bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From consistent subjective assessment of skin sensitivity severity to its accurate objective scoring
Authors: Rengot Juliette , Meyer Imke , Chevrot Nathalie , Maire Marielle Le , Cherel Marie , Prestat‐Marquis Elodie , Stuhlmann Dominik 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSensitive skin (SenS) is a syndrome leading to unpleasant sensations with little visible signs. Grading its severity generally relies on questionnaires or subjective ratings.Materials and methodsThe SenS status of 183 subjects was determined by trained assessors. Answers from a four‐item questionnaire were converted into numerical scores, leading to a 0–15 SenS index that was asked twice or thrice. Parameters from hyperspectral images were used as input for a multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) neural network to predict the four‐item questionnaire score of subjects. The resulting model was used to evaluate the soothing effect of a cosmetic cream applied to one hemiface, comparing it to that of a placebo applied to the other hemiface.ResultsThe four‐item questionnaire score accurately predicts SenS assessors’ classification (92.7%) while providing insight into SenS severity. Most subjects providing repeatable replies are non‐SenS, but accepting some variability in answers enables identifying subjects with consistent replies encompassing a majority of SenS subjects. The MLP neural network model predicts the SenS score of subjects with consistent replies from full‐face hyperspectral images (R2Validation set = 0.969). A similar quality is obtained with hemiface images. Comparing the effect of applying a soothing cosmetic to that of a placebo revealed that subjects with the highest instrumental index (> 5) show significant SenS improvement.ConclusionA four‐item questionnaire enables calculating a SenS index grading its severity. Objective evaluation using hyperspectral images with an MLP neural network accurately predicts SenS severity and its favourable evolution upon the application of a soothing cream.
A corporeal conundrum: Challenges posed by remote consultation for postgraduate medical education
Authors: Campion John R. , Cantillon Peter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic accelerated the use of remote consultation in hospital outpatient clinics. Remote consultation alters the clinical environment and the learning environment in ways that are incompletely understood. This research sought to explore how trainees negotiate training and learning in such an environment when it is novel to them.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to recruit eight doctors from the gastroenterology department of an academic teaching hospital. Four consultants and four trainees participated in individual, semi‐structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of interview transcripts was employed and themes developed from the analysis, to characterise the experience of learning and teaching in remote consultation clinics, as described by participants.ResultsParticipants described how they try to create mental representations of each patient they review by remote consultation. Whilst consultants found this task relatively easy, trainee physicians found remote consultation more challenging and highlighted the importance of the physical presence of the patient to help them form a holistic sense of the patient's condition. Doctors in training also struggled to develop a workable mental model of the patient's condition when physical examination was precluded by remote consultation.ConclusionsThis study highlights the place of the patient's physical presence as an essential educational stimulus to facilitate teaching and learning. Further research is needed to characterise the processes clinicians use to formulate mental models of patients who are physically absent from the consultation room.
The use of virtual patients for breaking bad news: A rapid review
Authors: Kang Woohyun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundBreaking bad news is an imperative skill for clinical practice that health care professionals struggle with. Virtual patients have been adopted as a new teaching aide in medical education and have shown efficacy in teaching clinical skills; however, there is limited research for use in communication skills. Virtual patients are especially well‐suited for difficult communication skills, as students can practice without risk to patients. This rapid review aimed to review literature observing the potential of virtual patients as an effective means to teach breaking bad news.MethodA systematic search strategy was applied for papers published between November 2012 and November 2022 on Medline and Embase databases. Following the application of inclusion criteria, three studies were included. The Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist were used for quality appraisal of the studies. Tabular and narrative synthesis was used to present the findings.FindingsThe findings of the studies suggest that when teaching breaking bad news, virtual patients are valuable compared with no intervention and are not inferior compared with simulated patients. An unexpected benefit of virtual patients was videotaping. A barrier to learning was the lack of affect and interaction. More research into the design of virtual simulations and its integration into existing curricula is required.ConclusionVirtual patients are a valuable educational tool for breaking bad news; however, they are yet to replace existing educational approaches. There is a need for more large‐scale, homogeneous studies to inform instructional design and curriculum integration.
Thinking the Urban Impasse Beyond Lockdown: An Afterword
Authors: Hentschel Christine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHow can the lens of the ‘urban impasse’ help us make sense of the relationship between inequality, institutions and contemporary urban life? And how can urban studies benefit from feminist affect theory to explore the theoretical potential of the ‘urban impasse’? An impasse is a dead end; it connotes an experience of being stuck, lacking orientation or a sense of the future. Still, an impasse also bears transformative potential as a powerful way of halting and denouncing that which does not work or is heading in the wrong direction—as was powerfully brought to stage in cities around the world by climate change, antiracist and women's rights movements in recent years.
Inspiratory muscle endurance is similarly reduced in the early and late stages of chronic Chagas heart disease
Authors: Pinto Diniz Clara , Felix Mediano Mauro Felippe , Rodrigues Junior Luiz Fernando , Mendes Fernanda de Souza Nogueira Sardinha , Magalhães Saraiva Roberto , Horta Veloso Henrique , Rodrigues da Costa Andréa , Hasslocher‐Moreno Alejandro Marcel , Borghi‐Silva Audrey , Silvestre de Sousa Andréa , Mazzoli‐Rocha Flavia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveInspiratory muscle strength (IMS) appears to be reduced in subjects with chronic Chagas heart disease (CHD), especially in the presence of heart failure (HF). However, only one study about IMS and inspiratory muscle endurance (IME) in those with CHD without heart failure is available. This study aimed to compare IMS and IME in subjects with CHD in the presence and absence of HF.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study in which 30 CHD adult patients were divided into CHD‐CC group (initial phase of CHD, without HF; n = 15) and CHD‐HF group (advanced phase of CHD, with HF; n = 15). We assessed IMS by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and IME by incremental (Pthmax) and constant load (TLim) tests. Reduced IMS and IME were considered by predicted MIP values <70% and Pthmax/MIP <75%, respectively.ResultsInspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) was more frequent in CHD‐HF than in CHD‐CC (46.7% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.05), and both groups had high frequencies of reduced IME (93.3% CHD‐CC vs. 100.0% CHD‐HF; p = 0.95). Age‐adjusted logistic regression analysis using HF as a dependent variable showed that HF was associated with an increased chance of IMW compared with the CHD‐CC group (OR = 7.47; p = 0.03; 95% CI 1.20–46.19).ConclusionThis study suggests that, in patients with CHD, HF is associated with IMW, and that reduction of IME is already present in the initial phase, similar to the advanced phase with HF.
Survey of policies at US hospitals on the selection of RhD type of low‐titer O whole blood for use in trauma resuscitation
Authors: Clayton Skye , Leeper Christine M. , Yazer Mark H. , Spinella Philip C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundLow‐titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) use is increasing due to data suggesting improved outcomes and safety. One barrier to use is low availability of RhD‐negative LTOWB. This survey examined US hospital policies regarding the selection of RhD type of blood products in bleeding emergencies.Study Design and MethodsA web‐based survey of blood bank directors was conducted to determine their hospital's RhD‐type selection policies for blood issued for massive bleeding.ResultsThere was a 61% response rate (101/157) and of those responses, 95 were complete.Respondents indicated that 40% (38/95) use only red blood cells (RBCs) and 60% (57/95) use LTOWB. For hospitals that issue LTOWB (N = 57), 67% are supplied only with RhD‐positive, 2% only with RhD‐negative, and 32% with both RhD‐positive and RhD‐negative LTOWB. At sites using LTOWB, RhD‐negative LTOWB is used exclusively or preferentially more commonly in adult females of childbearing potential (FCP) (46%) and pediatric FCP (55%) than in men (4%) and boys (24%). RhD‐positive LTOWB is used exclusively or preferentially more commonly in men (94%) and boys (54%) than in adult FCP (40%) or pediatric FCP (21%). At sites using LTOWB, it is not permitted for adult FCPs at 12%, pediatric FCP at 21.4%, and boys at 17.1%.ConclusionHospitals prefer issuing RhD‐negative LTOWB for females although they are often ineligible to receive RhD‐negative LTOWB due to supply constraints. The risk and benefits of LTOWB compared to the rare occurrence of hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn (HDFN) need further examination in the context of withholding a therapy for females that has the potential for improved outcomes.
Systemic histone deacetylase inhibition ameliorates the aberrant responses to acute stress in socially isolated male mice
Authors: Hernandez Carballo Luis Gustavo , Li Pei , Senek Rachel , Yan Zhen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAdverse experiences in early life can induce maladaptive responses to acute stress in later life. Chronic social isolation during adolescence is an early life adversity that can precipitate stress‐related psychiatric disorders. We found that male mice after 8 weeks of adolescent social isolation (SI) have markedly increased aggression after being exposed to 2 h of restraint stress (RS), which was accompanied by a significant increase of AMPA receptor‐ and NMDA receptor‐mediated synaptic transmission in prefrontal cortex (PFC) pyramidal neurons of SIRS males. Compared to group‐housed counterparts, SIRS males exhibited a significantly decreased level of histone H3 acetylation in PFC. Systemic administration of class I histone deacetylase inhibitors, romidepsin or MS‐275, ameliorated the aggressive behaviour, as well as general social interaction deficits, of SIRS males. Electrophysiological recordings also found normalization of PFC glutamatergic currents by romidepsin treatment of SIRS male mice. These results revealed an epigenetic mechanism and intervention avenue for aggression induced by chronic social isolation.
imageKey points
Adolescent chronic social isolation can precipitate stress‐related psychiatric disorders.
A significant increase of glutamatergic transmission is found in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of socially isolated male mice exposed to an acute stress (SIRS).
Treatment with class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors ameliorates the aggressive behaviour and social interaction deficits of SIRS males, and normalizes glutamatergic currents in PFC neurons.
It provides an epigenetic mechanism and intervention avenue for aberrant stress responses induced by chronic social isolation.
Using Multiscale Atmospheric Modeling to Explore the Impact of Surface Albedo on Anthropogenic Heat Release
Authors: Dey Shuv , Mallen Evan , Stone Brian , Joshi Yogendra 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Cities account for over 66% of global energy use and with over 68% of the population expected to live in urbanized areas by 2050, anthropogenic urban heat release is likely to become one of the most significant contributors to the creation of urban microclimates. In the present work, an open-source framework for one-way upstream coupled multiscale urban thermal environment simulations is examined and validated and can provide valuable insights about the flow behavior and energy transport between spatial scales. In this study, a city-wide multiscale model with over 500,000 building, road, and tree canopy data points parameterizing Atlanta, GA as a digital twin is developed and validated with a spatial scale of 5 m. The validated model is used to perform a parametric study on the implications bulk surface albedo (SA) has on the city's anthropogenic heat (AH) release in terms of heat flux. The study demonstrates that anthropogenic heat flux for building waste energy accounts for a small part of the total surface heat flux, and a detailed understanding of the components of urban heat (particularly with respect to total surface heat flux) is required to predict and simulate an urban thermal environment.
Time-Resolved Local Loss Analysis of Single- and Two-Blade Pump Flow
Authors: Pesch Andreas , Skoda Romuald 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A method for the evaluation of time-resolved entropy production in isothermal and incompressible flow is presented. It is applied as a postprocessing of the three-dimensional (3D) flow field obtained by time-resolved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with scale adaptive turbulence modeling. Wall functions for direct and turbulent entropy production are presented for a cell-centered finite volume method, implemented in the open-source software OpenFOAM and validated on channel, asymmetric diffuser, and periodic hill flow. Single- and two-blade centrifugal pump flow is considered for a wide range of load conditions. Results are compared to experimental data. Time-averaged analysis shows essentially the same loss density distribution among pump components for both pumps, with the impeller and volute region contributing the most, especially in off-design conditions. For both pumps, the losses exhibit significant fluctuations due to impeller–volute interactions. The fluctuation magnitude of loss density is in the same range as flowrate fluctuations and much smaller than pressure fluctuation magnitude. For the two-blade pump (2BP), loss fluctuation magnitude is smaller than for the single-blade pump (1BP). Distinct loss mechanisms are identified for different load conditions. Upon blade passage, a promoted or attenuated volute tongue separation is imposed at part or overload, respectively. In between blade passages, a direct connection from pump inlet to the discharge leads to enhanced flowrate and loss density fluctuations. Future work aims at extending this analysis to stronger off-design conditions in multiblade pumps, where stochastic cycle fluctuations occur.
Investigating the Relevance of Maximal Speed and Acceleration in Varsity-Level Female Ice Hockey Players
Authors: Gamble Alexander S.D. , Thompson Kyle M.A. , Bigg Jessica L. , Pignanelli Christopher , Spriet Lawrence L. , Burr Jamie F. 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: To characterize and compare female ice hockey players’ peak skating speed and acceleration ability during linear sprints and gameplay. We also sought to quantify the time spent at various speeds and the frequency of accelerations at different thresholds during games. Methods: Seventeen varsity-level female ice hockey players (20 [1.4] y, 68.9 [4.9] kg, 167.6 [4.7] cm) participated in an on-ice practice session (performing 3 × 40-m linear sprints) and 4 regular-season games while being monitored using a local positioning system. Speed and acceleration were recorded from the sprint and within-game monitoring. Time on ice spent in relative skating speed zones and the frequency of accelerations at different intensities were recorded. Results: Players’ greatest peak speeds (29.5 [1.3] vs 28.3 [1.1] km/h) and accelerations (4.39 [0.48] vs 3.34 [0.36] m/s2) reached during gameplay were higher than those reached in linear sprinting (both P < .01). Peak in-game values were moderately predicted by linear sprint values for speed (r = .69, P < .01) but not for acceleration (r < .01, P = .95). Players spent little time at near-peak linear sprint speeds (≥80% [22.7 km/h], ∼3% time on ice; ≥90% [25.5 km/h], <1% of time on ice) during gameplay. However, 26% to 35% of accelerations recorded during the 4 games were ≥90% of linear sprint acceleration. Conclusions: Although skating speed may be advantageous in specific game situations, our results suggest that players spend little time at near-maximal speeds while accelerating frequently during games. This warrants further investigation of direction changes, skating transitions, repeated sprints, and other determinant variables potentially related to on-ice success and the implementation of training strategies to improve repeated acceleration or qualities beyond maximal skating speed.
Use of multiple pharmacodynamic measures to deconstruct the Nix-TB regimen in a short-course murine model of tuberculosis
Authors: Lyons M. A. , Obregon-Henao A. , Ramey M. E. , Bauman A. A. , Pauly S. , Rossmassler K. , Reid J. , Karger B. , Walter N. D. , Robertson G. T. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

A major challenge for tuberculosis (TB) drug development is to prioritize promising combination regimens from a large and growing number of possibilities. This includes demonstrating individual drug contributions to the activity of higher-order combinations. A BALB/c mouse TB infection model was used to evaluate the contributions of each drug and pairwise combination in the clinically relevant Nix-TB regimen [bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid (BPaL)] during the first 3 weeks of treatment at human equivalent doses. The rRNA synthesis (RS) ratio, an exploratory pharmacodynamic (PD) marker of ongoing
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
rRNA synthesis, together with solid culture CFU counts and liquid culture time to positivity (TTP) were used as PD markers of treatment response in lung tissue; and their time-course profiles were mathematically modeled using rate equations with pharmacologically interpretable parameters. Antimicrobial interactions were quantified using Bliss independence and Isserlis formulas. Subadditive (or antagonistic) and additive effects on bacillary load, assessed by CFU and TTP, were found for bedaquiline-pretomanid and linezolid-containing pairs, respectively. In contrast, subadditive and additive effects on rRNA synthesis were found for pretomanid-linezolid and bedaquiline-containing pairs, respectively. Additionally, accurate predictions of the response to BPaL for all three PD markers were made using only the single-drug and pairwise effects together with an assumption of negligible three-way drug interactions. The results represent an experimental and PD modeling approach aimed at reducing combinatorial complexity and improving the cost-effectiveness of
in vivo
systems for preclinical TB regimen development.
Biochemical analysis of the host factor activity of ZCCHC14 in hepatitis A virus replication
Authors: Li You , Lemon Stanley M. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Relatively little is known of the mechanisms underlying hepatitis A virus (HAV) genome replication. Unlike other well-studied picornaviruses, HAV RNA replication requires the zinc finger protein ZCCHC14 and non-canonical TENT4 poly(A) polymerases with which it forms a complex. The ZCCHC14–TENT4 complex binds to a stem-loop located within the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5’ untranslated RNA (5’UTR) and is essential for viral RNA synthesis, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we describe how different ZCCHC14 domains contribute to its RNA-binding, TENT4-binding, and HAV host factor activities. We show that the RNA-binding activity of ZCCHC14 requires both a sterile alpha motif (SAM) and a downstream unstructured domain (D4) and that ZCCHC14 contains two TENT4-binding sites: one at the N-terminus and the other around D4. Both RNA-binding and TENT4-binding are required for HAV host factor activity of ZCCHC14. We also demonstrate that the location of the ZCCHC14-binding site within the 5’UTR is critical for its function. Our study provides a novel insight into the function of ZCCHC14 and helps elucidate the mechanism of the ZCCHC14–TENT4 complex in HAV replication.

IMPORTANCE
The zinc finger protein ZCCHC14 is an essential host factor for both hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). It recruits the non-canonical TENT4 poly(A) polymerases to viral RNAs and most likely also a subset of cellular mRNAs. Little is known about the details of these interactions. We show here the functional domains of ZCCHC14 that are involved in binding to HAV RNA and interactions with TENT4 and describe previously unrecognized peptide sequences that are critical for the HAV host factor activity of ZCCHC14. Our study advances the understanding of the ZCCHC14–TENT4 complex and how it functions in regulating viral and cellular RNAs.
Semen enhances transmitted/founder HIV-1 infection and only marginally reduces antiviral activity of broadly neutralizing antibodies
Authors: von Maltitz Pascal , Wettstein Lukas , Weil Tatjana , Schommers Philipp , Klein Florian , Münch Jan 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Topically applied microbicides may play a critical role in preventing sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1); however, their efficacy can be compromised by amyloid fibrils present in semen, which significantly increase HIV-1 infectivity. This phenomenon may have contributed to the failure of most microbicide candidates in clinical settings. Understanding the impact of semen on microbicide effectiveness is thus crucial. In our study, we evaluated the influence of semen on the neutralizing activity of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), including PG16, PGT121, 10–1074, 3BNC117, and VRC01, which are potential microbicide candidates. We found that semen enhances infection of HIV-1 transmitted/founder viruses but only marginally affects the neutralizing activity of tested antibodies, suggesting their potential for microbicide application. Our findings underscore the need to consider semen-mediated enhancement when evaluating and developing microbicides and highlight the potential of incorporating HIV-1 bNAbs in formulations to enhance efficacy and mitigate HIV-1 transmission during sexual encounters.

IMPORTANCE
This study examined the impact of semen on the development of microbicides, substances used to prevent the transmission of HIV-1 during sexual activity. Semen contains certain components that can render the virus more infectious, posing a challenge to microbicide effectiveness. Researchers specifically investigated the effect of semen on a group of powerful antibodies called broadly neutralizing antibodies, which can neutralize a large spectrum of different HIV-1 variants. The results revealed that semen only had a minimal effect on the antibodies' ability to neutralize the virus. This is promising because it suggests that these antibodies could still be effective in microbicides, even in the presence of semen. Understanding this interaction is crucial for developing better strategies to prevent HIV-1 transmission. By incorporating the knowledge gained from this study, scientists can now focus on creating microbicides that consider the impact of semen, bringing us closer to more effective prevention methods.