bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brent Technique of Repair Versus Nagata Auricular Reconstruction for Microtia Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yturralde Kylee J. , Le Paulina B. , Martinez O. Parker , Chen Elliott 
Published: September 2023

Background:
Up to 17.4 in every 10,000 births are affected by microtia, but no consensus exists on a gold standard technique for autogenous repair. In this study, the authors compare 2 common methods—the Brent and Nagata autogenous costal cartilage ear reconstruction techniques. A systematic review of the literature and a quantitative meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of these 2 approaches were performed. The outcomes analyzed included rates of infection, necrosis, cartilage exposure, cartilage resorption, hematoma, wire extrusion, and hypertrophic scar.

Methods:
A MEDLINE database systematic review with the following keywords: microtia, Brent, and Nagata was performed. Case reports and articles without original data or patient outcomes were excluded. Inclusion methods for study selection are outlined in Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/SCS/F461, below. The prevalence of outcomes for each study was analyzed through meta-analysis of proportions using Stata.

Results:
A total of 536 potential studies were retrieved for review. Twelve of these studies met inclusion criteria. Four studies utilized the Brent method of repair with the inclusion of 563 ear reconstructions. Nine studies implemented the Nagata technique in 2304 reconstructions. Two studies directly compared the Brent (327 ears) and Nagata (471 ears) techniques. The calculated rate and 95% confidence intervals are summarized in Supplemental Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/SCS/F461. There were no statistically significant differences in complication rates between the Brent and Nagata microtic reconstruction techniques identified in this study.

Conclusions:
The Brent and Nagata microtia reconstruction techniques have no difference in the risk of infection, necrosis, cartilage exposure, cartilage resorption, hematoma, wire extrusion, or hypertrophic scars.
Trocar Site Location in Laparoscopic Appendectomy—A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Gundogan Ersin , Carkit Sedat , Cinar Olcay , Azar Ramazan , Donder Yunus , Karaagac Mustafa , Ertan Tamer 
Published: September 2023

Introduction:
Laparoscopic appendectomy has been used in the treatment of appendicitis, which is among the most common emergency pathologies worldwide. There is no consensus on the best trocar entry sites. The purpose of the present study was to compare various trocar entry sites in the literature and to find the localization with the optimal usage area.

Methods:
Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between 2021 and 2022 were randomized into 4 groups and included in the study. The demographic data, perioperative, and postoperative findings of the patients were evaluated.

Results:
A total of 200 patients participated in the study and 73% were male. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of demographic data, preoperative findings, length of stay, and complications of the patients. However, when the mean surgery times of the groups were examined (47.2±26.9, 58.4±23.1, 54.5±18.3, 55.8±18.6 min), it was observed that this period was less in Group 1 (P=0.02). When the postoperative Visual Analogue Scale values were analyzed (4.8±2.2, 6.2±1.7, 5.5±2.0, and 5.8±1.9), Group 1 was found to be less painful (P=0.00001).

Conclusion:
When the surgical procedure is optimized and environmental factors are homogenized, Group 1 trocar entry sites seem advantageous for the procedure in terms of postoperative patient pain scale and operation times.
Mid-term Outcomes of Nissen Fundoplication Versus Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass for Primary Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients With Obesity
Authors: Colvin Jennifer S. , Jalilvand Anahita D. , Um Phoebe , Noria Sabrena F. , Needleman Bradley J. , O’Neill Sean M. , Perry Kyle A. 
Published: September 2023

Introduction:
The efficacy and outcomes of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in patients with obesity is controversial. Specifically, concerns regarding long-term outcomes and recurrence in the setting of obesity has led to interest in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Methods:
In this retrospective cohort study, we studied patients with obesity who underwent either LNF or RYGB for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Baseline demographics, clinical variables, operative outcomes, and symptom severity scores were compared.

Results:
Baseline demographics, operative outcomes, and quality-of-life scores were similar. Proton pump inhibitor usage, quality-of-life, symptom severity scores, and satisfaction with the operation were similar between groups at mid-term follow-up.

Discussion:
RYGB and LNF produced similar improvements in disease-specific quality of life with similar rates of complications, side effects, and need for reoperation. This demonstrates that RYGB and LNF represent possible options for surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in obese patients.
Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair With Sleeve Gastrectomy: Impact on Gastroesophageal Reflux?
Authors: Kumar Arun , Madhav Jarapala V. , Singla Vitish , Monga Sukhda , Aggarwal Sandeep 
Published: September 2023

Background:
Hiatal hernia (HH), whenever encountered during sleeve gastrectomy (SG), needs to be addressed because of its strong association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the mid-term to long-term effects of hiatal hernia repair (HHR) on GERD remain unclear.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional observational analysis of patients who underwent SG + HHR and had completed at least 1 year of follow-up. The preoperative data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. Of the 590 patients who underwent SG, 63 patients (10.7%) with concomitant HHR were assessed for the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and symptoms of GERD using the GERD-Q questionnaire.

Results:
Of the 63 patients, 11 were lost to follow-up, and one underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for HH recurrence and severe reflux. The remaining 51 patients were assessed at a mean follow-up of 3.7±2.0 years. Of these, 51% (26/51) patients had preoperative reflux symptoms. On follow-up, 69.2% (18/26) had complete resolution with significant improvement in their GERD-Q scores (9.8±3.1 to 6.5±2.1; P=0.001), while 76.2% (16/21) of patients were off the PPIs. The incidence of de novo GERD was found in 20% (5/25) of the patients.

Conclusions:
In patients of morbid obesity with HH, concomitant HHR with SG leads to improvement of the reflux symptoms in more than two-thirds of the patients, besides alleviating the use of PPIs.
A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality II
Authors: Herby Jonas , Jonung Lars , Hanke Steve H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the effect of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality based on available empirical evidence. Lockdowns are defined as the imposition of at least one compulsory, non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI). We employ a systematic search and screening procedure in which 19,646 studies are identified that could potentially address the purpose of our study. After three levels of screening, 32 studies qualified. Of those, estimates from 22 studies could be converted to standardized measures for inclusion in the meta-analysis. They are separated into three groups: lockdown stringency index studies, shelter-in-place-order (SIPO) studies, and specific NPI studies. Stringency index studies find that the average lockdown in Europe and the United States in the spring of 2020 only reduced COVID-19 mortality by 3.2%. This translates into approximately 6,000 avoided deaths in Europe and 4,000 in the United States. SIPOs were also relatively ineffective in the spring of 2020, only reducing COVID-19 mortality by 2.0%. This translates into approximately 4,000 avoided deaths in Europe and 3,000 in the United States. Based on specific NPIs, we estimate that the average lockdown in Europe and the United States in the spring of 2020 reduced COVID-19 mortality by 10.7%. This translates into approximately 23,000 avoided deaths in Europe and 16,000 in the United States. In comparison, there are approximately 72,000 flu deaths in Europe and 38,000 flu deaths in the United States each year. When checked for potential biases, our results are robust. Our results are also supported by the natural experiments we have been able to identify. The results of our meta-analysis support the conclusion that lockdowns in the spring of 2020 had little to no effect on COVID-19 mortality. This result is consistent with the view that voluntary changes in behavior, such as social distancing, did play an important role in mitigating the pandemic.
Imaging of existing and newly translated proteins elucidates mechanisms of sarcomere turnover
Authors: Douvdevany Guy , Erlich Itai , Haimovich-Caspi Lilac , Mashiah Tomer , Prondzynski Maksymilian , Pricolo Maria Rosaria , Alegre-Cebollada Jorge , Linke Wolfgang A. , Carrier Lucie , Kehat Izhak 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundHow the sarcomeric complex is continuously turned-over in long-living cardiomyocytes is unclear. According to the prevailing model of sarcomere maintenance, sarcomeres are maintained by cytoplasmic soluble protein pools with free recycling between pools and sarcomeres.MethodsWe imaged and quantified the turnover of expressed and endogenous sarcomeric proteins, including the giant protein titin, in cardiomyocytes in culture and in vivo, at the single cell and at the single sarcomere level using pulse-chase labeling of Halo-tagged proteins with covalent ligands.ResultsWe disprove the prevailing ‘protein pool’ model and instead show an ordered mechanism in which only newly translated proteins enter the sarcomeric complex while older ones are removed and degraded. We also show that degradation is independent of protein age, and that proteolytic extraction is a rate limiting step in the turnover. We show that replacement of sarcomeric proteins occurs at a similar rate within cells and across the heart and is slower in adult cells.ConclusionsOur findings establish a ‘unidirectional replacement’ model for cardiac sarcomeres subunit replacement and identify their turnover principles.
Black women in medical education publishing: Bibliometric and testimonio accounts using intersectionality methodology
Authors: Seide Witzard , Maggio Lauren A. , Artino Anthony R. , Leroux Todd , Konopasky Abigail 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundBlack women in academic medicine experience racial and gender discrimination, all while being tasked with improving a flawed system. Representation of Black women in medicine remains low, yet they bear the burden of fostering diversity and mentoring trainees, exacerbating their minority tax and emotional labor, and negatively impacting career progression.ObjectiveTo complement qualitative accounts of Black women authors in the medical education literature with a quantitative account of their representation.DesignAn intersectional methodology employing bibliometric analysis and testimonio reflection.SubjectsUS-based authors of journal articles published in medical education journals between 2000 and 2020.Main measuresAuthor race was determined using a probability-based algorithm incorporating US Census data, and author gender was ascribed using Social Security Administration records. We conducted two negative binomial generalized linear models by first and last author publications. Metadata for each article was retrieved from Web of Science and PubMed to include author names, country of institutional affiliation, and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Results were contextualized via the “testimonio” account of a Black woman author.Key ResultsOf 21,945 unique authors, Black women (and other racially minoritized groups) published far fewer first and last authors papers than white women and men. In addition, major MeSH terms used by Black women authors reveal little overlap of highly ranked medical education topics. The testimonio further narrated struggles with belonging and racial identity.ConclusionBlack women are underrepresented in medical education publishing and feel a lack of belonging. We believe that dismantling oppressive structures in the publishing ecosystem and the field is imperative for achieving equity. Additionally, further experiential accounts are needed to contextualize this quantitative account and understand oppression in medical education publishing.
The Egg-Counter: A novel microfluidic platform for characterization ofCaenorhabditis elegansegg-laying
Authors: Banse Stephen A. , Jarrett Cody M. , Robinson Kristin J. , Blue Benjamin W. , Shaw Emily L. , Phillips Patrick C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractReproduction is a fundamental process that shapes the demography of every living organism yet is often difficult to assess with high precision in animals that produce large numbers of offspring. Here, we present a novel microfluidic research platform for studyingCaenorhabditis elegans’egg-laying. The platform provides higher throughput than traditional solid-media assays while providing a very high degree of temporal resolution. Additionally, the environmental control enabled by microfluidic animal husbandry allows for experimental perturbations difficult to achieve with solid-media assays. We demonstrate the platform’s utility by characterizingC. elegansegg-laying behavior at two commonly used temperatures, 15 and 20°C. As expected, we observed a delayed onset of egg-laying at 15°C degrees, consistent with published temperature effects on development rate. Additionally, as seen in solid media studies, egg laying output was higher under the canonical 20°C conditions. While we validated the Egg-Counter with a study of temperature effects in wild-type animals, the platform is highly adaptable to any nematode egg-laying research where throughput or environmental control needs to be maximized without sacrificing temporal resolution.
A pan-MHC reference graph with 246 fully contiguous phased sequences
Authors: Huijse Liza , Adams Solomon M. , Burton Joshua N. , David Julianne K. , Julian Russell S. , Meshulam-Simon Galit , Mickalide Harry , Tafesse Bersabeh D. , Calonga-Solís Verónica , Wolf Ivan Rodrigo , Morrison Ashby J. , Augusto Danillo G. , Endlich Solomon 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a region of the human genome that is key to immune system function but sometimes refractory to genomic analyses due to extreme polymorphism and structural variation. We performed targeted long-read sequencing andde novoassembly of MHC to create 246 highly accurate, fully contiguous, and phased full-length sequences, mostly from data provided by the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC). We identified alleles at high resolution across 39 loci including the class I and II HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genes, discovering 1,246 putative novel allele sequences. We identified copy number variation in theC4AandC4Bgenes and found significant linkage disequilibrium betweenC4A∼C4Bhaplotypes and 14 MHC loci. We build our sequences into a novel “pan-MHC” reference graph, and we demonstrate that this improves the accuracy of short-read variant calling. Our haplotypes and graph contain significantly more population diversity than preexisting MHC sequences, thus improving the prospects for global health equity in this clinically important genomic region.
Intervertebral Disc Elastography to Relate Shear Modulus and Relaxometry in Compression and Bending
Authors: Davis Zachary R. , Gossett Paull C. , Wilson Robert L. , Kim Woong , Mei Yue , Butz Kent D. , Emery Nancy C. , Nauman Eric A. , Avril Stéphane , Neu Corey P. , Chan Deva D. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTIntervertebral disc degeneration is the most recognized cause of low back pain, characterized by the decline of tissue structure and mechanics. Image-based mechanical parameters (e.g., strain, stiffness) may provide an ideal assessment of disc function that is lost with degeneration but unfortunately remains underdeveloped. Moreover, it is unknown whether strain or stiffness of the disc may be predicted by MRI relaxometry (e.g.T1orT2), an increasingly accepted quantitative measure of disc structure. In this study, we quantifiedT1andT2relaxation times and in-plane strains using displacement-encoded MRI within the disc under physiological levels of compression and bending. We then estimated shear modulus in orthogonal image planes and compared these values to relaxation times and strains within regions of the disc. Intratissue strain depended on the loading mode, and shear modulus in the nucleus pulposus was typically an order of magnitude lower than the annulus fibrosis, except in bending, where the apparent stiffness depended on the loading. Relative shear moduli estimated from strain data derived under compression generally did not correspond with those from bending experiments, with no correlations in the sagittal plane and only 4 of 15 regions correlated in the coronal plane, suggesting that future inverse models should incorporate multiple loading conditions. Strain imaging and strain-based estimation of material properties may serve as imaging biomarkers to distinguish healthy and diseased discs. Additionally, image-based elastography and relaxometry may be viewed as complementary measures of disc structure and function to assess degeneration in longitudinal studies.
Exploration of the main active metabolites fromTinospora crispa(L.) Hook. f. & Thomson stem as insulin sensitizer in L6.C11 skeletal muscle cell by integratingin vitro, metabolomics, and molecular docking
Authors: Zuhri Ummu Mastna , Yuliana Nancy Dewi , Fadilah Fadilah , Erlina Linda , Purwaningsih Erni Hernawati , Khatib Alfi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceTinospora crispa(L.) Hook. f. & Thomson stem (TCS) has long been used as folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Previous study revealed that TCS possesses multi-ingredients and multi-targets characteristic potential as insulin sensitizer activity. However, its mechanisms of action and molecular targets are still obscure.Aim of the studyIn the present study, we investigated the effects of TCS against insulin resistance in muscle cells through integratingin vitroexperiment and identifying its active biomarker using metabolomics and in molecular docking validation.Materials and methodsWe used centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) to isolate 33 fractions from methanolic extract of TCS, and then used UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS to identify the detectable metabolites in each fraction. We assessed the insulin sensitization activity of each fraction using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and then used confocal immunocytochemistry microscopy to measure the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the cell membrane. The identified active metabolites were further simulated for its molecular docking interaction using Autodock Tools.ResultsThe polar fractions of TCS significantly increased insulin sensitivity, as measured by the inhibition of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 (pIRS1) at serine-312 residue (ser312) also the increasing number of translocated GLUT4 and glycogen content. We identified 58 metabolites of TCS, including glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and nucleotides groups. The metabolomics and molecular docking simulations showed the presence of minor metabolites consisting of tinoscorside D, higenamine, and tinoscorside A as the active compounds.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that TCS is a promising new treatment for insulin resistance and the identification of the active metabolites in TCS could lead to the development of new drugs therapies for diabetes that target these pathways.HighlightsTCS attenuated insulin resistance in skeletal muscle through lowering IRS ser312 phosphorylation, increasing translocation of GLUT4 and glycogen content.Tinoscorside D, tinoscorside A, and higenamine were identified as the primary bioactive compounds of TCS.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Improves Metabolic Disease in a Pre-clinical Model of Lipodystrophy
Authors: Roumane Ahlima , Mcilroy George D. , Sommer Nadine , Han Weiping , Heisler Lora K. , Rochford Justin J. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTIndividuals with lipodystrophies typically suffer from significant metabolic disease linked to adipose tissue dysfunction including severe insulin resistance and lipoatrophic diabetes, hepatic steatosis and hyperphagia. Current treatment options are limited and beter therapies for affected individuals are urgently needed. No systematic, detailed analyses exist of the effects of glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists in the treatment of lipoatrophic diabetes. Here we examined the effects of the GLP-1R agonist liraglutide in seipin knockout mice, a pre-clinical model of generalised lipodystrophy. Acute liraglutide treatment of seipin knockout mice significantly improved insulin, glucose and pyruvate tolerance. Once-daily injection of seipin knockout mice with liraglutide for 14 days led to a modest reduction in food intake but significant improvements in hepatomegaly associated with steatosis and significantly reduced markers of liver fibrosis. Detailed examination of the pancreas revealed that liraglutide enhanced insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge with concomitantly improved glucose control. Thus, GLP-1R agonist liraglutide significantly improved multiple aspects of lipoatrophic diabetes and hepatic steatosis in mice with congenital generalised lipodystrophy. This provides important insights regarding the benefits of GLP-1R agonists for treating lipodystrophy, informing more widespread use to improve the health of individuals with this condition.
Determination of hydrogen bonds in Gromacs: new implementation to overcome the limitation
Authors: Gorelov S.V. , Titov A. I. , Tolicheva O.A. , Konevega A. L. , Shvetsov A. V. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis work describes a new software algorithm associated with determination of hydrogen bonds in biomacromolecules and their environment. The already existing algorithm for determining hydrogen bond networks in Gromacs has a number of impenetrable limitations in the analysis of structures and trajectories. The new implementation of the algorithm for determining hydrogen bond networks in the form of a native Gromacs trajectory analysis module allows to quickly analyze molecular dynamics trajectories without restrictions, thereby overcoming the limitation of original algorithm.The application of the developed algorithm made it possible to obtain and analyze the networks of hydrogen bonds of the studied defensin-like protein Pentadiplandra brazzeana, as well as to study the lifetime of hydrogen bonds between the residues of this protein and water molecules. The data obtained using the new implementation coincided with the experimental one.TOC Graphic