bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of environmental conditions on the wing morphometric variation inAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) in India
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Bhutiani Rakesh , Sarma Devojit Kumar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAedes aegyptian efficient vector of different arboviral diseases, is a major concern for public health globally. Originating from Africa, this vector has now invaded most of the parts of the world, which shows its thriving adaptability against diverse ecological conditions. In India too,Ae. aegyptihas been found almost everywhere and along withAe. albopictus, it contributed more than 0.2 million cases of dengue in the year 2022. Due to heterogeneous environmental settings in India, this vector has shown various intraspecific variations including its behavioral, genetic, and physiological characteristics. Thus, the present study hypothesized that there will be some differences in wing morphometrics across the country for this species. Considering this, we have sampled adults and immatures ofAe. aegyptifrom 11 distinct locations, representing six varied climatic regions of India. The immatures were reared to adult and the right wing was used to score the morphometric variations. A significant variation in wing size and shape was observed. The Himalayan region (Srinagar CS: 1.92 ± 0.08 mm) supports the shortest (CS: 2.04 ± 0.09 mm) wing size mosquitoes while the Deccan Peninsular region (Nagpur CS: 4.48 ± 0.06 mm) exhibits the largest (CS: 4.46 ± 0.10 mm) wing size mosquito. After excluding the allometric effect, the semi-desert region (Kota) showed the greatest wide variety of wing shapes corresponding to a larger morphospace in CVA analysis. In addition, region-wise wing size was found positively correlated with temperature (64%) and altitude (82%) but no directional trend was detected for wing shape characteristics. Conclusively, the study suggests the existence of varied population structures ofAe. aegyptiin India based on wing morphometric analysis. This finding will be helpful towards focused actions and early measures to reduce the impact of these diseases carrying mosquitoes on public health.
HiCDiffusion - diffusion-enhanced, transformer-based prediction of chromatin interactions from DNA sequences
Authors: Chiliński Mateusz , Plewczynski Dariusz 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPrediction of chromatin interactions from DNA sequence has been a significant research challenge in the last couple of years. Several solutions have been proposed, most of which are based on encoder-decoder architecture, where 1D sequence is convoluted, encoded into the latent representation, and then decoded using 2D convolutions into the Hi-C pairwise chromatin spatial proximity matrix. Those methods, while obtaining high correlation scores and improved metrics, produce Hi-C matrices that are artificial - they are blurred due to the deep learning model architecture. In our study, we propose the HiCDiffusion model that addresses this problem. We first train the encoder-decoder neural network and then use it as a component of the diffusion model - where we guide the diffusion using a latent representation of the sequence, as well as the final output from the encoder-decoder. That way, we obtain the high-resolution Hi-C matrices that not only better resemble the experimental results - improving the Fréchet inception distance by an average of 12 times, with the highest improvement of 35 times - but also obtain similar classic metrics to current state-of-the-art encoder-decoder architectures used for the task.
Fecundity Estimation of Atlantic mudskipperPeriophthalmus barbarusin Ogbo-Okolo mangrove Forest of Santa Barbara River, Bayelsa State Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Nathaniel Ayibatonyo Markson , Soberekon Ilemi Jennifer , Gamage Igoniama Esau , Eli Akayinaboderi Augustus , Raimi Morufu Olalekan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRationaleFecundity estimation and reproductive biology of Atlantic mudskippers(Periophthalmus barbarus)in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria needs to be studied.ObjectivesTo estimate fecundity, gonadosomatic index, and condition factor ofP. barbarusand describe its reproductive biology.MethodsP. barbarusspecimens were collected from Ogbo-Okolo mangrove forest in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Length, weight, and gonad weight measurements were taken. Fecundity was estimated by the gravimetric method. Length-weight relationship, condition factor, and gonadosomatic index were calculated. Ovarian developmental stages were identified.ResultsHighest mean fecundity of 9612.7 eggs was observed in females of 10.1-12.0 cm standard length and 20.0-27.9 g weight. Length-weight relationship showed specimens were in good condition. Gonadosomatic index was higher in smaller individuals. Four ovarian developmental stages were identified.ConclusionP. barbarusexhibits high fecundity. Reproductive potential is greater in intermediate sized individuals compared to smaller or larger fish.RecommendationsSustainable management practices should be implemented to conserveP. barbarusstocks in the Niger Delta region. Further research into reproductive behavior and ecology is needed.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEST BUILDING AND INCUBATION BY COOPERATIVELY BREEDING AMERICAN CROWS
Authors: Caffrey Carolee , Peterson Charles C. , Hackler Tiffany W. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTAmerican Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos) are long-lived birds with pair bonds that may last many years. Pairs in Stillwater, OK, nested singly or in groups with up to 10 auxiliaries (Caffrey and Peterson 2015). Breeders did most of the nest building. Pair members contributed at approximately equal rates, although the sexes differed slightly in details: males tended to carry sticks and hand off materials more often, and females spent more time at and in nests. Both sexes worked faster on second and third attempts than on first attempts of the season. We found no evidence that pair members were (sexually) signaling to each other via their contributions. Incubation periods were characterized by low levels of activity at nests, where females spent most of their time and were fed once every 3-4 hours, mostly by their mates. Contributions to both stages of nesting by auxiliaries varied widely and exhibited no patterns with respect to any measured phenotypic characteristics.
Short- and long-term effects of imatinib in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 infection: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Halme Alex L. E. , Laakkonen Sanna , Rutanen Jarno , Nevalainen Olli P. O. , Sinisalo Marjatta , Horstia Saana , Mustonen Jussi M. J. , Pourjamal Negar , Vanhanen Aija , Investigators Solidarity Finland , Rosberg Tuomas , Renner Andreas , Perola Markus , Paukkeri Erja-Leena , Patovirta Riitta-Liisa , Parkkila Seppo , Paajanen Juuso , Nykänen Taina , Mäntylä Jarkko , Myllärniemi Marjukka , Mattila Tiina , Leinonen Maarit , Külmäsu Alvar , Kuutti Pauliina , Kuitunen Ilari , Kreivi Hanna-Riikka , Kilpeläinen Tuomas P. , Kauma Heikki , Kalliala Ilkka E. J. , Järvinen Petrus , Hankkio Riina , Hammarén Taina , Feuth Thijs , Ansakorpi Hanna , Ala-Karvia Riikka , Guyatt Gordon H. , Tikkinen Kari A. O. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe report the short- and long-term results of the SOLIDARITY Finland on mortality and other patient-important outcomes in patients hospitalised for COVID-19. Between 08/2021 and 03/2023, we randomised 156 patients in 15 hospitals. In the imatinib group, 7.2% of patients had died at 30 days and 13.3% at 1 year and in the standard of care group 4.1% and 8.3% (adjusted HR at 30 days 1.09, 95% CI 0.23–5.07). In a meta-analysis of randomised trials of imatinib versus standard of care (n=732), allocation to imatinib was associated with a mortality risk ratio of 0.73 (95% CI 0.32–1.63). At 1-year, self-reported recovery occurred in 79.0% in imatinib and in 88.3% in standard of care (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.78-1.06). Of the 21 potential long COVID symptoms, patients often reported moderate or major bother from fatigue (24%), sleeping problems (19%) and memory difficulties (17%). We found no convincing difference between imatinib and standard of care groups in quality of life or symptom outcomes. The evidence raises serious doubts regarding the benefit of imatinib in reducing mortality, improving recovery, and preventing potential long COVID symptoms when given to patients hospitalised for COVID-19.
Mapping uterine calcium dynamics during the ovulatory cycle in live mice
Authors: Combs David J. , Moult Eric M. , England Sarah K. , Cohen Adam E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUterine contraction patterns vary during the ovulatory cycle and throughout pregnancy but prior measurements have produced limited and conflicting information on these patterns. We combined a virally delivered genetically encoded calcium reporter (GCaMP8m) and ultra-widefield imaging in live nonpregnant mice to characterize uterine calcium dynamics at organ scale throughout the estrous cycle. Prior to ovulation (proestrus and estrus) uterine excitations primarily initiated in a region near the oviduct, but after ovulation (metestrus and diestrus), excitations initiated at loci homogeneously distributed throughout the organ. The frequency of excitation events was lowest in proestrus and estrus, higher in metestrus and highest in diestrus. These results establish a platform for mapping uterine activity, and show that the question of whether there is an anatomically localized trigger for uterine excitations depends on the estrous cycle phase.
Use of natural language understanding to facilitate surgical de-escalation of axillary staging in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Carleton Neil , Saadawi Gilan , McAuliffe Priscilla F. , Soran Atilla , Oesterreich Steffi , Lee Adrian V. , Diego Emilia J. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTNatural language understanding (NLU) may be particularly well-equipped for enhanced data capture from the electronic health record (EHR) given its examination of both content- and context-driven extraction. We developed and applied a NLU model to examine rates of pathological node positivity (pN+) and rates of lymphedema to determine if omission of routine axillary staging could be extended to younger patients with ER+/cN0 disease. We found that rates of pN+ and arm lymphedema were similar between patients 55-69yo and ≥70yo, with rates of lymphedema exceeding rates of pN+ for clinical stage T1c and smaller disease. Data from our NLU model suggest that omission of SLNB might be extended beyond Choosing Wisely recommendations, limited to those over 70 years old, to all postmenopausal women with early-stage ER+/cN0 disease. These data support the recently-reported SOUND trial results and provide additional granularity to facilitate surgical de-escalation.
Prolonged airway explant culture enables study of health, disease, and viral pathogenesis
Authors: Lee-Ferris Rhianna E , Okuda Kenichi , Galiger Jacob R , Schworer Stephen A , Rogers Troy D , Dang Hong , Gilmore Rodney , Edwards Caitlin , Nakano Satoko , Cawley Anne M. , Pickles Raymond J , Gallant Samuel C , Crisci Elisa , Rivier Lauraine , Hagood James S , O’Neal Wanda K , Baric Ralph S , Grubb Barbara R , Boucher Richard C , Randell Scott H 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn vitro models play a major role in studying airway physiology and disease. However, the native lung’s complex tissue architecture and non-epithelial cell lineages are not preserved in these models. Ex vivo tissue models could overcome in vitro limitations, but methods for long-term maintenance of ex vivo tissue has not been established. We describe methods to culture human large airway explants, small airway explants, and precision-cut lung slices for at least 14 days. Human airway explants recapitulate genotype-specific electrophysiology, characteristic epithelial, endothelial, stromal and immune cell populations, and model viral infection after 14 days in culture. These methods also maintain mouse, rabbit, and pig tracheal explants. Notably, intact airway tissue can be cryopreserved, thawed, and used to generate explants with recovery of function 14 days post-thaw. These studies highlight the broad applications of airway tissue explants and their use as translational intermediates between in vitro and in vivo studies.
Cardiovascular drugs approved for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and/or post-myocardial infarction exert consistent effects in both populations: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dasaro Christopher , Haslam Alyson , Prasad Vinay 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundHeart failure (HF) following an acute myocardial infarction (post-MI HF) has been studied as an additional sub-type of HF to broaden the indications for HF drugs. Post-MI HF and HFrEF are pathophysiologically similar and share pharmacotherapies. In this meta-analysis, we examined the concordance between all-cause mortality data for drugs indicated for HFrEF and post-MI HF. We used our analysis to calculate the projected all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) for the pending dapagliflozin (DAPA-MI) and empagliflozin (EMPACT-MI) post-MI HF trials.MethodsUsing CenterWatch and UpToDate, we identified all FDA-approved drugs for NYHA Class II to IV HFrEF. We searched each of these drugs on FDALabel and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify their registration trials measuring all-cause mortality for HFrEF and, if available, in the post-MI setting—including trials where participants displayed a left ventricular ejection fraction of <40% (“post-MI HF”). For each of the included studies, we extracted the all-cause mortality HRs, their 95% confidence intervals, and the control-group used. For all drugs studied in both indications, we plotted the all-cause mortality HRs for HFrEF against those for post-MI (HF) and calculated the linear regressions.ResultsThis meta-regression pooled data from 29 completed trials underlying 20 drugs. Two pending trials were also analyzed. Nine drugs (metoprolol, carvedilol, spironolactone, eplerenone, sacubitril-valsartan, lisinopril, enalapril, valsartan, losartan) had all-cause mortality data in both HFrEF and post-MI generally, with a linear coefficient of determination of 0.93. Five of these drugs (carvedilol, eplerenone, sacubitril-valsartan, valsartan, losartan) were studied in both HFrEF and non-acute post-MI HF, displaying a linear coefficient of determination of 0.99. Using our model, we predict the all-cause mortality HRs that will be observed in the EMPACT-MI and DAPA-MI trials will be 0.85 and 0.89, respectively.ConclusionsIn this meta-regression of registration trials for drugs studied in both HFrEF and post-MI (HF), all-cause mortality effects were highly concordant. We also find asymmetries in the assessment of HF drug indications, whereby drugs are seldom assessed for an all-cause mortality benefit in both HFrEF and in post-MI HF. Future studies may use these results to guide future HF RCT development.
Multicenter normative data for mesopic microperimetry
Authors: Pfau Maximilian , Jolly Jasleen K. , Charng Jason , von der Emde Leon , Müller Philipp L. , Ansari Georg , Pfau Kristina , Chen Fred K , Wu Zhichao 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeTo provide a large, multi-center normative dataset for the Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) microperimeter and compare the goodness-of-fit and prediction interval calibration-error for a panel of hill-of-vision models.MethodsMicroperimetry examinations from five independent study groups and one previously available dataset were included. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were fitted to the data to obtain interpretable hill-of-vision models. For predicting age-adjusted normative values, an array of regression models were compared using cross-validation with site-wise splits. The mean absolute error (MAE) and miscalibration area (area between the calibration curve and the ideal diagonal) were evaluated as the performance measures.Results1,052 tests from 531 eyes of 432 participants were included. Based on the parameters ‘participant age’, ‘eccentricity from the fovea’, ‘overlap with the central fixation target’ and ‘eccentricity along the four principal meridians’, a Bayesian mixed model had the lowest MAE (2.13 dB; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.86, 2.40 dB) and miscalibration area (0.14; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.20). However, a parsimonious linear model provided a comparable MAE (2.16 dB; 95% CI = 1.89, 2.43 dB) and a similar miscalibration area (0.14; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.20).ConclusionsNormal variations in visual sensitivity on mesopic microperimetry can be effectively explained by a linear model that includes age and eccentricity. The dataset and a code vignette are provided for estimating normative values across a large range of retinal locations, applicable to customized testing patterns.
Public evidence on AI products for digital pathology
Authors: Matthews Gillian A. , McGenity Clare , Bansal Daljeet , Treanor Darren 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundNovel products applying artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches to digital pathology images have consistently emerged onto the commercial market, touting improvements in diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and treatment selection. However, publicly available information on these products can be variable, with few sources to obtain independent evidence.MethodsOur objective was to identify and assess the public evidence on AI-based products for digital pathology. We compared key features of products on the European Economic Area/Great Britain (EEA/GB) markets, including their regulatory approval, intended use, and published validation studies. We included products that used haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue images as input, applied an AI-based method to support image interpretation, and received regulatory approval by September 2023.ResultsWe identified 26 AI-based products that met our inclusion criteria. The majority (73%) were focused on breast pathology or uropathology, and their primary function was tumour or feature detection. Of the 26 products, 24 had received regulatory approval via the self-certification route as Generalin vitrodiagnostic (IVD) medical devices, which does not require independent review by a conformity assessment body. Furthermore, only 10 of the products (38%) were associated with peer-reviewed scientific publications describing their development and internal validation, while 11 products (42%) had peer-reviewed publications describing external validation (i.e., testing on data from a source distinct to that used in development).ConclusionsThe availability of public information on new products for digital pathology is struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of development. To support transparency, we gathered available public evidence on regulatory-approved AI products into an online register:https://resources.npic.uk/AI/ProductRegister. We anticipate this will provide an accessible resource on novel devices and support decisions on which products could bring benefit to patients.
Medical students in distress: a mixed methods approach to understanding the impact of debt on well-being
Authors: Yang Adrienne , Langness Simone , Chehab Lara , Rajapuram Nikhil , Zhang Li , Sammann Amanda 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundNearly three in four U.S. medical students graduate with debt in six-figure dollar amounts which impairs students emotionally and academically and impacts their career choices and lives long after graduation. Schools have yet to develop systems-level solutions to address the impact of debt on students’ well-being. The objectives of this study were to identify students at highest risk for debt-related stress, define the impact on medical students’ well-being, and to identify opportunities for intervention.MethodsThis was a mixed methods, cross-sectional study that used quantitative survey analysis and human-centered design (HCD). We performed a secondary analysis on a national multi-institutional survey on medical student wellbeing, including univariate and multivariate logistic regression, a comparison of logistic regression models with interaction terms, and analysis of free text responses. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of medical student respondents and non-student stakeholders to develop insights and design opportunities.ResultsIndependent risk factors for high debt-related stress included pre-clinical year (OR 1.75), underrepresented minority (OR 1.40), debt $20-100K (OR 4.85), debt >$100K (OR 13.22), private school (OR 1.45), West Coast region (OR 1.57), and consideration of a leave of absence for wellbeing (OR 1.48). Mental health resource utilization (p= 0.968) and counselors (p= 0.640) were not protective factors against debt-related stress. HCD analysis produced 6 key insights providing additional context to the quantitative findings, and associated opportunities for intervention.ConclusionsWe used an innovative combination of quantitative survey analysis and in-depth HCD exploration to develop a multi-dimensional understanding of debt-related stress among medical students. This approach allowed us to identify significant risk factors impacting medical students experiencing debt-related stress, while providing context through stakeholder voices to identify opportunities for system-level solutions.
Effects of excess phosphate on a coastal plankton community: a mesocosm experiment in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Spilling Kristian , Vanharanta Mari , Santoro Mariano , Villena-Alemany Cristian , Labrenz Matthias , Grossart Hans-Peter , Piwosz Kasia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEutrophication in the Baltic Sea has caused an imbalance in the inorganic nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio, leaving excess phosphate (PO4) after the phytoplankton spring bloom that terminates after N-depletion. Using monitoring data, we demonstrated that the PO4concentration has continued to increase in the outermost Gulf of Finland during past decades. We further investigated the fate of such excess PO4in a two-week mesocosm (1.2 m3) experiment. The starting concentration of PO4was 0.66 µM, and treatments included a non-treated control (control), nitrate addition (N-add; 3.6 µM), glucose addition (C-add; 25 µM) and combined nitrate and glucose addition (N+C-add). The addition of N both in N-add and N+C-add treatments stimulated nano- and microphytoplankton, while the picophytoplankton abundance increased only after N-depletion. Also, the copepod biomass was positively affected by the N-addition. N2-fixing cyanobacteria were present but in low abundance. Carbon addition did not enhance heterotrophic bacterial uptake of PO4contrary to our expectations, nor did it affect the phyto- or zooplankton community composition. The PO4concentration was reduced to ∼0.4 µM in the control and C-add treatments and to 0.16 µM in the two N-amended treatments, with an inorganic N:P uptake ratio of 6.7. These results underscore the role of picophytoplankton in reducing the excess PO4pool after the spring bloom, a function traditionally ascribed to bloom-forming diazotrophic cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea.