bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV Symptom Clusters Among Sexual Minority Men in Ghana, West Africa: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Akyirem Samuel , Tong Guangyu , Aidoo-Frimpong Gloria , Abwoye Diana Namumbejja , López Daniel Jacobson , Wilton Leo , Nelson LaRon E. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine if HIV symptoms among sexual minority men formed clusters and to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that are associated with these clusters. We analyzed cross-sectional data from Ghanaian sexual minority men (N = 225) living with HIV. We used both principal component analysis and multivariable linear regression. Our findings indicate that sadness (64.0%) and headache (62.7%) were the most prevalent symptoms among our sample. Seven symptom clusters were identified: neurological symptoms, psychological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, dermatological symptoms, self-concept/self-esteem, weight/diet-related symptoms, and sleepquality and potential disturbances. Late HIV diagnosis was significantly associated with higher distress scores for all symptom clusters except for the self-concept/self-esteem and gastrointestinal symptoms clusters. The findings emphasize the importance of early HIV symptom identification.
Severe sepsis induced by zoledronic acid: A case report
Authors: Liao Lankai , Zhang Ziyu 
Published: August 2024

Rationale:
Zoledronic acid is one of the most commonly used intravenous, highly potent amino diphosphonate salts worldwide and is commonly used in patients with primary or secondary osteoporosis, most of whom are well tolerated. There are currently no reports of severe sepsis induced by zoledronic acid. Here we present the first case of severe sepsis induced by zoledronic acid. We reviewed the literature and found that there is currently a lack of reports on severe sepsis induced by zoledronic acid or other diphosphonates.

Patient concerns:
A 58-year-old woman with severe osteoporosis and Behcet disease developed severe sepsis after treatment with zoledronic acid.

Diagnosis:
Sepsis, septic shock, acute kidney injury, intestinal infection, Behcet disease.

Interventions:
The patient was given intensive care immediately after admission, and massive fluid infusion to expand blood volume could not maintain normal blood pressure. Metaraminol was added to maintain circulatory stability, piperacillin–tazobactam was used to strengthen anti-infection, and glucocorticoids were used for anti-inflammatory treatment.

Outcomes:
The patient was discharged with improvement and followed up in the outpatient clinic.

Lessons:
The inducing mechanism of zoledronic acid is not clear, but when the patient has immunosuppression, the use of zoledronic acid should be cautious and monitored. In conclusion, severe sepsis induced by zoledronic acid is a rare but serious complication, and physicians should be aware of this adverse event in time to avoid serious consequences.
The combined application of pulsed electromagnetic fields and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of early-stage knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Xu Rong-da , Li Jia-hui , Zhang He , Liang Hai-rui , Duan Si-yu , Sun Ming , Wen Hang , Zhou Xue-ting , Liu Han-fei , Cai Zhen-cun 
Published: August 2024

Background:
This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in improving pain and functional mobility among patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We hypothesize that this combined therapy can yield superior treatment outcomes.

Methods:
Based on the different treatment regimens, we divided 48 patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence grades I-III KOA into 3 groups: the PRP group, the PEMFs group, and the PRP + PEMFs group. Each subtype of KOA patients was randomly assigned to different treatment groups. In the PRP group, patients received intra-articular injections of leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma once a month for 3 consecutive months. In the PEMFs group, patients receive low-frequency PEMFs irradiation therapy with a frequency of 30 Hz and intensity of 1.5 mT, once daily, 5 times a week, for a consecutive treatment period of 12 weeks. In the PRP + PEMFs group, patients receive both of the aforementioned treatment protocol. The treatment effects on patients are evaluated at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 post-treatment. Assessment parameters include visual analog scale for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Lequesne Index score, and knee joint range of motion.

Results:
From the 4th to the 12th week of treatment, the visual analog scale scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores, and Lequesne index scores of patients in all 3 groups gradually decreased, while knee joint mobility gradually increased (P < .05). At weeks 4, 8, and 12 after treatment, the PRP combined with PEMFs group showed significantly better scores compared to the PRP group and the PEMFs group, with statistically significant differences (P < .05). A total of 7 patients experienced adverse reactions such as knee joint swelling, low-grade fever, and worsening knee joint pain after treatment, all of which disappeared within 1 week after treatment. The incidence of complications did not differ significantly among the 3 groups (P = .67).

Conclusion:
PRP, PEMFs, and the combination of PRP and PEMFs therapy all effectively alleviate knee joint pain and improve joint function. However, compared to single treatment modalities, the combined therapy of PRP and PEMFs demonstrates more pronounced efficacy.
Common variants of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Guan Min , Wang Yong 
Published: August 2024

Background:
While earlier studies have suggested that variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene could influence the susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC), the results have shown inconsistency. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association of 5 common polymorphisms in VDR, including Taq1 rs731236 (T > C), FokI rs2228570 (C > T), Cdx2 rs11568820 (G > A), BsmI rs1544410 (G > A), and ApaI rs7975232 (G > T) with the risk of GC.

Methods:
A comprehensive search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify relevant studies published until January 2024. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to assess the magnitude of associations.

Results:
Nine studies, with 2837 participants (1215 GC cases and 1622 healthy controls), were eligible. The FokI rs2228570 polymorphism showed a significant correlation with heightened susceptibility to GC under the recessive model (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.06–2.19) and homozygote comparison (TT vs CC; OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.09–2.31). Taq1 rs731236 was also linked to an elevated risk of GC under the same models (recessive OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.14–2.39; homozygote OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.11–2.54). In the sensitivity analysis, when studies not adhering to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were excluded, the relationship between FokI rs2228570 polymorphism and GC disappeared, while the association for Taq1 rs731236 remained consistent. No significant association was identified for BsmI rs1544410, ApaI rs7975232, and Cdx2 rs11568820.

Conclusion:
This study revealed that FokI rs2228570 and Taq1 rs731236 polymorphisms of VDR might be linked to the odds of GC.
Exploring Determinants of Nurse Retention
Authors: Rothbart Kristin , Leddy Jessica , M. Brady Colleen , Kruse Donna K. , Lancaster Rachelle J. 
Published: August 2024

Nurse retention remains a pivotal issue, necessitating urgent strategies aimed at the recruitment and retention of highly qualified nurses. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the influence of nurses’ personal and professional values, along with work environment, on predicting intent to leave an organization. Utilizing a secondary analysis approach, this study employed logistic regression to predict intent to leave among registered nurses (n = 671) using results from the Short Schwartz’s Value Survey, the Nurses Professional Values Scale-3, and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Regression analysis indicates that the work environment including “Participation in Hospital Affairs” (B = −.665, odds ratio = .514), “Nurse Manager Ability, Leadership, and Support” (B = −.448, odds ratio = .639), and “Staffing and Resource Adequacy” (B = −.589, odds ratio = .555) are significant predictors of nurses’ intentions to leave. Establishing and maintaining supportive work environments is essential for retention, highlighting the importance of effective leadership.
Assessment of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Sagittal Craniosynostosis: A Multi-Center Time Series Study
Authors: Prezelski Kayla , Blondin Fernandez Mario S. , Matsumoto Karen , David Lisa R. , Runyan Christopher M. , Patel Kamlesh B. , Kane Alex A. , Hallac Rami R. 
Published: August 2024

Background:
Minimally invasive strip craniectomy is a well-established treatment for sagittal craniosynostosis, however the temporality of change in head shape has not been assessed. In this study, we perform head shape analysis to compare time-series-based clinical outcomes between three different surgical techniques across three academic centers for the treatment of sagittal craniosynostosis.

Methods:
Retrospective, longitudinal 3D images were collected from patients who underwent surgery for the correction of sagittal craniosynostosis for up to 5 years post-operation. The surgical methods studied include spring-assisted craniectomy, narrow-strip craniectomy plus orthotic helmet therapy, and wide-strip craniectomy with biparietal and bitemporal barrel stave wedge osteotomies plus orthotic helmet therapy. Postoperative 3D images were binned into six age groups. Cranial index measurements were calculated on 3D images. 3D whole-head composite images were generated for each procedure to visually represent longitudinal outcomes.

Results:
The median with interquartile range (IQR) CI measurements at 3-5 years postoperative follow up were 75.9 [73.1-78.6] for spring-assisted, 75.9 [75.4-78.5] for narrow-strip, and 79.4 [76.4-81.9] for wide-strip. The wide-strip CI was significanly different from the spring-assissted and narrow strip groups (p < 0.001). Concerning 3D analysis, spring-assisted patients showed normalization of frontal bossing and skull height compared to age-matched controls, while wide-strip patients showed greater correction of occipital bulleting. Narrow-strip patients had intermediate results between these outcomes.

Conclusions:
There was no statistically significant regression in longitudinal CI measurements across the three techniques aimed at treating sagittal craniosynostosis. Longitudinal comparison of 3D head shape outcome demonstrated satisfactory correction of scaphocephalic deformity across all three surgical groups.
Concept design overview: a question of choices and compromise
Authors: Waldon Chris , Muldrew Stuart I. , Keep Jonathan , Verhoeven Roel , Thompson Terry , Kisbey-Ascott Mark 
Published: August 2024

The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme hypothesizes that a compact machine offers a route to reduced capital cost that directly tackles the barrier to entry of this potentially transformative technology. History has shown that with an unsolved, complex and highly interdependent design challenge, there is a need to balance exploration of the problem with progress. Almost all complex systems arise from the evolutionary improvement of simpler systems which is an approach the programme has adopted by working through a virtual natural selection of design families towards a single concept consistent with the initiating hypothesis. Issues are uncovered and solved more rapidly this way because the effort is focused on an end. In this current phase, STEP has had to be an agile fast-moving programme to work with what emerges as well as what was planned, to sit with uncertainty and to embrace self-organizing principles. The complex decision-making and compromises in emerging trades have led to a concept respectful of the tight aspect ratio hypothesis which carefully balances cost, performance and deliverability. It remains a high-risk and high-reward programme, but the character of the challenge is better understood building confidence and enhancing capability to advance the evolving design further.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Delivering Fusion Energy – The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)’.
Resolving the diagnostic odyssey in inherited retinal dystrophies through long-read genome sequencing
Authors: Fabian-Morales Gerardo , Ordoñez-Labastida Vianey , Rowell William J. , Lambert Christine , Fanslow Cairbre , Robertson Alexander , Zenteno Juan C. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundInherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRDs) are visually disabling monogenic diseases with remarkable genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Mutations in more than 300 different genes have been identified as disease causing. Genetic diagnosis of IRDs has been greatly improved thanks to the incorporation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches. However, the current IRD molecular diagnosis yield using NGS is approximately 60% and negative cases can be explained by variants that are not usually identified by the widely used short reads-NGS such as structural variants (SVs) or by variants located in uncovered, low complexity, repetitive, highly homologous, or GC-rich regions. Long-read genome sequencing (LR-GS) is an emerging technology that produces 10-20 kb reads and is expected to overcome short-read sequencing limitations in the clinical context, thus improving the diagnostic yield in heterogeneous diseases as IRDs.ObjectiveTo describe LR-GS utility in 3 unrelated, previously unsolved IRD cases.Material & MethodsLR-GS was performed on 3 probands with IRDs and previous inconclusive genetic testing with NGS (either exome or gene panel sequencing). Whole genome libraries were prepared using SMRTbell® prep kit. Sequencing was performed on the PacBio Revio system.ResultsA definite diagnosis was established in the 3 cases. A homozygous deep intronic variant c.4885+740A>T inUSH2Awas identified in a proband with Usher syndrome; A homozygous intragenic deletion involvingEYSexon 24 was found in a proband with Retinitis pigmentosa. Finally, a proband with Usher syndrome was found to be a compound heterozygous for aUSH2Adeep intronic variant and a multiexonic duplication involvingUSH2Aexons 22-32.ConclusionOur case series show the efficiency in a clinical setting of LR-GS to detect disease-causing variants that were missed by current NGS techniques, improving thus the molecular diagnosis rate in genetically heterogeneous diseases as IRDs
Validation of dementia care-related scales among informal caregivers of Latinos with dementia or mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Perales-Puchalt Jaime , Checa Irene , Espejo Begoña , Martín Carbonell Marta de la C. , Fracachán-Cabrera Mónica , Baker Christina , Ramírez-Mantilla Mariana , Mendez-Asaro Prisca , Zimmer Malissia , Williams Kristine , Allen Greiner K. , Zaudke Jana , Arreaza Hector , Velez-Uribe Idaly , Moore Henry , Sepulveda-Rivera Vanessa , Meyer Kylie , Benton Donna , Kittle Krystal , Gillen Lindsey , Burns Jeffrey M 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo test the psychometric properties of several dementia care-related scales among Latinos in the US.DesignWe leveraged secondary baseline data from a one-arm mHealth trial on dementia caregiver support. We included 100 responses for caregiver-focused scales and 88 responses for care recipient-focused scales. Scales included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire Severity and Distress scales, six-item Zarit Burden Inventory, Ten-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Geriatric Depression Inventory, Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease, and Single-item Satisfaction With Life Scale. We calculated concurrent validity using Pearson and Spearman correlations and expected correlations amongst all variables in line with the Stress Process Framework. We calculated internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsAll concurrent validity correlations followed the expected directionality, with 19/21 inter-scale correlations in the total sample reaching statistical significance (p<0.05), and 17/21 reaching at least a low correlation (0.3). Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.832 to 0.879 in all scales in the total sample.ConclusionThe English and Spanish caregiver-administered scales tested in this manuscript have good psychometric properties.Clinical ImplicationsThe dementia care-related scales are now appropriately available for use among US Latinos in research and clinical contexts.
Priority Setting for Multicenter Research Among Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sarmiento Cristina A. , Gannotti Mary , Cohen Jocelyn , Hurvitz Edward 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPurposeIdentify priorities for adult cerebral palsy (CP) research by engaging individuals with lived experience, clinical investigators, and community leaders.Materials and MethodsQualitative descriptive study using iterative focus groups, followed by inductive thematic analysis. Participants included adults with CP and caregivers, clinical investigators, and community leaders in the CP and disability spaces. We explored research priorities among three research areas identified a priori– bone health, kidney health, and preventive care.ResultsWe conducted four focus groups (20 participants with lived experience; 10 clinical investigators; 9 community leaders). Most participants felt all topic areas were very important, though preventive care emerged as the top priority. We identified three overarching themes that cut across the various research areas discussed: patient and provider knowledge gaps; a precision medicine approach for adult CP care; and the need to address ableism.ConclusionsAdults with CP face unique healthcare needs and risks as they age, and the evidence base to guide their care lags significantly behind. Our study identified preventive care as the top research priority for the adult CP research agenda. Next steps in this line of research should focus on interventions to facilitate primary and preventive care interactions for adults with CP.
CYP76BK1 orthologs catalyze furan and lactone ring formation in clerodane diterpenoids across the mint family
Authors: Schlecht Nicholas J. , Lanier Emily R. , Andersen Trine B. , Brose Julia , Holmes Daniel , Hamberger Björn R. 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARYThe Lamiaceae (mint family) is the largest known source of furanoclerodanes, a subset of clerodane diterpenoids with broad bioactivities including insect antifeedant properties. TheAjugoideaesubfamily, in particular, accumulates significant numbers of structurally related furanoclerodanes. The biosynthetic capacity for formation of these diterpenoids is retained across most Lamiaceae subfamilies, including the early-divergingCallicarpoideaewhich forms a sister clade to the rest of Lamiaceae.VacCYP76BK1, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase fromVitex agnus-castus, was previously found to catalyze the formation of the proposed precursor to furan and lactone-containing labdane diterpenoids. Through transcriptome-guided pathway exploration, we identified orthologs ofVacCYP76BK1inAjuga reptansandCallicarpa americana.Functional characterization demonstrated that both could catalyze the oxidative cyclization of clerodane backbones to yield a furan ring. Subsequent investigation revealed a total of tenCYP76BK1orthologs across six Lamiaceae subfamilies. Through analysis of available chromosome-scale genomes, we identified fourCYP76BK1members as syntelogs within a conserved syntenic block across divergent subfamilies. This suggests an evolutionary lineage that predates the speciation of the Lamiaceae. Functional characterization of theCYP76BK1orthologs affirmed conservation of function, as all catalyzed furan ring formation. Additionally, some orthologs yielded two novel lactone ring moieties. The presence of theCYP76BK1orthologs across Lamiaceae subfamilies closely overlaps with the distribution of reported furanoclerodanes. Together, the activities and distribution of theCYP76BK1orthologs identified here support their central role in furanoclerodane biosynthesis within the Lamiaceae family. Our findings lay the groundwork for biotechnological applications to harness the economic potential of this promising class of compounds.Significance StatementThe discovery and functional characterization ofCYP76BK1orthologs across diverse Lamiaceae subfamilies revealed novel chemistry and their central role in furanoclerodane biosynthesis, providing insights into the metabolic landscape and dynamic evolution of this plant family over approximately 50 million years. These findings pave the way for targeted biosynthetic engineering efforts and the sustainable production of furanoclerodane compounds, offering promising prospects for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.
The archaeal family 3 polyphosphate kinase reveals a function of polyphosphate as energy buffer under low energy charge
Authors: Höfmann Svenja , Schmerling Christian , Stracke Christina , Niemeyer Felix , Schaller Torsten , Snoep Jacky L. , Bräsen Christopher , Siebers Bettina 
Published: August 2024

AbstractInorganic polyphosphate, a linear polymer of orthophosphate residues linked by phosphoanhydride bonds, occurs in all three domains of life and plays a diverse and prominent role in metabolism and cellular regulation. While the polyphosphate metabolism and its physiological significance have been well studied in bacteria and eukaryotes including human, there are only few studies in archaea available so far. In Crenarchaeota including members ofSulfolobaceae, the presence of polyphosphate and degradation via exopolyphosphatase has been reported and there is some evidence for a functional role in metal ion chelation, biofilm formation, adhesion and motility, however, the nature of the crenarchaeal polyphosphate kinase is still unknown. Here we used the crenarchaeal model organismSulfolobus acidocaldariusto study the enzymes involved in polyphosphate synthesis. The two genes annotated as thymidylate kinase (saci_2019andsaci_2020), localized downstream of the exopolyphosphatase, were identified as the missing polyphosphate kinase inS. acidocaldarius(SaPPK3). Thymidylate kinase activity was confirmed for Saci_0893. Notably Saci_2020 showed no polyphosphate kinase activity on its own but served as regulatory subunit (rPPK3) and was able to enhance polyphosphate kinase activity of the catalytically active subunit Saci_2019 (cPPK3). Heteromeric polyphosphate kinase activity is reversible and shows a clear preference for polyP-dependent nucleotide kinase activity, i.e. polyP-dependent formation of ATP from ADP (12.4 U/mg) and to a lower extent of GDP to GTP whereas AMP does not serve as substrate. PPK activity in the direction of ATP-dependent polyP synthesis is rather low (0.25 U/mg); GTP was not used as phosphoryl donor. A combined experimental modelling approach using quantitative31P NMR allowed to follow the reversible enzyme reaction for both ATP and polyP synthesis. PolyP synthesis was only observed when the ATP/ADP ratio was kept high, using an ATP recycling system. In absence of such a recycling system, all incubations with polyP and PPK would reach an equilibrium state with an ATP/ADP ratio between 3 and 4, independent of the initial conditions. Structural and sequence comparisons as well as phylogenetic analysis reveal that theS. acidocaldariusPPK is a member of a new PPK family, named PPK3, within the thymidylate kinase family of the P-loop kinase superfamily, clearly separated from PPK2. Our studies show that polyP, in addition to its function as phosphate storage, has a special importance for the energy homeostasis ofS. acidocaldariusand due to its reversibility serves as energy buffer under low energy charge enabling a quick response to changes in cellular demand.