bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcription factors BZR2/MYC2 modulate brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid crosstalk during pear dormancy
Authors: Wang Xuxu , Wei Jia , Wu Jiahao , Shi Baojing , Wang Peihui , Alabd Ahmed , Wang Duanni , Gao Yuhao , Ni Junbei , Bai Songling , Teng Yuanwen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Bud dormancy is an important physiological process during winter. Its release requires a certain period of chilling. In pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), the abscisic acid (ABA)-induced expression of DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-box (DAM) genes represses bud break, whereas exogenous gibberellin (GA) promotes dormancy release. However, with the exception of ABA and GA, the regulatory effects of phytohormones on dormancy remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we confirmed brassinosteroids (BRs) and jasmonic acid (JA) contribute to pear bud dormancy release. If chilling accumulation is insufficient, both 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) and methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA) can promote pear bud break, implying that they positively regulate dormancy release. BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 2 (BZR2), which is a BR-responsive transcription factor, inhibited PpyDAM3 expression and accelerated pear bud break. The transient overexpression of PpyBZR2 increased endogenous GA, JA, and JA-Ile levels. In addition, the direct interaction between PpyBZR2 and MYELOCYTOMATOSIS 2 (PpyMYC2) enhanced the PpyMYC2-mediated activation of Gibberellin 20-oxidase genes PpyGA20OX1L1 and PpyGA20OX2L2 transcription, thereby increasing GA3 contents and accelerating pear bud dormancy release. Interestingly, treatment with 5 μm MeJA increased the bud break rate, while also enhancing PpyMYC2-activated PpyGA20OX expression and increasing GA3,4 contents. The 100 μm MeJA treatment decreased the PpyMYC2-mediated activation of the PpyGA20OX1L1 and PpyGA20OX2L2 promoters and suppressed the inhibitory effect of PpyBZR2 on PpyDAM3 transcription, ultimately inhibiting pear bud break. In summary, our data provide insights into the crosstalk between the BR and JA signaling pathways that regulate the BZR2/MYC2-mediated pathway in the pear dormancy release process.
Frederik W. de Klerk: Presidential Years in the International Arena
Authors: Eksteen Riaan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In South Africa's history, Frederik W. de Klerk has left numerous bookmarks. During his presidency (1989-1994), notable ones relate to his handling of foreign affairs. When he became president, he was a novice in this field. His reputation at home was initially built on conservative values. When he succeeded Pieter W. Botha in August 1985, South Africa was internationally isolated and internally in disarray. The date 2 February 1990, when he released Nelson Mandela from prison and unbanned the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP), will forever be associated with an acclaimed and courageous political quantum leap. Soon afterwards, on 21 March 1990, he transferred South Africa's control and administration of Namibia to its first president. De Klerk dealt with two crucial issues head-on. First, he returned the military to true and proper civilian control. His decision to destroy South Africa's nuclear arsenal led to the signing of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty in July 1991. By engaging in personal diplomacy, he forged remarkable relationships with President George H. W. Bush and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who, together with other world leaders, recognized that De Klerk was determined to repair South Africa's disastrous foreign relations. He evaluated the events in Eastern Europe, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and demise of the Soviet Union in their proper context. In December 1993, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela. Up to now De Klerk legacy in the realm of international relations have not been properly explored.
Robust Phylogenetic Regression
Authors: Adams Richard , Cain Zoe , Assis Raquel , DeGiorgio Michael 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Modern comparative biology owes much to phylogenetic regression. At its conception, this technique sparked a revolution that armed biologists with phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) for disentangling evolutionary correlations from those arising from hierarchical phylogenetic relationships. Over the past few decades, the phylogenetic regression framework has become a paradigm of modern comparative biology that has been widely embraced as a remedy for shared ancestry. However, recent evidence has shown doubt over the efficacy of phylogenetic regression, and PCMs more generally, with the suggestion that many of these methods fail to provide an adequate defense against unreplicated evolution—the primary justification for using them in the first place. Importantly, some of the most compelling examples of biological innovation in nature result from abrupt lineage-specific evolutionary shifts, which current regression models are largely ill equipped to deal with. Here we explore a solution to this problem by applying robust linear regression to comparative trait data. We formally introduce robust phylogenetic regression to the PCM toolkit with linear estimators that are less sensitive to model violations than the standard least-squares estimator, while still retaining high power to detect true trait associations. Our analyses also highlight an ingenuity of the original algorithm for phylogenetic regression based on independent contrasts, whereby robust estimators are particularly effective. Collectively, we find that robust estimators hold promise for improving tests of trait associations and offer a path forward in scenarios where classical approaches may fail. Our study joins recent arguments for increased vigilance against unreplicated evolution and a better understanding of evolutionary model performance in challenging—yet biologically important—settings.
TRIM26 restricts Epstein–Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells through K48‐linked ubiquitination of HSP‐90β
Authors: Zhang Mingjiao , Tan Haiqi , Gong Yibing , Faleti Oluwasijibomi Damola , Li Dengke , Yang Jinlong , Huang Jing , Long Jingyi , Luo Qingshuang , Wu Gongfa , Zheng Lei , Lyu Xiaoming 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe tripartite interaction motif (TRIM) family of proteins is known for their antiviral activity through different mechanisms, such as interfering with viral components, regulating immune responses, and participating in autophagy‐mediated defense pathways. In this study, we investigated the role of tripartite interaction motif 26 (TRIM26), which is encoded by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene, in regulating Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We found that TRIM26 expression was induced upon EBV infection and that it indirectly targeted EphA2, a crucial epithelial receptor for EBV entry. Our results showed that TRIM26 interacted with heat shock protein 90‐beta (HSP‐90β) and promoted its polyubiquitination, which led to its degradation via the proteasome pathway. This, in turn, affected EphA2 integrity and suppressed EBV infection. These findings suggest that TRIM26 could be a valuable target for developing therapeutic interventions against EBV infection and its associated pathogenesis.
VNS‐mediated α7nAChR signaling promotes SPM synthesis via regulation of netrin‐1 expression during LPS‐induced ALI
Authors: Huang Yan , Dong Shuan , Li Xiangyun , Shi Jia , Zhang Yuan , Liu Shasha , Zhang Ye , Yu Jianbo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) plays a crucial role in the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway (CAP) during sepsis‐associated acute lung injury (ALI). Increasing evidence suggests that specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs) are important in resolving α7nAChR‐mediated ALI resolution. Our study aims to elucidate the pivotal role of α7nAChR in the CAP during LPS‐associated acute lung injury (ALI). By employing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), we identified α7nAChR as the key CAP subunit in ALI mice, effectively reducing lung permeability and the release of inflammatory cytokines. We further investigated the alterations in SPMs regulated by α7nAChR, revealing a predominant synthesis of lipoxin A4 (LXA4). The significance of α7nAChR‐netrin‐1 pathway in governing SPM synthesis was confirmed through the use of netrin‐1 knockout mice and siRNA‐transfected macrophages. Additionally, our evaluation identified a synchronous alteration of LXA4 synthesis in the α7nAChR‐netrin‐1 pathway accompanied by 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LOX), thereby confirming an ameliorative effect of LXA4 on lung injury and macrophage inflammatory response. Concurrently, inhibiting the function of LXA4 annulled the lung‐protective effect of VNS. As a result, our findings reveal a novel anti‐inflammatory pathway wherein VNS modulates netrin‐1 expression via α7nAChR, ultimately leading to LXA4 synthesis and subsequent lung protection.
Remimazolam Dosing for Gastroscopy: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Zhu Huichen , Su Zhongxue , Zhou Hongmei , Lu Jian , Wang Xiangrui , Ji Zhonghua , Chen Shibiao , Wang Xiuhong , Yao Ming , Lu Yaping , Yu Weifeng , Su Diansan 
Published: December 2023

Background
Remimazolam, an ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine, may provide adequate sedation for endoscopy while causing less cardiovascular or respiratory disturbance than propofol. Although fixed-dose administration is suggested, body weight affects the volume of the central chamber and thus affects the sedation depth that can be achieved by the first dose. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different doses of remimazolam and propofol by body weight for sedation during gastroscopy.

Methods
This multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel-controlled noninferiority trial recruited patients from five centers between March 2021 and July 2022. A total of 1,883 patients scheduled to undergo gastroscopy were randomized to groups receiving 0.15 mg/kg remimazolam, 0.2 mg/kg remimazolam, or 1.5 mg/kg propofol. The noninferiority margin was set to 5%. The primary outcome was the success rate of sedation. Adverse events were recorded to evaluate safety.

Results
The sedation success rate of the 0.2 mg/kg remimazolam group was not inferior to that of the 1.5 mg/kg propofol group (98.7% vs. 99.4%; risk difference, −0.64%; 97.5% CI, −2.2 to 0.7%, meeting criteria for noninferiority). However, the sedation success rate of the 0.15 mg/kg remimazolam group was 88.5%, and that of the 1.5 mg/kg propofol group was 99.4% (risk difference, −10.8%; 97.5% CI, −14.0% to −8.0%), demonstrating inferiority. Simultaneously, the overall adverse events rate of remimazolam was lower than that of propofol, and the incidence of bradycardia, hypotension, subclinical respiratory depression, and hypoxia in the remimazolam groups was significantly lower than that in the propofol group.

Conclusions
This trial established the noninferior sedation success rate of remimazolam (0.2 mg/kg but not 0.15 mg/kg) compared with propofol (1.5 mg/kg), with a superior safety profile.

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
Does A Hinged Operating Table Facilitate Sagittal Correction in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Smith-Peterson Osteotomy? A Radiographic Analysis
Authors: Polly David W. , Holton Kenneth J. , Haselhuhn Jason J. , Soriano Paul Brian O. , Jones Kristen E. , Sembrano Jonathan N. , Martin Christopher T. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Osteotomies allow the restoration of appropriate sagittal alignment; however, closure of osteotomies can be challenging. Typical closure involves compressing pedicle screw heads across the rods, potentially causing screw loosening and failure. Motorized hinged operating tables are often used to assist with controlled closure of osteotomies without manual compression, but there is no published research quantifying the amount of correction provided solely by changes in the table angle.

Question/purpose
What is the incremental amount of correction achieved by change in the table angle versus instrumented manipulation during osteotomy closure in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with Smith-Petersen osteotomy?

Methods
Sixty-one patients undergoing Smith-Peterson osteotomy and bilateral TLIF using a motorized hinged table from October 2019 to March 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Two patients did not undergo surgery, two did not have table extension, and seven did not have data collected intraoperatively because of disruptions in research protocols owing to the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Fifty patients (24 male, 26 female) who underwent a total of 73 osteotomies were included in the final analysis. The mean ± standard deviation age was 61 ±11 years, and the mean BMI was 31 ± 6 kg/m2. Patients were positioned prone on the table and flexed to 10° for decompression, Smith-Petersen osteotomy, and TLIF. The table was then extended in 5° increments, and radiographs were taken until 10° of extension was achieved or the osteotomy was fully closed. Changes in segmental lordosis across the operative site for each 5° increment were measured to the nearest degree by two reviewers. Intraclass correlation coefficients for segmental lordosis measurements at each table angle change were calculated as 0.97 to 0.98, with all p values < 0.001, indicating excellent agreement.

Results
Table change from 10° to 5° yielded a mean segmental lordosis change of 1.9° ± 1.5° (73 osteotomies), 5° to 0° yielded a change of 1.3° ± 0.9° (73 osteotomies), 0° to -5° yielded a change of 1.3° ± 1.0° (69 osteotomies), and -5° to -10° yielded a change of 1.1° ± 1.3° (61 osteotomies). Rod placement and compression yielded a mean 1.8° ± 2.0° of additional segmental lordosis.

Conclusion
Using a motorized hinged table facilitated an average of 5.6° of total segmental lordosis correction during controlled Smith-Peterson osteotomy closure without the need for cantilevering forces across spinal instrumentation. Surgeons can use this technique to reduce the compression forces needed to close osteotomies, which could eliminate a potential source of complications.

Level of Evidence Level II, therapeutic study.
Sociodemographic inequalities in long-term exposure to air pollution, road traffic noise, and greenness: A population-based cohort study of women
Authors: Stucki Lara , Betnér Staffan , Selander Jenny , Lõhmus Mare , Åkesson Agneta , Eriksson Charlotta 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Recent evidence suggests environmental health inequalities both within and between European countries and socially deprived groups may be more susceptible to pollution. However, evidence is still inconclusive and additional studies are warranted. This study aims to investigate sociodemographic inequalities in long-term residential exposure to air pollution, road traffic noise, and greenness, taking lifestyle and degree of urbanization into account.

Methods:
In total 20,407 women, born 1914–48 residing in Uppsala County, Sweden, were followed between 1997 and 2017. Time-varying sociodemographic variables were obtained from registers, and questionnaires provided lifestyle information. Generalized estimating equations were used to compute beta-coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle variables and spatial-temporal modeled particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), road traffic noise and greenness. All models were additionally stratified by urbanization type.

Results:
Urban area residency was the most important predictor of high exposure to air pollution and noise, and to low greenness. For instance, β for NO2 was −2.92 (95% CI = −3.00, −2.83) and −3.10 (95% CI = −3.18, −3.01) µg/m3 in suburban and rural areas, respectively, compared with urban areas. For greenness, the opposite held true with corresponding β of 0.059 (95% CI = 0.056, 0.062) and 0.095 (95% CI = 0.092, 0.098). Within urban areas, elderly, unmarried and well-educated women had the highest environmental burden. However, less pronounced, and even reversed associations were found in suburban and rural areas.

Conclusion:
This study provides evidence of a mixed pattern of environmental health inequalities across sociodemographic groups in urban areas.
EUS-guided versus percutaneous liver abscess drainage: A multicenter collaborative study
Authors: Shahid Haroon , Tyberg Amy , Sarkar Avik , Gaidhane Monica , Mahpour Noah Y. , Patel Roohi , Flumignan Victor K. , Vazquez-Sequeiros Enrique , Martínez Guadalupe Ma , Artifon Everson L. , Kahaleh Michel 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives
Management of hepatic abscesses has traditionally been performed by image-guided percutaneous techniques. More recently, EUS drainage has been shown to be efficacious and safe. The aim of this study is to compare EUS-guided versus percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of hepatic abscesses.

Methods
Patients who underwent EUS-guided drainage or PCD of hepatic abscesses from January 2018 through November 2021 from 4 international academic centers were included in a dedicated registry. Demographics, clinical data preprocedure and postprocedure, abscess characteristics, procedural data, adverse events, and postprocedure care were collected.

Results
Seventy-four patients were included (mean age, 63.9 years; 45% male): EUS-guided (n = 30), PCD (n = 44). Preprocedure Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were 4.3 for the EUS group and 4.3 for the PCD group. The median abscess size was 8.45 × 6 cm (length × width) in the EUS group versus 7.3 × 5.5 cm in the PCD group. All of the abscesses in the EUS group were left-sided, whereas the PCD group contained both left- and right-sided abscesses (29 and 15, respectively). Technical success was 100% in both groups. Ten-millimeter-diameter stents were used in most cases in the EUS group, and 10F catheters were used in the PCD group. The duration to resolution of symptoms from the initial procedure was 10.9 days less in the EUS group compared with the PCD group (P < 0.00001). Hospital length of stay was shorter in the EUS group by 5.2 days (P = 0.000126). The EUS group had significantly fewer number of repeat sessions: mean of 2 versus 7.7 (P < 0.00001) and trended toward fewer number of procedure-related readmissions: 10% versus 34%. The PCD group had a significantly higher number of adverse events (n = 27 [61%]) when compared with the EUS group (n = 5 [17%]; P = 0.0001).

Conclusions
EUS-guided drainage is an efficacious and safe intervention for the management of hepatic abscesses. EUS-guided drainage allows for quicker resolution of symptoms, shorter length of hospital stay, fewer adverse events, and fewer procedural sessions needed when compared with the PCD technique. However, EUS-guided drainage may not be feasible in right-sided lesions.
Controversies in endobronchial ultrasound
Authors: Dietrich Christoph F. , Bugalho Antonio , Carrara Silvia , Clementsen Paul Frost , Dong Yi , Hocke Michael , Kolekar Shailesh Balasaheb , Konge Lars , Ignee André , Löwe Axel , Jenssen Christian 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a minimally invasive highly accurate and safe endoscopic technique for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinal masses including centrally located lung tumors. The combination of transbronchial and transoesophageal tissue sampling has improved lung cancer staging, reducing the need for more invasive and surgical diagnostic procedures.
Despite the high level of evidence regarding EBUS use in the aforementioned situations, there are still challenges and controversial issues such as follows: Should informed consent for EBUS and flexible bronchoscopy be different? Is EBUS able to replace standard bronchoscopy in patients with suspected lung cancer? Which is the best position, screen orientation, route of intubation, and sedation/anesthesia to perform EBUS? Is it advisable to use a balloon in all procedures? How should the operator acquire skills and how should competence be ensured? This Pro-Con article aims to address these open questions.
Rationale for the Development of a Traumatic Brain Injury Case Definition for the Pilot National Concussion Surveillance System
Authors: Daugherty Jill , Peterson Alexis , Waltzman Dana , Breiding Matthew , Chen Jufu , Xu Likang , DePadilla Lara , Corrigan John D. 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Current methods of traumatic brain injury (TBI) morbidity surveillance in the United States have primarily relied on hospital-based data sets. However, these methods undercount TBIs as they do not include TBIs seen in outpatient settings and those that are untreated and undiagnosed. A 2014 National Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine report recommended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) establish and manage a national surveillance system to better describe the burden of sports- and recreation-related TBI, including concussion, among youth. Given the limitations of TBI surveillance in general, CDC took this recommendation as a call to action to formulate and implement a robust pilot National Concussion Surveillance System that could estimate the public health burden of concussion and TBI among Americans from all causes of brain injury. Because of the constraints of identifying TBI in clinical settings, an alternative surveillance approach is to collect TBI data via a self-report survey. Before such a survey was piloted, it was necessary for CDC to develop a case definition for self-reported TBI.

Objective:
This article outlines the rationale and process the CDC used to develop a tiered case definition for self-reported TBI to be used for surveillance purposes.

Conclusion:
A tiered TBI case definition is proposed with tiers based on the type of sign/symptom(s) reported the number of symptoms reported, and the timing of symptom onset.
Understanding the Workplace-Violence-Related Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Nurses in Emergency Rooms
Authors: HSIEH Hsiu-Fen , CHEN Yao-Mei , CHEN Shu-Lin , WANG Hsiu-Hung 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Workplace violence (WPV) is a well-known and serious issue in most countries, and WPV against healthcare providers is of particular concern, especially among nurses working in emergency rooms (ERs).

Purpose
We aimed to develop a deeper understanding of nurses' perceptions and coping strategies related to WPV that took place over a 1-year period from the perspective of nursing victims still working in ERs in southern Taiwan.

Methods
This is a qualitative study with in-depth and semistructured interviews. Nineteen ER nurse victims were recruited from six hospitals in southern Taiwan from June 2015 to April 2016. All of the interview recordings were analyzed using content analysis.

Results
The content analysis identified two themes of perceptions and two themes of coping strategies toward WPV. The two themes of perceptions were “adversity” and “dilemma,” with the former covering the three subthemes of “misunderstanding of health policy,” “unsafe environment,” and “nursing shortage” and the latter covering the two subthemes of “burnout” and “keeping or quitting the job.” The two themes of coping strategies were “adjustment” and “resilience,” with the former covering the three subthemes of “acceptance of the reality of WPV,” “self-regulation,” and “culture and belief” and the latter covering the two subthemes of “living with WPV” and “problem solving.”

Conclusions/Implications for Practice
The findings revealed that ER nurse victims of WPV experienced a complicated journey after encountering WPV. Their coping strategies may be referenced by other ER nurses to better prevent and manage violent events in ERs. To prevent and manage violence in ERs, hospital managers should create a safe working environment through, for example, assigning sufficient security personnel and staff; provide relevant training to ER nurses in communications and other skills; and implement support systems to strengthen nurse resilience.