bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of asymmetric intrastromal corneal ring segments with progressive base width for management of keratoconus.
Authors: HAYS Quentin , KALLEL Sofiene , GARCIN Thibaud , DAVID Clémentine , BARUGEL Raphaël , BORDERIE Marie , CUYAUBÈRE Roxane , GOEMAERE Isabelle , BORDERIE Vincent , BOUHERAOUA Nacim
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

To evaluate visual, refractive, corneal topographic, and aberrometric results of asymmetric intracorneal ring segments (AS ICRS) with variable width to manage asymmetric keratoconus.

Setting:

Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, Paris, France.

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Methods:

According to their tomographic pattern, patients receiving one AS ICRS (INTRASEG asymmetric; Gamma Vision) were included. AS INTRASEG features an arc length of 150 degrees and asymmetric width (800 to 1200 µm). Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) combined with Placido disc MS-39 (CSO, Firenze, Italy) were performed before, 1, and 6 months after surgery to assess keratometric, aberrometric outcomes, and epithelial remodeling. Refractive outcomes were also evaluated. Analysis of the correction profile according to the width of the base of the ICRS was performed.

Results:

43 keratoconic eyes were analyzed. Significant improvement of corrected distance visual acuity was observed (LogMAR): from 0.34 ± 0.23 to 0.08 ± 0.10 (p<0.001). The flattening effect was higher at the widest end than the narrowest end (-10.59D ± 2.59 versus -4.54D ± 1.30, p<0.001), contributing to reduce the Symmetry Index Front from 9.06 ± 4.02 to 2.21 ± 3.81. Total higher orders aberrations reduced from 2.13 ± 0.94 µm to 1.77 ± 0.59 µm (p<0.001) with a halving of the coma aberration from 1.84 ± 0.87 µm to 0.89 ± 0.50 µm (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Implantation of AS INTRASEG in asymmetric keratoconus improves refractive, topographic, and aberrometric parameters. The progressive width of the base is efficient for reducing vertical asymmetry and higher-order aberrations of asymmetric keratoconus phenotype.
Impact of Postoperative Walking vs. Lying Down on IOL Rotation After Lens Surgery: A Prospective Comparative Study
Authors: Jandewerth Tyll , Kaiser Klemens Paul , Hemkeppler Eva , Lwowski Christoph , Kohnen Thomas
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

To determine the intraocular lens (IOL) rotational stability depending on patient position in the first postoperative hour after femtosecond laser assisted cataract or refractive surgery with implantation of a non-toric IOL in the capsular bag.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Design:

Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Methods:

In this study, 38 eyes of 36 patients received femtosecond laser assisted phacoemulsification and implantation of a non-toric IOL in the capsular bag. Patients were randomized into two groups: patients laid down for one hour after surgery due to the clinical standard (LD group), patients walked around in the first postoperative hour (W group). No miotic eye drops were applied at the end of operation. A retroilluminated slit lamp picture was taken at the end of the operation (baseline), one hour and one day postoperative. Changes in IOL position were measured by an axis between two episcleral landmarks and the haptics of the IOL. Measurements were performed by an image processing application specified for medical and scientific purpose. If not normally distributed, the paired t-test was used. Otherwise, the Mann-Whitney-U-Test was used if data was not normally distributed.

Results:

IOL rotation in the first hour was 1.80° ± 1.80° in the LD group and 1.21° ± 2.11° in the W group (p=0.123). One day after operation, IOL position differed from the baseline measurement with 1.52° ± 1.89° in the LD group and 1.51° ± 1.69° in the W group (p=0.773).

Conclusion:

Early postoperative patient position does not seem to influence IOL rotational stability.
Late refractive change after cataract extraction and toric intraocular lens implantation
Authors: Roston Sydney , Kulenkamp J. Erik , Ahmed Abdurahman , Scheurer Ryan , Armbrust Karen R.
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

To report rates of change and identify factors associated with late change in refractive outcome after toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Setting:

Single-site study at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

Study inclusion required uncomplicated posterior chamber Alcon SN6ATT toric IOL implantation from 2010 –2017 and refractions 1 month and 5 years after surgery. Exclusion criteria were sulcus IOL placement, subsequent intraocular or refractive surgery in the operative eye, and 5-year Snellen visual acuity of 20/60 or worse. Outcomes of interest were change in spherical equivalent and change in magnitude of the astigmatism vector between the postoperative month 1 and postoperative year 5 refractions. Refractive stability was defined as ≤0.5D change in spherical equivalent and ≤1D change in magnitude of the astigmatism vector. Predictive factors analyzed included age, sex, race, pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome, axial length (AL), pre-operative keratometry measurements (∆K), IOL power, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet capsulotomy, and intravitreal injections.

Results:

Of the 320 eyes meeting study criteria, spherical equivalent was stable in 241 (75%) eyes, astigmatism was stable in 266 (83%) eyes, and 205 (64%) eyes met criteria for refractive stability with both measures. Multivariable regression analysis identified shorter AL (p=0.018) and larger ∆K (p=0.002) as significant predictors of change in refractive astigmatism and PXF syndrome (p=0.006) as a predictor of hyperopic shift >0.5D.

Conclusions:

A minority of eyes exhibit late refractive change after toric IOL implantation. AL, ∆K, and PXF syndrome are independent predictors of late refractive change.
Alternative Models of Cardiac Rehabilitation to Promote Secondary Prevention in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Almoghairi Ahmed Mohammed , O'Brien Jane , Alshammari Mukhlid , Duff Jed
Published: February 2025

Background

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective secondary prevention strategy, it remains underutilized worldwide. Barriers to accessibility and adherence to traditional hospital-based programs have led to the development of alternative models, such as home-based CR, to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to map and synthesize evidence of effective home-based CR models for promoting secondary prevention in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, we conducted a scoping review across 7 databases: Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science, and gray literature sources. The search included primary English-language articles published in the last decade, with an update extending to October 2024. Reviewers independently assessed eligibility, and data extraction followed the Template for Intervention Description and Replication and PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Among the 3296 initially identified articles, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The identified home-based CR models varied in duration (6 weeks to 6 months) and used a range of technological tools, such as Internet platforms and telecommunication, for exercise supervision and patient communication. These programs include supplementary equipment and educational resources to enhance patient self-efficacy and cardiovascular disease awareness.

Conclusions

All identified home-based CR models showed positive patient outcomes, with high program enrollment and adherence to secondary prevention measures. Further research is needed to compare different home-based CR models and assess their feasibility in diverse settings.
Is Decreased Hip Flexibility a Risk Factor of Arm Injuries in Young Baseball Players? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ueda Yasuyuki , Taniguchi Masashi , Noda Taiga , Minaguchi Souta , Ichihashi Noriaki
Published: February 2025

Objectives:

Although various kinematic parameters have been investigated as factors associated with shoulder and elbow injuries during pitching, the relationship between lower extremity flexibility and such injuries remains unclear. The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the association between pitching injuries to the shoulder and elbow and lower extremity flexibility.

Designs:

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Date sources:

A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted using data extracted from five databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Scopus, and PEDro) following the method of Minds. The inclusion criteria were studies focusing on throwing injuries in the shoulder and elbow, specifically related to baseball, and the investigation of motion in the lower extremities. Owing to the presence of cross-sectional and cohort studies, meta-analyses were conducted for each study type.

Main Results:

Meta-analyses were performed using data from 11 reports. The results revealed a significant difference in lead-side hip internal rotation for both cross-sectional (P = 0.04) and cohort studies (P = 0.02), indicating a reduced range of motion (ROM) in athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries. In addition, a significant difference was observed in the hip internal rotation of the trail leg in the cross-sectional study (P = 0.04), similar to that of the lead leg. However, no significant differences were found in hip external rotation or straight leg raising (SLR) between players with and without shoulder or elbow injuries.

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis highlights the common occurrence of limited internal hip rotation ROM in baseball players with shoulder or elbow injuries. However, these injuries were not found to be associated with hip external rotation or SLR.
Head Contact and Suspected Concussion Rates in University Basketball: Are Head Contact Penalties a Target for Prevention?
Authors: Fehr Christy J. , West Stephen W. , Hagel Brent E. , Goulet Claude , Emery Carolyn A.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To compare head contact (HC) and suspected concussion incidence rates (IRs) in male and female university basketball players and describe associated game event and court location.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Canadian basketball courts.

Participants:

Players from 5 male and 5 female 2019 to 2020 regular season basketball games.

Assessment of Risk Factors:

Prerecorded game footage was analyzed using Dartfish video analysis software to compare sexes.

Main Outcome Measures:

Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate IRs and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for HCs and suspected concussions. Head contacts were classified as HC1 (direct, player-to-player) or HC2 (indirect, player-to-environment). Game event, court location, and penalization of HCs were reported.

Results:

Two hundred thirty HCs (88.7% HC1s, 11.3% HC2s) were observed. The HC1 IR was higher in male than female players (IRR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.16–2.06). Most HCs occurred within the key. Shooting was the primary offensive game event for male and female players for receiving HC1s (24.6% and 20.0%, respectively). Defensively, HC1s occurred most frequently while guarding an attacker for male players (40.6%) and rebounding for female players (31.0%). The suspected concussion IR was not significantly different between male and female players (IRR, 2.00; 95% CI, 0.20–19.8). In total, 11.2% of HC1s to defenders and 25.7% of HC1s to offensive players were assessed as a foul.

Conclusion:

Head contact rates were higher for male varsity basketball players compared with female players; however, suspected concussion rates did not differ. Game event and court locations differed by sex. A priority target for injury prevention is penalization of HCs because most HCs in competition went unpenalized.
Update on neonatal and infantile onset epilepsies
Authors: Carapancea Evelina , Sands Tristan T. , Cilio Maria Roberta
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review

Neonatal and infantile epilepsies represent a diverse group of disorders with significant neurodevelopmental impact, necessitating early diagnosis, and tailored treatment. Recent advancements in genetic research, phenotyping, and therapeutic development have reshaped the understanding and management of these conditions, making this review both timely and relevant.

Recent findings

Next-generation sequencing has emerged as a cornerstone for diagnosing neonatal and infantile epilepsies, offering high diagnostic yields and enabling identification of etiology-specific phenotypes. Precision therapies, including sodium channel blockers, ganaxolone, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, target specific molecular mechanisms. Early initiation of treatment in conditions with a high risk of progressing to epilepsy, like vigabatrin in tuberous sclerosis complex, lower the incidence of infantile spasms and improve developmental outcomes. Drug repurposing has also provided effective options, such as fenfluramine in Dravet syndrome, with promising outcomes. Gene-based therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides and gene replacement, represent the new frontier for addressing the root causes of these disorders.

The integration of genetic and molecular advancements is transforming the management of neonatal and infantile epilepsies, fostering precision-driven care. Continued research and innovation are essential to refine these strategies, optimize patient outcomes, and establish new standards of care.
Analysis of the Application of Laparoscopic Peritoneal Lavage and Drainage in the Early Treatment of Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Yuan Hankun , Liang Wenxiang , You Shenglin , Zhou Jiajie , Chen Sizong , Tan Xijuan , Luo Qiyi , Ma Yufei , Lu Libai , Luo Zongjiang , Wang Jianchu
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage and drainage (LPLD) in the early stage of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its potential role in reversing organ failure.

Method:

This study involved 79 patients diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis with ascites, who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University of Nationalities between January 2020 and May 2024. Based on the intervention strategy, the patients were categorized into two groups: the abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) group (n=42) and the LPLD group (n=37). We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing various parameters including demographic information, trends in inflammatory marker fluctuations, incidence of organ failure, step-up treatment, duration of ICU stay, drainage tube indwelling time, complications, total hospitalization days, total hospitalization cost , and mortality rates.

Results:

In addition to the observation that the preoperative volume of ascites was significantly greater in the APD group compared to the LPLD group (P = 0.005), the baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. Postoperatively, The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels in the LPLD group exhibited a significantly faster decline compared to those in the APD group. (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of hemodialysis, pancreatic pseudocyst, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS)，and mortality between the two patient groups. (P > 0.05). The LPLD group exhibited significantly reduced durations for mechanical ventilation, step-up treatment, duration of ICU stay, drainage tube indwelling time, duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), incidence of intra-abdominal infection, new onset organ dysfunctions, total hospitalization days, and total hospitalization cost when compared to the APD group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

In patients with SAP complicated by ascites, early-stage LPLD can effectively alleviate systemic inflammatory response, expedite organ failure reversal, delay disease progression, avoid step-up treatment, reduce postoperative complications and shorten hospitalization duration. This minimally invasive therapeutic approach represents a promising strategy for early intervention in SAP.
Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) Methods to Predict Topics Included in 2019 Ohio Syphilis Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Records
Authors: Chakraborty Payal , Ning Xia , McNeill Mary , Kline David M. , Shoben Abigail B. , Miller William C. , Turner Abigail Norris
Published: February 2025

Background

Free-text notes in disease intervention specialist (DIS) records may contain relevant information for STI control. In their current form, the notes are not analyzable without manual reading, which is labor-intensive and prone to error.

Methods

We used natural language processing (NLP) methods to analyze 2019 Ohio DIS syphilis records with non-missing notes (n = 1,987). We identified 21 topics relevant for transmission and case investigations. We manually coded these records to create “gold standard” labels for each topic (0 = topic not present, 1 = topic present), then trained machine learning models to identify the topics in the text. For models to analyze text data, the text must be converted to numbers. We explored two approaches to numerically represent words: (1) term frequency, inverse document frequency (TF-IDF), which measures importance of words based on how many times they appear in a record and in the dataset as a whole, and (2) GloVe embeddings, which are numerical vectors that were developed by researchers for each word in the English language to encode its semantic meaning. We explored three types of statistical models (naïve Bayes, support vector machine [SVM], and logistic regression) using TF-IDF, and one type of neural network model (long short-term memory [LSTM] model) using GloVe. All models were used for binary prediction (i.e., topic not present, topic present).

Results

For most topics, the LSTM model performed the best overall in identifying topics, and the SVM model performed the best among the statistical models. For example, the LSTM model predicted the topic “substance use” with high accuracy (97%), sensitivity (92%), and specificity (98%). No model performed well for uncommon topics (e.g., “alcohol use” or “delays in care”).

Conclusions

Machine learning models performed well in identifying some topics in 2019 Ohio syphilis records. This analysis is a first step in applying NLP methods to making DIS notes more accessible for analysis.
Pharmacy-Based Data to Care: Evaluation of a Public Health Initiative to Support HIV Medication Re-Initiation
Authors: Dombrowski Julia C. , Hoopes Teah , Loeffelbein Robert , Muccioli Alexa , Rowlinson Emily , Lechtenberg Richard , McKay Christine , Blum Michal , Hardaswick Suzanne , Golden Matthew R.
Published: February 2025

In a pharmacy-based Data to Care project in Washington during August 2019-December 2021, two pharmacies identified 762 cases of persons who were 35-65 days late refilling antiretroviral medications; 119 (16%) case investigations led to contact with a person who had discontinued treatment, 43 (36%) of whom restarted medications after outreach.
The Prevention of Fatal Tauopathy in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease by Blocking BCL2
Authors: Nuovo Gerard J. , Rice Madison , Zanesi Nicola , Sawant Dwitiya , Crilly Candice , Tili Esmerina
Published: February 2025

A major goal in Alzheimer disease (AD) research is the reduction of the abnormal tau burden. Using multispectral analyses on brain tissues from humans who died of AD it was documented that neurons with hyperphosphorylated tau protein accumulate many proteins of the BCL2 family, including those that block cell turnover (eg, BCL2, MCL1, BCLXL) and those that promote cell turnover (eg, NOXA, PUMA, BAK, BAX). A mouse model of AD with the humanized hyperphosphorylated tau protein was used to test the hypothesis that shifting this balance to a pro-cell turnover milieu would reduce the tau burden with concomitant clinical improvement. Here, we show that a mouse model of AD with death at 11 to 15 months due to CNS tauopathy had a marked reduction in the tau burden after treatment with the FDA-approved drug venetoclax, which blocks BCL2. The reduction of the number of target neurons positive for hyperphosphorylated tau protein after venetoclax treatment in the brain and spinal cord neurons was 94.5% as determined by immunohistochemistry and 98.1% as documented with the modified Bielchowsky stain. The venetoclax treatment began after documented neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) were evident and there was a concomitant reduction in neuroinflammation. The treated mice were robust until sacrificed at 13 months as compared with the untreated mice that showed unequivocal evidence of brain and spinal cord damage both clinically and at autopsy. We conclude that otherwise inexorable abnormal tau protein deposition, even after initiation, can be prevented by a drug that blocks one anti-cell turnover protein abundant in the NFTs of human AD.
Arterial Occlusion in Takayasu Arteritis Detected as a Blood Pool Defect on 18F-FDG Semiconductor PET/CT
Authors: Koyama Masahiro , Matsusaka Yohji , Watanabe Kaho , Seto Akira , Kuji Ichiei
Published: February 2025

A 75-year-old woman with Takayasu arteritis was referred to 18F-FDG PET/CT due to elevated C-reactive protein in her laboratory data. FDG PET/CT with semiconductor detectors revealed no uptake in the arterial walls, suggesting active inflammation. However, the blood pool uptake in the proximal portion of the left subclavian artery was defective, suggesting arterial occlusion. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed complete occlusion of the left subclavian artery. Ultrasonography showed the reverse flow of the left vertebral artery. Semiconductor PET can visualize the blood pool defects of the intra-arterial uptake in the arterial branches from the aorta.
Ruptured Primitive Trigeminal Artery Aneurysm Leading to Internal Carotid Artery Cavernous Sinus Fistula Intervention
Authors: Chu Fudi , Li Mingjian , Li Wei , Wang Jinpeng
Published: February 2025

Background:

Internal carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) occurs when the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery or its branches within the cavernous sinus rupture, creating an abnormal communication between arterial and venous blood. This leads to increased pressure within the cavernous sinus and a range of clinical manifestations. The prevalence of CCF is ~0.17% to 0.27%. Its etiology can be classified into 2 main types: traumatic, accounting for about 75% of cases, and spontaneous, accounting for the remaining 25%. The primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare remnant of the embryonic circulatory system that forms a connection between the internal carotid artery and the vertebrobasilar system. Its prevalence is estimated at 0.1% to 0.6%. A rupture of a PTA aneurysm leading to a cavernous sinus fistula of the internal carotid artery is even more uncommon. Current clinical approaches to managing this condition are still evolving and require further study.

Case Report:

A 53-year-old female patient presented with a one-month history of diplopia. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a ruptured aneurysm of the primitive trigeminal artery, resulting in a cavernous sinus fistula of the internal carotid artery. After discussions with her family, she underwent successful interventional embolization to treat the fistula. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient’s diplopia had resolved completely, and no recurrence of the cavernous sinus fistula was observed on DSA.

Conclusion:

Rupture of a primitive trigeminal artery aneurysm resulting in a cavernous sinus fistula of the internal carotid artery is an exceptionally rare condition. Transarterial embolization has proven to be a feasible treatment approach; however, due to the limited number of reported cases, treatment strategies require further investigation and refinement.
A parametric LSTM neural network for predicting flow field dynamics across a design space
Authors: Karbasia Hamid R. , van Rees Wim M.
Published: February 2025

We develop a data-driven reduced-order model (ROM) to robustly predict the dynamics of fluid flows across a parametric design space. Our approach extends a long–short-term memory (LSTM) neural network with a new design gate, which enables the network to distinguish dynamic patterns associated with different design parameters. We first compare this parametric LSTM (pLSTM) with traditional LSTMs trained on a Van der Pol oscillator, where the design parameter is the nonlinear damping coefficient. The results show that pLSTM can provide accurate and robust predictions, whereas LSTMs fail to predict the correct dynamics when evaluated outside the immediate training data. Next, we use the pLSTM to predict the two-dimensional incompressible flow past a heaving and pitching ellipse. The pLSTM is trained with simulated flow field data compressed to a latent space, here defined through a proper orthogonal decomposition. The pLSTM can successfully predict the long-time dynamics of the flow field for unseen heaving/pitching kinematic parameters, while showing exceptional robustness to noise in the initial states. Taken together, the proposed pLSTM approach offers a three-aspect ROM approach (space, time and design space) to benefit prediction, optimization and control problems across parametric flow regimes.
Preliminary insights into the potential role of Acanthamoeba-Pseudomonas interactions in the development of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Giammarini Elisa , Mooney Ronnie , Mui Ernest , Henriquez Fiona Luisa
Published: February 2025

2. Abstract Bacteria are known to develop resistance to Acanthamoeba digestion and use them to exercise virulence factors. We hypothesise that Acanthamoeba species may also play a role in promoting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in amoeba-resistant bacteria. This study investigated whether Acanthamoeba castellanii enhanced AMR development in Pseudomonas putida under lethal ciprofloxacin concentrations. P. putida KT2440 was co-incubated with A. castellanii at ciprofloxacin concentrations starting at four times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The survival of the co-incubated Pseudomonas and the development of resistance were monitored, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted using multiple antibiotics. P. putida co-incubated with A. castellanii exhibited tolerance to ciprofloxacin, with MIC increasing from 0.5 µg/ml to 20 µg/ml after 17 days. In contrast, the naïve strain did not survive at a 2 µg/ml concentration. The co-incubated bacteria developed resistance to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, azithromycin, and enrofloxacin while retaining susceptibility to streptomycin and tetracycline. Acanthamoeba significantly accelerated AMR development in P. putida exposed to ciprofloxacin. This finding highlights the need for further research on the molecular mechanisms involved to better identify strategies for combatting the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinical and environmental settings.
Prohibitin of swine antagonizes SADS-CoV replication and virus-induced apoptosis
Authors: Xu Jingya , Li Cheng , Huang Tuoxin , Zhou Ling , Zhao Xiaoya , Sun Yuan , Ma Jingyun
Published: February 2025

Swine acute diarrhoea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is an enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus that causes acute diarrhoea and death in piglets, resulting in significant economic losses to the pig farming industry. Studying the interaction patterns between SADS-CoV and host proteins can provide guidance for the development of antiviral drugs. In previous work, we identified 289 host proteins interacting with the SADS-CoV M protein through glutathione S-transferase pull down combined with LC-MS/MS. Here, we focus on prohibitin (PHB), which is associated with the stability of mitochondrial function in cells, and demonstrate that there is a physical interaction and cellular co-localization relationship between the SADS-CoV M protein and PHB protein. Additionally, SADS-CoV-mediated infection has a strong correlation with PHB expression, and regulating PHB expression dose-dependently antagonizes SADS-CoV replication. Moreover, we discovered that PHB has an antagonistic effect on apoptosis induced by SADS-CoV infection. Overall, this work helps to elucidate the role of the PHB protein in the SADS-CoV life cycle, providing a potential target for antiviral research.
Mutations in the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway confer resistance to furazolidone and abolish the synergistic interaction between furazolidone and vancomycin in Escherichia coli
Authors: Wykes Hannah , Le Vuong Van Hung , Rakonjac Jasna
Published: February 2025

The combined application of furazolidone and vancomycin has previously been shown to be synergistic against Gram-negative pathogens, with great therapeutic promise. However, the emergence and mechanism of resistance to this antibiotic combination have not been characterized. To fill this gap, we here selected Escherichia coli progeny for growth on the furazolidone–vancomycin combination at the concentration where the parent was sensitive. We show that selected clones were associated with increased resistance to neither, only one drug, or both furazolidone and vancomycin, but in all cases were associated with a decrease in the growth inhibition synergy. Using whole-genome sequencing, we identified various gene mutations in the resistant mutants. We further investigated the mechanism behind the most frequently arising mutations, those in the riboflavin biosynthesis genes ribB and ribE, that represent novel mutations causing furazolidone resistance and diminished vancomycin–furazolidone synergy. It was found that these ribB/ribE mutations act predominantly by decreasing the activity of the NfsA and NfsB nitroreductases. The emergence of the ribB/ribE mutations imposes a significant fitness cost on bacterial growth. Surprisingly, supplementing the medium with riboflavin, which compensates for the affected riboflavin biosynthesis pathway, could restore the normal growth of the ribB/ribE mutants while having no effects on the furazolidone resistance phenotype. Searching the ribB/ribE mutations in the public sequencing database detects the presence of the furazolidone-resistance-conferring ribE mutations (TKAG131–134 deletion or duplication) in clinical isolates from different countries. Hypotheses explaining why these ribE mutations were found in clinical isolates despite having poor fitness were further discussed.
Cell-generated mechanical forces play a role in epileptogenesis after injury
Authors: Dalir Laya , Tatic-Lucic Svetlana , Berdichevsky Yevgeny
Published: February 2025

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a significantly increased risk of epilepsy. One of the consequences of severe TBI is progressive brain atrophy, which is frequently characterized by organized tissue retraction. Retraction is an active process synchronized by mechanical interactions between surviving cells. This results in unbalanced mechanical forces acting on surviving neurons, potentially activating mechanotransduction and leading to hyperexcitability. This novel mechanism of epileptogenesis was examined in organotypic hippocampal cultures, which develop spontaneous seizure-like activity in vitro. Cell-generated forces in this model resulted in contraction of hippocampal tissue. Artificial imbalances in mechanical forces were introduced by placing cultured slices on surfaces with adhesive and non-adhesive regions. This modeled disbalance in mechanical forces that may occur in the brain after trauma. Portions of the slices that were not stabilized by substrate adhesion underwent increased contraction and compaction, revealing the presence of cell-generated forces capable of shaping tissue geometry. Changes in tissue geometry were followed by excitability changes that were specific to hippocampal sub-region and orientation of contractile forces relative to pyramidal cell apical-basal axis. Results of this study suggest that imbalanced cell-generated forces contribute to development of epilepsy, and that force imbalance may represent a novel mechanism of epileptogenesis after trauma.
Assessment of native mass spectrometry as a screening method to identify and characterize RNA-targeting small molecules
Authors: Sternicki Louise M. , Klose Jack W. , Poulsen Sally-Ann
Published: February 2025

The intentional targeting of RNA with small molecules is recognized as a viable pathway to new therapeutics with potential to vastly expand the proportion of the human genome considered druggable. The practical considerations to deliberately target RNA are largely under development, including optimal screening methods to identify small molecules for binding to RNA. Native mass spectrometry (nMS) is established as a valuable biophysical method for identifying small molecule hits against diverse biomolecular targets, most frequently proteins and protein-protein interactions. Herein we assess nMS for studying the binding of small molecules with RNA aptamers as a model for nMS screening of RNA as a drug target. We first develop workflows for characterizing the binding of cognate RNA aptamer ligands and then establish a nMS method to screen a small molecule library against the RNA aptamers. nMS analysis permitted identification of binders, quantitation of binding strength and generation of structure-activity relationships with some dependence on the aptamer class. This work demonstrates the utility of nMS as a complementary and efficient target-based biophysical screening method that can characterize RNA-small molecule interactions and the potential of nMS becoming a powerful enabling tool in RNA-targeting drug discovery.
CandyCollect Open to Closed (O2C) Microfluidic System for Rapid and User-Centric Detection of Group A Streptococcus
Authors: Leong Kelsey M. , Sanchez J. Carlos , Craig Cosette , Tatka John A. , Arvizu René R. , Robertson Ingrid H. , Shinkawa Victoria A. M. , Robinson Timothy R. , Chang Megan M. , Su Xiaojing , Thongpang Sanitta , Theberge Ashleigh B. , Berthier Erwin , Olanrewaju Ayokunle O.
Published: February 2025

We created CandyCollect, a lollipop-inspired, child-friendly saliva sampling device that provides enhanced comfort compared to common throat and mouth swabs. The device has an open microchannel and a functionalized surface that effectively captures and stores the saliva and pathogens. We recently demonstrated the ability to combine the CandyCollect with rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for fast and accessible detection of group A streptococcus (GAS).

However, the current procedure necessitates manual steps to elute and transfer captured antigens from the lollipop to RADTs, which relies on the user to follow complex instructions, increasing the likelihood of error. In this work, we developed the CandyCollect Open to Closed (O2C) microfluidic system to automate antigen elution and streamline detection with RADTs. The O2C system securely seals the open microchannels of the CandyCollect device to create a continuous closed channel for seamless delivery of elution reagents to release antigens at the press of a button for subsequent lateral flow detection. Our system leverages and combines the unique benefits of both open channel and closed channel microfluidics into one platform, further enhancing the potential of both methods. We performed experiments with GAS bacteria spiked into saliva and compared the manual and O2C elution methods. Both the manual and O2C methods showed clear test lines on the RADT strips at clinically relevant GAS concentrations (between 5 ×105and 109CFU/mL). The O2C provided comparable or better results than the manual procedure in a more convenient form factor. The O2C platform has the potential to enable user-friendly screening for respiratory pathogens by minimally trained users in decentralized settings.
Defects in nephrogenesis result in an expansion of theFoxd1+ stromal progenitor population
Authors: Michalopulos Michael G. , Liu Yan , Raju Dinesh Ravindra , Lafin John T. , Ma Yanru , Gaur Dhruv , Khadka Sadiksha , Xing Chao , McMahon Andrew P. , Carroll Thomas J. , Drake Keri A.
Published: February 2025

Reciprocal signaling interactions coordinate multiple aspects of kidney development. While signals from the stroma have been shown to regulate nephron progenitor cell (NPC) differentiation, much less is known about regulation of the stromal progenitor population. Here, we demonstrate that disruption of the NPC lineage via loss ofWt1(i.e.,Six2cre;Wt1c/c) results in an expansion ofFoxd1+ stromal progenitor cells. Analyses of the developing stroma in two additional models, includingWnt4-nullmutants (which fail to form nephron structures similar toSix2cre;Wt1c/ckidneys) and NPC ablation via diphtheria toxin (i.e.,Six2cre;RosaDTAc/+), both phenocopySix2cre;Wt1c/cmutants, thus further confirming that defects in the NPC lineage result in abnormal development of the stromal progenitor population. Furthermore, we identify a subcluster of theFoxd1+ stroma that appears expanded in the three mutant mouse models and conserved in human fetal kidneys. Overall, the findings from this study suggest that loss of differentiating nephron structures may result in possible over proliferation of the stromal progenitor population and/or a block in stromal differentiation and further highlight how crosstalk amongst the progenitor cell lineages coordinates multiple aspects of kidney development.

KEY POINTS

Mutant mouse models targeting the nephron lineage (i.e.,Six2cre;Wt1c/candWnt4-nullmutants which fail to form early nephron structures) suggest that a block in NPC differentiation results in an abnormal expansion of theFoxd1+ stromal progenitor population.

Mutant kidneys with NPC ablation (i.e.,Six2cre;RosaDTAc/+) show maintenance of stromal progenitors independent of signals from adjacent nephron progenitors and ureteric bud.

Single nuclei RNA-seq identifies three subclusters of theFoxd1+ stromal progenitor population at E15.5, including one cluster of proliferating cells and a distinctFap+,Igf1+,Gria1+,Gdnf– subcluster which appears expanded inSix2cre;Wt1c/c,Wnt4-null,andSix2cre;RosaDTAc/+mutant kidneys and conserved in human fetal kidneys.
Transcriptomic and spatial GABAergic neuron subtypes in zona incerta mediate distinct innate behaviors
Authors: Zhu Mengyue , Peng Jieqiao , Wang Mi , Lin Shan , Zhou Yu , Dai Xinyue , Zhao Huiying , Zhang Huiying , Yu Yan-Qin , Shen Li , Li Xiao-Ming , Chen Jiadong
Published: February 2025

Understanding the anatomical connection and behaviors of transcriptomic neuron subtypes is critical to delineating cell type-specific functions in the brain. Here we integrated single-nucleus transcriptomic sequencing,in vivocircuit mapping, optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches to dissect the molecular identity and function of heterogeneous GABAergic neuron populations in the zona incerta (ZI) in mice, a region involved in modulating various behaviors. By microdissecting ZI for transcriptomic and spatial gene expression analyses, our results revealed two non-overlappingEcel1-andPde11a-expressing GABAergic neurons with dominant expression in the rostral and medial zona incerta (ZIrEcel1and ZImPde11a), respectively. The GABAergic projection from ZIrEcel1to periaqueductal gray mediates self-grooming, while the GABAergic projection from ZImPde11ato the oral part of pontine reticular formation promotes transition from sleep to wakefulness. Together, our results revealed the molecular markers, spatial organization and specific neuronal circuits of two discrete GABAergic projection neuron populations in segregated subregions of the ZI that mediate distinct innate behaviors, advancing our understanding of the functional organization of the brain.
Molecular and morphological circuitry of the octopus sucker ganglion
Authors: Olson Cassady S. , Moorjani Aashna , Ragsdale Clifton W.
Published: February 2025

The octopus sucker is a profoundly complex sensorimotor structure. Each of the hundreds of suckers that line the octopus arm can move independently or in concert with one another. These suckers also contain an intricate sensory epithelium, enriched with chemotactile receptors. Much of the massive nervous system embedded in the octopus arm mediates control of the suckers. Each arm houses a large axial nerve cord (ANC), which features local enlargements corresponding to each sucker. There is also a sucker ganglion, a peripheral nervous element, situated in the stalk of every sucker. The structure and function of the sucker ganglion remains obscure. We examined the cellular organization and molecular composition of the sucker ganglion in Octopus bimaculoides. The sucker ganglion has an ellipsoid shape and features an unusual organization: the neuropil of the ganglion is distributed as a cap aborally (away from the sucker) and a small pocket orally (towards the sucker), with neuronal cell bodies concentrated in the space between. Using in situ hybridization, we detected positive expression of sensory (PIEZO) and motor (LHX3andMNX) neuron markers in the sucker ganglion cell bodies. Nerve fibers spread out from the sucker ganglion, targeting the surrounding sucker musculature and the oral roots extending to the ANC. Our results indicate that the sucker ganglion is composed of both sensory and motor elements and suggest that this ganglion is not a simple relay for the ANC but facilitates local reflexes for each sucker.
Imprecision plateaus in quantum steering
Authors: Svegborn Elna , d'Alessandro Nicola , Gühne Otfried , Tavakoli Armin
Published: February 2025

We study tests of quantum steering in which the trusted party does not have perfect control of their measurements. We report on steering inequalities that remain unaffected when introducing up to a threshold magnitude of measurement imprecision. This phenomenon, which we call an imprecision plateau, thus permits a departure from the standard assumption of idealized measurements without incurring any cost to the detection power of steering experiments. We provide an explanation for why imprecision plateaus are possible, a simple criterion for their existence, and tools for analyzing their properties. We also demonstrate that these plateaus have natural applications when the assumption of perfect measurements is relaxed: They allow for maintaining both the noise robustness and loss robustness of standard steering tests and the performance rate of idealized one-sided device-independent random number generators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Nanoscale chirality enhancement using topology-designed three-dimensional dielectric nanogap antennas
Authors: Taguchi Atsushi , Fukui Yamato , Sasaki Keiji
Published: February 2025

We have explored, using topology optimization, three-dimensional (3D) chiral-nanogap antennas for circular-to-linear polarization conversion between far and near fields. The topology-designed 3D nanogap structures exhibit a giant chiral dissymmetry (g=−1.70) in gap-mode intensity against the handedness of the incident polarization. We have found that the linearly polarized gap field, designed for counterpropagating circularly polarized light, retains optical chirality localized at the subwavelength mode volume. With the nanoscale-chirality enhancement demonstrated, machine-aided designs of 3D chiral nanostructures offer a promising platform for amplifying chiral light-matter interactions with structured light at the nanoscale.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Separating spin dynamics modes in iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Zobel M. , Appel M. , Thomä S. L. J. , Plekhanov M. , Magerl A.
Published: February 2025

The different modes of the spin dynamics in ferrimagnetic magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) have been addressed by µeV neutron spectroscopy for particles with a diameter of 75 ± 18 Å. In an approach building on intensity considerations over a wide range of wave vectors Q in combination with diffusion dynamics, we identify three magnetic modes prevailing in distinct Q regimes up to 1.7 Å−1: (i) Evaluating the structure factor of quasielastic magnetic intensity enables to identify uniquely longitudinal superparamagnetic spin fluctuations in the small Q regime <0.5Å−1, (ii) individual spin relaxation with quasielastic intensity albeit of low intensity is present in two Q ranges of 0.5 Å−1<Q<1.0Å−1 and 1.5 Å−1<Q<1.7Å−1, and (iii) a surprisingly low-energy inelastic spin excitation of 23.2 µeV in magnetite IONPs is found at 150 K in the magnetic Bragg region between 1.1 Å−1<Q<1.4Å−1. Its temperature dependence suggests a collapse of the coherent transverse magnetic fluctuations and a transition into a generalized diffusive mode at about 500 K.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Reconstructing short-lived particles using hypergraph representation learning
Authors: Birch-Sykes Callum , Le Brian , Peters Yvonne , Simpson Ethan , Zhang Zihan
Published: February 2025

In collider experiments, the kinematic reconstruction of heavy, short-lived particles is vital for precision tests of the Standard Model and in searches for physics beyond it. Performing kinematic reconstruction in collider events with many final-state jets, such as the all-hadronic decay of top-antitop quark pairs, is challenging. We present (HyPER), a novel architecture based on graph neural networks that uses hypergraph representation learning to build more powerful and efficient representations of collider events. HyPER is used to reconstruct parent particles from sets of final-state objects. Trained and tested on simulation, the HyPER model is shown to perform favorably when compared to existing state-of-the-art reconstruction techniques, while demonstrating superior parameter efficiency. The novel hypergraph approach allows the method to be applied to particle reconstruction in a multitude of different physics processes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Collisional corrections to spin polarization from quantum kinetic theory using Chapman-Enskog expansion
Authors: Fang Shuo , Pu Shi
Published: February 2025

We have investigated the collisional corrections to the spin polarization pseudovector δPμ using quantum kinetic theory in Chapman-Enskog expansion. We derive the spin Boltzmann equation incorporating the Møller scattering process. We further consider two distinct scenarios using hard thermal loop approximations for simplification. In scenario (I), the vector charge distribution function is treated as off equilibrium under the validity domain of gradient expansion. Remarkably, the polarization induced by thermal vorticity and shear viscous tensors are modified, but δPμ in this scenario does not depend on the coupling constant. In scenario (II), the vector charge distribution function is assumed to be in local thermal equilibrium. Then collisional corrections δPμ in this scenario are at O(ℏ2∂2). Additionally, we evaluate the δPμ using the relaxation time approach for comparative analysis. Our results establish the theoretical framework necessary for future numerical investigations on the interaction corrections to spin polarization.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Nonthermal dark matter production and leptogenesis in a
Lμ−Lτ
model
Authors: Qi XinXin , Sun Hao
Published: February 2025

We discuss the possibility of light scalar dark matter generated by right-handed neutrino in a Lμ−Lτ model, in which the dark matter ϕdm carries U(1)Lμ−Lτ charge but it is a singlet in the Standard Model. We discuss the case that dark matter production mainly comes from scattering associated with a pair of right-handed neutrinos non-thermally while other related processes are highly suppressed. A feasible parameter space is considered and we found the correct dark matter relic density can be obtained without influencing the result of leptogenesis result. The heavier right-handed neutrino will induce colder dark matter production and the allowed dark matter mass region is [10−5  GeV,0.1  GeV].

Published by the American Physical Society
2025