bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Difelikefalin improves itch-related sleep disruption in patients undergoing haemodialysis
Authors: Weiner Daniel E , Schaufler Thilo , McCafferty Kieran , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Germain Michael , Ruessmann Despina , Morin Isabelle , Menzaghi Frédérique , Wen Warren , Ständer Sonja 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Poor sleep quality is associated with higher mortality and lower quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP). Difelikefalin reduces itch in patients with CKD-aP undergoing haemodialysis (HD). This post hoc analysis of the Phase 3 difelikefalin studies (Study 3105 and the pooled dataset from KALM-1 and KALM-2) evaluated whether itch reduction in individuals with CKD-aP improved sleep quality.

Methods
Itch intensity was assessed in patients undergoing HD who had moderate-to-severe CKD-aP treated with intravenous difelikefalin (0.5 µg/kg, three times weekly) (N = 222, Study 3105; N = 426, KALM-1 and -2) or placebo (N = 425, KALM-1 and -2) for 12 weeks, using the Worst Itch Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS). Sleep quality was assessed using the sleep disability question of the 5-D Itch Scale (5-D SDQ) in all studies and, in Study 3105, with the Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale (SQ-NRS).

Results
Greater improvements in sleep quality were observed in patients with ≥3-point versus &lt;3-point WI-NRS improvement using SQ-NRS in Study 3105 [mean (95% confidence interval) −5.2 (–5.6, −4.8) vs −1.5 (–2.0, −1.0)] and 5-D SDQ in KALM-1 and -2 [–1.8 (–2.1, −1.6) vs −0.8 (–1.1, −0.4)]. SQ-NRS and WI-NRS scores were highly correlated at both baseline and Week 12 in Study 3105 (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.77 and 0.84, respectively). Correlations were also observed between 5-D SDQ and WI-NRS scores in Study 3105 and KALM-1 and -2.

Conclusions
In patients undergoing HD with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP, itch reduction with intravenous difelikefalin was associated with improved sleep quality. As disturbed sleep may contribute to mortality and morbidity in CKD-aP, difelikefalin may help to address a major clinical burden by improving sleep quality, secondary to itch relief.

Trial Registration
KALM-1 (NCT03422653), KALM-2 (NCT03636269), Study 3105 (NCT03998163).
Early progression of chronic histologic lesions in kidney transplant biopsies is not associated with HLA histocompatibility
Authors: Jabbour Rhea , Heinzel Andreas , Reindl-Schwaighofer Roman , Gregorich Mariella G , Regele Heinz , Kozakowski Nicolas , Kläger Johannes , Fischer Gottfried , Kainz Alexander , Becker Jan U , Wiebe Chris , Oberbauer Rainer 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Early progression of chronic histologic lesions in kidney allografts represents the main finding in graft attrition. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to elucidate whether HLA histocompatibility is associated with progression of chronic histologic lesions in the first year post-transplant. Established associations of de novo donor-specific antibody (dnDSA) formation with HLA mismatch and microvascular inflammation (MVI) were calculated to allow for comparability with other study cohorts.

Methods
We included 117 adult kidney transplant recipients, transplanted between 2016 and 2020 from predominantly deceased donors, who had surveillance biopsies at 3 and 12 months. Histologic lesion scores were assessed according to the Banff classification. HLA mismatch scores [i.e. eplet, predicted indirectly recognizable HLA-epitopes algorithm (PIRCHE-II), HLA epitope mismatch algorithm (HLA-EMMA), HLA whole antigen A/B/DR] were calculated for all transplant pairs. Formation of dnDSAs was quantified by single antigen beads.

Results
More than one-third of patients exhibited a progression of chronic lesion scores by at least one Banff grade in tubular atrophy (ct), interstitial fibrosis (ci), arteriolar hyalinosis (ah) and inflammation in the area of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (i-IFTA) from the 3- to the 12-month biopsy. Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression models revealed no association of HLA mismatch scores with progression of histologic lesions, except for ah and especially HLA-EMMA DRB1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.18]. Furthermore, the established associations of dnDSA formation with HLA mismatch and MVI (OR = 5.31, 95% CI 1.19–22.57) could be confirmed in our cohort.

Conclusions
These data support the association of HLA mismatch and alloimmune response, while suggesting that other factors contribute to early progression of chronic histologic lesions.
Anionic lipids facilitate membrane development and protochlorophyllide biosynthesis in etioplasts
Authors: Yoshihara Akiko , Kobayashi Keiko , Nagata Noriko , Fujii Sho , Wada Hajime , Kobayashi Koichi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Dark-germinated angiosperm seedlings develop chloroplast precursors called etioplasts in cotyledon cells. Etioplasts develop lattice membrane structures called prolamellar bodies (PLBs), where the chlorophyll intermediate protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) forms a ternary complex with NADPH and light-dependent NADPH:Pchlide oxidoreductase (LPOR). The lipid bilayers of etioplast membranes are mainly composed of galactolipids, which play important roles in membrane-associated processes in etioplasts. Although etioplast membranes also contain 2 anionic lipids, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), their roles are unknown. To determine the roles of PG and SQDG in etioplast development, we characterized etiolated Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants deficient in PG and SQDG biosynthesis. A partial deficiency in PG biosynthesis loosened the lattice structure of PLBs and impaired the insertion of Mg2+ into protoporphyrin IX, leading to a substantial decrease in Pchlide content. Although a complete lack of SQDG biosynthesis did not notably affect PLB formation and Pchlide biosynthesis, lack of SQDG in addition to partial PG deficiency strongly impaired these processes. These results suggested that PG is required for PLB formation and Pchlide biosynthesis, whereas SQDG plays an auxiliary role in these processes. Notably, PG deficiency and lack of SQDG oppositely affected the dynamics of LPOR complexes after photoconversion, suggesting different involvements of PG and SQDG in LPOR complex organization. Our data demonstrate pleiotropic roles of anionic lipids in etioplast development.
Chloroplast phosphate transporter CrPHT4-7 regulates phosphate homeostasis and photosynthesis in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Tóth Dávid , Kuntam Soujanya , Ferenczi Áron , Vidal-Meireles André , Kovács László , Wang Lianyong , Sarkadi Zsuzsa , Migh Ede , Szentmihályi Klára , Tengölics Roland , Neupert Juliane , Bock Ralph , Jonikas Martin C , Molnar Attila , Tóth Szilvia Z 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, phosphorus is assimilated and utilized primarily as phosphate (Pi). Pi homeostasis is mediated by transporters that have not yet been adequately characterized in green algae. This study reports on PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 4-7 (CrPHT4-7) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a member of the PHT4 transporter family, which exhibits remarkable similarity to AtPHT4;4 from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a chloroplastic ascorbate transporter. Using fluorescent protein tagging, we show that CrPHT4-7 resides in the chloroplast envelope membrane. Crpht4-7 mutants, generated by the CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated single-strand templated repair, show retarded growth, especially in high light, reduced ATP level, strong ascorbate accumulation, and diminished non-photochemical quenching in high light. On the other hand, total cellular phosphorous content was unaffected, and the phenotype of the Crpht4-7 mutants could not be alleviated by ample Pi supply. CrPHT4-7-overexpressing lines exhibit enhanced biomass accumulation under high light conditions in comparison with the wild-type strain. Expressing CrPHT4-7 in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strain lacking Pi transporters substantially recovered its slow growth phenotype, demonstrating that CrPHT4-7 transports Pi. Even though CrPHT4-7 shows a high degree of similarity to AtPHT4;4, it does not display any substantial ascorbate transport activity in yeast or intact algal cells. Thus, the results demonstrate that CrPHT4-7 functions as a chloroplastic Pi transporter essential for maintaining Pi homeostasis and photosynthesis in C. reinhardtii.
Branching in molecular structure enhancement of solubility in CO2
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuya , Firoozabadi Abbas 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Most compounds of some 1,000 amu molecular weight (MW) and higher are poorly soluble in carbon dioxide (CO2). Only at very high pressure, there may be mild solubility. This limits the use of CO2 as a solvent and modifications of CO2 properties through additives. We have developed a coarse-grained molecular model to investigate the dependency of the solubility of hydrocarbon oligomers (MW of ∼1,000 amu) in CO2 and on the molecular structure. The coarse-grained model is optimized by the particle swarm optimization algorithm to reproduce density, surface tension, and enthalpy of vaporization of a highly branched hydrocarbon oligomer (poly-1-decene with six repeating units). We demonstrate that branching in molecular structure of oligomers significantly increases solubility in CO2. The branching in molecular structure results in up to 270-time enhancement of solubility in CO2 than an n-alkane with the same MW. The number of structural edges (methyl group) is a key in improved CO2-philicity. The solubility of poly-1-decene with nine repeating units (MW of 1,264.4 amu) is higher in CO2 than poly-1-dodecene with six repeating units (MW of 1,011.93 amu) because it has more structural edges (10 vs. 7). These results shed light on the enhancement of CO2-philicity by altering molecular structure rather than modifying chemical composition in compounds.
Sources of Inconsistency in the Measurement of Religious Affiliation: Evidence from a Survey Experiment and Cognitive Interviews
Authors: Brenner Philip S , LaPlante Jill , Reed Tracy L 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Research has argued that estimates of the percentage of Americans without a religious affiliation may be influenced by a measurement artifact caused by the poor reliability of conventional survey questions. Using a question-order experiment and cognitive interviews, we assess religious affiliation measures like those commonly used on surveys. A filter question and a full question presenting a list of religious affiliations as response options are asked in a random order. Findings suggest that nominally religious respondents have higher odds of reporting an affiliation to the full question than the filter. They describe nominal or residual religious affiliations, highlighting the role of family connections and religious pasts in their affiliation reports. Conversely, highly religious and nonreligious respondents are, respectively, only slightly and not at all influenced by question characteristics. Findings suggest that using a filter question before a full question avoids this source of inconsistency and yields better data quality.
Steroid receptor coactivator‐2 drives epithelial reprogramming that enables murine embryo implantation
Authors: Maurya Vineet K. , Szwarc Maria M. , Lonard David M. , Kommagani Ramakrishna , Wu San Pin , O'Malley Bert W. , DeMayo Francesco J. , Lydon John P. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAlthough we have shown that steroid receptor coactivator‐2 (SRC‐2), a member of the p160/SRC family of transcriptional coregulators, is essential for decidualization of both human and murine endometrial stromal cells, SRC‐2's role in the earlier stages of the implantation process have not been adequately addressed. Using a conditional SRC‐2 knockout mouse (SRC‐2d/d) in timed natural pregnancy studies, we show that endometrial SRC‐2 is required for embryo attachment and adherence to the luminal epithelium. Implantation failure is associated with the persistent expression of Mucin 1 and E‐cadherin on the apical surface and basolateral adherens junctions of the SRC‐2d/d luminal epithelium, respectively. These findings indicate that the SRC‐2d/d luminal epithelium fails to exhibit a plasma membrane transformation (PMT) state known to be required for the development of uterine receptivity. Transcriptomics demonstrated that the expression of genes involved in steroid hormone control of uterine receptivity were significantly disrupted in the SRC‐2d/d endometrium as well as genes that control epithelial tight junctional biology and the emergence of the epithelial mesenchymal transition state, with the latter sharing similar biological properties with PMT. Collectively, these findings uncover a new role for endometrial SRC‐2 in the induction of the luminal epithelial PMT state, which is a prerequisite for the development of uterine receptivity and early pregnancy establishment.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in primary antibody deficiencies: an overview on efficacy, immunogenicity, durability of immune response and safety
Authors: Cusa Gabriella , Sardella Germano , Garzi Giulia , Firinu Davide , Milito Cinzia 
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review
This review aims to summarize the current best knowledge on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in vulnerable patients affected by primary antibody deficiencies (PADs), both in patients previously infected and vaccine-immunized, focusing also on the durability, on the need for multiple booster doses and on the safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Recent findings
Patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV2 have variable humoral response, still showing a tendency towards an increase in antibody titers, with factors such as booster doses, previous infections, age and specific genetic mutations influencing the outcome. Long-lasting cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination instead, mostly of the T-cell type, have been observed. Overall, the duration of protection given by vaccinations is sufficient and increased upon further simulations. Furthermore, the safety profile in PID patients is excellent, with most adverse events being transient and mild and no major adverse event reported.

Summary
Several studies have emphasized the benefit of vaccinating patients with PADs against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the necessity of administering booster doses. This review, by gathering the most recent and significant data from the scientific literature, could be helpful in clinical practice in the management of disease prevention in patients affected by primary immunodeficiency and also serve as inspiration for further in-depth clinical research.
Needs of Women Caring for Husbands with Cancer at Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia: An Analytical Nonintervention, Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Mbozi Patience , Mukwato Patricia K. , Kalusopa Victoria M. , Simoonga Christopher 
Published: November 2023

Background:
The number of men with cancer at the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Zambia has nearly doubled. The CDH offers free treatment, but the families pay for “extras”, for example, laboratory and diagnostic investigations.

Objective:
To assess the needs of women caring for their husbands with cancer at the CDH.

Methods:
Stratified random sampling was used for this cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using a 27-item Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer tool; analysis used SPSS version 23 and STATA version 17. Women currently caring for their husbands with cancer or in follow-up at the CDH and able to read/write English were eligible.

Results:
A statistically significant association was found between wives’ ability to pay husbands’ medical fees and education, cancer diagnosis and stage, and occupation and income. Emotional distress was associated with taking time for herself and family gatherings. Statistically significant factors for improving emotional distress were satisfaction with hospital staff help, medical insurance, and managing husbands’ pain and symptoms.

Conclusions:
Women’s financial resources directly impacted their husbands’ care. When 4 specific needs were met, the women’s emotional distress was low.

Implications for Practice:
Nurses must acknowledge the impact of husbands’ cancer on wives and assess their needs to execute appropriate supportive interventions throughout their caring journey.

What is Foundational:
Women caring for husbands with cancer shared their caring experiences, emotional distress, and coping. The findings inform further research on how CDH nurses can best support these critical caregivers with a larger care role due to shortages of professional support personnel.
Incorporating Efficacy Data from Initial Trials Into Subsequent Evaluations: Application to Vaccines Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Warren Joshua L. , Sundaram Maria , Pitzer Virginia E. , Omer Saad B. , Weinberger Daniel M. 
Published: November 2023

Background:
When a randomized controlled trial fails to demonstrate statistically significant efficacy against the primary endpoint, a potentially costly new trial would need to be conducted to receive licensure. Incorporating data from previous trials might allow for more efficient follow-up trials to demonstrate efficacy, speeding the availability of effective vaccines.

Methods:
Based on the outcomes from a failed trial of a maternal vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), we simulated data for a new Bayesian group-sequential trial. We analyzed the data either ignoring data from the previous trial (i.e., weakly informative prior distributions) or using prior distributions incorporating the historical data into the analysis. We evaluated scenarios where efficacy in the new trial was the same, greater than, or less than that in the original trial. For each scenario, we evaluated the statistical power and type I error rate for estimating the vaccine effect following interim analyses.

Results:
When we used a stringent threshold to control the type I error rate, analyses incorporating historical data had a small advantage over trials that did not. If control of type I error is less important (e.g., in a postlicensure evaluation), the incorporation of historical data can provide a substantial boost in efficiency.

Conclusions:
Due to the need to control the type I error rate in trials used to license a vaccine, incorporating historical data provides little additional benefit in terms of stopping the trial early. However, these statistical approaches could be promising in evaluations that use real-world evidence following licensure.
Epidural analgesia versus oral morphine for postoperative pain management following video-assisted thoracic surgery
Authors: Holm Jimmy H. , Andersen Claus , Toft Palle 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND
The use of thoracic epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is controversial. Still, the evidence on omitting it in favour of systemic opioids is inconclusive, and studies are small and non-blinded.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare pain after VATS using epidural analgesia or enteral opioids for postoperative pain management.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS/INTERVENTION
A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial at a Danish tertiary hospital. Adult patients scheduled for VATS were assigned to multimodal non-opioid baseline analgesia supplemented with either thoracic epidural analgesia (TE Group) or oral morphine (OM Group) for postoperative pain management. We recorded pain five times a day, both at rest and during activity, using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and categorised it into “acceptable pain” or “unacceptable pain”. Unacceptable pain was defined as NRS (at rest) ≥3 or NRS (with activity) ≥5 when supplementary analgesics were given.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcomes were the proportions of patients experiencing “unacceptable pain” during the postoperative period and the use of intravenous “rescue” opioids.

RESULTS
Of the 161 included patients, 146 received the allocated treatment and their data were analysed. At rest, 34% of patients in the TE Group and 64% of patients in the OM Group experienced unacceptable pain during the study period, a significant between-group difference of 30% (P < 0.0005). During activity these percentages were 32% of patients in the TE Group and 59% in the OM group, a difference of 27% (P < 0.005). The median intravenous rescue morphine consumption during the study period was 4.5 [interquartile range (IQR), 0–10.0] mg in the TE Group and 7.5 [0–19.0] mg in the OM Group (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION
Epidural analgesia provided better pain relief after VATS than oral morphine. The between-group difference in rescue intravenous morphine consumption was statistically significant but clinically irrelevant.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02359175).
Videolaryngoscopy use before and after the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wylie Nia W. , Durrant Emma L. , Phillips Emma C. , De Jong Audrey , Schoettker Patrick , Kawagoe Izumi , de Pinho Martins Márcio , Zapatero Juliana , Graham Catriona , McNarry Alistair F. ,   the VL-iCUE Group∗
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND
The potential benefit of videolaryngoscopy use in facilitating tracheal intubation has already been established, however its use was actively encouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic as it was likely to improve intubation success and increase the patient-operator distance.

OBJECTIVES
We sought to establish videolaryngoscopy use before and after the early phases of the pandemic, whether institutions had acquired new devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether there had been teaching on the devices acquired.

DESIGN
We designed a survey with 27 questions made available via the Joint Information Scientific Committee JISC online survey platform in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. This was distributed through 18 anaesthetic and airway management societies.

SETTING
The survey was open for 54 to 90 days in various countries. The first responses were logged on the databases on 28 October 2021, with all databases closed on 26 January 2022. Reminders to participate were sent at the discretion of the administering organisations.

PARTICIPANTS
All anaesthetists and airway managers who received the study were eligible to participate.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Videolaryngoscopy use before the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time of the survey.

RESULTS
We received 4392 responses from 96 countries: 944/4336 (21.7%) were from trainees. Of the 3394 consultants, 70.8% (2402/3394) indicated no change in videolaryngoscopy use, 19.9% (675/3394) increased use and 9.3% (315/3393) reduced use. Among trainees 65.5% (618/943) reported no change in videolaryngoscopy use, 27.7% (261/943) increased use and 6.8% (64/943) reduced use. Overall, videolaryngoscope use increased by 10 absolute percentage points following the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS
Videolaryngoscopy use increased following the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic but this was less than might have been expected.