bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal astigmatism and risk factors in Tibetan schoolchildren: The Lhasa Childhood Eye Study
Authors: Meng Zhaojun , Yao Yao , Liu Jiawen , Li Lei , Chen Weiwei , Fu Jing 
Published: February 2025

SIGNIFICANCE
The study first investigated the prevalence and internal relationship of astigmatism components under cycloplegia in Tibetan children on plateau areas of China. We found a higher prevalence of refractive (RA) and corneal astigmatism (CA) in Lhasa children and certified the compensation of internal astigmatism (IA), which might be associated with myopic progression.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related risk factors of RA, CA, and IA and evaluate compensation and associated influence factors of IA in Lhasa Tibetan children.

METHODS
This was a school-based cross-sectional study. Stratified random clustering was used to recruit 1751 Tibetan children with a mean age of 7.90 ± 0.48 years from schools in Lhasa, China. Cycloplegic autorefraction was conducted, and ocular biometrics were examined.

RESULTS
The prevalence rates of RA, CA, and IA were 18.73, 72.53, and 40.72%, respectively, with the diagnosis criteria ≥1.00 D. With-the-rule was the main type of RA (70.05%) and CA (91.93%), whereas the against-the-rule was predominant in IA (79.67%). Compared with the reference group (spherical equivalent range, 0.51 to 1.00 D), mean RA and CA increased with more hyperopic and myopic refractions, and mean IA was significantly lower only in myopia and emmetropia groups. Girls had a higher incidence of CA and IA than boys. Internal astigmatism was negatively correlated with CA in the vertical/horizontal vector (J
0) and oblique vector (J
45). The majority of IA compensated for RA in different degrees (95.25% in J
0 and 66.43% in J
45) and no compensation accounted for a higher proportion in myopic children (10.47% in J
0 and 5.76% in J
45).

CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of RA and CA in Tibetan children from Lhasa was higher than reported in most previous studies. The compensation of IA in reducing CA was prominent, and the function could decrease with the myopic progression.
Predictors of Neurodevelopmental Impairment After Intestinal Resection for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Patwardhan Utsav M , Gonzalez Alex , Campwala Insiyah , West Erin E , Goldfarb Madeline , Gehle Daniel B , Camp Lauren , Manohar Krishna , Allen Brooke E , Moya-Mendez Mary E , DeLaura Isabel , Maselli Kathryn , Gershner Grant , Golubkova Alena , Mladenov Georgi , Witte Amanda , Grisotti Gabriella , Markel Troy A , Brown Rebeccah L , Rice Henry E , Salazar Jose H , Hunter Catherine J , Jancelewicz Tim , Gadepalli Samir , Radulescu Andrei , Waltz Paul , Longshore Shannon , Gollin Gerald 
Published: February 2025

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate pre-resection risk factors for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) that might better inform the timing of intestinal resection.

Summary Background Data:
Surgical NEC is associated with a 57% risk for NDI.

Methods:
A retrospective study of patients with NEC who underwent intestinal resection within 10 days of diagnosis between 2010 and 2019 was conducted in 11 US children’s hospitals. The primary outcome was NDI at 16-26 months. Demographics, findings at NEC diagnosis, and the presence and trajectory of appearance of five established indicators of metabolic derangement were assessed as risk factors for NDI.

Results:
Of 365 total patients, 297 underwent resection for NEC within 10 days and 77 (26%) died. NDI was identified in 112 (55%) of patients who were assessed and was more likely in males; infants with lower birth weight, gestational age, or Apgar scores; or older age at diagnosis. Risk for NDI was associated with more indicators of metabolic derangement prior to resection (1.78 vs 1.15, P=0.002) and was progressively greater when more indicators were detected (44%-83% with 0-5 indicators, P=0.04). The median times to identification of one (15 min) to five (48 h) indicators increased progressively.

Conclusions:
Risk for NDI in surgical NEC was associated with the number and trajectory of identification of indicators of metabolic derangement prior to resection. As these indicators progressively appear over hours to days, their assessment might offer an objective means of defining failure of medical management and lead to improvement in neurodevelopmental outcomes in NEC.
Epilepsy in low- to middle-income countries
Authors: Sen Arjune , Newton Charles R. , Ngwende Gift 
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review
Epilepsy disproportionately affects those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where diagnostic and treatment gaps persist.
We highlight key recent developments and showcase practical opportunities to improve epilepsy care in resource limited settings.

Recent findings
In LMICs, cultural, socioeconomic and infrastructural factors drive the epilepsy treatment gap. Robust implementation of the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan (WHO IGAP) and Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), for example, will reduce the epilepsy education gap. Engaging traditional healers and other key community leaders should lessen stigma. The Epilepsy Diagnostic Companion, a culture specific tool that helps identify convulsive seizures, can expedite epilepsy diagnosis at primary care level. Novel, robust 3-D printable EEG headsets prototypes that can be deployed in remote rural communities have been piloted with encouraging results. Levetiracetam has been added to the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML), paving way to safer, less teratogenic antiseizure medications (ASMs). Epilepsy surgery programs in carefully selected patients potentially offer cheap, effective and potentially curative treatments, including in LMICs.

Summary
Apps, EEG prototypes, better access to ASMs and implementation of WHO iGAP offer current, tangible opportunities to improve epilepsy care in LMICs. Bidirectional learning must be facilitated to also help hard to reach communities in high-income settings.
Replication-Deficient Whole-Virus Vaccines Against Cytomegalovirus Induce Protective Immunity in a Guinea Pig Congenital Infection Model
Authors: Schleiss Mark R. , Fernández-Alarcón Claudia , Bierle Craig J. , Geballe Adam P. , Badillo-Guzman Alexey , Tanna Christine E. , Tsriwong Kanokpan , Blackstad Mark , Wang Jian Ben , McVoy Michael A. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractVaccines are needed to prevent congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. This study used the guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) model to examine replication-deficient whole-virus vaccines against maternal viremia and congenital infection. Two recombinant GPCMVs, GP51-DD and GP52-DD, were engineered with destabilization domains fused to essential viral late proteins GP51 and GP52. These viruses, predicted to replicate in the presence of the synthetic ligand Shield-1 but not in its absence, were evaluated for Shield-1-dependencein vitroand for safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in a pregnancy/challenge model. GP52-DD was profoundly Shield-1-dependent, producing no detectable infectious progeny in its absence. In contrast, the replication of GP51-DD was delayed in the absence of Shield-1, but the virus reached similar peak titers with or without the compound. GPCMV-seronegative guinea pigs received two subcutaneous injections of placebo (sham-immunized), GP51-DD, GP52-DD, or wild-type GPCMV (WT-GPCMV). DNAemia post-vaccination was detected in only one of 14 dams in each of the GP51-DD- and GP52-DD-immunized groups compared to 10/10 control animals immunized with WT-GPCMV, confirming the recombinant viruses were attenuated. GPCMV-specific antibody responses were similar in all three vaccinated groups. When immunized dams were bred and challenged with virulent GPCMV, DNAemia was detected in all sham-immunized controls and in 44% of GP52-DD-immunized dams (at significantly reduced levels) but was absent in dams immunized with GP51-DD or WT-GPCMV. Notably, immunization with GP52-DD, GP51-DD, or WT-GPCMV significantly reduced congenital GPCMV transmission (protective efficacies of 89%, 94%, and 100%, respectively). Thus, the replication-deficient GP52-DD vaccine was attenuated and protected against intrauterine GPCMV transmission.ImportanceCongenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections could be prevented by a vaccine, but most of the vaccine designs that have advanced to clinical trials have been subunit vaccines. These viral envelope glycoprotein-targeting designs have not yielded an effective vaccine that provides durable immunity. A vaccine that confers immune responses to a broader repertoire of viral immunogens, such as vaccines based on the whole virus, could enhance protection. However, there are concerns about the safety of live attenuated CMV vaccines. Using the guinea pig/guinea pig cytomegalovirus model of congenital infection, this study demonstrates that two replication-deficient whole virus vaccines are attenuated in animals while also being highly immunogenic, providing protective immunity against maternal viremia and fetal infection at levels similar to that conferred by a wild-type virus.
Medical and Endovascular Treatment for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion with Mild Stroke: A Real-World Nationwide Registry
Authors: Yi Tingyu , Gan Shujuan , Wu Meihua , Huang Weifeng , Sun Dalong , He Yuehong , Wu Yanmin , Lin Dinglai , Lin Xiaohui , Pan Zhinan , Yang Yining , Ye Jinhua , Li Caixia , Chen Zhiting , Huang Mingzhu , Zheng Xiufen , Li Xiaobin , Lang Fenglong , Tan Qian , Jin Xiaojun , Fu Jianqiu , Fan Fuqiang , Xu Na , Shao Ya , Sui Yi , Miao Zhongrong , Chen Wenhuo 
Published: February 2025

Background and PurposeEVT is a standard treatment for LVO in patients with an NIHSS score ≥6, but its role in mild stroke (NIHSS <6) remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the association between EVT and clinical outcomes in mild stroke.MethodsThis non-randomized cohort study prospectively enrolled consecutive mild stroke patients at 35 comprehensive stroke centers across 15 Chinese provinces from January 2020 to December 2023. Patients were categorized into pEVT or BMM groups, including those who received rEVT after deterioration. The primary outcome was an excellent outcome (mRS score of 0-1) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included a good outcome (mRS score of 0-2) and mRS shift. Safety endpoints were mortality and sICH. Outcomes were compared between groups using multivariable logistic regression and IPTW.ResultsFinally, 307 patients were included. 110 received pEVT, and 190 received BMM. In the IPTW model, the pEVT group had higher rates of excellent (aOR=3.6, 95%CI=2.5-5.2) and good (aOR=4.0, 95%CI=2.5-5.6) outcomes, lower mortality (aOR=0.1, 95%CI=0.01-0.4), and a better 90-day mRS shift (aOR=0.2, 95%CI=0.1-0.3,), with similar sICH rates. Among the BMM group, 80 patients (42.1%) experienced early neurological deterioration (END), with 55 receiving rEVT. In the multivariable model, the pEVT group had higher rates of excellent (aOR=7.2, 95%CI=1.4-37.9) and good (aOR=4.1, 95%CI=1.2-14.8) outcomes and a better mRS shift (aOR=2.0, 95%CI=0.9-4.8).ConclusionsPrimary EVT significantly increases the likelihood of achieving an excellent outcome in mild stroke. Over 40% of mild stroke patients treated with BMM experienced END, and rEVT effectively improved the prognosis.Key PointsQuestionWhat is the optimal strategy for mild stroke with LVO?FindingsThis national prospective registry study demonstrated that pEVT significantly improved the prognosis of mild stroke patients with LVO compared to BMM. Approximately 40% of patients in the BMM group experienced END, and rEVT increased the likelihood of an excellent outcome in these patients.MeaningPrimary EVT can significantly increase the probability of an excellent outcome in patients with mild stroke and LVO. Over 40% of patients with mild stroke treated with BMM experienced END, and rEVT effectively improved their prognosis.
Development of ferret immune repertoire reference resources and single-cell-based high-throughput profiling assays
Authors: Walsh Evan S. , Yang Kui , Tollison Tammy S. , Seenu Sujatha , Adams Nicole , Zeitoun Guilhem , Sideri Ifigeneia , Folch Geraldine , Brochu Hayden N. , Chou Hsuan , Kossida Sofia , York Ian A. , Peng Xinxia 
Published: February 2025

SUMMARYDomestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are important for modeling human respiratory diseases. However, ferret B and T cell receptors have not been completely identified or annotated, limiting immune repertoire studies. Here we performed long read transcriptome sequencing of ferret splenocyte and lymph node samples to obtain over 120,000 high-quality full-length immunoglobin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TCR) transcripts. We constructed a complete reference set of the constant regions of ferret Ig and TCR isotypes and chain types. We also systematically annotated germline Ig and TCR variable (V), diversity (D), joining (J), and constant (C) genes on a recent ferret reference genome assembly. We designed new ferret-specific immune repertoire profiling assays by targeting positions in constant regions without allelic diversity across 11 ferret genome assemblies, and experimentally validated them using a commercially compatible single-cell-based platform. These improved resources and assays will enable future studies to fully capture ferret immune repertoire diversity.
Activity-Dependent Changes in Ion Channel Voltage-Dependence Influence the Activity Patterns Targeted by Neurons
Authors: Mondal Yugarshi , Calabrese Ronald L. , Marder Eve 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTNeurons can maintain stable activity profiles over their lifetimes despite ion channel turnover over minutes to days. Neurons also exhibit flexibility in electrical activity by regulating the voltage-dependence of ion channels. This flexibility, combined with channel turnover can, in principle, work together to maintain a stable activity profile. We augment a classical model of activity-dependent ion channel density regulation with a mechanism that adjusts channel voltage-dependence based on activity. Our findings reveal that the timescale of these adjustments shapes the range of electrical patterns that meet an activity target. This work highlights a potentially distinct role for activity-dependent regulation of channel voltage-dependence in maintaining stable neuronal activity profiles.
Soil and water microbial communities: A source of novel antibiotics for sustainable plant disease control
Authors: Iqbal Navid , Asim Noreen , Malik Shahana , Khan Sartaj , Akbar Sadia , Yoo Youngchul , Ullah Irfan , liu Luo , Khan Shahin Shah , Lee Sang Won 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPathogenic microorganisms pose a significant threat to plant health and agricultural productivity worldwide. Herein, this study explores the potential of natural microbial communities as sources of biopesticides. We analyzed 20 soil and water samples from remote areas, isolating 121 colonies using nutrient agar. Antibacterial activity was assessed through agar diffusion, revealing that 12 colonies exhibited significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. Measurement of inhibition zones indicated that these colonies could produce antibiotics. Subsequently, molecular characterization with 16S rRNA and BLAST searches of 12 unidentified sequences highlighted substantial microbial diversity within the samples. This research underscores the promise of these natural microbial communities in developing biocontrol agents for managing plant diseases in greenhouse and field environments. Extraction and purification techniques could further refine these antibiotics, advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
PennPRS: a centralized cloud computing platform for efficient polygenic risk score training in precision medicine
Authors: Jin Jin , Li Bingxuan , Wang Xiyao , Yang Xiaochen , Li Yujue , Wang Ruofan , Ye Chenglong , Shu Juan , Fan Zirui , Xue Fei , Ge Tian , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Wojcik Genevieve , Zhao Bingxin 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPolygenic risk scores (PRS) are becoming increasingly vital for risk prediction and stratification in precision medicine. However, PRS model training presents significant challenges for broader adoption of PRS, including limited access to computational resources, difficulties in implementing advanced PRS methods, and availability and privacy concerns over individual-level genetic data. Cloud computing provides a promising solution with centralized computing and data resources. Here we introduce PennPRS (https://pennprs.org), a scalable cloud computing platform for online PRS model training in precision medicine. We developed novel pseudo-training algorithms for multiple PRS methods and ensemble approaches, enabling model training without requiring individual-level data. These methods were rigorously validated through extensive simulations and large-scale real data analyses involving over 6,000 phenotypes across various data sources. PennPRS supports online single– and multi-ancestry PRS training with seven methods, allowing users to upload their own data or query from more than 27,000 datasets in the GWAS Catalog, submit jobs, and download trained PRS models. Additionally, we applied our pseudo-training pipeline to train PRS models for over 8,000 phenotypes and made their PRS weights publicly accessible. In summary, PennPRS provides a novel cloud computing solution to improve the accessibility of PRS applications and reduce disparities in computational resources for the global PRS research community.
SARS-CoV-2 Aggregated Activity Level Across Ontario Canada, Measured with the US CDC Wastewater Viral Activity Level (WVAL) Metric
Authors: Delatolla Robert , DeGroot Christopher T. , McKay Robert Michael , Servos Mark R. , McAvoy Steven , Krishnakumar Sanjena , Jo Orchid , Fung Michael , Hegazy Sherif , Fletcher Tim , Simhon Albert , Pileggi Vince 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe wastewater viral activity level (WVAL) was developed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) as a standardized metric to aggregate SARS-CoV-2 wastewater data, enabling the assessment of infection levels and trends at state/territorial, regional and national scales. This approach also facilitates comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence across regions. In this study, we developed and evaluated graphical methods to integrate the WVAL metric into interpretable visualizations for public health decision-making. Preliminary analysis demonstrated that WVAL values correlated strongly with clinical case counts, supporting its role as a confirmatory epidemiological measure. The WVAL framework provided a linear quantification method, allowing for the comparison of regional variations in infection patterns. This study leveraged data from the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance Initiative (Ontario WSI), which included over 100 sampling sites across seven geographical regions. Weekly mean WVAL values were computed for each site and aggregated at regional and provincial levels. In total, 59 sites contributed to the provincial WVAL calculation. The computational aggregation method followed the US CDC’s WVAL approach and was generally comparable to the Public Health Ontario (PHO) aggregation method, with the notable improvement of incorporating a linear level scale. Overall, this study demonstrated that WVAL effectively quantified SARS-CoV-2 differences at a public health regional scale. The WVAL metric proved to be a robust epidemiological tool, complementing other surveillance measures to support public health decision-making.
Sexuality and respiratory outcomes in the UK: disparities, development and mediators in multiple longitudinal studies
Authors: Tabor Evangeline , Kneale Dylan , Patalay Praveetha 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackgroundLimited international research suggests sexual minority individuals, in particular sexual minority women, may experience worse asthma outcomes than their heterosexual peers. However, little research has explored if a similar disparity is present in the UK.MethodsPooling data from five UK longitudinal studies (total N=86,024, 4,860 (5.65% sexual minority) we examined asthma and lung function by sexuality. To explore the impact of ageing on disparities we compared asthma by sexuality at two time points approximately 10 years apart. To help understand potential causal mechanisms we used respondents aged under 18 as a negative control. Finally, we conducted a mediation analysis to examine the extent to which smoking accounts for asthma disparities.FindingsSexual minority respondents were more likely to report asthma (RR 1.43 [95% CI 1.26 to 1.62]) and poor lung function (RR 1.50 [95% CI 1.20 to 1.87]). Sexual minority women (RR 1.51 [95% CI 1.30 to 1.76]) and bisexual respondents (RR 1.75 [95% CI 1.35 to 2.26]) were more likely to report asthma than their heterosexual counterparts. Rates of asthma did not vary by sexuality in <18s and disparities increased between time points in adults supporting the hypothesis that disparities emerge after childhood and widen over the lifecourse. Smoking only partially mediated (proportion mediated 1%) the relationship between sexual minority status and asthma.ConclusionsThis analysis adds substantially to our understanding of how and when asthma and lung function disparities by sexuality in the UK emerge, as well as evidencing the limited role of smoking.Key MessagesOur research question was whether respiratory health, in particular asthma, varied by sexuality and how it patterned across the lifecourse.We found that sexual minority people were at greater risk of asthma and poor lung function than heterosexual people and this disparity emerges and widens in adulthood.Respiratory disease can impact quality of life and mortality risk and understanding patterns and mechanisms of disease in the LGBTQ+ populations can allow us to address health inequalities.