bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors for prolonged and escalated perioperative antibiotic therapy after microvascular head and neck reconstruction: a comprehensive analysis of 446 cases
Authors: Schuderer Johannes G. , Hoferer Florian , Eichberger Jonas , Fiedler Mathias , Gessner André , Hitzenbichler Florian , Gottsauner Maximilian , Maurer Michael , Meier Johannes K. , Reichert Torsten E. , Ettl Tobias 
Published: October 2024

AbstractLiterature suggests that intravenous prophylaxis exceeding 48 h offers no additional benefit in preventing surgical site infections (SSI) in patients with microvascular head and neck reconstruction. However, protocols for antibiotic therapy duration post-reconstruction are not standardized. This study identifies factors predicting prolonged intravenous antibiotic use and antibiotic escalation in patients receiving free flap head neck reconstruction. A retrospective analysis of 446 patients receiving free flap reconstruction was conducted, examining predictors for antibiotic therapy > 10 days and postoperative escalation. 111 patients (24.8%) experienced escalation, while 159 patients (35.6%) received prolonged therapy. Multivariate regression analysis revealed predictors for escalation: microvascular bone reconstruction (p = 0.008, OR = 2.0), clinically suspected SSI (p < 0.001, OR = 5.4), culture-positive SSI (p = 0.03, OR = 2.9), extended ICU stay (p = 0.01, OR = 1.1) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (p = 0.01, OR = 5.9). Prolonged therapy was associated with bone reconstruction (p = 0.06, OR = 2.0), preoperative irradiation (p = 0.001, OR = 1.9) and culture-positive SSI (p < 0.001, OR = 3.5). The study concludes that SSIs are a primary factor driving the escalation of perioperative antibiotic use. Clinical suspicion of infection often necessitates escalation, even in the absence of confirmed microbiological evidence. Microvascular bone reconstruction was a significant predictor for both the escalation and extension of antibiotic therapy beyond 10 days. Furthermore, preoperative radiation therapy, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and prolonged ICU stay were associated with an increased likelihood of escalation, resulting in significantly extended antibiotic administration during hospitalization. Antibiotic stewardship programmes must be implemented to reduce postoperative antibiotic administration time.Trial registration The study was registered approved by the local Ethics Committee (Nr: 18-1131-104).
A series of cases of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy with negative bone scintigraphy but a confirmed positive endomyocardial biopsy
Authors: Fraix Antoine , Itti Emmanuel , Zaroui Amira , Kharoubi Mounira , Poullot Elsa , Lerman Lionel , Guendouz Soulef , Huttin Olivier , Damy Thibaud , Galat Arnault 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Bone scintigraphy (BS) is established as an accurate, non-invasive method for the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). In a real-life setting, however, some patients with no cardiac uptake on BS turn out to have cardiac-biopsy-confirmed ATTR-CM. We retrospectively included all patients diagnosed at the French Referral Center for ATTR-CM and who had data for BS and a cardiac biopsy.

Results
Of 271 patients with positive cardiac biopsy, 14 (5%) had no cardiac uptake on 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate BS. Cardiac uptake was found in four of the seven patients who had a second BS assessment with 99mTc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD). A retrospective review of the BS data found low cardiac uptake in four patients (two with HMDP and two with both radiotracers). Ultimately, six of the 14 patients with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of ATTR-CM did not show any cardiac radiotracer uptake.

Conclusions
An endomyocardial biopsy may be necessary for confirming the diagnosis of ATTR-CM in patients with clinical and imaging signs of cardiac amyloidosis but no cardiac radiotracer uptake in BS.
Comparison of 75 mg versus 150 mg aspirin for the prevention of preterm preeclampsia in high-risk women at a tertiary level hospital: study protocol for a randomized double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Saxena Upma , Lachyan Abhishek , Goyal Chanchal , Kapoor Garima , Agarwal Kavita , Prasad Sidarrth 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) pose significant risks to maternal and fetal health, with substantial mortality and morbidity rates globally, particularly in developing countries. Pre-eclampsia (PE) accounts for a notable portion of maternal morbidity and mortality, with varied prevalence across regions within countries like India. Despite advancements, disparities in healthcare access persist, influencing outcomes. PE not only affects maternal health during pregnancy but also predisposes women to long-term cardiovascular complications, emphasizing the need for early screening and preventive measures.

Methods
This prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 75 mg versus 150 mg aspirin for preventing preterm pre-eclampsia in high-risk women. Screen-positive women aged 18–45 years with singleton pregnancies between 12 and 16 weeks of gestational age will be enrolled. They will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 75 mg or 150 mg of aspirin nightly until 37 weeks of pregnancy or earlier if preterm pre-eclampsia develops. Feto-maternal outcomes, including preterm pre-eclampsia incidence and neonatal and maternal complications, will be assessed. The sample size calculation based on expected proportions of preterm pre-eclampsia in both groups indicates a total of 370 participants (185 per group) accounting for 20% attrition.

Discussion
This prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of two doses of aspirin (75 mg vs 150 mg) in preventing preterm pre-eclampsia in high-risk women. The potential implications of this study are significant, including the optimization of aspirin prophylaxis, the development of evidence-based guidelines, and comprehensive assessment of maternal and fetal outcomes. In conclusion, the results of this study have the potential to significantly impact clinical practice by enhancing maternal and perinatal health outcomes and contributing to evidence-based obstetric care.

Trial registration
Clinical Trials Registry-India CTRI/2023/12/060983. Trial was registered prospectively on 29 December 2023. Acknowledgement Number REF/2023/12/076358. https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:15870322-f1f4-4460-900c-6e056ab83a44.
Engineered reduction of S-adenosylmethionine alters lignin in sorghum
Authors: Tian Yang , Gao Yu , Turumtay Halbay , Turumtay Emine Akyuz , Chai Yen Ning , Choudhary Hemant , Park Joon-Hyun , Wu Chuan-Yin , De Ben Christopher M. , Dalton Jutta , Louie Katherine B. , Harwood Thomas , Chin Dylan , Vuu Khanh M. , Bowen Benjamin P. , Shih Patrick M. , Baidoo Edward E. K. , Northen Trent R. , Simmons Blake A. , Hutmacher Robert , Atim Jackie , Putnam Daniel H. , Scown Corinne D. , Mortimer Jenny C. , Scheller Henrik V. , Eudes Aymerick 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Lignin is an aromatic polymer deposited in secondary cell walls of higher plants to provide strength, rigidity, and hydrophobicity to vascular tissues. Due to its interconnections with cell wall polysaccharides, lignin plays important roles during plant growth and defense, but also has a negative impact on industrial processes aimed at obtaining monosaccharides from plant biomass. Engineering lignin offers a solution to this issue. For example, previous work showed that heterologous expression of a coliphage S-adenosylmethionine hydrolase (AdoMetase) was an effective approach to reduce lignin in the model plant Arabidopsis. The efficacy of this engineering strategy remains to be evaluated in bioenergy crops.

Results
We studied the impact of expressing AdoMetase on lignin synthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Lignin content, monomer composition, and size, as well as biomass saccharification efficiency were determined in transgenic sorghum lines. The transcriptome and metabolome were analyzed in stems at three developmental stages. Plant growth and biomass composition was further evaluated under field conditions. Results evidenced that lignin was reduced by 18% in the best transgenic line, presumably due to reduced activity of the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent O-methyltransferases involved in lignin synthesis. The modified sorghum features altered lignin monomer composition and increased lignin molecular weights. The degree of methylation of glucuronic acid on xylan was reduced. These changes enabled a ~20% increase in glucose yield after biomass pretreatment and saccharification compared to wild type. RNA-seq and untargeted metabolomic analyses evidenced some pleiotropic effects associated with AdoMetase expression. The transgenic sorghum showed developmental delay and reduced biomass yields at harvest, especially under field growing conditions.

Conclusions
The expression of AdoMetase represents an effective lignin engineering approach in sorghum. However, considering that this strategy potentially impacts multiple S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases, adequate promoters for fine-tuning AdoMetase expression will be needed to mitigate yield penalty.
The outer membrane protein, OMP71, of Riemerella anatipestifer, mediates adhesion and virulence by binding to CD46 in ducks
Authors: Wang Yanhua , Li Sen , Ning Congran , Yang Rongkun , Wu Yaxin , Cheng Xu , Xu Jike , Wang Yi , Liu Fei , Zhang Yang , Hu Sishun , Xiao Yuncai , Li Zili , Zhou Zutao 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Riemerella anatipestifer bacterium is known to cause infectious serositis in ducklings. Moreover, its adherence to the host’s respiratory mucosa is a critical step in pathogenesis. Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) is a complement regulatory factor on the surface of eukaryotic cell membranes. Bacteria have been found to bind to this protein on host cells. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are necessary for adhesion, colonisation, and pathogenicity of Gram-negative bacteria; however, the mechanism by which R. anatipestifer adheres to duck cells remains unclear. In this study, pull-down assays and LC–MS/MS identified eleven OMPs interacting with duck CD46 (dCD46), with OMP71 exhibiting the strongest binding. The ability of an omp71 gene deletion strain to bind dCD46 is weaker than that of the wild-type strain, suggesting that this interaction is important. Further evidence of this interaction was obtained by synthesising OMP71 using an Escherichia coli recombinant protein expression system. Adhesion and invasion assays and protein and antibody blocking assays confirmed that OMP71 promoted the R. anatipestifer YM strain (RA-YM) adhesion to duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) by binding to CD46. Tests of the pathogenicity of a Δomp71 mutant strain of RA-YM on ducks compared to the wild-type parent supported the hypothesis that OMP71 was a key virulence factor of RA-YM. In summary, the finding that R. anatipestifer exploits CD46 to bind to host cells via OMP71 increases our understanding of the molecular mechanism of R. anatipestifer invasion. The finding suggests potential targets for preventing and treating diseases related to R. anatipestifer infection.
Optimizing fertilizer use by providing soil quality information: experimental evidence from Madagascar
Authors: Ozaki Ryosuke , Tsujimoto Yasuhiro , Andriamananjara Andry , Rakotonindrina Hobimiarantsoa , Sakurai Takeshi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Improving food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) requires increasing agricultural productivity. The increased and effective use of chemical fertilizers is widely recognized as one of the key strategies for achieving this goal. However, many smallholder farmers in SSA still grow crops without using fertilizer, and even when they do use fertilizer, the amount applied is often less than the recommended level. In addition to various constraints related to input markets and farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, uncertainty about crop yield response is known to discourage fertilizer use. The purpose of this study was to investigate how site-specific information on soil characteristics can help farmers optimize their fertilizer application decisions by reducing uncertainty in yield response. Our unique approach uses simple binary information about the expected effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizer based on a single soil parameter.

Methodology
The simple binary information was generated for a focal rice plot of each 70 household. Based on the evaluation of oxalate-extractable phosphorus content in the soil composites collected from each of these plots, each plot was categorized into either high or low in terms of the expected effectiveness of nitrogen application. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to estimate the impact of providing this simple binary information primarily on nitrogen application rate and, consequently, on rice yield and income at plot-level and household-level.

Results
The results showed that first, compared to those in the target plots of the control households, the nitrogen application rate was greater in the target plots of the treatment households who were informed of the high expected effectiveness. Second, information that the expected effectiveness was high increased the amount of nitrogen fertilizer in the target plot compared to that in other plots with no information about expected effectiveness within a household. Third, this change in fertilizer allocation led to higher rice yields and higher rice incomes at the household level.

Conclusions
These results highlight how the binary information about the expected effectiveness with a single soil parameter can improve fertilizer allocation among rice plots and its use efficiency to increase rice productivity and income.
Investigating the impact of gamification components on online learners’ engagement
Authors: Meng Chen , Zhao Mengyuan , Pan Zilong , Pan Qianqian , Bonk Curtis J. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAs online learning and teaching are becoming an educational trend, online students’ engagement will directly impact the learning and teaching effects and outcomes. A scientific application of gamification in online learning, teaching, and online course design will improve online learners’ learning experience and help build a better virtual learning context for online learners worldwide. This study focuses on how gamification can engage online students from skills, emotional, participation, and performance perspectives. The gamification components investigated in this study are Points (also called Anar Seeds in the context of this study) and Badges, the most widely used components in gamification design in education, and online instructors have primarily used them to motivate students’ learning and acknowledge their achievements by timely rewarding specific learning behavior or performance. A mixed method has been applied to explore further the relationships between gamification components and online students’ engagement and how online students perceive the impacts of gamification on their online learning experience. The findings show a significant correlation between Points and online students’ skills, emotional, participation, and performance engagement, while it exists only between Badges and online students’ participation engagement. The findings also reveal mixed perceptions of online students towards gamification. Study limitations regarding lack of age criterion, limited measurement indicators, and oversimplification of survey responses have also been discussed. It is suggested that future research can be conducted from either the instructors’ or the gamification designers’ perspectives to determine any other factors that might contribute to the implementation of gamification in the online learning context.
Highly efficient synthesis of the chiral ACE inhibitor intermediate (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate ethyl ester via engineered bi-enzyme coupled systems
Authors: Dai Yanmei , Wang Jinmei , Tao Zijuan , Luo Liangli , Huang Changshun , Liu Bo , Shi Hanbing , Tang Lan , Ou Zhimin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract(R)-2-Hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid ethyl ester ((R)-HPBE) is an essential chiral intermediate in the synthesis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Its production involves the highly selective asymmetric reduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate (OPBE), catalyzed by carbonyl reductase (CpCR), with efficient cofactor regeneration playing a crucial role. In this study, an in-situ coenzyme regeneration system was developed by coupling carbonyl reductase (CpCR) with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), resulting in the construction of five recombinant strains capable of NADPH regeneration. Among these, the recombinant strain E. coli BL21-pETDuet-1-GDH-L-CpCR, where CpCR is fused to the C-terminus of GDH, demonstrated the highest catalytic activity. This strain exhibited an enzyme activity of 69.78 U/mg and achieved a conversion rate of 98.3%, with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 99.9% during the conversion of 30 mM OPBE to (R)-HPBE. High-density fermentation further enhanced enzyme yield, achieving an enzyme activity of 1960 U/mL in the fermentation broth, which is 16.2 times higher than the volumetric activity obtained from shake flask fermentation. Additionally, the implementation of a substrate feeding strategy enabled continuous processing, allowing the strain to efficiently convert a final OPBE concentration of 920 mM, producing 912 mM of (R)-HPBE. These findings highlight the system’s improved catalytic efficiency, stability, and scalability, making it highly suitable for industrial-scale biocatalytic production.
Competition between homologous chromosomal DNA and exogenous donor DNA to repair CRISPR/Cas9-induced double-strand breaks in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Forrer Selina , Arentshorst Mark , Koolth Valappil Prajeesh , Visser Jaap , Ram Arthur F. J. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Aspergillus niger is well-known for its high protein secretion capacity and therefore an important cell factory for homologous and heterologous protein production. The use of a strong promoter and multiple gene copies are commonly used strategies to increase the gene expression and protein production of the gene of interest (GOI). We recently presented a two-step CRISPR/Cas9-mediated approach in which glucoamylase (glaA) landing sites (GLSs) are introduced at predetermined sites in the genome (step 1), which are subsequently filled with copies of the GOI (step 2) to achieve high expression of the GOI.

Results
Here we show that in a ku70 defective A. niger strain (Δku70), thereby excluding non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) as a mechanism to repair double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs), the chromosomal glaA locus or homologous GLSs can be used to repair Cas9-induced DSBs, thereby competing with the integration of the donor DNA containing the GOI. In the absence of exogenously added donor DNA, the DSBs are repaired with homologous chromosomal DNA located on other chromosomes (inter-chromosomal repair) or, with higher efficiency, by a homologous DNA fragment located on the same chromosome (intra-chromosomal repair). Single copy inter-chromosomal homology-based DNA repair was found to occur in 13–20% of the transformants while 80–87% of the transformants were repaired by exogenously added donor DNA. The efficiency of chromosomal repair was dependent on the copy number of the potential donor DNA sequences in the genome. The presence of five homologous DNA sequences, resulted in an increased number (35–61%) of the transformants repaired by chromosomal DNA. The efficiency of intra-chromosomal homology based DSB repair in the absence of donor DNA was found to be highly preferred (85–90%) over inter-chromosomal repair. Intra-chromosomal repair was also found to be the preferred way of DNA repair in the presence of donor DNA and was found to be locus-dependent.

Conclusion
The awareness that homologous chromosomal DNA repair can compete with donor DNA to repair DSB and thereby affecting the efficiency of multicopy strain construction using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing is an important consideration to take into account in industrial strain design.
Achieving automated and high-precision in situ analysis of the dimensional accuracy and dynamic deformation of 3D-printed surgical templates: an in vitro study
Authors: He Lixing , Qin Bowen , Zhu Rongrong , Liu Yunxian , Xu Boya , Li Zhe , Du Liangzhi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To demonstrate the viability of a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) for the geometric analysis of 3D printed surgical templates.

Methods
The template was designed and modified by adding 18 cylindrical landmarks for CMM test and then classified into five groups according to the slicing software and resins (opaque and transparent): Streamflow-O, Streamflow-T, Shapeware-T, Rayware-T and Polydevs-T (N = 3). Three standing times (0 w, 1 w, and 2 w) were included to observe possible deformation. All the measurements were performed automatically by the CMM through a preset program. The Euclidian distance (dxyz) was regarded as the representation of global dimension accuracy, and displacements in the x-, y-, and z-axes were also calculated.

Results
The average dxyz values of Streamflow-O, Streamflow-T, Shapeware-T, Rayware-T and Polydev-T are 32.6 μm, 31.3 μm, 56.4 μm, 96.4 μm, and 55.3 μm, respectively. Deviations were mainly induced by the upward bending of the free end region (positive direction of the z-axis). Different resins did not have a significant influence on the dimensional accuracy. Moreover, deformation appeared to be negligible after 2 weeks of storage, and the z-axis displacements were only approximately 30 μm at week 1 and 10 μm at week 2.

Conclusions
The deviations of the DLP-printed template are induced mainly by z-axis displacements and are determined by the processing accuracy. After 2 weeks, the dimensional stabilities of these templates are reliable, which is encouraging for clinicians. Moreover, the CMM is preliminarily demonstrated to be a feasible tool for achieving automated geometric analysis of surgical templates.
A cross-sectional survey of prehabilitation among surgeons and anesthesiologists
Authors: Sato Mariko , Ida Mitsuru , Nakatani Shohei , Kawaguchi Masahiko 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Prehabilitation, which includes nutritional and exercise therapies, is recommended for patients before surgery to improve physical and cognitive functions. This study aimed to identify the awareness, understanding, and issues among surgeons and anesthesiologists regarding the implementation of prehabilitation.

Methods
We conducted a survey on prehabilitation targeting surgeons and anesthesiologists working at a university hospital and two private hospitals. The survey collection period was set for 1 month, commencing on February 5, 2024. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the characteristics of the participants.

Results
A total of 254 surgeons and 49 anesthesiologists from three hospitals participated, with a response rate of 61.7%. Regarding the understanding of prehabilitation, 16.7% of anesthesiologists and only 2% of surgeons had a good grasp of its content. When enquired about the necessity of prehabilitation, 100% of anesthesiologists indicated it as necessary or somewhat necessary, whereas 98.7% of surgeons responded similarly. Several barriers to the implementation of prehabilitation were identified, with the most common reason being the busy schedule of outpatient services.

Conclusion
This study highlights that while both surgeons and anesthesiologists recognize the importance of prehabilitation, significant challenges exist in its practical implementation. This underscores the need for simple explanatory tools for patients, the introduction of remote care options, and simple orders to relevant departments, which are essential and require multidisciplinary collaboration.