bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purported Bladder Irritant Intake in Women With Urgency Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Ha Barbara , Yanek Lisa R. , Harrington Bryna J. , Blomquist Joan L. , Chen Chi Chiung Grace , Patterson Danielle , Handa Victoria L. 
Published: January 2025

Importance
Patients with urgency urinary incontinence are often recommended to avoid bladder irritants, but there is a lack of evidence for this.

Objective
The aim of the study was to compare consumption of purported bladder irritants between women with and without urgency urinary incontinence.

Study Design
We performed a case-control study of nonpregnant females aged ≥20 years using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2020. Cases were defined as participants with moderate, severe, or very severe urgency urinary incontinence without stress urinary incontinence, measured with the Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index. Controls were defined as those without urgency urinary incontinence. The exposures of interest were 6 bladder irritants listed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: (1) alcohol; (2) spicy foods; (3) chocolate; (4) artificial sweeteners; (5) caffeinated, carbonated, and citrus beverages; and (6) high-acid foods. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent associations between each irritant and urgency urinary incontinence.

Results
Overall, this study included 651 cases with urgency urinary incontinence (6.8%) and 8,890 controls (93.2%). More cases reported consuming caffeinated, carbonated, and citrus beverages (53.8% vs 47.1%, P = 0.01) and high-acid foods (50.3% vs 44.3%, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, the odds of urgency urinary incontinence were increased significantly with intake of caffeinated, carbonated, and citrus beverages (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.73) and high-acid foods (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.62).

Conclusions
In this case-control study of community-dwelling adult females, urgency urinary incontinence was associated with consumption of caffeinated, carbonated, and citrus beverages and high-acid foods. Adequately powered prospective trials are needed to further investigate the effects of these foods and beverages on urgency urinary incontinence to guide clinical practice.
Irreversible Electroporation and β-Glucan Induced Trained Innate Immunity for the Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Phase II Study
Authors: Martin Robert CG , Li Yan , Shore Emily A , Malik Danial A , Li Hong , Hu Xiaoling , Hayat Traci , Tan Min , McMasters Kelly M , Yan Jun 
Published: January 2025

Introduction:
Irreversible electroporation(IRE) has augmented the effects of certain immunotherapies in pancreatic cancer(PDA). Yeast-derived particulate beta-glucan induces trained innate immunity and has successfully reduces murine PC tumor burden. This is a Phase II study to test the hypothesis that IRE may augment beta-glucan induced trained immunity in patients with PDA.

Methods:
Phase II clinical trial (NCT03080974), surgical ablative IRE was performed on clinical stage-III PDA followed by oral beta-Glucan administration for 12-months or until disease recurrence. Peripheral blood was taken pre-op, 14-days, and every 3-months and was evaluated by mass cytometry and compared to patients who received IRE alone.

Results:
Thirty consecutive patients with pre-operative clinical stage-III PDA were treated with IRE and then initiated on oral beta-glucan post-operatively was compared to 20 patients treated with IRE alone. There were no dose limiting toxicities with oral beta-glucan and compliance with therapy was 96% in all patients. Seven(23%) patients developed grade 3/4 treatment related adverse events(AEs) at 90-days; none required a dose modification of oral beta-glucan. Median disease-free interval of 18 months (range 6-48), with a median overall survival of 32.5 months(range 4-53). At 12-months post IRE, immunophenotyping was demonstrated a significant effect with improvement in the IRE-Beta-Glucan treated group. This also resulted in a significant decrease on naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells with increased CD4 and CD8 terminal effector cells in the IRE-Beta glucan treated group, which correlated with a significant improvement in disease free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS)(P=0.001).

Conclusions:
Combined beta-glucan with IRE ablated PDA tumor cells elicited a potent trained response and augmented anti-tumor functionality at 12 months post IRE, which translated into an improved DFI and OS.
Long-Term Islet Graft Functional Assessments in More than 500 Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy with Intraportal Islet Autotransplantation
Authors: Bellin Melena D , Eaton Anne , Ramanathan Karthik , Beilman Gregory , Downs Elissa , Schwarzenberg Sarah J , Trikudanathan Guru , Freeman Martin , Sutherland David , Chinnakotla Srinath 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Total pancreatectomy and intraportal islet cell auto transplantation (TPIAT) is increasingly being offered to patients with refractory chronic pancreatitis. Understanding factors that impact islet function over time is critical.

Study Design:
We evaluated factors associated with islet function over 12 years post TPIAT using mixed meal tolerance testing (MMTT). Insulin independence and HbA1c were assessed at each time. We compared AUC C-peptide, AUC glucose, insulin independent and HbA1c patterns over time by patient characteristics using generalized linear mixed models.

Results:
555 patients (median age 32 (IQR 17,45) years, 25% pediatric; 70% female, 41% overweight/obese) undergoing TPIAT were studied. Median islet equivalents/kg (IEQ/kg) transplanted was 3,696 (IQR 2,449, 5,494) with 26% receiving low (<2500 IEQ/kg), 43% moderate (2500-5000 IEQ/kg), and 31% high islet mass (>5000 IEQ/kg). AUC C-peptide immediately post TPIAT was lowest in those with low islet mass and remained low over time. AUC C-peptide showed a modest increase in islet function over 3-4 years in moderate/high islet mass, followed by decline (p<0.0001 for difference in post-TPIAT trajectory by group). Children have better long-term islet function particularly beyond 5 years post-TPIAT, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.0608); and overweight individuals have declining islet function long-term while those with normal/low BMI have gains in the first 3-5 years (p<0.0001). Mean hemoglobin A1c was sustained at <7% for 8 years in high islet-mass.

Conclusions:
In patients with high islet mass transplanted, islet function improves in the first several years after IAT. Islet function is sustained longer in children than in adults. Overweight/obese body habitus may be detrimental to long-term islet function, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight for TPIAT recipients.
Potent synthetic lethality between PLK1 and EYA-family inhibitors in tumours of the central and peripheral nervous system
Authors: Nelson Christopher B. , Wells Jadon K. , Kesarwani Ekaagra , Sobinoff Alexander P. , Gao Jixuan , MacKenzie Karen L. , Poulos Rebecca C. , Nawaz Urwah , Wang Xiang , Ford Heide L. , Pickett Hilda A. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe Eyes Absent family of protein phosphatases (EYA1-4) are aberrantly expressed and tumour-promoting across many devastating cancers of neurological origin affecting both children and adults. It has recently been demonstrated that EYA1 and EYA4 promote tumour cell survival by increasing the active pool of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) molecules. This discovery provides a rationale for the therapeutic combination of EYA inhibitors with direct, ATP-competitive, PLK1 inhibitors. Here, we demonstrate potent and synergistic effects of EYA and PLK1 inhibition in cancer cell lines that overexpress EYA1 and/or EYA4, including in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma models. We identify decreases in PLK1 activity and RAD51 foci formation, and increases in mitotic arrest and cell death, as mechanistic contributors to combination sensitivity. Combined EYA and PLK1 inhibition is also effective in glioblastoma stem cell models that overexpress EYA1/EYA4 and specifically targets the cancer stem cell state. Finally, through multi-omic correlational analysis, we identify high levels of the NuRD complex and SOX9 as contributors to combination treatment sensitivity. Overall, this work identifies a novel synthetic lethal combination therapy with potential utility across a wide range of neurological cancers.
Effects of shock on perceptual learning in a virtual reality environment
Authors: Cass John , Fu Wing Hong , Li Yanping , Cahill Larissa , Weidemann Gabrielle 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study investigates two aspects of visual processing and perceptual learning: the impact of training on the human visual system’s ability to integrate information across the visual field and the influence of aversive electrodermal stimulation on perceptual performance in an orientation averaging task. Through a ten-day training regimen that manipulated the set-size of Gabor element arrays, we observe consistent degradation in orientation averaging performance with increasing set-size, with training leading to overall improvements in accuracy and response times, but only a marginal interaction with set-size (for response times). This suggests that training-related enhancements likely operate at a post-integration and/or decisional stage of processing rather than at an early encoding stage. The second inquiry explores the effects of aversive stimuli on perceptual learning-based orientation averaging performance, with participants exposed to ‘no shock’, ‘performance-contingent shock’ or ‘random shock’ conditions. Our results show that while performance improved across training there was no discernible effect of the shock condition on task accuracy or response times and no evidence of an interaction with set size. State anxiety levels, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, indicated that whilst anxiety was elevated in both shock conditions, this was not associated with variations on orientation averaging performance. We also find that visual performance feedback, represented by a health bar, significantly influenced accuracy, but not response times, regardless of the presence or absence of shock. This unexpected impact of visual feedback suggests potential roles for attention and motivation in perceptual performance.Public significance statementThis study enhances our understanding of how training and stress influence visual processing and perceptual learning, revealing critical insights into the mechanisms that govern how we integrate visual information. By exploring the effects of acute stress and visual feedback, our findings suggest potential applications for improving learning outcomes in various contexts, from virtual to real-world environments.
SwiftMHC: A High-Speed Attention Network for MHC-Bound Peptide Identification and 3D Modeling
Authors: Baakman Coos , Crocioni Giulia , Rademaker Daniel T. , Frühbuß David , Aarts Yannick J. M. , Xue Li C. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCancer immunotherapies show promise in eliminating tumors, but identifying tumor peptides that bind patient MHC proteins to trigger immune responses remains challenging. The vast peptide-MHC diversity makes experimental identification costly, emphasizing the need for computational predictions.To address scalability, we introduce SwiftMHC, an attention network for identifying MHC-bound peptides and generating all-atom 3D structures simultaneously. SwiftMHC processes cases in 0.01 to 2.2 seconds on a single A100 GPU, overcoming the speed bottleneck of structure-based approaches. It rivals or surpasses state-of-the-art tools, including an AlphaFold-based approach, in binding affinity prediction and 3D modeling.SwiftMHC showcases the advantages of task-specific AI trained on physics-derived synthetic data for speed and precision. Optimized for HLA-A*0201 9-mers, it can be adapted to other MHC alleles. Its speed and accuracy may enable the community to identify peptides distinct from self-peptides at T-cell exposed surfaces, ensuring safer therapies, expanding immunotherapy targets, and accelerating development.
A bright synthetic near-infrared luciferin enhances the capabilities of deep-tissue bioluminescence imaging using firefly luciferases
Authors: Saito-Moriya Ryohei , Iwano Satoshi , Kitada Nobuo , Yamasaki Norihisa , Kamiya Genta , Ogo Katsunori , Sugiyama Takashi , Chuluun-Erdene Ariunbold , Isagawa Takayuki , Obata Rika , Ijuin Ryosuke , Abe Hideki , Kashiwakura Yuji , Mabuchi Yo , Takahashi Megumu , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Sawaki Daigo , Sato Tatsuyuki , Sato Shigeru , Nishikii Hidekazu , Yoshimura Kotaro , Hioki Hiroyuki , Ohmori Tsukasa , Nakashiba Toshiaki , Hirano Takashi , Aoyama Hiroshi , Takeda Norihiko , Miyawaki Atsushi , Maki Shojiro A. , Kuchimaru Takahiro 
Published: January 2025

AbstractSynthetic bioluminescence reactions exhibiting near-infrared (NIR)-shifted spectra have been explored to improve deep-tissue imaging through the design of firefly luciferin analogues. Although the NIR bioluminescence reactions improve the tissue penetration of bioluminescence signals from deep tissues, their photon output is markedly lower compared to the natural reaction with D-luciferin and firefly luciferase (Fluc), often by an order of magnitude or more. Consequently, in most instances, the sensitivity of NIR bioluminescence imaging (NIR-BLI) has not yet substantially surpassed that of BLI with the natural firefly reaction. Here, we present a synthetic firefly luciferin, named AkaSuke, that generates intense NIR bioluminescence (λmax= 680 nm) in reaction with Fluc, greatly improving the detection sensitivity beyond that of the D-luciferin/Fluc reaction for targeting deep tissue. AkaSuke enables sensitive visualizations of ectopic hematogenesis through entire tissues of mice over time following transplantation of bone marrow stem cells labeled with Fluc. We additionally identify a Japanese firefly luciferase, DkumLuc1, that displays higher catalytic activities for bioluminescence emission of AkaSuke compared to typical Fluc, resulting in detection sensitivity comparable to that of AkaLumine/Akaluc reaction, one of the most sensitive bioluminescence systems for deep tissue imaging. We further propose the potential of the AkaSuke/DkumLuc1 reaction as an orthogonal pair with the AkaLumine/Akaluc for sensitive dual-target tracking in mice. Overall results suggest that AkaSuke enhances the capabilities of deep-tissue bioluminescence imaging using Fluc and its variant, and could serve as an emerging benchmark for the molecular design of NIR luciferin analogues.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the uptake of intermittent sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for prevention of malaria amongst pregnant women in Sierra Leone
Authors: Pessima William Tilima , Molleh Bailah , Silla-Kanu Musa , Stafford Brenda , Lahai Wani Kumba , Falama Abdul Mac , Mishra Sharmistha , Chan Adrienne K. , Sevalie Stephen , Lakoh Sulaiman , Lahai Michael 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundMalaria in pregnancy contributes to high maternal mortality, warranting the adoption of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) of malaria in pregnancy in Sierra Leone in 2017. Since then, the uptake of IPTp has increased but it is unclear whether COVID-19 has any impact on these services. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the uptake of IPTp among pregnant women in Sierra leone at district, regional, and national levels.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study design was used to assess the monthly aggregated data from DHIS2 for all 5 regions of Sierra Leone. We describe the trends of IPTp1, IPTp2, and IPTp3+ uptake at national, regional, and district levels before, during and after COVID-19. Data was analyses using STATA. The median and interquartile range for each outcome in each period were calculated.ResultsThe median monthly uptake of total IPTp was the lowest before COVID (53,244) but increased during COVID-19 (55,257) and after COVID-19 (59,439). IPTp1 uptake was lowest during COVID-19 (20,338) but highest after COVID-19 (20,914). All three variables (IPTp1, IPTp2 and IPTp3) showed a clear decline in uptake in early 2020 and recovered within 3 months in a similar pattern of magnitude, except in Eastern Sierra Leone. Both IPTp2 and IPTp3 showed more pronounced increases in uptake after recovery than IPTp1 and they both experienced sustained increases in the post-COVID-19 period.ConclusionThe negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in reducing IPTp uptake was followed by rapid recovery, underscoring the resilience of the Sierra Leone’s health system in response to public health emergencies. However, the delay in recovery in the IPTp uptake in the Eastern Sierra Leone highlight the need for strong differentiated regional strategies in protecting essential health services during public health emergencies.
Optimal Reconstruction of the Hellings and Downs Correlation
Authors: Allen Bruce , Romano Joseph D. 
Published: January 2025

Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) detect gravitational waves (GWs) via the correlations they create in the arrival times of pulses from different pulsars. The mean correlation, a function of the angle between the directions to two pulsars, was predicted in 1983 by Hellings and Downs (HD). Observation of this angular pattern is crucial evidence that GWs are present, so PTAs “reconstruct the HD curve” by estimating the correlation using pulsar pairs separated by similar angles. Several studies have examined the amount by which this curve is expected to differ from the HD mean. The variance arises because (a) a finite set of pulsars at specific sky locations is used, (b) the GW sources interfere, and (c) the data are contaminated by noise. Here, for a Gaussian ensemble of sources, we predict that variance by constructing an optimal estimator of the HD correlation, taking into account the pulsar sky locations and the frequency distribution of the GWs and the pulsar noise. The variance is a ratio: the numerator depends upon the pulsar sky locations, and the denominator is the (effective) number of frequency bins for which the GW signal dominates the noise. In effect, after suitable combination, each such frequency bin gives an independent estimate of the HD correlation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Modeling the impact of input credit access on farm performance and food nutrition: insights from smallholder rice farmers in Ghana
Authors: Prah Stephen , Asante Bright Owusu , Dagbatsa Godfred Holaena , Wongnaa Camillus Abawiera , Etuah Seth , Ng’ombe John N. 
Published: January 2025

PurposeThis paper examines the nexus between input credit access, farm performance and food nutrition in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing a random sample of 239 smallholder rice farmers, we utilized the endogenous switching regression model to address the self-selection issue and estimate the impact of input credit access on farm performance and food nutrition and further analyze the heterogenous impacts.FindingsThe results show that socioeconomic (age, education, sex, off-farm activity and farm size), institutional (extension contact and farmer-based organizations) characteristics and location variable significantly influence the decision to access input credit. After adjusting for both observed and unobserved factors, our findings reveal that access to input credit significantly improves rice yield, net profit and food nutrition of smallholder rice farmers in Ghana. Furthermore, results reveal that the effects of input credit access on rice yield, net profit and food nutrition are heterogeneous and subject to farmers’ propensity to access input credit. Specifically, we find that those with a higher inclination to access input credit experience larger positive impacts, indicating a positive selection process.Research limitations/implicationsAccess to agricultural input credit is essential for the adoption of modern and climate-smart technologies in agricultural production. However, the persistent lack of access to input credit hampers agricultural productivity and constrains investment in farm input resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study calls for proper targeting of input credit interventions to incentivize the uptake of farm input credit such as improved seeds and fertilizers to improve overall crop production and achieve food security.Originality/valueThe study utilized rigorous econometric methods to analyze the impact of input credit access on smallholder rice farmers' farm performance and food nutrition in Ghana. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and future research on agricultural development in Ghana.
Evidence of COVID-19 lockdown stringency on SME survival in Brazil
Authors: Feitosa Paulo , Mascarini Suelene 
Published: January 2025

PurposeWe aimed to study how movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the survival of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachWe use a unique dataset of 6,470 Brazilian SMEs and apply a generalized ordered probit model to assess the effects of pandemic-induced mobility restrictions on SME survival in Brazil.FindingsOur findings highlight the drivers of SME resilience in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weaker mobility restrictions, longer business histories, and greater average invoicing and leadership characteristics affect SME survival, which aligns with the literature. The positive association between relaxed restrictions and survival emphasizes the importance of balanced policies, recognizing the crucial role of SMEs in local communities and national economic recovery.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study have broader implications beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, as they offer insights into how SMEs in developing countries such as Brazil can be affected by mobility restrictions. This knowledge can guide policymakers and businesses in tailoring support measures for various contexts of shocks and resilience-building strategies.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by focusing on a significant dataset of Brazilian SMEs and analysing the impact of varying levels of mobility constraints on their survival during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its originality lies in two aspects. First, it offers an innovative approach and new evidence on how mobility restrictions affected SME survival amidst the pandemic. Second, it sheds light on Brazil, a developing country where businesses, especially SMEs, were significantly affected by the pandemic, providing insights that can inform policies and strategies for SME resilience in similar contexts.