bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: a propensity score-matched cohort analysis of early experience
Authors: Kim Seung J. J. , Kim Sangwan , Cho Ara , Han Ahram , Ha Jongwon , Min Sangil 
Published: August 2024

Background:
Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Since the introduction of robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT), several centers have applied this technique as an alternative to open kidney transplantation (OKT). The objective of this study is to analyze our early experience, focusing on surgical technique and learning curve, and postoperative outcomes of RAKT.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed 782 living donor kidney transplantation recipients between January 2018 and January 2024. A propensity score-matched cohort of 50 RAKT and 150 OKT patients was evaluated for intraoperative and postoperative variables. Shewhart control charts and CUSUM analysis were used to evaluate the technical outcomes and learning curves of RAKT. Postoperative eGFR values, complications, and biopsy results were compared for overall graft function and safety.

Results:
RAKT patients were associated with significantly longer overall operative, rewarming, and anastomosis times. Although overall postoperative eGFR trends showed comparable graft function between RAKT and OKT recipients (51.35±2.64 vs. 54.01±1.45; P=0.315), RAKT patients with extremely long rewarming times exhibited aggravated chronic scores at 1-year protocol biopsies (Δ Chronicity Index=4.45±1.92, P<0.001). CUSUM analysis of rewarming time revealed that proficiency in RAKT is achieved after ~15 cases.

Conclusions:
Despite longer anastomosis and ischemic times, even during the early stages of RAKT adoption, the RAKT group did not differ significantly in graft function or postoperative complications from the OKT group.
Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease is Becoming the Leading Driver of the Burden of Cirrhosis in China
Authors: Li Rui , Li Hang , Ye Xujun , Qin Juanjuan 
Published: August 2024

Objective:
Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases (generally referred to as cirrhosis in this article) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in China. The disease pattern of cirrhosis caused by different etiologies has been changing due to economic development and changes in lifestyle.

Methods:
Prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life-years, and mortality data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study, 2019. Estimated annual percentage change was used to quantify the trends in the age-standardized prevalence rate and prevalence number of cirrhosis from 1990 to 2019. We presented the results for five causes of cirrhosis, and for different age and sex groups.

Results:
Nationwide, we found that the prevalence number of liver cirrhosis increased steadily (from 3025.3×105 to 4279.8×105) from 1990 to 2019. Notably, the age-standardized prevalence rate of cirrhosis caused by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) increased throughout the study period, and MASLD has exceeded the hepatitis B virus and become the leading cause of liver cirrhosis since 1992. The highest prevalence number of MASLD occurred in the young population aged between 15 to 49 years.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus decreased, whereas the prevalence of liver cirrhosis caused by MASLD increased. MASLD has become the leading cause of liver cirrhosis in China. The prevalence of liver cirrhosis increased most significantly in the young age group compared with the other age group. Preventive strategies targeting MASLD would be necessary to reduce the disease burden of cirrhosis in China, especially in the young aged generation.
ERCP in a patient with Billroth II gastrectomy: a rare case report
Authors: Al-Jawad Mohammad , Lbabidi Nour A. , Nabhan Mohammad H. , Sheikh Alan , Hamze Aya , Danial Aghyad K. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
Gangrenous cholecystitis is a serious complication of untreated gallbladder inflammation, necessitating immediate intervention. The primary resolution involves cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder.
The Billroth II gastrectomy, named after Theodor Billroth, addresses gastric conditions by removing a portion of the stomach and reconnecting the remaining section to the small intestine.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a minimally invasive procedure that diagnoses and treats bile duct and pancreatic duct disorders, using an endoscope to access the ducts, administer contrast dye, and perform interventions like stone removal and stent placement. It aids in managing conditions such as bile duct stones, strictures, pancreatic tumors, and pancreatitis.

Case report:
A 25-year-old male with a history of gastric ulcer and Billroth II anastomosis presented with right hypochondrium pain, fever, and vomiting. Examination and imaging indicated gallbladder edema, abscess, and fluid collection. Laparotomy revealed severe adhesions around the gallbladder, which were released, and an abscess was drained. Postsurgery, a biliary fistula was suspected, leading to the proposal of an ERCP procedure. During ERCP, a plastic stent was inserted to aid bile drainage.

Discussion:
Therapeutic ERCP effectively treats biliary exudate, including in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. Using a side-viewing duodenoscope simplifies accessing Vater’s papilla. This successful procedure had no complications, such as pancreatitis or bleeding, and the patient remained stable.

Conclusion:
ERCP in patients with a prior Billroth II gastrectomy is a risky procedure with potential complications. However, it can be considered as an alternative to avoid additional surgery if performed by experienced specialists with the necessary equipment.
Exploring the link between T-regulatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in atherogenesis: findings from patients with stable angina pectoris
Authors: Tahtouh Zaatar Muriel , Othman Rima , Abou Samra Elias , Karam Marc 
Published: August 2024

Background:
Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease impacting arteries, is closely linked to cardiovascular conditions. Dyslipidemia, marked by high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and increased plasma triglycerides, is a key risk factor. Atherogenesis begins when modified lipoproteins like oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) activate the immune system. This study explores the roles of T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and interleukins 10 (IL-10), 6 (IL-6), and 17 (IL-17) in atherogenesis.

Methods:
Samples were collected from the Hospital patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated using Ficoll density gradient and analyzed via flow cytometry. IL-10, IL-6, and IL-17 levels in cell culture supernatant were measured using ELISA. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed with statistical software.

Results:
Results indicate that only patients exhibited reduced Treg and IL-10 levels after high-dose ox-LDL treatment. Significant IL-6 reduction was observed in both NCA and SA groups after high-dose n-LDL and low/high ox-LDL treatments compared to untreated PBMCs.

Conclusions and future directions:
Future research will explore n-LDL and ox-LDL effects on Th17/Treg immune responses within a specific cytokine environment known for inducing inflammation, assessing their potential role in atherosclerosis progression.
Optimizing serum electrolyte levels in stroke patients: a multimodal approach with soymilk supplementation
Authors: Esmealy Babak , Esmealy Leyla , Gholizadeh Leila , Nikookheslat Saeid , Sari-Sarraf Vahid 
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
Electrolyte imbalances are common in stroke patients and can significantly impact their overall health, potentially leading to severe complications and even fatal outcomes. In this study, we investigated the impact of combining multiple exercise training modalities (METM) with soymilk supplementation on serum electrolyte levels in stroke patients.

Methods:
In a single-blind, four-arm randomized clinical trial, 120 stroke patients were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (1) the METM group, (2) the soymilk group, (3) the METM plus soymilk group, and (4) the control group. Changes in serum electrolyte levels were compared both within and across groups over four consecutive weeks.

Results:
Upon admission, 38.3% of the participants presented with hyponatremia, 26.7% hypokalemia, and 73.3% hypocalcemia. Over time, there was an overall improvement in serum electrolyte imbalances across all study groups compared to the baseline. Between-group comparisons revealed that the METM plus soymilk group exhibited statistically significant improvements compared to the other groups with absolute reductions in the proportion of participants with hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia by 43.3%, 33.3%, and 73.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:
The study findings substantiate the common occurrence of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia during the acute phase of stroke. Implementation of the METM alongside soymilk intake demonstrated potential in rectifying electrolyte imbalances among stroke patients, hinting at a promising intervention strategy.
Comparison of postoperative outcomes between tissue glue and suture for mesh fixation in open tension-free inguinal hernia repair: a prospective analytical study
Authors: Regmi Nabin , Rajthala Lilamani , Subedi Rojina , Shrestha Eruka , Gurung Narendra Vikram 
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of the viscus through the normal or abnormal opening of its containing cavity. Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair is a commonly performed surgery for hernia. Various studies have revealed atraumatic fixation of the mesh produces less pain without compromising the outcomes.

Methods:
This is a prospective analytical study conducted in a tertiary hospital over a year. Eighty patients with primary inguinal hernia undergoing open mesh repair were enrolled and divided into two groups with 40 patients in each group. Mesh fixation was done with N-butyl 2 cyano-acrylate glue in one group, while polypropylene 2-0 suture in the other group. Postoperative pain, the number of dosages of analgesia required, the incidence of hematoma/seroma formation, surgical site infection, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.

Results:
Visual analog scores were significantly reduced in the glue group at 12 h and 24 h (P<0.05) with a reduction of the mean number of analgesic doses from 6.42±0.984 in the suture group to 5.95±0.597 in the glue group (P<0.05). The operating time was significantly reduced from 70.03±4.376 minutes in the suture group to 58.43±4.540 min in the glue group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay. Five percent of cases in the suture group developed seroma while no SSI was reported in this study.

Conclusions:
This study demonstrates mesh fixation with cyanoacrylate glue in open hernioplasty for primary groin hernias is associated with reduced immediate postoperative pain, dose of analgesia required, and operating time in comparison to fixation with suture.
Self-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Is Associated With a Lower Likelihood of HIV Testing
Authors: Morgan Ethan , Punches Brittany , Failla Michelle 
Published: August 2024

Abstract:
Sexuality and sexual risk behaviors among autistic adults are often overlooked, resulting in inadequate sexual education courses and a reliance on peers or the internet as primary sources of information. Here, we plan to begin to fill this gap by assessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) outcomes among autistic adults. Data come from the 2007 NHIS data set, the only nationally representative and publicly available data set to host measures of HIV and autism alongside one another (and the only year of this survey to do so). Survey-weighted models were used to examine the association between self-reported measures of HIV/STIs and self-reported autism diagnosis. Compared with those who had not been told that they have autism, participants with an autism diagnosis had lower odds of ever having an HIV test in their lifetime (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01 to 0.26). No association was observed between autism diagnosis and plans for an HIV test within the next year, nor did any autistic adults report testing positive for any STI within the past 5 years. These results suggest that further research is needed among the autism spectrum disorder community, particularly in terms of achieving the US goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
Disruption of Z-RNA–binding of ADAR1 induces Aicardi-Goutières syndrome–like encephalopathy in mice
Authors: Nakahama Taisuke , Kato Yuki , Shibuya Toshiharu , In Kim Jung , Vongpipatana Tuangtong , Todo Hiroyuki , Xing Yanfang , Kawahara Yukio 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARYADAR1 p150 is an enzyme responsible for adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing. Deletion of ADAR1 p150 results in embryonic lethality with a type I interferon (IFN) signature, caused by aberrant MDA5 sensing unedited transcripts. ADAR1 p150 contains a unique Z-DNA/RNA–binding domain α (Zα); however, the role of this domain remains unknown. A mutation has been identified in this domain in patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), an inherited interferonopathy, suggesting an essential role in avoiding MDA5 activation. Here, we show that a mutation in the Zα domain reduces the editing activity of ADAR1 p150 by comparing activity between wild-type and mutated isoforms expressed inAdar1/Adar2knockout cells. Furthermore, we created Zα domain–mutated knock-in mice, which displayed severe growth retardation with abnormal organ development, including AGS-like encephalopathy with a type I IFN signature. These abnormalities were ameliorated by the concurrent deletion of MDA5. Collectively, Z-RNA–recognition contributes to ADAR1 p150–mediated RNA editing, which prevents MDA5 activation.
Adenovirus E1A Binding to DCAF10 Targets Degradation of AAA+ ATPases Required for Quaternary Assembly of Multiprotein Machines and Innate Immunity
Authors: Zemke NR , Barshop WD , Sha J , Hsu E , Wohlschlegel JA , Berk AJ 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARYAdenovirus E1A early proteins modify host cell physiology to optimize virus replication. The N-terminal half of small e1a interacts with RB-family proteins to de-repress dNTP and DNA synthesis, and with p300/CBP to inhibit host anti-viral innate immune responses. These e1a N-terminal interactions activate a strong, late host anti-viral response due to stabilization and activation of interferon response factor 3 (IRF3). However, the C-terminal half of e1a inhibits this through interactions with three host proteins with seemingly unrelated functions. Proteomic analysis showed that all three C-terminal interactions are required for e1a-association into an ∼1 MDa multi-protein complex with scaffold subunits of a CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase and DCAF10, a presumed specificity subunit. This e1a-DCAF10-CRL4 prevents IRF3 stabilization indirectly by directing degradation of the essential AAA+ ATPases RUVBL1/2, subunits of several HSP90 co-chaperones required for quaternary assembly of cellular protein machines required for anti-viral defenses and responses to genotoxic and metabolic stress.
CoMPHI: A Novel Composite Machine Learning Approach Utilizing Multiple Feature Representation to Predict Hosts of Bacteriophages
Authors: Bodaka Shreyashi , Malgonde Onkar 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPhage therapy has reemerged as a compelling alternative to antibiotics in treating bacterial infections, especially for superbugs that have developed antibiotic resistance. The challenge in the broader application of phage therapy is identifying host targets for the vast array of uncharacterized phages obtained through next-generation sequencing. To solve this issue, this paper introduces an innovative Composite Model for Phage Host Interaction, CoMPHI, to predict phage-host interactions by combining the accuracy of alignment-based methods with the efficiency and flexibility of machine learning techniques. The model initially generates multiple feature encodings from nucleotide and protein sequences of both phages and hosts to enhance prediction accuracies. It is further enriched by incorporating alignment scores between phage-phage, phage-host, and host-host, creating a composite model. During the 5-fold cross-validation, the composite model exhibited an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 94%, 96.4%, 96.5%, 96.6%, 96.6%, and 96.7% and accuracy of 92.3%, 93.3%, 93.6%, 94%, 94.9%, and 95.1% at the Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, and Phylum levels, respectively. A comparative analysis revealed a 6-8% increase in model performance due to the inclusion of alignment scores. Additionally, an ablation study highlighted that including both nucleotide and protein sequences from both phages and hosts increased the prediction accuracy of the model. Another ablation study provided evidence that phage-host and host-host alignment scores, combined with phage-phage scores, equally contributed to enhancing the composite model’s performance. In conclusion, this paper presents a robust and comprehensive composite model advancing the use of phage therapy in modern medicine.
Inhibitory mechanisms in the prefrontal-cortex differentially mediate Putamen activity during valence-based learning
Authors: Finkelman Tal , Furman-Haran Edna , Aberg Kristoffer C. , Paz Rony , Tal Assaf 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLearning from appetitive and aversive stimuli involves interactions between the prefrontal cortex and subcortical structures. Preclinical and theoretical studies indicate that inhibition is essential in regulating the relevant neural circuitry. Here, we demonstrate that GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, differentially affects how the dACC interacts with subcortical structures during appetitive and aversive learning in humans. Participants engaged in tasks involving appetitive and aversive learning, while using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 7T to track GABA concentrations in the dACC, alongside whole-brain fMRI scans to assess BOLD activation. During appetitive learning, dACC GABA concentrations were negatively correlated with learning performance and BOLD activity measured from the dACC and the Putamen. These correlations were absent during aversive learning, where dACC GABA concentrations negatively correlated with the connectivity between the dACC and the Putamen. Our results show that inhibition in the dACC mediates appetitive and aversive learning in humans through distinct mechanisms.
Genome-Wide Analysis ofTCPFamily Genes and Their Constitutive Expression Pattern Analysis in the Melon (Cucumis melo)
Authors: Jone Md Jahid Hasan , Siddique Md Nure Adil , Biswas Manosh Kumar , Hossain Mohammad Rashed 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTCPproteins are plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in various developmental processes, including leaf morphogenesis and senescence, flowering, lateral branching, hormone crosstalk, and stress responses. However, the specific functions ofTCPgenes in melon remain largely unknown. This study identified and characterized 29 putativeTCPgenes in melon. These genes were classified into two classes: Class-I (13 genes) and Class-II (16 genes). The chromosomal location, gene structure, conserved motifs, structural homology, cis-regulating elements, transcript expression patterns, and potential protein-protein interactions were further analyzed. The results revealed that the putativeCmTCPgenes are distributed across nine of the twelve melon chromosomes and exhibit diverse expression patterns in different tissues and during floral organ development. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that someCmTCPgenes may have similar functions to their homologs in other plant species, while others may have undergone functional diversification. This study provides a valuable resource for future investigations into the specific roles of individualCmTCPgenes in melon development and paves the way for elucidating the mechanisms by whichTCPproteins regulate leaf elongation, floral development, and lateral branching.
Epidermal Growth Factor in the Brain: A Promising Biomarker for Depression
Authors: Xu Shu-xian , Lyu Honggang , Chen Mian-mian , Li Kun , Yao Lihua , Wang Chao , Xie Xin-hui , Liu Zhongchun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to examine the neurotrophic factors secreted from brain in depression by analyzing astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) isolated from plasma, and to explore the causal relationship between the expression of neurotrophic factors in the brain and depression.MethodsA total of 40 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and 35 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited at baseline, and 34 TRD patients completed the post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) visits. The concentrations of five neurotrophic factors in ADEVs were measured. A correlation analysis was performed between neurotrophic factors in ADEVs and neurogenesis marker doublecortin (DCX) in neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs). Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) study and cell experiments were conducted.ResultsOur findings revealed a decrease in the level of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in ADEVs among TRD patients, with an increase observed post-ECT. The corrected area under the curve for EGF were larger than those for other neurotrophic factors: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1.00). MR suggested that decreased expression levels of theEGFgene in the cortex constitute a risk factor for depression. We observed a positive correlation between the levels of EGF in ADEVs and DCX in NDEVs. Subsequently, cell experiments suggested that EGF can activate EGF receptor (EGFR) to trigger the PI3K-Akt pathway, participating in the promotion of DCX.ConclusionsThis study provides thein vivoevidences supporting that a reduction in EGF levels in the central nervous system could potentially contribute to depression and serve as a biomarker for it. Additionally, the EGF/EGFR signaling pathway may be involved in regulating early neurogenesis traits in depression.
Bacteriocin production facilitates nosocomial emergence of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium
Authors: Mills Emma G. , Smith Alexander B. , Griffith Marissa P. , Hewlett Katharine , Pless Lora , Sundermann Alexander J. , Harrison Lee H. , Zackular Joseph P. , Van Tyne Daria 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTVancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VREfm) is a prevalent healthcare-acquired pathogen. Gastrointestinal colonization can lead to difficult-to-treat bloodstream infections with high mortality rates. Prior studies have investigated VREfm population structure within healthcare centers. However, little is known about how and why hospital-adapted VREfm populations change over time. We sequenced 710 healthcare-associated VREfm clinical isolates from 2017-2022 from a large tertiary care center as part of the Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT) program. Although the VREfm population in our center was polyclonal, 46% of isolates formed genetically related clusters, suggesting a high transmission rate. We compared our collection to 15,631 publicly available VREfm genomes spanning 20 years. Our findings describe a drastic shift in lineage replacement within nosocomial VREfm populations at both the local and global level. Functional and genomic analysis revealed, antimicrobial peptide, bacteriocin T8 may be a driving feature of strain emergence and persistence in the hospital setting.SummaryThis study shows local and global lineage replacement of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium. Bacteriocin T8 is enriched in emergent lineages and provides a strong competitive advantagein vitroandin vivo.