bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Omalizumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid resistant to first-line therapy: a French national multicentre retrospective study of 100 patients
Authors: Chebani Réda , Lombart Florian , Chaby Guillaume , Dadban Ali , Debarbieux Sébastien , Viguier Manuelle-Anne , Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Pham-Ledard Anne , Bedane Christophe R , Picard-Dahan Catherine , Berthin Clémence , Dereure Olivier , Konstantinou Maria-Polina , Castel Marion , Jouen Fabienne , Joly Pascal , Seta Vannina , Duvert-Lehembre Sophie , Le Roux Christelle , Quereux Gaëlle , Sassolas Bruno , Brenaut Emilie , Sin Carole , Richard Marie-Aleth , Bérard Frédéric , Giusti Delphine , Belmondo Thibaut , Gille Thomas , Caux Frédéric , Prost-Squarcioni Catherine , Grootenboer-Mignot Sabine , Alexandre Marina ,   the French Study Group on Autoimmune Bullous Diseases
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Interest in the use of omalizumab to treat bullous pemphigoid (BP) in the event of resistance or contraindication to conventional therapies is currently based on limited evidence.

Objectives
To assess the effectiveness and safety of omalizumab in BP and to identify predictive factors in response to treatment.

Methods
We conducted a French national multicentre retrospective study including patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BP treated with omalizumab after failure of one or several treatment lines. We excluded patients with clinically atypical BP, as per Vaillant’s criteria. The criteria for clinical response to omalizumab were defined according to the 2012 international consensus conference. Anti-BP180-NC16A IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on sera collected before initiating omalizumab, when available.

Results
Between 2014 and 2021, 100 patients treated in 18 expert departments were included. Median age at diagnosis was 77 years (range 20–98). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 77% of patients, and partial remission in an additional 9%. CR was maintained ‘off therapy’ in 11.7%, ‘on minimal therapy’ in 57.1%, and ‘on non-minimal therapy’ in 31.2%. Median time to CR was 3 months (range 2.2–24.5). Relapse rate was 14%, with a median follow-up time of 12 months (range 6–73). Adverse events occurred in four patients. CR was more frequently observed in patients with an increased serum baseline level of anti-BP180-NC16A IgE (75% vs. 41%; P = 0.011). Conversely, urticarial lesions, blood total IgE concentration or eosinophil count were not predictive of CR. Patients with an omalizumab dosage &gt; 300 mg every 4 weeks showed a similar final outcome to those with a dosage ≤ 300 mg every 4 weeks, but control of disease activity [median 10 days (range 5–30) vs. 15 days (range 10–60); P &lt; 0.001] and CR [median 2.4 months (range 2.2–8.2) vs. 3.9 months (range 2.3–24.5); P &lt; 0.001] were achieved significantly faster.

Conclusions
We report the largest series to date of BP treated by omalizumab and confirm its effectiveness and safety in this indication. Serum baseline level of anti-BP180-NC16A IgE may predict response to treatment.
Closed-loop stimulation in periods with less epileptiform activity drives improved epilepsy outcomes
Authors: Anderson Daria Nesterovich , Charlebois Chantel M , Smith Elliot H , Davis Tyler S , Peters Angela Y , Newman Blake J , Arain Amir M , Wilcox Karen S , Butson Christopher R , Rolston John D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, electrical stimulation of the brain in response to epileptiform activity can make seizures less frequent and debilitating. This therapy, known as closed-loop responsive neurostimulation (RNS), aims to directly halt seizure activity via targeted stimulation of a burgeoning seizure. Rather than immediately stopping seizures as they start, many RNS implants produce slower, long-lasting changes in brain dynamics that better predict clinical outcomes. Here we hypothesize that stimulation during brain states with less epileptiform activity drives long-term changes that restore healthy brain networks. To test this, we quantified stimulation episodes during low- and high-risk brain states—that is, stimulation during periods with a lower or higher risk of generating epileptiform activity—in a cohort of 40 patients treated with RNS.
More frequent stimulation in tonic low-risk states and out of rhythmic high-risk states predicted seizure reduction. Additionally, stimulation events were more likely to be phase-locked to prolonged episodes of abnormal activity for intermediate and poor responders when compared to super-responders, consistent with the hypothesis that improved outcomes are driven by stimulation during low-risk states.
These results support the hypothesis that stimulation during low-risk periods might underlie the mechanisms of RNS, suggesting a relationship between temporal patterns of neuromodulation and plasticity that facilitates long-term seizure reduction.
Is the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus and human papillomavirus DNA in keratinocyte cancers and precancers associated with HIV status? A case–control study
Authors: Goolamali Sacha I , Shim Tang N , Purdie Karin , Mladkova Nikol , Francis Nicholas , Harwood Catherine A , Bunker Christopher B 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The epidemiology and potential pathogenic roles of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) in keratinocyte cancers (KCs) arising in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared with HIV-negative individuals are poorly understood. These issues were investigated by a case–control study in which the presence of MCV and HPV DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction in microdissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from PLWH and HIV-negative individuals. The samples comprised 190 cutaneous and genital KCs/precancers (actinic keratoses, n = 43; cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in situ, n = 24; basal cell carcinoma, n = 78; cSCC, n = 34; penile carcinoma in situ, n = 9; penile SCC, n = 2 from 104 individuals (PLWH, n = 51; HIV-negative, n = 53). Almost one-quarter of samples were positive for MCV: this was not significantly associated with either HIV status (P = 0.06) nor lesion type. Overall, 36% (16/44) of MCV-positive lesions were coinfected with HPV; this was also not associated with HIV status. These findings indicate that if these viruses do contribute to the pathogenesis of KCs, it is likely to be independent of HIV status.
Maintenance Risankizumab Sustains Induction Response in Patients with Crohn’s Disease in a Randomized Phase 3 Trial
Authors: Ferrante Marc , Irving Peter M , Abreu Maria T , Axler Jeffrey , Gao Xiang , Cao Qian , Fujii Toshimitsu , Rausch Astrid , Torres Joana , Neimark Ezequiel , Song Alexandra , Wallace Kori , Kligys Kristina , Berg Sofie , Liao Xiaomei , Zhou Qing , Kalabic Jasmina , Feagan Brian , Panaccione Remo 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background and Aims
Durable clinical remission, endoscopic healing, and biomarker normalization are key treatment goals for Crohn’s disease. The selective anti-interleukin-23 p19 inhibitor risankizumab has demonstrated efficacy and safety in moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. This post-hoc analysis of data from the pivotal risankizumab maintenance study assessed whether risankizumab maintenance therapy sustained the clinical and endoscopic outcomes achieved with risankizumab induction therapy.

Methods
We evaluated 462 patients who achieved a clinical response to risankizumab intravenous induction treatment and were re-randomized to receive subcutaneous risankizumab 360 mg, subcutaneous risankizumab 180 mg, or placebo [withdrawal] every 8 weeks for 52 weeks in the randomized, controlled FORTIFY maintenance study. Maintenance of clinical, endoscopic, and biomarker endpoints at week 52 among patients who achieved these endpoints after 12 weeks of induction treatment was evaluated.

Results
A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving maintenance treatment with risankizumab 360 or 180 mg compared with placebo [withdrawal] maintained Crohn’s Disease Activity Index remission [68.6%, 70.8%, vs 56.3%; p &lt; 0.05], stool frequency/abdominal pain remission [69.2%, 64.1%, vs 50.5%; p &lt; 0.01], endoscopic response [70.2%, 68.2%, vs 38.4%; p &lt; 0.001], endoscopic remission [74.4%, 45.5%, vs 23.9%; p &lt; 0.05], and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease of 0–2 [65.5%, 36.7%, vs 21.9%]. Most patients [56.8–83.3%] who achieved normalized faecal calprotectin or C-reactive protein during induction sustained them with maintenance risankizumab.

Conclusions
Subcutaneous risankizumab maintenance therapy results in durable improvement in clinical and endoscopic outcomes over 1 year in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.

Clinical trial registration number
NCT03105102.
Baseline TREM-1 Whole Blood Gene Expression Does Not Predict Response to Adalimumab Treatment in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease in the SERENE Studies
Authors: Verstockt Bram , Pivorunas Valerie , Al Mahi Naim , Smaoui Nizar , Guay Heath , Kennedy Nicholas A , Goodhand James R , Lin Simeng , Bai Benjamin Y H , Hanauer Stephen B , Ferrante Marc , Panés Julian , Vermeire Séverine 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background and Aims
This study assessed whether baseline triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells [TREM-1] whole blood gene expression predicts response to anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] or Crohn’s disease [CD].

Methods
TREM-1 whole blood gene expression was analysed by RNA sequencing in patients with moderately to severely active UC or CD treated with adalimumab in the Phase 3 SERENE-UC and SERENE-CD clinical trials. The predictive value of baseline TREM-1 expression was evaluated and compared according to endoscopic and clinical response vs non-response, and remission vs non-remission, at Weeks 8 and 52 [SERENE-UC], and Weeks 12 and 56 [SERENE-CD].

Results
TREM-1 expression was analysed in 95 and 106 patients with UC and CD, respectively, receiving standard-dose adalimumab induction treatment. In SERENE-UC, baseline TREM-1 expression was not predictive of endoscopic response [p = 0.48], endoscopic remission [p = 0.53], clinical response [p = 0.58], or clinical remission [p = 0.79] at Week 8, or clinical response [p = 0.60] at Week 52. However, an association was observed with endoscopic response [p = 0.01], endoscopic remission [p = 0.048], and clinical remission [p = 0.04997] at Week 52. For SERENE-CD, baseline TREM-1 expression was not predictive of endoscopic response [p = 0.56], endoscopic remission [p = 0.33], clinical response [p = 0.07], or clinical remission [p = 0.65] at Week 12, or endoscopic response [p = 0.61], endoscopic remission [p = 0.51], clinical response [p = 0.62], or clinical remission [p = 0.97] at Week 56.

Conclusions
Baseline TREM-1 gene expression did not uniformly predict adalimumab response in SERENE clinical trials. Further research is needed to identify potential blood-based biomarkers predictive of response to anti-TNF therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinicaltrials.gov identifiers
NCT02065622; NCT02065570
Revealing priors from posteriors with an application to inflation forecasting in the UK
Authors: Ikefuji Masako , Magnus Jan R , Yamagata Takashi 
Published: October 2023

Summary
A Bayesian typically uses data and a prior to produce a posterior. We shall follow the opposite route, using data and the posterior information to reveal the prior. We then apply this theory to inflation forecasts by the Bank of England and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in an attempt to get some insight into the prior beliefs of the policy makers in these two institutions, especially under the uncertainties about the Brexit referendum, the Covid-19 lockdown, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Forest-associated habitat variables influence human–tick encounters in the southeastern United States
Authors: Butler R A , Randolph K C , Vogt J T , Paulsen D J , Fryxell R T Trout 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Due to the increased frequency of human–tick encounters and expanding ranges of ticks in the United States, there is a critical need to identify environmental conditions associated with tick populations and their likelihood to contact human hosts. In a passive tick surveillance partnership with the US Department of Agriculture Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, we identified environmental variables associated with tick encounters by forestry personnel. Ticks were identified by species and life stage, and site-specific variables were associated with each tick using FIA forest inventory datasets and generalized linear models with negative binomial distributions. Of the 55 FIA variables available, we identified biotic and abiotic environmental variables associated with Amblyomma americanum L. (carbon in litter material and standing dead tree aboveground dry biomass), Dermacentor variabilis Say (seedling species unevenness and elevation), and Ixodes scapularis L. (carbon in dead woody material and seedling species unevenness). We propose conducting future treatment–control studies using these forestry-related environmental variables to test their ability to alter tick abundance at sites. Land management decisions not only affect common flora and fauna, but changes to these habitats can also alter the way ticks parasitize hosts and use vegetation to find those hosts. These results can be used with land management decisions to prevent future human–tick encounters and highlight risk areas.
Early origin and diverse phenotypic implementation of iridescent UV patterns for sexual signaling in pierid butterflies
Authors: Ficarrotta Vincent , Martin Arnaud , Counterman Brian A , Pyron R Alexander 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Iridescent ultraviolet (IUV) patterns on pierid butterfly wings are phenotypic adaptations commonly used as sexual signals, generated by scales with ultrastructural modifications. Pierid IUV patterns are sexually dichromatic, with reduced size in females, where conspicuous sexual signaling balances courtship against ecological predation. There have been no phylogenetic reconstructions of IUV within Pieridae and little morphological characterization of phenotypic diversity. Our genus-wide characterization of IUV revealed the uniform similarity of stacked lamellar ridges on the dorsal surface of cover scales. We tested a hypothesis of single versus multiple origins by reconstructing a phylogeny of 534 species (~43.2% described species), with all genera represented, and a trait matrix of 734 species (~59.4%) screened for IUV. A single, early dimorphic origin of IUV followed by several losses and gains received strong support, concluding that IUV patterns and structural coloration are old traits. Collectively, these results support the homology of IUV scales and patterns that diversified within several lineages, suggesting an interplay between female-mediated sexual selection and ecological predatory selection.
Taxonomic and functional restoration of tallgrass prairie soil microbial communities in comparison to remnant and agricultural soils
Authors: Mason Cayla N , Shahar Shayla , Beals Kendall K , Kelley Scott T , Lipson David A , Swingley Wesley D , Barber Nicholas A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Restoring ecosystems requires the re-establishment of diverse soil microbial communities that drive critical ecosystem functions. In grasslands, restoration and management require the application of disturbances like fire and grazing. Disturbances can shape microbial taxonomic composition and potentially functional composition as well. We characterized taxonomic and functional gene composition of soil communities using whole genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing to determine how restored soil communities differed from pre-restoration agricultural soils and original remnant soils, how management affects soil microbes, and whether restoration and management affect the number of microbial genes associated with carbohydrate degradation. We found distinct differences in both taxonomic and functional diversity and composition among restored, remnant, and agricultural soils. Remnant soils had low taxonomic and functional richness and diversity, as well as distinct composition, indicating that restoration of agricultural soils does not re-create soil microbial communities that match remnants. Prescribed fire management increased functional diversity, which also was higher in more recently planted restorations. Finally, restored and post-fire soils included high abundances of genes encoding cellulose-degrading enzymes, so restorations and their ongoing management can potentially support functions important in carbon cycling.
1968 and Translation in Three French Reviews: Europe, Action poétique and Change
Authors: Wagstaff Emma 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This article discusses the role of translation in three French reviews active in the 1968 period in France: Europe, Action poétique and Change. It considers not only decisions made by the translators of individual texts, but also the choice of texts published, the status of the translator as writer, support for writers overseas and a new interest in France from the late 1960s in theories of translation. The reviews are read alongside the archive of the Union des Écrivains, founded in the wake of the Paris Events in May–June 1968, in which the reviews’ editors were active. Having identified values espoused by the Union on the basis of archival research, the article argues that the reviews’ translation practices informed Union activities and were influenced in turn by those activities. The article aims to demonstrate that the literary review represents an important, and previously underexamined, transnational dimension of the 1968 era.
Expression and function of Caenorhabditis elegans UNCP-18, a paralog of the SM protein UNC-18
Authors: Boeglin Marion , Leyva-Díaz Eduardo , Hobert Oliver 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins are important regulators of SNARE complex assembly during exocytosis throughout all major animal tissue types. However, expression of a founding member of the SM family, UNC-18, is mostly restricted to the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, where it is important for synaptic transmission. Moreover, unc-18 null mutants do not display the lethality phenotype associated with (a) loss of all Drosophila and mouse orthologs of unc-18 and (b) with complete elimination of synaptic transmission in C. elegans. We investigated whether a previously uncharacterized unc-18 paralog, which we named uncp-18, may be able to explain the restricted expression and limited phenotypes of unc-18 null mutants. A reporter allele shows ubiquitous expression of uncp-18. Analysis of uncp-18 null mutants, unc-18 and uncp-18 double null mutants, as well as overexpression of uncp-18 in an unc-18 null mutant background, shows that these 2 genes can functionally compensate for one another and are redundantly required for embryonic viability. Our results indicate that the synaptic transmission defects of unc-18 null mutants cannot necessarily be interpreted as constituting a null phenotype for SM protein function at the synapse.
The Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Incarcerated Older Adults
Authors: Baillargeon Jacques , Linthicum Lannette C , Murray Owen J , Raji Mukaila A , Kuo Yong-Fang , Pulvino John S , Milani Sadaf A , Williams Brie , Baillargeon Gwen R , Blair Patricia A , Kristen Peek M , Penn Joseph V 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
In view of the growing number of older incarcerated persons in the United States, cognitive impairment represents one of the most challenging and costly health care issues facing the U.S. correctional system. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of this growing public health issue in the nation’s largest prison system.

Methods
In this study of a random sample of 143 older (≥55 years) adults incarcerated in the Texas prison system, we assessed—using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)—the percentage of inmates who met the MoCA thresholds for mild cognitive impairment (MCI; &lt;23) and dementia (&lt;18). Due to sample size limitations, our multivariable analysis assessed the binary outcome, MoCA &lt;23.

Results
Overall, 35.0% of our random sample of incarcerated older adults in Texas met the threshold for MCI and 9.1% met the threshold for dementia. After adjusting for covariates, study participants who were Black (odds ratio [OR] = 4.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57–10.82), Hispanic (OR = 4.34, 95% CI = 1.46–12.93), and those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (8.56, 95% CI = 1.21–60.72) all had higher prevalence of a positive screen for MCI or dementia. Dementia was underdiagnosed in our study sample of incarcerated adults, with 15.4% of MoCA-diagnosed dementia patients having a dementia diagnosis documented in their medical records.

Discussion
Future studies of cognitive impairment in prisons and jails can inform health care planning and resource allocation, such as expansion of access to palliative care, advance care planning, and targeted cognitive screening in older age groups.
Revisiting the 2015Mw = 8.3 Illapel earthquake: unveiling complex fault slip properties using Bayesian inversion
Authors: Caballero E , Duputel Z , Twardzik C , Rivera L , Klein E , Jiang J , Liang C , Zhu L , Jolivet R , Fielding E , Simons M 
Published: October 2023

SUMMARYThe 2015 moment magnitude Mw = 8.3 Illapel earthquake is the largest mega-thrust earthquake that has been recorded along the Chilean subduction zone since the 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule earthquake. Previous studies indicate a rupture propagation from the hypocentre to shallower parts of the fault, with a maximum slip varying from 10 to 16 m. The amount of shallow slip differs dramatically between rupture models with some results showing almost no slip at the trench and other models with significant slip at shallow depth. In this work, we revisit this event by combining a comprehensive data set including continuous and survey GNSS data corrected for post-seismic and aftershock signals, ascending and descending InSAR images of the Sentinel-1A satellite, tsunami data along with high-rate GPS, and doubly integrated strong-motion waveforms. We follow a Bayesian approach, in which the solution is an ensemble of models. The kinematic inversion is done using the cascading capability of the AlTar algorithm, allowing us to first get a static solution before integrating seismic data in a joint model. In addition, we explore a new approach to account for forward problem uncertainties using a second-order perturbation approach. Results show a rupture with two main slip patches, with significant slip at shallow depth. During the rupture propagation, we observe two regions that are encircled by the rupture, with no significant slip, westward of the hypocentre. These encircling effects have been previously suggested by back-projection results but have not been observed in finite-fault slip models. We propose that the encircled regions correspond to zones where the yield stress largely exceeds the initial stress or where fracture energy is too large to be ruptured during the Illapel earthquake. These asperities may potentially break in the future and probably already broke in the past.