bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical effectiveness of finasteride versus hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saber Mina , Farokhshahi Maryam , Fatemi Naeini Farahnaz , Mohaghegh Fatemeh , Asilian Ali 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundFrontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a cicatricial alopecia with rapid epidemic growth. However, there is no agreement on the best therapeutic approach.AimsTo compare the therapeutic effects of finasteride as a first‐line systemic treatment of FFA versus hydroxychloroquine as a relatively safe and effective immunosuppressive drug.MethodsThirty‐four female FFA patients were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg/day of hydroxychloroquine or 2.5 mg/day of finasteride for 6 months. Topical treatments in both groups include pimecrolimus, mometasone, and minoxidil. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Severity Score (FFASS), photography, and trichoscopy after 3 and 6 months.ResultsBoth the finasteride and hydroxychloroquine groups showed significant improvements in FFASS and trichoscopic scores (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups during the study. Photographic assessment showed that more than 60% of patients in both groups had improved without statistically significant differences between the two groups.ConclusionsBoth finasteride and hydroxychloroquine are equally effective, safe, and well‐tolerable for treating FFA patients.
Prediction of benign and malignant ovarian tumors using Resnet34 on ultrasound images
Authors: Miao Kuo , Zhao Ning , Lv Qian , He Xin , Xu Mingda , Dong Xiaoqiu , Li Dandan , Shao Xiaohui 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo develop deep learning (DL) prediction models using transvaginal ultrasound (TVS), transabdominal ultrasound (TAS), and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) of TVS (CDFI_TVS) to automatically predict benign or malignant ovarian tumors.MethodsThis retrospective study included women with ovarian tumors who underwent ultrasound between August 2018 and October 2022. Histopathological analysis was used as a reference standard. The dataset was preprocessed by clipping, flipping, and rotating images to generate a larger, more complicated, and diverse dataset to improve accuracy and generalizability. The dataset was then divided into training (80%) and test (20%) sets. The weights of the models, modified from the residual network (ResNet) with the TVS, TAS, and CDFI_TVS images (hereafter, referred to as DLTVS, DLTAS, and DLCDFI_TVS, respectively) were developed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis in the test set was used to compare the predictive value of DL for malignancy.ResultsA total of 2340 images from 1350 women with adnexal masses were included. DLTVS had an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93–0.97) for classifying malignant and benign ovarian tumors, comparable with that of DLTAS (AUC, 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91–0.98; p = 0.96) and DLCDFI_TVS (AUC, 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84–0.93; p = 0.02). Decision curve analysis indicated that DLTVS performed better than DLTAS and DLCDFI_TVS.ConclusionWe developed DL models based on TVS, TAS, and CDFI_TVS on ultrasound images to predict benign and malignant ovarian tumors with high diagnostic performance. The DLTVS model had the best prediction compared with the DLTAS and DLCDFI_TVS models.
Making waves: Comparative analysis of gene drive spread characteristics in a continuous space model
Authors: Pan Mingzuyu , Champer Jackson 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWith their ability to rapidly increase in frequency, gene drives can be used to modify or suppress target populations after an initial release of drive individuals. Recent advances have revealed many possibilities for different types of drives, and several of these have been realized in experiments. These drives have advantages and disadvantages related to their ease of construction, confinement and capacity to be used for modification or suppression. Though characteristics of these drives have been explored in modelling studies, assessment in continuous space environments has been limited, often focusing on outcomes rather than fundamental properties. Here, we conduct a comparative analysis of many different gene drive types that have the capacity to form a wave of advance in continuous space using individual‐based simulations in continuous space. We evaluate the drive wave speed as a function of drive performance and ecological parameters, which reveals substantial differences between drive performance in panmictic versus spatial environments. In particular, we find that suppression drive waves are uniquely vulnerable to fitness costs and undesired CRISPR cleavage activity in embryos by maternal deposition. Some drives, however, retain robust performance even with widely varying efficiency parameters. To gain a better understanding of drive waves, we compare their panmictic performance and find that the rate of wild‐type allele removal is correlated with drive wave speed, though this is also affected by other factors. Overall, our results provide a useful resource for understanding the performance of drives in spatially continuous environments, which may be most representative of potential drive deployment in many relevant scenarios.
Meiotic instability and irregular chromosome pairing underpin heat‐induced infertility in bread wheat carrying the Rht‐B1b or Rht‐D1b Green Revolution genes
Authors: Cseh András , Lenykó‐Thegze Andrea , Makai Diána , Szabados Fanni , Hamow Kamirán Áron , Gulyás Zsolt , Kiss Tibor , Karsai Ildikó , Moncsek Blanka , Mihók Edit , Sepsi Adél 
Published: September 2023

Summary
Mutations in the Rht‐B1a and Rht‐D1a genes of wheat (Triticum aestivum; resulting in Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1b alleles) cause gibberellin‐insensitive dwarfism and are one of the most important elements of increased yield introduced during the ‘Green Revolution’.
We measured the effects of a short period of heat imposed during the early reproductive stage on near‐isogenic lines carrying Rht‐B1b or Rht‐D1b alleles, with respect to the wild‐type (WT).
The temperature shift caused a significant fertility loss within the ears of Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1b wheats, greater than that observed for the WT. Defects in chromosome synapsis, reduced homologous recombination and a high frequency of chromosome mis‐segregation were associated with reduced fertility. The transcription of TaGA3ox gene involved in the final stage of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis was activated and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry identified GA1 as the dominant bioactive GA in developing ears, but levels were unaffected by the elevated temperature.
Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1b mutants were inclined to meiotic errors under optimal temperatures and showed a higher susceptibility to heat than their tall counterparts. Identification and introduction of new dwarfing alleles into modern breeding programmes is invaluable in the development of climate‐resilient wheat varieties.
Psychosocial risk factors and outcomes in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Agarwal Siddharth , Munir Muhammad Bilal , Chaudhary Amna Mohyud Din , Krishan Satyam , DeSimone Christopher V. , Deshmukh Abhishek , Stavrakis Stavros , Po Sunny , Al‐Kindi Sadeer , Asad Zain Ul Abideen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe association of psychosocial risk factors with cardiovascular disease is well‐established, and there is a growing recognition of their influence on atrial fibrillation (AF) . A recent National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop called for transforming AF research to integrate social determinants of health. There is limited data examining the impact of psychosocial risk factors (PSRFs) on outcomes in patients with an established diagnosis of AF. Catheter ablation for AF has been shown to improve arrhythmia burden and quality of life compared with medical treatment alone. It is unknown how PSRFs affect clinical outcomes in patients undergoing AF ablation. It is important to understand this relationship, especially given the increasing adoption of catheter ablation in clinical practice.
Making the sunshine vitamin – How much sun exposure is needed to maintain 25‐hydroxy vitamin D concentration?
Authors: Elliott Thomas M. , Gordon Louisa G. , Webb Ann , Kift Richard , Foeglein Anna , Neale Rachel E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractOur objective was to calculate the time in the sun necessary to maintain existing 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration at locations across Australia and New Zealand. We used a microsimulation model to estimate changes in monthly 25(OH)D concentration using data on standard erythemal dose, solar zenith angle, and climatological ozone. We estimated the number of standard vitamin D doses per 10‐min interval and used a dose‐response equation to determine the average time in the sun to maintain existing 25(OH)D concentration according to month and time of day. Across all locations in summer, 5–10 min outdoors between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on most days of the week, with 35% of the body surface area exposed, is sufficient to maintain existing 25(OH)D concentration. In winter, at mid‐to‐high latitudes, time outdoors during the middle of the day is required. In winter, with 10% of the body surface area exposed, greater than 45 min in the middle of the day is required in most locations to maintain existing 25(OH)D concentration. These data can be used to inform guidelines regarding maintaining vitamin D via sun exposure and may help health practitioners identify patients who may be vitamin D deficient.
Public attitudes about integration and citizenship for refugees: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Alakoc Burcu Pinar , Zarychta Alan , Goksel Gulay Ugur 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study examines attitudes about integration and support for citizenship in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey based on 85 interviews in four provinces. Consistent with past research, respondents reported multiple threat perceptions around refugees, with security and cultural threats predominating. Those who perceived refugees as threatening in three or more ways generally believed in fewer prospects for integration and were unlikely to support citizenship. However, positive views were present among those who reported one or even two types of threats, indicating there are possibilities for developing inclusionary attitudes even in the presence of threat perceptions. Our research also identifies two counterintuitive reasons some individuals support citizenship for refugees: to reduce security threats and remedy perceived favoritism in social support policies. These findings shed light on the complex bases of attitudes around migration and have important implications for designing refugee settlement policies and efforts to support integration.Related ArticlesDuman, Yoav H. 2014. “Reducing the Fog? Immigrant Regularization and the State.” Politics & Policy 42(2): 187–220. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12065/abstract.Ibrahim, Yasmin, and Anita Howarth. 2018. “Review of Humanitarian Refuge in the United Kingdom: Sanctuary, Asylum, and the Refugee Crisis.” Politics & Policy 46(3): 348–91. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12254.Ravi, Chaitanya. 2021. “The 1971 Bangladesh War and Policy Lessons for Climate Refugee Management in South Asia.” Politics & Policy 49(1): 248–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12392.
The effects of an exercise intervention on neuroelectric activity and executive function in children with overweight/obesity: The ActiveBrains randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mora‐Gonzalez Jose , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Solis‐Urra Patricio , Rodriguez‐Ayllon María , Cadenas‐Sanchez Cristina , Hillman Charles H. , Kramer Arthur F. , Catena Andrés , Ortega Francisco B. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether a 20‐week aerobic and resistance exercise program induces changes in brain current density underlying working memory and inhibitory control in children with overweight/obesity.MethodsA total of 67 children (10.00 ± 1.10 years) were randomized into an exercise or control group. Electroencephalography (EEG)‐based current density (μA/mm2) was estimated using standardized low‐resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) during a working memory task (Delayed non‐matched‐to‐sample task, DNMS) and inhibitory control task (Modified flanker task, MFT). In DNMS, participants had to memorize four stimuli (Pokemons) and then select between two of them, one of which had not been previously shown. In MFT, participants had to indicate whether the centered cow (i.e., target) of five faced the right or left.ResultsThe exercise group had significantly greater increases in brain activation in comparison with the control group during the encoding phase of DNMS, particularly during retention of second stimuli in temporal and frontal areas (peak t = from 3.4 to 3.8, cluster size [k] = from 11 to 39), during the retention of the third stimuli in frontal areas (peak t = from 3.7 to 3.9, k = from 15 to 26), and during the retention of the fourth stimuli in temporal and occipital areas (peak t = from 2.7 to 4.3, k = from 13 to 101). In MFT, the exercise group presented a lower current density change in the middle frontal gyrus (peak t = −4.1, k = 5). No significant change was observed between groups for behavioral performance (p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionA 20‐week exercise program modulates brain activity which might provide a positive influence on working memory and inhibitory control in children with overweight/obesity.
Retrospective evaluation of acute kidney injury in horses treated with nonnitrogenous bisphosphonates (2013–2020): 8 cases
Authors: Edwards Lisa , Magdesian K. Gary 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo describe a population of horses with acute kidney injury (AKI) following administration of bisphosphonates including clinical signs, clinicopathologic data, treatment, and outcome.DesignRetrospective study from August 2013 to July 2020.SettingVeterinary university teaching hospital.AnimalsEight adult horses with AKI following administration of nonnitrogenous bisphosphonates.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsFive horses received intramuscular clodronate (5/8; 62.5%) and 3 horses received intravenous tiludronate (3/8; 37.5%). Six horses (6/8; 75%) received concurrent nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. The most common initial presenting complaint was poor appetite (6/8; 75%), followed by abnormal urination (2/8; 25%). At the time of initial evaluation, the mean serum or plasma creatinine was 451.72 ± 190.06 μmol/L (5.11 ± 2.15 mg/dL) and BUN was 18.84 ± 8.85 mmol/L (52.75 ± 24.77 mg/dL). Five horses (5/6; 83.3%) had either an increased number of red blood cells (n = 4) or hemoprotein (n = 1) in the urine. All horses were treated with IV isotonic, balanced crystalloids either as a bolus, continuous rate infusion, or a combination of the 2. Seven horses (7/8; 87.5%) survived the initial episode of AKI and 1 horse (1/8; 12.5%) was euthanized. Of the 7 surviving horses, 2 horses (2/7; 28.5%) went on to develop chronic renal dysfunction. Warmblood breeds were overrepresented in the AKI group (P = 0.008; odds ratio: 11.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–72.1), when compared to horses that received bisphosphonates during the study period and did not develop AKI.ConclusionsBisphosphonate administration, with or without concurrent nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, can be associated with AKI in horses. Serum creatinine should be monitored prior to and following bisphosphonate treatment to minimize this risk. Further evaluation of renal function is warranted in horses that develop clinical signs of poor appetite, lethargy, or altered urination in the days following bisphosphonate treatment.
Effects of Laser-Powder Alignment on Clad Dimension and Melt Pool Temperature in Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: Jeong Jihoon , Webster Samantha , Zha Rujing , Mogonye Jon-Erik , Ehmann Kornel , Cao Jian 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The process parameters of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) have been widely studied including laser power, powder flow rate, and scanning speed. These parameters affect clad dimension and melt pool temperature, which are directly related to part quality. However, laser/powder profiles and their alignment have obtained less attention due to the cumbersome characterization process, although they can be directly associated with local energy density for melt pool formation. This study examines the impact of the alignment between the laser beam and powder flow distributions in DED on clad dimension and melt pool temperature. The laser beam and powder profiles are characterized by measuring their respective 2D Gaussian profiles for a given standoff distance. Aligned and misaligned laser-powder profiles are then used to build single-clad square geometries. It was found that a 500-µm offset between the centers of the laser and powder profiles causes up to a 20% change in both the width and the height of a single clad as well as an average temperature increase of 100 K. To understand the interaction between powder flow, energy flux, and local temperature, the local specific energy density distribution was plotted in 2D. These results suggest that laser-powder misalignment may significantly alter the thermal history and shape of deposited clads, possibly preventing DED-manufactured parts from meeting design properties and causing build failures.
Three genes controlling streptomycin susceptibility in
Agrobacterium fabrum
Authors: Howarth Robyn E. , Pattillo Curtis M. , Griffitts Joel S. , Calvopina-Chavez Diana G. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Streptomycin (Sm) is a commonly used antibiotic for its efficacy against diverse bacteria. The plant pathogen
Agrobacterium fabrum
is a model for studying pathogenesis and interkingdom gene transfer. Streptomycin-resistant variants of
A. fabrum
are commonly employed in genetic analyses, yet mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility to streptomycin in this organism have not previously been investigated. We observe that resistance to a high concentration of streptomycin arises at high frequency in
A. fabrum
, and we attribute this trait to the presence of a chromosomal gene (
strB
) encoding a putative aminoglycoside phosphotransferase. We show how
strB
, along with
rpsL
(encoding ribosomal protein S12) and
rsmG
(encoding a 16S rRNA methyltransferase), modulates streptomycin sensitivity in
A. fabrum
.

IMPORTANCE

The plant pathogen
Agrobacterium fabrum
is a widely used model bacterium for studying biofilms, bacterial motility, pathogenesis, and gene transfer from bacteria to plants. Streptomycin (Sm) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for its broad efficacy against gram-negative bacteria.
A. fabrum
exhibits endogenous resistance to somewhat high levels of streptomycin, but the mechanism underlying this resistance has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that this resistance is caused by a chromosomally encoded streptomycin-inactivating enzyme, StrB, that has not been previously characterized in
A. fabrum
. Furthermore, we show how the genes
rsmG
,
rpsL
, and
strB
jointly modulate streptomycin susceptibility in
A. fabrum
.
Small regulatory RNAs are mediators of the
Streptococcus mutans
SloR regulon
Authors: Drummond India Y. , DePaolo Alessandra , Krieger Madeline , Driscoll Heather , Eckstrom Korin , Spatafora Grace A. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Dental caries is among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide.
Streptococcus mutans
, the chief causative agent of caries, uses a 25-kDa manganese-dependent SloR protein to coordinate the uptake of essential manganese with the transcription of its virulence attributes. Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) can either enhance or repress gene expression, and reports in the literature ascribe an emerging role for sRNAs in the environmental stress response. Herein, we focused our attention on 18–50 nt sRNAs as mediators of the
S. mutans
SloR and manganese regulons. Specifically, the results of RNA sequencing revealed 19 sRNAs in
S. mutans,
which were differentially transcribed in the SloR-proficient UA159 and SloR-deficient GMS584 strains, and 10 sRNAs that were differentially expressed in UA159 cells grown in the presence of low vs high manganese. We describe SmsR1532 and SmsR1785 as SloR- and manganese-responsive sRNAs that are processed from large transcripts and that bind SloR directly in their promoter regions. The predicted targets of these sRNAs include regulators of metal ion transport, growth management via a toxin-antitoxin operon, and oxidative stress tolerance. These findings support a role for sRNAs in coordinating intracellular metal ion homeostasis with virulence gene control in an important oral cariogen.

IMPORTANCE

Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are critical mediators of environmental signaling, particularly in bacterial cells under stress, but their role in
Streptococcus mutans
is poorly understood.
S. mutans,
the principal causative agent of dental caries, uses a 25-kDa manganese-dependent protein, called SloR, to coordinate the regulated uptake of essential metal ions with the transcription of its virulence genes. In the present study, we identified and characterized sRNAs that are both SloR and manganese responsive. Taken together, this research can elucidate the details of regulatory networks that engage sRNAs in an important oral pathogen and that can enable the development of an effective anti-caries therapeutic.
Myxococcus xanthus
PilB interacts with c-di-GMP and modulates motility and biofilm formation
Authors: Dye Keane J. , Salar Safoura , Allen Uvina , Smith Wraylyn , Yang Zhaomin 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

The regulation of biofilm and motile states as alternate bacterial lifestyles has been studied extensively in flagellated bacteria, where the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP (cdG) plays a crucial role. However, much less is known about the mechanisms of such regulation in motile bacteria without flagella. The bacterial type IV pilus (T4P) serves as a motility apparatus that enables
Myxococcus xanthus
to move on solid surfaces. PilB, the T4P assembly ATPase, is, therefore, required for T4P-dependent motility in
M. xanthus
. Interestingly, T4P is also involved in the regulation of exopolysaccharide as the biofilm matrix material in this bacterium. A newly discovered cdG-binding domain, MshE
N
, is conserved in the N-terminus of PilB (PilB
N
) in
M. xanthus
and other bacteria. This suggests that cdG may bind to PilB to control the respective outputs that regulate biofilm development and T4P-powered motility. In this study, we aimed to validate
M. xanthus
PilB as a cdG effector protein. We performed a systematic mutational analysis of its cdG-binding domain to investigate its relationship with motility, piliation, and biofilm formation. Excluding those resulting in low levels of PilB protein, all other substitution mutations in PilB
N
resulted in
pilB
mutants with distinct and differential phenotypes in piliation and biofilm levels in
M. xanthus
. This suggests that the PilB
N
domain plays dual roles in modulating motility and biofilm levels, and these two functions of PilB can be dependent on and independent of each other in
M. xanthus
.

IMPORTANCE

The regulation of motility and biofilm by cyclic-di-GMP in flagellated bacteria has been extensively investigated. However, our knowledge regarding this regulation in motile bacteria without flagella remains limited. Here, we aimed to address this gap by investigating a non-flagellated bacterium with motility powered by bacterial type-IV pilus (T4P). Previous studies hinted at the possibility of
Myxococcus xanthus
PilB, the T4P assembly ATPase, serving as a cyclic-di-GMP effector involved in regulating both motility and biofilm. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that PilB directly interacts with cyclic-di-GMP to act as a potential switch to promote biofilm formation or T4P-dependent motility. These results shed light on the bifurcation of PilB functions and its pivotal role in coordinating biofilm formation and T4P-mediated motility.