bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Late-Onset Sepsis Evaluation and Empiric Therapy in Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns
Authors: Speier Rebecca L , Cotten C Michael , Benjamin Daniel K , Lewis Kelsey , Keeler Kristin , Kidimbu Glory , Roberts William , Clark Reese H , Zimmerman Kanecia O , Stark Ashley , Greenberg Rachel G 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Little is known about late-onset sepsis (LOS) evaluations in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs). We describe frequencies of LOS evaluation in ELGANs, infant characteristics, and empiric therapy choices during evaluations.

Methods
Cohort study of infants 22–28 weeks gestational age (GA) discharged from 243 centers from 2009 to 2018, excluding infants with congenital anomalies, discharged or deceased prior to postnatal day (PND) 2, or admitted after PND 2. A new LOS evaluation was defined as the first blood culture obtained between PND 3 and 90, or one obtained ≥1 day following a negative culture and ≥10 days from prior positive cultures. We determined numbers of evaluations and percentage positive by GA, center, and over time. We described characteristics associated with positive evaluations, infants with LOS, and empiric antimicrobials. We calculated descriptive and comparative statistics using Wilcoxon rank sum, Fisher’s exact, or Pearson chi-square tests, as appropriate.

Results
Of 47,187 included infants, 67% had ≥1 LOS evaluation and 21% of evaluated infants had ≥1 LOS (culture positive) episode; 1.6 evaluations occurred per infant and 10% were positive. The percentage of infants evaluated and positive for LOS was higher at earlier GA. LOS was associated with inotrope support (15% vs. 9%; p &lt; .001) and invasive mechanical ventilation (66% vs. 51%; p &lt; .001). Infants with positive cultures were more likely than infants with negative cultures to receive empiric antimicrobials during the LOS evaluation (95% vs. 73%; p &lt; .001).

Conclusions
Among ELGANs, earlier GA and postnatal age were associated with LOS evaluation and positive cultures. Most infants undergoing evaluation were started on empiric antimicrobials.
School Absenteeism as a Marker for Community COVID-19 Rates
Authors: Stark Ashley , Benjamin Daniel K , Kajencki Anthony , Mann Katelyn , Rodriguez Natalie , Troan Ian , Hill Larry , Boutzoukas Angelique E , Zimmerman Kanecia O 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Reported community transmission rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may not be accurate, particularly since at-home testing has become widely available. School absenteeism may serve as a marker of broader community COVID-19 transmission.

Methods
We performed an observational study of North Carolina kindergarten through 12th grade schools participating in the ABC Science Collaborative that offered in-school instruction, and contributed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 data for at least 2 of 4 weeks monthly for the 2021–2022 academic year. Additionally, we analyzed publicly available databases including the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Data Repository, and National Center for Education Statistics. We described community and school COVID-19 infection rates compared with student monthly absenteeism rates to determine if the relationship between community COVID-19 infection rates and student absenteeism varied over time.

Results
We included 500 192 students from 27 school districts. For the 2021–2022 academic year, the student and community COVID-19 infection rates did not show a significant difference (P &gt; .05) across each month of comparison. Student absenteeism rates and community COVID-19 infection rates by month showed a similar trend across the academic year. For every 1% increase in community infection percentage, we found a 1.68% (1.12–2.25%) increase in absenteeism (P &lt; .001); for every 1 month change in time, we found a 0.12% (0.01–0.24%) increase in absenteeism (P &lt; .05).

Conclusions
Student absenteeism and infection rates may be a useful marker of COVID-19 community infection rates when testing frequency and results reporting are inconsistent.
The HulC: confidence regions from convex hulls
Authors: Kuchibhotla Arun Kumar , Balakrishnan Sivaraman , Wasserman Larry 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We develop and analyse the HulC, an intuitive and general method for constructing confidence sets using the convex hull of estimates constructed from subsets of the data. Unlike classical methods which are based on estimating the (limiting) distribution of an estimator, the HulC is often simpler to use and effectively bypasses this step. In comparison to the bootstrap, the HulC requires fewer regularity conditions and succeeds in many examples where the bootstrap provably fails. Unlike sub-sampling, the HulC does not require knowledge of the rate of convergence of the estimators on which it is based. The validity of the HulC requires knowledge of the (asymptotic) median bias of the estimators. We further analyse a variant of our basic method, called the Adaptive HulC, which is fully data-driven and estimates the median bias using sub-sampling. We discuss these methods in the context of several challenging inferential problems which arise in parametric, semi-parametric, and non-parametric inference. Although our focus is on validity under weak regularity conditions, we also provide some general results on the width of the HulC confidence sets, showing that in many cases the HulC confidence sets have near-optimal width.
TauSTED super-resolution imaging of labile iron in primary hippocampal neurons
Authors: Kittilukkana Aiyarin , Carmona Asuncion , Pilapong Chalermchai , Ortega Richard 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Iron dyshomeostasis is involved in many neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases where iron accumulates in various brain regions. Identifying mechanisms of iron transport in the brain is crucial for understanding the role of iron in healthy and pathological states. In neurons, it has been suggested that iron can be transported by the axon to different brain regions in the form of labile iron; a pool of reactive and exchangeable intracellular iron. Here we report a novel approach to imaging labile ferrous iron, Fe(II), in live primary hippocampal neurons using confocal and TauSTED (stimulated emission depletion) microscopy. TauSTED is based on super-resolution STED nanoscopy, which combines high spatial resolution imaging (&lt;40 nm) with fluorescence lifetime information, thus reducing background noise and improving image quality. We applied TauSTED imaging utilizing biotracker FerroFarRed Fe(II) and found that labile iron was present as submicrometric puncta in dendrites and axons. Some of these iron-rich structures are mobile and move along neuritic pathways, arguing for a labile iron transport mechanism in neurons. This super-resolution imaging approach offers a new perspective for studying the dynamic mechanisms of axonal and dendritic transport of iron at high spatial resolution in living neurons. In addition, this methodology could be transposed to the imaging of other fluorescent metal sensors.
Consensus framework for conducting phase I/II clinical trials for children, adolescents, and young adults with pediatric low-grade glioma: Guidelines established by the International Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma Coalition Clinical Trial Working Group
Authors: Mueller Sabine , Fangusaro Jason , Thomas Arzu Onar , Jacques Thomas S , Bandopadhayay Pratiti , de Blank Peter , Packer Roger J , Fouladi Maryam , van Meeteren Antoinette Schouten , Jones David , Perry Arie , Nakano Yoshiko , Hargrave Darren , Riedl David , Robison Nathan J , Partanen Marita , Fisher Michael J , Witt Olaf 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Within the last few decades, we have witnessed tremendous advancements in the study of pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG), leading to a much-improved understanding of their molecular underpinnings. Consequently, we have achieved successful milestones in developing and implementing targeted therapeutic agents for treating these tumors. However, the community continues to face many unknowns when it comes to the most effective clinical implementation of these novel targeted inhibitors or combinations thereof. Questions encompassing optimal dosing strategies, treatment duration, methods for assessing clinical efficacy, and the identification of predictive biomarkers remain unresolved. Here, we offer the consensus of the international pLGG coalition (iPLGGc) clinical trial working group on these important topics and comment on clinical trial design and endpoint rationale. Throughout, we seek to standardize the global approach to early clinical trials (phase I and II) for pLGG, leading to more consistently interpretable results as well as enhancing the pace of novel therapy development and encouraging an increased focus on functional endpoints as well and quality of life for children faced with this disease.
The impact of the Mediterranean diet on alleviating depressive symptoms in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bizzozero-Peroni Bruno , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente , Fernández-Rodríguez Rubén , Jiménez-López Estela , Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo Sergio , Saz-Lara Alicia , Díaz-Goñi Valentina , Mesas Arthur Eumann 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Context
High adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with a reduced risk of depression in prospective cohort studies, but whether MD interventions are effective among adults with depression is uncertain.

Objective
This study aimed to synthesize findings on the effects of MD interventions on the severity of depressive symptoms in adults with depression.

Data Sources
PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from database inception to March 2023. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Cochrane recommendations were followed. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes after MD interventions with outcomes for control conditions in adults with depressive disorders or depressive symptoms.

Data Extraction
Two authors extracted the data independently. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator, the I2 metric, and the prediction interval were used to estimate between-study heterogeneity. To determine the risk of bias and the certainty of evidence from RCTs, we used the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias 2 and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tools, respectively.

Data Analysis
In total, 1507 participants (mean age range: 22.0 years–53.3 years) with depression were initially included in the 5 RCTs of this review. Compared with control conditions, MD interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms among young and middle-aged adults with major depression or mild to moderate depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference: –0.53; 95% confidence interval: –0.90 to –0.16; I2 = 87.1%). The prediction interval ranged from –1.86 to 0.81. The overall risk of bias was within the range of “some concerns” to “high,” while the certainty of evidence was low.

Conclusion
MD interventions appear to have substantial potential for alleviating depressive symptoms in people experiencing major or mild depression. However, to establish robust recommendations, there remains a need for high-quality, large-scale, and long-term RCTs.

Systematic Review Registration
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022341895.
DesC1 and DesC2, Δ9 Fatty Acid Desaturases of Filamentous Cyanobacteria: Essentiality and Complementarity
Authors: Effendi Devi B , Suzuki Iwane , Murata Norio , Awai Koichiro 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
DesC1 and DesC2, which are fatty acid desaturases found in cyanobacteria, are responsible for introducing a double bond at the Δ9 position of fatty-acyl chains, which are subsequently esterified to the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of the glycerol moiety, respectively. However, since the discovery of these two desaturases in the Antarctic cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. SO-36, no further research has been reported. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of DesC1 and DesC2 through targeted mutagenesis and transformation using two cyanobacteria strains: Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, comprising both desaturases, and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, containing a single Δ9 desaturase (hereafter referred to as DesCs) sharing similarity with DesC1 in amino acid sequence. The results suggested that both DesC1 and DesC2 were essential in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and that DesC1, but not DesC2, complemented DesCs in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. In addition, DesC2 from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 desaturated fatty acids esterified to the sn-2 position of the glycerol moiety in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
Occupational internal monitoring in nuclear medicine service of Sainte-Anne military hospital: previous considerations and results
Authors: Gervot Héloïse , Letessier Wilfried , Loess Jérôme , Bayle-Escurat Christopher , Métivier Denis , Saurat Dominique , Jamet-Anselme Emilie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The Nuclear Medicine Department of Sainte-Anne military hospital in Toulon uses 99mTc, 123I and 18F unsealed sources to provide therapeutic and diagnostic care. For a few years, only ambient air and surface monitoring were performed to check the absence of internal contamination risk for workers. To verify this risk assessment hypothesis, confirmatory monitoring programme including in vivo and in vitro measurements was performed by the French defence radiation protection service (SPRA, Clamart). Here, due to the short half-life of targeted radionuclides, the analytical sensitivity was determined with estimations of minimal detectable activities and derived recording levels. It was shown that sensitivity was sufficient to detect an internal contamination leading to an effective dose of 0.1 mSv for few days post intake. At the same time, around 20 whole-body countings were performed. Results were below minimal detectable activity and were confirmed by 24-hours urine analysis. So, actual working conditions do not lead to measurable internal contamination for nuclear medicine staff.
New regulation of family foundations in Poland and their usefulness in intergenerational estate planning
Authors: Moszyńska Anna 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Through the Family Foundation Act of 22 May 2023, a new institution of family (private) foundation has been introduced in the Polish legal system. This was long awaited, because while Polish law does not recognise either trusts or any trust-like institutions, the need for a legal instrument enabling intergenerational succession planning was relatively high. It is therefore not surprising that this new institution of family foundations quickly gained popularity. Presenting the most important rules introduced into Polish law allows us to point out the advantages and disadvantages of these new provisions.
Pulmonary Metastasis at the First Site After Curative Surgery for Colon Cancer: Incidence and Risk Factors According to TNM Stage
Authors: Kim Seijong , Huh Jung Wook , Lee Woo Yong , Yun Seong Hyeon , Kim Hee Cheol , Cho Yong Beom , Park Yoon Ah , Shin Jung Kyong 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:
The lungs are one of the most common sites for colon cancer metastasis. A few studies reported that approximately 2–10% of colon cancer patients developed pulmonary metastasis. However, among these studies, patient characteristics were heterogeneous and information on pulmonary metastasis incidence by TNM stage was scarce.

OBJECTIVE:
This study evaluated the incidence of pulmonary metastasis in colon cancer without synchronous metastasis treated with radical surgery and identified risk factors for pulmonary metastasis according to TNM stage.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS:
This retrospective study included all patients with colon cancer without metastasis who underwent radical surgery for primary tumor at Samsung Medical Center between January 2007 and December 2016.

PATIENTS:
A total of 4,889 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage I–III colon cancer was included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The main outcome measures were incidence of pulmonary metastasis and overall survival

RESULTS:
A total of 156 patients (3.2%) were diagnosed with pulmonary metastasis with a 16-month median duration from the time of radical surgery for colon cancer to detection of pulmonary metastasis. The pulmonary metastasis incidence rate by TNM stage was 0.5% in stage I, 1.6% in stage II, and 6% in stage III. Risk factors for pulmonary metastasis were preoperative CEA higher than 5 ng/ml, cancer obstruction, N stage, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, and adjuvant chemotherapy for primary colon cancer in multivariable analysis.

LIMITATION:
This was a retrospective single-center study.

CONCLUSION:
Preoperative CEA higher than 5 ng/ml, cancer obstruction, pN stage, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for primary colon cancer were risk factors for pulmonary metastasis in colon cancer. Therefore, patients with risk factors for pulmonary metastasis should be recommend for intensive follow-up to detect lung metastases. See Video Abstract.
Plastic Surgical Outreach to Low- and Middle-income Countries and Global Health Priorities: An Analysis of 96 Nongovernmental Organizations
Authors: Yan Allison , Castellanos Sydney L. , Chao Albert H. 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Conditions that are treated by surgery constitute a significant portion of the global burden of disease. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), allocation of resources toward the most cost-effective surgical procedures (essential surgery) and care delivery platforms is critical. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the plastic surgeons who work with them play a significant role in plastic surgical outreach to LMICs. However, it is unknown whether their work aligns with existing global public health recommendations.

Methods:
A previously established internet-based methodology was used to identify plastic surgical NGOs. Through direct correspondence with NGOs and publicly available data, plastic surgical NGOs were cataloged with respect to the subspecialty areas of plastic surgery performed, care delivery platforms, and geographic sites. These results were then compared with the existing global public health recommendations.

Results:
A total of 96 NGOs met inclusion criteria. The most common subspecialty area was cleft surgery (80.3%), followed by pediatric plastic surgery (46.9%). No NGOs used a continuous care delivery platform. Instead, all NGOs used an intermittent model through short-term surgical missions, of which 62.8% used a nonrotating care model and returned to the same site(s) annually, whereas 37.2% used a rotating care model.

Conclusions:
Most NGOs perform cleft surgery, an area considered essential surgery, and thus, collectively, the work of NGOs largely aligns with global public health priorities. However, there is room for improvement for both the types of procedures performed and the care delivery platforms to provide the most cost-effective and sustainable care.
Changes in OCTA measures throughout the day: Diurnal variation or test-retest variability?
Authors: Altinbay Beyza Tekin , Kurt Emin , Altinisik Muhammed 
Published: December 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate the repeatability and diurnal variation of the retinal vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods:
41 healthy individuals were measured twice in the morning and once in the evening. FAZ area, perimetry, foveal density (FD); superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP) VD, central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of repeatability (CR) and Bland-Altman plots.

Results:
Repeatability was evaluated with two consecutive scans taken in the morning. The CRs (%) was 5.4; 4.3 and 8.8 for the FAZ area, perimetry and FD respectively with excellent ICCs. ICC was poor for parafovea (0.33), whereas excellent for fovea (0.97) in SCP-VD. CR for fovea and parafovea, were 19.19% and 10.43% respectively. ICC values were poor (0.3-0.4) with 10-16% measurement differences in DCP-VD parameters. CRs for CMT were between 1-2% with excellent ICC. The analysis on diurnal variation yielded comparable results.

Conclusion:
Except for the parafoveal VD, OCTA is a highly reproducible device for measuring FAZ and VD using 6x6 scans with undilated pupils. However, variation in OCTA parameters observed throughout the day could be attributed to test-retest variation rather than diurnal rhythm.
Quantitative autofluorescence in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Weber Constance , Schaetzle Lea Sophie , Stasik Isabel , Emde Leon von der , Holz Frank G. , Liegl Raffael 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is associated with pachychoroid and dysfunctional RPE. Autofluorescence (AF) is typically altered. We performed this study to quantify these alterations using quantitative AF (qAF) in patients with CSC and in their fellow-eye in comparison with a healthy control group.

Material and Methods:
Patients with CSC and healthy patients were recruited prospectively. All patients received a full clinical examination including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), enhanced depth imaging-OCT and qAF. QAF images were taken with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Engineering). QAF values were assessed in specified regions of the inner eight (IN8) and the middle ring (MID) of the Delori-grid.

Results:
141 eyes of 77 patients with CSC were included. 90 eyes had a manifest CSC (group 1) while 51 fellow-eyes (group 2) did not show signs of CSC. There were no significant differences of qAF values between these two groups: mean qAF values were 241.3 (IN8) and 212.8 (MID) in group 1 and 235.9 (IN8) and 210.0 (MID) in group 2 (p=1.0 and 1.0). We compared these eyes to healthy controls comprising 39 eyes. QAF signals (IN8: 164.7; MID:148.9) differed significantly compared to both CSC manifest (p<0.001) and fellow eyes (p<0.001).

Conclusions:
Our results show that patients with CSC have increased qAF values in both eyes with manifest CSC and asymptomatic, clinically unremarkable fellow-eyes in comparison to healthy controls. This finding suggests that qAF alterations are present even before clinical signs can be observedand might therefore serve as an early biomarker.