bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
6 Risk factors of poor wound healing in open abdomen patients with fistula undergoing the abdominal wall reconstruction utilizing biological mesh
Authors: Liu Ye , Wu Xiuwen , Ren Jianan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objective
The management of wound in open abdomen (OA) patients with fistula presents a significant clinical challenge, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of and identify risk factors of poor wound healing following abdominal wall reconstruction using biologic mesh.

Methods
The study included 86 patients, who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction by biological mesh of open abdomen with fistula at the Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, from January 2010 to August 2023. Their perioperative data were retrospectively analyzed, and clinical characteristics were compared. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic were used to screen the independent factors of poor wound healing of abdominal wall reconstruction.

Results
The rate of poor wound healing after abdominal wall reconstruction was 23.26% (20/86) in OA patients with fistula. Body mass index (BMI), low BMI, abdominal wall defect zoning, neutrophil counts (NEUTs) on the first preoperative day, white blood cells (WBCs) on the first postoperative day, NEUTs on the first postoperative day, WBCs on the third postoperative day, NEUTs on the third postoperative day, procalcitonin (PCT) on the seventh postoperative day, WBCs on the seventh postoperative day, NEUTs on the seventh postoperative day, length of hospitalization, total hospitalization cost, and number of blood transfusions showed statistically significant differences between the group with well wound healing and the group with poor healing (P &lt; 0.05). Multifactorial analysis of the results showed that NEUTs on the first postoperative day (OR: 0.675, 95%c.i.: 0.457–0.998, P: 0.049), NEUTs on the third postoperative day (OR: 0.645, 95%c.i.: 0.450–0.925, P: 0.017), and PCT on the seventh postoperative day (OR: 0.134, 95%c.i. 0.024–0.746, P: 0.022) were independent risk factors for poor wound healing.

Conclusions
NEUTs on the first postoperative day, NEUTs on the third postoperative day, and PCT on the seventh postoperative day are independent risk factors for poor wound healing. For patients undergoing abdominal wall defect reconstruction for open abdomen combined with fistula, clinical wound management should focus on preventive measures accordingly to ensure well wound healing.
17 Self-fixing scaffold membrane prevents postoperative adhesion by scavenging ROS production
Authors: Li Sicheng , Liu Ye , Huang Jinjian , Wu Xiuwen , Ren Jianan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Aim
This study focuses on the investigation of formation mechanism and prevention technologies for postoperative abdominal adhesions by combining bioengineering technology with the target therapy on abdominal adhesion mechanism.

Methods
A tissue engineering anti-adhesion membrane (SC-Xg) was prepared by cross-linking xanthan gum (Xg) with sodium citrate (SC) through dehydration condensation reaction for in vivo implantation to prevent postoperative abdominal adhesions. The physicochemical properties of SC-Xg were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, rheometry, and swelling experiments to screen for suitable material formula ratios. Moreover, the biocompatibility of SC-Xg was assessed by co-culture with cells and fluorescence staining of live/dead cells. Through cellular experiments, we explored the possible mechanisms of sodium citrate inhibition of oxidative stress. Based on in vivo implantation of SC-XG membrane to mouse IBM, the safety and efficacy of SC-Xg in preventing postoperative abdominal adhesions were further confirmed using histopathological staining and ELISA assays.

Results
We developed a sodium citrate-based cross-linked xanthan gum tissue engineering membrane (SC-Xg) through a dehydration condensation reaction for the prevention of abdominal adhesion formation after abdominal surgery. The mechanical properties of xanthan gum were optimized by using different amount of sodium citrate for cross-linking. The SC-XG membrane showed the antioxidant properties, good self-fixation ability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, and was easy to prepare for applications. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the clinical translational potential of SC-Xg by shielding the surgical site, inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response by activating Nrf2, and significantly reducing adhesion formation.

Conclusions
SC-Xg membrance inhibits oxidative stress in the injured peritoneum and prevents the formation of adhesions.
Bone morphogenetic protein 10 is increased in precapillary pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: Llucià-Valldeperas Aida , van Wezenbeek Jessie , Groeneveldt Joanne A , Smal Rowan , Sánchez-Duffhues Gonzalo , Becher Clarissa , Kianzad Azar , Jansen Samara M A , Wessels Jeroen N , Handoko M Louis , Meijboom Lilian J , Marcus J Tim , Symersky Petr , Niessen Hans W M , Vonk-Noordegraaf Anton , Bogaard Harm Jan , Goumans Marie José , de Man Frances S 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Aims
Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (precPH) results in increased right atrial (RA) stretch and pressure. The right atrium is the major source of bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10) in adults, primarily produced by RA cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate BMP10 expression in the right heart and systemic circulation and to identify potential triggers for increased BMP10 secretion associated with precPH.

Methods and results
We examined BMP10 mRNA and protein expressions in RA tissue. Circulating BMP10 plasma levels were determined using ELISA. BMP10 transcriptional activity was studied using a BRE-Luciferase assay. Correlation analyses were performed between circulating BMP10 and RA dilatation as well as right ventricular (RV) function. Finally, we determined the impact of pressure unloading on BMP10 activity in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) patients before and after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA).
BMP10 mRNA, protein and activity were significantly increased in the precPH right atrium. While circulating BMP10 protein levels were elevated, no significant changes were observed in BMP10 transcriptional activity between precPH and controls. Interestingly, RA dilatation, increased RA pressure, high NTproBNP levels and reduced RV ejection fraction were associated with high BMP10 activity. Finally, pressure unloading after PEA in a cohort of CTEPH patients, resulted in reduced BMP10 activity.

Conclusions
In conclusion, RA BMP10 expression and plasma levels are increased in precPH, likely triggered by excessive RA dilatation and pressure overload. Future studies are needed to determine whether increased BMP10 release is an adaptive mechanism or a potential therapeutic target.
A call to action on pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in the offspring. A Scientific Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the ESC
Authors: Moholdt Trine , Aye Christina , Bahls Martin , Crispi Fatima , Ghossein-Doha Chahinda , Goossens Eva , Hanssen Henner , Kulkarni Aparna , Lewandowski Adam J , Mannaerts Dominique , Nyrnes Siri Ann , Tiberi Monica , Van Craenenbroeck Emeline 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, and prematurity, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the offspring. This document aims to raise recognition of the impact of maternal health on offspring cardiometabolic health and to highlight research gaps on how to mitigate this risk via pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle interventions initiated before, during, or after pregnancy hold great promise to prevent and manage adverse maternal outcomes. Still, there is limited evidence for the effect of such interventions on CVD-related outcomes in the offspring. In this document, we “Call for action” concerning research investigating how pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions can reduce CVD risk in the offspring. There is a need to overcome barriers to recruit individuals who need such interventions the most, to better design strategies for increased adherence, and to include relevant measurements in children.
Frequent neighborhood participation reduces the probability of loneliness among older adults: A longitudinal study from Singapore
Authors: Lee June May-Ling , Visaria Abhijit , Chan Angelique 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Loneliness at older ages is a significant public health concern, and promoting participation in neighborhood events and activities may be a possible avenue for alleviating loneliness among older adults. However, there remains a scarcity of empirical research in this field. Addressing this knowledge gap, our study examined the association between frequency of neighborhood participation by older adults and their subsequent feelings of loneliness two years later, in a nationally representative longitudinal cohort of community-dwelling Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 years and older.

Methods
We used two waves (2016-2017 and 2019) of data from the Transitions in Health, Employment, Social engagement, and Inter-Generational transfers in Singapore Study (THE SIGNS Study) (n=1,217). Frequent neighborhood participation was defined as participating in neighborhood committees, clubs, or events once a week or more, while loneliness was measured using the Three-item loneliness scale. To mitigate selection bias, we employed inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment to estimate the relationship between the frequency of neighborhood participation and loneliness.

Results
Our findings indicate that older adults who participated in neighborhood events frequently had a lower probability of loneliness at wave 2 compared to non-participants. Conversely, infrequent neighborhood participation at baseline did not demonstrate an association with loneliness at wave 2.

Discussion
Our findings suggest that a higher intensity of involvement in neighborhood activities may be necessary to achieve the benefits of participation. Our findings also highlight the potential of neighborhood-based interventions as a public health strategy to address loneliness in aging populations.
SpeSpeNet: an interactive and user-friendly tool to create and explore microbial correlation networks
Authors: van Eijnatten Abraham L , van Zon Luc , Manousou Eleni , Bikineeva Margarita , Wubs E R Jasper , van der Putten Wim H , Morriën Elly , Dutilh Bas E , Snoek L Basten 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Correlation networks are commonly used to explore microbiome data. In these networks, nodes are taxa and edges represent correlations between their abundance patterns across samples. As clusters of correlating taxa (co-abundance clusters) often indicate a shared response to environmental drivers, network visualization contributes to system understanding. Currently, most tools for creating and visualizing co-abundance networks from microbiome data either require the researcher to have coding skills, or they are not user-friendly, with high time expenditure and limited customizability. Furthermore, existing tools lack focus on the association between environmental drivers and the structure of the microbiome, even though many edges in correlation networks can be understood through a shared association of two taxa with the environment. For these reasons we developed SpeSpeNet (Species-Species Network, https://tbb.bio.uu.nl/SpeSpeNet), a practical and user-friendly R-shiny tool to construct and visualize correlation networks from taxonomic abundance tables. The details of data preprocessing, network construction, and visualization are automated, require no programming ability for the web version, and are highly customizable, including associations with user-provided environmental data. Here, we present the details of SpeSpeNet and demonstrate its utility using three case studies.
Repurposing tafenoquine as a potent antifungal agent against Candida haemulonii sensu stricto
Authors: Pimentel Larissa Rodrigues , Lucini Fabíola , Silva Gabrieli Argueiro da , Simionatto Simone , Rossato Luana 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The rise in fungal infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens like Candida haemulonii sensu stricto presents a significant global health challenge. The common resistance to current treatments underscores the urgency to explore alternative therapeutic strategies, including drug repurposing.

Objectives
To assess the potential of repurposing tafenoquine, an antimalarial agent, for antifungal use against C. haemulonii sensu stricto.

Methods
The efficacy of tafenoquine was tested using in vitro assays for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration, biofilm inhibition, cell damage, cell membrane integrity, nucleotide leakage, sorbitol protection assay, and efflux pump inhibition. The compound’s cytotoxicity was assessed through a haemolysis assay, and in vivo safety and efficacy were tested using Tenebrio molitor larvae.

Results
Tafenoquine exhibited potent fungicidal activity against C. haemulonii sensu stricto with an MIC of 4 mg/L and significantly inhibited biofilm formation by 60.63%. Tafenoquine also impaired mitochondrial functionality, leading to compromised cellular respiration. Despite these effects, tafenoquine did not cause significant protein leakage, indicating a distinct mechanism from membrane-targeting agents. In vivo study confirmed tafenoquine's non-toxic profile with no observed haemolysis or acute toxicity in the T. molitor model. During antifungal treatment with tafenoquine, a survival rate of approximately 60% was observed after 3 days.

Conclusions
The findings of this study highlight tafenoquine's potential as a promising candidate for antifungal drug repurposing, especially against C. haemulonii sensu stricto. Its effectiveness in inhibiting fungal growth and biofilm formation underscores its viability for further clinical development as a novel antifungal therapy.
RTF1 mediates epigenetic control of Th17 cell differentiation via H2B monoubiquitination
Authors: Galan Carolina , Lu Guangqing , Gill Richard , Li Dun , Liu Yifang , Huh Jun R , Hang Saiyu 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
A gene encoding the transcription factor RTF1 has been associated with an increased risk of ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we investigated its function in modulating T cells expressing interleukin-17A (Th17 cells), a cardinal cell type promoting intestinal inflammation. Our results indicate that Rtf1 deficiency disrupts the differentiation of Th17 cells, while leaving regulatory T cells (Treg) unaffected. Mechanistically, RTF1 facilitates histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1), which requires its histone modification domain (HMD), for supporting Th17 cell function. Impaired Th17 differentiation was also observed in cells lacking the H2Bub1 E3 ligase subunit RNF40, an enzyme known to physically interact with RTF1. Thus, our study underscores the essential role of RTF1 in H2Bub1-mediated epigenetic regulation of Th17 cell differentiation. Understanding this process will likely provide valuable insights into addressing Th17-associated inflammatory disorders. (Images were created with BioRender).
Gaussian Inference in Predictive Regressions for Stock Returns
Authors: Demetrescu Matei , Hillmann Benjamin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Predictive regressions are an important tool in empirical finance. Under persistent predictors and so-called predictive regression endogeneity, OLS-based estimators and tests exhibit nonnormal limiting distributions. M estimators in such predictive regressions inherit these traits. The limiting distributions of different M estimators and M estimation-based tests of predictability depend on the same non-standard component. We exploit this to eliminate the nonstandard component and obtain standard normal test statistics of no predictability by building suitable linear combinations of two different M-based t ratios. This further enables us to set up a fixed-regressors bootstrap procedure to avoid the multiple-testing problem when applying the new test in rolling subsamples. Examining the predictability of U.S. stock returns, we find evidence for stock return predictability in volatile business cycle periods, such as World War II, Oil Crisis and Great Recession.
Revisiting surrogacy of pathological complete response for long-term survival in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Yoshino Toru , Zhang Zao , Sato Ryota , Lipkowitz Stanley , Fujii Takeo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Pathological complete response (pCR) has been used as a primary endpoint in neoadjuvant trials in early-stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted pCR as a surrogate endpoint for long-term survival outcomes in high-risk early-stage BC for new drug approval. However, there is insufficient trial-level data to robustly support pCR as a surrogate for long-term survival in TNBC.

Methods
A systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized clinical trials of neoadjuvant systemic therapy for patients with clinical stage I-III TNBC. Data of odds ratios (ORs) for pCR, hazard ratios (HRs) for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted. Disease-free survival was used as an alternative when EFS data were unavailable. A linear regression model on a logarithmic scale, coefficient of difference, and 95% confidential interval (CI) were calculated to assess the trial-level association between OR for pCR and HR for OS and EFS.

Results
Eight trials with a total of 2,342 patients were included. Three trials tested immune checkpoint inhibitors. Coefficient of difference (R2) was 0.2 for HR of EFS (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.22, P = .27), and R2 for HR of OS was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.22, P = .33).

Conclusion
There is no strong evidence to support using pCR as a surrogate marker for EFS or OS in early-stage TNBC at the trial level. Because of the necessity of minimizing drug approval delay with reliable long-term outcome, further studies of surrogate markers in early-stage TNBC are warranted.
Best practices and pragmatic approaches for patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures in cancer clinical trials
Authors: Bandos Hanna , Torres-Saavedra Pedro A , Culakova Eva , Gunn Heather J , Lee Minji K , Duan Fenghai , Cecchini Reena S , Unger Joseph M , Dueck Amylou C , Steingrimsson Jon A 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are often collected in cancer clinical trials. Data obtained from trials with PROs are essential in evaluating participant experiences relating to symptoms, financial toxicity, or health-related quality of life. Although most features of clinical trial design, implementation, and analyses apply to trials with PROs, several considerations are unique. In this paper, we focus on specific issues such as selection of the tool, timing and frequency of assessments, and data collection methods. We discuss how the estimand framework can be used in connection with PROs, properties of common estimation methods, and handling of missing outcomes. With a plethora of literature available, we aim to summarize best practices and pragmatic approaches to the design and analysis of the studies incorporating PROs.
Autologous Glueless Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation for Unilateral Stem Cell Deficiency Using Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Limbal Stem Cell Harvesting: The Report of the First 3 Clinical Cases
Authors: Malyugin Boris , Kalinnikova Svetlana , Nefedova Olga , Gerasimov Maksim , Müller Fabian , Bernau Werner 
Published: February 2025

Purpose:
To evaluate the first clinical results of corneal surface reconstruction with the help of a femtosecond laser (FSL)—full FSL-assisted autologous glueless simple limbal epithelial transplantation (Full FSL G-SLET) for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency.

Methods:
After chemical eye burns, 3 patients underwent Full FSL G-SLET procedures, including 2 critical laser-assisted steps: harvesting of the 8 autologous limbal micrografts from the healthy eyes and placing them into laser-cut nonpenetrating corneal tunnels performed on the affected eye.

Results:
The donor eyes recovered very quickly, and 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, a small scar in the limbal area formed with no adverse effects on visual acuity. Three patients had various rates of corneal reepithelization of the recipient eyes: 1 month, 1.5 months, and 4 months postoperatively. Complete corneal epithelialization was achieved in all cases. The epithelial layer was stable for 12 months postoperatively, as confirmed by corneal staining with low-molecular-weight fluorescein and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Visual acuity improvement was observed in all 3 patients.

Conclusions:
This is the first report of successful clinical use of FSL for autologous G-SLET surgical procedures when the laser was used not only to create corneal tunnels for autologous limbal micrograft fixation but also for their in vivo harvesting and fragmentation.