bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balamuthia mandrillarisEncephalitis Presenting as a Symptomatic Focal Hypodensity in an Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Sakusic Amra , Chen Baibing , McPhearson Kimberly , Badi Mohammed , Freeman William D , Huang Josephine F , Siegel Jason L , Jentoft Mark E , Oring Justin M , Verdecia Jorge , Meschia James F 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWe present the case of a 61-year-old woman with a history of orthotopic heart transplant who was hospitalized with new-onset headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed T2 hyperintense signal involving the left occipital lobe with leptomeningeal enhancement and mild vasogenic edema. Initial neurologic examination was normal; however, after 7 days she developed imbalance, visual disturbances, night sweats, bradyphrenia, alexia without agraphia, and right hemianopsia. Brain MRI showed enlargement of the left occipital mass and worsening edema. Stereotactic needle biopsy showed nondiagnostic necrosis. The patient continued to deteriorate despite dexamethasone. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggested infection, and cytomegalovirus CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. The patient received vancomycin, imipenem, and ganciclovir. After obtaining a positive serum beta-D-glucan (Fungitell), amphotericin was added. Despite best medical efforts, the patient died. Postmortem broad-range PCR sequencing of the brain tissue was positive for rare amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris.
An ancestral role for 3-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE3 as a negative regulator of plant cuticular wax synthesis
Authors: Huang Haodong , Yang Xianpeng , Zheng Minglü , Chen Zexi , Yang Zhuo , Wu Pan , Jenks Matthew A , Wang Guangchao , Feng Tao , Liu Li , Yang Pingfang , Lü Shiyou , Zhao Huayan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The plant cuticle, a structure primarily composed of wax and cutin, forms a continuous coating over most aerial plant surfaces. The cuticle plays important roles in plant tolerance to environmental stress, including stress imposed by drought. Some members of the 3-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE (KCS) family are known to act as metabolic enzymes involved in cuticular wax production. Here we report that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) KCS3, which was previously shown to lack canonical catalytic activity, instead functions as a negative regulator of wax metabolism by reducing the enzymatic activity of KCS6, a key KCS involved in wax production. We demonstrate that the role of KCS3 in regulating KCS6 activity involves physical interactions between specific subunits of the fatty acid elongation complex and is essential for maintaining wax homeostasis. We also show that the role of the KCS3–KCS6 module in regulating wax synthesis is highly conserved across diverse plant taxa from Arabidopsis to the moss Physcomitrium patens, pointing to a critical ancient and basal function of this module in finely regulating wax synthesis.
MicroRNA156ab regulates apple plant growth and drought tolerance by targeting transcription factor MsSPL13
Authors: Feng Chen , Zhang Xiang , Du Bingyang , Xiao Yuqin , Wang Yanyan , Sun Yueting , Zhou Xin , Wang Chao , Liu Yang , Li Tian-Hong 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Drought stress substantially reduces the productivity of apple plants and severely restricts the development of apple industry. Malus sieversii, wild apples with excellent drought resistance, is a valuable wild resource for a rootstock improvement of cultivated apple (Malus domestica). miRNAs and their targets play essential roles in plant growth and stress responses, but their roles in drought stress responses in apple are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that microRNA156ab is upregulated in M. sieversii in response to drought stress. Overexpressing msi-miR156ab promoted auxin accumulation, maintained the growth of apple plants, and increased plant resistance to osmotic stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities and proline contents were also increased in miR156ab-OE transgenic apple lines, which improved drought resistance. The squamosa promoter binding protein-like transcription factor MsSPL13 is the target of msi-miR156ab, as demonstrated by 5′-RACE and dual luciferase assays. Heterologous expression of MsSPL13 decreased auxin contents and inhibited growth in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) under normal and stress conditions. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were also suppressed in MsSPL13-OE transgenic Arabidopsis, reducing drought resistance. We showed that MsSPL13 regulates the expression of the auxin-related genes MsYUCCA5, PIN-FORMED7 (MsPIN7), and Gretchen Hagen3-5 (MsGH3-5) by binding to the GTAC cis-elements in their promoters, thereby regulating auxin metabolism. Finally, we demonstrated that the miR156ab-SPL13 module is involved in mediating the difference in auxin metabolism and stress responses between M. sieversii and M26 (M. domestica) rootstocks. Overall, these findings reveal that the miR156ab-SPL13 module enhances drought stress tolerance in apples by regulating auxin metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities.
Expression of the wheat multipathogen resistance hexose transporter Lr67res is associated with anion fluxes
Authors: Milne Ricky J , Dibley Katherine E , Bose Jayakumar , Ashton Anthony R , Ryan Peter R , Tyerman Stephen D , Lagudah Evans S 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Many disease resistance genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) confer strong resistance to specific pathogen races or strains, and only a small number of genes confer multipathogen resistance. The Leaf rust resistance 67 (Lr67) gene fits into the latter category as it confers partial resistance to multiple biotrophic fungal pathogens in wheat and encodes a Sugar Transport Protein 13 (STP13) family hexose-proton symporter variant. Two mutations (G144R, V387L) in the resistant variant, Lr67res, differentiate it from the susceptible Lr67sus variant. The molecular function of the Lr67res protein is not understood, and this study aimed to broaden our knowledge on this topic. Biophysical analysis of the wheat Lr67sus and Lr67res protein variants was performed using Xenopus laevis oocytes as a heterologous expression system. Oocytes injected with Lr67sus displayed properties typically associated with proton-coupled sugar transport proteins—glucose-dependent inward currents, a Km of 110 ± 10 µM glucose, and a substrate selectivity permitting the transport of pentoses and hexoses. By contrast, Lr67res induced much larger sugar-independent inward currents in oocytes, implicating an alternative function. Since Lr67res is a mutated hexose-proton symporter, the possibility of protons underlying these currents was investigated but rejected. Instead, currents in Lr67res oocytes appeared to be dominated by anions. This conclusion was supported by electrophysiology and 36Cl− uptake studies and the similarities with oocytes expressing the known chloride channel from Torpedo marmorata, TmClC-0. This study provides insights into the function of an important disease resistance gene in wheat, which can be used to determine how this gene variant underpins disease resistance in planta.
The biogenesis and regulation of the plant oxidative phosphorylation system
Authors: Ghifari Abi S , Saha Saurabh , Murcha Monika W 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMitochondria are central organelles for respiration in plants. At the heart of this process is oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, which generates ATP required for cellular energetic needs. OXPHOS complexes comprise of multiple subunits that originated from both mitochondrial and nuclear genome, which requires careful orchestration of expression, translation, import, and assembly. Constant exposure to reactive oxygen species due to redox activity also renders OXPHOS subunits to be more prone to oxidative damage, which requires coordination of disassembly and degradation. In this review, we highlight the composition, assembly, and activity of OXPHOS complexes in plants based on recent biochemical and structural studies. We also discuss how plants regulate the biogenesis and turnover of OXPHOS subunits and the importance of OXPHOS in overall plant respiration. Further studies in determining the regulation of biogenesis and activity of OXPHOS will advances the field, especially in understanding plant respiration and its role to plant growth and development.
A tactile pain evaluation scale for persons with visual deficiencies
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Morel Véronique , Goubayon Jonathan , Touron Ambre , Leray Vincent , Pereira Bruno 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objective
Pain evaluation scales often rely on the sense of sight. There is so far no pain assessment scale designed specifically for persons with visual impairment.

Design
This study aims to validate a tactile pain evaluation scale, Visiodol (Copyright Prof Pickering), in blind or visually impaired persons, by correlation with a numeric pain scale.

Setting
The study took place at University Hospital Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Methods
Pain intensity for a range of thermal stimuli (Pathway Medoc) was evaluated with Visiodol and a numeric pain scale. Secondary outcomes, including pain thresholds, catastrophizing, emotion, and quality of life, were compared in persons who were blind or visually impaired and in sighted persons. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was estimated. Weighted Cohen’s κ accounted for degrees of disagreement between scales with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Subjects
Sixteen healthy sighted and 21 healthy nonsighted volunteers (n = 13 congenital, n = 8 acquired) were included.

Results
Lin’s correlation coefficient for repeated data was 0.967 (95% CI, 0.956–0.978; P &lt; 0.001) for visually impaired participants, with a good agreement at each temperature plateau. A weighted Cohen’s κ of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84–0.92) and 92.9% percentage of agreement for visually impaired participants were satisfactory. Pain perception, psychological components, and quality of life were more impaired in persons who were blind or visually impaired than in sighted persons.

Conclusions
This study validates Visiodol, a tactile scale for persons who are blind or visually impaired, and addresses health care inequalities in the context of pain evaluation. Visiodol will now be tested in a larger population of patients to give the millions of persons worldwide who are blind or visually impaired an option for pain intensity evaluation in clinical situations.

Trial registration
French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Healthcare Products (2018-A03370-55) and www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03968991).
Curved domain-wall fermion and its anomaly inflow
Authors: Aoki Shoto , Fukaya Hidenori 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWe investigate the effect of a U(1) gauge field on lattice fermion systems with a curved domain-wall mass term. In the same way as the conventional flat domain-wall fermion, the chiral edge modes appear localized at the wall, whose Dirac operator contains the induced gravitational potential as well as the U(1) vector potential. In the case of anS1 domain-wall fermion on a two-dimensional flat lattice, we find a competition between the Aharonov–Bohm(AB) effect and a gravitational gap in the Dirac eigenvalue spectrum, which leads to an anomaly inthe time-reversal (T) symmetry. Our numerical result shows a good consistency with the Atiyah–Patodi–Singer index theorem on a disk inside the S1 domain wall, which describes the cancellation of the T anomaly between the bulk and edge. When the U(1) flux is squeezed inside one plaquette, and the AB phase takes a quantized value π mod $2\pi \mathbb {Z}$, the anomaly inflow drastically changes: the strong flux creates another domain wall around the flux to make the two zero modes coexist. This phenomenon is also observed in the S2 domain-wall fermion in the presence of a magnetic monopole. We find that the domain-wall creation around the monopole microscopically explains the Witten effect.
CanVasc consensus recommendations for the use of avacopan in antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis: 2022 addendum
Authors: Turgeon David , Bakowsky Volodko , Baldwin Corisande , Cabral David A , Clements-Baker Marie , Clifford Alison , Cohen Tervaert Jan Willem , Dehghan Natasha , Ennis Daniel , Famorca Leilani , Fifi-Mah Aurore , Girard Louis-Philippe , Lefebvre Frédéric , Liang Patrick , Makhzoum Jean-Paul , Massicotte-Azarniouch David , Mendel Arielle , Milman Nataliya , Reich Heather N , Robinson David B , Ross Carolyn , Rumsey Dax G , Soowamber Medha , Towheed Tanveer E , Trudeau Judith , Twilt Marinka , Yacyshyn Elaine , Yardimci Gozde K , Khalidi Nader , Barra Lillian , Pagnoux Christian 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objective
In 2020, the Canadian Vasculitis Research Network (CanVasc) published their updated recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). The current addendum provides further recommendations regarding the use of avacopan in AAV based on a review of newly available evidence.

Methods
An updated systematic literature review on avacopan (formerly, CCX168) using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed for publications up to September 2022. New recommendations were developed and categorized according to the EULAR grading levels, as done for previous CanVasc recommendations. A modified Delphi procedure and videoconferences were used to reach ≥80% consensus on the inclusion, wording and grading of each recommendation.

Results
Three new recommendations were developed. They focus on avacopan therapy indication and duration, as well as timely glucocorticoid tapering.

Conclusion
These 2022 addended recommendations provide rheumatologists, nephrologists and other specialists caring for patients with AAV with guidance for the use of avacopan, based on current evidence and consensus from Canadian experts.
“You Know, the Church Has Never Agreed on Everything”: Analyzing the Prophetic and Pragmatic Voice in Clergy Sermons
Authors: Krull Laura M , Gilliland Claire Chipman 
Published: February 2023

AbstractClergy have regular opportunities to take a prophetic stance on social issues in their weekly sermons, but they are also responsible for maintaining organizational stability. How do they respond to controversial denominational decisions? We collected sermons from the United Methodist Church (UMC) clergy following the 2019 UMC decision to maintain their prohibition against same sex marriage and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) ordination. Our qualitative analysis of a sample of 447 sermons reveals three strategies clergy use to respond to the UMC decision: prophetic engagement, unifying discussion, and detached acknowledgment. Further, we show that different strategies are likely tied to the pastor’s perception of the attitudes of their attendees. Some clergy are willing to use a constrained prophetic voice in support of LGBTQ people, but most balance their comments with pragmatic efforts to minimize conflict. As a result, a more inclusive religious voice is present, but it may be muted by congregational concerns.
Acute and Chronic Demyelinating Neuropathies After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Report of 4 Cases
Authors: Dennis Erin , Hartman Elizabeth , Cortes-Penfield Nicolas , Piccione Ezequiel , Thaisetthawatkul Pariwat 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives:
To report demyelinating neuropathies after COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
Four cases of demyelinating neuropathies after COVID-19 vaccination were identified at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from May to September 2021. Three were male and 1 was a female, ages 26–64 years. Three cases received Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 1 Johnson & Johnson. Symptom onset ranged from 2 to 21 days after vaccination. Two cases had progressive limb weakness, 3 had facial diplegia, and all had sensory symptoms and areflexia. The diagnosis was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 1 case and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in 3. All cases received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, with significant improvement in 3 of 4 who had a long-term outpatient follow-up.

Conclusions:
Continued identification and reporting of cases of demyelinating neuropathies after COVID-19 vaccination is essential to determine whether a causative association is present.
Landscape of Guillain–Barré Syndrome Interventional Clinical Trials
Authors: Saleh Mustafa , Boukhdoud Mona , Boukhdoud Hayam , Al Zein Mohammad , Salameh Pascale 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy that remains a debilitating disease despite medical treatment. Numerous challenges still exist, including the development of disease-modifying therapies that can improve prognosis, particularly in patients with poor prognostic outcomes. In this study, we explored clinical trials related to GBS, analyzed the trial characteristics, suggested some ideas for improvement, and discussed recent advances.

Methods:
On December 30, 2021, the authors searched ClinicalTrials.gov for all interventional and therapeutic clinical trials related to GBS, without any restrictions on the date or location. Trial characteristics including trial duration, location, phase, sample size, and publications were retrieved and analyzed.

Results:
Twenty-one trials fulfilled the selection criteria. Clinical trials were conducted in 11 different countries, most of them occurring in Asia. On average, the trial duration across the phases was around 2 years. About two-thirds of trials were completed, and 39% of trials were in the early phases (1 and 2). Only 24% of all trials and 60% of completed trials have publications in this study.

Conclusions:
The study revealed a low number of trials, lack of geographic diversity, scanty enrollment of patients, and paucity of clinical trial duration and publications regarding GBS clinical trials. Optimization of GBS trials is fundamental to achieving effective therapies for this disease.
Is Orthokeratology Treatment Zone Decentration Effective and Safe in Controlling Myopic Progression?
Authors: Chu Mengqi , Zhao Yingying , Hu Peike , Chen Duya , Yu Yinhui , Ni Hailong 
Published: February 2023

Objective:
To compare the myopia control efficacy and safety of decentered versus centered positioning of orthokeratology.

Methods:
This is a retrospective intrasubject study, including 46 children with myopia (25 boys, 21 girls; age 11.12±0.33 years) treated for 1 year with OK decentration in one eye (group D) and central location in the other (Group C). Axial length was measured before and at 6 months and 12 months after the initial lens wear, respectively. Corneal topography was measured at baseline and at 1-month after lens wear. The corneal topography obtained from the 1-month visit was used to quantify treatment zone decentration (TZD) for each subject. Cycloplegic refraction was required for all children before fitting the orthokeratology lenses.

Results:
No differences were found between the groups in the biological ocular parameters (P≥0.05 for all). The axial elongation in group D and group C differed after 6 and 12 months (P<0.001 for all). Similar corneal staining rates (P=0.06) were noted during follow-up in groups D (n=20; 7.24%) and C (n=10; 3.62%), all of grade I. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in group D and C differed after 1, 6, and 12 months (P=0.002, 0.010, 0.044), except 3 months (P=0.146). Group D (n=32; 17.39%) was more likely to have glare or ghosting (chi-squared test, P<0.001) than group C (n=12; 6.52%) during follow-up visits. Axial elongation was significantly associated with baseline spherical equivalent (SE) in group C (P=0.019). In group D, axial elongation was significantly associated with SE and TZD (P<0.05 for all).

Conclusions:
This intrasubject study showed that when the UCVA was acceptable and there were no apparent complications, orthokeratology decentration may be beneficial in controlling the progression of myopia. Axial elongation became slower in children with a higher SE and a larger TZD, because TZD ranged from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
Potential environmental effect of reducing the variation of disposable materials used for cataract surgery
Authors: Winklmair Nicolas , Kieselbach Gerhard , Bopp Julian , Amon Michael , Findl Oliver 
Published: February 2023

Purpose:
To analyze the cataract package variability in 1 country, Austria.

Setting:
Austrian Departments of Ophthalmology.

Design:
Cross-sectional study.

Methods:
The cataract package components of 3 different Austrian hospitals were weighed and life cycle assessment on each product performed. This data was then extrapolated to the sales figures of the main Austrian cataract package suppliers to estimate the carbon footprint of all cataract packages used in Austria in 2021.

Results:
There were 55 different cataract package compositions in use with an average weight of 0.7 kg. These compositions differ significantly in weight and composition considering that the smallest package was 57% lighter than the largest package. The size of the surgical drapes also showed considerable variation, with a difference of up to 71%. This is substantial, considering that drapes and covers account for about 53% of the package weight.

Conclusions:
There was a considerable variation in package composition and product size, which could provide opportunities to save carbon dioxide emissions in cataract surgery. If all Austrian eye departments were to reduce the material quantities and drape sizes to the lower third of the cataract packages used in the Austria in 2021, cataract package associated CO2 emissions could be reduced by 34%.
A global update of mpox (monkeypox) in children
Authors: Sam-Agudu Nadia A. , Martyn-Dickens Charles , Ewa Atana U. 
Published: February 2023

Purpose of review
Human mpox disease (formerly monkeypox) was first diagnosed in an infant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. Mpox was rarely reported outside West and Central Africa until the global outbreak in May 2022. On 23 July 2022, the WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. These developments warrant a global update on pediatric mpox.

Recent findings
Mpox epidemiology in endemic African countries has changed from predominantly affecting children under 10 years to adults 20–40 years old. This shift also applies to the global outbreak, where 18–44-year-old adult men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, the proportion of children affected in the global outbreak is less than 2%, while children under 18 years constitute nearly 40% of cases in African countries. The highest mortality rates remain among both children and adults in African countries.

Summary
Mpox epidemiology has shifted to adults and is affecting relatively few children in the current global outbreak. However, infants, immunocompromised children and African children are still at high risk of severe disease. Mpox vaccines and therapeutic interventions should be accessible to at-risk and affected children globally, especially to those living in endemic African countries.