bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Intracranial Infection by Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii After Craniocerebral Surgery
Authors: Xiong Xuan , Xie Yu , Li Bujun , Yin Caixia , Hu Kai 
Published: October 2024

Objective:
The clinical outcome of intracranial infections caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) remains unsatisfactory, even when treated with combined antibiotic therapy. This study successfully cured 1 patient with XDRAB intracranial infection after cranial surgery through a multichannel combination of drugs, providing a reference for the clinical treatment of severe XDRAB intracranial infection.

Methods:
The clinical data of a patient with an XDRAB intracranial infection after a craniocerebral operation were retrospectively analyzed, and the treatment approach for XDRAB intracranial infection was examined.

Results:
Upon the occurrence of XDRAB intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery, the patient was given an intravenous injection of polymyxin B+ tigecycline + amikacin, while intrathecal injection of polymyxin B, and the intracranial infection was controlled and cured.

Conclusions:
Polymyxin B+ tigecycline + amikacin intravenous and intrathecal polymyxin B can benefit XDRAB intracranial infected patients after craniofacial surgery.
Management of Bone Bridge Exposure Using Superficial Temporal Island Flap After Auricle Reconstruction and Bone Bridge Implantation
Authors: Gao Dejin , Ouyang Long , Wang Chenglong , Liu Tun , Chen Qi , Guo Rui , He Bei , Luo Pan , Wang Bingqing , Zhang Qingguo 
Published: October 2024

Background:
Congenital microtia usually lead to impairment of both appearance and hearing especially for patients with bilateral microtia. The simultaneous combination of auricular reconstruction and bone bridge implantation has been proved effective and satisfied with the patients. We retrospectively analyzed this method and the complication of it. We summarized and found the application of superficial temporal island flap for repairing the bone bridge exposure.

Methods:
From January 2017 to December 2020, there were 84 patients who underwent the surgery of auricular reconstruction simultaneously combined with bone bridge implantation in the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. And after 12 months follow-up, we evaluated the postoperative effect and collected data on the patients who had bone bridge exposure. We analyzed the reason of the complication and covered the exposed bone bridge with superficial temporal island flap.

Results:
There were 3 cases (3.6%) of implant exposure and the surgical outcome was satisfactory using the repairment of superficial temporal island flap. All 3 patients were healed in 1-stage surgery, and no further implant exposure occurred after another 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions:
The method of auricular reconstruction simultaneously combined with bone bridge implant is an optional choice for patients with bilateral microtia, and has a low incidence of implant exposure. The superficial temporal island flap could well fill the dead space and increase the wear resistance of the tissue, and the scar was not obvious. We found and summarized a satisfactory method of repairing the implantation exposure using the superficial temporal island flap.

Level of Evidence:
Level IV, cases study.
The Impact of Race and Ethnicity in Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction Postoperative Outcomes: A Nationwide Data Analysis
Authors: Escobar-Domingo Maria J. , Bustos Valeria P. , Mahmoud Amir-Ala , Kim Erin J. , Miller Amitai S. , Foppiani Jose A. , Alvarez Angelica Hernandez , Lin Samuel J. , Lee Bernard T. 
Published: October 2024

Background:
Racial and ethnic disparities have been extensively reported across surgical specialties, highlighting existing healthcare inequities. Nevertheless, evidence is lacking regarding their influence on postoperative outcomes after head and neck reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of race and ethnicity on postoperative complications in head and neck microvascular reconstruction.

Methods:
The ACS-NSQIP database was used to identify patients who underwent head and neck microvascular reconstruction between 2012 and 2022. Baseline characteristics were compared based on race (White, non-White) and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic). Group differences were assessed using t tests and Fisher Exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate postoperative complications between the groups. A Cochran-Armitage test was conducted to evaluate the significance of trends over time.

Results:
A total of 11,373 patients met inclusion criteria. Among them, 9,082 participants reported race, and 9,428 reported ethnicity. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that Hispanic patients were more likely to experience 30-day readmission (OR 6.7; 95% CI, 1.17-38.4; P=0.032) and had an average total length of stay of 5.25 days longer (95% CI, 0.84-9.65; P=0.020) compared with non-Hispanic patients. Additional subgroup analyses revealed higher rates of all readmissions among non-White patients, particularly those indicated by malignancy (OR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4; P=0.002). No significant differences were found in mortality, reoperation rates, and operative times between racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions:
The findings of this study suggest that ethnicity may be a significant risk factor for readmission in head and neck microvascular reconstruction. However, future studies are needed to further clarify the impact of race and ethnicity on longer postoperative outcomes, particularly in head and neck cancer minorities.
A Familiar Working Environment Influences Surgeon’s Stress in the Operating Room
Authors: Awtry Jake A. , Skinner Sarah C. , Pascal Léa , Polazzi Stephanie , Lifante Jean-Christophe , Duclos Antoine ,   TopSurgeons Study Group
Published: October 2024

Objective:
To determine the influence of operating room familiarity on surgeon stress.

Background:
Regulating surgeon stress may improve patient safety. This study evaluated how assisting surgeon and operating room familiarity influence intraoperative heart rate variability among surgeons.

Methods:
Attending surgeons from seven specialties within four university hospitals in France were enrolled from 11/01/20-12/31/21. Vagal tone, an indicator of stress derived from heart rate variability, was assessed during the first five minutes after incision using the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Higher RMSSD values indicate greater vagal tone. Team familiarity was quantified as the cumulative time the attending and assisting surgeons had operated together in the past, while operating rooms in which the surgeon conducted >10% of their operations were termed familiar. The effect of each on the RMSSD was assessed via a linear mixed-effect model adjusting for the random effect of the surgeon and possible confounders.

Results:
Overall, 643 surgeries performed by 37 surgeons were included. Median surgeon age was 49 years, 29(78.4%) were male, and 22(59.5%) were professors. Surgeons spent an average of 21.2 hours with the assisting surgeon prior to surgery and conducted 585(91.0%) of their operations in a familiar operating room. For every 10 additional hours spent operating together, ln(RMSSD) significantly increased by 0.018 (95%CI: 0.003 to 0.033, P=0.016). Familiar operating rooms also tended to increase surgeon ln(RMSSD) [0.098 (95%CI: -0.007 to 0.203, P=0.068)].

Conclusion:
Familiar assisting surgeons, and potentially operating rooms, increased surgeon vagal tone. Maintaining a stable operating room environment may improve surgeon stress and patient care.
Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of lung cancer: Results from a Prospective Study
Authors: Mekonnen Tefera Chane , Melaka Yohannes Adama , Shi Zumin , Gill Tiffany K 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsThere is limited evidence on the link between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and the risk of lung cancer (LC). This study examined the association between UPF and LC risk using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer trial.MethodsThis study involved PLCO participants (n = 96,607, aged ≥ 55 years) who were followed between 1998 and 2009. Food items were categorized based on the NOVA classification. Cox regression models with inverse probability of censoring weighting (IPCW) were utilized to estimate the association between UPF intake and LC risk. The joint effect of UPF and diabetes was explored using additive hazard models to calculate the additional number of LC cases.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 9.4 years, 1,596 incident LC cases were identified. UPF consumption (in %gram/day) showed no significant association with the overall risk of LC. However, adults with diabetes in the highest quintile of UPF intake had a significantly higher risk of LC (HR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.27, 4.67) compared to participants without diabetes. A small excess risk due to the interaction between UPF and diabetes (0.13; 95% CI −0.32, 0.58) was observed, resulting in an additional 201 cases of LC per 105person-years (95% CI: 70, 332) attributed to the highest UPF intake and diabetes interaction. Furthermore, a 10% increment in UPF intake (%kcal/day) increased the risk of LC by 32%.ConclusionsWhile UPF, in terms of weight contribution, is associated with a higher risk of LC in participants with diabetes, UPF (in %kcal/day), is associated with an increased risk of LC in all participants. Lowering UPF intake may help reduce the risk of LC in both diabetic patients and the general population.
Deciphering the role of the nanoscale clustering of activating and costimulatory antibodies on T cell activation
Authors: Le Saux Guillaume , Nowakowski Piotr , Toledo Esti , Tzdaka Sivan , Al-Kader Yassin Abed , Naaz Shagufta , Segal Yuval , Maman Brit , Porgador Angel , Smith Ana-Sunčana , Schvartzman Mark 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn a joint experimental and a modeling effort, we explored the regulation of T cell activation and cytotoxicity by the nanoscale clustering and surface density of activating and costimulatory antibodies. Specifically, we simulated T cells on nanolithographically patterned arrays of clusters of these antibodies, systematically varying the cluster size from intermediate to large and overall antibody density. We found that T-cell activation correlated more with global antibody density than with cluster size, such that at low density arrays were inefficient in activation, while high density arrays saturated the signal. However, when T-cells were exposed to patterns of low global densities but small, very dense clusters, full activation of T cells was achieved. These results could be rationalized using the membrane-fluctuation-model that integrates the cooperative effects between bonds with mechanical feedback from the cell activation. This insight into the spatial organization of activating ligands provides an important understanding of the mechanism of T cell activation and allows for the design of more effective T cell activation platforms for immunotherapy.
Evaluation of scalp-based targeting methods of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy: Electroencephalogram cap, Beam F3, CPC F3, and adjusted Beam F3
Authors: Jiang Yihan , Chen Yuanyuan , Wei Lijiang , Liu Farui , Zheng Zeqing , Zhang Zong , Li Zheng , Tang Yingying , Wang Jijun , Xie Qing , Niu Chuanxin M. , Zhu Chaozhe 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a promising approach for treating depression. Scalp-based targeting methods, including EEG Cap, Beam F3, CPC F3, and adjusted Beam F3, have evolved to improve clinical application.ObejectivesTo evaluate and compare the accuracy, reliability, speed, and training efficacy of these four methods.MethodsThree trained technicians conducted repeated DLPFC targeting measurements on 10 3D-printed head models. Accuracy was assessed by calculating targeting error and electric field strength at the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex anti-correlated peak. Reliability was evaluated through inter- and intra-rater variability, and training efficacy was examined by comparing targeting errors between trained technicians and novices.ResultsCPC F3, Beam F3, and adjusted Beam F3 demonstrated comparable accuracy in terms of electric field strength, but CPC F3 had the lowest targeting error (4.2 mm). CPC F3 also exhibited the highest reliability (inter-rater variability at 3.3 mm, intra-rater variability at 2.3 mm). The EEG cap was the fastest method (80 seconds), while CPC F3 was faster than Beam F3 but slower than EEG Cap. No significant differences in targeting error between trained technicians and novices were noted with CPC F3 and adjusted Beam F3.ConclusionThe comparative analysis of four scalp-based targeting methods provides insights that can enhance clinical decision-making and the practical application. While accuracy among CPC F3, Beam F3, and adjusted Beam F3 was comparable, CPC F3 emerges as highly practical due to its significantly better reliability, training efficacy, moderate speed, and straightforward implementation.
A newly identified pathology of Episodic Angioedema with Hypereosinophilia (Gleich’s Syndrome) revealed by Multi-Omics Analysis
Authors: Koreeda Tatsuya , Muraoka Hirokazu , Sato Yasunori 
Published: October 2024

AbstractEpisodic Angioedema with Eosinophilia (Gleich syndrome) is a rare disease characterized by periodic angioedema, fever, and marked eosinophilia. This study aimed to elucidate the pathogenic factors of severe Gleich syndrome through comprehensive multi-omics analysis, including whole genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A young female patient (age: 16-20 years old) presenting with periodic high fever, extensive urticaria/eczema, and marked eosinophilia was diagnosed with Gleich syndrome. The symptoms were severe, showing no spontaneous remission, but responded to oral steroid therapy with mild resolution. WGS of the patient’s blood identified high-impact pathogenic mutations in 16 genes, including PRDM16. RNA-seq analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with immune response regulation and viral defense. Combined z-score analysis of WGS and RNA-seq data highlighted ACE as a key gene, with its expression significantly downregulated during disease progression and recovered with treatment. IFNG was also identified. The findings suggest that decreased ACE expression, driven by PRDM16 mutations and altered IFNG expression, likely contributed to increased bradykinin levels and activation of the arachidonic acid cascade, resulting in the severe inflammation and angioedema characteristic of Gleich syndrome. This study highlights the utility of integrating WGS and RNA-seq data to uncover the molecular basis of rare diseases and provides a foundation for developing therapeutic strategies for hypereosinophilic syndromes.
Reversible and Noninvasive Modulation of a Historical Surgical Target for Depression with Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Authors: Tsuchiyagaito Aki , Kuplicki Rayus , Misaki Masaya , Edwards Landon S. , Camprodon Joan A. , Fitzgerald Kate D. , Khalsa Sahib S. , Philip Noah S. , Paulus Martin P. , Guinjoan Salvador M. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMajor depressive disorder has a point prevalence of 5% of the world population and is the main cause of disability, with up to a third of patients not responding to first-line treatments. Surgical neuromodulation is offered to only an anecdotal proportion of these patients, because while these methods are curative in some individuals, the proportion of responders rarely exceeds 50%. Recent efforts to establish reliable brain circuit-symptom relationships and thus predict response have involved mapping with multiple intracranial electrodes, but the impracticality of this approach currently prevents its application at scale. In the present study (ClinicalTrials.govidentifierNCT05697172; FDA Q220192) we begin to address this gap by leveraging low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a novel noninvasive technique, to modulate the anterior limb of the internal capsule, which is an established surgical deep white matter target for depression. We based our study on burgeoning in vitro evidence that LIFU attenuates axonal conduction by operating mechanosensitive channels in nodes of Ranvier. Compared with sham stimulus, active LIFU produced a functional disconnection of gray matter hubs reached by the sonicated axonal tracts, an increase in positive emotion, and top-down effects on the cardiovascular autonomic balance. Our results using LIFU of deep-brain white matter tracts in humans open three potential avenues to understand the mechanisms and improve the outcome of depression, namely attaining a personalized definition of brain circuit-symptom relationships, serving as a noninvasive probe for neuromodulation before irreversible procedures in a “try before you buy” approach, and ultimately emerging as a therapeutic intervention itself.
Spring-loaded DNA origami arrays as energy-supplied hardware for modular nanorobots
Authors: Pfeiffer Martina , Cole Fiona , Wang Dongfang , Ke Yonggang , Tinnefeld Philip 
Published: October 2024

SummaryDNA origami nanodevices allow us to mimic cellular functions in a rationally controlled manner. They describe machineries which respond to environmental stimuli by conducting different tasks. To date, this mostly is achieved by constructing conformational two-state switches which upon activation by stimuli change their conformation resulting in the performance of a priorly programmed task. Their applicability however is often limited to a single, specific stimuli – output combination due to their intrinsic properties as two-state systems only. This makes expanding them further to include multiple stimuli/ outputs challenging. Here, we address this problem by introducing reconfigurable DNA origami arrays as a coupled network of two-state systems. We use this network to create a universal design strategy in which different operational units can be incorporated into any two-state system of our nanorobot. The resulting nanorobot is capable of receiving different stimuli, computing the response to the received stimuli using multi-level Boolean logic gating and yielding multiple programmed output operations with controlled order, timing and spatial position. We expect that this strategy will be a crucial step towards further developing DNA origami nanorobots for applications in various technological fields.
The Deubiquitinating Enzyme Otub2 Modulates Pancreatic Beta-Cells Function and Survival
Authors: Oshry Michal , Isaac Roi , Boura-Halfon Sigalit , Sampson Sanford , Lev Sima , Zick Yehiel , Vinik Yaron 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe have previously shown that otubain 2 (OTUB2), a deubiquitinating enzyme, inhibits caspase-3/7 activity in primary human islets; promotes insulin secretion and inhibits cytokine-induced nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) activity. In the present work we show that overexpression of Otub2 in MIN6 cells inhibits NFκB activity and the expression of its target genes MCP-1 and iNOS. Consequently, both the basal and the cytokine-induced apoptosis of cultured MIN6 cells and dispersed human islets were inhibited. Overexpression of Otub2 in MIN6 cells increase the mRNA levels of NKx6.1 and Glut2 and concomitantly increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) (by 2-3-fold). The beneficial effects of Otub2 on β-cell function was demonstrated by the phenotype ofOtub2-/+andOtub2-/-mice, which manifested impaired glucose tolerance and increased expression of NFkB target genes (e.g. IP-10, MCP-1 and IL-1β). RNAseq analysis of pancreata derived from OTUB2 KO mice revealed reduced expression of genes that down regulate K+transporters (e.g.Ank2,Cacna1aandKcnab1)combined with an increase in oxidative phosphorylation related genes. Given that closure of K+channels is crucial for insulin secretion, these results could account, at least in part, for the impaired GSIS in the OTUB2 KO mice. Indeed, mass-spectrometry analysis of proteins co-immunoprecipitated with Otub2 revealed the voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv9.3 as a major Otub2 binding-partner. Additional binding partners included the Peg3 and Camk2d proteins, which promote NFκB signaling and β-cell death. Hence, by deubiquitinating proteins in complexes that contain Peg3 and Camk2d, Otub2 might inhibit propagation of NFκB signaling and β-cell apoptosis. Collectively our findings implicate Otub2 as a key regulator of β cell function, mainly affecting NFkB signaling and the K+channels that regulate insulin secretion.
Capturing Optimal and Suboptimal behavior Of Agents Via Structure Learning Of Their Internal Model
Authors: James Ashwin , Bethus Ingrid , Muzy Alexandre 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study introduces a novel framework for understanding the cognitive underpinnings of individual behavior which often deviates from rational decision-making aimed at maximizing rewards in real-life scenarios. We propose a structure learning approach to infer an agent’s internal model, composed of a learning rule and an internal representation of the environment. Crucially, the combined contribution of these components — rather than their individual contribution — determines the overall optimality of the agent’s behavior. By exploring various combinations of learning rules and environment representations, we identify the most probable agent model structure for each individual. We apply this framework to analyze rats’ learning behavior in a free-choice task within a T-maze with return arms, evaluating different internal models based on optimal and suboptimal learning rules, along with multiple possible representations of the T-maze decision graph. Identifying the most likely agent model structure based on the rats’ behavioral data reveals that slower learning rats employed either a suboptimal or a moderately optimal agent model, whereas fast learners employ an optimal agent model. Using the inferred agent models for each rat, we explore the qualitative differences in their individual learning processes. Policy entropy, derived from the inferred agent models, also highlights variations in the balance between exploration and exploitation strategies among the rats. Traditional reinforcement learning approaches to addressing suboptimal behavior focus separately on either suboptimal learning rules or flawed environment representations. Our approach jointly models these components, revealing that suboptimal decisions can arise from complex interactions between learning rules and environment representations within an agent’s internal model. This provides deeper insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying real-world decision-making.