bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animal models in systemic sclerosis: an update
Authors: Bi Xiongjie , Mills Tingting , Wu Minghua 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by early inflammation followed by excessive fibrosis in the skin and internal organs. Enhancing our comprehension of SSc pathogenesis is essential to develop effective therapeutic strategies. Animal models that mimic one or more aspects of SSc have been proven to be a valuable resource for investigating disease mechanisms. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the existing SSc animal models and the potentially relevant pathways to SSc pathogenesis.

Recent findings
This review focuses on the most recently generated and investigated animal models, which delve into novel pathways beyond existing models or employ genetic technologies to gain a deeper understanding of SSc pathogenesis including activation of early type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway, immune cell function and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

Summary
While no single animal model can fully replicate SSc, a combination of different models can offer valuable insights into the pathways involved in the onset and advancement of the SSc. These insights can prove animal models as a crutial preclinical tool for developing effective treatments for SSc.
Methods for objective assessment of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Desai Ruhani , Chawla Harshdeep , Larin Kirill , Assassi Shervin 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
Skin fibrosis is the most prominent disease manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although the treatment for other SSc manifestations has expanded over the years, there is limited progress in identifying effective treatment options for SSc skin involvement. This is in part due to limitations in the utilized outcome measures for assessment of skin fibrosis. This review focuses on different emerging assessment tools for SSc skin involvement and their potential use for clinical care and multicenter trials.

Recent findings
Durometer and other device-based methodologies requiring application of direct pressure to the affected skin have been studied in SSc. However, there are concerns that the required application of pressure might be a source of variability. Ultrasound-based methods have been compared with modified Rodnan Skin Score in several studies, indicating acceptable construct validity. However, few studies have examined their criterion validity by providing comparisons to skin histology. Optical coherence-based methods show promising preliminary results for simultaneous assessment of skin fibrosis and vasculopathy. Further standardization and validation (including comparison to skin histology) of these promising novel assessment tools in large, longitudinal SSc cohort studies are needed to establish them as clinically useful outcome measures with acceptable sensitivity to change.

Summary
Recent advances in imaging techniques provide a promising opportunity for development of a valid and reliable assessment tool for quantification of SSc skin fibrosis, which can pave the way for approval of effective treatment options for this high burden disease manifestation.
In vitro bench testing using patient-specific 3D models for percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation with Venus P-valve
Authors: Han Yu , Shao Zehua , Sun Zirui , Han Yan , Xu Hongdang , Song Shubo , Pan Xiangbin , de Jaegere Peter P. T. , Fan Taibing , Zhang Gejun 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background:
Due to the wide variety of morphology, size, and dynamics, selecting an optimal valve size and location poses great difficulty in percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI). This study aimed to report our experience with in vitro bench testing using patient-specific three-dimensional (3D)-printed models for planning PPVI with the Venus P-valve.

Methods:
Patient-specific 3D soft models were generated using PolyJet printing with a compliant synthetic material in 15 patients scheduled to undergo PPVI between July 2018 and July 2020 in Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University.

Results:
3D model bench testing altered treatment strategy in all patients (100%). One patient was referred for surgery because testing revealed that even the largest Venus P-valve would not anchor properly. In the remaining 14 patients, valve size and/or implantation location was altered to avoid valve migration and/or compression coronary artery. In four patients, it was decided to change the point anchoring because of inverted cone-shaped right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) (n = 2) or risk of compression coronary artery (n = 2). Concerning sizing, we found that an oversize of 2–5 mm suffices. Anchoring of the valve was dictated by the flaring of the in- and outflow portion in the pulmonary artery. PPVI was successful in all 14 patients (absence of valve migration, no coronary compression, and none-to-mild residual pulmonary regurgitation [PR]). The diameter of the Venus P-valve in the 3D simulation group was significantly smaller than that of the conventional planning group (36 [2] vs. 32 [4], Z = -3.77, P <0.001).

Conclusions:

In vitro testing indicated no need to oversize the Venus P-valve to the degree recommended by the balloon-sizing technique, as 2–5 mm sufficed.
Sedentary behavior and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in United States adults with hypertension
Authors: Boudreaux Benjamin D. , Romero Emily K. , Diaz Keith M. 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Growing evidence has implicated sedentary behavior is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, independent of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Contrary to national physical activity guidelines, reductions in sedentary behavior are not promoted as a lifestyle modification in hypertensive adults. This may be in part because of a paucity of evidence demonstrating that sedentary behavior confers morbidity and mortality risk in hypertensive adults.

Purpose:
To examine the association between device-measured sedentary behavior and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and in hypertensive adults.

Methods:
Data for this analysis come from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of US adults. Sedentary behavior and MVPA were assessed with an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer. Hypertension was classified as blood pressure at least 140/≥90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication use.

Results:
Median follow-up was 14.5 years. After adjusting for covariates and MVPA, greater time spent in sedentary behavior was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality [quartile 1: REF, quartile 2: hazard ratio = 1.41 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.83–2.38], quartile 3: hazard ratio = 1.25 (95% CI 0.81–1.94), quartile 4: hazard ratio = 2.14 (95% CI 1.41–3.24); P trend <0.001]. Greater sedentary behavior was also associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [quartile 1: REF: quartile 2: hazard ratio = 1.13 (95% CI 0.83–1.52), quartile 3: hazard ratio = 1.33 (95% CI 1.00–1.78), quartile 4: hazard ratio = 2.06 (95% CI 1.60, 2.64); P trend <0.001].

Conclusion:
Greater sedentary behavior is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality among US adults with hypertension. These findings suggest reductions in sedentary behavior should be considered to reduce mortality risk in hypertensive adults.
Higher Heart Rate Is Independently Associated With Abnormal Body Mass Index in a J Shape Pattern
Authors: Hickcox Lucy , Bates Sharon , Hashemzadeh Mehrnoosh , Movahed Mohammad Reza 
Published: August 2023

Background:
High heart rate (HR) is independently associated with higher cardiovascular mortality and usually occurs in sedentary persons. Inactivity can also lead to obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between body mass index as an independent marker of high HR.

Method:
Data generated from screening echocardiography, for the prevention of sudden death at the Anthony Bates Foundation, was used. Data from 1340 subjects, with documented HR and body mass index, between the ages 19–79 years with a mean age of 32 years, were studied. We correlated the presence of a high HR >90 beats per minute (bpm) with different body mass index (BMI) categories.

Results:
High HR was significantly associated with higher BMI categories and underweight subjects in adults suggesting a J shape association. A total of 22.7% of participants with an HR of more than 90 bpm had BMI >40 kg/m2, versus 19.0% of patients with BMI of 35–40 kg/m2 versus 13.5% of subjects with BMI of 30–35 kg/m2 versus 12.2% of subjects with BMI of 25–30 kg/m2–29.9 kg/m2, versus in 10.3% of subjects with BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2, P < 0.01) Furthermore, increased HR was also more prevalent in underweight patient (17.4% in subjects with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2).

Conclusion:
High HR is strongly associated with obesity and underweight suggesting that maintaining a normal weight is associated with most positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
Corneal Morphological and Biomechanical Changes in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Zhang Te , Ye Huijing , Xiao Wei , Chen Rongxin , Huasheng Yang 
Published: August 2023

Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate corneal morphological and biomechanical changes in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and their correlations with activity and severity.

Methods:
Patients diagnosed with TAO were recruited and divided into groups by activity and severity. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including magnetic resonance imaging. Corneal topography was measured using a Pentacam device, and biomechanical parameters were obtained using a CorVis ST tonometer. Correlations among the corneal parameters, clinical activity score, and NOSPECS score were analyzed. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of corneal changes for active and severe TAO.

Results:
Fifty-three eyes with TAO and 16 healthy eyes were enrolled in our study. The back elevation, CorVis biomechanical index, tomographic and biomechanical index, stiffness parameter at the first applanation, deviation from normality in back elevation, relational thickness, and overall deviation from normality were significantly increased in patients with TAO (all P <0.05), whereas the smallest corneal thickness, maximum Ambrósio relational thickness, and deformation amplitude (DA) ratio were significantly decreased (all P <0.05). The clinical activity score was strongly positively correlated with back elevation (γ = 0.515, P <0.001). The NOSPECS score was strongly positively correlated with relational thickness and tomographic and biomechanical index (γ = 0.429 and 0.515, P <0.001) and negatively correlated with maximum Ambrósio relational thickness (γ = −0.53, P <0.001). Moreover, maximum Ambrósio relational thickness and the Ambrósio relational thickness through the horizontal meridian showed desirable diagnostic capacity in distinguishing mild TAO from moderate-severe TAO (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.799 and 0.769).

Conclusions:
Corneal morphological and biomechanical changes were found in patients with TAO, which might be related to the presence of inflammation. Measurements of corneal morphological and biomechanical parameters could serve as references in evaluating TAO.
Is Keratoconus More Than Just a Corneal Disease?
Authors: Yıldız Merve Beyza , Bolaç Rüveyde 
Published: August 2023

Purpose:
The aims of this study were to compare the scleral thickness (ST), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), and lamina cribrosa curvature index between patients with keratoconus and healthy controls and to evaluate the relationship between these values and corneal parameters.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 41 eyes of 41 patients with keratoconus and 30 eyes of 30 age-matched, sex-matched, and axial length–matched controls. Nasal and temporal STs were measured vertically, 4 mm posterior to the scleral spur, using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The LCT was measured on the radial scans of the optic nerve head. The lamina cribrosa curvature index (lamina cribrosa curvature depth/curvature width × 100) was calculated to determine the degree of posterior bowing of the lamina cribrosa.

Results:
The nasal ST and temporal ST were significantly lower in the keratoconus group than in the control group (P = 0.016 and P = 0.023, respectively). The LCT was significantly lower in the keratoconus group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups for the lamina cribrosa curvature index (P = 0.375). Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between the nasal and temporal STs and the central corneal thickness (r = 0.376, P < 0.001 and r = 0.387, P < 0.001, respectively). There was also a significant correlation between the temporal ST and the minimum corneal thickness in the keratoconus group (r = 0.332, P = 0.015). The LCT was significantly correlated with the central corneal thickness (r = 0.445, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
Structural features of the cornea, sclera, and lamina cribrosa with similar collagen content may be similarly affected in patients with keratoconus. Further histologic studies are needed to confirm our results.
Coronavirus disease 2019 in the occupational settings
Authors: Monaco Maria Grazia Lourdes , Spiteri Gianluca , Porru Stefano 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
Within the framework of a scientific scenario dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this work aims to briefly review the latest evidence concerning the selected impact and management of COVID-19 on the working populations in order to identify possible future research and development areas on specific topics.

Recent findings
The main selected theme covered by the review of the current scientific literature were Healthcare settings, Vulnerable workers, ’Post Covid-19 condition’ and vaccine effectiveness.

Summary
Current scientific evidence highlights the need to reassess the occupational risks, considering not only the new circumstances of virus spread and COVID-19 occurrence but also the effectiveness of preventive measures as well as the appraisal of the new medical conditions and susceptibilities that the pandemic has brought to light, such as the post-COVID-19 condition. These challenges should be tackled by occupational physicians, in particular, those who have the skills to develop tailored health surveillance and elaborate procedures adequate to protect vulnerable workers and their fitness for work while encouraging a safe return to work. These specialists need the support of high-quality, targeted scientific research, generated by field studies.
Evidence-based public health interventions – current situation and challenges in respect to eating behaviour
Authors: Lenoir-Wijnkoop Irene 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
Healthcare authorities and policymakers are well aware that chronic diseases associated with eating behaviour and lifestyle are a threat for the sustainability of health structures and for the wellbeing of the general population. Despite relentless efforts, the result of numerous nutritional public health initiatives to reduce dietary risk factors remain disappointing.

Recent findings
Adherence to the recommendations, often compromised by behavioural determinants, might get further jeopardized by the influence of social media. Another matter of concern is the emerging use of food delivery services, which has spread rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The devastating impact of these recent changes in consumer habits might not be quantifiable before several years.

Summary
Alerts about the worrying consequences of inappropriate food intake and exhortations to modify lifestyle can be counterproductive and lead to disengagement and even mistrust. As long as people are not more directly engaged in the process of investigating and establishing the most appropriate orientation for adequate healthy eating strategies, they will continue to be insufficiently spurred. The deployment of citizen science within public health nutrition research would offer an outstanding opportunity to get better insight in the most suitable triggers for inducing sustainable behaviour changes, an important challenge for health promotion.
Biomarkers of aging through the life course: a recent literature update
Authors: Gaylord Abigail , Cohen Alan A. , Kupsco Allison 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
The development of biomarkers of aging has greatly advanced epidemiological studies of aging processes. However, much debate remains on the timing of aging onset and the causal relevance of these biomarkers. In this review, we discuss the most recent biomarkers of aging that have been applied across the life course.

Recent findings
The most recently developed aging biomarkers that have been applied across the life course can be designated into three categories: epigenetic clocks, epigenetic markers of chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. Although these have been applied at different life stages, the development, validation, and application of these markers has been largely centered on populations of older adults. Few studies have examined trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. As the wealth of molecular and biochemical data increases, emerging biomarkers may be able to capture complex and system-specific aging processes. Recently developed biomarkers include novel epigenetic clocks; clocks based on ribosomal DNA, transcriptomic profiles, proteomics, metabolomics, and inflammatory markers; clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential gene mutations; and multiomics approaches.

Summary
Attention should be placed on aging at early and middle life stages to better understand trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. Additionally, novel biomarkers will provide greater insight into aging processes. The specific mechanisms of aging reflected by these biomarkers should be considered when interpreting results.
Quantifying the Uncertainty of Human Activity Recognition Using a Bayesian Machine Learning Method: A Prediction Study
Authors: Mamiya Hiroshi , Fuller Daniel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundMachine learning methods accurately predict physical activity outcomes using accelerometer data generated by wearable devices, thus allowing the investigation of the impact of built environment on population physical activity. While traditional machine learning methods do not provide prediction uncertainty, a new method, Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) can quantify such uncertainty as posterior predictive distribution. We evaluated the performance of BART in predicting physical activity status.MethodsWe applied multinomial BART and the benchmark method, random forest, to accelerometer data in 25,424 time points, which were generated by wearable devices attached to 37 participants. We evaluated prediction accuracies and confusion matrix using leave-one-out cross-validation.ResultsBART and random forest demonstrated comparable accuracies in prediction.ConclusionsBART is a relatively novel ML method and will advance the incorporation of predicted physical activity status into built environment research. Future research includes the evaluation of the association between the built environment and predicted physical activity with and without accounting for prediction uncertainty.
MR Image Harmonization with Transformer
Authors: Han Dong , Yu Rui , Li Shipeng , Wang Jing , Yang Yuzun , Zhao Zhixun , Wei Yiming , Cong Shan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMany clinical applications require medical image harmonization to combine and normalize images from different scanners or protocols. This paper introduces a Transformer-based MR image harmonization method. Our proposed method leverages the self-attention mechanism of the Transformer to learn the complex relationships between image patches and effectively transfer the imaging characteristics from a source image domain to a target image domain. We evaluate our approach to state-of-the-art methods using a publicly available dataset of brain MRI scans and show that it provides superior quantitative metrics and visual quality. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proposed approach is highly resistant to fluctuations in image modality, resolution, and noise. Overall, the experiment results indicate that our approach is a promising method for medical image harmonization that can improve the accuracy and reliability of automated analysis and diagnosis in clinical settings.
Identification and functional characterisation of a locus for target site integration inFusarium graminearum
Authors: Darino Martin , Urban Martin , Kaur Navneet , Machado-Wood Ana , Grimwade-Mann Michael , Smith Dan , Beacham Andrew , Hammond-Kosack Kim 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundFusarium Head Blight is a destructive floral disease of different cereal crops. The Ascomycete fungusFusarium graminearum(Fg) is one of the main causal agents of FHB in wheat and barley. The role(s) in virulence ofFggenes include genetic studies that involve the transformation of the fungus with different expression cassettes. We have observed in several studies whereFggenes functions were characterised that integration of expression cassettes occurred randomly. Random insertion of a cassette may disrupt gene expression and/or protein functions and hence the overall conclusion of the study. Target site integration (TSI) is an approach that consists in identifying a chromosomal region where the cassette can be inserted. The identification of a suitable locus for TSI inFgwould avert the potential risks of ectopic integration.ResultsHere, we identified a highly conserved intergenic region on chromosome 1 suitable for TSI. We named this intergenic region the TSI locus 1. We developed an efficient cloning vector system based on the Golden Gate method to clone different expression cassettes for use in combination with TSI locus 1. We present evidence that integrations in the TSI locus 1 affects neither fungal virulence nor fungal growth under different stress conditions. Integrations at the TSI locus 1 resulted in the expression of different gene fusions. In addition, the activities ofFgnative promoters were not altered by integration into the TSI locus 1. We have developed a bespoke bioinformatic pipeline to analyse the existence of ectopic integrations and tandem insertions of the cassette that may occurred during the transformation process. Finally, we established a protocol to study protein secretion in wheat coleoptiles using confocal microscopy and the TSI locus 1.ConclusionThe TSI locus 1 can be used inFgand potentially other cereal infecting Fusarium species for diverse studies including promoter activity analysis, secretion, protein localisation studies and gene complementation. The bespoke bioinformatic pipeline developed in this work can be an alternative to southern blotting, the gold standard technique to identify ectopic integration and tandem insertions in fungal transformation.