bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: epidemiology and risk factors over a 20-year follow-up
Authors: Saleh Ahmed , Yee Chee-Seng , Acquah Aba , Gordon Caroline , Reynolds John A 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Cutaneous vasculitis (CV) is common in SLE, but the epidemiology and risk factors remain unclear. We aimed to identify the trends and risk factors for CV in patients with SLE over a period of 20 years.

Methods
The Birmingham Lupus Cohort is an observational longitudinal cohort of SLE patients. Patients were enrolled within 3 years of meeting their fourth ACR criterion. Disease activity, laboratory test results and treatment records were collected. A multivariable shared frailty Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify clinical, laboratory and treatment-related variables associated with the development of CV.

Results
We included 392 patients: 95.7% were female. The median (interquartile range) duration of follow-up was 9.2 (5.1–14.7) years. CV occurred in 27% of SLE patients, of whom 43.3% had two or more CV events. This study demonstrated a marked decline in the incidence rates of CV, decreasing from 34.4% (95% CI 29.7, 39.3) during the first 3 years after enrolment to 2.1% (95% CI 0.05, 11.5) after 18 years of follow-up. Development of CV was associated with RP, constitutional, mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, haematological and cardiovascular involvement, anti-Sm antibodies, anti-dsDNA, and hypocomplementemia. However, the use of AZA and antimalarials was inversely associated with the development of CV. Patients with CV were more likely to develop at least one item of organ damage.

Conclusions
The incidence rates of CV in SLE decreased over the follow-up period and CV is associated with defined clinical, serological and treatment-related factors.
Willow oak (Quercus phellos) seedling roots continue respiration and growth during fall and winter in a soil temperature-dependent manner
Authors: Kressuk Jonathan M , Collins James T , Gardiner Emile S , Bataineh Mohammad M , Babst Benjamin A 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Many greentree reservoirs (GTRs) and other bottomland hardwood forests have experienced a shift in tree species composition away from desired red oaks (Quercus section Lobatae), like willow oak (Quercus phellos L.), due to flood stress mortality. Trees experience flood stress primarily through their root system, so it is surmised that GTR flooding may be occurring before root systems have reduced their activity entering the winter. Because soils buffer seasonal temperature changes, we hypothesized that root activity would respond to the belowground environment rather than the aboveground environment. To investigate whether cold soil temperatures reduce root growth and respiration in willow oak during winter, soil temperatures for container seedlings were either held at 15 °C or transitioned to 10 or 5 °C in the late fall. Root elongation was measured in seedlings grown in rhizotron pots by analyzing repeated images of roots during the fall–winter transition period. Root respiration, measured at soil temperature levels, was used as an indicator of root energetic expenses. Also, root respiration was measured at 15 and 5 °C to determine Q10 values to test for acclimation to low soil temperature. Root elongation continued in winter, even after stem elongation stopped in soil temperatures ≥5 °C, a condition usually met throughout most of the native range of willow oak. Both root elongation and respiration rates decreased in cooler soil temperatures. However, Q10 values were unaffected by soil temperature treatment. These findings do not support root dormancy or cold acclimation of root respiratory activity but indicate that temperature directly and reversibly affected root respiration rate. Root elongation may have been dependent on photoassimilates produced by green leaves that were retained through much of winter. Overall, our results suggest that willow oak roots may continue a high rate of growth throughout winter, unlike most temperate species measured to date, and that soil temperature has a major influence over their growth and respiration rates.
Clonal differences in ecophysiological responses to imposed drought in selected Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla hybrids
Authors: Ferraz Tiago Massi , de Oliveira Maia Júnior Sebastião , de Souza Guilherme Augusto Rodrigues , Baroni Danilo Força , Rodrigues Weverton Pereira , de Sousa Elias Fernandes , Penchel Ricardo , Loos Rodolfo , de Assis Figueiredo Fábio Afonso Mazzei Moura , Rakocevic Miroslava , Campostrini Eliemar 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Measuring ecophysiological responses of Eucalyptus clones grown under reduced water availability could assist in clonal selection for climate resilience. We hypothesized that clonal variation in chlorophyll a fluorescence was more readily detected than variations in leaf-level gas exchanges when 2-year-old Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake hybrid clones (C1, C2, C3 and C4) grown under rainfed (RF) and water-restricted (WR) conditions were evaluated during dry and rainy seasons, in the morning and midday diurnal periods. The C2 clone was the most drought tolerant as it had a similar net CO2 assimilation rate (A) considering the RF and WR conditions at midday during the dry season, while C1, C3 and C4 CO2 assimilation rates (A) decreased by 29.1%, 28.3% and 13%, respectively. This response was associated with a reduction to a lesser extent in leaf water potential, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rates (E) (ca 10%, 30% and 13% under WR, respectively), when compared with the other clones during the dry season at midday. The lower leaf to air vapor pressure deficit of C2 contributed to its greater water-use efficiency (WUE), resulting in greater total dry mass gain. C1, C3 and C4 were less drought tolerant, decreasing gs, E and especially A under WR, resulting in lower WUE and total dry mass gain. Chlorophyll a fluorescence indexes were better indicators of drought tolerance compared with gas exchange parameters in definition of drought tolerance of clonal Eucalyptus. Three drought-sensitive clones showed low photochemical efficiency under WR, with the electron transport rate being impaired between photosystems II and I, indicated by the greater changes in photosynthetic performance index (PIabs). Under WR conditions, Fv/Fm, Ψ0, ΦE0 and PIabs decreased in all clones while ΦD0 and DI0/CS0 increased, with C2 showing the most stable responses suggesting that the photochemical apparatus was the less damaged by drought. Thus, C2 was the best clone for regions with water scarcity.

Statements
HIV-1 Vif global diversity and possible APOBEC-mediated response since 1980
Authors: Lewitus Eric , Li Yifan , Rolland Morgane 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
HIV-1 Vif’s principal function is to counter the antiretroviral activities of DNA-editing APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases. Unconstrained APOBEC3 activity introduces premature stop codons in HIV-1 genes and can lead to viral inactivation. To investigate the evolution and diversification of Vif over the HIV-1 pandemic and document evidence of APOBEC3-mediated pressure, we analyzed 4612 publicly available sequences derived from 10 dominant subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) using the Hervé platform. We found widespread evidence of diversifying selection that was convergent across subtypes and CRFs, but remarkable stability in consensus sequences over time. Divergence and selection did not favor APOBEC3-interacting sites. We furthermore found that APOBEC3-induced substitutions in env and gag-pol genes increased over time and were positively associated with vif diversity. These results suggest that APOBEC3-driven adaptation in Vif is relatively rare and that permissiveness to human APOBEC3-induced substitution as a mechanism for generating diversity may be advantageous to HIV-1 evolution.
Competitive modulation of KV1.2 gating by LMAN2 and Slc7a5
Authors: Das Damayantee , Lamothe Shawn M. , Wong Anson A. , Baronas Victoria A. , Kurata Harley T. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractKV1.2 is a prominent ion channel in the CNS, where it regulates neuronal excitability. KV1.2 structure and function are well understood, but there is less consensus on mechanisms of regulation of KV1.2 and other potassium channels by auxiliary proteins. We previously identified novel regulators of KV1.2 by a mass spectrometry approach. The neutral amino acid transporter Slc7a5 causes a dramatic hyperpolarizing shift of channel activation. In contrast, the transmembrane lectin LMAN2 is a recently identified candidate regulator that has the opposite effect on gating: large depolarizing voltages are required to activate KV1.2 channels co‐expressed with LMAN2. In this study, we characterized the functional interaction between LMAN2 and Slc7a5 on KV1.2 gating properties and identified key structural elements that underlie sensitivity to each regulator. When LMAN2 and Slc7a5 are expressed together, KV1.2 activation exhibits a bi‐modal voltage‐dependence, suggesting two distinct populations of channels regulated either by LMAN2 or Slc7a5, but not both. Using a KV1.2:1.5 chimeric approach, we identified specific regions between the S1 to S3 segments of the voltage sensing domain (VSD) that are distinct for either Slc7a5 or LMAN2 sensitivity. By replacing either segment with sequence from KV1.5, modulation by the corresponding regulator was selectively abolished. These results suggest that Slc7a5 and LMAN2 compete for interaction with the KV1.2 voltage sensor, leading to complex voltage‐dependence of channel activity when both regulators are present in the cell.
MiR‐21 suppression in macrophages promotes M2‐like polarization and attenuates kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Ren Ting , Zhang Xinni , Pan Tianyi , Peng Fangyuan , Feng Jinghan , Sun Qian , Song NaNa , Ding Xiaoqiang , Jia Ping 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMicroRNA‐21 (miR‐21) is one of the most frequently upregulated miRNAs in response to kidney ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury, exhibiting both protective and pathogenic effects depending on the cell type, disease state, and target signaling. In this study, we analyzed the function of miR‐21 in various cell types to elucidate its role in ischemia‐induced inflammation and acute kidney injury (AKI). Utilizing a mouse model of IR injury, we observed significant upregulation of miR‐21 in renal tubular epithelial cells and macrophages following IR. Deletion of miR‐21 in macrophages mitigated IR‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine production and AKI. However, conditional deletion of miR‐21 in proximal tubules or nonproximal tubules did not protect the kidneys against these effects. Mechanistically, miR‐21 inhibition promoted M2‐like polarization in macrophages and suppressed M1‐like polarization and proinflammatory cytokine production in kidneys. In vitro, miR‐21 knockdown in the mouse macrophage cell line Raw246.7 or genetic deletion of miR‐21 in bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) increased the percentage of CD206+ cells (M2 phenotype) while decreasing the percentage of CD86+ cells (M1 phenotype) and the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines. Overexpression of miR‐21 in Raw264.7 cells reduced the percentage of CD206+ cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was a target gene of miR‐21 in macrophages, and miR‐21 deletion promoted M2 macrophage polarization via STAT3 activation. In conclusion, miR‐21 plays a role in regulating macrophage polarization, and the blockade of miR‐21/STAT3 signaling may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of AKI.
The Disproportionate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Time Allocation of Recipients of NIH Career Development Awards Who Are Women or Caregivers of Dependents
Authors: Jacobson Clare E. , Griffith Kent A. , Krenz Chris , Jones Rochelle D. , Cutter Christina M. , Singer Kanakadurga , Paradis Kelly C. , Stewart Abigail J. , Feldman Eva L. , Settles Isis H. , Kerr Eve A. , Ubel Peter A. , Spector Nancy D. , Jagsi Reshma 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To understand time allocation of a national medical faculty cohort 1.5–2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic began compared with before.

Method
From August 2021–April 2022, the authors conducted a retrospective survey of 1,430 clinician-researchers who received National Institutes of Health career-development awards between 2006–2009 asking about domestic and professional time allocation prepandemic and at the time of surveys (TOS). Of 915 respondents (64%), the 830 who remained in academic positions constituted the analytic sample. Multivariable regression models identified demographic factors associated with each time outcome and change in time between prepandemic and TOS, and having experienced a ≥8-hour increase of total self-reported weekly professional work hours and domestic labor hours.

Results
Median self-reported weekly professional work hours were 55 hours/week prepandemic and 60 at TOS. On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of self-reported weekly professional work hours at TOS were having a non-child other dependent (+2.6 hours, P = .03), academic rank (associate −3.1 hours, assistant −9.0 hours; P < .001), and specialty (P < .001). Average self-reported TOS weekly domestic-labor hours were 23.1 among men and 30.2 among women (P < .001). Predictors of total self-reported TOS weekly domestic hours were being a woman (+5.6 hours; P < .001) and having children requiring supervision (+10.2 hours; P < .001). Overall, 9.3% of men (42/450) and 21.6% of women (88/407) experienced a ≥8-hour increase in domestic labor (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, women had higher odds of substantial domestic-labor increase (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.68), as did those with children requiring supervision (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.98) or other dependents (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.98).

Conclusions
This study illuminates demands on women and faculty with dependents during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests increased flexibility and resources are of heightened importance.
“We’ve Changed, the World’s Changed”: Leveraging Knowledge From COVID-19 to Improve Self-Management for Cancer Survivors and Care Partners
Authors: Mansfield Kelly J. , Wawrzynski Sarah E. , Vega Marilisa , Kent-Marvick Jacqueline , Guo Jia-Wen , Cloyes Kristin G. 
Published: December 2024

Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer survivors and care partners navigated social interactions amidst the uncertainties of cancer-related vulnerability and risk. Vaccination offered a new tool for self-management yet created potential for conflict within survivors’ and care partners’ social networks.

Objective:
We examined cancer survivors’ and care partners’ perceptions of the impact of vaccine availability on social interactions.

Methods:
In May 2021, survivor and care partner participants in a prospective study of social support network interactions (N = 64) were invited to complete an online survey about COVID-19 vaccination and record an audio diary describing the impact of vaccine availability. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data. Audio diaries were transcribed, inductively coded, themes developed, and narratively summarized.

Results:
Twenty-seven participants (42.9%) completed the survey and n = 21 (33.3%; n = 8 caregivers, 38.1%; and n = 13 survivors, 61.9%) recorded diaries. Eighty percent (n = 21) of the sample received the COVID-19 vaccine. Two themes illustrated the impact of COVID-19 vaccines within a cancer context: providing hope and reconnecting with life.

Conclusions:
Vaccination decisions allowed many cancer survivors and partners to reengage with their social networks. With limited guidance, many relied on their own knowledge, values, and experiences to determine how to preserve their health.

Implications for Practice:
Utilizing a shared decision-making model, nurses can help families develop strategies that enact their values to promote long-term health. Nursing education and support can be further strengthened to create patient self-efficacy when navigating social interactions in the post-COVID era.

What is Foundational:
This study addresses the need for improved self-management strategies for cancer survivors.
ASSESSING THE REPEATABILITY OF INNER CHOROID FLOW DEFICIT PERCENTAGE IN INTERMEDIATE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND CONTROLS
Authors: Romano Francesco , Ding Xinyi , Garcia Mauricio , Zhao Yan , Vingopoulos Filippos , Garg Itika , Stettler Isabella , Bennett Cade , Overbey Katherine , Finn Matthew J. , Ploumi Ioanna , Laìns Inês , Patel Nimesh A. , Wu David M. , Vavvas Demetrios G. , Husain Deeba , Miller Joan W. , Miller John B. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
To assess repeatability of macular inner choroid flow deficit percentage in intermediate age-related macular degeneration and controls using various postprocessing approaches.

Methods:
Cross-sectional, observational study. The authors included 1) 22 intermediate age-related macular degeneration and 24 control eyes, with 2) age >50 years, 3) visual acuity >20/32, and 4) no additional ocular and systemic confounders. Participants underwent four consecutive 6 × 6-mm optical coherence tomography angiography scans (2 acquired at 100-kHz and 2 at 200-kHz speed; PLEX Elite 9000) for intrasession analysis. Same protocol was repeated after 30 minutes for intersession analysis. Three slabs of different thicknesses were generated underneath Bruch membrane (4–14, 4–19, 4–24 µm). All slabs were processed with: 1) binarization-only using Phansalkar method (r = 4–15 pixels); 2) compensation + binarization; 3) averaging + binarization; 4) averaging + compensation + binarization. Inner choroid flow deficit percentage was measured within 3-mm and 5-mm circles, and measurements were repeated after excluding drusen areas. Repeatability was analyzed with generalized linear mixed-effects models, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Levene variance test.

Results:
Most postprocessing approaches demonstrated high repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75) with no significant test–retest differences (P > 0.05). Compensation + binarization of 15-µm slabs at 200 kHz showed the highest repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.96–0.98). Excluding drusen did not significantly affect inner choroid flow deficit percentage measurements (P > 0.05), showing increased intraclass correlation coefficients for 10-µm-thick and binarized-only slabs.

Conclusion:
Strong repeatability can be achieved with various postprocessing methods for assessing inner choroid flow deficit percentage, especially with compensation + binarization of 15-µm slabs acquired at 200 kHz. Drusen removal does not seem to affect repeatability in intermediate age-related macular degeneration when using a swept-source device, except for specific settings. These results contribute to refining choriocapillaris assessment, paving the way for future applications.
Visual Improvement With Wavefront-Guided Scleral Lenses for Irregular Corneal Astigmatism
Authors: Gelles John D. , Su Becky , Kelly David , Brown Nicolas , Wong Jenny , Yoon Geunyoung , Pfeifer Travis , Erdman Cameron , Hersh Peter S. , Greenstein Steven A. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
To report interim results of a single center, randomized, double-blind, crossover-controlled clinical trial comparing wavefront-guided (wfg) scleral lenses (SLs) to traditional scleral lenses (tSLs) for patients with a history of irregular corneal astigmatism (ICA).

Methods:
Thirty-one ICA eyes of 18 participants were reviewed, 23 with keratoconus, six postcorneal refractive ectasia, and two postpenetrating keratoplasty. Patients with corneal or lens opacities were not excluded from participating. Participants underwent a diagnostic lens-based fitting with a tSL with standard spherocylindrical optics. Once the tSL was finalized, a comprehensive wavefront aberrometer-based system was used to capture the residual aberration of the tSL under scotopic conditions without pharmacologic dilation, and these data were used to create a wfgSL. Once the tSL and wgfSL were finalized, a double-blinded, randomized, crossover was conducted where the participants received lens A (tSL or wgfSL) or lens B (the alternative), each worn for a 4±1 week interval. Measurements of the visual acuity (VA) and total higher-order root mean squared (HORMS) were recorded at each interval under controlled lighting conditions. At the final visit, patient subjective preference for lens A or lens B was recorded.

Results:
The average HORMS for a fixed 5-mm pupil was 0.68±0.31 μm for tSL and 0.29±0.18 μm for wfgSL. Wavefront-guided SL provided an average HORMS improvement of 56% (P<0.001). All eyes showed a reduction in HORMS, ranging from 18% to 83%. Wavefront-guided SL provided an average VA improvement of 0.12±0.11 logMAR (P<0.01). Seventy-one percent of eyes showed one line or greater improvement, 26% showed no improvement, and 3% showed a reduction of VA with the wfgSL. The average VA with tSL was 0.14±0.16 logMAR and 0.03±0.11 logMAR for wfgSL. Seventeen of 18 patients subjectively preferred wfgSL.

Conclusion:
In eyes with ICA, wfgSL reduced HORMS and improved VA when compared with tSL. Patients subjectively preferred wfgSL to tSL. These interim results demonstrate the feasibility and generalizability of wfgSL in a typical clinical practice environment.
Factors Contributing to Follow-up Nonadherence After Infectious Keratitis Diagnosis
Authors: Dmitriev Pauline M. , Swaminathan Shreya , Zhang Qiang , Rapuano Christopher J. , Syed Zeba A. 
Published: December 2024

Objectives:
To evaluate demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors associated with nonadherence with initial follow-up after a diagnosis of infectious keratitis.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 to 60 years who were diagnosed with infectious keratitis at the Wills Eye Hospital Emergency Room from March 2019 to September 2019 was conducted. The primary outcome was nonadherence with initial follow-up recommendation and included patients who did not follow-up in the time frame requested by the diagnosing physician and those who were lost to follow-up.

Results:
Two hundred and seventeen patients were included with a mean age of 39.0±11.6 years, and 38.2% of patients were nonadherent. Patients who identified as non-Hispanic White were more likely to be nonadherent compared with Hispanic White patients (odds ratio [OR]=5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–20.00, P=0.021). Additional variables associated with nonadherence included lower income (OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99, P=0.020) and government versus private insurance (OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.09–4.15, P=0.027). Among clinical variables, patients not cultured at the initial evaluation were more likely to be nonadherent (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.36–4.77, P=0.004).

Conclusions:
Race, income, insurance, and corneal culturing had associations with follow-up nonadherence. Identifying barriers to follow-up for infectious keratitis may have important implications in preventing vision loss and other complications.