bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparisons between Caucasian‐validated photo‐numeric scales and Korean‐validated photo‐numeric scales for photo‐ageing. Insights from the Singapore/Malaysia cross‐sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort
Authors: Ng Jun Yan , Zhou Hongyu , Li Tianqi , Chew Fook Tim 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPhoto‐ageing is a form of skin ageing which affects the entire face. A photo‐aged skin has a diverse variety of wrinkles and dyspigmentation all over the face. Here, we discuss photo‐ageing on the Chinese skin evaluated using a photo‐numeric scale developed and validated on Caucasian skin (i.e., Caucasian scale) and evaluated using a photo‐numeric scale developed and validated on Korean skin (i.e., Korean scale). The Korean scale can be subdivided into two scales that separately address the wrinkling and dyspigmentation constituents of photo‐ageing.AimAs there are currently no photo‐ageing scales for Chinese skin, the main objective of this study is to adapt existing photo‐ageing photo‐numeric scales for use on ethnic Chinese skin.MethodThree trained assessors studied facial photo‐ageing on 1,081 ethnic Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia Cross‐sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study (SMCGES) cohort.ResultsAll assessors are highly internally consistent (Weighted Kappa (κw) values≥0.952). We found that the Caucasian scale and Korean scale give nearly synonymous results for the wrinkling constituent of photo‐ageing (R2 = 0.9386). The two scales are strongly concordant (Spearman's Rank Correlation (ρ) value: 0.62 ± 0.06, p = 1.31×10−84). A weak‐to‐moderate inter‐scalar level of agreement (Cohen's Kappa (κ) values: 0.38 ± 0.05, p = 8.87×10−53) persists and is statistically significant after accounting for agreements due to chance. When tested on ethnic Chinese skin, both scales detect photo‐ageing consistently (Area under curve [AUC] values: 0.76‐0.84). Additionally, the Korean scale for the dyspigmentation constituent of photo‐ageing is concordant with both the Caucasian scale (R2 = 0.7888) and the Korean scale for the wrinkling constituent of photo‐ageing (R2 = 0.7734).ConclusionOur results show that the Caucasian scale is suitable for capturing photo‐ageing on Chinese skin, especially wrinkle variations. The Korean dyspigmentation scale supplements the Caucasian scale to capture dyspigmentation patterns on Chinese skin that may be absent on Caucasian skin. Currently, photo‐ageing scales for Chinese skin are absent. When developed, these photo‐ageing scales must be properly validated for their ability to capture photo‐ageing of the entire face.
Evaluation of coagulation and platelet activation state and function in heartworm‐infected dogs
Authors: Fraser Carisa , Wallace Mandy L. , Moorhead Andrew , Tarigo Jaime , Brainard Benjamin M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundEnhanced platelet responses have been demonstrated in heartworm‐infected (HWI) dogs; however, the cause and clinical implications of altered platelet function have not been fully elucidated.ObjectiveThis study evaluated platelet function in HWI dogs.MethodsAnticoagulated whole blood collected from eight HWI and eight uninfected dogs was evaluated using turbidometric platelet aggregometry, a platelet function analyzer (PFA‐100), a total thrombus analysis system (T‐TAS), tissue factor‐activated and tissue plasminogen activator modified thromboelastography (TF‐ and tPA‐TEG), CBC, von Willebrand Factor activity, and fibrinogen concentrations. Platelet activation state and the presence of reticulated platelets were assessed via flow cytometric expression of P‐selection (CD‐62P) and thiazole orange staining.ResultsPlatelet aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 μM) or collagen (20 μg/mL), PFA‐100 closure times, and T‐TAS occlusion times did not differ between groups. TEG values TF‐R, tPA‐R, TF‐K, and TF‐LY60 were decreased (P = .025, P = .047, P  = .038, P  = .025) and TF‐MA, tPA‐MA, TF‐G, tPA‐G and TF‐alpha angle were increased (P  < .04) in HWI dogs. HWI dogs had higher fibrinogen concentrations (465.6 ± 161 mg/dL vs 284.5 ± 38 mg/dL, P  = .008) and eosinophil counts (0.686 ± 0.27 × 103/μL vs 0.267 ± 0.20 × 103/μL, P  = .003). There was no difference in hematocrit, activation state, or percent of reticulated platelets. Non‐activated reticulated platelets exhibited higher CD62P expression compared with mature platelets.ConclusionsChronic canine heartworm disease was accompanied by hypercoagulability, hyperfibrinogenemia, and decreased fibrinolysis. Enhanced platelet activation was not identified in this group of HWI dogs.
A novel haemodilution chip mounted on the total thrombus‐formation analysis system, a flow chamber system, enables stable analysis of platelet products under low platelet concentration/high shear conditions
Authors: Fuchizaki Akihiro , Yasui Kazuta , Hayashi Tomoya , Tanaka Mitsunobu , Oyamada Chiaki , Ohnishi‐Wada Tomoko , Hosokawa Kazuya , Fujimura Yoshihiro , Shimogaki Kazushige , Hirayama Fumiya , Kimura Takafumi , Takihara Yoshihiro 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe total thrombus‐formation analysis system (T‐TAS) can quantitatively analyse the contribution of platelets to haemostasis using reconstituted blood samples. However, it is unsuitable in cases with low platelet counts. We introduced a haemodilution (HD) chip with a shallow chamber depth, adapted to low platelet counts and high shear conditions (1500 s−1).Materials and MethodsBlood samples were prepared by mixing red blood cell products, standard human plasma and platelet products; the final platelet count was 50 × 103/μL. Aggregation tests were performed by using the aggregation inducers collagen, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and ristocetin. Samples with 2‐, 4‐ and 9‐day‐old platelet products (N = 10) were evaluated.ResultsThe HD chip enabled the stable analysis of the haemostatic function of all samples at a platelet count of 50 × 103/μL. Haemostatic function was correlated with ADP aggregation (time to 10 kPa [T10]: r = −0.53; area under the curve for 30 min: r = 0.40) and storage period (T10: r = 0.44).ConclusionThe HD chip‐mounted T‐TAS can stably analyse haemostatic function under low platelet counts and high shear conditions; this approach is expected to serve as a bridge to in vivo haemostatic tests with experimental animals.
Design of a Device to Ease and Improve the Diagnosis of Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome
Authors: Rutherford Emma , Xu Wenhao , Vu Kiet , Lozano Claudia , Lee Alexandra , Dzenutis Paige , Dowlatshahi Arriyan S. , Pennes Anthony , Connor Jay , Slocum Alexander 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a condition affecting blood flow in the back of the leg, which can have a significant impact on the patient's life. It is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of standardized procedures and quantifiable diagnostic criteria. To facilitate easier and more accurate diagnosis of this syndrome, we have designed and built an initial prototype of a device that provides adjustable resistance during plantar-flexion of the patient's ankle while quantifying force generated and ankle range of motion. The device will be used while the physician observes blood flow through the popliteal artery in the back of the knee using an ultrasound. The device provides a convenient and ergonomic solution for patients and physicians, which helps improve the accuracy of PAES diagnosis and allows physicians to further study this condition.
Biomechanical Analysis of Orthodontic Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion on Dental and Bone Tissues: A Finite-Element Study
Authors: Mamboleo Egon , Ouldyerou Abdelhak , Alsharif Khaled , Ngan Peter , Merdji Ali , Roy Sandipan , Mukdadi Osama M. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This study aims to delineate the biomechanical responses in both soft and hard tissues, alongside the interactions within the surrounding bone of a human skull subjected to clinical loadings generated by a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) device. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of a 20-year-old female skull were segmented. The skull bones were meticulously modeled to reconstruct a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) model for finite-element analysis (FEA). A displacement of 0.125 mm was applied on each side (0.25 mm total) of the MARPE device to simulate one complete turn of the jackscrew. The outcomes revealed that the miniscrews experienced a maximum equivalent von Mises stress of 264.91 MPa. Notably, the separation of the midpalatal suture exhibited a quasi-parallel deformation with an average displacement of 0.247 mm and a standard deviation of 0.006,67 mm. The ratio of the rotational angle to the lateral displacement of the zygomaticomaxillary complex was 0.6436 degree/mm. No fracture of miniscrews was observed during the activation of one turn per day.
A new genus and two new species of eriophyid mites from medicinal plants in Thailand </p >
Authors: Konvipasruang Ploychompoo , Buttachon Suradet 
Published: May 2024

A new genus and two new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from medicinal plants, Thailand are described and illustrated. There are Asetapatella ipomoneae gen. nov., sp. nov. on Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D.F. Austin (Convolvulaceae) and Aceria rotundifolii n. sp., on Mitragyna rotundifolia (Roxb.) Kuntze (Rubiaceae). Asetapatella ipomoneae gen. nov., sp. nov. is vagrant on the lower leaf surface, causing no apparent symptoms to the host plant. Aceria rotundifolii n. sp. caused erineum on both sides of the host’s leaves.
Pathogen-microbiome interactions and the virulence of an entomopathogenic fungus
Authors: Kolp Matthew R. , de Anda Acosta Yazmin , Brewer William , Nichols Holly L. , Goldstein Elliott B. , Tallapragada Keertana , Parker Benjamin J. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Bacteria shape interactions between hosts and fungal pathogens. In some cases, bacteria associated with fungi are essential for pathogen virulence. In other systems, host-associated microbiomes confer resistance against fungal pathogens. We studied an aphid-specific entomopathogenic fungus called
Pandora neoaphidis
in the context of both host and pathogen microbiomes. Aphids host several species of heritable bacteria, some of which confer resistance against
Pandora
. We first found that spores that emerged from aphids that harbored protective bacteria were less virulent against subsequent hosts and did not grow on plate media. We then used 16S amplicon sequencing to study the bacterial microbiome of fungal mycelia and spores during plate culturing and host infection. We found that the bacterial community is remarkably stable in culture despite dramatic changes in pathogen virulence. Last, we used an experimentally transformed symbiont of aphids to show that
Pandora
can acquire host-associated bacteria during infection. Our results uncover new roles for bacteria in the dynamics of aphid-pathogen interactions and illustrate the importance of the broader microbiological context in studies of fungal pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Entomopathogenic fungi play important roles in the population dynamics of many insect species. Understanding the factors shaping entomopathogen virulence is critical for agricultural management and for the use of fungi in pest biocontrol. We show that heritable bacteria in aphids, which confer protection to their hosts against fungal entomopathogens, influence virulence against subsequent hosts. Aphids reproduce asexually and are typically surrounded by genetically identical offspring, and thus these effects likely shape the dynamics of fungal disease in aphid populations. Furthermore, fungal entomopathogens are known to rapidly lose virulence in lab culture, complicating their laboratory use. We show that this phenomenon is not driven by changes in the associated bacterial microbiome. These results contribute to our broader understanding of the aphid model system and shed light on the biology of the Entomophthorales—an important but understudied group of fungi.
A novel multiplex fluorescent-labeling method for the visualization of mixed-species biofilms
in vitro
Authors: Aherne Olivia , Mørch Martina , Ortiz Roberto , Shannon Oonagh , Davies Julia R. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

In nature, bacteria usually exist as mixed-species biofilms, where they engage in a range of synergistic and antagonistic interactions that increase their resistance to environmental challenges. Biofilms are a major cause of persistent infections, and dispersal from initial foci can cause new infections at distal sites thus warranting further investigation. Studies of development and spatial interactions in mixed-species biofilms can be challenging due to difficulties in identifying the different bacterial species
in situ
. Here, we apply CellTrace dyes to studies of biofilm bacteria and present a novel application for multiplex labeling, allowing identification of different bacteria in mixed-species,
in vitro
biofilm models. Oral bacteria labeled with CellTrace dyes (far red, yellow, violet, and CFSE [green]) were used to create single- and mixed-species biofilms, which were analyzed with confocal spinning disk microscopy (CSDM). Biofilm supernatants were studied with flow cytometry (FC). Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were well labeled and CSDM revealed biofilms with clear morphology and stable staining for up to 4 days. Analysis of CellTrace labeled cells in supernatants using FC showed differences in the biofilm dispersal between bacterial species. Multiplexing with different colored dyes allowed visualization of spatial relationships between bacteria in mixed-species biofilms and relative coverage by the different species was revealed through segmentation of the CSDM images. This novel application, thus, offers a powerful tool for studying structure and composition of mixed-species biofilms
in vitro
.

IMPORTANCE

Although most chronic infections are caused by mixed-species biofilms, much of our knowledge still comes from planktonic cultures of single bacterial species. Studies of formation and development of mixed-species biofilms are, therefore, required. This work describes a method applicable to labeling of bacteria for
in vitro
studies of biofilm structure and dispersal. Critically, labeled bacteria can be multiplexed for identification of different species in mixed-species biofilms using confocal spinning disk microscopy, facilitating investigation of biofilm development and spatial interactions under different environmental conditions. The study is an important step in increasing the tools available for such complex and challenging studies.
Gut virome alterations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Liu Yue , Huang Qingsong , Zhuang Zhenhua , Yang Hongjing , Gou Xiaoling , Xu Tong , Liu Ke , Wang Jun , Liu Bo , Gao Peiyang , Cao Feng , Yang Bin , Zhang Chuantao , Chen Mei , Fan Gang 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the primary causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The gut microbiome, particularly the bacteriome, has been demonstrated to contribute to the progression of COPD. However, the influence of gut virome on the pathogenesis of COPD is rarely studied. Recent advances in viral metagenomics have enabled the rapid discovery of its remarkable role in COPD. In this study, deep metagenomics sequencing of fecal virus-like particles and bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on 92 subjects from China to characterize alterations of the gut virome in COPD. Lower richness and diversity of the gut virome were observed in the COPD subjects compared with the healthy individuals. Sixty-four viral species, including
Clostridium phage
,
Myoviridae
sp., and
Synechococcus phage
, showed positive relationships with pulmonary ventilation functions and had markedly declined population in COPD subjects. Multiple viral functions, mainly involved in bacterial susceptibility and the interaction between bacteriophages and bacterial hosts, were significantly declined in COPD. In addition, COPD was characterized by weakened viral-bacterial interactions compared with those in the healthy cohort. The gut virome showed diagnostic performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 88.7%, which indicates the potential diagnostic value of the gut virome for COPD. These results suggest that gut virome may play an important role in the development of COPD. The information can provide a reference for the future investigation of diagnosis, treatment, and in-depth mechanism research of COPD.

IMPORTANCE
Previous studies showed that the bacteriome plays an important role in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the involvement of the gut virome in COPD. Our study explored the disease-specific virome signatures of patients with COPD. We found the diversity and compositions altered of the gut virome in COPD subjects compared with healthy individuals, especially those viral species positively correlated with pulmonary ventilation functions. Additionally, the declined bacterial susceptibility, the interaction between bacteriophages and bacterial hosts, and the weakened viral-bacterial interactions in COPD were observed. The findings also suggested the potential diagnostic value of the gut virome for COPD. The results highlight the significance of gut virome in COPD. The novel strategies for gut virome rectifications may help to restore the balance of gut microecology and represent promising therapeutics for COPD.
Ocular findings in patients with histiocytosis and association with clinical and molecular features
Authors: Francis Jasmine H , Reiner Anne S , Canestraro Julia , Rampal Raajit K , Abramson David H , Diamond Eli L 
Published: May 2024

Background/aims
Ocular manifestations of histiocytosis and their genetic underpinnings are poorly characterised. This study characterises ocular sites of histiocytosis, notate genetic alterations and correlates to histiocytosis clinical features including subtype and sites of disease.

Methods
Prospective registry-based study of predominantly adult histiocytosis patients at a single-institution tertiary referral centre. 180 eyes of 90 patients (46 males, 44 females) with histiocytosis (Erdheim-Chester disease 34, Rosai-Dorfman 20, xanthogranuloma 7, mixed histiocytosis 13, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) 15, ALK-positive histiocytosis 1). Ocular findings were categorised by the structure involved. Histiocytosis subtype, sites of disease and genetic status were correlated to ocular findings.

Results

Ocular disease was present in more than half the histiocytosis patient cohort and occurred with other disease sites. Ocular findings were statistically significantly different across histiocytic subtypes with LCH subtypes having the lowest proportion of ocular findings (7%) and all other subtypes having rates of ocular findings which were five times that of patients with LCH (p=0.0009). Of patients with ocular findings, 41% of patients reported ocular symptoms and were significantly more in the group with ocular disease present versus those patients without ocular involvement. The presence of ocular findings was not statistically different by
BRAF
V600E,
MAP2K1
or
RAS
isoform mutational status.

Conclusions
Ocular disease is a common feature of histiocytosis with significant visual symptomatology and occurrence in tandem with multisystem sites. Ocular findings vary by histiocytic subtype. The mutational profile of the cohort reflects known mutations in this clinical population, with no specific driver mutation associated with ocular disease.
Integrating interventions supported by development assistance for health into local health system: evidence from a China–World Bank–UK rural health system strengthening project (1998–2007)
Authors: Huang Aidan , Zhao Yingxi , Cao Chunkai , Lyu Mohan , Tang Kun 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionTo empirically investigate sustainability of development assistance for health (DAH), we conducted a retrospective case study on the Basic Health Services Project (BHSP) for rural health system strengthening, supported by the World Bank and the UK in China between 1998 and 2007. Specifically, this study examines the integration of the BHSP interventions into China’s health system.MethodsFrom December 2021 to December 2022, we reviewed 64 published papers and project or policy documents, and conducted semistructured interviews with 22 key informants, ranging from managers of donor agencies and the government to township-level hospital directors. From February to March 2023, the data were analysed under an analytical framework for integration of targeted health interventions into health systems.ResultsEvidence of the BHSP shows that the integration outcomes can vary by the levels of integration (national or subnational), geographical coverage (project areas or both project and non-project areas) and approach to integration (policy or routinisation). The country’s health system reform facilitated the integration of the interventions relevant to the reform policies, as the BHSP was one of the pilot schemes. However, interventions incompatible with this broad context were integrated to a limited extent. This integration occurred through embedding the project within the existing system, with a higher degree of embeddedness leading to smoother integration. Cross-sectoral leading groups and a technical support system heightened the project visibility and enabled contextualised local adaptation, contributing to the smooth integration of the project interventions.ConclusionThe DAH-supported interventions can achieve sustainability by being integrated into the local health system. This integration can take various forms to improve health outcomes, including being accepted and internalised, modified as well as innovated and expanded. The host country and development partners can promote DAH sustainability by contextually integrating these interventions within the project scope.