bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laos’ Social Health Insurance (SHI) program’s impact on older people’s accessibility and financial security against catastrophic health expense
Authors: Bodhisane Somdeth , Pongpanich Sathirakorn 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLaos has introduced various SHI schemes for multiple groups of the population, such as government officials and other population groups under the NHI schemes. There is no specific health insurance policy for this group of people who need special health services and may have a higher possibility of entering financial catastrophe. This study aims to assess the impact of SHI schemes on accessibility and financial catastrophe against catastrophic health expenditures for older people in Laos. A structured questionnaire has been used to retrieve information from 400 older people across 39 villages in Kaysone Phomvihane District, Savannakhet province, the largest province in Laos. In the analytical process, this study used a cross-sectional study design and binary logistic regression models to predict the likelihood of accessing health facilities and experiencing financial catastrophe. The study outcome shows that the increase in age, occupation, number of older people within a household, and presence of chronic conditions increase the likelihood of using health services. Despite the existence of various SHI schemes, this study found that 74 out of 165 households reported using health services experienced catastrophic health expenditure. Several characteristics are associated with catastrophic health expenditure: age, income level, and gender are prone to suffer from catastrophic health expenditure. The difficult problems stem from the absence of comprehensive legislation regarding the older population. Recommendations for policymakers in various timeframes have been made, which cover short- and long-term policy proposals, including providing a specialized lane or fast-track for an older population, building health facilities exclusively for older people, and providing transportation services for older individuals living alone.
Outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery using modified del Nido cardioplegia in patients with poor ventricular function
Authors: Brown Samuel , Nassar Kholoud , Razzouk Jacob , Kashyap Abishek K. , Won Mitchell , Shehadeh Thaer , Salabat Reza , Rabkin David G. , Chung Joshua S. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
del Nido cardioplegia (DN) has been shown to be safe in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with normal left ventricular ejection fraction. We sought to determine whether it was also safe in adult patients with diminished left ventricular function.

Methods
All patients with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 1/1/2019 and 7/10/2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Off-pump and beating heart cases were excluded. Patients were divided by surgeon preference between conventional cardioplegia (CCP) and DN. Baseline and intraoperative characteristics and short-term postoperative outcomes were compared.

Results
Six surgeons performed 829 isolated coronary artery bypass operations during the study. Two-hundred seventy-two met study criteria. Three surgeons used exclusively CCP for the duration of the study, two used exclusively DN and one switched from CCP to DN mid-way through. Group totals were: CCP n = 181 and DN n = 91. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including mean left ventricular ejection fraction (CCP 32.5 ± 7.4% vs. DN 33.4 ± 7.29%, p = 0.939). Other than a significant decrease in bypass time for DN (113.20 ± 37.2 vs. 122.43 ± 34.3 min, p = 0.043) there were no intergroup differences in urgency, number of grafts, ischemic time or incidence of blood transfusion. Postoperative outcomes between CCP and DN were similar including incidence of atrial fibrillation (12.2% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.403), intensive care length of stay (3.7 ± 2.3 vs. 4.3 ± 3.7 days, p = 0.886), total length of stay (5.7 ± 3.7 vs. 6.3 ± 4.4 days, p = 0.922) and 30-day mortality (3.85% vs. 1.10%, p = 0.205).

Conclusion
Compared to conventional cardioplegia, del Nido cardioplegia provides equivalent short-term outcomes in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.
Unilateral interlaminar fenestration on the convex side provides a reliable access for intrathecal administration of nusinersen in spinal muscular atrophy: a retrospective study
Authors: Wang Zhen , Feng Erwei , Jiao Yang , Zhao Junduo , Chen Xin , Zhang Haozhi , Liang Jinqian , Li Zheng , Cui Xulei , Chen Weiyun , Shen Jianxiong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
As the first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), nusinersen is supposed to be administrated via intrathecal injection regularly for a lifetime. However, for SMA patients with severe spinal deformities, bony fusion following posterior spinal instrumentation sets great obstacles for the application of nusinersen. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to the exploration of appropriate approach for nusinersen administration. This study aims to evaluate the safety and reliability of unilateral interlaminar fenestration on the convex side during spinal fusion surgery for intrathecal nusinersen injection in SMA.

Results
SMA patients receiving posterior spinal fusion and interlaminar fenestration in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. 13 patients were included. Of the 13 patients, 10 were classified into SMA type II and 3 into SMA type III. Distal fusion to pelvis was undertaken in 11 patients; while L5 was selected as the lowest instrumented vertebra in the other 2 patients. All patients received interlaminar fenestration on the convex side only with an area of about 15 mm × 20 mm. Fenestration at L2–L3 level was performed in 6 patients; while L3–L4 level was selected for windowing in the remaining 7 patients. 9 of the 13 patients received lumbar puncture and intrathecal nusinersen administration during the 1-year follow-up, with an accumulative total of 50 times. All injections were performed successfully under ultrasound guidance, with no one transferred to radiographic assistance. No severe complications occurred after injection.

Conclusions
In SMA with severe scoliosis planning to receive posterior spinal fusion, unilateral lumbar interlaminar fenestration on the convex side provides a feasible and reliable access for intrathecal nusinersen administration after surgery.
Delineation of an inverted tandem Xq23-26.3 duplication in a female featuring extremely short stature and mild mental deficiency
Authors: Qin Shengfang , Zeng Jiuzhi , Wang Jin , Ye Mengling , Deng Qin , Wang Xueyan , Zhang Zhuo , Yi Dangying , Wu Yang , Li-Ling Jesse 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Partial duplications involving the long arm of the X chromosome are associated with mental retardation, short stature, microcephaly, and a wide range of physical findings. Female carriers usually have no clinical phenotype. Occasionally, they may also have heterogeneous features due to non-random inactivation of the X chromosome.

Methods
The peripheral blood sample was collected from the patient and subjected to a few genetic testing, including chromosomal karyotyping, Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), Optical genome mapping, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis for Determination of parental origin, and X chromosome inactivation (XCI) analysis.

Results
We have identified a de novo Xq23-Xq26.3 duplication in an adult female featuring extremely short stature and mild mental deficiency. Chromosome analysis detected a duplication on Xq23-q26.3 with a size of approximately 20 Mb. The duplication region has encompassed a number of genes, among which ARHGEF6, PHF6, HPRT1 and SLC9A6 are associated with X-linked mental retardation. Further analysis suggested that the duplication has derived from her father, was of the inversion duplication type and involved various degrees of skewed X chromosome inactivation.

Conclusion
Correlation with her phenotypes might indicate new mechanisms by which the X chromosome may lead to short stature and mental retardation. Our findings thereby may shed more light on the phenotypic implication of functional disomy of X-chromosome genes.
Nanobody-based trispecific T cell engager (Nb-TriTE) enhances therapeutic efficacy by overcoming tumor-mediated immunosuppression
Authors: Ding Ziqiang , Sun Shuyang , Wang Xuan , Yang Xiaomei , Shi Wei , Huang Xianing , Xie Shenxia , Mo Fengzhen , Hou Xiaoqiong , Liu Aiqun , Jiang Xiaobing , Tang Zhuoran , Lu Xiaoling 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
T cell engagers (TCEs) have been established as an emerging modality for hematologic malignancies, but solid tumors remain refractory. However, the upregulation of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is correlated with T cell dysfunction that confer tumor-mediated immunosuppression. Developing a novel nanobody-based trispecific T cell engager (Nb-TriTE) would be a potential strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy.

Methods
Given the therapeutic potential of nanobodies (Nbs), we first screened Nb targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and successfully generated a Nb-based bispecific T cell engager (Nb-BiTE) targeting FAP. Then, we developed a Nb-TriTE by fusing an anti-PD-1 Nb to the Nb-BiTE. The biological activity and antitumor efficacy of the Nb-TriTE were evaluated in vitro and in both cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft mouse models.

Results
We had for the first time successfully selected a FAP Nb for the generation of novel Nb-BiTE and Nb-TriTE, which showed good binding ability to their targets. Nb-TriTE not only induced robust tumor antigen-specific killing, potent T cell activation and enhanced T cell function in vitro, but also suppressed tumor growth, improved survival and mediated more T cell infiltration than Nb-BiTE in mouse models of different solid tumors without toxicity.

Conclusions
This novel Nb-TriTE provides a promising and universal platform to overcome tumor-mediated immunosuppression and improve patient outcomes in the future.
RIT1 regulates mitosis and promotes proliferation by interacting with SMC3 and PDS5 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Su Yang , Lin Hechun , Yu Junming , Mao Lin , Jin Wenjiao , Liu Tengfei , Jiang Shuqing , Wu Yunyu , Zhang Saihua , Geng Qin , Ge Chao , Zhao Fangyu , Chen Taoyang , Cui Ying , Li Jinjun , Hou Helei , Zhou Xinli , Li Hong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
As a small G protein of Ras family, Ras-like-without-CAAX-1 (RIT1) plays a critical role in various tumors. Our previous study has demonstrated the involvement of RIT1 in promoting malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Methods
Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted in the TCGA LIHC cohort to investigate the underlying biological mechanism of RIT1. Live cell imaging, immunofluorescence (IF) and flow cytometry assays were used to verify biological function of RIT1 in HCC mitosis. Subcutaneous xenografting of human HCC cells in BALB/c nude mice was utilized to assess tumor proliferation in vivo. RNA-seq, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), mass spectrometry analyses, western blot and IF assays were employed to elucidate the mechanisms by which RIT1 regulates mitosis and promotes proliferation in HCC.

Results
Our findings demonstrate that RIT1 plays a crucial role in regulating mitosis in HCC. Knockdown of RIT1 disrupts cell division, leading to G2/M phase arrest, mitotic catastrophe, and apoptosis in HCC cells. SMC3 is found to interact with RIT1 and knockdown of SMC3 attenuates the proliferative effects mediated by RIT1 both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RIT1 protects and maintains SMC3 acetylation by binding to SMC3 and PDS5 during mitosis, thereby promoting rapid cell division and proliferation in HCC. Notably, we have observed an upregulation of SMC3 expression in HCC tissues, which is associated with poor patient survival and promotion of HCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, there is a significant positive correlation between the expression levels of RIT1, SMC3, and PDS5. Importantly, HCC patients with high expression of both RIT1 and SMC3 exhibit worse prognosis compared to those with high RIT1 but low SMC3 expression.

Conclusions
Our findings underscore the crucial role of RIT1 in regulating mitosis in HCC and further demonstrate its potential as a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Installing xylose assimilation and cellodextrin phosphorolysis pathways in obese Yarrowia lipolytica facilitates cost-effective lipid production from lignocellulosic hydrolysates
Authors: Zhang Yiran , Li Moying , Zhu Rui , Xin Yu , Guo Zitao , Gu Zhenghua , Guo Zhongpeng , Zhang Liang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Yarrowia lipolytica, one of the most charming chassis cells in synthetic biology, is unable to use xylose and cellodextrins.

Results
Herein, we present work to tackle for the first time the engineering of Y. lipolytica to produce lipids from cellodextrins and xylose by employing rational and combinatorial strategies. This includes constructing a cellodextrin-phosphorolytic Y. lipolytica by overexpressing Neurospora crassa cellodextrin transporter, Clostridium thermocellum cellobiose/cellodextrin phosphorylase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoglucomutase. The effect of glucose repression on xylose consumption was relieved by installing a xylose uptake facilitator combined with enhanced PPP pathway and increased cytoplasmic NADPH supply. Further enhancing lipid production and interrupting its consumption conferred the obese phenotype to the engineered yeast. The strain is able to co-ferment glucose, xylose and cellodextrins efficiently, achieving a similar μmax of 0.19 h−1, a qs of 0.34 g-s/g-DCW/h and a YX/S of 0.54 DCW-g/g-s on these substrates, and an accumulation of up to 40% of lipids on the sugar mixture and on wheat straw hydrolysate.

Conclusions
Therefore, engineering Y. lipolytica capable of assimilating xylose and cellodextrins is a vital step towards a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process of LC biomass, allowing improved substrate conversion rate and reduced production cost due to low demand of external glucosidase.
Towards a partial order graph for interactive pharmacophore exploration: extraction of pharmacophores activity delta
Authors: Lehembre Etienne , Giovannini Johanna , Geslin Damien , Lepailleur Alban , Lamotte Jean-Luc , Auber David , Ouali Abdelkader , Cremilleux Bruno , Zimmermann Albrecht , Cuissart Bertrand , Bureau Ronan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a novel approach called Pharmacophore Activity Delta for extracting outstanding pharmacophores from a chemogenomic dataset, with a specific focus on a kinase target known as BCR-ABL. The method involves constructing a Hasse diagram, referred to as the pharmacophore network, by utilizing the subgraph partial order as an initial step, leading to the identification of pharmacophores for further evaluation. A pharmacophore is classified as a ‘Pharmacophore Activity Delta’ if its capability to effectively discriminate between active vs inactive molecules significantly deviates (by at least δ standard deviations) from the mean capability of its related pharmacophores. Among the 1479 molecules associated to BCR-ABL binding data, 130 Pharmacophore Activity Delta were identified. The pharmacophore network reveals distinct regions associated with active and inactive molecules. The study includes a discussion on representative key areas linked to different pharmacophores, emphasizing structure–activity relationships.
Core gut microbes Cloacibacterium and Aeromonas associated with different gastropod species could be persistently transmitted across multiple generations
Authors: Lin Datao , Hong Jinni , Sanogo Benjamin , Du Shuling , Xiang Suoyu , Hui Jerome Ho-Lam , Ding Tao , Wu Zhongdao , Sun Xi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Studies on the gut microbiota of animals have largely focused on vertebrates. The transmission modes of commensal intestinal bacteria in mammals have been well studied. However, in gastropods, the relationship between gut microbiota and hosts is still poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of the composition of gut microbes and their transmission routes in gastropods, a large-scale and long-term experiment on the dynamics and transmission modes of gut microbiota was conducted on freshwater snails.

Results
We analyzed 244 microbial samples from the digestive tracts of freshwater gastropods and identified Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes as dominant gut microbes. Aeromonas, Cloacibacterium, and Cetobacterium were identified as core microbes in the guts, accounting for over 50% of the total sequences. Furthermore, both core bacteria Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium, were shared among 7 gastropod species and played an important role in determining the gut microbial community types of both wild and cultured gastropods. Analysis of the gut microbiota at the population level, including wild gastropods and their offspring, indicated that a proportion of gut microbes could be consistently vertically transmitted inheritance, while the majority of the gut microbes resulted from horizontal transmission. Comparing cultured snails to their wild counterparts, we observed an increasing trend in the proportion of shared microbes and a decreasing trend in the number of unique microbes among wild gastropods and their offspring reared in a cultured environment. Core gut microbes, Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium, remained persistent and dispersed from wild snails to their offspring across multiple generations. Interestingly, under cultured environments, the gut microbiota in wild gastropods could only be maintained for up to 2 generations before converging with that of cultured snails. The difference observed in gut bacterial metabolism functions was associated with this transition. Our study also demonstrated that the gut microbial compositions in gastropods are influenced by developmental stages and revealed the presence of Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium throughout the life cycle in gastropods. Based on the dynamics of core gut microbes, it may be possible to predict the health status of gastropods during their adaptation to new environments. Additionally, gut microbial metabolic functions were found to be associated with the adaptive evolution of gastropods from wild to cultured environments.

Conclusions
Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic processes of gut microbiota colonization in gastropod mollusks and unveil the modes of microbial transmission within their guts.
Can we predict the development of acute gastric dilatation in patients with anorexia nervosa?
Authors: Anderson Kristin , Watters Ashlie , Dee Elizabeth , Mehler Philip S. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Acute gastric dilatation can develop in patients with anorexia nervosa who are being refed to achieve weight restoration. If unrecognized, this condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with acute gastric dilatation usually have abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Abdominal imaging confirms the diagnosis. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with the development of acute gastric dilatation in patients with severe restrictive eating disorders in order to hasten diagnosis and guide treatment. This study also aims to define the clinical outcomes of patients with acute gastric dilatation.

Methods
In this retrospective case series, 15 patients with a restrictive eating disorder were studied. Multiple variables were assessed for significant correlation with stomach size.

Results
15 patients with a restrictive eating disorder were identified as being diagnosed with acute gastric dilatation through chart review during the study period. The average dilated stomach size was 20.5 cm. There was no significant correlation of stomach size with any of the following: % ideal body weight on day of admission, % ideal body weight on day of imaging study, rate of weight gain (kg per week), or duration of illness. Serum levels of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, albumin, and hematocrit on the day of imaging, did not correlate with stomach size. All patients were treated with conservative management. None of the patients required surgical intervention or progressed to gastric necrosis or perforation, and there were no recurrences of the acute gastric dilatation.

Conclusions
There are no specific risk factors significantly associated with the development of acute gastric dilatation in patients with severe restrictive eating disorders. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for this condition when patients are experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. When promptly diagnosed and treated, outcomes are good. If diagnosis is delayed, the outcome can be dire.
Taxonomic implications of leaf morphology and epidermal anatomy for 14 species of Gagea (Liliaceae) from Xinjiang, China
Authors: Qiu Juan , Lin Musen , Tan Dunyan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundLeaf morphology and epidermal characters are important for phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of many plants, but there is currently insufficient data to use them to help distinguish species ofGagea, which is a taxonomically difficult genus mainly due to polyploidy and hybridization. Therefore, leaf morphology and epidermal characters ofGageawere studied to assess the characters that can be used to elucidate the taxonomy and systematics of 14 species ofGageacollected in Xinjiang, China. Using light microscopy (LM), six qualitative and three quantitative leaf epidermal anatomical characters were examined for both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was employed to reveal the similarities based on leaf morphology and epidermal characters of the investigated species.ResultsBasal leaf of these species can be terete or flat, and it is triangle, flat, or circular in transverse section. Anticlinal wall patterns of the leaf epidermal cells were straight and sinuous, and only three species had epidermal hairs. Shape of long cells varies, ranging from quadrangular to irregular. HCA revealed that the 14 species could be divided into two groups. Group A was arranged into three subgroups (A1, A2 and A3), based on the Euclidean distance of 6.96. Subgroup A1 consisted of three species with indumentum; subgroup A2 had four species with sinuous type anticlinal walls; and subgroup A3 comprised of two species with a fistulose basal leaf. Group B included five species with short cells.ConclusionsLeaf morphology and epidermal characters did not differ significantly among populations of the same species inGagea, whereas they differ significantly among species. Thus, leaf morphology and epidermal characters provide diagnostic information for differentiatingG. nigraandG. filiformis; G. altaica, G. jensiiandG. alberti, which are morphologically similar species.