bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Related Healthcare Disruption on Hypertension Control: A Retrospective Analysis of Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions in New York City
Authors: Banco Darcy , Kanchi Rania , Divers Jasmin , Adhikari Samrachana , Titus Andrea , Davis Nichola , Uguru Jenny , Bakshi Parampreet , George Annie , Thorpe Lorna E , Dodson John 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Disruption of ambulatory healthcare in New York City (NYC) during the COVID-19 pandemic was common, but the impact on the cardiometabolic health of vulnerable patient groups is unknown. Therefore, we estimated the effect of total care disruption (TCD) on blood pressure (BP) control among older NYC residents with hypertension and at least one other chronic condition, and examined whether neighborhood poverty moderated this impact.

Methods
From the INSIGHT Clinical Research Network, we identified NYC residents ≥50 years of age with hypertension and at least one other chronic condition. TCD was defined as no ambulatory or telehealth visit during the pandemic. We contrasted the change in prevalence of controlled BP (BP &lt;140/90) before and after the pandemic among those with and without TCD via an inverse probability weighted (IPW) difference-in-difference regression model.

Results
Among 212,673 eligible individuals, mean age was 69.5 years (SD: 10.2 years) and 15.1% experienced TCD. BP control declined from 52.4% to 45.9% among those with TCD and from 53.6% to 48.9% among those without TCD. After IPW adjustment, a larger decline in BP control was noted among those with TCD (adjusted difference-in-difference = 1.13 percentage points (95% CI 0.32-1.94, p-value=0.0058)). There was no consistent difference in the relationship between TCD and post-pandemic BP control across neighborhood poverty levels.

Conclusion
COVID-19-related TCD was associated with a modest decline in BP control among older adults with hypertension in NYC; this was not moderated by neighborhood poverty level.
Phylogenetic diversity sheds light on the evolution of the unique fern flora of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
Authors: Qian Hong , Kessler Michael 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background and Aims
Mount Kinabalu is an isolated, geologically young mountain (Pliocene and early Pleistocene) in northern Borneo harbouring a highly diverse flora with a high level of endemism. It is one of the global centres of fern diversity, but how this diversity has evolved has not been studied to date. We assess patterns of evolutionary legacies in the fern flora of Mount Kinabalu, with an emphasis on testing the tropical niche conservatism hypothesis.

Methods
We used several metrics of phylogenetic structure, including phylogenetic diversity (PD), mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD), mean pairwise distance (MPD), and their respective standardized effect sizes (PDses, MNTDses and MPDses), which represent different depths of evolutionary history, to investigate patterns of evolutionary legacies in the fern flora of Mount Kinabalu.

Key Results
We found that there was a decrease of PDses with elevation, reflecting a tropical origin of ferns and a gradual evolutionary adaptation to colder environments by fewer successive lineages. However, when separating the evolutionary old non-polypod lineages from the modern polypod radiation, we found a decrease of MNTD with elevation for the former, reflecting an ongoing upslope evolutionary trend, whereas for the modern polypod radiation, the inverse was true. Within the polypods, terrestrial and epiphytic species also showed different patterns, with the former showing a hump-shaped pattern for all phylogenetic diversity metrics, whereas the latter showed a more or less linear decline. Again, this suggests different evolutionary histories for ferns inhabiting the forest floor and canopy, due to the influence of the different habitat conditions. Finally, we found that mean annual temperature had a much stronger effect on phylogenetic diversity metrics than annual precipitation.

Conclusions
We found that the current fern assemblages on Mount Kinabalu show a strong evolutionary legacy that mirrors that of other mountains, suggesting a global consistency in phylogenetic diversity patterns of ferns along elevational transects, presumably due to a combination of dispersal between mountains and evolutionary convergence.
Reproduction is driven by seasonal environmental variation in an equatorial mammal, the banded mongoose (Mungos mungo)
Authors: Khera Monil , Arbuckle Kevin , Mwanguhya Francis , Cant Michael A , Nichols Hazel J 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Reproduction is an energetically costly activity and so is often timed to occur when conditions are most favorable. However, human-induced changes in long-term, seasonal, and short-term climatic conditions have imposed negative consequences for reproduction across a range of mammals. Whilst the effect of climate change on reproduction in temperate species is well known, its effect on equatorial species is comparatively understudied. We used long-term ecological data (~20 yr) to investigate the impact of changes in rainfall and temperature on reproduction in an equatorial mammal, the banded mongoose (Mungos mungo). After controlling for the effects of group-size, we found that more females were pregnant and gave birth following periods of high seasonal rainfall, pregnancies increased at higher seasonal temperatures, and births increased with long-term rainfall. This is likely beneficial as high rainfall is positively associated with pup growth and survival. Females cannot, however, carry and raise pups over the course of a single wet season, so females face a trade-off in reproductive timing between maximizing resource availability during gestation or the early life of pups, but not both. Since the duration of the wet seasons is predicted to increase with climate change, the optimum conditions for banded mongoose reproduction may be extended. However, the potential benefits of extended wet seasons may be counteracted by the negative impacts of high temperatures on pup growth and survival. Our results highlight the importance of seasonality in reproduction of tropical mammals and the complex impacts of anthropogenic climate change on recruitment in equatorial species.
Niacin ameliorates Charcot-Marie-Tooth 4B1 neuropathy without interfering with nerve regeneration
Authors: Cipriani Silvia , Porrello Emanuela , Cerea Matteo , Gazzaniga Andrea , Di Guardo Roberta , Heslegrave Amanda , Valenzano Serena , Del Carro Ubaldo , Duong Phu , Svaren John , Previtali Stefano Carlo , Bolino Alessandra 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies represent a broad and very heterogeneous group of disorders for which no therapies are yet available. Due to the huge genetic heterogeneity, therapeutical approaches that can benefit several forms independently of the unique pathogenetic mechanism have been sought. Niacin, nicotinic acid, is a vitamin used for many decades as anti-dyslipidaemic and anti-cholesterol drug product under the commercial name of Niaspan®, the extended-release formulation of niacin. Of note, niacin can have other effects depending on the dose, formulation and physiology and it has been used to reduce inflammation, to promote angiogenesis and to protect neurons, muscle and axons by boosting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels. Niacin also activates TNF-alpha convertase enzyme (TACE) secretase, which negatively regulates Neuregulin type I-mediated signalling in the peripheral nervous system and myelination. We previously postulated that niacin-mediated TACE activation can be effective in reducing aberrant excessive myelin associated with different CMT forms. Here, we explored efficacy of this strategy by performing a long-term preclinical trial and we provided evidence that a novel niacin-based long-lasting formulation ameliorates neurophysiology and reduces fibre degeneration in a model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4B1 (CMT4B1) neuropathy, characterized by aberrant myelin. We also sought to determine whether this strategy might interfere with nerve regeneration, which is dependent on Neuregulin type I signalling. Surprisingly, we found that the Mtmr2 knockout mice, a model of CMT4B1, have a defect in nerve regeneration and that niacin-based treatment is not detrimental to nerve regeneration.
Predicting individual long-term prognosis of spatial neglect based on acute stroke patient data
Authors: Röhrig Lisa , Wiesen Daniel , Li Dongyun , Rorden Christopher , Karnath Hans-Otto 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
One of the most pressing questions after a stroke is whether an individual patient will recover in the long term. Previous studies demonstrated that spatial neglect—a common cognitive deficit after right hemispheric stroke—is a strong predictor for poor performance on a wide range of everyday tasks and for resistance to rehabilitation. The possibility of predicting long-term prognosis of spatial neglect is therefore of great relevance. The aim of the present study was to test the prognostic value of different imaging and non-imaging features from right hemispheric stroke patients: individual demographics (age, sex), initial neglect severity and acute lesion information (size, location). Patients’ behaviour was tested twice in the acute and the chronic phases of stroke and prediction models were built using machine learning-based algorithms with repeated nested cross-validation and feature selection. Model performances indicate that demographic information seemed less beneficial. The best variable combination comprised individual neglect severity in the acute phase of stroke, together with lesion location and size. The latter were based on individual lesion overlaps with a previously proposed chronic neglect region of interest that covers anterior parts of the superior and middle temporal gyri and the basal ganglia. These variables achieved a remarkably high level of accuracy by explaining 66% of the total variance of neglect patients, making them promising features in the prediction of individual outcome prognosis. An online tool is provided with which our algorithm can be used for individual outcome predictions (https://niivue.github.io/niivue-neglect/).
Janus kinase inhibitors in the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis: a comprehensive review
Authors: Gisbert Javier P , Chaparro María 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
One-third of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) are steroid-refractory. Cyclosporine and infliximab are currently the mainstays of salvage therapy. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) could play a role in the treatment of ASUC.

Aim
To review the evidence on JAKi in the management of ASUC.

Methods
We performed a bibliographic search to identify studies focusing on the treatment of ASUC with JAKi.

Results
Potential advantages of JAKi for the management of ASUC include their oral administration, rapid onset of action, short half-life, lack of immunogenicity, and effectiveness in patients with prior biologic exposure. Thirty studies (including 373 patients) have evaluated the efficacy of tofacitinib in ASUC, with a response rate (avoidance of colectomy) ranging between 43% and 100%, with a weighted mean of 82%. Experience with upadacitinib is more limited (only 10 studies and 74 patients are available) but also encouraging: mean colectomy-free rate ranging between 67% and 100%, with a weighted mean of 79%. However, experience with filgotinib in ASUC is currently nonexistent. Regarding safety, the available data does not reveal any new safety concerns when JAKi are used in ASUC, although follow-up periods are still short.

Conclusion
JAKi seems to be a promising treatment option for ASUC, with both tofacitinib and upadacitinib achieving colectomy-free rates of approximately 80%. Further studies are essential to define whether JAKi can replace cyclosporine/infliximab as second-line therapy for the medical management of ASUC, or whether they can even be used as initial treatment in place of intravenous corticosteroids.
‘Tuberculosis pericarditis’: a case report in a high-income country
Authors: Gonçalves Carolina Miguel , Cabral Margarida , Martins Rita , Silva Maria João , Martins Hélia 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The incidence of tuberculous (TB) infection varies greatly geographically. In endemic countries, it is one of the major aetiologies of pericardial diseases, whereas it is an uncommon cause in industrialized countries. The mortality rate of TB pericarditis complications is up to 40%, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and management.

Case summary
An 82-year-old woman presented with fever, dry cough, and constitutional symptoms for 2 weeks. The electrocardiogram showed low-voltage complexes, chest X-ray showed unspecific changes, and blood work revealed mild anaemia and a slight elevation of inflammatory parameters. A diagnosis of pulmonary infection was assumed, and the patient was discharged with antibiotics. One month later, she presented with worsening exertion fatigue and an increase in cardiothoracic index was noted on the chest X-ray. Further imaging studies by computed tomography and echocardiography revealed a severe pericardial effusion (PE) with echocardiographic signs of hemodynamic instability. The patient underwent a pericardiocentesis. Polymerase chain reaction study for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the pericardial fluid was positive. Pulmonary involvement was confirmed by videobronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. The patient received tetraconjugate management and corticosteroids with an adequate clinical response. The follow-up echocardiographic assessment showed mild PE with no constrictive physiology.

Discussion
This is a case of definitive TB pericarditis that emphasizes the potential increase in TB cases in non-endemic countries and the need for a high clinical suspicion ensure early diagnosis and treatment, reducing complications and mortality of this disease.
Geometric Insights into Evolutionary Rescue Dynamics in a Two-Deme Model
Authors: Mohammadi Azadeh , Campos Paulo R A 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Understanding evolutionary rescue mechanisms in fragmented populations is crucial in the context of rapidly changing environments. This study employs analytical derivations and simulations within a two-deme metapopulation model using Fisher’s geometric model (FGM) framework. We explore the impacts of abrupt environmental changes on two subpopulations that lead to distinct phe- notypic optima. We determine the probability density of distances between these optima through analytical derivations. This enables us to calculate the inter- section volume of the rescue domains of two subpopulations in the phenotypic space. This approach also allows us to assess the fixation probability of muta- tions that concurrently rescue both subpopulations and identify the domain of one-step rescue mutations. Our findings reveal that the likelihood of joint evolu- tionary rescue diminishes with increasing dimensionality of the phenotypic space, posing significant challenges for species with complex trait configurations. The study underscores the importance of genetic variation due to de novo mutations, local adaptation, and migration rates. These insights enhance our understanding of the factors that govern the adaptive potential of fragmented populations in response to severe environmental disturbances.
Infinite Prandtl number, mixed-heated convection in a spherical domain: velocity and heat flux scaling trends
Authors: Garrido-Tomasini Julian , Lenardic Adrian , Moore William , Weller Matthew 
Published: January 2025

SUMMARY
Numerical simulations of infinite Prandtl number convection in Cartesian domains have shown that a combination of internal and basal heating allows for behaviour not observed in either end-member cases of pure basal or pure internal heating. In particular, these mixed heating systems exhibit a decrease in the upper boundary layer velocity as internal heating increases. This leads to an inverse relationship between surface heat flow and boundary layer velocity. The inverse relationship has been attributed to boundary layer interactions, leading to deviations from classic boundary layer theory. Herein, we extend that work by presenting results from numerical experiments for mixed-heated convection in an isoviscous fluid in a fully 3-D spherical domain. We show that an increase in internal heating causes a decrease in surface velocity, consistent with previous Cartesian results. We confirm that boundary layer interactions decrease with increased internal heating, which correlates with decreasing surface velocities. A scaling theory, previously applied to Cartesian geometry, is modified for spherical geometries and tested against the results of the numerical solutions. The modified scalings lead to good fits for temperature and heat flux trends. The scalings predict that velocities can decrease with increased internal heating from low to moderate internal heating rates and become constant at higher heating rates, consistent with numerical results. The quantitative match between velocity scalings and numerical results is not as good as observed for heat flow and temperature trends. We attribute this to surface velocities being more strongly affected by observed changes in convective wavelengths and planform transitions from sheet-like to plume-like downwellings as the rate of internal heating and/or basal heating increases.
The chromatin remodeler Brg1 is essential for cochlear sensory epithelium differentiation and patterning
Authors: Song Yuning , Dou Zhilin , Liu Wenwen , Zhang Aizhen , Gao Xiaotong , Shi Hongbiao , Zhang Zhixiong , Gao Jiangang , Jin Yecheng 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Human genome analyses have revealed that abnormal BAF (BRG1/BRM-associated factor) complex is highly associated with hearing loss. However, the underlying pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Disrupted structure and function of the organ of Corti is the most prevalent cause of sensorineural hearing loss in mammals. Here, we investigated the role of Brg1-based BAF complex during the differentiation and development of the auditory sensory epithelium, a crucial period for the formation of the organ of Corti. Our findings indicate that deletion of Brg1 leads to premature hair cell (HC) differentiation by inactivating Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Despite the formation of HCs, subsequent differentiation of inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) was impaired. Additionally, we observed that the mosaic-like arrangement of HCs and supporting cells (SCs) was disrupted resulting in abnormal sensory epithelium patterning. Furthermore, we found the planar cell polarity of the Brg1-deficient cochlea was abnormal. Our study demonstrates the pivotal role of Brg1 in the differentiation and patterning of the organ of Corti.
Influenza 5xM2e mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine confers broad immunity and significantly enhances the efficacy of inactivated split vaccination when coadministered
Authors: Grovenstein Phillip , Bhatnagar Noopur , Kim Ki-Hye , Pal Surya Sekhar , Le Chau Thuy Tien , Raha Jannatul Ruhan , Liu Rong , Shin Chong Hyun , Park Bo Ryoung , Du Lanying , Subbiah Jeeva , Wang Bao-Zhong , Kang Sang-Moo 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Current influenza vaccines are not effective in conferring protection against antigenic variants and pandemics. To improve cross-protection of influenza vaccination, we developed a 5xM2e messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine encoding the tandem repeat conserved ectodomain (M2e) of ion channel protein M2 derived from human, swine, and avian influenza A viruses. The lipid nanoparticle (LNP)–encapsulated 5xM2e mRNA vaccine was immunogenic, eliciting high levels of M2e-specific IgG antibodies, IFN-γ+ T cells, T follicular helper cells, germinal center phenotypic B cells, and plasma cells. The mice with 5xM2e mRNA vaccination were broadly protected against lethal infection regardless of hemagglutinin (H1, H3, H5) subtypes by preventing severe weight loss. Injection of 5xM2e mRNA LNP vaccine induced acute innate responses recruiting monocytes, macrophages, and diverse subsets of dendritic cells. A single dose of combined 5xM2e mRNA LNP and split vaccines resulted in significantly enhanced and sustainable IgG antibody responses to viral antigens and protection against homologous and heterologous viruses. This study provides a new strategy of combined mRNA and seasonal vaccination, significantly enhancing vaccine protective efficacy.
Assessing impact of a community-based screening campaign to address social determinants of cervical cancer
Authors: Po Justine , Bookstein Arthur , Lee Woori , Barahona Rosa , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Screening represents a cornerstone of cervical cancer control strategy. However, disparities in social determinants of health (SoDoH) have perpetuated gaps in screening among racial/ethnic minorities. SoDoH including cultural stigma and lack of insurance have contributed to decreased screening among Hispanic women. To increase cancer screening in this population, community-academic partnerships and culturally-tailored media have emerged as promising strategies.

Methods
This study assessed the impact of a culturally-tailored cervical cancer screening campaign implemented through academic-community-government partnership. Intercept surveys, conducted from 2015-2018 in eastern neighborhoods of Los Angeles, assessed campaign recall, interpretation and screening intention among Hispanic women aged 21-65 after exposure to the campaign. Screening intention was evaluated using Chi-square tests and logistic regression by participant characteristics, with thematic analysis for campaign interpretation.

Results
Out of 673 participants, 26.1% were uninsured and 85.9% primarily spoke Spanish at home. Campaign recall was 25.1%, with 64.5% interpreting the campaign’s message as cervical cancer screening or health checkups. The campaign’s most-liked aspect was emphasis on family (cited by 37.1% of participants). Post-campaign, 89.5% of participants overall were likely or extremely likely to schedule a Pap test, including 83.5% of women who had not had a Pap test in the last three years.

Conclusions
Our findings underscore several important strategies to reduce cervical cancer disparities: 1) associating positive cultural values with screening to decrease stigma, 2) combining culturally-tailored outreach with interventions that target other known screening barriers, 3) facilitating long-term community relationships and 4) leveraging academic-community-government partnerships.
Primary leiomyoma in the hepatorenal space: a case report
Authors: Huang Haoyang , Xu Dingwei , Huang Jie 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Leiomyomas can occur in various organs and tissues throughout the body, but reports of their occurrence in the hepatorenal space are rare. The video presents a comprehensive breakdown of the diagnostic procedures and surgical resection procedures. Emphasizing the key strategies for easy misdiagnosis. For leiomyomas occurring in rare sites, the compression on surrounding organs often leads to blurred boundaries in imaging, making it difficult to determine their origin and resulting in misdiagnosis. For rare tumors located at the junction areas, in order to achieve better treatment outcomes, abdominal exploration and intraoperative multidisciplinary consultations should be carried out under sufficient preoperative preparations.