bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increase in intracellular and extracellular myocardial mass in patients with acromegaly: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Wolf Peter , Bouazizi Khaoula , Kachenoura Nadjia , Piedvache Céline , Gallo Antonio , Salenave Sylvie , Maione Luigi , Young Jacques , Prigent Mikaël , Lecoq Anne-Lise , Kuhn Emmanuelle , Agostini Helene , Trabado Severine , Redheuil Alban , Chanson Philippe , Kamenický Peter 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Acromegaly is associated with an increased left ventricular (LV) mass, as reported in echo-based and, more recently, in a few cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. One possible explanation for this increased LV mass could be water retention and subsequent myocardial edema.

Methods
In this prospective cross-sectional study, 26 patients with active acromegaly before and after treatment and 31 controls of comparable age and sex were investigated using cardiac MRI. Cardiac morphology, function, and myocardial tissue characteristics were evaluated. Myocardial T2 relaxation time was used as the main outcome measure of myocardial edema. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02948322).

Results
Patients compared to controls had greater LV mass indexes (58.1 [54.7-68.6] vs 46.0 [41.3-49.8] g/m2; P &lt; .001) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) indexes (97.3 [88-101.2] vs 81.6 [78.1-96.2] mL/m2; P = .0069) and had comparable global contractile function. T2 values were not different between patients and controls. Both intracellular (43.83 [41.0-50.0] vs 34.32 [28.9-38.7] g/m2; P &lt; .001) and extracellular (15.06 [13.5-17.1] vs 11.6 [10.8-12.7] g/m2; P &lt; .001) LV mass indexes were higher in patients compared to controls. Log growth hormone correlated with myocardial mass (r = 0.75; P &lt; .001). Sex, systolic blood pressure (BP), and the presence of acromegaly were predictors of the LV mass index. The extracellular LV mass index was associated with sex and the presence of acromegaly, whereas the intracellular LV mass index was associated with sex, systolic BP, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Acromegaly treatment reduced EDV and total and intracellular LV mass indexes without significantly affecting extracellular mass.

Conclusion
Acromegaly results in a disease-specific form of LV hypertrophic remodeling, characterized by an increase in both intra- and extracellular mass. The LV mass index and intracellular mass were decreased by treatment.
The effect of seminal fluid gene expression on paternity
Authors: Simmons Leigh W , Lovegrove Maxine 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
When females mate with more than one male, competition between rival ejaculates is expected to favor adaptations that promote fertilization success. There is now compelling evidence that sperm competition selects for increased production and allocation of sperm. However, sperm comes packaged in ejaculates that also contain protein-rich seminal fluids. Predicting how males should allocate individual seminal fluid proteins in response to sperm competition is hampered by our limited knowledge of their precise function. We use gene expression studies and interference RNA to ask how seminal fluid proteins in the ejaculate of a cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, affect a male’s paternity share when in competition for fertilizations. We find that the relative expression of one seminal fluid gene, gagein, positively affects the paternity share of competing males and that knockdown of this and two other seminal fluid protein genes renders males mating in the offensive role of sperm competition incapable of fathering living offspring. Despite having a negative effect on offspring viability these seminal fluid genes have been found to be up regulated in response to rival males, consistent with a role in promoting competitive fertilization success. Our data contribute to a growing body of evidence that, like sperm, seminal fluid gene expression is subject to post-mating sexual selection via sperm competition.
Development and clinical application of a rapid, visually interpretable polymerase spiral reaction for tcdB gene of Clostridioides difficile in fecal cultures
Authors: Yin Caihong , Song zhanyun , Wang Xianghui , Li Hui , Liu yue , Wang Qiulin , Feng xin , Song Xiuling 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In the surveillance of outbreaks of Clostridioides difficile infection, the rapid detection and diagnosis of C. difficile remain a major challenge. Polymerase spiral reaction (PSR) is a nucleic acid amplification technique that uses mixed primers and the strand displacement activity of Bst DNA polymerase to achieve a pair of primers and a single enzyme in an isothermal environment. The primer design is simple, the reaction is efficient, and a color indicator can be used to visualize the result. In this study, we developed a rapid and visually interpretable PSR to detect C. difficile by analyzing artificially contaminated feces samples and clinical isolates from patient feces samples. We designed two pairs of primers for a PSR that specifically targeted the conserved tcdB gene of C. difficile. The amplification results were visualized with the chromogenic dye hydroxynaphthol blue. The entire process was accomplished in 50 min at 64°C, with high specificity. The limit of detection of C. difficile with PSR was 150 fg/μl genomic DNA or 2 × 10 CFU/ml in artificially contaminated feces samples. With this method, we analyzed four clinical isolates and also compared the PSR with an isolation-and-culture detection method, polymerase chain reaction, and the Sanger sequencing. The four clinical isolates were found positive for tcdB, which confirmed the high specificity of the primers. The positive rates of tcdB in toxigenic C. difficile detected with PSR, PCR, and Sanger sequencing were 100%. The proportions of toxin types in these clinical C. difficile strains were 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT− and 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT+. The assay described should extend our understanding of the incidence of C. difficile. This may allow the rapid diagnosis and screening of C. difficile-related disease outbreaks in the field.
Identification of the Teopod1, Teopod2, and Early Phase Change genes in maize
Authors: Sauer Matt , Zhao Jianfei , Park Meeyeon , Khangura Rajdeep S , Dilkes Brian P , Poethig R Scott 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Teopod1 (Tp1), Teopod2 (Tp2), and Early phase change (Epc) have profound effects on the timing of vegetative phase change in maize. Gain-of-function mutations in Tp1 and Tp2 delay all known phase-specific vegetative traits, whereas loss-of-function mutations in Epc accelerate vegetative phase change and cause shoot abortion in some genetic backgrounds. Here, we show that Tp1 and Tp2 likely represent cis-acting mutations that cause the overexpression of Zma-miR156j and Zma-miR156h, respectively. Epc is the maize ortholog of HASTY, an Arabidopsis gene that stabilizes miRNAs and promotes their intercellular movement. Consistent with its pleiotropic phenotype and epistatic interaction with Tp1 and Tp2, epc reduces the levels of miR156 and several other miRNAs.
Embedding Caregiver Support within Adult Day Services: Outcomes of a Multi-site Trial
Authors: Gitlin Laura N , Roth David L , Marx Katherine , Parker Lauren J , Koeuth Sokha , Dabelko-Schoeny Holly , Anderson Keith , Gaugler Joseph E 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Adult day services (ADS) provide quality-of-life benefits to people with dementia , but few provide systematic caregiver support. We report outcomes of a multi-site, national trial testing a staff-delivered caregiver program, ADS Plus.

Research Design and Methods
Cluster randomized trial involving 34 ADS: 18 sites provided ADS (controls); 16 provided ADS and ADS Plus (intervention). Trained staff met with caregivers to provide dementia education, support/validation, referrals/linkages, and strategies for care challenges and self-care over 12-months. Main outcomes included depressive symptoms (CES-D) and well-being at 6-and 12-months, and client attendance over 12-months.

Results
Of 203 caregivers (Intervention=102; Control=101), 5.9% at 3-months, 12.8% at 6-months, and 22.7% at 12-months were lost-to-follow-up. Caregivers were predominantly female (80.3%), with 76.4% identifying as white/Caucasian, 14.8% Black/African American, and 12.3% Hispanic/Latino. Most (88.2%) had ≥college education and were 65.0 years old (SD=13.46). For those with 6-month data, 40.4% control and 40.2% ADS Plus caregivers had depressed symptoms (≥16 CES-D) at baseline. By 6-months, 43.6% control versus 34.2% ADS Plus caregivers had ≥16 scores (odds ratio=0.38, p=0.072). By 12-months, after covariate adjustments, ADS Plus caregivers reported reduced total depression scores versus controls (p=0.013) and lower depressed affect scores (p=0.015). Of 18 sites providing 12-month client attendance data, nine intervention sites reported 126.05 days attended versus 78.49 days for nine control sites (p=0.079).

Discussion and Implications
Compared to ADS alone, by 12-months ADS Plus improved caregiver mood and increased ADS utilization by 60.6%. Results support ADS staff delivering evidence-based caregiver support to enhance ADS benefits.
Clinical checking in practice: qualitative perspectives from community pharmacists
Authors: Elgebli Ali , Hall Jason , Phipps Denham L 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Community pharmacists (CPs) are the last healthcare professional to check the clinical appropriateness of prescribed medicines before being dispensed to patients. This process is known as ‘clinical checking’ and is intended to ensure the prescribed medications are safe and effective. This study aims to explore how CPs carry out clinical checking in practice, and the main factors affecting their clinical decisions.

Methods
The study was qualitative in nature, and data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The interview questions aimed to explore how CPs carry out clinical checking in practice. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit a sample representative of CPs in England. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic template analysis.

Key findings
Twelve CPs of various professional backgrounds participated in the interviews. The analysis yielded three overarching themes, namely: pharmacists’ perception of the clinical checking process; clinical checking as a naturalistic decision-making process and barriers to effective clinical checking. Interviewees described being faced with a trade-off between examining each prescription thoroughly and maintaining the throughput of prescriptions, due to the highly pressurised environment they work within. A number of factors inform this trade-off: (1) assuming the safety of repeat medicines; (2) lacking access to sufficient clinical information and (3) working under challenging circumstances (such as a lack of resources).

Conclusions
Clinical checking is a complex, variable and experience-driven process which is heavily influenced by the surrounding environment and information accessibility. Further research should investigate the cognitive process involved in clinical checking and explore the practicalities and potential benefits of the recommendations identified in this study.
A large fibrotic nodule on the A1 pulley with severe tenosynovitis after repetitive prolotherapy in trigger finger: a case report
Authors: Oh Sang Ho , Sik Yun Yeong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Prolotherapy is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal diseases. The efficacy of prolotherapy was recently acknowledged. However, it has not been usually used to treat trigger fingers. Our study was a case report of aggravated flexor tenosynovitis and a fibrous nodule on thickened A1 pulley after repetitive prolotherapy for treating the trigger finger. A 47-year-old electrical engineer complained of a locked and painful triggering in his right ring finger. Preoperative ultrasonography revealed a large hyperechoic mass on the A1 pulley and tenosynovitis. Mass resection and tenosynovectomy were performed. The histological examination revealed a benign fibrous nodule without inflammatory cells. There were no complications at 6 months post-operative, and the patient regained a full range of motion. Reducing inflammation around the flexor tendon and A1 pulley was the most important strategy for the non-surgical management of the trigger finger.
Cancer Survivors’ Resilience During COVID-19 and Virtual Community-Based Choral Singing: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Anglade Debbie , Kauffman Mary A , Gattamorta Karina A , Sheikh-Wu Sameena F , Roman Laporte Roberto L 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The study aimed to determine the study feasibility of a weekly virtual community-based choral singing program and to explore the impact of weekly choral singing on resilience, anxiety, and benefit finding in cancer survivors. Six participants were recruited from the Survivorship Choir (SC), led by a board-certified music therapist and affiliated with a cancer center. Study participants attended their standard 90-minute rehearsals, which were conducted virtually because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Researchers followed participants over eight weeks, collecting data at weeks one and eight. Five self-report instruments were used and included a researcher-designed Demographic Form. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) is a 10-item questionnaire assessing participants’ resilience. The PROMIS: Emotional Distress-Anxiety Scale measured participants’ anxiety levels, and the Carver Benefit Finding Scale assessed participants’ benefit finding levels. The participant Feedback Form, designed by the researchers, assessed the study’s feasibility and effectiveness. High attendance and completion rates demonstrated the study’s feasibility. Choral singing led to a statistically significant increase in resilience (W = 0.00, p = .036, rrb = -1.00) between baseline (M = 28.33, SD = 7.20) and week 8 (M = 33.83, SD = 4.88), demonstrating a large effect. While not significant, anxiety and benefit finding trended in a desirable direction with large effects. The present study format was feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed that community-based choral singing, even in a virtual format, may positively affect cancer survivorship by increasing resilience and benefit finding and alleviating anxiety.
Recombinase-independent chromosomal rearrangements between dispersed inverted repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae meiosis
Authors: Allison Rachal M , Johnson Dominic J , Neale Matthew J , Gray Stephen 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR) uses a DNA template with similar sequence to restore genetic identity. Allelic DNA repair templates can be found on the sister chromatid or homologous chromosome. During meiotic recombination, DSBs preferentially repair from the homologous chromosome, with a proportion of HR events generating crossovers. Nevertheless, regions of similar DNA sequence exist throughout the genome, providing potential DNA repair templates. When DSB repair occurs at these non-allelic loci (termed ectopic recombination), chromosomal duplications, deletions and rearrangements can arise. Here, we characterize in detail ectopic recombination arising between a dispersed pair of inverted repeats in wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae at both a local and a chromosomal scale—the latter identified via gross chromosomal acentric and dicentric chromosome rearrangements. Mutation of the DNA damage checkpoint clamp loader Rad24 and the RecQ helicase Sgs1 causes an increase in ectopic recombination. Unexpectedly, additional mutation of the RecA orthologues Rad51 and Dmc1 alters—but does not abolish—the type of ectopic recombinants generated, revealing a novel class of inverted chromosomal rearrangement driven by the single-strand annealing pathway. These data provide important insights into the role of key DNA repair proteins in regulating DNA repair pathway and template choice during meiosis.
Cell-type specific regulator RBPMS switches alternative splicing via higher-order oligomerization and heterotypic interactions with other splicing regulators
Authors: Yang Yi , Lee Giselle C , Nakagaki-Silva Erick , Huang Yuling , Peacey Matthew , Partridge Ruth , Gooding Clare , Smith Christopher W J 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing decisions are regulated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that can activate or repress regulated splice sites. Repressive RBPs typically harness multivalent interactions to bind stably to target RNAs. Multivalency can be achieved by homomeric oligomerization and heteromeric interactions with other RBPs, often mediated by intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), and by possessing multiple RNA binding domains. Cell-specific splicing decisions often involve the action of widely expressed RBPs, which are able to bind multivalently around target exons, but without effect in the absence of a cell-specific regulator. To address how cell-specific regulators can collaborate with constitutive RBPs in alternative splicing regulation, we used the smooth-muscle specific regulator RBPMS. Recombinant RBPMS is sufficient to confer smooth muscle cell specific alternative splicing of Tpm1 exon 3 in cell-free assays by preventing assembly of ATP-dependent splicing complexes. This activity depends upon a C-terminal IDR that facilitates dynamic higher-order self-assembly, cooperative binding to multivalent RNA and interactions with widely expressed splicing co-regulators, including MBNL1 and RBFOX2, allowing cooperative assembly of stable cell-specific regulatory complexes.
ABL1 and ABL2 promote medulloblastoma leptomeningeal dissemination
Authors: Jones Jill K , Zhang Hengshan , Lyne Anne-Marie , Cavalli Florence M G , Hassen Wafa E , Stevenson Kevin , Kornahrens Reb , Yang Yuanfan , Li Sean , Dell Samuel , Reitman Zachary J , Herndon James E , Hoj Jacob , Pendergast Ann Marie , Thompson Eric M 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, and leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) of medulloblastoma both portends a poorer prognosis at diagnosis and is incurable at recurrence. The biological mechanisms underlying LMD are unclear. The Abelson (ABL) tyrosine kinase family members, ABL1 and ABL2, have been implicated in cancer cell migration, invasion, adhesion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance, and are upstream mediators of the oncogene c-MYC in fibroblasts and lung cancer cells. However, their role in medulloblastoma has not yet been explored. The purpose of this work was to elucidate the role of ABL1/2 in medulloblastoma LMD.

Methods
ABL1 and ABL2 mRNA expression of patient specimens was analyzed. shRNA knockdowns of ABL1/2 and pharmacologic inhibition of ABL1/2 were used for in vitro and in vivo analyses of medulloblastoma LMD. RNA sequencing of ABL1/2 genetic knockdown versus scrambled control medulloblastoma was completed.

Results
ABL1/2 mRNA is highly expressed in human medulloblastoma and pharmacologic inhibition of ABL kinases resulted in cytotoxicity. Knockdown of ABL1/2 resulted in decreased adhesion of medulloblastoma cells to the extracellular matrix protein, vitronectin (P = .0013), and significantly decreased tumor burden in a mouse model of medulloblastoma LMD with improved overall survival (P = .0044). Furthermore, both pharmacologic inhibition of ABL1/2 and ABL1/2 knockdown resulted in decreased expression of c-MYC, identifying a putative signaling pathway, and genes/pathways related to oncogenesis and neurodevelopment were differentially expressed between ABL1/2 knockdown and control medulloblastoma cells.

Conclusions
ABL1 and ABL2 have potential roles in medulloblastoma LMD upstream of c-MYC expression.
Cutting Bodies, Reaping Souls: Catholic Medical Missionaries between Rome and East Africa around 1700
Authors: Röder Brendan 
Published: August 2023

Summary
Research on medical missions has largely focused on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries paying comparatively little attention to earlier periods. The Roman Catholic Church in particular was seen as a latecomer in medical missionary work because canon law supposedly forbade clergymen to engage too closely with the human body. This article offers a different view of medicine and law in early modern conversion efforts and argues that some Catholic missionaries can be called ‘medical missionaries’. Looking at Franciscan friars sent to Ethiopia around 1700, the article analyses the legal negotiations surrounding the use of surgery by Catholic clergymen, healing practices they used during the missions and the relationship between medicine and conversion. It shows that missionaries received systematic medical and surgical training in Rome, that they used the acquired skills during their travels and that medicine was crucial to Catholic strategies of spiritual conquest.
Neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and vestibulodynia
Authors: Mwaura Agnes N , Marshall Nisha , Anglesio Michael S , Yong Paul J 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Endometriosis is a common cause of deep dyspareunia, while provoked vestibulodynia is a common cause of superficial dyspareunia. The etiology of dyspareunia in both conditions is multifactorial and may include the role of local nerve growth (neurogenesis or neuroproliferation) that sensitizes pelvic structures and leads to pain with contact.

Objectives
To review the evidence for neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia.

Methods
Narrative review.

Results
The pelvic peritoneum and vulvar vestibule receive somatic and autonomic innervation. Various markers have been utilized for nerve subtypes, including pan-neuronal markers and those specific for sensory and autonomic nerve fibers. The nerve growth factor family includes neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and their receptors. Studies of endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia have demonstrated the presence of nerve fibers around endometriosis epithelium/stroma in the pelvic peritoneum and within the vulvar vestibule. The number of nerve fibers is higher in these pain conditions as compared with control tissue. Nerve growth factor expression by endometriosis stroma and by immune cells in the vulvar vestibule may be involved in local neuroproliferation. Local inflammation is implicated in this neuroproliferation, with potential roles of interleukin 1β and mast cells in both conditions. Several studies have shown a correlation between nerve fibers around endometriosis and dyspareunia severity, but studies are lacking in provoked vestibulodynia. There are several possible clinical ramifications of neuroproliferative dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia, in terms of history, examination, biopsy, and surgical and medical treatment.

Conclusions
A neuroproliferative subtype of dyspareunia may be implicated in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia. Additional research is needed to validate this concept and to integrate it into clinical studies. Neuroproliferative pathways could serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of dyspareunia in endometriosis and provoked vestibulodynia.