bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of crop and leaf position on thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) oviposition in cotton, soybean, and peanut seedlings
Authors: Rossi Giovani , Mahas Jessica B , Chitturi Anitha , Graham Scott H , Jacobson Alana L
Published: December 2024

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) can injure seedling cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crops in the southern United States. The planting window and timing of thrips infestations into these crops overlap in the region, but thrips preference for oviposition has not been investigated. We evaluated thrips preference for cotton, soybean, and peanut by counting eggs, immatures, and adults at the cotyledon to 4 true leaf stages. Peanut was significantly more attractive for oviposition than cotton and soybean. Oviposition in cotton was significantly higher in the cotyledons than the other leaves. The highest oviposition in soybeans also occurred in the cotyledons but differed only significantly from the fourth true leaf. In all crops, there was no significant difference among oviposition in the true leaves. The highest number of immatures were found on cotton, followed by peanut and then soybean, while adults were evenly distributed among crops. Our results suggest that while peanut is preferred for oviposition, this crop may not facilitate immature development and survival as effectively when compared with cotton. This study presents an initial examination of crop selection by thrips under field conditions and suggests peanut may be the preferred oviposition host.
Trained Immunity Enhances Host Resistance to Infection in Aged Mice
Authors: Hao Dan , Caja Katherine R , McBride Margaret A , Owen Allison M , Bohannon Julia K , Hernandez Antonio , Ali Sabah , Dalal Sujata , Williams David L , Sherwood Edward R
Published: December 2024

Aging significantly increases the incidence and severity of infections, with individuals aged 65 and above accounting for 65% of sepsis cases. Innate immune training, known as “trained immunity” or “innate immune memory”, has emerged as a potential strategy to enhance infection resistance by modulating the aging immune system. We investigated the impact of β-glucan-induced trained immunity on aged mice (18–20 months old) compared to young adult mice (10–12 weeks old). Our findings showed that β-glucan equally augmented the host resistance to infection in both young and aged mice. This enhancement was characterized by augmented bacterial clearance, enhanced leukocyte recruitment and decreased cytokine production in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Furthermore, young and aged trained macrophages displayed heightened metabolic capacity and improved antimicrobial functions, including enhanced phagocytosis and respiratory burst. RNA-seq analysis showed a distinctive gene expression pattern induced by trained immunity in macrophages characterized by activation of pathways regulating inflammation and the host response to infection and suppression of pathways regulating cell division, which was consistently observed in both young and aged groups. As compared to macrophages from young mice, aged macrophages showed increased activation of gene ontology pathways regulating angiogenesis, connective tissue deposition and wound healing. Our results indicate that immune training can be effectively induced in aging mice, providing valuable insights into potential strategies for enhancing infection resistance in the elderly.
A family-based behavioral group obesity randomized control feasibility trial across a clinical trials network: a focus on contact hours
Authors: Davis Ann M , Darden Paul , Lancaster Brittany , Chang Di , Cushing Christopher C , Janicke David M , Lim Crystal S , Olalde Megan , Bullard Sarah , McCulloh Russell , Perry Danika , Pyles Lee , Staiano Amanda E , Serrano-Gonzalez Monica , Davis Deborah Winders , Jelalian Elissa
Published: December 2024

Objective

This ancillary study’s purpose is to describe the relationship between dose of treatment and body mass index (BMI) outcomes in a tele-behavioral health program delivered in the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network to children and their families living in rural communities.

Methods

Participants randomized to the intervention were able to receive 26 contact hours (15 hr of group sessions and 11 hr of individual sessions) of material focused on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral caregiver training delivered via interactive televideo. Dose of the intervention received by child/caregiver dyads (n = 52) from rural areas was measured as contact hours. The total doses of group, individual, and total contact hours were analyzed, and generalized linear mixed models were utilized to determine how dose received impacted BMI outcomes.

Results

The majority (64.4%) of participants received the target of at least 80% (20.8 hr) of the total intervention dose. Older children (9–11 years) achieved significantly less intervention dose than targeted (M = 19.7; p = .031); as did males (M = 17.2; p < .001), children who identified as Black (M = 17.8; p < .001), and children from Site 3 (M = 18.0; p < .001). Dose was not significantly related to BMI outcomes in children or caregivers.

Conclusions

As this study is underpowered and took place during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, results should be interpreted with caution, but contact hours did not predict health outcomes for families living in rural communities.
Robust evaluation of longitudinal surrogate markers with censored data
Authors: Agniel Denis , Parast Layla
Published: December 2024

The development of statistical methods to evaluate surrogate markers is an active area of research. In many clinical settings, the surrogate marker is not simply a single measurement but is instead a longitudinal trajectory of measurements over time, e.g. fasting plasma glucose measured every 6 months for 3 years. In general, available methods developed for the single-surrogate setting cannot accommodate a longitudinal surrogate marker. Furthermore, many of the methods have not been developed for use with primary outcomes that are time-to-event outcomes and/or subject to censoring. In this paper, we propose robust methods to evaluate a longitudinal surrogate marker in a censored time-to-event outcome setting. Specifically, we propose a method to define and estimate the proportion of the treatment effect on a censored primary outcome that is explained by the treatment effect on a longitudinal surrogate marker measured up to time t0. We accommodate both potential censoring of the primary outcome and of the surrogate marker. A simulation study demonstrates a good finite-sample performance of our proposed methods. We illustrate our procedures by examining repeated measures of fasting plasma glucose, a surrogate marker for diabetes diagnosis, using data from the diabetes prevention programme.
Understanding power grid network vulnerability through the stochastic lens of network motif evolution
Authors: Chen Yuzhou , Ng Hon Keung Tony , Gel Yulia R , Poor H Vincent
Published: December 2024

Modern cyber-physical systems must exhibit high reliability since their failures can lead to catastrophic cascading events. Enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms behind the functionality of such networks is a key to ensuring the resilience of many critical infrastructures. In this paper, we develop a novel stochastic model, based on topological measures of complex networks, as a framework within which to examine such functionality. The key idea is to evaluate the dynamics of network motifs as descriptors of the underlying network topology and its response to adverse events. Our experiments on multiple power grid networks show that the proposed approach offers a new competitive pathway for resilience quantification of complex systems.
Optimizing hematoma management in axillary osmidrosis surgery: the role of timely drainage and prevention of flap necrosis
Authors: Ho Wen-Tsao
Published: December 2024

Hematoma formation is a rare complication following axillary osmidrosis surgery, and its delayed liquefaction can pose significant risks to flap viability, leading to complications such as necrosis. This study examines two cases of postoperative hematomas, highlighting the importance of appropriate drainage management. In both cases, the initial hematomas were evacuated and treated with Penrose drains, but complications arose due to delayed liquefaction. The first case experienced delayed flap necrosis after premature removal of the drain, while the second case benefited from a proactive approach by reintroducing the drain on the sixth postoperative day. This strategy allowed for the prevention of toxic hematoma buildup, improving flap survival. The findings emphasize the need for vigilant postoperative monitoring and drainage management to minimize risks associated with hematoma liquefaction and optimize flap healing. Further research is required to establish standardized protocols for managing postoperative hematomas in axillary osmidrosis surgery.
Preduodenal portal vein: two distinct case reports with unique presentations and tailored surgical management strategies
Authors: Elnour Abdelrahman S , Taha Isam , Helali Mohamed , Nugud Faisal
Published: December 2024

Preduodenal portal vein (PDPV) is a rare congenital vascular malformation, which was first described by Knight in 1921 as an anomalous vein that lies in front of the duodenum, common bile duct, and hepatic artery instead of beneath them. This abnormal position may result in congenital duodenal obstruction and puts it in danger during operations around this region. PDPV is typically associated with other congenital anomalies, mainly intraabdominal and cardiac ones. The surgical management is usually determined intraoperatively based on evidence that the PDPV is the real cause of obstruction. We report two cases of PDPV each with a different presentation and management approach.
Successful retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for thoracic kidney in a patient with ipsilateral ureteral cancer
Authors: Ogasawara Takuto , Tanaka Toshiaki , Shindo Tetsuya , Kyoda Yuki , Hashimoto Kohei , Kobayashi Ko , Masumori Naoya
Published: December 2024

A thoracic kidney is a scarce type of ectopic kidney. We report the case of a 76-year-old man who developed cancer of the ureter, ipsilateral to the thoracic kidney. He presented with abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. Computed tomography revealed a right hydronephrotic kidney located in the thorax with elevation of the diaphragm. Further examination uncovered a cT2N0M0 ureteral cancer in the right upper ureter. A laparoscopic radical right nephroureterectomy was performed using a retroperitoneal approach. The retroperitoneal space was created for the usual port placement. A port between the 11th and 12th ribs was added to facilitate handling the suprahilar area, specifically the dissection of the superior aspect and separation of the kidney without accompanying pneumothorax. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a successful complete laparoscopic surgery via the retroperitoneal approach for a malignant disease associated with a thoracic kidney.
Uncovering topologically associating domains from three-dimensional genome maps with TADGATE
Authors: Dang Dachang , Zhang Shao-Wu , Dong Kangning , Duan Ran , Zhang Shihua
Published: December 2024

Topologically associating domains (TADs) are essential components of three-dimensional (3D) genome organization and significantly influence gene transcription regulation. However, accurately identifying TADs from sparse chromatin contact maps and exploring the structural and functional elements within TADs remain challenging. To this end, we develop TADGATE, a graph attention auto-encoder that can generate imputed maps from sparse Hi-C contact maps while adaptively preserving or enhancing the underlying topological structures, thereby facilitating TAD identification. TADGATE captures specific attention patterns with two types of units within TADs and demonstrates TAD organization relates to chromatin compartmentalization with diverse biological properties. We identify many structural and functional elements within TADs, with their abundance reflecting the overall properties of these domains. We applied TADGATE to sparse and noisy Hi-C contact maps from 21 human tissues or cell lines. That improved the clarity of TAD structures, allowing us to investigate conserved and cell-type-specific boundaries and uncover cell-type-specific transcriptional regulatory mechanisms associated with topological domains. We also demonstrated TADGATE’s capability to fill in sparse single-cell Hi-C contact maps and identify TAD-like domains within them, revealing the specific domain boundaries with distinct heterogeneity and the shared backbone boundaries characterized by strong CTCF enrichment and high gene expression levels.
Autophosphorylation of the Tousled-like kinases TLK1 and TLK2 regulates recruitment to damaged chromatin via PCNA interaction
Authors: West Kirk L , Nguyen Tram T N , Tengler Kyle A , Kreiling Natasha , Raney Kevin D , Ghosal Gargi , Leung Justin W
Published: December 2024

Tousled-like kinases 1 and 2 (TLK1 and 2) are cell cycle-regulated serine/threonine kinases that are involved in multiple biological processes. Mutation of TLK1 and 2 confer neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies demonstrate that TLK1 and 2 are involved in DNA repair. However, there is no direct evidence that TLK1 and 2 function at DNA damage sites. Here, we show that both TLK1 and TLK2 are hyper-autophosphorylated at their N-termini, at least in part, mediated by their homo- or hetero- dimerization. We found that TLK1 and 2 hyper-autophosphorylation suppresses their recruitment to damaged chromatin. Furthermore, both TLK1 and 2 associate with PCNA specifically through their evolutionarily conserved non-canonical PCNA-interacting protein (PIP) box at the N-terminus, and mutation of the PIP-box abolishes their recruitment to DNA damage sites. Mechanistically, the TLK1 and 2 hyper-autophosphorylation masks the PIP-box and negatively regulates their recruitment to the DNA damage site. Overall, our study dissects the detailed genetic regulation of TLK1 and 2 at damaged chromatin, which provides important insights into their emerging roles in DNA repair.
The role of vorasidenib in the treatment of isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant glioma
Authors: de la Fuente Macarena I , Touat Mehdi , van den Bent Martin J , Preusser Matthias , Peters Katherine B , Young Robert J , Huang Raymond Y , Ellingson Benjamin M , Capper David , Phillips Joanna J , Halasz Lia M , Shih Helen A , Rudà Roberta , Lim-Fat Mary Jane , Blumenthal Deborah T , Weller Michael , Arakawa Yoshiki , Whittle James R , Ducray François , Reardon David A , Bi Wenya Linda , Minniti Giuseppe , Rahman Rifaquat , Hervey-Jumper Shawn , Chang Susan M , Wen Patrick Y
Published: December 2024

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors in young adults. This condition imposes a substantial burden on patients and their caregivers, marked by neurocognitive deficits and high mortality rates due to tumor progression, coupled with significant morbidity from current treatment modalities. Although surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy improve survival, these treatments can adversely affect cognitive function, quality of life, finances, employment status, and overall independence. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative strategies that delay progression and the use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The recent Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval of vorasidenib, a brain-penetrant small molecule targeting mutant IDH1/2 proteins, heralds a shift in the therapeutic landscape for IDH-mutant gliomas. In this review, we address the role of vorasidenib in the treatment of IDH-mutant gliomas, providing a roadmap for its incorporation into daily practice. We discuss ongoing clinical trials with vorasidenib and other IDH inhibitors, as single-agent or in combination with other therapies, as well as current challenges and future directions.
Omics-based identification of the broader effects of 2-hydroxyisoflavanone synthase gene editing on a gene regulatory network beyond isoflavonoid loss in soybean hairy roots
Authors: Uchida Kai , Fuji Yushiro , Tabeta Hiromitsu , Akashi Tomoyoshi , Hirai Masami Yokota
Published: December 2024

Soybean (Glycine max) is a leguminous crop cultivated worldwide that accumulates high levels of isoflavones. Although previous research has often focused on increasing the soybean isoflavone content because of the estrogen-like activity of dietary soy in humans, the rapidly increasing demand for soybean as a plant-based meat substitute has raised concerns about excessive isoflavone intake. Therefore, the production of isoflavone-free soybean has been anticipated. However, there have been no reports of an isoflavone-free soybean until now. Here, 2-hydroxyisoflavanone synthase (IFS), which is essential for isoflavone biosynthesis, was targeted for genome editing in soybean. A novel CRISPR/Cas9 system using Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 instead of the commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 was established and customized. Through Agrobacterium rhizogenes–mediated transformation, IFS-edited hairy roots were generated in which all three IFS genes contained deletion mutations. Metabolome analyses of IFS-edited hairy roots revealed that isoflavone content significantly decreased, whereas levels of flavonoids, including a novel chalcone derivative, increased. A transcriptome analysis revealed changes in the expression levels of a large number of genes, including jasmonic acid–inducible genes. In addition, the functions of selected transcription factor genes (MYB14-L, GmbHLH112, and GmbHLH113), which were dramatically upregulated by IFS editing, were investigated by multiomics analyses of their over-expressing hairy root lines. They appear to be involved in flavonoid and triterpene saponin biosynthesis, salicylic acid metabolism, and central carbon metabolism. Overall, the results indicated that editing IFS genes caused the redirection of the metabolic flux from isoflavonoid biosynthesis to flavonoid accumulation, as well as dynamic changes in gene regulatory networks.
What makes life go well? A network topic modeling analysis of well-being practices in adults with chronic pain
Authors: Cintron Dakota W , Ong Anthony D , Reid M Carrington
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study leverages natural language processing techniques to identify specific practices older adults with chronic pain adopt to enhance well-being.

Method

We applied network topic modeling to open-ended survey responses from 683 adults (57% female) who reported experiencing chronic pain in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, analyzing responses to the question “What do you do to make your life go well?” Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between identified topics and measures of pain interference and prescription pain medication use, adjusting for sociodemographics and well-being indicators.

Results

The analyses revealed 12 key topics, including avoiding stress, maintaining social connections, and practicing spirituality and faith. Notably, maintaining social connections was negatively associated with pain interference (β = −0.14, SE = 0.05, P < .05) and prescription pain medication use (β = −0.11, SE = 0.04, P < .05).

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate the utility of network topic modeling in identifying complex psychosocial dimensions influencing chronic pain management, providing insights into the distinct role of well-being practices in shaping pain outcomes.
Scientizing the world: on mechanisms and outcomes of the institutionalization of science
Authors: Marques Marcelo , Macasaet Bea Treena , Powell Justin J.W , Dusdal Jennifer , Baker David P
Published: December 2024

Scientific reasoning has emerged as a powerful social force, particularly due to the institutionalization of science, a process that has significantly accelerated since the late 20th century. This phenomenon, known as scientization in the social sciences, encapsulates how scientific reasoning has become the dominant medium for shaping science-society relationships. Despite its growing prominence, the mechanisms and outcomes of scientization remain less well understood. A systematic search of Elsevier’s Scopus database reveals a sharp increase in references to scientization since the late 1970s, with 296 publications doing so by 2020. This study examines how mechanisms such as rationalization, professionalization, technologization, commercialization, and actorhood have driven the institutionalization of science, impacting culture, academic disciplines, and policy-making. Our findings highlight the critical need for more nuanced understandings of how scientization influences modern societies, particularly within the policy sphere, where the interplay between science and policy has substantial and far-reaching consequences.
The effects of individual and collective labor market status on employment and earnings during the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Kristal Tali , Mundlak Guy , Cohen Yinon , Haberfeld Yitchak , Yaish Meir
Published: December 2024

Based on a unique longitudinal survey conducted between April 2020 and April 2021 in Israel, this study estimated the effect of labor market status during the outbreak of COVID-19 on continuity of employment, worktime and earnings throughout the crisis. Labor market status has both an individual dimension (the type of employment contract) and a collective one (membership in a trade union or coverage by a collective agreement). Findings from curvilinear growth models show that those whose labor market status was more precarious, characterized by deviations from the standard employment relationship and the absence of collective representation and voice, fared less well than those whose labor market status was more secure. At the same time, evidence suggests a negotiated compromise whereby workers with collective representation enjoyed greater employment security but also experienced greater earnings reductions than their counterparts who remained employed but had no collective representation.
Restrictions by object under Article 101(1) TFEU: From dark art to administrable framework
Authors: Ibáñez Colomo Pablo
Published: December 2024

This article presents the principles underpinning the approach followed by the Court of Justice (ECJ) when evaluating whether a practice has, as its object, the restriction of competition. It discusses, inter alia, what an authority (or claimant) needs to prove and explains what the evaluation of the economic and legal context involves in concrete terms. The analysis shows that the ECJ’s overall approach is both predictable (in the sense that the notion has clear and finite boundaries) and administrable (in the sense that the said approach places adequate and workable demands on authorities and claimants). It appears, on the other hand, that there are ways in which some principles underpinning the case law could be streamlined and made more explicit so as to guarantee the uniform application of Article 101(1) TFEU across the European Union at a time when private enforcement is on the rise.
Nomenclatural addendum to ‘The systematics and nomenclature of the Dodo and the Solitaire (Aves: Columbidae), and an overview of columbid family-group nomina’
Authors: Young Mark T , Gregory Steven M S , Dickinson Edward C , Hume Julian P , Day Michael O , Douglas Robert P , Simmons Zoë M , White Judith , Heller Markus O , Gostling Neil J
Published: December 2024

Columbidae (the pigeon and dove family) are a speciose clade of non-passerine birds with a near global distribution. Recently, Young et al. (2024) undertook an evaluation of the systematics and nomenclature of the Dodo and its sister species the Rodrigues Solitaire. Therein, they also investigated the validity of columbid family-group names. Since publication, we have been made aware of corrections to that survey of columbid family-group names. As such, this erratum is a nomenclatural addendum to Young et al. (2024) and should be consulted alongside the original publication.
Developing a 3D bone model of osteosarcoma to investigate cancer mechanisms and evaluate treatments
Authors: Smith Hannah L. , Beers Stephen A. , Kanczler Janos M. , Gray Juliet C.
Published: December 2024

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer, occurring frequently in children and young adults. Patients are treated with surgery and multi‐agent chemotherapy, and despite the introduction of mifamurtide in 2011, there has been little improvement in survival for decades. 3‐dimensional models offer the potential to understand the complexity of the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment and aid in developing new treatment approaches. An osteosarcoma 3D bone core model was developed using human trabecular bone and the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), to form a functioning vasculature. A tri‐culture of cells, stromal cells, macrophages, and the Saos‐2 osteosarcoma cell line, were implanted into this model to simulate components of the tumor microenvironment, and mifamurtide was tested in this context. Immunohistochemistry and micro‐CT were performed to assess phenotypic and structural effects of implantation. Successful integration and angiogenesis of the bone cores were observed after incubation on the CAM. The 3D bone model also showed similar characteristics to osteosarcoma patient samples including CD68 and CD105 expression. Incubating bone cores with mifamurtide induced a reduction of cellular markers and an increase in bone volume. This 3D bone core model has the potential to investigate osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment and provides a representative model for evaluation of novel therapies.
The Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision-Making in Women’s Health Care
Authors: Lopes Marlene Isabel , Wittmann-Price Ruth A.
Published: December 2024

The use of theories in nursing reflects the discipline’s progression toward autonomy and delineates its scope, directly guiding practice, research, education, and administration. This paper analyzes and evaluates the theoretical model for nursing care of women involved in health care decisions—The Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision-Making in Women’s Health Care—based on McEwen’s systematic theory 3-phase evaluation method. Developed through a rigorous process, this theory centers on the concept of emancipation and its associated subconcepts crucial to decision-making in women’s health. This included crafting explanatory propositions and incorporating them into a structured theoretical framework. Having been applied and refined in various clinical settings, the theory has improved in applicability and proven effective for guiding nursing care across diverse environments. Furthermore, fostering a flexible environment that enhances personal knowledge significantly contributes to emancipated decision-making, which is closely linked to decision satisfaction.
Caring for Patients Seeking Asylum: Early Data From the Safety Net System in New York City
Authors: Newton-Dame Remle , Jacobson Laura , Wallach Andrew B. , Silverman Erica , Dreyer Benard , Long Theodore
Published: December 2024

Context:

Over 200 000 people seeking asylum have arrived in New York City from 2022 to 2024.

Program:

As the safety net hospital system for our city, New York City (NYC) Health + Hospitals (H + H) has taken the lead in caring for newly arrived asylum seekers. We used electronic medical record data to gain early insights into utilization and needs among these patients.

Implementation:

We developed a hybrid definition to identify patients who are asylum seekers and examined their demographics, insurance, utilization, primary billing diagnoses, and immunizations from the Epic EMR. We included data on other patients as a point of comparison and analyzed data separately for adult and pediatric patients.

Evaluation:

In 2023, 15 233 or 1.4% of H + H patients were asylum seekers. Asylum seekers had fewer visits than other patients in 2023, and utilization was particularly driven by pregnancy and childbirth. Children seeking asylum were engaged in primary care at high rates. Documented childhood vaccinations were higher among asylum-seeking children engaged in primary care compared to those who were not. The majority of adults and children were insured. Adult primary care engagement was low, as were visits for those seeking care for behavioral health issues.

Discussion:

For adult asylum seekers, pregnancy and childbirth are key needs for adults. Increasing vaccination rates among children is critical and promoting engagement in primary care is a promising way to do so. Coordinated efforts are required to meet the varied needs of migrant arrivals, and safety net hospitals can play a key role in addressing their health care needs.
Incremental Value of Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Radiomics Models in Identifying Vulnerable Plaques
Authors: Zhu Jinke , Zhu Xiucong , Lv Sangying , Guo Danling , Li Huaifeng , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: December 2024

Objective

Inflammatory characteristics in pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) may enhance the diagnostic capability of radiomics techniques for identifying vulnerable plaques. This study aimed to evaluate the incremental value of PCAT radiomics scores in identifying vulnerable plaques defined by intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS).

Methods

In this retrospective study, a PCAT radiomics model was established and validated using IVUS as the reference standard. The dataset consisted of patients with coronary artery disease who underwent both coronary computed tomography angiography and IVUS examinations at a tertiary hospital between March 2023 and January 2024. The dataset was randomly assigned to the training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio. The diagnostic performance of various models was evaluated on both sets using the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

From 88 lesions in 79 patients, we selected 9 radiomics features (5 texture features, 1 shape feature, 1 gray matrix feature, and 2 first-order features) from the training cohort (n = 61) to build the PCAT model. The PCAT radiomics model demonstrated moderate to high AUCs (0.847 and 0.819) in both the training and test cohorts. Furthermore, the AUC of the PCAT radiomics model was significantly higher than that of the fat attenuation index model (0.847 vs 0.659, P < 0.05). The combined model had a higher AUC than the clinical model (0.925 vs 0.714, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PCAT radiomics signature of coronary CT angiography enabled the detection of vulnerable plaques defined by IVUS.
Effects of Electric Field Direction on TMS-based Motor Cortex Mapping
Authors: Jing Ying , Numssen Ole , Hartwigsen Gesa , Knösche Thomas R. , Weise Konstantin
Published: December 2024

Background

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) modulates brain activity by inducing electric fields (E-fields) that can elicit action potentials in cortical neurons. Neuronal responses to TMS depend not only on the magnitude of the induced E-field but also on various physiological factors. In this study, we incorporated a novel average response model that efficiently estimates the firing threshold of neurons based on their orientation relative to the applied E-field, thereby advancing TMS mapping for motor function.

Methods

We conducted a regression-based TMS mapping experiment with fourteen subjects to localize cortical origins of motor evoked potential (MEP) on the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle. Firing thresholds were estimated for excitatory neurons in cortical layers 2/3 and 5 via an average response model. Regression was performed between MEPs and three E-field quantities: the magnitude (magnitude model), the normal component (cosine model), and the effective E-field, which scales the E-field magnitude based on the firing thresholds specific to the neuronal orientation (neuron model). To validate, we applied TMS to ten subjects with optimized coil placements based on these three models to determine which model could yield the highest MEPs.

Results

The magnitude and neuron models performed similarly, while the cosine model showed lower explained variance in regression results, required more TMS trials for stable mapping, and yielded the lowest MEP in the validation.

Conclusion

This study is the first to advance TMS modeling by incorporating neuron-specific factors at the individual level. Results show that on the motor cortex, the magnitude model is–as expected–a good approximation of cortical TMS effects as it shows similar results as the neuron model. In contrast, the classic cosine model exhibited lower performance and required more TMS trials for stable results, and is not recommended for future studies.
5G Radio-Frequency-Electromagnetic-Field Effects on the Human Sleep Electroencephalogram: A Randomized Controlled Study inCACNA1CGenotyped Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Sousouri Georgia , Eicher Corinne , D’ Angelo Rachele Maria , Billecocq Marie , Fussinger Thomas , Studler Mirjam , Capstick Myles , Kuster Niels , Achermann Peter , Huber Reto , Landolt Hans-Peter
Published: December 2024

Background

The introduction of 5G technology as the latest standard in mobile telecommunications has raised concerns about its potential health effects. Prior studies of earlier generations of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) demonstrated narrowband spectral increases in the electroencephalographic (EEG) spindle frequency range (11-16 Hz) in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep. However, the impact of 5G RF-EMF on sleep remains unexplored. Additionally, RF-EMF can activate L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCC), which have been linked to sleep quality and EEG oscillatory activity.

Objective

This study investigates whether the allelic variant rs7304986 in theCACNA1Cgene, encoding the α1C subunit of LTCC, modulates 5G RF-EMF effects on EEG spindle activity during NREM sleep.

Methods

Thirty-four healthy, matched participants, genotyped for rs7304986 (15 T/C and 19 T/T carriers), underwent a double-blind, sham-controlled study with standardized left-hemisphere exposure to two 5G RF-EMF signals (3.6 GHz and 700 MHz) for 30 min before sleep. Sleep spindle activity was analyzed using high-density EEG and the Fitting Oscillations & One Over f (FOOOF) algorithm.

Results

T/C carriers reported longer sleep latency compared to T/T carriers. A significant interaction between RF-EMF exposure and rs7304986 genotype was observed, with 3.6 GHz exposure in T/C carriers inducing a faster spindle center frequency in the central, parietal, and occipital cortex compared to sham.

Conclusion

These findings suggest 3.6 GHz 5G RF-EMF modulates spindle center frequency during NREM sleep in aCACNA1Cgenotype-dependent manner, implicating LTCC in the physiological response to RF-EMF and underscoring the need for further research into 5G effects on brain health.
A freely accessible, adaptable hollow-fiber setup to reproduce first-order absorption: illustration with linezolid cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetic data
Authors: Prébonnaud N. , Chauzy A. , Grégoire N. , Dahyot-Fizelier C. , Adier C. , Marchand S. , Aranzana-Climent V.
Published: December 2024

The main objective of this study was to validate an algorithm and experimental setup to simulate first-order absorption pharmacokinetic profiles without altering the standardin vitrohollow fiber infection model (HFIM). For that, clinical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) linezolid concentrations after 30-minute infusions at dosing regimens 600 mg q12 h, 900 mg q12 h, and 900 mg q8 h were reproduced in the HFIM over 4 days.

To approximate the apparent first-order absorption observed on CSF pharmacokinetic profiles, we split the dosing interval into a series of sub-intervals during which continuous infusions were delivered to the system. During each sub-interval, the same amount of linezolid was delivered but the sub-intervals had different durations and flow rates which were computed by a newly developed algorithm.

In addition, we independently reproduced plasma concentrations to validate our system.

Samples were collected from the central reservoir and the extracapillary space (ECS) of the cartridge of the HFIM and assayed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Observed pharmacokinetic parameters and concentrations in the ECS were compared with the target clinical pharmacokinetic parameters and concentrations.

Observed pharmacokinetic parameters were within 20 % of target pharmacokinetic parameters for all experiments, thus validating the ability of our experimental setup to reproduce plasma and CSF linezolid pharmacokinetic profiles.

The algorithm and setup are available in the open-source web applicationhttps://varacli.shinyapps.io/hollow_fiber_app/to easily design other HFIM experiments.
The yield on re-interpretation of genetic variants in pediatric cardiomyopathy
Authors: Suzuki Takanori , Lesurf Robert , Akilen Raj , Xu Xiaoqiao , Jobling Rebekah , Zahavich Laura , Mital Seema
Published: December 2024

Background

Regular re-interpretation of disease-causing genetic variants is recommended to determine if variant pathogenicity changes as new information becomes available. Our aim was to determine the yield on systematic re-evaluation of genetic variants in pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy.

Methods

The study cohort included 227 unrelated pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy enrolled in the Heart Centre Biobank who harbored a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant and/or a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) on clinical genetic testing between 2005-2022. Variant pathogenicity was re-evaluated using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. The re-evaluation included updates to ClinGen gene curation, ClinVar variant interpretation, population allele frequency, in silico tools for variant deleteriousness, segregation with disease or de novo status, and genotype-phenotype evaluation.

Results

Re-evaluation was performed in 382 variants (110 P/LP, 272 VUS) reported in the study cohort of 227 patients. 12 of 110 P/LP (10.9%) variants were downgraded to VUS in 14 patients. Leading criteria were high population allele frequency and variant not located in mutational hotspot or critical functional gene domain. 37 of 272 VUS (13.6%) were upgraded to P/LP in 35 patients. Leading criteria were variant in mutational hotspot for gene, variant interpreted as deleterious using in silico prediction and novel missense change at an amino acid residue where a different missense change was previously determined to be pathogenic. Overall, the reclassification of 49 variants affected 49 of 227 (21.6%) patients. Of note, only 8 reclassified variants had been reported back by the clinical genetic testing laboratory.

Conclusions

One in five patients with cardiomyopathy had a clinically relevant change from the original variant classification on systematic re-evaluation. This has implications for clinical screening and cascade genetic testing of family members of affected patients. These findings underscore the importance of regular variant re-interpretation on follow-up in cardiomyopathy patients.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in White Matter Hyperintensity Burden: The Role of Vascular Risk Factors
Authors: Kamal Farooq , Moqadam Roqaie , Morrison Cassandra , Dadar Mahsa
Published: December 2024

INTRODUCTION

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are markers of cerebrovascular pathology associated with cognitive decline. Reports of racial and ethnic differences in WMH have been inconsistent across studies. This study examined whether race and ethnicity influence WMH burden and whether vascular risk factors explain these differences.

METHODS

Data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center included 7,132 Whites, 892 Blacks, 283 Asians, and 661 Hispanics. Baseline and longitudinal WMHs were examined using linear regression and mixed-effects models across racial and ethnic groups, controlling for demographics and vascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Adjusting for vascular risk factors reduced WMH burden differences and eliminated differences in temporal regions in Black vs White older adults. For Hispanics, differences became significant after adjusting for vascular risk factors.

DISCUSSION

While some racial and ethnic WMH disparities are influenced by vascular risk factors, others persist, highlighting the need for multidimensional approaches when targeting WMHs in diverse populations.

Highlights

Current research is inconsistent as to whether there are racial differences in WMHs

Blacks exhibit higher WMH burden than Whites, mediated by vascular factors

In Hispanics, WMH differences emerged only after adjusting for vascular risk factors
The economic value of vertebrate pollination in India
Authors: Kallivalappil Ratheesh , Cotter Sheena C.
Published: December 2024

The increasing urgency to understand the role and value of pollination in agriculture and plant conservation has elevated pollinators to a critical focus of research. While most crops—excluding cereals—are partially or entirely dependent on pollinators for fruit and seed production or benefit from improved yields due to their activities, the economic valuation of pollination services has primarily concentrated on insect pollinators globally and within India. However, comprehensive studies on the economic contributions of vertebrate pollinators in India remain absent. To address this gap, we evaluated the economic value of vertebrate pollination services for eight plant species by analyzing economic and production data from a published study. Using the methodologies of Klein et al. (2007), Gallai et al. (2009), and Gallai and Vaissiere (2009), we applied a contribution separation criterion to distinguish vertebrate pollination contributions from those of invertebrates. Our findings estimate the value of vertebrate pollination services at £2.86 million (D28.2 crore rupees), with bird pollinators contributing more than mammal pollinators. This study underscores the significant role of bat pollinators in supporting India’s economy and biodiversity through vital ecosystem services, highlighting their importance for conservation and policy initiatives.
Processes essential forPhyscomitrium patensprotonemal development require distinct levels of total activity provided by functionally redundant PpROP GTPases
Authors: Le Bail Aude , Kost Benedikt , Nüssel Janina , Lolis Tamara Isabeau , Koch David , Voll Hildegard , Schulmeister Sylwia , Ljung Karin , Ntefidou Maria
Published: December 2024

RHO GTPases are key regulators of cellular and developmental processes in most eukaryotic organisms. ROPs (RHO of plants) constitute a plant-specific RHO subfamily. ROP families expanded and functionally diversified during the evolution of structurally complex vascular plants, but generally contain few members in non-vascular plants with ancient features. In vascular and non-vascular plants, ROP proteins are required for cell polarization, directional cell expansion, and mitotic cell plate positioning. All these processes are impaired by the disruption of PpROP activity in the non-vascular mossPhyscomitrium patens. The aim of the study presented here was to further characterize PpROP functions duringP. patensprotonemal development by a) knocking out individually or in all possible combinations each of the four RpROPgenes, which encode nearly identical proteins, b) complementing knock-out mutants with WT or mutant PpROP isoforms, or with heterologous homologs, and c) performing overexpression experiments. PpROPs were found to have additional previously unknown functions in the regulation of cell proliferation, caulonema differentiation, and gametophore formation. Furthermore, different cellular and developmental processes were shown to require distinct levels of total PpROP activity, rather than individual PpROP isoforms. Implications of the remarkable sequence conservation and functional integration within the PpROP protein family are discussed.

One-sentence summary

Knock-out, complementation, and overexpression experiments further defined PpROP functions inP. patensdevelopment, and demonstrated their dependence on distinct levels of total PpROP activity.
Diagnostic accuracy of the STANDING algorithm in patients with isolated vertigo/dizziness, a multicentre prospective study (STANDING-M)
Authors: Ronchetti Mattia , Bartalucci Paola , Pepe Giuseppe , Canaroli Giulia , Magazzini Simone , de Curtis Ersilia , Di Sacco Federico , Bartolucci Maurizio , Pecci Rudi , Casula Claudia , Pelagatti Lorenzo , Fabiani Ginevra , Pavellini Andrea , Caviglioli Cosimo , Nazerian Peiman , Vannucchi Paolo , Vanni Simone
Published: December 2024

Aim

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the STANDING algorithm across different emergency departments (ED)s. As secondary outcomes we compared the STANDING and the local usual care (LUC), in term of accuracy, use of diagnostic resources and length of stay (LOS).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled adult patients presenting with vertigo/dizziness at one ‘hub’ and three ‘spoke’ EDs in Tuscany, evaluated using either STANDING or LUC depending on the availability of a trained emergency physician (EP). Imaging tests, consultations and discharge/admission decisions were made independently of the study. The reference standard was a diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain and 30-days follow-up.

Results

We included 456 patients, 242 (53%) assessed by STANDING. No difference in age, gender and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were present between STANDING and LUC groups. The prevalence of central vertigo was 8.6%, with ischemic stroke (4.2%) as the leading cause, without differences between the two groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (95% CI) of STANDING for central disease were 88.2% (63.6-98.5), 91.6% (87.1-94.8), 44.1% (33.2-55.7), 99% (96.5-99.7), without differences between the ‘hub’ and the ‘spoke’ centres and when only ischemic stroke was considered. STANDING demonstrated higher specificity and positive predictive values than that of LUC (36.5% and 14.7%, p<0.05 for both). Additionally, requests for head CT were lower (48.3% vs. 66.8%) and LOS shorter (289 vs. 351 minutes) in the STANDING group (p<0.05 for both).

Conclusions

The STANDING algorithm showed a good accuracy and a very high negative predictive value for excluding central disease and stroke, across different EDs. Compared to LUC, STANDING showed increased specificity, reduced utilisation of head CT and a shorter LOS.
Large-scale RF mapping without visual input for neuroprostheses in macaque and human visual cortex
Authors: Lozano Antonio , Chen Xing , La Grouw Mike , Li Bingshuo , Wang Feng , van der Grinten Maureen , Soto-Sánchez Cristina , Morales-Gregorio Aitor , Fernández Eduardo , Roelfsema Pieter R.
Published: December 2024

High-channel-count neuroprostheses could one day restore functional vision in blind individuals by delivering electrical pulses to electrodes in the visual cortex that elicit perceptions known as ‘phosphenes’. However, if a high number of electrodes are used, it becomes challenging and time-consuming to map the visual field locations of all phosphenes. Furthermore, many blind users are not able to maintain stable fixation, impeding the localization of phosphenes, or may perceive spontaneous visual phenomena that interfere with detection of electrically induced phosphenes. Here, we introduce NEural Unsupervised electrode mapping (NEUmap), a rapid, largely automated method for phosphene mapping that extracts spatial patterns from spontaneous activity across the visual cortex. As correlations between neuronal activity on nearby electrodes are stronger than those between distant electrodes, we first use dimensionality-reduction algorithms to generate maps of relative positions of electrodes. We then convert these maps from relative to absolute visual field coordinates while the subject maps out a small number of phosphenes manually. NEUmap generated maps across ∼300-700 electrodes in each of two sighted monkeys and across 73-91 electrodes in each of three blind human volunteers. We report that the method allows rapid mapping of many electrodes using less than a second of resting-state data, with minimal effort from the subject, in the absence of vision.