bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficacy of modified Noel's technique and matrix phenolization on onychocryptosis: a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhou Yuan , Liu Meng‐xi , Liu Zhen‐ru , Wang Xiao‐qing , Li Fang , Wang Da‐guang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundOnychocryptosis is a common pathological condition requiring clinical intervention. Selecting an appropriate and effective treatment based on individual patient circumstances is crucial.MethodsWe compared the efficacy and safety of the modified Noel's technique and matrix phenolization in 107 participants with onychocryptosis. Participants were divided into two groups: 75 nails (73 patients) were treated with the modified Noel's technique (modified Noel's group), while 42 nails (34 patients) were treated with matrix phenolization (Phenol group). Outcomes on clinical cure rates and postoperative complications from both groups were collected. Additionally, the efficacy of the modified Noel's technique was assessed in 31 nails with stage IV onychocryptosis.ResultsAfter 18 months, among the remaining 102 patients (110 nails), the modified Noel's group exhibited fewer complications (5.88% vs. 45.2%, P < 0.001) with similar cure rates (P = 0.62). Furthermore, there was a shorter healing time in the modified Noel's group (13.5 ± 1.4 vs. 27.6 ± 2.3 days, P < 0.001). Postoperative pain was notable in the modified Noel's group on the first postoperative day (P < 0.001), with a significant decrease in the pain score 2 weeks after surgery (P = 0.407). Postoperative nail plate narrowing was observed in the Phenol group (33%). Moreover, the modified Noel's technique achieved a 100% cure rate in stage IV patients.ConclusionsThe modified Noel's technique, offering precise excision of the proliferative nail fold and strategic suturing, is suitable for stage IV patients and for those who find significant aesthetic impact unacceptable following narrowed plate postmatrix phenolization.
Haemodynamic effect of a leg compression bandage on the distal posterior tibial artery using 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging: A quantitative study
Authors: Garrigues‐Ramón Marta , Arca‐Arias Alba , Carrasco‐Ribelles Lucía A. , Barrios Carlos 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe uncertainty concerning the physiological effects of compression bandaging on the peripheral blood flow is a challenge for healthcare professionals. The main objective was to determine the haemodynamic impact on the distal posterior tibial artery after the application of a high‐compression leg multicomponent bandaging system using 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging. Leg dominance disparities of the posterior tibial artery before and after the application of the compressive bandage were also analysed. Twenty‐eight healthy female volunteers were recruited (mean: 25.71, standard deviation: 4.74 years old) through a non‐probability convenience sampling. The 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging of the distal tibial posterior artery was performed in all participants, first under standard resting conditions and after the application of a compression bandage in the leg. When the strong compressive bandage was applied, the area of the assessed artery decreased by 14.2%, whilst the average speed increased by 19.6% and the flow rate increased by 184.8%. There were differences between the haemodynamic parameters of both legs according to dominance, being statistically significantly lower in the dominant leg. The application of strong compressive bandaging significantly increases the arterial flow and mean velocity in the distal segment of the posterior tibial artery, in healthy volunteers by 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, leg dominance influenced some of the haemodynamic parameters. According to the results, leg compression bandages cannot be contraindicated in vascular ulcers with arterial compromise.
Do Grateful People Protect Their Benefactors at the Expense of Other People? Implications From Loss‐Framed Welfare Tradeoff Ratios
Authors: Yamamoto Akitomo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study examined whether grateful people are prone to sacrificing other people for the sake of their benefactors, themselves for the sake of their benefactors, and themselves for the sake of other people. Study 1 used a vignette methodology to induce participants' gratitude, and Study 2 an autobiographical recall procedure. In Study 1, the participants who received benevolent benefits in the vignette (gratitude condition) were more likely to sacrifice other people for the sake of their benefactors compared to those receiving benefits without benevolent intention (indebtedness‐baseline condition). The same method revealed a tendency for grateful people to sacrifice themselves for benefactors and others. Study 1's results could not be replicated by the preregistered analysis in Study 2. However, gratitude positively correlated with their propensity to sacrifice other people for the sake of benefactors, though it was not a preregistered analysis. The findings reveal the bright and dark sides of the consequences of gratitude.
Effects of orthognathic surgery on respiratory function during sleep: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Ahl Magnus , Marcusson Agneta , Magnusson Anders , Abtahi Jahan , Sunnergren Ola , Ulander Martin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWhen treating patients with orthognathic surgery, there might be a risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) due to soft tissue changes in the upper airways, especially in patients treated with isolated mandibular setback or mandibular setback in combination with maxillary advancement. In the present study, we assessed respiratory function during sleep with home cardiorespiratory polygraphy in 62 patients who had not been previously been diagnosed with OSA at three times: prior to orthognathic surgery for aesthetic and functional indications, and then 3 months and 1 year after surgery. We evaluated surgical displacement based on measurements in three dimensions using pre‐ and post‐operative computed tomography. There were only minor changes in the respiratory parameters such as the apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI), the apnoea‐hypopnoea index in the supine position (AHIsup), the oxygen saturation index (ODI) and the snore index. There was no significant correlation between surgical displacement and the AHI, AHIsup and ODI. There was a weak but significant correlation between vertical displacement of the anterior mandible and the snore index. Within the limitations of the present study, the risk for iatrogenic obstruction of the upper airways seems to be low in patients without OSA treated with orthognathic surgery.
Culture‐based stigmatizing attitudes toward condom use among Chinese older adults: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Peng Wenwen , Zhou Qidi , Goldsamt Lloyd A. , Shen Yan , Wang Run , Li Xianhong 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo explore their perceptions and attitudes toward condom use and the underlying reasons for the low usage frequency among Chinese older adults.MethodsA qualitative study design utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed. Data were collected through field observation and face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews among older adults aged 50 years or above and having engaged in sexual activities within the previous year.ResultsThree main themes emerged: perceiving unnecessary due to misconceptions and low awareness, interactive stereotypes rooted in sociocultural beliefs, and stigmatized social norms including gender inequity and economic unbalance.ConclusionsTailored interventions focusing on addressing misconceptions, increasing awareness, and reducing culturally ingrained stereotypes and stigma surrounding condom use are essential to promote condom use among older adults in order to prevent HIV transmission in China.
Nitrogen fixation‐driven carbon sequestration: Brief communication
Authors: Felker Peter 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPrior to the commercial nitrogen fertilizer production in 1919, all the world's terrestrial and aquatic carbon was supported by nitrogen fixation. Annual N deposition to semi‐arid lands and temperate forests is less than 5 kg/ha‐year and 10 kg/ha, respectively. Plant and soil C/N ratios range from 9.9 to 29.8 and 9 to 14, respectively. In an equilibrium, sustainable ecosystem where N is not removed from soil pools and is only dependent on annual N inputs, maximum C sequestration rates are approximately 3.25 kg to 46 kg/ha for arid ecosystems and 23 to 101 kg/ha for forest ecosystems. Commercial N applications range from approximately 70 to 160 kg/ha‐year. Managed nitrogen fixation rates range from approximately 50 to 130 kg N/ha‐year. For each additional kg N‐entering forests, the additional C is approximately 13 kg. N‐fixing plants range from alder and lupines in the arctic, to Prosopis and Acacias in semi‐arid lands and the large trees Inga and Pentaclethra in tropical rainforests. If N‐fixing plants achieving 50 kg N/ha‐year were planted on the equivalent of a 447 km square, on six continents, the IEA target of 1.7Gt CO2 (0.72 Gt of carbon) capture capacity by 2030 https://www.ief.org/news/whats‐the‐target‐for‐carbon‐sequestration‐and‐how‐do‐we‐get‐there could be achieved.
Assessing belowground carbon storage after converting a temperate permanent grassland into a bamboo (Phyllostachys) plantation
Authors: Kovacs Nicolas , Colinet Gilles , Longdoz Bernard , Dincher Marie , Vancampenhout Karen , Purwanto Benito Heru , Oprins Jan , Peeters Marc , Meersmans Jeroen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBamboo (Phyllostachys sp.) is considered a sustainable resource that can replace fossil fuel‐based products. Its additional ability to sequester organic carbon in the soil (SOC) makes it a promising nature‐based solution for combating climate change. However, bamboo's soil C storage potential may vary considerably between species or growing conditions and needs to be better quantified, especially in temperate climates where data are lacking. In the present research, the SOC dynamics of plots converted from grassland to plantations of three bamboo species (i.e. Phyllostachys nigra, Phyllostachys aurea and Phyllostachys aureosulcata), planted 12 years ago on podzol (World Reference Base classification) in the Belgian Campine region, have been studied. Soil and root samples were taken until a depth of 40 cm using a 10 cm interval. Besides, the total belowground C stability (mgCO2‐C g−1 C h−1) was assessed by measuring during 3 months the carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux relative to the belowground C stock. Based on an equivalent soil mass, only P. aureosulcata, the species with the highest culm basal area, had a significant (p < .001) SOC increase of 5.0 kg C m−2 (relative increase of +94%) as compared with grassland. Considering the sum of C stocks in the soil, roots and leaf litter, all bamboo species showed significant (p < .001) C storage, i.e. +3.6 kg C m−2 (+64%), +5.3 kg C m−2 (+94%) and +8.6 kg C m−2 (+151%) for P. nigra, P. aurea and P. aureosulcata, respectively. In addition, bamboo's relative basal CO2 efflux (0.007, 0.006 and 0.008 mgCO2‐C g−1 C h−1, respectively) was remarkably lower than in the grassland (0.012 mgCO2‐C g−1 C h−1), though it was only significant for P. aurea. This study highlights that converting temperate permanent grassland into Phyllostachys bamboo plantation can result in net and rapid organic C storage by increasing the total belowground C stability and C input. Further research regarding the net CO2 balance of bamboo‐derived products is still required to fully assess its climate change mitigation potential.
Structural Assessment of Architected Material Using the Redundancy Matrix and Experimental Testing
Authors: Forster David , Paul Sagnik , Bischoff Manfred , Sychterz Ann C. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This paper presents the integration of a numerical structural model based on the redundancy matrix and experimental results of multi-layered randomized architected materials (MLRAM). It presents a combination of the relatively new field of architected materials with a load-independent performance indicator from theoretical structural mechanics. The redundancy matrix by itself provides a measure for structural assessment that is independent of a specific load case. Various layouts of the MLRAM samples and recorded testing allow the analysis of the redundancy distribution within the structure as it undergoes failure. An in-depth analysis of the tested MLRAM samples is provided, as they show a high degree of static indeterminacy and thus, multiple different load paths. A special focus lies on the change of the redundancy distribution as global progressive failure happens. Another focus is set on the investigation of the failure initiation, meaning that the redundancy distribution can help to identify critical elements. A simple introductory example shows the interdependence between the variation of the geometric location of nodes and the redundancy distribution. The study shows, that the distribution of static indeterminacy can be used as a measure to quantify vulnerability to failure and rank the individual element’s importance. Furthermore, progressive collapse is identified as a series of local effects in the highly statically indeterminate MLRAM samples, underlining the fact that the spatial distribution of static indeterminacy is of central importance for the assessment of structural safety.
Recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes lacking Nef-mediated HLA-B downregulation by HIV-1-specific T cells
Authors: Kuse Nozomi , Noyori Osamu , Takahashi Naofumi , Zhang Yu , Suzu Shinya , Takiguchi Masafumi 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Fibrocytes were reported to be host cells for HIV-1, but the immunological recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes has not been studied. Here, we investigated the recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes by HIV-1-specific CD8
+
T cells. CD8
+
T cells specific for five HIV-1 epitopes (HLA-A*24:02-restricted, HLA-B*52:01-restricted, and HLA-C*12:02-restricted epitopes) produced IFN-γ and expressed CD107a after coculture with HIV-1-infected fibrocytes. HIV-1-infected fibrocytes were effectively killed by HIV-1-specific CD8
+
T cells. Although it is well known that HIV-1 Nef-mediated downregulation of HLA-A and HLA-B critically affects the T cell recognition of HIV-1-infected CD4
+
T cells and HIV-1-infected macrophages, Nef downregulated HLA-A, but not HLA-B, in HIV-1-infected fibrocytes. These findings suggested that HIV-1-specific CD8
+
T cells could recognize HIV-1-infected fibrocytes more strongly than HIV-1-infected CD4
+
T cells or HIV-1-infected macrophages. HIV-1-infected fibrocytes were also recognized by HIV-1-specific HLA-DR-restricted T cells, indicating that HIV-1-infected fibrocytes can present HIV-1 epitopes to helper T cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that fibrocytes have an important role as antigen-presenting cells during HIV-1 infection. The present study demonstrates effective recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes by HIV-1-specific T cells and suggests possible roles of fibrocytes in the induction and maintenance of HIV-1-specific T cells.

IMPORTANCE

Fibrocytes were identified as unique hematopoietic cells with the features of both macrophages and fibroblasts and were demonstrated to be host cells for HIV-1. However, T cell recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes has not been studied. We investigated the recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes by HIV-1-specific T cells. HIV-1-infected fibrocytes were effectively recognized and killed by CD8
+
T cells specific for HIV-1 epitopes presented by HLA-A, HLA-B, or HLA-C and were recognized by HIV-1-specific HLA-DR-restricted CD4
+
T cells. HIV-1 Nef-mediated downregulation of HLA-A and HLA-B was found in HIV-1-infected CD4
+
T cells, whereas Nef did not downregulate HLA-B in HIV-1-infected fibrocytes. These results suggest that HIV-1-specific CD8
+
T cells recognize HIV-1-infected fibrocytes more strongly than HIV-1-infected CD4
+
T cells. The present study suggests the importance of fibrocytes in the induction and maintenance of HIV-1-specific T cells.
An
ex vivo
human precision-cut lung slice platform provides insight into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and antiviral drug efficacy
Authors: Pechous Roger D. , Malaviarachchi Priyangi A. , Banerjee Srijon K. , Byrum Stephanie D. , Alkam Duah H. , Ghaffarieh Alireza , Kurten Richard C. , Kennedy Joshua L. , Zhang Xuming 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has claimed millions of lives since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and lung disease appears the primary cause of death in COVID-19 patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis remain elusive, and there is no existing model where human disease can be faithfully recapitulated and conditions for the infection process can be experimentally controlled. Herein we report the establishment of an
ex vivo
human precision-cut lung slice (hPCLS) platform for studying SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and innate immune responses, and for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. We show that while SARS-CoV-2 continued to replicate during the course of infection of hPCLS, infectious virus production peaked within 2 days, and rapidly declined thereafter. Although most proinflammatory cytokines examined were induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, the degree of induction and types of cytokines varied significantly among hPCLS from individual donors. Two cytokines in particular, IP-10 and IL-8, were highly and consistently induced, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Histopathological examination revealed focal cytopathic effects late in the infection. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified molecular signatures and cellular pathways that are largely consistent with the progression of COVID-19 in patients. Furthermore, we show that homoharringtonine, a natural plant alkaloid derived from
Cephalotoxus fortunei
, not only inhibited virus replication but also production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus ameliorated the histopathological changes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating the usefulness of the hPCLS platform for evaluating antiviral drugs.

IMPORTANCE

Here, established an
ex vivo
human precision-cut lung slice platform for assessing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, viral replication kinetics, innate immune response, disease progression, and antiviral drugs. Using this platform, we identified early induction of specific cytokines, especially IP-10 and IL-8, as potential predictors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and uncovered a hitherto unrecognized phenomenon that while infectious virus disappears at late times of infection, viral RNA persists and lung histopathology commences. This finding may have important clinical implications for both acute and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. This platform recapitulates some of the characteristics of lung disease observed in severe COVID-19 patients and is therefore a useful platform for understanding mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral drugs.
Breaking barriers: pCF10 type 4 secretion system relies on a self-regulating muramidase to modulate the cell wall
Authors: Sun Wei-Sheng , Torrens Gabriel , ter Beek Josy , Cava Felipe , Berntsson Ronnie P.-A. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Conjugative type 4 secretion systems (T4SSs) are the main driver for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in bacteria. To deliver the DNA substrate to recipient cells, it must cross the cell envelopes of both donor and recipient bacteria. In the T4SS from the enterococcal conjugative plasmid pCF10, PrgK is known to be the active cell wall degrading enzyme. It has three predicted extracellular hydrolase domains: metallo-peptidase (LytM), soluble lytic transglycosylase (SLT), and cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolases/peptidases (CHAP). Here, we report the structure of the LytM domain and show that its active site is degenerate and lacks the active site metal. Furthermore, we show that only the predicted SLT domain is functional
in vitro
and that it unexpectedly has a muramidase instead of a lytic transglycosylase activity. While we did not observe any peptidoglycan hydrolytic activity for the LytM or CHAP domain, we found that these domains downregulated the SLT muramidase activity. The CHAP domain was also found to be involved in PrgK dimer formation. Furthermore, we show that PrgK interacts with PrgL, which likely targets PrgK to the rest of the T4SS. The presented data provides important information for understanding the function of Gram-positive T4SSs.

IMPORTANCE

Antibiotic resistance is a large threat to human health and is getting more prevalent. One of the major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance among different bacteria is type 4 secretion systems (T4SS). However, mainly T4SSs from Gram-negative bacteria have been studied in detail. T4SSs from Gram-positive bacteria, which stand for more than half of all hospital-acquired infections, are much less understood. The significance of our research is in identifying the function and regulation of a cell wall hydrolase, a key component of the pCF10 T4SS from
Enterococcus faecalis
. This system is one of the best-studied Gram-positive T4SSs, and this added knowledge aids in our understanding of horizontal gene transfer in
E. faecalis
as well as other medically relevant Gram-positive bacteria.
Casein kinase 1α mediates phosphorylation of the Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen for β-TrCP destruction complex interaction and subsequent degradation
Authors: Pham Alexander M. , Kwun Hyun Jin 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a double-stranded tumor virus that is the main causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). The MCPyV large T antigen (LT), an essential viral DNA replication protein, maintains viral persistence by interacting with host Skp1-Cullin 1-F-box (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, which subsequently induces LT’s proteasomal degradation, restricting MCPyV DNA replication. SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases require their substrates to be phosphorylated to bind them, utilizing phosphorylated serine residues as docking sites. The MCPyV LT unique region (MUR) is highly phosphorylated and plays a role in multiple host protein interactions, including SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases. Therefore, this domain highly governs LT stability. Though much work has been conducted to identify host factors that restrict MCPyV LT protein expression, the kinase(s) that cooperates with the SCF E3 ligase remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α) negatively regulates MCPyV LT stability and LT-mediated replication by modulating interactions with the SCF β-TrCP. Specifically, we show that numerous CK1 isoforms (α, δ, ε) localize in close proximity to MCPyV LT through
in situ
proximity ligation assays (PLA) and CK1α overexpression mainly resulted in decreased MCPyV LT protein expression. Inhibition of CK1α using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and treatment of a CK1α inhibitor or an mTOR inhibitor, TORKinib, resulted in decreased β-TrCP interaction with LT, increased LT expression, and enhanced MCPyV replication. The expression level of the
CSNK1A1
gene transcripts is higher in MCPyV-positive MCC, suggesting a vital role of CK1α in limiting MCPyV replication required for establishing persistent infection.

IMPORTANCE
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) large tumor antigen is a polyphosphoprotein and the phosphorylation event is required to modulate various functions of LT, including viral replication. Therefore, cellular kinase pathways are indispensable for governing MCPyV polyomavirus infection and life cycle in coordinating with the immunosuppression environment at disease onset. Understanding the regulation mechanisms of MCPyV replication by viral and cellular factors will guide proper prevention strategies with targeted inhibitors for MCPyV-associated Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients, who currently lack therapies.