bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
VALVE–IN–VALVE TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: EL DORADO OR EXIT–STRATEGY?
Authors: Costantino M , Stolfi L , D‘Addeo G , Cortese F , Tucci M , Morea C , Veglia G , Magnante A 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The Valve–in–Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (ViV–TAVR) procedure is a valid alternative treatment to surgery.

Aim
This study evaluates, from a clinical and echocardiographic point of view, the immediate and one–year postprocedural outcome of the ViV–TAVR in case of dysfunction of a biological prosthesis at the aortic site.

Materials and Methods
Between 2021 and 2022, 17 consecutive patients with stenosis (64.71%) or aortic valve insufficiency (35.29%) underwent ViV–TAVR procedure and we evaluated them echocardiographically for 12 months.

Results
The implanted valves (10 of 20 mm, 5 of 23 mm, 1 of 26 mm and one of 29 mm in diameter) were Sapien XT type in 4 patients and Sapien 3 in 13 cases (of which 3 Ultra). We reported the Kaplan–Meier curve referring to one–year mortality in the presence/absence of coronary heart disease. Degeneration of bioprostheses in patients aged ≤ 70 years at the time of implantation occurred on average in 10.89±2.98 years, in patients aged &gt;70 years in 7.88±2.23 years after implantation intervention. For all patients we calculated the mean change in end–diastolic volume (EDV) between the value at baseline, immediately after ViV–TAVR and at one–year follow–up. On patients who had bioprosthesis dysfunction with stenosis, we calculated the change in the mean transvalvular gradient (Gm) and Doppler Velocity Index (DVi) at baseline, immediately after ViV–TAVR and at follow–up.

Conclusions
The analyzed echocardiographic parameters were improved after ViV–TAVR both in the immediate post–procedural and in the follow–up period.
Margaret Macdonald, Philosopher of Language
Authors: Spinney Oliver Thomas 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
I chart the philosophical development of neglected figure Margaret Macdonald and situate that development in the context of mid-century analytic philosophy more broadly. I examine Macdonald’s changing attitude towards verificationism, and show that these changing views led her, in 1950 and beyond, to a very thorough appreciation of language use as capable of being employed in the execution of distinctive kinds of performative act. I compare Macdonald’s views with the far better known work of J. L. Austin, and I emphasise the extent to which she has, despite her insightful contributions, been omitted from the history of philosophy.
Theranostics in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Mallak Nadine , O'Brien Sophia R. , Pryma Daniel A. , Mittra Erik 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors that develop from cells of the neuroendocrine system and can originate in multiple organs and tissues such as the bowels, pancreas, adrenal glands, ganglia, thyroid, and lungs. This review will focus on gastroenteropancreatic NETs (more commonly called NETs) characterized by frequent somatostatin receptor (SSTR) overexpression and pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs), which typically overexpress norepinephrine transporter. Advancements in SSTR-targeted imaging and treatment have revolutionized the management of patients with NETs. This comprehensive review delves into the current practice, discussing the use of the various Food and Drug Administration–approved SSTR-agonist positron emission tomography tracers and the predictive imaging biomarkers, and elaborating on 177Lu-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy including the evolving areas of posttherapy imaging practices and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy retreatment. SSTR-targeted imaging and therapy can also be used in patients with PPGL; however, this patient population has demonstrated the best outcomes from norepinephrine transporter-targeted therapy with 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine. Metaiodobenzylguanidine theranostics for PPGL will be discussed, noting that in 2024 it became commercially unavailable in the United States. Therefore, the use and reported success of SSTR theranostics for PPGL will also be explored.
Transforming into a Learning Health System: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Chiem Jennifer L. , Hansen Elizabeth E. , Fernandez Nicolas , Merguerian Paul A. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Reece Kayla , Low Daniel K. , Martin Lynn D. 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The Institute of Medicine introduced the Learning Healthcare System concept in 2006. The system emphasizes quality, safety, and value to improve patient outcomes. The Bellevue Clinic and Surgical Center is an ambulatory surgical center that embraces continuous quality improvement to provide exceptional patient-centered care to the pediatric surgical population.

Methods:
We used statistical process control charts to study the hospital’s electronic health record data. Over the past 7 years, we have focused on the following areas: efficiency (surgical block time use), effectiveness (providing adequate analgesia after transitioning to an opioid-sparing protocol), efficacy (creating a pediatric enhanced recovery program), equity (evaluating for racial disparities in surgical readmission rates), and finally, environmental safety (tracking and reducing our facility’s greenhouse gas emissions from inhaled anesthetics).

Results:
We have seen improvement in urology surgery efficiency, resulting in a 37% increase in monthly surgical volume, continued adaptation to our opioid-sparing protocol to further reduce postanesthesia care unit opioid administration for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy cases, successful implementation of an enhanced recovery program, continued work to ensure equitable healthcare for our patients, and more than 85% reduction in our facility’s greenhouse gas emissions from inhaled anesthetics.

Conclusions:
The Bellevue Clinic and Surgical Center facility is a living example of a learning health system, which has evolved over the years through continued patient-centered QI work. Our areas of emphasis, including efficiency, effectiveness, efficacy, equity, and environmental safety, will continue to impact the community we serve positively.
A Novel Regulation on the Developmental Checkpoint Protein Sda that Controls Sporulation and Biofilm Formation inBacillus subtilis
Authors: He Yinghao , Qin Yuxuan , Greenwich Jennifer , Balaban Samantha , Darcera Migue Van Louis , Gozzi Kevin , Chai Yunrong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBiofilm formation byBacillus subtilisis triggered by an unusually simple environmental sensing mechanism. Certain serine codons, the four TCN codons (N for A, T, C, or G), in the gene for the biofilm repressor SinR caused lowered SinR translation and subsequent biofilm induction during transition from exponential to stationary growth. Global ribosome profiling showed that ribosomes pause when translating the four UCN (U for T on the mRNA) serine codons on mRNA, but not the two AGC/AGU serine codons. We proposed a serine codon hierarchy (AGC/AGT vs TCN) in that genes enriched in the TCN serine codons may experience reduced translation efficiency when serine is limited. In this study, we designed an algorithm to score all protein-coding genes inB. subtilisNCIB3610 based on the serine codon hierarchy. We generated a short list of 50 genes that could be subject to regulation by this novel mechanism. We further investigated one such gene from the list,sda, which encodes a developmental checkpoint protein regulating both sporulation and biofilm formation. We showed that synonymously switching the TCN serine codons to AGC insdaled to delayed biofilm formation and sporulation. This engineered strain also outgrew strains with other synonymously substitutedsdaalleles (TCN) in competition assays for biofilm formation and sporulation. Lastly, we showed that the AGC serine codon substitutions insdaelevated the Sda protein levels. This serine codon hierarchy-based novel signaling mechanism could be exploited by bacteria in adapting to stationary phase and regulating important biological processes.ImportanceGenome-wide ribosome profiling inBacillus subtilisshows that under serine limitation, ribosomes pause on the four TCN (N for A, C, G, and T), but not AGC/AGT serine codons, during translation at a global scale. This serine codon hierarchy (AGC/T vs TCN) differentially influences translation efficiency of genes enriched in certain serine codons. In this study, we designed an algorism to score all 4000+ genes in theB. subtilisgenome and generated a list of 50 genes that could be subject to this novel serine codon hierarchy-mediated regulation. We further investigated one such gene,sda, encoding a developmental check point protein. We show thatsdaand cell developments controlled by Sda are also regulated by this novel mechanism.
Correcting model misspecification in relationship estimates
Authors: Jewett Ethan M. ,   the 23andMe Research Team
Published: May 2024

1.AbstractThe datasets of large genotyping biobanks and direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies contain many related individuals. Until now, it has been widely accepted that the most distant relationships that can be detected are around fifteen degrees (approximately 8thcousins) and that practical relationship estimates have a ceiling around ten degrees (approximately 5thcousins). However, we show that these assumptions are incorrect and that they are due to a misapplication of relationship estimators. In particular, relationship estimators are applied almost exclusively to putative relatives who have been identified because they share detectable tracts of DNA identically by descent (IBD). However, no existing relationship estimator conditions on the event that two individuals share at least one detectable segment of IBD anywhere in the genome. As a result, the relationship estimates obtained using existing estimators are dramatically biased for distant relationships, inferring all sufficiently distant relationships to be around ten degrees regardless of the depth of the true relationship. Existing relationship estimators are derived under a model that assumes that each pair of related individuals shares a single common ancestor (or mating pair of ancestors). This model breaks down for relationships beyond 10 generations in the past because individuals share many thousands of cryptic common ancestors due to pedigree collapse. We first derive a corrected likelihood that conditions on the event that at least one segment is observed between a pair of putative relatives and we demonstrate that the corrected likelihood largely eliminates the bias in estimates of pairwise relationships and provides a more accurate characterization of the uncertainty in these estimates. We then reformulate the relationship inference problem to account for the fact that individuals share many common ancestors, not just one. We demonstrate that the most distant relationship that can be inferred using IBD may be 200 degrees or more, rather than ten, extending the time-to-common ancestor from approximately 300 years in the past to approximately 3,000 years in the past or more. This dramatic increase in the range of relationship estimators makes it possible to infer relationships whose common ancestors lived before historical events such as European settlement of the Americas, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
Methyltransferase DNMT3B promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting PLCG2
Authors: Ji Yong , Wang Yang , Zou Jiacheng , Liu Guanghao , Xia Mingyu , Ren Jun , Wang Daorong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundAberrant DNA methylation patterns in the promoter region of PLCG2 have been associated with dysregulated signaling pathways and cellular functions. Its role in colorectal cancer cells is still unknown.MethodsqRT-PCR was used to examine DNMT3B expression in colorectal cancer. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze DNMT3B and PLCG2 protein levels in colorectal tissues and cell lines. The cell counting kit-8 and colony experiments were used to identify the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to measure DNA methylation levels.ResultsDNMT3B is overexpressed in colorectal cell in TCGA datasets and Kaplan-Meier plots. DNMT3B is significantly overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Western blotting results demonstrated high expression of DNMT3B in tumor tissues.Compared to normal colonic epithelial cells, colorectal cancer cell lines exhibited elevated levels of PLCG2 methylation. oePLCG2 effectively prevented the in vivo xenograft tumor growth of colorectal cancer.ConclusionsPLCG2 is identified as a key downstream regulatory protein of DNMT3B in colorectal cancer. DNMT3B Inhibits PLCG2 transcription through methylation of the PLCG2 promoter region. DNMT3B controls colorectal cancer cell proliferation through the PLCG2, which is useful for creating therapeutic approaches that target PLCG2 expression for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Macrophage Infiltration and ITGB2 Expression in ESCC: A Novel Correlation
Authors: Huang Tao , Wei Longqian , Liu Jun , Zhou Huafu 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), one of the most prevalent and deadliest malignancies today, still presents significant limitations in the application and efficacy of immunotherapy. In this study, we comprehensively utilized high-throughput sequencing, gene chips, single-cell sequencing, and various bioinformatics analysis methods to uncover, for the first time, a positive correlation between the infiltration level of macrophages and the expression of ITGB2 in ESCC.ITGB2 is overexpressed in ESCC and holds immense potential as a prognostic marker for ESCC. As ESCC progresses, the expression of ITGB2 increases within infiltrating macrophages. We also proposed for the first time that the expression of ITGB2 in macrophages continues to increase as macrophages shift towards a pro-tumor phenotype. We found that evaluating the immune therapy response in ESCC patients using ITGB2 is feasible, and higher expression of ITGB2 correlates with increased feasibility of targeting macrophages. Additionally, we identified three miRNAs associated with aberrant expression of ITGB2, providing references for further exploration of upstream molecules of ITGB2.
Implemented Interventions in Preventing Surgical Site Infection in Pediatric Appendicitis Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hebballi Nutan B. , Sutyak Krysta , Broussard Maryam , Doughty Caroline , Garcia Elisa , Lally Kevin P. , Blakely Martin L. , Tsao KuoJen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveSurgical site infections (SSIs), especially deep/organ-space SSIs, are common and serious complications following appendectomy. This review aimed to explore the interventions that have been implemented to reduce the risk of SSIs in pediatric appendicitis patients.MethodsA literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases of studies in English published between January 01, 1973, and April 30, 2023. Studies on pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) with appendicitis that described any interventions aimed at reducing SSIs and reported SSIs as an outcome were included.ResultsA total of 56 studies were included in the final scoping review. The interventions included antibiotic stewardship, clinical practice guidelines/pathways, different surgical approaches, timing of appendectomy, irrigation or lavage, use of peritoneal drains, timing of wound closure and management, parenteral nutrition, pain management, and outpatient management.ConclusionA wide variety of interventions have been studied in pediatric appendicitis patients to reduce the SSI rates. Very few publications have studied low-cost, widely available intraoperative interventions to reduce deep/organ-space SSIs.
Substrate stiffness regulates collective colony expansion of the social bacteriumMyxococcus xanthus
Authors: Faiza Nuzhat , Welch Roy , Patteson Alison 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMany cellular functions depend on the physical properties of the cell’s environment. Many bacteria have different types of surface appendages to enable adhesion and motion on a variety of surfaces.Myxococcus xanthusis a social soil bacterium with two distinctly regulated modes of surface motility, termed the social motility mode driven by type iv pili and the adventurous motility mode based on focal adhesion complexes. How bacteria sense different surfaces and subsequently coordinate their collective motion remains largely unclear. Using polyacrylamide hydrogels of tunable stiffness, we found that wild-typeM. xanthusspreads faster on stiffer substrates. Here, we show using motility mutants that disrupt adventurous motility suppresses this substrate-stiffness response, suggesting focal-adhesion-based adventurous motility is substrate-stiffness dependent. We also show that modifying surface adhesion by the addition of adhesive ligands, chitosan, increases the amount ofM. xanthusflairs, a characteristic feature of adventurous motility. Taken together, we hypothesize a central role ofM. xanthusadventurous motility as a driving mechanism for surface and surface stiffness sensing.
Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms of the Type-IX Secretion System’s Response Regulator: Structural and Functional Insights
Authors: Saran Anshu , Kim Hey-Min , Manning Ireland , Hancock Mark A. , Schmitz Claus , Madej Mariusz , Potempa Jan , Sola Maria , Trempe Jean-François , Zhu Yongtao , Davey Mary Ellen , Zeytuni Natalie 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Type-IX secretion system (T9SS) is a nanomachinery utilized by bacterial pathogens to facilitate infection. The system is regulated by a signaling cascade serving as its activation switch. A pivotal member in this cascade, the response regulator protein PorX, represents a promising drug target to prevent the secretion of virulence factors. Here, we provide a comprehensive characterization of PorX bothin vitroandin vivo. First, our structural studies revealed PorX harbours a unique enzymatic effector domain, which, surprisingly, shares structural similarities with the alkaline phosphatase superfamily, involved in nucleotide and lipid signaling pathways. Importantly, such pathways have not been associated with the T9SS until now. Enzymatic characterization of PorX’s effector domain revealed a zinc-dependent phosphodiesterase activity, with active site dimensions suitable to accommodate a large substrate. Unlike typical response regulators that dimerize via their receiver domain upon phosphorylation, we found that zinc can also induce conformational changes and promote PorX’s dimerization via an unexpected interface. These findings suggest that PorX can serve as a cellular zinc sensor, broadening our understanding of its regulatory mechanisms. Despite the strict conservation of PorX in T9SS-utilizing bacteria, we demonstrate that PorX is essential for virulence factors secretion inPorphyromonas gingivalisand affects metabolic enzymes secretion in the non-pathogenicFlavobacterium johnsoniae, but not for the secretion of gliding adhesins. Overall, this study advances our structural and functional understanding of PorX, highlighting its potential as a druggable target for intervention strategies aimed at disrupting the T9SS and mitigating virulence in pathogenic species.
Efficiency enhancement techniques in finite element analysis: navigating complexity for agile design exploration
Authors: Haider Aun 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to comprehensively explore techniques for reducing solution time in finite element analysis (FEA), addressing the critical need for expediting computations to facilitate agile design exploration within project timelines.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from a wide array of literature sources, this paper synthesizes and analyzes various methodologies used to enhance the efficiency of FEA. Techniques are scrutinized in terms of their applicability, effectiveness and potential limitations.

Findings
The review signifies application of linear assumptions across multiple facets of analysis and delves into matrix order reduction strategies, geometry simplification, symmetry exploitation, submodeling and mesh attribute control. It reveals how these techniques can effectively reduce computational burdens while maintaining acceptable levels of accuracy.

Research limitations/implications
While this review provides a comprehensive overview of existing efficiency enhancement techniques in FEA, it acknowledges inherent limitations of any synthesis-based study. Future research should focus on refining these methodologies.

Practical implications
The insights provided in this paper offer practical guidance for structural engineers and researchers seeking to optimize FEA workflows. By implementing these techniques, practitioners can expedite solution times and enhance their ability to explore design alternatives efficiently ultimately leading to cost savings and more robust structures.

Originality/value
This review contributes to the existing literature by offering a comprehensive synthesis of efficiency enhancement techniques in FEA. By highlighting the originality and value of each discussed methodology, this paper provides a roadmap for future research and practical implementation in the field of structural engineering.
Multidisciplinary analysis and structural optimization for the aeroelastic sizing of a UAV wing using open-source code integration
Authors: Benaouali Abdelkader , Boutemedjet Abdelwahid 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to propose a structural sizing approach of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wing that takes into account the aeroelasticity effects through a fluid–structure interaction analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
The sizing approach proposed in this study is an iterative process, each iteration of which consists of two sub-loops, a multidisciplinary analysis (MDA) loop followed by a structural optimization loop. The MDA loop seeks the aeroelastic equilibrium between aerodynamic forces and structural displacements using a fixed-point iteration scheme. Once the equilibrium is reached, the converged pressure loads are used for the structural optimization, which aims to find the structural thicknesses that minimize the wing weight under failure criteria. The two sub-loops are run sequentially in an iterative process until the mass is converged. The analysis models are implemented in open-source software, namely, PANUKL for aerodynamics and MYSTRAN for structures, while the whole process is automated with Python and integrated in the open-source optimization framework OpenMDAO.

Findings
The approach was applied to the design of the Predator MQ-1 wing. The results of the MDAs show the convergence of the wing deformations to the flight shape after few iterations. At the end of the aeroelastic sizing loop, the result is a structurally sized wing with minimal weight considering the aeroelasticity effects.

Originality/value
The approach proposed takes into account the wing aero-structural coupling effects while sizing its structure instead of a fixed load distribution. In addition, the approach is fully based on open-source codes, which are freely available for public use and can be fully reproducible.