bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of cigarette package tar yield displays, tar warning statement, and plain packaging on low-tar cigarette misperceptions among South Koreans who smoke
Authors: Lee Stella Juhyun 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Introduction
This study examined whether different cigarette package features such as tar yield display, tar warning statement, and plain packaging affect beliefs about tar intake, smoothness, and safety of low-tar cigarettes among South Koreans who smoke.

Methods
An online randomized between-subjects experiment was carried out (n = 500) on a panel of South Koreans who smoke. Participants were exposed to either a mock cigarette package that 1) displayed tar yield; 2) did not display tar yield; 3) showed a tar warning statement; or 4) was plain packaged. Beliefs about tar intake, smoothness, and safety were measured post-exposure. Beliefs were compared across conditions, and mediation analysis was conducted.

Results
Participants exposed to the tar warning statement believed the mock cigarette would deliver lesser tar compared to those only exposed to the package that displayed tar yield. Those who viewed the cigarette package with no tar yield number were less likely to agree that the cigarette would be smoother compared to those who viewed the package with a visible tar yield number. The effect of viewing the tar warning statement on safety beliefs was fully mediated by tar intake beliefs. The effect of exposure to tar yield display on safety beliefs was fully mediated by smoothness beliefs.

Conclusion
Study results indicate that the current tar warning statement could increase misperceptions. Removing tar yield numbers may reduce smoothness beliefs about low-tar cigarettes. Health communication efforts should address beliefs about tar intake and smoothness when trying to correct low-tar cigarette misperceptions about safety.

Implications
Previous research has found that tar yield numbers displayed on the front of South Korean low-tar cigarette packages may mislead people to perceive lesser harm. However, studies have not yet examined whether other package elements such as the current tar warning statement or plain packaging could reduce misperceptions. Study results indicated that viewing the current tar warning statement backfires by increasing belief in lesser tar intake. Viewing tar yield numbers also led to increased perception that the cigarette will feel smoother. Plain packaging did not exert any effects on beliefs about tar intake, safety or smoothness. Findings can inform tobacco packaging policies and health communication efforts to reduce misperceptions about low-tar cigarettes.
Solvent dependent structural, electronic, and optical properties of ureidopeptidomimetics: a DFT and TD-DFT study on the effects of donor and acceptor functional groups
Authors: Pavani Y , Aravind S , Padmavathi K V , Subba Rao M , Babu Nambury S 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive examination of the structural, electronic, optical, and reactivity properties of ureidopeptidomimetics (UPMs) featuring various donor and acceptor functional groups using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). To systematically explore their effects on charge transfer, HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, and molecular stability, the molecular models were intentionally designed with both electron-donating groups (-CH3, -OCH3, -OH, -NH2) and electron-accepting groups (-SH, -COCl, -CF3). A detailed analysis of the bond lengths confirmed the electron-rich nature of the substituents, revealing that the introduction of electron-donating groups at the ureido and carboxylate terminals of the UPMs decreased the C-O and C-N bond lengths by 0.005 Å and 0.0003 Å, respectively, compared to the unsubstituted UPM. Polar solvents, notably water and DMSO, enhance the stabilization of HOMO and LUMO energy levels, thus improving the electronic stability and reactivity of UPM molecules, as demonstrated by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. In the case of UPM, the molecular orbitals (HOMO: -6.8646 eV to -6.9027 eV, LUMO: -0.3957 eV to -0.4248 eV) experienced slight stabilization as it transitioned from the gas phase to the aqueous phase. This transition increased the chemical potential (χ) and global hardness (η), signifying enhanced electronic stability. UV-Vis experiments revealed that UPM's λmax values remained around 218.6 nm across various solvents, with polar solvents, particularly water, exhibiting more robust oscillators. In water, λmax decreased to 207.58 nm for D2-UPM-A2 and shifted to 227.86 nm for D1-UPM-A1. For D3-UPM-A3, λmax in water exhibited a redshift to 249.28 nm along with reduced absorption. Specifically, for A1-UPM-D1 and A2-UPM-D2, the polarity of the solvent influenced transitions and increased transition probabilities, indicating their potential in optoelectronic applications.
Extreme Crustal Fractionation in a Proterozoic Chemical Hotspot
Authors: Liebmann J , Ware B , Kirkland C L , Mole D R , Fraser G , Mahan B , Wainwright A N , Maas R 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The distribution of mineral systems is heterogeneous over space and time, reflecting transient element enrichment within Earth’s evolving crust. Australian Proterozoic rocks host some of the world’s largest ore deposits, including the Broken Hill Pb-Zn-Ag deposit within the Curnamona Province, and the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag super-deposit, within the Gawler Craton, offering key insights into crustal preconditioning for mineralization. New feldspar and whole-rock Pb isotopic data, and complementary apatite geochronology, support a common source for Mesoproterozoic magmatism in the Curnamona Province and Gawler Craton and hence a genetic link between their world-class ore deposits. Exceptionally radiogenic Pb isotope ratios in the Curnamona Province indicate extreme crustal fractionation, likely driven by a positive feedback scenario where crustal anatexis produced melts strongly enriched in heat-producing, incompatible elements, which in turn prolonged anatectic conditions through radiogenic heat production. The resulting granitic rocks may have acted as important metal sources for certain ore deposits, while more generally fostering metal enrichment by providing a persistent heat source for hydrothermal systems. This chemical hotspot may have been triggered by the combination of insulating thickened crust and gravitational destabilization following the assembly of the Nuna supercontinent.
The Effects of Intersphincteric Space Dissection Approaches on Low Rectal Cancer Outcomes: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China
Authors: Zang Yiwen , Zhang Bin , Liu Xing , Chen Baoxiang , Gao Linfeng , Zhou Minwei , Gu Xiaodong , Li Zhenyang , Zhou Yiming , Tang Bo , Jiang Congqing , Guan Guoxian , Ding Jianhua , Xiang Jianbin 
Published: February 2025

Objective:
To evaluate the effects of 2 intersphincteric space (ISS) dissection approaches for intersphincteric resection (ISR) on perioperative safety, oncological prognosis, and anal function.

Background:
The dissection of ISS is a crucial aspect of ISR, yet the outcomes associated with various ISS dissection approaches remain uncertain.

Methods:
Data were retrospectively collected from 314 patients with rectal cancer who underwent ISR at 5 Chinese tertiary referral medical institutions from January 2015 to December 2020. ISS dissection was performed using 1 of the 2 avenues: the complete transabdominal approach (CTA) and the transabdominal-perineal transanal approach (TPTA). The primary endpoints were 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates. The secondary endpoints were postoperative anal function assessed by questionnaires. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to match the clinicopathological characteristics of patients from both cohorts.

Results:
After PSM, 140 patients were successfully matched in the CTA and TPTA groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of perioperative complication rates, 3-year OS/DFS, and Wexner incontinence scores within 3 years after ileostomy reversal surgery (P > 0.05). However, the CTA group demonstrated less surgical time and superior low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores compared with the TPTA group (P < 0.05). Similar outcomes were observed after conducting IPTW adjustment.

Conclusions:
CTA and TPTA showed similar efficacy regarding perioperative safety and oncological outcomes. However, the CTA approach demonstrated a clear superiority in the LARS score.
Public health implications of diagnosing and treating acute HIV
Authors: Rutstein Sarah E. , Limarzi-Klyn Laura , Miller William C. , Powers Kimberly A. 
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review
The earliest months of HIV infection are characterized by high viral loads and elevated transmissibility, particularly during the acute (preseroconversion) phase. Transmission prevention during early HIV requires diagnostic tools that narrow the window between viral acquisition and reactive test, followed by rapid linkage to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Here, we review recent advances related to diagnosing and treating persons during early HIV, with a particular focus on acute HIV infection (AHI).

Recent findings
Point-of-care (POC) fourth-generation antigen/antibody tests have mixed performance, often dependent on the pretest probability of early infection within the screened population. Risk score algorithms demonstrate the potential for prioritizing resource-intensive tests, such as POC HIV RNA, to those most likely to have AHI, but their predictive performance varies across populations, complicating implementation. Emerging and re-emerging infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and mpox, present opportunities for and challenges to symptom-driven AHI screening. Daily oral ART with standard first-line regimens quickly suppresses viremia during AHI, but long-acting injectable drugs are yet to be explored for this indication.

Summary
Few practice-changing results related to diagnosing or treating persons with early HIV have been released in the last 18 months. Accurate POC HIV RNA tests could leapfrog fourth-generation POC assays, but they remain unavailable for routine use. Implementation science approaches are needed to guide use of evidence-based strategies for early HIV screening, and additional research on same-day ART linkage, including injectable ART, could produce dramatic impacts on forward transmission during this period.
C/EBPβ transcription factor promotes alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in males via HDL remodeling
Authors: Schonfeld Michael , Nataraj Kruti , Weinman Steven , Tikhanovich Irina 
Published: February 2025

Background:
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the main cause of alcohol-associated mortality. However, the mechanism of ALD development is poorly understood. Epigenetic changes are thought to play an important role in ALD. We aimed to define the epigenetic changes induced by alcohol and predict drivers of these changes.

Methods:
Mice were fed high-fat diet with or without 20% of alcohol in the drinking water for 20 weeks (WDA model). scATAC-seq data set was analyzed using Signac R package. To test the role of C/EBPβ, Cebpb-floxed mice were treated with AAV8-TBG-Cre or AAV8-control.

Results:
We analyzed differentially accessible regions in livers from control and alcohol-fed mice and found that activity of C/EBPβ transcription factor was associated with alcohol-induced epigenetic changes in hepatocytes. C/EBPβ protein levels were significantly upregulated in multiple models of ALD and human ALD samples. Using hepatocyte-specific Cebpb knockout mice we found that Cebpb loss protected male mice from alcohol-induced fibrosis development. We found no protection in female mice, suggesting that this mechanism is specific to male ALD. In vitro studies suggested that the protective effect of Cebpb loss was mediated by altered hepatocyte—macrophage cross talk. Cebpb knockout in hepatocytes reduced a profibrotic and promoted a pro-resolving phenotype in macrophages, thus modulating ALD development. We further identified the mediators of the cross talk. Cebpb knockout altered the expression of several HDL protein components, increasing APOA1 and apolipoprotein M and reducing apolipoprotein E and SAA levels in male mice. HDL secreted by Cebpb knockout hepatocytes was sufficient to confer anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic changes to macrophages.

Conclusions:
Taken together, alcohol-induced C/EBPβ activation is a key driver of ALD fibrosis in males via C/EBPβ-dependent HDL remodeling.
Safety and efficacy of a defined bacterial consortium, VE303, to treat HE
Authors: Bloom Patricia P. , Bassis Christine M. , Crossette Emily , Silber Jeffrey L. , Norman Jason M. , Young Vincent B. , Lok Anna S.F. 
Published: February 2025

Background:
Novel therapies are needed to treat HE, and microbiome modulation is a promising target. VE303 is a defined consortium of 8 purified, clonal bacterial strains, known to produce metabolites that may be beneficial in HE. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of VE303 to treat HE.

Methods:
We performed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of VE303 in adult patients with a history of overt HE (NCT04899115). Eligible patients were taking lactulose and rifaximin, had no recent systemic antibiotics, and had MELD ≤20. All patients received 5 days of oral vancomycin followed by randomization to 14 days of VE303 or placebo (2:1). The primary endpoints were incidence of serious adverse events and change in psychometric HE score (PHES) from baseline to 4 weeks after treatment. Stool samples underwent metagenomic sequencing and metabolite quantification.

Results:
Eighteen patients completed the trial, 56% men, with a mean age of 59 years and a mean MELD of 11. Patients who received VE303 had a mean change in PHES of +1.5 versus −1.0 in those who received a placebo (p=0.20). Two of the 12 patients who received VE303 had at least 1 serious adverse event (all overt HE hospitalizations), compared with 0/6 patients who received a placebo. In the patients who received VE303, 2 of 8 strains engrafted in >50% of patients. Both VE303 strain engraftment and increased stool butyrate production had a trend toward improved PHES.

Conclusions:
VE303 was well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis and a history of overt HE, leading to the engraftment of certain VE303 strains and a higher percentage of patients with improved PHES.
Health-related quality of life is impaired in people with autoimmune hepatitis: Results of a multicentre cross-sectional study within the European Reference Network
Authors: Snijders Romée J.A.L.M. , Janik Maciej K. , Mund Meike , Uhlenbusch Natalie , Raszeja-Wyszomirska Joanna , Gerussi Alessio , Bolis Francesca , Cristoferi Laura , Invernizzi Pietro , Kovats Patricia , Papp Mária , Grønbæk Lisbet , Grønbæk Henning , Tjwa Eric T.T.L. , Aamann Luise , Ytting Henriette , Ronca Vincenzo , Olsen Kathryn , Oo Ye H. , van der Meer Adriaan J. , Madaleno João , Canhão Bernardo , Engel Bastian , Campos-Murguia Alejandro , Taubert Richard , Koc Özgür M. , Kramer Matthijs , Willemse José A. , Löwe Bernd , Lohse Ansgar W. , Drenth Joost P.H. , Schramm Christoph , Milkiewicz Piotr , Gevers Tom J. 
Published: February 2025

Background:
Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) contributes to the overall disease burden in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). This study aimed to evaluate HRQoL in people with AIH and to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with impaired HRQoL using validated patient-reported outcome measures.

Methods:
Adult AIH patients diagnosed at 12 European centers were enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study from July 2020-June 2023. HRQoL was assessed using the Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS) of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the European Quality-of-life 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) utility index (UI) score. Mixed-model regression analyses identified factors associated with HRQoL and somatic symptom severity. Controls were recruited from the general population in five European countries.

Results:
A total of 882 patients with AIH (mean age: 51.0 y [SD 17.0]; 76.4% female) and 178 controls were included. Physical but not mental HRQoL was impaired in the AIH group compared with the control group (PCS: 46.3 vs. 51.9, p<0.001; EQ-5D UI: 0.87 vs. 0.95, p<0.001). HRQoL was associated with severe somatic symptoms (PCS β=−4.26, p<0.001), fatigue (PCS β=−0.25, p<0.001; MCS β=−0.25, p<0.001), and depression/anxiety (PCS β=−3.37, p<0.001; MCS β=−6.79, p<0.001). A complete biochemical response was associated with a lower somatic symptom severity (odds ratio 0.69, p<0.05).

Conclusions:
People with AIH had impaired HRQoL compared with controls, particularly in terms of physical well-being. HRQoL scores are associated with symptom burden, encompassing both somatic and psychosocial dimensions.
Epidermal Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 innervation is increased in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy experiencing ongoing burning pain
Authors: Galosi Eleonora , Falco Pietro , Di Pietro Giuseppe , Esposito Nicoletta , De Stefano Gianfranco , Evangelisti Enrico , Leone Caterina , Litewczuk Daniel , Tramontana Lorenzo , Di Stefano Giulia , Truini Andrea 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Preclinical studies suggested that Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels contribute to neuropathic pain in animal models of diabetic polyneuropathy. Patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy commonly experience ongoing burning pain. This study aimed at evaluating the association between this specific type of pain and TRPV1 intraepidermal nerve fibers in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy. We consecutively enrolled 70 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Each patient completed the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) to identify the various types of neuropathic pain. All patients underwent a distal leg skin biopsy, with immunostaining of skin nerve fibers using antibodies for the pan-axonal marker Protein Gene Product 9.5 (PGP9.5), TRPV1, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), and Substance P. We found that 57% of patients (n = 40) had neuropathic pain symptoms, with ongoing burning pain being the most frequently reported type of pain at the NPSI (70% of patients with pain, n = 28). Patients with ongoing burning pain had higher TRPV1 intraepidermal nerve fiber density and TRPV1/PGP9.5 ratio compared with those with painless polyneuropathy (P = 0.014, P = 0.013) and painful polyneuropathy with other types of pain (P < 0.0001, P = 0.024); they also had increased CGRP dermal nerve fiber density compared with patients with painless polyneuropathy (P = 0.005). Our study showed that ongoing burning pain is associated with an increased expression of intraepidermal TRPV1 fibers, as well as an increased dermal representation of CGRP fibers. These findings suggest that TRPV1 contributes to ongoing burning pain, possibly in conjunction with elevated CGRP expression, highlighting its significance as a therapeutic target for patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy.
Early opioid administration and pain-related patient-reported outcomes on the first postoperative day: an analysis of data from 111,693 patients in 392 surgical wards in Germany
Authors: Baumbach Philipp , Zaslansky Ruth , Dreiling Johannes , Komann Marcus , Arnold Christin , Stamer Ulrike M. , Weinmann Claudia , Meissner Winfried 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The risk-benefit ratio of perioperative opioid analgesia is controversial. Few studies have analyzed the effectiveness of opioids in the early postoperative period. To analyze the effectiveness of early opioid administration in this period in a large number of surgeries in routine care, we compared pain-related outcomes between patients treated on wards with different rates of early opioid administration. In this observational study, we analyzed data from 111,693 patients in 392 surgical wards between 2010 and 2022 within the German Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Management registry. We defined early opioid administration at the ward-level as the percentage of patients who received at least 1 opioid dose between the end of surgery and data collection on the first postoperative day, including recovery room and ward. To identify different patterns of early opioid administration, we considered these percentages in patients with mild, moderate, and severe pain and applied k-means clustering. We performed mixed regression analyses to assess associations between clusters and patient-reported outcomes on the first postoperative day. At the ward-level, the median percentage of early opioid administration was 79.5% (first-third quartile: 64.5%-92.0%), and 2 clusters of wards were identified. In clusters 1 and 2, an opioid was administered in 58.5% and 89.0% of patients, respectively. Patients in cluster 2 reported better outcomes for pain intensity and pain-related interference but worse outcomes for nausea. However, the effect sizes were small. Patients treated on surgical wards with a higher rate of early opioid administration reported slightly better pain-related outcomes on the first postoperative day.
Pharmacist-Led Population Health Initiative to Address Statin Care Gaps: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Raymer Danielle , Everhart Anna , Baker Danielle 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Background:
Evidence-based guidelines recommend statins as first-line therapy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services assess compliance with these guidelines through performance and process quality measures.

Purpose:
To describe innovative practices to address statin use care gaps, to identify successes and challenges of a pharmacist-led statin initiative, and share quality improvement opportunities related to statin quality metrics.

Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted in 2023 of patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage value-based care contracts in a large health system. The primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients identified with statin care gaps who met the criteria for statin treatment and the percentage of patients who accepted pharmacist-led recommendations to initiate statin therapy. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:
Among those with statin care gaps, 42% met criteria for pharmacist-led statin initiation. Of those who met criteria, 22% accepted pharmacist's recommendation to initiate statin therapy.

Conclusions:
Pharmacist-led statin initiation is effective; however, systematic barriers remain to improve statin quality performance. These results can help others adopt innovative practices that target statin care gaps and assess opportunities for quality improvement.