bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome profiling of eight Zea mays lines identifies genes responsible for the resistance to Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Tran Thi Nhien , Lanubile Alessandra , Marocco Adriano , Pè Mario Enrico , Dell’Acqua Matteo , Miculan Mara 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
The cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most important crops worldwide for food, feed, biofuels, and industrial applications, faces significant constraints due to Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus responsible for severe diseases including seedling blights, stalk rot, and ear rot. Its impact is worsened by the fact that chemical and agronomic measures used to control the infection are often inefficient. Hence, genetic resistance is considered the most reliable resource to reduce the damage. This study aims to elucidate the genetic basis of F. verticillioides resistance in maize.

Results
Young seedlings of eight divergent maize lines, founders of the MAGIC population, were artificially inoculated with a F. verticillioides strain. Phenotypic analysis and transcriptome sequencing of both control and treated samples identified several hundred differentially expressed genes enriched in metabolic processes associated with terpene synthesis. A WGCNA further refined the pool of genes with potential implications in disease response and found a limited set of hub genes, encoding bZIP and MYB transcription factors, or involved in carbohydrate metabolism, solute transport processes, calcium signaling, and lipid pathways. Finally, additional gene resources were provided by combining transcriptomic data with previous QTL mapping, thereby shedding light on the molecular mechanisms in the maize-F. verticillioides interaction.

Conclusions
The transcriptome profiling of eight divergent MAGIC maize founder lines with contrasting levels of Fusarium verticillioides resistance combined with phenotypic analysis, clarifies the molecular mechanisms underlying the maize-F. verticillioides interaction.
Establishment of an MRI-based radiomics model for distinguishing between intramedullary spinal cord tumor and tumefactive demyelinating lesion
Authors: Zhang Zifeng , Li Ning , Qian Yuhang , Cheng Huilin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Objective
Differentiating intramedullary spinal cord tumor (IMSCT) from spinal cord tumefactive demyelinating lesion (scTDL) remains challenging with standard diagnostic approaches. This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics model for distinguishing scTDL from IMSCT before treatment initiation.

Methods
A total of 75 patients were analyzed in this retrospective study, comprising 55 with IMSCT and 20 with scTDL. Radiomics features were extracted from T1- and T2-weighted imaging (T1&T2WI) scans upon admission. Ten classification algorithms were employed: logistic regression (LR); naive bayes (NaiveBayes); support vector machine (SVM); k nearest neighbors (KNN); random forest (RF); extra trees (ExtraTrees); eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost); light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM); gradient boosting (GradientBoosting); and multi-Layer perceptron (MLP). The performance of the optimal model was then compared to radiologists' assessments.

Results
This study developed 30 predictive models using ten classifiers across two imaging sequences. The MLP model with two sequences (T1&T2WI) emerged as the most effective one, showing superior accuracy in MRI analysis with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.991 in training and 0.962 in testing. Moreover, statistical analyses highlighted the radiomics model significantly outperformed radiologists' assessments (p < 0.05) in distinguishing between IMSCT and scTDL.

Conclusion
We present an MRI-based radiomics model with high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating IMSCT from scTDL. The model’s performance was comparable to junior radiologists, highlighting its potential as an effective diagnostic aid in clinical practice.
Patient safety and climate change: findings from a cross-sectional survey in Germany
Authors: Amberger Olga , Lemke Dorothea , Christ Anette , Müller Hardy , Schwappach David , Geraedts Max , Müller Beate S. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Patient safety has become a priority issue in health policy strategies in Germany in the last several years, and is especially important in the era of climate change. This study aimed to assess public perceptions about the patient safety impact of climate change and the demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing patient perception in Germany.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Germany in 2023, using data from the TK Monitor of Patient Safety. The TK Monitor of Patient Safety is a national survey of the population on the state of safety in medical care. Self-reported data were collected from 1,000 randomly selected adults living in Germany. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were regressed on climate change perception using an ordinal logistic regression approach.

Results
Our results revealed that half of respondents are concerned about climate change affecting their health and 40% of the respondents would like to have climate-sensitive health counseling by their general practitioner. The results showed that demographic variables, such as gender and age, and socioeconomic variables, such as education level and income, are important factors influencing the perception of climate change-related patient safety risks. However, no association was found between urban/rural residence and patient perception.

Conclusions
Our study highlights patient safety as a public health concern in the era of climate change. The German public appears to view climate change as harmful to patient safety. Our findings also show that it is necessary to carry out diagnoses focused on demographic and socioeconomic factors to determine which aspects should be strengthened through programs aimed at reducing patient safety risks associated with climate change.
Using signal detection test to assess the correlation between daily sleep duration, mental workload, and attention sensitivity in nurses
Authors: Kazemi-Galougahi Mohammad Hassan , Feizabadi Ehsan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Increased attention among healthcare workers, particularly nurses, is crucial for preventing medical errors and patient harm. This study uses an objective approach that overcomes the limitations of the subjective self-report measures employed in prior research on nurses’ attention.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2023 among 108 nurses at Besat Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The data collected included demographic information, the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) for mental workload assessment, and the CogLab signal detection test for attention sensitivity measurement.

Results
The participants exhibited a median mental workload of 68.5 (IQR = 14.9) and a median attention sensitivity of 52.5 (IQR = 39.2). Daily sleep duration was positively correlated with attention sensitivity (r = 0.644, p < 0.001), whereas mental workload was negatively correlated with attention sensitivity (r = -0.655, p < 0.001). Men demonstrated greater attention sensitivity (p = 0.040), and women reported greater mental workload (p = 0.043).

Conclusion
Reducing daily sleep duration and increasing mental workload can diminish nurses’ attention sensitivity. Prioritizing adequate sleep and implementing strategies to reduce mental workload are crucial for enhancing nurse performance and patient safety.
Exploring the experiences of resident doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry with virtual reality-based simulation training: a qualitative study
Authors: Birkheim Siv Lena , Calogiuri Giovanna , Hvalstad Mette , Martinsen Randi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
The use of virtual reality simulation for the training of non-technical skills among healthcare professionals may improve professional development as well as the quality of care. This study aims to explore the experiences of resident doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry with the use of virtual reality-based simulation for the training of non-technical skills.

Methods
The study had an exploratory qualitative design. Data were collected through observations of thirteen resident doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry during their participation in three virtual reality-based simulation sessions, followed by two focus groups. Data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis.

Results
The analysis revealed the following three themes: 1) The importance of pedagogical principles, 2) Playful and motionally affected learning, and 3) Observational learning contributing to lifelong learning.

Conclusions
Virtual reality-based simulation was felt to be an appropriate method of training non-technical skills for resident doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry. In particular, the intervention met resident doctors’ desires and needs regarding learning through observation and peer discussions. However, some challenges related to technical issues and the content of the scenarios were highlighted. This method may not only increase the resident doctors’ self-efficacy and competence, but also contribute to their lifelong learning.
Economic costs attributable to modifiable risk factors: an analysis of 24 million urban residents in China
Authors: Xiong Xuechen , Huo Zhaohua , Zhou Yinan , Bishai David M. , Grépin Karen A. , Clarke Philip M. , Chen Cynthia , Luo Li , Quan Jianchao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Estimating the economic burden of modifiable risk factors is crucial for allocating scarce healthcare resources to improve population health. We quantified the economic burden attributable to modifiable risk factors in an urban area of China.

Methods
Our Shanghai Municipal Health Commission dataset covered 2.2 million inpatient admissions for adults (age ≥ 20) in public and private hospitals in 2015 (1,327,187 admissions) and 2020 (837,482 admissions). We used a prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach by applying population attributable fraction (PAF) estimates for each modifiable risk factor from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) to estimate attributable costs. We adopted a societal perspective for cost estimates, comprising direct healthcare costs and productivity losses from absenteeism and premature mortality. Future costs were discounted at 3% and adjusted to 2020 prices.

Results
In 2020, the total societal cost attributable to modifiable risk factors in Shanghai was US$7.9 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 4.6–12.4b), mostly from productivity losses (67.9%). Two health conditions constituted most of the attributable societal cost: cancer (51.6% [30.2–60.2]) and cardiovascular disease (31.2% [24.6–50.7]). Three modifiable risk factors accounted for half of the total attributable societal cost: tobacco (23.7% [16.4–30.5]), alcohol (13.3% [8.2–19.7]), and dietary risks (12.2% [7.5–17.7]). The economic burden varied by age and sex; most of the societal costs were from males (77.7%), primarily driven by their tobacco and alcohol use. The largest contributor to societal costs was alcohol for age 20–44, and tobacco for age 45 + . Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the pattern of major modifiable risk factors remained stable from 2015 to 2020 albeit with notable increases in attributable healthcare costs from cancers and productivity losses from cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions
The substantial economic burden of diseases attributable to modifiable risk factors necessitates targeted policy interventions. Priority areas are reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption and improving dietary habits that together constitute half of the total attributable costs. Tailored interventions targeting specific age and sex groups are crucial; namely tobacco in middle-aged/older males and alcohol in younger males.
Streamlined miRNA loading of surface protein-specific extracellular vesicle subpopulations through electroporation
Authors: Torabi Corinna , Choi Sung-Eun , Pisanic Thomas R. , Paulaitis Michael , Hur Soojung Claire 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as an exciting tool for targeted delivery of therapeutics for a wide range of diseases. As nano-scale membrane-bound particles derived from living cells, EVs possess inherent capabilities as carriers of biomolecules. However, the translation of EVs into viable therapeutic delivery vehicles is challenged by lengthy and inefficient processes for cargo loading and pre- and post-loading purification of EVs, resulting in limited quantity and consistency of engineered EVs.

Results
In this work, we develop a fast and streamlined method to load surface protein-specific subpopulations of EVs with miRNA by electroporating EVs, while they are bound to antibody-coated beads. We demonstrate the selection of CD81+ EV subpopulation using magnetic microbeads, facilitating rapid EV manipulations, loading, and subsequent purification processes. Our approach shortens the time per post-electroporation EV wash by 20-fold as compared to the gold standard EV washing method, ultracentrifugation, resulting in about 2.5-h less time required to remove unloaded miRNA. In addition, we addressed the challenge of nonspecific binding of cargo molecules due to affinity-based EV selection, lowering the purity of engineered EVs, by implementing innovative strategies, including poly A carrier RNA-mediated blocking and dissociation of residual miRNA and EV-like miRNA aggregates following electroporation.

Conclusions
Our streamlined method integrates magnetic bead-based selection with electroporation, enabling rapid and efficient loading of miRNA into CD81+ EVs. This approach not only achieves comparable miRNA loading efficiency to conventional bulk electroporation methods but also concentrates CD81+ EVs and allows for simple electroporation parameter adjustment, promising advancements in therapeutic RNA delivery systems with enhanced specificity and reduced toxicity.
Who actualizes postpartum contraceptive intentions? A trajectory cluster analysis
Authors: O’Brien Michelle L. , Nur Aasli Abdi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractContraceptive intention is an important woman-centered indicator for family planning. Yet, few studies have examined the determinants of women or couples actualizing their contraceptive intentions. We leverage panel data from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) survey in Ethiopia to examine these dynamics among a pregnancy cohort, over the first year postpartum. Using cluster analysis on intent-to-use trajectories, we find distinct patterns across wealth categories, education levels, and regions. Additionally, we find that receiving family planning counseling in both antenatal and postnatal care visits led to a higher likelihood of intending to use. However, counseling did not increase the odds of actualization. We argue that examining actualization through model-based approaches like cluster analysis generates better insight into woman-centered contraceptive demand and provides stronger evidence for strengthening postpartum family planning interventions, than quantifying contraceptive use alone. Modeling postpartum actualization trajectories can shed light on the barriers to women’s and couple’s reproductive autonomy and inform future investments in both upstream development of better contraceptive methods and downstream implementation.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of additional local prostate radio therapy in metastatic prostate cancer from a medicare perspective
Authors: Kramer Kristina K. M. , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Westhofen Thilo , Foglar Marco , Ricke Jens , Westphalen C. Benedikt , Unterrainer Marcus , Kunz Wolfgang G. , Mehrens Dirk 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Metastatic prostate cancer remains a therapeutic challenge. Based on data of the STAMPEDE trial, patients with a low metastatic burden showed prolonged failure-free and overall survival when treated with prostate radio therapy (RT) in addition to standard of care (SOC). The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of additional prostate RT compared to SOC alone for following subgroups: non-regional lymph node (NRLN) metastases, up to three bone metastases and four or more bone metastases.

Methods
A partitioned survival model was implemented with clinical data from STAMPEDE trial. Analyses were performed from a United States healthcare system perspective. Costs for treatment and adverse events were derived from Medicare coverage. Utilities for health states were derived from public databases and literature. Outcome measurements included incremental costs, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness ratio. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set to USD 100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

Results
Additional RT led to 0.92 incremental QALYs with increased costs of USD 26,098 with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of USD 28,452/QALY for patients with only NRLN metastases and 3.83 incremental QALYs with increased costs of USD 153,490 with an ICER of USD 40,032/QALY for patients with up to three bone metastases. Sensitivity analysis showed robustness of the model regarding various parameters. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation with 10,000 iterations, additional RT was found as the cost-effective strategy in over 96% for both subgroups iterations at a willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 100,000/QALYs.

Conclusions
Additional RT is cost-effective in patients with only NRLN metastases and up to three metastases compared to SOC.
Sex differences in the role of AKAP12 in behavioral function of middle-aged mice
Authors: Ishikawa Hidehiro , Kimura Shintaro , Takase Hajime , Borlongan Maximillian , Fukuda Norito , Hoshino Tomonori , Hamanaka Gen , Park Ji Hyun , Shindo Akihiro , Kim Kyu-Won , Gelman Irwin H. , Lok Josephine , Lo Eng H. , Arai Ken 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) is a key scaffolding protein that regulates cellular signaling by anchoring protein kinase A (PKA) and other signaling molecules. While recent studies suggest an important role for AKAP12 in the brain, including cognitive functions, its role in middle-aged mice and potential sex differences are not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of AKAP12 on cognitive and exploratory behavior in middle-aged mice, focusing on sex differences. Cognitive function was assessed using the spontaneous Y-maze test and the novel object recognition test (NORT). No significant sex differences in cognitive function were found in middle-aged C57BL/6J mice; however, female mice showed greater exploratory behavior during the NORT. In addition, both middle-aged male and female Akap12 knockout (KO) mice performed similarly to wild-type (WT) mice in the Y-maze test, but had lower discrimination indices in the NORT, suggesting a potential role for AKAP12 in short-term memory. Notably, exploratory behavior was suppressed in female Akap12 KO mice compared to WT mice, whereas male Akap12 KO mice did not show this effect. There were no significant differences in movement distance and velocity during the Y-maze test and NORT between WT and KO mice of either sex. These results indicate that AKAP12 affects cognitive function and exploratory behavior in middle-aged mice and that these effects differ between sexes.
Exploring optical coherence tomography parameters in eyes with myopic tilted disc
Authors: Zhang Yu Qiao , Zhang Xiu Juan , Shen Ru Yue , Zhang Yuzhou , Tang Fang Yao , Szeto Simon K. H. , Ng Danny Siu-Chun , Kam Ka Wai , Young Alvin L. , Chen Li Jia , Pang Chi Pui , Tham Clement C. , Yam Jason C. , Chan Poemen P. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
To investigate the impact of optic disc torsion (ODT), horizontal disc tilt (HDT) angle, and ovality index (OI) on different retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) segments in healthy myopic eyes.

Methods
ODT and OI were measured from fundus photographs. HDT angle, peripapillary RNFL, and macular GCIPL were measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The association between optic disc morphology and the RNFL/GCIPL thickness were evaluated, with age and axial length (AL) adjusted.

Results
Among 530 healthy myopic eyes of 284 participants (mean age: 41.7 years, mean spherical equivalent: − 7.70 D, and mean AL: 26.6 mm), 335 eyes (63.2%) had temporal disc torsion (temporal group) and 195 eyes (36.8%) had nasal disc torsion (nasal group). For the nasal group, a larger OI was associated with thinner superior-to-superonasal GCIPL (β = − 7.465 to − 6.972, both P = 0.024) and temporal RNFL sectors (β = − 49.596 to − 27.748, P ≤ 0.014). For the temporal group, a larger OI was associated with thinner superior-to-nasal (β = − 50.255 to − 22.093, P ≤ 0.006) and thicker temporal RNFL sectors (β = 29.015 to 56.890, P ≤ 0.003). Additionally, a larger HDT angle was associated with thinner superior-to-nasal RNFL sectors (β = − 0.559 to − 0.242, P ≤ 0.036) and thinner superior-to-superotemporal GCIPL sectors (β = − 0.084 to − 0.069, P ≤ 0.037).

Conclusions
The optic disc tortional direction was associated with the measurement of different RNFL and GCIPL sectors independent of the AL and age. These should be considered when constructing a myopic normative database.