bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pragmatic clinical trials to advance research in children and adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Norris Mark L. , Spettigue Wendy , Obeid Nicole 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo discuss the utility of pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) to help advance research in eating disorders (EDs).MethodsWe describe challenges associated with traditional explanatory research trials and examine PCTs as an alternative, including a review of the PRECIS‐2 tool.ResultsThere are many challenges associated with the design and completion of traditional RCTs within the field of EDs. Pragmatic clinical trials are studies that closely align with conditions available in everyday practice and focus on outcomes that are relevant to patients and clinicians. Results of PCTS maximize applicability and generalizability to clinical settings.DiscussionAvailable therapies established for the treatment of EDs provide remission rates that rarely exceed 50%, implying a need for additional research on new or adjunctive treatments. In addition to a general overview of PCTs, we draw upon published literature and our own experiences involving adjunctive olanzapine for the treatment of children and youth with anorexia nervosa to help highlight challenges associated with randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and implementation, and offer pragmatic suggestions that would allow patients greater choice in treatment trials, while at the same time capturing outcomes that are most likely to advance treatment efforts.ConclusionsPragmatic clinical trials provide alternatives to RCT design that can help bolster research in EDs that aims to explore real‐world effects of interventions.Public SignificanceAvailable therapies established for the treatment of eating disorders (EDs) in children and adolescents provide remission rates that rarely exceed 50%, implying a need for additional research on new or adjunctive treatments. In this article, we discuss the utility of pragmatic trials to help promote research that can help advance knowledge that is relevant to clinical care settings.
The genetic signature left by the range expansion of red foxes in Australia is detectable after more than 80 years of population stability
Authors: Sarre Stephen D. , Adamack Aaron T. , Hitchen Yvette , Soulsbury Carl D. , Gruber Bernd , Berry Oliver F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractReconstructing biological invasions from historical sources can provide insights into how they occur but are difficult to do when invasions are poorly documented. Genetic signatures left by invaders can also offer insights into invasion routes, points of origin and general biology but often present conclusions that are contradictory to expectations. Here, we test the ability of continental‐wide microsatellite genotype data from 29 loci and 3122 samples to reconstruct the well‐documented invasion of red foxes Vulpes vulpes from the United Kingdom into Australia over 150 years ago, an invasion that has led to the extinction of many native species. Our analysis reveals several key signals of invasion evident in Australian foxes. They display lower levels of diversity than foxes sampled from the UK, exhibit clines in diversity from the point of introduction (south‐east Australia) to the edge of their range, and show strong evidence of allele surfing in westerly and north‐easterly directions. These characteristics are consistent with a single point of origin followed by rapid expansion in westerly and north‐easterly directions as suggested by historical records. We also find little genetic structure in foxes across Australia with only the vast Nullarbor Plains and Great Victoria Desert region presenting a detectable barrier to their dispersal. As such, no mainland region within the current range of foxes can be considered genetically isolated and therefore appropriate for localised eradication efforts. Overall, our analyses demonstrate the ability of comprehensive population genetic studies to reconstruct invasion histories even after more than 80 years since colonisation was stabilised.
Colony morphotype governs innate and adaptive pulmonary immune responses to Mycobacterium abscessus infection in C3HeB/FeJ mice
Authors: Ferrell Kia C. , Stewart Erica L. , Counoupas Claudio , Triccas James A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMycobacterium abscessus is an emerging pathogen that causes chronic pulmonary infection. Treatment is challenging owing in part to our incomplete understanding of M. abscessus virulence mechanisms that enable pathogen persistence, such as the differing pathogenicity of M. abscessus smooth (S) and rough (R) colony morphotype. While R M. abscessus is associated with chronic infection and worse patient outcomes, it is unknown how immune responses to S and R M. abscessus differ in an acute pulmonary infection setting. In this study, immunological outcomes of M. abscessus infection with S and R morphotypes were examined in an immune‐competent C3HeB/FeJ murine model. R M. abscessus infection was associated with the rapid production of inflammatory chemokines and recruitment of activated, MHC‐II+ Ly6C+ macrophages to lungs and mediastinal LN (mLN). While both S and R M. abscessus increased T helper 1 (Th1) phenotype T cells in the lung, this was markedly delayed in mice infected with S M. abscessus. However, histopathological involvement and bacterial clearance were similar regardless of colony morphotype. These results demonstrate the importance of M. abscessus colony morphotype in shaping the development of pulmonary immune responses to M. abscessus, which further informs our understanding of M. abscessus host–pathogen interactions.
Atomic‐scale strain analysis for advanced Si/SiGe heterostructure by using transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Li Lan , Bi Ran , Dong Zuoyuan , Ye Changqing , Xie Jing , Wang Chaolun , Li Xiaomei , Pey Kin‐Leong , Li Ming , Wu Xing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThree‐dimensional stacked transistors based on Si/SiGe heterojunction are a potential candidate for future low‐power and high‐performance computing in integrated circuits. Observing and accurately measuring strain in Si/SiGe heterojunctions is critical to increasing carrier mobility and improving device performance. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with high spatial resolution and analytical capabilities provides technical support for atomic‐scale strain measurement and promotes significant progress in strain mapping technology. This paper reviews atomic‐scale strain analysis for advanced Si/SiGe heterostructure based on TEM techniques. Convergent‐beam electron diffraction, nano‐beam electron diffraction, dark‐field electron holography, and high‐resolution TEM with geometrical phase analysis, are comprehensively discussed in terms of spatial resolution, strain precision, field of view, reference position, and data processing. Also, the advantages and critical issues of these strain analysis methods based on the TEM technique are summarized, and the future direction of TEM techniques in the related areas is prospected.
Damping‐dependent correlations between horizontal‐horizontal, horizontal‐vertical, and vertical‐vertical pairs of spectral accelerations
Authors: Wang Mao‐Xin , Wang Gang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCorrelation coefficients for 5%‐damped spectral accelerations (SAs) of horizontal ground‐motion components have been extensively studied and applied in probabilistic seismic analysis using vector‐valued intensity measures (IMs). Such correlations are, however, not sufficient for structures with different damping ratios under multidirectional earthquake shakings. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the correlations between horizontal‐horizontal (H‐H), horizontal‐vertical (H‐V), and vertical‐vertical (V‐V) pairs of SAs for different damping ratios based on the NGA‐West2 ground motion database. The correlations of SAs with peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) are also investigated. The uncertainty in correlations is measured by integrating the bootstrap method into the logic‐tree framework. Comparative results indicate that the correlation coefficients generally increase for IMs of larger damping ratios. The relative difference between the damping‐dependent and conventional 5%‐damped correlation coefficients can be notable, reaching 100% and 35% in the SA‐SA and SA‐PGV (or PGA) pairs, respectively. Based on the empirical correlation results, an artificial neural network is utilized to develop parametric models of the correlations and the executive files for implementing these models are provided. The ANN‐aided damping‐dependent correlation models developed can be considered as a generalization of the conventional 5%‐damped correlation models, and may serve as useful tool in applications such as ground‐motion selection and vector‐valued probabilistic seismic risk assessment for structure systems.
Gracilaria chorda attenuates obesity‐related muscle wasting through activation of SIRT1/PGC1α in skeletal muscle of mice
Authors: Yoo Ahyoung , Ahn Jiyun , Seo Hyo Deok , Hahm Jeong‐Hoon , Kim Min Jung , Jung Chang Hwa , Ha Tae Youl 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGracilaria chorda (GC) is a red algal species that is primarily consumed in Asia. Here, we investigated the effect of GC on obesity‐related skeletal muscle wasting. Furthermore, elucidating its impact on the activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC1α) constituted a critical aspect in understanding the underlying mechanism of action. In this study, 6‐week‐old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce obesity, then continued on the HFD for another 8 weeks while orally administered GC. GC decreased ectopic fat accumulation in skeletal muscle and increased muscle weight, size, and function in obese mice. Furthermore, GC reduced skeletal muscle atrophy and increased hypertrophy in mice. We hypothesized that the activation of SIRT1/PGC1α by GC regulates skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. We observed that GC increased the expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α in skeletal muscle of mice and in C2C12 cells, which increased mitochondrial function and biogenesis. In addition, when C2C12 cells were treated with the SIRT1‐specific inhibitor EX‐527, no changes were observed in the protein levels of SIRT1 and PGC1α in the GC‐treated C2C12 cells. Therefore, GC attenuated obesity‐related muscle wasting by improving mitochondrial function and biogenesis through the activation of SIRT1/PGC1α in the skeletal muscle of mice.
A custom device for managing recurrent tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis dislodgement and aspiration due to treatment refractory, severely enlarged puncture: A video case report
Authors: Ebersole Barbara M. , Zafereo Mark , Hutcheson Katherine A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe report the case of a laryngectomized patient with an enlarged tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) that is refractory to standard treatments and culminating in life‐threatening recurrent dislodgement and aspiration of custom fabricated dual extra‐large flange voice prostheses (VP). The fabrication and use of a novel intraluminal prosthetic device to prevent dislodgement, lessen aspiration, and preserve TE voice is described. A custom device insetting a commercial VP into the posterior wall of a LaryTube (coined “inset‐VP”) was devised with the primary goal of eliminating chronic VP dislodgement and lessening aspiration while maintaining TE voice. Tools required to fabricate the device included a commercial laryngectomy tube, standard‐flanged commercial indwelling voice prosthesis, felt‐tip marker, 6 mm biopsy punch, and silk suture. After 7 months of using an inset‐VP LaryTube device, the patient has experienced zero episodes of VP aspiration. Thin liquid aspiration control is equivalent or better than prior management with custom 24–30 mm dual collar prostheses. TEP voice is fluent and functional with device in place. Novel strategies are needed to manage the rare but devastating effects of a severely enlarged TEP. Solutions to manage symptoms need to be patient‐specific, aligning with their anatomy, physiology, psychosocial needs, and goals. The inset‐VP device described in this report may offer improved prosthetic retention in select patients with enlarged TE puncture and frequent VP dislodgements.
Quality of life improvements in women with uterine fibroids treated with relugolix combination therapy during the LIBERTY long‐term extension study: A descriptive subgroup analysis in women with anemia at baseline
Authors: Venturella Roberta , Lukes Andrea S. , Wu Rui , McLean Rachel , Rakov Viatcheslav G. , Al‐Hendy Ayman 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effects of 52 weeks of treatment with relugolix combination therapy (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) on symptoms of uterine fibroids (UF) and quality of life (QoL) in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with UF and anemia (hemoglobin ≤10.5 g/dL) at baseline.MethodsThis post hoc analysis included women from the LIBERTY long‐term extension study with anemia (hemoglobin concentration ≤10.5 g/dL) at pivotal study baseline and documented hemoglobin values at week 52 (anemia‐evaluable population). Treatment responders: women achieving a menstrual blood loss volume of <80 mL and a ≥50% reduction over the last 35 days of treatment. Anemia responders were women achieving a hemoglobin increase of >2 g/dL from baseline to week 52. Least squares (LS) mean changes from baseline in uterine fibroid symptom (UFS)‐QoL symptom severity, fatigue, and health‐related QoL total (HR‐QoL) and (sub)scale scores were calculated.ResultsIn total, 115 women were included in the anemia‐evaluable population. Of 39 anemia‐evaluable women who received continuous treatment with relugolix combination therapy for 52 weeks, 34 (87.2%) met treatment responder criteria and 23 (59.0%) were anemia responders. LS mean hemoglobin concentration increased by 29.4% at week 52. LS mean UFS‐QoL symptom severity and fatigue scores decreased by 38.5 and 31.9 points, respectively, and HR‐QoL total score increased by 41.6 points.ConclusionIn women with UF and a high disease burden due to anemia, relugolix combination therapy substantially improved hemoglobin levels, decreased distress due to symptoms, especially fatigue, over 52 weeks.
Case in which percutaneous fibrin glue injection was useful for refractory urinary fistula following robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy
Authors: Yukimatsu Nao , Yamasaki Takeshi , Iguchi Keiko , Otoshi Taiyo , Kato Minoru , Uchida Junji 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionUrinary fistula is a rare complication following robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy. For cases refractory to conservative treatment, only ureteral stent placement and percutaneous drainage are the established treatment alternatives.Case presentationA 44‐year‐old man presented with urinary fistula 3 weeks after robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy for right renal cell carcinoma. Follow‐up observations were conducted for 2 weeks; however, no improvements were observed. Additionally, the patient did not improve following percutaneous drainage and ureteral stent insertion. Subsequently, the patient received percutaneous injections of fibrin glue, with the urinary fistula showing significant improvements on the following day.ConclusionOur findings indicated that percutaneous fibrin glue injection can effectively treat refractory urinary fistula following partial nephrectomy.
SeqKit2: A Swiss army knife for sequence and alignment processing
Authors: Shen Wei , Sipos Botond , Zhao Liuyang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the era of ubiquitous high‐throughput sequencing studies, there is a growing need for analysis tools that are not just performant but also comprehensive and user‐friendly enough to cater to both novice and advanced users. This article introduces SeqKit2, the next iteration of the widely used sequence analysis tool SeqKit, featuring expanded functionality, performance optimizations, and support for additional compression methods. Retaining a pragmatic subcommand architecture, SeqKit2 represents substantial enhancement through the inclusion of 19 additional subcommands, expanding its overall repertoire to a total of 38 in eight categories. The new subcommands add functionality such as amplicon processing and robust, error‐tolerant parsing of sequence records. In addition, three subcommands designed for real‐time analysis are added for periodic monitoring of properties of FASTQ and Binary Alignment/Map alignment records and real‐time streaming from multiple sequence files. The performance of SeqKit2 is benchmarked against the old version of SeqKit, Bioawk, Seqtk, and SeqFu tools. SeqKit2 consistently outperforms its predecessor, albeit with marginally higher memory usage, while maintaining competitive runtimes against other tools. With its broad functionality, proven usability, and ongoing development driven by user feedback, we hope that bioinformaticians will find SeqKit2 useful as a “Swiss army knife” of sequence and alignment processing—equally adept at facilitating ad hoc analyses and seamlessly integrating into larger pipelines.
Advances in multimodality imaging and the application of new cardiac imaging technologies for radiation‐induced heart disease
Authors: Du Zeliu , Lan Chuanqiang , Shen Lin , Tian Zhifeng , Hu Hongfei , Mei Jie , Feng Ye , Zhai Mengqian , Yu Junchao , Liu Kan , Ji Jiansong , Lu Chenying 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRadiation‐induced heart disease (RIHD) is a heterogeneous, delayed, and potentially fatal adverse reaction to radiation that can damage all structures of the heart, including the pericardium, myocardium, coronary arteries, valves, and conduction system, leading to a series of diseases. Acute and chronic disease processes play a role in the development of RIHD, the onset times of which range from months to decades. However, the clinical manifestations of RIHD are usually insidious, overlap with several other diseases, and lack specificity. Cardiovascular imaging is essential for early diagnosis, follow‐up, and outcome assessment in patients with RIHD. This review first describes the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of RIHD before providing an overview of the practical approaches and research advances in multimodal cardiovascular imaging in patients with RIHD, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and nuclear medicine, and cardiac computed tomography (CT). Then, the value of new cardiac imaging assessments for the early diagnosis of RIHD is described, particularly with relation to speckle‐tracking echocardiography, extracellular volume fraction assessment as a quantitative CMR technique, CMR myocardial strain assessment, positron emission tomography‐CT myocardial perfusion imaging, CT‐ECV, and CT strain assessment, amongst others. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each screening technique are compared with the aim of better guiding the follow‐up and diagnosis of subclinical RIHD and preventing cardiovascular events.
Genistein effect in cultured ovine ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Singh Poonam K. , Kumar Bogapathi Sampath , Nandi Sumanta , Gupta Paluru S. P. , Mondal Sukanta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGenistein, an isoflavone has the potential to mimic, augment, or dysregulate the steroid hormone production pathways. We hypothesized that genistein affects the granulosa cell (GCs) functions through a series of biochemical, molecular, and genomic cascades. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of genistein exposure on GCs viability, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. The present study involved 3/5 days of exposure to genistein on GCs collected from abattoir‐derived ovine ovaries at doses of 0, 1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM. The harvested GCs were used for growth, cytotoxicity, and gene expression studies related to apoptosis, growth, and steroidogenesis. We observed that genistein had both stimulatory at 10 and 25 µM levels as well as inhibitory effects at 50 and 100 µM levels on the growth and proliferation of GCs. Genistein significantly decreased the levels of 17β‐estradiol at higher exposure (50 and 100 µM), whereas the progesterone level increased significantly as the genistein exposure increased. Additionally, genistein could also alter the mRNA expression of the steroidogenic receptor, enzymes, proteins, and growth‐related genes suggesting that genistein could potentially alter the steroidogenic pathways. We conclude that genistein can interfere with cell survival and steroidogenesis by exhibiting a dose‐dependent biphasic response on the viability, growth‐related parameters, and the synthesis of 17β‐estradiol in the cultured GCs.
Nodal negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation by inducing STAT1 phosphorylation
Authors: Kim Jung Ha , Kim Kabsun , Kim Inyoung , Seong Semun , Koh Jeong‐Tae , Kim Nacksung 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSeveral members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) superfamily regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and function of bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. However, it is still unknown whether Nodal, a member of the TGF‐β superfamily, serves a function in bone cells. In this study, we found that Nodal did not have any function in osteoblasts but instead negatively regulated osteoclast differentiation. Nodal inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the expression of pro‐osteoclastogenic genes, including c‐fos, Nfatc1, and Blimp1, and upregulating the expression of antiosteoclastogenic genes, including Bcl6 and Irf8. Nodal activated STAT1 in osteoclast precursor cells, and STAT1 downregulation significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation. These findings indicate that Nodal activates STAT1 to downregulate or upregulate the expression of pro‐osteoclastogenic or antiosteoclastogenic genes, respectively, leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation contributed to the reduction of RANKL‐induced bone loss in vivo.
Engineering culture under stress: A comparative case study of undergraduate mechanical engineering student experiences
Authors: Deters Jessica R. , Leydens Jon A. , Case Jennifer , Cowell Margaret 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundEngineering culture research to date has described the culture as rigid, chilly, and posing many barriers to entry. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic provided an important opportunity to explore how engineering culture responds to a major disruption.PurposeThe purposes of this study are to understand how elements of engineering culture emerged in mechanical engineering students' perceptions of their classroom experiences during the pandemic and how their experiences varied across two national contexts.MethodThis qualitative comparative case study examines undergraduate mechanical engineering students' perceptions of their experiences taking courses during the pandemic at two universities—one in the United States and one in South Africa. Semistructured interviews were conducted across both sites with 21 students and contextualized with 3 faculty member interviews. Student interviews were analyzed using an iterative process of deductive coding, inductive coding, and pattern coding.ResultsWe identified two key themes that characterized participants' experiences during the pandemic: hardness and access to resources. We found that students at both sites experienced two types of hardness—intrinsic and constructed—and were more critical of constructed forms of hardness. We found that the South African university's response to facilitating student access to resources was viewed by students as more effective when compared with the US university.ConclusionsWe found that hardness remained a central feature of engineering culture, based on student perceptions, and found that students expressed awareness of resource‐related differences. A key distinction emerged between intrinsic and constructed hardness.