resolution, and a wider field of view compared with ultrasound. Using a 1.5-Tesla MRI protocol with multiple sequences, MRI can detect indicative signs of PASD such as placental signal heterogeneity, interruption of the myometrium-placenta interface, and abnormal vascularization. Specific sequences such as T2 SSFSE, FIESTA, and T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging are used to assess placental attachment, myometrial invasion, and intraplacental hemorrhages. Significant MRI findings include thick low-signal T2 intraplacental bands, invasions into the cervix or bladder, and abnormal periplacental vascularity. MRI complements ultrasound and is crucial for the prenatal diagnosis of PASD, aiding in treatment planning and patient management, thereby reducing the associated fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this pictorial review was to outline the placental MRI technique and review the main imaging findings in placental MRI for PASD. This review encompasses anonymized patient images obtained following written consent.
Chest Wall Injury Society recommendations for long-term follow-up after nonoperatively and operatively managed traumatic rib and sternal fractures
Authors: Forrester Joseph D. , Choudhry Muhammad Saad , Fernandez-Moure Joseph , Kurle Jason , Patel Bhavik , Tung Jamie , Kartiko Susan
Published: December 2024

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic Review/Meta-analysis; Level IV.
Transcriptomic Signatures of Antibody-mediated Rejection in Early Biopsies With Negative Histology in HLA-incompatible Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Hruba Petra , Klema Jiri , Mrazova Petra , Girmanova Eva , Jaklova Katerina , Voska Ludek , Kment Martin , Mackova Martina , Osickova Klara , Hanzal Vladimir , Halloran Philip F. , Viklicky Ondrej
Published: December 2024

Background.

Presensitized patients with circulating donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) before transplantation are at risk for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Peritransplant desensitization mitigates but does not eliminate the alloimmune response. We examined the possibility that subthreshold AMR activity undetected by histology could be operating in some early biopsies.

Methods.

Transcriptome of kidney allograft biopsies performed within the first month in presensitized patients (DSA+) who had received desensitization and did not develop active/probable AMR by histology (R–) was compared with biopsies showing active/probable AMR (R+/DSA+). As negative controls, biopsies without rejection by histology in patients without DSA at transplantation were used (R–/DSA–). RNA sequencing from biopsies selected from the biobank was used in cohort 1 (n = 32) and microarray, including the molecular microscope (Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System [MMDx]) algorithm, in recent cohort 2 (n = 30).

Results.

The transcriptome of R–/DSA+ was similar to R+/DSA+ as these groups differed in 14 transcripts only. Contrarily, large differences were found between both DSA+ groups and negative controls. Fast gene set enrichment analyses showed upregulation of the immune system in both DSA+ groups (gene ontology terms: adaptive immune response, humoral immune response, antigen receptor-mediated signaling, and B-cell receptor signaling or complement activation) when compared with negative controls. MMDx assessment in cohort 2 classified 50% of R–/DSA+ samples as AMR and found no differences in AMR molecular scores between R+ and R– DSA+ groups. In imlifidase desensitization, MMDx series showed a gradual increase in AMR scores over time.

Conclusions.

Presensitized kidney transplant recipients exhibited frequent molecular calls of AMR in biopsy-based transcript diagnostics despite desensitization therapy and negative histology.
Care process for breast cancer patients with sleep disturbances: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Chuang Chia-Wen , Li Chuan-Fang , Chiang Ming-Chu , Wu Shih-Chung , Li Yun-Fun , Liu Shu-Chien , Wang Mei-Wen , Liao Wen-Chun
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Patients with breast cancer are 50% more likely to experience sleep disturbances during treatment. Sleep disturbances may affect physiological and psychological functions and even induce cancer recurrence. Screening, assessment, and management of sleep disturbances improves sleep quality in breast cancer patients.

Objectives:

This project aimed to establish a care process for breast cancer patients with sleep disturbances in a cancer ward.

Methods:

The project was implemented using the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in audit and feedback. A baseline audit examined the existing care for sleep disturbances in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Eight criteria were applied to evaluate compliance with best practice recommendations. A JBI Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) analysis was conducted, and five barriers to recommended practices were identified. Fourteen improvement strategies were then implemented and a follow-up audit was conducted to measure changes in practice.

Results:

The baseline audit showed that the sleep screening rate was 71% (Criterion 1). However, for the remaining criteria (2–8), the compliance rate was 0%. After project implementation, all criteria improved. Thus, 100% of nurses received education on sleep disturbance; the screening rate increased to 90%; 100% of screened patients received comprehensive sleep assessment; and 100% of assessed patients received tailored, multimodal sleep management based on their assessment results.

Conclusions:

This project improved compliance with evidence-based practices in caring for breast cancer patients with sleep disturbances. Process orientation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership contributed to project success. Further studies in digitalized sleep assessment are needed to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of sleep care.

Spanish abstract:

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A300
Geodermatophilus maliterrae sp. nov., a member of the Geodermatophilaceae isolated from badland surfaces in the Red Desert, Wyoming, USA
Authors: Ben Tekaya Seifeddine , Nouioui Imen , Flores Gabryelle May , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Bredoire Felix , Basile Franco , van Diepen Linda T. A. , Ward Naomi L.
Published: December 2024

A novel Gram-stain-positive, black-pigmented bacterium, designated as WL48A T, was isolated from the surface of badland sedimentary rock in the Red Desert of Wyoming and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Good growth occurred at 28–32 °C, pH 7–9, and NaCl less than 1% (w/v). Colonies, growing well on International Streptomyces Project media (ISP) 3 and ISP 7, were black and adhering to the agar. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and draft genome sequences showed that strain WL48AT belongs to the family Geodermatophilaceae, forming a distinct sub-branch with Geodermatophilus bullaregiensis DSM 46841T. The organism showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.8% with G. bullaregiensis DSM 46841T. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization value between the genome sequences of strain WL48A T and G. bullaregiensis DSM 46841T was 51.8%, below the threshold of 70% for prokaryotic species delineation. The chemotaxonomic investigation revealed the presence of galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose and ribose as well as meso-DAP in the peptidoglycan layer. The polar lipid profiles contained phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) phosphoglycolipid, phospholipids and an unidentified lipid. The menaquinone profile consisted of MK-9(H4) (98.2%) and MK-9(H2) (10.8%). The major fatty acid profile (>15%) comprised iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Based on phenotypic, genetic and genomic data, strain WL48AT (=DSM 116197T = NCIMB 15483T=NCCB 100957T =ATCC TSD-376T) merits to be considered as a novel species for which the name Geodermatophilus maliterrae sp. nov. is proposed.
The impact of sub-national heterogeneities in demography and epidemiology on the introduction of rubella vaccination programs in Nigeria
Authors: Nakase Taishi , Brownwright Tenley , Okunromade Oyeladun , Egwuenu Abiodun , Ogunbode Oladipo , Lawal Bola , Akanbi Kayode , Grant Gavin , Bassey Orji O. , Coughlin Melissa M. , Bankamp Bettina , Adetifa Ifedayo , Metcalf Jessica , Ferrari Matthew
Published: December 2024

Rubella infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage or infants with a constellation of birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). When coverage is inadequate, rubella vaccination can increase CRS cases by increasing the average age of infection. Thus, the World Health Organisation recommends that countries introducing rubella vaccine be able to vaccinate at least 80% of each birth cohort. Previous studies have focused on national-level analyses and have overlooked sub-national variation in introduction risk. We characterised the sub-national heterogeneity in rubella transmission within Nigeria and modelled local rubella vaccine introduction under different scenarios to refine the set of conditions and strategies required for safe rubella vaccine use. Across Nigeria, the basic reproduction number ranged from 2.6 to 6.2. Consequently, the conditions for safe vaccination varied across states with low-risk areas requiring coverage levels well below 80%. In high-risk settings, inadequate routine coverage needed to be supplemented by campaigns that allowed for gradual improvements in vaccination coverage over time. Understanding local heterogeneities in both short-term and long-term epidemic dynamics can permit earlier nationwide introduction of rubella vaccination and identify sub-national areas suitable for program monitoring, program improvement and campaign support.
Evaluating Predictive Value ofSchistosoma mansoniPrevalence and Infection Intensity in School-Age Children in Estimating Community-Wide Prevalence in Siaya County, Western Kenya
Authors: Wanja Dollycate , Odiere Maurice R. , Kavere Emmy A. , Muchiri Geoffrey , Awandu Shehu Shagari
Published: December 2024

Background

Various milestones have been set targeting the elimination of schistosomiasis with the vision of “a world free of schistosomiasis” including the 2020 and 2025 goals. Despite the increased control and prevention efforts, schistosomiasis still affects many people, partly because treatment doesn’t cover all at-risk populations. Preventive chemotherapy (PC), the cornerstone of control interventions is primarily inclined toward school-age children (SAC), whose prevalence also informs interventions for other age groups in the community. Whereas prevalence in SAC has been shown to be a good indicator of the prevalence in other age groups, it remains to be seen as if this is not true in different epidemiological settings and risk areas.

Methods

This study evaluated the predictive value of schistosomiasis prevalence among SAC in estimating community-wide prevalence in Siaya County, Kenya. A single stool sample was collected from participants aged 2-50 years. Stool samples were collected from preschool-age children (2-6 years), SAC (7-14 years), adolescents (15 to <18 years), and adults (≥18-50 years) in a cross-sectional survey. The prevalence and intensity ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection were determined using the Kato-Katz technique (single stool, 4 slides) and compared across the age groups and risk categories (low >0 to <10%; moderate ≥10% to <50%; and high (≥50%).

Results

Of the 1,814 participants sampled, 25.6% (95% CI: 23.7-27.7) were infected withS. mansoni. There was no significant difference between the mean egg intensity ofS. mansoniin SAC compared to the other age groups. There was a strong positive correlation between SAC prevalence and intensity and community-wide prevalence and intensity; rs=0.8, P<0.001, and rs=0.6, P<0.001 respectively. A positive relationship between the overallS. mansoniprevalence andS. mansoniprevalence in SAC was observed. The regression analysis indicated that SAC prevalence/intensity can be used to predict overallS. mansoniprevalence/intensity. In terms of age groups, it can predict in all age groups but adolescents.

Conclusions

In this setting, generally, the prevalence ofS. mansoniamong SAC was a good predictor of the prevalence in other age groups and the overall (all age groups combined) prevalence. However, in terms of risk strata SAC data was only a good predictor of overall prevalence and intensity only in the moderate risk stratum. These findings suggest thatS. mansoniprevalence and intensity among SAC are valid for community sampling purposes and informing interventions including MDA at the community level.
Adjusting for medication status in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Chong Amanda H.W. , Kintu Christopher , Cho Yoonsu , Fatumo Segun , Torres Jason , Smith George Davey , Gaunt Tom R. , Hemani Gibran
Published: December 2024

When conducting genome-wide association studies, improper handling of medication status that is relevant to the trait of interest can induce biases by opening up different pathways that distort estimates of the true effect. Here, we propose the genetic empirical medication reduction adjustment (GEMRA) method which uses a heuristic search for an empirical adjustment to be applied to phenotypic values of participants reporting medication use. Through simulations we show that the direct genetic effect estimates in the GEMRA approach exhibited less bias and greater statistical power than either restricting the sample to unmedicated users, or including all samples without adjustment. We then applied the GEMRA approach to estimate statin medication adjustment for analysis of LDL cholesterol levels, using multi ancestry data from UK Biobank and the Uganda Genome Resource. We found that a relative rather than an absolute adjustment better modelled the effect of medication on LDL cholesterol, with an effect of 40% reduction appearing to be consistent across ancestral groups. These findings are consistent with the current clinical guidelines.
SalmonellaSenftenberg isolated from wastewater is linked to a 2022 multistate outbreak
Authors: Goldblum Zoe S. , M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Nawrocki Erin M. , Cesari Nicholas , Kovac Jasna , Dudley Edward G
Published: December 2024

The ability of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) to infer viral loads in communities was showcased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether WBS could be used to track other microorganisms is less studies. We tested forSalmonella enterica, a common foodborne pathogen, in community wastewater and investigated whether such isolates could be linked to past or ongoing outbreaks. During June 2022, composite wastewater samples were collected from treatment facilities in two communities in central Pennsylvania. A total of 42 confirmedS. entericaisolates were whole genome sequenced, revealing 7 different serovariants. Four isolates identified asS. entericaser. Senftenberg were in a cluster, separated by 0-4 SNPs from clinical isolates uploaded to the web-based National Centers for Biotechnology Information Pathogen Detection platform. Most isolates in the cluster were previously associated with a 2022 multistate foodborne outbreak that was caused by contaminated peanut butter. Our targeted study suggests that wastewater-based surveillance forSalmonellawould complement public health efforts by providing information about the extent of an outbreak and help focus public health resources and guidance to areas most impacted.
Increase but pronounced regional disparities in gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) prescriptions among Medicaid and Medicare patients
Authors: Barnhart Josephine R. , Vujovich Sondra A. , Piper Brian J.
Published: December 2024

Background

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a Schedule III drug in the US approved for treatment of cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy with cateplaxy is a rare disorder with an annual incidence of less than one per one-hundred thousand and GHB is a third-line treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe the temporal pattern of GHB distribution and cost nationally and between states for Medicaid and Medicare patients.

Methods

GHB prescriptions were extracted from the State Utilization Data Tool fromMedicaid.govand the Medicare part D Prescribers by Provider and Drug Dataset fromCMS.gov. GHB prescriptions were examined by state when corrected for population. States outside a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant. GHB cost analyses were performed between 2017-2021. GHB prescribers were identified for Medicare in 2019.

Results

There was a steady increase in prescriptions (+88.5%) from 2019 to 2021 and spending (+39.6%) from 2017 to 2020 for Medicaid. Specialists other than somnologists, were found to prescribe the highest number of GHB prescriptions to Medicare Part D enrollees. In 2019, two states (Hawaii and North Dakota) did not prescribe GHB to Medicare patients versus twenty states for Medicaid patients. Maryland’s prescribing to Medicare patients was significantly elevated (269.2/100K).

Conclusion

GHB prescribing has increased to Medicaid and Medicare patients. Further research is necessary to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and off-label prescribing (e.g. for excessive daytime sleepiness) may have affected these findings including the origins of the pronounced state level disparities.
Characteristics of children readmitted with severe pneumonia in Kenyan hospitals
Authors: Marangu-Boore Diana , Mwaniki Paul , Isaaka Lynda , Njoroge Teresiah , Mumelo Livingstone , Kimego Dennis , Adem Achieng , Jowi Elizabeth , Ithondeka Angeline , Wanyama Conrad , Agweyu Ambrose
Published: December 2024

Background

Pneumonia is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Hospital re-admission may signify missed opportunities for care or undiagnosed comorbidities.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including children aged ≥2 months to 14 years hospitalised with severe pneumonia between 2013 and 2021 in a network of 22 primary referral hospitals in Kenya. Severe pneumonia was defined using the World Health Organization criteria, and re-admission was based on clinical documentation from individual patient case notes. We estimated the prevalence of re-admission, described clinical management practices, and modelled risk factors for re-admission and inpatient mortality.

Results

Among 20,603 children diagnosed with severe pneumonia, 2,274 (11.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.62 to 11.47) were readmitted. Re-admission was independently associated with age (12-59 months vs 2-11 months: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55 to 1.88; >5 years vs 2-11 months: aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.23), malnutrition (weight for age z-score (WAZ) < -3SD vs WAZ > -2SD: aOR 2.03, 95%1.83 to 2.28); WAZ -2 to -3 SD vs WAZ> -2SD: aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.56) and presence of a concurrent neurological disorder (aOR 4.04, 95% CI 1.57 to 10.42) . Chest radiography was ordered more frequently among those readmitted (540/2,274 vs 3,102/18,329, p<0.001). Readmitted patients were more likely to receive second-line antibiotics (808/2,256 vs 5,538/18,173 p<0.001), TB medication (69/2,256 vs 298/18,173 p<0.001), salbutamol (530/2,256 vs 3,707/18,173 p=0.003), and prednisolone (157/2,256 vs 764/18,173 p<0.001). Inpatient mortality was 2,354/18,329 (12.8%) among children admitted with a first episode of severe pneumonia and 269/2,274 (11.8%) among those who were readmitted (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.07). Age (12-59 months vs 2-11 months: aHR 0.62, 95% 0.57 to 0.67), female sex (aHR 1.23, 95% 1.14 to 1.33), malnutrition (WAZ <-3SD vs WAZ> -2SD: aHR 1.90 95% CI 1.74 to 2.08); WAZ -2 to -3 SD vs WAZ> -2SD: aHR 1.48, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.65), incomplete vaccination (aHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.75), and anaemia (aHR 2.16, 95% CI 1.90 to 2.45) were independently associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Children readmitted with severe pneumonia account for a substantial proportion of pneumonia hospitalisations and deaths. Further research is required to develop evidence-based approaches to screening, case management, and follow-up of children with severe pneumonia, prioritising those with underlying risk factors for readmission and mortality.
Prevalence and correlates of Human Papillomavirus infection in females from Southern Province, Zambia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Muchaili Lweendo , Simushi Precious , Mweene Bislom C. , Mwakyoma Tuku , Masenga Sepiso K. , Hamooya Benson M.
Published: December 2024

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer with almost all cases being associated with the infection. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Zambia and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. However, there is limited data on the burden and associated factors of HPV in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of HPV infection in the Southern province of Zambia.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) among 4,612 women from different districts of the southern province being screened for HPV infection between September 2021 and August 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected from an existing laboratory programmatic database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with HPV infection.

Results

The study participants had a median age of 39 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30, 47]. The prevalence of HPV infection was 35.56% (95%CI). At multivariable analysis, the factors associated with a positive HPV result were younger age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-0.99; p. value 0.001), having provider collected sample (AOR 2.15; 95%CI 1.66 -2.79; p. value <0.001) and living with HIV (AOR 1.77; 95%CI 1.22 – 2.55; p. value <0.002).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HPV in women in the southern province of Zambia is high, and likely influenced by age and HIV status. Additionally, the outcome of the HPV test is affected by the sample collection method. Therefore, there is a necessity to enhance HPV and cervical cancer screening, especially among people with HIV.
Risk of subsequent primary cancers among adult cancer survivors in Alberta
Authors: Warkentin Matthew T. , Cheung Winson Y. , Brenner Darren R. , O’Sullivan Dylan E.
Published: December 2024

Background

Improvements in cancer control have led to a drastic increase in cancer survivors who may be at an elevated risk of developing a subsequent primary cancer (SPC). In this study, we assessed the risk and patterns of SPC development among 134,693 adult cancer survivors in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We used data from the Alberta Cancer Registry to identify all first primary cancers (FPC) occurring between 2004 and 2015. A SPC was considered as the next primary cancer occurring in a different site. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for SPC development as the observed number of SPC (O) divided by the expected number of SPC (E), where E is a weighted-sum of the population-based year-age-sex-specific incidence rates and the corresponding person-years of follow-up.

Results

The risk of developing a SPC up to fifteen years after an initial cancer was 16.1% for males and 12.3% for females, though these estimates vary considerably by cancer site. Survivors of initial head and neck cancers had a 21.3% fifteen-year cumulative incidence and a 2.5-fold relative risk of SPC development. Overall, both males (SIR=1.50) and females (SIR=1.64) had an increased risk of a SPC. There were significant increases in SPC risk for nearly all age groups, with a greater than 5-fold increase for survivors of cancers diagnosed between ages 18-39.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors of nearly every FPC site had substantially increased risk of a SPC, compared to the cancer risk in the general population. Screen-detectable cancers (breast, cervical, colorectal, lung) were common SPC sites and highlights the need to investigate optimal strategies for screening the growing population of cancer survivors.
Protection of natural infection against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant
Authors: Chemaitelly Hiam , Coyle Peter , Kacem Mohamed Ali Ben , Ayoub Houssein H. , Tang Patrick , Hasan Mohammad R. , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Thani Asmaa A. , Al-Kanaani Zaina , Al-Kuwari Einas , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar H. , Latif Ali N. , Shaik Riyazuddin M. , Abdul-Rahim Hanan F. , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith , Butt Adeel A. , Al-Romaihi Hamad E. , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Bertollini Roberto , Abu-Raddad Laith J.
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of natural infection in preventing reinfection with the JN.1 variant during a large JN.1 wave in Qatar, using a test-negative case-control study design. The overall effectiveness of previous infection in preventing reinfection with JN.1 was estimated at only 1.8% (95% CI: −9.3-12.6%). This effectiveness demonstrated a rapid decline over time since the previous infection, decreasing from 82.4% (95% CI: 40.9-94.7%) within 3 to less than 6 months after the previous infection to 50.9% (95% CI: −11.8-78.7%) in the subsequent 3 months, and further dropping to 18.3% (95% CI: −34.6-56.3%) in the subsequent 3 months. Ultimately, it reached a negligible level after one year. The findings show that the protection of natural infection against reinfection with JN.1 is strong only among those who were infected within the last 6 months, with variants such as XBB*. However, this protection wanes rapidly and is entirely lost one year after the previous infection. The findings support considerable immune evasion by JN.1.
Thrombotic and thromboembolic events, with or without thrombocytopenia, following viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines administration: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ramos-Rojas José , Peña Javiera , Pinto-Díaz Carlos , Veloso Valentina , Rada Gabriel , Molina-León Helvert Felipe
Published: December 2024

Background

Viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective and safe in clinical trials and post-authorization studies. Although infrequent, some serious thrombotic and thromboembolic events following immunization have emerged, and causality assessment committees must consider and critically assess different sources of evidence to inform their decisions about whether these events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization (ESAVI) are associated with the vaccine or are coincidental. Therefore, this systematic review aims to gather information on the association and biological mechanisms between thrombotic and thromboembolic events, with or without thrombocytopenia, and the administration of viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review following the evidence synthesis framework proposed by the Pan American Health Organization to support the ESAVI causality assessment. We will search for primary clinical and preclinical studies in the Epistemonikos’ COVID-19 L.OVE (Living Overview of the Evidence) repository, a comprehensive and validated source of COVID-19 evidence. We will include studies reporting any thrombotic or thromboembolic event, with or without thrombocytopenia, after the administration of a viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine. The screening and data extraction will be performed by two independent authors. We will assess the risk of bias by two reviewers using the appropriate tool for each study design. Discrepancies will be discussed or resolved by a third author. We will use GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for clinical studies and prepare summary of findings tables. For individual-based (case series and case reports) and preclinical studies, we will summarize the results in descriptive tables.

Expected results and implications

This will be the first systematic review using the evidence synthesis framework for ESAVI causality assessment, currently under validation by the Pan American Health Organization and the Epistemonikos Foundation. By gathering clinical and preclinical evidence, it is expected to inform about the risks of thromboembolic events following vaccination with viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines, and also the possible underlying biological mechanisms. Policymakers, such as safe vaccination committees, and other evidence synthesis authors could replicate this novel methodology to strengthen the evidence-based ESAVI causality assessment.
Analyzing Fractal Dimension in Electroconvulsive Therapy: Unraveling Complexity in Structural and Functional Neuroimaging
Authors: Denier Niklaus , Grieder Matthias , Jann Kay , Breit Sigrid , Mertse Nicolas , Walther Sebastian , Soravia Leila M. , Meyer Agnes , Federspiel Andrea , Wiest Roland , Bracht Tobias
Published: December 2024

Background

Numerous studies show that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) induces hippocampal neuroplasticity, but findings are inconsistent regarding its clinical relevance. This study aims to investigate ECT-induced plasticity of anterior and posterior hippocampi using mathematical complexity measures in neuroimaging, namely Higuchi’s fractal dimension (HFD) for fMRI time series and the fractal dimension of cortical morphology (FD-CM). Furthermore, we explore the potential of these complexity measures to predict ECT treatment response.

Methods

Twenty patients with a current depressive episode (16 with major depressive disorder and 4 with bipolar disorder) underwent MRI-scans before and after an ECT-series. Twenty healthy controls matched for age and sex were also scanned twice for comparison purposes. Resting-state fMRI data were processed, and HFD was computed for anterior and posterior hippocampi. Group-by-time effects for HFD in anterior and posterior hippocampi were calculated and correlations between HFD changes and improvement in depression severity were examined. For baseline FD-CM analyses, we preprocessed structural MRI with CAT12’s surfacebased methods. We explored the predictive value of baseline HFD and FD-CM for treatment outcome.

Results

Patients exhibited a significant increase in bilateral hippocampal HFD from baseline to follow-up scans. Right anterior hippocampal HFD increase was associated with reductions in depression severity. After applying a whole-brain regression analysis, we found that baseline FD-CM in the left temporal pole predicted reduction of overall depression severity after ECT. Baseline hippocampal HFD did not predict treatment outcome.

Conclusion

This pioneering study suggests that HFD and FD-CM are promising imaging markers to investigate ECT-induced neuroplasticity associated with treatment response.
Explainable Graph Learning for Multimodal Single-Cell Data Integration
Authors: Koca Mehmet Burak , Sevilgen Fatih Erdoğan
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Integrating multi-omic single-cell data is essential for uncovering cellular het- erogeneity and identifying specialized subpopulations. However, achieving both explainable and expressive integration remains challenging due to the complex relationships between modalities. Here, we introduce Single-Cell PROteomics Vertical Integration (SCPRO-VI), a novel algorithm that integrates paired multi- omic data through similarity graph fusion, enhanced with a multi-view variational graph auto-encoder. SCPRO-VI incorporates a biologically guided distance met- ric and a multi-view graph-based embedding approach to effectively capture cross-modality relations. Extensive benchmark on multi-omic CITE-seq datasets shows that SCPRO-VI significantly enhances inter-cell type heterogeneity and identifies biologically meaningful sub-clusters that remain indistinguishable by existing methods. These results demonstrate robustness of SCPRO-VI and its potential to address key challenges in single-cell multi-omic data integration.
ATF5-Dependent GDF15 Expression Mediates Anesthesia-Induced Neuroprotection Against Stroke
Authors: Ju Xianshu , Zhang Tao , Cui Jianchen , Lee Yulim , Lee Suho , Kim Ho Min , Hong Boohwi , Park Jiho , Choi Chul Hee , Yi Hyon-Seung , Heo Jun Young , Chung Woosuk
Published: December 2024

The incidence of perioperative stroke, a rare but severe complication, is increasing in aging populations. Although anesthetics such as sevoflurane may provide protective preconditioning against ischemic injury, clinical outcomes have been inconsistent. In this study, we demonstrated that sevoflurane-induced neuroprotection is associated with the upregulation of genes involved in the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and mitochondrial bioenergetic metabolism. Our findings emphasize the critical role of ATF5, a key transcription factor, in mediating these protective effects. Specifically, we observed that sevoflurane preconditioning significantly upregulates ATF5 and its downstream target GDF15 – a regulator of mitochondrial function – in the cerebral cortex. Notably, we found that this mechanistic pathway was not activated in the brain of aged mice, suggesting that age-specific strategies may be necessary for reducing the risk of perioperative stroke. Considering the steadily increasing age of patients, therapeutic approaches that enhance mitochondrial function in the aged brain may provide additional protection against perioperative stroke.
The heart rate dynamics and antioxidant capacity under cognitive load in Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
Authors: Portnova Galina , Khayrulina Guzal , Proskurnina Elena , Verma Rohit , Martynova Olga
Published: December 2024

The research of the oxidants-antioxidants homeostasis and its connection to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively uncharted field of study. We recruited 31 patients diagnosed with OCD and 29 healthy volunteers to analyze their saliva antioxidant capacity before and after a three-block behavioral task with cognitive and emotional load, during which we assessed heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) patterns. We found that the OCD group had a significantly lower antioxidant capacity (AOC) and showed no increase in AOC after the cognitive task as compared with healthy volunteers. The notable negative correlation between HR and AOC changes led us to select two subgroups inside the OCD and control group: one with high HR and another with low HR. The AOC changes for OCD and healthy participants with high HR were similar, while OCD sub-group with low HR exhibited significantly different changes in AOC compared with the control group. Although HRV did not show a correlation with AOC, the OCD group demonstrated substantially higher increase of very low frequencies (VLF) of HRV during the cognitive task performance and significantly elevated low frequency powers of HRV expressed in normal units (LFnu). OCD sub-group with lower HR exhibited higher LFnu compared to both the patient and the control group with high HR. Our findings imply that OCD patients with elevated sympathetic tone of ANS reflected by initially increased HR show more adaptive AOC to cognitive load
In situstructural analysis of mammalian cells using a 200 kV electron cryomicroscope – implications for research infrastructure
Authors: Szwedziak Piotr
Published: December 2024

Electron cryotomography is a powerful imaging technique allowing for studying functional cellular modules in their native environment with macromolecular resolution. However, it requires access to complex and expensive instrumentation, typically a 300 kV electron cryomicroscope equipped with an energy filter. Simpler and cheaper 200 and 100 kV instruments have been successfully used for single particle cryoEM analyses, which has helped to democratize the technique and broaden access. Here, we set out to investigate if a 200 kV electron cryomicroscope without an energy filter can be utilized forin situstructural studies of mammalian cells by electron cryotomography. We demonstrate that the resulting tomograms of thin edges of U2OS cells are of sufficient quality to annotate the contents of the cell and observe spatial inter-relationships among macromolecules. In particular, we undertook a molecular sociology analysis of lipid droplets and addressed their subcellular distribution and interactions with other organelles. Finally, we examined geographical distribution and scientific output of the two most common electron cryomicroscopy platforms and deduced that 200 kV instruments are heavily underutilized with respect to electron cryotomography applications. Given the favorable ratio of their versatility versus costs we foresee that 200 kV electron cryomicroscopes will become workhorses of local electron cryomicroscopy facilities.
Twig Age 2.0: Adjusting twig age data for differences in palatability among taxa to track ungulate browsing over sites and time
Authors: Waller Donald M.
Published: December 2024

Ungulate browsing threatens forest tree regeneration and diversity across forests in North America and other temperate regions but is inadequately monitored. This reflects both inadequate commitment and the lack of efficient, reliable methods to accurately track these impacts across sites and over time.

The twig age method estimates time: how long twigs grow before being browsed, providing a direct measure of herbivory. The original method aged twigs on maple (Acer) seedlings, but it works well in other deciduous species. Given ungulate preferences for some species, it is important to adjust twig ages to correct for these.

Using multiple datasets from many species and sites across the upper Midwest, I confirm the power and sensitivity of the twig age method for assessing and comparing white-tailed deer impacts over time, among species, and across sites. Twig ages respond differently to seedling heights when deer are present, providing an additional indicator. I extend the original method to rank and adjust for differential browsing among species in two ways: using least square means from statistical models and using ratios to adjust values to anAcer saccharumstandard. These adjustments match, supporting the use of either to accurately track shifts in browse pressure over time and across sites even when these differ in species composition.

The adjusted twig-age method is highly efficient, allowing a sole worker to score 100+ seedlings/saplings within an hour to accurately gauge real-time ungulate impacts at a site. The reliability, power, and versatility of adjusted twig age data set a standard for assessing browse pressure and provide an efficient vehicle to expand programs to monitor deer impacts across landscapes.
Deciphering Colorectal Cancer-Hepatocyte Interactions: A Multiomic Platform for Interrogation of Metabolic Crosstalk in the Liver-Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Nelson Alisa B. , Reese Lyndsay E. , Rono Elizabeth , Queathem Eric D. , Qiu Yinjie , McCluskey Braedan M. , Crampton Alexandra , Conniff Eric , Cummins Katherine , Boytim Ella , Dansou Senali , Hwang Justin , Safo Sandra , Puchalska Patrycja , Wood David K. , Schwertfeger Kathryn L. , Crawford Peter A.
Published: December 2024

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to adapt to and exploit their microenvironment for sustained growth. The liver is a common site of metastasis, but the interactions between tumor cells and hepatocytes remain poorly understood. In the context of liver metastasis, these interactions play a crucial role in promoting tumor survival and progression. This study leverages multiomics coverage of the microenvironment via liquid chromatography and high-resolution, high-mass accuracy mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics,13C-stable isotope tracing, and RNA sequencing to uncover the metabolic impact of co-localized primary hepatocytes and a colon adenocarcinoma cell line, SW480, using a 2D co-culture model. Metabolic profiling revealed disrupted Warburg metabolism with an 80% decrease in glucose consumption and 94% decrease in lactate production by hepatocyte-SW480 co-cultures relative to SW480 control cultures. Decreased glucose consumption was coupled with alterations in glutamine and ketone body metabolism, suggesting a possible fuel switch upon co-culturing. Further, integrated multiomic analysis indicates that disruptions in metabolic pathways, including nucleoside biosynthesis, amino acids, and TCA cycle, correlate with altered SW480 transcriptional profiles and highlight the importance of redox homeostasis in tumor adaptation. Finally, these findings were replicated in 3-dimensional microtissue organoids. Taken together, these studies support a bioinformatic approach to study metabolic crosstalk and discovery of potential therapeutic targets in preclinical models of the tumor microenvironment.
Perceptual choice and motor signals in mouse somatosensory cortex
Authors: Minamisawa Genki , Dong Mingyuan , O'Connor Daniel H.
Published: December 2024

Somatosensory cortex activity relates both to sensation and movement, reflecting their intimate relationship, but the extent and nature of sensory-motor interactions in the somatosensory cortex remain unclear. Here, we investigated perception-related sensory and motor signals in the whisker areas of mouse primary (wS1) and secondary (wS2) somatosensory cortices. We recorded neuronal activity while mice performed a whisker detection task using two alternative lickports, one each to indicate the presence or absence of a whisker deflection on a given trial. One group of mice reported the presence of the whisker stimulus by licking at the port on the same ("congruent") side of the animal as the stimulated whisker, whereas a second group of mice did so by licking at the opposite ("incongruent") side. Activity of single neurons in wS1 and wS2 correlated with perceptual choice. This choice-related activity was enhanced when responding to the congruent side. wS2 neurons projecting along two output pathways---to wS1 or to whisker secondary motor cortex, wM2---also showed choice-related activity, but differed in their dependence on congruence and in the effects of optogenetic manipulation. Thus, somatosensory cortex contains pathway- and action-specific choice-related activity.
Autonomous control of extrusion bioprinting using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Kelly Daniel , Sergis Vasileios , Ventura i Blanco Laura , Mason Karl , Daly Andrew C.
Published: December 2024

Extrusion bioprinting technology suffers from reproducibility challenges due to the open-loop nature of current hardware systems. Here, we present a novel AI-powered extrusion bioprinting platform with integrated real-time quality monitoring and automated error correction capabilities. To achieve this, we engineered a custom bioprinting system with an integrated camera for continuous process monitoring and trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify the extrusion process in real-time. The CNN models, including Xception and ResNet, were trained on a combination of real and synthetic data to classify extrusion quality (good, over, or under) across various printing scenarios, including single-line and infill patterns. Notably, transfer learning, utilizing synthetic data for initial training followed by refinement with real-world data enhanced classification accuracy, with the Xception model displaying 90% accuracy for single-line extrusion and 75% for infill extrusion. This intelligent monitoring system was then coupled with a closed-loop control system that dynamically adjusted extrusion parameters on-the-fly to correct errors. The platform successfully corrected both over- and under-extrusion errors for alginate and collagen bioinks with varying rheological properties, demonstrating adaptability to unseen materials. Importantly, extrusion errors were corrected within ∼10 seconds. This novel closed-loop bioprinting platform represents a significant advance over traditional open-loop systems.
Temporal shift in task factor influence across the stretch reflex
Authors: Torell Frida , Rohlén Robin , Dimitriou Michael
Published: December 2024

Mechanical perturbations applied to the arm can elicit reflexive actions. These rapid corrective responses include the stretch reflex, which consists of different components: the short-latency reflex (SLR) as well as the early and late long-latency reflex (LLR). In this study, we explore how different task factors dynamically influence these reflex components in the context of a specific delayed-reach paradigm. Using multiple linear regression (MLR), we analysed reflex responses from seven muscles actuating the right arm to examine the effects of mechanical load, preparatory delay, perturbation and target direction, as well as their two-factor interactions. The MLR analysis shows that our delayed-reach tasks engaged shoulder girdle muscles, whereas the biceps and triceps primarily acted as stabilizing muscles, with rapid responses triggered regardless of perturbation direction. Specifically, our analyses show that the earliest corrective response, the SLR, exhibited some task/target-dependent modulation particularly in muscles of the shoulder girdle, although background (pre-)loading decreased this modulation. The SLR was primarily influenced by the main factorsLoadandPerturbation, along with the interactionLoad × Perturbation. Perturbations aligned with the load direction were associated with increased electromyographic (EMG) activity across all examined muscles. While there was a small but significant effect of load during the early LLR, this effect diminished by the late LLR epoch. Task-dependent modulation was most pronounced at the late LLR epoch, suggesting greater top-down modulation of this reflex component. In particular, the late LLR was shaped by the factorsPerturbationandTarget, as well as the interactionPerturbation × Target. Targets and perturbations in opposing directions resulted in heightened EMG activity, and shoulder muscles exhibited stronger LLR responses for targets located farther along the muscle shortening direction. Across all reflex epochs, a longer preparatory delay (750 ms) was associated with higher EMG activity.