bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting regulation of leaf gas exchange of semi-arid tree species under repeated drought
Authors: Tarin Tonantzin , Eamus Derek , Santini Nadia S , Nolan Rachael H 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Predicting how plants respond to drought requires an understanding of how physiological mechanisms and drought response strategies occur, as these strategies underlie rates of gas exchange and productivity. We assessed the response of 11 plant traits to repeated experimental droughts in four co-occurring species of central Australia. The main goals of this study were to: (i) compare the response to drought between species; (ii) evaluate whether plants acclimated to repeated drought; and (iii) examine the degree of recovery in leaf gas exchange after cessation of drought. Our four species of study were two tree species and two shrub species, which field studies have shown to occupy different ecohydrological niches. The two tree species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Corymbia opaca (D.J.Carr & S.G.M.Carr) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson) had large reductions in stomatal conductance (gs) values, declining by 90% in the second drought. By contrast, the shrub species (Acacia aptaneura Maslin & J.E.Reid and Hakea macrocarpa A.Cunn. ex R.Br.) had smaller reductions gs in the second drought of 52 and 65%, respectively. Only A. aptaneura showed a physiological acclimatation to drought due to small declines in gs versus ᴪpd (0.08 slope) during repeated droughts, meaning they maintained higher rates of gs compared with plants that only experienced one final drought (0.19 slope). All species in all treatments rapidly recovered leaf gas exchange and leaf mass per area following drought, displaying physiological plasticity to drought exposure. This research refines our understanding of plant physiological responses to recurrent water stress, which has implications for modelling of vegetation, carbon assimilation and water use in semi-arid environments under drought.
Objective Determination of Site-of-Lesion in Auditory Neuropathy
Authors: Zanin Julien , Rance Gary 
Published: September 2024

Objectives:
Auditory neuropathy (AN), a complex hearing disorder, presents challenges in diagnosis and management due to limitations of current diagnostic assessment. This study aims to determine whether diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify the site and severity of lesions in individuals with AN.

Methods:
This case-control study included 10 individuals with AN of different etiologies, 7 individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), 5 individuals with cochlear hearing loss, and 37 control participants. Participants were recruited through the University of Melbourne’s Neuroaudiology Clinic and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute specialist outpatient clinics. Diffusion-weighted MRI data were collected for all participants and the auditory pathways were evaluated using the fixel-based analysis metric of apparent fiber density. Data on each participant’s auditory function were also collected including hearing thresholds, otoacoustic emissions, auditory evoked potentials, and speech-in-noise perceptual ability.

Results:
Analysis of diffusion-weighted MRI showed abnormal white matter fiber density in distinct locations within the auditory system depending on etiology. Compared with controls, individuals with AN due to perinatal oxygen deprivation showed no white matter abnormalities (p > 0.05), those with a neurodegenerative conditions known/predicted to cause VIII cranial nerve axonopathy showed significantly lower white matter fiber density in the vestibulocochlear nerve (p < 0.001), while participants with NF1 showed lower white matter fiber density in the auditory brainstem tracts (p = 0.003). In addition, auditory behavioral measures of speech perception in noise and gap detection were correlated with fiber density results of the VIII nerve.

Conclusions:
Diffusion-weighted MRI reveals different patterns of anatomical abnormality within the auditory system depending on etiology. This technique has the potential to guide management recommendations for individuals with peripheral and central auditory pathway abnormality.
Risk Stratification and Management of Acute Respiratory Failure in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease
Authors: McKenzie Erica D. , Kromm Julie A. , Mobach Theodore , Solverson Kevin , Waite Joshua , Rabinstein Alejandro A. 
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES:
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are the most common causes of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure resulting in ICU admission. This synthetic narrative review summarizes the evidence for the prediction and management of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure due to GBS and MG.

DATA SOURCES:
We searched PubMed for relevant literature and reviewed bibliographies of included articles for additional relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION:
English-language publications were reviewed.

DATA EXTRACTION:
Data regarding study methodology, patient population, evaluation metrics, respiratory interventions, and clinical outcomes were qualitatively assessed.

DATA SYNTHESIS:
No single tool has sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Multimodal assessment, integrating history, examination maneuvers (single breath count, neck flexion strength, bulbar weakness, and paradoxical breathing) and pulmonary function testing are ideal for risk stratification. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score is a validated tool useful for GBS. Noninvasive ventilation can be effective in MG but may not be safe in early GBS. Airway management considerations are similar across both conditions, but dysautonomia in GBS requires specific attention. Extubation failure is common in MG, and early tracheostomy may be beneficial for MG. Prolonged ventilatory support is common, and good functional outcomes may occur even when prolonged ventilation is required.

CONCLUSIONS:
Multimodal assessments integrating several bedside indicators of bulbar and respiratory muscle function can aid in evidence-based risk stratification for respiratory failure among those with neuromuscular disease. Serial evaluations may help establish a patient’s trajectory and to determine timing of respiratory intervention.
CT angiography for TAVI planning: Image quality with constant and variable contrast injection rates
Authors: He Chunyan , Lu Lixin , Che Zurui , Huang Lu , Lu Ming , Ou Yuan 
Published: September 2024

Background:
To assess the image quality of computed tomography angiography (CTA) with variable-rate and constant-rate contrast injection protocols for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) planning.

Methods:
Ninety-seven patients undergoing 256-row multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for TAVI planning were included. A variable-rate contrast injection protocol was employed for 46 patients (study group), while 51 patients underwent a standard constant-rate contrast injection protocol (control group). Objective image quality metrics, including CT value, standard deviation (SD), beam hardening artifact (BHA), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), were evaluated for the right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), right atrium (RA), and aorta. Subjective image quality, including diagnostic image quality and visualization of the aorta and major coronary artery branches, was assessed by two radiologists.

Results:
There were no significant differences in CT values between the study and control groups for RCA, LAD, LCX, RA, and aorta. Coronary artery SD in the study group was significantly lower than in the control group (39.77 ± 8.00 vs. 65.06 ± 18.09, P < 0.01). Coronary artery and aorta SNR in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01 for both). Coronary artery CNR in the study group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.01), while aorta CNR did not differ significantly between groups. Subjective image quality scores for coronary artery visualization were significantly higher in the study group (3.98 ± 0.71 vs. 3.41 ± 0.68, P = 0.021, ICC = 0.87).

Conclusion:
Compared to the standard CTA protocol, the variable-rate contrast injection protocol reduces hardening artifacts and provides high-quality images for accurate TAVI planning.
Pain mechanistic networks: the development using supervised multivariate data analysis and implications for chronic pain
Authors: Giordano Rocco , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Gerra Maria Carla , Kappel Andreas , Østergaard Svend Erik , Capriotti Camila , Dallabona Cristina , Petersen Kristian Kjær-Staal 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Chronic postoperative pain is present in approximately 20% of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Studies indicate that pain mechanisms are associated with development and maintenance of chronic postoperative pain. The current study assessed pain sensitivity, inflammation, microRNAs, and psychological factors and combined these in a network to describe chronic postoperative pain. This study involved 75 patients with and without chronic postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty. Clinical pain intensity, Oxford Knee Score, and pain catastrophizing were assessed as clinical parameters. Quantitative sensory testing was assessed to evaluate pain sensitivity and microRNAs, and inflammatory markers were likewise analyzed. Supervised multivariate data analysis with “Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker Discovery” using Latent cOmponents (DIABLO) was used to describe the chronic postoperative pain intensity. Two DIABLO models were constructed by dividing the patients into 3 groups or 2 defined by clinical pain intensities. Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent cOmponents model explained chronic postoperative pain and identified factors involved in pain mechanistic networks among assessments included in the analysis. Developing models of 3 or 2 patient groups using the assessments and the networks could explain 81% and 69% of the variability in clinical postoperative pain intensity. The reduction of the number of parameters stabilized the models and reduced the explanatory value to 69% and 51%. This is the first study to use the DIABLO model for chronic postoperative pain and to demonstrate how different pain mechanisms form a pain mechanistic network. The complex model explained 81% of the variability of clinical pain intensity, whereas the less complex model explained 51% of the variability of clinical pain intensity.
Early removal of transorbital penetrating traumatic brain injury by a wooden object: a case report
Authors: Regmi Parbatraj , Dahal Alok , Bhattrai Samiksha , Nandan Khadga Shambhu , Regmi Sagar Mani , Paudyal Aliza 
Published: September 2024

Introduction and importance:
Transorbital penetrating traumatic brain injury (TPTBI) is a rare cause of penetrating head injury, yet the diagnoses can be overlooked in some cases due to incomplete history, trivial trauma, and the absence of immediate neurologic deficits.

Case presentation:
A 4-year-old male child was admitted with a diagnosis of TPTBI by a wooden object. Noncontrast enhanced CT scan revealed a linear hypodense structure extending from the superior wall of the right orbit into the frontal lobe with displaced fragments into the brain. Additionally, cerebral contusion, pneumocephalus, and hematoma with surrounding edema were seen in the frontal lobe. Early extraction of the foreign body was performed by a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and ophthalmologists. The wooden fragment of size 10 cm×1 cm×1 cm was removed by a small mini-craniotomy of the right frontal supraorbital bone with the gentle pulling of it through the dura mater and frontal cortex. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, vision was restored, and there were no neurologic deficits at the time of discharge on the seventh postoperative day with good postoperative outcomes.

Clinical discussion:
Delayed removal of TPTBI may be complicated by misidentification of entry points, extensive scarring around the foreign body, adherence to the intracranial vessels, and increasing mortality due to infectious complications. Therefore, early exploration with the help of a multidisciplinary team will most likely result in successful debridement, good neurologic outcomes, and lower morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion:
Accurate diagnosis and early intervention for TPTBI may prevent possible infectious and neurologic complications.
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Duplicate Inflammatory Marker Use
Authors: Bakkum Kathryn E. , Stoner Kathy H. , Gannon David A. , Mike Thomas B. , Rajbhandari Prabi 
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Inflammatory markers (IMs) are often ordered in multiples, even though evidence suggests that this does not add any clinical benefit. The project aimed to reduce the number of duplicate IMs for patients by 10% in 12 months.

Methods:
We implemented a quality improvement (QI) project at our hospital, focusing on patients admitted to the pediatric hospital medicine service. The team chose the model for improvement as the QI methodology. Key interventions included ongoing provider education, integrating the project into the physician incentive plan, and reviewing disease-specific pathways. The primary outcome measure was “duplicate IM use,” which was defined as any two or more IMs (procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate) obtained on the same patient within 24 hours. The secondary outcome measure was any IM use during their stay, and the balancing measures were average complete blood count use, hospital length of stay, and 7-day readmission rate.

Results:
The baseline duplicate IM use, and any IM use was 43% and 19%, respectively. After the start of this QI project, duplicate IM use decreased to 12%, and the use of any IM also decreased to 12%. Complete blood count use varied from 11% to 24% during the project without obvious correlation to IM use. Hospital length of stay decreased from 2.5 to 2.6 days, and the 7-day readmission rate remained at 2.8%.

Conclusions:
The duplicate IM use and IM use were decreased without a concurrent increase in the balancing measures, indicating that a safe reduction of IM testing is feasible in inpatient pediatric care.
Social Vulnerability and Receipt of Guideline-Concordant Care among Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chan Kelley , Palis Bryan E , Cotler Joseph H , Janczewski Lauren M , Weigel Ronald J , Ko Clifford Y , Bentrem David J 
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:
Cancer outcome disparities have been reported in highly vulnerable communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of social vulnerability with receipt of guideline-concordant care (GCC) and mortality risk for patients with colorectal cancer.

STUDY DESIGN:
This retrospective observational study identified patients with stage I to III colon or stage II to III rectal cancer between 2018 and 2020 from the National Program of Cancer Registries Database. Data were merged with the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) at the county level. GCC was defined as stage-appropriate lymphadenectomy, radiation therapy, or systemic therapy. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression investigated associations of SVI, as a continuous and categorical variable stratified into quartiles, with GCC and 3-year cancer-specific mortality risk, respectively.

RESULTS:
Among 124,950 patients (colon, 102,399; rectal, 22,551), median SVI was 60.9 (interquartile range 35.0 to 79.5). Patients in the highest SVI quartile had 21% decreased odds of receiving GCC (95% CI 0.76 to 0.83). Treatment at Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited hospitals was associated with increased GCC (odds ratio 1.79; 95% CI 1.72 to 1.85). Although there was an inverse, decreasing association between SVI and probability of GCC, probability at non-CoC-accredited hospitals declined faster than at CoC-accredited hospitals (p < 0.05). After adjusting for receipt of GCC, highly vulnerable patients treated at CoC-accredited hospitals had decreased mortality risk (hazard ratio 0.91; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS:
For highly vulnerable patients, treatment at CoC-accredited hospitals was associated with increased receipt of GCC and decreased mortality risk, which may reflect CoC accreditation requirements for treatment guideline adherence, community engagement, and addressing barriers to care.
Structural and immunological characterization of the H3 influenza hemagglutinin during antigenic drift
Authors: de Paiva Froes Rocha Rebeca , Tomris Ilhan , Bowman Charles A. , Stevens Emma , Kantorow Jason , Peng Weiwei , Oeverdieck Svearike , Ferguson James A. , Jung Diana D. , Herfst Sander , Snijder Joost , Chakraborty Srirupa , de la Peña Alba Torrents , Berndsen Zachary T. , de Vries Robert P. , Ward Andrew B. 
Published: September 2024

SummaryThe quest for a universal influenza vaccine holds great promise for mitigating the global burden of influenza-related morbidity and mortality. However, challenges persist in identifying conserved epitopes capable of inducing protection. In this study, we explore the influence of glycan evolution on H3 hemagglutinin from 1968 to present day and its impacts on antigenicity and immunogenicity. We observe that the appearance of potential N-linked glycosylation sites in Sing/16 hemagglutinin head domain reduces the binding of broadly neutralizing antibodies and shifts the polyclonal immune response upon vaccination to target the stem. Furthermore, structural characterization of HK/68 and Sing/16 by cryo-electron microscopy shows that while HK/68 is resistant to enzymatic deglycosylation, removal of glycans destabilizes the hyperglycosylated head and membrane-proximal region in Sing/16. These insights expand our understanding of glycans beyond their role in protein folding and highlight the interplay among glycan integration and immune recognition to design a universal influenza vaccine.
NMI induces chemokine release and recruits neutrophils through the activation of NF-κB pathway
Authors: Chen Zhenxing , Yao Yongjie , Peng Yuzhou , Weng Zhuangfeng , Liu Yingfang , Xu Na 
Published: September 2024

AbstractNeutrophils are essential components of the innate immune system, playing a pivotal role in immune responses. These cells rapidly migrate to sites of inflammation or tissue injury, facilitating pathogen clearance and tissue repair. The chemotactic signaling network regulating neutrophil recruitment is complex and not fully understood, particularly regarding damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In our previous research, we identified NMI as a DAMP that activates dendritic cells and macrophages, amplifying inflammatory responses and contributing to both acute and chronic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the role of NMI in neutrophil recruitment. We purified and characterized a recombinant murine NMI protein, ensuring endotoxin removal while preserving biological activity. In vivo experiments demonstrated that NMI enhances neutrophil recruitment in both a murine air pouch model and an acute peritonitis model, mediated by macrophage-derived chemokines. In vitro assays revealed a concentration-dependent increase in neutrophil migration induced by NMI, facilitated by chemokine secretion and subsequent migration through the CXCR2 receptor. Importantly, we established that NMI activates chemokine expression via the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of NMI-induced neutrophil migration, enhancing our understanding of neutrophil recruitment during inflammation.
Enhancing timber traceability via multielement and strontium isotope ratio: An example from the Eastern Alps
Authors: Aguzzoni Agnese , Giammarchi Francesco , Mundo Ignacio A. , Voto Giulio , Tonon Giustino , Tirler Werner , Tomelleri Enrico 
Published: September 2024

AbstractInternational timber trading is subject to rigorous certification schemes that require the disclosure of essential information, including the tree species and geographic origin of the timber in question. Regrettably, the lack of readily accessible forensic tools to verify compliance has facilitated the proliferation of illegal timber trading, with dramatic consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of a multichemical approach based on the multielement and strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) ratio analysis combined with chemometrics to test sample recognition according to their species and geographic origin. The sampling area covered a portion of the Eastern Alpine region, which is characterised by a significant economic reliance on wood. The study focused on three representative species from local forests: Norway spruce, European larch, and Swiss stone pine. Samples were characterised from stands grown on diverse bedrock types. Our findings revealed a strikingly consistent variation in the multielement profiles across different species, thereby enabling flawless sample recognition. Considering the geographic origin, the87Sr/86Sr ratio proved to be a pivotal parameter, by virtue of its correlation with the geo-lithological composition of the growing area. Combining the chemical markers, an accurate sample classification based on multiple decision trees was attained, even comparing forest stands grown on the same bedrock type. These findings offer novel insights into the utilisation of chemical markers in provenancing and authenticity studies, thereby enhancing the adoption of integrated approaches to counteract illegal timber trade.
Bundle sheath cell-dependent chloroplast movement in mesophyll cells of C4plants analyzed using live leaf-section imaging
Authors: Kato Yuta , Oi Takao , Sato Yoshikatsu , Taniguchi Mitsutaka 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn C4plants, mesophyll (M) chloroplasts aggregate toward bundle sheath (BS) cells in response to environmental stress, which would contribute to C4photosynthetic cycle adjustment between M and BS cells. However, it remains unclear whether mesophyll chloroplast movement is an intercellular response mediated by BS cells. One major challenge to resolving this is the difficulty in observing how M chloroplasts aggregate toward adjacent BS cells due to scattering and absorption of observation light in live-leaf tissues. We established a live leaf-section imaging technique that enables the long-term observation of sections of chemically unfixed leaf blades, with which we quantitatively analyzed M chloroplast movements. Another challenge in clarifying the contribution of BS cells to M chloroplast movement is the selective ablation of BS cells without impairing their function of M cells. To investigate the necessity of BS cells for M chloroplast movement, we developed a method to remove BS cells only based on differences in shape and size between M and BS cells. We also found that chloroplasts in M cells without adjacent BS cell contents did not show typical aggregative movement but showed a light-avoidance response. This indicates that the M chloroplast aggregative movement occurs during communication with BS cells.HighlightWe established live leaf-section imaging to observe individual chloroplast movements in multi-layered cells and found that bundle sheath cells are involved in the aggregative movement of mesophyll chloroplasts.