bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atherosclerosis on CT coronary angiography and the risk of long-term cardiovascular events after liver transplantation
Authors: Sampaio Rodrigues Thalys , Koshy Anoop N. , Gow Paul J. , Weinberg Laurence , Cailes Benjamin , Testro Adam , Smith Gerard , Lim Han S. , Teh Andrew W. , Lim Ruth P. , Farouque Omar 
Published: August 2023

Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is increasingly utilized for preoperative risk stratification before liver transplantation (LT). We sought to assess the predictors of advanced atherosclerosis on CTCA using the recently developed Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score and its impact on the prediction of long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) following LT. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent CTCA for LT work-up between 2011 and 2018. Advanced atherosclerosis was defined as coronary artery calcium scores > 400 or CAD-RADS score ≥ 3 (≥50% coronary artery stenosis). MACE was defined as myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, or resuscitated cardiac arrest. Overall, 229 patients underwent CTCA (mean age 66 ± 5 y, 82% male). Of these, 157 (68.5%) proceeded with LT. The leading etiology of cirrhosis was hepatitis (47%), and 53% of patients had diabetes before transplant. On adjusted analysis, male sex (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5–13.8, p = 0.006), diabetes (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.2, p = 0.01) and dyslipidemia (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3–6.9, p = 0.005) were predictors of advanced atherosclerosis on CTCA. Thirty-two patients (20%) experienced MACE. At a median follow-up of 4 years, CAD-RADS ≥ 3, but not coronary artery calcium scores, was associated with a heightened risk of MACE (HR 5.8, 95% CI 1.6–20.6, p = 0.006). Based on CTCA results, 71 patients (31%) commenced statin therapy which was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.97, p = 0.04). The standardized CAD-RADS classification on CTCA predicted the occurrence of cardiovascular outcomes following LT, with a potential to increase the utilization of preventive cardiovascular therapies.
Application of Surgery Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Correction of Mild to Moderate Blepharoptosis
Authors: Gao Shenzhen , Li Changhao , Yi Min , Lu Baixue , Zhou Rong , Gao Weicheng 
Published: August 2023

Objectives:To explore the effect of surgery combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the correction of mild to moderate blepharoptosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 36 patients with bilateral mild to moderate blepharoptosis from January 2021 to January 2023, which were corrected by surgery combined with local multi-point injection of PRP. The postoperative effect was observed, and the incidence of postoperative complications and patient satisfaction were calculated.Results:Postoperative follow-up was 3 months to 2 years. Thirty-five cases of blepharoptosis were well corrected; 1 case (2.8%) had insufficient correction and was corrected by reoperation. There were no obvious complications such as incomplete closure, conjunctival prolapse, and exposed keratitis in 36 patients. All patients were satisfied.Conclusion:Surgery combined with PRP is effective in the correction of mild to moderate blepharoptosis with few complications and high satisfaction. As far as we know, this is the first time to apply PRP in the correction of blepharoptosis, which may provide a new idea for the clinical treatment of blepharoptosis and is worth popularizing.
Meningomyelocele Reconstruction: Comparison of Repair Methods via Systematic Review
Authors: Leach Garrison A. , Pflibsen Lacey R. , Roberts Alexis-Danielle , O’Connor Madeline J. , Bristol Ruth E. , Mabee Melinda K. , Almader-Douglas Diana , Schaub Timothy A. 
Published: August 2023

Purpose:
The purpose of this article was to appraise the various methods of reconstruction for meningomyelocele (MMC) defects.

Methods:
A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate all reconstructions for MMC. The method of reconstruction was categorized by: primary closure with and without fascial flaps, random pattern flaps, VY advancement flaps (VY), perforator flaps, and myocutaneous flaps. Perforator flaps were subsequently subcategorized based on the type of flap.

Results:
Upon systematic review, 567 articles were screened with 104 articles assessed for eligibility. Twenty-nine articles were further reviewed and included for qualitative synthesis. Two hundred seventy patients underwent MMC repair. The lowest rates of major wound complications (MWC) were associated with myocutaneous and random pattern flaps. A majority of MWC was in the lumbrosacral/sacral region (87.5% of MWC). In this region, random patterns and perforator flaps demonstrated the lowest rate of MWC (4.5, 8.1%).

Conclusions:
Plastic surgery consultation should be strongly considered for MMC with defects in the lumbosacral/sacral region. Perforator flaps are excellent options for the reconstruction of these defects.
Modified Alar Base Reduction: A Novel Technique
Authors: Khan Mohammed A. , Jomah Mohammed , Assiri Hassan , Alolaywi Ahmed , Alarfaj Ahmed 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Alar base reduction (ABR) surgery is one of the rhinoplasty techniques used to reduce alar flaring, nasal base width, or both. It is crucial for rhinoplasty surgeons to understand and analyze the type of nasal base deformity to achieve satisfactory results and avoid complications.

Objectives:
The objective of this study is to describe a novel technique of ABR that addresses alar flaring while avoiding violation of the nostril marginal rim.

Methods:
This prospective cohort study included patients with alar flaring who underwent rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty with ABR using our modified technique. Demographic data, clinical history, aesthetic concerns, and preoperative and postoperative photographs were collected for each patient. The surgical outcome was assessed using subjective scar evaluation scores at 3 and 6 months, the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale at 6 months, and an overall appearance satisfaction score.

Results:
A total of 8 patients were included in the study. Subjectively, the majority of patients (75%) reported satisfactory scar appearance at the 6-month follow-up. The mean Stony Brook score was 4.7 (SD=0.74). Nostril symmetry was achieved in all patients. Seventy-five percent of the participants expressed satisfaction with the overall appearance.

Conclusions:
Our modified ABR technique demonstrates promising results in correcting alar flaring while achieving nostril symmetry with an acceptable scar. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate the feasibility of the technique and compare it to other classical techniques.

Level of Evidence:
Level IV.
Using facial reaction analysis and machine learning to objectively assess palatability of medicines in children
Authors: Aziza Rabia , Alessandrini Elisa , Matthews Clare , Ranmal Sejal , Zhou Ziyu , Davies Elin Haf , Tuleu Catherine 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFor orally administered drugs, palatability is key in ensuring patient acceptability and treatment compliance. Therefore, understanding children’s taste sensitivity and preferences can support formulators in making paediatric medicines more acceptable. Presently, we explore if the application of computer-vision techniques to videos of children’s reaction to gustatory taste strips can provide an objective assessment of palatability.Primary school children tasted four different flavoured strips: no taste, bitter, sweet and sour. Data was collected at home, under the supervision of a guardian, with responses recorded using the Aparito Atom5™ app and smartphone camera. Participants scored each strip on a 5-point hedonic scale. Facial landmarks were identified in the videos, and quantitative measures such as changes around the eyes, nose and mouth were extracted to train models to classify strip taste and score. We received 197 videos and 256 self-reported scores from 64 participants. The hedonic scale elicited expected results: children like sweetness, dislike bitterness and have varying opinions for sourness. The findings revealed the complexity and variability of facial reactions and highlighted specific measures, such as eyebrow and mouth corner elevations, as significant indicators of palatability. This study into children’s taste specificities can improve the measurement of paediatric medicine acceptability. An objective measure of how children feel about the taste of medicines has great potential in helping find the most palatable formulation. Moreover, collecting data in the home setting allows for natural behaviour, with minimal burden for participants.Author summaryWhen formulating medicines for children, understanding the taste profile is crucial to ensure they are not excessively unpleasant. In this study, we assessed if facial reactions in response to taste stimuli can be used to easily measure children’s feelings about the taste. We recorded videos of children trying different taste strips and analysed their facial expressions in response to each taste. The strips had different flavours: bitter, sweet, sour, and one with no taste. We also asked the children to rate each strip on scale of 1 to 5. We collected data from 64 children. The results confirmed that children generally like sweet tastes and do not like bitter ones. Their opinions on sour taste varied. Moreover, we found that specific facial reactions, like changes in their eyebrows and mouth corners were good indicators of taste preferences. The analysis of facial expressions can help formulators make medicines for children taste better. By objectively measuring how children feel about the taste of medicines, we can create more acceptable medicines for them. The collection of this data at home ensured children were in their comfortable environment, making it easier for them to be part of the study.
Liver fibrosis assessed using non-invasive markers and genetic polymorphisms (PNPLA3andTM6SF2) predisposing to liver fibrosis, is associated with hospitalization or death from heart failure: a prospective UK Biobank study
Authors: Hydes Theresa J , Kennedy Oliver J , Glyn-Owen Kate , Buchanan Ryan , Parkes Julie , Cuthbertson Daniel J , Roderick Paul , Byrne Christopher D 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundAside from liver related complications, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Liver fibrosis, determined via histology and non-invasive serum fibrosis markers, is associated with cardiovascular events. The association between liver fibrosis and heart failure, and the relationship betweenPNPLA3rs738409 andTM6SF2rs58542926 and heart failure is of particular interest, given the known associations of these genetic polymorphisms with increased risk of liver fibrosis and decreased risk of coronary artery disease.MethodsUsing data from the UK Biobank (UKBB), we examined the relationship between liver fibrosis, determined using non-invasive markers (NAFLD fibrosis score, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI score)) and hospitalization or death from heart failure in 413,860 people. Participants were followed up prospectively via electronic linkage to hospital and death records. Cox-regression estimated the hazard ratios (HR) for death or admission with heart failure. The effects ofPNPLA3andTM6SF2on the association between liver fibrosis and incident heart failure were estimated in an analysis stratified by genotype and by testing for an interaction between genotype and liver fibrosis using a likelihood ratio test.Results12,527 incident cases of heart failure occurred over a median of 10.7 years. Liver fibrosis, determined by single or combination non-invasive tests, was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death from heart failure; multivariable adjusted high risk NFS score HR 1.59 [1.45-1.76], p<0.0001, FIB-4 HR 1.69 [1.55-1.84], p<0.0001, APRI HR 1.85 [1.56-2.19], p<0.0001, combined fibrosis scores HR 1.90 [1.44-2.49], p<0.0001). These associations persisted for people with NAFLD or harmful alcohol consumption. Polymorphisms linked to liver fibrosis (PNPLA3rs738409 GG andTM6SF2rs58542926 TT) further amplified the positive association between non-invasive liver fibrosis markers and heart failure. A statistically significant interaction was found betweenPNPLA3rs738409, FIB-4, APRI score and heart failure.ConclusionLiver fibrosis, determined via non-invasive tests, is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization/death from heart failure in a general population cohort with mixed etiologies of chronic liver disease, including individuals with NAFLD and harmful alcohol consumption. Genetic polymorphisms associated with increased risk of liver fibrosis further increased the risk of heart failure. These findings have important mechanistic, clinical, and public health implications.
Cell Fate Programming by Transcription Factors and Epigenetic Machinery in Stomatal Development
Authors: Liu Ao , Mair Andrea , Matos Juliana L. , Vollbrecht Macy , Xu Shou-Ling , Bergmann Dominique C. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTThe development of multi-cellular organisms requires coordinated changes in gene expression that are often mediated by the interaction between transcription factors (TFs) and their corresponding cis-regulatory elements (CREs). During development and differentiation, the accessibility of CREs is dynamically modulated by the epigenome. How the epigenome, CREs and TFs together exert control over cell fate commitment remains to be fully understood. In theArabidopsisleaf epidermis, meristemoids undergo a series of stereotyped cell divisions, then switch fate to commit to stomatal differentiation. Newly created or reanalyzed scRNA-seq and ChIP-seq data confirm that stomatal development involves distinctive phases of transcriptional regulation and that differentially regulated genes are bound by the stomatal basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TFs. Targets of the bHLHs often reside in repressive chromatin before activation. MNase-seq evidence further suggests that the repressive state can be overcome and remodeled upon activation by specific stomatal bHLHs. We propose that chromatin remodeling is mediated through the recruitment of a set of physical interactors that we identified through proximity labeling – the ATPase-dependent chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF complex and the histone acetyltransferase HAC1. The bHLHs and chromatin remodelers localize to overlapping genomic regions in a hierarchical order. Furthermore, plants with stage-specific knock-down of the SWI/SNF components or HAC1 fail to activate specific bHLH targets and display stomatal development defects. Together these data converge on a model for how stomatal TFs and epigenetic machinery cooperatively regulate transcription and chromatin remodeling during progressive fate specification.
No observed effect concentration (NOEC) and minimal effective dose (MED): estimation of non-experimental doses
Authors: Hothorn Ludwig A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn in-vitro or in-vivo bioassays, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is often determined. This simple procedure has several disadvantages, including the limitation of being able to estimate only experimental doses. Linear interpolation between adjacent doses overcomes this drawback while maintaining the level of a familywise error rate (FWER) using multiple contrast tests.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs in Togo: Findings from two cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Akinocho Herve , Brackstone Ken , Eastment Nia , Fantognon Jean-Paul , Head Michael G 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTogo is a low-income country in West Africa. Estimates suggest that only 25% of the Togolese population have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by June 2023. Whilst the early phase of the pandemic vaccine rollout across 2021 was dominated by higher-income countries taking much of the available supply, there have long been sufficient supplies for all nations. Thus, there remains a need to understand reasons for low uptake in countries such as Togo. Two cross-sectional telephone surveys of Togo residents were conducted in December 2020 and January 2022. These surveys asked questions around perceptions of COVID-19, trust in public health messaging, belief in conspiracy theories, and hesitancy around COVID-19 vaccination. Analyses here focus on unvaccinated respondents. Across Survey 1 (N = 1430) and Survey 2 (N = 212), 65% of respondents were men, 47% lived in Lomé (capital city of Togo), 25% completed higher education, 67% were married, and 69% were Christian. Between Surveys 1 and 2, overall hesitancy (33.0% to 58.0%) and beliefs in conspiracy theories (29% to 65%) significantly increased. Using logistics regression, governmental mistrust was the strongest significant predictor of hesitancy (OR: 2.90). Participants who indicated agreement or uncertainty with at least one conspiracy belief also predicted greater vaccine hesitancy (OR: 1.36). Proactive approaches to public health messaging, that better understand reasons for hesitancy across different demographics, can support uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations within Togo. This includes health promotion campaigns that use locally and nationally trusted knowledge providers (e.g. the health service or religious leaders) for greatest effectiveness at reducing impact of misinformation. Key future research should focus around knowledge gaps and areas of mistrust created by the pandemic, such as the impact of misinformation upon routine immunisation uptake.
MiDAS 5: Global diversity of bacteria and archaea in anaerobic digesters
Authors: Dueholm Morten Kam Dahl , Andersen Kasper Skytte , Petersen Anne-Kirstine C. , Rudkjøbing Vibeke , Alves Madalena , Bajón-Fernández Yadira , Batstone Damien , Butler Caitlyn , Cruz Mercedes Cecilia , Davidsson Åsa , Erijman Leonardo , Holliger Christof , Koch Konrad , Kreuzinger Norbert , Lee Changsoo , Lyberatos Gerasimos , Mutnuri Srikanth , O’Flaherty Vincent , Oleskowicz-Popiel Piotr , Pokorna Dana , Rajal Veronica , Recktenwald Michael , Rodríguez Jorge , Saikaly Pascal E. , Tooker Nick , Vierheilig Julia , Vrieze Jo De , Wurzbacher Christian , Nielsen Per Halkjær 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAnaerobic digestion represents a key biotechnology for the transformation of organic waste into renewable energy (biogas) and relies on complex microbial communities that work in concert to degrade the complex substrates into methane and carbon dioxide. Here, we sequenced more than half a million high-quality, full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences from 285 full-scale anaerobic digesters (ADs) across the world to expand our knowledge about diversity and function of the bacteria and archaea in ADs. The sequences were processed into full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequence variants (FL-ASVs), which were added to the MiDAS 4 database for bacteria and archaea in wastewater treatment systems to create MiDAS 5. The expansion of the MiDAS database significantly increased the coverage for bacteria and archaea in ADs worldwide, leading to an improved rate of genus and species-level classification. Using MiDAS 5, we carried out an amplicon-based, global-scale microbial community profiling of the sampled ADs using three common sets of primers targeting different regions of the 16S rRNA gene in bacteria and/or archaea. We revealed how environmental conditions and biogeography shape the AD microbiota. We also identify core and conditionally rare or abundant taxa, encompassing 692 genera and 1013 species. These represent 84-99% and 18-61% of the accumulated read abundance respectively, across samples depending on the amplicon primers used. Finally, we examined the global diversity of functional groups with known importance for the anaerobic digestion process. Our online global MiDAS Field Guide presents the data generated in this study and summarizes present knowledge about all taxa.
hnRNP A1 induces aberrant CFTR exon 9 splicingviaa newly discovered Exonic Splicing Silencer element
Authors: Beaumont Christelle , Chou Ming-Yuan , Stuani Cristiana , Buratti Emanuele , Lukavsky Peter Josef 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRNA-protein interactions play a key role in the aberrant splicing of CFTR exon 9. Exon 9 skipping leads to the production of a non-functional chloride channel associated with severe forms of cystic fibrosis. The missplicing depends primarily on variations in the polymorphic (TG)mTnlocus upstream of exon 9. At the pre-mRNA level, it generates an extended UG-rich binding site for TDP-43, associated with hnRNP A1 recruitment, and prevention of exon 9 3’ splicing site (3’ss) recognition. While TDP-43 is the dominant inhibitor of exon 9 inclusion, the role of hnRNP A1, a protein with two RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) and a glycine-rich domain, remained unclear. In this work, we have studied the interaction between hnRNP A1 and the CFTR pre-mRNA using NMR spectroscopy and Isothermal Thermal Calorimetry (ITC). The affinities are submicromolar and ITC data suggest that the separate RRMs as well as tandem RRMs form 1:1 complexes. NMR titrations reveal that hnRNP A1 interacts with model CTFR 3’ss sequences in a fast exchange regime at the NMR timescale. Splicing assays finally show that this hnRNP A1 binding site represents a previously unknown exonic splicing silencer element. Together, our results shed light on the mechanism of aberrant CFTR exon 9 splicing.
Neural Network Informed Photon Filtering Reduces Artifacts in Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Data
Authors: Seltmann Alexander , Carravilla Pablo , Reglinski Katharina , Eggeling Christian , Waithe Dominic 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) techniques are well-established tools to investigate molecular dynamics in confocal and super-resolution microscopy. In practice, users often need to handle a variety of sample or hardware-related artifacts, an example being peak artifacts created by bright, slow-moving clusters. Approaches to address peak artifacts exist, but measurements suffering from severe artifacts are typically non-analyzable. Here, we trained a 1-dimensional U-Net to automatically identify peak artifacts in fluorescence time-series and then analyzed the purified, non-artifactual fluctuations by time-series editing. We show that in samples with peak artifacts, the transit time and particle number distributions can be restored in simulations and validated the approach in two independent biological experiments. We propose that it is adaptable for other FCS artifacts, such as detector dropout, membrane movement, or photobleaching. In conclusion, this simulation-based, automated, open-source pipeline makes measurements analyzable which previously had to be discarded and extends every FCS user’s experimental toolbox.