bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective policy analysis—a critical interpretive synthesis review
Authors: Paina Ligia , Young Ruth , Oladapo Oyinkansola , Leandro Jose , Chen Zhixi , Igusa Takeru 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Most policy analysis methods and approaches are applied retrospectively. As a result, there have been calls for more documentation of the political-economy factors central to health care reforms in real-time. We sought to highlight the methods and previous applications of prospective policy analysis (PPA) in the literature to document purposeful use of PPA and reflect on opportunities and drawbacks. We used a critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) approach as our initial scoping revealed that PPA is inconsistently defined in the literature. While we found several examples of PPA, all were researcher-led, most were published recently and few described mechanisms for engagement in the policy process. In addition, methods used were often summarily described and reported on relatively short prospective time horizons. Most of the studies stemmed from high-income countries and, across our sample, did not always clearly outline the rationale for a PPA and how this analysis was conceptualized. That only about one-fifth of the articles explicitly defined PPA underscores the fact that researchers and practitioners conducting PPA should better document their intent and reflect on key elements essential for PPA. Despite a wide recognition that policy processes are dynamic and ideally require multifaceted and longitudinal examination, the PPA approach is not currently frequently documented in the literature. However, the few articles reported in this paper might overestimate gaps in PPA applications. More likely, researchers are embedded in policy processes prospectively but do not necessarily write their articles from that perspective, and analyses led by non-academics might not make their way into the published literature. Future research should feature examples of testing and refining the proposed framework, as well as designing and reporting on PPA. Even when policy-maker engagement might not be feasible, real-time policy monitoring might have value in and of itself.
The effect of mindfulness-based compassionate living training for informal caregivers of palliative inpatients on burnout and caregiving burden: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kılıç Dilek , Tosun Taşar Pınar , Cengiz Mine 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effect of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) training given to the informal caregivers of palliative patients on burnout and caregiving burden. A single-blind, randomized, controlled, experimental study was conducted with 54 caregivers of patients admitted to a hospital palliative care unit. The participants were randomly allocated to the experimental group (n = 26) and control group (n = 28). The experimental group received MBCL training twice a week for 4 weeks. Data were collected before and after the intervention using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Caregiver Burden Scale and Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form. The data were analyzed using kurtosis and skewness coefficients, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, independent samples t test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS version 22.0. The informal caregivers in the experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and an increase in personal accomplishment and self-compassion scores in posttest assessments after the MBCL intervention (P &lt; 0.05). All of these parameters differed significantly between the experimental and control groups after the intervention (P &lt; 0.05). MBCL training seems to be effective in reducing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and increasing personal accomplishment and self-compassion among informal caregivers of palliative inpatients. The results of this study can be generalized to the caretakers of patients receiving palliative care in university hospitals.
What drives non-linguists’ hands (or mouse) when drawing mental dialect maps?
Authors: Jeszenszky Péter , Steiner Carina , von Allmen Nina , Leemann Adrian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In perceptual dialectology, mental mapping is a popular tool used for eliciting attitudes and the spatial imprint of linguistic cognition from non-linguists, through tasking them with drawing about linguistic variations on maps. Despite the popularity of this method, research on the geometrical parameters of the shapes drawn on these maps has been limited. In our study, we utilized 500 mental maps, both digital and hand-drawn, introducing a new digital implementation for mental mapping (source code available). Our contribution presents the first perceptual dialectological outcomes of the ‘Swiss German Dialects in Time and Space’ project, which recorded a socio-demographically balanced corpus containing a large amount of quantitative personal data about participants that represent the entire Swiss German dialect continuum. Our first research question explores how various sociolinguistic variables and other variables related to personal background influence the geometrical parameters of shapes drawn, such as the number of shapes, their coverage of the language area, and their compactness. Statistical modelling reveals that dialect identity plays the most important role, while educational background, urbanity, and regional differences also affect more parameters. The second research question investigates the comparability between hand-drawn and digital mental maps, showing that they are generally comparable in terms of geometrical aspects, with minor limitations due to specific technical considerations in our digital method.
Gender relations in Spanish theatre during the Silver Age: a quantitative comparison of works in the Spanish Drama Corpus
Authors: Dabrowska Monika , Santa María Fernández María Teresa 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
One of the many changes witnessed by Spanish society at the beginning of the 20th century was the early reshaping of the role of women, including in the realm of theatre. During the first three decades of the new century, Spanish theatre was thriving, favouring the emergence of new gender roles: there were new female playwrights, professional actresses, stage designers, costume designers, theatre company directors, etc. Against this background, i.e. the awakening of female consciousness, it is worth exploring whether the growing position of women in public life goes hand in hand with a greater presence of female characters in the plays composed at that time. With a view to assessing the position of women in playwriting in the Silver Age of Spanish literature, twenty-five stage plays by nine playwrights written between 1878 and 1936 have been analysed, taken from the Spanish Drama Corpus, which forms part of the DraCor project. The distribution of male and female protagonists on stage and the influence of female presence in dramatic conflict have been traced based on quantitative textual factors. The study thus tests the potential of quantitative methods and their scope for the structural analysis of plays and studies on dramatic corpora from a gender perspective.
Gene and Allele-Specific Expression Underlying the Electric Signal Divergence in African Weakly Electric Fish
Authors: Cheng Feng , Dennis Alice B , Baumann Otto , Kirschbaum Frank , Abdelilah-Seyfried Salim , Tiedemann Ralph 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In the African weakly electric fish genus Campylomormyrus, electric organ discharge signals are strikingly different in shape and duration among closely related species, contribute to prezygotic isolation, and may have triggered an adaptive radiation. We performed mRNA sequencing on electric organs and skeletal muscles (from which the electric organs derive) from 3 species with short (0.4 ms), medium (5 ms), and long (40 ms) electric organ discharges and 2 different cross-species hybrids. We identified 1,444 upregulated genes in electric organ shared by all 5 species/hybrid cohorts, rendering them candidate genes for electric organ–specific properties in Campylomormyrus. We further identified several candidate genes, including KCNJ2 and KLF5, and their upregulation may contribute to increased electric organ discharge duration. Hybrids between a short (Campylomormyrus compressirostris) and a long (Campylomormyrus rhynchophorus) discharging species exhibit electric organ discharges of intermediate duration and showed imbalanced expression of KCNJ2 alleles, pointing toward a cis-regulatory difference at this locus, relative to electric organ discharge duration. KLF5 is a transcription factor potentially balancing potassium channel gene expression, a crucial process for the formation of an electric organ discharge. Unraveling the genetic basis of the species-specific modulation of the electric organ discharge in Campylomormyrus is crucial for understanding the adaptive radiation of this emerging model taxon of ecological (perhaps even sympatric) speciation.
RNA–RNA interactions between respiratory syncytial virus and miR-26 and miR-27 are associated with regulation of cell cycle and antiviral immunity
Authors: Ressel Sarah , Kumar Sujai , Bermúdez-Barrientos Jose Roberto , Gordon Katrina , Lane Julia , Wu Jin , Abreu-Goodger Cei , Schwarze Jürgen , Buck Amy H 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate nearly all physiological processes but our understanding of exactly how they function remains incomplete, particularly in the context of viral infections. Here, we adapt a biochemical method (CLEAR-CLIP) and analysis pipeline to identify targets of miRNAs in lung cells infected with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We show that RSV binds directly to miR-26 and miR-27 through seed pairing and demonstrate that these miRNAs target distinct gene networks associated with cell cycle and metabolism (miR-27) and antiviral immunity (miR-26). Many of the targets are de-repressed upon infection and we show that the miR-27 targets most sensitive to miRNA inhibition are those associated with cell cycle. Finally, we demonstrate that high confidence chimeras map to long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and pseudogenes in transcriptional regulatory regions. We validate that a proportion of miR-27 and Argonaute 2 (AGO2) is nuclear and identify a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as a miR-27 target that is linked to transcriptional regulation of nearby genes. This work expands the target networks of miR-26 and miR-27 to include direct interactions with RSV and lncRNAs and implicate these miRNAs in regulation of key genes that impact the viral life cycle associated with cell cycle, metabolism, and antiviral immunity.
Virtual brain twins: from basic neuroscience to clinical use
Authors: Wang Huifang E , Triebkorn Paul , Breyton Martin , Dollomaja Borana , Lemarechal Jean-Didier , Petkoski Spase , Sorrentino Pierpaolo , Depannemaecker Damien , Hashemi Meysam , Jirsa Viktor K 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Virtual brain twins are personalized, generative and adaptive brain models based on data from an individual’s brain for scientific and clinical use. After a description of the key elements of virtual brain twins, we present the standard model for personalized whole-brain network models. The personalization is accomplished using a subject’s brain imaging data by three means: (1) assemble cortical and subcortical areas in the subject-specific brain space; (2) directly map connectivity into the brain models, which can be generalized to other parameters; and (3) estimate relevant parameters through model inversion, typically using probabilistic machine learning. We present the use of personalized whole-brain network models in healthy ageing and five clinical diseases: epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, we introduce spatial masks for relevant parameters and demonstrate their use based on the physiological and pathophysiological hypotheses. Finally, we pinpoint the key challenges and future directions.
A Prolonged Outbreak of Enteric Fever Associated With Illegal Miners in the City of Matlosana, South Africa, November 2020–September 2022
Authors: Sekwadi Phuti , Smith Anthony Marius , Maruma Wellington , Mongologa Gift , Tsele Grace , Ngomane Mimmy , Tau Nomsa , Williams Shannon , Disenyeng Bolele , Sebiloane Mahlaku , Johnston Leigh , Erasmus Linda , Thomas Juno 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
In South Africa, the annual incidence of enteric fever averaged 0.1 per 100 000 persons between 2003 and 2018. During 2021 an increase in the number of enteric fever cases was observed. An outbreak investigation was conducted to determine the magnitude and source of the outbreak.

Methods
We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected through telephonic or face-to-face interviews with cases or proxies via a standardized case investigation form. Whole genome sequencing was performed on all Salmonella Typhi isolates. Drinking water samples were collected, tested, and analyzed. Descriptive analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel.

Results
Between January 2020 and September 2022, a cluster of 53 genetically highly related Salmonella Typhi isolates was identified from 5 provinces in South Africa. Isolates associated with the cluster showed ≤5 allelic differences, as determined following core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis. Most cases (60%, 32/53) were in the North West province. Males represented 68% (36/53). Of these, 72% (26/36) were aged 15 to 49 years, with a median age of 31 years. Where occupation was known within this age group, 78% (14/18) were illegal gold miners. Illegal miners reported illness onset while working underground. Five municipal tap water samples were tested and showed no evidence of fecal contamination.

Conclusions
This outbreak predominantly affected illegal gold miners, likely due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater while working in a gold mine shaft. In addition, this investigation highlights the value of whole genome sequencing to detect clusters and support epidemiologic investigation of enteric fever outbreaks.
Screening putative polyester polyurethane degrading enzymes with semi-automated cell-free expression and nitrophenyl probes
Authors: Ahsan Afrin , Wagner Dominique , Varaljay Vanessa A , Roman Victor , Kelley-Loughnane Nancy , Reuel Nigel F 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Cell-free expression (CFE) has shown recent utility in prototyping enzymes for discovery efforts. In this work, CFE is demonstrated as an effective tool to screen putative polyester polyurethane degrading enzyme sequences sourced from metagenomic analysis of biofilms prospected on aircraft and vehicles. An automated fluid handler with a controlled temperature block is used to assemble the numerous 30 µL CFE reactions to provide more consistent results over human assembly. In sum, 13 putative hydrolase enzymes from the biofilm organisms as well as a previously verified, polyester-degrading cutinase were expressed using in-house E. coli extract and minimal linear templates. The enzymes were then tested for esterase activity directly in extract using nitrophenyl conjugated substrates, showing highest sensitivity to shorter substrates (4-nitrophenyl hexanoate and 4-nNitrophenyl valerate). This screen identified 10 enzymes with statistically significant activities against these substrates; however, all were lower in measured relative activity, on a CFE volume basis, to the established cutinase control. This approach portends the use of CFE and reporter probes to rapidly prototype, screen and design for synthetic polymer degrading enzymes from environmental consortia.
Graphical Abstract
Variation in Hospital Neuraxial Labor Analgesia Rates in California
Authors: Parameshwar Pooja , Guo Nan , Bentley Jason , Main Elliot , Singer Sara J. , Peden Carol J. , Morris Theresa , Ansari Jessica , Butwick Alexander J. 
Published: February 2024

Background
Neuraxial analgesia provides effective pain relief during labor. However, it is unclear whether neuraxial analgesia prevalence differs across U.S. hospitals. The aim of this study was to assess hospital variation in neuraxial analgesia prevalence in California.

Methods
A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed birthing patients who underwent labor in 200 California hospitals from 2016 to 2020. The primary exposure was the delivery hospital. The outcomes were hospital neuraxial analgesia prevalence and between-hospital variability, before and after adjustment for patient and hospital factors. Median odds ratio and intraclass correlation coefficients quantified between-hospital variability. The median odds ratio estimated the odds of a patient receiving neuraxial analgesia when moving between hospitals. The intraclass correlation coefficients quantified the proportion of the total variance in neuraxial analgesia use due to variation between hospitals.

Results
Among 1,510,750 patients who underwent labor, 1,040,483 (68.9%) received neuraxial analgesia. Both unadjusted and adjusted hospital prevalence exhibited a skewed distribution characterized by a long left tail. The unadjusted and adjusted prevalences were 5.4% and 6.0% at the 1st percentile, 21.0% and 21.2% at the 5th percentile, 70.6% and 70.7% at the 50th percentile, 75.8% and 76.6% at the 95th percentile, and 75.9% and 78.6% at the 99th percentile, respectively. The adjusted median odds ratio (2.3; 95% CI, 2.1 to 2.5) indicated substantially increased odds of a patient receiving neuraxial analgesia if they moved from a hospital with a lower odds of neuraxial analgesia to one with higher odds. The hospital explained only a moderate portion of the overall variability in neuraxial analgesia (intraclass correlation coefficient, 19.1%; 95% CI, 18.8 to 20.5%).

Conclusions
A long left tail in the distribution and wide variation exist in the neuraxial analgesia prevalence across California hospitals that is not explained by patient and hospital factors. Addressing the low prevalence among hospitals in the left tail requires exploration of the interplay between patient preferences, staffing availability, and care providers’ attitudes toward neuraxial analgesia.

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
Management of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Extraintestinal Disorders in Patients with Ileal Pouches: A Systemic Review
Authors: Shen Bo , Yao QingPing , Scherl Ellen 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis improves the quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis by the removal of diseased large bowel and preservation of the natural route of defecation. Although the surgery may improve preexisting extraintestinal manifestations in the joint, skin, and eyes, extraintestinal manifestations, particularly primary sclerosing cholangitis can persist after colectomy.

OBJECTIVES:
A systemic review of diagnosis and treatment of liver, joint, skin, and eye manifestations in patients with restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

DATA SOURCES:
PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database.

STUDY SELECTION:
Relevant articles on primary sclerosing cholangitis and extraintestinal manifestations in ileal pouches published between Jan 2001 and July 2023 in English were included based on Preferred Reporting Items For Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

INTERVENTION:
Diagnosis and treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis and extraintestinal manifestations in patients with restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Association between primary sclerosing cholangitis, extraintestinal manifestations, and inflammatory disorders of the pouch and their management.

RESULTS:
The presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis and extraintestinal manifestations is associated with pouchitis, particularly chronic pouchitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with both chronic pouchitis and enteritis, and possible pouch neoplasia. However, disease severity and disease course of primary sclerosing cholangitis and pouchitis do not appear to parallel. Despite that oral vancomycin or budesonide have been used to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated pouchitis, their impact on the disease course of primary sclerosing cholangitis is not known. Biological therapy for chronic inflammatory disorders of the pouch may be also beneficial for the concurrent extraintestinal manifestations of the joints, skin, and eyes. However, studies on the correlation between the severity of inflammatory pouch disorders and the severity of joint, skin, and eye diseases are lacking.

LIMITATIONS:
This is a qualitative, not quantitative review of case series and case reports.

CONCLUSIONS:
Primary sclerosing cholangitis and extraintestinal manifestations of the joints, skin, and eyes appear to be associated with inflammatory disorders of the ileal pouch. While the treatment of pouchitis does not seem to affect the disease course of primary sclerosing cholangitis, effective therapy of inflammatory pouch disorders, particularly with biologics, likely benefits concurrent disorders of the joints, skin, and eyes. See 20-minute symposium video.
Dystrophic Calcinosis Cutis Leading to a Nonhealing Wound in a Patient with Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Authors: Kyoung Jun , Caudill Jennifer , Workman Lauren , Simman Richard 
Published: February 2024

Summary:
The presence of bony-appearing fragments and calcifications appearing superficially in a chronic, nonhealing wound raises suspicion for osteomyelitis. When radiological imaging and tissue biopsy of the lesion return negative for osteomyelitis, however, the differentials must be widened to successfully manage and heal a chronic wound. In this report, we discuss a case of an 80-year-old morbidly obese woman with a history of chronic venous insufficiency, hereditary hemochromatosis, and squamous cell carcinoma who presented to the wound clinic with a 5-month history of a nonhealing wound with bony-appearing fragments and calcifications on her left anterior leg status postbiopsy during routine skin examination. Upon clinical correlation with laboratories and imaging, it was determined that the cause of her nonhealing wound was due to dystrophic calcinosis cutis.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF A NOVEL MFSD8/CLN7 MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH NONSYNDROMIC SYMMETRIC ADULT-ONSET MACULAR DYSTROPHY
Authors: Gelormini Francesco , Vallino Veronica , Breazzano Mark P. , Pasini Barbara , Reibaldi Michele , Borrelli Enrico 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:
The objective of this study was to report multimodal imaging features of a novel MFSD8/CLN7 pathogenic variant associated with bilateral and symmetric nonsyndromic macular dystrophy.

Methods:
A 63-year-old female patient presented complaining of a gradual subjective decline in VA in both eyes over the previous months. This patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological assessment, including multimodal retinal imaging and electrophysiological testing. Given suspicion for a hereditary retinal disorder, genetic testing was pursued.

Results:
The eye examination revealed blunted foveal reflexes and no lesions or abnormalities in the equatorial or anterior retinal periphery. Multimodal imaging showed a bilateral and almost symmetrical subfoveal interruption of the outer retinal layers, including an optical gap. Genetic testing revealed that the MFSD8/CLN7 gene exhibited a homozygous variant, specifically p.Ala484Val (c.1451C>T). This variant was identified as the likely causative factor for the condition.

Conclusion:
In this study, the authors describe the clinical findings of a previously unreported homozygous variant in the MFSD8/CLN7 gene, resulting in a nonsyndromic form of bilateral central macular dystrophy.