bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fine roots of Scots pine and European beech respond differently to changes in nutrient availability in a mixed forest: results from a 4-year experiment
Authors: Yeste Antonio , Imbert J Bosco , Blanco Juan A
Published: January 2025

A nutrient availability experiment was carried out for four years in a mature mixed stand of Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica in the South-western Pyrenees mountains. Initial homogeneous pine regeneration (~58 years ago) was followed by uneven beech regeneration (~45 years ago), leading to the current successional stage in which areas resembling pine monospecific stands are at close distances and under comparable environmental conditions to mixed pine−beech areas. Soil and fine root samples were collected beside trees under three soil nutrient availability treatments: control, litter exclusion, and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilization. Soil samples were collected twice a year (in May and October from 2017 to 2020), and fine root samples were collected twice (in May 2018 and May 2020). Soil fertilization had a bigger impact than litter exclusion on soil chemical parameters, leading to lower pH and NH4+ values. Also, increases in soil total nitrogen, soil available phosphorus, and microbial phosphorus were found after fertilization. Scots pine showed overall lower fine root biomass, specific root length, and root tissue density than beech, presenting also very little response to treatments. On the other hand, beech showed higher biomass and specific root length, but, when soil fertility was enhanced, lower root tissue density was recorded. A negative beech effect over pine fine root biomass was observed, as pine root presence decreased when growing near beech trees in mixed areas. Beech trees not only demonstrated an elevated capability to compete for soil resources but also showed greater root plasticity than pine, enhancing beech potential to take advantage of new soil resources. Our results do not support a complementary niche partitioning but rather a competitive interaction in which European beech has an edge on colonizing the soil volume in the detriment of Scots pine.
Predictors of Generativity among SGM Midlife and Older Adults
Authors: Jung Hailey H , Emlet Charles A , Kim Hyun-Jun , Fredriksen-Goldsen Karen
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives

Generativity, a concern and commitment for others, has shown to be positively associated with health and well-being. Research on generativity in sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities is limited, despite its potential importance given the marginalization older SGM individuals face and limited interaction between generations. We integrate Generativity Theory and the Health Equity Promotional Model to examine key factors for generativity and subgroup differences among SGM midlife and older adults.

Research Design and Methods

Using 2016 data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (N = 2,233), we regressed generativity on social location and adverse experiences and subsequently on psychological and social factors. We also tested the moderating effects of social location and psychological and social factors.

Results

Psychological (mastery, resilience, and critical awareness) and social (social participation, network size, social support, and SGM community engagement) factors were positively associated with generativity. Day-to-day discrimination was negatively, and lifetime violence and microaggressions were positively associated with generativity. With higher critical awareness level, day-to-day discrimination no longer had negative effects. With higher mastery level, lifetime discrimination had positive effects. Resilience and network size were stronger predictors for younger generations.

Discussion and Implications

Findings highlight that psychological and social resources may foster posttraumatic growth and generativity. Critical awareness, activism, and social connections appear important to stand strong against prevalent oppression and extends generative support to younger SGM generations. This research provides insight to promote intergenerational relationships and to cultivate agentic and communal strengths in the SGM populations.
Identifying geological structures in the Pamir region using non-subsampled shearlet transform and gravity gradient tensor
Authors: Duan Hurong , Wang Wei , Xing Lelin , Xie Baopeng , Zhang Qi , Zhang Yerui
Published: January 2025

The Pamir tectonic zone originates from the intense collision of the Indo-Eurasian plate. Identifying the faults in the Pamir region is essential for elucidating the collision mechanism and seismic characteristics. This paper compares the effect of the 2-D discrete wavelet transform (DWT2D) and the non-subsampled shearlet transform (NSST) on gravity field separation through synthetic model gravity field experiments. The results show that NSST can avoid the Gibbs phenomenon of DWT2D and better maintain the gravity field distribution. The surface gravity disturbances data of the Global Gravity Model Plus (GGMplus) with a high-spatial resolution (7.2 arcsec or approximately 200 m) is employed to separate the region-residual gravity fields in the neighbouring domain of the Pamir region based on the NSST. Furthermore, the gravity gradient tensor (GGT) is computed, and the correspondence between the GGT and the location and strike of the surrounding faults is analysed. The results show that the GGT component and its various combinations can effectively identify shallow and deep faults, the residual field GGT and its combinations can effectively identify the distribution and direction of shallow faults, and the regional field GGT and its combinations can effectively identify the distribution and direction of deep faults. The existence of north–south trending faults in the Pamir–Hindu Kush region is widely accepted. However, our study has revealed an east–west trending concealed fault in the deep areas of the Hindu Kush (Depth > 200 km). This finding provides significant insights for studying the bidirectional subduction of the Indian and Eurasian plates. This research not only helps us to analyse the tectonic characteristics of the shallow and deep parts of the region separately but also provides complementary information for investigating the distribution of deep underground faults, especially when fault inversion of intermediate to deep source earthquakes is limited by factors such as uncertainty in source depth and complexity of seismic wave velocities.
3. Liberalism
Authors: Sørensen Georg , Møller Jørgen
Published: January 2025

This chapter examines the liberal tradition in international relations (IR). It first considers the basic liberal assumptions, including a positive view of human nature and the belief that IR can be cooperative rather than conflictual. In their conceptions of international cooperation, liberal theorists emphasize different features of world politics. The chapter explores the ideas associated with three strands of liberal thought, namely: interdependence liberalism, institutional liberalism, and republican liberalism. It also discusses the debate between proponents of liberalism and neorealism, and it identifies a general distinction between weak liberal theories that are close to neorealism and strong liberal theories that challenge neorealism. Finally, it reviews the liberal understanding of world order and the notion that there is a ‘dark’ side of democracy.
Identification of a mepR mutation associated with tigecycline resistance in a clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolate
Authors: Xing Hongjie , Zhang Likuan , Li Chenglong , Schwarz Stefan , Li Dexi , Du Xiang-Dang
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To identify the role and function of mepR variants in conferring resistance to tigecycline in clinical Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods

The identification of the mepR and mepA variants in S. aureus DMB26a was performed by whole-genome sequencing and Blast alignment. The effects of the mepRD and mepAD variants of DMB26a on tigecycline susceptibility were evaluated through deletion and complementation analyses, as well as the determination of gene expression levels by RT-qPCR. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for DMB26a and its mutants were determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Results

A mepR variant, designated mepRD, and a mepA variant, designated mepAD, were identified in the clinical tigecycline-resistant S. aureus isolate DMB26a, which showed 78.72% and 84.92% amino acid identity to the MepR and MepA proteins of S. aureus NCTC 8325-4, respectively. Our findings revealed that deletion of mepA in the tigecycline-susceptible S. aureus RN4220 did not lead to a decrease in the MIC of tigecycline, and that there was also no change in the tigecycline MIC after the complementation with mepAD. Furthermore, we constructed a mepR + mepA deletion strain of S. aureus RN4220 and complemented it with mepRD + mepAD. In that case, a 4-fold increase in the tigecycline MIC was observed in S. aureus RN4220ΔmepR + mepA-pLI50_mepRD + mepAD compared with S. aureus RN4220ΔmepR + mepA. In addition, the relative expression of mepAD was increased 6-fold under the regulation of mepRD.

Conclusions

This study provides the identification of a mepR variant contributing indirectly to tigecycline resistance via mediating increased expression of mepA in a clinical S. aureus isolate.
Communication-efficient federated learning of temporal effects on opioid use disorder with data from distributed research networks
Authors: Liang C Jason , Luo Chongliang , Kranzler Henry R , Bian Jiang , Chen Yong
Published: January 2025

Objective

To develop a distributed algorithm to fit multi-center Cox regression models with time-varying coefficients to facilitate privacy-preserving data integration across multiple health systems.

Materials and Methods

The Cox model with time-varying coefficients relaxes the proportional hazards assumption of the usual Cox model and is particularly useful to model time-to-event outcomes. We proposed a One-shot Distributed Algorithm to fit multi-center Cox regression models with Time varying coefficients (ODACT). This algorithm constructed a surrogate likelihood function to approximate the Cox partial likelihood function, using patient-level data from a lead site and aggregated data from other sites. The performance of ODACT was demonstrated by simulation and a real-world study of opioid use disorder (OUD) using decentralized data from a large clinical research network across 5 sites with 69 163 subjects.

Results

The ODACT method precisely estimated the time-varying effects over time. In the simulation study, ODACT always achieved estimation close to that of the pooled analysis, while the meta-estimator showed considerable amount of bias. In the OUD study, the bias of the estimated hazard ratios by ODACT are smaller than those of the meta-estimator for all 7 risk factors at almost all of the time points from 0 to 2.5 years. The greatest bias of the meta-estimator was for the effects of age ≥65 years, and smoking.

Conclusion

ODACT is a privacy-preserving and communication-efficient method for analyzing multi-center time-to-event data which allows the covariates’ effects to be time-varying. ODACT provides estimates close to the pooled estimator and substantially outperforms the meta-analysis estimator.

Discussion

The proposed ODACT is a privacy-preserving distributed algorithm for fitting Cox models with time-varying coefficients. The limitations of ODACT include that privacy-preserving via aggregate data does rely on relatively large number of data at each individual site, and rigorous quantification of the risk of privacy leaks requires further investigation.
Feeding nursery pigs diets containing peroxidized soybean oil has minimal effects on oxidative status but dramatically reduces serum vitamin E concentrations
Authors: Wilson Victoria C , Kerr Brian J
Published: January 2025

A subgroup of pigs from two experiments (EXP) were selected to evaluate the impact of pigs fed diets containing peroxidized soybean oil (SO) on plasma-based measures of oxidative stress and vitamin E. Pigs were fed diets containing SO that was either unprocessed (23 °C; peroxide value of 3 meq/kg and an anisidine value of 4) or thermally processed at 135 °C for 42 h (peroxide value of 30 meq/kg and an anisidine value of 501). The corn-soybean meal-based diets contained either 10% SO (EXP 1) or 8% SO (EXP 2). Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 22 d (EXP 1, 13.5 to 24.0 kg, 2 pigs/pen) or 27 d (EXP 2, 21.3 to 37.5 kg, 1 pig/pen), each with 10 replications per dietary treatment. Pigs fed diets containing the peroxidized SO had reduced ADG, ADFI, and GF compared to pigs fed diets containing the unheated SO (P ≤ 0.01). Pigs fed diets containing peroxidized SO had increased plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes and reactive oxygen metabolites compared to pigs fed diets containing unheated SO (P ≤ 0.01). In contrast, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentrations tended to decrease in pigs fed diets containing peroxidized SO compared to pigs fed diets containing unheated SO (P = 0.10). There was no apparent effect of pigs consuming diets containing peroxidized SO on plasma antioxidant adsorbent capacity or an oxidative stress index (P ≥ 0.19). Pigs fed diets containing peroxidized SO resulted in a reduction in plasma vitamin E compared to pigs fed diets containing unheated SO (P ≤ 0.01). Results indicate that adding SO that has been thermally processed thereby containing high concentrations of aldehydes resulted in inconsistent changes of markers of oxidative stress, but dramatically reduced plasma vitamin E concentrations.
Duration of aromatase inhibitor use and long-term cardiovascular risk in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Huang Yuhan , Kwan Marilyn L , Heckbert Susan R , Smith Nicholas L , Othus Megan , Laurent Cecile A , Roh Janise M , Rillamas-Sun Eileen , Lee Valerie S , Kolevska Tatjana , Cheng Richard K , Irribarren Carlos , Nguyen-Huynh Mai , Hershman Dawn L , Kushi Lawrence H , Greenlee Heather
Published: January 2025

Background

There are limited data on duration of aromatase inhibitor (AI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in breast cancer (BC) survivors. We examined risk of CVD and mortality associated with duration of AI use in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive BC.

Methods

Postmenopausal women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive BC (n = 5,853) who used an AI were included. Cause-specific hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between AI use duration (short-term: >0 and <2 years; intermediate-term: ≥2 and <5 years; long-term: ≥5 years) and CVD and mortality outcomes. The landmark method was used to avoid immortal time bias; the selected landmark was 6 years after BC diagnosis.

Results

Anastrozole was the AI predominantly prescribed (95.4%). Over a median follow-up of 3 years for women who survived 6 years after BC diagnosis, a lower risk of stroke was observed in intermediate-term AI users (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.96) and long-term AI users (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30-0.85), than in short-term AI users. The longer duration of AI use was also associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and non-CVD-related mortality. In addition, long-term AI users were at 37% lower risk of CVD-related mortality than short-term AI users. No significant differences were observed in risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure across the three groups.

Conclusion

Among postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive BC who survived to 6 years after BC diagnosis, longer duration of AI use was not associated with elevated CVD risk.
Screening for comprehensive social needs in patients with cancer: a narrative review
Authors: Arana Isabel , Liu Raymond , Kushi Lawrence , Hahn Erin , Ragavan Meera
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with cancer who report social needs have worse quality of life, lower healthcare access, and suboptimal health outcomes. However, screening for social needs does not happen systematically and successful screening tools, strategies, and workflows have seldom been described. The downstream effects of screening including resource navigation have also not been well characterized. This objective of this narrative review was to fill these gaps.

Methods

Two investigators searched Pubmed and Embase for studies that implemented a patient-facing social screening tool among patients with cancer between 2008-2023 using search terms including “social screening,” “social needs,” and “cancer.”

Results

We identified 19 articles that met study inclusion criteria. The most common tool used was the validated Health Leads Social Toolkit. Most often, screening tools were administered electronically, sent directly to patients, and captured needs at a single time point during a patient’s diagnosis. Screening response rates ranged between 10-60%. Less than half of the studies described downstream resource navigation for patients who screened positive for social needs Only one study evaluated the impact of screening on clinical outcomes and quality of life. Screening for patients who do not speak English or who belong to historically racial, ethnic, and gender minority groups was limited.

Conclusions

Screening for social needs has been shown to be feasible across delivery systems with numerous validated tools available. However, gaps remain in generalizability to diverse patient populations. Future work must identify how screening workflows can be successfully incorporated into routine clinical workflows.
Topical review: family psychosocial risk screening and social determinants of health assessment
Authors: Kazak Anne E , Scialla Michele A , Ramaswamy Nithya , Deatrick Janet A , Arasteh Kamyar , Hammer Shannon N , Barakat Lamia P
Published: January 2025

Objective

Social-ecological factors are highly congruent with social determinants of health (SDOH): Economic Stability; Educational Access/Quality; Healthcare Access/Quality; Neighborhood/Built Environment; and Social/Community Context. In this topical review, the correspondence of social-ecological theory with SDOH and assessment approaches is reviewed. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) is used to show how existing tools may facilitate SDOH screening.

Methods

SDOH are defined, and their link to pediatric health outcomes is presented, followed by a review of the social-ecological model. Feasible, valid, and actionable approaches to assessment of social ecology and SDOH are presented with a focus on the PAT, a brief caregiver report screener based on social-ecological theory, validated in English, Spanish, and in multiple conditions and adapted/translated internationally. Multidisciplinary healthcare providers (n = 25) completed an online survey, indicating whether each PAT item fit into SDOH categories.

Results

Despite different approaches to assessing SDOH, there are few feasible and evidence-based approaches. Most PAT items (78%) were consistent with one of the SDOH categories by the majority of raters. PAT items corresponded to all five SDOH categories. Some items about child behavior and family were not categorized as an SDOH, reflecting the broader context of screening with the PAT.

Conclusion

The assessment of SDOH is a priority, but approaches to assessment and linking outcomes to intervention remain underdeveloped. As an evidence-based screener in pediatric healthcare, based on social-ecological and public health models, the PAT may provide a means of identifying relevant SDOH in pediatric practice.
The band’s encore: scarring causing dysphagia post-gastric band removal
Authors: Tilleard Peter , Jeyarajan Eshwarshanker
Published: January 2025

Placement of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is a procedure used in bariatric surgery. Despite its decrease in popularity due to its high reoperation rate and suboptimal clinical response, managing the complications of LAGBs remains an important component of general and bariatric surgeons’ work. Only two case studies describe return to theatre to excise scarring, which has continued to cause symptoms after LAGB removal. We report the case of a 72-year-old female presenting with persistent dysphagia nine years post removal of her LAGB. Laparoscopic excision of a fibrotic scar at the site of her previous LAGB resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms. This case report draws attention to the possibility of ongoing symptoms from scarring despite LAGB removal and how this can be managed. Further, it may suggest the importance of dividing a fibrotic scar found under a LAGB on removal.
A framework of biomarkers for skeletal muscle aging: a consensus statement by the Aging Biomarker Consortium
Authors:   Aging Biomarker Consortium, Huang Ning , Ge Meiling , Liu Xiaolei , Tian Xu , Yin Pengbin , Bao Zhijun , Cao Feng , Shyh-Chang Ng , Dong Biao , Dai Lunzhi , Gan Zhenji , Hu Ping , Qu Jing , Wang Si , Wang Huating , Xiao Qian , Yue Rui , Yue Jirong , Zhang Licheng , Zhang Yong , Zhang Hongbo , Zhang Weiqi , Liu Guang-Hui , Pei Gang , Liu Yong , Zhu Dahai , Dong Birong
Published: January 2025

The skeletal muscle is an important organ for movement and metabolism in human body, and its physiological aging underlies the occurrence of muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. China has the largest aging population in the world and is facing a grand challenge with how to prevent and treat skeletal muscle aging-related diseases. To address this difficult problem, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) of China has reached an expert consensus on biomarkers of skeletal muscle aging by synthesizing literatures and insights from scientists and clinicians. This consensus attempts to provide a comprehensive assessment of biomarkers associated with skeletal muscle aging, and proposes a systematic framework to classify them into three dimensions: functional, structural, and humoral. Within each dimension, the experts recommend clinically relevant biomarkers for skeletal muscle aging. This consensus aims to lay the foundation for future research on skeletal muscle aging, facilitating precise prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of skeletal muscle aging and sarcopenia. It is anticipated to make significant contributions to healthy aging of skeletal muscle in the elderly population in China and around the world as well.
Inhibition of HMGA2 binding to AT-rich DNA by its negatively charged C-terminus
Authors: Su Linjia , Deng Zifang , Santos-Fernandez Miguel , Jeanne Dit Fouque Kevin , Chapagain Prem P , Chambers Jeremy W , Fernandez-Lima Francisco , Leng Fenfei
Published: January 2025

The mammalian high mobility group protein AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is a small DNA-binding protein that specifically targets AT-rich DNA sequences. Structurally, HMGA2 is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), comprising three positively charged ‘AT-hooks’ and a negatively charged C-terminus. HMGA2 can form homodimers through electrostatic interactions between its ‘AT-hooks’ and C-terminus. This suggests that the negatively charged C-terminus may inhibit DNA binding by interacting with the positively charged ‘AT-hooks.’ In this paper, we demonstrate that the C-terminus significantly influences HMGA2’s DNA-binding properties. For example, the C-terminal deletion mutant HMGA2Δ95–108 binds more tightly to the AT-rich DNA oligomer FL814 than wild-type HMGA2. Additionally, a synthetic peptide derived from the C-terminus (the C-terminal motif peptide or CTMP) strongly inhibits HMGA2’s binding to FL814, likely by interacting with the ‘AT-hooks,’ as shown by various biochemical and biophysical assays. Molecular modeling demonstrates that electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding are the primary forces driving CTMP’s binding to the ‘AT-hooks.’ Intriguingly, we found that hydration does not play a role in HMGA2-DNA binding. These results suggest that the highly negatively charged C-terminus of HMGA2 plays a critical role in regulating its DNA-binding capacity through autoinhibition, likely facilitating the target search process for AT-rich DNA sequences.
Functional connectivity between tumor region and resting-state networks as imaging biomarker for overall survival in recurrent gliomas diagnosed by FET PET
Authors: Friedrich Michel , Werner Jan-Michael , Steinbach Joachim P , Sabel Michael , Herrlinger Ulrich , Piroth Marc , Stoffels Gabriele , Filss Christian P , Lohmann Philipp , Shah Nadim J , Ruge Maximilian I , Mottaghy Felix M , Goldbrunner Roland , Langen Karl-Josef , Fink Gereon R , Kocher Martin , Galldiks Norbert
Published: January 2025

Background

Amino acid PET using the tracer O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) is one of the most reliable imaging methods for detecting glioma recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that functional MR connectivity between the metabolic active recurrent tumor region and resting-state networks of the brain could serve as a prognostic imaging biomarker for overall survival (OS).

Methods

The study included 82 patients (26-81 years; median ECOG performance score, 0) with recurrent gliomas following therapy (WHO-CNS 2021 grade 4 glioblastoma, n=57; grade 3 or 4 astrocytoma, n=12; grade 2 or 3 oligodendroglioma, n=13) diagnosed by FET PET simultaneously acquired with functional resting-state MR. Functional connectivity (FC) was assessed between tumor regions and seven canonical resting-state networks.

Results

WHO tumor grade and IDH mutation status were strong predictors of OS after recurrence (p<0.001). Overall FC between tumor regions and networks was highest in oligodendrogliomas and was inversely related to tumor grade (p=0.031). FC between the tumor region and the dorsal attention network was associated with longer OS (HR, 0.88; 95%CI, 0.80-0.97; p=0.007), and showed an independent association with OS (HR, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.81-0.99; p=0.033) in a model including clinical factors, tumor volume and MGMT. In the glioblastoma subgroup, tumor volume and FC between tumor and the visual network (HR, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.82-0.99, p=0.031) were independent predictors of survival.

Conclusion

Recurrent gliomas exhibit significant FC to resting-state networks of the brain. Besides tumor type and grade, high FC between the tumor and distinct networks could serve as independent prognostic factors for improved OS in these patients.
Sex-Specific Difference in Treatment Success/Failure after Vestibular Schwannoma Treatment
Authors: Wang Sophie Shih-Yüng , Horstmann Gerhard , Renovanz Mirjam , van Eck Albertus , Tatagiba Marcos , Naros Georgios
Published: January 2025

Background

Sex-related differences in patients with sporadic, unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) are poorly investigated so far and it remains unclear whether biological sex affects the treatment response to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or microsurgical resection (SURGERY). This study elucidates sex-related differences in treatment outcome of VS.

Methods

This is a retrospective two-center cohort study. All consecutive patients treated for their VS between 2005 und 2012 were included. Previously treated VS and patients with Neurofibromatosis were excluded. Clinical status and treatment-related complications were analyzed from centers’ treatment registries. Recurrence/progression-free-survival was assessed radiographically by contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Results

Within the entire patient cohort of N=1,118, the majority of VS patients (56%) was female. 62% of patients were treated by SRS. Females with very small tumors (KOOS I) were significantly less likely to be assigned to SURGERY than men (p=.009). Mean follow-up time was 6±4.3 years. In SURGERY, the rate of subtotal resection was significantly higher in women (7%) compared to men (2%) (p=.041). However, there was no difference in long-term tumor control after SURGERY between both sexes (p=.729). In SRS, the incidence of recurrence was significantly higher in women (14%) compared to men (8%) (p=.004), which was also reflected in the Kaplan-Meier-Analysis (p=.031).

Conclusions

Female sex was a negative prognostic factor for treatment success (long-term tumor control) if treated with SRS – there was no sex-related differences in long-term tumor control after SURGERY. Additional research is needed to elucidate sex-related differences in tumor biology affecting the response to VS treatment.
Targeting Ketone Body Metabolism Improves Cardiac Function and Hemodynamics in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lv Tingting , Liu Chunyan , Guo Shitian , Wu Menglu , Wang Xiang , Zhang Ziyi , Zhou Jiedong , Yao Yiying , Shen Zeyu , Yang Juntao , Sun Shijia , Liu Zheng , Chi Jufang
Published: January 2025

Context

The impacts of elevated ketone body levels on cardiac function and hemodynamics in patients with heart failure (HF) remain unclear.

Objective

The effects of ketone intervention on these parameters in patients with HF were evaluated quantitatively in this meta-analysis.

Data Sources

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for relevant studies published from inception to April 13, 2024. Ketone therapy included ketone ester and β-hydroxybutyrate intervention.

Data Extraction

Seven human studies were included for the quantitative analysis.

Data Analysis

Our results showed that ketone therapy significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (standardized mean difference, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.25-0.80]; I2 = 0%), cardiac output (0.84 [95% CI, 0.36-1.32]; I2 = 68%) and stroke volume (0.47 [95% CI, 0.10-0.84]; I2 = 39%), and significantly reduced systemic vascular resistance (–0.92 [95% CI, –1.52 to –0.33]; I2 = 74%) without influencing mean arterial pressure (–0.09 [95% CI: –0.40 to 0.22]; I2 = 0%) in patients with HF. Subgroup analysis revealed that the enhanced cardiac function and favorable hemodynamic effects of ketone therapy were also applicable to individuals without HF.

Conclusions

Ketone therapy may significantly improve cardiac systolic function and hemodynamics in patients with HF and in patients without HF, suggesting it may be a promising treatment for patients with HF and also a beneficial medical strategy for patients without HF or healthy individuals.
Disproportionate Vulnerability to and Unique Aggregation Pattern of Non-AIDS Comorbidities Among Women With HIV in China
Authors: Chen Xiaoxiao , Guo Congcong , Wang Tingting , Shen Weiwei , Wang Shanling , Wang Yating , Chen Tailin , Wang Miaochen , Lin Haijiang , He Na
Published: January 2025

Background

Whether and how sex plays differential roles in aging-related multimorbidity among people with HIV (PWH) is poorly characterized.

Methods

We included 2479 PWH and 5376 people without HIV from the baseline assessment of the CHART cohort (Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou). Ten non-AIDS comorbidities were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the correlates of multimorbidity, defined as the coexistence of ≥2 non-AIDS comorbidities. Multimorbidity patterns were identified through hierarchical cluster analysis.

Results

The prevalence of multimorbidity was higher in PWH than in people without HIV (74.6% vs 66.9%, P < .001). This difference was particularly pronounced in women in each age group from 18 through 59 years and among men in each age group from 18 through 49 years. A significant interaction between sex and HIV on multimorbidity was identified (P < .001), with the strength of the association between HIV infection and multimorbidity being stronger in women than in men. Women with HIV presented a unique aggregation pattern of multimorbidity, where neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, neurocognitive impairment) clustered with cardiometabolic diseases. In contrast, all men and women without HIV manifested a similar multimorbidity pattern, where depression and neurocognitive impairment were clustered with hematologic abnormalities but not with cardiometabolic diseases.

Conclusions

Earlier onset and higher burden of multimorbidity in PWH, as well as disproportionate vulnerability to and a unique multimorbidity pattern among women with HIV, underscore the urgent need for early and sexually oriented integrative interventions and health services targeting multimorbidity in PWH.
Metrology Requirements for the Integrated Luminosity Measurement Using Small-Angle Bhabha Scattering at ILC
Authors: Smiljanić Ivan , Božović Ivanka , Kačarević Goran , Radulović Mirko , Stevanović Jasna
Published: January 2025

Precision measurement of the integrated luminosity $\mathcal {L}$ at future Higgs factories, including the International Linear Collider (ILC), is of crucial importance for the cross-section measurements, and in particular for the line-shape measurements at the Z-pole. Since there is no up-to-date estimate of the integrated luminosity uncertainties arising from metrology effects at ILC, here we review the metrology requirements for the targeted precision of $\mathcal {L}$ at foreseen ILC center-of-mass energies: 91.2 GeV, 250 GeV, 500 GeV and 1 TeV, using small-angle Bhabha scattering.
Field evaluation of peanut cultivars to early leaf spot, late leaf spot, and southern blight at Stoneville, MS, 2023
Authors: Tripathi Subina , Wilkerson Tessie , Jimenez Alejandra , Solomon Walter , Burgess Brad
Published: January 2025

Early and late leaf spot and southern blight, caused by the fungal pathogens Passalora arachidicola, Nothopassalora personata and Athelia rolfsii, respectively, are among the important diseases in peanut production regions of the United States. Leaf spot symptoms include lesions on leaves, petioles and stems often with a yellow halo in the case of early leaf spot, while southern blight symptoms include wilting and plant death. This report evaluates disease susceptibility within the Mississippi State Official Peanut Variety Trial located in Stoneville, MS during 2023. Results from these trials will assist U.S. peanut producers in selecting management options for these diseases.
The role of circular RNAs in autoimmune diseases: Potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Li Xin’ai , Wang Junhui , Wang Peng , Qi Shuo , Amalraj Jeremiah , Zhou Jingwei , Ding Zhiguo
Published: January 2025

With the emergence of high‐quality sequencing technologies, further research on transcriptomes has become possible. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel type of endogenous RNA molecule with a covalently closed circular structure through “back‐splicing,” is reported to be widely present in eukaryotic cells and participates mainly in regulating gene and protein expression in various ways. It is becoming a research hotspot in the non‐coding RNA field. CircRNA shows close relation to several varieties of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in both the physiological and pathological level and could potentially be used clinically in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Here, we focus on reviewing the importance of circRNA in various AIDs, with the aim of establishing new biomarkers and providing novel insights into understanding the role and functions of circRNA in AIDs. Specific signaling pathways of how circular RNAs are regulated in AIDs will also be illustrated in this review.
Cell therapy: A beacon of hope in the battle against pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wan Ruyan , Liu Yanli , Yan Jingwen , Lin Juntang
Published: January 2025

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by abnormal activation of myofibroblasts and pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Lung transplantation is currently the only approach that can extend the life expectancy of patients; however, its applicability is severely restricted due to donor shortages and patient‐specific limitations. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutic strategies is imperative. In recent years, stem cells have shown great promise in the field of regenerative medicine due to their self‐renewal capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential, and a growing body of literature supports the efficacy of stem cell therapy in PF treatment. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of various stem cell types in the treatment of PF. Furthermore, it discusses the primary methods and clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy in PF, based on both preclinical and clinical data. Finally, the current challenges and key factors to consider in stem cell therapy for PF are objectively analyzed, and future directions for improving this therapy are proposed, providing new insights and references for the clinical treatment of PF patients.
Polydipsia Induced Acute Angle-Closure Crisis
Authors: Maheshwari Akash , Laylani Noor , Siliezar Pamela Davila , Lee Andrew G.
Published: January 2025

We present a case of Acute Angle-Closure Crisis (AACC) precipitated by primary transient psychogenic polydipsia; we believe that our case is the first of its kind to be reported. A 74-year-old male presented to the emergency department with altered mental status due to acute-onset hyponatremia. Six days after admission, the patient noticed painful loss of vision in his right eye and an ipsilateral headache lasting 10-15 minutes. Upon follow-up with his primary care physician several days later, a fixed, dilated right pupil was noted. On ophthalmologic evaluation in the ER the next day, the patient was found to have markedly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) at 47 mm Hg in the right eye. He started topical brimonidine, dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5%, and latanoprost, and underwent phacoemulsification with placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) in the right eye. Several mechanisms of polydipsia induced AACC are proposed including choroidal expansion, increased sympathetic α-adrenergic tone, or differences in osmotic potential forces.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Patient Positioning During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Procedures
Authors: Meeusen Vera , Kim Mijin , Ma Regan , Roque Marilyn , Sivalingam Pal , Hamarneh Zaki , Hourigan Luke
Published: January 2025

The prone “swimmers” position is preferable for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as it provides the best visualization for selective bile duct cannulation. However, “swimmers” position does not comply with best-practice patient positioning guidelines. Our objective was to determine whether the semi-prone patient position was suitable for ERCP without negatively influencing the outcomes of the procedure. We conducted a randomized controlled trial, 50 patients in prone and 50 patients in semi-prone patient position, measuring the number of attempts and time to successfully cannulate the bile duct. Safety outcomes measured were airway access, pharyngeal endoscope passage, and complications. Between the two groups, there were no statistical differences in demographic variables, selective bile duct cannulation attempts, or cannulation time. Airway access scored significantly better in the semi-prone position. There was a significant positive correlation between the total number of cannulation attempts and papilla type. No intra- or post-procedural significant complications occurred. The semi-prone position was comparable to the “swimmers” position regarding the number of attempts and time required for selective bile duct cannulation but scored significantly better in airway access by anesthetists. A semi-prone patient position is advisable for ERCP procedures as it complies with best-practice patient positioning guidelines.
Sex Differences in Textbook Outcomes among Adults Undergoing Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Filiberto Amanda C , Banks C Adam , Sickels Angela , Novak Zdenek , Beck Adam W
Published: January 2025

Background:

Female patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) undergoing repair have worse outcomes than males. Textbook outcomes (TO) have been described as a metric to direct quality improvement efforts and assess institutional performance. We investigated sex differences among patients achieving a TO after open (OAR) and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Study design:

Vascular Quality Initiative registry data from 80,948 patients undergoing elective AAA repair was reviewed. TO was defined as absence of major medical/surgical complication, prolonged postoperative length of stay (based on 75th percentile of the cohort), reintervention, or mortality and non-home discharge. EVAR and OAR cohorts were analyzed separately, stratified by TO and sex, and compared based on patient demographics, outcomes, and one-year survival.

Results:

More males had a TO compared to females (EVAR: 80% vs 67%; OAR: 54% vs 47%, p<0.001, respectively). Obstacles for achieving TO for females were prolonged POLOS, surgical complications, and non-home discharge. TO was associated with improved one-year survival in EVAR and OAR. High volume center status (based on case volume quartiles) was not associated with TO for EVAR but was associated with TO for males undergoing OAR.

Conclusions:

Females are less likely to achieve a TO regardless of surgical approach and have a lower one-year survival than males when they do not. Importantly, when females do achieve a TO, there are no sex differences in one-year survival. TO is as a patient- centered quality standard and provides objective support for patient-provider decision- making and expectations and may serve as a quality metric that should be implemented to mitigate sex disparities. Further investigation utilizing multi-level modeling to examine patient, provider, and facility variables that impact TO is warranted.
A HOSPITAL BASED OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON HIV-TB COINFECTION
Authors: Soni Akansha , Venkatesh Vimala , Jain Parul , JAIN AMITA , HIMANSHU D , GUPTA NEETU , TANDON RITU
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
 
 
BACKGROUND:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the major cause of failure to reach targets of tuberculosis (TB) control in settings with high HIV load. TB on the other hand enhances the progression of HIV infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
METHODOLOGY:
An observational study was conducted in which 573 patients who were newly diagnosed with HIV infection and enrolled at an antiretroviral therapy (ART) center, King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow between May 2021 to June 2022 were taken, of which 80 patients had newly diagnosed TB. These HIV-TB co-infected patients were analyzed for demographic factors. Also, clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts were done at the time of enrolment on ART and then about six to eight months later. For comparison, of the 493 HIV-only patients, 50 age and sex-matched consecutive patients for whom both the baseline and follow-up CD4 counts were available and were not investigated for tuberculosis during the study period were enrolled as controls. The change from baseline CD4 count was calculated with the use of paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
RESULTS :
In the present study, among HIV-TB coinfected patients, baseline CD4 levels were 194.52±162.27, and follow-up CD4 levels were 285.09±170.33. An increment of 90.57±165.60 in mean CD4 levels was observed which was statistically significant(t=4.019; p<0.001 ). Likewise, in only HIV-positive patients a statistically significant increment of 125.26±191.48 (35.75%) cells in mean CD4 levels was observed (t=4.626; p<0.001).
CONCLUSION :
A significant rise in CD4 counts was observed in both HIV-TB coinfected patients started on ART plus anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) and HIV-only patients started on ART. Still, the rise is significantly higher among the HIV-only group as compared to the HIV-TB co-positive group.
Deletion of PIEZO1 in adult cardiomyocytes accelerates cardiac aging and causes premature death
Authors: Yu Ze-Yan , Guo Yang , Kesteven Scott , Cheng Delfine , Lei Hanzhou , Wu Jianxin , Nadar Evelyn , Macdonald Peter , Xaymardan Munira , Cox Charles D. , Feneley Michael P. , Martinac Boris
Published: January 2025

Mechanosensitive PIEZO1 channels have emerged as key transducers of mechanical forces in the cardiovascular system. In cardiomyocytes, we previously showed that PIEZO1 decodes mechanical cues driving pressure-overload induced hypertrophy. However, conflicting reports exist on the influence of PIEZO1 on baseline cardiac function. Here we show that conditional deletion ofPiezo1from cardiomyocytes in adult mice results in premature mortality. The hearts from these mice exhibited signs of accelerated aging, including elevated markers of the senescence associated secretory phenotype, with significant blunting of the normal cardiac hypertrophic response to aging, associated with a reduction in the activation of the pro-hypertrophic Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Functionally, aged-Piezo1KO mice exhibited impaired cardiac relaxation due to altered cellular Ca2+handling kinetics. Young adultPiezo1KO mice exhibited a normal resting heart rate but developed significant progressive sinus bradycardia and cardiac fibrotic remodelling with aging, which was most prominent in the right atrium, wherePiezo1expression is highest in the healthy heart. Mechanistically, loss of PIEZO1 was associated with a marked reduction in the anti-fibrotic molecule, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Moreover,in vivo,ANP release instigated by atrial stretch was markedly blunted in conditionalPiezo1KO mice, providing a plausible and long sought-after mechanism for the link between mechanical stretch and ANP release. Taken together, our data show that PIEZO1 is a crucial homeostatic molecule during cardiac aging, enabling adaptation to an aging tissue microenvironment.
The two-process model: How simple, complex, unique is it from a mathematical perspective?
Authors: Skeldon Anne C. , Dijk Derk-Jan
Published: January 2025

The two-process model (2pm) of sleep regulation is not only a conceptual framework but consists of mathematical equations that have meaning and structure. Despite the apparent simplicity of its graphical representation, the mathematical structure of the 2pm is complex and falls within the wider class of coupled oscillator models. The structure of the 2pm is very similar to models that have been used to capture other physiological phenomena such as cardiac arrhythmias, breathing and the integrate-and-fire behaviour of neurons. The 2pm is also intimately related to neuronal mutual inhibition models for the alternation between sleep and wake. Here we discuss how the relationship between neuronal models of sleep regulation and the 2pm model provides new insights into the physiological interpretation of the circadian thresholds of the 2pm and parameter values. We analyse the mathematical structure of the 2pm and how this structure relates to sleep patterns observed in the absence of 24-h time cues, in different species and in early childhood. We discuss how extending the 2pm to include a light-circadian pacemaker process allows for quantitative modelling of the effects of artificial light on sleep duration and sleep timing relative to the 24 hour day. Overall, we highlight how understanding the mathematical structure of the 2pm and its extensions provides alternative, not immediately intuitive, perspectives on the drivers of sleep phenotypes. We show that changes in sleep timing and the phase relationship between sleep and circadian rhythms may occur not only as a result of changes in the circadian pacemaker but also as a result of changes in sleep homeostasis, neuronal processes associated with excitability or the light environment. Analysis of the mathematical structure of the 2pm brings the opportunity to quantitatively predict the effect of interventions to support sleep and circadian alignment in individuals of all ages, including those with neurodegenerative disorders.