bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of patient-collected dried blood specimens for HIV-1 viral load testing in South Africa
Authors: Sahu Maitreyi , Schaafsma Torin , Szpiro Adam A. , Van Rooyen Heidi , Asiimwe Stephen , Shahmanesh Maryam , Krows Meighan L. , Sithole Nsika , Van Heerden Alastair , Barnabas Ruanne V. 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
Evaluate the clinical utility of patient-collected dried blood spots (DBS) in measuring HIV-1 viral load (VL) for monitoring antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to provider-collected DBS and blood plasma.

Design:
In a randomized trial of community-based delivery of ART in South Africa, we assessed performance of: DBS specimens compared to plasma, and participant-collected vs. staff-collected DBS specimens, to measure HIV-1 VL.

Methods:
The bioMérieux NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 v2.0 assay was used for VL measurement. From October 2017 to November 2019, we collected 996 pairs of plasma/DBS specimens from 760 participants and 315 pairs of staff-/participant-collected DBS cards from 261 participants. We assessed DBS test sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) using the WHO failure threshold of 1000 copies/ml. Log-transformed VL was compared using concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and mean differences from linear mixed models.

Results:
In a population with 13% detectable VL, DBS VL compared with plasma VL had 91% [95% confidence interval (CI): 86–95] sensitivity, 99% (98–100) specificity, 94% (90–98) PPV, and 99% (98–99) NPV. We observed high agreement between staff-collected DBS VL and plasma VL (CCC: 0.94), and between participant-collected DBS VL and plasma VL (CCC: 0.92). We did not observe a statistically significant difference between participant- and staff-collected DBS VL and correlation was very high (CCC: 0.97).

Conclusions:
VL results from participant-collected DBS are clinically comparable with those collected by clinical staff and using blood plasma. Self-collected DBS has potential for use for ART monitoring outside the clinic.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults With Perinatal HIV After Transfer to Adult Health Care in the Netherlands
Authors: Weijsenfeld Annouschka , van der Knaap Linda , Sattoe Jane , van Staa AnneLoes , Vermont Clementien , Nellen Jeannine F. J. B. , Pajkrt Dasja 
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult people with HIV is lower than that of the general population. Previously, no differences were detected in HRQoL of Dutch children with perinatal HIV (PHIV) compared with norm groups. In this study, we compared HRQoL of PHIV young adults (PHIV-YA, aged 18–30 years) with 2 norm groups, the healthy Dutch YA population and YA with various chronic conditions.

Methods:
Participants received questionnaires on HRQoL, adherence, and demographics. Additional social and health care-related variables were collected from patients' medical files. We explored correlations between HRQoL and demographic characteristics. Effect sizes (ES, Hedges 'g with confidence intervals) were calculated to quantify the difference between PHIV-YA and norm groups.

Results:
Of 81 participants, 53 filled out the questionnaires. Compared with the healthy Dutch YA population, PHIV-YA aged 18–30 years had significantly lower HRQoL scores in the school/work subscale. PHIV-YA aged 26–30 years had significantly lower total, physical and psychosocial HRQoL scores as well. Participants in the older age category had lower HRQoL scores throughout all subcategories as compared with the younger age group. For PHIV-YA aged 18–25 years, lower scores on the school/work subscale were correlated with substance use and being born outside the Netherlands.

Conclusions:
PHIV-YA had low HRQoL scores in school/work functioning compared with the healthy Dutch YA population. The circumstances driving these outcomes are likely to be multidimensional, including HIV infection, social background, and challenges in growing up with a chronic condition.
Content Analysis of the Top 25 Most Cited Articles of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery With ChatGPT-4o
Authors: Durna Yusuf Muhammed , Teki̇n Mustafa Said , Duymaz Yaşar Kemal , Teki̇n Ahmet Mahmut , Bahşi İlhan 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
Since 1990, the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery has been an important resource for clinicians and basic scientists. The journal addresses clinical practice, surgical innovations, and educational issues. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of these articles to clinical practice innovations and surgical procedures by analyzing the content of the 25 most cited articles published in the journal. It also aims to demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence tools in academic content analysis.

Methods:
All articles published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery on June 13, 2024, were searched using the Web of Science Database, and the 25 most cited articles were identified. The full texts of these articles were saved in PDF format and metadata were saved as plain text files. Content analysis of these 25 articles was performed using ChatGPT-4o.

Results:
As a result of the analysis, some articles stood out in terms of clinical importance. It also appeared that ChatGPT could be used to compare multiple articles.

Conclusion:
In this study, the authors analyzed the content of the 25 most cited articles published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery using ChatGPT-4o. These articles were evaluated according to the criteria of innovations in clinical practice and compliance with surgical procedures. This study presents interesting findings in terms of the use of artificial intelligence tools in academic content analysis. The authors thought that this study could be a source of inspiration for future studies.
Dynamic imaging of myelin pathology in physiologically preserved human brain tissue using third harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Meijns Niels R.C. , Blokker Max , Idema Sander , ’t Hart Bert A. , Veta Mitko , Ettema Loes , van Iersel Juliet , Zhang Zhiqing , Schenk Geert J. , Groot Marie Louise , Luchicchi Antonio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMyelin pathology is known to play a central role in disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) among others. Despite this, the pathological mechanisms underlying these conditions are often difficult to unravel. Conventional techniques like immunohistochemistry or dye-based approaches, do not provide a temporal characterization of the pathophysiological aberrations responsible for myelin changes in human specimens. Here, to circumvent this curb, we present a label-free, live-cell imaging approach of myelin using recent advancements in nonlinear harmonic generation microscopy applied to physiologically viable human brain tissue from post-mortem donors. Gray and white matter brain tissue from epilepsy surgery and post-mortem donors was excised. To sustain viability of the specimens for several hours, they were subjected to either acute or organotypic slice culture protocols in artificial cerebral spinal fluid. Imaging was performed using a femtosecond pulsed 1060 nm laser to generate second harmonic generation (SHG) and third harmonic generation (THG) signals directly from myelin and axon-like structures without the need to add any labels. Experiments on acute human brain slices and post-mortem human slice cultures reveal that myelin, along with lipid bodies, are the prime sources of THG signal. We show that tissue viability is maintained over extended periods during THG microscopy, and that prolonged THG imaging is able to detect experimentally induced subtle alterations in myelin morphology. Finally, we provide practical evidence that live-cell imaging of myelin with THG microscopy is a sensitive tool to investigate subtle changes in white matter of neurological donors. Overall, our findings support that nonlinear live-cell imaging is a suitable setup for researching myelin morphology in neurological conditions like MS.
Burning glass effect of water droplets triggers an ER-derived calcium response in the chloroplast stroma ofArabidopsis thalianaleaves
Authors: Kuang Dominic , Romand Shanna , Zvereva Anna S. , Marchesano Bianca Maria Orlando , Buratti Stefano , Zheng Ke , Mylle Evelien , Spetea Cornelia , Damme Daniël Van , Wurzinger Bernhard , Schwarzländer Markus , Teige Markus , Costa Alex , Stael Simon 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPlants require water and light for photosynthesis, but light, when focused by water droplets on leaves, can create high light intensity spots that are harmful to plants. As excessive light intensity can reduce growth or even induce cell death, it is vital for plants to detect and react to changes in light exposure and acclimate to high light stress. Ca2+signaling was previously implicated in high light acclimation. However, the dynamics of free Ca2+concentration in the chloroplast, the primary site of photosynthesis, or in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, where transcription and translation for long-term acclimation occurs, remain unknown. Here we studied the dynamics and mechanism of the Ca2+response to high light exposure. Focusing light through a glass bead to mimic water droplets triggered an increase of the free Ca2+concentration in the chloroplast stroma ofArabidopsis thaliana. This finding was corroborated using established and newly developed genetically encoded calcium indicators, which revealed a biphasic increase in the stromal free Ca2+concentration when exposed to varying intensities and qualities of light. Among photosynthetic by-products, reactive oxygen and lipophilic species in particular, have been implicated in high light stress acclimation. A H2O2signature was induced, albeit with different dynamics than the Ca2+response, while chemical inhibition of the photosynthetic electron transport points towards singlet oxygen as a potential culprit of the high light-induced increase in stromal free Ca2+concentration. The observed dynamics differed from those of a heat-shock induced Ca2+signature, although temperature had a positive effect on the Ca2+response. Based on Ca2+inhibitor treatments and the free Ca2+concentration dynamics, we suggest that the high light-induced stromal Ca2+is derived from the endoplasmic reticulum rather than from the cytoplasm. In conclusion, inspired by the burning glass effect of water droplets on leaves, we uncovered a Ca2+response that implicates a novel mechanism for plants to acclimate to high light stress—a process that will become increasingly relevant in a changing climate.
Neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex that are not modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples are involved in spatial tuning and signaling upcoming choice
Authors: den Bakker Hanna , Kloosterman Fabian 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe hippocampus is known to encode spatial information and reactivate experienced trajectories during sharp-wave ripple events. These events are thought to be key time-points at which information about learned trajectories is transferred to the neocortex for long-term storage. It is unclear, however, how this information may be transferred and integrated in downstream cortical regions. In this study, we performed high-density probe recordings across the full depth of the medial prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampus simultaneously in rats while they were performing a task of spatial navigation. We find that neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex encode spatial information and reliably predict upcoming choice on a maze, and we find that a subset of neurons in the mPFC is modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. However, the neurons that are involved in predicting upcoming choice are not the neurons that are modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. This indicates that the integration of spatial information requires the collaboration of different specialized populations of neurons.
Inter-strain variation in intra-chromosomal rates of recombination inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Matharage Dharani U. , Cutler Riley , Khadgi Anamica , Dapper Amy L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMeiotic recombination results in the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. One consequence of meiotic recombination is the production of novel combination of alleles. Recombination rate varies dramatically within and between species, populations, sexes and individuals. Although, the role of PRDM9 in intra-chromosomal variation in crossovers is extensively studied, variation in recombination rate and the cellular and evolutionary dynamics that influence recombination is not well understood due to the complexity of the recombination landscape, intrinsic variation in recombination, and the limited experimental approaches. Though, there has only been limited research regarding the variation in recombination rates inCaenorhabditis elegans, observations from previous studies bring out the potential ofC. elegansto be a convenient system for studying intra-chromosomal variation in recombination rate that avoid many of the common pitfalls. Therefore, we investigated the variation in intra-chromosomal patterns of recombination rates in two distinct populations ofC. elegansin one of the two high recombination regions of chromosome IV. We used phenotypic fluorescent markers which are inserted in chromosome IV to estimate the recombination rate of the two most genetically distinct strains, N2 and CB4856. We identified statistically significant differences in recombination rate between the two strains, with a 3% higher frequency of recombinant offspring in CB4856 in this focal region. Additionally, we did not find any evidence of sex differences in recombination rate (heterochiasmy). Moreover, we looked at the plasticity of recombination rate in response to stressful conditions in the twoC. elegansstrains. Here we observed a significant decrease in the recombination rate in both strains when exposed to stressful conditions. These results open the door to usingC. elegansto study evolution and genetics of variation in recombination rate.
Accuracy of the National Early Warning Score version 2 (NEWS2) in predicting need for time-critical treatment: Retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Goodacre Steve , Sutton Laura , Fuller Gordon , Trimble Ashleigh , Pilbery Richard 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundInitial emergency department (ED) assessment can use early warning scores to identify and prioritise patients who need time-critical treatment. We aimed to determine the accuracy of the National Early Warning Score version 2 (NEWS2) for predicting the need for time-critical treatment.MethodsWe undertook a single centre retrospective observational cohort study. We randomly selected 4000 adults who attended a tertiary hospital ED in 2022 and had NEWS2 routinely recorded on electronic patient records. The first NEWS2 score and vital signs were extracted from electronic records. Research nurses selected cases that received a potentially time-critical treatment. Two independent clinical experts then determined whether time-critical treatment was or should have been received, using an expert consensus derived list of interventions. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and calculated sensitivity and specified at pre-defined thresholds to evaluate the accuracy of NEWS2 for predicting need for time-critical intervention.ResultsAfter excluding ten patients who received their intervention before NEWS2 recording, 164/3990 (4.1%) needed time-critical treatment and 71/3990 (1.8%) died within seven days. NEWS2 predicted need for time-critical treatment with a c-statistic of 0.807 (95% confidence interval 0.765 to 0.849) and death within seven days with a c-statistic of 0.865 (0.813, 0.917). NEWS2>4 predicted need for time-critical treatment with sensitivity of 0.518 (0.442, 0.593) and positive predictive value of 0.258 (0.213, 0.307). Patients needing emergency surgery, antibiotics for open fractures, insulin infusion, or manipulation of limb-threatening injuries frequently had NEWS2≤4. Patients with NEWS2>4 who did not need time-critical treatment frequently scored three points on NEWS2 for their respiratory rate, conscious level, or receiving supplemental oxygen.ConclusionNEWS2 has modest accuracy for predicting need for time-critical treatment. We have identified time-critical interventions that frequently have low NEWS2 scores and NEWS2 parameters than may overestimate need for time-critical intervention.
Cumulative local recurrence rate is a misleading and non-representative outcome measure for early breast cancer trials
Authors: Vaidya Jayant S , Bulsara Max , Vaidya Uma J , Morgan David , Douek Michael , Bernstein Marcelle , Brew-Graves Chris , Williams Norman R , Tobias Jeffrey S 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn many breast cancer radiotherapy trials, the results are presented in the form of cumulative incidence rates of local recurrence or Kaplan-Meier plots, in which deaths are censored. Censoring - using patients’ length of follow up until the point when they had last been seen alive – is included in the statistical model, under the correct assumption that they will continue to have a risk of developing a local recurrence. Censoring should be non-informative and balanced. However, if shorter follow up is unbalanced between treatments, or if shorter follow up is due to death (from whatever cause), these assumptions and therefore the model is no longer valid. It is therefore ambiguous to statistically ignore deaths when reporting local recurrence, by censoring them. We illustrate, with examples from randomised trials, why and how such graphs cannot give patients and clinicians a clear indication of the effects of treatments or prognosis. For instance, in one of these examples, 60% of patients were alive at 10 years, so those alive without a local recurrence should inevitably be lower than 60%, rather than the 90% estimated using the above method. The simple way to avoid this error is to turn the analysis on its head, by reporting chances of success rather than failure, by reporting the probability of being free of local recurrence (i.e. both death and local recurrence are events). This estimate truly represents what really happens to patients in terms of local control and the relative effectiveness of treatment(s) comprehensively. It also conforms with the recommendations of ICH-GCP, European (DATECAN) and American (STEEP) guidelines.
Insulin-dependence as a Predictor of Shortened Cancer-specific Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Multi-Institutional Study from the United States Neuroendocrine Study Group
Authors: Mirza Muhammad Bilal , Baechle Jordan J , Smith Paula Marincola , Ali Danish , Dillhoff Mary , Poultsides George , Rocha Flavio G. , Cho Clifford S. , Winslow Emily R. , Fields Ryan C. , Maithel Shishir K. , Idrees Kamran 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionPNETs are rare pancreatic malignancies originating from islet cells and exhibit a strong co-occurrence with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), associated with worse survival outcomes. However, studies have yet to delineate the impact of insulin dependent (IDDM) and non -insulin dependent (NIDDM) on poor oncological outcomes.MethodsUtilizing the U.S. Neuroendocrine Tumor Study Group database (1999-2016), we performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent primary surgical resection of PNETs. Patients were categorized based on preoperative diagnosis into non-DM, NIDDM, and IDDM cohorts. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to study cancer-specific survival (CSS). Cox proportional Hazards models were used to assess the impact of IDDM on CSS.ResultsOf the 1,122 patients included in the analysis, 870 (77%) were non-DM, 168 (15%) were NIDDM, and 84 (8%) were IDDM. The groups were similar in tumor stage and grade. However, they differed in sex, BMI, age, ASA class, tumor location, preoperative HbA1c and serum glucose (p-value <0.05). Patients with IDDM had significantly decreased 5-year CSS compared to patients without IDDM (CSS: IDDM 85%, NIDDM 94%, non-DM 93%, NIDDM + non-DM 93%;P<0.01). On multivariate analysis, IDDM was independently associated with worse CSS (HR 2.27, 95% Confidence Interval 1.15-4.45,P=0.02).ConclusionInsulin dependence is associated with worse cancer-specific survival in PNET patients following surgical resection compared to PNET patients with NIDDM or without DM.
Sex and age differences in cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle at the onset of diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study in Spanish Primary Health Care
Authors: Vich-Pérez P , Taulero-Escalera B , García-Espinosa V , Villanova-Cuadra L , Regueiro-Toribio P , Sevilla-Machuca I , Timoner-Aguilera J , Martínez-Grandmontagne M , Abós-Pueyo T , Álvarez-Hernandez-Cañizares C , Reviriego-Jaén G , Serrano-López-Hazas A , Gala-Molina I , Sanz-Pascual M , Salinero-Fort MA 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimsTo describe the main characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in terms of comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors and healthy lifestyle by sex and age group.MethodsA cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study of 681 patients aged >30 years diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the previous 4 years was performed. The patients were treated in primary care centers in Madrid (Spain). The variables were obtained from their electronic medical records, physical examination, complete analysis, and lifestyle questionnaires.ResultsThe main comorbidities were: hypercholesterolemia (64.4%; 95% CI, 60.6-68.2), hypertension (55.2%; 95% CI, 51.3-59.1), obesity (58.9%; 95% CI, 55.2-62.6), metabolic syndrome (58.5%; 95% CI, 54.6-62.5); and hypertriglyceridemia (25.3%; 95% CI, 21.9-28.7). Despite being newly diagnosed, 7.6% (95% CI, 5.4-9.8) had microalbuminuria, and 10.3% (95% CI, 8.0-12.6) cardiovascular disease. The main unhealthy lifestyles were: low physical activity (52%; 95% CI, 48.1-55.9), alcohol consumption (47.7%; 95% CI, 44.0-51.5) and smoking (19.2%; 95% CI, 16.2-22.3). Compared with men, women had more morbid obesity (9.7% vs 4.6%, p=.014), worse lipid profile (total cholesterol: 184 (IQR, 158-207) vs. 165 (IQR, 144-192), p<.01), less treatment with metformin (74.8% vs. 84.4%, p<.01) and antiplatelet agents (8.1% vs.18.6%, p<.01), but women had fewer comorbidities. Patients with a high educational level (OR= 1.90, 95% CI, 1.28-2.81)) and those >60 years (OR= 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01-2.21) were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet, and the older ones did less intense exercise (OR= 0.34, 95% CI, 0.16-0.75). Normal blood pressure was associated with Mediterranean diet (OR= 1.52; 95% CI, 1.05-2.21) and high physical activity (OR= 4.03; 95% CI, 1.69-9.61); and body mass index was inversely associated with physical activity (OR= 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85-0.99).ConclusionsPatients newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus have crucial cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities at the onset of the disease. These can be modified through a healthy lifestyle.