bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An experimental medicine study of the effects of simvastatin on emotional processing, reward learning, verbal memory, and inflammation in healthy volunteers
Authors: De Giorgi Riccardo , Quinton Alice M. G. , Waters Shona , Cowen Philip J. , Harmer Catherine J. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Rationale
Clinical studies suggest that the highly lipophilic, anti-inflammatory molecule, simvastatin, might be an ideal candidate for drug repurposing in the treatment of depression. The neuropsychological effects of simvastatin are not known, but their ascertainment would have significant translational value about simvastatin’s influence on mood and cognition.

Objectives
We aimed to investigate the effects of simvastatin on a battery of psychological tests and inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers.

Methods
Fifty-three healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 7 days of either simvastatin (N = 27) or sucrose-based placebo (N = 26) given in a double-blind fashion. Then, participants were administered questionnaires measuring subjective rates of mood and anxiety, and a battery of tasks assessing emotional processing, reward learning, and verbal memory. Blood samples for C-reactive protein were also collected.

Results
Compared to placebo, participants on simvastatin showed a higher number of positively valenced intrusions in the emotional recall task (F1,51 = 4.99, p = 0.03), but also an increase in anxiety scores (F1,51 = 5.37, p = 0.02). An exploratory analysis of the females’ subgroup (N = 27) showed lower number of misclassifications as sad facial expression in the simvastatin arm (F1,25 = 6.60, p = 0.02). No further statistically significant changes could be observed on any of the other outcomes measured.

Conclusions
We found limited evidence that 7-day simvastatin use in healthy volunteer induces a positive emotional bias while also being associated with an increase in anxiety, potentially reflecting the early effects of antidepressants in clinical practice. Such effect might be more evident in female subjects. Different drug dosages, treatment lengths, and sample selection need consideration in further experimental medicine and clinical studies.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04652089.
Crossing and selection of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains for biotechnological glycolate production
Authors: Schad Antonia , Rössler Sonja , Nagel Raimund , Wagner Heiko , Wilhelm Christian 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
As an alternative to chemical building blocks derived from algal biomass, the excretion of glycolate has been proposed. This process has been observed in green algae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a product of the photorespiratory pathway. Photorespiration generally occurs at low CO2 and high O2 concentrations, through the key enzyme RubisCO initiating the pathway via oxygenation of 1.5-ribulose-bisphosphate. In wild-type strains, photorespiration is usually suppressed in favour of carboxylation due to the cellular carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) controlling the internal CO2 concentration. Additionally, newly produced glycolate is directly metabolized in the C2 cycle. Therefore, both the CCMs and the C2 cycle are the key elements which limit the glycolate production in wild-type cells. Using conventional crossing techniques, we have developed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii double mutants deficient in these two key pathways to direct carbon flux to glycolate excretion. Under aeration with ambient air, the double mutant D6 showed a significant and stable glycolate production when compared to the non-producing wild type. Interestingly, this mutant can act as a carbon sink by fixing atmospheric CO2 into glycolate without requiring any additional CO2 supply. Thus, the double-mutant strain D6 can be used as a photocatalyst to produce chemical building blocks and as a future platform for algal-based biotechnology.

Key Points
• Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cia5 gyd double mutants were developed by sexual crossing
• The double mutation eliminates the need for an inhibitor in glycolate production
• The strain D6 produces significant amounts of glycolate with ambient air only
Os acromiale: prevalence and associated patient-related factors—a population-based study of three thousand and fifty participants
Authors: Fischer Cornelius Sebastian , Floß Matthias , Ittermann Till , Bülow Robin , Völzke Henry , Ahrend Marc-Daniel , Lange Jörn 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Purpose
The presence of os acromiale is of clinical relevance before performing shoulder surgery but ethnic differences and little information regarding associated factors seem to be present. Population-based studies to clarify these topics are essential so the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, anatomy, and associations of os acromiale in a general adult population.

Methods
Both shoulders of 3050 participants from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Associations with the os acromiale were calculated for sex, age, body height, body weight, and heavy mechanical oscillations on the upper extremity.

Results
In total, 1.9% (58/3050) had an os acromiale, while 21 were unilateral left, 23 were unilateral right, and 14 were bilateral. Sixty-eight meso-acromions, three pre-acromions, and one meta-acromion were detected. Os acromiale were more frequent in men (right side: p = 0.037, left side: p = 0.005). Overall, no differences in sides (p = 0.808), to participants’ age (right: p = 0.993, left: p = 0.499), body height (right side: p = 0.241, left side: p = 0.154), and the exposure to heavy mechanical oscillations on the upper extremity (right: p = 0.054, left: p = 0.117) were detected.

Conclusion
Our results support the genetic theory for the aetiology of the os acromiale due to the lower prevalence of the os acromiale in north-eastern Germany compared to the worldwide prevalence (1.9 to 7%) and the lacking association to lifestyle, age, gender, or sides. Additionally, it is important to be aware of possible os acromiale before surgery.
A new algebraic approach to genome rearrangement models
Authors: Terauds Venta , Sumner Jeremy 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe present a unified framework for modelling genomes and their rearrangements in a genome algebra, as elements that simultaneously incorporate all physical symmetries. Building on previous work utilising the group algebra of the symmetric group, we explicitly construct the genome algebra for the case of unsigned circular genomes with dihedral symmetry and show that the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of genome rearrangement distance can be validly and more efficiently performed in this setting. We then construct the genome algebra for a more general case, that is, for genomes that may be represented by elements of an arbitrary group and symmetry group, and show that the MLE computations can be performed entirely within this framework. There is no prescribed model in this framework; that is, it allows any choice of rearrangements that preserve the set of regions, along with arbitrary weights. Further, since the likelihood function is built from path probabilities—a generalisation of path counts—the framework may be utilised for any distance measure that is based on path probabilities.
Instantaneous flame front identification by Mie scattering vs. OH PLIF in low turbulence Bunsen flame
Authors: Zheng Yutao , Weller Lee , Hochgreb Simone 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Simultaneous OH-PLIF and Mie scatter imaging were used to investigate turbulent premixed flame edge detection under a range of turbulence characteristics on a stabilised piloted Bunsen burner. A 527 nm wavelength laser beam is used to generate a Mie scattering sheet at 500 Hz, and a 283 nm wavelength laser sheet is created using 355 nm wavelength laser to pump an optical parametric oscillator to induce florescence from OH radicals at 5 Hz. A phase-locking technique is applied to synchronize and lock the two laser systems. The number density method has been used to detect flame edges in Mie scattering images, and three algorithms were applied to OH-PLIF images as a reference. A comparison of the methods and different parameter setting is made by using the metrics of location difference, flame surface density and curvature of flame edges. The processed data show that once a well-tuned window size is determined by applying the number density method, averaged spatial differences between Mie scattering images and OH-PLIF images are of the order of or smaller than the laminar flame thickness, demonstrating that under these conditions, high frequency Mie scatter measurements can be used as well as OH-PLIF images to define the flame edge at that spatial resolution. The positive result confirms that double-frame Mie scattering allows the measurement of high frequency conditional velocity distributions and flame properties simultaneously using solely Mie scattering, provided that the particle density is suitably designed to be around 16 px$$^2$$

2

per particle.

Graphic Abstract
Factors affecting mechanical complications of central venous access devices in children
Authors: Zhang Jessica J. , Nataraja Ramesh M. , Lynch Amiria , Barnes Richard , Ferguson Peter , Pacilli Maurizio 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Factors leading to mechanical complications following insertion of central venous access devices (CVADs) in children are poorly understood. We aimed to quantify the rates and elucidate the mechanisms of these complications.

Methods
Retrospective (2016–2021) review of children (< 18 years old) receiving a CVAD. Data, reported as number of cases (%) and median (IQR), were analysed by Fisher’s exact test, chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis.

Results
In total, 317 CVADs (245 children) were inserted. Median age was 5.0 (8.9) years, with 116 (47%) females. There were 226 (71%) implantable port devices and 91 (29%) Hickman lines. Overall, 54 (17%) lines had a mechanical complication after 0.4 (0.83) years from insertion: fracture 19 (6%), CVAD migration 14 (4.4%), occlusion 14 (4.4%), port displacement 6 (1.9%), and skin tethering to port device 1 (0.3%). Younger age and lower weight were associated with higher risk of complications (p < 0.0001). Hickman lines had a higher incidence of complications compared to implantable port devices [24/91 (26.3%) vs 30/226 (13.3%); p = 0.008].

Conclusion
Mechanical complications occur in 17% of CVADs at a median of < 6 months after insertion. Risk factors include younger age and lower weight. Implantable port devices have a lower complications rate.

Level of evidence
Level 4: case-series with no comparison group.
Surgical treatment of mechanical bowel obstruction: characteristics and outcomes of geriatric patients compared to a younger cohort
Authors: Paul Christian J. J. , Dohmen Jonas , van Beekum Cornelius J. , Willis Maria A. , Braun Lara , Kalff Jörg C. , Willms Arnulf G. , Vilz Tim O. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Mechanical bowel obstruction (MBO) is one of the most common indications for emergency surgery. Recent research justifies the method of attempting 3–5 days of nonoperative treatment before surgery. However, little is known about specific characteristics of geriatric patients undergoing surgery compared to a younger cohort. We aimed to analyze patients with MBO that required surgery, depending on their age, to identify potential targets for use in the reduction in complications and mortality in the elderly.

Methods
Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality were determined as primary outcome. We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent surgery for MBO at the University Hospital of Bonn between 2009 and 2019 and divided them into non-geriatric (40–74 years, n = 224) and geriatric (≥ 75 years, n = 88) patients, using the chi-squared-test and Mann–Whitney U test for statistical analysis.

Results
We found that geriatric patients had higher 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates than non-geriatric patients. As secondary outcome, we found that they experienced a longer length of stay (LOS) and higher complication rates than non-geriatric patients. Geriatric patients who suffered from large bowel obstruction (LBO) had a higher rate of bowel resection, stoma creation, and a higher 30-day mortality rate. The time from admission to surgery was not shown to be crucial for the outcome of (geriatric) patients.

Conclusion
Geriatric patients suffering from mechanical bowel obstruction that had to undergo surgery had higher mortality and morbidity than non-geriatric patients. Especially in regard to geriatric patients, clinicians should treat patients in a risk-adapted rather than time-adapted manner, and conditions should be optimized before surgery.
Wertigkeit der CT und des transthorakalen Lungenultraschalls bei PatientInnen mit systemischer Sklerose
Authors: Grohs M. , Moazedi-Fuerst F. C. , Flick H. , Hackner K. , Haidmayer A. , Handzhiev S. , Kiener H. , Löffler-Ragg J. , Mathis G. , Mostbeck G. , Schindler O. , Widmann G. , Prosch H. 
Published: May 2022

ZusammenfassungDie Lungenbeteiligung ist die häufigste Todesursache bei Patienten mit systemischer Sklerose (SSc). Da eine Lungenbeteiligung häufig asymptomatisch ist, wird derzeit empfohlen, bei allen Patienten mit einer neu diagnostizierten SSc eine Thorax-CT durchzuführen. Uneinigkeit herrscht derzeit darüber, wie SSc-Patienten, bei denen zum Diagnosezeitpunkt keine Lungenbeteiligung gefunden wurde, weiterverfolgt werden sollen. Basierend auf einem Konsensus österreichischer Rheumatologen, Pneumologen und Radiologen, wird empfohlen, bei asymptomatischen PatientInnen mit einer negativen CT zum Zeitpunkt der Erstdiagnose jährlich transthorakale Ultraschalluntersuchungen sowie Lungenfunktionsuntersuchungen alle 6 bis 12 Monate durchzuführen. Bei Vorliegen eines positiven Lungenultraschallbefundes wird eine ergänzende CT zur weiterführenden Abklärung empfohlen. Aufgrund der Datenlage werden bei PatientInnen mit einem höheren Risiko, definiert durch entsprechende Risikofaktoren, jährliche CT-Verlaufskontrollen empfohlen.
Dietary score associations with markers of chronic low-grade inflammation: a cross-sectional comparative analysis of a middle- to older-aged population
Authors: Millar Seán R. , Navarro Pilar , Harrington Janas M. , Shivappa Nitin , Hébert James R. , Perry Ivan J. , Phillips Catherine M. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To assess relationships between the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean Diet (MD), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII™) scores and pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, acute-phase response proteins, coagulation factors and white blood cells.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 1862 men and women aged 46–73 years, randomly selected from a large primary care centre in Ireland. DASH, MD, DII and E-DII scores were derived from validated food frequency questionnaires. Correlation and multivariate-adjusted linear regression analyses with correction for multiple testing were performed to examine dietary score relationships with biomarker concentrations.

Results
In fully adjusted models, higher diet quality or a less pro-inflammatory diet was associated with lower concentrations of c-reactive protein, neutrophils (all dietary scores), complement component 3 [C3], interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], white blood cell count [WBC], the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR] (DASH, DII and E-DII), monocytes (DASH and DII) and resistin (DII and E-DII). After accounting for multiple testing, relationships with C3 (DASH: β = − 2.079, p = .011 and DII: β = 2.521, p = .036), IL-6 (DASH: β = − 0.063, p = .011), TNF-α (DASH: β = − 0.027, p = .034), WBC (DASH: β = − 0.028, p = .001 and DII: β = 0.029, p = .02), neutrophils (DASH: β = − 0.041, p = .001; DII: β = 0.043, p = .007; E-DII: β = 0.029, p = .009) and the NLR (DASH: β = − 0.035, p = .011) persisted.

Conclusions
Better diet quality, determined by the DASH score, may be more closely associated with inflammatory biomarkers related to health in middle- to older-aged adults than the MD, DII and E-DII scores.
Surgical management of tympanojugular paragangliomas using the flexible CO2 laser
Authors: Hackenberg Stephan , Meyer Till Jasper , Häfner Johannes , Scheich Matthias , Stöth Manuel , Al-Tinawi Fadi , Neun Tilmann , Mlynski Robert , Hagen Rudolf , Scherzad Agmal 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Surgery is a standard therapy for tympanojugular paragangliomas (TJP). Maintaining the quality of life (QoL) requires functional preservation. The flexible CO2 laser allows contact-free tumor removal. This retrospective study compares the postoperative functional outcomes of TJP surgery with and without the flexible CO2 laser.

Methods
Between 2005 and 2019, 51 patients with TJP were surgically treated at a tertiary hospital. Until 2012, 17 patients received conventional surgery. Thereafter, the flexible laser was used in 34 patients. Tumor extend, pre- and postoperative cranial nerve function, and complications were compared between the groups.

Results
The cohort consisted of 33 class A and B tumors and 18 class C and D tumors. Preoperative embolization was performed in 17 cases. Class C/D TJP were usually removed via an infratemporal fossa type A approach. Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 14/18 class C/D tumors. 3/51 patients suffered from long-term partial or complete facial palsy. No differences in post-therapeutic cranial nerve function or complications were noted between the conventional and laser group. One recurrence was observed after complete tumor resection.

Conclusion
The flexible CO2 laser was shown to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional bipolar cauterization, which is appreciated by the surgeon in these highly vascularized tumors. Both techniques allowed a high tumor control rate and good long-term results also from a functional point of view.
Prevalence and In-hospital outcomes of diabetes among acute ischemic stroke patients in china: results from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance
Authors: Hu Guoliang , Gu Hongqiu , Jiang Yingyu , Yang Xin , Wang Chunjuan , Jiang Yong , Li Zixiao , Wang Yongjun , Wang Yilong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Patients with ischemic stroke and diabetes are classified as extreme risk for secondary prevention, with much attention and specific management. However, the up-to-date information regarding the burden of diabetes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is lacking in China, and evidence for an association between diabetes and in-hospital outcomes after AIS remains controversial.

Methods
This quality improvement study was conducted at 1,476 participating hospitals in the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance between 2015 and 2019. Prevalence of diabetes was evaluated in the overall study population and different subgroups. The association between diabetes and in-hospital outcomes in AIS patients was analyzed by using multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score-matched analysis.

Results
Of 838,229 patients with AIS, 286,252 (34.2%) had diabetes/possible diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes was higher in women than in men (37.6% versus 32.1%). Patients with diabetes/possible diabetes had higher rates of adverse in-hospital outcomes than those without. Multivariable analysis revealed a significant association between diabetes/possible diabetes and adverse in-hospital outcomes (all-cause mortality: odds ratio [OR], 1.30 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–1.38]; major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs): OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.06–1.10]) in AIS patients. The excess risk of in-hospital outcomes still remained in AIS patients with diabetes/possible diabetes after propensity score-matching analysis (all-cause mortality: OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.17–1.35]; MACEs: OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.05–1.10]).

Conclusion
Diabetes was highly prevalent among AIS patients in China and associated with worse in-hospital outcomes. Greater efforts to increase targeted approach to secondary prevention treatments of diabetes in AIS patients are warranted.
PERSEUS-IT 24-month analysis: a prospective observational study to assess the effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept in routine clinical practice in Italy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Nicolò Massimo , Ciucci Francesco , Nardi Marco , Parolini Barbara , Russo Andrea , Scupola Andrea , Torregrossa Salvatore , Vadalà Maria ,   on behalf of the PERSEUS-IT study investigators
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
PERSEUS-IT (NCT02289924) was a prospective, observational, 2-year study evaluating the effectiveness and treatment patterns of intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in routine clinical practice in Italy.

Methods
Treatment-naïve patients with nAMD receiving IVT-AFL per routine clinical practice were enrolled. The primary endpoint was mean change in visual acuity (VA; decimals) from baseline to month (M) 12 and M24. Outcomes were evaluated for the overall study population and independently for the 2 treatment cohorts: regular (3 initial monthly doses, ≥ 7 injections by M12, and ≥ 4 injections between M12 and M24) and irregular (any other pattern).

Results
Of 813 patients enrolled, 709 were included in the full analysis set (FAS); VA assessments were available for 342 patients at M12 (FAS1Y, 140 regular and 202 irregular) and 233 patients at M24 (FAS2Y, 37 regular and 196 irregular). In the overall FAS, the mean ± SD change in VA from baseline to M12 and M24 was + 0.09 ± 0.24 and + 0.02 ± 0.25 decimals, and there was a statistically significant difference between the regular and irregular cohorts in both FAS1Y (p = 0.0034) and FAS2Y (p = 0.0222). Ocular treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 4.1% (n = 33/810 [safety set]) of patients.

Conclusion
In PERSEUS-IT, clinically relevant functional and anatomic improvements were observed within the first 12 months of IVT-AFL treatment in routine clinical practice in Italy in patients with treatment-naïve nAMD. These gains were generally maintained across the 2-year study. The safety profile of IVT-AFL was consistent with prior studies.

Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02289924.

Date of registration
November 13, 2014.