bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjustment to atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study investigating the role of maladaptive self-schemas in a community sample of people with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Kalaki Elli , Mizara Alexandra 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Studies have demonstrated variability in adjustment to atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objectives
The present study investigated whether adjustment to AD is mediated by psychological (maladaptive schemas/personality) or condition-only factors (age at onset) in a community sample.

Methods
A cross-sectional design was employed with two groups: a) early onset of AD (n = 74) and b) late onset (n = 76). All groups completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (Short Form 3) and the Adjustment to Chronic Skin Disease Questionnaire.

Results
There were no significant differences in adjustment levels between the two groups. Both groups presented with poor adjustment levels specifically on the itch-scratch, helplessness and anxious-depressive mood factors. Poor adjustment levels were predicted by maladaptive schemas and not by age of onset of AD.

Conclusions
Findings highlight and support that adjustment and coping with AD is strongly linked and predicted by core psychological factors such as maladaptive schemas. Understanding schema-level cognitions and offering interventions that can address them might prevent further life impairment and improve overall adjustment to AD.
The ulcerative colitis risk gene adenylyl cyclase 7 restrains the T helper 2 phenotype and Class II antigen presentation
Authors: Cardinale Christopher J , Liu Yichuan , Kevadia Aayush , Strong Alanna , Watts Val J , Hakonarson Hakon 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background and Aims
Genome-wide association studies have shown that the most risk-conferring genetic polymorphism for ulcerative colitis outside the human leukocyte antigen locus is the amino acid substitution p.Asp439Glu in the adenylyl cyclase 7 gene (ADCY7). ADCY7 is the main isoform in the hematopoietic system and produces the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) downstream of G protein-coupled receptor signaling. Our aim was to determine the contribution of this polymorphism to UC risk by analyzing its effect on ADCY7 function in cell-based assays.

Methods
We characterized the p.Asp439Glu variant in cell lines using western blots, immunofluorescence, cAMP assay, and luciferase assay. We modeled this variant using siRNA knock-down in human primary CD4+ T cells and characterized them by RNA-seq, viability assay, flow cytometry, cAMP assay, and ELISA.

Results
The p.Asp439Glu variant is deficient in protein expression but retains membrane localization. This results in a 40% reduction in cAMP synthesis and luciferase reporter expression. Knock-down of ADCY7 in T cells reduces the expression of ribosomal proteins and cAMP signaling proteins, while skewing cytokine production towards a T helper 2 pattern and upregulating antigen presentation accompanied by increased surface expression of MHC Class II and CD86.

Conclusions
The ulcerative colitis risk-conferring variant, p.Asp439Glu, in ADCY7 reduces cyclic AMP signaling, leading to modifications in cytokine profile and antigen presentation. Medications that enhance cyclic AMP by direct activation of ADCY7 or by phosphodiesterase inhibition may be beneficial in this disease.
De novo whole genome assembly of the critically endangered southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides)
Authors: Faulk Christopher , Walls Carrie , Nelson Brandie , Arakaki Paloma R , Gonzalez Irys H L , Banevicius Nancy , Teixeira Rodrigo H F , Medeiros Marina A , Silva Gessiane P , Talebi Mauricio , Chung Wilson C J , Takeshita Rafaela S C 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is one of the two species of muriquis (genus Brachyteles), the largest body sized nonhuman primate from the Neotropics. Deforestation and illegal hunting have led to a continuing decline in the muriqui population, leading to their current classification as critically endangered. The lack of a reference genome for the genus Brachyteles prevents scientists from taking full advantage of genomic tools to improve their conservation status. This study reports the first whole-genome assemblies of the genus Brachyteles, using DNA from two zoo-housed southern muriqui females. We performed sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ PromethION 2 Solo using a native DNA library preparation to preserve DNA modifications. We used Flye to assemble genomes for each individual. The best final assembly was 2.6 Gb, in 319 contigs, with an N50 of 58.8 Mb and L50 of 17. BUSCO completeness score for this assembly was 99.5%. The assembly of the second individual had similar quality, with length of 2.6 Gb, 759 contigs, N50 of 47.9 Mb, L50 of 18, and BUSCO completeness score of 99.04%. Both assemblies had &lt;1% duplicates, missing, or fragments. Gene model mapper detected 24,353 protein coding genes, and repetitive elements accounted for 46% of the genome. We also reported the mitogenome, which had 16,562 bp over 37 genes, and global methylation of CpG sites, which revealed a mean of 80% methylation. Our study provides a high-quality reference genome assembly for the southern muriqui, expanding the tools that can be used to aid in their conservation efforts.
Burn Progression in Human Skin – A Review of Current Knowledge and Opportunities for Future Research
Authors: Junak Mary , Gibson Angela 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Treatment of a burn wound often depends on the vertical depth of injury, which is commonly determined by visual assessment. Burn progression is the concept that in the early post-burn period, a partial thickness burn may progress to a deeper burn requiring surgery. Therefore, the initial appearance of the wound may not be indicative of the eventual extent of injury. Several preclinical studies attribute burn wound progression to events such as vasoconstriction, inflammation, programmed cell death, free radical damage, and microvascular occlusion. Due to the concern for translatability of animal models for burn wounds, human studies are essential to understand burn progression in patients. Unfortunately, only a few small human studies exploring mechanisms including apoptosis, ischemia, and infection exist. Inherent to determining burn progression is burn depth determination and healing potential, an area of research that has many ongoing investigations without a clear standard method to replace visual evaluation. Treatments to prevent burn progression in humans, including use of negative pressure wound therapy and application of cooling dressings, have been studied with small sample sizes. Here, we aim to summarize the current data on human burn progression. Additionally, we discuss novel methods that could be used in future research to define early burn wound progression. Future work in human tissue should focus on the assessment and timeline of progression, explore the reversibility and prevention of injury progression and use animal models in parallel as complementary tools for hypothesis-driven research based on findings in humans.
What We Can Learn from Extreme Moral Exemplars: The Significance of Moral Saints and Heroes for Character Education
Authors: Chen Yi-Lin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Moral ‘saints and heroes’ are generally considered to be admirable, moral exemplars worthy of emulation. J. O. Urmson characterizes them as morally laudable agents who perform supererogatory actions. This characterization, combined with relevant empirical evidence, presents a paradox in which supererogatory acts appear to become, not optional, but obligatory for moral saints and heroes. This is termed the ‘agent–observer disparity’. Drawing on Bernard Williams’ ideas, the concepts of practical necessity and moral incapacity, which are expressive of and grounded in one’s character, are utilized to account for moral saints and heroes’ subjective morality and illuminate their exceptional strength of character. In response to misgivings regarding the imitability of moral saints and heroes and the attainability of their excellences of character, this study suggests that the considerable gap between the characteristics of extreme exemplars and ordinary individuals can provide ordinary individuals with the freedom to consider the moral perspectives of these exemplars that evoke wonder without the exemplars’ actions becoming a threat to ordinary people’s self-concept. The earnest aspiration to reach the moral ideals of moral saints and heroes can move ordinary individuals and trigger an aretaic impulse to act more virtuously without causing stress. It is concluded that moral saints and heroes as extreme exemplars complement the influence of ordinary ‘close-by’ moral mentors and both are key in exemplar-based character education.
A rare case of sporadic metastatic colorectal cancer with glioblastoma multiforme: a challenging clinical scenario
Authors: Awad Farah , Abdallah Firas , Alhalabieh Ahmad , Aljaafreh Imad , Naserallah Salam , Lahham Elias Edward 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of death worldwide. On the other hand, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Inherited diseases of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) can cause multiple cancers in the same patient including CRC and GBM. In this study, we report a 59-year-old woman presented with fatigue, constipation, abdominal distention, perianal pain, right-sided arm weakness, and personality changes. After investigations, it was diagnosed that sporadic metastatic CRC and GBM occurred simultaneously in the same patient, which was confirmed by colonoscopy, biopsy, imaging, and molecular testing. As the treatment of two cancers in the same patient is unique and complex, the absence of guidelines for such cases was discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board including surgeons, medical, and radiation oncologists.
Schistosomiasis: an unexpected finding in appendicitis
Authors: Dholakia Jhanvi , Smith Maiko 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an uncommon cause of appendicitis in the developed world. It needs to be correctly identified, as it has further treatment implications for the patient. We present the case of a 34-year-old Zimbabwean migrant with appendicitis and associated adjacent peritoneal nodules. Histological testing showed these to be parasitic larvae, Schistosoma. He was followed up by the infectious diseases team and treated with Praziquantel as eradicative therapy. Appendicitis may be the only sign of a Schistosoma infection, which would enable early eradicative treatment, thus preventing the development of more serious hepato-intestinal complications.
Outpatient Alcohol Withdrawal Management in a Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic: An Opportunity for Low-barrier Engagement and Shared Decision-making
Authors: Peterkin Alyssa F. , Laks Jordana , Farrell Natalija , Weisenthal Karrin , Taylor Jessica L. 
Published: February 2025

Objective:
To describe the implementation of outpatient alcohol withdrawal management in a low-barrier substance use disorder (SUD) bridge clinic and short-term clinical outcomes.

Methods:
A bridge clinic in Boston, MA implemented outpatient benzodiazepine tapers for alcohol withdrawal in patients at low risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received one or more benzodiazepine doses between April 2021 and January 2023. We described patient characteristics and evaluated rates of taper completion, clinical complications, and medication for alcohol use disorder (AUD) initiation.

Results:
Forty-six patients with alcohol withdrawal were treated during the study period. Their mean age was 43 years and the majority identified as male (76%); ∼30% were Black/African American and 30% Hispanic/Latinx, and 24% spoke a primary language other than English. Most had severe AUD (76%), and 30% had a history of complicated withdrawal, counter to typical clinical eligibility criteria. Over a third of patients (19/46, 41.6%) completed their planned withdrawal treatment course, 18 (39.1%) patients did not follow up in the bridge clinic within the first 3 days, and 1 (2%) experienced a documented seizure during treatment. Twenty-four patients (52%) initiated medication for AUD.

Conclusion:
Outpatient alcohol withdrawal management in a bridge clinic provides an opportunity to engage patients from marginalized groups, including those at higher risk for complicated alcohol withdrawal who decline inpatient care. More work is needed to improve patient follow-up and assess treatment outcomes.
External review of procedure codes for intensive care, mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for critically ill COVID-19 patients in the Swedish inpatient register
Authors: Rosendal Ebba , Kalucza Sebastian , Nyström Helena , Schien Matthias , Berggren Ritva Kiiski , Jerndal Hanna , Fonseca-Rodriguez Osvaldo , Fors Connolly Anne-Marie 
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND
The quality of registry data is important for epidemiological research. The Swedish inpatient registry (IPR) is a national database with mandatory registration of all hospitalisations since 1987, and since 2007, the medical procedure codes which can be used for grading severity of infectious diseases. However, the completeness of procedure code registration has rarely been studied.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the quality and completeness of procedure codes for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the Swedish IPR utilising the Swedish Intensive Care Registry (SIR) as the gold standard.

DESIGN
A Swedish nationwide observational study.

SETTING
Covid-19 patients in Sweden who required intensive care in Sweden between March 2020 and August 2022.

PATIENTS
Covid-19 patients with a laboratory-verified SARS-CoV-2 infection who required ICU admission (n = 8992), mechanical ventilation (n = 5262) or ECMO (n = 29).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The sensitivity and/or positive predictive values of procedure code registration for ICU, mechanical ventilation, ECMO and Covid-19 diagnosis code registration in the IPR were evaluated using SIR as the reference. Factors associated with low reporting were explored and the dates of ICU admission registration compared between IPR and SIR.

RESULTS
For Covid-19 patients registered in SIR as needing intensive care, mechanical ventilation or ECMO, the completeness of procedure codes in the IPR was 39.7, 78.2 and 100%, respectively. Of the 39.7% with an ICU code in the IPR, the ICU date in the IPR corresponding to the actual ICU admission date was 52.3%. The completeness of ICU registration in the IPR varied from 0.6 to 96.9% between healthcare regions

CONCLUSIONS
Procedure codes for intensive care in the Swedish IPR showed low sensitivity and varied greatly between healthcare regions. This negatively influences their usability for epidemiological research and calls for updated guidelines on coding.
The immunomodulatory effect of sugammadex in vitro and after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Bijkerk Veerle , Jacobs Lotte M.C. , Visser Jetze , van Helden Esmee V. , Keijzer Christiaan , Helder Leonie S. , Albers Kim I. , Warlé Michiel C. 
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND
Postoperative immunosuppression is a well known phenomenon associated with infectious complications. Peri-operative immune dysregulation is likely induced by surgical damage and anaesthetics, but remains far from comprehensively characterised. To address this, the effects of individual drugs on immune function must be explored. Sugammadex, a cyclodextrin that encapsulates rocuronium, also binds other drugs and structures and may influence the inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE
Investigate the potential immunomodulatory effect of sugammadex

DESIGN
An in-vitro experiment, randomised controlled pilot study and retrospective cohort study

SETTING
Tertiary teaching hospital

PATIENTS
Twelve healthy donors, 20 adults undergoing total hip arthroplasty and 1000 major abdominal surgery patients

INTERVENTION

In vitro: isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to sugammadex and rocuronium before stimulation with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

Pilot study: patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under single shot spinal anaesthesia randomised to sugammadex (8 mg kg-1) or placebo at the end of surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

In vitro: TNF, IL-1β and IL-6 production capacity.

Pilot study: Ex-vivo cytokine production capacity after whole blood stimulation with LPS.

Retrospective cohort: sugammadex as a predictor of postoperative infectious complications

RESULTS

In vitro: rocuronium suppressed TNF and IL-1β production capacity. Higher doses of sugammadex (100 and 1000 μg ml-1; 100 μg ml-1 corresponds to plasma concentration reached upon 8 mg kg-1 sugammadex) restored suppression of TNF and IL-1β.

Pilot study: no differences in ex-vivo cytokine production capacity between the sugammadex and placebo group at the end of surgery or on postoperative day 1.

Retrospective cohort study: no association between sugammadex and postoperative infectious complications (OR = 1.000, 95% CI 0.998 to 1.002).

CONCLUSION
Sugammadex preserved cytokine production capacity of TNF and IL-1β in vitro. The clinical pilot study and retrospective cohort study revealed no early postoperative immunomodulatory effects for sugammadex in the clinically used dosing range.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05723406 and NCT05244655.
Effectiveness of Intraoperative Ketorolac in Outpatient Breast Surgery: A Double-blinded Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Choi Joowon M. , Rodriguez Jose D. , Saccocci Michael A. , Shafer Robert P. , Feldmann Mark E. , Moyer Kurtis E. , Thompson James T. 
Published: February 2025

Background:
The use of nonnarcotic analgesics, such as ketorolac, has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. This double-blinded randomized trial is designed to assess the efficacy of intraoperative ketorolac in reducing postoperative narcotic use in outpatient breast reconstruction and reduction procedures.

Methods:
This study is a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Adult patients, 18–64 years of age, undergoing breast surgery were randomized to receive 15 mg of ketorolac, 30 mg of ketorolac, or a placebo dose of saline. Patients’ opioid requirements in the postoperative anesthesia care unit and postoperative opioid utilization and pain scores were collected through a daily survey. Postoperative hematomas were assessed before discharge and at subsequent follow-up visits for a period of 14 days.

Results:
Of the 63 patients included in the study, 31 patients underwent delayed reconstruction following mastectomy and 35 patients underwent breast reduction surgery. Patients who received 30 mg of ketorolac had the fastest pain resolution (P < 0.05). The rate of opioid discontinuance was the fastest overall in patients who received 15 mg of ketorolac (rate = −0.072) when compared with the 30-mg ketorolac group (rate = −0.071) and the placebo group (rate = −0.065). Total opioid usage in the postoperative anesthesia care unit was not statistically different across the 3 groups. Only 1 patient developed a hematoma in the 15-mg ketorolac group.

Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that a single dose of intraoperative ketorolac was associated with reduced opioid usage and postoperative pain. However, due to the study size, the difference in hematoma rate was not statistically significant.
Clinicopathological correlates of vitamin D receptor expression in prostate cancer: results of genomic analysis
Authors: Omenai Sebastian A. , Ebili Henry O. , Ezenkwa Uchenna S. , Ale Ayotunde O. , Akintola Patrick A. , Adetona Adesoji E. , Akunwata Chima U. , Mashor Mbwas I. , Nwanji Ifeanyichukwu D. , Iyapo Oluwadamilare , Ezekekwu Chinedu A. , Akulue John C. , Chidozie Ngozi , Nwadiokwu Ifeanyi J. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objectives:
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men. Geography and environmental factors have been associated with varying incidence and mortalities in different groups. Vitamin D has antiproliferative effect on PCa cells, and its effect is mediated through vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study reported the correlation of VDR expression with some clinicopathological and biological features among a cohort of patients with PCa.

Methods:
Genomic and clinicopathological data of 497 patients with PCa reposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas were retrieved using Linux command in running codes and scripts and extrapolated onto SPSS version 28 for statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to determine the proportions and associations of VDR expression with genomic variables and clinicopathological indices. The mechanism of VDR dysregulation was also interrogated.

Results:
Our results showed that high VDR expression was positively correlated with a high Gleason score (P < 0.001), poorer prognostic International Society of Urological Pathology grade groups (P < 0.001), advanced tumor stage (P = 0.01), and poorer response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Age, race, and overall and disease-free survival did not show any correlation with VDR expression (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the major mechanism of dysregulation of VDR in PCa was by aberrant methylation of the VDR promoter region (P < 0.001), and not by copy number alterations (P = 0.42).

Conclusion:
VDR expression is associated with adverse clinicopathological indices, including late-stage disease profile, high-grade indices, and poorer response to ADT. VDR is also mainly deregulated by aberrant epigenetic mechanism. The study is limited by absence of some clinical information such as sunlight exposure.
Operative Time and Accrual of Postoperative Complications in Minimally Invasive Versus Open Myomectomy
Authors: Applebaum Jeremy , Kim Edward K. , Ewy Joshua , Humphries Leigh A. , Shah Divya K. 
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2024;31:747–755)
Uterine fibroids are a common occurrence in women of childbearing age, and key symptoms can include abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, or pregnancy complications. Myomectomy is the standard procedure for removal of problematic uterine fibroids and is used to relieve symptoms and preserve or improve fertility.
Diagnostic Accuracy of an Integrated AI Tool to Estimate Gestational Age From Blind Ultrasound Sweeps
Authors: Stringer Jeffrey S.A. , Pokaprakarn Teeranan , Prieto Juan C. , Vwalika Bellington , Chari Srihari V. , Sindano Ntazana , Freeman Bethany L. , Sikapande Bridget , Davis Nicole M. , Sebastião Yuri V. , Mandona Nelly M. , Stringer Elizabeth M. , Benabdelkader Chiraz , Mungole Mutinta , Kapilya Filson M. , Almnini Nariman , Diaz Arieska N. , Fecteau Brittany A. , Kosorok Michael R. , Cole Stephen R. , Kasaro Margaret P. 
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from JAMA 2024;332:649–657)
Gestational age (GA) is critical for guiding obstetric decisions related to antenatal care and delivery. In high-income countries, GA is typically measured via fetal biometry using high-resolution ultrasound machines operated by credentialed sonographers.