bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The jet-like chromatin structure defines active secondary metabolism in fungi
Authors: Shao Wenyong , Wang Jingrui , Zhang Yueqi , Zhang Chaofan , Chen Jie , Chen Yun , Fei Zhangjun , Ma Zhonghua , Sun Xuepeng , Jiao Chen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are spatially organized within the nucleus in a nonrandom manner. However, fungal genome arrangement and its function in development and adaptation remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that the high-order chromosome structure of Fusarium graminearum is sculpted by both H3K27me3 modification and ancient genome rearrangements. Active secondary metabolic gene clusters form a structure resembling chromatin jets. We demonstrate that these jet-like domains, which can propagate symmetrically for 54 kb, are prevalent in the genome and correlate with active gene transcription and histone acetylation. Deletion of GCN5, which encodes a core and functionally conserved histone acetyltransferase, blocks the formation of the domains. Insertion of an exogenous gene within the jet-like domain significantly augments its transcription. These findings uncover an interesting link between alterations in chromatin structure and the activation of fungal secondary metabolism, which could be a general mechanism for fungi to rapidly respond to environmental cues, and highlight the utility of leveraging three-dimensional genome organization in improving gene transcription in eukaryotes.
Balancing the benefits of vaccination: An envy-free strategy
Authors: Ribeiro de Almeida Pedro , Hirata Sanches Vitor , Goldman Carla 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the difficulties of vaccinating a population under the circumstances marked by urgency and limited availability of doses while balancing benefits associated with distinct guidelines satisfying specific ethical criteria. We offer a vaccination strategy that may be useful in this regard. It relies on the mathematical concept of envy-freeness. We consider finding balance by allocating the resource among individuals that seem heterogeneous concerning the direct and indirect benefits of vaccination, depending on age. The proposed strategy adapts a constructive approach in the literature based on Sperner’s Lemma to point out an approximate division of doses guaranteeing that both benefits are optimized each time a batch becomes available. Applications using data about population age distributions from diverse countries suggest that, among other features, this strategy maintains the desired balance, throughout the entire vaccination period. We discuss complementary aspects of the method in the context of epidemiological models of age-stratified Susceptible - Infected - Recovered (SIR) type.
Polyethylenimine-modified graphene quantum dots promote endothelial cell proliferation
Authors: Xu Qirong , Li Chen , Meng Xiangyan , Duo Xinghong , Feng Yakai 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Endothelial cell proliferation plays an important role in angiogenesis and treatment of related diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified graphene quantum dots (GQDs) gene vectors on endothelial cell proliferation. The GQDs-cationic polymer gene vectors were synthesized by amidation reaction, and used to deliver pZNF580 gene to Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for promoting their proliferation. The chemical modification of GQDs can adjust gene vectors’ surface properties and charge distribution, thereby enhancing their interaction with gene molecules, which could effectively compress the pZNF580 gene. The CCK-8 assay showed that the cell viability was higher than 80% at higher vector concentration (40 μg/mL), demonstrating that the GQDs-cationic polymer gene vectors and their gene complex nanoparticles (NPs) having low cytotoxicity. The results of the live/dead cell double staining assay were consistent with those of the CCK-8 assay, in which the cell viability of the A-GQDs/pZNF580 (94.38 ± 6.39%), C-GQDs-PEI- polylactic acid-co-polyacetic acid (PLGA)/pZNF580 (98.65 ± 6.60%) and N-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 (90.08 ± 1.60%) groups was significantly higher than that of the Lipofectamine 2000/pZNF580 (71.98 ± 3.53%) positive treatment group. The results of transfection and western blot experiments showed that the vector significantly enhanced the delivery of plasmid to HUVECs and increased the expression of pZNF580 in HUVECs. In addition, the gene NPs better promote endothelial cell migration and proliferation. The cell migration rate and proliferation ability of C-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 and N-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 treatment groups were higher than those of Lipofectamine 2000/pDNA treatment group. Modified GQDs possess the potential to serve as efficient gene carriers. They tightly bind gene molecules through charge and other non-covalent interactions, significantly improving the efficiency of gene delivery and ensuring the smooth release of genes within the cell. This innovative strategy provides a powerful means to promote endothelial cell proliferation.
Comparing clinical features between males and females with VEXAS syndrome: data from literature analysis of patient reports
Authors: Echerbault Robin , Bourguiba Rim , Georgin-Lavialle Sophie , Lavigne Christian , Ravaiau Camille , Lacombe Valentin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objectives
VEXAS syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease associated with a somatic mutation of the X-linked UBA1 gene in haematopoietic progenitor cells. This disorder was originally described as a disease affecting men, but rare cases of VEXAS syndrome in women have since been reported. The theoretical existence of phenotypic sex differences in this X-linked disease is debated. We compared the features of VEXAS syndrome between males and females to better understand this disorder and to improve its diagnostic accuracy in females.

Methods
From previously published clinical descriptions of VEXAS syndrome, we included studies that described patients with precise, individual VEXAS-related features. We formed a literature-based cohort of patients by collecting their clinical and biological data and compared the characteristics of male and female patients.

Results
We gathered 224 patient descriptions from 104 articles: 9 women and 215 men. Among the women, 1 had a constitutional 45,X karyotype and 4 had an acquired X monosomy in the bone marrow karyotype, while the marrow karyotype was not provided for the others. No difference was observed in the clinical or biological features according to sex. We also observed no difference in the type of UBA1 mutation or the association with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Conclusions
Our results supported the hypothesis that the UBA1 mutation should be sought under the same conditions in both sexes. As UBA1 is not subject to X-chromosome inactivation, VEXAS syndrome in females requires both UBA1 mutation and X monosomy, thus explaining the similarity between male and female VEXAS-related features and the lower prevalence of VEXAS syndrome in females.
Clarifying Cognitive Control Deficits in Psychosis via Drift Diffusion Modeling and Attractor Dynamics
Authors: Shen Chen , Calvin Olivia L , Rawls Eric , Redish A David , Sponheim Scott R 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
Cognitive control deficits are prominent in individuals with psychotic psychopathology. Studies providing evidence for deficits in proactive control generally examine average performance and not variation across trials for individuals—potentially obscuring detection of essential contributors to cognitive control. Here, we leverage intertrial variability through drift-diffusion models (DDMs) aiming to identify key contributors to cognitive control deficits in psychosis.

Study Design
People with psychosis (PwP; N = 122), their first-degree biological relatives (N = 78), and controls (N = 50) each completed 120 trials of the dot pattern expectancy (DPX) cognitive control task. We fit full hierarchical DDMs to response and reaction time (RT) data for individual trials and then used classification models to compare the DDM parameters with conventional measures of proactive and reactive control.

Study Results
PwP demonstrated slower drift rates on proactive control trials suggesting less efficient use of cue information. Both PwP and relatives showed protracted nondecision times to infrequent trial sequences suggesting slowed perceptual processing. Classification analyses indicated that DDM parameters differentiated between the groups better than conventional measures and identified drift rates during proactive control, nondecision time during reactive control, and cue bias as most important. DDM parameters were associated with real-world functioning and schizotypal traits.

Conclusions
Modeling of trial-level data revealed that slow evidence accumulation and longer preparatory periods are the strongest contributors to cognitive control deficits in psychotic psychopathology. This pattern of atypical responding during the DPX is consistent with shallow basins in attractor dynamic models that reflect difficulties in maintaining state representations, possibly mediated by excess neural excitation or poor connectivity.
Ethical Principles Do Not Support Mandatory Preanesthesia Pregnancy Screening Tests: A Narrative Review
Authors: Jackson S. , Hunter J. , Van Norman G.A. 
Published: February 2024

(Anesth Analg. October 6, 2023. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006669. Online ahead of print)
The process of informed consent upholds the principle of patient autonomy, rooted in US constitutional principles of privacy and noninterference. It has been legally required in the United States since 1914, ensuring that individuals have the right to determine what happens to their bodies, as Schloendorff v. New York Society Hospital ruled. The recent US Supreme Court decision on abortion has raised concerns about maternal-fetal conflicts and the rights of pregnant patients to undergo elective anesthesia and surgery. Ethical and legal requirements for informed consent in medical testing vary, with challenges in addressing routine laboratory testing. Not all medical tests carry the same ethical implications, but they should all consider beneficence, nonmaleficence, and patient autonomy. Focusing on the need for preanesthesia pregnancy testing remains a concern in anesthesia and surgery practices. The primary premise is preventing harm to the fetus, but this must be supported by medical evidence and adhere to ethical standards. No study conclusively demonstrates that anesthetic agents significantly increase rates of early human fetal loss or malformations. There is no evidence that anesthetic drugs are generally teratogenic or pose a significant risk of harm to the fetus. While such risks are small, they cannot be guaranteed to be absent.
The Limits of Viability
Authors: Pettker C.M. , Turrentine M.A. , Simhan H.N. 
Published: February 2024

(Obstet Gynecol. 2023;142(3):725–726)
The conversation surrounding the “viability” of a pregnancy or fetus is fraught with disagreement in political, legal, religious, philosophical, and scientific settings. Ambiguity in the use of the term has contributed significantly to confusion and misinformation, especially when it is appropriated in a nonmedical context. This article presents a perspective on the term viability, its definition and usage, and how confusion and misinformation surrounding it should be addressed. The focus of this perspective is the use of terminology, not personal opinions, at the beginning of life.
Defining the Neurologic Consequences of Preterm Birth
Authors: Inder T. , Volpe J. , Anderson P. 
Published: February 2024

(N Engl J Med. 2023; 389:441–53)
Approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely (before 37 wk gestation) each year, making prematurity the leading cause of neonatal deaths. Despite advancements in perinatal health care, preterm survivors still face a high risk of long-term issues, especially neurological and developmental disabilities. While severe cerebral palsy rates have decreased in the past 2 decades, cognitive impairment and social-emotional challenges among preterm children and young adults remain prevalent. Very preterm children (born <32 wk) typically exhibit lower intelligence quotient scores, with more significant deficits in those born before 26 weeks. The variability in outcomes reflects the extent of brain injury and dysmaturation, with earlier births carrying a risk that is more significant. New insights from advanced neuroimaging and developmental neuroscience emphasize that both brain injury and impaired brain development contribute to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This review explores the major forms of brain injury, subsequent dysmaturation, mediating factors, and their impact on preterm infant neurodevelopment and aims to guide neonatal clinicians in implementing future neuroprotective strategies for better long-term outcomes.
Staged Treatment of the Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Combined Surgical and Radiologic Approach
Authors: West S. , Martin A. , Copping R. , Gard G. , Maher R. , Seeho S. 
Published: February 2024

(Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2023; 63: 372–377)
The placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is defined by aberrant placental invasion into the uterine myometrium. Globally, the prevalence of PAS is rising, which affects maternal health outcomes. The depth of invasion into the uterus determines how it is classified, with placenta accreta (villi connecting to the muscle layer), placenta increta (myometrial invasion), and placenta percreta (transmural invasion beyond the serosa) being the most severe. This study evaluated maternal and neonatal outcomes following a combined surgical and interventional radiology (IR) approach for managing the PAS.
Do Black Birthing Persons Prefer a Black Health Care Provider During Birth? Race Concordance in Birth
Authors: Bogdan-Lovis E. , Zhuang J. , Goldbort J. , Shareef S. , Bresnahan M. , Kelly-Blake K. , Elam K. 
Published: February 2024

(Birth. 2023;50(2):310–318)
There is discussion in the United States regarding the impact of race concordance between health care providers and patients on health outcomes. While there is evidence that provider-patient communication can benefit from concordance, there’s limited proof that concordance significantly improves health outcomes.
Association Between Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy and Infant Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Zhou F. , Lindley M.C. , Lee J.T. , Jatlaoui T.C. 
Published: February 2024

(Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141:563–569)
Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing illness, including in mildly immunosuppressed individuals such as pregnant women. Influenza vaccines have been in use for decades and have been shown to be safe and effective at preventing illness in both mother and child, providing protection through the transplacental transfer of antibodies to infants too young to receive their own vaccination. Influenza presents increased risks to pregnant individuals as well as adverse outcomes for fetuses and infants. Annual influenza vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, but rates of annual vaccinations are chronically low. This study was designed to evaluate the association between influenza vaccination during pregnancy and infant influenza vaccination.
Median Effective Dose of Ropivacaine for Prophylactic Cervical Cerclage in Chinese Women: A Dose-Finding Study
Authors: Liu K. , Zhao P. , Ding M. , Ji H. , Tao B. 
Published: February 2024

(Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2023;48:168–172. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2022-104242)
Complications in pregnancy leading to preterm labor or miscarriage can occur for a variety of reasons. One reason that represents a significant public health burden is cervical incompetence or insufficiency. Current treatment guidelines focus on cervical cerclage as an effective treatment to prevent or arrest the effects of cervical insufficiency. Performing this procedure requires surgery, and therefore different anesthetic methods can be used to minimize pain and adverse outcomes for the patients, namely general or neuraxial anesthesia. One local anesthetic used for spinal neuraxial blocks in obstetrics is ropivacaine, but research has not explored its effect when used for cervical cerclage. This study from China was designed to find the median effective dose of intrathecal ropivacaine for cervical cerclage placement in 50% of patients (ED50). Secondary to this, the effective dose of intrathecal ropivacaine in 95% of patients (ED95) was also calculated. Other outcome measures included the duration of the sensory and motor blocks.
A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis of Patient and Hospital-Level Factors Predicting the Use of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Deliveries
Authors: Tangel V.E. , Abramovitz S. , Aaronson J. , Jiang S.Y. , Pryor K.O. , White R.S. 
Published: February 2024

(Int J Obstet Anesth. 2023:54:103638)
A recent study reported that as parturient comorbidity increased, there was an increasing likelihood of receiving general anesthesia (GA) compared with neuraxial anesthesia (NA) for cesarean delivery (CD). This study expands on that research, and the authors theorize that in addition to patient factors, there may be hospital-level factors that increase the likelihood of GA for CD in certain patients.
Sequential Extracorporeal Therapy of Pathogen Removal Followed by Cell-Directed Extracorporeal Therapy in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Refractory to Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report
Authors: Amerson Stephen J. , Hoffman McKenna , Abouzahr Fadi , Ahmad Mohammad , Sterling Rachel K. , Gidwani Hitesh , Sousse Linda E. , Dellavolpe Jeffrey D. 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a fulminant complication of predominantly invasive group A streptococcal infections. STSS is often characterized by influenza-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and myalgia that can quickly progress to sepsis with hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and multiple organ failure (kidney, liver, lung, or blood). Mortality can exceed 50% depending on the severity of symptoms.

CASE SUMMARY:
Here, we describe a novel, multi-extracorporeal intervention strategy in a case of severe septic shock secondary to STSS. A 28-year-old woman 5 days after cesarean section developed STSS with respiratory distress, hypotension, and multiple organ failure. Despite conventional therapy with intubation, antibiotics, vasopressors, and fluid resuscitation, her condition worsened. She was placed on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) with subsequent initiation of pathogen hemoperfusion using the Seraph 100 blood filter, followed by immunomodulation with the selective cytopheretic device (SCD). No device-related adverse events were observed. The patient’s condition gradually stabilized with discontinuation of vasopressors after 4 days, ECMO decannulation after 6 days, evidence of renal recovery after 7 days, and extubation from mechanical ventilation after 14 days. She was transferred to conventional hemodialysis after 13 days and discontinued all kidney replacement therapy 11 days later.

CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first reported use of VA-ECMO, Seraph 100 hemoperfusion, and cell-directed immunomodulation with SCD. This multimodal approach to extracorporeal support represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the most refractory critical care cases. Further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this sequential approach.
A High-biocompatibility Interface for the Breast Implant: First Report of a Novel Biological Matrix–assisted Technique in Aesthetic Revision Surgery
Authors: Muccioli Casadei Renato , Corezzola Maria Elena , Monticelli Andrea 
Published: February 2024

Summary:
Development of human-compatible tissues is an active field of research that is leading to the production of optimized biological scaffolds to support regenerative medicine. Xenogenic acellular matrices are known to have strongly influenced the field of breast surgery, playing an integral role in wound healing and in preventing the foreign body reaction to silicone implants. Here, we present our experience in using a biological matrix for aesthetic revision surgery with malposition and severe capsular contracture. Revisions were performed using the new MASQUE equine acellular-pericardium-matrix (APM) as an anterior cover for the synthetic prosthesis. Acting as an internal support, the thin APM layer provides a biological and biocompatible interface between the synthetic implant and living tissues, exerting a protective function against fibrotic responses and capsular contracture. The role of an APM in matrix-assisted mammoplasty has yet to be fully established. Our early experience of APM-assisted aesthetic revision surgery shows promising results, laying the foundations for equine biological matrices as a valid tool for the management of capsular contracture-susceptible patients.
Endothelial YAP/TEAD1-CXCL17 signaling recruits myeloid-derived suppressor cells against liver ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhang Sitong , Sun Zhongquan , Chen Zhenhua , Bi Yanli , Wei Shenyu , Mao Zhengwei , Jin Jin , Ding Yuan , Wang Weilin 
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims:
Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication of liver transplantation and hepatectomy and causes acute liver dysfunction and even organ failure. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulate and play immunosuppressive function in cancers and inflammation. However, the role of MDSCs in liver IRI has not been defined.

Approach and Results:
We enrolled recipients receiving OLT and obtained the pre-OLT/post-OLT blood and liver samples. The proportions of MDSCs were significantly elevated after OLT and negatively associated with liver damage. In single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of liver samples during OLT, 2 cell clusters with MDSC-like phenotypes were identified and showed maturation and infiltration in post-OLT livers. In the mouse model, liver IRI mobilized MDSCs and promoted their infiltration in the damaged liver, and intrahepatic MDSCs were possessed with enhanced immunosuppressive function by upregulation of STAT3 signaling. Under treatment with αGr-1 antibody or adoptive transfer MDSCs to change the proportion of MDSCs in vivo, we found that intrahepatic MDSCs alleviated liver IRI-induced inflammation and damage by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, bulk RNA-sequencing analysis and in vivo experiments verified that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CXCL17) was upregulated by YAP/TEAD1 signaling and subsequently recruited MDSCs through binding with GPR35 during liver IRI. Moreover, hepatic endothelial cells were the major cells responsible for CXCL17 expression in injured livers, among which hypoxia-reoxygenation stimulation activated the YAP/TEAD1 complex to promote CXCL17 transcription.

Conclusions:
Endothelial YAP/TEAD1-CXCL17 signaling recruited MDSCs to attenuate liver IRI, providing evidence of therapeutic potential for managing IRI in liver surgery.