bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dry needling versus corticosteroid injections to treat tendinopathy: a systematic review
Authors: Aman Ifra , Zutshi Kalpana , Singla D. 
Published: September 2023

Background:
During physical activity and exercises, there is more stress and forces are exerted on the tendon, which increases the risk of injury. There are several studies that suggest dry needling has a positive effect in treating tendinopathy. Corticosteroid injections are the most commonly used treatment for acute and chronic tendon lesions. In this review, we will compare different lines of treatment; dry needling and corticosteroid injections for tendinopathy and their efficacy in reducing symptoms. The aim of this systematic review is to critically analyze the literature to find the effect of dry needling when compared with corticosteroid injection in treating tendinopathy.

Method:
This systematic review was directed according to “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis” guidelines. The principal research question that was studied “Is dry needling better than corticosteroid injections in treating tendinopathy?” Various different electronic databases were used to search relevant articles using different keywords. Articles were collected altogether and selected on the basis of eligibility criteria. The closing sets of articles were selected after complete screening.

Result:
Both dry needling and corticosteroid injections are effective in treating tendinopathy for both short term whereas dry needling is more significantly effective in long-term use.

Conclusion:
Dry needling is superior to corticosteroid injection in treating tendinopathy.
The microbiology and pathogenesis of nonfermenting Gram-negative infections
Authors: Di Pilato Vincenzo , Willison Edward , Marchese Anna 
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review
This review provides an overview of most recent evidence about pathogenesis traits and virulence factors contributing to successful colonization or infection by P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. maltophilia and B. cepacia complex, among the most clinically relevant nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB).

Recent findings
The growing clinical importance of NFGNB as important opportunistic pathogens causing difficult-to-treat infections in a fragile patients’ population in stressed by numerous studies. Identification of novel virulence factors and deciphering of their mechanisms of action have greatly furthered our understanding of NFGNB pathogenesis, revealing that each pathogen-specific armamentarium of virulence factors (adhesins, motility, capsule, biofilm, lipopolysaccharide, exotoxins, exoenzymes, secretion systems, siderophores) can be likely responsible for the difference in the pathophysiology even in the context of a similar infection site. Emerging evidence of the immunomodulatory effect of some virulence factors is also acknowledged.

Summary
NFGNB continue to be a serious global problem as cause of life-threatening opportunistic infections, owing to a highly heterogeneous content of virulence factors and their extensive number of intrinsic resistance mechanisms. Further efforts in development of novel effective antimicrobials and of alternative strategies targeting key virulence factors are warranted.
Differentiating Imaging Features of Post-lobectomy Right Middle Lobe Torsion
Authors: Tamizuddin Farah , Ocal Selin , Toussie Danielle , Azour Lea , Wickstrom Maj , Moore William H. , Kent Amie , Babb James , Fansiwala Kush , Flagg Eric , Ko Jane P. 
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to identify differences in imaging features between patients with confirmed right middle lobe (RML) torsion compared to those suspected yet without torsion.

Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study entailing a search of radiology reports from April 1, 2014, to April 15, 2021, resulted in 52 patients with suspected yet without lobar torsion and 4 with confirmed torsion, supplemented by 2 additional cases before the search period for a total of 6 confirmed cases. Four thoracic radiologists (1 an adjudicator) evaluated chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) examinations, and Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests were used to identify any significant differences in imaging features (P<0.05).

Results:
A reversed halo sign was more frequent for all readers (P=0.001) in confirmed RML torsion than patients without torsion (83.3% vs. 0% for 3 readers, one the adjudicator). The CT coronal bronchial angle between RML bronchus and bronchus intermedius was larger (P=0.035) in torsion (121.28 degrees) than nontorsion cases (98.26 degrees). Patients with torsion had a higher percentage of ground-glass opacity in the affected lobe (P=0.031). A convex fissure towards the adjacent lobe on CT (P=0.009) and increased lobe volume on CT (P=0.001) occurred more often in confirmed torsion.

Conclusion:
A reversed halo sign, larger CT coronal bronchial angle, greater proportion of ground-glass opacity, fissural convexity, and larger lobe volume on CT may aid in early recognition of the rare yet highly significant diagnosis of lobar torsion.
Level of Education Matters in Regard to Participants’ Compliance With Screening in the National Lung Screening Trial
Authors: Alali Akeel A. 
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
The success of cancer screening depends on patient adherence to the screening program. The purpose of this study is to assess how the level of education might affect participants' compliance with screening in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).

Materials and Methods:
Secondary data analyses of the participants in the NLST were performed. A total of 50,104 participants were included in this study. Participants who enrolled in the trial but refused the initial screening were compared with those who completed the screening. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association between participant noncompliance and education level.

Results:
A total of 3712 (7.41%) participants refused lung cancer screening in the NLST. Compared with the reference group, participants with an education level of eighth grade or less (odds ratio [OR]: 2.1, CI: 1.68-2.76), ninth-11th grade (OR: 1.9, CI: 1.7-2.34), high school graduates (OR: 1.3, CI: 1.22-1.54), after high school training (OR: 1.1, CI: 1-1.31), or an associate’s degree (OR: 1.2, CI: 1.07-1.36) had significantly higher odds of refusing lung cancer screening. Participants with a bachelor’s degree showed no significant association with compliance with screening (OR: 0.9, P = 0.86). Multivariate regression analysis also showed that younger, single, male participants with a longer duration of smoking history had significantly higher odds of refusing the screening.

Conclusion:
A lower level of education was significantly associated with refusing lung cancer screening. A strategic targeted approach for this group might be necessary to promote their compliance rate.
Correcting Posterior Paraspinal Muscle Computed Tomography Density for Intravenous Contrast Material Independent of Sex and Vascular Phase
Authors: Lortie Jevin , Rush Benjamin , Gage Grace , Dhingra Ravi , Hetzel Scott , Pickhardt Perry J. , Szczykutowicz Timothy P. , Kuchnia Adam J. 
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
Intravenous contrast poses challenges to computed tomography (CT) muscle density analysis. We developed and tested corrections for contrast-enhanced CT muscle density to improve muscle analysis and the utility of CT scans for the assessment of myosteatosis.

Materials and Methods:
Using retrospective images from 240 adults who received routine abdominal CT imaging from March to November 2020 with weight-based iodine contrast, we obtained paraspinal muscle density measurements from noncontrast (NC), arterial, and venous-phase images. We used a calibration sample to develop 9 different mean and regression–based corrections for the effect of contrast. We applied the corrections in a validation sample and conducted equivalence testing.

Results:
We evaluated 140 patients (mean age 52.0 y [SD: 18.3]; 60% female) in the calibration sample and 100 patients (mean age 54.8 y [SD: 18.9]; 60% female) in the validation sample. Contrast-enhanced muscle density was higher than NC by 8.6 HU (SD: 6.2) for the arterial phase (female, 10.4 HU [SD: 5.7]; male, 6.0 HU [SD:6.0]) and by 6.4 HU [SD:8.1] for the venous phase (female, 8.0 HU [SD: 8.6]; male, 4.0 HU [SD: 6.6]). Corrected contrast-enhanced and NC muscle density was equivalent within 3 HU for all correctionns. The −7.5 HU correction, independent of sex and phase, performed well for arterial (95% CI: −0.18, 1.80 HU) and venous-phase data (95% CI: −0.88, 1.41 HU).

Conclusions:
Our validated correction factor of −7.5 HU renders contrast-enhanced muscle density statistically similar to NC density and is a feasible rule-of-thumb for clinicians to implement.
Preoperative Activity Level and Postoperative Pain After Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Sakai Nozomi , Wu Jennifer M. , Willis-Gray Marcella 
Published: September 2023

Importance
Higher preoperative activity level is associated with improved postoperative outcomes, but its impact on postoperative pain after urogynecologic surgery is unknown.

Objective
The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between preoperative activity level and postoperative pain.

Study Design
In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery from April 2019 through September 2021. We used the Activity Assessment Survey (AAS) to create cohorts of high (AAS = 100) and low (AAS < 100) baseline activity (BA). Our primary outcome was postoperative pain scores. Our secondary outcome was postoperative opioid use.

Results
Of 132 patients, 90 (68%) were in the low BA group and 42 (32%) were in the high BA group. The groups were similar in age (mean 59 ± 12 years for high BA vs 60 ± 12 for low BA, P = 0.70), body mass index, and surgical procedures performed; however, the high BA group had lower preoperative pain scores (2 ± 6 vs 11 ± 9, P ≤ 0.01). For the primary outcome, the high BA group reported lower postoperative pain scores (16 ± 8 vs 20 ± 9, P = 0.02) and less opioid use (19 ± 32 vs 52 ± 70 morphine milliequivalents, P = 0.01) than the low BA group. However, when adjusting for age, baseline pain, hysterectomy, baseline opioid use, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, high BA did not remain associated with lower postoperative pain scores and less opioid use.

Conclusion
A higher preoperative activity level among patients undergoing urogynecologic surgery was not associated with lower pain scores nor decreased opioid use.
Fecal Microbiota Transfer for Clostridium difficile Infection and Its Effects on Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Wood Nicole , Propst Katie , Yao Meng , Ferrando Cecile A. 
Published: September 2023

Importance
Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) poses a significant management challenge, and fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) has been shown in a limited manner to positively effect rUTI.

Objectives
The objective of this study was to compare UTI rates after FMT for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients with previously diagnosed rUTI and patients without a previous diagnosis of rUTI.

Study Design
This was a retrospective cohort study of female patients who underwent FMT between 2015 and 2020 and were identified from a database at a tertiary care referral center. The electronic medical record was queried for demographic and UTI characteristics in the 3 years before and 5 years after FMT, which were compared between patients with or without a preexisting history of rUTI.

Results
One hundred thirty-five patients were included, 17 of whom had a preexisting history of rUTI. The median number of culture-proven UTIs was 1 in the rUTI group versus 0 in the non-rUTI group both in the 1 year (P = 0.003) and 3 years (P < 0.001) before FMT. Most UTIs before and after FMT were Escherichia coli UTIs (53.8%) and carried some antibiotic resistance (54.6%). Comparatively, in the year after FMT, there were no differences between groups in UTI frequency or antibiotic administration (0 [0–1] vs 0.5 [0–1], P = 0.28). A trend toward decreased frequency of UTI in the 1 year after FMT was seen in the rUTI group. On survival analysis, there was a nonsignificant decrease in the 3-year UTI-free rate for the rUTI group compared with the non-rUTI group (76.5% vs 90.1%, P = 0.07).

Conclusions
Patients with recurrent UTI undergoing FMT for recurrent CDI experienced a trend toward a decrease in frequency of UTI after FMT.
Recurrent Mild Acute Rejections and Donor-specific Antibodies as Risk Factors for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in a National Pediatric Heart Transplant Cohort
Authors: Kaskinen Anu K. , Tainio Juuso , Pihkala Jaana I. , Peräsaari Juha P. , Lauronen Jouni , Raissadati Alireza , Merenmies Jussi M. , Jalanko Hannu J. , Jahnukainen Timo 
Published: September 2023

Background.
Immune-mediated factors such as acute cellular rejections and donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) are risk factors for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). We studied a national cohort with a unified setting and thorough protocol endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) data for an association between cellular rejections, especially when mild and recurrent, and DSAs with CAV in pediatric heart transplant (HTx) patients.

Methods.
This is a retrospective, national cohort study of 94 pediatric HTxs performed between 1991 and 2019 and followed until December 31, 2020. Diagnosis of CAV was based on reevaluation of angiographies. Protocol and indication EMB findings with other patient data were collected from medical records. Associations between nonimmune and immune-mediated factors and CAV were analyzed with univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Results.
Angiographies performed on 76 patients revealed CAV in 23 patients (30%). Altogether 1138 EMBs (92% protocol biopsies) were performed on 78 patients (83%). During the first posttransplant year, grade 1 rejection (G1R) appeared in 45 patients (58%), and recurrent (≥2) G1R findings in 14 patients (18%). Pretransplant DSAs occurred in 13 patients (17%) and posttransplant DSAs in 37 patients (39%). In univariable analysis, pretransplant DSAs, appearance and recurrence of G1R findings, and total rejection score during the first posttransplant year, as well as recurrent G1R during follow-up, were all associated with CAV. In multivariable analysis, pretransplant DSAs and recurrent G1R during the first posttransplant year were found to be associated with CAV.

Conclusions.
Our results indicate that pretransplant DSA and recurrent G1R findings, especially during the first posttransplant year, are associated with CAV after pediatric HTx.
Reproducibility of Rejection Grading in Uterus Transplantation: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Broecker Verena , Brännström Mats , Bösmüller Hans , Sticová Eva , Malušková Jana , Chiesa-Vottero Andres , Mölne Johan 
Published: September 2023

Background:
Diagnosis of rejection after uterus transplantation is based on histopathological examination of ectocervical biopsies. Inflammation at the stromal–epithelial interface is the backbone of the histopathological classification proposed by our group in 2017. However, the reproducibility of this grading scheme has not been tested, and it is unclear whether it covers the full morphological spectrum of rejection.

Methods:
We present a multicenter study in which 5 pathologists from 4 uterus transplantation centers performed 2 rounds of grading on 145 and 48 cervical biopsies, respectively. Three of the centers provided biopsies. Additionally, the presence of perivascular stromal inflammation was recorded. During discussions after the first round, further histological lesions (venous endothelial inflammation and apoptosis) were identified for closer evaluation and added to the panel of lesions to score in the second round. All participants completed a questionnaire to explore current practices in handling and reporting uterus transplant biopsies.

Results:
Cervical biopsies were commonly performed in all centers to monitor rejection. Intraobserver reproducibility of rejection grading (performed by 1 rater) was excellent, whereas interobserver reproducibility was moderate and did not improve in the second round. Reproducibility of perivascular stromal inflammation was moderate but unsatisfactory for venous endothelial inflammation and apoptosis. All lesions were more frequent in, but not restricted to, biopsies with rejection patterns.

Conclusions:
Grading of rejection in cervical biopsies is reproducible and applicable to biopsies from different centers. Diagnosis of rejection may be improved by adding further histological lesions to the grading system; however, lesions require rigorous consensus definition.
Ancient origin of the rod bipolar cell pathway in the vertebrate retina
Authors: Hellevik Ayana M , Mardoum Philip , Hahn Joshua , Kölsch Yvonne , D’Orazi Florence D , Suzuki Sachihiro C. , Godinho Leanne , Lawrence Owen , Rieke Fred , Shekhar Karthik , Sanes Joshua R , Baier Herwig , Baden Tom , Wong Rachel O , Yoshimatsu Takeshi 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTVertebrates rely on rod photoreceptors for vision in low-light conditions1. Mammals have a specialized downstream circuit for rod signaling called the primary rod pathway, which comprises specific cell types and wiring patterns that are thought to be unique to this lineage2–6. Thus, it has been long assumed that the primary rod pathway evolved in mammals3, 5–7. Here, we challenge this view by demonstrating that the mammalian primary rod pathway is conserved in zebrafish, which diverged from extant mammals ∼400 million years ago. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we identified two bipolar cell (BC) types in zebrafish that are related to mammalian rod BCs (RBCs) of the primary rod pathway. By combining electrophysiology, histology, and ultrastructural reconstruction of the zebrafish RBCs, we found that, like mammalian RBCs8, both zebrafish RBC types connect with all rods and red-cones in their dendritic territory, and provide output largely onto amacrine cells. The wiring pattern of the amacrine cells post-synaptic to one RBC type is strikingly similar to that of mammalian RBCs. This suggests that the cell types and circuit design of the primary rod pathway may have emerged before the divergence of teleost fish and amniotes (mammals, bird, reptiles). The second RBC type in zebrafish, which forms separate pathways from the first RBC type, is either lost in mammals or emerged in fish to serve yet unknown roles.Highlights-Zebrafish have two rod bipolar cell types (RBC1/2).-Synaptic connectivity of RBC1 resembles that of the mammalian RBCs.-The primary rod pathway therefore probably evolved more than 400 million years ago.-The second zebrafish RBC type, RBC2, forms a separate pathway from RBC1.
The intrinsically disordered region of the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIP12 induces the formation of chromatin condensates and interferes with DNA damage response
Authors: Vargas Claire , Brunet Manon , Ricard Alban , Varry Damien , Larrieu Dorian , Muzzopappa Fernando , Erdel Fabian , Labrousse Guillaume , Hanoun Naïma , Ligat Laetitia , Farcé Manon , Stella Alexandre , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Laurell Henrik , Bery Nicolas , Cordelier Pierre , Dufresne Marlène , Torrisani Jérôme 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTChromatin compaction is crucial for the faithful expression and integrity of the genome. Although largely studied, proteins and mechanisms that control the chromatin compaction are not entirely discovered. We previously showed that the nuclear HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase Thyroid hormone Receptor Interacting Protein 12 (TRIP12) is tightly associated to chromatin. As TRIP12 is overexpressed in several types of cancers, we explored herein the consequences of a TRIP12 overexpression on chromatin homeostasis. First, we established the TRIP12 proxisome and unveiled its pleiotropic role in chromatin regulation. Second, we demonstrated that TRIP12 overexpression leads to the formation of chromatin condensates enriched in heterochromatin marks via its intrinsically disordered region (IDR). We further discovered that the formation of TRIP12-mediated chromatin condensates is highly dynamic and driven by a mechanism of phase separation. Chromatin condensate formation depends on the TRIP12 concentration, the length of the TRIP12-IDR and relies on electrostatic interactions. We found that the formation of TRIP12 mediated-condensates alters cell cycle progression, genome accessibility, transcription as well as DNA damage response by inhibiting the accumulation of Mediator of DNA Damage Checkpoint 1 (MDC1). Altogether, this study reveals a novel dynamic role for TRIP12 in chromatin compaction independently of its ubiquitin ligase activity with important consequences on cellular homeostasis.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
How persistent infection overcomes peripheral tolerance mechanisms to cause T cell-mediated autoimmune disease
Authors: Yin Rose , Melton Samuel , Huseby Eric , Kardar Mehran , Chakraborty Arup K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractT cells help orchestrate immune responses to pathogens, and their aberrant regulation can trigger autoimmunity. Recent studies highlight that a threshold number of T cells (a quorum) must be activated in a tissue to mount a functional immune response. These collective effects allow the T cell repertoire to respond to pathogens while suppressing autoimmunity due to circulating autoreactive T cells. Our computational studies show that increasing numbers of pathogenic peptides targeted by T cells during persistent or severe viral infections increase the probability of activating T cells that are weakly reactive to self-antigens (molecular mimicry). These T cells are easily re-activated by the self-antigens and contribute to exceeding the quorum threshold required to mount autoimmune responses. Rare peptides that activate many T cells are sampled more readily during severe/persistent infections than in acute infections, which amplifies these effects. Experiments in mice to test predictions from these mechanistic insights are suggested.
Deep learning predictions of TCR-epitope interactions reveal epitope-specific chains in dual alpha T cells
Authors: Croce Giancarlo , Bobisse Sara , Moreno Dana Léa , Schmidt Julien , Guillame Philippe , Harari Alexandre , Gfeller David 
Published: September 2023

AbstractT cells have the ability to eliminate infected and cancer cells and play an essential role in cancer immunotherapy. T-cell activation is elicited by the binding of the T-cell receptor (TCR) to epitopes displayed on MHC molecules, and the TCR specificity is determined by the sequence of its α and β chains. Here, we collected and curated a dataset of 17,715 αβTCRs interacting with dozens of class I and class II epitopes. We used this curated data to develop MixTCRpred, a deep learning TCR-epitope interaction predictor. MixTCRpred accurately predicts TCRs recognizing several viral and cancer epitopes. MixTCRpred further provides a useful quality control tool for multiplexed single-cell TCR sequencing assays of epitope-specific T cells and pinpoints a substantial fraction of putative contaminants in public databases. Analysis of epitope-specific dual α T cells demonstrates that MixTCRpred can identify α chains mediating epitope recognition. Applying MixTCRpred to TCR repertoires from COVID-19 patients reveals enrichment of clonotypes predicted to bind an immunodominant SARS-CoV-2 epitope. Overall, MixTCRpred provides a robust tool to predict TCRs interacting with specific epitopes and interpret TCR-sequencing data from both bulk and epitope-specific T cells.