bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sulague Ralf Martz , Beloy Francis Joshua , Medina Jillian Reeze , Mortalla Edward Daniel , Cartojano Thea Danielle , Macapagal Sharina , Kpodonu Jacques 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDArtificial intelligence has emerged as a tool to potentially increase efficiency and efficacy of cardiovascular care and improve clinical outcomes. This study aims to provide an overview of applications of artificial intelligence in cardiac surgery.METHODSA systematic literature search on artificial intelligence applications in cardiac surgery from inception to February 2024 was conducted. Articles were then filtered based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and risk of bias was assessed. Key findings were then summarizedRESULTSA total of 81 studies were found that reported on artificial intelligence applications in cardiac surgery. There is a rapid rise in studies since 2020. The most popular machine learning technique was Random Forest (n=48), followed by Support Vector Machine (n=33), Logistic Regression (n=32), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (n=31). Most of the studies were on adult patients, conducted in China, and involved procedures such as valvular surgery (24.7%), heart transplant (9.4%), coronary revascularization (11.8%), congenital heart disease surgery (3.5%), and aortic dissection repair (2.4%). Regarding evaluation outcomes, 35 studies examined the performance, 26 studies examined clinician outcomes, and 20 studies examined patient outcomes.CONCLUSIONArtificial intelligence was mainly used to predict complications following cardiac surgeries and improve clinicians’ decision-making by providing better preoperative risk assessment, stratification, and prognostication. While the application of artificial intelligence in cardiac surgery has greatly progressed in the last decade, further studies need to be done to verify accuracy and ensure safety before use in clinical practice.
A Tumour-Specific Molecular Network Promotes Tumour Growth inDrosophilaby Enforcing a JNK-YKI Feedforward Loop
Authors: Waghmare Indrayani , Gangwani Karishma , Rai Arushi , Singh Amit , Kango-Singh Madhuri 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCancer cells expand rapidly in response to altered intercellular and signalling interactions to achieve hallmarks of cancer. Impaired cell polarity combined with activated oncogenes is known to promote several hallmarks of cancer e.g., activating invasion by increased activity of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and sustained proliferative signalling by increased activity of Hippo effector Yorkie (Yki). Thus, JNK, Yki, and their downstream transcription factors have emerged as synergistic drivers of tumour growth through pro-tumour signalling and intercellular interactions like cell-competition. However, little is known about the signals that converge onto JNK and Yki in tumour cells that enable the tumour cells to achieve hallmarks of cancer. Here, using mosaic models of cooperative oncogenesis (RasV12, scrib-) inDrosophila, we show thatRasV12, scrib-tumour cells grow by activation of a previously unidentified network comprising Wingless (Wg), Dronc, JNK and Yki. We show thatRasV12, scrib-cells show increased Wg, Dronc, JNK, and Yki signalling, and all of these signals are required for the growth ofRasV12, scrib-tumours. We report that Wg and Dronc converge onto a JNK-Yki self-reinforcing positive feedback signal-amplification loop that promotes tumour growth. We found that Wg-Dronc-Yki-JNK molecular network is specifically activated in polarity-impaired tumour cells and not in normal cells where apical basal polarity is intact. Our findings suggest that identification of molecular networks may provide significant insights about the key biologically meaningful changes in signalling pathways, and paradoxical signals that promote Tumourigenesis.
Modeling the consequences of age-linked rDNA hypermethylation with dCas9-directed DNA methylation in human cells
Authors: Blokhina Yana , Buchwalter Abigail 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRibosomal DNA (rDNA) genes encode the structural RNAs of the ribosome and are present in hundreds of copies in mammalian genomes. Age-linked DNA hypermethylation throughout the rDNA constitutes a robust “methylation clock” that accurately reports age, yet the consequences of hypermethylation on rDNA function are unknown. We confirmed that pervasive hypermethylation of rDNA occurs during mammalian aging and senescence while rDNA copy number remains stable. We found that DNA methylation is exclusively found on the promoters and gene bodies of inactive rDNA. To model the effects of age-linked methylation on rDNA function, we directedde novoDNA methylation to the rDNA promoter or gene body with a nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) – DNA methyltransferase fusion enzyme in human cells. Hypermethylation at each target site had no detectable effect on rRNA transcription, nucleolar morphology, or cellular growth rate. Instead, human UBF and Pol I remain bound to rDNA promoters in the presence of increased DNA methylation. These data suggest that promoter methylation is not sufficient to impair transcription of the human rDNA and imply that the human rDNA transcription machinery may be resilient to age-linked rDNA hypermethylation.
Early-life gut microbiota assembly patterns are conserved between laboratory and wild mice
Authors: Hanski Eveliina , Raulo Aura , Knowles Sarah C L 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAssembly of the mammalian gut microbiota during early life is known to shape key aspects of organismal development, including immunity, metabolism and behaviour. While house mice (Mus musculus) are the major laboratory model organism for gut microbiota research, their artificial lab-based lifestyle could fundamentally alter ecological processes of microbiota assembly and dynamics, in ways that affect their usefulness as a model system. To examine this, here we directly compared patterns of gut microbiota assembly in house mice from the lab and from the wild, making use of a tractable, individually-marked wild population where we could examine patterns of gut microbiota assembly during early life. Despite lab and wild mice harbouring taxonomically distinct communities, we identify striking similarities in multiple patterns of their gut microbiota assembly. Specifically, age-related changes in both alpha and beta diversity, as well as the abundance of predominant phyla and aerotolerance of the microbiota followed parallel trajectories in both settings. These results suggest some degree of intrinsic programme in gut microbiota assembly that transcends variation in taxonomic profiles, and the genetic and environmental background of the host. They further support the notion that despite their artificial environment, lab mice can provide meaningful insights into natural microbiota ecological dynamics in early life and their interplay with host development.
Dogs’ sensory-motor tuning shapes dog-human vocal interactions
Authors: Déaux E. C. , Piette T. , Gaunet F. , Legou T. , Arnal L. , Giraud A-L. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTWithin species, vocal and auditory systems co-evolve to converge on a critical temporal acoustic structure that can be best produced and perceived. While dogs cannot produce articulated sounds, they respond to speech, raising the question as to whether this heterospecific receptive ability is shaped by exposure to speech or bounded by their own sensorimotor capacity. Acoustic analyses of vocalisations show that dogs’ main production rhythm is slower than the dominant (syllabic) speech rate, and that human dog-directed speech falls halfway in between. Comparative exploration of neural (electroencephalography) and behavioural responses to speech reveals that comprehension in dogs relies on a slower speech rhythm tracking (delta) than humans’ (theta), even though dogs are equally sensitive to human speech content and prosody. Thus, the dog audio-motor tuning differs from humans’, who vocally adjust their speech rate to this shared temporal channel.
Excess neonatal testosterone causes male-specific social and fear memory deficits in wild-type mice
Authors: Quiñones-Labernik Pravda , Blocklinger Kelsey L , Bruce Matthew R , Ferri Sarah L 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNeurodevelopmental disorders disproportionately affect males compared to females. The biological mechanisms of this male susceptibility or female protection have not been identified. There is evidence that fetal/neonatal gonadal hormones, which play a pivotal role in many aspects of development, may contribute. Here, we investigate the effects of excess testosterone during a critical period of sex-specific brain organization on social approach and fear learning behaviors in C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Male, but not female, mice treated with testosterone on the day of birth (PN0) exhibited decreased social approach as juveniles and decreased contextual fear memory as adults, compared to vehicle-treated controls. These deficits were not driven by anxiety-like behavior or changes in locomotion or body weight. Mice treated with the same dose of testosterone on postnatal day 18 (PN18), which is outside of the critical period of brain masculinization, did not demonstrate impairments compared to the vehicle group. These findings indicate that excess testosterone during a critical period of early development, but not shortly after, induces long-term deficits relevant to the male sex bias in neurodevelopmental disorders.Significance statementExcess testosterone during a critical period of sex-specific brain organization, results in male-specific social and cognitive deficits in mice while testosterone treatment outside of this developmental window did not alter behavior. This time-sensitive, brief hormonal dysregulation induces long-term changes, and may be involved in the male sex bias in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Spike-phase coupling of subthalamic neurons to posterior opercular cortex predicts speech sound accuracy
Authors: Vissani Matteo , Bush Alan , Lipski Witold J. , Bullock Latané , Fischer Petra , Neudorfer Clemens , Holt Lori L. , Fiez Julie A. , Turner Robert S. , Richardson R. Mark 
Published: October 2023

SummarySpeech provides a rich context for understanding how cortical interactions with the basal ganglia contribute to unique human behaviors, but opportunities for direct intracranial recordings across cortical-basal ganglia networks are rare. We recorded electrocorticographic signals in the cortex synchronously with single units in the basal ganglia during awake neurosurgeries where subjects spoke syllable repetitions. We discovered that individual STN neurons have transient (200ms) spike-phase coupling (SPC) events with multiple cortical regions. The spike timing of STN neurons was coordinated with the phase of theta-alpha oscillations in the posterior supramarginal and superior temporal gyrus during speech planning and production. Speech sound errors occurred when this STN-cortical interaction was delayed. Our results suggest that the STN supports mechanisms of speech planning and auditory-sensorimotor integration during speech production that are required to achieve high fidelity of the phonological and articulatory representation of the target phoneme. These findings establish a framework for understanding cortical-basal ganglia interaction in other human behaviors, and additionally indicate that firing-rate based models are insufficient for explaining basal ganglia circuit behavior.
The effect of UVA light/8-methoxypsoralen exposure used in Extracorporeal Photopheresis treatment on platelets and extracellular vesicles
Authors: Macleod Hayley , Weiss Luisa , Kelliher Sarah , Kevane Barry , Ní Áinle Fionnuala , Maguire Patricia B. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractExtracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) is a leukapheresis based treatment for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, which takes advantage of the cellular lethal effects of UVA light in combination with a photoactivated drug, 8-methoxypsoralen. 25% of patients treated with ECP do not respond to treatment, however the underlying mechanisms for this lack of response remain unknown. Platelets, a rich source of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and key mediators in thromboinflammatory oncological progression, as well as leukocytes, are both processed through ECP and are subsequently transfused back into the patient, delivering potent immunomodulation. The effect of exposing platelets and their EVs directly to UVA/8-methoxypsoralen is currently unknown.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was isolated from healthy donors and exposed to UVA light and/or 8-methoxysporalenin vitroand platelet activation and aggregation was assessed. EV size and concentration were also characterised by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and Flow Cytometry. We found that UVA light and 8-methoxypsoralen treatmentin vitrodid not induce platelet aggregation or alter significantly levels of the platelet activation markers soluble P-selectin or platelet factor 4, with circulating levels of small and large EV size and concentration remaining constant. Therefore, utilising the combination of UVA light and 8-methoxypsoralen used in ECPin vitrodoes not activate platelets or alter important circulating EVs. Further studies will be needed to validate if our observations are consistentin vivo.
Integrating metabolomics and proteomics to identify novel drug targets for heart failure and atrial fibrillation
Authors: van Vugt Marion , Finan Chris , Chopade Sandesh , Providencia Rui , Bezzina Connie R. , Asselbergs Folkert W. , van Setten Jessica , Schmidt A. Floriaan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundAltered metabolism plays a role in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). We aimed to identify novel plasma metabolites and proteins associating with cardiac disease.MethodsMendelian randomisation (MR) was used to assess the association of 174 metabolites measured in up to 86,507 participants with AF, HF, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Subsequently, we sourced data on 1,567 plasma proteins and performedcisMR to identify proteins affecting the identified metabolites as well as the cardiac diseases. Proteins were prioritised on cardiac expression and druggability, and mapped to biological pathways.ResultsWe identified 35 metabolites associating with cardiac disease. AF was affected by seventeen metabolites, HF by nineteen, DCM by four, and NCIM by taurine. HF was particularly enriched for phosphatidylcholines (p=0.029) and DCM for acylcarnitines (p=0.001). Metabolite involvement with AF was more uniform, spanning for example phosphatidylcholines, amino acids, and acylcarnitines. We identified 38 druggable proteins expressed in cardiac tissue, with a directionally concordant effect on metabolites and cardiac disease. We recapitulated known associations, for example between the drug target of digoxin (AT1B2), taurine and NICM risk. Additionally, we identified numerous novel findings, such as higher RET values associating with phosphatidylcholines and decreasing AF and HF, and RET is targeted by drugs such as regorafenib which has known cardiotoxic side-effects. Pathway analysis implicated involvement of GDF15 signalling through RET, and ghrelin regulation of energy homeostasis in cardiac pathogenesis.ConclusionThis study identified 35 plasma metabolites involved with cardiac diseases and linked these to 38 druggable proteins, providing actionable leads for drug development.
COVID-19 cases associated with testing policies in 34 highly democratic countries, 2020-2022
Authors: Robertson Leon S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCOVID-19 testing policies varied in time from testing only the symptomatic, testing the symptomatic and persons at higher risk of severe disease, on-demand testing for people who wanted one, and two periods of government-imposed mass testing in Slovakia. Using Poisson regression, this study examines the associations of COVID-19 cases during the times that the noted policies were in effect in 34 countries rated highest on democracy scores. Statistically corrected for other risk factors, increases in negative tests were associated with subsequent surges in cases when on-demand testing was promoted, particularly when coupled with poor contact tracing. Mass testing in Slovakia was associated with reduced spread of the virus for short periods but was deemed unsustainable. The data support the hypothesis that on-demand testing resulted in the unanticipated consequence of increased travel and increased exposure of travelers to the virus.
Application of an Opioid Use Disorder Cascade of Care in a Large Public Health System
Authors: Carter Emily , Schatz Daniel , Isaacs Noah , Garcia Juan , Henry Brandy , Krawczyk Noa , Williams Arthur Robin 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundOver the past decade, hospitals and health systems have increasingly adopted interventions to address the needs of patients with substance use disorders. The Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Cascade of Care provides a framework for organizing and tracking patient health milestones over time, and can assist health systems in identifying areas of intervention to prevent overdose and maximize the impact of evidence-based services for patients with OUD. However, detailed protocols are needed to guide health systems in how to operationalize the OUD Cascade and track outcomes using their systems’ electronic medical records (EMR).ObjectiveIn this paper, we describe the process of operationalizing and implementing the OUD Cascade in one large, urban, public hospital system.MethodsThrough this case example, we describe the technical processes around data mining, as well as the decision-making processes, challenges encountered, and lessons learned from compiling patient data and defining stages and outcome measures for the OUD Cascade of Care. The current established framework and process will set the stage for subsequent research studies that quantify and evaluate patient progression through each stage of OUD treatment across the health system and identify target areas for quality improvement initiatives to better engage patients in care and improve health outcomes.ResultsThe current paper can therefore serve as a primer for other health systems seeking to implement a data-informed approach to guide more efficient care and improved substance use-related outcomes.ConclusionAn OUD Cascade of Care must be tailored to local systems based on inherent data limitations and services design.
Temporal changes of compassion in accounting and business students in an English course: a longitudinal study in higher education
Authors: Arianpoor Arash , Yazdanmehr Elham , Elahi Shirvan Majid 
Published: October 2023

PurposeTo measure the dynamic features of compassion as an emotional and behavioral construct, the present research used a univariate latent growth modeling (LGM) approach within the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. The aim was to trace the dynamic development of compassion longitudinally in accounting and business students during a three-credit English course at university.Design/methodology/approachThe suggested method ensures the measurement invariance over time, deals with the first order latent variable, traces its growth and takes into account the measurement errors. This longitudinal analytical method was used to explore the initial state and the growth of compassion in four points of time during a language course. The data were collected from 60 adult accounting and business students in four time phases using Sprecher and Fehr's Compassionate Love Scale and were analyzed in Mplus 8.4 with univariate LGM.FindingsThe model fit was accepted and the invariance of the latent factor was confirmed over time. The negative covariance between intercept and slope (second-order latent variables) suggested that lower initial scores in L2 learners' compassion show a faster increase in compassion over time as the mean of slope is larger than that of the intercept. L2 learners who started off at a higher level of compassion showed a slower change in compassion over time. This can be at least partly explained by the teacher's motivating role or learners' compassion but needs to be further explored in complementary qualitative phases for deeper insights.Originality/valueIn the present research, awareness was raised of the developmental nature of compassion as an emotional and behavioral construct essential to the accounting and business profession. The great strength of this research lies in the dynamic approach to the compassion construct and the LGM used to capture the temporal growth of compassion and how it evolved through the L2 course.
Patterns for modeling process variability in a healthcare context
Authors: Kirchner Kathrin , Laue Ralf , Edwards Kasper , Lantow Birger 
Published: October 2023

PurposeMedical diagnosis and treatment processes exhibit a high degree of variability, as during the process execution, healthcare professionals can decide on additional steps, change the execution order or skip a task. Process models can help to document and to discuss such processes. However, depicting variability in graphical process models using standardized languages, such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), can lead to large and complicated diagrams that medical staff who do not have formal training in modeling languages have difficulty understanding. This study proposes a pattern-based process visualization that medical doctors can understand without extensive training. The process descriptions using this pattern-based visualization can later be transformed into formal business process models in languages such as BPMN.Design/methodology/approachThe authors derived patterns for expressing variability in healthcare processes from the literature and medical guidelines. Then, the authors evaluated and revised these patterns based on interviews with physicians in a Danish hospital.FindingsA set of business process variability patterns was proposed to express situations with variability in hospital treatment and diagnosis processes. The interviewed medical doctors could translate the patterns into their daily work practice, and the patterns were used to model a hospital process.Practical implicationsWhen communicating with medical personnel, the patterns can be used as building blocks for documenting and discussing variable processes.Originality/valueThe patterns can reduce complexity in process visualization. This study provides the first validation of these patterns in a hospital.