bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The strength of sexual signals predicts same-sex pairing in two Coptotermes termites
Authors: Mizumoto Nobuaki , Lee Sang-Bin , Chouvenc Thomas 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) is an enigma in behavioral ecology as it does not result in reproduction. Proximately, the effect of sexual signals on SSB could be distinct between signal receivers and senders. For receivers, the absence of sexual signals leads to smaller phenotypic sex differences, leading to frequent accidental SSB between receivers. Alternatively, for senders, sexual signals could help locate another sender, enhancing intentional SSB. Here, we demonstrate this link between sex pheromone signaling and the frequency of same-sex pairing in two Coptotermes termites that use the same chemical as sex pheromones but in different quantities. In termites, mating pairs engage in tandem runs, where a female emits sex pheromones to guide a male as they move together in searching a potential nest site. So, females are signal senders, and males are signal receivers for sexual communication. We found that female-female tandems were more stable in C. formosanus, whose females produce more pheromones. On the other hand, although both species did not show stable male–male tandems, males of C. gestroi, whose females produce fewer pheromones, spent more time attempting to follow another male. Thus, stronger pheromones lead to sender–sender SSB, while weaker pheromones lead to receiver–receiver SSB. The proximate mechanism of SSB is diverse according to the properties of sexual communications in heterosexual contexts.
Functional implications of glycans and their curation: insights from the workshop held at the 16th Annual International Biocuration Conference in Padua, Italy
Authors: Martinez Karina , Agirre Jon , Akune Yukie , Aoki-Kinoshita Kiyoko F , Arighi Cecilia , Axelsen Kristian B , Bolton Evan , Bordeleau Emily , Edwards Nathan J , Fadda Elisa , Feizi Ten , Hayes Catherine , Ives Callum M , Joshi Hiren J , Krishna Prasad Khakurel , Kossida Sofia , Lisacek Frederique , Liu Yan , Lütteke Thomas , Ma Junfeng , Malik Adnan , Martin Maria , Mehta Akul Y , Neelamegham Sriram , Panneerselvam Kalpana , Ranzinger René , Ricard-Blum Sylvie , Sanou Gaoussou , Shanker Vijay , Thomas Paul D , Tiemeyer Michael , Urban James , Vita Randi , Vora Jeet , Yamamoto Yasunori , Mazumder Raja 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDynamic changes in protein glycosylation impact human health and disease progression. However, current resources that capture disease and phenotype information focus primarily on the macromolecules within the central dogma of molecular biology (DNA, RNA, proteins). To gain a better understanding of organisms, there is a need to capture the functional impact of glycans and glycosylation on biological processes. A workshop titled “Functional impact of glycans and their curation” was held in conjunction with the 16th Annual International Biocuration Conference to discuss ongoing worldwide activities related to glycan function curation. This workshop brought together subject matter experts, tool developers, and biocurators from over 20 projects and bioinformatics resources. Participants discussed four key topics for each of their resources: (i) how they curate glycan function-related data from publications and other sources, (ii) what type of data they would like to acquire, (iii) what data they currently have, and (iv) what standards they use. Their answers contributed input that provided a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art glycan function curation and annotations. This report summarizes the outcome of discussions, including potential solutions and areas where curators, data wranglers, and text mining experts can collaborate to address current gaps in glycan and glycosylation annotations, leveraging each other’s work to improve their respective resources and encourage impactful data sharing among resources.Database URL: https://wiki.glygen.org/Glycan_Function_Workshop_2023
Sex differences in survival following surgery for esophageal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liatsou Efstathia , Bellos Ioannis , Katsaros Ioannis , Michailidou Styliani , Karela Nina-Rafailia , Mantziari Styliani , Rouvelas Ioannis , Schizas Dimitrios 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The impact of sex on the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains unclear. Evidence supports that sex- based disparities in esophageal cancer survival could be attributed to sex- specific risk exposures, such as age at diagnosis, race, socioeconomic status, smoking, drinking, and histological type. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of sex disparities in survival of patients who underwent surgery for esophageal cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from December 1966 to February 2023, was held. Studies that reported sex-related differences in survival outcomes of patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer were identified. A total of 314 studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Statistically significant results derived from 1-year and 2-year overall survival pooled analysis with Relative Risk (RR) 0.93 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.90–0.97, I2 = 52.00) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85–0.95, I2 = 0.00), respectively (RR &lt; 1 = favorable for men). In the postoperative complications analysis, statistically significant results concerned anastomotic leak and heart complications, RR: 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01–1.16) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52–0.75), respectively. Subgroup analysis was performed among studies with &lt;200 and &gt; 200 patients, histology types, study continent and publication year. Overall, sex tends to be an independent prognostic factor for esophageal carcinoma. However, unanimous results seem rather obscure when multivariable analysis and subgroup analysis occurred. More prospective studies and gender-specific protocols should be conducted to better understand the modifying role of sex in esophageal cancer prognosis.
A Tale of 2 Experiences: Navigating End-of-Life Care With a History of Incarceration
Authors: Lutz Gabriel , Yang Yulin , Zhang Yilin , Chen Chixiang , Kheirbek Raya Elfadel 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The adverse health effects of incarceration are well-documented, affecting individuals throughout their life course. However, the influence of a history of incarceration on end-of-life (EOL) experiences remains unexplored. This study aims to examine how prior incarceration affects individuals’ experiences and care needs as they approach the EOL.

Methods
Leveraging the Health and Retirement Study, we conducted secondary analyses on 1 710 individuals who participated between 2012 and 2018. Through retrospective cohort analysis, we explored the association between incarceration history and EOL care, focusing on pain and symptom burden.

Results
Analyses showed that individuals with a history of incarceration experienced significantly higher levels of pain (65% reported “moderate” or “severe” pain) compared to nonincarcerated individuals (50%; adjusted odds ratio = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.71, p &lt; .001). Additionally, the symptom burden index revealed that formerly incarcerated individuals had a higher average symptom score (2.8 vs 2.1; β = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–0.9, p &lt; .001), indicating a greater range of symptoms in their final year of life. These disparities persisted after adjusting for demographic, health, and socioeconomic variables.

Conclusions
This study reveals that a history of incarceration significantly affects EOL experiences, with formerly incarcerated individuals facing higher levels of pain and a greater symptom burden compared to nonincarcerated individuals. This underscores the need for tailored palliative care to address the unique needs of this vulnerable population. This research highlights a critical area for intervention and calls for healthcare systems to adapt their practices to better serve those with incarceration histories.
A splice of life: the discovery, function, and clinical implications of FOXP3 isoforms in autoimmune disease
Authors: Weinstein Kristin N , Domeier Phillip P , Ziegler Steven F 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells essential for the maintenance of immune homeostasis and prevention of autoimmunity. Treg lineage and functions are programmed by the X-chromosome encoded transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). In humans, multiple FOXP3 isoforms are generated through alternative splicing. A full-length isoform containing all coding exons (FOXP3-FL) and a version lacking the second exon (FOXP3-ΔE2) are the predominant FOXP3 isoforms. Additionally, there are two minor isoforms lacking either exon 7 (FOXP3-ΔE7) and both exons 2 and 7 (FOXP3-ΔE2ΔE7). Although healthy humans express approximately equal levels of the FOXP3-FL and FOXP3-ΔE2 isoforms, sole expression of FOXP3-ΔE2 results in the development of a systemic autoimmune disease that resembles immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome. These clinical observations strongly suggest functional defects in suppression by Tregs programmed by the FOXP3-ΔE2 isoform. Work from the past two decades has provided phenotypic and functional evidence of differences between Tregs programmed by the FOXP3-FL, FOXP3-ΔE2, and FOXP3-ΔE7 isoforms. In this review, we discuss the discovery of the FOXP3 isoforms, differences in the phenotype and function of Tregs programmed by different FOXP3 isoforms, and the role that these isoforms are known to play in autoimmunity.
Precipitation-induced soil properties and plant communities mediate root strategies in an alpine meadow
Authors: Li Yi-Heng , Zhang Xin-Di , Liu Min , Wang Chang-Ting , Manuel Lerdau , Hu Lei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Plant roots show flexible traits to changing precipitation, but the factors driving root trait covariation remain poorly understood. This study investigated six key root traits and explored the potential driving factors, including plant community characteristics and soil properties, in the Zoige alpine meadow across five precipitation gradients: natural precipitation (1.0P), a 50% increasing precipitation (1.5P), and 30%, 50% and 90% decreasing precipitation (0.7P, 0.5P and 0.1P, respectively). Our results demonstrated distinct root trait responses to changes in precipitation. Both increasing (1.5P) and decreasing precipitation (0.1P, 0.5P and 0.7P) inhibited root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL) and specific root area compared with 1.0P. Conversely, root tissue density and root nitrogen content increased under decreasing precipitation but declined under 1.5P. With increasing precipitation, root foraging strategies shifted with thinner RD and larger SRL to that with a larger diameter. Shifts in root strategies were primarily influenced by soil properties, specifically soil water content and available nitrogen. Additionally, root strategies in surface soils (0–10 cm) were mainly related to the grass and sedge coverage, whereas in deeper soils (10–20 cm) root strategies were related to overall plant community coverage and biomass. Our findings indicate that root trait variations and strategies in alpine meadows are co-driven by soil properties and plant communities in response to changing precipitation.
Funding lotteries for research grant allocation: An extended taxonomy and evaluation of their fairness
Authors: Feliciani Thomas , Luo Junwen , Shankar Kalpana 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Some research funding organizations (funders) are experimenting with random allocation of funding (funding lotteries), whereby funding is awarded to a random subset of eligible applicants evaluated positively by review panels. There is no consensus on which allocation rule is fairer—traditional peer review or funding lotteries—partly because there exist different ways of implementing funding lotteries, and partly because different selection procedures satisfy different ideas of fairness (desiderata). Here we focus on two desiderata: that funding be allocated by ‘merit’ (epistemic correctness) versus following ethical considerations, for example without perpetuating biases (unbiased fairness) and without concentrating resources in the hands of a few (distributive fairness). We contribute to the debate first by differentiating among different existing lottery types in an extended taxonomy of selection procedures; and second, by evaluating (via Monte Carlo simulations) how these different selection procedures meet the different desiderata under different conditions. The extended taxonomy distinguishes “Types” of selection procedures by the role of randomness in guiding funding decisions, from null (traditional peer review), to minimal and extensive (various types of funding lotteries). Simulations show that low-randomness Types (e.g. ‘tie-breaking’ lotteries) do not differ meaningfully from traditional peer review in the way they prioritize epistemic correctness at the cost of lower unbiased and distributive fairness. Probably unbeknownst to funders, another common lottery Type (lotteries where some favorably-evaluated proposals bypass the lottery) displays marked variation in epistemic correctness and fairness depending on the specific bypass implementation. We discuss implications for funders who run funding lotteries or are considering doing so.
Cannulated Screws or Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures: Is There a Mortality Difference?
Authors: Thompson Austen L. , Kuttner Nicolas P. , Greenberg Marc , Hidden Krystin A. , Yuan Brandon J. 
Published: August 2024

OBJECTIVES:
To determine the difference in mortality and reoperation rate between femoral neck fractures (FNFx) treated with cannulated screw (CS) fixation or hemiarthroplasty (HA).

METHODS:

Design:
Retrospective study.

Setting:
Institutional registry data from a single Level I trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria:
Inclusion criteria were patients older than 60 years with FNFx (OTA/AO 31-B) who underwent primary operative treatment with a HA or CS.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons:
Mortality and reoperation rates following primary operative treatment between patients treated with either HA or CS. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated. Comparisons in the primary outcomes were made between the HA and CS cohorts using univariate and multivariate analyses where appropriate.

RESULTS:
A total of 2211 patients were included in the study (1721 HA and 490 CS) and followed for an average of 34.5 months. The average age was 82.3 years (60–106 years), and patients were predominantly female (66.3%). One-year mortality was higher for the HA group compared with the CS group with a hazard ratio of 1.37 (P = 0.03); however, over the lifetime of a patient or to the final follow-up, survival was not statistically significant (Relative Risk 0.95, 95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.1, P = 0.97). The rate of reoperation at 1 year was lower for HA (5.0%) than for CS (10.1%) (hazard ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval, 2.1–4.34, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with FNFx treated with HA had the same risk of mortality as those treated with CS across the lifetime of patients or until the final follow-up. There is no difference in mortality at the 30-day and 90-day time point, but there is a significant difference in mortality at 1 year. HA treatment was associated with a significantly lower reoperation risk when compared with CS across the lifetime of the patient or until the final follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Therapeutic, Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Predicting Nerve Course Variations to Prevent Iatrogenic Lesions: A Surgical Perspective on Sural Nerve Variations
Authors: Rodríguez-Collazo Edgardo R. , Badillo Colberg Eduardo , Schnack Lauren L. , Mckenzie Arshano , Ali Shawn , Talbot Derek 
Published: August 2024

Background:
There are several documented variations of the sural nerve noted within the literature. This cadaveric study was conducted to provide a surgical perspective to either directly addressing the sural nerve, or avoiding it depending on the injury or pathology being surgically addressed.

Methods:
Twenty-five preserved cadaveric limbs were dissected from the popliteal fossa to the foot. Three locations of the course of the sural nerve data were analyzed. The first location (M1) was from the head of the fibula to the sural nerve. The second location (M3) was from 2.54 cm proximal to the distal tip of the lateral malleolus to the sural nerve. The third location (M2) was from the shaft of the fibula at the halfway point between measurements 1 and 2 to the course of the sural nerve. The types of variations were noted as well, compared to previous studies, highlighting the abundance of sural nerve variations in the lower limb that clinicians and surgeons need to be aware of and ready to address.

Results:
The sural nerve courses 4.6 cm posterior from the fibula at the proximal fibula and mid fibula and 4.5 cm at the distal fibula. The 25 sural nerve variations are not reflective of what has been previously published in the literature.

Conclusion:
The data can be utilized in preoperative planning in addressing or avoiding the sural nerve involving the posterior superficial compartment of the leg.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Soft-tissue Sagging after Zygoma Reduction Surgery through Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Authors: Park Yun Yong , Kim Kenneth K. , Park Bumjin 
Published: August 2024

Background:
Overdevelopment of zygomatic bones often results in protrusion and flaring of the midfacial region. This makes the face appear squarer than the more favorable oval shape. Therefore, zygoma reduction surgery has become a commonly performed procedure in patients seeking to obtain an ideal facial shape. Facial soft-tissue ptosis is one of the main complications of zygoma reduction surgery. Previously, the evaluation of cheek soft-tissue ptosis was subjectively based on patients and surgeons. Our study aimed to provide an objective evaluation of soft-tissue sagging in the cheek region after zygoma reduction surgery using artificial intelligence (AI).

Methods:
We used AI to evaluate cheek sagging in a series of patients who underwent zygoma reduction surgery. We used four methods: tracking facial landmarks, detecting changes in the cheek curvature, and examining changes in the nasolabial fold and marionette lines. Then, the obtained numerical results were assessed for statistically significant differences using statistical validation methods.

Results:
Use of AI with the four methods demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the pre- and postsurgery evaluations. AI analysis demonstrated that soft-tissue ptosis did not occur in our series of patients.

Conclusions:
AI offers objective evaluation for both patients and doctors. Future research could build on this application to examine various influencing factors and develop new tools using machine learning to evaluate and predict the extent of cheek sagging in patients before surgery.
Complications After Pediatric Penetrating Keratoplasty: An IRIS Registry Study
Authors: Zhang Lyvia J. , Dana Reza , Lorch Alice C. , Elze Tobias , Miller Joan W. , Dohlman Thomas H. , Oke Isdin ,   on behalf of the IRIS Registry Analytic Center Consortium
Published: August 2024

Purpose:
To describe the frequency of postoperative complications in children undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included pediatric patients (aged 0–18 years) in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry who underwent primary PK between January 2013 and December 2020. Patients were identified using Current Procedure Terminology codes. Postoperative complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases Revision 9 and 10 codes and categorized as complications affecting the anterior segment (epithelial defect, infectious keratitis, neurotrophic keratitis, and glaucoma) or posterior segment (vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, choroid detachment, choroidal hemorrhage, endophthalmitis, epiretinal membrane, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy).

Results:
Of the 544 pediatric patients undergoing PK, 259 (47.6%) experienced postoperative complications. Anterior segment complications (n = 222, 40.8%) were more common than posterior segment complications (n = 96, 17.6%). The most common anterior complication was infectious keratitis (n = 163, 30.0%) with a median onset time of 275 days (IQR 50–560 days) after surgery. Vitreous hemorrhage (n = 52, 9.6%) and retinal detachment (n = 48, 8.8%) were the most common posterior segment complications.

Conclusions:
Infectious keratitis was the most common postoperative complication in children undergoing PK. More complications occurred in the anterior segment (70%) of the eye as compared with the posterior segment (30%). These findings demonstrate the challenges associated with pediatric PK and may help guide postoperative monitoring and management.
Once-a-Day Administration of R(+) Propranolol Is Sufficient to Block Vasculogenesis in a Xenograft Model of Infantile Hemangioma
Authors: Holm Annegret , Tan Jerry Wei Heng , Borgelt Luke , Mulliken John B. , Bischoff Joyce 
Published: August 2024

Objective:
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a benign vascular tumor that occurs in 5% of infants, predominantly in female and preterm neonates. Propranolol is the mainstay of treatment for IH. Given the short half-life of propranolol regarding β-adrenergic receptor inhibition as well as its side effects, propranolol is administered to infants 2–3 times daily with 1 mg/kg/dose. We previously demonstrated propranolol inhibits IH vessel formation via an effect of its R(+) enantiomer on the endothelial-specific transcription factor SRY box 18 (SOX18). In light of this, we hypothesized that R(+) propranolol inhibition of SOX18 is long-lived compared to the beta-blocker effects, and therefore administration of R(+) propranolol once a day would be sufficient to block IH vessel formation.

Methods:
We tested the effect of 1 dose versus 2 doses of R(+) propranolol in a xenograft model of IH wherein patient-derived hemangioma stem cells were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Mice were treated for 7 days with 2 × 12.5 mg/kg/d (n = 12) versus 1 × 25 mg/kg/d (n = 14) as well as phosphate-buffered saline (vehicle control) (n = 16) via intraperitoneal injections. The doses were estimated to correlate with those given to infants with IH.

Results:
Treatment with R(+) propranolol significantly inhibited vasculogenesis in our IH xenograft model at both 2 × 12.5 mg/kg/d and 1 × 25 mg/kg/d, compared to vehicle controls. No significant difference was observed between the 2 treatment regimens.

Conclusion:
Our results suggest implications for the clinical management of infants with IH: Administration of R(+) propranolol can possibly minimize or omit concerning β-adrenergic side effects while only requiring 1 dose per day.