bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of ultra-high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of basal cell carcinoma: pilot study based on 117 cases
Authors: Chauvel-Picard Julie , Tognetti Linda , Cinotti Elisa , Habougit Cyril , Suppa Mariano , Lenoir Clement , Rubegni Pietro , Del Marmol Veronique , Berot Vincent , Gleizal Arnaud , Vercherin Paul , Dejonckheere Guillame , Raffaelli Charles , Cardot-Leccia Nathalie , Azulay Nicholas , Sudaka-Bahadoran Anne , Perrot Jean L , Bahadoran Philippe 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Ultrasound imaging has recently benefited from the introduction of a new 70 MHz transducer able to provide high-resolution images, i.e. ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS).

Aim
To study the morphological features of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and measure BCC thickness by means of UHFUS examination.

Methods
In this retrospective multicentric study, 171 consecutive patients underwent UHFUS examination between November 2018 and May 2019 for suspected BCC. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. A series of morphological parameters including echogenicity, structure, borders, shape composition (presence of intralesional structures) were investigated along with objective measurements such as thickness (maximum distance between the surface of the epidermis and the deepest part of the tumour) and width.

Results
In total, 117 BCCs from 93 patients were examined, including superficial (n = 13; 11.1%), nodular (n = 64; 54.7%), infiltrative (n = 18; 15.4%), mixed subtypes (n = 20; 17.1%) and other subtypes (n = 2; 1.7%). The most frequently observed UHFUS parameters included: hypoechoic signal (n = 80; 68.4%, P &lt; 0.001), homogeneous structure (n = 76, 65.0%, P = 0.01), well-defined borders (n = 77, 65.8%, P &lt; 0.001) and elongated shape (n = 71, 60.7%, P &lt; 0.001). An excellent correlation was found between the BCC thickness measured by UHFUS and the value estimated by histology (interclass correlation ≥ 0.80).

Conclusion
UHFUS is a new rapid and easy noninvasive skin imaging technique able to provide data on the dimensions and morphology of BCCs in real time and at the bedside. These characteristics mean UHFUS has a number of possible applications, ranging from presurgical mapping to the detection of disease recurrence and treatment monitoring.
Preparation of mesoporous silica nanocarriers targeting glucose-6-phosphate isomerase inhibition and application in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zong Ming , Cheng Yu , Ye Bei , Chen Saige , Yu Shanshan , Ding Menglei , Lu Liu , Fan Lieying 
Published: January 2023

AbstractGlucose 6-phosphate isomerase (G6PI) is an indicator to assist in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and monitor the disease. It also plays a key role in proliferating RA synovial tissues, pannus formation, and invasion and destruction of articular cartilage. In this study, we synthesized nanoparticles targeting G6PI (siG6PI-MSN) using mesoporous silica nanocarriers (MSN) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), followed by identifying the characteristics and functions, and preliminarily exploring their application in the treatment of RA in vivo with a type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. It showed that the synthetic functionalized carrier had a regular pore structure and a specific volume and surface area. No obvious hemolysis or toxicity of the carrier was found when its concentration was below 100 µg/ml. Cytological results in vitro suggested that siG6PI-MSN significantly inhibited G6PI expression and reduced the ability of proliferation, migration, and invasion of FLSs, compared with the siNC-MSN group. In vivo results in the CIA rat model showed that the arthritis index and degree of joint swelling among rats in the siG6PI-MSN-treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Moreover, the number of FLSs in Synovium and the levels of TNF α and IL-1 β were also significantly decreased in the siG6PI-MSN group. Histopathology of the synovial tissue and cartilage revealed siG6PI-MSN treatment significantly reduced the pathological manifestations of arthritis. In conclusion, siG6PI-MSN effectively suppresses the proliferation and invasive growth of synovial tissue and improve joint swelling and inflammatory infiltration, thereby preventing joint damage in RA. This carrier may be a new therapeutic measure for RA, with potential social and economic benefits.
Not too little, not too much: the impact of mutation types in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and RAC2 patients
Authors: Hsu Amy P 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPrimary immune deficiencies (PIDs) are genetic disorders impacting the appropriate development or functioning of any portion of the immune system. The broad adoption of high-throughput sequencing has driven discovery of new genes as well as expanded phenotypes associated with known genes. Beginning with the identification of WAS mutations in patients with severe Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, recognition of WAS mutations in additional patients has revealed phenotypes including isolated thrombocytopenia and X-linked neutropenia. Likewise RAC2 patients present with vastly different phenotypes depending on the mutation–ranging from reticular dysgenesis or severe neutrophil dysfunction with neonatal presentation to later onset common variable immune deficiency. This review examines genotype-phenotype correlations in patients with WAS (Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome) and RAC2 mutations, highlighting functional protein domains, how mutations alter protein interactions, and how specific mutations can affect isolated functions of the protein leading to disparate phenotypes.
Effects of working memory span training on top-down attentional asymmetry at both neural and behavioral levels
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Xiongying , Zhang Qiumei , Xu Wending , Li Jin , Ji Feng , Dong Qi , Chen Chuansheng , Li Jun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe leftward asymmetry of the visual field and posterior brain regions, a feature of the normal attention process, can be strengthened by brain stimulation, e.g. administering alpha frequency stimulation to the left posterior cortex. However, whether it can be strengthened by cognitive training, especially with nonlateralized tasks, is unknown. We used a dataset from a 2-month-long randomized controlled trial and compared the control group with 2 training groups trained with backward or forward memory span tasks. A lateralized change detection task with varied memory loads was administered as the pre-, mid-, and post-tests with simultaneous electroencephalographic recording. Intrasubject response variability (IRV) and the alpha modulation index (MI) were calculated. Analysis of IRV showed more enhanced leftward attentional bias in the backward group than in the other groups. Consistently, analysis of MI found that its enhancements in the left hemisphere (but not the right hemisphere) of the backward group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Further analysis revealed that left MI changes predicted left IRV improvement. All of these results indicated that backward memory span training enhanced leftward attentional asymmetry at both the behavioral and neural levels.
The precuneus as a central node in declarative memory retrieval
Authors: Flanagin Virginia L , Klinkowski Svenja , Brodt Svenja , Graetsch Melanie , Roselli Carolina , Glasauer Stefan , Gais Steffen 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Both, the hippocampal formation and the neocortex are contributing to declarative memory, but their functional specialization remains unclear. We investigated the differential contribution of both memory systems during free recall of word lists. In total, 21 women and 17 men studied the same list but with the help of different encoding associations. Participants associated the words either sequentially with the previous word on the list, with spatial locations on a well-known path, or with unique autobiographical events. After intensive rehearsal, subjects recalled the words during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Common activity to all three types of encoding associations was identified in the posterior parietal cortex, in particular in the precuneus. Additionally, when associating spatial or autobiographical material, retrosplenial cortex activity was elicited during word list recall, while hippocampal activity emerged only for autobiographically associated words. These findings support a general, critical function of the precuneus in episodic memory storage and retrieval. The encoding-retrieval repetitions during learning seem to have accelerated hippocampus-independence and lead to direct neocortical integration in the sequentially associated and spatially associated word list tasks. During recall of words associated with autobiographical memories, the hippocampus might add spatiotemporal information supporting detailed scenic and contextual memories.
The waiting game: investigating the neurobiological transition from acute to persistent pain in adolescent rats
Authors: Salberg Sabrina , Doshen Angela , Yamakawa Glenn R , Miller Jillian Vinall , Noel Melanie , Henderson Luke , Mychasiuk Richelle 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPersistent postsurgical pain affects 20% of youth undergoing a surgical procedure, with females exhibiting increased prevalence of chronic pain compared with males. This study sought to examine the sexually-dimorphic neurobiological changes underlying the transition from acute to persistent pain following surgery in adolescence. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to a sham or injury (plantar-incision surgery) condition and assessed for pain sensitivity while also undergoing magnetic resonance imaging at both an acute and chronic timepoint within adolescence. We found that injury resulted in persistent pain in both sexes, with females displaying most significant sensitivity. Injury resulted in significant gray matter density increases in brain areas including the cerebellum, caudate putamen/insula, and amygdala and decreases in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and lateral septal nucleus. Gray matter density changes in the hippocampus and lateral septal nucleus were driven by male rats whereas changes in the amygdala and caudate putamen/insula were driven by female rats. Overall, our results indicate persistent behavioral and neurobiological changes following surgery in adolescence, with sexually-dimorphic and age-specific outcomes, highlighting the importance of studying both sexes and adolescents, rather than extrapolating from male adult literature.
Neurophysiological principles of inhibitory control processes during cognitive flexibility
Authors: Yu Shijing , Stock Ann-Kathrin , Münchau Alexander , Frings Christian , Beste Christian 
Published: January 2023

AbstractInhibitory control plays an indispensable role in cognitive flexibility. Nevertheless, the neurophysiological principles underlying this are incompletely understood. This owes to the fact that the representational dynamics, as coded in oscillatory neural activity of different frequency bands has not been considered until now—despite being of conceptual relevance. Moreover, it is unclear in how far distinct functional neuroanatomical regions are concomitantly involved in the processing of representational dynamics. We examine these questions using a combination of EEG methods. We show that theta-band activity plays an essential role for inhibitory control processes during cognitive flexibility across informational aspects coded in distinct fractions of the neurophysiological signal. It is shown that posterior parietal structures and the inferior parietal cortex seem to be the most important cortical region for inhibitory control processes during cognitive flexibility. Theta-band activity plays an essential role in processes of retrieving the previously inhibited representations related to the current task during cognitive flexibility. The representational content relevant for inhibitory processes during cognitive flexibility is coded in the theta frequency band. We outline how the observed neural mechanisms inform recent overarching cognitive frameworks on how flexible action control is accomplished.
A Changed Constitutional Perception of International Law: Demonstrating the Move Ahead With a Turned Back Head?
Authors: Marochkin Sergey Yu 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Russia has entered a new epoch in its attitude to international law by adopting two small amendments to the Constitution. The 2020 Law “On an Amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation” introduced a package of numerous modifications. A few key ones deal with international law. Formally, they relate to the very particular issue on the possibility of refusing to comply with the decisions of international jurisdictional bodies, but in essence, they reflect a fundamental change in the country’s attitude to its obligations in the international community and the role of international law in general. The article assesses the significance of these amendments for the Russian legal system and shows the origins of such a change which was first indicated by the decision of the Russian Constitutional Court (RCC) and the federal constitutional law in 2015. Now this change is incorporated into the Constitution. Supporters of the changes are trying to assure that Russia follows the experience of western countries that conduct a similar policy towards the international courts. The article asserts that the argumentation used in such statements is incomplete and inexact; the real situation of relations between western countries and these courts is different. Russia is essentially the only country with an approved position on the acts of international jurisdictional bodies. It is shown that ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution by the amendments is senseless from a legal point of view. The true meaning of them is to erect barriers to “inconvenient” decisions of international bodies. Failure to comply with them entails a violation of obligations under international law. The amendments are to illustrate a demonstrative movement forward, presumably in line with current realities but in fact, this is a movement with a head turned back, a returning to the past. This policy has already become one of logical steps to Russia’s withdrawal from the Council of Europe (CoE).
Yield of Facility-based Targeted Universal Testing for Tuberculosis With Xpert and Mycobacterial Culture in High-Risk Groups Attending Primary Care Facilities in South Africa
Authors: Berhanu Rebecca H , Lebina Limakatso , Nonyane Bareng A S , Milovanovic Minja , Kinghorn Anthony , Connell Lucy , Nyathi Sipho , Young Katherine , Hausler Harry , Naidoo Pren , Brey Zameer , Shearer Kate , Genade Leisha , Martinson Neil A 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
We report the yield of targeted universal tuberculosis (TB) testing of clinic attendees in high-risk groups.

Methods
Clinic attendees in primary healthcare facilities in South Africa with one of the following risk factors underwent sputum testing for TB: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), contact with a TB patient in the past year, and having had TB in the past 2 years. A single sample was collected for Xpert-Ultra (Xpert) and culture. We report the proportion positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Data were analyzed descriptively. The unadjusted clinical and demographic factors’ relative risk of TB detected by culture or Xpert were calculated and concordance between Xpert and culture is described.

Results
A total of 30 513 participants had a TB test result. Median age was 39 years, and 11 553 (38%) were men. The majority (n = 21734, 71%) had HIV, 12 492 (41%) reported close contact with a TB patient, and 1573 (5%) reported prior TB. Overall, 8.3% were positive for M. tuberculosis by culture and/or Xpert compared with 6.0% with trace-positive results excluded. In asymptomatic participants, the yield was 6.7% and 10.1% in symptomatic participants (with trace-positives excluded). Only 10% of trace-positive results were culture-positive. We found that 55% of clinic attendees with a sputum result positive for M. tuberculosis did not have a positive TB symptom screen.

Conclusions
A high proportion of clinic attendees with specific risk factors (HIV, close TB contact, history of TB) test positive for M. tuberculosis when universal testing is implemented.
Safety and Immunogenicity of a monovalent inactivated influenza A/H5N8 virus vaccine given with and without AS03 or MF59 adjuvants in healthy adults
Authors: Winokur Patricia L , Hegmann Theresa E , Keitel Wendy A , Bernstein David I , Frey Sharon E , Bryant Chris ,   DMID 15-0064 Study Group, Stapleton Jack , Meier Jeffery , Ince Dilek , Patel Shital M , El Sahly Hana , Atmar Robert , Anderson Edwin , Graham Irene , Hoft Daniel 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Avian influenza A/H5N8 virus infections have been circulating widely in wild and domestic bird populations with transmission to a few human poultry workers. This phase 1, randomized, blinded trial evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent inactivated influenza A/H5N8 virus vaccine (H5N8 IIV) given with and without AS03 or MF59 adjuvants.

Methods
275 healthy adults, ages 19-64 years, were randomized to one of five groups to receive two doses of 15 µg unadjuvanted influenza A/gyrfalcon/Washington/41088-6/2014(H5N8) (clade 2.3.4.4c) virus vaccine or two doses of 7.5 or 15 µg of vaccine adjuvanted with AS03 or MF59. Immunogenicity was assessed through 21 days following the second dose of vaccine using hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN) assays for the homologous influenza A/H5N8 and three heterologous influenza A/H5 viruses. Safety was assessed through 1 year.

Results
The vaccines were well tolerated. Only modest immune responses were seen following receipt of a single dose of vaccine. Seroprotection (HAI titers ≥40) was more common in groups that received AS03 plus 7.5 or 15 µg of vaccine (89% and 93%, respectively) compared to the MF59-adjuvanted groups (56% and 73%), while unadjuvanted vaccine showed a poor response (27%). Higher antigen content resulted in modestly improved immune responses. HAI and MN GMTs and seroconversion rates were low across all study groups for all three heterologous strains of influenza A/H5 virus.

Conclusions
AS03 or MF59-adjuvanted H5N8 IIV generated strong immunogenic responses following two doses. There was poor cross-reactivity for the three antigenically drifted H5N1 strains tested.
Three-Day Icatibant on Top of Standard Care in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2, Proof-of-Concept Trial
Authors: Malchair Pierre , Giol Jordi , García Vanesa , Rodríguez Orlando , Ruibal José Carlos , Zarauza Alvaro , Llopis Ferrán , Matellán Leire , Bernal Tania , Solís Beatriz , Otero Aurema , Carnaval Thiago , Jofre Hector , Jacob Javier , Solanich Xavier , Antolí Arnau , Rocamora Gemma , Videla Sebastián 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
We aimed to evaluate icatibant, a competitive antagonist of the bradykinin B2 receptors, for the treatment of inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia admitted in the early hypoxemic stage.

Methods
The randomized, open-label clinical trial of icatibant for COVID-19 pneumonia (ICAT·COVID, registered as NCT04978051 at ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted in Barcelona. Inpatients requiring supplemental but not high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation were allocated (1:1) to treatment with either three 30-mg icatibant doses/d for 3 consecutive days plus standard care or standard care alone, and followed for up to 28 days after initial discharge. The primary and key secondary outcomes were clinical response on study day 10/discharge and clinical efficacy at 28 days from initial discharge, respectively.

Results
Clinical response occurred in 27 of 37 patients (73.0%) in the icatibant group and 20 of 36 patients (55.6%) in the control group (rate difference, 17.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], −4.22 to 39.06; P = .115). Clinical efficacy ensued in 37 patients (100.0%) in the icatibant group and 30 patients (83.3%) in the control group (rate difference, 16.67; 95% CI, 4.49-28.84; P = .011). No patient died in the icatibant group, compared with 6 patients (16.7%) in the control group (P = .011). All patients but 1 had adverse events, which were evenly distributed between study arms. No patient withdrew because of adverse events.

Conclusions
Adding icatibant to standard care was safe and improved both COVID-19 pneumonia and mortality in this proof-of-concept study. A larger, phase 3 trial is warranted to establish the clinical value of this treatment.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT04978051.
War in Ukraine and dialysis treatment: human suffering and organizational challenges
Authors: Novakivskyy Volodymyr , Shurduk Roman , Grin Inna , Tkachenko Taisiia , Pavlenko Nataliia , Hrynevych Anastasiia , Hymes Jeffrey L , Maddux Franklin W , Stuard Stefano 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTIn January 2021, there were 9648 patients in Ukraine on kidney replacement therapy, including 8717 on extracorporeal therapies and 931 on peritoneal dialysis. On 24 February 2022, foreign troops entered the territory of Ukraine. Before the war, the Fresenius Medical Care dialysis network in Ukraine operated three medical centres. These medical centres provided haemodialysis therapy to 349 end-stage kidney disease patients. In addition, Fresenius Medical Care Ukraine delivered medical supplies to almost all regions of Ukraine. Even though Fresenius Medical Care's share of end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is small, a brief narrative account of the managerial challenges that Fresenius Medical Care Ukraine and the clinical directors of the Fresenius Medical Care centres had to face, as well as the suffering of the dialysis population, is a useful testimony of the burden imposed by war on these frail, high-risk patients dependent on a complex technology such as dialysis. The war in Ukraine is causing immense suffering for the dialysis population of this country and has called for heroic efforts from dialysis personnel. The experience of a small dialysis network treating a minority of dialysis patients in Ukraine is described. Guaranteeing dialysis treatment has been and remains an enormous challenge in Ukraine and we are confident that the generosity and the courage of Ukrainian dialysis staff and international aid will help to mitigate this tragic suffering.