bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dreaming in patients with cancer and their partners–an underestimated factor for quality of life?
Authors: Salomo Sarah , Hackl Tabea , Hübner Jutta , Hagemeyer Birk 
Published: February 2024

SummarySleep disorders are prevalent among patients with cancer and their caregivers as well, affecting their quality of life. But the relationship between sleep quality, dream experiences, and life satisfaction in patients with cancer and their partners is understudied. The present research aimed to quantitatively investigate the dream experiences of oncology patients and explore the interdependence between patients and their partners in terms of dream experiences and life satisfaction. Therefore, a cross‐sectional study was conducted with 101 dyads, completing a questionnaire assessing demographic and illness‐related data, dream experiences, sleep quality, and life satisfaction. Inferential statistical tests and actor–partner interdependence models were used to analyse the data. Both patients with cancer and their partners reported on average a significant decrease in sleep quality since the cancer diagnosis and for both dyad members significant dreaming predictors for life satisfaction were found. Namely, a positive association for dream stability in patients, and a positive association for positive dream affect as well as a negative association for negative dream affect in partners. Regarding the question of interdependence, dream intensity exhibited a significant group‐specific partner effect, but no overall partner effect, leading to inconclusive results that call for more studies in this field. The study suggests that dreaming may affect life satisfaction beyond sleep quality and underscores the significance of acknowledging dream experiences as potential influencers of quality of life in patients with cancer. Additionally, the study stands out for its examination of the role of partners in dyadic dependency, emphasising the importance of understanding their influence on patients’ experiences.
Distal Junctional Failures in Degenerative Thoracolumbar Hyperkyphosis
Authors: Wang Yongqiang , Li Junyu , Xi Yu , Zeng Yan , Yu Miao , Sun Zhuoran , Ma Yinghong , Liu Zhongjun , Chen Zhongqiang , Li Weishi 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveDegenerative thoracolumbar hyperkyphosis (DTH) is a disease that negatively affects individual health and requires surgical intervention, yet the ideal surgical approach and complications, especially distal junctional failures (DJF), remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate DJF in DTH and to identify the risk factors for DJF so that we can improve surgical decision‐making, and advance our knowledge in the field of spinal surgery to enhance patient outcomes.MethodsThis study retrospectively reviewed 78 cases (late osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture [OVCF], 51; Scheuermann's kyphosis [SK], 17; and degenerative disc diseases [DDD], 10) who underwent corrective surgery in our institute from 2008 to 2019. Clinical outcomes were assessed using health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) measures, including the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system. Multiple radiographic parameters, such as global kyphosis (GK) and thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), were assessed to determine radiographic outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors associated with DJF.ResultsHRQOL improved, and GK, TLK decreased at the final follow‐up, with a correction rate of 67.7% and 68.5%, respectively. DJF was found in 13 of 78 cases (16.7%), two cases had wedging in the disc (L3‐4) below the instrumentation, one case had a fracture of the lowest instrumented vertebrae (LIV), one case had osteoporotic fracture below the fixation, nine cases had pull‐out or loosening of the screws at the LIV and three cases (23.1%) required revision surgery. The DJF group had older age, lower computed tomography Hounsfield unit (CT HU), longer follow‐up, more blood loss, greater preoperative sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and poorer postoperative JOA and VAS scores (back). The change in TLK level was larger in the non‐DJF group. Post‐sagittal stable vertebrae (SSV) moved cranially compared with pre‐SSV.ConclusionAge, CT HU, length of follow‐up, estimated blood loss, and preoperative SVA were independent risk factors for DJF. We recommend fixation of the two vertebrae below the apex vertebrae for DTH to minimize surgical trauma.
TiRobot‐Assisted Percutaneous Cannulated Screw Fixation for Elderly Patients with Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Xing Baorui , Shen Xiaoyu , Ma Lijie , Qi Xiangbei 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveThe incidence of fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFPs) is increasing in the elderly population, and FFPs that require fixation are a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The insertion of implants is not risk free due to the complex anatomical and osteoporotic bones and requires a steep learning curve. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of TiRobot‐assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in the treatment of elderly FFP patients.MethodThe clinical data of 46 elderly FFP patients who had been treated with percutaneous cannulated screw fixation from May 2020 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty‐four patients were treated with percutaneous cannulated screw fixation assisted by the TiRobot (TiRobot‐assisted group) and 22 patients were treated with conventional freehand surgery (freehand group). Postoperative outcomes, including Matta value, excellent and good rate (EGR) of fracture reduction, and accuracy of screw placement (ASP), were compared. Changes in the Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and the Majeed score were recorded and compared between groups before and after surgery and during the 24‐week follow‐up. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and effect sizes were used as analysis methods.ResultsA total of 90 screws were implanted, 51 screws in the TiRobot‐assisted group and 39 screws in the freehand group. The operation time of the two groups was 34.1 ± 2.67 min versus 64.5 ± 4.19 min (p < 0.001). There were no screw‐related complications or revision surgeries in any group. The Matta value of the TiRobot‐assisted group was 5.13 ± 3.52, which was significantly lower than that of the freehand group (9.00 ± 3.68, p < 0.001), while the EGR was 91.67% versus 72.73%, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). The ASP was 100% in the TiRobot‐assisted group, better than that in the freehand group, where it was 85.7% (p = 0.043). At each timepoint in the early postoperative period, the VAS score of the TiRobot‐assisted group was significantly lower than that of the freehand group and was close to consistent by the last follow‐up; the Majeed score of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter at each timepoint of follow‐up, with statistical significance (p < 0.001).ConclusionTiRobot‐assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation of elderly FFP patients is advantageous over conventional freehand surgery, with less invasion, more accurate screw placement, better fracture reduction, early pain relief, and rapid recovery, suggesting that Freehand method to stabilize FFP in the elderly population.
Effect of Perineural or Intravenous Betamethasone on Femoral Nerve Block Outcomes in Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Controlled Study
Authors: Li Binglong , Yang Xiaomei , Liu Fang , Huang Huang , Zhang Baoqing , Li Xuezhou , Lu Qunshan , Liu Peilai , Fan Lixia 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesDespite the use of multimodal analgesia, patients undergoing knee arthroplasty still encounter residual moderate pain. The addition of betamethasone to local anesthetic has been shown to improve postoperative pain. However, it remains uncertain whether the positive effects of perineural or intravenous administration of betamethasone on analgesia outcomes lead to better early mobility and postoperative recovery.MethodsBetween June 2022 and February 2023, a total of 159 patients who were undergoing knee arthroplasty were included in this study. These patients were allocated randomly into three groups: (i) the NS group, received ropivacaine 0.375% and intravenous 3mL 0.9% normal saline; (ii) the PNB group, received ropivacaine 0.375% plus perineural betamethasone (12mg) 3mL and intravenous 3mL 0.9% normal saline; and (iii) the IVB group, received ropivacaine 0.375% and intravenous betamethasone (12mg) 3mL.ResultsBoth perineural and intravenous administration of betamethasone led to improved median (IQR) numeric rating scale (NRS) scores on the 6‐meter walk test, with a score of 1.0 (1.0–2.0) for both groups, compared with 2.0 (1.0–2.0) for the NS group (p = 0.003). Compared to the NS group, both the PNB and IVB groups showed significant reductions in NRS scores at 24 and 36 h after surgery, along with a significant increase in ROM at 24, 36, and 48 h post‐operation. Additionally, it exhibited lower levels of cytokine IL‐1β and TNF‐α in fluid samples, as well as lower level of HS‐CRP in blood samples in the PNB and IVB groups compared to the NS group.ConclusionThe administration of perineural and intravenous betamethasone demonstrated an enhanced analgesic effect following knee arthroplasty. Furthermore, it was associated with reduced levels of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and HS‐CRP, as well as enhanced knee ROM, which is conducive to early ambulation and postoperative rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty.
Integrating computational thinking in elementary STEM using the engineering design process
Authors: Galanti Terrie M. , Holincheck Nancy M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractModel‐eliciting activities (MEAs) challenge students to interpret a problem and collaboratively create solutions using the engineering design process. This Innovation to Practice article describes how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher educators can use MEAs to build elementary teachers' understanding of computational thinking (CT). Our Countdown Timer MEA is aligned with Grade 2 mathematics and computer science standards. We discuss how this MEA created opportunities for teachers in an online graduate STEM education course to engage as learners in unplugged and plugged CT activities. Teachers used algorithmic design and debugging to model a digital display and to create block‐based code for a recess countdown timer. Teachers' reflections on how their learning experiences were different than those offered in step‐by‐step CT lessons allowed teachers to envision how MEAs can promote important CT dispositions of persistence in open‐ended problem solving and tolerance for ambiguity. By aligning MEA design and facilitation with the phases of the engineering design process, teacher educators can use modeling to engage elementary teachers in facets of CT that are transferable to the elementary STEM classroom.
Research and application of neural network‐based intelligent water‐saving systems
Authors: Wu Dan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCapitalizing on the swift evolution of big data and information technology, conventional water‐saving endeavours have been revamped into ‘smart water‐saving’. This paradigm shift leverages cutting‐edge technologies like neural networks, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced sensor systems. These components seamlessly integrate with network infrastructure, mobile systems and sophisticated water‐saving information systems to forge comprehensive smart water‐saving management systems. These systems adeptly amass, process and dissect vast troves of water‐saving data, harmonizing with the requirements of water management authorities and consumers alike. This fusion of technology empowers us to furnish all‐encompassing information services, thereby elevating the standards of water resource management. In summary, the integration of state‐of‐the‐art technology into water‐saving initiatives represents a momentous leap forward in addressing critical water‐related challenges and realizing more efficient, sustainable water resource management practices.
Sex- and species-associated differences in complement-mediated immunity in humans and rhesus macaques
Authors: Kelkar Natasha S. , Goldberg Benjamin S. , Dufloo Jérémy , Bruel Timothée , Schwartz Olivier , Hessell Ann J. , Ackerman Margaret E. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

The complement system can be viewed as a “moderator” of innate immunity, “instructor” of humoral immunity, and “regulator” of adaptive immunity. While sex is known to affect humoral and cellular immune systems, its impact on complement in humans and rhesus macaques, a commonly used non-human primate model system, has not been well studied. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed serum samples from 90 humans and 72 rhesus macaques for the abundance and activity of the complement system components. While sequences of cascade proteins were highly conserved, dramatically different levels were observed between species. Whereas the low levels detected in rhesus samples raised questions about the suitability of the test for use with macaque samples, differences in levels of complement proteins were observed in male and female humans. Levels of total and antibody-dependent deposition of C1q and C3b on a glycosylated antigen differed between humans and rhesus, suggesting differential recognition of glycans and balance between classical and alternative activation pathways. Functional differences in complement-mediated lysis of antibody-sensitized cells were observed in multiple assays and showed that human females frequently exhibited higher lytic activity than human males or rhesus macaques, which typically did not exhibit such sex-associated differences. Other differences between species and sexes were observed in more narrow contexts—for only certain antibodies, antigens, or assays. Collectively, these results expand knowledge of sex-associated differences in the complement system in humans, identifying differences absent from rhesus macaques.

IMPORTANCE
The complement system is a critical part of host defense to many bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. In parallel, rich epidemiological, clinical, and biomedical research evidence demonstrates that sex is an important biological variable in immunity, and many sex-specific differences in immune system are intimately tied with disease outcomes. This study focuses on the intersection of these two factors to define the impact of sex on complement pathway components and activities. This work expands our knowledge of sex-associated differences in the complement system in humans and also identifies the differences that appear to be absent in rhesus macaques, a popular non-human primate model. Whereas differences between species suggest potential limitations in the ability of macaque model to recapitulate human biology, knowledge of sex-based differences in humans has the potential to inform clinical research and practice.
Complete genome sequence of
Bradyrhizobium
sp. 62B, a native nitrogen-fixing rhizobium isolated from peanut nodules
Authors: Nievas Fiorela , Revale Santiago , Cossovich Sacha , Foresto Emiliano , Carezzano María Evangelina , Alzari Pedro , Martínez Mariano , Ben- Assaya Mathilde , Mornico Damien , Santoro Maricel , Martínez-Abarca Francisco , Giordano Walter , Bogino Pablo 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

We present the complete genome sequence of
Bradyrhizobium
sp. 62B, a strain isolated from the root nodules of peanut plants that grow in central Argentina. The genome consists of 8.15 Mbp, distributed into a chromosome of 7.29 Mbp and a plasmid of 0.86 Mbp.
The energy-converting hydrogenase Ech2 is important for the growth of the thermophilic acetogen
Thermoanaerobacter kivui
on ferredoxin-dependent substrates
Authors: Baum Christoph , Zeldes Benjamin , Poehlein Anja , Daniel Rolf , Müller Volker , Basen Mirko 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Thermoanaerobacter kivui
is the thermophilic acetogenic bacterium with the highest temperature optimum (66°C) and with high growth rates on hydrogen (H
2
) plus carbon dioxide (CO
2
). The bioenergetic model suggests that its redox and energy metabolism depends on energy-converting hydrogenases (Ech). Its genome encodes two Echs, Ech1 and Ech2, as sole coupling sites for energy conservation during growth on H
2
+ CO
2
. During growth on other substrates, its redox activity, the (proton-gradient-coupled) oxidation of H
2
may be essential to provide reduced ferredoxin (Fd) to the cell. While Ech activity has been demonstrated biochemically, the physiological function of both Ech’s is unclear. Toward that, we deleted the complete gene cluster encoding Ech2. Surprisingly, the
ech2
mutant grew as fast as the wild type on sugar substrates and H
2
+ CO
2
. Hence, Ech1 may be the essential enzyme for energy conservation, and either Ech1 or another enzyme may substitute for H
2
-dependent Fd reduction during growth on sugar substrates, putatively the H
2
-dependent CO
2
reductase (HDCR). Growth on pyruvate and CO, substrates that are oxidized by Fd-dependent enzymes, was significantly impaired, but to a different extent. While
∆ech2
grew well on pyruvate after four transfers,
∆ech2
did not adapt to CO. Cell suspensions of
∆ech2
converted pyruvate to acetate, but no acetate was produced from CO. We analyzed the genome of five
T. kivui
strains adapted to CO. Strikingly, all strains carried mutations in the hycB3 subunit of HDCR. These mutations are obviously essential for the growth on CO but may inhibit its ability to utilize Fd as substrate.

IMPORTANCE

Acetogens thrive by converting H
2
+CO
2
to acetate. Under environmental conditions, this allows for only very little energy to be conserved (∆G′<–20 kJ mol
−1
). CO
2
serves as a terminal electron acceptor in the ancient Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP). Since the WLP is ATP neutral, energy conservation during growth on H
2
+ CO
2
is dependent on the redox metabolism. Two types of acetogens can be distinguished, Rnf- and Ech-type. The function of both membrane-bound enzyme complexes is twofold—energy conversion and redox balancing. Ech couples the Fd-dependent reduction of protons to H
2
to the formation of a proton gradient in the thermophilic bacterium
Thermoanaerobacter kivui
. This bacterium may be utilized in gas fermentation at high temperatures, due to very high conversion rates and the availability of genetic tools. The physiological function of an Ech hydrogenase in
T. kivui
was studied to contribute an understanding of its energy and redox metabolism, a prerequisite for future industrial applications.
A novel vaccine strategy using quick and easy conversion of bacterial pathogens to unnatural amino acid-auxotrophic suicide derivatives
Authors: Nagasawa Yuya , Nakayama Momoko , Kato Yusuke , Ogawa Yohsuke , Aribam Swarmistha Devi , Tsugami Yusaku , Iwata Taketoshi , Mikami Osamu , Sugiyama Aoi , Onishi Megumi , Hayashi Tomohito , Eguchi Masahiro 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

We propose a novel strategy for quick and easy preparation of suicide live vaccine candidates against bacterial pathogens. This method requires only the transformation of one or more plasmids carrying genes encoding for two types of biological devices, an unnatural amino acid (uAA) incorporation system and toxin-antitoxin systems in which translation of the antitoxins requires the uAA incorporation.
Escherichia coli
BL21-AI laboratory strains carrying the plasmids were viable in the presence of the uAA, whereas the free toxins killed these strains after the removal of the uAA. The survival time after uAA removal could be controlled by the choice of the uAA incorporation system and toxin-antitoxin systems. Multilayered toxin-antitoxin systems suppressed escape frequency to less than 1 escape per 10
9
generations in the best case. This conditional suicide system also worked in
Salmonella enterica
and
E. coli
clinical isolates. The
S. enterica
vaccine strains were attenuated with a >10
5
fold lethal dose. Serum IgG response and protection against the parental pathogenic strain were confirmed. In addition, the live
E. coli
vaccine strain was significantly more immunogenic and provided greater protection than a formalin-inactivated vaccine. The live
E. coli
vaccine was not detected after inoculation, presumably because the uAA is not present in the host animals or the natural environment. These results suggest that this strategy provides a novel way to rapidly produce safe and highly immunogenic live bacterial vaccine candidates.

IMPORTANCE
Live vaccines are the oldest vaccines with a history of more than 200 years. Due to their strong immunogenicity, live vaccines are still an important category of vaccines today. However, the development of live vaccines has been challenging due to the difficulties in achieving a balance between safety and immunogenicity. In recent decades, the frequent emergence of various new and old pathogens at risk of causing pandemics has highlighted the need for rapid vaccine development processes. We have pioneered the use of uAAs to control gene expression and to conditionally kill host bacteria as a biological containment system. This report proposes a quick and easy conversion of bacterial pathogens into live vaccine candidates using this containment system. The balance between safety and immunogenicity can be modulated by the selection of the genetic devices used. Moreover, the uAA-auxotrophy can prevent the vaccine from infecting other individuals or establishing the environment.
Hospitalisations and fatality due to respiratory diseases according to a national database in Brazil: a longitudinal study
Authors: Azevedo Lemos Darllane , de Araújo Fonseca Luiza Gabriela , Bento Florêncio Rencio , Barbosa de Almeida José Alexandre , Dantas Florentino Lima Illia Nadinne , Peroni Gualdi Lucien 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundRespiratory diseases (RDs) cause millions of hospitalisations and deaths worldwide, resulting in economic and social impacts. Strategies for health promotion and disease prevention based on the epidemiological profile of the population may reduce hospital costs.AimTo characterise hospitalisations and deaths due to RDs in Brazilian adults above 20 years old between 2008 and 2021.MethodsThis ecological study used secondary data of hospitalisations and deaths due to RDs from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System between 2008 and 2021. Data were grouped according to region, age group and sex. The period was divided into first (2008–2011), second (2012–2015) and third (2016–2019) quadrennia and one biennium (2020–2021), and all data were analysed using the GraphPad Prism; statistical significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsA total of 9 502 378 hospitalisations due to RDs were registered between 2008 and 2021. The south and southeast regions presented the highest hospitalisation and fatality rate, respectively, in the age group ≥80 years with no significant differences between sexes. Also, RDs caused 1 170 504 deaths, with a national fatality rate of 12.32%.ConclusionRDs affected the Brazilian population and impaired the health system, especially the hospital environment. The south/southeast regions were the most affected, and the ageing process contributed to the increased incidence of RDs.