bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracanalicular dexamethasone insert for post–corneal crosslinking inflammation and pain: the LINK study
Authors: Nattis Alanna S. , Rosenberg Eric D. , Rasool Farhaad 
Published: August 2023

Purpose:
To compare the efficacy of an intracanalicular dexamethasone insert with tapered topical steroid over 28 days after corneal cross-linking (CXL).

Setting:
Single private practice, outpatient setting.

Design:
Prospective observational randomized study.

Methods:
This prospective randomized study investigated the efficacy of a dexamethasone intracanalicular insert on post-CXL pain and inflammation in progressive keratoconus patients. 20 patients (40 eyes) were enrolled; half were randomized to the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert group; half were prescribed a 28-day topical tapering steroid regimen. All patients were evaluated for pain scores, rate of re-epithelialization, ease of the post-CXL regimen, and need for rescue pain medication after standard bilateral epithelium-off CXL on postoperative day (POD) 1, POD3, and POD4 to 7, as well as postoperative week (POW) 1, POW2, POW3, and POW4.

Results:
20 patients (40 eyes) underwent standard-of-care epithelium-off bilateral CXL for progressive keratoconus. 10 patients were randomized to receive prednisolone eyedrops on a tapering schedule after CXL; 10 patients received dexamethasone intracanalicular inserts at the time of CXL. Regardless of the postoperative steroid regimen, there was no significant difference in the rate of re-epithelialization or use of rescue pain medication between groups. There was a nominal, however, statistical difference in pain scores between groups, favoring prednisolone eyedrops. Both groups stated no difficulty in following postoperative regimens. There were no adverse events noted in relation to treatment or the CXL procedure.

Conclusions:
Using a dexamethasone insert to alleviate pain and inflammation can be considered as a safe and efficacious part of a post-CXL regimen.
Psychological Distress in Women With Abnormal Pap Smear Results Attending Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Ilic Irena , Babic Goran , Dimitrijevic Aleksandra , Sipetic Grujicic Sandra , Ilic Milena 
Published: August 2023

Objective
Women often experience psychological distress upon receipt of an abnormal Pap test result. This study aimed to evaluate psychological distress and its correlates among women who received an abnormal Pap screening test result.

Material and Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of 172 consecutive women who had attended screening for cervical cancer and who received abnormal Pap smear results and underwent additional diagnostic procedures (colposcopy/biopsy/endocervical curettage). The participants filled out a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables and the Cervical Dysplasia Distress Questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was used for the analysis of the data. For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust the level of significance.

Results
In women who received an abnormal Pap smear result, the independent correlate of higher psychological distress (by Cervical Dysplasia Distress Questionnaire score) before diagnostic procedures was lower satisfaction with information/support received from other people (p = .002). Correlates of psychological distress in women older than 40 years with abnormal Pap smear were anxiety (p = .042) and worry about having cervical cancer, general health and having sex (p = .044).

Conclusions
The authors’ findings could enable control of factors predictive of psychological distress in women who received a positive Pap smear screening test before undergoing diagnostic procedures, primarily via active provision of targeted information.
Evolution of statistical models for meta-analysis and implications for best practice
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. 
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review
Meta-analyses are a common and important component of clinical practice guidelines. Concomitantly, there has been a tremendous increase over the past three decades in the number of published meta-analyses. An important factor in the quality of the results from a meta-analysis rests on selecting the most appropriate pooling model. In this brief review, the evolution of the numerous different pooling models that extend beyond the traditional fixed effect, fixed effects, and random effects models is described, with a focus on estimating between-study variance, that is, heterogeneity. The most recent evidence, including alternative models, is also described and recommendations for model selection and reporting provided.

Recent findings
In the absence of checking for between-study normality, appropriately conducted simulation studies have found that the IVhet model, a quasi-likelihood approach, may be the best model for pooling results in an aggregate data meta-analysis.

Summary
The IVhet model is recommended for pooling results for an aggregate data meta-analysis. If there is insistence on a random effects model, the restricted maximum likelihood method along with the Knapp-Hartung adjustment is recommended. A need exists for a large, collaborative, appropriately conducted simulation study that examines which pooling models are best based on the scenario presented.
Antibody neutralization capacity after COVID-19 vaccination in people with HIV (CIHR Canadian HIV trials network 328)
Authors: Costiniuk Cecilia T. , Singer Joel , Lee Terry , Galipeau Yannick , McCluskie Pauline S. , Arnold Corey , Langlois Marc-André , Needham Judy , Jenabian Mohammad-Ali , Burchell Ann N. , Samji Hasina , Chambers Catharine , Walmsley Sharon , Ostrowski Mario , Kovacs Colin , Tan Darrell H.S. , Harris Marianne , Hull Mark , Brumme Zabrina L. , Lapointe Hope R. , Brockman Mark A. , Margolese Shari , Mandarino Enrico , Samarani Suzanne , Vulesevic Branka , Lebouche Bertrand , Angel Jonathan B. , Routy Jean-Pierre , Cooper Curtis L. , Anis Aslam H. 
Published: August 2023

Objectives:
Many vaccines require higher/additional doses or adjuvants to provide adequate protection for people living with HIV (PLWH). Here, we compare COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody neutralization capacity in PLWH vs. HIV-negative individuals following two vaccine doses.

Design:
In Canadian prospective observational cohorts, inlcuding a multi-centre study of PLWH receiving ≥2 COVID-19 vaccinations (mRNA or ChAdOx1-S), and a parallel study of HIV-negative controls (Stop the Spread Ottawa Cohort), we measured vaccine-induced neutralization capacity 3 months post-dose 2 (± 1 month).

Methods:
COVID-19 neutralization efficiency was measured by calculating the half maximal inhibitory dilution(ID50) using a high-throughput protein based neutralization assay for Ancestral(Wuhan), Delta and Omicron (BA.1) spike variants. Univariable and multivariable quantile regression were used to compareCOVID-19-specific antibody neutralization capacity by HIV status.

Results:
Neutralization assays were performed on 256 PLWH and 256 controls based on specimen availability at the timepoint of interest, having received 2 vaccines and known date of vaccination. There was a significant interaction between HIV status and previous COVID-19 infection status in median ID50. There were no differences in median ID50 for HIV+ vs HIV-negative persons without past COVID-19 infection.For participants with past COVID-19 infection, median ICD50 was significantly higher in controls than in PLWH for Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants, with a trend for the Delta variant in the same direction.

Conclusion:
Vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 neutralization capacity was similar between PLWH vs HIV-negative persons without past COVID-19 infection, demonstrating favourable humoral-mediated immunogenicity. Both HIV+ and HIV-negative persons demonstrated hybrid immunity.

Funding:
Public Health Agency of Canada, through the Vaccine Surveillance Reference group, the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (2122-HQ-000075) and the CTN. Production of COVID-19 reagents was financially supported by National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Pandemic Response Challenge Program.

Trial registration:
clinicaltrials.gov NCT04894448
The Proportional Relationship Among the Aesthetic Units of the Upper Lip: A 3-Dimensional Morphological Analysis of Young Adults
Authors: Sun Weiyi , Xu Meng , Song Tao 
Published: August 2023

A deep understanding of the proportional relationship among the crucial aesthetic units of the upper lip is essential for lip treatment procedures, yet limited information can be found. The authors used 3-dimensional (D) photogrammetry to analyze the proportional features involving different lip structures. One hundred sixty volunteers (aged 18–35 y) were included, and standardized frontal view 3D images were obtained. A series of anthropometric parameters were measured, including linear, angular, and ratio parameters. The authors took the philtrum as one structure of particular concern. The philtrum was classified into 4 groups according to the shape of philtral columns, and philtrum depth was measured. The authors analyzed the correlations between the philtrum and the vermillion lip. They found significant differences in philtrum depth among different type groups. A significant negative correlation between philtral depth and philtrum length was found, which indicated that a long philtrum was more likely to be accompanied by a flat philtrum with shallow depth. The philtrum width was significantly correlated with the mouth width with a mean ratio of 0.25. The authors also found a significantly negative correlation between philtral depth and angle of Cupid’s bow’s peak (Achp), and a positive correlation between Achp and mouth width. This study used 3D photography to quantitatively analyze proportional characteristics among labial aesthetic units in young Chinese adults. The results showed that the philtrum and the vermillion lip morphology were closely related, providing helpful references in perioral procedures.
A mechanical modelling framework to study endothelial permeability
Authors: Keshavanarayana Pradeep , Spill Fabian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, is made up of endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin protein forms a bond with VE-cadherin from neighbouring cells (homophilic bond) to determine the size of gaps between the cells and thereby regulate the size of particles that can cross the endothelium. Chemical cues such as Thrombin, along with mechanical properties of the cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) are known to affect the permeability of endothelial cells. Abnormal permeability is found in patients suffering from diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and COVID-19. Even though some of the regulatory mechanisms affecting endothelial permeability are well studied, details of how several mechanical and chemical stimuli acting simultaneously affect endothelial permeability are not yet understood.In this article, we present a continuum-level mechanical modelling framework to study the highly dynamic nature of the VE-cadherin bonds. Taking inspiration from the catch-slip behaviour that VE-cadherin complexes are known to exhibit, we model VE-cadherin homophilic bond as cohesive contact with damage following a traction-separation law. We explicitly model the actin-cytoskeleton, and substrate to study their role in permeability. Our studies show that mechano-chemical coupling is necessary to simulate the influence of the mechanical properties of the substrate on permeability. Simulations show that shear between cells is responsible for the variation in permeability between bi-cellular and tri-cellular junctions, explaining the phenotypic differences observed in experiments. An increase in the magnitude of traction force that endothelial cells experience results in increased permeability, and it is found that the effect is higher on stiffer ECM. Finally, we show that the cylindrical monolayer exhibits higher permeability than the planar monolayer under unconstrained cases. Thus, we present a contact mechanics-based mechano-chemical model to investigate the variation in permeability of endothelial monolayer due to multiple loads acting simultaneously.
Device measured sedentary behaviour, sleep, light and moderate-vigorous physical activity and cardio-metabolic health: A compositional individual participant data analysis in the ProPASS consortium
Authors: Blodgett JM , Ahmadi MN , Atkin AJ , Chastin S , Chan HW , Suorsa K , Bakker EA , Hettiarcachchi P , Johansson PJ , Sherar LB , Rangul V , Pulsford RM , Mishra G , Eijsvogel TMH , Stenholm S , Hughes AD , Teixeira-Pinto AM , Eklund U , Lee IM ,   ProPASS collaboration, Holtermann A , Koster A , Stamatakis E , Hamer M 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTBackground/AimsPhysical inactivity, sedentary behaviour (SB) and inadequate sleep are key behavioural risk factors of cardiometabolic diseases; each is mainly considered in isolation. The study aim was to investigate associations of five movement behaviour compositions with adiposity and cardiometabolic biomarkers.MethodsCross-sectional data from 15,246 participants from the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep consortium (ProPASS) were analysed. Time spent in sleep, SB, standing, light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) made up the composition. Outcomes included BMI, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, total:HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides and HbA1c. Compositional linear regression examined associations between compositions and each outcome, including modelling reallocation of time between behaviours.ResultsThe average daily composition of the sample(age:53.7±9.7years; 54.7%female) was 7.7hrs sleeping,10.4hrs sedentary,3.1hrs standing,1.5hrs LIPA and 1.3hrs MVPA. A greater proportion of MVPA time and smaller proportion of SB time was associated with better outcomes. Reallocating time from SB,standing,LIPA or sleep into MVPA had the largest theoretical improvement across all outcomes. For example, replacing 30min of SB, sleep, standing or LIPA with MVPA was associated with -0.63 (95%CI -0.48,-0.79), -0.43 (-0.25,-0.59), -0.40 (-0.25,-0.56) and -0.15 (0.05,-0.34)kg/m2lower BMI, respectively. A larger proportion of standing time was beneficial for outcomes; sleep had a detrimental association when replacing LIPA or MVPA and positive association when replacing SB. The minimal displacement into MVPA for improved cardiometabolic health ranged from 3.8 (HbA1c) to 12.7 (triglycerides) min/day.ConclusionsCompositional data analyses revealed a distinct hierarchy of behaviours. MVPA demonstrated the strongest, most time-efficient protective associations with cardiometabolic outcomes. Theoretical benefits from reallocating SB into sleep, standing or LIPA required substantial changes in daily activity.
ADAR2 inhibits ER-targeted mRNA translation via regulating nucleolar assembly of signal recognition particle
Authors: Feng Rui , Wang Yuci , Ran Dongmei , Li Ying , Zhou Hui , Liu Qi , Zhang Yingchun , Ma Honghui , Chen Hao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAdenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is mediated by ADAR family proteins and plays critical roles in regulating gene expression. Unlike other ADAR family members, ADAR2 mostly resides in nucleolus. The exact roles of this peculiar cellular distribution of ADAR2 is still largely unknown. Here, our current study unexpectedly uncovered that nucleoli-localized ADAR2 is involved in negatively regulating ER-targeted mRNA translation, which is mediated by SRP. Importantly, this regulation is not archived through direct binding of mRNA by ADAR2 or dependent on A-to-I editing of 7SL RNA. Further analysis indicated that ADAR2 directly interacts with SRP protein components, especially SRP68, in a RNA-independent manner and probably represses the SRP assembly. Hence, we proved insights into the novel functions of ADAR2 and long-lasting enigma about the peculiar translocation of SRP proteins into nucleoli during SRP biogenesis.
The structural basis for deubiquitination by the fingerless USP-type effector TssM
Authors: Hermanns Thomas , Uthoff Matthias , Baumann Ulrich , Hofmann Kay 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntracellular bacteria are threatened by ubiquitin-mediated autophagy, whenever the bacterial surface or enclosing membrane structures become targets of host ubiquitin ligases. As a countermeasure, many intracellular pathogens encode deubiquitinase (DUB) effectors to keep their surfaces free of ubiquitin modifications. Most bacterial DUBs belong to the OTU or CE-clan families. The betaproteobacteriaB. pseudomalleiandB. mallei, causative agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, encode the TssM effector, the only known bacterial DUB belonging to the USP class. TssM is much shorter than typical eukaryotic USP enzymes and lacks the canonical ubiquitin-recognition region. By solving the crystal structures of isolated TssM and its complex with ubiquitin, we found that TssM lacks the entire ‘Fingers’ subdomain of the USP fold. Instead, the TssM family has evolved the functionally analog ‘Littlefinger’ loop, which is located towards the end of the USP domain and recognizes different ubiquitin interfaces than those used by canonical USPs. The structures also revealed the presence of an N-terminal immunoglobulin-fold domain, which is able to form a strand-exchange dimer and might mediate TssM localization to the bacterial surface.
An In Vitro Medium for Modeling Gut Dysbiosis Associated with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Barrack Kaitlyn E. , Hampton Thomas H. , Valls Rebecca A. , Surve Sarvesh V. , Gardner Timothy B. , Sanville Julie L. , Madan Juliette C. , O’Toole George A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe gut physiology of pediatric and adult persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) is altered relative to healthy persons. The CF gut is characterized, in part, as having excess mucus, increased fat content, acidic pH, increased inflammation, increased antibiotic perturbation and the potential for increased oxygen availability. These physiological differences shift nutritional availability and the local environment for intestinal microbes, thus likely driving significant changes in microbial metabolism, colonization and competition with other microbes. The impact of any specific change in this physiological landscape is difficult to parse using human or animal studies. Thus, we have developed a novel culture medium representative of the CF gut environment, inclusive of all the aforementioned features. This medium, called CF-MiPro, maintains CF gut microbiome communities, while significantly shifting non-CF gut microbiome communities toward a CF-like microbial profile, characterized by low Bacteroidetes and high Proteobacteria abundance. This medium is able to maintain this culture composition for up to 5 days of passage. Additionally, microbial communities passaged in CF-MiPro produce significantly less immunomodulatory short chain fatty acids (SCFA), including propionate and butyrate, than communities passaged in MiPro, a culture medium representative of healthy gut physiology, confirming not only a shift in microbial composition but altered community function. Our results support the potential for this in vitro culture medium as a new tool for the study of gut dysbiosis in CF.ImportanceCystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease that disrupts ion transport at mucosal surfaces, leading to mucus accumulation and altered physiology of both the lungs and the intestines, among other organs, with the resulting altered environment contributing to an imbalance of microbial communities. Culture media representative of the CF airway have been developed and validated; however, no such medium exists for modeling the CF intestine. Here, we develop and validate a first-generation culture medium inclusive of features that are altered in the CF colon. Our findings suggest this novel medium, called CF-MiPro, as a maintenance medium for CF gut microbiome samples and a flexible tool for studying key drivers of CF-associated gut dysbiosis.
Smart Slides for Optical Monitoring of Cellular Processes
Authors: Ackermann Julia , Reger Eline , Jung Sebastian , Mohr Jennifer , Herbertz Svenja , Seidl Karsten , Kruss Sebastian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe molecules released by cells are a fingerprint of their current state. Methods that measure them with high spatial and temporal resolution would provide valuable insights into cell physiology and diseases. Here, we develop a nanosensor coating that transforms standard cell culture materials/dishes into “Smart Slides” capable of optically monitoring biochemical efflux from cells. For this purpose, we use single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that are fluorescent in the beneficial near-infrared (NIR, 850 – 1700 nm) window. They are chemically tailored to detect the neurotransmitter dopamine by a change in fluorescence intensity. These nanosensors are spin-coated on glass substrates and we show that such sensor layers can be sterilized by UV light and can be stored in dry condition or buffer for at least 6 weeks. We also identify the optimal sensor density to maximize sensitivity. Finally, we use these materials to image dopamine release from neuronal cells cultivated on top in the presence of various psychotropic substances, which represents a system to test pharmaceuticals for neurological or neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, Smart Slides are a powerful tool to monitor cellular processes in cell culture systems.
Investigating the effect of risk reduction strategies on the construction of mega infrastructure project (MIP) success: a SEM-ANN approach
Authors: Malek MohammedShakil S. , Bhatt Viral 
Published: August 2023

PurposeManaging mega infrastructure projects (MIPs) is more complex because of time, size, social, environmental and financial implications. This study aims to address the management approaches, complexity and risk factors involved in MIPs. The study focuses on project success criteria and their individual effects on the success of MIPs.Design/methodology/approachTo address the challenges and identify the most influencing factor for the success of MIPs, the study deployed a cross-sectional survey approach. Six hundred eighty-two usable samples were collected from the respondents to understand the impact of predetermined factors on the success of MIPs. The structural equation model and artificial neural network approach were used to derive the importance of factors affecting the success of MIPs.FindingsThe study's outcome confirms that all three influencing factors: feasibility studies, community engagements and contract selection, have a significant positive impact on the success of MIPs. Community engagement amongst all three has the most influential predictor for the success of MIPs.Originality/valueThe developed model will enable practitioners and policymakers from Indian construction companies and other emerging nations to concentrate on recognized risk reduction variables to enhance project success criteria and project management success, especially for MIPs.