bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MACULAR SENSITIVITY CHANGE AFTER COMPLEMENTARY LASER THERAPY AFTER RANIBIZUMAB INTRAVITREAL INJECTION IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION
Authors: Ojima Akira , Kato Yutaka , Tomita Ryutaro , Kasai Akihito , Sugano Yukinori , Sekiryu Tetsuju 
Published: January 2023

Purpose:
We examined the effect of ranibizumab with or without laser photocoagulation on retinal sensitivity in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion.

Methods:
Prospective randomized control study. Thirty patients with branch retinal vein occlusion received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in a monthly pro re nata regimen. Fifteen patients received ranibizumab monotherapy alone (monotherapy group). The remaining 15 patients received rescue laser therapy at 3 or 9 months (combined group). The retinal sensitivity was measured at 32 points within central 8°, and the average of the main occlusion side among the 16 upper or 16 lower points was defined as the affected area sensitivity.

Results:
In comparing the monotherapy group and the combined group, the number of injections during the 12 months was 5.4 versus 4.9, the change in retinal thickness (µm) was −254 versus −197, the ETDRS letters of improvement was +18.3 versus +19.6, and the change in the affected area sensitivity (dB) was +7.1 versus +4.6. At 12 months, all these results were significantly improved compared with their respective baselines, but none of the differences between the two groups reached statistical significance.

Conclusion:
Retinal sensitivity at 12 months improved in both the monotherapy group and the combined group. The additional laser did not reduce the number of injections or further improve visual acuity nor did it affect retinal sensitivity.
Interventions to improve nutritional status for older patients with cancer – a holistic approach is needed
Authors: Liposits Gabor , Singhal Surbhi , Krok-Schoen Jessica L. 
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review
Older adults with cancer frequently experience malnutrition and sarcopenia resulting in lower treatment efficacy, increased risk of toxicities and healthcare costs, lower quality of life and shorter survival. Improving nutritional status in this rapidly growing population is an urgent need globally. We reviewed randomized controlled trials from the last 18 months focusing on nutritional status and applying multimodal interventions in older adults with cancer.

Recent findings
Several randomized controlled trials have been reported recently elucidating the impact of nutritional interventions as a part of multimodal interventions through different stages of cancer care. Although multimodal interventions rarely demonstrate survival benefit, they improve several important aspects of cancer care, including patient-centred endpoints such as physical functioning, adherence, patient satisfaction and quality of life.

Summary
Multimodal interventions including nutrition have the potential to improve patient-centred outcomes in older adults with cancer during the continuum of care, from prehabilitation to palliative care. Early, integrated supportive care applying the right intervention in the right setting at the proper time along with personalized antitumor treatment is the cornerstone of optimal holistic cancer care.
Care needs of older patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Molassiotis Alex , Wang Mian 
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review
This review summarized current research evidence examining care needs of older patients with advanced cancer in dealing with disease, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. It also identified gaps and directions for future research and practice.

Recent findings
Older patients with advanced cancer need support from health professionals, family, friends, and other social network members in the management of physical symptoms and functioning, psychosocial and spiritual care, information provision, and practical resolution of daily problems. As older patients are affected by aging-related factors, they usually have unique patterns of care needs compared with younger patients.

Summary
Currently, insufficient research evidence hinders a comprehensive understanding of care needs of older patients with advanced cancer, as well as potential influencing factors. Future efforts are needed to develop more sophisticated assessment methods and interventions to better understand and address care needs of older patients with advanced cancer.
Adding age-adjusted shock index to the American College of Surgeons' trauma team activation criteria to predict severe injury in children
Authors: McCormick Taylor , Haukoos Jason , Hopkins Emily , Trent Stacy , Adelgais Kathleen , Cohen Mitchell , Gausche-Hill Marianne 
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) requires trauma centers to use six minimum criteria (ACS-6) for full trauma team activation. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of adding age-adjusted shock index (SI) to the ACS-6 for the prediction of severe injury among pediatric trauma patients with the hypothesis that SI would significantly improve sensitivity with an acceptable decrease in specificity.

METHODS
We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected EMS and trauma registry data from two urban pediatric trauma centers. Age-adjusted SI thresholds were calculated as heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure using 2020 Pediatric Advanced Life Support SI vital sign ranges and previously published Shock Index, Pediatric Adjusted (SIPA) thresholds. The primary outcome was a composite of emergency operative (within 1 hour of arrival) or emergency procedural intervention (EOPI) or Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15. Sensitivities, specificities, and 95% CIs were calculated for the ACS-6 alone and in combination with age-adjusted SI.

RESULTS
There were 8,078 patients included; 20% had an elevated age-adjusted SI and 17% met at least one ACS minimum criterion; 1% underwent EOPI; and 17% had ISS >15. Sensitivity and specificity of the ACS-6 for EOPI or ISS > 5 were 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41–50%) and 89% (95% CI, 81–96%). Inclusion of Pediatric Advanced Life Support-SI and SIPA resulted in sensitivities of 51% (95% CI, 47–56%) and 69% (95% CI, 65–72%), and specificities of 80% (95% CI, 71–89%) and 60% (95% CI, 53–68%), respectively. Similar trends were seen for each secondary outcome.

CONCLUSION
In this cohort of pediatric trauma registry patients, the addition of SIPA to the ACS-6 for trauma team activation resulted in significantly increased sensitivity for EOPI or ISS greater than 15 but poor specificity. Future investigation should explore using age-adjusted shock index in a two-tiered trauma activation system, or in combination with novel triage criteria, in a population-based cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level II.
Bowel Preparation Prior to Non-Elective Sigmoidectomy for Sigmoid Volvulus: Highly Beneficial but Vastly Underused
Authors: Schudrowitz Natalie , Shahan C Patrick , Moss Tovah , Scarborough John E 
Published: January 2023

Introduction:
Although strong evidence exists for combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation prior to elective colorectal resection, the utility of preoperative bowel preparation for patients undergoing sigmoid resection after endoscopic decompression of sigmoid volvulus has not been previously examined. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between bowel preparation and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing semi-elective, same-admission sigmoid resection for acute volvulus.

Methods:
Patients from the 2012-2019 Colectomy-Targeted ACS NSQIP dataset who underwent sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis after admission for sigmoid volvulus were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative outcomes of patients who received combined preoperative bowel prep with those of patients who received either partial (mechanical or oral antibiotic alone) or incomplete bowel preparation. Effort was made to exclude patients whose urgency of clinical condition at hospital admission precluded an attempt at preoperative decompression and subsequent bowel preparation.

Results:
2,429 patients were included, 322 (13.3%) of whom underwent complete bowel preparation and 2,107 (86.7%) of whom underwent partial or incomplete bowel preparation. Complete bowel preparation was protective against several postoperative complications (including anastomotic leak), mortality, and prolonged postoperative hospitalization.

Conclusions:
This study demonstrates a significant benefit for complete bowel preparation prior to semi-elective, same-admission sigmoid resection in patients with acute sigmoid volvulus. However, only a small percentage of patients in this national sample underwent complete preoperative bowel preparation. Broader adoption of bowel preparation may reduce overall rates of complication in patients who require sigmoid colectomy due to volvulus.
Epidemic Persistence: Equilibria and Stability Analysis of Spread Process Dynamics over Networks, with Asymptomatic Carriers and Heterogeneous Model Parameters
Authors: Bi Xiaoqi , Beck Carolyn L. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe present an analysis of epidemiological compartment models that explicitly capture the dynamics of asymptomatic but infectious individuals. Our models can be viewed as an extension to classic SIR models, to which a distinct Asymptomatic compartment is added. We discuss both a group compartment model capturing a Susceptible-Asymptomatic-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (SAIRS) epidemic process, and also introduce and evaluate SAIRS dynamics evolving over networks. We investigate equilibria and stability properties that include both disease-free and endemic equilibria states for these models, providing sufficient conditions for convergence to these equilibria. Model parameter estimation results based on local test-site and Peoria county clinic data are given, and a number of simulations illustrating the effects of asymptomatic-infected individuals and network structure on the spread and/or persistence of the disease are presented.
A HicA toxin-based counter-selection marker for allelic exchange mutations in Fusobacterium nucleatum
Authors: Bibek GC , Zhou Peng , Wu Chenggang 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTThe study of fusobacterial virulence factors has dramatically benefited from the creation of various genetic tools for DNA manipulation, including thegalK-basedcounterselection for in-frame deletion mutagenesis inFusobacterium nucleatumthat was recently developed. However, this method requires a host lacking thegalKgene, which is an inherent limitation. To circumvent this limitation, we explored the possibility of using thehicAgene that encodes a toxin consisting of a HicAB toxin-antitoxin module inFusobacterium periodonticumas a new counter-selective marker. Interestingly, the full-lengthhicAgene is not toxic inF. nucleatum, but a truncatedhicAgene version lacking the first six amino acids is functional as a toxin. The toxin expression is driven by anrpsJpromoter and is controlled at its translational level using a theophylline-responsive riboswitch unit. As a proof of concept, we created markerless in-frame deletions in the fusobacterial adhesin RadD gene within theF. nucleatum radoperon and thetnaAgene that encodes the tryptophanase for indole production. After vector integration, plasmid excision after counterselection appeared to have occurred in 100% of colonies grown on theophylline-added plates and resulted in in-frame deletions in 50% of the screened isolates. ThishicA-based counterselection system provides a robust and reliable counterselection in wild-type backgroundF. nucleatumand should also be adapted for use in other bacteria.IMPORTANCEFusobacterium nucleatumis an indole-producing human oral anaerobe associated with periodontal diseases, preterm birth, and several cancers. Little is known about the mechanisms of fusobacterial pathogenesis and associated factors mainly due to the lack of robust genetic tools for this organism. Here we showed that a mutatedhicAgene fromFuosbacterium periodonticumexpresses an active toxin and was used as a counterselection marker. ThishicA-based in-frame deletion system efficiently creates in-frame deletion mutations in the wild-type background ofF. nucleatum. This is the first report to use thehicAgene as a counterselection marker in a bacterial genetic study.
A high-performance speech neuroprosthesis
Authors: Willett Francis R. , Kunz Erin M. , Fan Chaofei , Avansino Donald T. , Wilson Guy H. , Choi Eun Young , Kamdar Foram , Hochberg Leigh R. , Druckmann Shaul , Shenoy Krishna V. , Henderson Jaimie M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSpeech brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have the potential to restore rapid communication to people with paralysis by decoding neural activity evoked by attempted speaking movements into text1,2or sound3,4. Early demonstrations, while promising, have not yet achieved accuracies high enough for communication of unconstrainted sentences from a large vocabulary1–7. Here, we demonstrate the first speech-to-text BCI that records spiking activity from intracortical microelectrode arrays. Enabled by these high-resolution recordings, our study participant, who can no longer speak intelligibly due amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), achieved a 9.1% word error rate on a 50 word vocabulary (2.7 times fewer errors than the prior state of the art speech BCI2) and a 23.8% word error rate on a 125,000 word vocabulary (the first successful demonstration of large-vocabulary decoding). Our BCI decoded speech at 62 words per minute, which is 3.4 times faster than the prior record for any kind of BCI8and begins to approach the speed of natural conversation (160 words per minute9). Finally, we highlight two aspects of the neural code for speech that are encouraging for speech BCIs: spatially intermixed tuning to speech articulators that makes accurate decoding possible from only a small region of cortex, and a detailed articulatory representation of phonemes that persists years after paralysis. These results show a feasible path forward for using intracortical speech BCIs to restore rapid communication to people with paralysis who can no longer speak.
Towards Reduced Order Models via Robust Proper Orthogonal Decomposition to Capture Personalised Aortic Haemodynamics
Authors: Chatpattanasiri Chotirawee , Franzetti Gaia , Bonfanti Mirko , Diaz-Zuccarini Vanessa , Balabani Stavroula 
Published: January 2023

AbstractData driven, reduced order modelling has shown promise in tackling the challenges associated with computational and experimental hemodynamic models. In this work, we explore the use of Reduced Order Models (ROMs) to capture the main flow features in a patient-specific dissected aorta. We apply Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Robust Principle Component Analysis (RPCA) on in vitro, hemodynamic data acquired by Particle Image Velocimetry and compare the decomposed flows to those derived from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) data for the same geometry and flow conditions. The flow is reconstructed using different numbers of POD modes and the flow features obtained throughout the cardiac cycle are compared to the original Full Order Models (FOMs).RPCA has been found to enhance the quality of PIV data and to capture most of the kinetic energy of the flow in just two modes similar to the numerical data that are free from measurement noise. The reconstruction errors differ along the cardiac cycle with diastolic flows requiring more modes for accurate reconstruction. In general, modesΦ1-10 are found sufficient to represent the flow field. The results demonstrate that the coherent structures that characterise this aortic dissection flow are described by the first few POD modes suggesting that it is possible to represent the macroscale behaviour of aortic flow in a low-dimensional space; thus significantly simplifying the problem, and allowing for more computationally efficient flow simulations that can pave the way for translation of such models to the clinic.
Interoceptive and metacognitive facets of fatigue in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rouault Marion , Pereira Inês , Galioulline Herman , Fleming Stephen M. , Stephan Klaas Enno , Manjaly Zina-Mary 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNumerous disorders are characterised by fatigue as a highly disabling symptom. Fatigue plays a particularly important clinical role in multiple sclerosis (MS) where it exerts a profound impact on quality of life. Recent concepts of fatigue grounded in computational theories of brain-body interactions emphasise the role of interoception and metacognition in the pathogenesis of fatigue. So far, however, for MS, empirical data on interoception and metacognition are scarce.This study examined interoception and (exteroceptive) metacognition in a sample of 71 persons with a diagnosis of MS. Interoception was assessed by pre-specified subscales of a standard questionnaire (MAIA), while metacognition was investigated with computational models of choice and confidence data from a visual discrimination paradigm. Additionally, autonomic function was examined by several physiological measurements.Several hypotheses were tested based on a preregistered analysis plan. In brief, we found the predicted association of interoceptive awareness with fatigue (but not with exteroceptive metacognition) and an association of autonomic function with exteroceptive metacognition (but not with fatigue). Furthermore, machine learning (elastic net regression) showed that individual fatigue scores could be predicted out-of- sample from our measurements, with questionnaire-based measures of interoceptive awareness and sleep quality as key predictors.Our results support theoretical concepts of interoception as an important factor for fatigue and demonstrate the general feasibility of predicting individual levels of fatigue from simple questionnaire- based measures of interoception and sleep.
Influenza transmission dynamics quantified from wastewater
Authors: Nadeau Sarah , Devaux A.J. , Bagutti Claudia , Alt Monica , Hampe Evelyn Ilg , Kraus Melanie , Würfel Eva , Koch Katrin N. , Fuchs Simon , Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Holschneider Aurélie , Ort Christoph , Chen Chaoran , Huisman Jana S. , Julian Timothy R. , Stadler Tanja 
Published: January 2023

AbstractInfluenza infections are challenging to monitor at the population level due to a high proportion of mild and asymptomatic cases and confounding of symptoms with other common circulating respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Alternate methods capable of tracking cases outside of clinical reporting infrastructure could improve monitoring of influenza transmission dynamics. Influenza shedding into wastewater represents a promising source of information where quantification is unbiased by testing or treatment-seeking behaviors. We quantified influenza A and B virus loads from influent at Switzerland’s three largest wastewater treatment plants, serving about 12% of the Swiss population. We estimated trends in infection incidence and the effective reproductive number Re in these catchments during a 2021/22 epidemic and compared our estimates to clinical influenza surveillance data. We showed that wastewater-based incidence is better aligned with catchment-level confirmed cases than national ILI, and that only the wastewater data capture a peak in incidence in December 2021. We further estimated Re to have been below 1.05 after introduction of work from home measures in December 2021 and above 0.97 after these measures were relaxed in two out of three catchments based on wastewater data. The third catchment yielded qualitatively the same results, although with wider confidence intervals. The confirmed-case data yielded comparatively less precise estimates that include 1 before and during the period of measures. On the basis of this research we developed an online dashboard for wastewater-based influenza surveillance in Switzerland where we will continue to monitor the onset and dynamics of the 2022/23 flu season.
Delineation of complex gene expression patterns in single cell RNA-seq data with ICARUS v2.0
Authors: Jiang Andrew , You Linya , Snell Russell G , Lehnert Klaus 
Published: January 2023

AbstractComplex biological traits and disease often involve patterns of gene expression that can be characterised and examined. Here we present ICARUS v2.0, an update to our single cell RNA-seq analysis web server with additional tools to investigate gene networks and understand core patterns of gene regulation in relation to biological traits. ICARUS v2.0 enables gene co-expression analysis with MEGENA, transcription factor regulated network identification with SCENIC, trajectory analysis with Monocle3, and characterisation of cell-cell communication with CellChat. Cell cluster gene expression profiles may be examined against Genome Wide Association Studies with MAGMA to find significant associations with GWAS traits. Additionally, differentially expressed genes may be compared against the Drug-Gene Interaction database (DGIdb 4.0) to facilitate drug discovery. ICARUS v2.0 offers a comprehensive toolbox of the latest single cell RNA-seq analysis methodologies packed into an efficient, user friendly, tutorial style web server application (accessible athttps://launch.icarus-scrnaseq.cloud.edu.au/) that enables single cell RNA-seq analysis tailored to the user’s dataset.
Protocol for mapping of the supplementary motor area using repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Engelhardt Melina , Kern Giulia , Karhu Jari , Picht Thomas 
Published: January 2023

Structured abstractBackgroundDamage to the supplementary motor area (SMA) for example during surgery can lead to impairments of motor and language function. A detailed preoperative mapping of functional boarders of the SMA could therefore aid preoperative diagnostics in these patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was the development of a repetitive nTMS protocol for non-invasive functional mapping of the SMA while assuring effects are indeed caused by SMA stimulation rather than activation of M1.MethodsTo this purpose the SMA in the dominant hemisphere of twelve healthy subjects (28.2 ± 7.7 years, 6 females) was mapped using repetitive nTMS at 20 Hz (120% RMT), while subjects performed a finger tapping task. The location of induced errors was marked in each subject’s individual MRI. To further validate the protocol, effects of SMA stimulation were directly compared to effects of M1 stimulation in four different tasks.ResultsMapping of the SMA was possible for all subjects, yet varying effect sizes were observed. Stimulation of the SMA led to a significant reduction of finger taps compared to baseline (BL: 45 taps, SMA: 35.5 taps; p < 0.01). Line tracing, writing and targeting of circles was less accurate during SMA compared to M1 stimulation.ConclusionMapping of the SMA using repetitive nTMS is feasible. While errors induced in the SMA are not entirely independent of M1 due to the proximity of both regions, disruption of the SMA induces functionally distinct errors. These error maps can aid preoperative diagnostics in patients with SMA related lesions.