bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discordance between patient- and physician-reported disease activity in adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
Authors: Keret Shiri , Saygin Didem , Moghadam-Kia Siamak , Ren Dianxu , Oddis Chester V , Aggarwal Rohit 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Patient-reported global disease activity (patient-global) is a myositis core set measure. Understanding the drivers of patient-global is important in patient assessment, and disagreements between physician and patient perception of disease activity may negatively impact shared decision making. We examined the determinants of patient-global and discordance between patient-global and physician-reported global disease activity (physician-global) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).

Methods
Adults with IIM were enrolled in a prospective observational cross-sectional study. The following myositis outcome measures were collected: patient-global, physician-global, extramuscular and muscle disease activity, manual muscle testing, HAQ, creatine kinase, fatigue, pain, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function, 36-item Short Form, sit to stand, timed up and go, 6-minute walk and Actigraph steps/min/day count. A linear regression model was used to determine the contribution of each measure to patient-global. Discordance was defined as ≥3 points difference between patient-global and physician-global.

Results
Fifty patients [60% females; mean age 51.6 years (s.d. 14.9)] with probable/definite IIM (EULAR/ACR classification criteria for IIM) were enrolled. Physical function and fatigue measures contributed to patient-global the most, followed by measures of pain, physical activity, quality of life and muscle disease, while physician-global was primarily driven by muscle disease activity. Patient-global was discordant with physician-global in 30% of the patients, of which patient-global was higher than physician-global in 66%. Pain, fatigue and physical activity contributed more to patient-global than physician-global.

Conclusion
Fatigue, pain and physical activity are important driving factors of the differences observed in the patient vs physician assessment of myositis disease activity. Understanding the gap between patient and physician perspectives may help provide better patient-centred care.
Studying the health benefits of improved housing in rural Tanzania: challenges and progress
Authors: Mshamu Salum , Halifa Salma , Meta Judith , Mmbando Arnold , Lindsay Steven W , Okumu Fredros , Wood Hannah Sloan , Wood Otis Sloan , Bøjstrup Thomas Chevalier , Day Nicholas P J , Knudsen Jakob , Deen Jacqueline , Pell Christopher , von Seidlein Lorenz 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Millions of affordable healthy homes are needed for the rapidly expanding population of sub-Saharan Africa. This enormous challenge is an opportunity to address pervasive health issues linked to housing, where diseases that most impact children—malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections—are often acquired. A pilot project in northern Tanzania demonstrated the potential of novel house designs to reduce infectious disease transmission in homes. To conduct a randomized controlled trial of one novel-design house, the research team moved to the southeast of the country. This article describes the challenges experienced during the construction and initial evaluation of the novel house.
Group A Streptococcal infections on the rise
Authors: Schweon Steven J. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract:
Increasing cases of invasive group A Streptococcal (GAS) disease have been reported in Europe and the US, particularly after the relaxation of lockdowns and mitigation strategies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article provides an overview of GAS infection, with updates on testing, treatment, and patient education.
The Associations Between Workplace Noise, Ototoxic Chemicals, and Tinnitus
Authors: Lewkowski Kate , Heyworth Jane S. , Williams Warwick , Goulios Helen , McCausland Kahlia , Gray Corie , Fritschi Lin 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
To investigate the occupational risk factors associated with tinnitus in the Australian working population.

Design:
The research was conducted using data collected from the Australian Workplace Exposure Survey-Hearing, a national cross-sectional study of 4970 workers conducted in 2016 to 2017. Workers were asked if they experienced tinnitus and if they answered affirmatively, they were asked about the frequency and length of the presentations. Based on their answers, each worker was categorized as having no tinnitus or any tinnitus, with an additional group of workers with any tinnitus subcategorized as having constant tinnitus. Exposure assessment was conducted using an automated expert assessment method. Exposures included daily noise (LAeq,8h), hand-arm vibration (A(8)), impulse noise, smoking status, styrene, trichloroethylene, toluene, n-hexane, p-xylene, ethylbenzene, lead, and carbon monoxide. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between workplace exposures and tinnitus.

Results:
Workers with an estimated noise exposure above the workplace limit (LAeq,8h > 85 dBA) had 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42 to 2.11) increased odds of any tinnitus and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.60 to 2.89) odds of constant tinnitus. The odds of workers having any tinnitus increased with increasing noise exposure levels in a dose–response relationship that strengthened when considering only those with constant tinnitus. In the fully adjusted model, statistically significant associations were seen for lead exposure with both any and constant tinnitus, toluene exposure with constant tinnitus, and carbon monoxide exposure with any tinnitus.

Conclusions:
These results suggest that, in addition to workplace noise, occupational exposures to lead, toluene, and carbon monoxide are associated with tinnitus.
EXPANSILE GAS KINETICS FOR PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY
Authors: Teh Boon Lin , Toh Steven , Williamson Tom H. , Obara Boguslaw , Guillemaut Jean-Yves , Steel David H. 
Published: June 2023

Purpose:
To study the behavior of expansile intravitreal gases and air used in treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods:
A validated mathematical model of gas expansion and absorption in human eyes was used to simulate the effect of varying volumes of pure air, SF6, C2F6, and C3F8 injected into the vitreous cavity. Variation in axial length was accounted for by using three different vitreous cavity volumes to represent hypermetropic, emmetropic, and myopic eyes.

Results:
The time course of varying volumes of pure air and fluorinated gases injected into the vitreous cavity was tabulated, with calculated parameters including volume of gas, percentage gas fills, and corresponding retinal contact angles at different time points.

Conclusion:
We produced a comprehensive compilation of expansive gas kinetics aiming to facilitate surgeon selection of the most suitable choice of gas and volume to use, tailored to an individual patient's clinical need.
Bacteriophage Therapy of Multidrug-resistant Achromobacter in an 11-Year-old Boy With Cystic Fibrosis Assessed by Metagenome Analysis
Authors: Bradley John S. , Hajama Hamza , Akong Kathryn , Jordan Mary , Stout Dayna , Rowe Ryan S. , Conrad Douglas J. , Hingtgen Sara , Segall Anca M. 
Published: June 2023

Background:
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease associated with lung disease characterized by chronic pulmonary infection, increasingly caused by multiple drug-resistant pathogens after repeated antibiotic exposure, limiting antibiotic treatment options. Bacteriophages can provide a pathogen-specific bactericidal treatment used with antibiotics to improve microbiologic and clinical outcomes in CF.

Methods:

Achromobacter species isolates from sputum of a chronically infected person with CF, were assessed for susceptibility to bacteriophages: 2 highly active, purified bacteriophages were administered intravenously every 8 hours, in conjunction with a 14-day piperacillin/tazobactam course for CF exacerbation. Sputum and blood were collected for metagenome analysis during treatment, with sputum analysis at 1-month follow-up. Assessments of clinical status, pulmonary status and laboratory evaluation for safety were conducted.

Results:
Bacteriophage administration was well-tolerated, with no associated clinical or laboratory adverse events. Metagenome analysis documented an 86% decrease in the relative proportion of Achromobacter DNA sequence reads in sputum and a 92% decrease in blood, compared with other bacterial DNA reads, comparing pretreatment and posttreatment samples. Bacteriophage DNA reads were detected in sputum after intravenous administration during treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Reversal of antibiotic resistance to multiple antibiotics occurred in some isolates during treatment. Stabilization of lung function was documented at 1-month follow-up.

Conclusions:
Bacteriophage/antibiotic treatment decreased the host pulmonary bacterial burden for Achromobacter assessed by metagenome analysis of sputum and blood, with ongoing bacteriophage replication documented in sputum at 1-month follow-up. Prospective controlled studies are needed to define the dose, route of administration and duration of bacteriophage therapy for both acute and chronic infection in CF.
Determining specified intraocular lens powers when silicone oil is to be used in the vitreous chamber
Authors: Atchison David A. , Cooke David L. 
Published: June 2023

Purpose:To apply a theoretical approach to determining how specified intraocular lens (IOL) powers should change when vitreous oil substitution is combined with IOL implantation.Setting:University laboratory, private Ophthalmological practice.Design:Theoretical raytracing.Methods:Raytracing was done backwards from the retina with equi-convex 20 diopters (D) and 25 D IOLs, of refractive index 1.5332, to the object side of the anterior IOL surface. The 1.336 vitreous index was replaced with a high index 1.405 silicone oil. Raytracing was repeated with increase in specified power, that power as if 1.336 index was still surrounding the IOL, so that the object reduced vergence on the anterior side of the lens matched that of the original IOL power. This was done for a range of lens shapes from plano-convex (front surface flat), through equi-convex, to plano-convex (back surface flat), and for a range of axial lengths. The true power, the power with 1.336 index on the object side and silicone oil on the image side, was also determined.Results:Replacing vitreous by silicone oil increases the necessary specified IOL power. This increase varies from approximately 14% for flat back surfaces, to 40% for equi-convex lenses, to 80% for flat front surface IOLs. True powers increase by about 15% across the range of IOL shapes. In terms of percentages, effects of changing the original IOL power and the axial length are small.Conclusions:When silicone oil is to remain in an eye after cataract surgery, biconvex IOLs require much higher specified powers than convex-plano IOLs.
Relationship between chronotype and pain threshold in a sample of young healthy adults
Authors: Zerbini Giulia , Göller Peter Justus , Lembke Katharina , Kunz Miriam , Reicherts Philipp 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Chronotype indicates the biological preference for timing of activity and sleep. Being a late chronotype (ie, having a tendency for late sleep times) is associated with several mental and physical health problems. Previous studies found that late chronotypes are also more susceptible to chronic pain, but the relationship between chronotype and pain sensitivity remains unclear.

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronotype and heat pain threshold (as an indicator of pain sensitivity) in a sample of young healthy adults.

Methods:
We analyzed data from 316 young healthy adults participating in 4 different studies run at the Medical Faculty of the University of Augsburg. In all studies, chronotype and other sleep variables (eg, sleep duration) were assessed using the micro Munich ChronoType Questionnaire. Heat pain threshold was assessed with the method of adjustment.

Results:
Chronotype was not significantly associated with the heat pain threshold. Entering the other sleep variables in separate regression models did also not significantly explain variance in heat pain threshold.

Conclusion:
Our null findings are in contrast with previous notions that late chronotypes might be more sensitive to pain and more susceptible to chronic pain. Given the scarcity of the literature on this topic, more studies are needed to clarify the relationship between chronotype and pain sensitivity in different age populations, while also considering distinct pain modalities or other types of pain tests.
Geographic distribution of terpenoid chemotypes inTanacetum vulgaremediates tansy aphid occurrence and abundance
Authors: Rahimova Humay , Neuhaus-Harr Annika , Clancy Mary V. , Guo Yuan , Junker Robert R. , Ojeda-Prieto Lina , Petrén Hampus , Senft Matthias , Zytynska Sharon E. , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Heinen Robin , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimIntraspecific variations of specialized metabolites in plants, such as terpenoids, are used to determine chemotypes. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgareL.) exhibits diverse terpenoid profiles, that affect insect communities. However, it is not fully known whether patterns of their chemical composition and associated insects vary on a large scale. Here, we investigated the geographic distribution of mono- and sesquiterpenoid chemotypes in tansy leaves and the effects of these chemotypes on colonization by insect communities across Germany.MethodsWe sampled tansy leaves from 26 sites along a north-south and west-east transect in Germany. Leaves from ten plants with and five plants without aphids was collected from each site. Hexane-extracted metabolites from leaf tissues were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Plant morphological traits, aphid occurrence and abundance, and occurrence of ants were recorded. The effect of plant chemotype, plant morphological parameters, and site parameters such as temperature and precipitation on insect occurrences were analysed.ResultsPlants clustered into four monoterpenoid and four sesquiterpenoid chemotype classes. Monoterpene classes differed in their latitudinal distribution, whereas sesquiterpenes were more evenly distributed across the transect. Aphid and ant occurrence were influenced by monoterpenoids and specific traits. Plants of monoterpenoid class 1 were colonized byMetopeurum fuscovirideand ants significantly more often than expected by chance compared to plants from monoterpenoid class 4. Aphid abundance was negatively affected by host plant height, and increasing average annual temperature positively influenced the occurrence of ants.ConclusionWe found significant geographic differences in the chemodiversity of tansy and show that monoterpenoids affect aphid and ant occurrence, while host plant height can influence aphid abundance. We show that geographic variation in plant chemistry and morphology influences insect communities’ assemblage on tansy plants.
InGene: Finding influential genes from embeddings of nonlinear dimension reduction techniques
Authors: Goswami Chitrita , Bhattacharya Namrata , Sengupta Debarka 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe introduceInGene, the first of its kind, fast and scalable non-linear, unsupervised method for analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data (scRNA-seq). While non-linear dimensionality reduction techniques such as t-SNE and UMAP are effective at visualizing cellular sub-populations in low-dimensional space, they do not identify the specific genes that influence the transformation.InGeneaddresses this issue by assigning an importance score to each expressed gene based on its contribution to the construction of the low-dimensional map.InGenecan provide insight into the cellular heterogeneity of scRNA-seq data and accurately identify genes associated with cell-type populations or diseases, as demonstrated in our analysis of scRNA-seq datasets.
N-6-methyladenosine (m6A) Promotes the Nuclear Retention of mRNAs with Intact 5′ Splice Site Motifs
Authors: Lee Eliza S. , Smith Harrison. W. , Wang Yifan E. , Ihn Sean S. J. , Scalize de Olivera Leticia , Kejiou Nevraj S. , Liang Yijing L. , Nabeel-Shah Syed , Jomphe Robert Y. , Pu Shuye , Greenblatt Jack F. , Palazzo Alexander F. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn humans, misprocessed mRNAs containing intact 5′ Splice Site (5′SS) motifs are nuclear retained and targeted for decay by ZFC3H1, a component of the Poly(A) Exosome Targeting complex, and U1-70K, a component of the U1 snRNP. InS. pombe, the ZFC3H1 homolog, Red1, binds to the YTH-domain containing protein Mmi1 to target certain RNA transcripts to nuclear foci for nuclear retention and decay. Here we show that YTHDC1 and YTHDC2, two YTH domain-containing proteins that bind toN-6-methyladenosine (m6A) modified RNAs, interact with ZFC3H1 and U1-70K, and are required for the nuclear retention of mRNAs with intact 5′SS motifs. Disruption of m6A deposition inhibits both the nuclear retention of these transcripts and their accumulation in YTHDC1-enriched foci that are adjacent to nuclear speckles. Endogenous RNAs with intact 5′SS motifs, such as intronic polyadenylated transcripts, tend to be m6A-modified at low levels. Thus, m6A modification acts in a conserved quality control mechanism that targets misprocessed mRNAs for nuclear retention and decay.
Isoxanthohumol improves obesity and glucose metabolism via inhibiting intestinal lipid absorption with a bloom ofAkkermansia muciniphilain mice
Authors: Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Fujisaka Shiho , Morinaga Yoshitomo , Watanabe Shiro , Nawaz Allah , Hatta Hideki , Kado Tomonobu , Nishimura Ayumi , Bilal Muhammad , Aslam Muhammad Rahil , Honda Keiko , Nakagawa Yoshimi , Softic Samir , Hirabayashi Kenichi , Nakagawa Takashi , Nagai Yoshinori , Tobe Kazuyuki 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimsDysbiosis is an important factor that leads to metabolic disorders by disrupting energy balance and insulin sensitivity. A decrease inAkkermansia muciniphilais a phenotype of obesity-induced dysbiosis. Although interventions to increaseA. muciniphilaare expected to improve glucose metabolism, the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood.MethodsIsoxanthohumol (IX), a prenylated flavonoid found in beer hops was administered to high fat diet-fed mice. We analyzed glucose metabolism, gene expression profiles and histology of liver, epididymal adipose tissue and colon. Lipase activity, fecal lipid profiles and plasma metabolomic analysis were assessed. Fecal 16s rRNA sequencing was obtained and selected bacterial species were used for in vitro studies. Fecal microbiota transplantation and monocolonization were conducted to antibiotic-treated or germ-free (GF) mice.ResultsThe administration of IX lowered weight gain, decreased steatohepatitis and improved glucose metabolism. Mechanistically, IX inhibited pancreatic lipase activity and lipid absorption by decreasing the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 in the small intestine, which was confirmed by increased lipid excretion in feces. IX administration improved the gut barrier function and reduced metabolic endotoxemia. In contrast, the effects of IX were nullified by antibiotics. As revealed using 16S rRNA sequencing, the microbial community structure changed with a significant increase in the abundance ofA. muciniphilain the IX-treated group. An anaerobic chamber study showed that IX selectively promoted the growth ofA. muciniphilawhile exhibiting antimicrobial activity against someBacteroidesandClostridiumspecies. To further explore the direct effect ofA. muciniphilaon lipid and glucose metabolism, we monocolonized eitherA. muciniphilaorBacteroides thetaiotaomicronto GF mice.A. muciniphilamonocolonization decreased CD36 expression in the jejunum and improved glucose metabolism, with decreased levels of multiple classes of fatty acids determined using plasma metabolomic analysis.ConclusionOur study confirmed a direct role ofA. muciniphilain energy metabolism, which was induced by microbial actions of IX. These highlight new treatment strategies for preventing metabolic syndrome by boosting the gut microbiota with food components.
A multi-tiered mechanical mechanism shapes the early neural plate
Authors: Inman Angus , Lutton Judith E. , Spiritosanto Elisabeth , Tada Masazumi , Bretschneider Till , Haas Pierre A. , Smutny Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe formation of complex tissues during embryonic development requires an intricate spatiotemporal coordination of local mechanical processes regulating global tissue morphogenesis. Here, we uncover a novel mechanism that mechanically regulates the shape of the anterior neural plate (ANP), a vital forebrain precursor, during zebrafish gastrulation. Combiningin vivoandin silicoapproaches we reveal that the ANP is shaped by global tissue flows regulated by distinct force generating processes. We show that mesendoderm migration and E-cadherin-dependent differential tissue interactions control distinct flow regimes in the neuroectoderm. Initial opposing flows lead to progressive tissue folding and neuroectoderm internalisation which in turn provide forces driving ANP tissue reshaping. We find that convergent extension is dispensable for internalisation but required for ANP tissue extension. Our results highlight how spatiotemporal regulation and coupling of different mechanical processes between tissues in the embryo controls the first folding event in the developing brain.
Entrepreneurial decisions: viewing the affordable loss heuristic from an economic well-being perspective
Authors: Reddy Colin David 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis article conceptualises how the economic well-being of an entrepreneurial household affects its members' mental accounting process to establish its affordable loss for a plunge decision.Design/methodology/approachThe article used research literature to analyze the resources available for entrepreneurial endeavours against a household's ability to maintain acceptable minimum material living standards, juxtaposing income and wealth against competing consumption and investment opportunities.FindingsMentally accounting for whether household resources can meet minimum material living standards is central to entrepreneurs' ability to raise affordable loss and decide to invest in a new venture. The article proposes that entrepreneurial households establish affordable loss by availing their money exceeding that required to maintain acceptable minimum material living standards. In low-income households, the author assumes that members are not employed and can thus avail their time (versus money) towards affordable loss.Originality/valueEconomic well-being introduces mental accounts of income and wealth and a hedonic reference outcome in the material living standards of households required to meet basic needs. The article introduces the tension entrepreneurial households face between using their income and wealth towards investing in a new business and maintaining their material living standards. It introduces the idea that a loss can be “affordable” according to an entrepreneurial household's ability to remain above its acceptable minimum material living standard. This view prompts scholars to consider a household unit of analysis and avoid assuming an entrepreneur makes the plunge decision in isolation.