bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MORTALITY BY ORAL AND OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER IN BRAZIL BETWEEN 2000 AND 2013
Authors: Ramos Da , Cunha A. , Prass T. , Neves Hugo F. 
Published: February 2025

Oral and Oropharyngeal cancers are public health problems in Brazil and Worldwide. Incidence and mortality have changed in Brazil, but the last publication that evaluated time trends in Oral and Oropharyngeal cancer mortality analysed data between 1980 and 2003, prior to the reorganization and expansion in Brazils Public Oral Health network by the National Oral Health Policy of 2004. Aim: To estimate coefficients and evaluate mortality trends by Oral and Oropharyngeal cancer between 2000 and 2013 in Brazil. Method: Mortality coefficients were adjusted by sex and age using the direct method, using the Brazilian population of 2010. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) of the Ministry of Health of Brazil and demographic data were extracted from demographic census and intercensal projections of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Mortality trends were evaluated by sex, self-reported race/skin color, and age, by anatomical site of tumour and region of the country, using general linear regressions by Prais-Winsten method. Results: There were 61,190 deaths by Oral and Oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil between 2000 and 2013, of which 48,301 (78.9%) were males. The male/female ratio was of 3.9:1. Oropharyngeal cancer was the most frequent cause of death at 31.7%. Trend analysis revealed that overall mortality by oral and oropharyngeal cancer was stable between 2000 and 2013 in Brazil, with an annual variation of 1.3% (95% CI: -2.6 to 5.3). Stratification by sex revealed a trend of significant increase for females, with an annual variation of 1.8% (95% CI: 0.1 to 3.5). Stratification by cancer site revealed that there was a trend of significant increase in the annual variation of mortality by cancer of the base of the tongue (0.4%, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.7), and by cancer of the floor of the mouth (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.5). There was a trend of significant decrease in the annual variation of mortality by tonsil cancer (-0.2, 95% CI: -0.4 to -0.1). Stratification by sex and skin colour revealed a trend of significant increase in the annual variation of overall mortality by oral and oropharyngeal cancer for white women (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.6 to 1.7), for brown women (3.4%, 95% CI: 1.5 to 5.4), and for brown men (8.0%, 95% CI: 4.0 to 12.0). There was a trend of significant decrease for black women (-2.6%, 95% CI: -4.8 to -0.4) and yellow men (-26%, 95% CI: -47.6 to -4.4). Conclusions: There was an important trend of increase in mortality by oral and oropharyngeal cancer for females in Brazil between 2000 and 2013. In addition, there was an increasing trend for base of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.
Patients with ACL injury have lower and more posterior position of proximal tibiofibular joint than patients with intact ACL
Authors: Iriuchishima Takanori , Goto Bunsei 
Published: February 2025

Background Knees with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have distinct knee bone morphology. However, the correlation between ACL injury and morphology of the proximal tibiofibular joint has not been investigated. Purpose To compare proximal tibiofibular joint morphology in patients with injured and intact ACLs to aid in predicting and preventing ACL injuries. Material and Methods A total of 50 patients with ACL injury and 50 individuals without structural knee damage (revealed by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were included in this study. In the anteroposterior knee radiographs, the length between the proximal end of the fibular head and the medial and lateral tibia joint line were measured. In the axial knee MRI scans with the most proximal part of the fibular head, the distance calculation was performed between the most anterior point of the tibia plateau (MATP) and the most anterior point of fibular head (MAFH). Results The mean length from the proximal end of the fibular head and the medial and lateral tibial joint lines was 8.7 ± 2.8 mm and 13.2 ± 2.6 mm in the ACL-injured group, and 6.5 ± 2.8 mm and 11.1 ± 2.4 mm in the control group. The length for both medial and lateral sides was significantly greater in the ACL-injured group. The length between the MATP and MAFH was significantly larger in the ACL-injured group than the control group. Conclusion A large distance between the proximal end of the fibular head and the tibial joint line and knees with posterior fibular head placement would be another anatomic risk factor of ACL injury.
Effects of Cognitive Training on Balance and Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Arroyo-Ferrer Aída , Moreno-Verdú Marcos , Sánchez-Cuesta Francisco José , González-Zamorano Yeray , Ugalde-Canitrot Arturo , Romero Juan Pablo 
Published: February 2025

Background Cognitive rehabilitation is a potential intervention for cognitive but also motor disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective To investigate the effects of cognitive rehabilitation on balance and motor symptoms in PD. Methods A randomized controlled trial in a community setting, in people with mild-to-moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr ≤ III) without cognitive impairment (MoCA ≥ 24) was conducted. Thirty-nine participants were randomly allocated to receive a cognitive intervention (Experimental Group, n = 20) or no intervention (Control Group, n = 19). The experimental protocol involved self-administered cognitive rehabilitation using the NeuronUP platform, focusing on sustained attention and information processing speed training (30 min/day, 3 days/week, 4 weeks). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was the main outcome. Motor variables included UPDRS-III, Percentage of Limits of Stability (%LOS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Neuropsychological variables included TMT-A, TMT-B, Processing Speed (Digit Symbol-Coding and Symbol Search) and Stroop test. Results At post-intervention, marginal improvements were observed in BBS (Mean Difference = 2.23 points, 95%CI [−0.03, 4.49], p = 0.053) and significant improvements in the UPDRS-III (Mean Difference = −4.02 points, 95%CI [−7.82, −0.23], p = 0.039). No significant improvements were found in the rest of the motor and cognitive variables. Conclusions Self-administered cognitive training did not improve balance or cognition but significantly reduced motor symptom severity in PD. The effect of more intensive or in-person cognitive rehabilitation protocols on balance needs to be evaluated.
Is the Future of Cleft Care Financially Sustainable? An Economic Analysis of Inflation-Adjusted Reimbursements
Authors: Chaij Jasmine M. , Hammond Jacob B. , Palmer Skyler K. , Lee Anna D. , Gomez Diego A. , French Brooke M. , Nguyen Phuong D. , Mathes David W. , Khechoyan David Y. 
Published: February 2025

Objective As Medicaid continues to expand, it remains unclear if reimbursement rates for cleft care are keeping up with the national economy. The purpose of this study is to determine how financial trends in cleft lip and palate repair reimbursements compare to annual changes in the U.S. economy. Design Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for cleft lip and palate repair were retrospectively reviewed between 2018 and 2023. Reimbursements were adjusted for inflation to 2023 U.S. dollars using Medicaid physician fee schedules. Annual percentage changes in inflation-adjusted reimbursements, and reimbursement Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) were compared to the annual change in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI). Setting Multi-state, Medicaid. Participants Medicaid reimbursements of 6 U.S. states, 5 with highest birthrates: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. Colorado, the study institution, was evaluated. Main Outcome(s) Primary outcomes included annual changes in overall and inflation-adjusted reimbursement rates for cleft lip and palate surgical procedures as compared to annual changes in CPI. Results The U.S. CPI increased by 20.9% from 2018 to 2023, while the overall total percentage change in reimbursement rates for all cleft lip and palate procedures increased by 7.23%. The inflation-adjusted overall percent change in reimbursements for all procedures decreased by −12.81%. For all procedures, the average CAGR was −2.66%. Conclusions Inflation-adjusted reimbursement rates for cleft lip and palate repair have significantly decreased in contrast to the annual growth in U.S. CPI. These findings show a potential lack of financial sustainability for surgical cleft care, indicating the need for healthcare policy reform.
Complete remission in a rare pelvic angiosarcoma with liposomal doxorubicin: A comprehensive case report and review of literature
Authors: Gråberg Truls , Papakonstantinou Andri , de Flon Felix Haglund , Shabo Ivan , Morgell Ann , Linder-Straglitto Christina , Nilsson Inga-Lena , Karlsson Fredrik , Bränström Robert 
Published: February 2025

Angiosarcoma, an aggressive sarcoma subtype originating from lymphatic or vascular endothelial cells, is rare, constituting less than 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Predominantly affecting adult and elderly patients, it manifests diversely across various anatomical locations, with cutaneous lesions being the most common, particularly in the head and neck region. Noteworthy for its infiltrative nature, angiosarcoma demonstrates high rates of local recurrence and metastasis, leading to poor overall survival. The diagnosis may be difficult due to nonspecific clinical symptoms, and histological examination is essential in this disease. Treatment typically requires radical surgery, with addition of either chemo- or radiotherapy, or occasionally both, but there is a lack of formal evidence for the order of the modalities employed. Emerging therapies, such as targeted medicines and immunotherapy, show promising results in improving outcomes. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of a rare case of a young male with pelvic angiosarcoma. The patient underwent multiple operations, chemotherapy, and radiation, which highlights the complexities in management and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Despite challenges, the patient achieved complete remission and is disease-free over 16 years after pelvic exenteration, demonstrating the potential for successful long-term outcomes. The case underscores the importance of personalized, multimodal treatment plans and close collaboration between surgeons and oncologists. Continued research into tailored therapies offers hope for improved prognosis and quality of life for individuals facing this uncommon sarcoma.
WHO declares Mpox a public health emergency: “you haven’t closed borders with Africa, the epicenter?”—YouTube reactions highlight geopolitical tensions
Authors: Pitua Ivaan , Bongomin Felix 
Published: February 2025

Background: Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization in August 2024, following an outbreak in Africa. Public engagement on YouTube provides insights into public perceptions during such crises. Objectives: We analyzed public discourse and sentiments related to Mpox, focusing on thematic trends in YouTube comments. Design: A qualitative synthesis employing thematic content analysis of YouTube comments. Methods: The YouTube API retrieved 50 videos each for “Mpox” and “Monkeypox.” After exclusions, 50 relevant videos remained, and the top 10 by views were analyzed. From 10,567 comments extracted, 2826 were analyzed using Latent Dirichlet Allocation modeling to identify themes. Results: Key themes included geopolitical concerns, disease spread, conspiracy theories, public health measures, and religious interpretations. Comments revealed mixed views on vaccines, lockdowns, and mistrust in authorities. Conclusion: Effective health communication must address scientific, cultural, and geopolitical dimensions while countering misinformation and fostering trust.
Normative data for the CERAD verbal episodic memory tests in a sample of older illiterate Korean women
Authors: Ahn Hyejin , Joung Haejung , Byun Min Soo , Park Jee Eun , Jung Gijung , Yi Dahyun , Lee Dong Young 
Published: February 2025

Background Verbal episodic memory tests in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery require literacy. While modified administrations are provided for illiterate individuals, there are no norms for evaluating the performance of illiterate subjects. Objective Assessing the performance of illiterate individuals has limitations, since existing norms were developed on data from literate populations. The purpose of this study is to provide normative data for illiterate Korean older women. Methods The participants analyzed in this study were all illiterate. Among a sample of 109 non-demented older adults recruited from community centers for dementia, only 9 were men. Thus, the current analysis developed norms for women. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ characteristics and test scores. Linear regressions were conducted to examine the effect of age on verbal episodic memory tests. Results Age was found to be significantly associated with performance on all word list tests. Age was divided into two groups based on the average value for sufficient sample size and showed a significant difference in test performance: 60–75, ≥76 years. Conclusions Evaluating illiterate women using existing standards has the limitation of underestimating their performance relative to their actual skills. The present normative data are expected to enable researchers and clinicians to more accurately evaluate the results of the three verbal episodic memory tests, including the Word List Memory, Word List Recall, and Word List Recognition in older illiterate Korean women.
Prognostic effects of different nephroureterectomy techniques for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Wen Huan , Zhou Yu , Yang Lin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is an aggressive malignant tumor, with surgical intervention as the primary treatment. This study evaluates the prognostic effects of laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU), open radical nephroureterectomy (ONU), robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (Robotic LNU), and hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (Hand LNU) in the treatment of UTUC through a network meta-analysis.

Methods
A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials meeting the criteria from database inception until April 2024. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects of each surgical method on overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall recurrence rate (ORE).

Results
Seventeen randomized controlled trials were included in this network meta-analysis. The results indicated that LNU significantly improved CSS compared to ONU [HR = 0.81, 95%CI= (0.7, 0.93)], while there were no significant differences between Hand LNU and Robotic LNU compared to ONU. Among minimally invasive surgeries, Hand LNU significantly shortened CSS compared to LNU [HR = 1.49, 95%CI=(1.1, 2.03)]. Regarding ORE, no significant differences were found between LNU, Hand LNU, and Robotic LNU compared to ONU, although LNU had a higher recurrence rate than Robotic LNU [HR = 1.705, 95%CI=(1.007, 3.001)]. For OS, both LNU [HR = 0.84, 95%CI=(0.75, 0.94)] and Robotic LNU [HR = 0.81, 95%CI=(0.68, 0.96)] were significantly better than ONU, whereas Hand LNU significantly shortened OS compared to LNU and Robotic LNU. There were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) between LNU and ONU. The cumulative efficacy ranking indicated that Robotic LNU ranked highest for ORE and OS, while LNU ranked first for CSS.

Conclusion
Robotic LNU demonstrates advantages in prolonging OS and reducing recurrence rates, while LNU excels in improving CSS. Although Hand LNU shows suboptimal effects in some comparisons, it remains valuable, and surgical choices should be based on individualized needs.
Exploring different modelling approaches to forecast the community acute respiratory infections burden in children: an Italian epidemiological time series study
Authors: Boracchini Riccardo , Canova Benedetta , Ferrara Pietro , Barbieri Elisa , Lovaglio Pietro Giorgio , Scamarcia Antonio , Corrao Giovanni , Donà Daniele , Giaquinto Carlo , Di Chiara Costanza , Cantarutti Anna 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in young children pose a significant global health challenge, leading to high rates of illness and death. They are estimated to be the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide, particularly impacting children under five. This study aimed to identify the most effective time series model(s) for forecasting the epidemiological season burden of ARIs for the current 2023/2024 period in Italy.

Methods
Data on the burden of ARIs’ in children aged 0–14 years were retrieved from Pedianet, an Italian paediatric primary care database which includes over 200 family paediatricians. We analysed monthly incidence rates of ARIs from September 2010 to September 2023, following the typical seasonal pattern of these infections. Several forecasting models were compared to predict the future burden of ARI: Error, Trend, Seasonality (ETS); Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA); Unobserved Component Model (UCM); and Trigonometric, Box Cox, ARMA errors, Trend, Seasonal (TBATS). We evaluated each model's accuracy by examining the residuals and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The period between March 2020 and February 2022 was forecasted to represent the normal trend without COVID-19. Model parameters were estimated using the in-sample and out-of-sample approach.

Results
The analysis included data from over 1.4 million cases of ARIs retrieved in children aged 0–14 years. The ETS model was implemented to predict the pandemic period. Overall, our findings suggest that exponential smoothing models as ETS (MAPE = 6.85) and TBATS (MAPE = 6.87) were most effective in predicting future trends in monthly ARIs’ burden compared to other methods (i.e., UCM MAPE = 11.08, and SARIMA MAPE = 25.33).

Conclusions
These findings suggest that exponential smoothing models are preferable for forecasting pediatric ARIs’ burden trends in Italy. However, epidemiological data from the ongoing season are crucial for understanding whether residual pandemic effects continue affecting respiratory infection patterns.
CTCF is selectively required for maintaining chromatin accessibility and gene expression in human erythropoiesis
Authors: Yang Xue , Cheng Li , Xin Ye , Zhang Jianxiang , Chen Xinfeng , Xu Jinchao , Zhang Mengli , Feng Ruopeng , Hyle Judith , Qi Wenjie , Rosikiewicz Wojciech , Xu Beisi , Li Chunliang , Xu Peng 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
CTCF is considered as the most essential transcription factor regulating chromatin architecture and gene expression. However, genome-wide impact of CTCF on erythropoiesis has not been extensively investigated.

Results
Using a state-of-the-art human erythroid progenitor cell model (HUDEP-2 and HEL cell lines), we systematically investigate the effects of acute CTCF loss by an auxin-inducible degron system on transcriptional programs, chromatin accessibility, CTCF genome occupancy, and genome architecture. By integrating multi-omics datasets, we reveal that acute CTCF loss notably disrupts genome-wide chromatin accessibility and the transcription network. We detect over thousands of decreased chromatin accessibility regions but only a few hundred increased regions after CTCF depletion in HUDEP-2 and HEL lines, suggesting the role of CTCF in maintaining proper chromatin openness in the erythroid lineage. CTCF depletion in the erythroid context notably disrupts the boundary integrity of topologically associating domains and chromatin loops but does not affect nuclear compartmentalization. We find erythroid lineage-specific genes, including some metabolism-related genes, are suppressed at immature and mature stages. Notably, we find a subset of genes whose transcriptional levels increase upon CTCF depletion, accompanied by decreased chromatin accessibility regions enriched with the GATA motif. We further decipher the molecular mechanism underlying the CTCF/GATA2 repression axis through distal non-coding chromatin regions. These results suggest a suppressive role of CTCF in gene expression during erythroid lineage specification.

Conclusions
Our study reveals a novel role of CTCF in regulating erythroid differentiation by maintaining its proper chromatin openness and gene expression network, which extends our understanding of CTCF biology.
Engineering of the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 11901 to synthesize astaxanthin
Authors: Betterle Nico , Gasparotto Eliana , Battagini Elia , Ceschi Edoardo , Bellamoli Francesco , Nixon Peter J. , Ballottari Matteo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Astaxanthin is a red pigment required by feed, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries for its pigmentation and antioxidant properties. This carotenoid is one of the main high-value products that can nowadays be derived from microalgae cultivation, raising important industrial interest. However, state-of-the-art astaxanthin production is the cultivation of the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis (or lacustris), which faces high costs and low production yield. Hence, alternative and efficient sources for astaxanthin need to be developed, and novel biotechnological solutions must be found. The recently discovered cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. PCC 11901 is a promising photosynthetic platform for the large-scale production of high-value products, but its potential has yet to be thoroughly tested.

Results
In this study, the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 11901 was engineered for the first time to our knowledge to produce astaxanthin, a high-value ketocarotenoid, by expressing recombinant β-ketolase (bKT) and a β-hydroxylase enzymes (CtrZ). During photoautotrophic growth, the bKT-CtrZ transformed strain (called BC) accumulated astaxanthin to above 80% of the total carotenoid. Moreover, BC cells grew faster than wild-type (WT) cells in high light and continuous bubbling with CO2-enriched air. The engineered strain reached stationary phase after only 4 days of growth in an airlift 80-mL photobioreactor, producing 7 g/L of dry biomass, and accumulated ~ 10 mg/L/day of astaxanthin, which is more than other CO2-consuming multi-engineered systems. In addition, BC cells were cultivated in a 330-L photobioreactor to link lab-scale experiments to the industrial scale-up.

Conclusions
The astaxanthin volumetric productivity achieved, 10 mg/L/day, exceeds that previously reported for Haematococcus pluvialis, the standard microalgal species nowadays used at the industrial level for astaxanthin production, or for other microalgal strains engineered to produce ketocarotenoids. Overall, this work identifies a new route to produce astaxanthin on an industrial scale.