bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concordance between reflectance confocal microscopy and histopathology for the diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma
Authors: Zou Yunmin , Zhu Xiaohong , Xia Rushan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundAcral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a highly malignant and invasive type of melanoma with unique locations of onset. Its incidence is increasing and early diagnosis is challenging. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive technique that provides an accurate image of tissue pathology. There are few reports on the use of RCM for the assessment of ALM.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study, data from 31 patients with a clinical diagnosis of ALM were collected. RCM image features were compared with histopathological findings to determine the concordance between the two methods. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of RCM for the diagnosis of ALM were evaluated.ResultsRCM and histopathology findings were concordant in 29 of 31 patients (93.5%). There were no false‐negative results, although there were two false positives in RCM diagnosis. The sensitivity of RCM for diagnosing ALM was 100%, specificity was 50%, positive predictive value was 93.1%, and negative predictive value was 100%.ConclusionsRCM showed substantial concordance with histopathology in the diagnosis of ALM. It is a reliable and valuable non‐invasive diagnostic tool that holds promise for the early diagnosis of ALM.
Neurocysticercosis: The duration of its preclinical phase relies on the parasite location
Authors: Tellez‐Arellano Carlos Alejandro , Kuschick‐Fehér Jan , Romero‐Gonzalez Franco Gabriel , Fleury Agnès 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectivesNeurocysticercosis (NC) is a heterogeneous disease particularly in terms of response to treatment and prognosis. Parasite localization is one of the main factors involved in this heterogeneity. In this study we aim to determine whether differences in the duration of the preclinical phase associated with parasite location, could contribute to said heterogeneity.MethodsNinety‐nine patients were included, 24 with parasites in the parenchyma (PAR), 56 in the subarachnoid (SA) space and 19 in the ventricular system (IV). A questionnaire designed to assess exposure to classic NC risk factors 5, 10, 15, 20 and more than 20 years prior to diagnosis was applied. The results were compared between the three groups. Also, asymptomatic relatives of patients who had shared their living conditions in childhood or more recently were included and underwent brain scan and blood testing for specific antibodies.ResultsOver the course of their lives, exposure to risk factors decreased significantly for all patients, although the decrease was more evident in patients with parasites in the SA space (p < 0.001) compared to patients with PAR (p = 0.011) or IV cysts (p = 0.020). Five years prior to diagnosis, exposure to risk factors was significantly higher in patients with PAR or IV NC than in patients with SA NC (p = 0.04). Furthermore, individuals in close contact with PAR or IV patients in the years preceding diagnosis were more likely to have asymptomatic NC, specific antibodies in sera, particularly IgM, compared to individuals in close contact with SA patients during the same period.ConclusionsAll these findings are highly suggestive of the possibility of a more recent infection of patients affected by parenchymal and ventricular NC than of patients with subarachnoid NC. Consequently, subarachnoid disease could be considered a chronic disease, which, probably contributes to the severity of the disease as well as the minimal response to medical treatment.
Editor's Introduction: Best Papers from the 20th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling
Authors: Stewart Terrence C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe International Conference on Cognitive Modelling is dedicated to understanding how the complex processes of the mind can be explained in terms of detailed inner processing. In this issue, we present four representative papers of this field of research from our 20th meeting, ICCM 2022. This meeting was our first hybrid meeting, with a virtual version happening July 11–15, 2022, and an in‐person event from July 23–27, 2022, held in Toronto, Canada. The four papers presented here were the top‐ranked papers across both the virtual and in‐person events. Three of the papers develop novel computational theories about low‐level components within the mind and how those components result in high‐level phenomena such as motivation, anhedonia, and attention. The final paper demonstrates the use of cognitive modeling to develop novel explanations of a paired associate learning task, and uses those insights to develop and explain human performance in a more complex version of that task.
Free labial mucocutaneous graft for eyelid reconstruction in four dogs
Authors: Irving William M. , Caruso Kelly , Annear Matthew J. , Whittaker Cameron , Reynolds Benjamin D. , McCarthy Paul M.G. , Smith Jeffrey 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPurposeTo describe a technique for eyelid margin reconstruction following large mass resection utilizing a free labial mucocutaneous graft.MethodsFour dogs (4 eyes) underwent en bloc eyelid mass excision under general anesthesia. Measurements were made of the mass followed by free labial mucocutaneous graft retrieval, resection of the mass, and then transplantation of retrieved region of labial mucocutaneous tissue into the resulting defect.ResultsThree patients underwent eyelid margin reconstruction with a free labial mucocutaneous graft. One patient received a pedicle advancement graft combined with a free labial mucocutaneous graft. In all cases, a length of 120%–150% of the eyelid defect was retrieved from the oral labia. Postoperative follow‐up ranged from 6 weeks to 4 months. All cases had superficial graft necrosis and depigmentation of the donor tissue with total healing time taking up to 8 weeks. All cases had an esthetic and functional reconstruction.ConclusionsThis technique allows reconstruction of the majority of the eyelid margin, greater than that which can be closed primarily. Due to tissue sloughing, the healing time can be extended but cosmetic outcomes are good. Eyelid reconstruction utilizing a free labial graft restored a mucocutaneous margin and recreated a functional eyelid, thus avoiding trichiasis or secondary keratitis.
Novel resistance ICEs carrying the
bla
FIM-1
metallo-β-lactamase gene from an ST235
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
sublineage
Authors: Antonelli Alberto , Coppi Marco , Bonaiuto Chiara , Giovacchini Nicla , Vaggelli Guendalina , Farese Alberto , Pollini Simona , Rossolini Gian Maria 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

FIM-1 is an acquired metallo-β-lactamase identified in a multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(index strain FI-14/157) of clinical origin isolated in 2007 in Florence, Italy. Here we report on a second case of infection by FIM-1-positive
P. aeruginosa
(FI-17645), which occurred in 2020 in the same hospital. Both FIM-1-positive strains exhibited resistance to all anti-
Pseudomonas
antibiotics except colistin and cefiderocol. Comparative genomic characterization revealed that the two FIM-positive strains were closely related [core genome difference, 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)], suggesting a local circulation of similar strains. In the FI-14/157 index strain, the
bla
FIM-1
gene was associated with an IS
CR19
-like element that likely contributed to its capture downstream an integron platform inserted aboard a Tn
21
-like transposon, named Tn
7703.1
, which was associated with a large integrative and conjugative element (ICE) named ICE
7705
.1, integrated into an
att
site located within the 3′-end of tRNA
Gly
CCC gene of the
P. aeruginosa
chromosome. In strain FI-17645,
bla
FIM-1
was associated with a closely related ICE, named ICE
7705
.
2
, integrated in the same chromosomal site. Similar ICE platforms, lacking the
bla
FIM-1
-containing region, were detected in other ST235
P. aeruginosa
strains from different geographic areas, suggesting a common ancestry and underscoring the role of these elements in the dissemination of resistance genes in
P. aeruginosa
. Sequence database mining revealed two draft
P. aeruginosa
genomes, one from Italy and one from the USA (both isolated in 2012), including a contig with
bla
FIM-1
, suggesting that this resistance gene could have a broader distribution than originally anticipated.
Colony phase variation switch modulates antimicrobial tolerance and biofilm formation in
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Mushtaq Fizza , Nadeem Aftab , Yabrag Abdelbasset , Bala Anju , Karah Nabil , Zlatkov Nikola , Nyunt Wai Sun , Uhlin Bernt Eric , Ahmad Irfan 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
causes one of the most difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections. Polycationic drugs like polymyxin B or colistin and tetracycline drugs such as doxycycline or minocycline are commonly used to treat infections caused by carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
. Here, we show that a subpopulation of cells associated with the opaque/translucent colony phase variation by
A. baumannii
AB5075 displays differential tolerance to subinhibitory concentrations of colistin and tetracycline. Using a variety of microscopic techniques, we demonstrate that extracellular polysaccharide moieties mediate colistin tolerance to opaque
A. baumannii
at single-cell level and that mushroom-shaped biofilm structures protect opaque bacteria at the community level. The colony switch phenotype is found to alter several traits of
A. baumannii
, including long-term survival under desiccation, tolerance to ethanol, competition with
Escherichia coli
, and intracellular survival in the environmental model host
Acanthamoeba castellanii
. Additionally, our findings suggest that extracellular DNA associated with membrane vesicles can promote colony switching in a DNA recombinase-dependent manner.

IMPORTANCE

As a WHO top-priority drug-resistant microbe,
Acinetobacter baumannii
significantly contributes to hospital-associated infections worldwide. One particularly intriguing aspect is its ability to reversibly switch its colony morphotype on agar plates, which has been remarkably underexplored. In this study, we employed various microscopic techniques and phenotypic assays to investigate the colony phase variation switch under different clinically and environmentally relevant conditions. Our findings reveal that the presence of a poly N-acetylglucosamine-positive extracellular matrix layer contributes to the protection of bacteria from the bactericidal effects of colistin. Furthermore, we provide intriguing insights into the multicellular lifestyle of
A. baumannii
, specifically in the context of colony switch variation within its predatory host,
Acanthamoeba castellanii
.
Upc2-mediated mechanisms of azole resistance in
Candida auris
Authors: Li Jizhou , Aubry Lola , Brandalise Danielle , Coste Alix T. , Sanglard Dominique , Lamoth Frederic 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Candida auris
is an emerging yeast pathogen of major concern because of its ability to cause hospital outbreaks of invasive candidiasis and to develop resistance to antifungal drugs. A majority of
C. auris
isolates are resistant to fluconazole, an azole drug used for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. Mechanisms of azole resistance are multiple, including mutations in the target gene
ERG11
and activation of the transcription factors Tac1b and Mrr1, which control the drug transporters Cdr1 and Mdr1, respectively. We investigated the role of the transcription factor Upc2, which is known to regulate the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway and azole resistance in other
Candida
spp. Genetic deletion and hyperactivation of Upc2 by epitope tagging in
C. auris
resulted in drastic increases and decreases in susceptibility to azoles, respectively. This effect was conserved in strains with genetic hyperactivation of Tac1b or Mrr1. Reverse transcription PCR analyses showed that Upc2 regulates
ERG11
expression and also activates the Mrr1/Mdr1 pathway. We showed that upregulation of
MDR1
by Upc2 could occur independently from Mrr1. The impact of
UPC2
deletion on
MDR1
expression and azole susceptibility in a hyperactive Mrr1 background was stronger than that of
MRR1
deletion in a hyperactive Upc2 background. While Upc2 hyperactivation resulted in a significant increase in the expression of
TAC1b
,
CDR1
expression remained unchanged. Taken together, our results showed that Upc2 is crucial for azole resistance in
C. auris
, via regulation of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway and activation of the Mrr1/Mdr1 pathway. Notably, Upc2 is a very potent and direct activator of Mdr1.

IMPORTANCE

Candida auris
is a yeast of major medical importance causing nosocomial outbreaks of invasive candidiasis. Its ability to develop resistance to antifungal drugs, in particular to azoles (e.g., fluconazole), is concerning. Understanding the mechanisms of azole resistance in
C. auris
is important and may help in identifying novel antifungal targets. This study shows the key role of the transcription factor Upc2 in azole resistance of
C. auris
and shows that this effect is mediated via different pathways, including the regulation of ergosterol biosynthesis and also the direct upregulation of the drug transporter Mdr1.
Moderate and high disease activity levels increase the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis progression in early rheumatoid arthritis: a 5-year prospective study
Authors: Meng Huan , Cheng Isaac T , Yan Bryan Ping Yen , Lee Alex P , So Ho , Tam Lai-Shan 
Published: January 2024

ObjectivesTo elucidate the association between different disease activity levels over time on long-term vascular outcomes in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA).MethodsThis was a 5-year prospective study. Patients with consecutive ERA without overt cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited to receive 1 year of tight-control treatment followed by standard-of-care management. High-resolution carotid ultrasound was assessed at baseline and year 5. The primary outcome was subclinical atherosclerosis progression (AP+), defined as the occurrence of incident plaque, increased region harbouring plaques and/or maximum carotid intima-media thickness progression ≥0.9 mm at year 5. Inflammatory burden during the follow-up period was represented by the cumulative average Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ca-DAS28-ESR). Persistent low disease activity (LDA) or remission state was defined as ca-DAS28-ESR≤3.2.ResultsOne-hundred and four patients with ERA (age: 52±11 years, 81 (77.9%) female) were included in this analysis. Fifty-two (50%) patients achieved persistent LDA or remission and 42 patients (40.4%) had AP+. Patients in the AP+ group were older and had more traditional cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with persistent moderate or high disease activity (ca-DAS28-ESR>3.2) had a significantly increased risk of AP+ (OR 5.05, 95% CI 1.53, 16.64, p=0.008) compared with those who achieved persistent remission. The risk of AP+ was similar in patients who achieved persistent LDA and remission.ConclusionsAchieving persistent LDA or remission may prevent progression of atherosclerosis in ERA. A treat-to-target approach aiming at sustained LDA or remission may reduce the risk of CVD by preventing AP+.
Prognostic factors for liver, blood and kidney adverse events from glucocorticoid sparing immune-suppressing drugs in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a prognostic systematic review
Authors: Leaviss Joanna , Carroll Christopher , Essat Munira , van der Windt Danielle , Grainge Matthew J , Card Tim , Riley Richard , Abhishek Abhishek 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundImmune-suppressing drugs can cause liver, kidney or blood toxicity. Prognostic factors for these adverse-events are poorly understood.PurposeTo ascertain prognostic factors associated with liver, blood or kidney adverse-events in people receiving immune-suppressing drugs.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane library (01 January 1995 to 05 January 2023), and supplementary sources.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted by one reviewer using a modified CHARMS-PF checklist and validated by another. Two independent reviewers assessed risk of bias using Quality in Prognostic factor Studies tool and assessed the quality of evidence using a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-informed framework.ResultsFifty-six studies from 58 papers were included. High-quality evidence of the following associations was identified: elevated liver enzymes (6 studies) and folate non-supplementation (3 studies) are prognostic factors for hepatotoxicity in those treated with methotrexate; that mercaptopurine (vs azathioprine) (3 studies) was a prognostic factor for hepatotoxicity in those treated with thiopurines; that mercaptopurine (vs azathioprine) (3 studies) and poor-metaboliser status (4 studies) were prognostic factors for cytopenia in those treated with thiopurines; and that baseline elevated liver enzymes (3 studies) are a prognostic factor for hepatotoxicity in those treated with anti-tumour necrosis factors. Moderate and low quality evidence for several other demographic, lifestyle, comorbidities, baseline bloods/serologic or treatment-related prognostic factors were also identified.LimitationsStudies published before 1995, those with less than 200 participants and not published in English were excluded. Heterogeneity between studies included different cut-offs for prognostic factors, use of different outcome definitions and different adjustment factors.ConclusionsPrognostic factors for target-organ damage were identified which may be further investigated for their potential role in targeted (risk-stratified) monitoring.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020208049.
Multispherical shapes of vesicles with intramembrane domains
Authors: Lipowsky Reinhard 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Phase separation of biomembranes into two fluid phases, a and b, leads to the formation of vesicles with intramembrane a- and b-domains. These vesicles can attain multispherical shapes consisting of several spheres connected by closed membrane necks. Here, we study the morphological complexity of these multispheres using the theory of curvature elasticity. Vesicles with two domains form two-sphere shapes, consisting of one a- and one b-sphere, connected by a closed ab-neck. The necks’ effective mean curvature is used to distinguish positive from negative necks. Two-sphere shapes of two-domain vesicles can attain four different morphologies that are governed by two different stability conditions. The closed ab-necks are compressed by constriction forces which induce neck fission and vesicle division for large line tensions and/or large spontaneous curvatures. Multispherical shapes with one ab-neck and additional aa- and bb-necks involve several stability conditions, which act to reduce the stability regimes of the multispheres. Furthermore, vesicles with more than two domains form multispheres with more than one ab-neck. The multispherical shapes described here represent generalized constant-mean-curvature surfaces with up to four constant mean curvatures. These shapes are accessible to experimental studies using available methods for giant vesicles prepared from ternary lipid mixtures.

Graphic abstract
Reviewers For Vol 14 No. 2
Authors: - Editor 
Published: January 2024

Prof. Dr. Haryono Semangun, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University (UGM),Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia Dr. N.C. Rachaputi, Farming Systems Institute Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Kingaroy, QLD 4610, Australia Dr. Noviar Handayani, Postgraduate Program for Biology, University of Indonesia (UI), Depok, Jakarta, Indonesia Dr. (Eng.) Sukma Nuswantara, MPHIL. Sandia Biotech Diagnostic Centre, Santosa Bandung International Hospital, Jl. Kebonjati 38, Bandung, Indonesia Dr. Tresnawati Purwadaria, Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production, P.O. Box 221, Bogor 16002, Indonesia Dr. Soetijoso Soemitro, Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FMIPA), Padjadjaran University, Bandung 40133, Indonesia Dr. Tri Panji, Laboratory of Microbes and Bioprocess, Biotechnology Research Institute for Estate Crops, Bogor, Indonesia Dr. Puspita Lisdiyanti, R & D Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong 16911, Jakarta, Indonesia Dr. Sigit A.P. Dwiono, Mataram Marine Bio Industry Tech. Implementation Unit, Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Teluk Kodek, Malaka, Pemenang, Lombok Barat 83352, Indonesia Dr. Estu Nugroho, Research Institute for Freshwater Aquaculture, Jl. Sempur, Bogor 16154, Indonesia Dr. Sudarto, Indonesian Research Institute for Aquaculture (RIFA), Depok, Jakarta, IndonesiaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Comparing callisthenic and motor control exercises for forward head posture on craniovertebral angle and postural stability: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Phadke R. , Gurudut P. , Welling A. , Kage V. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Forward head posture (FHP) is a prevalent adaptive postural malalignment caused due to poor working and leisure habits. Prolonged FHP eventually leads to muscle imbalance, postural instability, and can advance the progression of cervical disorders. Early intervention through screening may help to prevent this posture from being symptomatic. Therefore, correction of FHP through exercise regimen is necessary. Callisthenic exercises (CE) and motor control exercises (MCE) are known to improve muscle imbalance. Hence, it was hypothesised that CE and MCE would have positive effects on craniovertebral angle (CVA) and postural stability in asymptomatic FHP. This randomised clinical trial recruited 30 individuals aged between 18 and 40 years with asymptomatic FHP. The CE group received callisthenic exercises whereas MCE group received motor control exercises, thrice weekly for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were CVA, postural stability [risk of fall (ROF), stability index (SI), and anterio-posterior sway (AP sway)] and craniocervical flexion endurance (CCFE), which were assessed using photographic method, TETRAX, and pressure biofeedback unit (PBU), respectively. Paired t-test for within group analysis showed statistically significant improvement in all the outcomes for both the groups (). Between group analysis by independent t-test revealed that both groups had similar improvement in CVA () and CCFE () but CE showed better improvement for postural stability () than MCE. CE and MCE are effective in improving CVA, postural stability, and CCFE in individuals with asymptomatic FHP. However, CE has a superior effect on postural stability over MCE.
Clinical Trials Registry – India: CTRI/2021/08/046535