bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HPB SO69 - Comparison of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy with standard pancreatosplenectomy for left sided pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tarrar Talha Azam , Nuheel Iqbal Hafiz Muhammad , Sonoo Prithvirao , Karamat Syed Taimur , Khawaja Amir 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Long term survival of patients undergoing distal pancreatosplenectomy for left sided pancreatic cancer has not been satisfactory owing to inability to achieve negative resection margins. Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) has been designed to achieve better margin resection and better lymph node clearance compared to the standard distal pancreatosplenectomy (SDP) for left sided pancreatic cancer. This results in better oncological outcomes and patient survival rates. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes from RAMPS and SDP.

Method
Literature search was performed to identify studies published in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library and google search. 13 Studies comparing RAMPS versus standard method of distal pancreatecetomy were included in the final meta-analysis. Revman 5.4 was used to perform the analysis and random effects model was used with results shown on forest plot. A total of 1450 patients were enrolled in the meta analysis with 685 in RAMPS and 765 patients in SDP group. R0 resection rate, recurrence rate, better overall survival and number of harvested lymph nodes were taken as primary outcomes.

Results
RAMPS was associated with better overall survival than SDP (HR-0.62, 95% CI - 0.38-0.91, p=0.03). The recurrence rate (OR-0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.97, p=0.04) was significantly less. R0 resection rate was higher in RAMPS but did not reach statistical significance (OR-1.47 CI0.93-2.3, p=0.10). Complications notably pancreatic fistula Showed favourable results in RAMPS along with other variables such as hospital stay, operative stay and blood loss but didn’t reach statistical Significance.

Conclusion
This study clearly signifies the importance of RAMPS being able to achieve higher R0 resection rate as well as less complications which results in better surgical and long term clinical outcomes for the patients. With more expertise and surgical training, this novel procedure promises to be a more safer and feasible technique than the conventional pancreatosplenectomy.
HPB SO75 - Burden and Pattern of Gallstone-Related Acute Surgical Admissions
Authors: Ali-Qazalbash Zeeshan M , Hobeita Wesam , Ng Shou Kee , Zubair Farhan , Khan Khurram Shahzad 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Gallstone disease accounts for nearly one-third of emergency general surgery admissions, with a considerable number resulting from recurrent episodes. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the only definitive treatment for gallstones. This study aimed to examine the burden and patterns of acute biliary admissions.

Method
This prospective cohort study was conducted over a continuous 12-week period in 2022 within a single surgical unit, focusing on all gallstone-related admissions. The total number of admissions for various surgical pathologies was documented, and the proportion due to biliary disease was determined. The analysis encompassed patient demographics, reasons for biliary admission, prior gallstone history, and any planned laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC).

Results
There were 532 acute admissions, 98 (18.4%) were gallstones related. Median age was 62 years (IQR 47-72) and 58 (59.2%) were female. 40 (40.8%) had acute cholecystitis, 24 (24.5%) had gallstone pancreatitis, 16 (16.3%) had bile duct stones, 10 (10.2%) had biliary colic and 8 (8.2%) had ascending cholangitis. 43 (43.9%) patients were known to have gallstones and 26 (26.5%) patients had prior admission related to gallstones.
35.7% patients had outpatient LC, 23.5% had no documentation, 19.4% had inpatient LC, 18.4% were not fit candidates and 3.1% patients declined LC. Median total length of stay was 6 days (IQR 4-11).

Conclusion
In our study, the rate of biliary-related admissions was lower than previously reported in the literature. This reduction may be attributed to our semi-aggressive management approach for gallstone disease. To further improve patient outcomes, we suggest implementing more aggressive management strategies for gallstones during the initial admission for patients who are deemed fit for surgery. Such an approach could potentially reduce the recurrence of biliary admissions and enhance overall treatment efficacy.
HPB SO76 - Is there a difference in liver transplant outcomes between daytime vs nighttime transplants?
Authors: Liyanage Dinithi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. Night-time transplantations are often scheduled to minimize cold ischemia time (CIT), but they may pose challenges due to potential fatigue and circadian rhythm disruptions among surgical teams. This study aims to investigate the effect of transplant timing on the outcomes of liver transplant patients.

Method
A preliminary retrospective analysis was conducted on liver transplants performed between January and May 2018. Surgeries were categorized into daytime (8:00 am–8:00 pm) and nighttime (8:00 pm–8.00 am) groups. Outcomes examined included operative time, early mortality, complications (wound, vascular, biliary, and other) occurring within 30 days post-surgery, CIT, re-transplantation, length of ITU stay and length of hospital stay.

Results
The nighttime group, the mean recipient age was 50.17 years (SD 10.86). Surgery duration averaged 5.67 hours (SD 1.57) with a mean CIT of 8.08 hours (SD 2.41). The average hospital stay was 14days, with 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 100% and 95.68%. Acute rejection occurred in 8.7% of patients.
The daytime group, the mean recipient age was 51.83 years (SD 10.86). Surgery duration averaged 5.05 hours (SD 1.20) with a mean CIT of 7.31 hours (SD 1.97). Hospital stays averaged 12.88days, with 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 97.2% and 91.67%. Acute rejection occurred in 13.9% of patients.

Conclusion
The preliminary results suggest slight differences in outcomes between the two groups, but a larger cohort of patients needs to be analyzed to determine statistical significance. This study will be expanded to include 400 transplant patients for a more comprehensive analysis.
Experimental determination of the relationship between S=O bond length and its stretching frequency of the DMSO molecule
Authors: Kameda Yasuo , Oshita Yuto , Amo Yuko , Usuki Takeshi , Watanabe Hikari , Umebayashi Yasuhiro , Ikeda Kazutaka , Honda Takashi , Otomo Toshiya 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Time-of-flight neutron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopic measurements have been carried out for pure deuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d6), concentrated 20 mol% lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)amide–DMSO-d6, 14 mol% LiCl–DMSO, and 3 mol% NiCl2–DMSO solutions in order to obtain the relationship between the intramolecular S=O bond length (rSO) and its stretching vibrational frequency (νSO) in the liquid state. The S=O bond length of the DMSO molecule has been determined from the least-squares fitting analysis of neutron and x-ray total interference terms observed in the high Q-region. The νSO–rSO plot that involved the present results and experimental data reported for gaseous and crystalline DMSO as well as DMSO complexes with metal ions has indicated that the νSO–rSO relationship is well approximated by a linear function. The value dνSO/drSO = −3,600 ± 400 cm−1Å−1 was obtained from the slope of the fitted function. It has been revealed that the S=O bond length of the DMSO molecule sensitively reflects the intermolecular interactions that it is receiving from its environment.
Neural signatures of visual awareness independent of postperceptual processing
Authors: Cohen Michael A , Dembski Cole , Ortego Kevin , Steinhibler Clay , Pitts Michael 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
What are the neural processes associated with perceptual awareness that are distinct from preconscious sensory encoding and postperceptual processes such as reporting an experience? Using electroencephalography and a no-report visual masking paradigm, we manipulated stimulus visibility by varying the time between stimuli and masks in linear steps (17, 33, 50, 67, and 83 ms). Awareness increased nonlinearly, with stimuli never seen at the two shortest intervals, always seen at the two longest, and 50% seen at the intermediate interval. Separate report and no-report conditions were used to isolate awareness from task performance. Our results revealed a neural signal closely linked to perceptual awareness, independent of the task: a fronto-central event-related potential that we refer to as the N2 (~250 to 300 ms). Earlier event-related potential signals reflected the linear manipulation of stimulus strength, while later signals like P3b and temporal generalization of decoding were tied to task performance, appearing only in the report condition. Taken together, these findings inform current debates regarding theories of consciousness and offer new avenues for exploring the neural mechanisms supporting conscious processing.
Clinical- and Cost-Effectiveness of Liver Disease Staging in Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Microsimulation Study
Authors: Epstein Rachel L , Munroe Sarah , Taylor Lynn E , Duryea Patrick R , Buzzee Benjamin , Pramanick Tannishtha , Feld Jordan J , Baptiste Dimitri , Carroll Matthew , Castera Laurent , Sterling Richard K , Thomas Aurielle , Chan Philip A , Linas Benjamin P 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Liver disease assessment is a key aspect of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection pre-treatment evaluation but guidelines differ on the optimal testing modality given trade-offs in availability and accuracy. We compared clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of common fibrosis staging strategies.

Methods
We simulated adults with chronic HCV receiving care at US health centers through a lifetime microsimulation across five strategies: (1) no staging or treatment (comparator), (2) indirect serum biomarker testing (Fibrosis-4 index [FIB-4]) only, (3) transient elastography (TE) only, (4) staged approach: FIB-4 for all, TE only for intermediate FIB-4 scores (1.45–3.25), and (5) both tests for all. Outcomes included infections cured, cirrhosis cases, liver-related deaths, costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). We used literature-informed loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates and 2021 Medicaid perspective and costs.

Results
FIB-4 alone generated the best clinical outcomes: 87.7% cured, 8.7% developed cirrhosis, and 4.6% had liver-related deaths. TE strategies cured 58.5%–76.6%, 16.8%–29.4% developed cirrhosis, and 11.6%–22.6% had liver-related deaths. All TE strategies yielded worse clinical outcomes at higher costs per QALY than FIB-4 only, which had an ICER of $12 869 per QALY gained compared with no staging or treatment. LTFU drove these findings: TE strategies were only cost-effective with no LTFU. In a point-of-care HCV test-and-treat scenario, treatment without any staging was most clinically and cost-effective.

Conclusions
FIB-4 staging alone resulted in optimal clinical outcomes and was cost-effective. Treatment for chronic HCV should not be delayed while awaiting fibrosis staging with TE.
Performance of LDL-C only compared to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score for screening of familial hypercholesterolaemia: the Austrian experience and literature review
Authors: Ferch Moritz , Galli Lukas , Fellinger Paul , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Sunder-Plassmann Raute , Krychtiuk Konstantin , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Speidl Walter , Winhofer Yvonne 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aims
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a severely underdiagnosed, inherited disease, causing dyslipidaemia and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In order to facilitate screening in a broad clinical spectrum, we aimed to analyse the current yield of routine genetic diagnostics for FH and to evaluate the performance of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score (DLCNS) compared to a single value, the off-treatment LDL-cholesterol exceeding 190 mg/dL.

Methods and results
We investigated all patients that underwent molecular genotyping routinely performed for FH over a 4-year period in two Austrian specialist lipid clinics. Variants reported in FH-causing genes including LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP, and APOE were collected and classified. For clinical classification, the DLCNS was calculated retrospectively and compared to the original scores documented in patient charts. Additionally, a literature review on comparisons of DLCNS to LDL-C was performed. Of 469 patients tested, 21.3% had a disease-causing variant. A median of 3 out of 8 (excluding genotyping results and LDL-C) DLCNS criteria were unavailable. DLCNS was documented in 48% of cases, with significant discrepancies compared to retrospective scoring (P &lt; 0.001). DLCNS did not outperform off-treatment LDL-C alone (Δ = 0.006; P = 0.660), analogously to several reports identified in the literature. A single cut-off of 190 mg/dL LDL-C compared to DLCNS ≥ 6 showed excellent sensitivity (84.9% vs. 53.8%) and acceptable specificity (39.0% vs. 84.1%).

Conclusion
Missing criteria and severe discrepancies observed between retrospective and on-site scoring by treating physicians were highly prevalent, confirming limited utility of DLCNS in clinical routine and warranting a single off-treatment LDL-C cut-off of 190 mg/dL for enhanced index-case identification.
Stem cell models of TAFAZZIN deficiency reveal novel tissue-specific pathologies in Barth syndrome
Authors: Sniezek Carney Olivia , Harris Kodi W , Wohlfarter Yvonne , Lee Kyuna , Butschek Grant , Anzmann Arianna F , Hamacher-Brady Anne , Keller Markus A , Vernon Hilary J 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare mitochondrial disease caused by pathogenic variants in the gene TAFAZZIN, which leads to abnormal cardiolipin (CL) metabolism on the inner mitochondrial membrane. Although TAFAZZIN is ubiquitously expressed, BTHS involves a complex combination of tissue specific phenotypes including cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal myopathy, and growth delays, with a relatively minimal neurological burden. To understand both the developmental and functional effects of TAZ-deficiency in different tissues, we generated isogenic TAZ knockout (TAZ-KO) and WT cardiomyocytes (CMs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from CRISPR-edited induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In TAZ-KO CMs we discovered evidence of dysregulated mitophagy including dysmorphic mitochondria and mitochondrial cristae, differential expression of key autophagy-associated genes, and an inability of TAZ-deficient CMs to properly initiate stress-induced mitophagy. In TAZ-deficient NPCs we identified novel phenotypes including a reduction in CIV abundance and CIV activity in the CIII2&CIV2 intermediate complex. Interestingly, while CL acyl chain manipulation was unable to alter mitophagy defects in TAZ-KO CMs, we found that linoleic acid or oleic acid supplementation was able to partially restore CIV abundance in TAZ-deficient NPCs. Taken together, our results have implications for understanding the tissue-specific pathology of BTHS and potential for tissue-specific therapeutic targeting. Moreover, our results highlight an emerging role for mitophagy in the cardiac pathophysiology of BTHS and reveal a potential neuron-specific bioenergetic phenotype.
Developing and validating a comprehensive polygenic risk score to enhance keratoconus risk prediction
Authors: He Weixiong , Võsa Urmo , Palumaa Teele , Ong Jue-Sheng , Torres Santiago Diaz , Hewitt Alex W , Mackey David A , Gharahkhani Puya , Esko Tõnu , MacGregor Stuart 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive polygenic risk score (PRS) for keratoconus, enhancing the predictive accuracy for identifying individuals at increased risk, which is crucial for preventing keratoconus-associated visual impairment such as post-Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia. Methods: We applied a multi-trait analysis approach (MTAG) to genome-wide association study data on keratoconus and quantitative keratoconus-related traits and used this to construct PRS models for keratoconus risk using several PRS methodologies. We evaluated the predictive performance of the PRSs in two biobanks: Estonian Biobank (EstBB; 375 keratoconus cases and 17 902 controls) and UK Biobank (UKB: 34 keratoconus cases and 1000 controls). Scores were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) and odds ratios (ORs) for various PRS models. Results: The PRS models demonstrated significant predictive capabilities in EstBB, with the SBayesRC model achieving the highest OR of 2.28 per standard deviation increase in PRS, with a model containing age, sex and PRS showing good predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.72). In UKB, we found that adding the best-performing PRS to a model containing corneal measurements increased the AUC from 0.84 to 0.88 (P = 0.012 for difference), with an OR of 4.26 per standard deviation increase in the PRS. These models showed improved predictive capability compared to previous keratoconus PRS. Conclusion: The PRS models enhanced prediction of keratoconus risk, even with corneal measurements, showing potential for clinical use to identify individuals at high risk of keratoconus, and potentially help reduce the risk of post-LASIK ectasia.
On the Finkelberg–Ginzburg Mirabolic Monodromy Conjecture
Authors: Toledano Laredo Valerio , Walters Robin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
We compute the monodromy of the mirabolic $\mathcal{D}$-module for all values of the parameters $(\vartheta ,c)$ in rank 1 and outside an explicit codimension 2 set of values in ranks 2 and higher. This shows in particular that the Finkelberg–Ginzburg conjecture, which is known to hold for generic values of $(\vartheta ,c)$, fails at special values even in rank 1. Our main tools are Opdam’s shift operators and intertwiners for the extended affine Weyl group, which allow for the resolution of resonances outside the codimension two set.
From Conceptual Misalignment to Reconceptualizing: Demonstrating the Process of Reconceptualization
Authors: Knott Eleanor , Alejandro Audrey 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
In collecting data, analyzing data, or writing up, researchers can find that the concepts they had decided to use and the available concepts in the literature are mismatched with what they seek to explore and/or explain. This misalignment between concepts and observations can create analytical and theoretical blind spots, foreclosing the opportunity to delve deeper into and articulate the specificities and complexities of what they observe. Researchers experiencing such misalignment of concepts need strategies to help them reconceptualize existing concepts, which we hope to provide here to help researchers develop more nuanced and better-adapted concepts that provide more analytical, theoretical, and empirical leverage. This article suggests a four-step process of reconceptualization, a method for developing and iterating the concepts we employ in designing, conducting, and writing up research. This method of reconceptualization addresses a gap in the existing literature on concepts by providing a new, practical, accessible, and pedagogically oriented solution for this problem of misaligned concepts. We illustrate how to implement reconceptualization by working with the concept of “local” and offer two examples of how we reconceptualized this concept in two projects in Dominica and Moldova. We show how, by reconceptualizing an initial concept, we can move forward in developing new and reconceptualized concepts. Hence, this article also offers two concepts: “local-international” and “internationalized local,” that are more attuned to what we observe and richer in their empirical and analytical potential.
Diverging China Strategies in the West: Securitization and the Overlooked Role of Business Interests
Authors: Wu Lunting 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Amidst the current great-power competition and geopolitical tensions, why have western states formulated different strategies towards Beijing? Drawing upon literature on domestic politics and securitization, this article posits that the different China strategies are jointly shaped by, ceteris paribus, (1) whether interdependence with Beijing is anticipated to bring cost or benefit to the interest groups central to the decision-making process and (2) whether securitization of China is high or low in the country. The combination thereof leads to four main types of China strategies: pragmatic detachment, confrontation, business as usual, and distancing. These four strategies are further empirically assessed in a focused, structured comparative case study on Germany, the US, New Zealand, and Romania. Findings from this research support the societal approach of studying international relations in that foreign strategies are more than an automatic response to structural conditions, e.g., interdependence, and are constantly constructed and contested by societal actors within the confines of state-led securitization.
Coastal bacteria and protists assimilate viral carbon and nitrogen
Authors: Martínez Martínez Joaquín , Talmy David , Kimbrel Jeffrey A , Weber Peter K , Mayali Xavier 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Free viruses are the most abundant type of biological particles in the biosphere, but the lack of quantitative knowledge about their consumption by heterotrophic protists and bacterial degradation has hindered the inclusion of virovory in biogeochemical models. Using isotope-labeled viruses added to three independent microcosm experiments with natural microbial communities followed by isotope measurements with single-cell resolution and flow cytometry, we quantified the flux of viral C and N into virovorous protists and bacteria and compared the loss of viruses due to abiotic vs biotic factors. We found that some protists can obtain most of their C and N requirements from viral particles and that viral C and N get incorporated into bacterial biomass. We found that bacteria and protists were responsible for increasing the daily removal rate of viruses by 33% to 85%, respectively, compared to abiotic processes alone. Our laboratory incubation experiments showed that abiotic processes removed roughly 50% of the viruses within a week, and adding biotic processes led to a removal of 83% to 91%. Our data provide direct evidence for the transfer of viral C and N back into the microbial loop through protist grazing and bacterial breakdown, representing a globally significant flux that needs to be investigated further to better understand and predictably model the C and N cycles of the hydrosphere.