bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of cancer statistics in China and the United States in 2024
Authors: Wu Yujie , He Siyi , Cao Mengdi , Teng Yi , Li Qianru , Tan Nuopei , Wang Jiachen , Zuo Tingting , Li Tianyi , Zheng Yuanjie , Xia Changfa , Chen Wanqing 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Cancer patterns in China are becoming similar to those in the United States (US). Comparing the recent cancer profiles, trends, and determinants in China and the US can provide useful reference data.

Methods:
This study used open-source data. We used GLOBOCAN 2022 cancer estimates and United Nations population estimates to calculate cancer cases and deaths in both countries during 2024. Data on cancer incidence and mortality trends were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and National Centre for Health Statistics in the US and cancer registry reports of the National Cancer Center (NCC) of China. Data from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) and a decomposition approach were used to estimate the contributions of four determinants to the change in cancer deaths.

Results:
In 2024, there are an estimated 3,246,625 and 2,510,597 new cancer cases and 1,699,066 and 640,038 cancer deaths in China and the US, respectively. The highest estimated cancer cases are lung cancer in China and breast cancer in the US. The age-standardized incidence rates of lung and colorectal cancer in the US, and stomach, liver, and esophageal cancer in China have decreased, but the incidence rates of liver cancer in the US and colorectal cancer, prostate cancer in men, and cervical cancer in women in China have increased. Increases in the adult population size and population aging are main reasons for the increase in cancer deaths; case fatality rates are a main reason for the decrease in cancer deaths in both countries.

Conclusions:
China has made progress in cancer control but lags the US. Considering the transformation in China’s pattern of cancers epidemiology, it is imperative to develop stronger policies by adopting the cancer prevention and control strategies used in the US to address population aging and curb growing cancer trends.
Microbiology Profiles and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Pediatric Microbial Keratitis
Authors: Cheng Melodyanne Y. , Chea Piseth Dalin , Latifi Golshan , Garner Omai B. , Deng Sophie X. , Fung Simon S. M. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess trends in microbiology profiles and antibiotic susceptibility among pediatric infectious keratitis cases in Southern California, United States.

Methods:
This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or younger diagnosed with infectious keratitis with a positive microbiology culture between 2006 and 2019 at a tertiary academic institution. Patient demographics, microbiology results, and antibiotic susceptibilities were analyzed.

Results:
There were 23 patients included in the study period. The mean age (±SD) was 11 ± 7 years, with 60% 10 years and older. 75% were female, and 45% were of Hispanic or Latino descent. A total of 14 patients (61%) presented between June and November. A total of 30 microorganisms were identified from 24 corneal cultures of 23 eyes, and 92% were bacterial. The most common gram-positive and gram-negative isolates were Staphylococcus spp. (5/13, 38%) and Pseudomonas spp. (9/15, 60%), respectively. 92.3% gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, but only 7.7% were susceptible to erythromycin. Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to gentamicin (86%), ciprofloxacin (79%), and ceftazidime (55%). Pseudomonas spp. was highly susceptible to gentamicin (100%) and ciprofloxacin (83%), and it was moderately susceptible to tobramycin (44%) and ceftazidime (67%).

Conclusions:
Pediatric microbial keratitis cases in Southern California were predominantly bacterial infections, with gram-positive isolates highly susceptible to vancomycin and gram-negative isolates, particularly Pseudomonas spp., showing high susceptibility to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.
Optimal Time for Nevus Sebaceous Excision and Predictors of Surgical Outcomes and Secondary Intralesional Neoplasms: The Mayo Clinic Experience Over 37 Years
Authors: Meira Pazelli Alexandre , Cherukuri Sai K. , Davis Dawn M R. , Mardini Samir , Bite Uldis , Vierkant Robert A. , Mandrekar Jay , Lehman Julia S. , Gibreel Waleed 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Controversy exists around the optimal timing of resection of nevus sebaceous (NS). The authors aim to determine optimal timing of NS resection and identify predictors of surgical outcomes and secondary intralesional neoplasms.

Methods:
Retrospective chart review of all patients with biopsy-proven NS diagnosis treated at the authors' institution between 1987 and 2024.

Results:
A total of 632 patients (317 females) underwent biopsy at a median age of 17 (interquartile range 11.7–36.9) years. Benign secondary intralesional neoplasms were found in 67 (10.6%) patients, with syringocystadenoma papilliferum being the most common. Malignant secondary intralesional neoplasms were diagnosed in 62 (9.8%) patients, with basal cell carcinoma being the most common. The incidence of secondary intralesional neoplasms was 3.9%, 24.4%, 36.05%, and 54%, in patients aged 0 to 20, 20 to 40, 40 to 60, and 60 to 80 years, respectively (P<0.001). Age and NS area were associated with an increased risk of developing benign and malignant intralesional neoplasms (P=0.01). Younger patients were more likely to need general anesthesia for excision (median age 10.42 versus 17 years, P<0.001). Surgical complications occurred in 10 cases, and 6 patients required unanticipated revision surgery. The risk of developing secondary intralesional neoplasms was similar across different NS anatomic regions (log-rank, P=0.09).

Conclusion:
Surgical excision of NS is safe and has an acceptable risk profile. The findings of this study support our historic practice of NS excision before puberty (before the accelerated growth phase) to reduce the risk of developing secondary intralesional neoplasms.
The Scarab Technique for Correction of Late-Presenting Sagittal Suture Craniosynostosis
Authors: Fortoul Marla C. , Oualid Chaimae , Stella John , Roca Andrea , Stelnicki Eric J. , Kamel George N. 
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
Sagittal synostosis (SS) is the most prevalent form of craniosynostosis. It is the premature fusion of the sagittal suture, resulting in a “boat like” skull shape. Early surgical intervention is crucial to prevent complications, yet no standard procedure exists for patients over 12 months old. This study introduces the “Scarab technique”, a novel surgical approach for late-presenting SS cases diagnosed after 1 year of age.

Methods:
A single-center, board-approved retrospective review was conducted from May 2017 to June 2020. The Scarab technique was used exclusively for delayed SS diagnosed after 1 year old. A 4 cm craniectomy was outlined around the sagittal suture, and vascularized scarab bone flaps attached to the parietal bone vasculature were created. These extension flaps were then lifted for further biparietal and bitemporal expansion, followed by an occipital-type advancement and fixation with resorbable plates and screws.

Results:
A total of 7 patients with delayed sagittal synostosis diagnosis underwent scarab technique surgery. The majority were male (71%) and Caucasian (43%). Mean surgery age was 2.6 years (SD=1.3), with 3.43-hour average operation time (SD=0.86), 101.4 mL estimated blood loss (SD=54.5), 3.85 days in the PICU (SD=0.69), and only 1 patient with a resolved postoperative infection.

Conclusions:
The Scarab technique is an effective alternative for treating delayed sagittal craniosynostosis, yielding statistically significant improvements in head shape and overall development post-surgery. Further long-term analysis and multicenter comparative studies with alternative techniques are warranted to fully assess its efficacy and outcomes.
Aesthetic Outcome of Isolated Advancement Genioplasty With and Without Submental Liposuction in the Treatment of Skeletal Chin Deficiency in Double Chin Patients (A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial)
Authors: Atef Marwan M. , Sholkamy Hisham , Khashaba Mohammed M. , Behairy Galal , Ellabban Mohamed A. 
Published: December 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of submental liposuction with advancement genioplasty versus advancement genioplasty alone on esthetics in double chin patients. Twenty-six patients with deficient chin were included in the study. The patients were distributed into 2 groups: submental fat liposuction in conjunction with advancement genioplasty group as intervention one and advancement genioplasty alone as a control group. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography was performed for all patients. With the help of various software, diagnosis, virtual planning, and evaluation were done. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a Face-Q questionnaire. The study was conducted on 26 patients with deficient chin, 88.9% were females and 11.1% were males. The mean age of cases was (25.5±3.5 y), clinically all cases went uneventful, and there were no statistically significant differences regarding soft tissue relapse between the study and control groups. All patients showed statistically significant increases in scores of satisfaction with the chin, psychological well-being, and social well-being scales. Submental fat liposuction can be a good intervention choice in mild-moderate chin deficient cases when added to an advanced genioplasty procedure.
Oral Rehabilitation After Maxillary Protraction With Skeletal Anchorage in a Patient With Oligodontia
Authors: Buyukcavus Muhammed Hilmi , Sari Ömer Faruk , Buyukcavus Esra 
Published: December 2024

Objective:
To evaluate the outcomes of skeletal anchorage-supported maxillary protraction and prostetic restoration in a patient with class III malocclusion and hypodontia.

Methods:
Anchorage plates were placed in the apertura piriformis region as skeletal anchorage support. Subsequently, 500 g orthopedic force per side was applied for maxillary protraction. After protraction, fixed orthodontic treatment corrected the tooth spaces and occlusion. It was made ready for prosthetic restoration. The active treatment process lasted 23 months. After 3 years, long-term follow-up checks were performed and prosthetic restorations were completed.

Results:
Following treatment, the SNA angle [Angle between cranial base (SN) and point A] increased by 2.96 degrees, and the SN/GoGn [Angle between cranial base (SN) and mandibular plane] angle increased by 0.18 degrees. The SNB [Angle between cranial base (SN) and point B] and FMA angles [Angle between Frankfurt horizontal plane and mandibular plane] decreased by 2.28 degrees and 0.79 degrees, respectively. The overjet increased by 6.35 mm. As a result of long-term follow-up, the results were seen to be stable, and ideal smile aesthetics and occlusion were achieved with prosthetic restorations.

Conclusion:
Skeletal anchorage-supported protraction treatments in class III malocclusion with insufficient dental support lead to significant improvements in profile and facial appearance.
Impact of American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification Program in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Oncologic Operation at a Cancer Center
Authors: Jimenez Mercy , Salehi Omid , Somasundar Ponnandai , Dandeneau Jayme , Chebl Joanna , Vognar Lidia , Espat N Joseph , Calvino Abdul Saied , Kwon Steve 
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:
Patients older than 65 years have unique needs and treatment outcomes goals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) initiative in oncology patients ≥65 years undergoing major abdominal surgeries.

STUDY DESIGN:
We implemented the American College of Surgeons’ GSV program protocols for patients 65 and older starting in 2022. A retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing major abdominal oncologic surgeries from January 2021 through December 2022 to create pre-GSV and post-GSV initiative cohorts. Main outcomes variables were postoperative institutionalization and change in the patient's primary residence disposition (measured as primary residence score, PRS, as a proxy for loss of independence).

RESULTS:
57 patients in the control group and 43 patients in the intervention group met inclusion criteria. The average age was 76.5 and 75 years, respectively. Patients were well matched for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. The intervention group had a shorter mean length of stay (LOS) 4.4 ± 2.5 days vs 6.5 ± 3.6 days in control group (p<.01) and were less likely to be newly discharged to an institution (7.3% vs 24.1%, p=0.03). The GSV initiative was associated with 72% lower odds of increased PRS (i.e. care needs) at time of discharge (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.1 – 0.81).

CONCLUSION:
The GSV initiative intervention in geriatric oncology patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries was associated with reducing postoperative institutionalization and change in primary residence disposition. Further studies to explore different mechanisms within GSV that lead to improved outcomes in geriatric oncologic population will be informative.
Dysregulation of cellular iron predisposes chemotherapy resistant cancer cells to ferroptosis
Authors: Loftus Luke V. , Rolle Louis T.A. , Cherry Christopher , Patatanian Michael , Orzolek Linda , Wang Bowen , Pienta Kenneth J. , Amend Sarah R. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTDespite centuries of research, metastatic cancer remains incurable due to resistance against all conventional cancer therapeutics. Alternative strategies leveraging non-proliferative vulnerabilities in cancer are required to overcome cancer recurrence. Ferroptosis is an iron dependent cell death pathway that has shown promising pre-clinical activity in several contexts of therapeutic resistant cancer. However, ferroptosis sensitivity is highly variable across tissue types and cell state posing a challenge for clinical translation.We describe a convergent phenotype induced by chemotherapy where cells surviving chemotherapy have similar transcriptomic signatures and dysregulated iron homeostasis, regardless of initial cell type or chemotherapy used. Elevated labile iron levels are counteracted by NRF2 signaling that does not alleviate the amount of labile iron. Selectively inhibiting GPX4 leads to uniform susceptibility to ferroptosis in surviving cells, highlighting the common reliance on lipid peroxidation defenses. Cellular iron dysregulation is a vulnerability of chemoresistant cancer cells that can be leveraged by triggering ferroptosis.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEWe show that cells surviving chemotherapy are uniformly sensitive to ferroptosis, despite different sensitivity in untreated cells. Ferroptosis sensitivity surprisingly occurs alongside NRF2 signaling, likely due to loss of PCBP1 and accumulated labile iron. Labile iron accumulation as a driver of ferroptosis sensitivity constitutes another starting point for translation of ferroptosis.
Controlled “out-of-season” spawning of reef-forming corals in aquaria using offset environmental profiles
Authors: Koukoumaftsis Lonidas P. , Salmon Matthew , Everson Glenn , Hughes David J. , Varkey Deepa , Heyward Andrew J. , Severati Andrea , Humphrey Craig 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe global climate crisis has heightened the urgency for developing interventions to enhance resilience and recovery of coral reef ecosystems. However, research programs are often bottlenecked by availability of coral early life stage material due to the seasonal (annual) nature of coral mass spawning events. Here, we present a proof-of-concept of “out-of-season” coral spawning, utilising advanced aquarium control technology to induce spawning in multiple key Great Barrier Reef (GBR) coral species held in long-term indoor aquaria. By developing a 6-month offset environmental profile encompassing seasonal temperature, photoperiod, and lunar profiles, we successfully induced synchronised mass coral spawning during austral autumn/winter (May - June) over consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. We also “phase-shifted” the hour of sunset by five hours on spawning nights, creating a more favourable time window (i.e., minimising late nights) for gamete fertilisation. The timing of gamete release in captive corals closely matched previous GBR field observations for both nights after full moon (NAFM) and time after sunset (TAS). Gamete fertilisation was successful for six GBR species:Acropora millepora, Acropora loripes, Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora elseyi, Acropora austera,andMontipora aequituberculataproducing a total of 1.75 million larvae. We outline key physiological insights gained into environmental regulation of coral spawning synchronicity and discuss the potential for out-of-season spawning to accelerate various aspects of coral reproduction research and enhance the growing toolbox of active restoration strategies aimed at reversing global coral reef decline.
GM-CSF engages multiple signaling pathways to enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in human monocytes duringLegionellainfection
Authors: Vázquez Marrero Víctor R. , Dresler Madison , Haggadone Mikel D. , Lu Allyson , Shin Sunny 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe proinflammatory cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is required for host defense against a wide range of pathogens. We previously found that GM-CSF enhances inflammatory cytokine production in murine monocytes and is required forin vivocontrol of the intracellular bacterial pathogenLegionella pneumophila. It is unclear whether GM-CSF similarly augments cytokine production in human monocytes during bacterial infection.Here, we find that GM-CSF enhances inflammatory cytokine expression inLegionella-infected human monocytes by engaging multiple signaling pathways.Legionella- and TLR-dependent NF-𝜅B signaling is a prerequisite signal for GM-CSF to promote cytokine expression. Then, GM-CSF-driven JAK2/STAT5 signaling is required to augment cytokine expression inLegionella-infected human monocytes. We also found a role for PI-3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling in GM-CSF-dependent upregulation of cytokine expression. Finally, glycolysis and amino acid metabolism are also critical for GM-CSF to boost cytokine gene expression in human monocytes during infection. Our findings show that GM-CSF-mediated enhancement of cytokine expression in infected human monocytes is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, thereby allowing the host to fine tune antibacterial immunity.
Tactile stimulations reduce or promote the segregation of auditory streams: psychophysics and modelling
Authors: Darki Farzaneh , Rankin James , Słowiński Piotr 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAuditory stream segregation plays a crucial role in understanding the auditory scene. This study investigates the role of tactile stimulation in auditory stream segregation through psychophysics experiments and a computational model of audio-tactile interactions. We examine how tactile pulses, synchronized with specific tones in a sequence of interleaved high- and low-frequency tones (ABA-triplets), influence the likelihood of perceiving integrated or segregated auditory streams. Our findings reveal that tactile pulses synchronized with specific tones enhance perceptual segregation, while pulses synchronized with both tones promote integration. Based on these findings, we developed a dynamical model that captures interactions between auditory and tactile neural circuits, including recurrent excitation, mutual inhibition, adaptation, and noise. The proposed model shows excellent agreement with the experiment. Model predictions are validated through psychophysics experiments. In the model, we assume that selective tactile stimulation dynamically modulates the tonotopic organization within the auditory cortex. This modulation facilitates segregation by reinforcing specific tonotopic responses through single-tone synchronization while smoothing neural activity patterns with dual-tone alignment to promote integration. The model offers a robust computational framework for exploring cross-modal effects on stream segregation and predicts neural behaviour under varying tactile conditions. Our findings imply that cross-modal synchronization, with carefully timed tactile cues, could improve auditory perception with potential applications in auditory assistive technologies aimed at enhancing speech recognition in noisy settings.
Good fire: quantifying the beneficial ecosystem work of western U.S. wildfires (2010-2020)
Authors: Balch Jennifer K. , McIntosh Tyler L. , Illangakoon Nayani T. , Cummins Karen , Varner J. Morgan , Hansen Winslow D. , Marquis Kate Dargan , Raymond Crystal L. , Harvey Brian J. , Platt Rutherford V. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWildfires are doing necessary work for western US forests that have evolved with fire. Here we define “good fire” as areas that burn in an ecologically beneficial way, with a severity that is analogous to their historical fire regimes prior to European settlement. We focus on low-moderate severity wildfire as this type of burning can promote regeneration, even in the context of a warming climate (Davis et al., 2023). We quantify the amount of forested area (i.e., deciduous, conifer, or mixed forest types) burned in low-moderate severity good fire and compare that to the amount of forested area that received prescribed burns (2010-2020). Our results show that 50% of the forested area burned by wildfires in the western US burned as low-moderate severity good fire. Moreover, the total area of this type of good fire was 3.3 million ha for wildfires (N = 18,126 events), compared with 2.7 million ha for forested prescribed burning (N = 25,761 events) over this same period. Lower severity wildfires are doing important work to promote healthy forests, 23% more by area than accomplished through prescribed burning. We also quantified high severity good fire in systems that historically experienced stand replacement, which represents an additional 10% of the forest area burned. Knowing that fires are likely going to increase in frequency and area with warming (Stephens et al., 2023), our key challenge in the future will be promoting good fire while still protecting lives and property.
Regulation of XPG-DNA damage binding dynamics by pre- and post-incision nucleotide excision repair factors and EXO1
Authors: Muniesa-Vargas Alba , Ribeiro-Silva Cristina , Geverts Bart , Davó-Martínez Carlota , van de Grint Jacinta , Ganpat Maroussia , Thijssen Karen L. , Pothof Joris , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , Theil Arjan F. , Vermeulen Wim , Lans Hannes 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe XPG endonuclease plays a crucial role in nucleotide excision repair (NER) and other genome maintenance pathways. Precise regulation of XPG recruitment and activity during DNA repair is essential to avoid erroneous DNA incisions and genomic instability. In this study, we employed live-cell imaging to investigate how XPG function is regulated during NER, focusing on its dynamic interactions with key factors involved in the pre- and post-incision steps. We found that TFIIH and XPA facilitate the recruitment and association of XPG with DNA damage, and that XPG localizes separately from TFIIH to UV-induced lesions. Furthermore, our results show that XPG’s dissociation from DNA damage is triggered by its own incision activity as well as by that of XPF. Additionally, the exonuclease EXO1 promotes XPG dissociation, likely by processing incised DNA, even in the absence of XPG-mediated incision. Our findings help to better understand the regulatory mechanisms that control XPG activity during NER and provide important insights into the complex dynamics of the repair process.