bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defining Successful Radiographic Physeal Arrest: A Comparison Between Ulnar Epiphysiodesis With and Without a Sliding Bone Autograft
Authors: Campbell Tanner R. , Wallace C. Douglas , Curran Patrick F. , Bomar James D. , Edmonds Eric W. 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Distal radius physeal injuries can result in growth arrest and progressive deformity in children. Ulnar epiphysiodesis may be used to prevent deformity in the skeletally immature child; however, predicting success may be challenging. The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a method to predict successful ulnar epiphysiodesis, and (2) determine the utility of adding a sliding bone autograft as an adjunct to achieving successful epiphysiodesis.

Methods:
A radiographic assessment of children who underwent isolated ulnar epiphysiodesis for premature radial physeal closure at a single institution was performed, evaluating ulnar variance measurements pre-op, immediate post-op, time of physeal arrest, and final ulnar variance. Surgical technique, including ulnar epiphysiodesis with and without adjunctive sliding bone autograft, was recorded to develop two cohorts to compare the duration of successful physeal closure based on the methodology developed.

Results:
Eighty-seven wrists met the criteria (age 14.1±1.3 y) with an overall radiographic success of 99% with a mean radiographic follow-up of 6.6±5.9 months. Fifty-four wrists had repeat radiographs after defined radiographic physeal closure to confirm that when >50% of the ulnar physis demonstrated bridging bone formation, there was a longitudinal cessation of growth in 100% of these patients. Forty-five children had ulnar epiphysiodesis without bone graft, and 42 had ulnar epiphysiodesis with adjunct sliding bone autograft. Time to radiographic physeal arrest in the sliding bone autograft cohort was 1.3±0.7 (0.6 to 3.7) months compared with those without a bone graft of 2.9±2.2 (0.7 to 8.3) months; P<0.001.

Conclusions:
Greater than 50% of opacity across the ulnar physis reliably indicates a successful arrest following ulnar epiphysiodesis. Although the adjunct of a sliding bone autograft did not significantly change the ability to achieve an arrest, it did reduce the duration of time to achieve the arrest. The metric of 50% opacity as a marker for successful cessation of growth can be adapted to limit additional follow-up radiographs. Ulna epiphysiodesis with adjunct sliding bone autograft can be employed when faster cessation is needed.

Level of Evidence:
Level III—comparative study.
The Role of White Matter Integrity and Neuroplasticity in Stroke Recovery: Insights from DTI and VBM
Authors: Zhang Rongjun , Gong Zhigang , Jiang Wenbing , Su Zhaofeng 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of disability, significantly affecting the brain’s white and gray matter. Advanced neuroimaging techniques like Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) offer valuable insights into these structural changes.MethodsThis study used Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) to evaluate white matter integrity in stroke patients using DTI metrics, including Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Mean Diffusivity (MD). VBM was employed to assess gray matter volume and cortical thickness. Correlation analyses were performed between imaging metrics and clinical scores, such as the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Brunnstrom scores.ResultsTBSS analysis showed significant reductions in FA (globus pallidus: t = −4.71, p < 0.001; caudate nucleus: t = −4.20, p < 0.001) and increases in MD (globus pallidus: t = 3.96, p < 0.001; caudate nucleus: t = 3.85, p < 0.001) in stroke patients compared to controls. These changes correlated significantly with clinical outcomes; higher FA and lower MD were linked to better motor function (Brunnstrom score: r = 0.90, p < 0.001 for FA in globus pallidus) and lower stroke severity (NIHSS score: r = −0.91, p < 0.001 for FA in globus pallidus). VBM analysis revealed significant gray matter volume increases in the anterior cingulate cortex (t = 4.71, p < 0.05, FWE-corrected) and six other regions at p < 0.001.ConclusionThe study underscores the importance of white matter integrity in post-stroke recovery and highlights neuroplasticity in specific brain regions. Advanced neuroimaging metrics like FA, MD, and gray matter volume are crucial for assessing stroke severity and guiding rehabilitation strategies.
A gut pathobiont regulates circulating glycine and host metabolism in a twin study comparing vegan and omnivorous diets
Authors: Carter Matthew M. , Zeng Xianfeng , Ward Catherine P. , Landry Matthew , Perelman Dalia , Hennings Tayler , Meng Xiandong , Weakley Allison M. , Cabrera Ashley V. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Nguyen Tran , Higginbottom Steven , Maecker Holden T. , Sonnenburg Erica D. , Fischbach Michael A. , Gardner Christopher D. , Sonnenburg Justin L. 
Published: January 2025

SummaryMetabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes and obesity pose a significant global health burden. Plant-based diets, including vegan diets, are linked to favorable metabolic outcomes, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In a randomized trial involving 21 pairs of identical twins, we investigated the effects of vegan and omnivorous diets on the host metabolome, immune system, and gut microbiome. Vegan diets induced significant shifts in serum and stool metabolomes, cytokine profiles, and gut microbial composition. Despite lower dietary glycine intake, vegan diet subjects exhibited elevated serum glycine levels linked to reduced abundance of the gut pathobiontBilophila wadsworthia. Functional studies demonstrated thatB. wadsworthiametabolizes glycine via the glycine reductase pathway and modulates host glycine availability. RemovingB. wadsworthiafrom a complex microbiota in mice elevated glycine levels and improved metabolic markers. These findings reveal a previously underappreciated mechanism by which diet regulates host metabolic status via the gut microbiota.
Collagen Hydrogel Tube Microbioreactors for Cell and Tissue Manufacturing
Authors: Yang Yakun , Wu Xinran , Pan Ying , Wang Yong , Lian Xiaojun , Dong Cheng , Liu Wansheng , Wang Shue , Lei Yuguo 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe production of mammalian cells in large quantities is essential for various applications. However, scaling up cell culture using existing bioreactors poses significant technical challenges and high costs. To address this, we previously developed an innovative 3D culture system, known as the AlgTube cell culture system, for high-density cell cultivation. This system involves processing cells into microscale alginate hydrogel tubes, which are suspended in the culture medium within a vessel. These hydrogel tubes shield cells from hydrodynamic stress and maintain the cell mass below 400 µm in diameter, facilitating efficient mass transport and creating a favorable microenvironment for cell growth. Under optimized conditions, AlgTubes supported long-term culture with high cell viability, rapid expansion (1000-fold increase over 9 days per passage), and high yield (5×10⁸ cells/mL), offering significant advantages over conventional methods. Despite these benefits, AlgTubes have critical drawbacks. They are mechanically fragile, with frequent breakage during culture leading to cell leakage and production failures. Additionally, many cell types exhibit poor growth due to the inability to adhere to the alginate surface, making alginate hydrogel microtubes unsuitable for industrial-scale cell production. To overcome these challenges, we developed a novel collagen hydrogel tube-based microbioreactor system in this work. This system provides enhanced robustness and adhesion, enabling scalable, cost-effective, and efficient cell production for a wide range of applications.
Programmable Assembly and Steering of Microbubble Droplets using Ultrasound
Authors: Fonseca Alexia Del Campo , Gautam Kshetri Khemraj , Boev Dimitar , Irniger Nathan , Nama Nitesh , Ahmed Daniel 
Published: January 2025

AbstractGas-filled microbubbles have been extensively used as contrast agents for ultrasound therapies and have recently been explored as microrobots. When exposed to an intense acoustic wave, microbubbles oscillate and scatter the sound field, leading to assembly and manipulation behaviors. Although traditional microbubbles demonstrated promising potential for manipulation in physiological environments, we recognized the need for improved assembly selectivity and acoustically directed propulsion. For this, we developed a new microbubble design using microfluidics. We engineered microbubbles with an outer oil droplet encapsulating a gas core, allowing the gas to move freely within the oil. When the gas reaches the droplet’s periphery, the oil attenuates the scattered wave, ensuring that scattering or acoustic amplification is concentrated near the droplet’s edge. This approach enabled us to control the organized assembly of microbubbles and direct their acoustic navigation. We believe this approach will open new possibilities for using gas-filled microbubbles as safer drug carriers or for micro-interventions in biomedical settings.
Effects of a temperate heatwave on diel rhythms of insect activity: a comparison across habitats
Authors: Carter J.A. , Davies R.G. , Nash W.J. , Morris R.K.A. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe increasing frequency and intensity of heatwave events in temperate climates threatens to alter behavioural rhythms of ectothermic animals, such as insects. However, it is poorly understood how heatwaves affect daily activity patterns of insects, and whether shaded microclimates can moderate these responses.We investigated impacts of a heatwave on the diel profile of insect activity, comparing effects across open, tree-covered and hedged habitats. Using yellow pan traps, insect activity was monitored from 07:00 to 19:00 on ten non-consecutive days, including two during a heatwave.Insect counts exhibited a unimodal relationship with temperature.During heatwave days, open habitat exhibited a significant (∼81.9%) reduction in counts compared to two ‘non-heatwave’ field-days, one before and one after the heatwave. Smaller, non-significant reductions were observed in the tree-covered (38.3%) and hedged (17.8%) habitats.The diel activity profile on non-heatwave days approximated to a unimodal relationship, with GLMM-estimated counts peaking around 15:00; by contrast, heatwave days exhibited a bimodal profile, with predicted counts highest in the morning and evening.Such heatwave-induced deformations of activity patterns, modelled as interactions between heatwave and time-of-day, were significant across all three habitat types.The findings suggest that temperate heatwaves can markedly decrease insect activity levels, and that whilst shade-providing vegetational features may reduce this effect, diel patterns of activity are affected landscape-wide. As heatwaves become more frequent, preservation of trees and hedges in temperate landscapes is likely crucial to support resilience of insect activity and wider ecosystem functioning.
Correlation between circadian and photoperiodic latitudinal clines inDrosophila littoralis
Authors: Manoli Giulia , Lankinen Pekka , Bertolini Enrico , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte 
Published: January 2025

AbstractInsects can survive harsh conditions, including Arctic winters, by entering a hormonally induced state of dormancy, known as diapause. Diapause is triggered by environmental cues such as shortening of the photoperiod (lengthening of the night). The time of entry into diapause depends on the latitude of the insects’ habitat, and this applies even within a species: populations living at higher latitudes enter diapause earlier in the year than populations living at lower latitudes. A long-standing question in biology is whether the internal circadian clock, which governs daily behaviour and serves as a reference clock to measure night length, shows similar latitudinal adaptations. To address this question, we examined the onset of diapause and various behavioural and molecular parameters of the circadian clock in the cosmopolitan fly,Drosophila littoralis,a species distributed throughout Europe from the Black Sea (41°N) to arctic regions (69°N). We found that all clock parameters examined showed the same correlation with latitude as the critical night length for diapause induction. We conclude that the circadian clock has adapted to the latitude and that this may result in the observed latitudinal differences in the onset of diapause.
Host avoidance and resistance vary independently and are specific to parasite genotype
Authors: Amoroso Caroline R. , Lockwood-Shabat Adianna , Kamali Andreas , Gibson Amanda K. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractHosts can reduce the negative fitness effects of parasite infection by avoiding contact with parasites or by resisting infection after contact. Because of their shared outcome, avoidance and resistance have been hypothesized to trade off with one another. Assuming these defenses carry fitness costs, hosts are expected to have high levels of one defense or the other, but not both. Alternatively, avoidance and resistance may covary positively, if, for example, they complement one another or are genetically or mechanistically linked. Testing these hypotheses requires measuring avoidance and resistance independently, which is challenging because they are functionally linked. In this study, we separated avoidance and resistance of the hostC. elegansagainst the bacterial parasiteS. marcescensand tested for a correlation between them. We phenotyped a panel of 12 genetically divergent hosts using two distinct bacterial strains and multiple experimental contexts. We found no evidence of a correlation between avoidance and resistance. This result suggests that avoidance and resistance can covary independently. Moreover, we found strong genetic specificity not only for resistance, but also for a measure of avoidance, motivating further research to examine the coevolutionary dynamics of avoidance.
Flipping the switch on some of the slowest mutating genomes: Direct measurements of plant mitochondrial and plastid mutation rates inmsh1mutants
Authors: Broz Amanda K. , Hodous Mychaela M. , Zou Yi , Vail Patricia C. , Wu Zhiqiang , Sloan Daniel B. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPlant mitochondrial and plastid genomes have exceptionally slow rates of sequence evolution, and recent work has identified an unusual member of theMutSgene family (“plantMSH1”) as being instrumental in preventing point mutations in these genomes. However, the eXects of disruptingMSH1-mediated DNA repair on “germline” mutation rates have not been quantified. Here, we usedArabidopsis thalianamutation accumulation (MA) lines to measure mutation rates inmsh1mutants and matched wild type (WT) controls. We detected 124 single nucleotide variants (SNVs: 49 mitochondrial and 75 plastid) and 668 small insertions and deletions (indels: 258 mitochondrial and 410 plastid) inmsh1MA lines. In striking contrast, we did not find any organelle mutations in the WT MA lines, and reanalysis of data from a much larger WT MA experiment also failed to detect any variants. The observed number of SNVs in themsh1MA lines corresponds to estimated mutation rates of 6.1ξ10-7and 3.2 ξ10-6per bp per generation in mitochondrial and plastid genomes, respectively. These rates exceed those of species known to have very high mitochondrial mutation rates (e.g., nematodes and fruit flies) by an order of magnitude or more and are on par with estimated rates in humans despite the generation times ofA. thalianabeing nearly 100-fold shorter. Therefore, disruption of a single plant-specific genetic factor inA. thalianais suXicient to erase or even reverse the enormous diXerence in organelle mutation rates between plants and animals.
SAMHD1 enhances HIV-1-induced apoptosis in monocytic cells via the mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Yang Hua , Cheung Pak-Hin Hinson , Wu Li 
Published: January 2025

SUMMARYSterile alpha motif (SAM) and histidine-aspartate (HD) domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) inhibits HIV-1 replication in non-dividing cells by reducing the intracellular dNTP pool. SAMHD1 enhances spontaneous apoptosis in cells, but its effects on HIV-1-induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we uncover a new mechanism by which SAMHD1 enhances HIV-1-induced apoptosis in monocytic cells through the mitochondrial pathway. We found that endogenous SAMHD1 enhances apoptosis levels induced by HIV-1 infection in dividing THP-1 cells. Mechanistically, SAMHD1 expression decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential and promotes cytochrome c release induced by HIV-1 infection in THP-1 cells, thereby enhancing mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. SAMHD1-enhanced apoptosis is associated with increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BCL-2-interacting killer (BIK) in cells. We further demonstrated that BIK contributes to SAMHD1-enhanced apoptosis during HIV-1 infection. Overall, our results reveal an unappreciated regulatory mechanism of SAMHD1 in enhancing HIV-1-induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in monocytic cells.
Determinants of contraceptive use and intention to use among youth 15-24 years in Karamoja, Uganda
Authors: Ojanduru Lillian , Siu Godfrey , Bukenya Justine , Tumwesigye Nazarius. M. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundGlobally, contraceptive use among young people aged 15-24 years is low with a prevalence lower than 21% yet contraceptive use reduces the likelihood of high-risk and unintended pregnancies. In Uganda, nearly a quarter (24%) of girls aged 15-19 years have either been pregnant or given birth, mainly attributed to non-use of contraceptives which is so low at 10% in Karamoja. In response the study aimed to assess determinants of contraceptive use and intention to use in Karamoja regionMethodsThis was a quantitative study with a sample size of 448 youth (women and men 15-24 years). Of these,409 were sexually active (had sex within the last 12 months) and included in our analysis. Modified Poisson model that incorporated sampling weights was used to establish the factors associated with contraceptive use, and intention to use.ResultsAbout 41.6% (49.3% males and 32.6% females) had ever used a contraceptive. only 11.0% (16.3% women and 6.4% men) were currently using a contraceptive and about 72.4% (84% males and 59% females) intended to use contraception. Youths with secondary education had higher prevalence rate for ever use of contraceptives by 32% and 25% for females and males respectively than those with no education. Females who had a paid job were 4.5 times (APR=4.51, 95%CI: 3.80-5.36) and males were 1.6 times (APR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.26-1.92) more likely to use contraceptives while the prevalence of intention to use was higher among those who had a job by 5.7 times (APR=5.75, 95%CI: 4.94-6.69) for females and 2.3 times (APR=2.25, 95%CI: 1.76-2.89) for males. Never married females were 3.1 times (APR=3.09, 95%CI: 2.39-3.99) more likely to use contraceptives than married females. Females who had children 1.6 times (APR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.81) and males 7.4 times (APR=7.4, 95% CI: 4.74-11.69) more like to have ever used a contraceptive.ConclusionThe factors positively associated with use of contraceptives and intention to use were age (being older, 20-24 year), marital status, having biological children, attaining secondary education level, living with biological parents and having a job and all these varied by gender. The study recommends improving access to education and employment opportunities for youth, involving parents in young people’s SRH, and targeting male youth with interventions to improve contraceptive use.
Extracellular matrix mechanical cues (dys)regulate metabolic redox homeostasis due to impaired autophagic flux
Authors: Gerardo Heloísa , Lourenço Tânia , Torres Júlio , Ferreira Manuela , Aveleira Célia , Simões Susana , Ferreira Lino , Cavadas Cláudia , Oliveira Paulo J. , Teixeira José , Grãos Mário 
Published: January 2025

AbstractExtracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness is increasingly recognized as a critical regulator of cellular behavior, governing processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and progressive softening of the brain tissue, yet research into how mechanical cues influence cellular metabolism in this context remains scarce. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of brain-compliant, soft ECM on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox balance, and autophagic capacity in neuronal cells. Using human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and mouse hippocampal (HT22) cell lines, as well as primary mouse neurons, we observed that prolonged exposure to soft ECM resulted in mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction, redox imbalance, and disrupted autophagic flux. These findings were consistently validated across both human and mouse neuronal cells. Our data indicate a decreased maximal autophagic capacity in cells exposed to long-term soft ECM, potentially due to an imbalance in autophagosome formation and degradation, as demonstrated by decreased LC3 II levels following chloroquine-induced autophagic flux inhibition. This impairment in autophagy was coupled with increased cellular oxidative stress, further indicating metabolic alterations. These findings emphasize the critical role of ECM stiffness in regulating neuronal cell metabolism and suggest that prolonged exposure to soft ECM may mimic key aspects of neurodegenerative disease pathology, thereby enhancing the physiological relevance ofin vitromodels. This study underscores the necessity for further research into ECM mechanics as a contributing factor in neurodegenerative disease progression and as a potential target for therapeutic strategies.
Optimizing dsRNA sequences for RNAi in pest control and research with the dsRIP Web-Platform
Authors: Cedden Doga , Güney Gözde , Rostás Michael , Bucher Gregor 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundRNA interference (RNAi) is a tool for studying gene function and has emerged as a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. RNAi relies on delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is processed into small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence genes. However, so far, knowledge and tools for optimizing the dsRNA sequences for maximum efficacy are based on human data, which might not be optimal for insects and pest control.ResultsHere, we systematically tested different siRNA sequences in the red flour beetleTribolium castaneumto identify sequence features that correlated with high efficacy using pest control as a study case. Thermodynamic asymmetry, the absence of secondary structures, and Adenine at the 10thposition in antisense siRNA were most predictive of insecticidal efficacy. Interestingly, we also found that in contrast to results from human data, high, rather than low GC content from the 9thto 14thnucleotides of antisense was associated with high efficacy. Consideration of these features for the design of insecticidal dsRNAs targeting essential genes in three insect species improved the efficacy of the treatment. The improvement was associated with a higher ratio of the antisense, rather than sense, siRNA strand bound to the RNA-induced silencing complex. Finally, we developed a web-platform named dsRIP (https://dsrip.uni-goettingen.de), which offers tools for optimizing dsRNA sequences, identifying effective RNAi target genes for pest control, and minimizing risk to non-target species.ConclusionsThe identified sequence features and the dsRIP web-platform allow optimizing dsRNA sequences for both application of RNAi for pest control and research.