bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of selenium source on nursery pig growth performance, serum and tissue selenium concentrations, and serum antioxidant status
Authors: Rao Zhong-Xing , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA total of 3,888 pigs (337 × 1050, PIC, Hendersonville, TN; initially 6.0 ± 0.23 kg) were used in a 35-d study. At the time of placement, pens of pigs were weighed and allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with a blocking structure including sow farm origin, date of entry into the facility, and average pen body weight. A total of 144 pens were used with 72 double-sided 5-hole stainless steel fence line feeders, with one feeder serving as the experimental unit. For each feeder, 1 pen contained 27 gilts, and 1 pen contained 27 barrows. There were 24 replicates per dietary treatment. Diets were fed in three phases, and all contained 0.3 mg/kg added Se. A common phase 1 diet contained added Se from sodium selenite and was fed in pelleted form to all pigs from day 7 to approximately day 0. Three Se sources sodium selenite, Se yeast, and hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) were used to formulate three experimental diets in meal form for phase 2 (days 0 to 14) and phase 3 (days 14 to 35). During the pre-treatment period (days 7 to 0), there was a tendency (P = 0.097) of a difference in average daily feed intake between treatments, although no significant pairwise differences were observed (P &gt; 0.05). There were no other differences in growth performance between treatments from days 7 to 0. Clinical disease attributed to Streptococcus suis was observed within the trial between days 0 and 14, and water-soluble antimicrobial therapy was administered to all treatment groups for 7 d. From days 0 to 35, pigs fed OH-SeMet tended to have decreased average daily gain (P &lt; 0.10) and increased (P &lt; 0.05) serum and tissue selenium concentration compared to other treatments. There was marginally significant evidence of a source × day interaction (P = 0.027) for total antioxidant capacity where the numerical increase over time was less for the OH-SeMet than sodium selenite or selenium yeast treatments. There was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) in antioxidant status as measured by serum glutathione peroxidase or thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay between treatments. In summary, compared to sodium selenite and selenium yeast, OH-SeMet may have a greater bioavailability as indicated by increased serum and tissue selenium concentration; however, antioxidant status was similar between treatments and OH-SeMet tended to reduce growth performance compared with pigs fed sodium selenite.
Comparative transcriptomics provides insights into the pathogenic immune response of brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia
Authors: Yuan Wang-Jun , He Zhi-Yin , Zhang Su-Ping , Zheng Yan-Ping , Zhang Xiao-Qian , He She-Qi , He Yan-Xia , Li Yong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Weeping forsythia is an important ornamental, ecological and medicinal plant. Brown leaf spots limit the large-scale production of weeping forsythia as a medicinal crop. Alternaria alternata is a pathogen causing brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia; however, its pathogenesis and the immune response mechanisms of weeping forsythia remain unclear. In this study, we identified two mechanisms based on morphological anatomy, physiological indexes and gene expression analyses. Our results showed that A. alternata induced leaf stomata to open, invaded the mesophyll, dissolved the cell wall, destroyed the cell membrane and decreased the number of chloroplasts by up-regulating the expression of auxin-activated signaling pathway genes. Alternaria alternata also down-regulated iron-ion homeostasis and binding-related genes, which caused an increase in the levels of iron ions and reactive oxygen species in leaves. These processes eventually led to programmed cell death, destroying palisade and spongy tissues and causing the formation of iron rust spots. Alternaria alternata also caused defense and hypersensitive responses in weeping forsythia through signaling pathways mediated by flg22-like and elf18-like polypeptides, ethylene, H2O2 and bacterial secretion systems. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the control of brown leaf spots in weeping forsythia.
Effects of combined drought and pathogen stress on growth, resistance and gene expression in young Norway spruce trees
Authors: Krokene P , Børja I , Carneros E , Eldhuset T D , Nagy N E , Volařík D , Gebauer R 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Drought-induced mortality is a major direct effect of climate change on tree health, but drought can also affect trees indirectly by altering their susceptibility to pathogens. Here, we report how a combination of mild or severe drought and pathogen infection affected the growth, pathogen resistance and gene expression in potted 5-year-old Norway spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. After 5 weeks of drought, trees were inoculated with the fungal pathogen Endoconidiophora polonica. Combined drought–pathogen stress over the next 8 weeks led to significant reductions in the growth of drought-treated trees relative to well-watered trees and more so in trees subjected to severe drought. Belowground, growth of the smallest fine roots was most affected. Aboveground, shoot diameter change was most sensitive to the combined stress, followed by shoot length growth and twig biomass. Both drought-related and some resistance-related genes were upregulated in bark samples collected after 5 weeks of drought (but before pathogen infection), and gene expression levels scaled with the intensity of drought stress. Trees subjected to severe drought were much more susceptible to pathogen infection than well-watered trees or trees subjected to mild drought. Overall, our results show that mild drought stress may increase the tree resistance to pathogen infection by upregulating resistance-related genes. Severe drought stress, on the other hand, decreased tree resistance. Because drought episodes are expected to become more frequent with climate change, combined effects of drought and pathogen stress should be studied in more detail to understand how these stressors interactively influence tree susceptibility to pests and pathogens.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Late Onset Progressive Keratoconus in Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
Authors: Phylactou Maria , Din Nizar , Aiello Francesco , Angunawela Romesh 
Published: May 2023

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to report the first case of successful use of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) to halt the progression of keratoconus in a patient with concurrent iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome.

Methods:
A 30-year-old White man was referred to our subspecialty corneal clinic for further investigation of right corectopia. The patient was asymptomatic and was otherwise fit. Slit-lamp examination revealed a right oval-shaped pupil decentered superiorly, a transillumination defect at the 5-o'clock position, minimal gutta-like changes in the corneal endothelium, and few inferior peripheral anterior synechiae. Dilated fundoscopy was normal in both eyes, with healthy optic discs, maculae, and peripheral retinae. Specular microscopy and slit-lamp findings suggested ICE syndrome. Subsequent investigation with corneal tomography showed progressive signs of inferior corneal ectasia with steepening, and thinning in the right eye, consistent with keratoconus. The left eye was unremarkable.

Results:
Epithelium-off accelerated corneal CXL was performed in the affected eye. Early post-CXL follow-up (1 week) was unremarkable, and further follow-ups were arranged at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. In subsequent reviews, the patient's vision and corneal tomography findings were stable.

Conclusions:
We describe the first case of corneal CXL for progressive keratoconus with ICE syndrome. co-existing keratoconus and ICE syndrome can occur, and corneal cross-linking was used successfully in this case to halt keratoconus progression. However, further studies will need to establish the impact of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking, especially in more severely affected eyes.
Negative Pressure Application via a Multi-Pressure Dial to Lower IOP in Patients with Suspected Glaucoma or Open Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Samuelson Thomas W. , Ferguson Tanner J. , Brubaker Jacob W. , Bacharach Jason , Gallardo Mark J. , Chaglasian Michael , Comer George , Yoo Paul 
Published: May 2023

Précis:
The multi-pressure dial applies localized periocular negative pressure to safely and effectively lower IOP and represents the first non-invasive, non-pharmacologic device for IOP reduction.

Objective:
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Multi-Pressure Dial (MPD) system, a device that applies periocular negative pressure to lower intraocular pressure (IOP).

Setting:
6 investigational sites, United States.

Design:
Prospective, assessor-masked, randomized controlled trial.

Methods:
Subjects with suspected glaucoma, ocular hypertension (OHTN), and open angle glaucoma (OAG) with baseline IOP ≥13 mmHg and ≤32 mmHg were enrolled. One eye of each subject was randomized to receive negative pressure application; the fellow eye served as a control. The study eye negative pressure setting was programmed for 60% of the baseline IOP. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the proportion of study eyes versus control eyes achieving an IOP reduction ≥20% at Day 90. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of eyes achieving an IOP reduction ≥25% at Day 90 as well as the proportion of eyes achieving an IOP reduction ≥20% at Days 30 and 60.

Results:
116 eyes of 58 subjects completed the study. At the Day 90 visit, 89.7% (n=52) of study eyes versus 3.4% (n=2) of control eyes achieved an IOP reduction ≥20% (P<0.001). At Day 90, 77.6% (n=45) of study eyes achieved a ≥25% IOP reduction compared to 1.7% (n=1) of control eyes (P<0.001). The most commonly reported adverse events were lid (17.2% study eye, 7.8% control eye) and periorbital edema (14.1% study eye, 10.9% control eye).

Conclusions:
This trial demonstrates that the MPD safely and effectively lowers IOP in a group of patients that included glaucoma suspects, OHTN, and patients with OAG.
Ahmed and Baerveldt Glaucoma Drainage Devices in Childhood Glaucoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Elhusseiny Abdelrahman M. , Hassan Amr K. , Azhari Jamal O. , Elkheniny Fatmah D. , Chauhan Muhammad Z. , Chang Ta C. , VanderVeen Deborah K. , Oke Isdin , Mansour Munthir , Pakravan Mohammad , Shaarawy Tarek , Sallam Ahmed B. 
Published: May 2023

Précis:
The effectiveness of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) was comparable in the management of childhood glaucoma over the long term despite initial better success rate with BGI. There were higher tube block and retraction rates in the BGI group and higher tube exposure rates in the AGV group.

Purpose:
To evaluate the outcomes and safety of AGV and BGI in childhood glaucoma.

Materials and Methods:
We performed a systematic literature review of publications from 1990 to 2022 in PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and google scholar for studies evaluating AGV and BGI in childhood glaucoma. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and glaucoma medication reduction. The secondary outcome measures were the success rates and incidence of postoperative complications. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model.

Results:
Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1480 eyes were included. The mean IOP reduction was 15.08 mm Hg (P < 0.00001) for AGV and 14.62 (P < 0.00001) for the BGI group. The mean difference between pre and postoperative glaucoma medications was 1 (P < 0.00001) fewer medications in the AGV group and 0.95 (P < 0.0001) fewer medications in the BGI group. There was a lower success rate in the AGV versus BGI groups at 2 years [63% vs 83%, respectively (P < 0.0001) and 3 years (43% vs 79%, respectively (P < 0.0001)]; however, the success was higher for AGV at 5 years (63% vs 56% in the BGI group, P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was comparable in the AGV and BGI groups, with rates of 28% and 27%, respectively.

Conclusions:
The IOP and glaucoma medication reduction, success rates, and incidence of postoperative complications were comparable in Ahmed and Baerveldt groups. Most literature comes from retrospective low-quality studies on refractory childhood glaucoma. Further larger cohort studies are needed.
Prognostic value of pretreatment skeletal muscle index in pancreatic carcinoma patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Li , Liao Xianghui , Xie Zhong , Li Haiwen 
Published: May 2023

Background:The association between pretreatment skeletal muscle index (SMI) and long-term survival of pancreatic carcinoma patients remains unclear up to now.Methods:The PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE databases were searched up to March 1, 2022 for relevant studies. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival and progression-free survival, respectively. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to assess the relationship between pretreatment SMI and prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma patients. All statistical analysis was conducted by STATA 15.0 software.Results:Twenty retrospective studies involving 3765 patients were included. The pooled results demonstrated that lower pretreatment SMI was significantly related to poorer overall survival (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25–1.62,P< .001) and progression-free survival (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08–1.84,P= .012). Besides subgroup analysis based on the treatment (non-surgery vs surgery) and tumor stage (advanced vs early stage) showed similar results.Conclusion:Pretreatment SMI could serve as a promising and reliable prognostic factor for pancreatic carcinoma patients and lower pretreatment SMI predicted worse prognosis.
Giant Cell Tumors With HMGA2::NCOR2 Fusion
Authors: Perret Raul , Malaka Zaki , Velasco Valérie , Llamas-Gutierrez Francisco , Ropars Mickael , Linck Pierre-Antoine , Hostein Isabelle , Azmani Rihab , Valo Isabelle , Galmiche Louise , Moreau Anne , de Pinieux Gonzague , Michot Audrey , Bochaton Dorian , Coindre Jean-Michel , Le Loarer François 
Published: May 2023

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) with high mobility group AT-Hook 2 (HMGA2)::nuclear receptor corepressor 2 (NCOR2) fusion are rare mesenchymal tumors of controversial nosology, which have been anecdotally reported to respond to CSFR1 inhibitors. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of 6 GCTs with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and explored their relationship with other giant cell-rich neoplasms. Tumors occurred in 4 females and 2 males ranging in age from 17 to 32 years old (median 24). Three lesions originated in subcutaneous soft tissue and 3 in bone. Tumor size ranged from 20 to 33 mm (median 27 mm). The lesions had a nodular/multinodular architecture and were composed of sheets of mononuclear “histiocytoid” cells with uniform nuclei intermingled with multinucleated giant cells. Mitotic activity was low and nuclear atypia and metaplastic bone were absent. Variable findings included necrosis, cystic degeneration, lymphocytic infiltrate (sometimes forming nodules), and xanthogranulomatous inflammation. On immunohistochemistry, all cases focally expressed pan-keratin and were negative with SATB2 and H3.3G34W. Whole RNA-sequencing was performed in all cases of GCT with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and a subset of giant cell-rich tumors (tenosynovial-GCT, n = 19 and “wild-type” GCT of soft tissue, n = 9). Hierarchical clustering of RNA-sequencing data showed that GCT with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion formed a single cluster, independent of the other 2 entities. Methylome profiling showed similar results, but the distinction from “wild-type” GCT of soft tissue was less flagrant. Gene expression analysis showed similar levels of expression of the CSF1/CSFR1 axis between GCT with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and tenosynovial-GCT, supporting their potential sensitivity to CSFR1 inhibitors. Clinical follow-up was available for 5 patients (range: 10 to 64 mo; median 32 mo). Three patients (60%) experienced local recurrences, whereas none had distant metastases or died of disease. Overall, our study confirms and expands previous knowledge on GCT with HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and supports its inclusion as an independent entity.
A comparative analysis of the second and third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic: an experience from a tertiary care hospital in Western India
Authors: Swami Anjali , Mohanty Ankita , Jamwal Ashima , Turbadkar Dilip , Baveja Sujata , Shastri Jayanthi , Chitalia Vidushi 
Published: May 2023

Introduction. As the world was still recovering from the 2020 pandemic, the devastating impact of Covid-19 driven by the Delta variant shook the world in 2021. As the second wave was declining, there was an unusual surge in Covid-19 positive cases by the end of 2021 which led to global concern about the change in virus characteristics.

Hypothesis/gap statement. Whole genome sequencing is critical for understanding a rapidly progressing pandemic.

Aim. To provide an insight into the major differences encountered in the changing characteristics between the second and third waves of the pandemic at a tertiary care hospital in India.

Methods. A retrospective observational cohort analysis was conducted on Covid-positive patients during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic (from March 2021 to April 2021) and the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic (from December 2021 to January 2022).

Results. Out of 303 Covid-19 positive cases, 52 samples were tested by whole genome sequencing during the second wave and 108 during the third wave. A decline of 18.5 % was observed in the case fatality rate from the second wave to the third wave. There was a 5 % decline in the number of patients admitted with ARDS and a 16.3 % decline in the number of patients with co-morbidities.
In total, 51.9 percent of cases were due to the Delta variant during the second wave and 95 percent due to the Omicron variant during the third wave. We found that 36.5 % of Covid-positive patients during the second wave had been vaccinated compared to 40 % in the third wave.

Conclusion. Whole genome sequencing of clinical samples from a wide range of individuals during a viral epidemic will enable us to develop a more rapid public health response to new variants and identify the required vaccine modifications more quickly.
Feature selection for preserving biological trajectories in single-cell data
Authors: Ranek Jolene S. , Stallaert Wayne , Milner Justin , Stanley Natalie , Purvis Jeremy E. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSingle-cell technologies can readily measure the expression of thousands of molecular features from individual cells undergoing dynamic biological processes, such as cellular differentiation, immune response, and disease progression. While examining cells along a computationally ordered pseudotime offers the potential to study how subtle changes in gene or protein expression impact cell fate decision-making, identifying characteristic features that drive continuous biological processes remains difficult to detect from unenriched and noisy single-cell data. Given that all profiled sources of feature variation contribute to the cell-to-cell distances that define an inferred cellular trajectory, including confounding sources of biological variation (e.g. cell cycle or metabolic state) or noisy and irrelevant features (e.g. measurements with low signal-to-noise ratio) can mask the underlying trajectory of study and hinder inference. Here, we present DELVE (dynamic selection of locally covarying features), an unsupervised feature selection method for identifying a representative subset of dynamically-expressed molecular features that recapitulates cellular trajectories. In contrast to previous work, DELVE uses a bottom-up approach to mitigate the effect of unwanted sources of variation confounding inference, and instead models cell states from dynamic feature modules that constitute core regulatory complexes. Using simulations, single-cell RNA sequencing data, and iterative immunofluorescence imaging data in the context of the cell cycle and cellular differentiation, we demonstrate that DELVE selects features that more accurately characterize cell populations and improve the recovery of cell type transitions. This feature selection framework provides an alternative approach for improving trajectory inference and uncovering co-variation amongst features along a biological trajectory. DELVE is implemented as an open-source python package and is publicly available at:https://github.com/jranek/delve.
Identifying latent classes to successful AEC innovation through a survey of Finnish construction companies
Authors: Hänninen Kai , Juntunen Jouni , Haapasalo Harri 
Published: May 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to describe latent classes explaining the innovation logic in the Finnish construction companies. Innovativeness is a driver of competitive performance and vital to the long-term success of any organisation and company.

Design/methodology/approach
Using finite mixture structural equation modelling (FMSEM), the authors have classified innovation logic into latent classes. The method analyses and recognises classes for companies that have similar logic in innovation activities based on the collected data.

Findings
Through FMSEM analysis, the authors have identified three latent classes that explain the innovation logic in the Finnish construction companies – LC1: the internal innovators; LC2: the non-innovation-oriented introverts; and LC3: the innovation-oriented extroverts. These three latent classes clearly capture the perceptions within the industry as well as the different characteristics and variables.

Research limitations/implications
The presented latent classes explain innovation logic but is limited to analysing Finnish companies. Also, the research is quantitative by nature and does not increase the understanding in the same manner as qualitative research might capture on more specific aspects.

Practical implications
This paper presents starting points for construction industry companies to intensify innovation activities. It may also indicate more fundamental changes for the structure of construction industry organisations, especially by enabling innovation friendly culture.

Originality/value
This study describes innovation logic in Finnish construction companies through three models (LC1–LC3) by using quantitative data analysed with the FMSEM method. The fundamental innovation challenges in the Finnish construction companies are clarified via the identified latent classes.