bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing Clinical Reasoning and Clinical Judgment Competency Through Collaborative Exam Generation
Authors: Von Visger Tania T. , Gill Amarjot S. , Seo Young Sik , Mann Catherine M. 
Published: February 2025

Background:
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing promotes competency-based education (CBE) to foster learning, producing competent graduates. Effective CBE necessitates innovative teaching strategies to optimize academic performance.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to initiate early clinical reasoning and clinical judgment competency development while enhancing the academic performance and engagement of undergraduate nursing students through collaborative learning and digital engagement strategies.

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective academic records review of nursing students in the undergraduate program enrolled in fall 2023 and spring 2024 in an online statistic course.

Results:
Ninety-six student records were included in the review. Student engagement predicted academic success as measured by collaborative exam generation (r = .50, p < .001), time spent in course content (B = 5.22, SE = 1.55, t = 3.34, p = .001), and student discussion posts (B = 7.22, SE = 1.42, t = 5.11, p < .001).

Conclusions:
Active, collaborative learning approaches can be introduced in nursing prerequisite courses to develop competency in critical reasoning, clinical judgment, and respectful communication strategies to build interprofessional partnerships.
The combined strength of standardized lab sprint testing and wheelchair mobility field testing in wheelchair tennis players
Authors: Janssen Rowie J.F. , van Dijk Marit P. , Rietveld Thomas , de Groot Sonja , van der Woude Lucas H.V. , Houdijk Han , Vegter Riemer J.K. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objective
This cross-sectional study examined associations between wheelchair sprint and anaerobic power (measured in the lab) and wheelchair mobility performance (measured in the field) among two groups of wheelchair tennis players. Additionally, construct validity was assessed for both lab and field tests.

Design
Nine amateur and nine elite wheelchair tennis players performed a Sprint and Wingate test on a wheelchair ergometer in the lab and a Sprint, Illinois and Spider test in the field, with inertial measurement units on their wheelchairs. Associations were assessed using regression analyses, and construct validity was assessed with an independent t-test (elite vs. amateur).

Results
The strongest associations were observed between lab outcomes and field sprint power (R2 > 90%), followed by peak linear velocity and test duration (R2 = 77-85%), while peak rotational velocity showed the lowest associations with lab outcomes (R2 = 69-80%). The elite group outperformed the amateur group on all test outcomes.

Conclusion
Despite differences in lab- and field-testing methodologies (e.g., trunk influence, linear/rotational components), the strong associations indicate overlap in measured constructs. Field testing offers valuable insight into practical performance, whereas lab testing enables in-depth biomechanical and physiological analyses. All tests effectively discriminate between elite and amateur wheelchair tennis players.
Ganglion Cyst in Zone 2 of Guyon's Canal Causing Ulnar Neuropathy With Claw Hand Deformity
Authors: Chiang Liang-Jui , Shieh Shyh-Jou 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Guyon's canal, a fibro-osseous anatomical tunnel, sometimes harbors underlying pathologies such as a ganglion cyst, leading to symptoms including dysesthesia, paresthesia, and motor weakness in the ulnar nerve distribution. Surgical excision is often the recommended approach to restore normal hand function. Ulnar nerve palsy caused by mechanical compression can benefit from surgical decompression; however, a timely diagnosis is often difficult. In this report, we describe the successful tumor excision and nerve decompression of a ganglion cyst in Guyon's canal. The observed intraoperative findings challenge the conventional classification of compression zones. The processes of diagnosing and treating tumors within Guyon's canal were thoroughly explained and elaborated. A 40-year-old female patient presented with right-sided ulnar wrist pain, progressive weakness of the intrinsic muscles, and a claw hand deformity, typically suggestive of a zone 1 compression within Guyon's canal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass at the ulnar side of the wrist, prompting a referral to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for further management. Intraoperatively, a transparent cystic tumor was identified in zone 2 of the Guyon's canal, causing significant compression of the motor branch, while displacing the superficial branch upward, which mimicked the clinical presentation of zone 1 compression. The tumor was excised, and the nerve was successfully decompressed. A pathological report confirmed the diagnosis of a ganglion cyst. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient showed no signs of complications or recurrence. Her initial symptoms, including pain and intrinsic muscle weakness, improved significantly. Complete resolution of claw hand deformity indicated successful functional recovery. Compression of the ulnar nerve within Guyon's canal due to a ganglion cyst is uncommon, and the significance of the resulting neuropathy in the wrist is underrated. Meticulous clinical assessments, a thorough anatomical understanding and appropriate tests, are essential for accurate diagnosis. Timely decompression and surgical removal of the ganglion can facilitate a promising postoperative recovery.
Clinicopathological Characteristics, Gene Mutations, and Treatment of Fibro-adipose Vascular Anomaly
Authors: Xiong Fei , Jin Cai-Jun , Wang Shi-Qi , Zhong Hai-Yan , Zheng Miao , Zou Ming-Li , Wang Qian , Yuan Si-Ming 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
The objective of this study is to offer a thorough overview of the clinical and pathological characteristics, potential pathogenic genes, treatment modalities, and prognoses of a cohort of Chinese individuals diagnosed with Fibro-adipose Vascular Anomaly (FAVA). This study aims to advance the comprehension of this specific medical condition.

Methods
A total of 15 cases of FAVA patients admitted to our center between June 2015 and December 2023 were included in this study. Clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and pathological data were systematically reviewed to outline the clinical and pathological features of FAVA. Furthermore, whole-exome sequencing was conducted on lesion samples from five patients to identify potential pathogenic genes. The treatment modalities encompassed sclerotherapy and surgical interventions, with treatment outcomes assessed based on clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and enhancement of limb functions.

Results
The FAVA lesions were predominantly located in the limbs in 14 patients and in the trunk in 1 patient. The clinical manifestations included pain (9/15, 60%), muscle contracture deformity (3/15, 20%), and joint dysfunction (3/15, 20%). Coagulation function assessments indicated that 3 patients exhibited localized intravascular coagulation (LIC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings displayed mixed vascular malformation components and fibrofatty components within the muscles, showing isointense or hyperintense signals on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous hyperintense signals on T2-weighted images. Histopathological analysis revealed activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway. Whole-exome gene sequencing of 5 cases identified 10 genes potentially linked to pathogenicity. All patients underwent ethanol sclerotherapy. Surgical intervention was performed on five patients due to muscle contracture and joint dysfunction. Some patients reported pain relief following sclerotherapy, whereas those who underwent surgery demonstrated significant enhancement of joint function.

Conclusions
The Chinese patients diagnosed with FAVA in this study presented characteristic clinical symptoms, imaging features, and pathological traits. The lesion tissue showed activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, with only one patient (1/5, 20%) exhibiting a PIK3CA mutation. This finding underscores the intricate nature of the pathogenic genes and pathogenesis of FAVA. Although sclerotherapy demonstrated restricted efficacy in alleviating pain symptoms, surgical intervention was deemed necessary for addressing joint dysfunction resulting from muscle contracture.
Development and Validation of the Ileoanal Pouch Syndrome Distress Index
Authors: Cavallaro Paul , Olortegui Kinga S. , Steinhagen Randolph , Jeganathan Nimalan A. , Fearnhead Nicola , McKendry Susan , Kennedy Kevin , Bordeianou Liliana ,   On behalf of the PROPS Scientific Committee
Published: February 2025

Objective:
To design and validate a questionnaire-based scoring system that measures distress and quality of life implications related to specific bowel function symptoms and consequences.

Summary of Background Data:
The Patient Reported Outcomes after Pouch Surgery Delphi consensus study identified symptoms and consequences that were utilized to previously create a pouch severity score. The existing score does not specifically evaluate patients’ accommodations to pouch function or their perceived distress related to bowel-related quality of life over time.

Methods:
Pouch patients were recruited at inflammatory bowel disease centers and via patient advocacy websites. They were administered a questionnaire-based survey eliciting responses regarding the frequency of a variety of bowel symptoms identified in the prior Delphi consensus study. For each item, participants also responded to the question “How much does having this symptom (or consequence) bother you?”. Participants also reported on their quality of life. The responses were used to generate the Ileoanal Pouch Syndrome Distress index. Test-retest validity, convergent validity, and clinical validity were evaluated.

Results:
The distress index was calculated by adding the patient’s scores for all 16 items. The possible scores range from 0 to 64, ranked from least to most bothersome symptoms. With increasing distress index scores, a higher proportion of patients reported poor quality of life. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for the distress score prediction of poor quality of life was calculated at 0.871. The distress index showed excellent correlation with bowel function scores and measures of clinical validity.

Conclusions:
The distress index represents a step forward in the patient-centered management of ileoanal pouch function. When used in combination with the severity score and longitudinally over time, it will allow surgeons and gastroenterologists to take a nuanced approach to optimizing bowel function for a population of highly complex gastrointestinal patients, while accounting for symptom accommodation over time.
β-Hydroxybutyrate enhances brain metabolism in normoglycemia and hyperglycemia, providing cerebroprotection in a mouse stroke model
Authors: Holstein Deborah M , Saliba Afaf , Lozano Damian , Kim Jiwan , Sharma Kumar , Lechleiter James D 
Published: February 2025

AbstractHyperglycemia in poorly controlled diabetes is widely recognized as detrimental to organ dysfunction. However, the acute effects of hyperglycemia on brain metabolism and function are not fully understood. The potential protective benefit of ketone bodies on mitochondrial function in the brain has also not been well characterized. Here, we evaluated the acute effects of hyperglycemia and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on brain metabolism by employing a novel approach leveraging adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependence of bioluminescence originating from luciferin-luciferase activity. Oxygen consumption rate was measured inex vivolive brain punches to further evaluate mitochondrial function. Additionally, we investigated the functional relevance of BHB using anin vivophotothrombotic stroke model to assess its cerebroprotective effects. Our data demonstrate that brain metabolism in mice is affected by acute exposure to high glucose, at a level similar to consuming food or a beverage with high sucrose. This short-term effect of glucose exposure was reduced by co-administration with the ketone body BHB. Moreover, BHB significantly reduced infarct size in the brain stroke model, providing evidence for its functional protective role in the brain. These findings suggest that BHB may effectively mitigate the adverse effects of metabolic stress and ischemic events on brain metabolism and function.
Ketogenic Diet Enhances Cognitive-Behavioral Function and Hippocampal Neurogenesis While Attenuating Amyloid Pathology in Tg-SwDI Mice
Authors: Pulido-Correa Victoria E. , Hernandez Ariana , Wind Eleanor J. , Zhu YingYing , Vogel Chana , Binu Shaina , Jeneske Mikayla , Kuni Dylan , Chiduruppa Vedika , Echeverria Bianca , Rosenberg Lauren , Robison Lisa S. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and moderate protein intake, has gained attention for its therapeutic potential in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Studies in Alzheimer’s rodent models report that KD and/or ketogenic supplements attenuate cognitive-behavioral impairments, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta plaques and tau pathology. However, it is unknown whether KD can similarly benefit individuals with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a prevalent condition in which amyloid accumulates in cerebral vessels. CAA is highly comorbid in patients with Alzheimer’s and, on its own, increases the risk of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia, yet no effective treatments currently exist. The objective of this study was to determine whether KD can improve cognitive-behavioral and neuropathological outcomes in a mouse model with CAA. Male Tg-SwDI mice were fed either a standard chow or KD from 3.5 to 7.5 months of age. Following ∼3 months of dietary intervention, glucose and ketone-body levels were assessed, then mice underwent a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate locomotor activity, anxiety-related behaviors, and cognition. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess amyloid pathology, vascular density, neuroinflammation, white matter integrity, and hippocampal neurogenesis. In addition to KD inducing nutritional ketosis and achieving metabolic benefits, mice on KD exhibited increased activity, enhanced spatial learning and memory, and a trend toward improved spatial working memory. These cognitive benefits were accompanied by an attenuation of amyloid pathology and increased hippocampal neurogenesis. These findings suggest that a ketogenic diet may be safe and effective in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with CAA.
Network properties constrain natural selection on gene expression inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Inskeep Tyler R. , Groen Simon C. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractGene regulatory networks (GRNs) integrate genetic and environmental signals to coordinate complex phenotypes and evolve through a balance of selection and drift. Using publicly available datasets fromCaenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the extent of natural selection on transcript abundance by linking population-scale variation in gene expression to fecundity, a key fitness component. While the expression of most genes covaried only weakly with fitness, which is typical for polygenic traits, we identified seven transcripts under significant directional selection. These includednhr-114andfeh-1,implicating variation in nutrient-sensing and metabolic pathways as impacting fitness. Stronger directional selection on tissue-specific and older genes highlighted the germline and nervous system as focal points of adaptive change. Network position further constrained selection on gene expression; high-connectivity genes faced stronger stabilizing and directional selection, highlighting GRN architecture as a key factor in microevolutionary dynamics. The activity of transcription factors such aszip-3, which regulates mitochondrial stress responses, emerged as targets of selection, revealing potential links between energy homeostasis and fitness. Our findings demonstrate how GRNs mediate the interplay between selection and drift, shaping microevolutionary trajectories of gene expression and phenotypic diversity.
Brain stimulation preferentially influences long-range projections in primates
Authors: Vieira Pedro G. , Krause Matthew R. , Laamerad Pooya , Pack Christopher C. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAdvances in brain stimulation have made it possible to target smaller and smaller regions for electromagnetic stimulation, in the hopes of producing increasingly focal neural effects. However, the brain is extensively interconnected, and the neurons comprising those connections may themselves be particularly susceptible to neurostimulation. Here, we test this hypothesis using single-unit recordings from alert non-human primates receiving transcranial electrical stimulation. We find that putative long-range projections (i.e., axons) are more strongly affected by stimulation than other cell types. These data suggest the need for alternate stimulation strategies that target the edges, rather than nodes, of neural networks.
Clofazimine treatment modulates key non-coding RNAs associated with tumor progression and drug resistance in lethal Prostate Cancer
Authors: Batten Sarah , Kumar Harish , Mazumder Suman , Ghosh Taraswi Mitra , Mitra Amit Kumar 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTProstate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States, representing 24.3% of all new cancer cases in the US Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a lethal variant of prostate cancer that is associated with increased aggressiveness, cancer stemness, morbidity, and the risk of developing into taxane drug-resistant PCa. As taxanes are currently the first-line chemotherapeutic agents for mCRPC, there is a critical need to develop novel agents for the treatment of mCRPC. Clofazimine (CLF) is a potential immunomodulator drug that is FDA-approved for the treatment of leprosy.Recently, using a phenotype-based high-throughput drug screening, we demonstrated thein vitro(cell lines),in vivo(mouse xenograft models), andex vivo(patient-derived primary tumor cells) efficacy of CLF in drug-resistant forms of chronic myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma.In this study, we demonstrate that CLF is effective as a single agent and in combination with docetaxel (DTX) in a panel of PCa cell lines representing the diversity of CRPC patients. The response to CLF in the PCa cell lines was quantified usingin vitrocytotoxicity assays, caspase 3/7 activity assay for apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity assay for cancer stemness. We show that following CLF treatment, cellular pathways associated with apoptosis and ER stress were up-regulated, providing additional understanding of the mechanism of action of CLF in PCa cells. Further, we also found that CLF reduces ALDH activity, which is a marker for cancer cell stemness, a subtype of cancer cells that are associated with the aggressiveness of the cancer.Finally, drug-induced changes were investigated using whole transcriptome (next-generation RNA sequencing) analysis, where CLF treatment was found to modulate the expression of several non-coding RNAs that are associated with tumor cell proliferation, cell migration, and PCa drug resistance. Western Blotting was performed to validate the dysregulation of proteins associated with cell death and apoptosis, as well as the top dysregulated pathways in mCRPC following treatment with CLF.Our results support the preclinical development of CLF as a combination therapy candidate against aggressive forms of Prostate Cancer and provide additional insights into its mechanism of action.
Neurophysiological Correlates of Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults
Authors: Levenstein Jacob M. , Treacy Ciara , Andrews Sophie C. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia estimates that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors, emphasising both prevention opportunities and the need to understand the biological mechanisms. This study investigated neurophysiological mechanisms underlying modifiable dementia risk factors in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Seventy-nine cognitively unimpaired older adults underwent MRI brain scans, with spectroscopy measurements taken from the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), using a Hadamard Encoding and Reconstruction of MEGA-Edited Spectroscopy (HERMES) sequence, optimised for measuring GABA+. Modifiable dementia risk scores were calculated using the Assessment for Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk (CogDrisk). Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed a significant negative relationship within the SMC, with lower GABA+ (β = −0.249, p = 0.009) associated with higher risk scores. In the PFC, lower tNAA and tCho concentrations significantly predicted higher risk scores (β = −0.168 and −0.170, respectively). These findings suggest that GABAergic system alterations may underlie the pathophysiology of modifiable dementia risk in healthy ageing, whilst changes in tNAA and tCho may reflect early alterations in neuronal integrity. These region-specific neurochemical findings may help identify potential early biomarkers for dementia risk, and suggest new therapeutic pathways for preventive interventions.
Identification of QTLs linked to partial resistance to foot and root rot caused byFusarium avenaceumandFusarium oxysporumin faba bean (Vicia faba)
Authors: Webb Anne , Thomas Jane E. , Davis Huw , McAdam Simon , Angra Deepti , O’Sullivan Donal M. , Gostkiewicz Krystyna , Capozzi Martina , Wood Thomas A. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractFoot and root rot, caused by a complex of soil-borne fungal and oomycete pathogens, including severalFusariumspp., can cause serious yield losses in faba bean. Current control strategies rely largely on agronomic practices and limited varietal resistance. Identifying novel sources of genetic resistance is of great potential value for breeding elite varieties with improved foot rot resistance. A partially resistantVicia fabaaccession ‘ig124213’ (NV490) was crossed with a moderately susceptible ‘ig124301’ (NV512) and a mapping population comprising 198 F3families was developed. This was screened for resistance to a mixture of seven UK field isolates ofFusarium avenaceumandFusarium oxysporumunder glasshouse conditions. Several F3families with moderate to high levels of resistance to bothFusariumspecies were identified, and a high-density linkage map of theV. fabagenome including 6755 SNP-markers in seven linkage groups (LG) was generated using the ‘Vfaba_v2’ Axiom SNP array. Quantitative trait loci associated with improved resistance toFusariumfoot and root rot were identified, including one major QTL on LG4, corresponding to the chromosome 4 ofV. faba.Key messageThe first QTL associated with partial resistance toFusariumfoot and root rot has been identified using a biparental mapping population ofVicia faba.