bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CLASS-II KNOXgenes coordinate spatial and temporal ripening in tomato
Authors: Keren-Keiserman Alexandra , Shtern Amit , Levy Matan , Chalupowicz Daniel , Furumizu Chihiro , Alvarez John Paul , Amsalem Ziva , Arazi Tzahi , Alkalai-Tuvia Sharon , Efroni Idan , Ori Naomi , Bowman John L , Fallik Elazar , Goldshmidt Alexander 
Published: June 2022

AbstractFruits can be divided into dry and fleshy types. Dry fruits mature through senescence and fleshy fruits through ripening. Previous studies have indicated that partially common molecular networks could govern fruit maturation in these different fruit types. However, the nature of such networks remains obscure. CLASS-II KNOX genes were shown to regulate the senescence of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) dry fruits, the siliques, but their roles in fleshy-fruit development are unknown. Here, we investigated the roles of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) CLASS-II KNOX (TKN-II) genes in fleshy fruit ripening using knockout alleles of individual genes and an artificial microRNA line (35S:amiR-TKN-II) simultaneously targeting all genes. 35S:amiR-TKN-II plants, as well as a subset of tkn-II single and double mutants, have smaller fruits. Strikingly, the 35S:amiR-TKN-II and tknII3 tknII7/+ fruits showed early ripening of the locular domain while their pericarp ripening was stalled. Further examination of the ripening marker-gene RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN) expression and 35S:amiR-TKN-II rin-1 mutant fruits suggested that TKN-II genes arrest RIN activity at the locular domain and promote it in the pericarp. These findings imply that CLASS-II KNOX genes redundantly coordinate maturation in both dry and fleshy fruits. In tomato, these genes also control spatial patterns of fruit ripening, utilizing differential regulation of RIN activity at different fruit domains.
Circulating and renal fibrocytes are associated with interstitial fibrosis in lupus nephritis
Authors: Kim Jihye , Go Heounjeong , Lim Joon Seo , Oh Ji Seon , Ahn Soo Min , Kim Yong-Gil , Lee Chang-Keun , Yoo Bin , Hong Seokchan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Fibrocytes, the extracellular matrix-producing cells derived from bone marrow progenitors, contribute to organ fibrosis. We investigated the presence and characteristics of fibrocytes in the peripheral blood and kidney of patients with lupus nephritis (LN), and the association of the abundance of fibrocytes with renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in LN fibrogenesis.

Methods
Fibrocytes were identified with type I collagen (colI), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD34 and CD45 using flow cytometry and confocal imaging. The associations between the levels of fibrocytes and pathological features of patients with LN were analysed. The contribution of RTECs to fibrocyte generation was determined using LN sera-treated HK-2 cells.

Results
Spindle-shaped fibrocytes (colI+α-SMA+CD34+CD45+ cells) were present in the peripheral blood and their abundance was especially high in LN patients with interstitial fibrosis compared with healthy control. Renal fibrocytes (colI+α-SMA+CD45+ cells) were found in the tubulointerstitium in patients with LN, and their numbers were significantly associated with the degrees of chronicity indices including interstitial fibrosis and renal dysfunction. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with supernatants from LN serum-treated HK-2 cells led to a significant generation of fibrocytes, which was abrogated by the addition of IL-6 neutralizing antibody.

Conclusion
Fibrocytes were significantly increased in the blood and kidney tissue of patients with LN, especially those with interstitial fibrosis. Fibrocytes could be differentiated from blood cells, with an active contribution from RTECs. Our results show a possible link between fibrocytes and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which may serve as a novel therapeutic target for LN fibrogenesis.
Behçet syndrome in children and adults: discovering similarities and differences by a comparative study
Authors: Mastrolia Maria Vincenza , Bettiol Alessandra , Marrani Edoardo , Maccora Ilaria , Taddei Emilia , Pagnini Ilaria , Canfora Maria , Emmi Giacomo , Silvestri Elena , Prisco Domenico , Simonini Gabriele 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectiveBehçet’s syndrome (BS) is a rare disorder with a relapsing-remitting course. Clinical variance across geographical regions and different age groups has been observed. This study matched the demographic, clinical and treatment features of adult- and juvenile-onset BS in the Italian population.MethodsTwo clinical databases of BS patients were compared. The paediatric BS database was collected at the Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, while the adult BS database was collected at the Careggi University Hospital, Florence.ResultsA familiar predisposition for BS was significantly more frequent in the paediatric cohort (3/33 vs 1/165, P = 0.015). No difference emerged in terms of prevalence of HLA-B51 positivity. The proportion of patients meeting the revised ICBD and/or the ISG criteria at BS diagnosis was comparable in the two cohorts. No significant difference emerged between the two cohorts in terms of muco-cutaneous, ocular and neurological involvement, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Articular manifestations resulted as more common in the paediatric cohort, whereas venous vascular events were more frequent in the adult cohort. Regarding treatment strategy, paediatric patients more frequently received no treatment or corticosteroid monotherapy. Conversely, the use of DMARDs, both traditional and biologic, was significantly higher in the adult cohort.ConclusionRemarkable differences between juvenile-onset and adult-onset BS, both in terms of gender, familiar predisposition and clinical manifestations have been observed and a different therapeutic approach in the real clinical practice of the two settings emerged. Prospective, comparison studies with a longer follow-up are encouraged to provide further data about the disease course for juvenile- and adult-onset BS.
Potential Biomarker Identification by RNA-Seq Analysis in Antibiotic-Related Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): A Pilot Study
Authors: Teo Ying Xin , Haw Wei Yann , Vallejo Andreas , McGuire Carolann , Woo Jeongmin , Friedmann Peter Simon , Polak Marta Ewa , Ardern-Jones Michael Roger 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
One of the most severe forms of cutaneous adverse drug reactions is “drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms” (DRESS), hence subsequent avoidance of the causal drug is imperative. However, attribution of drug culpability in DRESS is challenging and standard skin allergy tests are not recommended due to patient safety reasons. Whilst incidence of DRESS is relatively low, between 1:1000 and 1:10 000 drug exposures, antibiotics are a commoner cause of DRESS and absence of confirmatory diagnostic test can result in unnecessary avoidance of efficacious treatment. We therefore sought to identify potential biomarkers for development of a diagnostic test in antibiotic-associated DRESS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a “discovery” cohort (n = 5) challenged to causative antibiotic or control were analyzed for transcriptomic profile. A panel of genes was then tested in a validation cohort (n = 6) and compared with tolerant controls and other inflammatory conditions which can clinically mimic DRESS. A scoring system to identify presence of drug hypersensitivity was developed based on gene expression alterations of this panel. The DRESS transcriptomic panel identified antibiotic-DRESS cases in a validation cohort but was not altered in other inflammatory conditions. Machine learning or differential expression selection of a biomarker panel consisting of 6 genes (STAC, GPR183, CD40, CISH, CD4, and CCL8) showed high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 85.7%–100%, respectively) for identification of the culprit drug in these cohorts of antibiotic-associated DRESS. Further work is required to determine whether the same panel can be repeated for larger cohorts, different medications, and other T-cell-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions.
The XadA Trimeric Autotransporter Adhesins in Xylella fastidiosa Differentially Contribute to Cell Aggregation, Biofilm Formation, Insect Transmission and Virulence to Plants
Authors: Feitosa-Junior Oseias R. , Souza Ana Paula S. , Zaini Paulo A. , Baccari Clelia , Ionescu Michael , Pierry Paulo M. , Uceda-Campos Guillermo , Labroussaa Fabien , Almeida Rodrigo P. P. , Lindow Steven E. , da Silva Aline M. 
Published: June 2022

Surface adhesion strategies are widely employed by bacterial pathogens during establishment and systemic spread in their host. A variety of cell-surface appendages such as pili, fimbriae, and afimbrial adhesins are involved in these processes. The phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa employs several of these structures for efficient colonization of its insect and plant hosts. Among the adhesins encoded in the X. fastidiosa genome, three afimbrial adhesins, XadA1, Hsf/XadA2, and XadA3, are predicted to be trimeric autotransporters with a C-terminal YadA-anchor membrane domain. We analyzed the individual contributions of XadA1, XadA2, and XadA3 to various cellular behaviors both in vitro and in vivo. Using isogenic X. fastidiosa mutants, we found that cell-cell aggregation and biofilm formation were severely impaired in the absence of XadA3. No significant reduction of cell-surface attachment was found with any mutant under flow conditions. Acquisition by insect vectors and transmission to grapevines were reduced in the XadA3 deletion mutant. While the XadA3 mutant was hypervirulent in grapevines, XadA1 or XadA2 deletion mutants conferred lower disease severity than the wild-type strain. This insight of the importance of these adhesive proteins and their individual contributions to different aspects of X. fastidiosa biology should guide new approaches to reduce pathogen transmission and disease development. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Circadian clock function does not require the histone methyltransferase MLL3
Authors: Baxter Matthew , Poolman Toryn , Cunningham Peter , Hunter Louise , Voronkov Maria , Kitchen Gareth B. , Goosey Laurence , Begley Nicola , Kay Danielle , Hespe Abby , Maidstone Robert , Loudon Andrew S. I. , Ray David W. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe circadian clock controls the physiological function of tissues through the regulation of thousands of genes in a cell‐type‐specific manner. The core cellular circadian clock is a transcription–translation negative feedback loop, which can recruit epigenetic regulators to facilitate temporal control of gene expression. Histone methyltransferase, mixed lineage leukemia gene 3 (MLL3) was reported to be required for the maintenance of circadian oscillations in cultured cells. Here, we test the role of MLL3 in circadian organization in whole animals. Using mice expressing catalytically inactive MLL3, we show that MLL3 methyltransferase activity is in fact not required for circadian oscillations in vitro in a range of tissues, nor for the maintenance of circadian behavioral rhythms in vivo. In contrast to a previous report, loss of MLL3‐dependent methylation did not affect the global levels of H3K4 methylation in liver, indicating substantial compensation from other methyltransferases. Furthermore, we found little evidence of genomic repositioning of H3K4me3 marks. We did, however, observe repositioning of H3K4me1 from intronic regions to intergenic regions and gene promoters; however, there were no changes in H3K4me1 mark abundance around core circadian clock genes. Output functions of the circadian clock, such as control of inflammation, were largely intact in MLL3‐methyltransferase‐deficient mice, although some gene‐specific changes were observed, with sexually dimorphic loss of circadian regulation of specific cytokines. Taken together, these observations indicate that MLL3‐directed histone methylation is not essential for core circadian clock function; however, it may influence the inflammatory response.
YouTube as a Source of Information on COVID-19 Vaccination and Fertility: A Content Analysis [A330]
Authors: Radoc Jeannie G. , Gonzalez Gabriela , Alkhalaf Zeina , Liu Chi-Mei 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Social media claims of COVID-19 vaccination causing infertility has contributed to vaccine hesitancy among reproductive-aged women. YouTube is the most extensively used video sharing platform, delivering information to 2.3 billion users. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the accuracy, content, and viewership of YouTube videos on COVID-19 vaccines and fertility.

METHODS:
YouTube videos identified using the search term ‘COVID vaccine fertility’ were classified independently by three professionals. Five-point ordinal scales were used to grade reliability and quality. Information regarding source of upload, video content in six pre-defined domains, reasons for vaccine hesitancy in eight pre-defined domains, and various video-viewer interaction metrics were collected.

RESULTS:
Of the 112 videos with cumulative duration of 17.2 hours and viewership of approximately 3.5 million, 16 (14.41%) were from government/professional societies, 41 (36.94%) were from hospitals, 36 (32.43 %) were from News/Commercial organizations, and 18 (16.22%) were from individual users. Videos from government/professional societies were rated more likely to be useful and had the highest quality scores. However, individual accounts had the highest viewership at a median of 286.5 views per day compared to 28.8 views per day for government videos (P<.05). Among videos from government/professional societies, 62.50% reported on pregnancy related complications. In contrast, among individual videos, 66.67% reported on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. Among all videos, the most reported reason for vaccine hesitancy were claims of antibodies disrupting placentation.

CONCLUSION:
Social media websites such as YouTube may provide an accessible platform for disseminating information to reproductive-aged women contemplating COVID-19 vaccination.
Team Performance in High-Fidelity Simulations of Postpartum Hemorrhage Management [A336]
Authors: Buttle Rae A. , Detlefs Sarah , Goffman Dena , Foley Michael R. , Crump Cade , Deering Shad 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality and presents care teams with unique, time-sensitive challenges. Simulation provides a way to evaluate team performance with no risk to patients. Identification of common errors is important to target training and optimize outcomes.

METHODS:
High-fidelity simulation exercises were conducted at a national obstetric critical care conference between 2014 and 2019. A simulated case of a PPH preceded by placental abruption was performed by multidisciplinary teams using high-fidelity simulators. Team performance was evaluated using a standardized checklist of key actions, and each item was scored as “not done”, “poorly done”, or “well done”. Descriptive statistics were then compiled for analysis. The study was reviewed and determined to be exempt by the hospital institutional review board.

RESULTS:
Complete performance data was available for 155 teams. Appropriate diagnosis of etiology of the hemorrhage (uterine atony) and timely recognition of the need for operative management was well done by most teams (91% and 92.3%, respectively). However, a significant number of teams demonstrated poor performance regarding inspection for lacerations (34.2%) and checking for retained products of conception (38.1%). Additionally, poor performance was identified for timely initiation of blood transfusion (11.6%) and activation of a massive transfusion protocol (20.6%).

CONCLUSION:
Thorough assessment of time-sensitive care interventions revealed specific deficits in team performance of PPH. High-fidelity simulation provides opportunities for exposure to obstetric emergency and may help to both target and determine the effectiveness of trainings designed to address these identified performance gaps.
Accessibility of Obstetrician–Gynecologists and Gynecologic Oncologists to the Medicare Population: A State-By-State Analysis [A296]
Authors: Talbott Jennifer , Khurana Aditya , Wasson Megan 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Access to care is a predictor of health outcomes for the aged female population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accessibility of obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) and gynecologic oncologists to the U.S. Medicare population, over time and by state.

METHODS:
The supply of ob-gyns and gynecologic oncologists was extracted from the Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File (POSPUF) database of Medicare Part B claims submitted to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This supply was compared to the number of providers normalized by the number of Original Medicare beneficiaries; values reported are providers per 100,000 beneficiaries by state from 2012 to 2019, obtained from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

RESULTS:
In 2019, the average number of ob-gyns per 100,000 beneficiaries across all states was 67.2 (standard deviation [SD] ±19.3), and ranged from 157.01 (District of Columbia) to 45.39 (Wyoming). The average number of gynecologic oncologists was 2.48 (SD±1.18), and ranged from 6.60 (District of Columbia) to 0.83 (Mississippi). From 2012 to 2019, the average absolute difference in number of ob-gyns across all states was −7.71±8.59 and ranged from+15.74 (Connecticut) to −37.32 (Alaska). For gynecologic oncologists, this difference was+0.10±1.04 and ranged from+5.22 (District of Columbia) to −1.84 (South Dakota).

CONCLUSION:
There is wide geographic variation in the accessibility and growth rate of ob-gyns and GYNONCs for the Medicare population. This provides insight into areas of the country where the supply of ob-gyns and gynecologic oncologists may not meet current and future demand.
Leveraging Quality Improvement to Promote Health Equity: Prenatal Aspirin Recommendations by Race [A303]
Authors: Gross Maya , Hughes Ainsley E. , Sampene Katherine 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Black patients are disproportionately affected by preeclampsia and associated morbidity and mortality. Aspirin (ASA) reduces these risks and the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends ASA for pregnant patients at moderate to high risk for preeclampsia. We aimed to assess whether a quality-improvement intervention to standardize ASA screening and prescription resulted in similar rates of indicated ASA recommendations for patients who self-identified as Black versus non-Black.

METHODS:
Using a quality-improvement framework, we implemented universal prenatal screening according to the USPSTF recommendations for ASA to prevent preeclampsia. We analyzed 201 new OB (NOB) visits pre-intervention and 199 NOB visits 3 months post-intervention. Nurses utilized a checklist created from USPSTF guidelines to identify high-risk patients, defined as having 1 or more high-risk factor or 2 or more moderate-risk factors. ASA orders were signed by physicians. Results were stratified by self-identified Black versus non-Black race.

RESULTS:
Pre-intervention, 88% of Black patients met criteria, and 29% of those patients correctly received a recommendation for ASA. Among non-Black patients, 41% met criteria for ASA, and 27% of those patients a recommendation. Post-intervention, 93% and 41% of Black and non-Black patients met criteria, respectively, with 80% and 79% of those patients, respectively, receiving the recommendation.

CONCLUSION:
A strikingly high percentage of Black patients warrant a recommendation for ASA to reduce preeclampsia risk, as per USPSTF guidelines. Our standardized approach to prenatal screening and prescribing of ASA resulted in similar rates of correct prescriptions for ASA in Black and non-Black patients, suggesting a mechanism for delivering equitable preventative obstetric care.
A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes to Inform Women's Health Quality Improvement [A304]
Authors: Ling Vivian , Kang Minji M. , Nguyen Buu-Hac , McGowan Makazhia , Peahl Alex F. , Moniz Michelle 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are defined as data reported from patients without interpretation or alteration from others. Use of PROs in health care can identify opportunities for quality improvement (QI) that may be overlooked by clinician-based metrics. This rapid review evaluated best practices for selecting, implementing, and utilizing PROs to inform QI initiatives.

METHODS:
We performed a systematic review of studies addressing PROs in PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria specified use of PROs in a health care setting for QI. We excluded articles where PROs were utilized only as an outcome. Further evaluation was based on the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Setting) framework. Two members of the study team independently reviewed articles for inclusion and data abstraction.

RESULTS:
A total of 156 articles were independently reviewed: 111 were removed following title and abstract screening, and 21 after full-text assessment, resulting in 24 articles for qualitative synthesis. The most common populations were clinical trial participants (46%), patients with cancer (16.7%), and postpartum patients (8.3%). Articles revealed key considerations for integrating PROs in QI work, including: 1) selection (e.g., use of specific criteria, expert or literature review), 2) implementation (e.g., data management, survey use), and 3) utilization (e.g., for decision-making, future PRO selection).

CONCLUSION:
This review highlights several important steps in effective integration of PROs in QI initiatives, including selection, implementation, and application. Future work is needed to define best practices for incorporating these principles in quality initiatives to improve patient-centeredness and equity among diverse populations.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Postpartum Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative [A324]
Authors: Thayer Sydney , Vest Robin , Wecker Eric , Calvert Leah , Luty Jacob 
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination decreases rates of cervical cancer and pre-cancer, yet many remain undervaccinated. This quality improvement initiative aims to increase HPV vaccination postpartum.

METHODS:
Institutional review board exemption was obtained. Patients aged 26 years or younger who delivered viable fetus(es) at a tertiary care center were screened for HPV vaccination eligibility. Patients were included if HPV vaccine data was available in the electronic medical record. Eligible patients were counseled and offered the HPV vaccine in the immediate postpartum period, defined as within 6 weeks postpartum. Additionally, physicians from the obstetrics and gynecology and Family Medicine departments were given a 1-question survey three times during the study period to assess clinician-reported patient screening for HPV vaccine eligibility. A program evaluation was conducted after 4 and 8 months.

RESULTS:
Three hundred twenty one women aged 26 years and younger delivered during the study period, with 260 meeting inclusion criteria. A total of 185 (71.2%) previously completed the HPV vaccine series. Of the 75 undervaccinated patients, 38 (50.7%) received at least one HPV vaccine postpartum, a significant increase from 2.3% in the 1 year prior to program initiation (P<.001). Seventeen percent of physicians surveyed reported screening at least half of their prenatal patients for HPV vaccine eligibility prior to the program's initiation, which significantly increased to 34% at 4 months and 47% at 8 months during the initiative (P<.001).

CONCLUSION:
Postpartum is a crucial and often overlooked period to optimize maternal health care. Counseling and offering HPV vaccination in the postpartum period is efficacious in increasing vaccine uptake among women aged 26 years and younger.