bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Buttressed pancreaticogastrostomy for a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct in pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sayed Mostafa M. , Raafat Mohamad , Taha Abdallah M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivePost‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has a major impact on the post‐operative outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct diameter are major risk factors for POPF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short‐term outcomes of our technique of buttressed pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) as a method of pancreatic anastomosis.Patients and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent PD with a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct diameter ≤5 mm. The study period spanned from January 2018 to December 2022.ResultsA total of 69 patients were included in the study, comprising 30 females and 39 males. The mean age of the patients was 57 ± 14.3 years. The mean operative time of the whole procedure was 335 ± 43.7 min and that of buttressed PG was 22 ± 4.6 min. Two patients had early post‐operative bleeding. Only 5 (7.24%) patients developed a grade A POPF. Eight (11.8%) patients had delayed gastric emptying.ConclusionButtressing PG represents a simple and safe reconstruction technique following PD, particularly for patients with a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct. This approach is associated with a low incidence of POPF. However, prospective randomised trials with large sample sizes are required to confirm these results.
Evaluating the competition intensity of wandering spiders feeding on Empoasca onukii under varying cicada–spider ratios in tea plantations
Authors: Liu Aiguo , Wang Guoqing , Zhou Xiazhi , Zou Yunding , Bi Shoudong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study was designed to explore differences in the competitive effects of wandering spiders under different cicada–spider ratios in tea plantations, and to provide a basis for the use of predatory wandering spiders for rational biological control. The population dynamics of Empoasca onukii and its natural enemies, the wandering spiders, were investigated in plantations of six tea cultivars, namely Anjibaicha, Huangshandayezhong, Longjing 43, Nongkangzao, Pingyangtezao and Wuniuzao, on the peak day of E. onukii emergence. Competition among wandering spiders under different cicada–spider ratios was analyzed using the gray correlation method and the competition coefficient method, and the results were then combined to derive a competition intensity index, which was then used to verify the accuracy of the results obtained. The results showed that the competition coefficients and competition intensity indices for low cicada–spider ratios were greater than those for high cicada–spider ratios on the peak day of E. onukii feeding, the differences between the two were significant at the t0.20 level, and the most competitive wandering spiders at low and high ratios were Clubiona japonicola and Clubiona reichlini, respectively, indicating that the cicada–spider ratio had some influence on the competitive effect of the wandering spiders. The results provide a scientific basis for the study of competition between species of wandering spiders and the utilization of competitive wandering spiders against E. onukii for the protection of tea crops.
Identification of a potent PCNA‐p15‐interaction inhibitor by autodisplay‐based peptide library screening
Authors: Hardebeck Sarah , Jácobo Goebbels Natalie , Michalski Caroline , Schreiber Sebastian , Jose Joachim 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential factor for DNA metabolism. The influence of PCNA on DNA replication and repair, combined with the high expression rate of PCNA in various tumours renders PCNA a promising target for cancer therapy. In this context, an autodisplay‐based screening method was developed to identify peptidic PCNA interaction inhibitors. A 12‐mer randomized peptide library consisting of 2.54 × 106 colony‐forming units was constructed and displayed at the surface of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells by autodisplay. Cells exhibiting an enhanced binding to fluorescent mScarlet‐I‐PCNA were enriched in four sorting rounds by flow cytometry. This led to the discovery of five peptide variants with affinity to mScarlet‐I‐PCNA. Among these, P3 (TCPLRWITHDHP) exhibited the highest binding signal. Subsequent flow cytometric analysis revealed a dissociation constant of 0.62 μM for PCNA‐P3 interaction. Furthermore, the inhibition of PCNA interactions was investigated using p15, a PIP‐box containing protein involved in DNA replication and repair. P3 inhibited the PCNA‐p1551‐70 interaction with a half maximal inhibitory activity of 16.2 μM, characterizing P3 as a potent inhibitor of the PCNA‐p15 interaction.
Testing and optimizing metabarcoding of iDNA from dung beetles to sample mammals in the hyperdiverse Neotropics
Authors: Saranholi Bruno H. , França Filipe M. , Vogler Alfried P. , Barlow Jos , Vaz de Mello Fernando Z. , Maldaner Maria E. , Carvalho Edrielly , Gestich Carla C. , Howes Benjamin , Banks‐Leite Cristina , Galetti Pedro M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOver the past few years, insects have been used as samplers of vertebrate diversity by assessing the ingested‐derived DNA (iDNA), and dung beetles have been shown to be a good mammal sampler given their broad feeding preference, wide distribution and easy sampling. Here, we tested and optimized the use of iDNA from dung beetles to assess the mammal community by evaluating if some biological and methodological aspects affect the use of dung beetles as mammal species samplers. We collected 403 dung beetles from 60 pitfall traps. iDNA from each dung beetle was sequenced by metabarcoding using two mini‐barcodes (12SrRNA and 16SrRNA). We assessed whether dung beetles with different traits related to feeding, nesting and body size differed in the number of mammal species found in their iDNA. We also tested differences among four killing solutions in preserving the iDNA and compared the effectiveness of each mini barcode to recover mammals. We identified a total of 50 mammal OTUs (operational taxonomic unit), including terrestrial and arboreal species from 10 different orders. We found that at least one mammal‐matching sequence was obtained from 70% of the dung beetle specimens. The number of mammal OTUs obtained did not vary with dung beetle traits as well as between the killing solutions. The 16SrRNA mini‐barcode recovered a higher number of mammal OTUs than 12SrRNA, although both sets were partly non‐overlapping. Thus, the complete mammal diversity may not be achieved by using only one of them. This study refines the methodology for routine assessment of tropical mammal communities via dung beetle ‘samplers’ and its universal applicability independently of the species traits of local beetle communities.
Pathogenesis of gout: Exploring more therapeutic target
Authors: Xiao Niqin , Xie Zhaohu , He Zhiyan , Xu Yundong , Zheng Shuyu , Wei Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiaoyu , Shen Jiayan , Wang Jian , Tian Yadan , Zuo Jinlian , Peng Jiangyun , Li Zhaofu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGout is a chronic metabolic and immune disease, and its specific pathogenesis is still unclear. When the serum uric acid exceeds its saturation in the blood or tissue fluid, it is converted to monosodium urate crystals, which lead to acute arthritis of varying degrees, urinary stones, or irreversible peripheral joint damage, and in severe cases, impairment of vital organ function. Gout flare is a clinically significant state of acute inflammation in gout. The current treatment is mostly anti‐inflammatory analgesics, which have numerous side effects with limited treatment methods. Gout pathogenesis involves many aspects. Therefore, exploring gout pathogenesis from multiple perspectives is conducive to identifying more therapeutic targets and providing safer and more effective alternative treatment options for patients with gout flare. Thus, this article is of great significance for further exploring the pathogenesis of gout. The author summarizes the pathogenesis of gout from four aspects: signaling pathways, inflammatory factors, intestinal flora, and programmed cell death, focusing on exploring more new therapeutic targets.
Microbiological exploration of the Cueva del Viento lava tube system in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Authors: Gutierrez‐Patricio Sara , Osman Jorge R. , Gonzalez‐Pimentel José Luis , Jurado Valme , Laiz Leonila , Concepción Alfredo Laínez , Saiz‐Jimenez Cesareo , Miller Ana Zélia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCueva del Viento, located in the Canary Islands, Spain, is the Earth's sixth‐longest lava tube, spanning 18,500 m, and was formed approximately 27,000 years ago. This complex volcanic cave system is characterized by a unique geomorphology, featuring an intricate network of galleries. Despite its geological significance, the geomicrobiology of Cueva del Viento remains largely unexplored. This study employed a combination of culture‐dependent techniques and metabarcoding data analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cave's microbial diversity. The 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach revealed that the coloured microbial mats (yellow, red and white) coating the cave walls are dominated by the phyla Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota and Acidobacteriota. Of particular interest is the high relative abundance of the genus Crossiella, which is involved in urease‐mediated biomineralization processes, along with the presence of genera associated with nitrogen cycling, such as Nitrospira. Culture‐dependent techniques provided insights into the morphological characteristics of the isolated species and their potential metabolic activities, particularly for the strains Streptomyces spp., Paenarthrobacter sp. and Pseudomonas spp. Our findings underscore the potential of Cueva del Viento as an ideal environment for studying microbial diversity and for the isolation and characterization of novel bacterial species of biotechnological interest.
Forbes Magazine's America's Best Banks: Are they best for investors?
Authors: Filbeck Greg , Preece Dianna , Zhao Xin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates announcement effects and longer‐term performance associated with the Forbes' America's Best Banks survey release. Although the market reacted positively to the announcement, the overall event window effects were insignificant. Raw and risk‐adjusted returns are statistically insignificant over longer‐time horizons. Investors cannot just use the Best Banks list to earn positive announcement window returns. However, a direct relation exists between movement in survey rank and subsequent accounting profitability measures, suggesting investors may benefit from monitoring movements on the Best Banks list. We also find support for a size effect as smaller, matched sample banks have higher Jensen's alphas than the Forbes larger Best Banks.
Prolonged diacetylmorphine take‐home during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Results of a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Brezan Franciska , Meyer Maximilian , Vogel Marc , Heimer Jakob , Falcato Luis , Montagna Jonas , Bruggmann Philip 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and aimsLegal regulations for dispensing in Swiss heroin‐assisted treatment were relaxed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, allowing prolonged take‐home of up to 7 days instead of two to reduce patient contact and the risk of infection. Our study aimed to measure the consequences of this new practice.Design, setting and participantsThis was a retrospective cohort study set in Switzerland’s largest outpatient centre for opioid agonist therapy. One hundred and thirty‐four (72.4%) of the 185 patients receiving oral diacetylmorphine (DAM) participated in the study.MeasurementsThrough the utilization of electronic medication prescription and dispensing software, as well as the electronic medical record, the following data were extracted to explore the potential consequences: dose of DAM, the number of antibiotic therapies, emergency hospitalizations and incarcerations. Age, gender, prescriptions for psychotrophic drugs and additional prescription for injectable DAM were tested to assess an increased risk of losing prolonged take‐home privileges. Data in the year since prolonged take‐home (period 2) were compared with data from the equivalent prior year (period 1).FindingsDAM take‐home was not associated with a change in DAM dose (P = 0.548), the number of emergency hospitalizations (P = 0.186) or the number of incarcerations (P = 0.215); 79.1% of all patients were able to maintain their extended take‐home privileges. However, patients who had injectable DAM experienced significant reductions in their prolonged take‐home privileges.ConclusionAllowing patients to take home oral diacetylmorphine for up to 7 days as treatment for opioid use disorder does not appear to pose any demonstrable health risk. It is generally manageable for the large majority of patients. However, careful consideration of prolonged take‐home for patients with additional injectable diacetylmorphine is recommended, as these patients are more likely to lose take‐home privileges.
A PAX3 insertion in the Celestial breed and certain feline breeding lines with dominant blue eyes
Authors: Abitbol Marie , Couronné Alice , Dufaure de Citres Caroline , Gache Vincent 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDuring the last 60 years many inherited traits in domestic outbred cats were selected and retained giving birth to new breeds characterised by singular coat or morphological phenotypes. Among them, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Various established breeds also introduced this trait in their lineages. The trait, that was confirmed as autosomal dominant by breeding data, was first described in domestic cats from Kazakhstan and Russia, in British shorthair and British longhair from Russia, and in Maine Coon cats from the Netherlands, suggesting different founding effects. Using a genome‐wide association study we identified a single region on chromosome C1 that was associated with the minimal white spotting and blue eyes phenotype (also called DBE by breeders for dominant blue eyes) in the French Celestial breed. Within that region we identified Paired Box 3 (PAX3) as the strongest candidate gene, since PAX3 is a key regulator of MITF (Melanocyte‐Inducing Transcription Factor) and PAX3 variants have been previously identified in various species showing white spotting with or without blue eyes including the mouse and the horse. Whole genome sequencing of a Celestial cat revealed an endogenous retrovirus LTR (long terminal repeat) insertion within PAX3 intron 4 known to contain regulatory sequences (conserved non‐coding element [CNE]) involved in PAX3 expression. The insertion is in the vicinity of CNE2 and CNE3. All 52 Celestial and Celestial‐mixed cats with a DBE phenotype presented the insertion, that was absent in their 22 non‐DBE littermates and in 87 non‐DBE cats from various breeds. The outbred Celestial founder was also heterozygous for the insertion. Additionally, the variant was found in nine DBE Maine Coon cats related to the Celestial founder and four DBE Siberian cats with an uncertain origin. Segregation of the variant in the Celestial breed is consistent with dominant inheritance and does not appear to be associated with deafness. We propose that this NC_018730.3:g.206974029_206974030insN[395] variant represents the DBECEL (Celestial Dominant Blue Eyes) allele in the domestic cat.
Timing optimization for primary pterygium excision with conjunctival‐limbal autograft to restore the corneal optical properties
Authors: Ha Dong Hee , Kim Kyoung Woo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposeTo propose the optimal value of baseline corneal astigmatism and pterygial morphological profiles for primary pterygium surgery to restore the corneal optical properties.MethodsWe analysed 93 eyes from 84 subjects with nasal‐only primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival‐limbal autograft and were assessed perioperatively using anterior segment swept‐source optical coherence tomography (AS SS‐OCT). We collected data on anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and root mean square (RMS) values for anterior corneal lower‐ (LoA) and higher‐order aberrations (HoA) as corneal optical properties using AS SS‐OCT. Using preoperative ACA and four pterygial morphological profiles (horizontal invasion length [HIL], height, thickness and the ratio of residual corneal thickness [RCT] to central corneal thickness [CCT]) measured in AS SS‐OCT, we plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. These curves aimed to determine cut‐off values predicting a perioperative decrease exceeding 50% in ACA, RMS LoA and RMS HoA, as well as postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D.ResultsPreoperative ACA > 1.42D (AUC = 0.934) and >3.60D (AUC = 0.946) proved most effective in identifying subjects with perioperative decrease exceeding in ACA and RMS LoA, respectively. HIL > 3.34 mm (AUC = 0.941) was most effective in distinguishing subjects with perioperative reduction exceeding 50% in RMS HoA. Preoperative ACA > 5.78D (AUC = 0.776) and HIL > 5.03 mm (AUC = 0.700) significantly distinguished subjects with postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D.ConclusionOptimizing the restoration of corneal astigmatism and aberrations after pterygium surgery may be facilitated by determining the optimal surgical timing based on preoperative ACA and HIL values.
Smoking cessation only partially reverses cardiac metabolic and structural remodeling in mice
Authors: Aid Jekaterina , Tanjeko Ajime Tom , Serré Jef , Eggelbusch Moritz , Noort Wendy , de Wit Gerard M. J. , van Weeghel Michel , Puurand Marju , Tepp Kersti , Gayan‐Ramirez Ghislaine , Degens Hans , Käämbre Tuuli , Wüst Rob C. I. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimsActive cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that remains elevated after cessation. Skeletal muscle dysfunction has been well documented after smoking, but little is known about cardiac adaptations to cigarette smoking. The underlying cellular and molecular cardiac adaptations, independent of confounding lifestyle factors, and time course of reversibility by smoking cessation remain unclear. We hypothesized that smoking negatively affects cardiac metabolism and induces local inflammation in mice, which do not readily reverse upon 2‐week smoking cessation.MethodsMice were exposed to air or cigarette smoke for 14 weeks with or without 1‐ or 2‐week smoke cessation. We measured cardiac mitochondrial respiration by high‐resolution respirometry, cardiac mitochondrial density, abundance of mitochondrial supercomplexes by electrophoresis, and capillarization, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration by immunohistology, and performed cardiac metabolome and lipidome analysis by mass spectrometry.ResultsMitochondrial protein, supercomplex content, and respiration (all p < 0.03) were lower after smoking, which were largely reversed within 2‐week smoking cessation. Metabolome and lipidome analyses revealed alterations in mitochondrial metabolism, a shift from fatty acid to glucose metabolism, which did not revert to control upon smoking cessation. Capillary density was not different after smoking but increased after smoking cessation (p = 0.02). Macrophage infiltration and fibrosis (p < 0.04) were higher after smoking but did not revert to control upon smoking cessation.ConclusionsWhile cigarette‐impaired smoking‐induced cardiac mitochondrial function was reversed by smoking cessation, the remaining fibrosis and macrophage infiltration may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular events after smoking cessation.
Randomised clinical trial: First‐line infliximab biosimilar is cost‐effective compared to conventional treatment in paediatric Crohn's disease
Authors: Vuijk Stephanie A. , Jongsma Maria M. E. , Hoeven Britt M. , Cozijnsen Maarten A. , van Pieterson Merel , de Meij Tim G. J. , Norbruis Obbe F. , Groeneweg Michael , Wolters Victorien M. , van Wering Herbert , Hummel Thalia , Stapelbroek Janneke , van der Feen Cathelijne , van Rheenen Patrick F. , van Wijk Michiel P. , Teklenburg Sarah , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Poley Marten J. , Escher Johanna C. , de Ridder Lissy 
Published: April 2024

SummaryBackgroundData on cost‐effectiveness of first‐line infliximab in paediatric patients with Crohn's disease are limited. Since biologics are increasingly prescribed and accompanied by high costs, this knowledge gap needs to be addressed.AimTo investigate the cost‐effectiveness of first‐line infliximab compared to conventional treatment in children with moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease.MethodsWe included patients from the Top‐down Infliximab Study in Kids with Crohn's disease randomised controlled trial. Children with newly diagnosed moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease were treated with azathioprine maintenance and either five induction infliximab (biosimilar) infusions or conventional induction treatment (exclusive enteral nutrition or corticosteroids). Direct healthcare consumption and costs were obtained per patient until week 104. This included data on outpatient hospital visits, hospital admissions, drug costs, endoscopies and surgeries. The primary health outcome was the odds ratio of being in clinical remission (weighted paediatric Crohn's disease activity index<12.5) during 104 weeks.ResultsWe included 89 patients (44 in the first‐line infliximab group and 45 in the conventional treatment group). Mean direct healthcare costs per patient were €36,784 for first‐line infliximab treatment and €36,874 for conventional treatment over 2 years (p = 0.981). The odds ratio of first‐line infliximab versus conventional treatment to be in clinical remission over 104 weeks was 1.56 (95%CI 1.03–2.35, p = 0.036).ConclusionsFirst‐line infliximab treatment resulted in higher odds of being in clinical remission without being more expensive, making it the dominant strategy over conventional treatment in the first 2 years after diagnosis in children with moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease.Trial registration number: NCT02517684.
Combining regularization and logistic regression model to validate the Q‐matrix for cognitive diagnosis model
Authors: Sun Xiaojian , Zhang Tongxin , Nie Chang , Song Naiqing , Xin Tao 
Published: April 2024

AbstractQ‐matrix is an important component of most cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs); however, it mainly relies on subject matter experts' judgements in empirical studies, which introduces the possibility of misspecified q‐entries. To address this, statistical Q‐matrix validation methods have been proposed to aid experts' judgement. A few of these methods, including the multiple logistic regression‐based (MLR‐B) method and the Hull method, can be applied to general CDMs, but they are either time‐consuming or lack accuracy under certain conditions. In this study, we combine the L1 regularization and MLR model to validate the Q‐matrix. Specifically, an L1 penalty term is imposed on the log‐likelihood of the MLR model to select the necessary attributes for each item. A simulation study with various factors was conducted to examine the performance of the new method against the two existing methods. The results show that the regularized MLR‐B method (a) produces the highest Q‐matrix recovery rate (QRR) and true positive rate (TPR) for most conditions, especially with a small sample size; (b) yields a slightly higher true negative rate (TNR) than either the MLR‐B or the Hull method for most conditions; and (c) requires less computation time than the MLR‐B method and similar computation time as the Hull method. A real data set is analysed for illustration purposes.