bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring effects of anesthesia on complexity, differentiation, and integrated information in rat EEG
Authors: Nilsen André Sevenius , Arena Alessandro , Storm Johan F 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
To investigate mechanisms underlying loss of consciousness, it is important to extend methods established in humans to rodents as well. Perturbational complexity index (PCI) is a promising metric of “capacity for consciousness” and is based on a perturbational approach that allows inferring a system’s capacity for causal integration and differentiation of information. These properties have been proposed as necessary for conscious systems. Measures based on spontaneous electroencephalography recordings, however, may be more practical for certain clinical purposes and may better reflect ongoing dynamics. Here, we compare PCI (using electrical stimulation for perturbing cortical activity) to several spontaneous electroencephalography-based measures of signal diversity and integrated information in rats undergoing propofol, sevoflurane, and ketamine anesthesia. We find that, along with PCI, the spontaneous electroencephalography-based measures, Lempel–Ziv complexity (LZ) and geometric integrated information (ΦG), were best able to distinguish between awake and propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia. However, PCI was anti-correlated with spontaneous measures of integrated information, which generally increased during propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia, contrary to expectations. Together with an observed divergence in network properties estimated from directed functional connectivity (current results) and effective connectivity (earlier results), the perturbation-based results seem to suggest that anesthesia disrupts global cortico-cortical information transfer, whereas spontaneous activity suggests the opposite. We speculate that these seemingly diverging results may be because of suppressed encoding specificity of information or driving subcortical projections from, e.g., the thalamus. We conclude that certain perturbation-based measures (PCI) and spontaneous measures (LZ and ΦG) may be complementary and mutually informative when studying altered states of consciousness.
Constraints on crustal compositional architecture across the North China–Altaids transition and implications for craton margin reworking
Authors: Ye Zhuo , Tan Xiaomiao , Gao Rui , Li Qiusheng , Zhang Hongshuang , Wu Xiaoyang , Li Wenhui , Li Yingkang 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT
The phase of secular evolution of continents is manifested as the degree of compositional differentiation, modification and maturation of continental crusts, which is vital in understanding the mechanism of continental evolution but is difficult to quantify. Here we use integrated passive- and active-source seismic profiling to conduct joint analysis and inversion and derive Vs and Vp/Vs section models across the North China Craton (NCC) to southeastern Altaids boundary zone that bears a tectonic transition from a reworked ancient craton margin to a Phanerozoic accretionary orogen. We systematically exploited the imaged multiple physical properties as precise and delicate proxies to constrain the compositional architecture in the crust across this important tectonic transition subject to various crustal evolutional phases. Our Vs and Vp/Vs imaging, together with the existing isotopic data, characterizes the Yin Shan–Yan Shan belt as the northern NCC margin with layered homogeneous compositions that point to an evolved crust. However, the lower-crustal low-Vs/high-Vp/Vs signature that overlaps the shallowly dipping to horizontal reflective fabrics suggests that the crust of the northern NCC margin has undergone considerable reworking through lower-crustal-stretching-assisted melt migration and mixing since the late Paleozoic to Mesozoic eras. The process probably involved crust–mantle interaction and thus resulted in a compositionally modified ancient crustal basement. On the contrary, the southeastern Altaids domain manifests crustal complexity in compositions and structures inferred to be indicative of a juvenile crust of the Phanerozoic accretionary orogen. Our results provide deep physical-property constraints that shed new light on the crustal evolution of a complex craton margin.
A Cross-Country Study of Cigarette Affordability and Single-Stick Purchases Using Survey Data From African Countries
Authors: Filby Samantha 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Reducing cigarette affordability is paramount for reducing cigarette consumption. Measuring affordability requires data on cigarette prices. Unlike the commonly used retail price of a 20-pack of the most-sold cigarette domestically, survey-derived cigarette prices reflect differences arising from the brand variety and the types of packaging in which cigarettes are purchased.

Aims and Methods
This paper uses self-reported cigarette price data from the eight African countries that have implemented the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) to construct country-level Relative Income Prices. The relationship between cigarette affordability, cigarette smoking prevalence, and cigarette smoking intensity, is examined using logit models for smoking participation (N = 51 122) and generalized linear models for conditional cigarette demand (N = 2443). GATS data are also used to produce nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of single-stick cigarette purchases in the sampled countries.

Results
The estimated affordability elasticity of cigarette smoking participation is –0.245 (95% CI = –0.411 to –0.078). The estimated affordability elasticity of smoking intensity is –0.155 (95% CI = –0.286 to –0.023). Single-stick cigarette sales dominate all-markets. The proportion of smokers who reported buying cigarettes in the form of single sticks during their most recent cigarette purchase exceeds 90% in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Conclusions
The results point to the need for governments in the countries sampled to increase excise taxes in a manner that renders cigarettes less affordable over time, and to enact and enforce legislation that prohibits the sale of single cigarettes. These findings highlight that measures to reduce both the demand and supply of cigarettes will be required to reduce their use in the region.

Implications
This study is the first to examine the prevalence of single-stick cigarette purchases, and the association between cigarette affordability and smoking outcomes, in the African setting, using data from the GATS. Findings provide local evidence for the countries sampled, which represent over half of sub-Saharan Africa’s adult population (aged 15 and older), on the importance of implementing excise tax increases that reduce cigarette affordability over time. They also highlight the need to enact and enforce legislation that prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.
The defectiveness of propaganda
Authors: Bonard Constant , Contesi Filippo , Marques Teresa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
We argue that political propaganda is a negative phenomenon, against a recent strain of philosophical theorizing that argues that political propaganda can sometimes be neutral or even positive. After an exploration of the sense and connotation of the word ‘propaganda’ in ordinary use and in the scholarly literature, we discuss Ross's initial account of propaganda as an epistemically defective form of political communication. We claim that, with some refinements, it is an explanatorily useful analysis. We then assess two prominent attempts that aim at classifying legitimate cases of public communication as cases of propaganda, namely Ross's revision of her previous model and Stanley's influential account. We show that some of the cases in contention are problematic and that the arguments the authors offer for classifying other non-problematic cases as propaganda are inconclusive. We also argue that the idea of considering legitimate public communication as propaganda is unmotivated.
Labia minora hypertrophy: pathologizing diversity?
Authors: Perelmuter Sara 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Labia minora hypertrophy can be characterized by the labial tissue extending beyond the labia majora; however, the exact definition of hypertrophy is a matter of debate. While the prevalence of labia hypertrophy is very common among women, taboo/controversial attitudes and surgical interventions still dominate. The recognition and study of labia minora hypertrophy will increase our knowledge of this underrepresented anatomic diversity.

Objectives
To provide a report of the current literature on labia hypertrophy and discuss the definition, etiology, attitudes, management, and medicalization surrounding labia minora hypertrophy and the implications.

Methods
Comprehensive review of literature pertaining to labia minora hypertrophy.

Results
Labia minora appearance and measurements vary extensively, and hypertrophy is extremely prevalent in the population and largely nonpathologic. There remains a lack of standardized criteria to define labia hypertrophy. Attitudes surrounding labia hypertrophy differ globally, but in Western nations the overwhelming sentiment toward labia hypertrophy has largely been medicalized.

Conclusion
Negative attitudes and unnecessary medicalization of nonpathologic instances of labia hypertrophy is unjustifiable and comes with potential risks. There remains an impending need to demedicalize nonpathologic elongated labia, educate the public on diverse genital appearance, and improve understanding of the long-term outcomes and risks of genital cosmetic surgery.
Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by MCC950 under hypoxia alleviates photoreceptor apoptosis via inducing autophagy in Müller glia
Authors: Gao Shuang , Li Na , Lin Zhongjing , Zhong Yisheng , Wang Yanuo , Shen Xi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNLRP3 inflammasome activation has emerged as a critical initiator of inflammatory response in ischemic retinopathy. Here, we identified the effect of a potent, selective NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, on autophagy and apoptosis under hypoxia. Neonatal mice were exposed to hyperoxia for 5 days to establish oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Intravitreal injection of MCC950 was given, and then autophagy and apoptosis markers were assessed. Retinal autophagy, apoptosis, and related pathways were evaluated by western blot, immunofluorescent labeling, transmission electron microscopy, and TUNEL assay. Autophagic activity in Müller glia after NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, together with its influence on photoreceptor death, was studied using western blot, immunofluorescence staining, mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 adenovirus transfection, cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays. Results showed that activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in Müller glia was detected in OIR model. MCC950 could improve impaired retinal autophagic flux and attenuate retinal apoptosis while it regulated the retinal AMPK/mTOR/ULK‐1 pathway. Suppressed autophagy and depressed proliferation capacity resulting from hypoxia was promoted after MCC950 treatment in Müller glia. Inhibition of AMPK and ULK‐1 pathway significantly interfered with the MCC950‐induced autophagy activity, indicating MCC950 positively modulated autophagy through AMPK/mTOR/ULK‐1 pathway in Müller cells. Furthermore, blockage of autophagy in Müller glia significantly induced apoptosis in the cocultured 661W photoreceptor cells, whereas MCC950 markedly preserved the density of photoreceptor cells. These findings substantiated the therapeutic potential of MCC950 against impaired autophagy and subsequent apoptosis under hypoxia. Such protective effect might involve the modulation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK‐1 pathway. Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome in Müller glia could be beneficial for photoreceptor survival under hypoxic conditions.
DDX58 variant triggers IFN‐β‐induced autophagy in trabecular meshwork and influences intraocular pressure
Authors: Huang Xinting , Zhou Xiaoyu , Zhang Feng , Wang Xiaobo , Duan Xuanchu , Liu Ke 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSingleton–Merten syndrome (SMS) is a rare immunogenetic disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by dental dysplasia, aortic calcification, glaucoma, skeletal abnormalities, and psoriasis. Glaucoma, a key feature of both classical and atypical SMS, remains poorly understood in terms of its molecular mechanism caused by DDX58 mutation. This study presented a novel DDX58 variant (c.1649A>C [p.Asp550Ala]) in a family with childhood glaucoma. Functional analysis showed that DDX58 variant caused an increase in IFN‐stimulated gene expression and high IFN‐β‐based type‐I IFN. As the trabecular meshwork (TM) is responsible for controlling intraocular pressure (IOP), we examine the effect of IFN‐β on TM cells. Our study is the first to demonstrate that IFN‐β significantly reduced TM cell viability and function by activating autophagy. In addition, anterior chamber injection of IFN‐β remarkably increased IOP level in mice, which can be attenuated by treatments with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. To uncover the specific mechanism underlying IFN‐β‐induced autophagy in TM cells, we performed microarray analysis in IFN‐β‐treated and DDX58 p.Asp550Ala TM cells. It showed that RSAD2 is necessary for IFN‐β‐induced autophagy. Knockdown of RSAD2 by siRNA significantly decreased autophagy flux induced by IFN‐β. Our findings suggest that DDX58 mutation leads to the overproduction of IFN‐β, which elevates IOP by modulating autophagy through RSAD2 in TM cells.
c‐Cbl induced podocin ubiquitination contributes to the podocytes injury in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Liang Lulu , He Mengfei , Zhou Panpan , Pan Shaokang , Chen Jingfang , Lv Linxiao , Hu Mingyang , Zhou Sijie , Liu Dongwei , Liu Zhangsuo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe ubiquitination function in diabetic nephropathy (DN) has attracted much attention, but there is a lack of information on its ubiquitylome profile. To examine the differences in protein content and ubiquitination in the kidney between db/db mice and db/m mice, we deployed liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to conduct analysis. We determined 145 sites in 86 upregulated modified proteins and 66 sites in 49 downregulated modified proteins at the ubiquitinated level. Moreover, 347 sites among the 319 modified proteins were present only in the db/db mouse kidneys, while 213 sites among the 199 modified proteins were present only in the db/m mouse kidneys. The subcellular localization study indicated that the cytoplasm had the highest proportion of ubiquitinated proteins (31.87%), followed by the nucleus (30.24%) and the plasma membrane (20.33%). The enrichment analysis revealed that the ubiquitinated proteins are mostly linked to tight junctions, oxidative phosphorylation, and thermogenesis. Podocin, as a typical protein of slit diaphragm, whose loss is a crucial cause of proteinuria in DN. Consistent with the results of ubiquitination omics, the K261R mutant of podocin induced the weakest ubiquitination compared with the K301R and K370R mutants. As an E3 ligase, c‐Cbl binds to podocin, and the regulation of c‐Cbl can impact the ubiquitination of podocin. In conclusion, in DN, podocin ubiquitination contributes to podocyte injury, and K261R is the most significant site. c‐Cbl participates in podocin ubiquitination and may be a direct target for preserving the integrity of the slit diaphragm structure, hence reducing proteinuria in DN.
Biomarkers Improve Diagnostics of Sepsis in Adult Patients With Suspected Organ Dysfunction Based on the Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) Score in the Emergency Department
Authors: Bolanaki Myrto , Winning Johannes , Slagman Anna , Lehmann Thomas , Kiehntopf Michael , Stacke Angelika , Neumann Caroline , Reinhart Konrad , Möckel Martin , Bauer Michael 
Published: May 2024

Objectives:
Consensus regarding biomarkers for detection of infection-related organ dysfunction in the emergency department is lacking. We aimed to identify and validate biomarkers that could improve risk prediction for overt or incipient organ dysfunction when added to quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) as a screening tool.

Design:
In a large prospective multicenter cohort of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with a qSOFA score greater than or equal to 1, admission plasma levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, adrenomedullin (either bioavailable adrenomedullin or midregional fragment of proadrenomedullin), proenkephalin, and dipeptidyl peptidase 3 were assessed. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was applied to assess the impact of these biomarkers alone or in combination to detect the primary endpoint of prediction of sepsis within 96 hours of admission.

Setting:
Three tertiary emergency departments at German University Hospitals (Jena University Hospital and two sites of the Charité University Hospital, Berlin).

Patients:
One thousand four hundred seventy-seven adult patients presenting with suspected organ dysfunction based on qSOFA score greater than or equal to 1.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
The cohort was of moderate severity with 81% presenting with qSOFA = 1; 29.2% of these patients developed sepsis. Procalcitonin outperformed all other biomarkers regarding the primary endpoint (area under the curve for receiver operating characteristic [AUC-ROC], 0.86 [0.79–0.93]). Adding other biomarkers failed to further improve the AUC-ROC for the primary endpoint; however, they improved the model regarding several secondary endpoints, such as mortality, need for vasopressors, or dialysis. Addition of procalcitonin with a cutoff level of 0.25 ng/mL improved net (re)classification by 35.2% compared with qSOFA alone, with positive and negative predictive values of 60.7% and 88.7%, respectively.

Conclusions:
Biomarkers of infection and organ dysfunction, most notably procalcitonin, substantially improve early prediction of sepsis with added value to qSOFA alone as a simple screening tool on emergency department admission.
Histologic Hitchhikers: A Review of Common Exogenous Artifacts Encountered During Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Authors: Lam Charlene , Shamloul Norhan , Samaan Christen , Ken Kimberly , Ioffreda Michael 
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND
Exogenous artifacts can interfere with accurate histologic tissue evaluation on frozen sections during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Mohs surgeons should be aware of these anomalies to avoid potential misdiagnoses.

OBJECTIVE
To review exogenous artifacts encountered in frozen tissue pathology during MMS.

METHODS
A literature search was conducted in PubMed to identify studies reporting on exogenous artifacts encountered during MMS and a list of previously described exogenous artifacts was compiled. A retrospective examination of frozen histology slides from recent Mohs cases at the authors' institution was performed to obtain illustrative examples of these artifacts, supplemented by formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples when frozen examples could not be found.

RESULTS
Exogenous artifacts represent foreign bodies that have been externally introduced into the skin or artifacts resulting from other external factors. If frozen section evaluation is inaccurate, overdiagnosis can occur during MMS, resulting in unnecessary layers, larger margins, and more complex reconstructions. These exogenous tissue changes can mimic inflammatory processes and melanocytic or keratinocyte malignancies on histology.

CONCLUSION
Exogenous artifacts are common findings during margin assessment in Mohs micrographic surgery. The resulting histological findings can be confusing but correlating them with the clinical and surgical history often reassures surgeons. Recognizing these artifacts facilitates accurate diagnosis and promotes optimal patient care.
Lessons Learned—A Case for Required Student Services 1:1 Orientation
Authors: Hoffmann Chelsey , Griffey Stacy 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionBoth faculty and student learners associated with physician assistant/associate (PA) programs continue to suffer from the effects of the ongoing mental health crisis. Furthermore, student learners may have other personal needs impacting their potential success in PA school (ie, financial, academic, or other). A proactive approach to supporting student learners early in their PA educational journey is warranted.MethodsRequired 1:1 face-to-face orientations between incoming PA students and a representative from the Office of Wellness and Academic Support (OWAS) were implemented during the first week of PA program orientation. Students were allowed time and space to privately share their individual experiences and concerns as they entered PA school. In addition, the student services representative from OWAS was able to provide customized education on the variety of resources available for students.ResultsThe student services representative from OWAS established personal relationships with each of the incoming PA students. Multiple follow-up appointments and referrals were made to various service lines including tutoring, learner accommodations, and mental health counseling.DiscussionThe implementation of required 1:1 face-to-face orientations between incoming PA students and student services during the first week of PA program orientation was highly effective. The primary lesson learned is that a simple, preventative, proactive approach can be extremely impactful if we are willing to view the challenges of student learners in PA education through a different lens.
Molecular Imaging and Therapy of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma in Adults
Authors: Mulugeta Philipose Getachew , Chi Anthony W. , Anderson Thomas Michael 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has been increasing in incidence in the United States over the last several decades, although mortality rates have remained low. Radioactive iodine therapy (RAI-T) has been a mainstay of treatment for DTC since the 1940s. Imaging of DTC before and after RAI-T primarily focuses on molecular imaging of the sodium iodide symporter. The expanding understanding of the molecular profile of DTC has increased available treatment options. Incorporation of risk stratification to treatment approaches has led to deintensification of both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, leading to decreased morbidity without compromising disease control.